DRAGONJULS' Storybook
~ All Our Tomorrows ~
J M Dragon
Part Twelve
© February 2001
e-mail: jmdragon1@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: See
Part One
Chapter Twenty-four
Jace opened the door of Grace’s allocated bedroom in the villa tentatively; she had scoured the ground floor for her friend without success, her anxiety to know that her friend was in good shape, clearly etched in her expressive features.
“Grace?” softly spoken into the darkening recesses of the room.
She heard a gasp rather than specific coherent words; Jace heard sounds that she had thought never to hear again.
“Jace? Is that you Jace?” Grace couldn’t conceal her delight at the voice of her friend.
Jace rushed over to her friend who was lying on the bed struggling to get up from her prone position.
“Hey, hey it’s okay Grace you don’t need to get up. Are you hurt? The police said you needed to rest. What happened?” Several questions tumbled from Jace’s lips as she sat down gently on the bed hugging her friend as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Grace smiled into the shoulder of her friend, ‘Typical
Jace.’ She pulled away reluctantly, looking into the concerned green eyes.
“I’m fine or at least I had a little twinge or two
but the medics say I’ll be fine with a few days rest. What happened?”
“I could ask you the same thing we heard a shot?” Jace asked gravely.
“The Greek guy decided to save my life rather than end it, aimed the shot at the wall to give the impression that he had completed the task he’d been given by Hudson. He saved my life Jace; I was about to topple off the balcony ledge he pulled me to safety. What happened at your end?” Grace wanted to know what happened to George Spiros, as he’d introduced himself to her, if he needed a character reference she sure as hell could vouch for him!
Jace looked away towards the open window the lace curtain billowing out at the window from the slight breeze. How did you explain what happened, when she really wasn’t sure herself.
“Hudson was going to kill me, even had the gun in my face.” Grace glanced at the blonde who had her face averted. ‘Mrs. Spiros stopped her and there was an altercation. George Spiros came in the room and suddenly things changed. George aimed his gun at Hudson she shot him and…I’m sorry Grace but he died instantly.”
Grace inhaled a sharp breath at the news, there had to have been another way surely, but had he not died would Jace? Perhaps that was the justice nature had awarded him despite his last-minute change of heart. “That’s okay Jace. What happened next, what about Hudson?”
Jace turned back to her friend as she solemnly described the
events that she recalled as best she could
“Hudson is dead?” the words echoed eerily in the
room.
Jace shook her head, “no, seriously injured, perhaps dying but not dead as I left anyway.”
“Catherine’s Aunt is okay?” Grace asked as she saw the withdrawn look on Jace’s face.
“Yes, yes Constantia is at the hospital with Sarah. The medics are confident that she will be okay in due course.”
“I guess we got off lucky in this one Jace for once the good came out the winning team.” Grace replied with optimism.
“I just feel that there could have been another way without the bloodshed. We didn’t exactly escape without casualties Grace.” Jace responded soberly.
“Yeah I know, Sarah. But she’s going to be fine you said….”
“It appears that the detective that Catherine had despatched here with James is another casualty but a fatal one according to Hudson. Grace when the medics said you had to rest why is that if you weren’t injured?” Jace was puzzled at the situation.
That brought an embarrassed look on Grace’s face as she informed Jace of her own adventure. “Oh god you could have lost the baby, what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that I needed to stay alive for lot’s of reasons, at the time it was pretty much the only option I had available to me. I could always have another child Jace…but if I died…well that speaks for itself doesn’t it?” Grace answered resignedly. It still tore at her the fact that she had been prepared to sacrifice her unborn child.
Jace looked at the raging emotions passing over her friend’s face and pulled her into a tight hold. “You did the right thing my friend it’s all going to be alright, so no harm done.” Whispering the words gently, to soothe the woman in her hold, who needed to know that the decision she had made, was the only one she could have in the circumstances.
“Yeah, it’s going to be alright in the end. The kid probably takes after its dad already, never gives up.” Grace smiled as she thought of her husband his beloved features that she pictured clearly in her mind’s eye.
Jace smiled at the words. “I think after its Mom too. How about you try to get some sleep I’ll go find out what’s happening, then we can think about going home what do you say?”
