My Never: a novella (9 page)

“I
know it wasn’t easy when Dad passed. I was a handful.”

She
shrugged a shoulder. “We get dealt what God thinks we can handle.”

I
nodded. Losing my best friend and discovering my true love had a seven year old
was enough for me. I had reached my limit.

Ruby
bounced into the hallway and twirled. “Hey, Moni.”

“You
look so pretty,” I said.

“Do
you have your flowers?” said Mum.

“Yes.”
She tugged the bunch from the table.

“Good
girl.” Mum signalled to Patrick.

He
skipped a track on the CD then gave us a thumbs-up. The instrumental version of
A Thousand Years
trickled through the speakers.

And
then I couldn’t see anything else but Troy. His handsome face, sparkling eyes.
Gentle smile and white rose pinned to his tux. My pace quickened as I neared.
This was taking far too long.

“Breathe,”
Mum whispered in my ear.

I
ignored that and closed the gap between my groom and me.

He
reached for my hand and touched his lips to it. “Love you.”

“I
love you, too.”

Jay
cleared his throat. “If you two lovebirds are done, I’d like to get the
ceremony underway.”

“Go
ahead,” said Troy.

Jay cleared his throat again. “
Love is the greatest gift
one can give and receive.” His eyes flicked to us. “It’s irreplaceable. When
two people entrust one another with their hearts, innermost feelings and lives,
their bond strengthens, until they become a whole. This closeness cannot be
measured.” His gaze settled on our families. “We are gathered here today,
because love has found Monique and Troy - again.”

I returned his smirk.

Jay winked at me. “And interlaced them together.
We are gathered to rejoice, to recount with one another, that it is love that
leads us to our true destination and to celebrate that Monique and Troy have
finally arrived.
”

As I stared at Troy, Jay’s voice
became a blur. I couldn’t force myself to concentrate on the words he spoke for
longer than a second.

Troy
nudged me then reached for my other hand. “
I love you. You are my best friend, my soul mate.
You are everything I dreamt of and more.” His grin widened. “From the moment I met
you, twenty-five years ago, I knew that you were the one. Today, I give myself
to you in marriage. I promise to-”

“What
is this?” A dirty blonde stepped onto the porch, her eyes hard. “What the fuck
is this?”

Ruby
dropped her flowers and sprinted over to her. “Mum!”

I
cut my eyes to Troy. “What’s Lauren doing here?”

He
shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Patrick
ambled over to her. “Laur, we’re kinda busy here.”

“I
can see that.” She grabbed Ruby’s hand. “C’mon, we’re going.”

“I
wanna stay.” Ruby fought to free her arm.

“I’d
better speak to her,” said Troy, “I’ll be back.”

My
eyes tracked him as he marched over to her.

“It’ll
be fine,” said Jay, “Give him a minute.”

Mum
offered me a glass.

I
snatched it then spun, white-hot anger circulating through me. How
dare
she ruin our wedding? I felt an arm drape over my shoulders. I shook Jay off.
“Don’t touch me.”

“Hey,
I’m just tryin’ to help.” His face dropped.

I
sighed and turned to him. “Sorry.” I let him hug me. “It’s just that she really
gets on my nerves, the way she treats him and Ruby.”

“Feeling’s
mutual.”

Lauren’s
voice carried over to us. “No, I’m taking her home!”

“Laur,
please
,” said Troy, “I’ll drop her home later.”

“No.”
She shook her head. “I’m not gonna let her be a flower girl for that whore.”
She gestured towards me.

“Watch
your mouth,” said Troy.

“Or
what?” She stepped closer, nose-to-nose.

Ruby
tugged on Lauren’s arm. “Mummy.”

Her
features hardened further. “Shut up!”

I
inched forward. “Hey-”

“Mummy,
I wanna stay!”

“Shut
up!” Her arm snapped back.

Ruby
crumpled to the floor.

I
lurched forward and shoved Lauren. “Don’t touch her again,” I growled.

“You’re
not her mother,” she said.

“No,
but I will be a better one than you will
ever
be.” I swivelled. “You
okay, Rubes?”

She
nodded, swiped at her tears, and stood.

Lauren’s
eyes were ice cold. “You’ll regret this.”

I
slid Ruby behind me. “Bring it on. We can handle whatever you throw at us.”

She
spun and stomped back into the house. A moment later, the door slammed.

I
felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I exhaled.

“Let’s
take five everyone,” said Pat, “Then re-group, ka-
peesh
?”

“You
okay?” said Troy.

I
nodded. “But she’s not.” Lauren’s behaviour could only worsen. “She needs help,
Troy.”

“I
know. But she’s gotta want it first.”

Julie
reached for Ruby’s hand. “Come on, Sweetheart. Let’s get you a cookie.” She led
her into the house.

Troy
touched his lips to my cheek. “You still wanna get married today?”

“Nothing
can stop me from marrying you – not Lauren nor rain nor the plague.”

“Good
to hear.”

I
shrugged a shoulder. “I just want cake.”

He
chuckled and towed me towards the kitchen. “Will a cupcake do for now?”

I
grinned. “Yeah.”

He
flicked open the lid on the bakery box and handed me one.

“Butterflies?”
I said.

“Figured
you wouldn’t want real ones released.”

Ruby
hopped into the room. Her eyes bulged. “Cupcakes!”

“She
bounces back quick,” I said.

“Takes
after her step-mum.” He winked.

* * *

Memories of the previous
evening flashed through my brain. I sat up, dispersing Troy’s arm in the
process.

His
eyes fluttered open. “Mon?”

