CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (6 page)

“So....?” I push.

“Eat, then I’ll talk,” he says staring blankly ahead.

“I’m done,” I say. Tristan cocks his head to the side. “No
really baby, I’m done, I think my stomach’s shrunk and that was a huge portion,
did Gladys portion it out by any chance?” I see the smile starting to creep
round the edges of his eyes.

“Yes, she did,” he says losing the grin and pushing the
table down the bottom of the bed. “Are you tired?” he asks.

“Tristan...” My bottom lips starts to wobble, giving me away.
I suddenly feel very emotional, very tired, and extremely overwhelmed. –
Why?
Why do I feel like this?

Tristan is up on the bed and has me in his arms in a split
second.“Sorry,” I sniff. “Why do I keep feeling like this?” I say, weeping into
his t-shirt.

“Darling, you’ve been through a traumatic event, you got
shot, your heart stopped, you had major surgery. I’m sure it’s very natural to
feel overwhelmed by it all,” he says kissing my hair.

“It is?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me what’s worrying you?” I croak.

Tristan sighs heavily. “I don't want to,” he answers.

“Why?” I lift my head and look into his wide, worried,
beautiful chocolate eyes.

“Because you have enough on your plate,” he says.

“Hey, what worries you, worries me too you know. Everything
that affects you affects me, we’re supposed to be a team aren’t we? Isn’t that
what couples are? They share everything?” Tristan doesn’t say anything he just
stares blankly at me. I shake my head feeling stupid for saying that. “I can't
help feeling like that Tristan,” I sniff.

Suddenly he’s griping me to him, crushing me against his
chest and kissing the top of my head. “Oh Coral,” he croaks. “I feel like that
too baby,” he adds sounding so exhausted.

“So tell me,” I push.

“I can't sleep because...I keep...” he breaks off and looks
away from me.

“Tristan,” I whisper. “I told you my deepest darkest fears, stuff
I’ve never told anyone. Can't you trust me like that?” I question.

“Yes, of course I can, it’s just...” He takes a deep breath.
“I keep having the same nightmare, and it doesn’t matter what I do, I can't
save you, every time I dream it, I try to wake up because I know what’s going
to happen...” He breaks off running a hand through his hair.

“What happens?” I whisper – although I think I know.

“You die,” he croaks, his eyes glistening over.
Oh baby!

“Tristan!” I pull him into my arms and squeeze him tight.

Remembering my nightmare...my nightmare that had Susannah in
it, the nightmare where she stabbed Tristan and he died, right in front of me.
I
wonder if I was having another premonition?
A premonition of what Susannah
was prepared to do, kill me or Tristan, whether it be a knife, or a gun?

“Tristan, I'm not going anywhere baby I give you my word I’ll
never die on you.” Tristan lays his head on my chest, right under my chin, it
hurts but I’ll take the pain to comfort my man. I cradle him in my arms and try
to soothe him as he soothes me, by rhythmically running my fingers through his
hair, I try to think of a way to help him, but nothing comes to mind.

“Baby,” Tristan says lifting his head to look up at me.

“Yeah?” He looks so lost. I want to take his pain away for
him, but I don't know how?

“I forgot to say, we’re going home tomorrow.” I close my
eyes with relief.
Thank god we can get out of here.

“That’s awesome baby, thank you,” I say opening my eyes and
kissing his full soft lips.

“Yeah, it’ll be nice to get back home,” he says.

“Yes, it will,” I answer agreeing wholeheartedly. “Am I
getting a Nurse?”

“Yes, just for a week,” he says.

“Ok,” I acquiesce. “Did you get a chance to speak to Edith?”
I ask, remembering our conversation last Sunday.

“You remembered?” he says sounding a little brighter.

“Yes, did you speak to her?”

Tristan looks up at me with those big brown, soulful eyes of
his. “She’s already with us baby,” he says, looking a little worried.

“She is?” I squeak.

“Yeah...I didn’t plan it that way, but after what happened
to you...” Tristan shakes his head. “To cut a long story short, I called Edith last
Tuesday, asked her to stay for the short term, she how she likes it. I told her
what had happened to you, that I wanted someone I could trust to help me look
after you, make sure you’re behaving yourself if I have to go to any
meetings...” Tristan trails off.

