AOT Part19

DRAGONJULS' Storybook
~ All Our Tomorrows ~
J M Dragon
Part Nineteen
© February 2001
e-mail: jmdragon1@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: See Part One

Chapter Thirty-eight

Jason Bardley opened the large polished oak door with the ornate key, it went into the lock without protest, that surprised him, you’d have expected the lock to resist after a period of years. Just another interesting facet to the legend behind Xianthos, maybe Devonshire still walked the halls and he used his office every day.

The thought made him chuckle as he heard the lock snick back as he tentatively opened the door. He felt like he was violating someone’s privacy, but hell the guy had been dead for ten years. If he wasn’t mistaken the tenth anniversary of his death was next month; maybe they should celebrate it in some fashion. He’d have to think about it before he broached the rest of the executive committee. It was a rather sensitive subject with the present owner.

He pushed the door open prior to going inside he could smell the stale air that hadn’t been recycled and the… now what was that familiar if pungent smell? Yeah, it was old books, really old books that had the yellow fading pages; musty could best describe it.

As he walked inside flicking the light switch to illuminate the dark room, he now knew why. The room was lined on one side with numerous volumes of books. Ranging from business volumes of the day to old editions of classical literature. A large section on biographies of great characters in history, Genghis Khan, Peter I ‘The Great’, Marco Polo, Napoleon, Wellington, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Gandhi and the list went on and on. The guy had been a real history buff according to the volumes he could see, they were well used too not show pieces. He selected one of the volumes reverently touching the pages of the leather-tooled volume; it was the biography of Catherine II of Russia. As he glanced with appreciation over the words on the pages, he wondered if Devonshire had named his only daughter after this Empress of Russia?

It was a readers paradise, or at least to him anyway! Maybe that was the reason why the man had started a publishing business because he had a genuine love of the written word. He had read lots about the man in the past few months, and yet nothing told him why he became a publisher. There just wasn’t anyone who knew the man around to ask, assuming they would tell him anything in the first place.

As he looked over the room he saw a large oak desk its surface now covered with dust. It was the size that made you give it a second look it was twice the size of any desk he’d ever seen before. He could imagine how nervous it made people who came into the room and saw the man behind it.

Devonshire himself had been a tall guy; he was around six feet five according to the bibliography. He’d had grey-piercing eyes that much you could see from the portrait that had been painted of him. There was a brass reading lamp on the desk, a gold letter opener with the initials SD on the hilt also what appeared to be a black fountain pen with a gold cap situated next to a black leather writing case. The dust was evident everywhere as Jason neared the desk; he looked at the rich red wine, leather chair that had also been well used in the past. If he sat in the depths he would feel totally dwarfed in it.

There was a glass cabinet that housed what he thought was a bar. Several bottles of different alcohol were displayed with glasses accordingly, for the different types of drink. Looked like the guy enjoyed the odd tipple, wonder which was his favourite? Now he was pretty certain that he could find that out here, there must be someone who had been here for more than ten years.

He then saw a filing cabinet, he made his way over to it touching the layer of dust as he pulled at the drawer, and not surprisingly it was locked. He walked back to the desk tried and tried the drawers to no avail everything was locked. Damn!

Jason was a little disappointed that he wasn’t able to get into any of the drawers of the desk, which he was certain, would probably have the keys to the filing cabinet.

He went over to the door that led to perhaps the private bathroom opening the door, this time the smell wasn’t so pungent just stale. The room was very spacious and held within its confines a small kitchen area, and then another door led to a bathroom. He definitely had all the conveniences if he wanted to keep late hours, or never step out of the office during the day.

As he turned in the kitchen he saw another smaller door and opened it to reveal a cloakroom, amazingly there were three garments hanging on the brass pegs. A midnight blue raincoat, a black wool overcoat and a jacket of what appeared to be part of a pinstriped suit. Strange, he could understand the raincoat and overcoat but part of suit. Surely the guy would have taken that home? Then there were several umbrellas neatly folded in the stand, all in sober colours probably for different styles of dress.

Picking up the jacket he couldn’t help the Cheshire grin that crossed his face as he heard the chink of keys, at least he hoped they were keys as he delved into the pockets and fished out a small bunch from one of them. This was surely his lucky day!

Jason swiftly went back to the main office selecting one of the small brass keys, after trying one of the three that were on the key chain he finally heard the lock release on the main drawer of the desk, grinning broadly as it did so.

