A/N I would love some feedback about this chapter, it would be really great.
Walking into my house with James not far behind, I watched as he slumped down on the couch with a sigh. Going to the kitchen, I put down the keys and went to the fridge to get some ice-cubes. Wrapping them in a few layers of paper towel, I cupped my hand under and walked back into the living room. Sitting down next to him, I reached for his hand "Here, it'll help" I said as he gave me his hand to place the ice on his knuckles, numbing the ache. The small specks of blood covering them was Darren's but I knew the punch must have hurt. I caught him stretching his hand on the way home.
"You didn't tell me your brother was like that" he spoke as I held the ice in place.
"I didn't think it was something you needed to know. I haven't seen him in years" Darren's return was unwelcomed but also a matter of time. Like my mother said before she left with her husband 'Trouble comes in threes' "…I didn't know he was already here…that he found out" I said lightly, referring to the Hospital and how he knew about the baby.
"He must have visited while I was away" he said resting his hand on my own in a comforting gesture "Don't worry about it" I know he means well, that I should let it go. Apart of me though, couldn't help but think about what Darren had said to me. What if I really couldn't have children? I know this was the first time I've ever been pregnant, or miscarried but now that Darren had brought it up.
"What if it's true?" I said blurting it out before I could stop myself. Not looking up at him, I could feel as his fingers stopped rubbing circles on my hand.
"…he doesn't know anything Adeline. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe it was just a complication" Maybe, I thought to myself, I hope so.
Nodding my head, I dropped the subject. It'll just make me and James more upset if I didn't. Pulling my hand from under his I got up "I'll make some dinner"
When going back to work, the day was long and hard as people herd the gossip of my Grandmother. The last few days had slowly died down with the constant condolences and soon everyone moved on. Walking down the corridor of the Hospital, I turned left into the lunch room and went to the bench. Grabbing an apple, I sat down with a bottle of water from the fridge. Taking a bite, I was the only one in the room when Kelly poked her head inside after me "Hey" she said above a whisper as she walked in and closed the door behind her. Grabbing a cup of coffee, she sat down across from me "How are you?"
"I'm okay" I said. Of course Kelly knew everything. Even that I had been admitted to Hospital but thankfully she kept it to herself, which I was grateful for. I didn't need the sympathetic look on top of everything else. It would only make it worse.
Taking a sip of her coffee she looked up at me "David wanted me to talk to you. He said that we'll be going back to our old department" swallow the chunk of apple, I took another bite.
"I suppose that's good. I don't think I could stand another soldier hitting on me" I said quite frankly. Of course I never said anything in return to them, or responded in frustration. I didn't even mention it to James or David. It wasn't worth it. They could do all the whistles and pick-up lines they wanted. The man I need, I already have.
Looking at the door it creaked over again and one of the admin Nurses poked her blonde head in "Adeline…your brother's here to see you" freezing it took me a second to collect myself.
"Yeah I'll be right out" tossing my apple, I put the water back in the fridge "Sorry Kelly I gotta go" I apologised as I walked out.
Walking down the hallway briskly, I wanted to get this over with. Rounding the corner there he was flirting with the same blonde Nurse over the desk. It almost made me roll my eyes at how typical he could be. Giving a not so subtle cough, it brought the two out of their conversation "What are you doing here?" I asked firmly.
"Don't be like that" he said with a smile and ignoring my tone of voice "I came for a visit" walking away from the desk, he came and placed a hand on my lower back, guiding me away from prying ears "Now about that house" he continued "All you have to do is sign. It's that simple. That way I can take it off your hands and I can go home"
"I'm not giving you the house. That's all that's left. You 'took' everything else…remember" I said with a snarky attitude, as I stepped away from him "What about mum?"
"What about her? She's with that idiot god knows where" he said while running his fingers through his hair "She can barely remember herself let alone anything else. Besides I told you already, the house is in your name. I looked at the will myself"
"Then why are you here? If it's in my name then you're not getting it. Just leave already Darren I'm sure your 'wife's' missing you" I said making a move to leave.
Grabbing me by the arm he pulled me back and stood solid in front of me "If you bothered to call you would have found out you have a niece and nephew" he said trying to pull the sympathy and guilt card.
"Congratulations…I'm sure they're lovely but I have work, okay" I said letting out a sigh as I slapped my hands down on the sides of thighs with a shrug of my shoulders "I need to go" pushing around him, I walked back down the hallway.
Grabbing a plate out of the sink, I started to wash off the remains of another 'solo-dinner', no James as usual. Watching the soapy foam on top of the water start to evaporate, I couldn't help the frown that had formed on my face. I had gotten a call in the late afternoon; Darren had gotten a lawyer and wanted me to come down to his office. He was determined to get the house and leave me with nothing.
