And Then There Was You (18 page)

CHAPTER  THIRTY-FIVE

Charlie and Matt's wedding was as gaudy as her bedroom design, but it was perfect. It was so them. Adam and I both noticed people looking at us weirdly when we first arrived, but soon the guests started to loosen up and made a few jokes about swapping partners, but all was said in relatively good taste. We ended up having a blast. It was the first time we'd truly let our hair down (and mine was getting a little longer again) in a while, and it was both exciting and relaxing.

Charlie wore a large, princess-style dress, complete with pink tiara, while Matt's suit was a pale grey with a pink tie that matched the pink in her dress. They were a beautiful couple. Certainly well suited, both in looks and in character, and their first dance just proved how in love they were. They only had eyes for each other, and we knew it wouldn't be long until there were more babies between them.

The reception took place in a small 'castle', where large open fires cackled in several of the rooms in an effort to warm the place up. It was a freezing cold day outside, and the guests huddled together while all the photos were taken. Fortunately, Charlie had the foresight to bring an enormous white fake-fur coat to wear in between pictures. She looked like a movie star, and Matt was treating her like one, carrying her across the snow for a special photo in front of the forest at the back of the property. He nearly dropped her though, and most of the guests fell about laughing. It couldn’t have been easy to carry a woman wearing such an over-sized dress.

Once we'd eaten as much food as we could possibly fit in, the lighting was changed to that of a disco scene, the music changed and everybody began to dance the night away. It was a memorable wedding, one I wouldn't forget for years to come. Adam and I had danced for much of the night, smooching to the love songs and kicking it back to the rock 'n roll and pop stuff.

After a while, I left him on the dance floor, where he was having fun with a few grannies, and went for some fresh air. Taking a glass of Champagne with me, I headed for the nearby terrace and crept out, closing it behind me. A few guests were running about outside squealing, but otherwise it was pretty quiet.

I leaned on the wall, took a long sip of my drink, and smiled. Hearing the terrace door open, I looked back, expecting to see Adam, but was surprised to see Matt appear.

'Hey.' He smiled.

'Hi. It's a lovely wedding, Matt.'

'Yeah, thanks. We're really glad you and Adam decided to come.'

'We are too. It was very sweet of you to invite us.'

Matt smiled and took a swig of his lager. 'How have you been? I mean, really?' he asked, looking out across the magnificent gardens.

'It was rough for a little while, but then I started to find myself and now, well. I couldn't be happier.'

He nodded. 'Your mum and dad alright?'

'They're same as always,' I laughed. 'They're coming to our wedding in April. If you come, you can see for yourself.'

He pulled a funny face. 'Maybe we should decline,' he laughed.

Chuckling, I said, 'No. Mum's just always worried about me. She won't attack you or anything. You'll be quite safe. But maybe you should bring some pepper spray, just in case.'

Matt nodded seriously. 'Thanks for the advice, I might just do that.' He grinned. 'Seriously though, Eve. I'm sorry we hurt you. I'm glad you've managed to come through it better than you were before.'

'Thanks, Matt. I have Adam to thank for that.'

'You were seeing him before weren't you?' Matt suddenly asked.

When I blushed, he nodded knowingly.

'I...I...'

'It's okay. I probably drove you to him, anyway.'

'No-one's to blame, Matt. These things happen. We had some good times together, though. I've never regretted being married to you.'

'I never regretted you, either. It just wasn't meant to last, that's all.'

'I couldn't agree more. I'm glad that we're all friends again.'

'Me too,' he said, swigging back the last of his lager. 'I'd better get back inside.'

I nodded. 'Yes, I'll come with you. Adam's probably wondering where I've got to.'

oOo

'What a wonderful day,' I sighed in the back of the taxi on the way home.

'It was, wasn't it? Those two are perfect together.'

'Just like you and me,' I said, placing my hand seductively on his thigh.

'Just like you and me,' he repeated in a whisper, as my hand slowly reached higher and higher up his thigh.

'Weddings always make me horny, I wonder why,' I breathed into his ear.

He coughed and looked nervously at the driver who was either pretending to ignore us, or really had no idea how horny his passengers really were.

'Relax,' I said. 'Just relax,' I licked my lips and kissed his ear before licking it.

