1.62 Jake admits the truth

Andrew had just finished cooking the food on the barbeque, then he called everyone over and that’s when the arguments started. Laura had said something when Kirsten yelled, “Stop it, I want the wedding my way.”

“Kirsten, be reasonable you can’t have the wedding here…” Dan and Andrew looked at each other and then back at mother and daughter arguing.

“That dress we saw suited you better than the one you picked.” Dan turned to Andrew and said which one of us is going to intervene?”

Andrew let out a sigh and said, “Both of us?”

“Agreed.” 

Suddenly the woman stopped when Daniel raised his voice, “Laura who is getting married?”

“Our daughter but…” Dan interrupted her, “But nothing, I’m sure the ideas that Kirsten has will be beautiful and besides don’t you want to help…not take over but help? Remember your mother!” Andrew then added, “Laura, please work with Kirsten on this. We want the wedding here and I don’t want to see her upset anymore because you are fighting.”

Laura looked at Kirsten and quietly asked, “Have I been that bad?

“Yes Mum you have, I want this small beautiful wedding here at home but I need your help. I hate fighting with you.” Laura hugged her daughter and replied, “Me too, ok we can do this and your wedding will be perfect.” Laura looked over at Andrew and smiled. The back gate opened and Andrew heard Mr Davis call out.

“Mr Davis, what are you doing here?”

“I still help run your affairs Andrew and your business still needs you to sign the tax returns and don’t forget the board still want to meet you.”

“I’m not cut out for business…”

“I understand this Andrew but they want to see who they are working for.” He turned to Daniel and said, 

“Have you finally retired?”

“Yes, Kirsten and Jake took over the business and I was supposed to be on holiday but Jake wasn’t well so we came back but will be leaving soon.”

As Mr Davis left Jake and Kay came to join them. 

Kirsten asked, “Did you kick his butt out of bed.” Kay laughed, “No he woke me up.” Kirsten raised an eyebrow and dragged Kay to the other end of the garden to ask her questions.

Meanwhile Jake was being questioned by Andrew, “Did you get it?” Jake’s face changed to angry and in a firm voice said, “Not now Andy…”

Dan intervened, “Not now Andy, what?”

Jake lowered his head on the counter without saying anything, “Andrew, what are you talking about?” Jake looked up at Andrew and said, “Big mouth.”

“I didn’t know you hadn’t said anything to Dan.”

Dan demanded, “Would someone tell me what is going on, please?” Jake stared at Andrew and then took a deep breath and said, “I bought a ring for Kay just before things kicked off but it’s stayed in the draw because it doesn’t seem right.”

Dan was in shock, “Do you mean you want to get engaged to Kay?” Jake just looked at his Dad as Dan continued, “You say you don’t have money…”

“I went to the jeweller’s you have an account with and put it on your account but now I’ve got the money to pay you back, two paydays it cost…”

“And he’s been living rent free for two months because of it.”

“Jake!”

“I know Dad but when I saw the ring it was Kay and I couldn’t leave it there.”

“Does your sister know?”

“Miss gossip, hell no. She’d tell Kay before Kay got the ring.”

“How much do you owe me?” Jake took a deep breath and said, “Almost $3,000…” Dan almost choked but replied, “Transfer the money into my account by the weekend and see me first before you buy on my account next time.”

Kay asked, “Where are you having the wedding?” Kirsten smiled and said, “Here…”

“Aww Kirsten it’s going to be so beautiful.” Laura nervously voiced, “You could have the wedding arch down here or front of the fountain.” 

Kirsten smiled at her Mum, “That could work but what about my dress?”

“We could look again…”

“I have a day off tomorrow can we look then?” then she looked at Kay and asked, “Would you come and help me?”

“I don’t know…”

“Please because I need one of my bridesmaids to help me.”

“Me a brides…I couldn’t…I mean...”

“You can and you are, please.”

“If you are sure then I’d love too.” 

1.61 Looking ahead

Andrew caught Kirsten resting her head on the table, “Do you want to talk about it?” He heard a muffled, “No.”

He went to walk out when he heard Kirsten shout, “I’m cancelling the wedding.” 

He spun around as Kirsten continued, “My mother is not listening apparently I’m having the wedding she wants not what I want. Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly, “So you still want to marry me but you want it your way?”

“Haven’t you been listening?”

“But you said…”

“I said my mother is driving me insane.” Andrew held her and said, “Come with me.” 

He sat her down and asked, “What do you want?”

