Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 16: Movement at the Station

Our engagement was short, and the wedding tiny. I sold my apartment, instead of renting it out, and officially moved in with Jack. I’d called my grandparents when I’d been able to, telling them I was safe. Both had cried with relief, but at my request, they hadn’t gone to the police. Now, when I told them I was getting married, they cried again, especially my grandmother. When she was done, she spoke firmly.

“Now. I’m coming over. Where are you living?”

I didn’t bother trying to tell her no – no one did. So I gave her Jack’s address. “Here, Nanna.”

“That’s my girl. You’ll be the prettiest bride I know. What do you have in mind for the dress?”

I was speechless for a moment, then found my voice.

“Simple,” I said. “Possibly pale cream. Not really sure. Something that suits me.”

“I’ll make it for you.”

Again, I was speechless. “Nanna! You don’t have – “

She overrode me. “Nonsense. I made your mother’s wedding dress, I’m going to make yours. We’ll work it out so it’s perfect. See you in a couple of days.” She hung up before I could answer, and I stared at the receiver of the phone, not quite sure what I’d gotten myself into. Jack came into the kitchen at that point, and saw my face.

“Ro? Is anything wrong?”

I looked up, startled to find tears in my eyes. “No,” I said. “It’s my grandmother. She and Grandpa are coming to visit. She’s going to make me my dress.”

He went still, staring at me. “She’s going to do that?”

I nodded, and he swept me up into his arms. “Then I know I will have the prettiest girl,” he said. “I like your grandmother already!”

That made me giggle. “They’ll be here in a couple of days,” I told him after he’d put me down. “Do you have a spare room?”

That stopped him, his brow furrowing in thought. “Should do,” he said. “Let’s go check.”

I followed him, and we discovered that Cam was sleeping in the spare room. We stared at each other in horror. I thought of a solution – short term at least.

“He’ll sleep with us. He has to.”

Jack nodded agreement. “Fine. Move him now?”

I looked in the room again. It was kind of messy, and Cam himself was fast asleep in his bed. “Not the bed. Just his stuff for now. Do you have a spare bed?”

He nodded. “Yes. It’s under the house. I’ll go get it?”

I nodded, and he vanished while I started to move things out of the room and into ours.

The move took us all day, and even longer when Cam was awake. He tried to help us, but of course, he was a hindrance. Eventually, I took him over to Mrs Trump, asking her if she could mind him while she took care of the bookstore as well. I knew they both would be happy with the arrangement. Cam always enjoyed being with her, and she loved it.

When I came back, Jack had almost finished putting the bed together. We found a mattress, and made the bed. When we were done, I sighed with relief. “I’m glad she gave us two days warning,” I remarked. “One day wouldn’t have given us time to recover!”

He laughed, and kissed me. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get Cam and have dinner.”

I kissed him back, and walked to the bookstore.