“Sounds like a plan to me I’m all for going home the sooner the better.” Grace lay her head on the pillow feeling the lethargy take over as her eyes betrayed her starting to close immediately.
Now to find out what was happening, then she was going to call Catherine; she could really do with hearing her partner’s voice about now. It would help her to keep her nerve not break down, as she would really like to now. Yes, Catherine was her lighthouse in the storm and what a storm it had been for them all!
* * * * * * * * * *
“Ever seen a Laurel and Hardy movie Mr. Montgomery?” Detective Armstrong asked the tall ranch foreman as he surveyed the charred mess around them.
Colin Montgomery was puzzled at the question but nodded his head, it had been awhile but the monochrome movies even today could give you the odd chuckle.
“Another fine mess you got me into, kind of comes to mind, wouldn’t you say?” the detective shook his head at the still steaming remains of the car that had exploded killing instantly the only passenger.
“I’m sorry for involving you Detective Armstrong, but you were the only one I knew. Considering the publicity there is going to be, the only one I think Ms. Warriorson is going to trust to handle it as discreetly as possible would be you. In the circumstances she has enough on her plate at the moment.” Colin responded to the question as well as he was able.
Armstrong pulled at the morning whiskers on his chin as he considered that comment. Yeah Warriorson would want this to be damped down as much as possible in light that she was embroiled in what must be to her a more tragic situation the kidnapping of her daughter. That wasn’t of course common knowledge he’d been rather impressed that the American publicity machine hadn’t got hold of that story but someone out there was doing a grand job of keeping the news hound’s away. He wondered if they would be equally as successful, doubtful very doubtful.
“Yes quite, so this woman O’Neil exactly how did she know the family?” Armstrong went closer to the vehicle or as close as the fire people would let him.
Colin had not wanted to view the remains of Danni; he just couldn’t stomach it at the moment. He still could not believe that the situation happened at all, never mind so close to the ranch and the people he loved. What did you do to protect the people you loved if they were determined to hurt them? It could not be ruled out that a member of the family was the original target in some way.
“She was Mrs. Warriorson’s physio for several months after her accident. Danni was originally from Christchurch the hospital that Catherine had dealings with. There was some kind of disagreement between her and Catherine when they were in America. We haven’t heard from her in some time then she arrived at the gates last evening asking to talk with Jace, it was a surprise…” Armstrong stopped the man, to ask a question.
“Jace? She wanted to see Jace, not Catherine Warriorson?”
“Yes, she knew Jace of course with her frequent visits to the ranch in the early days.” Colin explained.
“Did you consider that odd?” Armstrong was interested in this fact surely O’Neil would have wanted to see the ex-employer not another member of the family or perhaps there was more to that than met the eye.
“Yes, at the time I did consider it odd and put it down to Jace being more approachable than Catherine. As you know detective my boss isn’t exactly the most forthcoming of people especially those she doesn’t like frankly she didn’t like Ms. O’Neil.” Colin stated matter-of-factly.
“Was that the reason?” Armstrong persisted as he peered into the shell of the vehicle grimaced at the sight before him. Pleased now he hadn’t had the time for something to eat before being called out to this scene.
Colin was getting irritated at the questioning, surely, the detective could have done it more discreetly at the ranch perhaps. “I think we should take the questioning to a more private place detective.”
Armstrong smiled wryly at the man then turned to the Fire Chief.
“Steve when you and the guys have finished up here let me have the report priority A, no talk okay?”
The fire officer grinned at him, “sure Paul are the paramedics coming over to take care of the body, they’re usually here by now?”
“Yes they will be along shortly. They had to take the security guard to the hospital for treatment for minor burns and shock. See you later at the club.” Armstrong moved back towards Colin Montgomery.
“I suggest the security hut for our discussion prior to the paramedics getting back here. A couple of my officers will be stationed here for a while to keep away any unwanted visitors. So, was that the reason?”
Colin had to give the man his due; he certainly wasn’t side tracked by anything as they made there way over to the security hut, and the last hours of Danni O’Neil.
