Chapter four
When I was with Dean, in the last few years anyhow, I used to read those harlequin romance novels, almost daily. I used to live with the fantasy that life could actually be that good. That a tall handsome man would sweep me off my feet, whisk me away to his mansion with his maids and butlers and have babies and live happily ever after.
Never in those novels did they mention the controlling self-absorbed ex-husband that ruined your life and took away your self-worth.
Nor the saviour musician boyfriend that moves in and makes more mess than your children. Not to mention, the amount of farting that occurs, the fact he can't remember to put a toilet seat down and to actually aim for the bowl. But he does something that Dean never did really. He loves me and lets me be me. So all those little faults, well they add up to nothing when I look at the bigger picture.
It's three am and he's only just gone to sleep about half an hour ago. He really is nocturnal. When he settled in behind me in bed he woke me up a little bit but I lay still and kept my breathing steady so he would think I was still asleep. The last time he woke me getting into bed he felt so very guilty that he spent a good three quarters of an hour apologising, not realising that he was keeping me awake by doing it.
I look at him over my shoulder and study the features of his face. His eyelashes are unnaturally long and his nose is straight. The piercing in his lip is shining a little in the light that's filtering in through the window from the moon. His mouth is open and his lips look a little dry. His hair is everywhere, almost like he's been running his hand through it and it's now sitting up.
He sleeps like the dead. Hardly ever stirs and when he falls asleep, he's out for five hours minimum.
I start remembering those damn harlequin romances again and think of how unrealistic it was of me to think that life would be like that. Mentally kicking myself I close my eyes and try to get some sleep, knowing that I have work in the morning.
At just after four am I finally doze off, only to be woken by the alarm at six-thirty. I quickly reach over and turn it off before looking back at Andy to see if he's moved.
He's still in the same position and hasn't moved an inch. Like I said, he sleeps like the dead. I slide out of bed and jump in the shower quickly before getting dressed and going out to see if the kids are up.
They are both in front of the TV and I say good morning to them both. Andy had promised me to watch them today whilst I'm at work but since I know he didn't get to bed until early this morning I've decided to ask if Sarah can watch them for me until he gets up. I also want to ask her and Tom if they want to come for dinner tomorrow night as well.
I grab my phone and turn it on while flicking the kettle on for a coffee. When it connects to the network I dial the neighbour's number, knowing that they'll be awake by now. Bradie answers on the third ring.
"Hello?"
"Morning Bradie, its Elle."
"Morning Elle, how are you?"
"I'm well thanks, is Sarah around at all?"
"I think she's in the shower. What's up?" he asks me.
"I was just going to ask her if she could watch the kids for me this morning until Andy gets up. I have to go to work at nine and I know he didn't get to bed until late last night."
"Just drop them over, I'll be here until lunch time at least" Bradie says.
"Ok great, thank you so much for that. I'll be over around eight-thirty okay?"
"No worries Elle see you then."
"Bye Bradie" I say as I hang up.
I make a note on the shopping list nearby to ring Telstra today and see about getting a land line on at home. I also need to ring the real estate and find out what's happening with the offer I put in on the house.
I make a few notes before tearing the paper off and putting it in my back pocket. I pour my coffee and start on breakfast for the kids and I.
Just before eight-thirty I write a note for Andy to let him know what's going on and place it on the pillow next to him.
Good morning my sweet.
You look too comfy and cuddly to wake so I've taken the kids next door to your Mum's place. I think Bradie is going to watch them until you come get them. Have fun moving today.
Love you.
Elle x
I lean over and gently kiss his head before closing the bedroom door behind me and herding the kids to Tom and Sarah's house for the morning.
When I get to their door I knock and wait. Bradie answers it and ushers us into the kitchen where Sarah is giving Chris his breakfast.
"Morning Elle, morning kids" she says to us and we return her greeting.
"Hey Sarah, hello Christopher" I say bending over and kissing the top of his head.
