He hangs up. That's another Aussie term I've never got my head around 'See ya after'. After what I always wonder?
I shower and straighten my hair and put on just a little bit of makeup. My bruises have faded to a yellowish colour and are now barely visible. I put on a pair of hammer style yoga pants, a vest and a skinny cardigan, all in black, I spray on some perfume and look in the mirror. All the years of dieting and who knew, all I had to do was leave my husband to drop a few K's. I look okay, I don't want to look frumpy but I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard either. I go out to the family room to wait. I put on some music and pour myself a drink just as I hear the gates and the garage door opening. Ed Sheeran is singing about a Lego house as I sip my wine, cooling my sweaty palms on either side of the glass. The internal door opens and all I can hear is chatter. Gabe comes up the stairs first, his eyes lock straight onto mine, and I flush instantly, burn even, everywhere. He's carrying his lap top bag and briefcase, his jacket is off and he's holding it over one shoulder, the sleeves of his crisp white city shirt are rolled up. He lets out such a deep breath it makes his hair move. He gives me such a beautiful smile I almost cry.
“Get me a beer please, now and ear plugs, cotton wool, anything”
I smile and pass him a beer, as I do we hear an almighty scream from downstairs, Gabe’s gone, taking the stairs two and three at a time, I follow. He goes down the hallway into Ava's room and I enter just in time to see her throw herself at him saying “OMG Daddy, Love, love, love this, it is so, so cool. O.M.G. O.M.G. O.M.G, just look at all these photos, how did you do this, and the lamp is so like, totes adorbs and the fridge, I just love it all. Thank you, thank you so, so much, this is better than my bedroom at mums”
Gabe is still holding her as he looks around the room, her friend, Sophie, I assume, is sitting on the bed, and stroking the face of Harry from 1D. Gabriel turns and looks at me. He's beaming as he beckons me in.
“Ava, this is Lauren, Lauren this is my daughter Ava. It was Lauren that did all of this for you bubby, we went out and bought all the stuff together but Lauren did your collage and all your pictures and set everything up for you today”
He doesn't take his eyes off me as he speaks, still smiling that million dollar smile.
“Thanks so much Lauren. Cool pants. I love it, I love it all, I wouldn't change a thing, it’s so cool, thank you”
Sophie pipes up with “Yeah Lauren, it’s awesome really awesome and these doona covers are just the bomb. Love your yoga pants too”
Gabe raises his eyebrows at me and mouths 'The Bomb?' and shrugs. I'm mesmerized watching him stroke Ava's hair. They are clones of each other, so alike, watch out Gabe, she is gonna grow up to be a stunner!
She looks up at him, smiles and puts her arms around his waist. “Thanks for all the stuff Dad, I love you” he kisses the top her head and says “right back at ya bubby”
She turns back around to me, smiling “Thanks again Lauren”
“You’re welcome” I call out as I walk back along the hallway and up the stairs. I feel a little emotional, watching them together, I really need to speak to my kids, I am a mum before anything else in my life, and I am missing them so much. I hear Gabe tell them that we will be going out for dinner at six so they had better be ready. It's only 3.30 but he’s very wise telling them now, I know how long 13 year old girls take to get ready, especially when there are two of them sharing the bathroom.
I top up my wine so that it’s nicely chilled again and because I need the alcohol for the extra courage required if I am going to carry out my little fantasy I have been working on all afternoon. I can still hear the girls screaming and giggling as he comes up the stairs.
“Come here” he orders from around the bench. Shit, what have I done, did I over step the mark with the pictures? I stand in front of him and swallow hard; he weaves his fingers through mine and pulls me towards him.
“That was a really, really nice thing to do, I really can't thank you enough”
“Oh you can” I say into his mouth as he kisses me, relieved that he’s not mad. “And I know just how you can do it”
“You do?”
He kisses my neck.
“I so do”
My throat.
“You going to tell me?”
His teeth, on my jaw “No”
My mouth again.
“No. Why not?”
My cardigan is off my shoulders and his teeth are grazing up and down the curve of my neck, across my shoulder.
“Because I'm going to show you”
“You’re going to show me are you?”
“Yes”
“And when do you plan on showing me?”
He kisses in the hollow of my throat.
“Now”
He licks from the same spot, up my throat, over my chin, then flicks his tongue into my mouth. Oh God.
“Come on then let's go” He literally drags me to the bedroom.
“Don’t take your suit off” I order. I feel so embarrassed to ask, but I've been thinking about this all day.