* * * * * * * * * *
Stephanie answered the door to Serena Dusterly, Constance Waverly and Clare Fallon, who all looked tired but happy. Dusterly walked forward into the hall quickly, whilst Constance limped along with the help of Clare as they all went towards the lounge area and any further news regarding Lisa.
“The doctor is still with Mrs. Warriorson, Ms. Waverly would care to see him yourself?” Stephanie asked concerned at the grimace of pain the woman tried hard to mask as she hobbled along the corridor.
Constance turned back smiling gratefully. “It’s okay Stephanie just a sprain I think.”
“No!” All eyes went towards Clare Fallon, who had literally shouted out the word, it seemed to bounce off the walls of the corridor.
“No?” Constance eyed her lover questioningly.
Clare looked embarrassed at the two women who were looking speculatively at her but she remained firm in her original stance. “What I meant to say was yes, yes Constance will see the doctor when he’s finished with Ms. Devonshire and Lisa. He might as well check you over while he’s here.”
Constance was annoyed at the intervention but that changed immediately to one of a glow as she considered that Clare was only concerned about her welfare it was just so…so wonderful. “I guess Clare is right Stephanie thanks I will see him when he’s done with Catherine.”
“Okay I’ll go fix some sandwiches and drinks for you all.” Stephanie walked towards the kitchen no longer within earshot of the three women in the hall corridor.
“I’m sorry Constance I shouldn’t have interfered but I….” A finger soon replaced by warm lips stopped her the kiss that they shared told its own story.
“I love you Clare.” A simple but heartfelt admission that brought a wondrous smile to the younger woman’s features giving her a glow that almost lit up the whole hall.
“I love you too and I’m glad you came back to me.” Clare whispered as tears welled in her eyes as so many scenarios had passed through her mind when Constance had gone into the building without her.
“I want to always come back to you Clare always.” Constance breathed softly into the silky hair of her lover she felt so overwhelmed by emotion that she was sure that she would breakdown here in the hall of her boss.
A throat was cleared which solved that predicament, “you two going to join us?” Serena Dusterly said but her smile blunted the edge from the words she spoke.
Constance looked up into the twinkling eyes of the woman who had brought about a miracle it was certainly that getting Lisa back from the clutches of that woman, who would have believed it.
“Yeah Dusterly don’t start the celebrations without us.” Clare helped her hobble towards the lounge and settled into the nearest armchair.
Clare glanced around the room and saw her friend Rita and Mr. Bardley the acting President of the company in the room.
“Ladies I want to give you my heartfelt gratitude on helping to bring my granddaughter home safe. You don’t know what that means to me personally also the rest of my family too.” Jason Bardley said with deep sincerity smiling warmly at each of them.
“How about we have tea?” Rita saw the raised eyebrows at her choice of beverage, quickly adding,” I guess Ms. Devonshire must be rubbing off on me.” Making light of the charged atmosphere as she saw the embarrassed faces of the other women in the room.
Jason chuckled at the comment. “I will leave the gratuities to Catherine but from my point of view money couldn’t ever buy the loyalty and unselfish disregard to your own lives that you four ladies have shown in the last forty-eight hours. How does one repay that?”
“You don’t.” Serena Dusterly spoke quietly for them all.
Jason turned to her giving her a questioning look. “I don’t?”
“No, we all had our own reasons for wanting to help and believe me seeing a mother and child reunion is all the thanks I want. Gratuities do not come into it, I’m sure I speak for us all?” Serena answered as she sat down heavily in the chair opposite Constance, now she was dead tired wanting sleep, it was all over at last!
“Yeah I agree on that!” Constance backed up Dusterly’s statement for wasn’t that the truth.
“How are they?” Clare asked softly.
“Not sure, the doctor has been in there over an hour I haven’t seen either of them yet myself.” Jason admitted sitting on the sofa besides Rita Tuscany.
“If there had been a major problem we would have known.” Rita said quietly.
“That’s true Catherine would have had Lisa rushed to the nearest hospital if there was even the slightest possibility that the child had been abused in anyway.” Constance concurred with Rita.
Stephanie chose that moment to walk back in the room with fresh sandwiches and various beverages for them.