He gingerly opened it for no other purpose than it was like being a child again; stumbling across a place your parents never let you see. To his mind it was quite exciting, maybe he shouldn’t be doing this at all? No! Catherine, he was certain wouldn’t mind or would she? Hopefully she would laugh at his fascination with the subject of her father.

He peered into the drawer and saw a large desk diary, also several other papers appertaining to his workload at the time. No other keys were evident that looked like a match for the filing cabinet. Pulling out the royal blue diary he opened it as he noticed it was a three-year monster that had been used everyday. As he flicked the pages at the beginning, he came across entries dealing with business events, although nothing personal, not even a birthday. Then he found a page that drew him, for the letters were so bold and in red, quite startling in contrast to the black ink used for the majority of entries.

‘I have a grandson!’

Jason wondered if the man had felt as proud that day when he’d found out, as he himself was when he learnt of Elena, he hoped so he really did.

Flicking over several pages he saw numerous business entries but he wanted to know if there were anymore personal ones that gave insight into the man himself.

‘Catherine named him after Lukas!’

There were a few entries that he could associate with, a couple were in blue that were cryptic, otherwise rather lacking in warmth. Then again what could you expect it wasn’t a personal diary was it?

He went to the final entry it started in black and ended in blue.

‘C is in town, I think I might ask her this weekend!’

Jason pursed his lips at that final statement, who was C? And what was the question? Going by the date, he’d died less than forty-eight hours later from a heart attack.

Jason looked at the papers, they were only about business propositions and as his eyes scanned them, he arched an eyebrow in surprise ‘I bet Dan never knew that his company was a prime candidate for take-over way back then?’

Replacing the diary and the papers back in the drawer, he tried one of the other keys in the side drawer; on the second attempt he opened it. There was nothing there but office equipment, very expensive equipment but nothing personal that would explain the man himself. Except that he had the best of everything it would seem.

As he opened the drawer on the other side, there was no doubt about the key, as it was the final one. This wasn’t normal having three keys for a desk but it looked custom made so he supposed that would work. The final drawer was opened, this time he wasn’t disappointed as he saw a couple of keys that definitely looked like filing cabinet ones, they were the same the world over.

Picking them up he touched a wallet, about the size of a photograph wondering if he should look. Oh what the hell, he had already gone down the invasion of privacy part, he might as well go the whole hog!

Placing the cabinet keys on the dusty desk he picked up the wallet it was in the softest leather, probably goat leather or something of that type. Certainly expensive, whatever was inside had been very important to Devonshire; the edges of the wallet were worn, obviously well used.

He had to sit as he saw what was inside; he gently opened each page of what was a personal photo wallet. It started with very old photos of children and then two couples on their wedding day. Maybe one of Devonshire himself at his wedding, his wife was a very beautiful woman although there was something ethereal about her. That then brought a couple of pictures of people he assumed were friends, it was like watching Stewart Devonshire’s life unfold before his eyes. There were baby pictures of each of his children, Catherine had been a rather plain child, and the son on the other hand had been cute. Several pictures brought the children to… he would say around teenage years, the girl had become a very beautiful young woman, the son had a happy countenance or he appeared so in the pictures.

Then he saw one of Catherine at a wedding, hers, the groom beside her was a lot older without a doubt. Then pictures of a baby well several pictures of a baby, the same one, very important to the man who had kept his life in pictures, however few.

As he closed up the wallet he pondered what he saw in this room, for this room was life to Devonshire. Some of the most important things in his life were here in this office, important memories!

He picked up the keys to the filing cabinet noticing sub-consciously the trail it left on the desk in the dust.

Inserting a key he opened the cabinet easily.

It was a three-drawer unit; he went through the first drawer, which held only business files. The second held the same, and the third he considered a waste of time but he’d looked at the others so he might well finish the job.

The drawer was virtually empty containing very few files. He was about to shut it when his peripheral vision saw a metal box at the end of the suspension files. Bending down he retrieved the box shutting the cabinet.

It was a mini strong box, he wondered if he had the key on the key chain, he hadn’t used them all yet, hardly any really.

He sat back in the leather chair trying one or two before he found the one that opened the box; the guy was practical anyway. As he opened it, he considered that perhaps it should be Catherine’s prerogative….

* * * * * * * * *

“Mom” A small voice could be heard in Jace’s subconscious as she woke from the tone alone.

“Yeah, yeah darling what’s the problem?” Jace was disorientated as she looked into small tearful blue eyes of her eldest daughter.

