Part 4
I could feel the warmth of the sun’s rays bathing
my exposed flesh, warming me the way one of Liam’s smiles did. I resisted the urge to open my eyes, I just
wanted to savour this moment and the feelings that went with it. Besides I’d always found it difficult to get
moving in the morning, and what better way to procrastinate than to lie and
think of Liam. A warm breeze brushed
against my nipples and they stiffened, and tingled the way they would had it
been the warmth of his breath. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm sheer bliss.
Reluctantly I half opened my eyes and squinted at
the digital alarm clock on the night side table. Nine o nine it glowed. Well I guess I should get a move on if I’m
going to make Joeys game on time. I
rolled out of bed and padded off to the bathroom and splashed some cold water
on my face to wake me up a bit. I
plodded out of the bathroom and through the living room to the kitchen, where I
ground some coffee beans and got a pot of coffee brewing. I then slipped back into my bedroom, quickly
made the bed and tidied up my room. It’s
quite liberating to be running around doing everyday tasks naked, it struck me.
Next I
rifled through my drawers and closet looking for the right thing to wear, it
was going to be a hot humid day and I wanted to be as comfortable as possible. I decided on a pair denim cut offs, and a
white form fitting white scooped neck t shirt, a pair of socks and some
sneakers and I’d be ready to rock. I
passed by the bathroom on my way to the kitchen, then turned around and flicked
on the switch. I was feeling pretty good
this morning, so why not a little something to make me feel a bit sexy and
special. I glossed my lips with a little
pink bikini coloured gloss then slipped the tube into my back pocket in case I
need a top up later on.
A couple
of strokes of mascara, and oh why not I thought, a little dab of cologne on the
lobes of ears, the nape of my neck, wrists and even the backs of my knees. I looked in the mirror and smiled in
satisfaction, perfect casual and a wee bit flirty but not over done. I had never been one of those women that
tried to create something that I didn’t naturally possess. The perfume had a light lingering scent which
made me grin, thinking of Liam being driven slightly wild by the scent, and
wanting to discover the source of it.
I danced,
as I followed my nose to the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee, and
poured a large mug and took a tentative sip so as not to burn my tongue. I caught a quick glance at the kitchen clock
and hurriedly filled up bowls of food and water for Barclay. I grabbed another quick couple of sips of
coffee and bottle of water out of the fridge to toss in my shoulder bag. Kissed Barclay on the head, scratched him
under his chin, and told him I loved him and would see him in a few hours. I skipped down the stairs, and was feeling
rather giddy and spirited to the point I actually considered sliding down the
banister. I thought better of it though
as coordination had never been one of my strong suits. I jogged down to the bus stop and headed off
to the game.
I got off
the bus at the Christie stop, and ambled over to the soccer field. The bleachers were already filling in rapidly
with parents, and siblings, aunts , uncles and other assorted friends and
family of the two teams playing in the championship game. I spotted the Morelli’s along with their son
and daughter in law, I waved a friendly greeting and looked for a place to
sit. I finally spotted a spot about
seven levels up in the stands and made my way up to sit down. I took out my water bottle and took a sip,
replacing the cap and putting it down beside me. I scanned the field looking for Joey and saw
him doing some warm ups with the rest of his team.
I sort of
zoned out and was startled to hear “Lorelei, hey Lorelei” I turned my head to
the direction the voice seemed to be coming from and I couldn’t believe my luck
it was Liam, perhaps he would prove to be the proverbial luck of the Irish for
her He made his way over to the
bleachers and up into the stands. I hope
I didn’t appear to look as startled as I felt, I also silently prayed I was not
grinning from ear to ear like a total fool and looking mildly deranged.
Beautiful
day for the game, I’m surprised to see you here, but it’s a most unexpected and
pleasant one, he added. Do you have a
son playing? He asked trying to sound casual about it. He took a seat next to
me, brushing against me as he did so and it sent tingles throughout me. No, no, I came to see the Morelli’s little
grandson Joey. Number 7, on the Tigers. Damn he just keeps getting
better looking every time I see him, how on earth does he manage that? Cool he said and gave me a boyish grin and I
simply melted inside.
