Greetings everyone. Yes, I've been away too long.. Part has been writer's stumbling block, part has been real life distraction.. while I have the general outlines for the remaining chapters, sometimes the words don't come to me easily. I'm sure every writer knows what I'm talking about.
Thank you to my continued readers, reviewers, supporters and cheerleaders. All the writers on my fave list - thank you thank you thank you for continuing to feed my brain. mynameislizzie had a couple of tough reviews from ignorant naysayers but she's a pro and continues to put out ace material. teenageriot99 has a fantastic story going that keeps blowing me away.
Special thanks to marsupial1974 - girl.. you are rock solid babe. i love chatting it up with you every day. you're always pushing me to be who i am. always listen to all my real life nonsense. thank you. go check out her stories if you haven't.. do it.
Without further wait.. here is the latest chapter. Please review if you can, if you can't simply enjoy. Cheers all!
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Emily moaned loudly at Naomi's fingers inside her. She felt them touch that spot. She couldn't help but arch her back completely. She'd take whatever punishment her move might bring but her reaction was pure and natural. She was gasping for air as Naomi started fingering her slow and hard. Emily couldn't stop her body from reacting at Naomi's touch, her look. Even a glance had the power to melt her. But the direct attention, contact. It was always more than Emily thought she could handle but time and again Naomi had shown her that she had it inside her to handle this and more. Always more.
Drift – Chapter 26
"Naomi Campbell get down here!" Gina bellowed. It had been a month and a half since Gina and Kieran's arrival back in Bristol. They'd put their hippie lives on hold to do what Gina did best – care for a brood. Naomi hadn't needed surgery on her arm after all and the brain swelling was down enough to be released a week after Gina had laid eyes on her in that terrible hospital bed. Gina and Kieran had brought her and Emily back to Bristol. Emily had stayed by Naomi's side the entire time. It was incredible to see such adoration. Even Kieran couldn't help but smile and feel warm when he watched Emily care after Naomi.
When Gina got to Bristol, she went to the hospital directly. Cook had been overjoyed at seeing Gina's face. She sat on his hospital bed and cradled him as best she could. Ever since Naomi had brought him home with her many years ago, he was like a son to her. She never thought he'd let go. He even let her wipe the tears he claimed she'd squeezed out of him on purpose. When he was released a couple of days later, Gina insisted he stay in the first floor guest room of her home. He didn't think to argue as she pinned him down with a look.
That only left two out in the cold as Emily had made herself at home in Naomi's room - Katie and Effy. Gina and Kieran had finally got to meet the missing twin and the mysterious one when Emily dragged them over. They were thrilled at Naomi's little family. Gina tried to hug Katie without hurting her but it was difficult as she wanted to hug the stuffing out of the girl for what she'd survived. Katie for her part blushed at Gina's attention. Effy was a little more difficult to approach. Gina hugged her too because no one denied Mama Campbell. But she could feel the tension and sadness in every inch of Effy. The girl did a good job of putting up a front but Gina had a lifetime of practice with Naomi. Kieran didn't really hug but he agreed with Cook that Katie had bigger boobs which earned them both an ear cuff from Gina and Katie respectively.
For the better part of the time they'd been in Bristol, they usually had 7 people living or staying at the house. Gina thought it was lovely. Emily and Katie bickered like the sisters they were but they were giggling as much as they were growling at each other which made for fun company. Cook was usually the reason a lot of the giggling happened either directly or indirectly. Usually he was up to no good encouraged by the likes of Kieran who spent most of the waking hours and some non-waking hours in the garden. He'd been surprised as had Gina at what Naomi and Emily had there. She'd expected all of it to be dead and in a horrible state. When she saw all of the plants, flowers and vegetables giving her little garden life, she'd howled and had to be reminded not to hug as hard. Kieran had made an off hand comment that everyone new to his antics had begun to understand meant he was pleased. He did manage to give Emily a kiss on the forehead as he walked by her to take a seat out there.
