janey_long-journey-4

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LONG JOURNEY by Janey (Sequel for Relationships and What's behind) <<< Part 3

PART 4

Richey stared at Jen stunned at what had happened, his face draining of colour and his stomach cramping in discomfort. Jen quivered, watching the pretty young woman move into the aisle with a little boy alongside her. She wasn’t very tall, with short dirty brown hair and pretty, expressive eyes. Everyone in the church gasped at the unexpected turn of events.

James wrung his hands nervously and shuffled uncomfortable; Nicky appeared to go into a trance; Sean fumed and mouthed ‘I told you so’; Richey’s parents rolled their eyes to the heavens as if praying for divine intervention; Philip, Martin and Terri stared at one another with astonished expressions and there was general nervousness enveloping the church.

Jen looked the little boy up and down; he certainly was a good-looking lad. “Come here,” she said to him and the woman softly, and the woman duly tottered towards her, Jen’s gaze never leaving her as she purposely held on to Richey.

“This is Richey Junior,” said the mousy haired young woman. “He’s 3 years and 2 months old.”
Jen smiled very warmly to her; “Well he certainly is a very handsome young man,” she said with a genuine smile, “but he is not Richey’s son.”
“Jen I…” started Richey nervously.
“It’s ok honey, I know,” Jen said enigmatically to Richey, caressing his face then whispering, “he isn’t your son.” She turned back to face the young woman. “You will not ruin our wedding day with your lies so I suggest that you leave before you show yourself and your son up even more than you already have.”
“I’m not lying! This is his son.”
“Look,” said Jen, managing to refrain from losing her temper. “Why don’t you both sit at the back of the church and watch the wedding? We’ll discuss this later ok?” Jen had to force herself to keep a straight face when she saw the puzzled woman’s confused glances; she had completely been caught off guard. After pondering the situation for a while the woman began to walk to the back of the church with the little boy.

“What are you…” started Philip to Jen but again Jen just smiled.
They were half way down the aisle when Jen called: “Thomas!”
“Yes?” asked the little boy spinning around quickly, the young woman yanking his arm back sharply clearly annoyed.
“Perhaps now you will leave us to get married,” said Jen, turning back to face the vicar and squishing Richey’s hand, desperately hoping that the woman would now leave them alone without further commotion.

The silence in the church was nerve wracking and eerie; it crackled with a strange tension, and Jen sensed that all of their family and friends were looking at each other with shrugged shoulders, as if waiting for instructions on what to do.

Richey seemed sad and stunned, the happy blissful glint in his eyes had left and been replaced by confusion and uncertainty, his shoulders slumped forward heavily and he was having great difficulty in giving Jen any eye contact. When the vicar asked if they would like some time alone, Jen had no hesitation in saying yes then turned to Philip and requested that the young woman discreetly be removed from the church.

Nicky went with Jen and Rich into the anteroom and with the peculiarity of recent events no one sniggered when he assisted her with her train, it was as though it was perfectly natural for a 6ft 4in best man to be doing.
Jen thanked the vicar when he left them and hugged Richey tightly to her. He began sobbing uncontrollably and clung to her, his body shaking with convulsions.
“Red darling, it’s ok. She can’t hurt us and I will NEVER stop loving you.”
“You d-d-don’t understand,” he gasped, desperately fighting to regain some self-control.
Sweeping her thumbs across his cheeks, helping clear some of the tears away, Jen kissed him and then smiled at him. “I know Richey, I’ve always known but that boy is not your son. Trust me on that.”
“You know?” Richey gazed at her quizzically. Surely they were at cross-purposes and Jen wasn’t talking along the same lines as he was.
Nicky shuffled nervously, wondering what would happen if Jen was talking at odds with Richey and then found out that he had discussed this with them all just a few days ago.

“Yes honey; I know.” Once again Jen caressed Richey’s face and kissed him, her voice was soft and tender as she spoke, gently conveying her meaning to him. “I knew it and whilst it wasn’t ok, I’m not sure how to describe it really. It’s just that I always knew you were faithful to me when we became a serious couple except for when you got pissed. I had the comfort and knowledge of knowing that you didn’t have to be drunk to spend the night with me, and that made the world of difference.”
“But how can you be sure that he isn’t my son? The age fits; I could be…”
“You’re not though Red,” she kissed him sweetly surprising him.
“How can you be so sure Jen?” asked Nicky not even trying to hide his confusion. “You can’t know who he slept with anymore than we can. Sorry Red.”