“The doctor has finished Ms. Waverly he said if you want to go into the study he will check over your injury.”
Constance gave a small grimace then duly chastised with a look of mild rebuke from Clare. “Constance I’ll help you, let’s not keep the good doctor waiting shall we?”
“I suggest you do as you’re told Constance, often helps in this situation.” Jason mildly retorted he couldn’t keep the grin from his face or the twinkle in his eyes.
“Okay, okay I’m going.” The woman was a little peeved, not that she was being made to feel like she was incapable of doing this herself.
She was still muttering as she and Clare left the room.
“Ms. Dusterly, I’m intrigued as to who the party is who abducted my granddaughter? It appears that we may have met her? Is that correct?” Jason asked the tired featured woman opposite him.
Serena Dusterly gave him a pained glance nodding her head wearily. “Yes, you have met the evil bitch. None other than Ms. Rosnova who was working with the police through it all, not just Lisa’s disappearance but all the others.”
Jason couldn’t help the shocked expression take over his face, the woman who had been the counsellor for all those people in their hour of greatest despair was actually the person who had caused it to begin with? That wasn’t right, how could it be. How could someone be so evil? How?
Clearing his throat that had locked at the discovery of the perpetrator said with such calm by the woman opposite him he finally spoke softly to her. “How long have you know this?”
Serena had heard the shock and disbelief in the man’s voice. For the very fact was shocking, when you actually came face to face with a serial felon. However, one that took pleasure in seeing the pain of the act upon the people closest to the victim, was surely impossible to imagine. “I had a good idea after the first year of the case. Then, when I thought I had enough evidence, admittedly only circumstantial, I took it to my superiors. I think Rosnova had a tip off, because she was ready for my accusations and me. I looked foolish in the eyes of my superiors, and others in the department, how do you trust a profiler who made such ridiculous claims? Ms. Devonshire gave me the chance to prove I was right.”
Jason was still reeling from the information he didn’t really know what to say. “She lived in this building too.”
Serena smiled half-heartily at his statement. “Yes she did, perhaps that was her downfall I don’t know but so close to home it makes you wonder at her arrogance.”
“I’d like to think it more her ignorance.” A voice said from the door, as a pale featured rather bruised looking face towered inside the doorway.
“Catherine? How’s Lisa? How are you? You look awful!” Jason practically fell over his words as well as his feet rushing to greet her pulling her into a warm hug.
Catherine was too tired to resist but she did shut her eyes to the amused stare of the others in the room.
“Jason I’m fine, no I’m better than fine. Wonderful would be apt at this point. Lisa is asleep she’s here safe, I know she’s going to be fine also.” Catherine finally disengaged herself from the hug unable to help the smile that creased her lips as she saw the happiness mirrored in the face of her father in law.
“Does Jace know?” Jason asked happy that they were both well even if Catherine looked far from it.
“Not yet but anytime soon, I’m waiting to use the study then I intend to call Jace. We go home tomorrow. I see no reason to stay here anything the police want they can travel to Destiny to ask me if they see fit.” Catherine replied she was anxious to call Jace but wanted the privacy of the study to do so, wanting out of the apartment too.
“The police might want to question you Ms. Devonshire.” Serena Dusterly told her quietly.
Arching one of her famous eyebrows she looked towards the woman whom had been instrumental in the discovery and rescue of her daughter. Under normal circumstances, she would have been angry at the comment and duly responded as such. However, she had not wanted to be angry with this woman in any way whatsoever.
“I appreciate that Ms. Dusterly but in the circumstances I think my way is the way the police will see it. After all, their ineptitude allowed the situation to occur. Wouldn’t you agree?” Catherine stated firmly.
Dusterly swallowed a little intrigued by the confident arrogance, how did people get to be like that with no effort at all? No matter how confident she was in a situation she never had that supreme arrogance that made mincemeat out of anyone who disagreed, this woman before her did it with ease. Bringing you to the conclusion that she was born like that and maybe she was. Wonder, how you lived with someone like that? Yet, the small blonde she had met briefly at the start of this situation had seemed to have the measure of the woman, clearly able to wipe the arrogance away with a knowing glance or word. Some power that was and this woman didn’t appear to mind in the slightest.
