CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Carter
Indiana has to continue to have three monthly check-ups, just to make sure the cancer doesn’t return. Fuck, I hope it doesn’t. Nevertheless, we’re all buzzing on the drive home from the hospital.
Ross took us all out to celebrate that night. Her news definitely called for a celebration. We had a great time. I think we all feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Indiana or her father smile so much.
There is a small cloud hanging over my head. There’s something I need to discuss with Indi, and I’m worried how she’s going to take it. I’ve been putting it off the last few days for that very reason.
Later that night when we’re lying in bed, I decide to bring it up. I’m leaving in the morning, so it’s now or never. “I need to talk to you about something,” I say to her as she lies in my arms, drawing lazy circles on my chest with her finger. We not long ago finished making love. Fuck it’s good to be back to normal again.
“About what?” she asks, her finger stilling.
“Well, you know I have to go back home tomorrow morning. Jax is coming up to help me move all the furniture in the apartment, ready for the builders to start the renovations on Monday.”
“And?”
“And, I was thinking maybe it would be better if you stayed down here.”
“What? Why?” she asks, raising her head to make eye contact with me. I can clearly see the hurt on her face.
“It’s not what you think,” I immediately answer, stroking her hair as I try to reassure her. “It’s just going to be chaotic up there this week with the builders and everything. Plus you have Megan here. I thought you might want to spend some quality time with her before she goes home.”
“Oh. I guess,” she says in a disappointed tone as she rests the side of her face against my chest again. “I suppose I need to start looking for a job anyway. Are we still going to see each other on the weekends?” Fuck. Is she crazy? I knew she’d take it the wrong way.
“Indi.” Placing my finger under her chin, I lift her face. “If you let me finish, I was going to say, once the renovations are complete I was wondering if you’d consider moving up to Newcastle permanently.”
“Really?” she squeals as her beautiful green eyes widen in surprise.
“Yes. Really. I’m sure you can find work up there. If not, you can always come and work for me.”
“In the tattoo parlour?” she asks giggling. “That’s sweet, but I love working with animals. I’d really like to get into something like that again.”
“I was thinking more like hiring you as my sex slave,” I joke. She slaps my chest, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Ha ha. Although it does sound like a job I’d enjoy,” she laughs. Of course she would, she’s an insatiable vixen. My insatiable vixen. “Jokes aside, are you sure you’re ready for a commitment like that?” I don’t even need to think about it. Of course I am. She’s it for me. I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it now.
“Couldn’t be surer.”
“Well then I’d love to,” she says beaming. I know my face mirrors hers. She has just made me the happiest man on this earth. There was a part of me that worried she’d say no, that’s why I’ve been putting it off. I brought it up with Ross yesterday. I wanted to make sure he was alright with it before I asked her. He said he was going to miss her like crazy, but seemed happy that our relationship was heading to the next level.
••••
My week has been fucking crazy. Not only do I have my normal job during the day, but I’ve been working late into the night on the renovations as well. My apartment is a chaotic mess, but it’s finally all coming together. The builders have been working their arses off to try and get it finished for me.
As busy as I’ve been, I’m missing Indiana like crazy. The nights when I finally fall into bed are the worst. Even though I’m fucking exhausted, I find it hard to fall asleep without her beside me. Thankfully, she’s missing me too. That’s why I’ve been busting my arse to get everything completed. The sooner it’s done, the sooner I can bring her home.
Tomorrow, mum’s coming up for the day. She’s bringing my grandmother with her. I’m looking forward to seeing her again. They’re going to help with all the girly shit like the finishing touches and decorating.
Late Friday afternoon, Jax arrives. He’s going to stay for the weekend. Instead of our usual card night we’re going to be painting. We head down to the pub for dinner and a quick beer before we get started.
While he’s filling the paint trays for us to use with the rollers, I give Indiana a quick call. “Hey, babe,” I say when she picks up.
“Hey. How’re the renovations going?”