“I know because that girl is the florists daughter. I popped in to the shop the other day to see how things were going, and Margaret had photo’s on a notice board behind the till; one of them was of a girl with two young children. I asked about her and found out that it was Margaret’s daughter and grandchildren. She’s very wayward apparently and both children have different fathers, both of whom dubious characters. The first one died of a drug overdose, and the father of her youngest - Thomas - is in prison convicted of drug-related offences and also several violent assaults. Apparently Kirsty - the girl - will do anything to make some money so Margaret had deliberately avoided using our names on the orders and dispatch notes in case Kirsty turned up and saw them.”

“So how did she find out that it was you and Red’s wedding that her mum was doing the flowers for then?” Nicky rubbed his forehead, clearly puzzled.
“She thinks that Kirsty overheard her talking to a colleague. Margaret said that Kirsty was in the shop when she put the phone down from making a call, but hadn’t been there at the commencement of it. Rather than go in through the main shop door, she would often go in via the delivery door at the back after picking the lock. Margaret said to me that she was devious and no good and that wherever she went trouble invariably followed.”

“And now she’s targeting us,” bemoaned Richey morosely, cradling Jen in his arms. “Chances are though that one day someone will walk through the door and I will be the father of their child. I’m so sorry, I know I’ve fucked up and I wouldn’t blame you if you cancelled this.”
“Oh Red honey,” Jen sighed forlornly. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I was unfaithful to you. There I was pledging not to sleep around because I was serious about us and what did I do? I still shagged groupies that’s what!”

Jen turned to Nicky. “Nicky could you go and tell everyone we’ll be five more minutes and that the wedding is going ahead please?”
“Yeah, if you’re sure.” Nicky was uncertain and apprehensive but Jen nodded and smiled happily to him, helping reassure him that things were fine. He nodded in response and left the anteroom.

“How can you marry me knowing that you’re probably subjecting yourself to a life of pain? Aren’t you going to scrutinise children’s faces and wonder if they’re mine?”
“I can’t say that that will never happen. I guess if a child has a striking resemblance to you I may start to wonder, but I’ve always known what happened back then Richey.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why? I knew the gravity and seriousness of what you’d said and likewise I was aware of the implications, but as I said, you only slept around when you were pissed and you always used condoms. Aside from those times you were faithful and to be honest the enormity of the gesture was overwhelming to start off with. I’d like to think that if nothing else I’m a realist Red, you had enough to contend with in trying to curb your alcohol intake, reduce the cutting, cut down on your smoking and try to battle the anorexia. Don’t be so hard on yourself; you’re only human and that means that you’re fallible. No one’s perfect.”

“All this time and I had no idea. The guys never knew.”
Jen rubbed her hands over his back and whimpered as she nuzzled him. “They may love you but they aren’t in love with you Rich. Plus of course they’re not women and you know what they say about women’s intuition.”
“Umm, I do,” he smiled before lightly pressing his lips against hers. “I’ll make sure to remember that you have a great memory too!”
“When Margaret told me about Kirsty I figured I should memorise her face; just in case.”

There was a knock on the door and then Nicky and Rachel walked in. “Ready?” asked Nicky.
“Yes we are,” Jen grinned broadly. “Let’s go finish this shall we Mr Edwards?”
“Absolutely, gorgeous.”
Nicky and Rachel laughed with them, Rachel gathering the bridal gown’s train, ready for Jen’s walk back into the church. When Jen and Richey went back in, arm in arm, to finish the service, there was a collective sigh of relief and them when people saw the beaming smiles, a round of applause broke out. Richey glanced at his dad and winked, Graham nodding in reply, completely understanding what Richey was inferring. Meanwhile Nicky managed a not too discreet thumb up to James, Sean, Martin, Terri and the others.

At the wedding breakfast Philip spoke of his pride at having the honour of giving the bride away and spoke of how he and Terri had befriended Jen some years before and had been delighted when she and Richey had become a couple. He also spoke of how surprised many seemed to be that Jen and Richey were a ‘normal’ couple with neither of them living a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.
“Instead,” he joked. “Richey is becoming something of a pipe and slippers man! Think Val Doonican and rocking chairs beside the fire.”
Richey jokily protested but he was touched by Philips beautiful and heartfelt words.

