Reflection (12 page)

Chapter 29

I fell asleep after drinking my coffee I was woken the next morning by Adam’s hands all over my body, what a way to wake up. I left as Adam went to work and travelled straight home to mums to pick up Dill, he was so excited to see me, I made it home to Plum Tree by lunchtime on Monday, on the door step was a massive bouquet of flowers, I rush over to them as Dill checks out the grounds, I pick up the flowers and pull out the card, I open the envelope and read the card

I love you and miss you already

Adam xx

Ps No Reflection walk today

I smile and open the door, it’s great to be home but I know I would feel so much happier if Adam was here, still only four days to wait. I get on and do my housework and washing, by the time I sit down it nearly 6pm, I text Joe to see if he had a good weekend, he tells me he’s off to the pub for dinner and to join him if I want. I’m not sure how Adam and Charlie will feel about that so I send them both a quick text asking them. I knew I was being silly I text Joe back saying I will meet him in an hour. I shower, do my hair and grab Dill, since they let dogs in the pub.

We walk in and spot Joe at the bar, he orders me a drink and makes a fuss of Dill, we find a table I can’t wait to hear what he thinks of his weekend.

I sit and listen to Joe go on and on about Charlie, and smile all the time, I think he finds her as amazing as I do. He tells me she’s coming down this weekend and that if its ok they will come visited me on Saturday night, I agree I can’t wait to see them together properly.

Tuesday drags by, I do my volunteer bit at the hospice I take Dill with me and he was a big hit again, I have dinner with Mum and Dad, I get home and its still only eight o’clock, Adam rings and we talk for an hour, after that I’m happy but I feel really alone, I decide just to go to bed and try and have an early night.

I came to the next morning, Dill is stood on the window seat barking, I slowly sit up in bed “What’s wrong Dill?” he turns and wags his tail at me but carries on barking at something outside. After five minutes of him barking, I push back the covers and stand, I grab my housecoat and walk to the window “What is it boy?” I say as I pat his head and lean down to look out the window, I scan the garden and then hear some banging, I look towards the orchard, I’m sure my eyes must nearly pop out of my head, in the top corner of the paddock is Adam, he’s wearing jeans and has taken his top off, I watch as he swings a hammer thing and hits the top of a post into the ground, firstly I can’t believe he is here and secondly I can’t believe he is putting up the posts and things for the chickens. I can’t stand here any longer, I race to the bedroom door and run down the stairs, I slip on my gardening shoes, not caring what I look like, I open the door and walk as fast as I can towards Adam but I slow as I watch Dill race past me and take a flying jump, Adam turns as Dill is in mid-air it’s too late for him to move so all he can do is brace for impact, Dill crashes into his body and it takes them both to the floor, I start to laugh but I see Adam’s face, my hand moves to mouth and I rush over to make sure he is alright, I bend down to help as he grabs me and pulls me on top of him, I start to laugh and that makes Dill even more excited, he’s barking and jumping on us as Adam brings my mouth to his and kisses me, I hum into the kiss as I hear Dill start to cry. I bring my face up and look at Dill, I give him a quick stroke on his head “So you met Dill…”

“Yes…I guess I did”

“I’m really pleased to see you but what are you doing here?”

“I thought that was what you wanted?”

“More than anything but what about work?”

“I sold out, I am now a work from home consultant and I’m sort of hoping this will be my home with you and that mad dog of yours”

“Oh my God Adam you really mean it?”

“I do, I don’t need to work again but I figured I might need something to do around here”

I lean in and kiss him again “Come on let me make you breakfast”

He rolls over so I am underneath him, he kisses me again then stands and helps me up. I start to walk towards the house when Adam walks towards the posts he was putting up “What you doing?”

“Just getting my shirt”

“Leave it, I can’t think of a better breakfast than a coffee and looking at you like that”

We sit drinking coffee and eating toast when I ask him “What about all your stuff?”

“It’s coming down tomorrow, we need to talk to Joe”

“Why?”

“I think we need to update the plans, if this is going to be our home it will need to be a lot bigger”

I nod and send Joe a text asking him to pop over at lunchtime, there is something I need to do first “Fancy taking a shower with me?”

“I can’t think of anything better”

Joe arrives and we revise the plans for Plum Tree I am now really excited, I rang Mum to tell her Adam had arrived and I heard her scream, I send Charlie a text and she was really pleased it has worked out for me. I wander off to find Adam who is still sat at the table on my laptop “Everything ok?”

“Yeah, while we have the work done I thought we could take a holiday? I haven’t had one in about five years”

I clap my hands and jump on the stop “Where are we going?”

“Everywhere”

“No really and for how long?”

“Travelling around about six weeks should be long enough”

I panic about Dill but Adam had already asked Joe, he will take care of him while he oversees the building work and then take him home with him at night. I can’t think of anything else to worry about so Adam says I have two days to get what I need and pack.

The two days fly past, Charlie picked us up and drove us to the airport, we say goodbye and that I will ring her once a week to check on everyone. Adam leads the way as we board the plane and takes us into first class, I do that stupid little dance thing again. Once we have taken off the stewardess bring us a bottle of champagne, Adam pours us both a glass, he taps his glass against mine and says “I am the luckiest man alive, here’s to the rest of our lives together”.
 

