Happily Ever Now (Boundless Love Book 2) (12 page)

‘Yes that’s true. I was a young teenager minding my own business, doing what I wanted to do. It took a lot of blows to build me up this strong.’

‘I’m sure Eugene has been through blows of his own, he might just be seeing things a little differently.’

****

That evening Sahara went home with a different mindset. Instead of feeling like she had to fight her cause, she ate a little bit of humble pie. Eugene wasn’t home when she’d arrived, but he’d called to tell her that he wasn’t far behind. Lawrence had left dinner ready for them, all she had to do was set the table.

She wandered upstairs to freshen up and think about their life ahead. She wanted to make it work and she wanted to make him happy, as much as he’d made her happy. She smiled at the thought, about what she wanted to tell him. As she combed through her ever growing hair, she heard him walk through the front door. Her heart skipped! She felt excitement knowing that he was downstairs and soon she’d be close to him.

‘Honey, I’m home,’ she shouted.

‘I’ll be down in a sec.’

He pulled off his coat and headed straight for the kitchen. It had been a long and stressful day, all he wanted to do was unwind. In the back of his mind, there was always the thought that things could go terribly wrong with the pregnancy, but he tried to stay positive for her sake. He opened the fridge and pulled out a well deserved beer. He was about to put the cold beverage to his lips when he heard her step in behind him.

‘You still make my heart stop every time I see you,’ he said and took her into his arms. ‘You may be a stubborn woman at times, but at least you keep me wanting more.’

Sahara giggled and met his eager kiss. His embrace was always warm, and she never felt any rejection from him even after all they’d been through. She pulled back, looked up at him and smiled.

‘After our precious one is born.’ She smiled. ‘I want to marry you.’ She giggled.

His lips turned into a broad smile.

‘I want an amazing wedding, with our little one by our side.’ She felt goose bumps pattern her arms.

‘You have just made me the happiest man on the planet.’ He picked her up and swirled her around.

‘Stop, you’re making me dizzy,’ she laughed. ‘I love you Mister Gallagher.’

‘I love you more.’

She suddenly turned serious, and touched the side of his face.

‘I want to apologise.’

‘For what honey, there isn’t anything you have to apologise for.’

‘Yes there is, I’ve been so wrapped up in my own positivity bubble, I never stopped to think how it’s been for you.’

‘Don’t worry about me, I understand.’

‘You don’t have to be strong for me. I know that what I’m doing is risky, and it’s okay to be afraid.’

He smiled lightly, not taking his eyes away from her.

‘You’re here, right now aren’t you?’ he said. ‘That’s what you say, don’t you.’

She giggled. ‘Yes it is.’

‘Then, I’m standing here with you. I may not grasp all that you do and say, but as long as I can be by your side, that’s all that matters.’

‘Wow.’ She relaxed her head into his chest. ‘I’m a very lucky woman.’

‘Nope, I’m the lucky one. Do you realise how you changed my life, from that crazy donation to just being you. I go into the office looking at things differently. I make business deals based on how it will benefit more people and just not me. I use to want to make as much money as possible, now I want to see how much I do can make a difference.’

Eugene had certainly changed. He’d never thought it was possible that a person could change, but he certainly had.

‘I used to be a playboy, chase beautiful women.’

‘Hmmm, I heard about that.’ She teased. ‘What happened to that guy?’

‘He fell in love, he found meaning, he found you.’ He lifted her chin. ‘Chasing women can only give an artificial high for so long, but being with you, that’s a lifetime of joy. I don’t even find the same women I used to, attractive anymore.’ He laughed. ‘You’ve cast a spell on me.’

She laughed.

‘The truth is, I think I’ve just become more of myself and less of who I thought I had to be. You allow that in me, and I find myself just wanting to be more of who you bring out of me.’

Sahara was speechless. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but either one would be a good emotion. She knew that with him by her side, she could beat anything.

****

The weeks turned into months. First and second scans had come and gone. Sahara had begun to feel the baby kick. She had been closely monitored by the doctors, and against all their judgment, she was doing very well.

Emily had made it her job to make sure Sahara was resting, but it was hard to find Sahara resting. Her job brought her peace, and she couldn’t give it up, but she’d cut down on the hours and Elizabeth had stepped into help. A couple of times Eugene had to be out of the country on business, he’d almost not left her, but she had to push him out of the house, let her breathe. Sahara didn’t like being smothered, and his concern had done just that, even though she knew he meant well.

She’d spent a lot more time at Eugene’s house, he’d kept telling her that it was hers too, but she’d found it hard to adjust. But she wanted their child to be brought into a bigger place, hers was hardly spacious for a new family. The nursery had also began to take shape, not that she’d done much except point at pretty pictures and things she wanted, and other people, taken under Eugene’s payroll did the work.

Early one morning as she got ready to leave the house for work, she had to stop a moment and lean onto the wall for support. The passage rotated, the floors looked as though they were moving and she felt a little sick to the stomach. She took a deep breath. So far during the pregnancy she hadn’t had any real problems and the early morning sickness had subsided.

Sahara’s heart picked up pace, it wasn’t a feeling she was used to. She held onto the base of her growing belly and took in more deep breaths.

‘You’re okay.’ She told herself. ‘You’re okay.’ She moved towards the living-room, sat down and took a moment.

It took her a while to feel better. The spinning had stopped and she could breathe a lot better. It had been a little scare, but she was confident things were okay.

‘All is well.’ She fiddled for her mobile in her handbag and called for the driver. ‘Probably wise not to drive today.’ She waited for Eugene’s driver to pick up.

