Chapter 21

Apart from checking the route and everything else as she drove Meg's mind kept drifting back over the past two days and everything she'd packed into them.

Paul had beaten her at Pool that night. Well her mind had been elsewhere so he'd taken advantage of it. Mat's claim that Paul could talk anyone into anything was also true; she'd managed to make a batch as well as giving Val the recipe. Not surprisingly after their game she had restless that night dreaming of all the things that might have been or could happen. In morning she'd woken with a mixture of nerves and excitement as well as a little dread of leaving. Wondering if she was going to wake up in shared house and find it was all dream after all and she had yet to go to Canada. But she hadn't and knew it was real and she was returning to a new life.

She'd found that her nerves and excitement calmed down as she met with the others for breakfast at the Lodge. They'd given her all the new bits and pieces and Paul was left in charge with dealing with the laptop - so now she had two one for work and one as Paul said for play. As it had been a beautiful early morning and few people were around they'd showed them the garden including the sunken garden and as promised the view was fantastic. As Paul talked with Mat she, feeling closer to Robert because of the way he'd accepted John's position had asked for more information about their discussion with Jack. She'd got a gentle but firm reminder she'd have to respect John's wishes and let him do the telling if at all. She knew then she had too and would.

Then it was time to leave them in Jack's tender care for the trip to the airport and with hugs and promises over the trip to Seattle next week she and Paul said goodbye. That would be when her story would be put to the test, as far as Roberts's family were concerned she would not have seen him since the Boston trip and if she could pass their curiosity it should be okay … then it would be her family and friends. While Paul had packed she's slipped back to the apartment to see John hoping he might be awake but he was sleeping soundly and would be for a while. The day before had taken its toll but Jackie had reassured her he would be okay and she would ring if he needed her … otherwise they would see her Wednesday evening.

The time before they left was taken up with meeting Terry and his wife at the computer club and passing on all the messages and news. Then she'd felt the tug of anxiety similar to the ones she'd felt when she had to leave John after his first kidnapping and reminded herself this was different she would be coming back to him and there would be no splitting up and no life threatening relapses. She had to come back stronger and concentrated on Paul who'd been gentle nagging her take note of the route so she would not get lost when she drove herself back. She laughed at his concern, but quietly admitted everything looked different coming this way and started to write it down wondering what Jack would do if she rang up to say she was lost.

They were greeted back at the office like long lost friends back from a dangerous adventure and they sat swapping experiences and the outcome of the chaos, then got down to the business of catching up on everything and sorting out the new arrangements. She had to smile at the way Paul took the teasing as he explained Meg would be working away for three days and travelling down for two. Then in private over the evening meal with Val Paul told her what had really happened. Meg had been surprised by the rush of emotions she'd felt hearing it all again and Val true to her bubbly self gave hugs, tears and support with a promise she would visit with Paul next week and the secret was safe.

Of course then she had to face her housemates and with laughter and gentle teasing they decided yes she could have her room for stopovers. They helped her sort out and pack things and tentatively arranged a date for a ride into the mountains.

That night she had lain awake her mind running through anything and everything but sometime she must have dropped off because a gentle knock and call that breakfast was ready woke her. To her surprise she felt rested and happy to face the new day well three quarters as she would be leaving early. The time passed quickly and well and had put her in the right frame of mind for the trip back and she'd left them with hugs and laughter at Paul's gently words of 'Don't get lost.'

Now, feeling pleased she had found her way all right and made good time she parked the car in the large town car park. There was one more stop to make and then she would be home for the evening meal just like any other working couple. She smiled and gave a gentle laugh. She liked the words 'home' and 'couple' but they were nothing like an ordinary couple, and she wondered if they ever had been or would be. She checked the address of the firm she was looking for and hurried off to find it she did not want to be late.

She walked into the reception area and went to lady at the desk, who had looked up from her work and smiled at her as she came in and said. "Ms Megan Cummings to see Mr Mick he's expecting me."