Immediately I felt his erection straining beneath his suit trousers. 'Oh man,' he groaned quietly. 'Stop, you need to stop.'

But I ignored his pleas and continued to lick seductively.

He tried hard to resist my advances, and I could tell he was so relieved when we arrived home. 'You can just drop us off at the bottom of the drive,' Adam almost squeaked.

I laughed and took out some money from my purse, handing it to the driver, who winked as we climbed out.

I smiled cheekily as it drove away.

'I'm so embarrassed,' Adam coughed.

'He winked at me, you know?'

'Oh God,' he said, as we opened the gate and walked through.

'Come on, you sex kitten. Let's continue this upstairs,' he said, draping his arm over my shoulder, purposefully brushing his hand over my breasts.

'I have a better idea,' I purred. He looked at me knowingly and the moment we opened the front door he started to take off my clothes, leaving a trail of them through the house and along the back until we reached the swimming pool, where a faint haze sat above the water from the heat.

'Mmm, it looks so inviting,' I whispered.

'I know what looks inviting, and I'm not talking about the pool,' he said, grabbing me and lifting my naked body up. I wrapped my legs around his torso as he walked us into the water. I relaxed backwards, keeping my legs around him as I rubbed myself up and down him.

'Mmmmm, this is so good,' I breathed, as he leaned forward and kissed my neck, licking it, tasting me.

'It certainly is,' he whispered as I unwrapped my legs and swam out to the centre of the pool where I waited for him to follow me.

'Come and get me, big boy,' I said, clearly the alcohol releasing any inhibitions I might usually have.

He pounced on me and stuck his tongue in my mouth erotically, while his fingers stroked all the way down my back beneath the water, lower and lower until I groaned with utter pleasure before he slid them over my bottom and underneath me, making me giggle and groan at the same time.

He pulled me towards the steps and laid me down on the top one before he began kissing me from head to foot, all the while his fingers sliding in and out of me, as my body undulated towards him. I turned on my side and put his erection in my mouth while he continued to finger me. I moved gently at first and then harder and harder, until I couldn't hold back any longer. I sat up and made him sit on the step where I straddled him, lowering myself so that he was comfortably inside of me. Up and down I slid, pushing myself against him. He bit my nipple tantalizingly, and I pushed harder and deeper until I came first. One, two, three orgasms. I laughed and turned us both around so I could lean my elbows on the top step, then I accepted him from behind. He thrusted deeper and deeper, making me squeal until I finally felt him shudder and then relax on top of me.

We swam for a few minutes before finally calling it a night at three o'clock in the morning.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

The day before our wedding, Adam and I visited the graves of his parents, and then we drove to the location where Lisa's ashes had been scattered. It was a beautiful meadow with a forest behind it – she'd discovered it on one of her many country walks she'd taken before falling ill. It had become her favourite place in the world, and she'd made Adam promise to let her rest there 'for eternity'.

'I feel her here, you know,' he said, as we held on to each other's hands and walked through the sopping wet grass. I shivered and smiled, nodding.

'Me too. She's all around us, I just know it.'

He squeezed my hand as we approached a huge tree trunk, where we stopped and sat down for a moment, just enjoying the quietness, the soft sound of the breeze blowing through all those trees beyond.

'Do you believe in soul mates, Eve?' asked Adam.

I thought for a moment and nodded. 'But I think soul mates can come in many guises. Like Lisa, for instance. She told me we were soul mate pals,' I chuckled.

He patted my thigh and smiled.

'And you,' I added. 'I really think we were meant to be together. If that makes us soul mates, then so be it.'

'I've known for a while now that we are,' he replied.

'You have? How?'

He shrugged. 'I don't know. I just know. Maybe we were together in a previous existence?'

'Like I was Queen Victoria and you were Prince Albert?'

'Exactly,' he laughed. 'Or you were Marilyn Monroe and I was, erm... Kennedy?'

'Soul mates? But they just had a fling,' I giggled, pushing him gently.

'He was the only one I could think of. How about Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn?'

'Adam!'

'What?' he replied innocently.

'She was beheaded! At her husband's request.'

'Oh,' Adam started laughing even more. 'I guess I'm not very good at this.'

'Maybe we were just two beautiful butterflies in our previous life?' I offered.

'That's nice. I like that idea. Or cats, maybe. Cats have such an easy life.'