Eugene was out of the country and wasn’t due for another four days. It was hard for him to leave her, but she was okay. Sahara was never one to act like an invalid.

The driver turned up forty minutes later and thirty minutes later, Sahara was at work.

‘Are you alright honey?’ her mother asked concerned.

‘I’m fine mum, just a little out of breath.’

Elizabeth gazed at Alice who shook her head. It was her advice to let Sahara ask for help on her own, rather than force it. Sahara took a few steps across the shop and into the back room, just those few steps had felt like she’d just climbed Mount Everest. Her heart started to pick up pace again, and fear gripped the pit of her stomach. She held onto her belly and said a little prayer.

‘You’re doing just fine, we’re doing just fine,’ she whispered at the end of the prayer.

Alice walked in and found Sahara leaning against the chair.

‘Sahara?’ she rushed over to her. ‘Honey?’

‘I’m fine, I’m just tired. This pregnancy is getting exhausting.’ She tried to joke.

‘Maybe you should take the day off, relax a bit.’

‘I won’t be able to relax. Sitting at home would be a lot more stressful.’

‘But you don’t look too great.’

Sahara was silent, not because she didn’t want to answer, but because she didn’t think she could hang on for much longer. Alice took one look at her and called for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth stepped in to find her daughter out of breath.

‘Call an ambulance, something’s wrong!’ said Alice.

‘What…ever….happens…make…sure…my baby…’

‘Sssh, you save all that breath to tell your baby yourself,’ Alice encouraged.

‘There was… a…risk…’ She sucked in a deep breath as much as she could. ‘Keeping the baby…it’s been worth…it…if I don’t make it…’

‘What have I told you about trying to predict the future?’ Alice said sternly. ‘You’re here, now, be here, your energy is needed here.’

Sahara nodded, but soon her whole body felt weak. It was as if something horrible had sucked out all the life out of her body, and left something dark and unpleasant. Her eyes shut and her body dropped to the floor.

‘Sahara! Sahara!’

Elizabeth ran to her daughter’s side still on the phone.

‘Sahara?!’ she panicked.

‘Miss Young, are you still with me?’ asked a voice on the other end of the phone.

‘Yes, but my daughter, she’s collapse.’

‘An ambulance is on its way.’

She nodded and listened to further instruction. She had to focus, she had to be the mother Sahara knew and trusted. Elizabeth reached for her daughter’s neck, and placed her two fingers on the side gently.

‘Yes, there’s still a pulse, but it’s very light.’

Elizabeth and Alice rolled her gently into the recovery position, the siren could be heard in the distance, getting closer and closer…

****

Eugene walked towards a meeting room. He’d tried to see as much of Italy as time would allow so that he could describe it to Sahara, when she asked him. A very important meeting was about to happen, which could make him one of the richest men in Britain. As he walked a woman called after him.

‘Eugene? Is that you?’

Before he turned he knew that voice. It was Holly, the beautiful blond he’d met a few years ago. They’d met in one of the many meetings he had, and there was no surprise she was at this one. They’d had a few passionate nights together, but she wasn’t the woman he’d love to spend the rest of his life with.

‘Wow, Holly, good to see you.’ He smiled.

‘Yes, wow, it’s been a while. You never returned my calls.’

‘Well, you know how it is.’

‘No I don’t.’ she laughed. ‘You look better than before.’ She eyed him up and down.

‘Well, thanks. You look great yourself. I’m guessing your father is here too.’

‘Yep. Where I am, he is.’

‘I better get to this meeting.’

‘I’ll walk with you, I’m heading there myself.’

He nodded and they started in the direction of the meeting room.

‘So, would you like to grab a drink after this big deal?’

‘Ah…’ he smiled. ‘I can’t. I’m heading straight home as soon as we’re done.’

‘What’s the rush? You could do that later.’ She winked.

‘Well, I have someone pretty important at home, who is expecting me today.’

‘Oh wow. You settled?’ She couldn’t believe it. ‘Are you sure you’re the same Eugene I know?’

‘In the flesh. I’m going to be a father.’

She almost passed out, and the look on her face was comical.

‘Yes, things have changed. I’ve changed too.’

‘Well good for you. I’m truly surprised. I never thought you had it in you.’

‘Most people didn’t, but when you meet the right one, there’s no hesitation. You just want to be with them.’

‘It sound’s like you’re in love.’

‘I am.’

Just then his mobile rang. They stopped at the door. He glanced at the time; the meeting was due to start any minute.

‘You go in, I’ll join you in a minute.’

She nodded, opened the door to the room and stepped in.

‘Casey, this better be important. I’m about to strike gold.’

‘It’s Sahara; she’s been rushed to hospital.’

Everything within him went cold.

‘Eugene, did you hear a word I said?’

‘I’m on my way.’ He didn’t hesitate. ‘Let the pilot know we’re leaving early, possibly in the next forty minutes. He’ll need to make sure we have clearance to take off.’

‘Yes, will do.’

Eugene didn’t even look back at the door. He knew that more than ever that, Sahara, meant more to him than any money he’d make. Money would just have to wait.

****

He landed two hours later. As he slid into the car, Casey was right by his side.

‘I didn’t know you’d be here,’ he said.

‘I think you’re going to need my support.’

He clenched his teeth. She’d been updating him about Sahara’s progress. As far as everyone knew, she was still in surgery.

‘Thanks, any more news on her status.’ The insides of his stomach turned.

‘No, I’ve been trying the hospital, but they can’t give me an update. I’m sure they will as soon as we get to the there.’

He nodded. He gazed out of the window as they drove. The knot in the pit of his stomach made him feel so uncomfortable, he felt like opening the door to the car while it was in motion and jumping out.