Two Years Later

I laugh as I sit on a lounger on the terrace, Charlie is sat next to me, we are watching our men in the far field, I still have days when I can’t believe my life turned out like this, once we reached our holiday destination, we spent the first week exploring and relaxing on the beach, it was there that Adam proposed to me, it was so romantic, he had set up a blanket with lanterns, champagne with some of our favourite songs playing softly in the background as the sun set in shades of pinks, oranges and purples. I was so excited the ring was as beautiful as the setting and my husband to be, I rang my parents and they were so pleased for us. Two weeks later we decided to get married on a mountain overlooking the sea, it was just me and Adam and a couple of witnesses from the hotel, Adam promised we could have a blessing at the little church at home when we got back. We managed to stay on honeymoon for another six weeks. We arrived home not just as husband and wife but also as parents to be… We had our church blessing but by the time we organised it I was nearly five months pregnant. The house looked amazing all the building work was completed and Adam had bought more land from the adjoining farmer. Our son, Harvey was born just two days before Charlie and Joe got married. Joe had moved to live with Charlie but they kept his house here and come down most weekends, I smile as I turn to my friend and watch as she rubs her hands over her large baby belly, mine’s not so large as I’m a couple of months behind her in my second pregnancy. We laugh again as we watch the guys swing Harvey between them and Dill is chasing behind them. Adam has become quite the farmer, he works on our little farm in the mornings and works at his desk in the afternoons, he seems to really be enjoying life and that he doesn’t miss the city at all.

I smile as they get closer, Adam still has the same effect on me, I feel the goosebumps arrive over my body and the smile come to my face as I take in all his beauty, “Mummy, Mummy” Harvey says as he runs towards me, I quickly sit up and catch him in my arms and give him a hug “Are you having fun baby?” he nods and runs off with a ball and Dill chases him, I glance up as Adam approaches me “How are my two beautiful girls today?” he say says placing a kiss on my belly then one on my mouth “A little hot after watching you…” I reply

He smiles, then turns around “Charlie you ok to watch Harvey? I need to help my wife out with something inside”

She nods and smiles, I know my face is bright red as he lifts me from the chair and carries me towards the house.

Yes… life is perfect.

The End

Acknowledgements

So here we are, I’m so happy to have finally shared Adam and Olivia’s story with you all and I hope you’ve enjoyed them as much as I’ve loved creating them and their world.

First of all I want to thank my readers, wherever you are in the world I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and letting me live my dreams every single day. Also to the bloggers who make my job easier, the hard work you put into the book world every day doesn’t go unnoticed; I appreciate you very, very much.

Mum, Thank you, as always from the bottom of my heart for everything that you do. To say that this wouldn’t be possible without you is a complete understatement.  Thank you for believing in me no matter what, your patience and unconditional love is everything I need. Thank you for putting up with me and still loving me at the end of every book I write I love you so, so much, I hope I made you proud!

Dad, Thank you for always making me laugh, whether it’s intentional or not… Thank you for loving me and showing me not only now but always what a real man is meant to be I’m beyond grateful for you even if at times I don't show it, I love you! You truly are the best Dad I could ever have wished for.

Arron,  I could not be more grateful that I get to be your sister. You are the bravest, funniest and most resilient person I know.  Thank you for looking after me, inspiring me and making me what I am. I would be truly lost without you…Wherever life takes us I’ll always be by your side no matter what happens. I love you more than words can ever say. #MakeItHappen

Laura, My Sissy! Thank you for always making me laugh and picking me up when I need it. You’re truly one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever known and I’m so proud of everything that you are, I’m so obsessed with you, I love you and I’m so excited that I’ll get to spend forever calling you my sister. I can’t wait for our next adventure!

Alice, for being the best friend I could have wished for. You’ve been by my side for longer than I can remember and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you’ve helped me through everything and been there for every decision whether that be big or small. Thank you for making me laugh when I need it and kicking my ass when I need that too. I love you!! I love you!! I love you!!

Tracy & Sarah, Thank you for being so supportive, always cheering me on and being excited for me no matter what I do. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.

Millie, Thank you for the endless support, love and laughs. I am so grateful to know you, you incredible human! Thank you for letting me sing Lawson & Nirvana to you. Oh how I love you!

Lawson – Thank you for creating the music that continues to inspire me every single day. I love you madly.

My last thank you goes to the two men that I dedicated this book too –

To Andy Whitfield, for embodying all that it means and is to be a man, a fighter, a champion and a warrior on and off of the screen. Your courage and positivity has been a massive inspiration to me and because of you I’ll always be present and I’ll never fear what I don’t know.

Finally  Mark, for being one of life’s biggest teachers, I’ll spend forever wishing that it was under different circumstances but I’ll also spend forever missing you, loving you and being grateful that I knew you and that you were a part of my life. I’ll love you always, see you in a blink of an eye.

Two very different men, their two very different illnesses and two different legacies that have taught me the same thing, to embrace whatever life throws at me, love harder, live bigger and most importantly to Be Here Now.

Here’s to the next chapter! #MakeItHappen