The end...:(

So was this a too rapid a conclusion? After the slow build up I felt the real ending was them committing to each other. I love Sam and Camilla. Might come back to those at a later day! 

A few comments from the last few chapters are in order!

Ranjeeta! Thanks for the comments! And I love the phrase 'Rock on!' Makes me literally want to start dancing!! :)

Lovely - So great to hear that you're still around. You've been missed! Hope things are getting easier. Glad that you're loving this story. Hope you like the conclusion! :)

alisonwonderland - Glad I caught and enhanced a good mood! And yep Sam is the steadying influence that Camilla needs! Love to hear your thoughts on the finale! :)

Annie - glad the ending really appealed. I did think about the baby thing...was going to have Camilla instantly realise her friend looked 'different', but I didn't! Such a star always commenting,  really love it! Thanks, x

Mal K - So pleased that the ending seemed right. I do try to not be too predictable. :)

Samaira T - Another very loyal critic! Thanks SO much, and Alton Towers? Been a long time since I've been there! Hope you enjoy! I'm jealous! Sometimes finishing these stories is a bind, and I'm glad that you appreciate my effort! This story when Jens and Carly were dating was so difficult, I really struggled, but kept with it. Seems I'm good with happy storylines, not so great with characters making mistakes!! :)

So thanks to you all, if I've missed anyone then I offer my heart felt apologies. My new story will hopefully start tomorrow. Completely different,  A Class Apart! 

MZ

Learning to Fly - 40

Chapter 40 - The End!

Carly could hear noise, but really didn't want to open her eyes. It had been a late night and the last thing she wanted was to rise before eight. Opening one eye half way she saw the clock read half past seven and she groaned, rolling to bury her face in the pillow.

More noise preceded a door opening and a shaft of light fell across the pillow next to her head. Carly groaned again. A deep chuckle replied, then she felt the bed dent next to her immediately before two arms encircled her from behind and pulled her back against a hard body.

"Sleep!" she muttered, refusing to open her eyes. So instead her captor kissed each of her eyelids before beginning a more leisurely assault on her lips. Carly was tired, but she wasn't completely inert, and unable to resist those lips, she soon found herself responding in kind. 

When her eyes finally opened Lucas lifted his head and looked down at her, "Good morning!" Her scowl of reply caused him to chuckle, "Carly Slater! YOU are the one who wanted to travel around the World, YOU are the one who dragged me to...where are we?"

"You know we're in Thailand!" she smiled.

He nodded, "another beautiful place that needs exploring!"

They'd checked into the beach villa the previous evening and the gentle lap of the calm sea outside, that Lucas just KNEW was going to be aquamarine and clear, just a few feet from them had woken Lucas and he'd not slept since. It wasn't as if in the last three months they hadn't seen a lot of things. After their July wedding, they'd flown to India and taken a month exploring the beaches and sights there and into Sri Lanka, after that they'd flown to Bangkok, after several weeks in the chaos and confusion on that busy city, they had made their way overland to the Gulf of Thailand to Prachuap Khiri Khan, and a resort that was isolated and miles from anywhere. A small hotel and several of the beach villas that they were lying in skirted the idyllic bay, but when they'd arrived earlier that evening the moon didn't illuminate enough of it for them to truly appreciate the beauty. 

They'd travelled on a real budget through the other parts of the trip, but this was always meant to be their honeymoon proper. Saying that they had friends arriving later, so it was hardly the isolated love fest that they'd always imagined it would be. 

"So Mrs Slater," he turned her in his arms and smothered her body with his, "are you getting up to come for a pre-breakfast swim in paradise?"

Instead Carly wrapped her thighs around him, meshing their pelvises together and causing him to rue his earlier confidence. Her naked body was lush and after three months of constantly worshipping it, and in the months prior to their wedding, he'd still not got bored of her. If anything he desired and loved her more everyday.

Looking down into eyes that told him she knew exactly the effect she was having on him, he groaned, "am I ever going to have the upper hand in this relationship?"

She shook her head, at the same time slowly grinding her hips on to him, " I don't know what you mean!"

Her lips snatched at his, and he was lost, his body was set to explode, and so, after wrestling for supremacy, he powered over her, and once her head dropped back, a prisoner to his hands, he joined them properly, together. 

Carly was stood on the veranda in a pair of ridiculously short shorts and a strapless top, looking out at the most spectacular view he'd ever seen when Lucas finally joined her.

"I thought you were keen to explore?" she raised an eyebrow at his still dishevelled state.

"It's not my fault I married a floozy who uses her delectable body and delicious charm to trap me, control me..."

She took his hand, "sounds like hell!"

Laughing, he followed her for breakfast.

