Chapter 34

Simon and Jackie sat at the dinning table watching the couple in the lounge area, the silence in the room was comfortable, but was broken by the swish of the door from the driveway opening. Jack walked in, smiled at Jackie and Simon then called across to the other couple. "Meg! I'm taking your bags to our car. We need to go now, if we are to catch the flight to the other airport to meet Robert's plane."

Jack wasn't really surprised his call seemed to be ignored, and he in his turn ignored his daughter's rather pointed look as he carried on, in his gentle but commanding voice so the couple knew he really meant business, but also understood their feelings. "John! We'll take good care of her don't you worry." Then picked up the cases and went out so he made his point.

Reluctantly Meg broke off from the kiss, put her hand on John's shoulder because she did not want to lose 'that' feeling just yet, and looked into his eyes and nearly lost 'it' again, but his words "Give your parents my regards." made her laugh, because they were said gently and seriously, but his eyes were sparkling just like hers were.

"Yeah … before or after I pick them up off the tarmac." She replied with a smile. She was getting used to his and the others gentle teasing about her 'blooming' so early on in the pregnancy. As well of course of his very loving attitude, which had a touch of pride in it and why not - they were both rather pleased with themselves ... after the shock had worn off of course. She also knew that everyone else could see her 'blooming condition', as over the past couple of days her workmates made comments and when she explained and asked for their silence on the matter for a while, they gave it with gentle understanding chuckles.

And now 'oh joy' she was going to face her parents with the 'news' whether she liked it or not. It might not have been so bad if they could see or talk to the father to be, but of course they couldn't and she would not have him to duck behind as her Dad or Mum hit the roof either. The little thought crept through again, that they would see how happy she was would help, and they loved her regardless, because she was their daughter just as they love Sara regardless.

The gentle "Of course there is Robert to face first." brought her back to a rather soulful looking soulmate.

'Oh, he could be soo mean when he wanted to.' But she kept that thought to herself and smiled with a gentle shake of her head not wanting to go there, and remembered Robert's wicked sense of humour and payback … she had after all sent some uninformative emails. 'Oh yeah, the plane trip was certainly going to be an interesting one', so she changed the subject with a loving sigh and tease of "Promise me you'll be good."

His eyes still twinkling he gave a little shake of his head in Jackie and Simon's direction as he huffed. "Got no choice really."

Looking over at the pair she knew he was under orders not to go out because of the freezing wind, and was restricted to the wheelchair as he was 'resting' ready for the Paul and Val etc to arrive. Not that he was going to do anything dramatic with them. Just talk and watch a window being changed into a doorway. After his embarrassing episode as he called it, Jackie still insisted that he only did one thing at a time when walking, otherwise he'd be back in the chair or on the sofa unless chaperoned. His expression to that remark had Meg in a fit of giggles, which nearly defeated the point of the lecture, it had not helped either that Jackie had gone onto say 'at least he could not fall out of the wheelchair'. That was immediately accompanied by Simon's snorted gentle remark "Been there done that and got the T-shirt", which was followed by John's threat of putting him on half pay. And the lecture had dissolved into giggles and banter between all of them. But, it was taken on board as John had been on best behaviour every since, leaving Meg to wonder how long it would last with Val and Paul there, and regretted not actually being around to greet them.

She turned her attention back to John remembering Val's phone call explaining they were running late, so she had given them their news and got deafened by their congratulations. And smiled suddenly thinking, with them around he might like to try and walk in the garden, and said gently "If you want to walk in the garden when they are here its okay by me." Knowing it was one of the things they'd promised themselves.

His smile and nod told her he understood, and the long blip on the car horn told her she really had to go. John pushed himself out of the gangway so she could follow him at least as far as the dinning area. They both knew he would not get any further; Simon had already moved close to the door frame, and though she could not see John's face from Simon's grin, she knew any plan of a quick nip outside had just been foiled.

They had had a good morning, gentle teasing and reassurances to cover any last minute fears about the trip. They both knew she was going regardless, that Matt would be in Sunset as well as the others, also she would wander around by herself and most probably meet his twin on her own. Guard her too closely would cause questions from her parents, and could spark the twin's curiosity button. From all they'd gathered from the web papers 'Ben' was a loving father and husband, and she hoped for all their sakes he no longer needed that extra kick of twisting the knife when he saw her, at least this time she was ready for it.

John expertly parked himself by the table and pressed the release button for the door. She felt the cold rush of air as she put her anorak on and picked up her handbag, and then put her hand on his shoulder and said softly. "Thank you for Snow White."