Putting the last of the dishes on the rack to dry, I grabbed the towel and dried my hands. Leaning against the bench, I listened as a rustling of keys and the sound of an opening door rumbled through the room. Walking in, James shut the door with his foot as he took of his jacket. Noticing my presents he froze for a split second "It's a little late isn't it?" he asked while putting his keys and jacket on the edge on the kitchen counter.
"You could say that" it was indeed a tad latter and by this time I was usually in bed. However over the months I became accustomed to sleeping next to him. I found it hard to fall asleep otherwise "Where were you?" I asked.
"Just out with some friends from work" he said casually brushing it off. Coming into the kitchen he opened the fridge and shuffled around for something to eat.
"You could tell me. It would be nice to know, so that I'm not worried" I said as I put the towel back on the hanger and gave him my full attention.
Closing the fridge he sighed "You don't need to worry Adeline. It was just a small get together, nothing to fuss about. We were just having some fun" he said giving me a look and heading down the hallway. Still in the kitchen, I hadn't followed him. Instead I listened as the shower taps were turned on. Sighing, I put his keys in the glass bowl and grabbed his jacket to hang it back up, so that it didn't get creased.
Walking into the bedroom, I shook the article of clothing and was overwhelmed as a faint but distinct perfume fluttered into the air around me. Looking down, I froze as I slowly brought the jacket up to my nose. The smell was strong and heavy as I sniffed; it smelt floral and pungent. One thing was certain – this didn't come from me.
"What are you doing?" interrupted James as he stood in the door way. With his hair and body still partially wet, he had nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Nothing, just hanging this up" I said with a forceful smile on my face. I was probably over reacting anyway, I know I've been doing that lately. Grabbing the coat hanger, I put up his jacket in the closet as he came into the room.
Closing the doors, I felt him press up against my back and kiss the top of my head "I'm gonna head to bed…It's been a long night" he said as he lingered for a few more seconds.
Pulling out the spare clothes I had taken with me this morning, I began to get dressed in the Hospital bathroom. I only had a short time to get from here to the Lawyer's office and I didn't want to be late. As it was James said he wouldn't be able to pick me up this afternoon; that he had to stay back for work and he'd be sleeping at his place tonight.
Pinching through the black buttons of my dress, I put on my shoes and adjusted my make-up. I wanted to look presentable and not completely helpless. Stuffing my white uniform into my large handbag, I walked out of the building and onto the footpath "Hey Adeline" called David from behind me. Turning around, I found him jogging toward me from the entrance of the Hospital. His shift must have ended since he was dressed without his Doctors Coat.
"Hi" I said with a smile as I pulled my bag up higher on my shoulder "Something wrong?"
The sides of his mouth lifted up into a small smile and he shook his head "No, nothing at all" he said while tucking a hand in his pocket and gesturing to his bronze car "Do you need a lift?"
Nodding my head, the offer was nice. It would save me time and the money I would have to waste in order to get there "If you don't mind? I wouldn't-" I uttered, not wanting to impose. I'm sure he had places he needed to be.
"Nonsense" he said with a quick flick of his hand "It'll be my pleasure" Walking to his car which wasn't far away, he opened the door for me. Smiling, I thanked him as I got in and put my handbag onto the floor of the car, next to my feet. Waiting, David got into the car and started the engine "So where to?"
"Glenwood Drive" I instructed while getting comfortable in the leather seats.
Pulling out of the parking spot, he began to drive down the road "Isn't that the Lawyer guy?" he questioned as he pulled up at the first set of lights.
"Yeah. Have to take care of some family stuff" I didn't want to tell him too much and I'm sure he understood. He was good like that; very understanding.
"Oh okay" he said with a nod of his head as he changed gears "Hope everything goes well"
Watching as we passed by some building I muttered "Me too"
"Thanks again David" I said as I got out of his car. I had made it with a few minutes to spare.
With a wide smiled he replied "Anytime Adeline"
Closing the car door, I watched for a few seconds as he pulled back into the not-so-busy traffic. Turning, I cupped a hand to my eyes to block out the early afternoon sun. Checking that it was the right building, I smoothed out my dress and walked forward. Pushing the front door open, I made my way to the front desk and was greeted by an early forties women with thick glasses "How may I help you?" she said as she looked up at me.
"I'm here for a meeting, Mr. Brunswick" I further stated.
Nodding with her head she looked at a few files "Yes four-thirty…right down that hall, second door on your right" she said while gesturing the directions with her hands.