As they sat opposite each other in the restaurant eating fruit and bread Lucas smiled. He'd never thought life could become as idyllic as this. Here he was, sat in paradise, the man who'd grafted in some way, shape or form since he was a in his early teens. And opposite a woman who'd changed everything he knew. For five years he'd hidden behind his failure in football. Rejected anyone who reminded him of that, including his parents. It was Carly who'd taken him from Salzburg to London, and to them. And it really had been like coming home. No one cared that he'd been absent for years, and especially, no one cared that he wasn't a first class footballer. 

That fear had shaped his life, that without his football career, he was nothing. But now he was everything. An added bonus came after opening the stacks of mail his parents had patiently filed. The forty thousand pounds that had been his insurance payment, he'd invested in various bonds and barely touched. If he had made it big, he could have earned more than that in a week, and in disgust he'd put it out of sight and lived like a  student! But his financial advisor had repeatedly written to ask him to call him, and when he did he was amazed. It seemed the flair he had for football, and he'd later added, finding women to that list, applied to picking investments. The total that had been shown him was immense and he was flabbergasted. Financial security wasn't a lifelong guarantee, but he was in a VERY healthy position. 

Carly had intervened, she'd stopped using the word 'interfered' after both her protests, but also after the success of her suggestion. In two months he was starting a 'soccer' coaching position at a fledgling Australian team, based on the outskirts of Melbourne. Hence the trip.

Wiping papaya juice from her chin, Carly smiled at Lucas, "so Mr Slater, what are the plans for today?"

Lucas shook his head, rejoined the present, "well. The manager here said there are glass bottomed boat trips, jungle treks, or..." He lowered his voice, "the little secluded hot tub on the veranda, the quiet beach...or even a swim in the sea."

"Do any of these suggestion end without sex?" 

Lucas laughed, "we make love!" He tried his best to look indignant, before adding, "and then there's the fact that in a few hours we're having company on out honeymoon!"

Reaching across, she cupped his cheek, "you've had almost three months of me ALL to yourself! Are you being greedy?"

"Damn right I am!"

Later, much later, Carly stretched on the bed, a large ceiling fan wafting fairly cool air over her naked body, watching Lucas shave at the sink in the corner of the room. He was equally naked,  his brown almost tan line free buttocks hinting at how carefree the past few months had been.

"Have I told you what a great arse you've got?"

He turned to face her briefly, giving the aforementioned body part a timely wiggle, "don't YOU just love it!"

She nodded, "ain't that the truth!"

When he glanced again she was draped in a far too evocative way. Shaking his head he came towards her, knowing that dinner was about to be treated the same way as virtually every meal had been on this trip...by the two of them being late.

They were travelling with rucksacks, so each night they varied their clothing only slightly, tonight was no exception. Carly's white linen shorts had seen better days, and she knew that they wouldn't make it to Australia, their final destination, but with gladiator sandals and a bright yellow shirt knotted under her breasts, she felt beautiful. The diamond and wedding band on her fourth finger of her left hand gave her that extra confidence.

Lucas, as always looked edible. His olive tanned skin, the happy, content expression, she barely saw as far as the surfy clothing that looked perfect on him. Yep, she was head over heels in love with him.

They ate on a quiet terrace overlooking part of the serene bay, where the moon reflected off the millpond that was the sea. 

Both loved Thai food as much as the food in Sri Lanka and India, and they were spoilt for choice in this resort. They'd barely finished when they  hear d voices behind them. 

Carly jumped up just as Camilla burst through the door for reception, and the tow girls hugged, "OMG!" She announced holding Carly at arm's length. "You look AMAZING!" 

Smiling back, Carly replied, "you too! It seems Mr Roberts is looking after you?"

Sam chuckled as he appeared by her side, "as much as anyone can, you know how crazy this woman is!"

Turning she hugged the tall blond man tightly, then pulled back to smile at him, "I sure do!" All the time she held Camilla's hand tightly.

Lucas had joined her and he repeated her greetings, he'd become firm friends with Sam since his fake date with Carly. And this was a moment they'd both waited for. Sam and Camilla had flown to a ski resort in Argentina to work the summer season, but had jetted to meet Carly and Lucas before they made for Australia. The other two were heading home, to face her bankrupt father. It had been a hard few months for Camilla, but Sam was everything she could have hoped for, caring for her, and loving her as she deserved. 

No one knew what the future would hold, but Carly had a distinct feeling that both she and Carly would always be extremely grateful that they'd been made to share a room back in Austria.  And as they opened a bottle of champagne filling glasses to overflowing, she knew she'd never been happier than now, this moment, as Mrs Slater with her close friends very close.

The End

Learning to Fly - 39

Chapter 39 - The Wedding Part Two.

The dining room was decorated in much the same way that the ceremony room had been, white roses and drapes of tulle. It was magical, and with the candle lit tables, the immaculate white table linen and the high quality crystal glassware the whole room was breathtaking. 