I hugged him tightly. 'Yes, something like that.'

'I feel quite strongly about it, you know?'

'What? About us being cats or butterflies together?'

He chuckled. 'That too, but no. About us being soul mates. Fate was trying so hard to get us together. Why would she do that, unless we were soul mates?'

'You think fate is a she?' I asked.

'Naturally.' He smiled, kissing the end of my nose. 'Your nose is freezing,' he said, standing up and pulling me towards him so I could bury my face in his shoulder.  'I'm the happiest man in the world right now,' he sighed. 'I'm marrying the woman of my dreams tomorrow.'

I smiled and squeezed. I felt the same way. I couldn't believe that my life had turned out the way it had. I'd found a man who I adored with my very soul, who loved me back with such intensity. Our passion was nothing I'd ever experienced, and I looked forward to spending the rest of my life in the arms of this man. Not only that, but we were living in the most magnificent home. My inspiration had rocketed and my books were starting to sell like the proverbial hot cakes. Add to that an instant family in Amy, Jack, Clare and little Lisa Junior. How could I possibly be any happier?

Oh yes... a wedding.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Eyes opening wide, I grinned and looked over at the bedside clock. Almost exactly seven o'clock. I rolled over; it had been such a strange night sleeping in an empty bed, but Adam was a little bit of a traditionalist and had wanted to spend the night apart.

I jumped up, put on my dressing gown and headed downstairs. I could already hear the girls chatting in the kitchen.

'Good morning,' Amy and Clare both chimed.

'Morning.' I grinned. 'You're up early.'

'We wanted to get your breakfast ready for when you came down,' Amy said, presenting me with a continental breakfast, complete with fresh croissants, bread, jams, cheeses, hams and a cup of coffee.

'Oh girls, you are both absolute angels. Thank you,' I said, sitting down and tucking in. 'Mmmm, these croissants are delicious.'

'Clare baked them,' Amy said proudly.

'Really? Gosh, you could market them.'

Clare grinned. 'It's the latest thing we learned in college.'

'You're really enjoying it, aren't you?' I asked her.

'Yes, I can't wait to open my – our – own café, eventually.' She smiled at Amy.

'So that's the grand plan, is it?'

They both nodded, sitting down beside me with cups of tea in their hands. 'Yes, we're thinking of opening a place that sells mostly healthy food. You know, options for people with allergies and intolerances. Gluten free, lactose free, nut free, etcetera,' Clare enthused, before Amy interrupted.

'And we've got a fab name for it already.'

Both girls looked at each other as I raised my eyebrows, waiting to hear.

'Good Intentions,' they said together, excitedly.

'Oh wow, that's a fabulous name. Have you spoken to Adam about this? I'm sure he'd be keen to be involved, somehow. I bet he'd like to invest in you.' I smiled, taking a swig of my coffee.

'Do you really think so, Eve?' asked Clare.

'Absolutely. I'm amazed you managed to keep it a secret until now.'

'We'll speak to him when you get back from your honeymoon.' Amy winked. 'Do you know where you're going yet?'

I laughed and shook my head. 'No, but I have a good idea.'

'Where, where do you think?' Amy asked excitedly.

'I'm not saying, in case I'm wrong,' I laughed as I pushed the empty plate away from me. 'That was delicious, thank you, girls.'

The sound of a child crying interrupted us and Clare stood up. 'I'll go and get her.' She smiled, taking a slice of toast and biting into it as she walked out of the room.

'I've got something for you,' Amy smiled, standing and nipping out of the room for a moment. She returned with a blue velvet box. 'I'd like this to be your borrowed,' she said, handing it to me. 'Provided you like it, of course.'

I opened the box and gasped at the most exquisite yet delicate diamond necklace. It was very simple, with little diamonds all over it.

'It's absolutely beautiful, Amy. Are you sure you want me to wear it?'

Amy nodded enthusiastically. 'It belonged to Nana Grove. She left it to me in her will.'

'Oh, Amy. I'm absolutely honoured, honey.' Tears threatened to fall and Amy chuckled, before she leaned forward and hugged me.

'It's my pleasure. You're my second mum, Eve, and you mean an awful lot to me, Clare, Junior, Jack, and Dad, of course. I'm really happy you're marrying him.'

