BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (36 page)

“Hello,”

“Hello you” she returned with soft kisses now that
their passion was abated.

“What a surprise.  A great surprise I add but
just a thought Carrie, we didn’t use any protection”

“It’s okay, I’m on the pill now, I got that sorted
when I returned home,”

She didn’t include that it had taken a lot of courage
for her to pluck up the nerve to visit her GP for contraceptive
protection.  They had a good relationship and in the early days of her
grief she had been very supportive.  So in her mind the GP knew she was a
widow and she didn’t want to offer any explanation as to why she wanted to go
on the pill again.  Somehow she found herself saying it was early days in
a new relationship and she wanted to be responsible for her own body. 

“Let’s get cleaned up”

Nico showed her to his bathroom and handed her a
robe.  “I take you have a change of clothes and haven’t given me a heart
attack thinking you travelled dressed in your slutty outfit?”

Carrie laughed, “I’m glad you appreciated my outfit
of choice for today, I changed when I got here, discretely of course. 
Only Robin saw me, my case is with her.” 

“I will get it for you,”

The bathroom was almost an exact copy of the guest
bath room but this was complete with Nico’s toiletries.  She sniffed at
the bottle of familiar Creed aftershave that he wore.  She looked in the
mirror at her dishevelled appearance and started to laugh.  She still had
the glasses on!

Removing the glasses she found some wipes in one of
the cupboards and removed the smudged red lipstick from her mouth.  A
knock on the door and Nico had returned with her case.

“I won’t be long,”

“Don’t worry, Robin has organised some lunch so we
don’t have to go out, keep the stockings on!”

They spent the remainder of the afternoon in a haze
of lovemaking.  Not wanting to lose any precious time together. 

“Club sandwiches again, my favourite,” Carrie joked
as they finally ate.  “Robin has been great; I couldn’t have planned any
of this without her help.  You need to give her a pay rise!”

“Oh I will be speaking with her!”

Carrie was slowly aware of her surroundings and the
twenty foot high windows that lined one of the walls.  She gulped. 
Nico followed her gaze.

“They are one way Carrie, privacy glass, no one can
see in”

It was a large office dominated by the windows and
the large desk that Nico had taken her on.  They were in the seated area
of the room on the large black leather sofa which they had also frantically
utilised. 

“My office won’t be the same, how am I going to get
any work done now, without thinking of your luscious body draped over my desk”

“Oh I am sure it will be
hard
for you
”
She
joked. 

Carrie checked the time it was 4pm. 

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, my mind is buzzing but my body is saying whoa
slowdown”

“Why don’t you have a nap?  I can make some
calls and reschedule my flight”

“Nico you will do no such thing, I know how crazy
your schedule is, I fly back home tomorrow, so you have me until you leave for
Hong Kong”

“Now that I have you, maybe I don’t want you to go”

“Well I guess things would be different if we were
married or something, oh hell what am I saying?”

“Is that a proposal?” Nico laughed at her
embarrassment.  She picked up one of the cushions and flung it at
him.  “Hush let me sleep!”

What was happening to her?  Her mouth was
running away with a mind of its own.

“Let me make a couple of calls then we will go home,
well to the hotel, my apartment is still being renovated,”

“Okay, Robin has booked dinner too but I can’t
remember where she said, Le something and she told me about the dress code, I
brought the beautiful Dolce & Gabanna dress you gave me”

Nico let the room to speak with Robin.  “It’s
Le Bernadin” he said before noticing her sleeping form. He knew he should wake
her but instead he sat on the sofa next to her and pulled her close.

“Mmm” she murmured. For a moment he wondered who’s
name she would say.  Were her dreams still tormented with the death of her
husband?  “Nico”

They stayed in the suite of the Devanti hotel in New
York that was his home when returning to the Cape wasn’t an option. 
Carrie was showering again and he finished shaving. 

“Are you sure you want to go out for dinner?” 
He tried to persuade her to change her mind when he watched her step out of the
shower, her body glistening with the water.  Wrapping in one of the many
oversized towels she dried off.

“Nico Vittorio Devanti, are you ashamed to be seen
with me?” she joked. 