"Bradie said he's going to watch the kids for me this morning until Andy is up. Is that okay with you?" I ask her.
"Sure, that's fine. If it was me though, I'd make Andy get out of bed. Especially if he agreed to do it" Sarah says.
"Oh, well, I probably would normally but he didn't get to bed until around two thirty so he'd be pretty tired."
"He needs to sort his sleep problems out. The way he's up all night most nights worries me" Sarah says.
"I'm sure he will one day" I reply and I see Bradie shaking his head out the corner of my eye.
"Oh, whilst you're both here actually, I wanted to ask if you would come to our house for dinner tomorrow night? I've already asked Alice and I'm pretty sure she's coming" I say.
"Well I'll check with Tom but I'm pretty sure we're free" Sarah says.
"Yeah, I'll be there" Bradie replies.
"Okay, well just let me know for sure Sarah. I have to run or I'm going to be late. Give Mum a kiss" I say to the kids and they both hug and kiss me before I stand up and wave goodbye to everyone.
I drive into work and greet Sandra as I walk into the office just before nine.
I'm head down and absorbed in my work when my phone buzzes a little after eleven o'clock.
You should have woken me! I'm on my way next door to get the twins now. X
I quickly reply with:
You looked tired and I didn't want to disturb you. See you this afternoon. X
I go back to my bookwork and when lunch time rocks around I'm ravenous. I stand and stretch before letting Sandra know I'm going over the road to grab something to eat.
Alice looks up as I walk in and smiles at me over the sea of heads in the deli. She holds up my sandwich and I come around to the side of the counter to give her some money.
"So Bradie and I are coming tomorrow night, just so you know. I was just speaking with him a moment ago."
"Oh great, well I'll see you there then" I say and head out the front to sit down, leaving Alice to her rush-hour.
I finish my sandwich and head back to work, eager to be done for the day. At three o'clock Sandra knocks on the office door as she comes in and I look up from my laptop.
"Hey, are you working overtime today?" she says with a smile.
"What?" I glance at the clock on my screen and see that I'm done for the day. "Oh wow, I must have been really concentrating hard!"
"Get your stuff together and get out of here" she says with a laugh. I nod my head and shut down my laptop as I gather together the papers I'll need for next week. When I'm done I grab my bag and head out of the shop, saying goodbye to Sandra on the way.
I spend the drive home singing along to the Heroes for Hire CD Andy gave me last week and before I know it I'm pulling into the driveway. Andy has his car parked there too now I notice. I wonder if he's done any more moving today.
I open the front door and sing out "Honey, I'm home" but receive no reply. The front door was unlocked and his car is here so I'm assuming they are around here somewhere.
I put my bag and laptop on the bench and turn to go check the kid's bedrooms but find no one. I head out the backyard and still can't find anyone, although at least someone has taken the washing in for me.
I check the rest of the house and when I open the bedroom door I hear "SURPRISE!" I jump back and hold my hand to my chest willing my heartbeat to slow back down again.
On the bed are Andy and the kids and there are balloons everywhere and even streamers.
"What's going on?" I ask with a grin.
"We wanted to surprise you with a couple of presents" Andy says, standing and walking forward to give me a kiss.
"Thanks, but what's the occasion?" I ask him.
"No occasion really, we just wanted to let you know that we all love you very much."
"Awww, thankyou, that is so very sweet" I say as the kids come over and hug me too.
"Come and sit on the bed Mummy" Lilly says, leading me over.
I sit down and a present is immediately placed in my lap by Max.
"I gave the kids a little bit of money each and they both picked out something for you that they thought you'd like" Andy says.
"Andy, you don't have to do this you know" I say to him.
"I know babe but we all just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you and that we love you."
"You guys are so sweet" I say as Max gets impatient and hands me the present to open.
I unwrap the paper and there is a plaque in my hands. It reads 'if Mother's were flowers, I'd pick you'.
"Oh sweetie, thank you, that is beautiful" I say to Max before hugging him tight to my chest.