He gave her a deep loving smile, and as he spoke he took a photo from the pocket of the chair and gave it to her. "My pleasure, only sorry she arrived too close for you to enjoy her, perhaps when you get back and the snow holds off. Show Sara if you like, after all we need to reassure your family that everything is all right and you're not an unpaid slave. Jackie will take good care of her when they go to the waterfall."

She looked across at Jackie who smiled a 'thank you' as John continued. "If it snows I'll use Paul's mail address, otherwise Jackie will ring Mandy or Robert on his 24 number. Mail me on your address if you feel its safe, otherwise enjoy yourself and give regards to Casey for me."

Their eyes locked as she brushed her hand against his face, he covered her hand with his, and she wished she could take that feeling with her. Her gentle parting "love you" was covered by his "love you" as he allowed her hand slip from under his. She could feel him watching her as she walked away, and as the door closed behind her she waved then walked briskly to the car and got in.

"Okay?" Mandy asked as the car started off.

"Fine thanks." Meg replied.

At the top of the driveway as they turned into the road Meg could not resist one last look back, just to make sure everything was all right and he had not rushed out into the cold. It was empty so she turned round and made herself comfortable for the drive to the airport.

oxoxo

The silence in the car was comfortable, Mandy was in the back beside her, Jack was in the front beside the police driver, who'd been chosen because he would not repeat anything he heard in the car. Or as Jack had said earlier 'everything just went in one side and out the other without stopping', which might have sounded rude till you realised it was all part of their dark humour. They'd been working partners for many years and trusted their lives to each other, and would do again in a heartbeat.

Mandy broke the silence with a gentle admission. "Perhaps Jackie was right your baby is a good thing, John seems more confident, sort of proved he can do ..." and trailed off suddenly realising how embarrassing the rest would sound.

Jack snorted gleefully, knowing exactly what his wife meant or was trying to say, and added with a huge tease in his voice. "Hole and shovel comes to mind my love."

The driver tried to smother a smile and Jack said dangerously quiet. "Concentrate on the road or there will be snow duty for you my lad!"

Which brought a very quiet "Yes Sir" from the officer, who wasn't much younger than Jack.

Meg could not help smiling either, understanding what Mandy meant and knowing however she said it, it would be embarrassing even if kindly meant. And yes he was proud, and so was she but she would not say it out loud for the same reason Mandy had stopped.

Mandy looked at her and smiled back, and exclaimed. "Well at least you know what I mean."

Meg nodded and giggled helplessly not only because of her thoughts, which were racing away in totally the wrong direction, but also because Jack had turned round with a huge grin on his face and teased his wife again. "A ladder perhaps, before you go any deeper. Dear!"

Mandy sighed and Meg shook her head, they both knew there was no stopping Jack once he got in this kind of mood, so Meg decided to help her out by asking what had been on her mind. "Will I be able to ride?"

Looking slightly disappointed Jack turned round to face the front, and the driver relaxed a little. Mandy smiled and answered with relief, though knew she'd have to be careful what she said with her husband in 'that' kind of mood. "Yes till the bump makes it uncomfortable, you've been riding regularly which helps, but you might want to keep to walking rather than trotting or cantering." Meg kept silent and nodded as Mandy added. "Guess, we'll have to look out for another trap like the wedding one, otherwise there will be some very squashed brides going around. How was John this morning apart from concerned?"

Meg stopped the picture building up in her mind and concentrated on Mandy's concern. "Cheesed off because of the restrictions Jackie has put on him, otherwise we had a great morning. We both know you'll be around and I think I'll be okay around his brother."

Jack said a little bit sharply not wanting to go over that ground twice. "We'll discuss that on the other plane Meg, after Robert's brought us up to date. …" then added in a lighter tone. "Oh look there's Val and Paul guess that will make him happy, and Jackie will find her hands full no doubt."

Mandy chuckled remembering what Paul was like, and by the way Val was waving a thumbs up sign to them, it wouldn't be a quiet reception back home.

Smiling Meg waved as they passed the other car, and after that they sat quietly in their own thoughts. Hers drifted back over the past four days; so much had changed, and yet still stayed the same. She was going to have their baby … his baby, she felt bucked about it so understood what Mandy was getting at. - This was just between the pair of them with no interference from anyone else. Well, apart from Jackie's and Mandy's talks that is, and they weren't interference just made the whole thing enjoyable. She silently sighed, she'd often caught the odd grin of satisfaction coupled with the twinkle in his eyes, and when she caught his look she knew it mirrored hers. Yeah that was good, but there was still an unexplained edginess/quietness about him, usually in the mornings and was gone by the time she returned from work. Work, yeah she knew that would be different too, especially as Jack had already suggested with a strong hint of an order, that a special driver or taxi should take her to and from Paul's on the frosty or snowy days or she stay home. Yep, she was going to be ganged up on.