The only two putting up a wall were Naomi (of course) and her brunette doppelganger Effy. It was as if Naomi was back to rejecting people invading her space constantly even if it was the people she loved most. It could also be that the broken arm was stating to itch something terrible and was constantly chastised by not one but several female voices. Keiran for his part got her a telescoping pointer they used to use in school. That way she could get the tough spots under the cast. Katie managed to take it away from her citing possible infection if she should accidentally scratch too deep. Cook had been present and made a comment. Unfortunately for him, he received the tail end of Naomi's wrath originally meant for the itching of her healing bones. Hence Gina was shouting up the stairs as poor Cookie was nursing a bloody nose in the kitchen while an unaffected Effy looked on. Katie was getting him some ice.
"Naoms.. your mum is calling for you." Emily looked at Naomi who had walked into the bedroom and literally thrown herself on the bed, albeit a little gentler than she wanted to. The same bed Emily had been folding laundry on. A task she would need to redo. Emily's bruises had faded and they were being joined by her patience with Naomi. The blonde had been sulking for the past week.
"I have ears Emily. I'm not deaf. I'm exercising my right to ignore her, thanks." Naomi buried her head further into the pillow.
Emily sat on the bed, pushing aside the pile of rumpled clothes. She knew having this many people in the house all the time was wearing on Naomi. Emily and Naomi had talked about her home life a bit when she was younger. Sometimes they had talked when they were out in the garden early on in the relationship, sometimes after sex when Naomi was a bit more relaxed. Otherwise Naoms clammed up. She wasn't always good at sharing. But Emily knew that Gina always had people in and out of the house. If it wasn't one hippie crusade, it was another. Having all of them in the house lately had to bring back memories for her blonde. Emily, for one, found it interesting watching everyone get along with each other.
"I don't get why we can at least hang out at Stonem House." Naomi was mumbling into the pillow. "It's been a month.. we should be able to go there.. and I don't know."
"What? Take appointments? Yeah I can see that. Tag teams appointments between you, Cook and Katie since none of you can handle a regular client the way you're all still stitched up." The words came out harsher than Emily intended. She was having trouble feeling empathy for Naomi. The last week had been a lot of storming off and door slamming from Naomi. Everyone noticed. Well, except for maybe Kieran who, from sun up to sundown, had made himself a permanent fixture in one of the garden chairs. Of course he had more practice with Gina and Naomi, maybe he was being smart. At least Emily was seeing his hidden genius at this moment.
"Ha ha.. I know we can't take appointments but having a little space would be nice."
"If we all went to Stonem House, you'd feel better somehow? What difference does it make if we're here or there? Isn't it the same number of people." Emily was failing to see Naomi's logic. Maybe there was more room at Stonem House and they could have their own space to exist in. But didn't she think that Gina or Kieran would go exploring and then there would be more questions?
"Fine.. but Effy gets to disappear. She goes there almost every day. Why can't I go with her?" Emily shrugged. Effy had been taking time away from them all and supposedly going to Stonem House to supervise repairs. She'd told everyone she'd had the locks changed to prevent any intruders. It didn't make sense to Emily. Foster hadn't been an intruder exactly. He'd walked in. Maybe they needed a whole new way to greet clients. She shook herself free from that train of thought.
"I don't know.. you asked her right?" Emily watched as Naomi nodded into the pillow. "Naomi.. can you at least face me when you're nodding? I get that you're feeling cooped up and cranky but it's not helping any.." Emily's words were lost when the door swung open and a very annoyed looking Gina stood there. Somehow, Emily found herself cringing as Naomi barely acknowledged the door opening or the imposing presence.
"Naomi Aurora Campbell"
"Oh good.. the three names..." Naomi mumbled into her pillow again.
"I've a right mind to kick your arse. How dare you strike that boy and make his nose bleed?"
Emily's head snapped over to Naomi. "You didn't?" Naomi finally turned over and faced the two angry women. She shrugged. "Naomi!"
"He was being a tit." Naomi replied. At which Emily moved and grabbed her ear, effectively twisting and pulling it. "Ow ow ow .. Emsy ow." Emily got her off the bed and pushed her towards Gina. "You get downstairs this minute and apologize!" Gina's eyes opened wide but there was a small hint of a smile as she crossed her arms and tried glaring at Naomi. "I get that you're tired and cranky and utterly miserable at not being able to do more but you're not the only one. Get over yourself and go apologize." Emily finally let go of Naomi's ear, astounded at what she'd just done. Naomi tried looking at her, at her mom and then stomped out of the room and down the stairs.