She looks
so perfect he thought. Skin that had a
healthy sun kissed glow to it, a cute little nose, eyes that were warm and
welcoming, lips that looked as if they need to be kissed, and he was aiming to
be the one to do it. There was a
delicate floral scent that clung to her, and just seemed to enhance the magical
aura that seemed to exude from her. Oh
and those legs, tanned and, he knew were silky soft, his leg having brushed
against hers as he was getting seated.
Soft and as delicate as the skin on a newborn child, how he longed to
run his hands over those silken legs and thighs of hers.
The
instant he grazed his leg with hers he had felt the electric charges flowing
throughout his body. He had to remind
himself that he was a gentleman no matter how she seemed to manage to bring out
primal urges in him, even at a little league soccer game, while she was dressed
perfectly casually. I hadn’t really noticed her at first but a stunning auburn
haired beauty with the loveliest sea foam green eyes was making her way up the
stands. I thought she was carrying on to
one of the higher seats but no she took a seat next to Liam and proceeded to
give him a peck on the cheek and a small hug.
I sat
stunned beyond believe, Liam was involved with someone quite obviously. No, no it was worse than that, they were
married, the word left a bitter taste in my mouth. I could see the band of gold glinting in the
sun on the ring finger of her left hand.
My world was crashing in around me.
A myriad of emotions flowed through me, anger at myself for being taken
in by him, anger at him for not telling me he was a married man, did he think
me fool enough to be mistress material?
Not bloody likely, I thought angrily.
Sorry for her for having married such a louse. Worst of all I was struck by the sobering
realization that I was very much in love with him and yet could never have
him. It was no puppy love that I felt
for him, but a very deep and enduring love.
My life was over, the devastation and the
heaviness of my heart loomed over me and consumed me. I felt myself go very
pale, and the colour and happiness drained out of me. Get a grip Lorelei I told
myself, better to find out now than months or years later, and don’t you dare
cry. You are not going to give him the
satisfaction, your better than that, and you have too much class to out him to
her. I’d made a promise to Joey and I
was staying come hell or high water.
Lorelei,
this is Molly. She smiled and offered
her hand to me, but all I could muster was a very stiff and formal, pleasure to
meet you, and I pointedly ignored the hand she held out to me. She seemed puzzled by this but took her hand
back. You look pale Lorelei are you
feeling quite well? His handsome face
registered genuine concern. I’m fine
thank you, I responded but it came out clipped and not very convincing even to
me. I eyed him cooly though I was fuming
inside. Cheeky bastard I thought introducing
me to his wife, his wife!!! The word grated in my mind, and just a few minutes
ago I would have thrilled to my core at being his wife, and the word would have
been full of sweetness and joy not the bitter bile it was causing me now. I wanted to weep and be cradled like a child
in the comfort of some ones arms.
“Mommie Mommie” a little red headed girl shouted in
her high pitched voice as she nimbly scampered up the bleachers towards Molly. Tommy says they are gonna win the game Mom,
he’s even promised to get me a goal. She
climbed into Liam’s lap and he gave her ponytail a playful tug and said “how’s
my girl?” Great she said wrapping her
arms around him and giving him a bear hug.
This was almost more than I could bare, especially after dreams of
having Liam’s child growing in my womb.
The
little girl smiled at me and grinned.
I’m Megan she announced stoutly “And I know who you are, your Lorelei
and Uncle Liam’s right your pretty. He told
Mommy and Daddy all about you at dinner last night, I think he likes you a
whole bunch, cuz he gets this dopey look on his face when he talks about you.”
She said rather matter of factly, you look kind of sad now though, would you
like me to give you a hug? Would that
help?” I nodded mutely and help out my arms to her. I looked at her over the
top of her head as I looked at him, now genuinely shocked and majorly confused.
“Uncle Liam” I said softly, questioningly.
Yes, and this is my sister Molly Madigan, her son Tommy is on the
Tigers. Oh, and I felt some colour returning to my once ashen face. Relief swept over me like a tide rolling in
to shore, to cleanse and swirl the sands along the shorelines and leave them
smooth and even its wake.
Megan slipped out of my arms and went to sit beside
her mother. Liam looked at me still
trying to figure out what exactly was going on, “you seem to be getting a bit
of your colour back Lorelei, here take a sip of water, it might help” he said
offering me the bottle I had sat down beside me earlier. I nodded weakly at him.
