janey_long-journey-3

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LONG JOURNEY by Janey (Sequel for Relationships and What's behind) <<< Part 2

PART 3

On Wednesday morning an extremely tired Richey packed some things to take for his overnight stay at his parents’ home; he both looked and felt ill. His suitcase of clothes for the honeymoon was already there, as was his suit.
“I can’t believe you’re so nervous about this,” said Jen trying to soothe him. “I’m going to turn up I promise, but maybe if you’re this scared we should just go off somewhere and do it on our own. The big day isn’t the ‘be all and end all’ you know honey.”
“Maybe not but I want to do it. I’ll be fine once I get to the church and we actually get going, no way will I let you off the hook,” he giggled coyly. “You are going to be Mrs Jennifer Edwards in about 24 hours.”
“Sounds good to me.” Jen held his hand and stroked her thumb over his palm. “It’s going to be strange being without you tonight though. Especially knowing that you’re at your parents; so near and yet so far.”
“Just think, the next time we share a bed we’ll be Mr and Mrs.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll be fine tonight anyway ‘cos you’ll have Rachel for company.”
“It’s nice of her to stay with me.”

Richey had arranged for his father Graham to pick him up and take him home, however when it came to leaving Graham put Richey’s bag in the car while Richey and Jen clung together, kissing and hugging, not wanting to part.
“I love you so much, truly I do,” murmured Richey caressing the small of her back fondly. “You make me so happy.”
“Ditto, I’m lucky to have you,” she smiled through gently falling tears.
“Maybe I should change my plans and stay here,” Richey offered.
“Now that will really throw everyone and your mum will not be a happy bunny, I’m sure she’s going to spoil you rotten tonight.”
“I’m sure I’m going to get a lecture on my responsibilities as a good husband,” grimaced Richey before wryly adding, “she probably has our children planned you know; how many, when and what their names will be.”
“She can try but I have a little something to say about that too.”
“Ah, but you know that my mum likes to be meticulously organised.”
“Come on Richey,” shouted Graham from the car. “We haven’t got all day.”
“I guess this is it then,” Richey sighed. “I’ll call you later on, just to be really pathetic and tell you that I love you.”
“Maybe you could call when I’m in bed,” Jen teased.
“You naughty, naughty girl!” He grinned broadly to her and then pressed his lips against hers, kissing her sweetly. “I love you.”
“I love you too sweetheart.”
Graham had eventually practically needed to prise them apart, and force Richey into the car.

Jen felt like an idiot because she was crying but something about Richey had really touched her. He had seemed ver uncertain and vulnerable and she had wanted to stay with him to tell him it would be all right. What she didn’t know was that Richey was also crying in his father’s car.
Not realising why Richey was upset Graham remarked, “ Hey come on son, you’re not a love struck teenager anymore. You’re a man in his 30’s and you know how much she loves you so stop worrying that she won’t turn up. You make a fine couple son, and I’m truly happy for you; I’m so very proud of you.”
“Proud of me?” stammered Richey.
“Yes, you know I wasn’t planning on having this conversation in the car,” Graham sniggered. “This was supposed to be my father/son chat for tonight.”
“Oh.”
“I’m proud of the way you have turned your life around Richey. I can’t tell you how many times your mum and I worried we’d get a phone call saying you cut yourself too deep and lost too much blood, or drunk too much and choked on your own vomit. We went through some bad years.”
“Jen helped me.”
“I know, but more importantly accepted you as you were. Right from that first meeting between you years ago there was something special between you, only you didn’t see it until you met up with her again. She’s guided you but never forced or pushed you; you made the changes because you wanted to.”
“She gave me the strength to be myself and stop worrying so much about what the press said and did. That made me realise that if I could stop the mutilation and the drinking they would have to start talking about the music. It took a long time, but it worked.” Richey smiled to himself as he recalled some of the discussions he and Jen had had over the years. She had the patience of a saint and despite always being worried when he did succumb to selfharm; alcohol abuse or relapse into anorexia, her support and love for him never wavered. She would always concentrate on the positive side of things.
“And thank goodness you stopped with all of those groupies, I can’t tell you how relieved we were. We knew then that it was really serious between you and Jen.”