“Getting there. I’ve been busting my arse to get it finished. I need you up here. I fucking miss you,” I tell her. I hear Jax chuckle at my comment so I flip him off.
“I miss you too. So much.” Her reply has me smiling.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. I know I shouldn’t keep asking, but it’s all still so fresh in my mind. Even with the good news she got from the doctor, it’s hard not to worry.
“Great. I haven’t stopped eating all day. I’ve certainly been making up for all the food I couldn’t stomach during treatment.” That pleases me to no end.
“I’m glad, babe. You need to rebuild your strength. How’s the packing going?”
“I’m nearly done. You might need to bring a trailer down when you come and get me,” she says laughing. Fuck.
“How much stuff are you bringing?”
“Oh the trailer’s not for my stuff, it’s for me. If I keep eating like this, I’m not gonna be able to fit in your car.” I chuckle. Hardly. She’s so cute.
“Well you could do with gaining a few kilos. Anything more, I’ll be sure to work it off you in the bedroom when you get up here,” I tell her.
“Oh, I like the sound of that.” So do I. Just thinking about it makes my cock twitch. We talk for a few more minutes before Jax clears his throat. He has everything set up, and he’s waiting for me so we can start.
“I’ve gotta get going, babe. I’ll try to call back before you go to bed.”
“Okay. Love you,” she says making me smile again. I look over at Jax. He’s standing there listening to my every word. I know he’s going to rib me for this.
“Love you too.” I flip him off again when he smirks. Fucker.
••••
We were up until 2:00am painting, but we got most of it done. I feel like I’ve been dragging my arse all day at work. I’m exhausted. Jax has the job of driving my mum and grandma around town so they can get everything they need to decorate the apartment. I want it to be perfect for when Indi comes home.
I head upstairs around lunchtime. My grandmother has made a huge plate of sandwiches for us. It’s great having her here, and in my life. Even my mum seems different. I can see it in her eyes. She’s finally at peace.
I took them both for a tour of my shop when they arrived this morning. They both told me how proud they are of me, and all my accomplishments. It was nice to hear.
Before they left for their shopping spree, my grandmother pulled me aside. “I have something I’d like to give you,” she said, taking an envelope out of her purse and holding it out to me.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Open it.” I was shocked when I did. There was a cheque for five hundred thousand dollars inside.
“I can’t accept this,” I told her, placing it back inside the envelope and passing it to her.
“You can, and you will,” she replied pushing my hand away. “Think of it as twenty-four years of missed birthday and Christmas gifts.” It was a sweet offer, but I couldn’t accept it.
“I appreciate the sentiment behind it, but I couldn’t take this from you. It’s too much.”
“Yes you can,” she said folding her frail hand around mine. “When I pass, everything I own will be left to you and your mother. Consider it an early inheritance. Please let me do this for you, Carter. You can invest it, or use it to expand your business. The money is just sitting there. I’d rather see it go to good use. I can afford this. I always knew we were pretty well-off, but my husband handled all the finances when he was alive, so I had no idea how much money we had. As it turns out, I’m worth millions,” she whispered, winking at me. It made me smile. “Please.” The pleading look in her eyes almost had me saying yes.
“I don’t know if I can,” I admitted.
“Please say you’ll accept it. It will make an old lady very happy.” I chuckled at her words. She drives a hard bargain.
“Okay. Thank you,” I eventually said wrapping my arms around her. I didn’t know what else to say. I was lost for words.
“You’re welcome. It makes me happy to know I’m in a position to help you. I’m sure life wasn’t easy for you growing up. I only wish I could’ve been there for you back then.” She pulled back and ran her hand down the side of my face.
“I wish that too,” I replied smiling. Because I do.
“I’ll be checking with my bank to make sure you’ve cashed it by the way.” She shook her finger at me when she said that part. We both laughed before I took her in my arms again.
It’s taken twenty-four years for everything to come full circle, but looking back now, it was worth the wait. I couldn’t be happier with the direction my life has taken.