Richey then stood up, smiling broadly at Jen, stroking her hands lovingly and kissing her forehead, to make his own speech. He thanked Philip for his kind words and Rachel, Nicky, James and Sean for doing their jobs so ably on the day and handed out some small gifts on behalf of himself and Jen. He also thanked all of the guests for attending and for their presents before saying:
“I have found a really wonderful, special and remarkable lady. She has an inner strength and determination that I admire immensely. She is loving, giving, caring, loyal, honest and gentle. When we met I was on the path to self-destruction; I didn’t like myself let alone think that I could actually love anyone else. Even more of anathema was the thought that she could actually fall in love with the man inside or behind the ‘Richey Manic’ myth, but she did.” His huge brown Bambi eyes shone with pride and love as he smiled at her and continued. “Jen didn’t run a mile from my cutting and drinking, instead she put herself right in the front line and would help bandage me, clean me up, put me to bed and all of the other horrible things that went with it. She also listened and don’t anyone think that she’s a push over because I can tell you now that she can be mighty fierce at times and she doesn’t shy away from speaking the truth. That’s what she did with me, and boy, when she let rip at me did I deserve it!”

Playfully Jen tapped him on his arse. “Behave,” she giggled, blushing when their guests all laughed with them.
Richey bent down, kissed her and then continued whilst holding on to her hand and stroking her fingers with his thumb. “My mum and dad adored Jen from the minute they met her and both of them were enormously relieved when we finally started dating. Dad told me it had taken me long enough and I guess he was right. The truth was that I didn’t think a woman as beautiful and wonderful as Jen would want to be saddled with me. Thankfully I underestimated her and she has made me so happy I could yell it from the roof tops, though luckily for you all, I won’t!” Nervously he had a quick glance around all the guests and was pleased to see that they seemed to be enjoying his speech.

“One problem I do have though is my dear sister Rachel. She and Jen are best friends and tease me mercilessly whenever they get together. Of course that also means that as well as mum and dad embarrassing me by informing Jen of some of the tricks I used to get up to, I also have my dear darling sis telling her about the things that my parents knew nothing about! Talk about a double whammy! But seriously it’s wonderful that we are all one big happy family; I’m a very lucky man.”
Eyes flowing with tears of pride and happiness, Jen kissed her husband, blushing when their friends and family started wolf whistling at their open show of love and affection.

Jen and Richey then surprised Sherry and Graham by giving them both a present; a week long stay in a five star London hotel, tickets for several West End shows and they had also booked and paid for some meals in some very fine restaurants over the coming months. Sherry was overcome and started crying, hugging Jen tightly to her.

Nicky did them proud with his best man’s speech and literally had many of their guests crying with laughter. However, that was tempered with very touching, honest insights into the special relationship that Jen and Richey shared, and their very honest love, affection, respect, admiration and devotion to one another. He also managed to turn reading the cards, emails and faxes into something of a comedy, interjecting some of his own comments along the way.
When he finished Jen hugged him and thanked him earnestly, as did Richey. Even James seemed to have tears welling up in his eyes.

“So, here we finally are Mrs Edwards; alone.”
“Hmm. Was that sentence grammatically correct?” she taunted, snuggling up to him in the huge bed in the honeymoon suite, the ends of her hair still slightly damp from their joint shower.
“Our wedding night and my wife wants to discuss the finer points and correct usage of the English language,” he sighed with faux indignation, moving his body so that she was now underneath him. “Now you are a married woman you’re supposed to keep me happy and satisfied you know.”
“That works both ways!” she grinned, sticking her tongue out at him. “In fact, if you’re not careful I’ll withdraw your conjugal rights.”

“No you won’t,” he said with confidence. “You enjoy it too much.”
“Is that so? Care to test that theory?”
“Well its tradition after all isn’t it? I mean to consummate the marriage on the wedding night, but it has been a very long and tiring day,” he sighed winking to her and running the tips of his first and index fingers of both hands, over her cheeks and lips.
“Well if you’re too tired…”
Richey smirked sexily. “Another couple of hours without sleep won’t hurt and exercise is good for relaxing you and making you feel good, so I’ve heard.” To torment her Richey ran his tongue across the length of her lips without giving her the kiss that she was craving. “Plus I don’t want you telling my sister that I’m neglecting your erm, physical needs.”
“You never have.”
“I’d best not start now then. It wouldn’t be the best start to marital bliss would it?”
“Richey?”
“Yes baby?”
“Stop talking.”
“With pleasure!”

