Red

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Rhiannon

My plan was already bugging me, playing on my mind like a violin on repeat; annoying and stressing me out. But to top it off, my flight was then delayed by two hours. I was already having second thoughts, I should have just turned back and ran straight to Jacob, told him how much I'm sorry and how much I want us to be a family. But no, I didn't. Instead, I sat for the two hours shaking and jiggling my knee, sweaty palms and a tight chest to go with it.

What surprised me the most, was that he didn't come. I expected him to find me. He clearly hadn't wanted to look for me, or he would have come straight to the airport to see if I was catching a flight. Did he even read my letter? I know he has it by now because I gave it directly to the doorman, unlike my parents' who's I posted. They will receive it tomorrow or the day after, hopefully. I wanted him to know instantly. I needed him to know. Does he not care that much about our baby like he said? If he did, he would have looked for me. He knows I have enough money to catch a flight and not a bus, so he knows this was where I'd be. It breaks my heart that I confessed my love like that in a letter and apologised, when he clearly doesn't want to hear it.

But that's behind me now. I have to at least try forget that life for the time being, and focus on my current one. I landed in LAX at two in the afternoon, New York time, but it was only ten am here. Time differences confuse the hell out of me, especially when I'm going backwards. But now I'm here I should be okay. And I need to focus on my baby.

It's took me an extra two hours to get from the airport to Malibu, where my aunt Caroline lives right on the beach. Having a rich brother had many perks for her, including the lavish lifestyle he initially funded for her. Amusing thing is, he doesn't have much to do with her. A few years ago they had a massive row over something so petty, and he refused to speak to her again. He made us all swear that we wouldn't, so I know for a fact he wouldn't think to look here. Caroline only has all her money because she invested it wisely, now she's a billionaire herself. I still feel as though my dads the reason, even if she did make her millions into billions herself. He technically funded her for the first five years. Either way, I love my aunt Caroline and she knows the way my father treats me. She understands.

I pull up outside the house, hoping to god she does actually still live here, and pay the extortionate amount of cab fare. I didn't think about hiring a car from the airport when I booked my flights, but now I wished I had. And I thought New York was expensive.

The house is modern, two floors, and the typical Malibu beach house. You'd think a bunch of teenage girls lived here, there was so much pink inside it was insane. But aunt Caroline wouldn't be Caroline if she didn't have pink scattered across the rooms, and adorning the walls. It's something I hated but loved about her all at the same time. She wasn't afraid to express what she liked and wanted. In some ways, I wish I could be like that. I could tell my dad to do one and make him choose between hating me or loving me, Jacob and our baby, but I haven't got the balls as J might say. I've got more chance of growing actual ones than growing any courage to speak to father how I want to. It just seems terrifying and impossible.

"Ahhh!!! My beautiful Rhiannon!" The loud scream echoes through the foyer of her house, and bursts my ear drum as soon as the door opens.

Aunt Caroline pulls me in for a hug, but not before I notice her extravagant outfit. Pink, pink, and, oh yeah, more pink! Sequins are flying all over the place, she's got tight shorts on and a pair of six inch heels. This woman! How she can dress so cheap but looks so fabulous I will never know, I wish I had her secret. And for fifty five, she looks amazing.

"Aunt Carol! I've missed you." I squeeze her back just as tight and revel in the sweet scent of sun cream and sea. I've missed coming here.

"I've missed you too! But what brings you to Malibu?" She's giving me a huge, bright pink lipstick smile, and I notice just how bouncy and silky her own red curls are. Yep, that's right. We've both got red hair, and I'm not sure I'm pulling it off as great as she is.

"It's a long story, but maybe we can talk over a cup of tea and cake?" As soon as I say it, her loving, caring mother side comes out, and she's scooping up my bags while shooing me in the door. I'll have to remind her not to tell my mother or father, but I'm sure she won't anyway. I'm guessing that's partially why she asked about my visit, she knows we're not supposed to talk; and I never turn up unannounced.

I make my way towards the kitchen, giggling at the complete contrast to the rest of the house. This was the one room she said needed to look somewhat normal, it still has pink, but it's grey, white, and has tiny pink accessories. Nothing major, and it looks super stylish too. I can't help spin in a circle with my head held back to take it all in.

"I remembered you said you liked this room." She smiles, popping the kettle on and gesturing for me to sit.

I place my bottom onto one of the white gloss bar stools and love the feeling of my legs relaxing instantly. They feel as though I haven't sat for hours, yet I've done nothing but with all this travelling.

"So, while the kettles boiling and I'm preparing the mugs, what brings my sweet little niece to Malibu?" She raises her eyebrow as if to say, don't bother lying. I'll get it out of you eventually. Not that I would lie about this, but she does know me well.

"I'm just going to come straight out with it, and then you can try help me if you want. So, basically, I'm pregnant-"

I see her freeze, and then she turns, her focus solely on me and the mugs have become less important now. Although, I really hope not, I want that cup of tea.

"Go on,"

I nod. "The father is dads employee, someone who dad made promise he wouldn't come near me and he broke that promise. But this isn't just sex, Caroline. I love him. Like really love him, but you know as good as I do, that dad won't allow it." My voice breaks and the tears flood the white marble below me.

Caroline rushes to my side, picking up the tissue box with her. "Oh my dear. I'm so sorry." She holds me close as I wipe my nose and eyes clean.

Opening up to someone about everything has finally made me realise my situation. I really have lose Jacob and I'm about to become a single mother because of my own actions.

"So where is said father now? What is his name too?" I smile at that. She was nothing like my father, she always believed that what I wanted I should have. It's my life after all, he shouldn't control it.

"Jacob, and he's in New York most likely cursing me after the letter I wrote to him."

She shuts her eyes and exhales. "What did you do?"

I wince because she already knows this isn't good. I've really messed up.

Once I tell her everything, including what I wrote in the note, our relationship from the beginning, and how much I hate myself for doing this, she makes the tea. She doesn't say anything until she sits back down, and adds a drop of whiskey to her mug. Another thing, she always had weird habits.

"The best thing right now, is for you and that baby to be safe and healthy. I don't think your father would allow that, especially if he knew. Let's just spend the next few days relaxing and then we can decide what to do. But I'm worried about you sweetheart, if you love this boy then you need to grab him before someone else does." Her words are like a knife straight into my heart. The thought of anyone else holding Jacob, loving Jacob, and fucking Jacob, makes me sick. I already know that no matter what, no one will compare to him and I'll never meet someone who makes me feel the way he does in and out of the bedroom. He's the one for me. I know it inside. I just need to figure what I'm going to do.

But before I do that, I feel another wave of nausea hit me and I'm running for the nearest bathroom.