“You don’t agree?” Catherine asked surprised at the lack of response to her question.
“Why yes I do agree but you know police protocol.” Serena quickly answered not wanting to look foolish to this woman.
“I don’t give a shit about police protocol Dusterly they can go and…” Catherine was stopped from adding more as Jason placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I think we get the message Catherine, don’t we Ms. Dusterly?”
Serena nodded her head sinking down into the sofa again now she was beat.
“I’m going to make that call I might be awhile, so if you all wanted to go home that’s okay if not please feel free to use the apartment as you wish.” Catherine turned away quickly, returning to sit with Lisa until the study was free.
Sighing gently at the wonderful sight of her daughter snuggled up fast asleep in bed with blacky and rag doll suitably flanking her either side as sentries on watch for intruders.
‘Why wait for the study.” Was Catherine’s immediate thought as she sank down gently onto the side of the bed she pulled over the phone to rest on the bedclothes as she selected the short code for Constantia’s villa speed dialling the number.
Settling down with her head on the pillow next to her daughter’s red head of hair, she smiled as she could finally go home did she want to go home!
A voice in Greek answered the call Catherine slowly asked to be connected to Jace Warriorson. A few words later the phone began to ring again as a voice she heard constantly in her dreams came to vibrant life over the line.
“Jace?”
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter twenty-five
Constantia sat ridged in her wheelchair as close as possible to Sarah’s hospital bedside as it would allow. There were times when the vehicle that allowed her mobility in her life these days was a real hindrance, not least when she sorely wanted to be as close as possible to her friend.
It had been such a shock to see Sarah put her own life in danger to save hers when it would have been better had she taken the bullet, which had been meant for her anyway. But Sarah being Sarah had done what she had always done since the first day they had met and been entirely selfless.
How long had it been now, when the roles had been reversed? It had been when she who had been laid up in a hospital bed barely alive after the fall from the horse in Hyde Park?
Sarah had been there as she had hoped she would be when she returned to consciousness.
“What made her do such a stupid thing anyway?” Carl Leadbeater said critically to the small woman seated quietly at the window watching the events unfold in the yard below with unseeing eyes.
The nurse in the room at vigil over the patient merely twitched an eyebrow at the comment.
Sarah Rogers answered in a timid voice, her tears obscuring the sight at her feet. She had sought to keep her mind focused instead of on the tragedy that had befallen her employer and friend, but now she was just too distraught.
“I really don’t know you will have to ask her.”
“Ask her? Ask her you say? We might never be able to ask her anything again, don’t you know that you stupid woman?” Carl bit out savagely pacing the private room that was now occupied by his fiancée. Or at least they had an understanding he was pretty darn sure they would have been announcing the engagement in the next few weeks.
Sarah shrank back at the attack it hadn’t been her fault, she was at the house it had been part of Consty’s normal daily routine; you could almost set your clock by her schedule.
“I’m sure she will pull through Mr. Leadbeater, she comes from a very strong family.”
The nurse looked up briefly at Sarah and smiled at her.
“Humph well let’s hope so when she does I will have words to say to her. Anyway what are you doing here you’re not family?” Carl commented cruelly.
Sarah cringed at the comment although it was factual she felt like she was a part of Consty’s family who was he to say that anyway, he wasn’t either. But years of subservience admittedly not that Consty was rigid in those matters had allowed her not to react with the emotion she really felt. “I was called by the hospital then I called you.”
Carl muttered under his breath as he paced a little more. “I’m going for a coffee.” He didn’t offer to bring one for Sarah not that she would have wanted one her stomach she felt wouldn’t allow it.
The nurse didn’t say anything during the man’s outburst but Sarah was sure she didn’t like what he said anymore than she did.
Sarah waited until he left the room then went over to her friend who was hooked up with several tubes and monitors. This time she couldn’t stop the tears as they fell like a shower over her pale cheeks.
“I really want you to get better Consty, whatever would I do without you?”