“You know Gladys would have done that,” I say.

“I know, but with them leaving – “Tristan, they’re not going
now,” I say.

“They’re not?” he questions.

“No, dividing their time, long story....oh and we have a
wedding to go to.”

Tristan frowns at me. “Who’s?”

“Ours of course,” I say teasing him. His mouth pops open in
shock. “Joking,” I tease, laughing at myself then wincing.

“Does it hurt?” he softly asks.

I pout and nod. Tristan smirks at me. “Serves you right,” he
taunts. “I nearly had heart failure,” he adds.

“I thought you weren’t worried about marrying me?”

“I'm not, at all... I just didn’t know what you could have got
planned in such a short space of time?”

“Oh!”

“Yeah, oh!” he mocks. “So who is getting married?”

“Gladys and Malcolm,” I say. “They got a cancellation.”

“Oh, ok.” He smiles, then places his head back on my chest.

As we lay there quietly holding one another, I realise I don't
feel sleepy, I feel wide awake, too many thoughts racing through my head. I
can't help thinking of what the future holds for us, for me. Life has changed
rapidly, and I’m just starting to realise how much of an affect it’s going to
have on me.

For a start, I have no job – I know I have the money from
Gladys and Malcolm, but that’s not the point –
What am I going to do?
I
can't not work, that will drive me crazy! Maybe I should just go back to
Chester House? Well, when I’m better.
Hmm, something to consider!

And Tristan – I can't believe I’m going to be living with him!
How weird is that. But it’s not like I can go back to my studio, not at the
moment anyway. I need looking after and it’s either with Tristan or Gladys, and
I choose Tristan. I wonder if Tristan knows what’s happened to my studio? I ponder
that thought for a moment. Which begs the question. If I decide to stay with Tristan
–
Coral, what are you talking about?

I stop myself and think about what I just said
...If I
decide to stay with Tristan?.
..I already know I’m going to stay with
Tristan, in-fact since Susannah shot me, all the fears I had about living with
him, marrying him, committing to him, seem to have disappeared – I’d marry him
tomorrow if I could – the sooner the better.
Whoa! Where did that come from?

I frown at my own thoughts, then shaking them off I try to
get back to my studio. What am I going to do with it? Sell it? Keep it and rent
it out?
I just don't know...
Which makes me think about Bob. Tristan said
he was happy for him to live with us, I hope he says yes, I can't stand the
thought of him down there...all on his own, it’s just not right!

So if he does say yes, there will be Edith, Bob and Stuart
living with us full time –
I don't even want to begin to think about how
weird that’s going to be!

Which makes me think of Susannah, who’s in a nuthouse, like
my Mom –
I have to speak to Tristan about it, as soon as we’re home.
I
quickly shake of those thoughts and try to think of what else has changed.

Gladys and Malcolm - They are staying...well sort off –
I'm
so happy about that!
And we have their wedding to go to. Then I wonder if
Debs is still moving to Spain? I’m not sure I want her to, which makes me think
of little Lily – I sigh inwardly. If they do decide to go, there’s not much I
can do about that...
I will miss them...badly.

And lastly, My Mother –
Oh Mom, did you try to save me?
I want a grave for her. I want to bury her properly. I hate her for what she
did, falling apart on me like that, but I also love her...so much, she was my
mother after all and she didn’t leave, my Dad did.

I take a deep breath and clear my head of those thoughts, I
could be here forever, which brings me back to Tristan.

I think back to the night I told him about Susannah, he was
so mad with me, I can't blame him, but I’m not too sure how I feel about him
ending it, asking me to leave –
What if he does it again?
What if I
marry him then do something really stupid and he leaves me? Where will that
leave me? Broken, totally and utterly broken, that’s where!

I sigh inwardly...
I guess we have a lot to talk about.

“Tristan, are you sleepy?” I ask but I get no answer –
Jeez,
that didn’t take long!

Poor Tristan, I hope he doesn’t have another bad dream
tonight. I’ve had enough experience to know how awful and how real they can
seem. I squeeze him closer to me and revel in the feel of his solid, manly body
against mine.

I may be in hospital, a place I would not send my worst
enemy for any length of time, but I feel so happy, so content, that I wouldn’t
change a thing, except to take away Tristan’s nightmares. Hmm...
Maybe the
answer will come to me?

