One Last Chance (8 page)

“Oh yes, I can’t wait,” Nan exclaimed as she excitedly clapped her hands.

“Cole’s mom is gonna come with us too,” Ally continued enthusiastically as she took the seat next to her grandfather and kissed him on the cheek before she stole a piece of pepper from his plate. He looked at Ally and smiled at her warmly.

Annette sat Ally’s lunch down in front of her before she excused herself and left the four
of them alone to enjoy their lunch in peace.

Cole told them all about the wedding venue. They were having a civil ceremony in the
Grand Hall of Syon House, which was located on the fabulous and very historic Syon Park.

The reception would
be held afterwards in the Grand Conservatory with just over one hundred guests, keeping the whole thing private and low key, as Ally had requested.

Pop
still wasn’t happy that they were not getting married in a church, but Nan just shushed him and told him, it was their day and they should do whatever makes them happiest.

“
All I care about is I am marrying the man of my dreams,” Ally smiled looking at Cole, who couldn’t help but return her smile. “And the other most important man in my life will hold my hand as he walks me down the aisle.”

Pop
shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Ally’s smile faded.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, surprised by her grandfather’s reaction.

“Oh don’t be minding that old goat,” Nan quickly answered. “He is just being silly. Still trying to accept his little princess is a grown woman now and is about to become a wife.”

Ally smiled
at Nan, but something inside made her think there was more to her grandfather’s sudden discomfort and she wasn’t happy about it.

Either way, in six days’ time, she wou
ld be walking down the aisle marrying the man of her dreams and she was determined nothing was going to spoil her big day.

It was just after seven when they arrived at Cole’s parents’ house. Just as before, Ella came to the door to greet them but this time she embraced Ally the moment she saw her.

“My dear sweet girl,” s
he said holding Ally at arm’s length and taking in every inch of her. “How lovely it is to see you once again. You look simply glowing, pregnancy certainly agrees with you.”

“Thank you
, Ella,” Ally said unable to keep herself from smiling brightly. She had really grown to like this lady and loved spending time with her.

She and Cole had returned
to London to tell them about the baby and the wedding plans a weekend after they had set the date. Ella and James seemed genuinely happy at the thoughts of being grandparents and Ella was completely overjoyed when they confirmed the wedding would be in London.

Cole arranged to bring
Ally to Syon House that weekend. She had fallen in love with it the moment she saw the Grand Hall and the Grand Conservatory. It was perfect.

On the Saturday
, Ally and Ella went wedding dress shopping and Ally fell in love with the very first dress she saw. She tried on others but her heart was set on the very first one.

She wanted
it simple, classy and elegant. She chose a raw silk, strapless dress, with a buttoned down back. The skirt of the dress fell effortless to the ground with a small train to finish it off. Ally wasn’t a bows and frills kind of girl. This dress had tiny delicate details and was made for Ally.

Ella, greeted Nan and
Pop very warmly as did James, before James lead everyone into the living room.

Very soon the champagne was pop
ped and they were toasting the happy couple. Everyone except Ally, who was once again drinking orange juice.

Finally
, Ella led everyone to the dining room, where she insisted Nan make herself at home and relax when Nan naturally offered to help her with serving the meal.

Ella served roast beef medallion
s with baby potatoes and roasted vegetables.

“So, how are the nerves Ally?” James asked as they all tucked into their dinner. “Only a few days to go now.”

“I have no nerves at all,” Ally replied and looked across at Cole who was sitting facing her. “I have no doubts about what I am doing. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Thomas.”

“
Ally Thomas,” Ella sighed. “It sounds perfect, just like you two are together.”

“Thanks Mom,” Cole said reaching for his mother’s hand and giving it a loving squeeze.
She smiled brightly at her son before she turned to Ally once again.

“Have you thought about baby names y
et?” Ella said her smile widening.

“Not really,” Ally blushed. They had but they weren’t ready to tell everyone just yet. “We have a cup…”

Suddenly the sound of the front door opening and a large clatter from the hallway stopped Ally mid-sentence. She looked at Cole as he and his father both stood up from the table.

Before they could step away from the table
though, a pretty brunette appeared at the dining room door. She was a younger version of Ella but she had the same piercing blue eyes as Cole.

“Hey,” she said a she walked into the room heading straight to the table and grabbing a bread roll from the basket.
“Shit I am starving.”

“What are you doing here?” James asked as he took his seat once again.

Much to Ally’s surprise Cole remained standing, his face completely unreadable, but his whole demeanour had completely changed.

“I came home for the wedding of the year,” she said with
a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she shot Cole a look of contempt. Ally was surprised at this girl’s obvious hostility towards Cole. She looked at Nan and knew that Nan was less than impressed by whoever the hell this girl maybe.

“Where are my manners,” Ella said
, as if sensing what Nan must be thinking. “This is our daughter Ella.”

“El,” the girl cut in and reached out her hand to
Pop first. Pop stood up as he took her hand.

“I am Ally’s grandfather,” he said with a broa
d smile. “Everyone calls me Pop.”

“Nice to meet you Pop
,” she said before she turned to Nan and reached out her hand. “You must be
her
grandmother.”

There was something in the way she said
her
that shocked Ally, she had never met this girl, but it was perfectly clear this girl had already formed an opinion of Ally and it wasn’t a good one.

