No Bra Required! (28 page)

As Ed stirred suddenly, Lucy moved forward and stroked his
face.

“Are you okay, do you want a drink of water?” she asked.

“No thanks, I’m fine.  I just want to look at
you.”  His eyes, now much brighter, gazed at Lucy.

Lucy kissed his hand several times, unable to believe that
he was awake after all the hours spent watching and wondering.

“Oh Ed, I’m so, so sorry that I didn’t believe in you,” she
gasped. “You told me she wouldn’t get you back, and I should have listened.”

Ed shook his head.  “Why did you leave, I’ve missed you
so much.  Was it because I didn’t send Katie away?  Your note just
said it was too quick and that you knew you couldn’t replace her, how could you
even think that?”  Ed stroked Lucy’s hand gently.

He could see in her eyes that Lucy loved him, but he also
needed to know why she’d left, when everything seemed to be so strong between
them.

“God Ed, I’m so sorry, I’ve missed you too.”  Lucy
sniffed and used the back of her hand to wipe the tears that were now on her
cheeks.  “I can’t believe how Katie tricked me, how they tricked
me.” 

“What do you mean, she tricked you?”  Fury building up
in Ed’s voice, he gripped the bed sheet.

Lucy told Ed all about finding ‘him’ and Katie in bed
together, and how she and Georgina had figured out what had actually happened.

“So you see, I should have stayed and talked to you about
it, then we wouldn’t have been apart all these weeks.”  Lucy kissed Ed’s
palm and then held it closely to her chest.

“Bloody hell Lucy, how would you know? Even Mum and Dad used
to have problems telling us apart, how were you supposed to.  I’ve felt like
shit without you, I could kill them both.”  He coughed and reached across
for the water on his cabinet, taking a long drink.

As he put the water back, Lucy said, “Even at the hospital,
when I went to see Callie, she still tried to trick me.”  She smiled
weakly at the memory.

Ed looked at Lucy with a puzzled expression.  Lucy
explained about visiting Callie and seeing Katie there.  She also told him
of Richard’s call with Katie when she confirmed she was pregnant, and finally
the showdown she’d had with Katie a few days ago.

“Christ, all that just because they need money.  She’s
an absolute bitch, she must have answered my mobile while I was arguing with
Luke, I think I left it on the table with my keys.  Sounds like she got
what she deserved though,” Ed laughed taking hold of Lucy’s hand.  “And
he’s more of a bastard than I imagined.  How can anyone be willing to let
their wife sleep with someone for money?”

“He sounds like a total shit,” Lucy commented, laying her
palm on Ed’s cheek.  “God, I can’t believe I may have lost you.  What
happened anyway?”

“It was a guy in a transit van.  He was overtaking me
and suddenly he just careered toward me.  We both ended up in a ditch in
the side of the road.  The police think he had a heart attack at the
wheel.”  Ed groaned slightly and touched his black eye. 

“Is he okay?”  Lucy asked.

Ed shook his head.  “No, he was dead when the ambulance
got there.  Luckily for me I’m okay, except for that,” he said pointing at
his right leg that was hoisted above the bed.

“It’s going to be fine though the doctor said.  Are you
sure that you’re okay, no headaches or anything?”  Lucy’s face was full of
concern.

“I’m fine,” Ed chuckled.  “I’m not going to drop down
dead, I promise, and don’t I always keep my promises?” 

Lucy leaned across and kissed Ed tenderly.

“Bloody hell Luce, even in this state I can feel a
stirring.”  Ed nodded toward his groin.  “Do you fancy getting in
with me?” he asked, although a little feebly.

Lucy laughed.  “No, and there’ll be no hanky panky
until you’re better.”

“Christ, I’ll have to make sure I stick to doctor’s orders
then.  Have you seen Mum today?  How is she doing, I’m worried about
you both spending hours on end here?”

“She’s fine, shattered, but she’s okay.  I don’t think
Luke and Katie will be on her Christmas present list though.”  Heaving a
sigh Lucy leaned back against the chair.  She thought about everything
that had led to this point.  “Katie obviously thought it was a miracle
when Dad had the flood.”

“Ah now, that one I can help you with.  She did it, she
caused the flood,” said Ed wincing at the pain in his leg.

“How?  And how on earth did she get into Dad’s
house?”  Then suddenly light dawned on Lucy.  “The day she borrowed
my car to go to Newcastle.”

