Notice Me (42 page)

“We don’t have to do this, Shan. If you don’t feel up to it. I can wait,” Charlie breathed heavily in-between our kisses.

I giggled pushing him down onto the huge bed. “You may be able to wait, but I can’t,” I replied running my hands over his bare chest. I had been starved enough of Charlie’s blissful body. Charlie pulled me down on top of him urgently, rolling me so I was underneath him. My entire body tingled with pleasure as our bare skin touched.

“Well, if you put it that way,” Charlie muttered running his hands over my yearning body as he passionately kissed me into my own personal heaven.

The morning brought a sense of calmness in my head. Charlie had helped ease my mind completely last night. With feelings so intense it was difficult to think of anything other than the precise moment I was in.

“Are you awake, sweetheart?” Charlie whispered in my ear. I turned to face him kissing his soft lips. “Did you sleep okay?” Charlie put his hand through my hair moving the few strands that lay over my face.

“Slightly better than okay,” I beamed.

“Lorna and Bradley arrived late last night. They can’t wait to see you. She pushed a note under our door to meet them for lunch on the beach later.”

“Sounds lovely,” I sighed moving to rest my head on his chest.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel amazing.”

“Me too,” Charlie wrapped me up in his arms. “I can’t even explain just how good
this
feels.”

“I know what you mean,” I replied running my nails over his chest. “I missed you so much. My heart was bleeding every second we were apart.”

“You have no idea how hard it’s been for me. But I just couldn’t let you go.”

“I’m sorry, you have no idea how much I wanted to tell you, but Will…” I couldn’t finish my words as a sob broke from my chest.

“Did Will hurt you?”

Charlie became tense in my arms. I touched his face in reassurance. “Charlie it’s fine. No, Will didn’t touch me. I wouldn’t let him.” It wouldn’t have been wise to tell him about the incident that happened a few days ago.

“What a gentleman,” Charlie muttered angrily. “I really wish I had been given the chance to hit him.”

“I wouldn’t worry. It wouldn’t have been much of a fight,” I teased.

“True,” Charlie chuckled.

“I love you so much Charlie. I always have and always will,” I whispered.

“I knew that Shan. Even when you said goodbye to me. Even without the letter you wrote me. I knew something was wrong. It didn’t make sense. I knew we were in love with each other and that the only thing that would keep me apart from you would be if your life was in danger. You should have told me though, Shannon. It would have made things a lot easier,” Charlie frowned at me, disappointed.

“I know, but all I could think of was keeping you safe.”

“I just wish you had have told me. All those months you were alone. I missed you like crazy. Bradley thought I had actually gone mad.”

“None of that matters now,” I twisted myself up towards his mouth kissing him tenderly. “We will never be apart again.”

“I love you Miss Davis or should I say Miss Downing?”

I rolled my eyes. “I have no idea. I guess Downing?”

Today was going to be an emotional tiring day, but with Charlie firmly by my side I could cope with anything.

Lorna and I sat at a table on the pure white sand. The warm sun beamed through the palm trees across the ice blue almost turquoise sea. Paradise birds were singing sweet songs in the distance, as the waves lapped against the sand. I had no clear idea of where we were, some secret island hidden away between Australia and New Zealand. It was probably owned by Jennet Downing. If the Fields could buy islands it would have been no effort at all for Downing International to purchase a few small islands.

“I can’t believe it Shannon. Your life seriously, could it get anymore messed up?” Lorna laughed sipping her freshly squeezed orange and mango juice.

“Tell me about it,” I laughed watching Charlie and Bradley throwing skimming stones into the sea.

“He never gave up on you,” Lorna whispered watching Charlie.

“I know,” I sighed. “Neither did you,” I placed my hand over Lorna’s. “Thank you. I really can’t express just what you did for me Lorna.”

“You are my friend. What else could I do?”

“You and Charlie saved me.”

“I think it was more Charlie, but I guess I had my part to play.”

“It just feels so strange. Like it is a dream,” I looked around still trying to take everything in.

“I know being the heir of all this must be mind blowing,” Lorna looked around with me, but more in awe of it all. “I wonder what she is going to be like.”

“Who?” I asked watching Charlie make his way back towards me.

“Your mother, silly,” Lorna laughed hitting my arm. “Charlie has met her a few times, but I haven’t had the pleasure yet.”

“Have you met her?” I asked Charlie as he sat next to me taking my hand in his.

“Yes! My mum helped of course, but we told her together about you,” Charlie replied stroking my hand with his thumb.

“How did she take it? What is she like?” So many more questions were on the tip of my tongue.

“To begin with she didn’t believe us, but when we showed her the evidence well, she broke down. My mum had never seen her cry. She asked if I had a photo of you.” Charlie put his hands through my hair. “Which I did. She thinks you are beautiful. You remind her of your father a little but mostly, I think you take after your mother.”

“My father…” It was all too much, tears were in my eyes again. I hadn’t even gotten used to the idea of my mother now my father was in the discussion.