“I want the wedding here, I want a small wedding, I want the dress that I’ve always dreamed of having. I don’t want my rich friends here because they are too false and I don’t want this to be a business wedding. Andrew let’s just elope and…” Andrew kissed her and said, “We aren’t eloping, we are having a small wedding here and I will talk to your Mum.”

“But you don’t have family.”

“I have family, they may not be blood related but this full house is my family.”

“Matt and Hazel aren’t here then there is Jake and Kay…”

“Kirst, our wedding will be perfect. Matt is home because Heather died and Hazel went with him. He will be gone awhile but he wouldn’t miss our wedding and as for Jake and Kay they will be fine besides the wedding is 10 months away.”

“Are you counting down our wedding?”

“Of course…”

“We can’t get the wedding planned in 10 months,” she started to pace the floor. “The wedding won’t be the way I want it and it will be ruined.” Andrew grabbed her and sweetly said, “It will be perfect because I’m marrying you.”

“You’re after something, And.”

“Yes I am…see there it is that beautiful smile.”

Jake went to pick Kay up from her counselling session and when she opened the door her counsellor was at the door with her. “You must be Jake?” 

He looked shocked and just nodded as the counsellor added, “Kay talks about her family as well as you, it’s nothing to be alarmed at. Kay, remember what we talked about today!”

“I will,” as she walked hand in hand with Jake. Once they were by the car Jake asked, “Do you always talk about me?”

“Not always but sometimes.” 

Jake had many thoughts running through his head as he drove them home when they were in the living area of the basement Jake had to ask, “Kay, what do you say about me?”

“Different things…”

“Like…?” Kay shrugged her shoulders and replied, “How we met, our sex life that is now non-existent.” Jake almost choked but stayed calm while he asked, “What have you said?”

Kay couldn’t help but tease a bit, “I don’t say anything bad, if that’s what you mean.”

“Oh so it’s all good then.” Kay nodded her head with a smile, “Yes it’s all good.”

“You know it’s nice to see you smile again and tease me. The sessions must be helping…”

“They are and I even talked about returning to uni…”

“But Kay…” Kay cupped his face, “I’m not returning for a few months yet but I will start soon from the local hospital then if I feel comfortable then I will go back.”

“I just don’t want you…”

“I know but he can’t win please try and understand.”

“Matt said you would go back but I didn’t think it would be so soon. Listen I have been thinking since all this happened and…” Jake got up and started to pace the floor as he tried to find the right words, “This isn’t going to be easy to say and please don’t take what I have to say the wrong way but…” Kay cut him off and said, “Don’t break up with me, I love you.”

“What no that wasn’t what I was going to say,” 

Kay fell to the sofa as she listened intently to Jake. He crouched down beside her and said, “My Dad gave me some advice and well I want to try use that in our situation but it is difficult because I’ve never said this to a girl before but what would say if we agreed to hold off on the sex part of our relationship until the counselling was finished or until our first year of being together, whichever comes first?”

Kay sat there stunned and replied, “Wow, you would really do that for me, for us?”

“I will try.” Kay laughed and said, “There is the Jake I know but what if I’m ready before that?”

“Then let me know but I just wanted you to know the pressure is completely off for you.”

Kay cuddled into him and said, “Thank you.”

“Any time Kay any time,” as they settled to watch TV together.

1.60 What you need right now

Jake walked in the door with a grin on his face and Andrew asked, “Please tell me by that grin, you were with Kay last night?”

“And, it was a great night. I’d still be there if it wasn’t for that meeting, so Kirsten and I can take over the company.”

“You’d better hurry the limo will be here shortly.” 

Jake sat on his bed thinking about Kay, ‘Stupid bloody meeting, I wanted to spend the day with her.’ He heard a noise and wondered what it was until he realised it was his phone was vibrating. He saw the ID was Kay and smiled as he said, “I was just thinking about you…”

“You took off…”

“I’m sorry but I have this stupid meeting but as soon as I’m done I’m all yours.” He heard Kay giggle, “It wasn’t that funny.”

Kay composed herself and said, “It was when you said I’m all yours, bit. Dad is taking Tracy out tonight and I don’t want to be alone, can I stay at yours tonight?”

“I would love that. I’ll pick you up when I’m done ok?”

“I’ll see you then.”

When Jake got upstairs he found his Dad and Kirsten waiting, “Since when does it take you this long to get ready, son?”

“Dad, I was on the phone to Kay and right now I’d rather be with her than going to the meeting.”

