Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

away. That, in itself, isperplexing, but as I said it may just be a result of your dislikefor him—”

“It’s not thatI don’t like him. I just get the feeling he doesn’t like me andthat makes me feel uneasy.”

“Well, that’sfair enough. It might be best to just avoid him initially though,or practice the breathing techniques I taught you for when you docome across him again.” She started typing into her phone. “Whenare you planning on seeing your children next?”

“Tomorrow,” Ianswered with a smile.

“Good. Afteryou explain to Nate and Charlotte what has happened, you may findyou feel less anxious and that a weight of relief has been liftedfrom you, a weight you did not know you carried.”

“I’m fullyaware that I am carrying that particular weight, Jessica.”

“Of course youknow you are carrying that weight, Alexis. Butthat weight could also be linked to you being anxious and fearfulin general, not just over telling your children. Do you understandwhat I’m saying?” She rested her hands on her lap.

“Oh, yes,maybe.” I deliberated that notion for a second.

“Getting backto being intimate with Bryce may also help relieve your anxiety. Doyou have any concerns about that?”

“We have beenintimate.” I quickly correct myself, slightly stuttering. “We haveobviously not made love yet...but we have had intimate moments.”Oh my God! I’m talking to Jessica about having sex with Bryce.Once upon a time I would have considered this an adynaton, maybe Ineed to look out the window and see if a pig flies past.

“That’s good.Like I said, getting back into your normal routine can only helpyour situation. Now, if you are planning to try again to haveanother baby, then you should wait a couple more weeks, but I’msure your doctor talked to you about that.”

“Yes, shedid.”

“Okay, good.So, how do you feel now, after our chat?”

“Do you alwaysask that question at the end of your ‘chats’?” I asked flatly.

“Yes.”

“So it’s ahabit?”

“Yes, but Iwant to know your answer.” She packed up her briefcase and stoodup.

“I feelbetter.”

“Good, as longas you don’t feel worse, then we are on the right track. Now, staythere, don’t get up. Bryce is on his way.” She walked toward thedoor.

“How do youknow?”

“I sent him atext.”

I rolled myeyes. “Am I the only one who doesn’t do what he says?”

She smirkedback at me. “Yes, I think so.”

As she turnedthe handle to the entryway door, the elevator doors opened andBryce entered the room.

“I’ll speak toyou tomorrow, Alexis. And Bryce, Gareth missed his session lastweek and he is not returning my phone calls. You know what iscoming up, so if you see him again today, please tell him I want tosee him as soon as possible.”

“Sure, thankyou for letting me know.”

He walked overand held the door as she passed through it.

After Jessicaleft the apartment, Bryce made his way to the lounge and satdown.

“That makessense you know,” I said.

“What makessense?” he asked as he rubbed his hands up his arms. “Are you cold?I can put the fire on.” He got back up and made his way to the firewithout waiting for me to answer. “Sorry, what makes sense?”

“Garethwanting to leave so quickly when you mentioned Jessica was on herway here.”

“Yeah, I didpick up on that too. I will track him down shortly. He knows heshouldn’t be missing appointments with her, especially this time ofyear.” He sat back down and pulled me to him.

“Why? What’sthis time of year?”

“Theanniversary of the accident, it’s a week from Monday,” he answered,emotionlessly.

I snuggledinto him as I watched the flames from the fire pick up. “Do you doanything to mark the day?”

“Yeah, wenormally go to the cemetery. Would you like to come?”

I tilted myhead to look up at him. “I’d love to.”

“Good, I’vealways hated going on my own.”

“Didn’t youjust say ‘we’ normally go to the cemetery?”

“Yeah, Lucy,Nic, and Gareth.”

“Then you werenever on your own, were you?”

“Yes, Iwas.”

I squeezed himtightly, understanding what he meant. “Well you aren’tanymore.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

I never quite liked thefeeling of impatience, even if it went hand in hand with an outcomeof joy—a reward for the patience you had to endure. I hated theobsession with time, flicking to my watch every few minutes in thehope it would display a passing of hours instead. I hated thefeeling of disappointment when I was so sure my wait was over, onlyto realise it wasn’t and having to be patient once again.

On thisparticular day, my impatience was a result of having to wait forNate and Charlotte to arrive home. I was so eager to wrap my armsaround them both, see their beautiful adorable faces and hear theirsweet voices. But, as excited and eager as I was, I was alsoterrified, because I soon had to explain why my leg was broken andwhy I was no longer pregnant. It was a surreal type of impatienceand I hated it even more.

The buzzer tothe door sounded and I jolted excitedly, kicking the coffeetable.

“Shit! Crap!Fucking Balls!”

“Alexis, forfuck’s sake, be careful. As much as I have enjoyed carrying youaround these past two weeks, I don’t want you to re-break your footagain.”

“They’re here,Bryce!” I shrieked with a huge smile. “I haven’t seen them in twoweeks. Do you know how hard that has been for me?”

He smiled backat me. “Of course I do, Hunny.”

I stood myselfup on one leg, arranging the crutches into position. Bryce went tothe door and opened it, letting Rick and the kids in. I hobbledover to where the kids were standing and both of them wentpale.

“Mum, whathappened? How did you break your foot?” Nate looked like he wantedto hug me but was not sure how to go about it without hurting myinjured leg.

“I fell downthe stairs, little man.”

“Are youokay?” he asked, clearly worried.

“I wasn’t okayat first, but I am now.”

Nate steppedforward and gently squeezed my waist then let go and stood back,still looking overly concerned.

“Mum, did ithurt?” asked Charlie curiously, while staring at my cast.

“Yes,Sweetheart, it hurt like hell.”

“How did youfall, Mum? Were you running? You shouldn’t have been running. Youkeep telling us not to run, and now look what’s happened.” Sheplaced her hands on her hips, with an expression basically brandingme a hypocrite.

“No,” Ilaughed at