I wiped my eyes and sniffed loudly. 'How did I get so lucky?' I sighed. Most stepdaughters can't stand their father’s new wife.' I laughed.

'Well, I'm not most stepdaughters. I'm Adam's daughter, and that makes me very different from most other girls.' She grinned as I stood up and hugged her again.

'You certainly are.'

oOo

I sat in a chair whilst the stylist finished curling my hair into ringlets, before she gently loosened them with her fingers, pinning a few of them up and putting the small diamanté clip in place, showering me with hairspray.

'Not too much,' I laughed. 'I don't want rigid hair.'

She smiled and lowered the can. 'Sorry, I get carried away, sometimes. There, I think my job is done. What do you think?'

I turned to look in the mirror and smiled. 'It's perfect. Thank you.'

'Makeup,' shouted Amy from beside me, standing in a satin dressing gown, holding two glasses of Champagne. 'Here you go,' she said, handing one to me.

I took a long sip and relaxed into the chair while I waited for the makeup artist to come up the stairs. 'This really is wonderful,' I sighed.

Amy grinned and clinked glasses with mine. 'It is, isn't it? I just wish Mum could have been here.'

'Me too. Here's to you, Lisa,' I said clinking glasses again before taking another sip.

'I'm here, I'm here. Sorry. I hope I'm not late,' said the young woman with black hair with red highlights.

'No, right on time.' I smiled as she proceeded to work her magic on my face, using just a hint of tinted moisturiser before the blusher and then the eyes. It was the eyes I wanted a little more accentuated than usual. My lips would be just a shade darker than my natural colour, considering the lipstick would probably have disappeared within an hour of the proceedings, what with all the kissing and drinking Champagne I'd be doing.

'I think,' she said, adding a touch more mascara, 'I've finished. And you look strikingly beautiful, if I do say so myself. Oh, I am good,' she giggled.

Looking into the mirror I actually gasped at my reflection. The hair and the makeup made me look like someone from a Hollywood premiere. I couldn't wait to get into my dress!

'Wow, you're amazing. Totally amazing. Thank you so much. I'm delighted.'

'If you're delighted, then I'm delighted. Thank you for letting me do your makeup, Eve,' she said, air kissing me so as not to smudge her work.

'Thank Clare and Amy. They were the ones that recommended you, said you were 'freaking awesome', I believe it was.'

'Aww really? Aww girls,' she said, turning to them and hugging them both.

'We always said at school that you would make an amazing makeup artist. I'm just so glad you're following your dream, Cat.'

She squeezed them both tight. 'Thank you. Right, I'd better be going. I've got another wedding to do this morning.'

'Fantastic. It's obviously really taking off now?' Clare said, helping her with her makeup bags.

'It is, and this one is for someone semi famous,' Cat whispered, 'so it could mean more work in the future for all her mates.'

'Oooh lovely. Good luck, Cat,' I shouted, as she disappeared out of the room.

'You really do look amazing, you know. Dad is going to, well... he's going to be blown away, Eve.'

I smiled. 'Thank you.'

She turned to close the door. 'Right, I'll leave you to get dressed. Give us a shout if you need any help.'

'Will do,' I said nervously. I was so excited to get into the dress hanging up in a special bag on the back of the door.

I slowly unzipped it and grinned like a Cheshire cat. It was my dream dress; I couldn't quite believe that it was mine.

Letting the dressing gown drop to the floor, I took off the simple cotton knickers I'd been wearing since having a shower earlier, and replaced them with the new grey smooth silk ones I'd bought for the occasion. I put on the matching strapless bra and grinned wickedly, remembering the kinky lingerie I'd bought for later.

Taking the dress off the hanger, I very carefully stepped into it. I just about managed to do up the zip, but struggled at the top so I called out to the girls who pushed open the door and slowly tiptoed in.

'Oh my God,' Clare said, her mouth opening. 'You look fucking amazing,' she said, not even thinking about the language she was using.

I laughed. 'Fucking amazing?'

She put her hand over her mouth. 'Did I just say that out loud?'

'Yes, babe, you did,' Amy laughed. 'But you're right. Have you ever seen anyone so beautiful?'

Clare shook her head. 'Only you, of course,' she laughed.

