Luna
After hanging up the phone, Luna stood in silence for a few moments, completely stunned. Had Jordan really just finished with her? After everything they’d been through... and everything they were due to go through together. What the hell?
“Come on, girl, get your bag, we’re going,” Amanda said as she squeezed past Luna’s frame in the hallway. Amanda stopped and stared. “Are you OK?”
Luna nodded. She wasn’t ready to say anything yet. Not until she’d got her head around it. Did that really just happen? She’d heard so many horror stories about bad boyfriends who ditched girls out of the blue, even pregnant ones, but not Jordan, surely. He’d been different. Hadn’t he? And that kiss, just before he dropped her off. It was laden with feeling. He definitely loved her. She knew it. She hadn’t just imagined the whole thing. Maybe she’d trapped him, with the whole unexpected pregnancy thing? Maybe that’s what went wrong? Maybe it was all too much for him, and he was freaking out? But if that was the case, surely, they could fix this? If she took a step back and left him alone for a while, he would realize they were too good to throw away... wouldn’t he?
Luna had gone full circle from her spot on the hallway rug – going from denial to rage, to confidence that he didn’t mean it and it would all be OK. She swallowed hard and bent to pick up her luggage. She’d keep this to herself for now. Maybe he’d text soon to apologize and backtrack?
The car journey out to the lodge was terrible. It’s not that Luna didn’t want to be with Amanda and Bill, they were lovely, and like family. It’s just that she felt herself unraveling in the back seat of their car, as they drove the hour-long route, attempting – and failing - to make small talk with her.
When they eventually arrived, she followed them silently up to their adjoining rooms, managing a stifled smile to the young guy who’d carried their bags upstairs.
“Shall we meet out here in half an hour to go down to the restaurant for dinner?” Amanda asked.
“No, thanks. I’m fine,” Luna said weakly.
Amanda frowned.
Bill added, “It’s on us. We’ll treat you, dear.”
Luna shook her head. “Thanks, but... I don’t feel like eating.”
“If you change your mind, come down and find us, sweetie,” Amanda said. “You have to look after yourself. Or order room service. Whatever you need.”
She thanked them and closed the door, looking around the quiet, tidy room. It was nice. There were modern drapes and a big bed with sheets that looked plump and soft. It had everything you could want from a luxury room, but she just felt miserable.
She sat on the edge of the bouncy bed and sighed. She couldn’t even be bothered to switch on the TV, although the silence was so severe it felt as though her head was vibrating with white noise.
Things had been so good lately. She’d felt like she belonged and that there was so much ahead. But now... everything she’d wanted and finally got was up in flames, like everything else around town lately.
There was a knock at the door adjoining her room with Amanda and Bill’s.
“Honey, can I come in? What’s wrong?” Amanda asked softly.
“Come in,” Luna said, sniffing. Her eyes were red raw.
“Tell me what’s up? No one else has been hurt, have they?” Amanda asked, sitting on the bed and putting an arm around Luna.
“Just me, as far as I know. Jordan broke up with me.”
Amanda’s mouth hung open on a gasp. “What? When? How? Oh my God.” She got up and paced the room, wringing her hands with each step. “No. I don’t believe it. Something’s not right. He’s just proposed. You don’t go off someone that quick.”
“I think he got scared and ran,” Luna said, wiping her eyes. “The thing is... I’m pregnant.”
Amanda rushed back to be by her side on the bed. “Oh honey, that’s wonderful. Listen, things will work out. Look at what stress you’re both under with all this. I don’t know any couple who could get through this without some sort of breakdown. He’s scared of putting you in danger, I’ll bet.”
“Hardly. He said he doesn’t love me.”
Amanda frowned and pulled Luna in for a long tight hug. As she rubbed Luna’s back, she spoke softly, “After our son was killed, Bill and I had our troubles. At one point, I thought our marriage was over.”
Luna pulled back. “Really? That’s terrible,” she whispered through sniffs.
“Bill took to going out to bars, which was bizarre. He’d never been like that in his life. I think he just didn’t know how to process what had happened, so he started drinking... and avoiding me. It was like he’d changed into this man I barely knew. And I suppose I changed too. I watched Luke’s military parade videos over and over. I stopped living, stopped going out, didn’t want to see any friends... I was scared I’d have to listen to stories about their families. Loads of my friends have kids Luke’s age, and it was too hard to see them happy and well when my boy was... you know what I’m saying. It took us both a while to find our way back to each other. We drifted too far from each other that we ended up missing that bond, and in the end, we were pulled back together as if a huge magnet between us brought us back to our rightful positions, side by side. We had a good cry together, then we looked at happy photo albums. It was as if we finally saw a way to process it together. We realized we’d been so lucky to have him at all, even if his was a short life. And what he did have was brilliant. He was such a good guy. He was happy, kind, funny... so full of life. And we’re thankful for that.”
Luna squeezed Amanda’s hand.
“I guess what I’m trying to tell you is that sometimes pressures can alter the way you act to the person you actually need the most,” Amanda continued. “Jordan’s pushing you away because he thinks that’s what’s best. He’s panicking, that’s all. The guy has a target on his head right now, and I’ll bet all he can think about is protecting you and this new little life you’ve created. That’s enough to make anyone act crazy. Give him time. Keep your cool, and I promise you things will smooth over.”
Luna smiled through tears. “You’re like the wise mother I never had,” she said.