Had
I dreamt it? “Did we really, you know, dum-dum-da-dum?”

“Get
married? Not legally until Monday, when we file the licence.” His eyes searched
my features. “Are you freaked?”

I
shook my head and lowered into his waiting arms.

“Good,
Mrs DeGaris.”

A
surge of heat swept through my body. “Say that again.”

His
lips brushed against my forehead. “Mrs DeGaris.”

I
giggled and kissed him.

“Ruby’s
with your Mum, right?” His arms curled around me.

“Yep.”

“Just
checking.” He kissed down my neck, his fingers gliding across my stomach.

“We
have the whole day to ourselves. What will we do?” I smirked.

“I
know a couple things.”

“We
could eat some of our wedding cake.”

“Not
exactly what I was thinking ...”

“What
were
you thinking?” I heard the front door open. “Were we expecting
someone?”

“Nope.”

A
moment later, the bedroom door crashed against the wall. Lauren stormed in. “I
want my daughter. Now.”

I
fumbled for the sheet. Troy jerked it up.

“We
aren’t sending her home with a paranoid lunatic,” I said.

She
yanked the covers away.

I
matched her glare. “What’s your damage?” I scrambled to cover my bits.

“Where
is she?”

“You
want some cake, Lauren?” I shrugged into my robe. “I think that’s your problem
– not enough sugar in your diet.”

“Tell
me where my daughter is.”

“She’s
with my mother-in-law,” said Troy, “Also, I’m filing for custody on Monday.”

“You
can’t do this,” she said.

He
tugged on a pair of shorts. “I have five witnesses of you assaulting our
daughter.”

“Ruby
doesn’t feel safe with you anymore,” I said.

“No.
This can’t be happening.” Her fingers weaved into her blonde roots. “You can’t
do this to me. This can’t be happening.”

Troy
and I exchanged furtive glances.

“Have
a seat, Laur,” he said.

“I’ll
get you a glass of water.” I slipped out of the room.
Is it too early for
whiskey?

A
moment later, Troy jogged into the kitchen. “She kissed me, I’m sorry.”

“What?”
That bitch dare kiss my husband?

“She’s
unbalanced.”

My
eyes clenched shut. One-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two. “Thanks for
telling me.” They flashed open. “Is she always this paranoid?”

“No.”
He dropped his eyes. “But when she and I were engaged, any tiny thing would set
her off.”

“She
needs help.”

“Mon.”

I
threw my hands in the air. “What else do you want me to say?” I cut a wedge of
cake. “I know a part of you still loves her – and I’m okay with that.” I shovelled
cake into my mouth. “But she’s screwing with your head. And that’s
not
okay with me.”

His
arms wound around my waist. “Did I say sorry yet?”

“You
have a soft spot for her. But someone needs to put their foot down.”

“And
that someone is you?” He arched an eyebrow, his lips curling upwards.

“I
suppose it is.” My stomach rumbled. “Mm. I’ll cook us up some eggs and bacon.”

He
picked up his phone. “I’ll call her doctor.”

I transferred the
scrambled eggs to a plate and snitched some as I waited for Troy and Lauren. My
tastebuds recoiled at the flavour. Bad eggs? Or was it my cooking? I spat the
spoonful into the sink and rinsed my mouth. My stomach spasmed. I retched.
Stars danced before my eyes. My fingers gripped the counter.

“Mon?”

I felt his soothing hands on me. I sucked in deep
breaths.

“Are you sick?”

I
managed a nod and gestured towards the plate. He loped over and grabbed the
spoon.

I
lunged at him. “No! It’s disgusting!”

Too
late. It was in his mouth. He shrugged. “Tastes fine to me - great, actually.”

“Really?”
I sat.

“Yep.”

What
was going on with me, then?

He
massaged my shoulders. “I’m gonna drop Lauren home. She doesn’t seem to want
our help, but I care about her too much to let her drive.”

I
nodded.

“You’ll
be okay?”

“Yep.”
I thought for a beat. “Pick me up some anchovies and chocolate?” I felt his
lips press into my hair. “Ooh, and some fries.”

“Sure.
Will you be mixing those things together?”

“It
sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?” I hopped up and grabbed the bag of cookies.

“Yeah
…”

I
felt his eyes on me.

“You
feelin’ okay?” he said.

“Yep.
Starving, though.” I shoved a handful of cookies into my mouth.

His
brow creased. “Cool. I’ll be back soon.” His lips skimmed across my forehead.
“Don’t eat all the food.”

“No
promises.”

* * *

“What would you like on
your sandwich?” I said.

Ruby
leaned against the counter. “PB and J.”

“That
was my favourite, also.” I retrieved the peanut butter.

“Is
Mummy mad at me?”

I
smothered a slice in jam. “No, Sweetie.”

“She
seemed really mad.” Her bottom lip trembled.

I
abandoned the sandwich and bent to her level. “Mummy’s a bit sick. But this is
not your fault.”

She
avoided my eyes.

“Okay?”

“My
arm hurts.”

“How
bad?” I applied some pressure to her elbow. “Does this hurt?”

She
winced. “It really hurts.”

“Okay.
I have to take you to the doctors.” I reached for her hand.

“I
didn’t finish my cereal.”

I
grabbed the sandwich off the counter. “I don’t think you will be going to
school today.” I dialled Troy.

He
answered on the second ring. “Mon?”

“Can
you meet us? I think Ruby’s arm is broken.” I heard his breath catch.

“Sure.
I’ll be there a-s-a-p.”

“See
you then.”

Ruby
tugged on my sleeve. “Is Daddy coming?”