1.66 Goodbye

Andrew had stayed quiet all evening and when they were in their room, Kirsten started to kiss him and said, “I know what you need so come to bed and let’s have some fun.” 

Andrew closed his eyes as he let his hands do the talking but as they got to the bed he stopped and pulled Kirsten’s hands away from him. She looked at Andrew puzzled and asked softly, “Are you seeing someone else?”

Andrew was shocked and sat on the end of the bed, “No I’m not. I love you baby it’s just…” He stopped himself then Kirsten sat close to him and asked, “Talk to me And, please!” As Kirsten’s panic grew with the silence she added, “It’s the cost of the wedding isn’t it? I will stop spending just please talk to me and please let’s making love I miss it.”

Andrew started pacing and finally said, “I’ve been called up….” Kirsten stood up and sadness crept across her face, “What do you mean?” 

Andrew looked at her, “Kirst, you know I’m in the army so you know what being called up means.” Kirsten fell to the floor and Andrew ran to her side, “I will be allowed time off for the wedding and honeymoon so I will be home.”

Kirsten tore herself away from Andrew’s arms and started to yell, “Oh good you’ll be home for our wedding. What about you being here with me until our wedding? You will need to pick a suit, see you can’t go.”

“I know you are upset…”

“Upset me! No I’m not upset I’m livid. You haven’t been you for the last few days and I knew something was wrong. I thought by you and I not making love the last few days, was you sleeping with another woman but I see that I was wrong. When do you leave?”

“In the morning.” 

Andrew grabbed Kirsten and kissed her before she could say anything else or object. She suddenly forgot that she was angry with him and let her body take over. 

Kirsten pulled him on top of her so they both fell onto the bed and as she ran her hands over his chest, she choked back the tears as it occurred to her that he may never return home. She quietly asked, “And, don’t use anything tonight because if you…” but he stopped her with a passionate kiss and sweetly replied, “I will be home then we can start our family once we are married, just like we planned.”

“But what if…” As she rolled on top of him looking into his eyes. Andrew brushed back her hair behind her ear and in a soft voice said, “There are no if’s Kirst. You will be what drives me to come home. Let’s enjoy our time together before I have to go.” Kirsten just stared for a moment then kissed him deeply. 

Andrew held her tighter than he ever had before as he had never felt such emotion. He didn’t want tonight to end and thought of leaving Kirsten was tearing him apart.

He had always wanted to be part of the armed forces but never realised that if he was in a serious relationship, that he might have to leave for a time and now it was here he just wanted to stay. Andrew realised that for him his career in the army had come to an end and when he finished his service he was going to hand in his notice.

The morning came too fast, Kirsten was too upset and when Andrew tried to pull her close again she got up and said, “You will need breakfast before you go.” 

When Andrew got downstairs he tried to talk to Kirsten but she ignored him.

Andrew stood by the door and turned back to Kirsten and softly said, “I love you and I will be back to marry you.” Kirsten couldn’t stand the thought of him leaving and turned her back on him, “Andrew you’d better go.” When she heard the door shut behind him she thought of everything that they had been through and how much she loved him and she couldn’t let him leave without knowing that she did love him. 

Kirsten ran after him shouting his name. He stopped and put his bag down turning around. Kirsten jumped into his arms and through tears said, “I love you too Andrew and always will but you if you don’t come back for our wedding the enemy will be the least of your worries.”

“I know,” kissing her passionately again before he had to let her go. “And out of the two places we were looking at for our honeymoon either will be fine. I’ll write to you every day, ring when I can and I’m going to miss you so much.”

“The nights will be lonely but if you can come home earlier you will, right?”

“Kirsten, remember I love you.” As he let her go but Kirsten didn’t want to say goodbye and cupped his face, “Please be home soon and I’ll pick the honeymoon spot you really liked because we’d have more fun that way.” Andrew smiled at her and kissed her once more savouring every detail of her.

“I’ll be home before you know it.” 

Kirsten stood there watching Andrew walk away and shouted after him, “I love you.” He spun around and blew her a kiss then waved.

When Kirsten got back to the house the silence was horrible, her stomach was in knots and her heart was breaking. Kirsten decided there and then to put all her efforts into making it a good wedding. She picked up the phone and rang Hazel, “When are you coming home? I need to go shopping and I need my best friend.”