Kirsten butted in, “When is she coming home?”

Jake smiled as he replied, “She wants to stay tonight.”

Dan interrupted before Kirsten could say anything, “Remember my advice Jake, go at Kay’s pace not yours.”

Jake nodded at his Dad and firmly said, “I remember everything you said.”

A few hours after the meeting took place, Jake went to pick up Kay and found her staring at an empty fire place. He sat next to her and asked, “Are you ok?” Kay snapped out of her thoughts and just smiled at Jake. As she got up to get her things Jake got up behind her and calmly said, “Kay, talk to me. What were you so deep in thought over?”

“How much I loved last night and if you and I kiss, well…that I might not want to stop but you might think I’m cured if I wanted more.” 

Jake walked over to her and pulled Kay close, “I think just being together is what you need right now.”

Matt wrapped his arms around Hazel and asked, “Are you ready to go back to university?” Hazel made herself more comfortable in Matt’s chest and replied, “Yep, but there is something else right?”

“What would you say if I asked my Uncle to still give us the business?” 

Hazel shot up and looked at him, “You want to move back home?”

Matt stood his ground, “No but I think a head start for us would be good. I’ll see if a business can be started here.”

“But we discussed this…”

“No you discussed this. I just went with what you said but have felt uneasy about it since.” 

Hazel sat on the chair and said softly, “Ok I’ll listen.” Matt looked away as he sat on the bed and replied, “I want us to have a future, a home of our own but even with a university degree, I might not get the money needed for a place for us, not straight anyway. If I had this business it might be just the right start we need. Do you understand?”

Hazel looked at Matt and said, “I will have a degree as well…”

“But you want to try for a baby when we leave and I did agree.”

“I can hold off wanting a baby for a little while.” 

Matt pulled Hazel to her feet and said sweetly, “I wouldn’t want you to do that…” Hazel buried her head in his chest and said, “Your Uncle will own you and you will never be free.”

Matt lifted her face so they had eye contact and said, “Uncle Estevan isn’t like that, not with family anyway.”

“He scares me.”

“He likes you but what do you say us having that business but here in Lucky Palm?” Hazel smiled at Matt and replied, “You are a very hard man to say no too.”

Matt kissed her and cheekily said, “I know that’s why you said you’d marry me. Can I phone him and discuss my ideas?”

“If we can stay here then I don’t mind.”

1.59 Can we talk

Kay’s head was full of confused thoughts. ‘My professor is right I love Jake but I have to do it step by step. Then there is Matt, I want quality time with him without Hazel around. 

Kay was snapped out of her thoughts by a knock at the door and when she answered there was no-one there, accept a vase of flowers with a card. She brought them in and saw the card was addressed to her and it read,

Kay,

I would like to invite you to dinner so we can talk, please say yes

Love Jake

Xxx

Suddenly that warm glow had crept back on her face so she dialled his number. When Jake answered she asked, “Why didn’t you stay when you dropped the flowers, which by the way are very beautiful.”

“As are you, Kay. I just thought it would be better for you to feel no pressure and me standing there with flowers…well, you might have said no.”

“It’s not a formal dress up date?”

“No, I just want to talk and I begged Dad to pull some strings to get into this restaurant. As it has beautiful views so all I need is you to make it perfect.”

Restaurant

Jake had been waiting thirty minutes for Kay to show up. He started to wonder if she had changed her mind. Suddenly he saw Kay enter the restaurant. 

He stood up as she approached the table and smiled at her as she took her seat and said, “You look wonderful.”

Kay smiled as she remembered what her professor told her, no pressure and try and let him hold your hand. “I decided I could do with dressing up, I hope it’s ok. Anyway what did you want to talk about?”

“I miss you, Kay. Please talk to me.” 

Kay took a deep breath and replied, “What do you want to know?”

“I want to know everything but what to do you want to tell me?” Kay had a tear down her face when she said, “I miss you too and I want the way things were between us. How I hate feeling like this. How I’m in so much conflict right now.”

Jake reached for her hand and this time Kay let him. Kay continued, “When I was a toddler my Dad came into my room and tried to get into bed with me naked but my Mum walked in.” Jake squeezed her hand tighter as he listened intently to her, “I felt sick and scared but I thought I dealt with it. When he told me who he was I had that sick feeling again and when he tried to touch me all I could think was how could he do this to me. I never did anything to him. When he said those vile things to me all I wanted to do was be with you. Sounds stupid right? Since I’ve been trying to avoid you.” Kay was starting to tear up so Jake told the waiter to hold their food as Kay needed some air.