“Don’t worry sweetheart. Your mother is going to explain everything to you. All you need to know is that she loves you and wants you in her life.” Charlie calmed my panic attack so easily reassuring me.

“She wants me in her life?” I beamed just at the thought of my mother wanting me.

“Shannon, she has always wanted you, but your mother will explain everything,” Charlie kissed my forehead. “You will get all the answers you have always wanted, sweetheart.”

I could only imagine what those answers could be. I only hoped they would not be excuses.

I looked warily at Charlie. I had counted on him being there when I met my mother for the first time, but Charlie thought it would be better if I went alone initially.

“Sweetheart, you will be fine. I think your mother wanted this time to be private at first. You have a lot to talk about.” Charlie comforted me rubbing my back tenderly.

“Okay,” I breathed opening the door into a study. I gazed as I noticed it must be my mother’s. I walked straight to her bookcase noticing how many of the same books we both owned. The photographs on her desk made no sense to me, but I knew which photos included her. Charlie was right. I did feature my mother.

She was beautiful and so young. My mother must have had me at an early age. I was so engrossed looking at the photos I didn’t notice the door open behind me.

“Shannon.” A voice came from behind me. I stiffened scared to turn to face my mother. Would I hate her for leaving me when I finally looked her in the eyes? Would she be disappointed with me? What if she wanted me to disappear like before? “Shannon, please look at me.” My mother asked softly, behind me now.

I turned to face her. She was beautiful with her creamy smooth pale skin and just a hint of pink blush on her perfect cheekbones. Her thin agile body was toned to perfection, her dark mid length brown hair was styled into long layers that shaped her lovely oval face. I found her eyes last, gasping at the same time she did. Her emerald green eyes watched me with the same expression as my own. There was no doubt I was standing in front of my mother.

“I… I…” I could hardly speak, neither could my mother.

“My baby… You are beautiful… So beautiful,” My mother reached her hand towards my face gently stroking my hair as tears trickled down both our faces. “I didn’t know. I am so sorry. I was told you died in child birth… forgive me. If I had of known I would have searched the universe for you… my baby,” she cooed stroking my hair. “You are so beautiful.”

“You… thought I died?” I asked confused.

My mother took my hand in hers. “Come sit with me. I have a lot to explain.” She pulled me with her towards the white corner sofa. Moving my hair out of my face she began. “Shannon, I fell pregnant with you when I was only fifteen years old. My father was furious with me. I was his only child. My mother died in childbirth. He was scared of losing me the same way. It also wasn’t something a Downing ever did. To him if the secret got out I would shame the family history forever. I was sent away while I carried you with my own doctor, nurse and teacher. I don’t really remember a lot about the birth. There had been complications. I had been told you stopped breathing and died shortly after being delivered.” My mother wiped the tears trickling down my face as I listened intently. “I was told you had been a girl. My little Lizzie I called you. After Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen.” My mother laughed to herself. “I had no reason to question my father. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine you were alive. I have no idea why my father did that. I will never know. Your grandfather died ten years ago. But I promise I will never let you down again my baby girl. I am so sorry. Charlie and Rachel have filled me in on your cold lonely life. If I had have known I swear I would have come for you.” Big thick tears were falling down my mother’s face. I wrapped my arms around her hugging her tightly. The emotion in me was unexplainable as we embraced. I could feel the lost me slowly finding her place at my mother’s side.

“You are here now that is all I need,” I whispered still hugging her.

“I will always be here for you from now on my baby girl. I love you so much. I loved you from the moment I felt you kick inside me.” My mother moved to look me in the eye. “I can’t wait to build my life with my daughter by my side. To learn about your life and who you are now.”

“I can’t wait to learn about your life too,” I smiled.

“My life is pretty dull. When I lost you my life had no meaning. I could have no more children you see. Your birth left me with complications so part of my womb was removed, but you would have been impossible to replace. I threw myself into work making my father happy. Expanding the family business to levels my father only ever dreamed of, but I was never complete. My work killed the pain of never being able to have what I wanted.”

“All through my childhood I dreamed of a mother like you, sitting here listening to you. It all feels like a dream. How could I be allowed this much happiness in one day?” I held her hand tightly feeling the bond building between us.

“You have had to wait twenty two years for it that’s why,” My mother smiled at me touching my face. “All I want for you is happiness.”

“I am happy, more than you could imagine. I am madly in love. I have a wonderful friend and a mother who wants me. It is all I need.” I beamed hearing my own true words.

“Charlie is a wonderful young man.”

“I love him so much. I never dreamed I could have a love like that.”

“I am glad,” She touched my face. “Perhaps we should go and have lunch with him. I’m sure he is a little anxious at how we are getting on.”

“You know him pretty well already,” I teased as we both laughed.

“Well, his mother does work for me,” My mother laughed. “Plus I was so glad he played his hero part and saved you from the Field family. They aren’t going to know what has hit them once I have finished with them. I will find out how they knew about you. They don’t call me the ‘Iron Dragon’ for nothing.” My mother winked at me. “But they can wait for a week at least.”