In a quiet five minutes with Paul and John they had decided, as she was always known as Meg in Sunset Beach she would become Megan here, and the Ms would act as a compromise between Miss and Mrs as well as possibly stopping any hopeful males from pestering her. She also wore her hair up though she was not too sure if she would do that all the time.

"Oh Yes, if you would like to come this way Mr Mick is ready to show you what is needed. You'll be in an office with Shirley but she's away for two weeks. I'm Mary by the way."

She was shown into a large office and introduced to Mr Mick, who was in his early forties, short and a little on the plump side with dark brown hair, and as he had large dark eyes and blinked very slowly as he spoke to her he reminding her of a bushbaby. Listening to him explain everything and then introduce her to the staff she knew she could work with them. Happily she walked back to the car again savouring the feeling of normality and the 'coming home' feeling the town gave her.

oxoxo

As she drove down the drive to the apartment she belatedly hoped Simon and Jackie would not mind all the things she was bringing back. They had given her the spare bedroom and the possible use of the office upstairs if need be. She reckoned she would need it as the job was nine to five for the three days she would be there, so she might have bits of Paul's work while John slept at weekends.

She pulled up outside Jackie's apartment tucking the car near the hedge, got out and was going to close the door when she was attacked by a bouncing bundle of fur that had seemed to come out silently of nowhere. "Shep! …Down! … Okay boy … Find John!" she commanded hoping it would calm him down and let her get her breath back.

Shep jumped away from her and stood looking at her his tail wagging madly and tongue hanging out he then barked and with a bouncing turn charged towards the stables and disappeared round the corner.

She smiled and turned her attention to some of the smaller bags from the car, with them piled in her arms knowing she could dump them on the dinning table just inside the apartment, blessed the fact that she could open the door at the touch of a button. She managed to do the door but as for dumping the stuff on the table, no way, the table was set for two with a vase of red and white roses at each end. She stood taking in the sight with a slow smile and sigh as the thought 'Oh boy!' and that of so familiar tingle, which always used to go with his surprises, ran through her. She was home to his love once again.

She was brought back to the present by aching arms and Jackie's gentle teasing words. "The wander has returned with lots and lots of bags I see." she came over from the kitchen area with a big smile and took one of Meg's bags as she carried on. "There are bound to be more. He's in the garden with Simon, who can unload the car and put them in your room."

Meg nodded yes and said with a slight laugh in her voice, "Thanks … I just hope there will be enough room. Has he been all right?" following Jackie to the sofa and put the rest down at the far end so they would not be in the way.

"He'll tell you … but yes he's been all right. Now go and find him." Jackie held her hand out and Meg gave her the keys and turned back towards the door. Then stopped because the door swung open and Shep bounded in followed by John, with Simon close behind who said with a laugh. "Look no hands." As he waved them in the air as John came further into the room.

Jackie laughed, she hadn't know which of the two was the worst they had been teasing each other most of the day and it been nice as it had been the first time she seen John really excited and said to her husband. "Good now you can unload the car. … Shep leave the bags!"

Shep immediately left the bags and found his spot by the unlit fire and lay down to watch, the only thing moving was his tail as it wagged violently.

Meg smiled watching John as he carefully pushed himself further into the room she had to step back and decided to sit on the sofa while trying to find the right words. "You're …"

John laughed at her. "Pushing myself. Yep … freedom!" he looked at Jackie who was pushing Simon out the door and had looked back at him with a serious expression. He sighed and added. "Okay careful freedom."

She nodded and closed the door leaving them alone knowing the warning had been taken.

Meg tucked herself up on the sofa so he could wheel himself in when he stopped she leant across using the back of the chair for support and kissed him. In that kiss she let him know how much she missed him, how much she needed him and how good it was to see him, she knew his feeling were the same.

When they broke she eased herself back and looked at his dark sparkling eyes and said gently. "So?" She found his hand and held it knowing that was all the contact they needed for now.

