Ophelia (20 page)

Authors: Jude Ouvrard

“Are you going to drink that cranberry vodka or are you waiting for the ice to dilute the drink?” Beverly had quite a way of making a statement.

“It’s mine. Don’t even think about it.” I took a first sip, a second and I made a face. That drink was strong.

“It’s a double vodka.”

“That explains it.” I laughed and downed more than half of what the glass contained. Tonight was about having fun, celebrating.

“That’s my girl.”

Trevor returned with a drink and a beer. Of course, Beverly was drinking a Cosmopolitan, her favorite.

We talked and had our drinks before returning to the dance floor. My legs were a bit shaky, but I guessed it was the effect of the vodka hitting me. It didn’t stop me from dancing. Nothing could.

I felt like I was twenty-one again, except I had let go of my past. For the first time, my past wasn’t in my present. I was finally moving forward. Dancing and drinking to have fun, to celebrate, not to forget. I smiled and felt free.

Chapter SIXTEEN

***

Happiness is reached when it’s impossible to erase a smile.

Happiness is reached when your heart is overwhelm with the joys of life.

Smile to the life you are given, learn from it, breathe it.

***

M
y cheek rested on the white plastic seat of the toilet bowl. I yawned and heaved at the same time. Exhausted described exactly how I felt. I had no energy left within me. All I wanted was my bed. I could see the sun rising from the small window of the bathroom. Thankfully, none of us had to be at work early in the morning.

I tried to drink a small glass of water, and my stomach kept it. Great! I brushed my teeth and hurried back to bed. Teo never noticed that I was gone. He and Trevor had a lot of Jack Daniels shots toward the end of the night. They both had a good time. I enjoyed watching him laugh and be playful. Since I found out about his past, I was seeing him differently and witnessing him being full of joy, enjoying life was a great inspiration to me. His strength knew no fear.

Under the covers, I cuddled against him and his arms reached out to pull me to his chest. I closed my eyes and let myself melt into the warmth of his body.

... O ...

Shivers ran down my spine as I felt a breeze on my naked shoulder. I opened one eye, only to see if Teo lay next to me. He wasn’t there. For a few seconds, I questioned myself. Should I or shouldn’t I go back to sleep? The alarm clock on his side of the bed said 10:32 am. I stretched my legs, but really, I wasn’t ready to wake up yet. I rolled onto my side and let the tiredness catch up with me again.

Images from last night wandered in my mind. The way Teo and I danced together without a care in the world. How Beverly and I had fun like the crazy teenagers we had once been. I was certain that a small grin appeared on my lips as I dosed off. Last night had been a great night, one to remember.

“Bella Ophelia, wake up.” I felt his lips touching my jaw, my cheek, my nose and at last, my lips.

I giggled under his arousing kisses. “Morning, Teo.” My voice sounded rusty and my throat was sensitive from all that vomiting. Not really charming, I knew that.

“Humm... You mean afternoon.” The look on his face made me laugh. Teo liked to make fun of me and he was doing it at the moment.

“That bad? Did I oversleep?” I had no idea what time it was precisely. I was hoping early afternoon because I wanted to spend some time with him before work.

“It’s one thirty.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “Your bath is ready. I added your lavender essential oil.”

He spoiled me. “You are the best.”

“How are you feeling? Beverly said she heard someone in the bathroom early this morning.”

Damn. “It was me. I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m better now.” After sleeping for almost ten hours, I was feeling mighty fine.

“Why don’t you go in the bath to relax? I’ll get you some soup. You must be hungry.”

I was. My stomach groaned, requesting food, but a bath would give me time to wake up, which was much needed. “Sounds like a good idea, baby. Why don’t you join me?”

His laugh echoed in the room and gave me all the reasons to smile. Such a lovely sound. “I actually want you to relax, okay? I’ll take a rain check.”

“Okay, baby. Rain check it is.” Such a disappointment, but he had a point. We wouldn’t relax together in a bath. I suddenly had tons of naughty things in mind and flushed deep red.

I pushed away the comforter and sat on the bed. I rubbed my puffy eyes and stretched my arms. My back ached from being in bed for so long, I needed the bath to release the tension in my joints. After a few seconds of stretching, I got up and walked to the bathroom. I heard Clara and Trevor’s voices in the living room and I thought it was great. It would bring something new to her life. A new friend.

As soon as I stepped in the bathroom, I could smell the lavender and it relaxed me right away. I undressed and entered the warm water with delight. Teo knew me well. A bath was exactly what I needed. As my body was taking in the warmth, a shiver ran throughout my body.

The lavender smelled great but my hair had a vomit scent imprinted on it. My time at home with Teo was running away, so I sank my head into the water to rinse and then hurried out of the bath. We both had to be at the restaurant tonight. I was playing the piano and Sunday nights were always busy. The guests liked to request certain songs and a small dance area had been added next to the piano. I was excited about meeting new people and making sure they had a great evening.

... O ...

