Chapter 28
And Then There Were
Three
I
t's been five
weeks since I’ve had the worst, and the best day of my life. And that happened
all in the span of twenty-four hours.
Harper spent three days in hospital, much to Jasper’s disgust,
claiming he should have put him in there for a month. I was just happy to see
the back of him, and thankful he left quietly.
I spoke to Sally and told her everything that had happened with
Harper, in hopes she could pull some strings and help me get a transfer back to
Los Angeles. Sally being Sally got me my transfer within the hour. I seriously
owe her big time because I couldn't go back to Singapore, knowing that Harper
is there. I made that mistake once, and I sure as hell wasn't going to make it
again.
I haven't sent for my things and I won't, because they were never
really my things to begin with. Everything that matters is sitting next to me,
holding my hand.
After I told Jasper everything (and convinced him not to kill
Harper,) we got back together. And this time, it’s for good. Everyone is happy
for us, everyone except Jasper’s mom who still hates me. She has moved from
Chicago to Los Angeles, and I choose to ignore the niggling feeling that she is
up to no good.
But none of that matters because Jasper loves me and wants me
forever. My heart couldn't take another separation, from the man who changed me
into the person I am finally proud to be. I can now say with conviction, I am
happy with the person staring back at me.
Even though my exterior has healed, the internal scars will never
close over, and that’s a good thing, because what doesn’t break you, makes you
stronger. And I never really knew how strong I was, until I met Jasper.
These past five weeks have been the best five weeks of my life. And
that of course is due to the loving people around me.
My parents.
My friends.
My cat.
My Jasper.
My L.A.
I am so happy to be home.
So here I sit, curled into my boyfriend’s side, nodding off while
watching some trashy TV.
I have been house sitting for V, as she and her husband (weird
right?) are hopefully hula dancing their way around Hawaii. They are due back
in two days’ time, and I am so happy I decided to go with my gut and fly them
to Hawaii for their wedding gift.
To say sorry for being the shittiest friend alive, I added an extra
week to their ten day vacation. V said I owed her more than that, and she
accepts cash, personal cheques and credit cards (ha ha!)
But in all honesty, I really couldn’t have asked for a better best
friend, who was more concerned for my safety, than her own wedding.
I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such great people in my life.
But whatever it is, I thank the universe daily for them.
My head droops and I hear a deep chuckle, which of course wakes me
up.
“Sorry if I’m boring you,” Jasper says, kissing the top of my head.
I stifle a yawn. “No, don’t be silly. It’s just all the food we ate.
Chinese and wine is a definite cure for insomnia.”
My tummy rumbles and I place my hand over it embarrassed.
“You still can’t be hungry. You know you stole my springroll,”
Jasper jokes.
I giggle. “I told you, they only gave us one.”
Which is a total lie.
I have been feeling quite hungry lately, which is always a good
thing, as I always feel better with a full belly.
My tummy rumbles again, but this time it is more of a gurgling
sound. Suddenly I feel my stolen springroll beginning to make an unwelcome
appearance in my throat.
Oh no. I think I am going to be sick!
I quickly jump up from the sofa with my hand covering my mouth,
before I make a mess. Rushing into the bathroom, I make it just in time as I
throw up my two springrolls, and my satay chicken.
Ugh, that definitely didn’t taste nice the second time around.
Flushing the toilet and closing the lid, I place my hot sweaty cheek
upon it as I suddenly feel really warm and unwell. Maybe I am coming down with
something? Or it could be stress? Come to think of it, I have been feeling
quite off color for the past week.
With my cheek pressed against the cool lid, I peer around the
bathroom which I have totally made mine. My toiletries scatter the white
countertop, my perfumes are sitting atop the cabinet, and my green toothbrush
is entwining with Jasper’s red one in a glass on the sink. My eyes roam towards
the wall, and I feel another bout of nausea approaching. And fast.
I lift my head and sprint over to the wall, which is holding up my
calendar. There is a red circle marked around the 15
th
, which was
six days ago. That red circle signifies when I am due for my monthlies. I do
this as it gives me enough preparation time to stock up on chocolate and
tissues.
But the 15
th
has come and gone, and I haven’t got my
period yet. I am NEVER later. I am like clockwork.
But that’s impossible, I can’t be...
I scoff at the thought.
Jasper and I are always safe. Well, except for that one time when I
was meant to go to the drugstore, but got completely side-tracked. V’s wedding
and being manhandled by my psycho ex took precedence over the drugstore, and I
totally forgot to go.
OH MY GOD...
I suddenly feel dizzy and hold onto the edge of the basin for
support.
A startled gasp escapes my lips, which I muffle with my hand.
“Ava? Are you okay?”
Am I okay?
The thought has me running over to the toilet, and throwing up the
rest of my meal.
Once I am done, I peer back over at the calendar and groan, thumping
my head on the toilet lid.
What if I’m... pregnant?
FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!
*****
Ava and Jaspers’ story continues in the
final book of the I Surrender Trilogy:
Surrendered
Early 2014
Sign up at theEDGEbooks.com for
announcements on the release dates and more!
Acknowledgements
To my publishers, theEDGEbooks.com-
this crazy ride just keeps getting crazier and crazier, thank you for holding
my hand.
To Kailin Gow- thank you for
holding both my hands.
Gayle and Peter- thank you for
bringing my Jasper into the world.
Fran- you always make me laugh!
My family and friends who have
put up with me being MIA, especially Jaz- THANK YOU!
To Louise and Gemma- “Good
friends don’t let you do stupid things...alone.” Thank you for being with me
every step of the way.
Lisa- Thank you for the advice, I’d be lost without our
chats.
To ‘P.O.E’- Daniel and Rhett- You have transformed my words
into music, and for that, you ROCK!
Daniel- I LOVE YOU!! You’re my Jasper.
To my menagerie of pets- Mummy loves you!
To The I Surrender Street Team- You are the BEST street team
alive! An extra special thank you to Jillian- girl, you saved my butt!! Where
is my cat icon for that!?
And lastly- to all the supporters of I Surrender and Jasper
White, I Surrender to you all!
Follow Monica James on:
https://www.facebook.com/monica.james81
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