The tearful words echoed in the silent room or at least silent of human sounds that is. Sarah bent her head placing her wet cheek on her friend’s hand and cried softly, it really wouldn’t look good if Mr. Leadbeater came in now and saw her; he would surely want her to leave.
The nurse remained at the other side of the bed her face a closed professional mask at the breakdown of the older woman in the room.
“Don’t cry Sarah.” A voice harsh to Sarah’s ear but oh so familiar rumbled around her.
Sarah peered up from her crouched position, into the tiredly blinking eyes of her friend she sobbed as she saw the light from the ice blue orbs close to her.
“Oh Consty I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Sarah wailed unable to stop the sobs wracking her small body.
“You would do well Sarah we both know it.” Constantia tiredly pronounced as she tried to lift her hand but was unable to with all the equipment attached to her.
“I’ll go and get the doctor.” The nurse quickly said as she scanned the equipment before rushing out of the room.
Sarah stood up quickly wiping a hand over her eyes moving away from the bed.
“No, please Sarah don’t go anywhere.” Constantia appeared to beg the younger woman, giving her a weary smile.
The door opened at that moment as Carl Leadbeater strolled in quickly pushing the half-empty paper cup into Sarah’s unsuspecting hands as he saw that Constantia was awake.
Sarah couldn’t help herself she dropped the cup and the contents splattered all over the polished tiled floor.
“Stupid woman! Go and get a mop to clean it up.” The man arrogantly announced as he went close to the patient.
“Oh my darling am I glad you are awake now everything is going to be alright.” Carl smarmily spoke to Constantia as he quickly pecked her cheek.
Constantia was weak, she was tired as hell, and she knew that she wasn’t exactly functioning on all cylinders brain wise but enough was enough.
“I suggest Carl that YOU clean the mess up then get out of here.”
Sarah had heard her friend use that tone of voice on several occasions but never to her close acquaintances. Certainly, never to the man who had now turned an angry red. It echoed a chilling message that you ignored at your peril.
“I don’t understand.” Carl blustered as he looked with distaste at the mess on the floor. Then angrily to Sarah and finally with a little boy lost look towards the woman he professed to love.
“Simple, I want you out of here Carl now would be appropriate I think.” The words a little slurred but certainly conveying their meaning.
“You’re tired darling you don’t know what you’re saying.” The man once again tried to placate the woman glaring at him from the bed.
“Go!” Constantia finally lost what little patience she had.
Sarah decided that her friend was getting overly worked up and interceded. “I think you had better leave Mr. Leadbeater, this isn’t helping.” Softly entreating the man to go for the sake of her friend’s well-being.
Carl turned to Sarah giving a look that she was sure would have struck her dead had he the skill. This time she faced him squarely refusing to be intimidated.
Turning one last time to look at the grim face of Constantia Xianthos, he angrily left the room swinging the door with a force that rattled the hinges.
“I could have done without that sound effect.” Constantia quietly stated closing her eyes with the lethargy.
“I’ll see where the doctor is shall I?” Sarah was annoyed at the man who had been in Consty’s life for the past year, yet felt wonderful that her friend had woken appearing to be her old self.
“Sarah I want you to stay no matter what the doctors say. If you want to that is?” For the first time unsure that her housekeeper and hopefully friend would want to do that.
Sarah beamed a bright smile at the words. “Of course I’ll stay for however long you need me.” Then the door opened as the doctor arrived with the nurse at his heals.
‘Funny thing is Sarah I have always needed you in my life. The best friend anyone could ever have wished for and been granted.’ Her mind roamed restlessly as she watched her friend in a deep sleep.
Tears that she rarely shed, although these days she seemed to be doing so more frequently, now came in abundance her view of her friend was obscured momentarily.
“Consty?” a frail voice asked tentatively.
“Sarah, how do you feel? Shall I call a doctor? Are you okay?” unable to get closer to the bed but dearly wishing she could hug her friend.
A small weak chuckle could be heard from the woman in the bed. “I ache, otherwise I’m tired but I’m still here.”
Constantia smiled at the positive words as she shook her silver head of hair at her friend. “That you are my friend that you are.”