Giving a quick 'thank you', I followed the path and knocked on the door. Getting an instant reply, I opened the door and closed it behind me as I stepped through. Darren of course was already here, sitting next to who I assumed to be the Lawyer "Glad you could make it" spoke my brother as he sat up in his chair.
Taking a seat at the wooden table across from them, I looked over at Mr. Brunswick. A fairly older man, both his hair and beard are completely white and his fading blue eyes are rimmed with a pair of thin glasses. On the table in front of them are several papers scattered as they focused their attention to me. Ignoring Darren I waited for Mr. Brunswick to speak "Alright" he said with a slight cough at the tension "I've been informed that there's been a passing of a family member, in this case your Grandmother Sheila. A will has been made and we're here to discuss the terms and conditions of the inheritance. Am I correct Ms. Brennan?" he said looking up at me, with a pen in hand.
Nodding my head in conformation, he continued to speak about the details of the will and what exactly was written. As it turned out my brother wasn't lying and Grandma had written me as the inheritor of the house. Leaning back in the chair, Mr. Brunswick had further continued about what options we could follow "…so the house is in my name, as I've been told. That makes it mine" I stated looking at the old man before me.
Nodding his head the Lawyer agreed as he glanced over to my brother "Yes it does Ms. Brennan" Clearly he or they knew something I didn't. Most likely it was the conversation I had interrupted when I arrived.
"The only way Darren is getting anywhere near it is if I sign the papers, which I'm not" I said firmly with a slight glare. Moving forward to get my handbag I said "That means we're done here"
Leaning against the table with his for arms, Darren spoke up making me stop "Not quite little sister" After hours of discussion, he had finally decided to speak. Letting go of the handle of my bag, I sat back in the chair, except my posture was more corrected "…I believe we all understand the house is yours but don't forget it also comes with a tremendous debt" he said looking me in the eye "A debt I know you won't be able to afford. Fortunately I can, so my proposal to you is sign the house over to my name and I'll let your rent it. Until I can sell it that is. Your choice" Anyone knew that wasn't a choice. It was either the government take the house from under me or 'give' it Darren for him to eventually sell after I find a place to move.
Up until now, I had forgotten about how I was going to financially support the house. Since he stole the money, grandma was never able to fully pay it off and I was left helping her to do it. Now that she's dead I'd have to pay for it souly out of my income, which Darren and I knew wasn't enough. Sighing, he had put me in check-mate. Either way I was going to lose that house. The only benefit was to sign it to Darren so that I could at least figure out what I was going to do, unless I wanted to be homeless for a while.
Seeing the defeat I had come to, Darren pushed the papers over to me with a pen. Grabbing the thin object, it suddenly felt heavier than I knew it would be. Leaning over the forms, I held the top of the pen in place. Everything I knew was going to be given away with a simple stroke of ink. Deep down though I knew I had tried, I really did. Darren was just clever and cunning. Deciding to 'rip it off like a band aid' I quickly signed and pushed the forms over. Seeing the devious smirk of Darren and the sympathetic one of Mr. Brunswick, I quickly gathered my things and rushed out of the office.
Leaning against the brick wall on the outside of the building, I looked up at the night sky. Breathing in a breath of air, I smelt the fumes of the cars and the somewhat freshness of the trees. Feeling the back of my throat tighten, I held back chocked sobs and tears. I needed to stop crying, it can't be healthy.
Collecting myself I put my handbag over my shoulder and started to walk down the street. I had contemplated on going to my house but figured James' was closer. Making a left, I followed the familiar path until I reached his apartment. Looking up, the lights in his window were on which meant he was awake.
Climbing the stairs with a sluggish sway, I sifted through my handbag to find the spare key he had given me. With a huff, I placed the key inside the hole but took a minute. I hadn't been here since 'that day' but I knew I would need to face it sooner or later. I would be selfish if I didn't. Twisting the key, the door creaked open silently and I closed is behind me. Putting my bag on his kitchen bench, I kicked off my shoes and looked around. James wasn't anywhere in sight, he must be in the bathroom. Taking a few steps, I stopped as I heard a faint noise. Furrowing my brows, I continued to walk one step at a time. The closer I got though, the more I could start to distinguish the sound. Was that moaning?
Ignoring my previous route to the bathroom, I pressed my ear up against his bedroom door. All I could hear from the other side, were grunts and groans as the bed behind the door slightly creaked. Not thinking, I twisted the nob and quickly slammed open the door. Gasping, all I could see was James buried inside a petite blonde women I had never met.
Realising the sudden intrusion, a flurry of sheets and flesh fumbled around as the blonde squeaked; while trying to cover herself. Looking over at James he was doing the same, except when he realised who I was, he froze "…Adeline?"