Walking out of the bedroom, dressed for the night and all dolled up, I smiled as I saw Teo and Trevor watching a soccer game on TV. They were cheering for their team and eating BBQ flavored chips. I couldn’t understand what it was, but there was something heartwarming about seeing him happy with a friend. He had spent so much time with me, taking care of me, that sometimes I felt like he didn’t take time for himself. I stood there and watched them with teary eyes. Clara was sitting on Teo’s lap, and he was playing with her hair. Our lives were nothing conventional, but for whatever reason, it worked for us.

“Hey, girl. That dress makes your booty look all round and sexy.” Beverly elbowed me in the ribs cheerfully. “Why are you crying? Is something wrong?”

I shook my head no. “I’m just watching them. I think we’re doing great, Bev. We’re building something good for Clara. You’re doing so well. And Trevor, he’s a good man.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Look at Teo. I love him so very much and knowing that he’s happy and witnessing how successful he is at work, it makes me proud, so damn proud.”

Beverly gave me a hug, her arms holding me tight. “Why are you so emotional? It’s not like you, not lately anyway. You’ve been strong and smiling like I’ve never seen you.”

I shrugged, I had no clue and she had a point, kind of.

“What time are you guys leaving?” she asked, taking me away from my thoughts.

“Humm, we have to be there by 5 pm.” I dried my tears with the back of my hand. “You’re right though, I’ve felt a lot better in the past months. Something’s changing in me. I think it’s called acceptance.”

She kisses my cheek. “You’re the strongest person I know and the best friend a girl could ask for.”

“I could say the same about you.” Raising a child as a single mother and having a demanding career had always impressed me.

“Come on, let’s go sit with our men while we still have time.”

We still had a little over an hour before leaving for work. Teo’s eyes met with mine when Beverly and I entered the living room area.

“How am I supposed to concentrate on work if you look that delectable?” he teased, probably just trying to find a way to make me blush again.

“You do that to me constantly.”

We talked, watched the game, and I ate half of the bowl of chips. It surprised me, since I’d never really liked that flavor before. Sweets had always been my favorite. Clara was sitting at the coffee table, drawing. I stared at her. I could see her mother’s features on her and I could already tell how good-looking she would be when she grew up. She had Bev’s curly blonde hair and green eyes. I felt bad for all the hearts she was about to break. I had witnessed Beverly decline date after date back in the day. She looked like Kate Hudson, always pretty and with the perfect grin. She had it all and Trevor had won her over.

A commercial on TV gave me a heart attack. I tried to keep it to myself, I kept control of my emotions but I didn’t know what to do with myself. It all became clear in my mind. How could I have been so blind? Sensing my body tensing, Teo got hold on my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze. Should I go? Should I tell him? Maybe I could talk to him in private? None of these ideas made sense. I was at a loss and I had to do something about it. I excused myself and went to my room. My fingers were trembling because I was scared shitless, but I also had that huge freaking smile on my face as an unimaginable mixture of emotion flowed through me.

“Teo, can you come here, please?”

“Give me two minutes, the period’s almost over.” Italians and their soccer madness.

I walked into the bathroom and took that box from the second drawer. I threw the contents on the counter. I did what I had to do and a ball of nerves formed into my belly. Why wasn’t he coming?

“Teo, please.”

“I’m here, I’m here. Are you okay?” He looked at me, and I could tell he didn’t know what to think. “You look happy, but you’re crying.”

“I know. I did it, Teo.” I said, putting emphasis on the ‘it’.

“Humm... What? Where?”

“There... It’s already been two minutes.”

“Did you look?” I could hear the anxiety into his voice but he too had a huge grin on his face.

“No. I did it the last time. It’s your turn.” I was almost too impatient not to look, but honestly I already knew that...

“We’re pregnant.” He sobbed with happy tears. “You’re going to have our baby.” He dropped the test in the sink and lifted me into his arms while my face was showered with wet kisses.

***

Sometimes life can give you a hell of a painful time

But never, not even for one second, forget that something good is on the way.

Faith is all you need, all you have.

***

- THE END -

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book had been in the back of my mind for quite some time. It changed a lot. Teo was initially a Leo and hockey player but I decided to keep things simple and he became Teo, the restaurant owner. Ophelia’s story could have been a lot worse but again, I opted for something a little more light. I’m happy with the result and I hope you enjoyed reading this book.

My first thank you goes to Tracey who’s continued support help me through this.

My second thank you goes to Simone who edited this book and helped with me with the first few chapters with her beta skills. Oh and her amazing blurb skills.

My third thank you goes to Natalie G. Owens who guided me with the Italian writing. My knowledge in Italian is limited. Her help was much appreciated.

My fourth thank you goes to Megan Noelle who gave me her advice when it came to the storyline. She’s the one who taught me that sometimes less is much better.

My fifth thank you goes to my friends... Sylvia Nguyen, Sandra Chevrier, my street team, and everyone who’s giving me their support and advice.

And my final thank you goes to my family. Thank you, Merci. xoxox

Who am I?

I was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. I now live in Montreal, Canada. I’m the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, and have spent the last thirteen years with my partner.