“We are on our way home but Spencer and Tracy are staying for a while longer but what’s wrong?”

“Andrew was called up and I need you to take my mind of him.”

“Ok, I promise we’ll go shopping.” 

After the call Kirsten looked out the window hoping that she’d see Andrew walking back but it soon dawned on her that he wasn’t coming back just yet.   

1.65 Making out

Kay had been up all night tossing turning. She had thought about her past with her mother, the laughs and tears they had shared. 

Her Mum had always told her to be happy and never let the past control your future but here she was allowing her real father control her relationship with Jake. Even when Jake brushed his arm across her or held her, inside she was screaming, yes, wow, give me more but in reality Kay was holding back. If she didn’t push past this, it could mean Jake would look elsewhere.

She got dressed as there was no point remaining in bed any longer. She made food and was eating alone when Kirsten sat down, “You look deep in thought?”

Kay looked up and replied, “Am I being unreasonable to Jake?”

“You mean not having sex and sleeping together…if you aren’t ready then don’t force yourself to make my brother happy. A dry spell won’t kill him.” Suddenly they both laughed and Kay responded, “That’s cruel Kirsten.”

“Hay he is my brother so it’s my job to be cruel at times but I meant what I said if you need more time take it, don’t be pushed into it.”

Jake was working at the fire station playing a computer game as there was nothing else to do when he heard the guys whistle from downstairs the one of his colleagues shouted, “Hay Jake your girlfriend is here.” 

They allowed her upstairs and Jake smiled and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d met you from work.” Jake hated having to burst her happy bubble but replied, “That is great but I have a few hours left of my shift.”

Kay’s smiled turned to a sad look and without saying another word Kay turned around and walked out of the station. Jake was angry that here was Kay trying to move forward and he was stuck in work. His boss had seen what happened and asked Jake to go to the office.

“Jake was that your girlfriend Kay?”

“Yes boss…”

“Since you have kept me up to date with what has been going on with her situation, I think right now she needs you more than we do. Besides with your mood now, you’d be no good to us anyway. I’ll get Avery to cover because he keeps begging for the overtime.”

“Thank you.” Jake ran from the building and found her at Spencer’s bar just down the road. 

He shouted after her and saw Kay stop and turn to face him, “I thought you were in work?”

“My boss told me to go home. Why did you come to see me?” Kay looked into his eyes and said, “I wanted…it doesn’t matter.” 

Kay went to walk away but Jake stopped her and said, “If you came to see me then it matters, Kay.”

“It sounds stupid but I wanted a real kiss. I couldn’t sleep last night because all I could think of was you.”

Jake didn’t say anything, accept pull her even closer wrapping his arms around her and gently started to kiss her.  Kay kissed Jake back becoming more relaxed as the kiss continued.

Jake stopped and walked Kay over to a table with a bit more privacy. He pulled a chair out and sat down gently pulling Kay onto his lap and brushed his hand through her hair pulling her head towards his and he started kissing her again. Kay allowed herself to follow her instincts and moved her hand across his cheek, through his hair and down his back. 

Suddenly her body wanted more and Kay became scared so stopped the kiss. “Kay is something wrong?” Keeping her in place.

“My feelings are getting stronger for you.” She got off his lap and Jake put his arms on her shoulders, “How are they getting stronger Kay? Please tell me.”

Kay didn’t turn around but said, “I want to make love again but when I think I’m ready, I’m not.”

“We can just see where this takes us and if you want to stop we can.” Kay smiled and said, “Can we go home?”

Once in the basement Jake’s was the first bedroom when you walked in through the door. When they got to his door, Jake looked at her and asked softly, “Do you want to continue the kissing?” 

Kay just smiled as Jake lead her inside. He leaned against the wall and pulled her in for another kiss brushing her cheek softly. Kay deepened the kiss every time Jake ran his hands up and down her back.

Jake wanted to get more comfortable so picked Kay up and took her to his bed, laying her down gently not once stopping the kiss. His body wanted every inch of her but he was going to keep his word of no pressure. He heard a slight moan escape her lips and decided to run his fingers down her side, he was pleased that she didn’t stop him.