Ed nodded.  “Yep, she had your keys, let herself in and
knocked a nail in the pipe.”

“The nail, of course.”  Lucy fingered the now smooth
scar on the palm of her hand.  She lifted it to show Ed.  “I cut
myself on it when I was cleaning up after the plumber.”

Ed shook his head in despair.  “She rather enjoyed
telling me about that when it all came out when I found them.  She’d done
it to take you away from the house so that
she
could get
me
into
bed, but I spoiled the plan by rushing off to see Callie.  That’s why she
called Luke, I suppose.  Shit, when I saw Katie and Luke together I should
have realised that she’d probably done something to make you leave.  I’ve
been such an idiot, not realising what they’ve been doing.  There were
enough clues.”  Ed shook his head and sighed.

“She’s been clever Ed, and sometimes it’s hard to think
clearly when there’s other things on your mind.  Why didn’t you call me
though, to say you were at Callie’s, didn’t you wonder where I was when you got
back with the food?”  Lucy was still perplexed by it all.

“She told me that you’d nipped out for more wine, so when I
got the call from Callie I just asked Katie to let you know that I’d had an
emergency and that I’d call you when I could.  I didn’t want to say it was
Callie because of confidentiality.  I should have just made her leave when
I did, but I was so worried about Callie.”  Ed shook his head and
sighed.  “And she took a risk that I wouldn’t call you before you got back
to my house; that would really have spoiled the plan.”

“She obviously took a chance that even if you’d called me
I’d still think that it was you in bed with her.  If I had realised it was
Luke, then so be it – she had nothing to lose.  My head hurts just trying
to fathom it all out to be honest.”  Lucy gently kissed his forehead. 
“Don’t worry about it now anyway, she’s been really sneaky and managed to trick
both of us.”

“I know Luce, but what I don’t understand is why she didn’t
tell me that you found her and Luke in bed together?  It was all over
then, I knew they hadn’t split up, so why carry it on?”

“Because,” Lucy replied, “she realised that if you knew
you’d probably have come to find me, and it was her last bit of revenge to keep
us apart.”

“You’re right, she still wanted me to believe that it was
your decision to go.  She is one evil bitch!  Thank God you asked to
see me otherwise we may have never sorted things out.”  Ed winced and
closed his eyes momentarily. 

Finally, he spoke.  “Anyway, I meant to ask, what was
it you wanted to see me about? I’m assuming after what you thought you saw it
wasn’t to make up.”

Lucy had totally forgotten that she had something important
to tell Ed.  Making sure he was okay and that they were okay had
overshadowed everything else, and apart from her jeans feeling a little tighter
over the last couple of days, she hadn’t honestly thought about the baby.

“Well, I don’t really know how to tell you, and I totally
understand if you decide it’s not what you want, so don’t want to get back
together.  I know it’s pretty soon, and people will probably talk, but
I’ve got used to it now and am genuinely happy about it…”  All the
thoughts jangling around in Lucy’s head came blurting out rapidly.

“Luce just tell me,” Ed interjected.

“Okay, well the thing is I’m pregnant.”  Lucy froze
waiting for Ed to respond.

“Say that again.”  He tried to pull himself up, but
winced. 

“Please don’t be angry, I didn’t do it on purpose.  You
know how I felt about having another child.”

“
Lucy
, for Christ’s sake please just say it again.”

“Okay, sorry.  I’m pregnant,” Lucy whispered, her eyes
shut tightly.

Ed was silent for a few moments and then his face broke into
a huge smile.  He pulled Lucy to him by her hand and kissed her gently.

Eventually, Lucy slowly pulled away.

“You’re not angry then?”  She looked at Ed with large
eyes.

Ed suddenly knew what it must be like to win the lottery and
your football team win the Premiership title, all on the same day.  The
woman that he loved was going to have his baby; they were going to be a
family.  He didn’t care how soon it was, or whether people were negative
about their situation.  All he cared about was this beautiful woman in
front of him, and the new life growing inside her, he cared about Nate, and he
cared about their future together.

Eventually, his voice full of emotion, Ed answered. “Are you
joking?  I’m over the moon.  I can’t believe it!  How far along
are you?  How long have you known?”

“Nearly eight weeks, and I’ve known for about six. 
That’s why I wanted to see you, to tell you.  I couldn’t tell you before
because I was so upset, I’m sorry,” Lucy responded, anxious that Ed was annoyed
at keeping it from him.

