Bride on the Children's Ward / Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way (11 page)

‘How do you know? I mean, I’m presuming you’ve told them I’m coming round, right? There would be no point in going to see them if they weren’t home.’

‘They know you’re coming and they
want
to see you, Eden. Your reception won’t be a cold one,’ he repeated.

‘How do you know?’ she asked again, even though she had an inkling of what the answer might be.

‘I see your father quite a bit.’

‘Is that so?’

David nodded. ‘We play tennis together once a week.’

‘Tennis? You play tennis?’ The image came of him in white shorts and shirt, running around on a court, his muscles bunched and rippling. No wonder he was so toned.

‘You’re missing the point.’

‘I hope you don’t,’ she joked, but he merely gave her a look which she knew of old meant that he wanted her to be serious. ‘Sorry. Nervous humour.’

‘They all miss you, Eden. Especially Todd. They’re all stuck in their daily grind and they need a little light in their lives. You can provide that.’

‘But you will stay with me the whole time, won’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Promise?’

‘I promise.’

‘Pinky swear?’ She held out her little finger to him and David couldn’t help but smile at the gesture. He’d seen her and Sasha do their ‘pinky swear’ promises for years. He slipped his little pinky around hers and squeezed, ignoring the way the simplest touch of his skin against hers made his heartbeat pound double-time.

‘Pinky swear,’ he repeated, before quickly letting go. ‘So…ready?’

Eden nodded. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’ She collected her purse, ensuring she had the hotel keycard inside, before David held the door open for her. They walked to his car in silence, Eden’s thoughts fixed on the memory of the last time she’d spoken to her father.

Before she’d packed her bags and left, there had been some harsh words spoken, some unforgivable things said. They’d often argued way back then, mainly about the lifestyle her parents had been sucked into and how she had the right to disagree with them. Then she’d been asked to leave.

So she’d squared her shoulders and marched forward into her life—alone. She’d paid for herself to go to medical school, the hard way—without help from Mummy and Daddy. She’d paid off her student loans and was now debt free, doing what she did best—helping other people.

She remained silent on the drive, feeling the warmth of David’s glance on her every now and then, pleased he wasn’t trying to force her into talking. As he turned into Cherry Tree Lane, the street she’d live on for eight years, Eden felt a tightening in the pit of her stomach. He slowed the car down, coming to a complete stop as he parked at the kerb. She looked over at number 17—her parents’ mansion—which was only partially visible due to the large brick wall and iron gates which ringed the property.

‘Eden? Are you OK?’

‘I think so.’ She kept on looking at the house. Funny, she remembered it being bigger. ‘It seems so strange being here.’

‘You know, I’ve never asked, but did you get along with your parents before their big lottery win? Was it just their instant multi-millionaire status which annoyed you?’

‘We got along fine before their win. Well, I was only ten. It was when we moved to this elite neighbourhood that things started going wrong. We didn’t fight, per se, but I guess I baffled them more than anything. There they were, giving me everything I’d ever wanted, everything money could buy, and they couldn’t understand why I wasn’t happy, or why I’d give half of the presents away to others who had nothing. Sometimes, especially during my teenage years, they’d look at me with such puzzlement—as though to say, “Where
did
she come from?” Todd, however, was more their mould. A real chip off the old block, with a tiny bit of my zaniness thrown in.’

Eden sighed. ‘I guess when I left, he saw that as total desertion.’ She shrugged. ‘But, to answer your question, for the most part even after the big win I thought I got along fine with my parents.
They
probably wouldn’t agree, as I think I caused them plenty of headaches.’

‘You caused me a few, too.’

She smiled at his words. ‘All I know is I was glad it was you who came down to the local police station to bail Sasha and I out after we were arrested for protesting and not my dad. I doubt I ever would have heard the end of it.’

‘You’re just lucky they were all out of town at a charity event and I knew the guy behind the desk at the police station.’ David shook his head, remembering. It had been a week before he’d left—a week before his father had decided to change their worlds. ‘Why were you arrested again?’

‘For chaining ourselves to the front of a heritage building they were going to knock down. And I’ll have you know that building still stands. I saw it when I came into town.’

‘Another one of Eden’s victories?’

‘Yes.’

‘So it was all worth it then?’