The two of them walked out of the room and hovered by the top of the stairs, listening. You could have knocked everyone over when Naomi said she was sorry to Cook who merely stared at her with a piece of tissue sticking out of his nostril and an ice pack on the bridge of his nose. She waited a beat until he said it was ok. Naomi went to join Kieran in the garden. Gina and Emily slowly made their way down to the kitchen where you could hear a pin drop on a pillow. Three heads turned to Gina and Emily.
"In all the time I've known Naomi... when did she learn those words?" Katie was the first to pipe up while Effy sat on the counter smirking. Cook's mouth was hanging open when he looked at Gina.
"Mama C.. it was a bop.. I don't know what you said to her but.. really it was just a bop, my nose has a mind of its own." Cook explained as if somehow he was in trouble. Gina shook her head at him. Both at his tone thinking he'd gotten Naomi in trouble, wherein she'd done the job herself, and more to negate that she had something to do with Naomi's apology. Emily started blushing.
"Oh no luv.. I had nothing to do with that.. it was all Emily's doing." At which point Emily was certain her ears would fall off they were burning that bad.
"Bloody aces Fitch.. what the hell kind of power do you have over blondie?" Cook blurted out and Katie started laughing followed by Gina. Effy shook her head and smiled. Emily finally giggled a little. "Hey Mama C.. think we could tap into the vodka in the freezer.. to celebrate?" He knew he was pushing it as he wasn't done recuperating.
"James.." Gina was going to chastise him but figured he'd been pretty good through this whole ordeal. "Fine.. but only one.. don't need you thinking you can get pissed in my house." She smiled at him as he howled. Katie continued to laugh. She felt at home here. She understood what love Gina had for Naomi and Cook but was surprised and warmed by what she seemed to feel for her, Effy and without a doubt Emily. She saw Effy slide off the counter and make her way out of the kitchen. Katie's laughter died down a bit as she knew that Effy was going to leave. While Emily got the glasses and Gina was getting the chilled vodka, Katie followed Effy.
Naomi found herself in the garden looking at all the work she and Emily had put in. Kieran didn't look up from his book but she knew he was aware of her presence. She walked over to where he was and sat on the chair to his left. She huffed out loud as she sunk in. Kieran arched an eyebrow but didn't look at her directly. He put his fingers to his mouth, licking them a little before turning the page.
"If you keep making that racket, you're likely to scare off my good mood."
Naomi scoffed. "You don't have a good mood. You have bearable, unbearable and hideously annoyed." She kicked at the ground. She'd felt utterly scolded by her lil'red. She knew she'd overreacted to Cook's teasing but her temper had been getting shorter and shorter. She needed to get out, to relieve some stress. She'd had a few quiet moments with Kieran since he'd been back but hadn't talked too much other than discuss where they lived – the difference in culture and food. She bit her thumb. "Kieran.. how'd you.. how'd you know mum was it for you?"
Kieran looked up and stared at Naomi at the question. He grumbled and cleared his throat. "You can't ask about the real world politics hindering the Aborigines in Australia instead?" He shook his head and pulled out a flask from his jacket pocket. He took a swig and handed it over. "This is not my strong suit, you know. Wouldn't you rather talk to your mum.." He met Naomi's eyes. "No, of course you wouldn't.. Emily's a star in your mum's eyes already. You wouldn't believe anything she has to say. I'm sweet on Emily too though. Why would you believe what I have to say?"
"Cause other than what you found with mum, you didn't really believe in love." Naomi bluntly stated.
"You're a little shit." Naomi laughed as Kieran narrowed his eyes at her. He took another swig from the flask.
"Effy.. wait." Katie caught up to her in the hall as Effy was putting on her jacket. She knew what was coming. More than once she had avoided this talk from Katie. She always managed to leave either when Katie was busy or in the bathroom. But she miscalculated today and Katie was right on her tail. "I'm coming with you."
"No. You're not Katie." Effy looked at her. She had been going to Stonem House. Running away. And she didn't want anyone with her.
"Yes I am." Katie grabbed her jacket. "You've been dodging me and doing all the running around for the repairs by yourself. I'm coming with you." She crossed her arms and dared Effy to say differently.