“Never, I want to show you off to the world Carrie”

Carrie wore her hair pinned up in a messy
up-do.  Her make up light but smoky eyes and a blush lipstick.  Not
the vivid red of earlier.  The dress she matched with black Dolce &
Gabanna sandals with a thick ankle strap.  A chunky gold bracelet and
black crystal drop earrings her only jewellery.  With reluctance she had
removed her wedding ring before she left home that day.  Along with her
engagement ring they were stored away in her bedroom.  It had been a
difficult thing to do that simple task of removing jewellery but she had to do
it.  She didn’t feel like a married woman any more.  Not when she was
with Nico. 

Le Bernadin was one of the top restaurants in New
York, Michelin starred and regularly in the number one spot it was an acclaimed
sea food restaurant. 

They sat in the car, no Jay this time but another
member of Nico’s security team who she recognised from her time at the Cape
drove them.  Nico held her hand his finger rubbing over the indent of her
missing rings. 

“When did you take them off?”

“Today, the time was right”

Nico picked her hand up and brought it to his
lips.  He kissed her wedding finger.  “Thank you” Robin had booked a
private dining room for them at Les Salons Bernadin.   It had a
separate entrance to the main restaurant but was located in the same building,
just a level above.  It was elegant, timeless and graceful.  Floor to
ceiling windows, etched glass gave an intimate glow to the room.  Once
again they recognised Nico by name and he spoke with the team.  To give
Carrie the full experience they had selected the chefs tasting menu.  On
paper it looked a lot to eat.   Their version was eight courses but
that’s what a tasting menu entails with wine pairing for each course. 
Scallop, lobster, langoustine it was a seafood delight for Carrie. 

“My Dad has finally signed the paperwork and retires
next month.  We are having a family party at my parents’ home for his
retirement.  I think my Mum has been planning this for the last few years
but my Dad is ready now.  I’d like you to come with me to the party, if
you can, with your schedule, I eh as my partner”

“Carrie I would be delighted to come with you as your
partner, let me know when”

The car was waiting when they made their exit after
one of the best meals of her life.  Carrie was animated in her description
of the peach dessert and cupped a hand to the side of her face just as the
flash of a camera momentarily blinded her in surprise.

“What the hell” she exclaimed.

“Paparazzi” Nico said and helped her quickly into
the car.

“Wow my eyes with the flash, how do you cope with
that?”

“Sunglasses, all the time, I’m sorry Carrie”

Time seemed to be on fast forward and it was soon
morning.  Carrie had slept soundly next to Nico, no bad dreams this
time.  They woke early kissing and touching in a gentle love making. 
“Oh my thighs are sore, I feel like I’ve run a marathon,”

“It could be the next fitness craze”

They had ordered room service for breakfast. 
Nico was leaving in an hours’ time, all of which Carrie knew from making the
arrangements with Robin.  She had finished packing her things away ready
for her return home.  She handed Nico a gift bag.

“Whats this?”

“Open it and see”

Carrie had found the teddy bear while
shopping.  It was a traditional teddy bear in golden brown colour but with
tartan pads on the feet and a tartan bow round the neck.  “To keep you
company while we are apart”

“It’s going in my case now, you know I want you to
come with me Carrie but I understand why you can’t”.  He held her tight,
“Thank you for surprising me yesterday, I loved it,”

“I love” the knock on the door interrupted anything she
was going to say.  Saved by the bell or the knock on the door. 

Nico’s cases were removed and Carrie was almost
ready to leave too.   He was going to a different airport than Carrie
but she still had a few hours until it was time for her flight.  No time
for any sightseeing but Robin was going to meet her for a coffee.

“When did you become friendly?”

“Oh someplace between the Cape and planning this
trip, she’s been so helpful and offered to take me for a coffee”

Carrie showed Nico the text she had from Robin
confirming the coffee shop where they were meeting.  It wasn’t far from
his office.

“Go, I will be fine, I will get a cab and stop
worrying, next time you can take me sightseeing”

“Next time?”

“Yes Mr Devanti, next time!”

Carrie was laughing, true laughter that she hadn’t
felt in a long time.  A glance at her watch and she had another half hour
before she had to leave.  Robin was telling her about her date that
weekend and what a disaster it had been.  “Don’t give up Robin, it will
happen”

“Yeah when I’m ninety at this rate, that’s the last
time I let a friend set me up, I’m a modern girl, I can pay my own way but when
he said he forgot his wallet and I got stung for the whole evening and cab
home!”

