Her smile is warming, trying to ease my worries.
โI donโt think he would, you know. He and Freya, I just canโt see it. I know youโre worried he will, but I canโt see him going there while heโs sleeping with you.โ
Looking at her, I want to believe her, but I canโt, I just canโt.
โWe will find out tomorrow. Jackson is asking him about a double date with him and Freya.โ
She is looking at me, shocked, like I had said something crazy. โOkay, that is messed up. He isnโt your ex but still. You two have a past, and still a present. Why would Jackson ask him that anyway?โ
โWell, that is my fault. He noticed I was concerned with Freya and Marcus and said he deserves to find someone permanent and would I really stop them. I told him to do it because I thought it would make him see I donโt, but I never actually wanted him to agree.โ
This is messed up. Maybe I should have just said the truth, rather than lying and now possibly being the reason why
Sitting, me and Georgina talk more. I miss this - us able to talk without people listening. It feels nice and like old times. The food arrives. Georgina and I carry it in. Jackson has a look of disproval on his face as they all walk through. It feels weird seeing them all together and poor Liam just looks out of place, totally lost in their company. โFood, good I am starving. Jackson cooked dinner but to be honest, I would rather eat my arm off,โ Troy laughs, walking in and grabbing a pizza. โA takeaway, really?โ Jackson looks at me with a puzzled look. โYeah, I mean, I have not had one in two years, so I think I deserve one and a night off cooking, donโt you?โ Looking at him, I hope he agrees. โOf course. Donโt ever think you canโt have something, Alena. I only meant, no takeaways every night like before.โ Sitting down we eat, everyone talking back and forth. My mind is really not into it; I am again tired and ready for be
Putting the food on plates, I walk to the table. As I put them down, Jackson is looking at me, waiting for me to talk. There is nothing to talk about, nothing at all. After finishing eating, I get the girls out of their chairs and go sit with them in their playroom. The morning is spent in there with them, not wanting to face the reality of what is happening and that I donโt have a say in it at all. The door opens, and Marcus walks in. โJackson said to let you know dinner is ready.โ Looking up at him, I nod. โThank you.โ Dinner time already? The day passed quickly. Walking in, I get the girls in their chairs. Sitting, they eat. Pushing my plate away, I canโt eat. I should but I canโt, something Jackson would usually tell me off for. Instead, he just sits quietly looking at me. When everyone has nearly finished, the door opens, and Liam and Georgina walk in. โCame to take the girls to see Helen for a few hours like w
His lips press against mine, his hands grasping mine and pulling them above my head. The restraints wrap around them. His hands trail back down, reaching my top. His fingers slide into the top. Moving his hands quickly, he rips the top open. Laughing, I fight against him. โAnother top, really?โ He is forever ripping my tops. โYes, now shush. Daddy needs to fix his kitten.โ His mouth presses against my breasts. A moan escapes my lips as he does. His kisses move down my body reaching my trousers. โMmm, seems there is something in the way.โ I canโt help but laugh, his hands slowly unfastening the button and opening the top. As he does, his mouth gently kisses again. His hands slowly pull my trousers and underwear down, throwing them on the floor. His mouth gently kisses down, his hands pushing my legs open, his mouth kissing my clit as I moan. His head lifts up, his eyes looking at mine. โAs much as I love you not
Waking up, Jackson is not in bed. Smiling, I get out and dress. Walking downstairs, I see Jackson and Marcus talking. I remember that now Jackson is staying, Marcus will be leaving. I need to be strong. I canโt let Jackson see just how much it hurts to see him walking away, or how much it scares me that he might not return. Looking at the clock, it is 12. I have slept half the day away, but tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I canโt wait for Christmas Day, especially to see what Jackson has planned for our night. Walking into the kitchen, I start cooking. I should eat. I have hardly eaten at all. Jackson walks through smiling. โGoing to go get the girls. Marcus will stay here with you to make sure youโre okay.โ Kissing my head, he smiles, and I have a feeling this is where Marcus says he is leaving and when. Watching him walk out, I donโt say anything else, just staying quiet. I finish cooking and sit down to eat. Marcus walks over to join me.