Constantia pressed the button to call the nurse, gazing at her friend in tender concern. “I thought I’d lost you Sarah.” The words little more than a whisper in the room being heated by the afternoon sharp suns rays as ice blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I couldn’t allow anything to happen to you Consty whoever would I have tea with?” Sarah spoke quietly, seeing and hearing the distress in her friend.
Constantia couldn’t believe the rejoinder, oh this woman was indeed a treasure one of the finest people she had ever met, and in fact she wasn’t sure Sarah wasn’t the finest she had met. “Whoever indeed Sarah.”
“What happened?” Sarah asked as she saw several emotions pass over her friend’s face.
Not wanting to discuss the situation until Sarah was stronger, she smiled trying to reach out her hand to touch her friend but it was just outside her reach. Sarah saw the action moving with lightening speed belying her injuries, to the hand that was about to be pulled away grasping the cold long tapering fingers in her warm smaller hand.
Constantia smiled as she replied. “Tomorrow Sarah, tomorrow we will talk about it, now you need to get some rest.”
“Will you stay with me Consty?” the question timid and unsure.
“Of course I will for however long you need me.” Constantia heard the small-satisfied sigh it brought an answering one of her own.
How things moved full circle were her thoughts as they waited for the doctor to arrive.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Catherine? Is that you?” Jace asked breathlessly how could she have asked such a stupid question of course it was.
A deep throaty chuckle was the initial reply bringing an answering soft laugh from Jace.
“Do you know what it feels like to hear your voice?” Catherine replied quietly her body relaxing for the first time since she had last conversed with Jace.
Jace heard the almost growl like tone that always set her body temperature soaring, shaking her head at the thoughts that automatically shot through her mind. “I know exactly darling it’s a mutual reaction count on it.”
“I’m coming home,” Catherine heard the sharp intake of breath from her partner quickly adding. “With Lisa, Jace, I’m coming home with Lisa.”
Jace couldn’t help it she screamed with joy at the words, as she could barely contain herself enough to ask the vital question. “Is our princess alright Catherine is she? Can I speak to her, when will you be home?”
Catherine not only reeled at the volume of the shriek she was subjected to, but the jumble of questions that had been fired at her.
It was several seconds before she finally put the phone back to her ear. Her glance straying momentarily to the sleeping child at her side, at least Jace wasn’t loud enough to wake Lisa, which was something. The euphoria that Jace emitted over the line was catching some of the buoyancy transmitted to Catherine as she grinned, picturing Jace now.
“Jace, Jace please darling I know it’s difficult but do you think you could take a deep breath then I’ll answer your questions.” Her voice filled with warmth at her partner’s happiness.
“Yes, yes I’m calm really I am Catherine please tell me.” Jace excitedly responded sitting down at the side of her bed, holding the instrument close to her ear she didn’t want to miss a thing as she waited for the answers.
“Okay, Lisa is sleeping she’s doing well according to the doctor and able to travel. We are leaving tomorrow; I will contact my flight staff to have the flight approved for as early as possible. She’s doing well Jace she really is.” Suddenly the emotional situation crashed around her as her voice broke her tears fell unashamedly down her face.
Jace heard the break in the voice she knew that Catherine was either crying or about to it made Jace pull herself out of her tearful excitement as she listened to the woman she loved.
“Then I will try to make the same arrangements to be home at the same time if I can.” Jace replied softly, hearing the in-drawn breath as Catherine digested the words.
“Have you…have you completed your business with my Aunt?” the words hesitant.
“I don’t think we need to talk about that now Catherine, I can tell you about it when we are together what do you say?” Jace decided that it wouldn’t serve any useful purpose to inform Catherine of the situation on the island. Knowing her, she would divert the flight to come for her. Oh god what a wonderful thought she was so tempted to say something, she really was.
“Are you sure, has there been any trouble?” Catherine sniffled slightly as she tried to rid herself of the tears to concentrate on the wonderful sound of her partner.
“Oh this and that.” Jace crossed her fingers hoping that Catherine wouldn’t ask too many questions.
“This and that?” Catherine persisted.
“Catherine have I told you yet that I love you?” Jace smoothly diverted the conversation.
“No but….”
