Alphabet Steps

Missing You Part 1

Apologies for the long hiatus, with this whole covid-19 situation it seems to have reduced my ability to write. I think I have done about 3 different stories for the letter M and none of them seemed to be working so apologies that this is a little different in that it may have 2 or 3 parts as opposed to the usual one-shot. I have a break from work next week (Keyworker status so still having to venture out to work) so hopefully will be able to get a little more writing completed since there's little else to do! 

Faye gently placed a kiss on her daughter's soft dark blonde curls as Grace snuggled against her on the plane. It had been years since she had been back to the UK, creating a life for herself and her little girl in the USA. She had opened a small dance studio in New York, purchasing a moderate apartment for herself and her daughter in Greenwich. Grace attended a local kindergarten and hadn't fully understood why she was having to make a long journey on a plane. Faye sighed softly as she wandered what the others would think, none of them knew about her daughter, the last time she saw them been the day of her ill-fated nuptials. 

Five years previously.
Faye stood looking at her reflection in the mirror of the bridal suite. The large Georgian Hall she had hired for the ceremony and reception was basked in the soft sunlight and the diamond earrings she had in her ears caught the light reflecting a prism of colour onto the soft cream carpets. "You look stunning Fuf, like a real life princess." Lisa sniffed as Claire was wiping her tears already. Faye's elder sister was sat having her make up applied as there was a knock on the door of the suite. Faye's mother Dorothy went to answer and looked rather puzzled as Faye's bandmate Lee stood there. "Is everything okay dear?" She asked. Lee had been asked to be an usher as Faye had maintained that even if Jes wasn't having them as groomsmen then H and Lee were still to be part of the wedding. "Can..can I speak to Faye just briefly." Lee asked as he was unsure if his wish would be granted.
"Now?" Dorothy said with a small laugh.
"Well yeah, please." Lee said with a charming smile as he spotted Claire looking at him oddly. "Well she's through in the dressing room area of you need to see her so urgently. They haven't lost the rings or something have they?" Dorothy fretted as Lee shook his head. "Nah."

"Fuf, Visitor." Lisa said as she brushed a hand over the silk strap on her bridesmaid dress. Faye turned and was rather alarmed to see her bandmate. "Lee?"
"I just wanted to speak to you for a minute or two." He said as Lisa looked to Faye for assurance she was okay with it. "It's fine Lise." Faye said with a smile. Lisa nodded and stepped aside. 
"You look beautiful." Lee said as Faye shook her head slightly.
"Lee don't, please."
"What? Faye I'm not going to pretend I don't have feelings for you. That night in LA, I know we said it was a mistake but to me it wasn't. You thought it was over with Jes an..and okay you looked for comfort and the alcohol wasn't exactly a good idea but it was never just a one-night thing. Not for me." Lee said as Faye bit her lip. "You're so scared, that..that it's all organised the big wedding, the house. But honestly Faye, will you be happy?" Lee asked as his brown eyes bore into hers. "Lee please."
"I just want you to be happy Faye, that's all I want bu..but I want you to know yo..you have choices too." Lee said as he reached out to take her hands in his. "I'm not stupid I don't expect you to throw down your bouquet and run away with me bu..but to just step back. You've got time to change your mind."
"No I don't, it's my wedding day."
"And you haven't said your vows yet. Ju..just think about it hmm." Lee said as Faye's blue eyes teared up.

Lee left the bridal suite without another word and ignored Claire asking him what he'd said. "Tell Faye I hope it goes well, bu,..but I can't watch it." He said as Claire walked with him to the staircase. "Lee, what happened with you two. You've been acting weird for weeks now." Claire said as Lee brushed her hand from his arm and sighed.
"It doesn't matter. I'll see you in a week for work." Lee said as Claire frowned watching her friend head down the stairs. 

Faye felt a slight drop in her stomach as the pilot announced they were just over Ireland. Less than an hour and she'd be landing in Heathrow. She was glad that New York weather was at times somewhat similar to the UK, it meant they were prepared for the cold weather. "Mommy." Grace said sleepily as Faye smiled.
"You have a nice sleep sweetie. It's okay, we'll land soon." She mused as Grace pouted and scrambled in her backpack for her doll. Faye hoped that her arrival would be accepted well by her former bandmates. Claire's Mum had been the one to try and finally get contact with Faye, her email had made Faye realise she couldn't stay away forever. "Where we going Mommy?"
"London, see Mummy's old friend who isn't well." Faye said as she felt angry she had stopped any contact with her friends. It just felt easier cutting any ties with them. Besides she suspected they would think her behaviour the day of the wedding inexcusable.

"Where's Lee?" Lisa hissed as H shrugged in his morning coat and top-hat. He looked suave and unlike his usual manic self. "I don't know. Last I saw him was at breakfast, mind you he didn't exactly look great." He mused as Lisa sighed.
"He spoke to Faye about a half hour ago. I don't know where he's got to though." She mused as H furrowed his brow. "Well I best finish my Usher duties. You look amazing Lise."
"You think I look good you should see the main attraction." Lisa smiled as she went to gather her delicate floral bouquet. 

Faye's father took her arm after kissing her cheek , tears glistening in his eyes. "My baby girl." He said as Faye smiled weakly, Lee's words echoing in her head. Things weren't rosy with Jesper but she had ploughed on, her plans for the wedding been her drive. 6 weeks ago in LA after a heated arguement on the phone he'd told her to forget the wedding, that she was driving him to seek out his mates and drink. That she might as well ring and cancel the wedding as right now marrying her was the last thing he wanted. Lee had found her in tears in her room and listened to her prattle on, offering her some wise words and a shoulder to cry on. They'd ordered a bottle of wine to share and he had allowed her to chose a film to watch, feigning misery when she had opted for Notting Hill but simply letting her indulge in the romcom. He suspected she drew comparisons with Julia Roberts character who was also with an oaf of a partner. Another bottle of wine later and a misjudged kiss had led to something neither of them had spoken about until Lee came to her that morning, she clad in her wedding dress.

She placed a hand to her right cheek, the memory of the searing pain when Jesper had smacked her forcefully around the cheek as she had softly explained she had made a mistake and that she couldn't marry him. She hadn't said anything about her one night with Lee, knowing that would place Lee at Jesper's wrath but Jesper had already started with the accusations.