Jake sat next to her and said, “This was a stupid idea…” Kay cut him off, “What! No it wasn’t. It was a sweet and romantic idea.” She leaned against Jake’s shoulder and he froze too scared to move in case she pulled away again. “I’m glad you’re still here Jake…”

“I love you too much to give in…”

“It’s getting colder can we go back in?” 

Jake held her hand as they walked back in.

Kay tried a few times to talk to Jake about everything but on occasion she broke down in tears. Jake asked for the bill and insisted he drove Kay home. 

He walked her to the front door and Kay turned to him and said, “I am sorry about tonight.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m just glad you are talking to me again.” As Jake was walking away Kay was half way in the door when she saw Spencer, “Kay, invite Jake in.” He gave a reassuring smile and just as Jake was about to get in his car he heard Kay shout. He shut the door as he saw her walk towards him and met her halfway.

“Is everything alright?”

“Would you like to come inside so we can talk more?” Jake’s smile said it all as he followed her inside. 

They saw Spencer and Tracy sitting watching TV as they walked in, “Jake is your car outside?” Jake nodded in surprise at the question as Spencer added, “Let’s put your car in the garage because it will be safer in there than out on the street.”

When they left Tracy asked, “Did you have a good evening?” Kay threw herself onto the sofa, “I cried most of the evening.”

“Kay, I know that I’ll never replace your Mum but if you ever need to talk, I am here.” Kay smiled at her and asked, “How can I be me again, with Jake?”

“I’d say one day at a time and do you love him?”

“I do but when the thought of Jake and I together in bed…”

“You can say it Kay! You mean having sex.”

“Yes that’s it but when I do it suddenly gets replaced by him.” 

Kay was getting angry and upset when Tracy asked, “Why did you invite Jake in tonight?”

“Dad said…”

“Spenc, encouraged you but you were the one who shouted after Jake because I think deep down you want him here.”

“Ok Spencer what was the real reason you called me to the garage?”

“I want to know how tonight went?”

“She talked and cried. I hate seeing her like this.”

“At least she is talking to you. Listen what are you doing on Kay’s birthday?”

“Oh shit I forgot with all this going on.”

“Don’t worry you have time it’s in a few weeks and I’m arranging a party for her. I would like you there. I’ve asked your parents…”

“You what?” Jake was now in a panic and Spencer smiled as he said, “Don’t worry it’s not a surprise engagement or wedding for you and Kay…”

“Very funny; why the big event? Kay might not be up to it.”

“It is an important day for Kay and I want to make it special for her.” Jake hated asking but had to know, “And that bastard?”

“He is facing prosecution and they are looking into just using Kay’s statement rather than her having to go to court.”

“Good.” 

Jake headed to the door to go back to Kay when Spencer asked, “What are your intentions towards Kay.”

“Jake stopped and said in a low voice, “This goes no further but you and me,” Spencer agreed as Jake continued, “Kay got to me like I thought no woman would. She is all I think about so all I know is I want to spend the rest of my life with Kay.”

“Do you mean marriage?”

“I would like that but being with her is what matters at the moment.” Spencer followed Jake back into the house and Tracy asked Spencer to help her in the kitchen. 

Jake sat next to Kay, “Do you think they want us to be alone?”

“Maybe, Jake...never mind…” Kay fell silent feeling torn about what she thought she should do and wanted to do.

“Kay!” Tracy glanced over at Kay and nodded a smile as Kay took a deep breath and asked, “Jake could you stay the night?” Jake was in shock as he asked carefully, “How do you mean?”

“I miss us; I miss you just holding me.”

When they were alone in Kay’s room Jake lay on the bed waiting for Kay to change. His head was spinning, ‘Is this right? Should I be here? Will this make things worse?’ When Kay finally came out of the bathroom in PJ’s, she lay next to Jake. 

He spoke with a nervous tone and asked, “Kay, are you sure you want me here?”

“I’m just trying to listen to my counsellor and I know that I am comfortable with you and I trust you. Would you be ok just holding me until I slept?”

“I’d like that but I think once you fall asleep, I will sleep on the floor for now.” 

Kay agreed and Jake scooped her up in his arms and just held her until she fell asleep. When she had finally closed her eyes he kissed her forehead and in a whisper said, “I love you Kay.” Then he made his way to the sleeping bag on the floor.