"Katie. I don't want to fight about this please. Stay here ok?" Mainly cause I don't want you to see how I haven't had anything done other than change the locks. "Please. Stay with the gang and keep an eye out on Cook. He doesn't need another bloody nose."
"I think Emily has that well in hand, don't you?" Katie was already moving to the door. She had decided enough was enough. Effy had been doing this dance for almost a month. No one in the group but her had been inside Stonem House since Foster. She had handled everything from insurance paperwork, to the police. She'd gotten in touch with the lawyers and created a comfort zone from where they had answered all of the questions aimed at them but in a protective space. Effy was also handling contractors and repairs and orders for replacement furniture. Even if Katie wasn't one to know much about this stuff she was going to be with Effy today. No more being alone.
"Katie. Please." Effy was following the twin who was out the door and heading to Effy's car. "I don't want you there." She heard the words come out of her mouth as Katie stopped with her hand on the car's door handle.
"What?" Katie turned to look at Effy. "You don't want me there? Since when?"
Effy couldn't look at Katie directly. She could feel the shame of her words racing through her. It wasn't her place to tell Katie she couldn't be at Stonem House. No more than it was her place to tell Naomi not to go there either. Effy had done a fair job at keeping everyone away. The place felt tainted to her. She felt guilt the moment she looked at the building. This was all her fault. Foster was all her fault. A week after the incident, Effy and Anthea sat down and looked over the events that led to Katie, Emily and Cook getting hurt. If everyone had been on the same page, some things could have been avoided. Foster might still have managed to get at them, more likely Effy herself, but no one would be dead. Anthea was dealing with the fallout from that coverup at the London House but she could handle that and worse. Effy on the other hand was finding it harder to look beyond it. Her friends, her family had been targeted as a means to get to her. The police had spoken to her directly after investigating Foster and it had come to light that he had been stalking her for years.
"Effy!" Katie yelled at her when she hadn't responded. "Since when do you not want me with you?" While Effy had been lost in her own mind, Katie had stepped right up to her and placed a hand on her cheek. Effy tried turning away, to retain her resolve to keep Katie out of that horrible place. But Katie placed her other hand on Effy's other cheek, forcing her to look at her. "Effy.. I'm not leaving you alone. I don't know what's wrong but I'm going with you." Katie reached out and took Effy's keys from her, effectively putting her lovely heel down.
"Hey where'd Katie and Eff run off to?" Cook looked around after 5 glasses of vodka were poured. He took his and drank a sip of it like it was the tastiest thing on earth. Emily shrugged, knowing that Katie had followed Effy out. Whatever Effy was doing, Katie wasn't going to let it happen for much longer. At least not by herself. The twins had talked the night before and while Effy had been close by, loving and partaken of all their gatherings, she was disappearing and wasn't saying much about it, even to Katie. And that was a fatal flaw.
Gina sipped her vodka and sighed contentedly. Cook's nose didn't look bad. Emily had completely surprised her. She'd neither expected the little twin's actions nor Naomi's reactions. In all her years, Naomi had never willingly given in. It spoke volumes to what she felt for Emily. For whatever reason, Gina was feeling like a proud mama of both girls. She went and grabbed the two glasses meant for Katie and Effy while giving Cook a glance that let him know she was aware what he had been thinking. He had the grace to look at the tabletop while his ears turned red. She took the drinks out to the garden to Kieran and Naomi.
They both looked up at Gina and stopped talking. She shook her head and knew they were likely up to no good. At least that was usually the case with them when they stopped talking simultaneously. She handed each a glass and leaned down to give Kieran a kiss on the cheek. The smile on his face grew unconsciously at Gina's kiss. She went over to Naomi who was avoiding her gaze and looked like she was about to be scolded – again. Gina ran a hand through Naomi's hair and kissed her forehead. Then she went back inside. Kieran and Naomi looked at each other.
"Naomi, what exactly did you fucking do?" Kieran asked before taking a sip from the glass. Naomi had no words at that moment.
Katie and Effy pulled up to Stonem House. Effy had been silent the entire way there. She wasn't actively arguing against Katie being there but it was loudly understood that she was acquiescing under protest. They got to the door and Katie put her hand out for the new keys to the place. Effy had been keeping the only keys to herself. A fact not gone unnoticed by the rest of the girls. She reluctantly handed them over, knowing that what lay behind the door would no longer be hers to hide away.
