| Alex and Isabel looked at Maria in surprise as Cassie who was starting to fall asleep in Alex’s arms gazed at her with her sleepy eyes. “Maria?” Alex asked questioningly. “Yea,” she said, her voice coming out more breathlessly that she had intended for it to. “What happened?” Isabel asked. “Did you get a flash?” Maria nodded but did not give any indication to what it was. Alex and Isabel exchanged a loot and then Alex said, “I think it’s time someone, two people got to bed.” Maria nodded absentmindedly her thoughts weighing heavily on what she had just seen. What did it mean? Did it come from her? Michael? Or did it just happen because emotions were high or something? Isabel noticing Maria wasn’t really with them said, “I’ll put Cassie to bed, you get Maria to bed. Alex nodded and handed Cassie over to her aunt. Isabel headed off in the direction of the bedroom she had set aside for her niece as Alex made his way over to Maria. “Maria,” he murmured to her. She looked up at him and as it seemed as if she was only starting to realise she wasn’t alone in the room. “Yes,” she said in surprise. “You okay?” Maria frowned and said, “I don’t know.” Her eyes were starting to tear up. She blinked them away and whispered, “I’m so confused Alex. I don’t understand.” Alex reaching out for her embraced her in a warm hug and said, “I know Ria, but we’re here now. You’re not on your own anymore.” “I love him so much,” Maria sobbed. “When I saw him with Courtney it hurt so much. It felt like I was breaking in two. The thought that whilst he was making love to me he was sleeping with her, it just hurt so much. I thought I was meant to be special. He told me he loved me.” Her eyes were red from crying and Alex didn’t know how to comfort her. He hugged her tightly, hoping that somehow, she’d gain some kind of strength from that. “I know Ria,” he whispered into her hair. “I know.” They sat in silence for a good twenty minutes before Alex realised Maria had gone to sleep in his arms. He lifted her up and made his way through to her bedroom. He placed her in the bed and put her under the covers her tear streaked face the result of her crying. He walked out of the room taking one last look at her before switching the light off. As he closed the door he murmured, “Everything will be alright Ria.” *** Michael after leaving Isabel and Alex’s apartment he drove his car hurriedly back to his own home. He slammed through his front door throwing his jacket over the settee and throwing himself onto the settee. What did that flash mean? Had they both seen the same thing? He was pretty sure the flash had been from him because he hadn’t stopped thinking about their first time since she’d gone. He couldn’t understand why things had gone from bad to worse since she’d come back into his life. Everything had happened so quickly. He sees the love of his life at a bachelor party he was attending, acting as the stripper. He then brings her home to be shocked at the news he’s a father, of a six-year-old girl. Then he and Maria started to fight again and things started to get out of control. He was going for full custody. She was with his sister and brother-in-law. And his daughter … well she was starting to suffer. It was only that evening she had started to ask questions. Why was mommy crying? Why are you and mommy shouting at each other? Why aren’t you and mommy getting together? Don’t you love mommy? Then he got the flash, once they touched. When he saw the look in her eyes after he could see the raw emotion that was there. Did she love him? Michael stood up and walked into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, grabbing a beer. He flung his head back drinking the lot in one go. He felt slightly light-headed and sit the bottle down and made his way over to his jacket reaching for his wallet. He pulled it out and pulled out a picture, which was faded from lots of use. He gazed at it, running his fingers over her face. He closed his eyes remembering the touch of her lips, her hands, the softness of her skin, the smell of her sweet perfume and her emerald eyes sparkling in excitement. Oh how he missed her. Why did things have to be so complicated? Why couldn’t they just kiss and make up? And then he remembered. That little girl. That little girl that within a few days had become one of the most important people in the world from him. She’d been kept form him and he’d missed out on so much of her life already. He didn’t really know that much about her. And it was because of one person. It was because of her. She kept his daughter from him. She didn’t try and at least let him have a part in her life. She could have at least let him have that, even if she did not want to see him again. It could have been arranged. But she didn’t do that. He didn’t know if he could forgive her for that. *** The next morning Maria woke up bright and early. She was although, not the first up. She could already hear the sounds of people chatting and eating in the kitchen and made her way towards there. “Hi,” Maria said with a warm smile at her two friends. They looked up at her and Isabel said, “How are you this morning?” Maria reached for one of the bowls sitting out and poured