Episode 4
It was a fine day for flying as her uncle used to say, but as Meredith Gates sank down into her plush first class seat she felt anything but serene and content. Fussing with her seatbelt, she opened the in-flight magazine and typically the first thing she saw was 'Paris, a city for lovers….', she couldn't deny it, that much had been evident even before she departed from Heathrow, everyone else on the flight seemed to have grasped it but her. Paris, it had been an impulsive, but not necessarily wisest choice of destinations to run to after all.
Bloody place, not a corner to be turned, nor bridge crossed, without seeing at least one hand-in-hand, sickeningly blissful couple every sixty seconds, usually two or three. She'd spent the last four days in the most romantic city in the world, completely on her own, well, not completely on her own, she had a constant reminder of Gavin with her, his child, but being alone had never seemed to bother her before, until now, and it had taken a not so distant blast from the past to shake her convictions…
It had been a breezy autumnal afternoon when had Meredith Gates sought refuge in the reassuring familiarity of the Lourve taking in the delights of the current Counterpoint exhibition of Contemporary Art. Lazily perusing the beautiful sculptures and set pieces taking inspiration from the new style of hanging which she could then use in her own gallery when suddenly a voice she knew so well filtered through the light open air.
"Of all the galleries in all the world you had to walk into mine…"
Whirling round she had come face to face with none other than Andre Veneres her former professor at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, standing in the sunlight looking as dashing as ever although with a touch more grey in his dark hair than she remembered. For a moment she had been lost for words all the memories of her first love came crashing back over her, and it had been a good few awkward moments before she could muster one of her snapping replies.
"Since when has it been yours?"
That had made him smile pulling her into a hug before pulling apart in surprise his eyes automatically going to her now visible bump.
"It appears I am not the only one who's been busy." He replied in his silky French accent. "I never thought of you as the mothering type but I must admit it suits you ma cherie."
"Thank you Andre. I can't believe I am so out of the loop, when did you become a curator here?"
"Oh about ten minutes ago, I was just offered the job, I won't be starting for another month or so." He replied offering her his arm as he escorted her on a guided tour around his new gallery.
That tour had turned into a walk along the Champs Elisse, coffee in a quaint coffee shop off the beaten track where they spent hours discussing the new exhibit and predicting which new young artist would be the next big thing. Of course one of the things that Andre that was fascinated about was her pregnancy and the lucky fellow who had somehow managed to domesticate her, but Meredith had been deliberately vague, painting a picture that wouldn't provoke to many questions or unwanted advances, she was happy, engaged and living with her fiancé. Andre meanwhile was more than delighted to chat about his life, his art, his failed marriage and his sadness at never becoming a father, but as he said his work was now his baby and that would have to be enough…
It was that enduring sadness that resonated with Meredith as she sat on the plane flying home, it had shaken her to see the only other man she had ever loved once more and she couldn't help but see the similarity in her actions; she had fled Paris all those years ago to escape Andre and his demands to settle down and she had done the same only in reverse to Gavin only days ago. But this time things were going to be different, she wasn't twenty-two anymore and in search of her dreams, fleeing from a life she didn't want, she had everything she could ever dream of, her own gallery and a man she loved and who loved her in return, so just what was her problem?
- - - -
Meanwhile back in London Gavin was far from contemplating the state of their relationship as he was in the process of sleeping off a hangover. However his dreams were far from peaceful as the memories of the last few days were replaying over and over in his mind, the morning he came home to find Meredith gone, then the panic of no word from her at all, it had made him realize that despite his grand gestures he couldn't cut her out of his heart as easily as he thought he could. At first he had simply thought she was punishing him for his night out, but when he called the gallery the next day to talk to her he found she hadn't arrived that morning and had sent no word as to where she was.
He had tried phoning her mobile as at least she had taken that with her, even though she wasn't answering it and so he had been forced to leave a rather confused message on her phone, babbling about the deliveries for the nursery and asking what was he supposed to do with them after all it was his room that was supposed be being redecorated next week. He couldn't even bring himself to tell her how much he missed and loved her; instead he had put the phone down, imagining her face when she received it with a feeling akin to sadistic glee. That would show her, two could play this game, he wouldn't let her realize just how much her silence and absence was affecting him…
It was in that frame of mind that he had paid Katherine another visit last night. He had showed up unannounced at her new hotel down on the docklands, a swish modern development that appealed to old and new money alike with its combination of elegance and energy, not to mention the high class of tottie that seemed to grace the bar and private members casino, not that that was as much of a coincidence as most of the patrons seemed to think. He had settled himself at the blackjack table intent on taking some rich stockbroker for a ride and perhaps drinking himself into oblivion as usual, when after an hour or so on a solid loosing streak he felt a tap on his shoulder and leaning over his shoulder was none other than Katherine Winterborn.