They honeymooned in a beautiful cottage at Blessington Lakes, Co. Wicklow in Ireland. It was a tranquil and relaxing location, and although quite well known, it was nice and private. They went horse riding, walking, and sailing and also visited Glendalough to see the archaeological remains. The best thing about it though was being away from everyone and everything to do with the band. As much as they loved them all dearly, they needed time on their own.

“Oh my word Jen darling…” Richey gasped noticing his scantily clad wife entering the kitchen behind him. “Different sexy lingerie each night so far; I think I’m in heaven!”
“I wanted to spoil you. It’s our honeymoon after all.”
Grinning broadly and almost salivating, Richey strode purposely to her, reached out his hands and teasingly and tantalising stroked over the soft, silky fabric, revelling in the whimpers that Jen emitted. “It’s so beautiful it seems a shame to take it off,” he drawled huskily.
“You don’t have to,” Jen winked.
“You mean?” Richey’s eyes lit up.
“Only one way to find out!”
“You are oh so very right darling!”

The week flew by far too quickly, and there were tears when Jen said her goodbyes to Richey when he and the others left to go to Europe for some promotional work. At times like these his being in a very popular band was more of a hindrance and encumbrance than an opportunity of a lifetime and a privilege.

All of them homesick and miserable, the guys decided to get a late night flight home from France rather than catch the scheduled flight in the morning; they all needed to be home. Richey got a taxi from the airport for himself, James and Nicky. Sean had already rung Cath for her to meet him when the plane landed. Cath wasn’t overly impressed, pregnant with twins; she was large and uncomfortable.

Richey hugged his friends’ goodnight after taking his case out of the taxi and then he waved them goodbye. He hunted for his house keys eventually finding them tucked in a pocket on the side of his case. It was almost 1.30am and the house was in darkness. Quietly as he could he opened the door, snuck inside, deactivated the alarm and paused; it was still quiet so he hadn’t woken Jen. Equally as carefully he locked the door, reset the alarm and carried his case upstairs.

On tiptoe he entered the bedroom; Jen was fast asleep, the duvet mostly on the empty side of the bed - his side of the bed. She was so peaceful and beautiful; he had missed her so much, hated being apart from her. ‘See how you make me smile?’ he said to himself before entering the en suite bathroom for a wash and to brush his teeth.

He couldn’t be bothered to search through his case for his toiletries so took a brand new toothbrush from the cabinet, disposing of the wrapper he noticed a box in the bin with ‘Two Pregnancy Tests’ in large bold letters. Inside the box was one of the tests, Richey checked it against the box and could see it was positive.

So where was the other one?

His brown eyes scanned around the room; there it was, on top of the cistern. Jen must have forgotten to dispose of it. The result on that was also positive. Richey was cock-a-hoop but unsure of what to do. Did he wake her and tell her that he knew or wait for her to tell him? He was so excited it was like all his Christmases had come at once. Taking some deep breaths Richey tried to calm down finished off in the bathroom and then gently and quietly padded into the bedroom.

He discarded his clothes, then knelt on the floor beside her and whispered softly, “Jen honey, Jen, I came home early.” Jen whimpered but didn’t open her eyes. “Jenny baby, I came back early.”
“Red?” she stammered drowsily.
“Yeah baby, it’s me.”
Through heavy lidded eyes she blinked at him, the light from the landing casting romantic shadows. “Hey sexy,” she smiled.
“I missed you,” Richey sighed stroking her face lovingly. “So I thought I’d come back early and surprise you.”
“Stop talking and get into bed.” Jen pulled back the duvet from Richey’s side of the bed and tapped the mattress to indicate for him to get in and join her; Richey didn’t need a second invitation.
“I can’t tell you how much I missed you,” murmured Richey interspersed with wanton kisses.
“Don’t tell me; show me,” urged Jen and Richey was more than happy to oblige.
If Richey had been planning on getting any sleep that night, he would be very disappointed.