“Oh honey, that’s just what I am,” Amanda said, tears rolling down her cheeks now. “Come to me any time.” She rose to her feet with a sigh. “I’d better go back to Bill. We’re heading down for food now. I’ll bring something up for you if you like.”
Luna wiped her damp eyes with the back of her sleeve. “Only if it’s no trouble.”
“Of course it’s not,” Amanda said and gave her a wave as she went through the doors to hers and Bill’s room.
An hour later, when Luna was attempting to watch TV from her bed but really just staring mindlessly at a screen of blurred colors, there was a knock at the door. She assumed it was Amanda with some food and got up. When she got to the door, she hesitated. Amanda had been using the adjoining door between their rooms, what if it wasn’t her? She peered through the spy hole in the door. Jordan. Her tummy flipped. She wanted to be angry, but just seeing his face made her feel lighter. She scolded herself inwardly for being so soft.
She pulled the door open with force. “What do you want? Your ring back? Just take it.”
Jordan grabbed her hands and held them still. She tried to pull them free, but he held on tight. She relaxed her arms and gave in.
“Luna, I’m so sorry. I thought if I said those things to you I could keep you safe. I thought it was best for you. And... the baby.” He nodded towards her stomach. “Things are way out of hand with Sheldon. There’s been another explosion, and someone’s been knocked off their bike and hospitalized. It’s so messy. I wanted you as far away from that as possible.”
Luna listened in silence, tears forming in her eyes.
Jordan pulled her into his chest and held the back of her head while whispering, “Of course I love you. I love you so much it scares me. It’s all been so fast. But I know you’re my girl. You’re who I’m meant to be with. You’re my grease monkey who likes bikes and beer.”
She laughed and looked up into his eyes. She knew he was telling the truth. His eyes said it all.
Amanda appeared behind Jordan. “Thank God for that,” she said with one hand on her chest. “I knew he was just having a freak-out. Now get yourselves down to the massage suite. Bill and I had a couple’s session booked for tonight, but I think you need it more than we do.”
Luna smiled through the tears. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Get down there.”
They walked down to the therapy suite, Jordan with his arm wrapped around Luna’s shoulders. They didn’t need to say a word.
They held hands through the entire massage, letting the spa staff knead their bodies into a calmness they hadn’t felt for a while.
One masseur commented that Jordan’s were the toughest muscular knots she’d ever felt. “Have you been under a lot of stress?” she asked.
Jordan laughed. “You could say that.”
He shut his eyes and tried to block out the thoughts of Sheldon, which haunted him day and night. For a few moments, he managed to slip into a state of peaceful happiness, rubbing Luna’s fingers with his own. He pictured their future together with this mystery son or daughter. Suddenly, it was as if everything had come into sharp focus and the picture finally made sense. They’d get there. He wouldn’t allow anything to stop them.
He heard Luna let out a long, happy sigh as the tension was rubbed out of her neck and she opened her eyes in time to catch him looking. They both smiled. It couldn’t get much better.
After the massage, they head back up to Luna’s room, wearing fluffy white robes.
“Grab your things,” Jordan said. “We’re going up to the sixth floor.”
“What’s on the sixth floor?” she asked, frowning.
“The honeymoon suite. It’s ours for one night.”
“How? When?”
“I asked at reception before I came to see you,” Jordan said with a mischievous smile.
They entered the suite, which was a vision of gold and ivory with lace drapes over a four-poster bed. Luna bounced on the bed and laughed. “It’s so beautiful in here.”
“Not as beautiful as you,” Jordan said, standing tall by the edge of the bed. She looked up into his eyes, and a rush of heat surged through her veins. He looked so strong from her view beneath him. He hadn’t shaven for days, and his hair was tousled and flopped forward over his brow. He looked different. The other thing she noticed was the intensity of his gaze, like he was starving and she was his first meal in weeks. She lay back on the bed, inviting him to join her with a smile. He needed no persuasion. This was going to be make-up sex at its best.
“I’ll never do that to you again,” he said, as he stroked his hands up and down the length of her body gently. He slid her clothes from her body, causing her to shiver; half because of the air hitting her skin and half in anticipation of his touch.
He kissed all the way from her breasts to her pelvis, gently spreading her legs apart to kiss deeper. She could feel the tingles deep within her, softening and igniting with sparks of lust.
As he drew circles on her with his tongue, he slipped a finger inside of her sex, causing her to let out a long sigh. He rocked his hand and tongue in rhythm together while she arched her back in ecstasy. She began to rock her pelvis in time with him, as he picked up the pace. With one last flick of his tongue, he sent her over the edge into orgasm.
She immediately got up and urged him to turn over onto his back, before tearing his jeans off and throwing them on the floor, revealing his full hard-on. She licked her lips and then slid it as far as she could into her mouth, sucking hard as if it was the best tasting popsicle she’d ever had as she lifted her head back up slowly, before plunging back down again.
“You’re gonna have to stop,” he said, breathless. “It’s too damn good.”
He got up and turned her over onto her hands and knees and edged gently into her, one hand on her firm ass and the other reaching around to cup a breast.
She gasped as she took his full length inside of her, the pleasure surging through her core. She felt so happy, so complete, so full of desire and passion she could combust on the spot. Just as Jordan climaxed, she joined him as wave after wave of sheer bliss washed over her.
They slept in each other’s arms that night, in that grand bedroom where nothing or no one could touch them.