CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Grace

Watching Ella twirl around warms my heart, she’s just so full of life and pretty with her blonde hair. She looks so much like Owen. I laugh as she falls to the ground from getting dizzy twirling when a photo catches my eye. It’s the other side of the room and I can’t see it properly, as I get up to move and take a closer look, Owen shouts Ella making me jump.

“Will you still be here after my bath, Gwace.”

“Yes of course.” She smiles happily and runs upstairs for her bath. While Owen is upstairs I tidy up the kitchen, save him a job later. I load up the dishwasher with the plates and Lasagne dish, then wipe the sides over.

Once that job is done I go back to the living room and sit back down to wait on Owen. The photo catches my eye again and me being curious, I think ‘hell with it’ and cross the room until I reach it. I pick it and look closely. It must be their wedding day. It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful, how do I compare to her. She’s blonde, her hair is pinned back away from her face in curls but with strands hanging down, they look so happy. Owen looks gorgeous in his three-piece suit…

“What are you doing?” I spin around with my heart on my chest. I place the photo back down on the small table and stand.

“You scared me. I was just looking at your picture. I ‘m sorry.”

“Erm…. Ella wants to know if you’ll read her a story?”

“Oh, yeah I’ve course I will.” He stands stoic, not looking at me, but at the floor as I walk past him and up the stairs. “Her bedroom is across the landing and second on the left.”

Shit, shit, shit! Why did I pick it up? Opening the door, I see her lying in bed with her princess duvet covering her. “Hi.”

“Gwace!” I take a seat at the side of the bed and pick up the book that she’s got in her hand.

“Hmmm, Sleeping Beauty huh? I used to love reading this book. Are you ready?” She nods enthusiastically as I get comfy at the side of her. “Once upon a time in a castle far away…”

I get around a quarter into the book and she’s sleeping soundly. I close the book and kiss her brow then stand, I’m not sure if she has her door shut so I leave it open instead.

As I walk down the stairs I see Owen sitting on the couch with his face in his hands. As I reach him I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Owen?” When he doesn’t answer I walk away, “maybe I should go.” I grab my bag and head for the door.

“Don’t go. Please?” I turn back around. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped, it’s just a photo. I’m a moron.” He stands and walks towards me. HIs hands grip my shoulders, “don’t go...?” I nod as he takes his bag from me and places it back down on the table. He pulls me towards the couch and I sit down. “Was Ella okay?”

“Yes, fast asleep.”

“Will you forgive me?” he asks. Without hesitation, I nod at him and smile softly...

“It’s fine and you’re not a moron. I shouldn’t have picked it up.”

“It’s just a photo Grace.”

“No, it’s not, it’s a memory. It wouldn’t be there if you didn’t want to remember.”

“I shouldn’t need a photo to remember.”

“Look it’s okay, I promise.” I turn on an angle to face him. He looks me over and gives me a tight-lipped grin. Wrapping me in his arms he kisses my head, I look up at him from my place on his chest, his head dips and softly his lips touch against mine, I open up for him, his tongue mingling with mine, his hand cupping my cheek as he entwines my fingers from my other hand with his. He pushes me down until my back touches the softness of the couch and takes the kiss deeper, hotter as he devours me. I’m lost to him as he nibbles, sucks licks at my lips and tongue. My hands run over the muscles in his back and over his bum squeezing softly.

“Vic…” He gasps. I lean back from him as his eyes close in regret. I slide from under him and sit up. I stand from the couch and turn away from him getting my breath back. The tears begin to fill my eyes but I swallow hard trying to hold them back. “Grace, I’m so sorry. It was an accident.”

“I know it was. I better go, I shouldn’t have stayed.”

“Grace, please we can work this out.”

My head shakes as my chin trembles not able to stop it. “It’s not a good idea.” He stands in front of me as I close my eyes.

He steps back from me and sits down with a sigh on the couch “I thought I could do this Grace.” He takes a seat next to me but leaves a gap between us, I hate the distance between us but maybe it’s for the best. My hands fidget in my lap, I can feel his gaze fixed on me before I glance back up at him.

“Maybe we shouldn't...shouldn't be together.” I stutter. “You're not ready Owen and I totally understand that but I can't fight for a place in your heart and I won't make you choose either I'm not that kind of person. If maybe in time to come you think you’re ready to try again then I’ll be here.”

“I don't want you to go, Grace. I want to be with you, it was just a slip - I didn’t mean anything by it. Don't do this Grace, please...”

“I'm sorry but I have to.” My head shakes. “I’ll give you some space, I don’t want to rush you into anything Owen, It’s not fair on you.” My lips ghost across his cheek in a simple kiss, they then touch his lips, soft and wet, tears trickling down my face, I’m sure he can taste them. My breath hitches and eyes close as our lips touch, they tremble as I press them against his. His forehead presses against mine and his arm goes around my back as he pulls me against him briefly, he kisses the top of my head as we part and I inhale deeply. “Bye Owen.” I sigh.

I stand from the couch and turn away from him before the look on his face makes me stay, I grab my handbag on the way out of the door and close it quietly behind me, not stopping to turn back to once again see the devastating look on his handsome face.

 

Sitting in my car for a while, I think about everything. Maybe I was a little harsh. The man lost his wife and I’m intruding on his life, of course he’s going to say her name and I’m in his house.

Wow Grace you messed that one up, you dippy cow.

Wiping away the unshed tears from my eyes, I grab my bag again and get out of the car.

Breathing in deeply I knock on the door and wait.