With a full belly, and my beautiful man lying next to me, I
begin to relax.

I concentrate on the sound of Tristan’s breathing, it
doesn’t take long before I’m drifting off into a peaceful sleep...

I
AM GOING HOME TODAY.
I am in the en-suite bathroom, getting ready. I
have cleaned my teeth, and washed my face – I feel so much better for it.
Tristan is in the bathroom with me, waiting patiently as usual. I can't believe
he’s in here with me while I'm peeing!
This is so embarrassing!

Once I’m done, I place my hand in
his and he helps me to my feet, I shuffle round, press the flush and wash my
hands at the sink.
Ugh, look at my hair, greasy mop!

“Looking forward to going home?” he asks.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” I answer dryly.

I’ve said my goodbyes to Nurse Jenny, who’s been great. Dr Green
came round this morning and after a thorough examination, she reluctantly
signed me out –
I will get it out of Tristan why they are so frosty towards
one another!
– And I have strict instructions to come back in a week and
get a check up with her. I guess that’s not so bad.

What is bad is that Tristan really has organised a nurse to
come and check up on me for the next seven days,
I thought he was joking!
I am not looking forward to that; she might say I have to go back to hospital.

“How are you feeling?” he asks. He’s being very serious
today, whereas I'm giddy with excitement.
I'm getting out of here!

“Great,” I beam then involuntarily yawn. “And tired,” I add
knowing I can't hide it from him.

Tristan hands me the towel so I can dry my hands, and stares
down at me, his eyes tight, his jaw tense. “Don't,” I say.

“Don’t what?”

“Look at me like that,” I say. “You don't want me to leave
yet, I can see it in your eyes.”

Tristan closes his eyes and gently pulls me into his
embrace, wrapping his arms around me. “I just want to know you’re ok,” he says.

“I’ll be fine baby,” I say, wrapping my arms around his
strong, muscular back. “Thank you for your help,” I add, trying to pull him out
of his brooding.

“You’re very welcome,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“Come on, let’s get you dressed.”

Placing my hand in his, I let him lead me back into the
room...

I’M
SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE BED
in my horrid, hospital nightgown.
Tristan has helped me into my new sweats, and is down on his knees, tying up
the laces to my new trainers. He slowly walks around the bed and starts to
untie the straps of my nightgown, his hand stills at the top tie, right where
my shoulder blade is; and the massive gauze I have strapped across me.

“I'm ok,” I say, trying to reassure him.

He says nothing, and walks back around the bed. Slowly, he
peels off the nightgown and picks up my new vest. “Ok?” he asks as he helps me
pull my new support vest over my head.

“Yes.” I grit my teeth and smile up at him to hide the pain.

“Arms out,” he says and pulls the zip-up hoody out of the
bag of new clothes that Stuart purchased for me, and carefully helps me into it.

Everything is new, sweats, hoody and trainers. I could give
Stu a big kiss for doing this
.
Although when he turned up this morning
and handed the bag of clothes to Tristan, I did panic for a second, I don’t
like the thought of him going through my clothes, but I instantly relaxed when
I realised it was all new –
I wonder what happened to the clothes I was
wearing when I was brought in here?

Tristan leans forward and zips me up, then takes a step
back. “You’ll do,” he says. He still looks so tired.

“Did you sleep last night?” I ask.

His eyes instantly go darker, hooded, trying to hide the
truth. “Baby, I don't want you worrying about me,” he says.

“Tough,” I bark frowning back at him.
How can I not
worry?

He leans down to me and kisses me softly, his tongue gently
teasing mine, my brain instantly goes foggy and my legs go to jelly.
Will
his kiss always have this effect on me?

“What was that for?” I say trying to catch my breath.

Tristan doesn’t answer me he just gazes down at me, his jaw
tense, his eyes strained. He softly strokes my cheek and it’s in that moment I
have an epiphany.

“Tristan, I’ve got it,” I say hoping this could be the solution.

“Got what?” he questions.

“Hypnotherapy,” I say smiling up at him. “It might help you with
the dream,” I add.

Tristan eyes widen with surprise, he runs his hand across
his new beard and slowly starts to nod in agreement. “It’s worth a try,” he
says.