“I’m scared Mom!” Lisa said glancing towards the still form of Catherine in the bed with Jace.

Jace’s heart broke at the words, of course she was scared, of course she was! “Lisa come here, lets get you settled next to me.”

Lisa happily let Jace pull her forward under the single sheet she felt the warmth of her Mom, the security it gave and the love she knew was there for her. “Will you keep the monsters away Mom?”

Jace felt her daughter tremble as she was hugged closer. Somehow she knew that the darkness hadn’t been far away, but she had to wait for Lisa to tell her and then they could work on it. “Yeah, sure I will darling.”

Lisa felt a little calmer as she snuggled closer to Jace, then a stronger arm snaked across Jace and herself. A sleep clouded voice confidently, filled with love added. “I’ll keep the monsters from you both.”

Lisa sighed as shortly her erratic breathing levelled, Jace knew Lisa was asleep as she turned fractionally placing a brief but warm kiss on Catherine’s lips. “Thank you from both of us.”

A sleep filled voice answered. “You’re welcome.” As they all fell into a peaceful sleep, knowing the monsters had at least some opposition.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alison Bardley sat patiently waiting for her youngest child to settle down and explain the outburst that she was quitting school.

It had been a shock; of the two of her children Lucy was the more volatile and amazingly also the one more likely to be talked around when she had exhausted all the emotion of the problem. You just had to wait for her to calm down first; fortunately she had patience in abundance and could wait.

Lucy was pacing the living room; she wanted out of college, it wasn’t for her. She’d tried over the last couple of years, now the final year was proving too much to handle, she wasn’t going back it was as simple as that!

“Lucy would you like something to drink while you think?” Alison had to smile wryly at her comment, which was worthy of her husband rather than herself. Thinking about Jason alone in New York her heart went out to him, although she knew that he could and would cope very well. They had been together long enough now that it was a better situation when they were together than apart.

Lucy stopped her frantic pacing as she turned to her mother, seeing the gentle warmth and understanding in her Mother’s green eyes. Her mother never judged she was just always there if the going got tough or you needed a shoulder to cry on. It was inconceivable that her mother wouldn’t always be there for her! When her parents had announced that they would be leaving LA for New York, it was unthinkable! “Thanks Mom, I’ll have water.”

Alison stood up walking over to her daughter, placing a tender hand on her shoulder in compassion. “Good choice. I’ll have the same, be right back.”

Alison left her child to pace something that was a trait of Jason’s. He always did that when he was worried or deep in thought. Fortunately, Jace had more of her characteristics than her Father’s traits. The thought of her elder daughter, the situations that had befallen her and her family in the last three years, made you wonder in awe at the strength of the love that bonded the rather unique family together. Some relationships had to weather the eternal storm, and therefore needed an extra special element to keep it all together; she felt that Jace and Catherine had the special ingredients in their relationship.

Looking around the compact but homely kitchen as she poured water from the bottle in the refrigerator, she knew that they could afford to live in a more opulent house, even have domestic help if she wished. Especially with Jason’s new permanent position and the staggering salary involved. What he was getting a month was more than a year’s salary in his old position. Catherine had even insisted that they take over the apartment she owned in New York. The housekeeper Stephanie already ran the household with precision, she didn’t need to do anything but shop!

Nope, this was home they had bought it when they first married. The struggle of the mortgage payments in those years as the girls were growing and the business was small, eating away at any excess cash, just made it all the more home to her. They had so many memories here maybe she would stay home a little, until Lucy was settled again. The house could do with a revamp anyway, they had always wanted to add a new wing to the house, and perhaps this was the time to do so. She’d talk with Jason later, on that subject, he wouldn’t be happy but he would understand that she knew with confidence.

“Here you go Lucy.” Alison handed her daughter the cold drink and sat back down in her favourite armchair, sinking into its depths with pleasure.

“Mom, I’m not going back!” Lucy stated sinking down on the sofa opposite her Mother as they both drank from their glasses of water.

“Yes, you told me. Now can we go over why?” Alison asked quietly, holding her daughter’s gaze, she saw the doubt and the trouble clearly in her eyes.

“I hate it!” Lucy announced with venom.

“Really? When did you begin to hate it?” Alison refused to release the eyes that held a challenge buried beneath them.

“I’ve always hated it, I just never told you before.”

“Maybe you should have spoken out on this before, we could have stopped you getting so upset with the situation. I didn’t think we were parents that you had difficulty talking to?” Alison asked her quietly.

