All Areas Accessed - Sequel to Access All Areas

Chapter Thirty

I've seen Maci twice since that day—once with Clara, and again on my own this morning. She still doesn't look particularly great, but I really think that she's wanting to do battle with her addiction.

With the support of family and the relevant professional help, I'm starting to hope that we might eventually win the war.

It's us against drugs.

Maci against her demons.

And us against keeping the baby from harm.

Although I can't fully let my guard down about my sister, I know she is in safe and capable hands. She has her own doctor, her own midwife, my nutritionist, a massage therapist and a recovery coach—all to assist her with what's to come.

I just hope that she's really going to accept all of that help that's been quickly put in place for her and not just telling us all what we really want to hear. Shit, I'm actually starting to feel a little guilty for allowing that thought to have even crossed my suspicious mind.

I think Maci is genuine about getting clean.

I think she is genuine about wanting to be a mother.

I want to believe that, I really do want to believe in my sister.

There's really no other option, is there?

If she senses that I don't believe in her, who knows where that will lead Maci's fragile state of body and mind?

So, I have to keep those suspicious thoughts all to myself. No one needs to hear them, not even Clara. For if they're heard, that will somehow validate them. I promised myself that I was going to start being a better brother, and by believing in Maci 100%, that is being a better brother.

Reiterating that over and over to myself, kind of settles me.

Yeah, I'm still worried about Maci, and yeah, I'm worried as hell for her baby. But I have to trust her. I have to trust in the professionals who are trying to help her. Knowing that we are all just trying to do what is best for my sister, I now need to start enjoying the rest of my time with Clara. After my brief visit to see mom and Maci, I'm now desperately keen to see my girl. I've invited the guys and some other close friends over later this evening, so I want to enjoy some alone time with Clara now.

I want to enjoy it being just the two of us. It actually excites me when I think of coming home to her. I really am getting used to having her around. She looks great in my place. My Londoner lovely, blends beautifully well against the backdrop of my Contemporary Mediterranean single-storey home. She looks amazing in my luxurious kitchen. She looks at ease in my open air atrium. Stunning in my bedroom. And sexy as hell in any one of my bathrooms.

I used to think that any woman would look out of place in my home, but Clara, she makes the property come alive. I love seeing her clothes in my wardrobe, her toiletries neatly standing beside mine, and her toothbrush so naturally placed next to my own. It all weirdly and wonderfully feels right. Although we are still being discreet about our relationship, I'm actually no longer wanting to keep my girl under wraps. I'm at a point, where I want the world to know about me and Clara.

As I jauntily enter my place, I look for Clara. As my feet take me from one room to the next, the lack of her presence in each one leaves me with small and pathetic pangs of disappointment. Then, I hear the faint sound of music echoing from where the pool area is. From behind the ceiling to floor window, I watch my gorgeous girl floating around on a floating lounger; her fingers from one hand are almost tickling the surface of the rippling water and her other hand has a drink in it.