He looked her over and gave her a slow smile, she loved that smile it always used to and still did say so much. "Been good." He said softly she smiled so he clarified teasingly. "You've seen Jackie and Simon are one piece … I suppose that should be in two pieces, come to think of it and I feel good. … Muscle is free and the specialist is happy with Mandy's brother's findings so I can push myself and go back to the club in the morning … though I still have to be very careful not to twist the muscles… so no hundred miles an hour dashes just yet."

She giggled, he sounded good.

"Can chase you into the garden if I'm careful."

She looked at him he huffed and carried on. "Okay perhaps not then. … I'll be in the pool for a session once a week then if there is any movement more sessions. … You can come and play if you want. Simon will be floating with me, and Jackie will be giving out the orders, so more the merrier. Most probably after six when most of the guests will be eating, then we'll have late meal or it might be during the weekend … it's got to be sorted out. There will be the usual exercise sessions so Jackie still has me on the bed in the afternoons, though Friday I'm pushing for my usual gossip session with the lads. … I missed you. … And you?" He said softly knowing she would know it was not an after thought.

She laughed realising he'd just unwound and was fine, just as she was and they would be all right with the set up. He had been right she needed her freedom as much as being with him. She gently stroked his hand knowing her voice would tell him as much as his told her. "Missed you. ... But I think the break was good I know I can come back to you and you'll be there. It's all real … not a fluke dreamt up by buried wishes."

John nodded and smiled and she knew he understood so carried on. "The pool sounds fun and I'd love to join in not just watch. Which reminds me," His immediate puzzled expression made her laugh and she explained. "The joining in bit … I told my housemates I would book up an afternoon's ride for two weeks time they've been thinking about for ages and I was wondering whether to use Stephen or Thompson's in town?"

"If we have the horses free you can use Stephen if not use the others we work along side each other and we can check later. You can go up to the big waterfall, take Jackie along she has not ridden in a long time and she'll love the break."

"I like that, I met Mr Mick and I think the job is going to be fun, start at nine o'clock tomorrow morning finish at five and I'll explore that end of town during lunch hour. You know the strange thing is I mentioned I was staying at the hotel as a contact address and he immediately assumed I was lodging with Jackie and Simon, said he was pleased Jackie had a friend around."

John gave gentle understanding laugh. "He knows the family and that she does not have much spare time also that the hotel would be too expense for you. Good … that story will be round town like wildfire he is a gossip in the nicest possible way."

She smiled and added. "He mentioned you lived here and he seemed to have a gleam in his eye."

John grinned remember his conversation with Terry earlier. "Yes, well Mr Mick's family belong to the club, they were knocked over by your charm. That is the boy and the girl by Paul the Mum liked both of you. This afternoon poor old Terry has been fending off all sorts of pleas to find you. So your part of the club and there have been a few more names on the role, which means of course you'll have to turn up now and again boost the numbers."

Meg looked at him straight faced and said teasingly. "Oh I see like that is it … what about competition!"

"Oh I think I'm safe."

"Really?" She teased

He looked thoughtful for a moment then said gently. "Well, unless you're cradle snatching … though come to think of it there are a few 25 year olds but a lot of them came by after school on the off chance of finding you. … Come on lets find tea."

She smiled at the change of subject and said. "I like the setting."

He looked at her with a knowing smile, "I thought you would … good memories." She nodded, remembering the Santa Barbara trip and John carried on slightly apologetic. "I'm sorry you will have to carry plates. I tend to spill if I try to wheel and carry."

The picture made her laugh as she commented. "Plate and laps."

He smiled and exclaimed. "Oh yes! Especially soup ... goes down beautifully."

They both laughed and John eased himself out and went over to the table while she went over to the kitchen area to find the food. Both stopped and looked round as Jackie came through from her apartment and with a grin and exclaimed. "Got your slave working already I see!"

John looked and said sadly, "Well my last one just disappeared … with her husband I think?"