When the kiss finally ended Kay looked up at him in surprise that they had ended up on his bed, “How was that kiss?”

Kay smirked and replied, “Wow, that was a kiss but if you don’t mind repeating what you just did…”

Jake grinned, “I can repeat that as much as you need, baby.” 

1.64 Kay's shock

Kay just stared at the box holding the ring and couldn’t take her eyes away from it’s sparkle until she heard Jake say, “Kay I can explain.” 

Kay looked over at Jake then panic set in so she quickly shut the box and said, “I have to put this book with the others.” She ran past Jake down the hallway, he tried to call after her but she didn’t respond. 

He fell to the floor and kept thinking, ‘You fucking idiot, now she has seen the ring, she is mad with you or upset and you have ruined everything. Don’t just sit there go and see if she is ok and try to explain.’

He opened the door and saw Andrew standing there, “Kirst, sent me to get you guys for dinner, she wants to welcome Kay home.”

“Kay found the ring…”

“Shit, what did she say?”

“I’ve messed things up and she ran off, I have to fix this before I lose her…”

“Are you asking her NOW?”

“No but I have to explain.”

“Ok I will stall Kirsten just texted me when you and Kay are coming up…well I hope you do or your sister will start the questions.”

Jake knocked Kay’s door and waited for a response, there wasn’t any so he knocked again and finally he heard a quiet, “Come in.” 

He saw her curled up so he sat on a chair and asked, “Are you angry at me?” Kay just shook her head and then Jake said, “Kay, please say something, anything.”

“How long have you had the ring?” 

Jake didn’t want to answer but took a deep breath and replied, “Since our third week together. When you started university that’s what triggered me off and…”

“Why didn’t you ask me then?”

“We had that fight and when that guy tried his luck and then him…It just seemed the wrong time. I thought about it but I want to ask you just when it is right for us with no complications.”

“It is a beautiful ring, I’m sorry I panicked. I just had a million and one things going through my head. You are right thought, it isn’t the right time for us and to think you made such a decision after only a few weeks.”

“Can you forget you saw the ring?” 

He offered Kay his hand as she pulled herself up into his arms. He held her tightly and Kay replied, “No but I can pretend.” 

Suddenly Kay kissed Jake passionately and at first Jake didn’t move but let Kay’s lips press softly on his, then he felt her arms glide across his back, and then Kay whispered in his ear, “Thank you for being you.” Jake savoured this moment as it had be a long time since Kay had initiated any intimacy between them. “Kay, aren’t you hungry?” Kay looked at him sweetly and said, “I guess we better go and eat before your sister sends a search party.”

A few hours later after Kirsten had made her fuss Jake and Kay made their way back to their rooms. Kay sat on her bed staring at her door and thought, ‘He wants to marry me someday, wow. Then all I do in return is just a kiss! Kay does this guy mean anything to you? Ok true you agree being engaged would be too soon but since everything kicked off all you have done is cuddled him, held hands and now kissed. Why are you stopping there when you know how much you are screaming inside for more?’

She picked up the phone and dialled her professor, “Did I wake you?”

“No I was marking papers, are you ok?”

“Can I talk to you?”

“Is it about your boyfriend?” Kay fell silent and then replied, “Yes it is, he came up with the idea no pressure and we’d have sex again once counselling was over or on our first anniversary. I was fine with that but then today I discovered a ring in his draw. We talked about it and he admits it was an engagement ring but he didn’t think it was the right time to ask me. I agreed but I kissed him for being sweet and that kiss…I’m confused.”

“About the ring or wanting him?”

“Both.”

“The ring is something I believe he wants to give you when the time is right, seeing the ring was a shock but remember Kay you weren’t meant to see it yet. It doesn’t mean he loves you less for not giving it to you. He got the ring because he loves you but properly feels he needs to wait until you are back on track. The feelings you are experiencing are for someone you genuinely want to be with right now. They are growing and the more time you spend together the stronger they will become. You have to remember sex is a small part of your relationship.”

“I just want to go to him right now and be with him.”

“Then what is stopping you?” Kay thought for a moment and said, “I might run off or panic and he will hate me.”

“You need to explore these feelings but you also need to grow together so when the time is right, you may panic slightly but his touch, smile or something he says to you will reassure you at that moment that you are ready to be together intimately again.” 