some cereal into it. She sat down and said, “Okay I guess. It just …” She paused as if searching for the right words. “It just hurts.” Isabel nodded understandably and then stood up putting her bowl into the dishwasher. “Maria you know, whatever you need, you’ve only got to ask,” Isabel told her. “I know,” Maria said swallowing her mouthful. “And I really appreciate it. But I’ve got to try something first before I pursue anything like lawyers.” Alex looked at her questionably. “What’s that?” he asked, a slight hesitation in his voice. “I need to go and see him. Try and talk to him, once and for all.” Isabel and Alex exchanged a look of surprise. “Do you need one of us to go with you?” Isabel asked. “No,” Maria said with a firm shake of her head. “This is something I’ve got to do on my own. What I do need is for someone to look after Cassie.” “I can do that,” Isabel said. “I’m off today. Probably just do some shopping. Cassie can come and if it’s okay to you I’m going to treat her to some toys and stuff.” “Thanks Isabel,” Maria smiled. “I really appreciate that. But don’t spoil her.” “I’ll try Maria,” Isabel said with a affectionate smile. “But I do have six years to make up for.” Maria laughed as she put her bowl in the dishwasher. Her face soon turned sombre as she said, “Where can I find him?” “He’ll be at home today,” Alex said, buttering his toast. He grabbed a pen and paper. He handed the page to her and said. “There’s the address. Get a cab there.” “Thanks Alex,” Maria said hugging him. She walked over to Isabel and hugged her also. “You guys are the best.” She walked out towards her bedroom and searched for something half decent to wear. She finally decided on an outfit she hadn’t worn since she was about seventeen. It was a soft floral pattern dress coming just above her knee. It was subtle and just right for the summery weather outside. An hour after she had entered her room she was out on the street attempting to get a cab. She soon had one and she gave him the address. Within ten minutes the man had driven up outside an impressive apartment block. She walked hesitantly up to the doorman and said, “Hi. I was wondering is Michael Guerin in?” The man smiled softly and said, “So you’re the new one then?” Maria smiled politely and said, “No I’m an old one. So is he?” “Yes, is he expecting you Miss?” “No,” she said, frowning slightly. The man took pity on her and asked for her name, then made his way over to the phone and dialled a number. His voice was quiet and the words sounded muffled, so she didn’t know what he was saying. He was soon back over to her and said, “He sounded surprised but said for you to go on up.” “Thank-you,” Maria said and walked over towards the lift. She pressed for the fifth floor and walked out to find a short hallway leading away from the lift to a door. She buzzed the door and a dishevelled Michael answered the door. He had slipped on a t-shirt and bottoms, but his hair was sticking up all over the place. He looked her over and then said, “Come in.” She walked into the apartment hesitantly glancing around her, surprised at the grandness of it all. She turned to face Michael and caught him giving her quizzical looks. “Why are you here?” he asked. She licked her lips and her hands came up to her hair as she played with it nervously. “I thought maybe we should talk rather than shout.” Michael gave a curt nod and indicated for her to sit down. She sat on one end of the sofa as he sat on the other. “Do you want a drink?” he murmured. She shook her head, not meeting his eyes. “So?” Michael said after a lapse of silence. Maria looked up and it seemed as if she was trying to read him. “You got the same flash, didn’t you?” she asked quietly. He looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to come out with that. He pondered on how to answer her. “What did you see?” he asked her. “You and me,” she whispered hesitantly. “Our first time.” Michael looked at her with an emotion Maria wasn’t quite able to read. “Yes, that’s what I saw,” he finally replied. Maria spoke again. “What really happened Michael?” she asked. “Did you love her?” she asked more hesitantly. Michael’s head shot up in surprise. “No,” he sighed in frustration. “How many times do I have to tell you? Nothing happened. You jumped to assumptions. You ran off with my child …” “I didn’t know I was pregnant till after I left,” Maria interrupted softly. “I couldn’t go back. Not after …” her voice faltered. She blinked away tears in the hope that Michael wouldn’t notice. “You’ve kept her from me Maria,” Michael whispered. “Have you any idea how much that hurts.” Maria couldn’t stop the tears. “I’m sorry Michael. But you hurt me too. I couldn’t go back.” She stood up and made to leave. “Look this was a bad idea. I’ll go.” She hurried towards the door but was pulled back by a strong pair of arms. She looked at him in surprise and was very surprised to see the raw emotion that was in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as he pulled her towards him. He kissed her fiercely, pushing her against the door hard as both let their lust for one another take over. TBC |
| Part 6 |
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