It's Been A Long Time... [Desperate Measures Sequel]

ThirtyFive.

Stepping off the plane I bit my lip as I pulled my jacket closer around me the chill in the air catching me off guard. I didn't have any luggage to collect only the hand luggage that I had taken on with me, therefore once I had been through passport control and security I could just leave. 

Walking outside I felt my teeth chatter as the wind blew violently. I quickly jumped into a nearby taxi and gave the driver the address before sitting back in the seat. My eyes scanned the passing buildings and roads, the nearby attractions tourists love just leaving my vision in a blink of an eye. 

It took a good half an hour due to traffic but soon we were at the address, I paid the driver before taking my small bag and exiting in the cab. I put my hood up quickly due to the rainfall, zipping the flimsy jacket I was wearing before running up the driveway of the home. I took a deep breath as I stood under the porch of the home before I rang the doorbell. 

My hands shook as I returned them to my jacket pocket and waited, I hoped there was someone in or all this had been for nothing, besides if no one was in I was going to get much wetter than I already was. 

Listening I heard a key moving in the door before the handle moved and the door opened, I looked up at the person on the other side of the door before we both smiled at each other. I didn't wait to be invited in, I didn't wait for any words to be spoken before I launched myself at the person putting my arms around there neck and pulling them close for a hug. 

"I've missed you so much," I told them as I felt tears in my eyes. 

I felt their hands on my hair, smoothing it down before speaking, "I've missed you too. What are you doing here?"

Pulling away from my brother I smiled at him as he let me into the house, "Can't a sister visit her brother without being asked why?"

Wade laughed at me before he closed the door then went into the living room, I followed him and looked at a pregnant Charlotte on the sofa, she put down the book she was reading before getting to her feet "Well this is a surprise," she laughed before she put her arms around me. 

I returned the hug keeping a smile on my face but struggling hard with my emotions on the inside. It was hard to see someone who was pregnant especially when you knew them. "It's nice to see you again," I spoke honestly as I felt tears prick at my eyes. 

Charlotte sat back down and patted the space next to her "Whilst your brother puts the kettle on why don't we have a quick catch up about all the stuff he doesn't want to hear?"

"I don't want to hear any of it!" Wade chuckled before he left the room. 

My eyes glanced at the space next to Charlotte before sitting down, I was so glad to be back in England if only for a little while, "So what do you want to know?"

Her expression of happiness changed to one a bit more serious, the smile leaving her face as she took a hand of mine and held it, "How are you coping with everything?"

I opened my mouth, I didn't know what to say at first, for the past few days I had pushed it to the back of my mind the best I could, now I was going to have to talk about it. "Better than before," I admitted. Only better than before because I hadn't had to deal with it, I knew on my return to the states I was going to have to return to the police station, I was going to have to talk about it again and it was only a matter of time before my memory returned. I hoped that my memory didn't return, it was hard enough knowing I had been through such a terrible ordeal, I was okay right now with not knowing the details. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked me softly as she watched me almost like she was waiting for me to start crying. 

I shook my head, "Honestly Charlotte, there's nothing to say right now."

She put her arm around me and gave me a side hug, "You are so brave. I don't know how you can walk around with a smile on your face."

Maybe she had forgotten about my first love, James. I hadn't forgotten, he had put me through hell, he'd done unspeakable things to me. This time things were different though, it had made me feel different. With James I was a scared little girl who had no self-esteem and nothing else, now I was a grown woman who had overcome quite a few obstacles, this time I couldn't remember it and it scared me. 

Once she returned her arm to herself my brother walked into the room, he sat down on the chair opposite us and smiled at me. "So what are you doing here?"

"Well I think I just needed to see some family, I needed to be around people who could tell me I had made the right decision." 

Wade raised an eyebrow as he watched me, "What decision?"

I smiled, "I quit the WWE."

My brother balled his fists happily as his smile grew, "Honestly you have made a brilliant decision."

Charlotte, on the other hand, looked a little disappointed, "But why did you quit? You were doing so well."

"You know it's funny really, I went there on a bad day and told Stephanie I was quitting because I could because I just decided to do it. Now though, I don't regret it, I don't think I could go back and have all those people feel sorry for me," I admitted, "I'm going to be okay."

I watched as Wade got back to his feet before he left the room, Charlotte looked at me, "Are you sure this is the right decision, Tasha? You loved working there."

Nodding my head smiled, "Maybe I did, sometimes my life was made a living hell by some of the people there."

"Does this mean you are moving back here?" She asked me as she cradled her stomach, her hands rubbing her growing belly. 

"No," I said as I smiled, "I think I am going to be buying a home in the states. Maybe somewhere close to you and Wade."

Charlotte looked shocked, "What could you possibly have left in the states for you right now though? You do realise that we are having the baby here and we won't be moving back to the states until the little one is at least 3 months old. Maybe you should just stay here until then."

"I can't stay here," I told her, "I have the police case to sort out and I think there'll be a court case soon." 

Wade returned to the room carrying three mugs before handing one to me and then one to Charlotte before he sat back in his seat. "So does this mean you are here to stay then?"

I laughed, "I'm sorry, I'm only here for a week just to see everyone, just for me to have some time to myself." I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm looking at buying my own home."

"Your own place?" My brother asked me almost surprised I was making such a suggestion. I had neglected to tell either of them that I wouldn't be buying a home on my own. 

I nodded, "Yeah, well..."

"You've met someone haven't you?" My brother asked, "Why else would you want to stay in a country where you have no other ties?"

"Hey," I laughed, "You'll be there with my niece or nephew, what better reason would I need to stay in America?"

Wade and Charlotte exchanged a look, I knew that look, the look that they didn't believe what I had to say. They knew there was more than I was letting one. "Well if that is all there is to it."

I smiled at them both before I looked over at Charlotte, "So tell me all about how this pregnancy is treating you?"