‘Absolutely. Although I think being put in a gaol cell was almost the final straw for poor Sasha. For years I’d been dragging her along with my crazy antics, but while we were sitting on the small bed in the cell she looked at me and said, quietly and calmly, “You’re my best friend, Eden, but being in here does upset me a little.”’ Eden laughed at the memory. ‘Poor Sasha. She wasn’t in tears or hysterical or anything, but she was mildly upset about being in there in the first place. After that she only came along to my protests when she agreed with them, and never again were we locked in a gaol cell together.’

‘Well, that’s good news.’ She had her hands clasped together in her lap and he could tell by the way she was talking non-stop that she was nervous. ‘It’s time,’ he said softly. He’d given her a few minutes in the car, not wanting to rush her, but he knew if she had her way they might sit in the car all night long.

‘Yes.’ She nodded, but didn’t move.

David climbed from the car and came around to open her door. Still she didn’t move.

‘Eden?’

‘Hmm? Oh, right. Time to go in.’ She unclasped her seat belt and stepped from the car as childhood memories began to return. She looked up and down the street, noticing the size of the trees and how much the bricks in the wall had aged. ‘Don’t you think it’s odd that Cherry Tree Lane doesn’t actually have any cherry trees in it?’

‘I do,’ he replied as he shut the door after her and locked the car.

‘Who thinks up these street names?’

‘Someone who thought it sounded pretty.’

‘I suppose so.’ She stood on the footpath, noticing the oldfashioned street lamps shining bright beneath the starry sky which was starting to darken. Eden closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply, the scents of her childhood returning.

‘All right, all right—enough stalling.’ David took her hand in his, giving it a small tug. ‘You’ve looked, you’ve smelt. Time to move.’

She opened her eyes and grimaced at him. ‘No fooling you, is there?’

‘No, and you’ll do well to remember that. Now, come on.’

Her legs felt like lead as she walked stiffly beside him. ‘Remember you promised to stay with me?’

‘I will.’

‘You won’t leave me alone with anyone?’

‘Not unless it’s what you want.’ They were almost at the gate, where she knew David would press the intercom button and announce their arrival.

‘What if they don’t let me in? Don’t tell them I’m here. Just say it’s you,’ she said quickly.

‘They know you’re coming, Eden.’

‘Fine.’

‘Can we please just make it to the other side of the gate?’ David pressed the button and announced his name. A moment later an electronic buzz sounded and the gate opened.

‘And make sure you take me back to my hotel. I don’t want to stay here. I won’t be pressured.’

‘I promise to take you back to the hotel.’

They were walking up the path which would lead directly to the front door. How many times had she climbed over the brick wall and ran helter-skelter across the grass, sometimes dodging the sprinklers, other times strolling through them, especially on hot days? ‘Wow, the ground looks really dry.’

‘Water restrictions.’

‘I know, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad for some reason.’

‘We’ve had quite a few dry summers.’

They were almost at the door, and Eden’s grip tightened on David’s hand. She pulled him to a stop at the bottom of the steps. ‘It will be all right, won’t it?’

He took both her hands in his and gave them a little squeeze. ‘It’ll be fine. You’ll be fine. It’s time.’

‘Yes. It’s time.’ She could hear footsteps approaching the front door, and David held her gaze.

‘Best behaviour, now. No picking fights. This is a time for reconciliation.’

Eden didn’t say anything, but watched as the front door opened and she came face to face with her father.

They stood there, staring at each other for a brief moment, before her father shocked her completely by throwing his arms about her and embracing her so fiercely she thought she might pass out.

‘Eden? Is it really you?’

She clung even tighter to David’s hand, giving it pulsing squeezes.

‘You might want to loosen up there, Hal. She still needs oxygen,’ he drawled.

‘Oh, right. Sure. Come in. Come in.’ He stepped back, allowing them to enter the wide entrance hall. ‘David’s here,’ he announced to the house in general. ‘And he’s brought a special friend. We didn’t tell Todd,’ he said more quietly.

‘Why not?’

Hal shrugged. ‘He may not have been here if we had.’

Eden had expected the pain, she’d known it would come, but she hadn’t expected it to hurt this much. ‘I see.’

‘I’m sorry, Eden. That came out rather abruptly. Todd’s a busy man now. He has his own life.’ Hal tried to justify things as best he could.

‘It’s OK, Dad.’