“Well you see Catherine once upon a time there was this really ugly looking woman who was nasty too and ….” Jace heard the sharp gasp form her partner at the words.
“Are you talking about me?” Catherine asked in amazement.
“Yeah.” Jace replied innocently.
“Yeah?” Catherine asked a frown creasing her brow at the conversation.
“Well, yeah she was so nasty that everyone around thought her the wickedest person in the area, until a beautiful princess came along….”
“And she was turned into a handsome prince.” Catherine finally caught onto Jace’s playful conversation it was her way to bring down the tension. Her partner did it so well too.
“Oh I kind of had a beautiful multi skilled business woman as my option. Sound familiar to you?” Jace chuckled today had looked like it was going to be her last now she was here alive and well, her daughter was safe her love was on the way home. You couldn’t say that life wasn’t full of surprises.
Yes that sounds familiar to me Jace, so did the nasty woman disappear for good?” Catherine asked. Jace heard the weariness in her tone smiling gently at the receiver she could imagine the battle Catherine was putting up to stay with the conversation.
“Occasionally the nasty side appears but only to protect those she loves.” Jace spoke quietly not wanting to upset her partner, unduly.
“Does that scare and make you unhappy Jace?” Catherine asked as her words slurred in tiredness her mind trying to activate, she didn’t want the contact with Jace to end.
“Scare no! Unhappy, yes for there are times when it feels I lose that precious contact with her soul. Then I look into my heart and there she is, her heart beating alongside mine, I know that’s how it will always be, forever.” Jace explained softly, the words tugged at her making her own heart beat react.
Catherine felt the lump form in her throat she couldn’t immediately answer. The admission from her partner, causing her to feel the connection they appeared to have with the full force of an electric storm, Jace was certainly electric in her eyes. It made her wonder how she was ever going to stop Jace going through that repeatedly. “I’m so sorry.” Her voice broken with the sadness she felt at the continually broken promises she made to this woman.
“Sorry? My darling no! I love all of you the good and the bad, frankly Catherine you have a marvellous way of saying sorry up front and personal.” Jace chuckled; she could hear the tension expend itself at the other end of the line.
“I guess you would miss ‘Ms. Nasty’ if she never came home again?” Catherine closed her eyes as she listened to the music that the gentle laughter of her partner made.
Jace heard the change in tempo of Catherine’s breathing it was like being with her the line, although something didn’t sound quite right in it’s clarity, she would ask about that later, maybe her partner had a cold. It felt as if she could feel her partner settling down on her shoulder to sleep.
For many people that could have caused friction, Jace considered it a compliment the strength of love she shared with Catherine.
Jace softly recited a poem as she waited for Catherine to fall into a deep sleep.
If you were here I would hold you tight,
I would protect you with my light.
Knowing you will sleep,
Rather than weep.
As you try to be all things to me,
That’s just fine you always will be.
Some day’s when things don’t look so great,
Together we can make it feel like a treat.
The first time that you smiled for me,
I felt the wonder for all to see.
Now your love is within my heart,
I will keep if steadfast never to part.
Jace smiled tenderly as she heard the slightly ragged breathing, signalling Catherine was sleeping soundly.
“Sleep well my beautiful frog princess, speed safely home to me, I will always be your home wherever that might be.” Replacing her receiver on the cradle she looked out on to the blue sea and the peace it brought, reminding Jace of the reflection from Catherine's eyes.
Time to go and search out Grace to let her know the happy news, then search out Lukas and find out what happens next.
Jason Bardley knocked on the bedroom door to inform Catherine that the study was free. As he received no answer he looked inside, he saw a sight that brought a warm glow inside his heart. For there was Catherine asleep on top of the bed with a phone in her hand and curled up next to the sleeping figure of one wonderful child.
He walked over to the sleeping figures, removed the phone checking to see if it was still connected to someone, it wasn’t, he then replaced it on it’s cradle. Pulled a blanket over the soundly sleeping woman, as he placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Walking around the bed, he stroked tenderly the red hair of the child smiling loving at the fact that he could do this at all. Some miracles you just never ask for explanations in this life. Kissing her forehead too, as he silently left the room, whispering as he closed the door. “Sleep well children.”
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