Richey couldn’t stifle the sobs that were building once more. His tears flowed freely, his breath hitching in his throat, his body shaking and convulsing. Graham pulled the car into a lay-by at the first opportunity.
“Richey what is it?” he asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and putting an arm protectively around his son’s shaking shoulders.
“I may lose her dad,” he panted.
“Richey what on earth has happened? The pair of you seemed fine to me.”
“I got a phone call from this woman. She claimed that I’m the father of her 3 year old boy.”
“But you can’t be. You and Jen have been together for a little over 4 years now. It’s impossible.”
With shame evident on his features Richey faced his dad. “It’s not. I promised Jen that I wouldn’t sleep with groupies, and I did mean it dad, the problem was that I wasn’t in control of my drinking and…”
“Oh Richey!” Graham hugged his tormented son to him; it reminded him of when Richey was a dependent, frightened little boy. He just sobbed and sobbed like Graham could never remember and he was heartbroken for his son. All he could do was comfort him and support him until he settled and calmed down.

“Dad, what am I going to do?”
“Who else knows?”
“The guys. They knew something was wrong when I met them on Tuesday and made me tell them; Philip thinks it’s curious that she’s only just come forward.”
Graham thought for a moment; “it is suspicious. You’re often in the newspapers so she could have found you and got in touch with you at any time if you were the father.”
“Philip said not to say anything to Jen but I’m scared that she’ll think I have something to hide if I don’t tell her and she later finds out.”
“And you could worry her over something that never happened. She would forgive you though, and not merely because she loves you but also because she’s realistic. We may not have known you were still sleeping with those women, but I’ll bet you Jen did, or that she suspected; she doesn’t have her head in the sand.”
“Not quite the same as having to acknowledge and live with the fact that your husband has a child with someone else.”
Graham took his mobile phone out of his pocket and called Sherry at home. “Don’t panic love, we’re going to be a bit longer than we thought; we’re having some father and son time. We’ll be back in an hour or so. I’ll call again and let you know.”
“Thanks dad.”
“Hey, that’s what I’m here for! Now let’s find a nice quiet pub so that we can have this discussion in comfort.”

Walking into his parents’ home a couple of hours later; Richey felt that a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. His father had sat and listened patiently whilst Richey had poured his heart out, but never once had he criticised him or lost his temper. Occasionally he had interrupted Richey, but only to clarify things so that he could fully understand.
“Oh I can’t believe it,” beamed Sherry as Richey hugged her warmly. “My little boy is getting married.”
“Mum!”
“You don’t stand a chance lad,” Graham whispered to Richey. “You know what mothers are like; you’re always a baby in their eyes.”
“Hi Red,” Rachel chortled entering the lounge. “Oops, getting the ‘you’ll always be my baby’ talk huh? I’ll go and make the tea.”
“Some sister you are!” he called after her. “You should be rescuing me.”
“Don’t think so,” she winked in reply, “you love it too much.”

“Just you take care of her and don’t try to talk her out of it,” said Richey as they all sat down, drinking tea and eating cream scones.
“Listen brother,” teased Rachel. “I cannot for the life of me see why Jen loves you, but she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and anyone that can make my brother that deliriously happy is worth their weight in gold. I’ll be encouraging her every step of the way Red; you deserve to be happy.”
With tears in his eyes Richey walked over to Rachel who stood up to meet him, and the pair embraced warmly. “Thank you sis.”
“Don’t! You’ll make me start crying you sentimental fool,” she sniffled. “Besides I’m being selfish ‘cos I love her as well you know.”

Catherine arrived at Jen and Richey’s home at 3pm with the wedding dress, veil and garter (‘it’s tradition’ Catherine had insisted, and Terri and Rachel had also agreed), and then hung everything up in one of the spare bedrooms.
“Richey will be in 7th heaven when he catches sight of you walking down the aisle.”
Jen blushed. “Thanks. I want to make him so proud.”
“No worries there honey,” Catherine smiled, hugging her friend warmly.
“You managed to sneak it out without Sean seeing it, I take it,” said Jen.
“Yeah! I got him working in the garden so that he was too dirty to come into the house when I told him I was coming around here. Of course by then I had already got everything safely stored in the boot of the car, so even if he came round the side of the house he wouldn’t see anything.”
“Gee, you are one devious woman!”
“We girls have to stick together don’t we?”