Robin’s phone beeped.  It was Nico.  “He’s
just checking you made it okay”

“Can you block some dates for me?  Nico is
coming to visit me”

“Sure, I can do that from here, give me a
sec.”  She took the dates and blocked them in his diary.  “Oh he’s
already added a note on the system”

Carrie felt as though she was on set for a tv show
or film.  The backdrop the busy street and high rise buildings distinctive
of New York.  “Thanks for everything Robin, Nico was delighted,”

“He said he was and I still have my job yeah! I have
a car waiting to take you to the airport, Nico insisted no cabs but I told him
I already had a car on standby for you,”

It didn’t look like they were ever going get all the
preparations for the party finished but Dan deserved the retirement party that
they were giving.  Mother and daughters had meticulously gone through each
task leaving no stone unturned.  Despite being 9 months pregnant Claire
had insisted in participating as much as she could.  Carrie had enjoyed
the planning as it had taken her mind off her ‘relationship’ with Nico. 

They had hired a large marquee for the back garden
which had more than enough room to accommodate it.  Carries father wasn’t
one for a fuss and it took much persuasion to convince him that a party to
commemorate his retirement was needed.   He refuted all attempts at
having the party at a hotel or hall and conceded to a ‘wee do’ at home. 
This of course had escalated into the event it was becoming.  A small
event was never possible when Dan had five sisters and two brothers with extended
families to start with.  Even Nana Reynolds was joining them. 

“Okay, final run through,” 

Notepads at the ready to tick as they went along.

“Marquee is all set up and looking beautiful if I do
say so myself, I’m glad we added a dance floor as the Reynolds family loves a
boogie”

“Indeed we do Claire, once we are finished here I am
popping out to the bakery to pick up Dad’s cake,”

What she didn’t add was that she was also picking up
flowers for their Mum from the florist and tickets from the travel agents. 
Carrie and Claire had bought their parents a cruise holiday.  They both
appreciated just how much their parents had done for them and these last few
months had been hard on everyone.  She knew from the brochures which were
forever in her father’s study just what holiday her Mum wanted to go on. 
It was booked for two months’ time well after when Claire had the baby. 
They knew there was no possibility of either of them going on holiday prior to
the birth of their second grandchild.   

The doorbell rang again and Carries mum went to
attend to the caterers who were keen to get set up.  Carrie took a final
look around the garden and marquee before she finished her chores.  The
marquee was set up in what was usually her father’s perfectly manicured green lawn. 
The Georgian effect windows let light shine through the interior.  The
ceiling swaged Arabian style with chandeliers.  It had the finishing
touches in a very elegant tone that was her Mothers style.  They had opted
for circular tables and gilded gold chairs.  A bar was due to arrive later
and along with the band.  The guest list hovered around 200 but if more
appeared it wouldn’t be an issue.  The Reynolds family had that
effect.  Satisfied that everything was going to plan Carrie insisted that
Claire accompany her home before she went to the bakery.

“You need to get home and put your feet up for a few
hours, and then it will be time for us to get our glad rags on!”

“Okay, okay give me a moment to waddle to the car
then,”

Their father’s best friend from university their
honorary Uncle had taken their Dad out golfing for the day away from the chaos
of preparation for the party.

“That’s just the way I like it, not getting under my
feet, crowing about his beloved lawn or something.  Now I need to speak
with the caterer again and check we have enough food for this evening”

“Mum don’t panic everything will be okay, I will be
back with the cake as soon as I take Claire home”

They said their goodbyes and made the journey home.

“Have you told Mum Nico will be at the party
tonight?”

“No not yet, I only found out last night that he
could make it for definite I didn’t want the agro if he didn’t go, I will tell
her when I go back with the cake”

“Remember her bark is worse than her bite Carrie, I
just think that she is not ready to accept anyone in your life, playboy
billionaire or not,”

“Claire, he is a reformed character you know! 
It’s still new to me too, because I have fallen in love with Nico doesn’t mean
I have stopped loving Rob or feeling guilty about it.”

“You are in love with Nico?  What?  I
can’t believe you are telling me that in a car journey home”

“Sorry sis, I feel like I’ve been in love with him
since that first morning I saw him on the beach.”

“I like him Carrie and I’m not judging you.  Oh
wow this puts a different spin on things.  As I’ve told you a million
times Rob would want you to be happy and not put your life on hold forever.”