Lucy shook her head, “Mom it wasn’t like that! I knew that you had all those problems with Jace, what with the travelling and now Dad’s new job! I didn’t think you had the time.”

Alison heard the plaintive words, considered for a few moments the statement. True, Jace had caused them to worry; perhaps they had been preoccupied with her troubles. True also, that Jason’s new post had been upper most in their minds once Lisa had been returned safe and well. Had they neglected their youngest child?

“Did you think we weren’t there for you darling?” Alison asked gently as she placed her glass on the coffee table, pulling herself out of her armchair to move around to sit beside Lucy on the sofa.

Her child turned anguished tear filled eyes to her Mother’s gentle compassionate ones, nodding her head, relieved when her mother pulled her gently into her arms. “How about you have a good cry baby, we can try and solve the problem, what do you say?”

Lucy muttered her agreement as the tears flowed as she was rocked against her mother. Her Mom was the rock she turned to in the storm, it made things look brighter all of a sudden, a chink of sunlight had broken through the dark clouds with this simple old fashion love she needed right now.

Alison smoothed her hand over Lucy’s hair in a soothing fashion, as she whispered words of love to her baby. For the child in her arms was always going to be her baby no matter how old she was. This was what family was all about, the loving bond they all shared no matter the circumstances.

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter Thirty-nine

Constantia found her godson looking somewhat lost in the courtyard, he was starring at the palm tree with a degree of concentration, that although the tree was indeed a beautiful specimen didn’t exactly warrant that kind of inspection.

“Good morning Lukas.” Constantia said quietly, as she watched the young man turn in surprise at being disturbed. His countenance changed to pleasure as he walked swiftly over to place a kiss on her cheek.

“Good morning Constantia, it’s a beautiful morning, should be a good day for the children to see the island.” He had volunteered to take the three children and their parents around the island, it would take them all day but he felt that keeping occupied was a good thing.

“Yes it is very beautiful, a wonderful day to see our island. Will Althea be going with you too?” No better time than to ask the boy about the woman, she sure occupied his thoughts.

Lukas looked towards the fountain depicting Aphrodite; a small smile crossed his face. “No, she needs to make arrangements for tomorrow. I said I would help but she wanted to be the one to make the final preparations, she said it was the right thing to do.”

“Then I will ensure that she is aware she isn’t alone today, should the task be difficult for her emotionally. It helps to know someone is there even if they do not take up the offer, just knowing is comfort enough.” Constantia wheeled her chair over to the fountain smiled up at the beauty of the statue. When she had it commissioned from old documents; people had been staggered at the cost.

Now looking it over she felt that the cost had been justified, it brought her great joy and now she felt that others found that too, in their own way.

“She was very beautiful.” Lukas had been appalled that his godmother had wanted to spend so much money on a fountain, but she had dismissed his prudent comments and gone ahead anyway. Now the fountain was to him the very heart of the villa, it seemed to bestow a peace when chaos beckoned. At least that was how he viewed it anyway.

“Yes, as we all are when we are in love or happy.” Constantia remarked quietly.

“How about breakfast with me before my family descends upon us, as you will have your hands full?”

“I’d like that.” He smiled warmly at the woman and went over to wheel the chair towards the main house on the way to the breakfast balcony.

* * * * * * * * * *

“She’s here alive, so where’s my money?” the man asked aggressively.

“Is she dead?” The second man asked, as he peered at the deathly white features of the woman who had been placed on the makeshift bed.

“No! Check her pulse she’s alive and that was the deal.” The first man said irritated at the delay, the fucking woman might die at any moment and he had kept up his part of the bargain.

The second man checked her pulse, appearing satisfied that the woman was still living, if only barely.

“Okay, you get your money.” The second man announced placing a manila envelope in his hands.

The first man glanced up into the Slavic features, considered opening the envelope but had second thoughts, as a third man entered the room who had a machine gun, he didn’t look very happy at all.

“I’ll leave you with her then. Although I was kind of surprised she chose to come here of all places.” The first man said as he made his way to the door and hopefully out of the building safely.

“That was her choice. You don’t want to count the money?” The second man asked, as his heavy eyebrows lifted fractionally.

“No! I trust you, honour among thieves and all that.” The first man said, wishing he hadn’t as he left the room quickly.

The third man turned to the second. “You want me to go after him?”

The second man glanced down at the woman on the bed and smiled. “No, he may be of use to us another time, as he said honour among thieves.”

