Page 66 of Second Chances

“Elena, don’t you dare speak to me like that.” My mother rises gracefully from her chair, but her cheeks are flushed with anger.

“No, it’s about time I did speak to you like this. I’m sorry I fell over when I was younger and broke my leg. I’m sorry your dreams of me being a prima ballerina never came to fruition, but I’ll not have you hold it against me. I nearly died because I was trying to be the perfect daughter you wanted. I’m giving you a choice, Mother. You accept me for who I am and be the mother I need, or I don’t want you in my life anymore. I have enough people who love me. I don’t want anyone who brings negativity.”

Without waiting for her answer, I storm from the house and back to the car.

The ball is in my mother’s court now. I won’t fight for a relationship with her any longer if she’s not prepared to accept who I am.

“You ok?” Amy asks as I get into the car.

“Never better.” I put my seat belt on and stare straight ahead.

“How’d she take the news that she’s caused all this?” Amy turns the engine over, and we pull away.

Why do the people who care for me know me better than I know myself?

“We’ll see. But I suspect I’ll be free on Tuesday evenings from now on.”

“Sometimes the truth hits home. You never know.”

“I’m not even going to worry about it anymore. I just want to go to Ryan now.”

“Your wish is my command.”

* * *

“Holy shit! Ryan owns this?” My nose is pressed to the window as Amy pulls up the driveway of my new residence. I thought about returning to my apartment, but Amy tells me Ryan has already moved all my belongings here. He isn’t planning on letting me out of his sight for the foreseeable future. Not because he doesn’t trust me with painkillers but because we have a lot of time to make up.

“Yes. It’s pretty fancy, isn’t it? James is helping him re-do a lot of the rooms. Keeping a traditional style but with modern gadgets hidden behind the scenes.”

“How does James feel about it? I mean he was the oldest for so much of his life, and all of a sudden Ryan’s there and inheriting fancy property,” I inquire as Amy pulls up to the house, and we get out of the car.

“He couldn’t be happier. He loves having Ryan around. Says his family feels complete now. He doesn’t want this place. It doesn’t have the same history to it for him. Ryan deserves it after what he went through. He’s probably the only person who can do it justice and change the name.”

I take one final look up at the imposing structure.

“My god, I feel like I’m in a Jane Austen novel.”

“Wait until you get inside.”

Amy pushes the front door open, and my mouth drops to the floor. In the opulent hallway with high ceilings there are flowers everywhere. White and pink roses. By the staircase, Ryan stands in a full three piece suit. Next to him is Matthew, wearing the same, and a priest in full robes stands on the other side. Miranda, Pete, Sophie, Grayson, Marie, Callum, Sonia, and an assortment of children are seated in short rows of chairs.

“What’s going on?” I look to Amy, and she picks up a bouquet of flowers from a table and hands them to me. James appears and kisses his wife before addressing me.

“Ryan wants to ask you a question.”

“I…er…” I’m lost for words.

James holds his arm out for me to take. The pretty white dress Amy brought to the hospital for me to change into makes sense now. I hadn’t thought about it at the time only commented it was different to my normal leggings and baggy top. Amy picks up another posy of flowers and falls into line behind me.

“North men don’t do things by halves, remember.” James smiles.

I’m getting married.

Half in a daydream, I take James’ arm and allow him to lead me up the makeshift aisle while Amy follows behind as my bridesmaid.

“Hey.” Ryan seems nervous when I reach the front, and he takes both my hands in his.

“H-hey, yourself,” I reply with a slight stutter.

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