Rachel arrived shortly after 4.30pm carrying a box containing the finished lingerie and he overnight bag; Catherine, who informed her that Jen was in the downstairs toilet being sick, greeted her.
“Nerves I expect,” Catherine smirked as they walked into the lounge. “This must be the third time in less than an hour.”
“Cath, take care of these will you and I’ll go and bring my dress in and hang it up; then I am going to get a pregnancy testing kit. Richey has been telling us that Jen was being sick at the weekend, so let’s see shall we?” Rachel smiled a cheesy grin. “It would be wonderful if she was wouldn’t it?”
“Come to think of it,” thought Catherine aloud, “she was asking me about the sickness that I’d had whilst pregnant when we went shopping the other day.”
“So she suspects it herself then?”
“I guess so.”
“Right, I’ll get things sorted out and then I’ll go. Just tell her I’ve forgotten something if she asks.” The two friends winked conspiratorially at each other briefly, before Rachel went out to her car.

“Ah, you’re back sis,” chirped Jen when Rachel joined her and Catherine in the lounge. “What did you forget?”
“Erm… nothing actually,” answered Rachel, sitting down on the sofa next to Jen and rummaging around in her bag. “I went to get you this.” Rachel gave Jen the paper chemist’s bag containing the small oblong box.
“Oh,” was all that Jen could mutter, removing the bag and seeing the contents.
“Don’t look at Catherine like that! Richey was saying that you had been ill too, so I thought we may as well check it out.”
“James wondered if I might be pregnant too,” said Jen sheepishly. “He was here when I was being sick and Richey had told him that I wasn’t very well.”
“Why on earth do you look so petrified?” asked Catherine. “Richey would be thrilled; you know that.”
“We’d planned to try for a family next year. This would be a bit sudden.”
“Babies have a habit of coming along when they want,” Catherine sniggered. “Sean and I hadn’t planned to get pregnant but look at me! I swear I’m carrying twins, I’m getting so big.”
“Cath you are blooming and beautiful! You look absolutely radiant,” said Rachel with genuine enthusiasm and affection.

Jen, Rachel and Catherine chatted about anything other than babies until Jen needed to go to the bathroom.
“You know how to do it? The test I mean,” said Rachel.
“I gathered that,” said Jen with a nervous giggle. “Yeah we had to do one a few years ago.” Jen gazed nervously at her friends, grimaced and then hesitantly made her way to the bathroom, leaving Cath and Rache waiting in eager anticipation.
“Well?” they pleaded when they saw Jen returning.
“Negative,” Jen sighed slumping onto the sofa, feeling incredibly deflated.
“Aww Jen I’m sorry,” said Catherine supportively noticing Jen’s sad almost whimsical look.
“It was the strangest thing,” Jen mused. “Waiting for the result I started off hoping I wouldn’t be but then I thought, ‘oh please let it be positive’. When it came back negative my heart sank. That shocked me; I wasn’t prepared for it.”
“Sometimes it’s not until we’re forced to confront something that we realise how much it means to us. I’ll bet subconsciously that you began thinking about it when James mentioned it to you, and started to accept that it wouldn’t be so bad to have a family sooner than you had planned however scared you may be about it,” comforted Rachel, and Jenny had to nod in agreement.

After Catherine had gone home to Sean, Rachel gave Jen an evening of pampering including a steam treatment for her face, face mask, manicure, pedicure and she also shaped her eyebrows and tinted Jen’s lashes.

They sat chatting, enjoying a glass of wine when the phone rang, both women looked at each other and smiled.
“Richey!” cooed Jen getting up to answer it, then nodding to Rachel that it was indeed Richey. “Hi babe.”
“I’ll disappear for a while,” winked Rachel. “I don’t think I want to hear this conversation!”

“I’m missing you like crazy Jen,” Richey sighed heavily. “I want to jump into dad’s car and come see you.”
“Well you can’t! This is so much harder than when you’re away working.”
“You sure that I can’t sneak over and make love to you? As long as I’m outta there by midnight we’ll be fine.”
“Don’t tempt me. If you came back here now I would have a hard time letting you go again. I am SO in the mood for a good session.” Jen heard Richey laughing; “I can’t help it. I miss you and I’m more than a little turned on.”
“Well keep that thought; you can ravish me tomorrow evening.”
“I don’t know if I can wait that long Red.”
“Whereabouts is Rachel?” he enquired softly.
“She’s gone outside and I’m in the lounge. Why?”
“Take the phone upstairs to our bedroom,” he giggled. “We can have some fun!”

