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.”