"Yes to unload a few things." Jackie emphasized the last three words, but kept the smile.

Meg smiled innocently wondering what state she was going to find her room in and said. "There are still a few at Paul's so I don't have to keep carrying back and forth. … We've worked everything out and I'd like to take up the offer of the upstairs study" and added with a wicked smile aimed at John "then I can let sleeping beauty sleep when necessary."

Jackie smiled and suppressed a giggle at John's expression as she replied. "Yes that with be great, we can chat and work."

"Huh!" John sighed, carefully hiding a grin he could see Meg and Jackie were going to be good mates and would no doubt gang up on him … well he would have to find an ally and he knew just who.

Jackie came over to him giving him a mock smile of sympathy then grinned cheekily her voice soft in a loud whisper. "Have you told Meg you're off the pills as of tonight?"

John eyed her and said a mock whisper. "Thought I'd tell that later sort of romantically like … after food! … … Meg and me alone!"

Meg happily watched the two together and wondered about the food as it had stayed in the cooker and she was feeling hungry. Jackie gave a dramatic sigh and turned to Meg. "Well the teas not quiet done yet so Meg … we need to talk … a sort of mother and daughter talk."

Meg smiled, no way was Jackie old enough to be her mother sister yes, she looked across at John who suddenly looked embarrassed and everything clicked into place she laughed, "Okay Mum better be your place." She gave John an even cheekier grin and softer voice "You're not old enough yet!"

She started to follow Jackie into the other apartment when John's gentle and very sexy laugh sent shivers of delight down her spine was followed by "Don't forget tea comes first!"

Jackie and Meg spluttered with laughter and closed the door on him.

oxoxo

John looked over at Shep who was standing in the passageway by the sofas looking towards the other apartment as if wanting to follow. "Hey! You are definitely too young for that kind of talk my lad!"

Shep turned his head towards his master's voice and then walked over to him, sitting so his head rested on his master's knees and looked at him with dark soulful eyes.

"No way mate one of you is enough." Shep wagged his tail and nuzzled his master's hand, so John stroked Shep's head and said softly. "You … young man are going to sleep by the fire tonight and no! looking."

After a while Simon came in and dropped the key on the table beside John. "You know those two have got their heads together in there I got shooed out."

John laughed "Two against Two!"

Simon grinned, "Sounds good but not yet. Know what it's about."

John said softly "It's a Mum and daughter talk!"

Simon grinned even more "Oh! What do I do about turning you tonight then?"

John smiled "Come in with your eyes closed!"

Simon chuckled. "Oh yeah … … now that could be really interesting."

"Whatever you'll still have to do it." And they both dissolved into laughter.

oxoxo

After their talk Meg followed Jackie through to the other apartment her mind was on parts of their discussion. The word couples came to mind again and she knew they would be different because Jackie and Simon would be their shadows, both would be needed even if she was there all the time. The other, she knew would be more difficult because she would have to take the lead and yet give control to John because he needed it. They needed time and understanding she let it drop into the back of her mind because of the laughter they walked into as they entered John's apartment.

"Okay what did we miss?" Jackie demanded as she made her way over to the kitchen area.

John stopped laughing and said innocently. "Oh! Just this and that." Meg knew by that tone there was trouble in a teasing sort of way.

Simon spluttered a laugh and John eyed him and then Jackie who had stopped in her stride and showed no signs of moving.

John looked at her and hinted straight faced. "Tea … food burning."

Jackie shook her head and John sighed and said. "Okay … first of all Grandma and I had our mum and son talk earlier. So you don't need to worry about that … Simon and I were talking about night visits as Meg I hope will be sleeping beside me."

Meg felt herself blush which was mad really because they all knew it was going to happen. John gave her a look and carried on. "Hey, you had a mum and daughter talk. … That is assuming you've not scared her Jackie."

Meg smiled as Jackie exclaimed, "As if I would young man!" and made her way to the oven and started to sort things out saying. "We'll pop in half nine to put you in bed while Meg changes you are still on early nights."