“Judging from the huge smug grin on your face my brother has done more than tell you that he’s missing you,” remarked Rachel jovially as Jen walked back into the lounge much later.
“Yeah he said he was having trouble sleeping,” retorted Jen with a wicked glint.
“As it’s only 11.40pm now, that doesn’t surprise me.”
Jen set the phone back on the cradle. “Crazy as this sounds it’s harder having him so close and not being able to touch him than it is to have him working away.”
“Umm, one evenings abstention will do you both good, although you haven’t quite managed it have you?” winked Rachel. “Oh I know you haven’t physically been together, but you have… well, it’s written all over your face.”
Jen blushed. “What can I say? Your brother is one hell of a sexy guy.”
“Thankfully he does nothing for me in that area!”
“I would hope not!” laughed Jen, playfully throwing a cushion towards Rachel, who was also crumpled up laughing wildly.

Wedding Morning

Rachel was awake before her alarm rang out at 7am. She smiled to herself as she thought of the wonderful day ahead, stretched, gathered her things and padded into the bathroom for a shower; singing away to herself, unaware that Jen was already downstairs and had been for a couple of hours.

8.am
Jen couldn’t stop smiling or shaking from a mixture of nerves and excitement. Rachel had made her some toast but Jen had difficulty in eating it and then keeping down.
“Will you relax!” Rachel sniggered. “There’s nothing to be worried about, everything is under control and it’s all going to be perfect.”
“What if he changes his mind?”
“He won’t! He’s far too sensible for that Jen, he knows that you’re the best thing to ever happen to him.”

Same time at the Edwards’ house
“Richey will you relax!” exclaimed Graham. “There’s nothing to be worried about and everything is under control and it’s all going to be perfect.”
“What if she changes her mind?”
“She won’t.”
“Dad I’ve never been so nervous in all my life before.”
“Nervous in a good way I hope?”
“Oh yes. I’ve no intention of changing my mind or not going ahead with this… I’m not that much of an idiot.”
“Richey son, you’re not an idiot; stop it, and stop worrying about you know what. It’s all a scam, you’ll be fine.” Graham hugged his son warmly.

The bond they shared had deepened over the last few years, and Graham knew that much of it was down to Jen. She had encouraged Richey to be open and honest with his parents; sitting with him cradling his shaking body as he had told them the extent of his cutting, alcoholism and anorexia and tried to explain that he had hidden much of it away from them so as not to worry them.

It has been the Sean incident that had triggered it. He had yelled at Jen and James saying that she had hidden things from him, but the following day, in the tranquility of his old bedroom at his parents’ home, he had had a chance to reflect. Jen had kept the truth from his parents so many times because he had asked her too. She had never been comfortable doing it; worried that one-day she would slip up and say the wrong thing, but she did it for him, just as she had kept Sean’s secret for him. For the first time he was able to understand the pressure he had put her under and that increased his admiration for her 100 times over.

“Thanks dad,” Richey smiled back warmly. Both of them stared at each other on hearing the knock on the front door. “I’d best see who that is.”
“Morning Richey, fine day for getting married!” beamed Nicky, attired in jeans and t-shirt. “Don’t worry, James is following with our suits.”
“Nick it isn’t even 8.30 yet and we don’t have to leave till 10am. Why are you here so early?” asked Richey walking back to the kitchen with his two friends trailing behind him.
“To make sure that you shower, shave, brush your teeth and everything.”
“Nicky I can do that on my own, and I have my mum and dad here to remind me as well. Anyway, I’ve already done it; see?” Richey showed his freshly shaved face to Nicky who agrees that he has also showered and brushed his teeth. “I do those things to wake myself up now, unlike before; you should know that.”
“I told him,” James sighed, shaking his head. “He’s just being nosey; couldn’t bear to think he was missing anything.”