“Do you have my mobile? I could call George and see if he
can get you an appointment with Cindy?”

“It’s at home baby,” he answers blankly.

“Well don't let me forget to call as soon as we get in, ok?”

“Ok.” He leans in and kisses me again. “Ready?” he asks.

“I’m more than ready to get out of here,” I answer dryly,
trying to hide how anxious I'm really feeling. I'm am dying to get out of here,
but I haven’t told Tristan this, because he looks tired and stressed enough as
it is, but I’m really nervous about going back to the house. I’m afraid I’m
going to freak out when I step inside the door, or worse still, I won't want to
live there anymore – which sucks – because I love that house.

“Arms up,” Tristan says pulling me from my revere.

“What?” I frown up at him.

“Coral, you can barely walk a few steps without being in
pain, so please don't be difficult.” Rolling his eyes at me, he leans forward
and effortlessly lifts me into his arms.

“You are not carrying me out of here!” I scold.

“Yes I am, or we’re not leaving,” he argues.

“Tristan, please, just let me walk a little, if I get tired
or I’m in pain, you can take over. I feel so stiff from lying still for so
long, please let me loosen my legs up a little,” I plead, he stares down at me
with narrowed eyes.

“God you’re frustrating,” he huffs and carefully, reluctantly,
stands me upright, keeping hold of both of my arms.

“Thank you baby.” Taking a deep breath in I stare at the
door.
Ok, you can do this!

I take a step forward, then another and smile up at him,
trying my best to hide the pain. Tristan is frowning down at me, he doesn’t
like it, I can tell, but it’s tough –
I need to do this!

I keep shuffling forward until we reach the door, Tristan
pulls it open for me and I slowly walk through –
Boy this is going to take a
while!

“Feeling ok?” he asks, closing the door behind him.

I look back and say goodbye to my hospital bed. “Yeah, I’m
good,” I say, feeling drained already. Tristan readjusts my bag on his shoulder
and we slowly head down the stark white corridors, Tristan doesn’t moan about
it, he’s so patient with me.

“How far is it to the car park?” I ask a little
breathlessly. My legs are shaking so badly it’s really pissing me off –
I
hate feeling like this!

“At this rate we’ll get there by tomorrow morning,” he answers
dryly.

I stop and look up at him. “Very funny!” I sarcastically say.
Tristan smirks at me – Ok, he’s finding this funny, so I decide to wind him up
about the surprise!

“What shall we do when we get home?” I ask, keeping my eyes
straight ahead as we carry on walking.

Tristan instantly stiffens next to me. “What do you want to
do?” he tries to answer casually.

“Snuggle up to you,” I say turning to look up at him. “Peace
and quiet, just me and you. Let’s just veg out, get a pizza and watch a movie.
What do you think?” I ask trying to hide my smile.

“Um...yeah that sounds good,” he says trying to act
nonchalant.

“Is that what you want to do?” I ask.
Oh dear, he doesn’t
know what to say or do.

“Um...sure,” he says. I turn away from him trying to hide my
smile, and accidentally catch my foot on a food trolley; it sends a thousand shock
waves of pain up my body.
Holy crap!

I instantly freeze and wince in pain. I squeeze my eyes shut
trying to control it –
Ouch! Damn it that hurt! –
Tristan wraps his arms
around my waist and gently pulls me up against his body.

“Enough,” he whispers in my ear and I crumble, all I want is
to be in his arms.

I open my eyes and nod at him, I feel knackered and I only
walked a few steps. This is going to drive me crazy, I know it is – I start to
cry in frustration.

“Baby!” Tristan lifts me as carefully as he can into his
arms. I wrap my arms around his neck, close my eyes and bury my head under his
chin, I hate feeling this helpless.

Tristan starts walking, keeping his steps steady. I try to
calm myself down and take a deep breath in, his scent invades my senses,
knocking me for six –
I wish I could bottle it and carry it around with me.

“You smell so good,” I whisper, softly pecking his neck.

“You do too baby,” he says planting a soft kiss on my hair.

“Tristan, I haven’t showered in twelve days, so I don't know
how you can say that,” I grumble.

“You still smell good to me,” he says. I grip him closer to
me and try to relax, suddenly Tristan stops walking.