"Evening stranger and to what do I owe the pleasure of your company for the second time this week? Little Mrs not kicked you out has she?" Katherine had joked, affectionately patting his arm before drawing him away from the table and up to her office on the pretence of looking over some plans for their new joint project.
"No she's away on business." Gavin had lied, he wasn't sure why he had, perhaps he was just protecting his own ego but something had stopped him from pouring his heart out to Katherine, perhaps it was her reputation as a shark in the hotel business or maybe it was that predatory look she shot him that put him on edge.
She was not a woman to start playing games with, it wasn't common knowledge but the story of what she had done to her ex-husband Stephan had filtered down to certain people in the know, she had destroyed him without even firing a shot. She was the embodiment of the woman scorned, even his darling Meredith could learn a thing from Katherine Winterborn, not that he was eager for her to pick up those skills, and he was anxious not to become the next man to be devoured by this particular Preying Mantis.
So he accepted Katherine's offer of a drink with a reserved smile, tensely taking the seat on the sofa that she offered and then shifting slightly away when she sat too close for his liking. A fact that caught her eye immediately and she couldn't help teasing him about.
"The Little woman isn't here Gavin."
"Never the less I am engaged…"
"I know that Gavin, I wouldn't try and take advantage, I mean a man in your position…"
"What position?" He had retorted irritably filling his glass back up and downing it in one.
"Your balls in Meredith's tight grasp, one false step and bye bye boys!"
Snorting into his whisky Gavin had eyed up the leggy blonde who had draped herself provocatively on the couch her blue eyes locked on his over the rim of her glass, and he could clearly make out the message they conveyed, she was challenging him to prove her wrong in the most obvious of ways.
"Sooooo tense." Katherine teased. "Perhaps I should have one of my 'employees' come and work on those knots in your shoulder.
"I know just who and what your 'employees' really are Katherine." Gavin replied genially but the was an edge of ice to his tone. "So I'll continue to suffer thank you."
Smiling she had stood and skirted the sofa coming to stand behind him where tentatively she began massage his neck. "Well you'll let a friend help surely." She teased as she loosened his tense muscles and lulling him into a false sense of security, so he wasn't prepared for the sensation of her teeth teasing his earlobe. Pulling away he fixed her with a reproving look, which earned him a burst of laughter and a apologetic. "Alright I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself, you must really love the woman!"
"I do." He replied in all seriousness before offering her his arm as they returned to the bar and off for another night on the town, whilst deep down he hoped a certain brunette would be awaiting his return when he arrived home.
- - - -
It was around eleven that the Jaguar pulled up in front of her Chelsea address, stepping gracefully out the car Meredith watched as James unloaded her luggage from the boot along with her many shopping bags that had found they're way back with her from some select Parisian boutiques. It had been a brave decision not to ring ahead, part of her wanted to surprise him the other part just dreaded that if she did call ahead he might not be there when she arrived. Opening the door she watched as James placed the luggage gently down in the lounge which was surprisingly tidy considering he had been home alone for four days and not the wreaked joint she had been expecting although there were a few too many empty drinks glasses for her liking. Grasping the shopping bags she waved James on his way before creeping up the darkened staircase intending first to put down her shopping and then with any luck creep into his room and surprise Gavin.
However on opening her door she discovered her fiancé was actually in her bed, asleep, and despite the surprise it was actually quite sweet she thought, yet a bit weird as its coming up to lunchtime, the only possible explanation was that he had spent all night on the tiles. Smiling at the tableau before her as Gavin nuzzled into her pillow his bare back visible above her silk sheets. Creeping over she sat down beside him gently stroking his hair, just gazing at him as he slept so deeply; unable to resist any longer she lent down placing featherlike kisses along his shoulders, before whispering sweetly in his ear that she loved him, and in that moment she knew she meant it.
It was at this point that Gavin started awake, his vision bleary from the many indulgences of the night before, groaning as he remembered the drinking and the impromptu party that he had thrown, when he felt the gentle caress on his shoulders and hot breath by his ear. "Steady on now!" He gasped his voice sounding scratchy from alcohol and lack of use, before turning over, opening his eyes only to jump out of his skin at the sheer vision before him. "Meredith?" He exclaimed in obvious disbelief his eyes widening as he glanced erratically around the room , taking in its dishevelled state as his memory from the night before returned and he groaned slightly.