Looking at him, I smile, my heart breaking slightly at the thought of Katy. โThank you. Something I donโt know, who was Katy marrying and why isnโt he around still?โ I only knew Katy was engaged when she died. I know nothing else and I always put it off, but I feel like I need to know. โShe was marrying a man called Mathew. He was a nice guy, the only guy I approved of. The wedding was meant to be a month after the crash. After the crash, Mathew couldnโt stand to be around us.โ I donโt understand, why would he feel that way. Jackson and his family are lovely, especially Helen. โWhy would he not want to still be here or at least visit you every now and again?โ I can only imagine how heartbroken Helen was at losing her daughter and then losing someone she no doubt saw as a son like she sees me as a daughter. โHe blames me. I blame myself. Caroline was brought into this family by me. She was the one who took Katy away, and Mathew could neve
โYouโre pushing me too far, Kitten. I donโt think youโre ready for that yet.โ Maybe Iโm not but at the same time, the more we stand here while his finger teases, the more I want him to do it. I canโt get the thought out of my mind. โI think I am ready. All you have to do is pin me against this wall and fuck me. It doesnโt need to have anything added, doesnโt need to be long. Just test me and see if I will.โ What am I doing? The image of the videos is in my mind. Why am I so set on him doing this in front of people? โNot here. There are over 100 guests in the three rooms. Sure, there are only like eight here but not here. If you really are ready, I will get a room sorted upstairs now and invite some guests up that I personally know.โ Do I really want this? I do want it, but am I ready? Will I really relax, or will I just panic and say no once in the room? โDo it.โ My words are strong. I want to see if I can. His face is fu
The sound of Jacksonโs voice wakes me. Smiling, I turn to face him. โHappy Christmas, my queen.โ His lips press against mine. I actually did it. We made it to Christmas! Today is Christmas and I get to spend it with him and the girls. Lying here, I canโt help but marvel: this life is amazing, and I am lucky to be here with him. I donโt want to move yet; I want to stay in bed and enjoy this moment. โLetโs get up, get the girls downstairs and watch them open their presents.โ I would love to stay here, but today is about the girls and I donโt want to waste a minute of it. Reluctantly, I climb out of bed. Walking to the shower, I get in and washed while Jackson walks around the room getting himself ready. I watch him to make sure he doesnโt go under my side of the bed. Once dressed, we walk out of the room together. Waking up the girls and getting them dressed, I canโt help but smile: everything is perfect right now. Walk
Walking back to the kitchen, we continue cooking. My mum and Freya walk in, followed by my dad and step-mum. This feels awkward, very awkward. I had not exactly planned how this would work. โDad.โ Walking over, I hug him, feeling slightly guilty for my mum but I still donโt feel like she is my mum. โAlena, everything is cooking so I think we should do some presents,โ Helen calls over. Nodding, I agree. Get presents out of the way and then hopefully everything goes smoothly. Helen and Georgina join us. I walk over to Jackson, smiling at him on the way. He gets up. โPresents time.โ He walks out with the girls, Liam and Marcus following. Sitting down, I look around. This is amazing yet at the same time, it feels weird. โLetโs start with the girls. Give them their presents first then the adults.โ Jackson smiles and Helen looks as excited as ever. โThese ones are from me, Georgina and Liam.โ Looking towards her, she pulls tw
Sitting, we talk about the wedding and her plans, ideas and what she wants. โSo, I have kept quiet for an hour, talk.โ Looking at her, I know what she means but I am not sure I want to talk about it, yet I havenโt really spoken about it. โI donโt know what to say. It has happened and now I am trying my best to move forward.โ I am. It is hard but I am slowly getting there. โWell, talk to me about the last few minutes with him, because the first I heard of what was said was in the church.โ Sitting, I talk about those last moments, explaining how it was then that I realised just how much I loved him. It was still nothing compared to how much I love Jackson, but it is still a lot more than I admitted to before. Sitting, it actually feels nice talking to Georgina. When I am trying to talk to Jackson, I am scared my feelings for Marcus might hurt him. โAnyway, Liam mentioned the will. I am guessing that was a shock.โ Nodding, it was, and no amount of time will make it feel alright
Sitting, we wait for the solicitor. When he arrives, we sit down to discuss everything. Everyone is happy with the will and we each sign. It feels weird. My signature just made me have 1.8 million pounds for the business, but if it helps women and men who suffer domestic abuse, why not? Everyone leaves and we sit down to eat tea. Our bags are packed ready to leave. โI was thinking, I know the will stated for the business, but could it be used to support other people, not just those who suffered domestic abuse?โ Looking at him, he shrugs his shoulders. โI am not sure. The money will be paid into the business account, but I guess it depends on what you were thinking about?โ How do I explain this? My mind finds the words and tries to get them in the right order so that it makes sense. โI want to do something similar but for those who have lost someone in the army, navy or similar, or through cases like Marcusโs.โ I want something there to support these people, the ones like me who d
The day has been tiring. Getting home with the bags, I am ready for bed. We spent hours walking around shops getting the things we needed. The girls practically have a full wardrobe of holiday clothes thanks to Jackson. Getting in, we get the girls ready for bed. Sitting together, I read them a story each, the ones Marcus bought them with their own names in. Finishing, we put them in their cots. Walking out, we close the door quietly as they fall asleep. โI was thinking, Liam and Georgina were asking about the holiday and coming along. I understand if you say no. They will be in a hut away from us, but Georgina suggested they come for one or two nights there. They would have the girls for us.โ It sounds like a good idea, us all together but separate. We could maybe even get a girlsโ night in with me and Georgina, and Jackson and Liam can go out. โWhat about Helen? Sorry, your mum.โ She isnโt well, and I donโt like the idea of her flying or being left alone. โI am going to pay f