‘It’s good to hear you call me that.’ Her father smiled and reached out to take her hand. It was then he realised that one of them was still being firmly held by David. He glanced quickly at one and then the other, before clearing his throat and leading them into the living room. ‘Come in. Please come in. Todd?’ he bellowed.

‘I’m coming.’ The sound of her brother’s voice made Eden tense all over again. True, her father’s reaction wasn’t what she’d expected—far from it—but how would her brother react?

‘Hey, David. Did you see the final score? Straight sets,’ Todd commented on his way into the room. When he saw Eden, he merely glanced at her before returning his attention to David, his face expressionless. ‘So? Who’s your friend?’

‘Todd…’ Hal growled.

The pain of rejection pierced her heart. ‘It’s all right, Dad. Todd’s entitled to his feelings.’ He’d certainly grown up. Her brother was indeed a man, and she’d missed it—missed his journey. She couldn’t blame him if he hated her.

‘No. This is a time for celebration. Time to kill the fatted calf.’ He put his arm around Eden and hugged her once more. Still she didn’t let go of David’s hand. It was as though they were fused together. He was her lifeline and she needed him. ‘I have my family together again.’ He let her go and smiled warmly, dropping a brief kiss on her head. ‘Where is your mother?’

‘I’ll get her,’ Todd offered, and quickly left the room.

Eden glanced at David, who nodded encouragingly.

‘Sit down, sit down,’ Hal invited. ‘Your hair is as gorgeous as ever, Eden. Your grandmother had hair that colour. That’s where you inherited your fiery spirit from.’

‘Really?’ She hadn’t ever heard that before.

‘Oh, yes. She caused havoc back in her day. Well, until your grandfather tamed her.’ Hal chuckled. ‘Having a family settled her down. You’ll be the same.’

Eden blinked. ‘Pardon?’

‘Drinks,’ Hal continued. ‘You both need a drink. What will it be?’

‘Iced water would be great,’ David said.

‘Eden?’

‘Er…fine…water’s fine.’

‘Great. Be right back.’

To Eden’s astonishment, her father left the room to go and get them drinks. Where were the servants? The butler opening the door? The maid getting their drinks? Within twelve months of them arriving at this enormous house her father had insisted her mother needed help, and help they’d received. The ‘help’ had increased slowly over the years, until her father had employed a household staff of ten to potter around after them, waiting on them hand and foot. It had been too much for Eden to bear back then, but now there didn’t seem to be a member of staff anywhere. Perhaps it was late? Maybe they’d gone home?

‘I don’t understand,’ she whispered. ‘Where are all the servants?’

‘We don’t have permanent staff any more,’ her mother’s cool, modulated voice came from the doorway and Eden immediately looked her way. Gretchen Caplan was sophistication at its best. If anyone had been born to have money, it was her mother. She was a woman who’d always carried herself with flair and poise, and now, dressed in casual pants and shirt, was no exception. ‘We have a house-cleaner, of course, but that’s only once a week.’

Eden stood, and so did David. ‘Hello, Mum.’

‘Eden.’ Her mother nodded. ‘Please sit. Be comfortable. David, lovely to see you as always.’

‘You too, Gretchen.’

Todd re-entered the room, and a moment later Hal returned with the drinks, handing them out with forced joviality. Eden felt uncomfortable, as she was sure did everyone else. She took a sip of the water and forced a smile, one hand still clinging tightly to David. She was sure she was cutting off his circulation, but he wasn’t saying anything so she pushed that thought from her mind.

‘So,’ her father drawled into the tense silence, ‘tell us what you’ve been doing. Working hard?’

‘Yes. I’ve been…ah…overseas. Working in small villages and orphanages.’ She shrugged. ‘Being a doctor.’ She wasn’t sure what else to say.

‘You’re back for Sasha, I take it?’ her mother said.

‘Yes.’

‘It doesn’t matter about the reason,’ Hal added. ‘She’s here.’

‘It took Sasha to be almost at death’s door to make you come home? What? Couldn’t be bothered making it back for her wedding?’ Todd sneered.

‘That’s enough.’ David’s tone was quiet, yet firm. ‘All four of you are starting to drive me mad. Regardless of the reason why Eden is back in Sydney, the point is she’s back. She has her own life and she’s not accountable to any of you, just as you are not accountable to her. Now, you’re either going to let the past be the past or let it interfere with your future for the
next
ten years.’ He shook his head. ‘Honestly, when they were handing out stubbornness this family certainly received its fair share.’