“Hey, I understand,” Ed soothed.  “I totally get it,
why would you want me to know if you thought I was back with Katie, and that
she was pregnant.  Come here.”  Ed beckoned Lucy to him and kissed
her gently.  “I love you baby, and I can’t think of anything better than
having a child with you.”

Lucy smiled, happy to be back with him and starting a life
together.  She kissed Ed back, and then nibbled his ear, breathing the
words.  “I love you too.”

“Lucy, can I ask you something?”  Ed asked
breathlessly.

“Hmm,” Lucy murmured now kissing his neck.

“What shoes have you got on?”

As her daughter ran around in circles, Lucy sighed contentedly
and gazed at her.  She was a beautiful little girl with dark brown hair in
bunches and plump little arms and legs and her brown eyes were full of
happiness.  How lovely to be so happy just because you could run around in
circles against the wind, Lucy thought.

“Careful Tilly, not too fast or you’ll fall,” Lucy called,
smiling at the little two year old.  “Oh quick look here’s Daddy and
Nate.”  Lucy pointed in the direction of Ed walking towards them, Nate
dawdling alongside, dragging a bag behind him.

“Hello, how are my gorgeous girls then? Ready for some lunch
with Daddy?”  Ed smiled as he scooped Tilly up into his arms.

“My been chasing the wind Daddy,” she whispered into his ear
as she flung her arms around his neck.

“Have you? And what has Mummy been doing?” asked Ed, leaning
towards Lucy and planting a kiss on her lips.  “Have you been chasing the
wind as well?”

Lucy shook her head and sighed. “No, Mummy has been making
sure Granpy and Grandpops are all packed for their holiday.  But as fast as
Dad put things into the case this little madam took them out, didn’t you
monkey?”  Lucy turned her attention to Nate.  “Anyway, how are you
sweetie? How did the football training go?” Lucy asked as he stared up at her
with his enormous eyes.

“I scored a goal Mum, it was almost from the halfway line,
wasn’t it Dad?”  Nate mimicked his earlier shot with an imaginary ball.

“It was brilliant Nate, the best goal you’ve ever
scored.”  Ed smiled, full of pride. 

Lucy looked down at Nate, feeling that now familiar swell in
her heart every time he called her ‘Mum’.  She loved it as much now, as
she did the first time he’d said it. “The best you’ve ever scored, wow. 
Well, I’m very proud of you,” she said, ruffling his hair.

“Anyway madam,” Ed now turned to his daughter.  “Why
were you taking all the clothes out of the suitcase then?”

Tilly’s dimples appeared in her cheeks as she smiled at her
father.  “I not want Granpy and Grandpops to go on ayoplane.”

“Oh dear,” said Ed.  “I having a feeling it’s going to
be a nightmare when we take them to the airport.”

“I know, she’s going to be hysterical.” Lucy sighed.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t come, what do you think?”

Ed kissed Lucy tenderly and smiled.  “Oh you’d better
because I can’t go to South Africa without you three.  It would be
horrible, I’d miss you like mad.”

“What…what do you mean?”  Lucy asked open
mouthed.  “We’re going too?”

“Yes my beautiful wife we’re all going too.  It’s all
arranged I’ve got a locum in at the practice, Callie’s going to work full time
while we’re away, and she’s arranged for Gladys to help out, I’ve arranged for
Nate to have an extra week off school, and we are going to have the best time
ever for three whole weeks.  How does that sound?”

“But are you sure Callie is well enough to be working full
time, I know she’s in remission, but she’s only been used to working part-time
since she was ill?” Lucy asked, concerned for her friend.

Ed smiled and nodded.  “I’ve checked and double-checked
with her, and she insists that she’ll be fine.  Dr Kindler is going to
keep a close eye on her, as is everyone else.  You know what she’s like,
she’s been chomping at the bit to come back properly for ages, so she’s
thrilled.”

 “So, are we going with Granpy and Grandpops or not,
Dad?” asked Nate jumping up and down.

“Yes, we are.  We’re all going to see Auntie Sophie.”

“God did I ever tell you how much I love you?”  Lucy
asked, hugging Ed tightly.

“Often, but I tell you what let’s get these two to bed early
tonight and you can show me how much.”  Ed laughed as he kissed Lucy.

“Okay,” she giggled and looked down at her shoes.

If
you enjoyed “Lucy Steps Out” then why not try my first book.