"Here Mummy" Lilly says as she hands me a small gift bag. I say thank you as I take it from her and open it. Inside is a magnet that says 'Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever'.
"That is gorgeous Lilly, thank you so much" I say as I kiss her head and one-arm hug her.
"Okay, my turn" Andy says and puts and equally small gift bag in my lap.
"You too? Wow, you guys had fun today" I say laughing as I pick the bag up. "Did you actually move anymore stuff in?" I ask him.
"Yeah, we did this morning but then we got bored with that so we went shopping instead" he says with a grin.
I just shake my head in mock-exasperation at him and open up the bag on my lap. Inside is a little black pouch and I raise my head and look at him with my eyebrows raised.
"Just open it" he says, smiling.
"Yeah Mum, open it" says Max.
I undo the string around the top of the pouch and empty the contents into my hand. It's a beautiful gold anklet with a little treble clef charm on it.
I look back up at Andy and smile and say "Oh my God Andy, this is beautiful. Thank you so much." I lean forward and give him a kiss before hugging him tight.
When I release him and sit back on the bed he takes it from my hand and puts it on my ankle.
"I helped Andy pick it" says Max beside me.
"Well I think you all did such a wonderful job. I feel so special right now guys thank you" I say as I wipe a stray tear away.
"You're very welcome" Andy says standing up and holding his hand out to me.
"I think I should go and put this beautiful magnet on the fridge and then find a spot for the plaque." We all file out of the bedroom and to the kitchen. I can't believe Andy bought me an anklet. It is so very beautiful and I can't help but stare at it.
"So how was work then?" he asks me.
"Who cares?" I say as I reach over and pull his face to mine to kiss him again. "This was such a beautiful surprise. Thank you."
I put my magnet on the fridge and turn to the kids and say "Lets go out in the back yard and find a spot for the plaque."
We all go outside and when Max suggests a spot in the vegetable garden I don't disagree. The kids go back inside to watch TV whilst Andy and I sit down at the outdoor table and have a beer each.
"Bradie tells me that he and Alice are coming to dinner tomorrow night as well as my parents" Andy says.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to ask you about that" I say sheepishly.
"Why?" says Andy.
"I didn't want you to get angry with me for inviting them without asking you first."
"What? Why would I get angry over that? It's fine with me gorgeous. I was going to ask you if you need some help, that's all. You really thought I'd be angry about that?" he says.
"Well, yeah, I thought I should probably have asked you first."
"Babe, don't be silly, this is your house, your life, and you can do what you like. You don't need to ask my permission for anything. Okay?" he says to me.
"Yeah, okay. I'm sorry; I guess old habits die hard."
"Did you seriously have to ask about shit like that before?" he asks me.
I nod and I feel him move towards me and take my hand in his.
"Don't ever think that I'm anything like he was. I promise you, I won't treat you like that. I love the fact that you are you, that you have raised these beautiful kids, that you have a job, a car, you've made a home here. I'm proud to tell people that you're my girlfriend and you should be proud of what you've achieved."
"Thank you. What you just said then was so sweet. But it also reminded me that I had something else to tell you. Actually, it's something quite important too."
"Okay, tell me" he says leaning back.
"Well, when I signed the lease on this house originally the estate agent told me that it was also for sale and that I might have to let people come through the place who were interested in buying it."
"Oh okay. Is there someone coming through?" he asks me.
"Um, no not exactly. The house sold today."
"Oh no, what are we going to do then? Do we have to move? When does the owner take over?" he asks me.
I shake my head and smile at him. "No, we don't have to move."
"What? I don't understand, why not?" he says.
"Well, because I'm the new owner."
"Come again?" he says with a look of shock.
"I bought the house. I had money from my divorce settlement and I've been looking for somewhere permanent. What's better than right here?" I tell him.
"Holy shit! You just bought it? Congrats babe" he says, hugging me to him again.
"So you won't be moving anytime soon then?" he says.
"No, WE won't be moving anytime soon."