"Yes it's me." Meredith replied softly shifting back to allow him to sit up properly. "I'm home, Gavin I'm so sorr.."
She began but his arms were suddenly round her pulling her close his lips closing on hers passionately, his hands moving to stroke up her back and into her hair as he practically devoured her, like a thirsty man did water. Unwillingly he allowed her push him away watching as she gasped slightly for breath her pupils dilating as she tried to draw her gaze from his lips and bare chest.
"I'm sorry I just couldn't resist." He murmured waiting for the outburst of outrage, which surprisingly was not forthcoming.
"No…I'm the one who should be apologising I've been acting like a total bitch, there is something I need to get it off my chest, I'm truly sorry, I knows you acted like a bit of a prat, but I had returned the favour and then some." Taking a deep breath she swallowed her pride before continuing. "My ferocity is my defence mechanism, and I just couldn't let you think that that's how you can get round me every time. You know I'm attracted to you, attracted isn't the word, but that's not everything, and I need to believe that we've got something so much more…I needed sometime alone to think about what was for the best, but I didn't realise how much I'd hurt you, until I braved your answer phone message it just made me realise that our fight was absolutely pointless, I want you, I want us, our family…"
"So do I!…I've missed you like crazy, there were times when I wasn't sure whether I wanted to throttle or just hug you and never let you go again." He replied brushing his hand down her cheek. "And you're home now and we can make up for lost time."
"You're glad I'm home, I'm relieved your home, I'd half expected him to out …" Where she didn't say but as they locked gazes once more the latent fear in her eyes conveyed her deepest fear, and they both knew meant with someone else. Smiling softly Gavin took her hand gently rubbing her palm, shuffling closer to her he kept her crumpled sheets around his waist to preserve his modesty, dangling his legs off the side of the bed, and pulled her into his arms his hands trailing over her stomach.
"You've gotten bigger." He replied after a moments careful scrutiny.
"In four days?" Meredith giggled shaking her head before threading her fingers through his and nuzzling into his shoulder. "Oh but talking of baby related subjects…"
"He's not kicking already?" Gavin exclaimed a hint of sadness his voice.
"No you've not missed that." Meredith replied softly leaning down and grasping one of her many bags. "No I found the cutest little pair of…" she trailed off pulling out a tiny pair of cream booties and walking them along Gavin's bare arm. "Well?" she asked before aiming an imaginary kick at Gavin's nose causing him to smile broadly.
"Their lovely, a bit girly for our boy but I'm sure…"
"Boy?" Meredith exclaimed.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are looking; Paris treats you well and have you done something with your hair, is that how the French are wearing it?" Gavin fudged in an effort to distract her before leaning over to kiss her, unable to resist pushing her back to lie against the bed whilst he lay down beside her leaning up on his elbow to kiss her again.
"Gavin." Meredith murmured warningly a teasing expression on her face, which softened seeing his slight pout, shaking her head she pushed him gently onto his back before levering herself off of her bed and over to the curtains to draw them slightly. Immediately protesting Gavin threw the sheet back over his head. " Its too early!"
"No its not its almost 12! What happened to you did you have a late night?" Meredith chided softly as she took in he's exhausted expression and the scattered clothes all over her floor. "You know the sooner you get up, the sooner we can go for lunch somewhere."
"What's the need to go out we could simply stay in?" Gavin winked patting the bed beside him. "I'm sure we could think of something to keep ourselves amused." He added leaning back against the pillows, placing his arms behind his head and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh but darling..." Meredith whispered softly closing the distance between them sashaying sexily across the room before kneeling down by the side of the bed, running her hands across his stomach sadistically pinching his love handles making him squirm and lean forward grabbing at her hands. Now eye to eye she lent forward kissing his lips gently before continuing her sentence. "The sooner we get up the sooner we can come back…"
"That I like the sound of, and when we do…" He trailed off resting his forehead against hers and for a moment time seemed to freeze and Meredith felt her heart begin to pound in her chest, to think she had almost lost all this.
Then suddenly their serenity was shattered. "Gavin darling any chance of a hairdryer?"
Pulling out of his grasp a horrified Meredith looked up only to come face to face with a very damp and scantily clad Katherine Winterborn.