Your
sister? I said feeling incredibly sheepish and feeling just awful for being so
standoffish with Molly. “Yes, who else would she be?” he asked softly. “I” faltered, I thought she was your wife I
said my eyes downcast and nearly burst into tears. He took my hands, gently and intertwined his
fingers through mine, I looked up at him my eyes misting over, no, no wife, no
kids not even a goldfish or house plan, but maybe one day if I’m very lucky he
said smiling at me. A single tear began
to run down my face and tenderly wiped it away with his thumb.
Molly
realizing there had been some sort of misunderstanding between us wisely
decided to leave us alone, well alone as we could be in a bleacher full of
sports fans. It was nice to meet you, I hope we’ll see you again soon
Lorelei” I was about to respond when
Megan piped up “Don’t be so silly Mom of course you’ll see her again, she’ll be
Uncle Liam’s date for ice cream after the game. Bye Lorelei she waved as she
started down the bleachers after her Mother.
How
could you possibly think Molly was my wife he asked genuinely mystified? Well the way she greeted you with a kiss, the
wedding band on her left hand, and you calling Megan your girl. I just, assumed you were married and Megan
was your daughter I blurted out. He
replayed the events in my mind, holy crap I didn’t introduce her as my sister
either did I? Oh god Lorelei I’m so so
so sorry, I never thought you’d think I was romantically involved with
her. Please give me a chance to make
this whole thing right with you. I
sniffled back some tears, I was silly and jumping to conclusions before I got
the facts, and if I ever want to know something again I’ll ask you out right
and you’ll give me an honest answer.
Deal he responded.
Now lets’ put this behind us and one day I’m sure
we’ll see the humour in it, maybe not today, I can see your feelings have been
hurt, and I never want to do that to you.
So let’s start fresh. How about
you and I watch the game and then would you do me the honour of being my date
for ice cream afterwards? He smiled, and my face lit up as I nodded my
agreement. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and drew me close to him,
protectively as we watched the game. Cheering
the Tigers on, and rooting especially hard for Tommy and Joey, shouting out
encouragement, and jumping up and down and applauding wildly when they scored a
goal. I couldn’t think of anything I
would rather be doing then spending time with Liam. It was like being in a Disney movie, the
skies were bright, the sun shone, birds sang, flower bloomed, life was perfect
sitting her next to Liam.
The game ended on a high note with the Tigers
winning the championship trophy. I was
glad to see they were good sports and sent up a cheer for the other team, and
lined up on the field to shake hands like little gentleman. The players began to drift off the field and
excited family and friends ran out to greet the players. Tommy a freckled face red headed little fellow, like his mother and sister , bee
lined it towards his Uncle.
Congratulations Tiger!!! and he scooped Tommy up in his arms and swung him
around in a circle before setting him down.
Tommy laughed in glee. Did ya see
me Uncle Liam, did you see the two goals I got?
He chattered away excitedly.
“Don’t forget you promised, you’re taking the team out now for ice
cream!” Nope I haven’t forgotten Liam
laughed, after all a promise is a promise, I don’t make them unless I can back
them up, and he looked over meaningfully at me as he said it.
We ended
up at Dutch Dreams, a wonderful little
ice cream shop that made delicious homemade treats on the premises from old
world family recipes. The kids had a
ball, and I enjoyed being caught up in their youthful energy and joy as they
celebrated the big win. I even had a
chance to talk to Molly some more and she sagely didn’t mention my earlier
coolness to her, but I apologized to her none the less. Think nothing of it, it’s in the past, as she
waved her had dismissively, the issue over and done with, and a fresh slate
started between us.
Parents arrived to pick up their children, and the
crowd in the shop began to thin out.
Molly too , gathered up her little ones and headed off, which left Liam
and I together seated side by side in a little booth together. Well he said, I don’t really want to say good
bye Lorelei, so if your free this evening I thought maybe we could get
together, spend some more time together.
How does an evening in the Beaches sound? A little dinner, maybe listen
to one of the local bands, a walk along the beach afterwards. Sounds perfect to me, I’d love to accept your
invitation. Good he said as he placed his hand over mine on the table and gave
it a squeeze.
The Tale is continued, just click on the "chapters" button up on the top right for more!
while you are awaiting the next installment and you've enjoyed what you've read so far,
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