Disclaimer as norm
Hi, A new multi chapter is born....Short first chapter I know but setting the scene and waiting to find out what you think of the premise???? you know me and my multi chapters - it could go anywhere - I start with an idea, but never have a specific end in mind!!!!! - RATED T to start- this may change....just being careful.....
RECONSILIATION
"Gillian you can't do this – for Gods sake think woman"
"I have Cal! What do you think I've been do for the past month – but I have to try this"
They were standing in his office, both squared off against each other like a pair of gunfighters in the old Wild West movies.
"NO – you don't have to 'try this'. Why?"
"Because….well just because"
"Oh wot a fantastic scientific and psychologically insightful answer that is DR. FOSTER"
"Cal please- Please try and understand this from my point of view"
"I have! And I don't!"
"Fine. Well if you can't understand it – you'll just have to accept it!"
Doing a heel turn she left.
If he didn't have so much artwork adorning his walls he would have punched a few holes in them.
As it was he had to be content with kicking his waste basket across the room and sweeping all the files and paperwork off his desk before throwing himself into his chair so hard that he nearly broke that.
xXx
Gillian heard the start of his temper tantrum as she closed the door and made her way back to her own office.
God he could be so obstinate ..so ..so..irritating and cold.
No, she wasn't convinced this was a wonderful idea, but it had to be tried.
Locking her door and advising Heidi that she was unavailable unless the world was about to end, she kicked off her shoes and settled herself on her couch.
Her head was pounding so she swallowed some pain killers and lay down.
Once again, as she had so many times recently, she found herself going back to the beginning of the events 3 months ago.
xXx
A very unexpected phone call had resulted in her now sitting at a table in a secluded café.
She was very early, but she needed the time to calm herself.
As it turned out, he had had the same idea, so before she was really ready for it he was pulling out the chair next to her and sitting down.
"Thank you Gill, for agreeing to this"
He looked so different.
He looked just like the man she had married.
"Alec – you're looking very well" God they were married for so many years, now they were greeting each other like distant, casual friends.
The conversation, whilst initially stilted, turned into a couple of hours.
Alec, it seemed, had been completely clean for a year, had attended rehab and was now in a support group.
He wanted her attend his 1 year award ceremony, he wanted her to try a few dates with him…try from scratch to win her back.
He still loved her and knew that he had put her through hell but he begged for another chance.
He had done all this for her.
Gillian had been completely sure that there was no chance of them ever getting back into a relationship, but she had agreed to attend his reward ceremony.
After that, it had been just one date – just a silly lunchtime meeting, but he had been so happy….
Like a mother indulging a small over excited child she then agreed to an evening date.
He had been the epitome of the perfect partner.
She had laughed, danced, and enjoyed the huge bouquet of her favourite flowers.
The gentle kiss and hands at her waist when he walked her to her door, making no attempt to go any further, had elicited a promise for a further date.
There had been Sunday afternoon picnics, theatre trips, further kissing and more than a little touching and feeling.
He never pushed her further than she felt ready to go, but as time and her own emotional and physical needs began to awaken again- she found she wanted more and more.
This Alec was an even better version of the one she had married.
He was more mature, less egotistical, definitely more prepared to compromise when she had to refuse a date or reschedule due to work.
She saw no hint of contempt or anger whenever Cal's name was brought up.
It appeared that time, and his fight to conquer his drug demons had seasoned him into what was now a mature, grounded and altogether likeable man.
The proposal of engagement, when it came, was tempered with the condition that she had as long as she wanted, needed to make her decision.
It was that decision that had just caused Cal Lightman to start destroying his office.