Thank you to Mypalsim for the Looking at the ring box pose :)

1.63 Too late

Andrew knocked on Jake’s door before walking in, “You are still mad with me, right?” Jake just stood there and stared at his best mate, “I thought you had told your Dad about the ring…”

“Keep your voice down Kay will be back in a minute. You were the only person I had told and now my Dad knows. I haven’t asked Kay yet…” 

Kay walked in and said, “What haven’t you asked me?” Jake stood in shock and Andrew then voiced, “He was going to ask you to come home and live here again. I mean we all miss you being around.”

“Oh…I don’t know what to say…know I do, I’d love to move back to my old room. Since Dad, Tracey and Matt left the house has been lonely. I’ve been here more anyway.” 

Jake pulled Kay into a hug while mouthing to Andrew a thank you for not saying anything about the ring. Andrew just smiled as he left the room knowing he and Jake were friends again.

“Did you hear from Spencer?”

“I just got off the phone to him, things aren’t going well back home so he and Matt are staying awhile longer but he said Matt would ring later because he wants to talk to me about Hazel.”

“Is Hazel ok?”

“I got the impression they have been fighting. Haven’t you got to be at the fire station?” 

Jake looked at his watch and started to run around getting changed then quickly kissed Kay before leaving for work.

Kay started to look at her medical books in an attempt to study and for a while it was working until her phone rang, “Hay Matt, how have you been?” There was silence for a moment then he said, “I hate funeral’s, I miss my aunt. The twins are beautiful and I had to hit my uncle so he’d wake up to the fact aunt Heather is gone but other than that fine.”

“How are you and Hazel?”

“I love her but she needs to trust me. When we first met she was so wonderful but when Uncle Estevan offered that business she started to get controlling. It was little things at first but the stunt with trying to get pregnant…I don’t know what to do.” 

Kay was now worried, “Have you told her all this?”

“I’ve mentioned some of it but I find it easier telling you because you are my sister.”

“Matt, you need to tell Hazel so she fully understands. You can’t tell her part of your worries and hope she will figure the rest out. Since going counselling, I’ve worked out being honest with the people you care about is a must. Which reminds me, you’re my brother and I want quality time with you without Hazel around.”

Matt was stunned by Kay’s honesty, “When I get home we will do something together without Hazel or Jake. Do you think I can fix things with Hazel?”

“I think you can, if you work at things. I know this maybe too personal but are you sleeping together?”

“Kay…We had one hot moment when she went on the pill then nothing since. I’m staying in my old room and it has a single bed so I’m on the floor while Hazel sleeps in my old bed.”

“Question is do you still want her, you know like that?”

“I can’t even believe we are having this discussion about my sex life but yes I still want her but until we fix things, I’d feel like I was taking advantage. Take last night for example, Hazel called out to me but I ignored her and went to sleep even though earlier we had a passionate kiss.”

“I know you Matt you’re not saying the whole truth.”

“Ok the reason is my parents are living under the same roof but also my Uncle and cousin are vampires, I don’t want them seeing what I can see.” 

Kay by now was laughing and trying to reply, “You…what…” She tried to compose herself long enough to say, “I think if they are vampires then I know they would block the images out. You not wanting sex because of that is just too funny.”

“Haha Kay I’m glad you find it amusing. Mind you it is good to hear you laugh. I will be honest with Hazel and I promise we will spend time together. I will be home for your birthday even if it’s a quick trip.”

 When Jake arrived home he took Kay to get her things so she could move back home. Once the last of the items were in her room, she looked around with a smile. The sessions with her professor were working and even though she had a long way to go Kay was pleased she had the family support and her new friends to help. 

Kay went to see Jake in his room and as she stood in the doorway he asked, “All unpacked?”

“Yes. Are we eating with Kirsten and Andrew tonight?”

“Kirsten wants to make a fuss because you are home.” They were making their way upstairs when Kay asked if Jake had found the book she was missing, “I put it in the draw for you. It’s in my side table. Why do you need it now?”

“You go up and I will follow, I just want to put it with my other books.” 

Jake smiled as he continued. Suddenly he remembered the ring was in the same draw he ran back to his room but it was too late.