John said softly. "So Mum and Dad are you going to serve then." and ducked his head slightly as Simon pretended to swipe him. Jackie stopped and looked at him so John carried on gently emphasising each word. "Hungry makes grumpy children."

Simon shook his head and went to join Jackie who tutted quietly as she started sorting things out again.

Meg laughing quietly came over and sat opposite John at the table. They eyed each other and calmed down and silently waited.

As Jackie put John's plate on the table he said gently but looking over at Simon who was putting Meg's plate on the table with a mock waiter's bow. "You do know what to do with a free evening don't you?"

Simon eyed him and Jackie said laughing. "Oh yes I think I can find something to do. … Just make sure you don't hurt yourself." She eyed John who was grinning and sighed saying. "Everything I say is going to be taken wrong by you at the moment. Pudding is on the side and we will leave you two to it. Happy now!" she ended with a grin.

John smiled and nodded and Jackie went off to do one last chore.

Simon looked after her said very softly "Promises, Promises."

Jackie put a bowl of food down for Shep and looked over at her husband with a smile and a shake of her head.

"Food at least." He said hopefully making his way towards the door.

As she followed him she exclaimed. "Men!"

oxoxo

John poured the wine and picked his glass up and looked across at Meg with a wicked gentle smile. "To us and our future."

"To us." She smiled and took a sip of her wine looking at him over the top of the wine glass, her dark eyes glistening with laughter and a slight tear.

This was their first real date and night together regardless of the restrictions, she knew they would have to be careful as he could not move and the pillows would be there to protect him but he would be beside her and that would be enough for now, they had time.

They ate the meal chatted more about their time apart and what they might do, after clearing things away they sat by the fire listening to music then watched the television till Simon and Jackie came into help John to bed and take Shep for a quick walk.

Meg smiled at the bags and cases on the bed waiting to be sorted out that would be done tomorrow evening, for tonight though she knew where her things were, she'd bought them new in the hope that tonight would be special. She found them and quickly showered and changed.

When she went back into the apartment John was in bed the pillows in place to support his back and legs, he looked comfortable and smiled approvingly as she came in. Shep and Jackie came in and Jackie wished them goodnight, Simon was by the door waiting for her and they left. Shep immediately went by the bed and lay down, looking at Meg who was standing beside the bed…. A challenge of who should guard the Master.

"Shep! To the fire! Good boy!" John said softly but as a command.

Shep looked at his Master and then at Meg and slowly got up and walked to the sofa and then to the fire, which out as it was a warm night and then lay on the half rug so he could face them and put his head on his paws.

Meg smiled as she saw a tiny hint of a wag in his tail as those eyes watched them. She also noticed the blanket and pillow were on the sofa just in case there was difficulty during the night apart from Simon coming in as he usually did. She knew she'd have to get use to that being woken and getting back to sleep again.

As she got in to bed John said softly "Bet he'll be by the bed as soon as he thinks we are asleep."

She gave a gentle laugh and said softly "Wet nose on my hand again."

"Umm interesting, but better than being squashed if he tries to come up." Meg smiled as John carried on. "He sleeps beside me sometimes … you know this is going to feel odd." He smiled as that sounded wrong and added. "If you know what I mean."

She giggled realising he was feeling slightly embarrassed and unsure. "We could just get used to each other for tonight there is no pressure." She snuggled up beside him and made herself comfortable.

"Sounds good." And he kissed her, they lay together for a while enjoying the feel of their bodies next to each other then he said gently "My arm's asleep."

She shifted her weight off of it and they sorted it out then she snuggled back into a comfortable position beside him listened to his breathing steady down to sleep, gradually she drifted of to sleep.

A little while later as they slept Shep got up and walked over to the bed and sniffed the air then lay down guarding his master and mistress and putting his head on his paws and went to sleep in the way dogs do with half an ear open for trouble.