“
HER
name is Ally,” Cole finally spoke, clearly picking up on her tone, just as Ally had. “And you will address her with respect. Is that clear?”

El stared at Cole for a moment without speaking.
And he held her gaze without blinking.

“Jesus Christ Cole relax,” she finally said. “Keep your perfectly pressed boxers on.”

“Ella, watch your language.” James scolded her. “We have company.”

El
rolled her eyes and then turned her attention to Ally. Giving her a big smile she walked around the table to where Ally was sitting. Ally could feel her heart begin to race a little. There was something about this girl that unsettled her.

“So
, you must be the famous Ally I have heard so much about,” El said as she reached her.

“I guess I am,” Ally said with a slight smile before she looked over to
Cole. His face was like thunder.

“And you’
re having a baby too,” El continued as her eyes fell to Ally’s tummy. Ally instinctively pressed her hand to her tummy.

“Yes,” Ally confirmed cautiously. “We are.”

“You sure it’s yours this time,” El said with a laugh as she turned to Cole.

“
Ella!” James exclaimed before Cole even had a chance to respond. “You will apologise to Ally and Cole right now for that completely inappropriate remark.”

“Oh god,” El groaned. “I was kidding.”

“Well, just shows your class now doesn’t it,” Cole said with sheer contempt. “And if you ever speak about Ally like that again. I won’t care that you are my sister, or a woman for that matter. I will knock you into next week. Now if you will excuse me.”

Without saying another word, Cole shoved his chair further back and headed towards the door.

“Jesus, I was kidding,” El repeated with a nervous laugh. She turned and looked at Ally who was just staring at her in complete disbelief. “I am sorry, okay.”

“Excuse me,” Ally said standing up from the table. “I think I will go see if Cole is okay.
”

Ally walked out from the dining room and stopped for a moment to take a deep breath before she went in search of Cole.
She hadn’t heard him climbing the stairs so she knew he was still downstairs somewhere. She tried the living room first but it was empty.

She w
alked back out into the hallway and saw the door across from the living room was ajar.

She tapped lightly on the door before she pushed it open. She peered around the door and spotted Cole standing in front of the
large bay window staring out in to the darkness of the night.

“
Can I come in?” She asked, remaining in the doorway.

“Of course gorgeous girl,” Cole said
, turning to Ally and giving her a broad smile as she made her way to him.

“Are you okay?”
She asked as she slipped her arms around his waist.

“I am now,” he smiled down at her. “I am sorry about El. She is a spoiled little princess
, who thinks the world owes her something. She doesn’t care who she hurts. And one day she is going to cross the wrong person. You mark my words”

“I don’t care about her,” Ally replied honestly. “I only care that someone is hurting you.”

“Trust me,” Cole laughed as he pulled Ally closer to him. “She can’t hurt me. I would have to value her opinion for that to happen. And believe me I don’t.”

Before Ally could answer
, there was a soft tap on the door.

They both turned in time to see Cole’s mother
’s head pop around the door.

“Is everything okay?” S
he asked as she cautiously stepped further in to the room.

“Everything is just perfect Mom,” Cole smiled warmly at her.

“Ally, I am so sorry about what just happened,” Ella said as she walked closer to Cole and Ally, and Ally could immediately feel Cole’s body tense. “What El said, well, it was cruel and I just want you to know, that thought has never even crossed our minds. We couldn’t be happier about the baby. Or about you marrying our son. We know you make him very happy indeed.”

“Thank you Ella,” Ally replied
, grateful for the woman’s words of reassurance.

“You are very welcome
my darling girl,” Ella smiled as she reached for both their hands. “Now please, come back and let’s enjoy dinner and some good company.”

Ally and Cole followed Ella
back to the dining room. Both Pop and James each stood up when they returned to the room. Ally returned to her seat next to Nan and once she was seated, Nan reached beneath the table and patted her leg and gave her a smile.

El
was now sitting in a place that was set for her between Pop and James.

“I am
sorry for my remark, Ally,” El said once everyone was seated. “Was meant as a joke, I meant no harm.”

“I think it’s best we just forget the whole thing,” Ally said
, smiling at the girl. Even though inside she wanted to smack her hard. She knew Cole was still upset over Ben, and that it was not a joking matter at all. But she thought it best to let it go.

The rest of the evening passed by quickly, but Ally couldn’t help but notice that Cole seemed
a lot more quieter than normal, unlike his sister, who barely paused for breath.

By the time they were saying their goodbyes
, Ally had a headache. They all climbed into the car and returned to Cole’s apartment in silence.

When they reached the penthouse,
Cole wished everyone a good night and excused himself before heading for their bedroom.

“He was awfully quiet tonight,” Nan said as
Ally made three cups of tea.

“There is more to El
than just what you saw tonight,” Ally explained. “And her comment hurt more than she realised. He is still upset about Ben.”

“But he has the baby coming,”
Pop said confused as to why Cole would be upset over the other little boy.

“Pops,” Ally sigh and rubbed the bridge of her nose to try and relive the pain in her head. “Cole loved Ben, and he was so devastated by what happened. He loves the baby already. But I know a bit of him will always love Ben too.”

“I think that Steph girl has a lot to answer for,” Nan said, reaching out and taking hold of Ally’s hand. “You need to go to your young man and be there for him Ally, he needs you right now. Go. We will be fine.”