Every Breath She Takes [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 17: Choices

A knock on the door startled me a couple of days later, and I put Cam down to answer it. When I saw who it was, I couldn’t contain myself.

“Nanna!” I threw myself at her, overjoyed to see her again. It had been a long time. She hugged me like she was never letting me go, and I nearly began to cry. I lifted my head to see Grandpa behind her, grinning at me. His eyes were watering.

“Grandpa. You came.” I drew back to look at them both. “You both came.”

Nanna sniffed, and wiped her eyes. “Of course we did!” she told me. “Haven’t you grown, sweetheart!”

I smiled, and invited them inside. As I did, Cam came racing over to me. He held my leg for support as he swayed on his feet, peering out at the strangers.

“Mama?” he asked quietly, his dark eyes huge. I snuffed a laugh, and picked him up.

“It’s alright, Cam,” I said gently. “You’ll like them. It’s Nanna and Grandpa.”

Nanna was tearing up again, and she out down the bag she was carrying. “He’s gorgeous, Ro,” she said softly, and reached out to ruffle his hair. Unsure of all this, Cam hid his face in my shoulder, and I patted his back comfortingly. “Don’t worry, Nanna,” I said. “He’ll come out of it.”

She smiled. “I know,” she replied. “Now. Who’s the lucky man?”

Jack chose that moment to come out, and was caught by Nanna’s gaze.

“Ooohhh. You must be!”

He stopped dead, looking between me and her. I hid a smile, knowing that he was contemplating ways to escape. I didn’t help, enjoying the scene. Nanna advanced, with Grandpa trailing behind. He gave me a hug, and greeted Cam, while Nanna started to grill Jack.

“So young man. What do you do for a living? How did you meet Ro? What do you think of her? How long have you known her?”

I laughed at Jack’s expression, and took pity on him. “Nanna,” I said gently. “This is Jack. Jack, meet my grandparents. Nelly, and Damien.”

He nodded to them. “Nice to meet you,” he said. “Come in, please.”

He led us all into the lounge room, and I grabbed their bags, dumping them in the spare room before joining them. Cam followed me, still unsure. When I sat down, he wouldn’t let me go.

“Up!” he demanded.

I sighed, and picked him up, cradling him comfortingly. Nanna was still grilling Jack, while Grandpa and I had our own conversation.

“Are you happy here, Ro?” he asked.

I nodded, smiling. “Yes, Grandpa,” I assured him. “He’s good to me, and to Cam.”

“Cam’s his?”

I stared at him. “You think he isn’t?”

He shook his head.” No,” he explained. “But your grandmother wasn’t so sure. She’s heard rumours,” he continued, softer. “Horrific rumours. She was scared for you. Then when you called us…” He shrugged.

Shocked, I was silent for a while. “What sort of rumours?”

“I can’t say. I didn’t hear them, and she didn’t tell me. It was a good thing you called, though.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Nanna stopped me. She finished her questionnaire, and turned to me. “Ro,” she said. I looked at her.

“Yes, Nanna?” I asked.

“We need to talk. Come on. You can show me the room.”

I nodded and rose to go with her, leaving Cam with Jack and Grandpa. “This way, Nanna,” I said, and led her to the spare room, now made up and ready for them. “Will this be alright?”

She waved it away. “Of course.” She drew me down to sit on the bed, her sharp eyes kind. “Ro, tell me what happened, dearest. Are you going to be happy?”

I smiled a little. “Nanna, I sold my apartment.”

She blinked at me, and then hugged me tight. “My baby,” she murmured. “He treats you well?” she asked, drawing back again. I nodded.

“Yes,” I said. “I love him, Nanna. He’s so good with Cam, too.”

“Cam? Cameron?”

I nodded again, and her eyes went misty. My father had been her son.

“After your father, I imagine. It’s a good name, darling. How old is he now?”

“Eighteen months,” I said. “He’s growing quickly.”

“So you’ve been together the whole time?”

“Yes.” Knowing she would want to see it, I held out my hand. “Look what he gave me.”

She grabbed my hand, exclaiming over the ring. “It’s beautiful, Ro! And it suits you, too. Your personality. Pink sapphires bring the wisdom of resilience. They also stimulate emotions, and encourage love, forgiveness and the release of the past. I’m pretty sure they also honour acceptance, and strength of the heart.”

I was fascinated, and bent over my hand, studying the stones. “What about the blue ones?”

“Well,” she frowned, trying to remember. “They…Oh! That’s it.” Her face cleared, and she told me. “They are a symbol of power and strength, and also kindness and wise judgement.” She looked up, meeting my eyes frankly. “It’s because of when you went missing, isn’t it?” she asked softly. “He’s trying to help you.”

I nodded slowly, and burst into tears. She gathered me close, and we stayed there for a long time, rocking gently. I knew she was talking softly, but I took no notice, just letting all the tension and anxiety get released through my tears. When I was finally done, I wiped my eyes, and looked at her. She smiled a little, and brushed my hair away from my face.

“Poor baby,” she murmured. “When was the last time you had a good cry?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know,” I whispered. “But I feel better now.”

“Of course you do,” she said. “Now, when’s this wedding?”

I couldn’t help my laughter. “We don’t know,” I replied. “We haven’t decided yet. I only said yes a couple of weeks ago.”

“That’s no excuse,” she scolded gently, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes. I relaxed slightly, grinning. She continued. “What were you thinking for your dress?”

I thought about it for a moment. “Simple,” I finally said. “Classic, but only a little. A full skirt would be nice, and, I don’t know, delicate, I suppose, lace in the bodice.” I stopped there, eyeing her. I didn’t know what she would say to my next suggestion.

She was nodding. “Yes, we can do that. Anything else?”

I hesitated again, and then told her. “I’d like either a dark red bow, or a dark red panel down the back,” I said. “Something different. If the red doesn’t go with my hair, then something else like that. I don’t know exactly.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “I think we can do something along those lines,” she said. “We’ll go shopping and see.”

I smiled, grateful. “Thanks Nanna,” I murmured.

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, and stood up, pulling me up with her. “Come on. Let’s rescue your fiancée from your grandfather.”

I grinned, and followed her out to the lounge room.