“Thanks Claire, I’m the one who is taking things
slowly with Nico.  When I had my accident things got intense and I felt
coming home was the best thing to do but it’s so difficult.  I loved
spending time in New York and panicked again at getting close to him.  I
think I proposed to him accidently too.”

“I can’t believe you are telling me this in the CAR!
On the way home, what happened?  Are you trying to make me go into
labour?”

“Sorry, I think it was a bit of pillow talk, well
maybe not, oh that’s us home”

“This conversation is not over Carrie; once you get
back I want all the answers”

“Okay, I will, promise, I’m just a bit nervous that
I will see him later, that’s all,”

Carrie couldn’t believe that she had babbled that
much in the car.  What was she thinking she just told her sister she was
in love with Nico and had kind of proposed. 

Glad of the distraction she parked her car in from
of the bakery to collect the cake they had ordered.  In the queue in front
of her Debbie from work and she had spotted Carrie.  Carrie gave a small
wave in acknowledgement but she walked over to her.

“How have you been Carrie?  You look great”

“Better Debbie, much better.  How are you and
the rest of the gang?”

“Oh you know work, nothing changes there it’s still
the same mad house.  But are you not going to the party tonight?  Its
Tina’s 50
^th
Birthday Party, everyone will be there.”

“No I guess my invitation must have got lost in the
post.  But I would have had to decline; it’s my Dad’s retirement do
tonight.  We are having a party of our own.”

“Oh well, I erm, that’s great news” Debbie tried to
cover for the awkward moment. 

“Tell everyone I was asking after them and sorry I
didn’t get to say my goodbyes face to face,”

“Yes, Fi told us but everyone understands too many
memories eh.  We had a shuffle in the office too, Lisa got a permanent job
and Tina a promotion, well of sorts, she got your job”

It was never in any doubt that would be the outcome
but Carrie kept her face neutral.

“Good luck to them, well I need to go Debbie, my
turn to collect the cake, take care”

No hug goodbye or offer to meet for a coffee. 
Her ties with AGM severed.  She knew she would be the subject of the
gossip and Carrie was glad that she had fixed her hair and make-up before
leaving the house.  She looked like her normal self.   No
opportunity for them to discuss if she had done her roots this time or added a
bit of make up to her drab skin.  She tried not to feel slighted at the
snub of Tina’s party but it hadn’t taken her long to make a grab at Carrie’s
job.  After all those years of moaning about management Tina had now joined
the ranks.  She secured the cake in the back seat of the car and made the
drive to her parents.  They lived in a detached Victorian style villa
which Carrie’s Mum was passionate about retaining its original features. 
In a traditional sandstone material with large bay windows, it was a beautiful
home.  Christmas time at the Reynolds home was a favourite time of
Carries.  They always had a tree in the front bay window with swathes of
lights and baubles.  The smell of the pine needles always brought back
childhood memories.  The dining room had a large table which expanded and
chairs were always found for unexpected guests.  Her Mum was always
prepared for those extra guests.  That’s why the prospect of a couple of
hundred guests this evening or more did not faze her mother.  Despite the
activity in the garden and marquee her Mum was a picture of calm. 

“Oh that’s lovely Carrie, I think I will leave that
here in the kitchen until tonight, your father is due back soon,” Kate
commentated on the cake.

“It will be a good night Mum”

“I should think so; it’s a day that I didn’t think
we would get to. He has put this off so many times”

The words were left unsaid.  All the things
that everyone had put off, delayed and waited for the right time.  She was
in that position now.  Rob was always in her thoughts, that didn’t stop
but sometimes it felt as though his memory was fading.  A little fuzzy on
the edges.  That’s when she felt guilty.  But now Nico was in her
life and she had some decisions to make.  Although she had given notice on
her job at AGM and it had been accepted she hadn’t yet told her family. 
She wanted her Dads retirement to be about his achievements and her parent’s
future.  Time enough to tell them about her job situation later.  But
one thing that she couldn’t put off was her guest this evening. 

“Mum, are you okay?  Do you need anything else
before I go back home?”

“I think everything is covered, you will be here
before everyone arrives to help with the meet and greet?”

“Yes, we will, don’t worry and I got a text from
Auntie Belle too, she landed an hour ago and will be here early too.”