“She doesn’t look good.” The third man said as he too glanced at the pathetic looking woman on the bed.

“I know that! Bring the doctor we will see if she will live the day through.” He spoke in their natural tongue, as he swept a heavy coarse blanket over the woman.

“Okay.” The third man disappeared out of the door.

The second man sat at the side of the bed stroking the beard on his chin; here was the ideal partner. Someone who needed a sanctuary but who had funds to invest didn’t even mind what the funds were used for. A good partnership if she lived, a not so good one if she died, but still profitable.

“We will see how tough you American women are.” The man spoke into the silent room.

He was surprised when a small frail voice said clearly. “You will or my name isn’t Clarissa Hudson.”

The man moved forward, thinking he imagined the voice as the woman was still unconscious or appeared that way to him. Shaking his head he resumed his musing over the woman as he waited for the Doctor to get here.

* * * * * * * * * *

Catherine had extracted herself out of the hold that Lisa had on her arm, the kid was frail looking but she had some grip. Jace was snuggled into the bed holding their eldest daughter in a tender protective hold.

She’d gone to check that Faith wasn’t having a fit with Lisa missing from the room, but the woman was fast asleep, so was their youngest Elena. Mind you Elena was like her mother she could sleep at the drop of a hat at anytime, and no matter how many hours sleep she indulged in during the day, she would sleep until at least seven in the morning.

Going along the corridor she tentatively opened Jake’s allocated room, saw the boy sprawled out on the bed, the sheet wrapped around him like a cocoon. She silently went inside looked down at him sleeping peacefully; saw that he was changing and spots were appearing on his face. Yes the good old signs of puberty, maybe his voice would break soon too. My god, Jake would take some ragging from Lisa then! Smiling she turned and left the room it had been tempting to unravel him from the restriction of the sheet but that might have disturbed him and she didn’t want that.

Looking over the small balcony window on the landing she saw that it was a beautiful start to the morning, making a decision that a walk along the beach might be a good morning constitution for her before breakfast.

Silently going back to her room she selected some sweat pants and a black T-shirt, along with some training shoes, placing a tender kiss on Jace’s forehead as she left the room.

Now an hour later she was gazing towards the horizon, it was a tranquil site the deep blue of the Aegean, and the odd small fishing vessel travelling out beyond her line of vision. She felt at peace here somehow, it was like coming home. Although her heart would always be home if Jace was with her. This was a different sense of home, maybe it was her ancestors calling, as fanciful as that might sound.

Picking up a pebble she skimmed it on the sea and did that several times, it brought a chuckle as she consider her current lifestyle once again. Over the past three years she’d gone the whole gamut she was pretty sure, even making the same mistakes more than once. Now though she felt that all the pieces of her puzzle had finally been found and were swiftly being put into place. It reminded her of a song but the words escaped her for the moment.

Her one hope now was that they could live quietly as a family and do things families did together, normal things! Concentrating her gaze on the sea once again she considered her own words, yeah-normal things! When could their life be normal, unless they dropped out of sight altogether and she didn’t want to do that! No, the kids had to be brought up as normal as possible and have values that reflected as ordinary a lifestyle as possible, to know of situations that life brought. Not be sheltered for the rest of their lives on some deserted island. That brought a wry smile to her face, ‘The Swiss Family Warriorson’ whatever next.

Hudson was still at large! That was the only thing that could possibly still cause hurt or retribution in their lives now, but deep down she felt that Hudson’s days were numbered. Maybe the woman was dead! The hospital had been adamant that she wasn’t fit to travel without proper medical care. That woman had more than nine lives for sure!

Catherine felt a sense of failure at not having neutralised Hudson in the past, perhaps there was something she still needed to do that fate was allowing her the opportunity. Kind of odd to think that way, but she still felt that there was some unfinished business, and it didn’t have anything to do with Jace, it was between her and Hudson.

“Penny for them?” A voice that sent tingles down her spine spoke softly behind her.

Catherine remained seated on the sand and didn’t turn at the sound of her partner’s voice she just grinned as she felt the familiar feeling of warmth flood her body, whenever this woman was close by.

“Ah Jace, we are in Greece surely it has got to be drachma?” Catherine pointed out with a humorous lilt in her voice.

Jace sat down next to her partner, engulfed by a warm tender arm that enclosed her in a loving embrace. Jace’s head sank tenderly onto the taller woman’s shoulder relaxing easily into the hold. “Oh you’re just picky. Good morning darling.”