The reception area looked the same except everything had been put back to where it was. Katie looked around for signs of construction and saw none. "You hired a top company yeah? There isn't a spec of plaster dust or anything anywhere." The only thing that had looked different had been the lock on the door. It looked like something from a bank vault to Katie. She shrugged off her jacket and hung it up. "Bit chilly in here." She went and turned up the thermostat. Effy was standing in the way of Katie going up to the playrooms. "Effy." Katie was trying for soft first. She looked or tried to look at Effy in the eyes but the brunette was avoiding it. Katie sighed and pushed through Effy who grabbed her arm.
"Please leave it Katie. Let's go somewhere else. Maybe a movie. Or shopping." Effy was pleading. She didn't want Katie going up to the playrooms. To Effy's playroom in particular. The memory of it was strong in Effy's mind. She couldn't fathom what it would feel like for Katie to be there. Katie looked at Effy and shook her head. She took Effy's hand off her arm and held it in hers.
"Nothing to be afraid of yeah? It's ok. Come on." Katie led Effy up the stairs and down the corridor. Katie could see that the hallway had been cleaned. She remembered a bit of a mess as she was being wheeled out. Gauze and other medical waste left behind by the technicians who transported Cook and Foster. She hadn't been there when the police tape had been put up. But a piece of it was still on the door frame. She looked back questioningly at Effy. All of that should be gone. She pushed open the half shut door and the scene in front of her was alarming. Everything was as it was that night. Nothing had been fixed or removed. Yes, again the medical waste was gone but there were blood stains everywhere. She felt Effy let go of her hand as Katie walked into the room. She could see where her blood had been spilled on the table, where it had dripped down. She could see where Foster had bled out quite a bit after being hit. Katie could also see where Cook had left a trail of blood on the ground. She turned back to Effy who had slunk down the hallway wall. She sat on the floor with her head in her hands.
Katie walked over and got down next to her. "Effy.. look at me. What's going on? Nothing's been done babe. You've been here how many times and nothing's been done. Did the contractors not want to deal with the blood? I'm sure we can get a cleaning company that does this stuff." As Katie spoke, she found herself rubbing Effy's back. "What's going on?" Effy shook her head and looked away but Katie had seen the tears in her eyes. "Babes I can't help if you don't talk. I know the whole mysterious thing is hot and all but no time for mystery right now." Katie tried to sound light knowing that whatever had Effy in this state wasn't.
"I'm sorry..." Effy's voice hiccuped causing Katie a bit more worry. Effy didn't express her emotions like everyone else. Never had. For her to sound like that, it meant her defenses were gone. Katie pulled at Effy until she had her arms wrapped around her. Effy started really crying then.
"Shh... it's ok.. whatever it is it's ok." She ran a hand through Effy's hair. Katie had never had to comfort Effy. It wasn't as if she never expressed emotion but it was usually controlled, expressed and then it was done. It didn't linger and it certainly didn't come out like this. Effy was holding on to Katie like her life depended on it. "Ok babes.. you need to tell me what's going on.. cause I'm starting to freak out a little." Katie was trying not to panic. She believed she had done a mediocre job at dealing with Emily's problems, and she didn't want to screw up with Effy too. She hugged Effy tighter. "Please Eff.. talk to me." Tears started forming in Katie's eyes at hearing the anguish in Effy's crying.
Kieran and Naomi sat in silence drinking the vodka. Naomi had shared the whole story about the itchy cast, Cook making comments, bopping him, Gina yelling, Emily reprimanding and her apology. Kieran had simply blinked at her and kept drinking. They finished their glasses and stared off.
"I want to make sure I got this correctly.. Lil'red there put you in your place.. got you to apologize.." Kieran nodded solemnly as he said it. "And you come out'ere to ask me how'd I know your mum was it for me?" He shook his head. "I don't think you need to ask me the answer to that.. Emily got you to do something I've never in a million years expected from you... you're a stubborn shit. Always been.. I think you know exactly who she is.." Kieran stood from his chair. He leaned down and kissed Naomi's forehead much like Gina had done previously. "Mighty proud of you lass... mighty proud." He walked into the house bellowing. "Gina.. Woman, get your dancing shoes.. I think we need a night on the town away from the little shits."