“Fantastic, I’m glad she made it, I thought she was
still travelling when I didn’t hear from her, oh well she can tell me all about
it later when we have a catch up,”

“Mum, I have something else to tell you.  My
friend Nico will be here tonight.  I’ve invited him as my partner.”

“Nico, what?  The man you flew to New York to
see”

“Yes Mum, one in the same.”

“Oh Carrie, do you think it’s appropriate? 
Tonight of all nights.”

“Yes Mum I do, I like him very much.  I’m too
old to say he’s my boyfriend but he is my partner and I think tonight will be
perfect.  All the family will be together and find out first hand.”

“Oh Carrie, what about Rob?  What will everyone
think?  Is it too soon?”

“My feelings haven’t changed for Rob but I am asking
you to support me Mum, please, Nico is important to me, I asked him to come to
the party to let me know he is serious about me and he said yes,”

“Alright but you can expect lots of questions from
your Dad and Auntie Peggy!”

She gave her Mum a hug, “Thanks Mum, tonight is
about you and Dad, Nico won’t change any of that,”

Carrie left before she could clash any further with
her Mum. 

A brief stop at the florist and she was back home. 
A little of her earlier enthusiasm waning after her exchange of words and
meeting with Debbie.

“Where is my favourite boy?”

“Sleeping, like his mummy has been trying to do but
without any success.”

Claire was lying on the sofa that long ago, prior to
her return from the Cape had been removed of its twenty three red scatter
cushions.  They were now in a charity store, probably brightening up
someone else’s home she guessed.   A pillow from Claire’s own sofa a
suitable replacement and secured under her head at that moment.  Her home
had become a mixture of their shared possessions.

“I settled Harry down earlier; Ryan is still out
with Dad and Uncle Donald golfing.  I have been trying to rest without
success but I tried to get a bit organised I laid out the clothes for everyone
for this evening.”

“Do you want a cuppa?”

“Yes, tea would be great then you can tell me all
about Nico”

Twenty minutes later they were both chatting and
Carrie had explained how things went at their parents earlier. 

“Mum warned me Peggy will be in full interrogation
mode.”

“Isn’t she always? It wouldn’t matter who you
brought to the party.  The fact that you are even bringing someone with
you will be a cause for gossip.  At least you are prepared for that,”

“Claire, I am past caring.  I’m expecting an
inquisition.  At the bakery I bumped into Debbie from work.  Tina is
having a 50
^th
Birthday Party tonight.  She thought I was
invited but I put her right on that.  We were never the best of
friends.  No great loss there.  Now I’m going for a shower before I
set my hair in those rollers for tonight.”

She had picked out the beautiful Balmain halter
dress that she had tried on for the commerce dress and Nico had gifted as part of
her birthday.  Shades of pink and grey silk with a low back and split from
ankle to knee.  Gold buttons and the chain motif running through the
dress.  She loved it.  A closed halter her ‘Ta-Ta’s” as D’von had
called them would be secure with the halter bra.  Miniscule panties and
her black suede Jimmy Choo sandals.  Her skin had a glow from time spent
in the garden playing with Harry no need for a fake tan as she normally would
have included in her routine for a big party.  She lathered her lotion and
pulled on some clothes as it was too early to dress for the party.  In a
pair of cut off denim shirts and a shirt which she tied in knot exposing her
flat stomach she walked down stairs.  Claire helped her with the final
rollers that she couldn’t reach that would give her hair the big bouncy curl
look she wanted.  Harry had woken from his nap and Carrie lifted him out
of his bed exchanging baby talk with him.  They had all adjusted to living
together.  Harry loved the outdoor space of the garden and living area. 
Her small TV room had somehow become Harry’s TV room where they watched Peppa
Pig nonstop.  These little things she didn’t mind but sometimes it made
her yearn for her never could or never would be’s with Rob in what was their
home.  Work had picked up for Ryan and she knew this was a relief for
Claire, especially with the new baby coming soon.  They had talked of
looking for another home but Carrie put them off saying no rush and to wait
until after the baby was born.  To get them time to look for something
better and save some more.  A solution that seemed to appease them
all.  But she didn’t want them to move.  On days when she would be
feeling down, knowing that Harry would want to play or Claire needed her help
got her through.  She could talk about Nico without reproach or reminisce
about Rob and it made a difference to her fog of grief.