She looked down at the photo in her hand, smiling as she remembered yesterday and his surprise. - How an ordinary day with a few butterflies about her coming visit had turned into something really special. She'd arrived back at the apartment after work to find no one there, just his note on the table asking her to change into jumper and jeans and go over to the schooling barn. She changed then rushed over full of questions and found Jackie, Stephen and John talking near one of the mounting blocks. John smiled a 'hello' and shook his head as she started to ask 'what it was all about. She knew 'that' look of his and something good was up, that was apart from the fact he was actually standing using the crutches in the barn - that was a huge break through, he'd not managed it anywhere else. So, this was important to all of them. She'd looked at Jackie for a hint, but she just smiled looked towards the stalls, so she looked too and heard the noise of a horse being led in to the area.

Sure enough Simon, the missing member of the group appeared leading a white horse, which was saddled up ready to be ridden. But it was John who introduced her to her, and brought her world to a temporary halt. "Meg. Meet Snow White, your Christmas present. The breeder got worried about her travelling in the promised snow so she is early. She's specially trained like the others so will be calm and gentle to ride if you would like to try her out around the barn."

For a moment she was speechless and just looked, then her brain got working and she went up to the beautiful horse and found her voice. "Hi Snow White."

In return Snow White muzzled her hand and gently snorted her own greeting.

Meg gently stroked Snow White's nose and neck feeling the warmth and confidence of the horse, and a bubbly warmth inside her as she looked back at the group and John especially, and said emotionally. "She's so beautiful! Thank you." She gave a gentle laugh as she asked. "Why Snow White she's got a black mane."

John laughed at the question and replied as Simon helped Meg up on Snow White's back. "No. It's Snow White as in the story with seven dwarfs. She's always got long black hair and very gentle just like this one. The breeder's daughter loves the film and christened her because she was there when her mother foaled. I suppose you could think of Thor and Blacky as her dwarfs."

Meg laughed and eyed him teasingly.

John shook his head and carried on. "No I'm no thinking of having any more just to make up the numbers, though we might have another one to make up the team. During the next year or so her mane will turn silver like her tail is, you can see a couple of silver strands all ready. I know you'll not be able to ride her all the time, so if you don't mind I think Jackie would be delighted to exercise her as will some of the guests. But it will be your decision of course."

Meg stopped laughing and smiling looked across at Jackie who was giving a lovely pleading look with her hand clasped as if in pray, and said with real warmth so she would understand it was not just because John wanted it. "Of course she can, and so can some of the guests otherwise Snow White will get bored and we can't have that now can we."

Snow White gave a snort as if she understood, and shifted her body just a little as if to say 'come on then lets move'.

Meg gave her a 'walk on' nudged and Snow White obliged. It was lovely to feel the smooth gait, after while she put her through her paces till she came back round to John and told Snow White to stop, which she did calmly and smoothly. Meg knew Snow White was a really beautiful horse and as she looked down at John with an innocent smile said. "It's lonely up here. … I thought they were muttering it might be possible for you to start riding now your back is stronger."

John just smiled at her and Simon came in from the stalls answering her comment. "Sandy's ready … just walking round once as we did yesterday."

She looked from John to Simon and Sandy, then back to John exclaiming. "John you traitor! You started without me!"

John gave her an innocent smile, which sent happy shivers down her spine while Simon led Sandy up to the platform. He dropped the reins knowing Sandy would stay, and went to help Stephen and Jackie get John up the steps so he could get on without straining his back. Through all the fuss both horses stood gently snorting to each other, and Meg wondered whether they were commenting on things or just getting used to each other's company.

When Stephen and Simon were happy John was safely on board and everything was all right, Simon took up the leading rein. He knew Sandy would walk round by himself or rather next to Snow White all right, but he wanted to be there for John in case he zoned out or felt unsure, this was a big step for them and no one was rushing it.

Once John was settled, he casually answered Meg's question. "Only been up the once. Had to make sure they knew how to get me up here."