Opening the drawers, I pull out his clothes. Folding them, I put them in a suitcase. With all his clothes away, I move onto one of the trunks. Opening it, I am shocked. It is a range of toys, all different. I had no idea he had brought it all here, but it has me wondering, would he have been sitting looking at these wishing he could use them with me? Does he have a favourite like Jackson? Getting to the bottom, there is not much in here, just his own toys, whips and things. Putting it back, I donโt even know what we would do with these. Opening another trunk, there is an envelope on top. Opening it, I start to read it. Marcus is divorced. He told us they were going through it but never mentioned it being made official. Putting it to the side, I find more letters, nothing important. Then I see a solicitor one, with the word โWillโ on it. I wonโt open this. I canโt. Placing it to the side, I leave it for Jackson. Another envelope, this one with my name on. It isnโt small; it is b
Jackson is standing with a woman, one of Marcusโs submissives. She looks upset and hurt, not like Maria. Standing, I watch. They stand talking, her eyes filled with tears. It just shows how amazing Marcus was and how loveable. The rest of the day goes ahead slowly. Sure enough, Maria left after Troy told her she had no right to be there. Jackson spent most of his time by my side. The team were amazing and constantly checking on me. Getting home, the girls are already in bed. Helen hugs us before saying bye and leaving with Liam and Georgina. I donโt feel like I have said goodbye. With everyone there, I couldnโt say what I wanted without some asking questions. It still feels weird here without Marcus around us. Sitting at the table, I now understand what he meant. I did the same thing the past week: me pretending my life didnโt exist. Jackson sits opposite me and his hands grasp mine. โYou are the only person he told that to, you know? I checked. None of us knew why he stared i
Walking downstairs, everyone is here: the whole team, Marcusโs other friends, and a few women. I donโt know who they are yet I feel I want to know. Walking to Jacksonโs side, he wraps his arm around me. โWe should walk around and say hi. I will introduce you to people he knew that you have not met.โ Nodding, I agree. I should know who these people are. โHow will you introduce me? What will you introduce me as in regard to Marcus and exactly how much do the team know?โ Jackson turns, looking at me in surprise. Whether that is at my questions or the fact that is the most I have spoken in days, I donโt even know. โWell, I will introduce you as my wife and the closest person to Marcus before he passed. The team know everything. I had to tell them about it all. Explaining why you are this broken by him dying would not work by lying, Alena.โ The closet person to Marcusโฆhe used to be the closet person to Marcus. Had that changed? We start walking around the room, Jackson introducing
Jackson walks back through towards me. Turning on the kettle, he grabs two cups. โShe doesnโt want to do anything. She said it is up to the team to plan his funeral.โ As I thought, she does not care about him at all, not even now in his death. โI want to help with the funeral.โ Maybe helping will help me. I donโt even know if it will but surely it is worth a try? Jackson hands me the cup of tea. Walking to the sofa, we sit, his arm around me. โI donโt want you to be strong for me, Alena. Yes, I am hurting, a lot, but seeing you broken is what is keeping me going. I canโt be weak when you need me.โ I donโt even know what to say anymore. I just want to hide away. โWhatever you want, Alena. Whatever you need to get you through this, I will do.โ I donโt even know what I want or need right now. โMarcus mentioned a plan for that night, something for me. What exactly was it?โ Maybe knowing this will help. Maybe it wonโt but I wonโt know until I ask. โWell, I heard you talking to hi
He walks back in. Sitting next to me, his hand grips mine. โAlena, you didnโt let him down and you certainly did not kill him. Remember his last words: that he was happy because of you and no one else. You made him happy. That should be enough for you to realise.โ Nodding, I agree. He did say that. โIt wonโt help bring him back, though, and he still died because of me. Everyone will hate me. I saw the way Troy looked at me. He tried smiling and couldnโt. Even he blames me.โ What a year this has started out to be: New Yearโs Day and we already have a death. โStay here.โ Jackson walks out. I see him talking to the team. They all look towards me and then back to Jackson. Walking back to me, Jackson is followed by them all. Walking into the room, I prepare myself for their abuse and the blame. โAlena, we donโt blame you at all. I tried smiling. The only reason I couldnโt is because you look more hurt and broken by this than any of
Everyone walks in. The police come, asking me questions. I can see their lips moving but there is no sound, no sound just silence and Marcusโs last words on replay. I watch as Troy, Alexander and the other lads come in, all staring at me, unsure what to say. Jackson gives me space. My heart breaks seeing every one of their faces, the pain of the loss. Hours pass by, everyone walking around and talking but I take none of it in. โAlena, go get a shower. Please, do something.โ Jackson kneels in front of me, but I canโt move. I canโt go away. I canโt do it. โI donโt know how to help her.โ Jacksonโs words are quiet. No one can help. Marcus has gone. I watched it myself. He isnโt coming back. This isnโt like Jackson, where there is nobody, no proof. I saw the body, felt it drain of blood and turn cold in my hands. โMarcus would be the one to tell me what to do.โ Jacksonโs head lowers. Marcus was more than his friend, and his brot