Jen had a shower whilst Richey telephoned his mum to let her know that he was back and Sherry immediately wanted to know when he was going to see them to them all about the trip.
“Mum, there’s nothing to tell. It was very boring and we didn’t even get to do many of the touristy things; to be honest the best part of the trip was coming home to Jen.”
“She missed you too son. Rachel stayed over a couple of times and Jen stayed a few nights with Cath, I think she was pining for you.”
“Oh mum!” laughed Richey, winking at Jen when she re-entered the bedroom wearing a large cream bathsheet. “I guess that that happens when you’re newly weds.”
“Honestly Richey, mush as I love you both, sometimes you are like besotted teenagers.”
“And you wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Jen wrinkled her nose up in confusion, only hearing Richey’s side of the conversation it was difficult to know what they were talking about. She then provocatively began to tease Richey by allowing her towel to slip a little and uncover a tantalising glimpse of her breasts, she the taunted him further by lifting the hem to reveal a glimpse of her thighs glistening from the baby oil that she had used.
“Mum, I need to go. I’ll call round to see you and dad tomorrow ok? Yes of course I’ll bring Jen.” Richey gasped when Jen joined him on the bed and began to kiss his collarbone. “Bye mum.”
“I thought you would have wanted to talk to your mum a bit longer Red,” Jen whispered breathlessly. “Maybe we should go around there now?”

In one swift movement Richey pinned her down on the bed. “Oh no you don’t,” protested Richey before she could attempt to get up. “I want to keep my wife happy.”
“You do!” she grinned, whimpering at his delicate kisses. “I have something that I hope will make you happy.”
“What might that be?”
“Nothing special, just that you’re going to be a dad.”
Richey had butterflies in his stomach and felt tingly all over, hearing her say it was the most magical and amazing sensation. “I love you so much,” he gushed, then kissing her deeply and passionately. “I am so happy I could sing!”
“Please don’t,” Jen moaned with a sarcastic smile. “I’m not sure that I can cope with a vocal performance.”
“Well if you don’t want a vocal one, how about an oral one?”
“You know I have a weakness for that Richey so please do stop teasing.”
“What makes you think I’m teasing?” he winked lasciviously, sliding slowly down her body.

“Jen, could you get that for me please honey?” called Richey from the lounge. “I’m busy changing Lucy’s nappy.”
“It’s probably Cath and Sean, they said they might pop round with Alex and Wendy,” Jen called back on her way to the door.

“I don’t believe it,” laughed Sean carrying five month old Alex into the lounge with him. “I thought you’d be way too squeamish for changing a nappy.”
“This coming from the man who has never yet changed his children’s nappies is very rich indeed,” taunted Rich smugly, fastening up the clean nappy on his baby daughter.
Cath entered the lounge with baby Wendy and promptly handed her over to Richey to look after whilst she picked up Lucy and began to gently rock her. “She is so beautiful,” observed Cath. “She’s got her dad’s pout hasn’t she?”
“Do you mind?” asked Richey failing miserably at his attempt to sound offended. “I do not pout.”
“Red honey, you do,” agreed Jen. “I wouldn’t have you any other way though.”

“Oh will you two stop with all that lovey-dovey stuff,” Sean grimaced. “Cath’s been feeling frisky as it is.”
“Sean!”
“Well you have.”
“I said I wouldn’t mind us trying for another baby after we get married next month; it’s not like I’ve been tying you to the bed and abusing your body.”
“I wish you would!” goaded Sean in response.

“Well I definitely want more,” Richey enthused. “I love being a dad.”
“Richey she’s only a week old, wait till she starts crawling and teething before you say too much,” remarked Cath.
“I just think it would be great if we had another one soon,” he said bouncing Wendy on his knee.
“You can tell that you’re not the one who has to carry the baby or give birth!” exclaimed Jen. “You didn’t have to spend more than twenty-four hours in labour did you? Oh no! You just stood there holding my hand going ‘oh my God I don’t believe it’, ‘Oh Jen, Oh hell, Oh my God!’”
“Drama queen!” spouted Sean.

“You know you want another child,” said Richey in a smarmy voice to Jen. “Stop teasing.”
“Red if we never had sex again it wouldn’t bother me. I’m too tired and sore to even contemplate getting my leg over.”
“When the midwife said it would be a minimum of six weeks I thought she was joking,” he said. “How the hell am I supposed to manage?”
Jen and Cath looked at each other and collapsed into laughter.

“What am I going to do with your uncle Richey huh?” Jen asked Alex who just cooed and smiled at her.
“See even Alex thinks you’re funny!” ribbed Sean.
“Umm we’ll see,” remarked Richey. “I’m willing to wager that we will have at least one more child in the next five years.”
“Richey if we have sex once in the next five years it will be a minor miracle!”

In fact they had two more children; a boy called Christopher and a girl called Claudia. It had been a long journey for Red and Jen; but they had made it!

THE END.

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