She looked across at him, he looked gorgeous, though slightly tense and a slight twitch of concern reached his dark sparkling eyes, which was quite understandable considering. All the same she could not resist the tease. "More like splinters to trip on and getting scared of the heights again!"

She got the reaction she wanted, as John sighed his reply with a gently shake of his head and a slow grin. "You're really not going to let me forget that are you!"

"No" She said with a laugh feeling really bubbly inside as they walked round the barn side by side. It felt thrilling, not only because of the feel the horses but to be 'walking' beside him round the barn ... something so normal. She knew this barn had been built before June as a 'thank you investment' for Simon, now it was going to give John a chance of perhaps 'walking' with her or them along the bridle paths into the valley, instead of being stuck in the apartment while she rode ... …

The sound of a car horn brought her back to the present - they were at the airport for the first of their flights.

This was the lunchtime equivalent of the one she took before, so she knew there would be a buzz of business talk rather than casual holiday talk, which would suit them. Then if the timing was right Robert's plane would be waiting for them at the larger airport, so they could fly straight to Sunset Beach. This stop would be just one of many he'd made on his flight from Boston.

oxoxo

As she expected the flight had been smooth and not very interesting, the businessman sat beside her was concentrating on pages of figures, and no doubt wouldn't remember the lunch he'd eaten. She'd had a window seat so looked at the clouds and listened to Mandy and Jack chatting to the businessman near them.

Having landed and disembarked Jack and Mandy sorted out a trolley for the luggage while she looked out for Robert's plane. Spotting the plane and with the others following she walked across the tarmac keeping an eye out for other traffic that might pass.

She saw Robert waiting for them at the door to the plane, and was expecting his perplexed expression due to her short general emails and his mailed question, "Where has chatterbox gone?" to which she just reminded him she would explain all on the plane.

She sighed wondering why she wanted to explain face to face, why she had not warned him. Yes there was that perplexed look, and as she got closer he came down the steps and called his greeting. "I've a bone to pick with you young lady!" then a smile replace the frown and he added in a brighter tone. "Perhaps, that should be two bones."

Meg couldn't help her hint of a smile as she heard Mandy's chuckle behind her, and knew Jack would be grinning.

Without saying anything else Robert opened his arms for a hug, which gave time for Jack to hand the luggage trolley over to a member of staff, and join Mandy who was close enough to hear Robert's gentle words to Meg. "There was me thinking chaos followed you. Reckon you two like to make it."

With an innocent expression Meg broke the hug and stepped back, as he carried on quietly "I assume the shock of becoming a father in the future has not killed the poor lad."

She smiled "No, though he was a bit shocked."

Robert gave a delightful chuckle and looking across at Mandy and Jack added. "Two proud adopted grandparents to be, I suppose."

Mandy and Jack laughing nodded, then Robert lead the way into the plane, and sighed as he continued. "Oh you'll both be spoilt rotten I've no doubt. I know we wanted a good reason not to visit too often but this is … beautiful." He gave another chuckle then carried on. "Come on you've got lots to tell me, young lady not least that very long email, I mean to say 'We came, we saw he shuffled', that picture and then ask if Jack and Mandy could come as well, that was a little bit too short and to the point. … I mean to say!" eyeing her as he moved out the way to let her and the other through, and said to Mandy and Jack. "Make yourselves at home. The steward is staying with the pilot so you've got me for coffees etc."

Meg reframed from commenting, and everyone found seats and buckled up. Robert pressed the buzzer and carried on talking as they taxied for the take off. "But before you tell me all young lady let me reassure you on one thing a least. And, I must admit I didn't think I would say this knowing 'his' history but 'Ben' is turning out to be a very loving father and husband, and not too bad a business man, though I doubt he's in his brother's league. But the fact he is now family orientated covers that up very well indeed."

He looked at Mandy and Jack and got understanding nods, then looked back at Meg and with a grin, he again emphasised his words carefully. "So this 'we came, we saw and he shuffled. If he is walking I'm booking my visit to the hotel as soon as possible. After all as adopted uncle I must congratulate him personally." Then he could not resist it any longer and gave a gentle shake of his head and a smile that showed love and mischief, and in a tone that he knew Meg would understand said. "Oh, your parents are soo going to love you Meg."

As the plane took off Meg gave gentle laugh and heard the other's gentle chuckles of agreement. Oh yeah, she was really going to enjoy that meeting whether at the airport or after. But, in truth after seeing his reaction, she really didn't care any more, and as the plane got on its proper course she gave into the his expectant gleeful look, and started to explain it all.

oxoxo

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