Kieran ran into Emily as he was walking into the house and took her arm, beckoning for her to join him in the laundry room a second. They stood by the washing machine and he looked at her like a proud papa. Emily blushed at the look.
"You're something incredible Emily. I've watched you show your love to that dear little girl of mine without a bit of hesitation. It literally oozes out of you beautiful girl. It is such a blessing to see." Emily was pretty sure the blush would never go away whenever Kieran spoke to her.
"I can't help it Kieran. She makes me a better person."
Kieran laughed and took Emily's hand. "Bollocks. You're the one making her a better person. I may be an old fart but I'm not blind. You're exactly what that girl needed to find in her life. She didn't even know it until you showed up. Her mum and I.. we couldn't be happier. She's a pain in the arse, stubborn, opinionated.. but she's given you her heart even if she may not have said it out loud. But it's yours if you want it."
Emily hugged Kieran tightly at his words. He hugged his lil'red back and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you Kieran."
"Yeah yeah.. don't mention it. Now bugger off. I have a woman to take out dancing and possibly end up in a hotel doing god awful things." Kieran let her go and laughed.
"Eww.. Kieran." Emily swatted his arm. "You're so bad." She giggled and watched him enter the house. She stood there a bit taking in everything he'd said. For someone who grumbled so much, he was the gentlest soul. His energy reminded her of her dad.
Naomi stayed outside a bit longer. She was digesting everything she knew and everything Kieran had said. The day had started out quite differently than she'd planned and it was ending even stranger. She was lost in her thoughts when she noticed Emily standing in front of her. She smiled at her beautiful Emily. Naomi reached out to her, pulling her on to her lap. Emily melted into Naomi and ran a hand through her blonde hair. They kissed slowly. Naomi let herself sink into Emily's lips like she hadn't done since everything had happened.
"Wow Campbell.. I should yell at you more often." Emily said when they finally pulled apart. Naomi laughed.
"I'll say" Cook butted in as he plopped down on the chair opposite them.
"Cook so help me.." Naomi growled while Emily giggled.
It took a while for Effy to stop crying. Tears had streamed down Katie's face while she comforted her. She'd never seen Effy this distraught. Maybe when Tony had been hit by a bus. Maybe that was close to this but even that hadn't felt as deep as her sobs were now. When she was merely sniffling, Katie tried again.
"Eff babes.. please talk to me. I don't know what's going on or what to do, yeah?"
Effy sat up a bit, pulling away from Katie enough to face her. She wiped her face. She knew she couldn't hold on to it all inside any more. She had been torturing herself over it but it was time to talk to Katie. "I'm sorry... I wanted to make everything right.. but every time I walked in here... I'd see you.. Emily.. Cook.. and him. I cleaned up.. what I could.." Effy had trouble finding the words. "I kept seeing you.. it's all my fault.. He.. he came here for me. I didn't know he was.. or could be like that.. but.. my mom.. London House... they should have known.. they should have warned us.. and I should have known." She took Katie's hands in hers. "If I'd known, maybe I could have stopped it.. before.. or at least not have let him get close to..." She kept her eyes trained on Katie's hands. "I'm so so sorry Katie.. you got hurt.. Emil and Cook got hurt.. all because of me."
Katie had heard enough. While her heart was breaking for her Effy, she wasn't going to give that cretin who did the damage more power. She moved her hands from Effy's hands to her face. "You stop this Elizabeth Stonem. You hear me? You didn't do anything wrong. Nothing. You came in and saved us. That's what you did. No more of this.." Katie wasn't sure what to call it. Guilt? Regret? Self pity? It was all of that and none. "You're punishing yourself. Is that it? By looking at the mess of a room here? That stops too. No more imagining any of it." She stood up and closed the door to the room with a slam. "Tomorrow morning I'm calling someone.. I don't care who and having it stripped apart. I'll not have you doing this to you or us. This is what you do? every day? Beat yourself up? No.. no more." She knelt down and grabbed Effy's shirt and kissed her hard. Katie kept kissing her until Effy reacted and put her hands in Katie's hair, pulling her in and deepening the kiss. The kiss lasted until they were both out of breath.
"Good. Glad that's sorted then. Let's get a fucking drink.. or ice cream.. I'm good with either... or both.." Katie smiled and Effy smiled back.