Once they'd fully zipped me up, I took a breath and then stepped out in front of the mirror. It literally took my breath away.

'Oh,' I said, shivering.

'You cold?' asked Amy.

'No, not at all. I just got a shiver, that's all.'

'Yeah, that's what happens when your aura glows the amount it's glowing right now, Eve. You are absolutely stunning.'

'You really think so?' I asked.

'We seriously know so,' Amy replied. 'What do you think?'

'I love it. I really, really love it.'

The soft grey lace clung to me in all the right places, hugging my hips, thighs, waist and breasts, the dress flared out just above the knee. A black sash accentuated my little waist. As I turned around, the back was open at the top, revealing just the right amount of skin and the sleeves covered my arms, perfect for an English spring wedding. To top it all off, I had a small black fur bolero for when we were outside. I couldn't stop smiling.

'Oh, we nearly forgot,' Amy scrambled out of the room, returning with a large box. 'This is from Dad.'

'Oh,' I said, wondering what it was.

I pulled and ripped at the wrapping paper until the box was visible and then I gasped loudly.

'What is it?' Amy asked. Both girls were on their knees next to me.

'Shoes?' Clare asked.

I nodded. 'Not just any shoes. Christian Louboutins. Black, I would imagine,' I said as I opened the box to find a card and the cotton bag I recognised from the Vancouver shop. I pulled it open and laughed. Yes. The shoes I'd tried on. The ultra-expensive shoes I'd tried on.

'Oh my God,' I whispered.

Amy took the shoes out of the bag as I read the card.

Dearest Eve,

You probably knew I was acting strange after you'd tried these on. Well, you were right. I was trying to buy them behind your back. I arranged for them to be sent from Canada. Unfortunately there was a slight delay with customs, and so I thought they'd make a nice little wedding gift. You don't have to wear them. I know you said they were rather high! But you could always wear them for the ceremony and change for the reception?

I am so honoured to be a part of your life, Eve. And I am incredibly excited at the prospect of becoming your husband. I want to make you happy. That is my purpose in life now. You and the kids are all that matters. I love you.

Your soon to be husband,

Adam.

Tears threatened to fall.

'Oh no,' Clare said rushing towards me with a tissue in hand. 'Don't cry. Don't you cry now.'

I smiled and took the tissue gratefully, dabbing at my eyes with it.

'I think you'll find Cat used waterproof makeup, so you'll be alright,' Amy said as she held the shoes out to me. 'Are you going to wear them?'

'I'd like to, but they might be a little high for this dress. Oh what the hell, I'll wear them anyway,' I said, as I sat back down and put the first one on, sighing happily. The second one, I started to slide my foot inside but it wouldn't go any further, so I pulled it off and peered into it.

Inside was a small velvet bag.

'What's this?' I grinned, taking it out.

Clare elbowed Amy and they both grinned.

'What?' I asked puzzled until I opened the bag and a bracelet fell out.

'Oh goodness,' I cried.

'Dad had it made to match my necklace, which is only borrowed, but the bracelet is his proper wedding gift to you.' Amy grinned as she helped me put it on.

'It's perfect,' I breathed, looking at the twinkling diamonds.

'It cost a small fortune so don't lose it,' Amy laughed.

'Amy!' Clare shook her head.

'What? Well, it did.'

oOo

Taking a deep breath, I smiled as I started to walk down the stairs where Mum and Dad were waiting. Although she'd wanted to help me get dressed, I'd wanted to surprise her, so she relented and chilled out downstairs, drinking Champagne with a few old friends.

As I carefully descended in my new shoes, I felt like a million dollars.

A door opened and they walked out into the hall, one by one their heads lifted to look at me in all my splendour.

'Oh my,' Mum said, choking up. 'You look absolutely incredible. You'd give those Hollywood starlets a run for their money, love,' she added, dabbing at her eyes with a white handkerchief.

Dad was wearing sunglasses indoors, so I laughed at him.

'Oh Dad, you're not going to wear them all day are you?'

He was trying hard not to cry. I could tell by his quivering lips. 'Evelyn. I've never seen such a beauty. You are a sight to behold, my love. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful,' he leaned forward as I reached the bottom of the stairs and kissed me on the cheek.

'Careful with her makeup, dear,' Mum said, air kissing me and squeezing my hand.