Catherine whispered a good morning return as they shared a leisurely morning kiss. “You were deep in thought as I came over. Anything for me to know about?”

“No, nothing that should worry you and that’s the truth Jace.” She stated in earnest, knowing that in the past Jace hadn’t always believed that, but there again she had, had just cause not to trust that statement from her. “I was thinking about Hudson.”

Jace sighed at last! Catherine had finally broken down that barrier. Smiling she placed one of her partner’s hands to her lips and kissed the palm gently. “I guess there is always going to be a ‘Hudson’ someplace isn’t there darling? But we will survive all the threats together as a family, it’s the way of things for us love.”

She hadn’t expected that Jace would be that calm about the whole situation, not with the events that had plagued them. As Jace had pointed out still probably would in the future in some description or another.

“I guess there always will, together we will see them all vanquished my love.” Her lips skimmed the top of the blonde head, as they both looked out over the sea, relaxed and peaceful.

“Have I told you this morning that I love you?” Jace whispered as she felt the arm flex and pull her closer if that were possible.

“You don’t need to tell me I know.” Lips brushed her exposed neck and Jace felt her body reacting to the caress.

“Of course you do but I thought it was nice to speak the words too, just so you know for sure.” Jace giggled as she felt a nip on her neck that tickled the sensitive skin.

“In that case Jace, I love you until the end of time.” Catherine’s words echoed deep within her. Wondering how she had been so fortunate to be given the second chance to love this complex but wonderful woman.

“Mmm I kind of like that love, until the end of time, goes with all your tomorrows very well, don’t you think?” Jace replied huskily, she was drowning in sensations that the touch and sheer magic of the words that Catherine was creating within her.

“I think Jace that its all our tomorrows don’t you?”

“Count on it darling.” Jace muttered her body wanting the onslaught to continue, however her mind told her that the children were waiting to have breakfast before they set off on the tour around the island with Lukas.

“With every breath I take my love.” Catherine whispered her own body craving a more intimate location to continue this explosion of senses she was experiencing with Jace in her arms.

“We need to go have breakfast with the kids.” Jace finally gulped a deep breath to still her emotions and break the sensual haze for a moment.

“Yes I know that too. I was thinking about a song as I sat here earlier and it’s finally come to me, the lyrics that is.” Catherine pulled away from the delicate inviting neck as she spoke.

“Want to share that with me?” Jace softly asked as she smiled, knowing the effort that had gone into her partner’s withdrawal from her sensual caress of her neck.

“You want me to sing to you?” Catherine asked, she didn’t normally sing to Jace, occasionally to Elena but she was only a baby.

“Oh darling, you have a marvellous voice and I’d love you to sing to me. I think that would be a rather wonderful way to start the day, please.” The ‘please’ was Catherine’s undoing.

“Okay, but don’t blame me if I murder the song.” Jace chuckled and playfully slapped her arm.

Catherine hummed the tune for a few moments as she picked up the tempo and began her rendition.

I lay in your arms with the peace your touch creates,
Tranquillity that descends, as you breathe easily beside me.
Can I ever doubt the effect that only you can weave,
My lover of deep within, for me, and no one else.

Chorus

It’s the way you smile, the way you cry. It’s the love you inspire.
It’s your heart close to mine.

As sleep overcomes, your serenity invades me,
My life it never pains me.
For you are here to calm me and bring me hope when all is lost.
A desire so instilled it makes me want to live without heed of the cost.

Chorus

I know that when you wake a contended smile will reach me,
My heart will beat with yours in time, as it always will be.
A perfect harmony that soars to heights only angels will ever see
For you are the contentment of my soul that will see it forever whole.

Chorus

As Catherine finished she looked at the bent head of Jace and smiled. “Was I that bad?”

Jace looked up tears flooded her eyes and Catherine gave her a quizzical concerned look. “What’s the matter Jace? I’ll promise never to…” She stopped as a finger was placed over her lips to stop the flow of words.

“You must promise to sing to me again Catherine it was beautiful.” Jace softly entreated her partner.

Catherine laughed softly, Jace of the tender heart. “Okay partner you have a deal, but right now I think the singing lesson is over, children and breakfast are calling our names what do you say?”

Jace smiled, kissed the hand that she held and wiped away her tears. The woman who now hauled her to her feet as they turned towards the villa was never ever going to leave her life, ever!

Continued in Part 20

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