“Morning Sherry,” Nicky quipped. “He’s looking very handsome is our Rich isn’t he? I half expected him to have disappeared to spend last night with Jen you know.”
“Umm, well he did the next best thing didn’t you?” grinned Sherry to Richey after saying hello to James and Nicky and hugging them warmly. Richey gazed at his mum somewhat bemused. “Phone sex I believe it’s called.” Sherry grinned broadly and kissed her son on the cheek. “Next time perhaps you’ll be a little quieter.”
“Don’t worry son,” laughed Graham patting Richey on the shoulder. “Your mum isn’t complaining if you know what I mean!”
Richey pulled a wonderfully funny, aghast face, making everyone laugh, and Graham and Sherry walked off, hand in hand.

Thankfully the repartee between Nicky and James relaxed Richey and he did manage to stop worrying quite so much, however he still asked Nicky if he had the rings approximately every fifteen minutes and couldn’t stop fussing over the button holes and corsage’s, constantly checking that there were enough for everyone leaving from his parents home.

“Jen you look beautiful; absolutely stunning!” gushed Rachel when Jenny entered the lounge in her ivory dress. “You should have called me; I would have helped with the train.”
“I was halfway down the stairs when I thought that!” giggled Jen. “Oh Rachel, I feel like a million dollars.”
“Honey you look a million dollars!” Rachel was in a ¾ length cream layered off the shoulder dress and would be carrying a posy of yellow, peach and cream flowers surrounding a deep red rose; a smaller more subdued version of the bridal bouquet.
“So do you. Thank you for doing this for me.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and thank you for asking me; it’s some honour.”
The doorbell rang and Rachel trotted off to answer it; it was Philip and Rachel took great delight in showing him into the lounge so that he could see Jen.
“Jenny,” he smiled warmly holding her hands tenderly, “you are such a picture! Change your mind and come and marry me.”
“No way! I love him way too much, besides I think Terri would have something to say about that, don’t you?” giggled Jen nervously, her heartbeat getting faster and faster as they neared the time for them to set off to the church. “Time for the necklace I think.”
Rachel gave the box to Philip who grinned broadly. “Oh my, it’s magnificent; Richey has chosen well.”
“Care to put it on and fasten it for me?”
“Of course.” With shaking hands, Philip tenderly placed the necklace around her neck and fasten the catch. He then stood back and along with Rachel, they admired the gleaming jewels; it truly was a beautiful piece of jewelry; the diamond and ruby heartshaped pendant suiting her wonderfully.

Richey paced up and down the church nervously, convinced that time was going quicker than it really was and that Jen had stood him up; despite Nicky and almost everyone else constantly showing him their own watches and reassuring him that things were fine.

At last Richey smiled as the vicar indicated for everyone to settle and the wedding march rang out. Nicky whispered something to him as all eyes anticipated the entrance of the bride.
Sherry had to wipe a tear from her eyes; “Oh Graham,” she whispered, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “Isn’t she beautiful? And Rachel too.”
“They are!” he agreed, filled with pride.

A collective sigh ran through the congregation, and Richey couldn’t stop grinning the biggest grin of his life; “Oh Nicky,” he gushed. “Isn’t she just amazing? I’m just the luckiest man alive.”
Nicky patted his friend on the shoulder and smiled to him; “I’m so happy for you both.” He then flashed a glance across to James and noticed the starry-eyed gaze upon his face; he looked proud but also a little forlorn. Was James wondering what could have been? He shook the thought from his mind and watched enthralled as Jen made her way toward Richey.

“I love you,” she whispered as she stood alongside Richey, smiling softly to him and holding his hand briefly.
“I love you too,” he whispered in reply. “You look so beautiful.” His gaze wandered over her dress. It was ivory with scooped shoulders and had a 10ft train. On the bodice were the gold and cream interweaved initials of R. J. E. (Richey and Jenny Edwards), they were so faint you had to really strain to see them but Jen and Richey had discussed it and it was what they both wanted; something personal but not gauche or over the top.

The service was lovely and the vicar had a very good sense of humour, and after getting to know Richey and Jen quite well in recent weeks, was able to interject some personal observations too, making the service even more special.
“… Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Jen and Richey smiled at one another and Jen gripped his hands with enthusiasm, not expecting anything.
Suddenly a surprising strong female voice rang out; “He’s my son’s father! He should be with me!”

Part 4 >>>

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