I open my eyes, look up and see we have reached the hospital
reception –
Wow!
It’s so bright outside!
I squint at the sunlight
as Tristan walks through the electric doors –
I’m free!
– I glance at
Tristan with the biggest grin spread across my face.

“Happy?” he asks, his grin reflecting mine.

“Yes, very,” I say and peck him on the lips. Stuart pulls up
in the Jag, hops out, runs round the car and opens the backdoor for Tristan.

“Thanks Stu,” we both say. He smiles and nods at us both.

Tristan slides inside, and gently moves me off his lap, then
leaning across me, he clips my seatbelt into place. Stuart gets back in the car,
starts the engine and we head out of the hospital car park.

I'm instantly drawn to the song playing on the radio – ...
Ah
music...how I have missed it!

Maria Callas is signing O Mio Babbino Caro – I love this
piece. Gladys has her album; it’s so beautiful. I close my eyes and let her
amazing voice soothe me.

“You like this piece?” Tristan interrupts. I open my eyes
and look across at him.

“Yes, now be quiet,” I tease. He smiles, takes hold of my
hand and we both sit silently until the piece has finished. Stuart must have it
on Classic FM, because another classical piece I don't know begins, it’s good!

“You know I thought everyone would be here today, to see me
leaving,” I say, pouting sorrowfully at him.

“Well, Gladys did say she was popping round at some point
today,” he says, his cheeks flushing.

“Oh!” I purposely put on a sad face.

Tristan squeezes my hand, but as I look out the window and
see we are almost home, the fun of winding him up about the surprise instantly
dissipates.

“Ok?” he asks, I turn to look at him, trying my best to hide
my nerves, but when I smile at Tristan I see he’s just as nervous as me, and
trying his best to hide it too.

“You’re nervous,” I whisper. He swallows hard and turns away
from me, I squeeze his hand. “Me too,” I add.

As Stuart takes the left turn onto The Cliff, I get an
instant flashback of hurtling towards the house in Rob’s car, not knowing what
I would find, I quickly hide my hands from Tristan and clench them into fists.

As we reach the open gates and Stuart gently glides down the
driveway, my heart starts to hammer against my chest –
Why am I freaking out
about this?
Susannah is gone! Tristan’s ok and so am I? –  Stuart pulls to
a stop outside the house, switching off the engine he nods to Tristan and exits
the car.

I decide I am over-reacting, I just need to be brave and get
on with it, but as I think about going back inside the house, my mouth
instantly goes dry and I start to feel a little nauseous. Gritting my teeth at
myself, I take a deep steadying breath and try to think logically about it all
–
Susannah is gone, the house is safe!

Ok, I just need to get this over with! Taking another deep
breath, I unclip my seatbelt and go to open the door, but Tristan’s hand stops
me.

“Tristan,” I grumble – I know what he wants.

“Don't argue, it’s happening,” he says.

I huff in my seat and cross my arms –
This is ridiculous!

Tristan quickly exits the car, walks round the back and
opens the car door for me. I try to use it as my opportunity to duck under his
arm so this isn’t about to happen, but Tristan’s too quick for me, he leans
down to me with both arms held out, effectively blocking me.

“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Which will it
be Coral?” He says with his head cocked to the side.

I narrow my eyes at him. “This is ridiculous,” I huff. “I
can walk you know, I’m not an invalid,” I add.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if you walked out the hospital by
yourself, but you didn’t, so stop arguing,” he says, his voice low. I roll my
eyes at him in annoyance, but somewhere deep down inside, I love that he is
being this protective, this careful with me.

Tristan slides in next to me, and takes hold of my hand. “Coral,
I know you want to walk through that door, to prove something to yourself
maybe, I don't know, but that’s not going to happen, not in a million years. I
had to really fight to get you discharged this soon, and it’s on the proviso
that you get plenty of rest, which means no exertion and no walking about. You
heard what the doctor said, take it nice and easy. So, am I driving you back to
hospital, or are we going in?” Tristan’s one eyebrow raises as he waits for my
answer.

“Fine!” I grumble knowing he’s right.

Tristan tries to hide the smirk that appears across his face
and holds his arms out again. I wrap my hands around his neck, and he gently
lifts me into his lap, then with absolute ease, he exits the car with me in his
arms.