Carly froze in the doorway, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the room. When a hand slid to the small of her back and propelled her in through the door, she smiled, "Isn't it beautiful Sam?"

"Fantastic!" 

She froze rooted to the spot, fighting against the pressure forcing her toward a side door and the veranda. She'd know that voice anywhere, whether it be aggressive like this, or moaning her name in the heat of passion, but she couldn't bear to look at him. Lucas Slater. Over powering her he continued his pressure until they got to the door, then he propelled her through it. 

The rail that edged the veranda helped her to stop as she fell against it, tottering in the ridiculous heels she'd immediately regretted wearing. Slowly she turned to see Lucas stood there, arms crossed eyes blazing. She drank him in for a moment, until she realised the anger wasn't easing. 

"What?" Suddenly she felt as though she was stood in front of a headmaster facing detention. But she'd done nothing wrong...really.

"What?" he repeated through gritted teeth. "You don't open my emails or take my calls, then you turn up here with a man...I thought we were special that we could work on a relationship."

Carly sighed, "that's just it Lucas, we can't work on a relationship when we're on opposite and perpendicular trajectories. It would never work."

"So you've moved on? Is that it?" He hissed.

Carly looked at him, desperate to throw her arms around his neck and mash her lips to his, but she needed more from him, a sign that changing her plans, altering her future was reciprocal. "The invite was 'plus one', and Sam's..." She paused unable to think of words to describe him. 

"My replacement! I get it! Lucky I didn't hand in my notice, leave the only stability I have on a whim, isn't it?"

She watched him storm off to the bar, and suddenly realised that her apprehension over this plan was well placed. She'd all but thrown away any chance she had left. 

it was fifteen minute before she'd composed herself again and was able to rejoin the room. When she did, Sam was stood nervously looking around and Camilla was pacing in her usual impatient manner. 

"There you are! You disappeared!" She looked at Carly's emotion ravaged face and her concern eased. "Lucas? He took you outside? Oh! It's so romantic!" 

Sam nudged her rather inelegantly, "and she'd on her own, so that says this has hardly been the greatest success!" 

Camilla smiled, "au contraire. If he sought her out SO quickly, then he's not going to give up so easily."

Carly was thinking that Sam was right, that she'd blown it. Cam's insistence on adhering to her plan may well have been the worst thing in the world. With a groan she found her name place on one of the large round tables and slipped into sitting, filling her glass from a bottle of wine that sat on the table. When she heard a sound to her left she looked up to see Sam smiling at her. 

"Was it a disaster?"

She shrugged, "he just thought I'd instantly replaced him, and I think he had realised where he was going wrong..."

"So that's a good thing. Look I sat next to you for the duration of the service, we both know nothing more than that will happen. Just play this out, the one thing I agree with Camilla on, is that if he doesn't make enough effort then he doesn't deserve you. Hard as it may seem, it's better now than later on down the line."

Nodding appreciatively, Carly was relieved to see that someone spoke with common sense. She'd heard it repeatedly, that he may not deserve her, but she couldn't imagine that eventuality. She'd seen enough out on the veranda to make her think that he did love her, that he wanted to work something out, try and be together. 

Sipping her wine she pondered her next move. Finding him was imperative, then coming clean, explaining that this was all an attempt to force his hand. And that since they'd been separated, she actually realised she was willing to change her dreams, that he mattered more.

A round of applause caused her to look up and the bride and groom, all smiles and glowing entered the room, and as everyone sat for dinner Carly became embroiled in conversations around the table. She was sat with Sam of course, and Camilla but also Rochelle, Franz and five other members of staff from the hotel. People she hadn't spoken to in ages. 

The speeches were short, but funny, and then the newly weds were up and taking their first dance. 

"Shall we join them?" Sam was stood beside her with an outstretched hand. It had been so long since she'd seen Lucas that offering a dazzling smile she stood and accepted his hand.

"Thanks for this, I know you're desperate to get Cam up here for a dance!"

He grinned, "I'm officially here with you, I have a long time to decide how I feel about Camilla!"

"You are as besotted with her as she is with you!"  Carly announced as he took her into his arms for the slow dance. "You can't deny that! Life is for living, and you're both wasting valuable time being stubborn!"

He shook his head, "it's not as easy that. we're still feeling each other out. You know?"

Carly saw the honesty in his face and knew that if he and Camilla ever managed to work out that they fancied each other, that he'd look after her. It was a comforting thought and she smiled at him.

"What?"

Shrugging she could only offer, "I'm just thinking how lucky Camilla is, to have you. She needs friends, you know that?"

He nodded, "I know, she's a bit vulnerable at the moment."

As time went on, Carly was starting to like Sam more and more. As he expertly moved her around the dance floor, she smiled at him, despite his repeated questioning glances, she merely shrugged, happy with her opinion of this man.

Carly had only picked at her food, and several glasses of wine had made her more than a little emotional. So once she'd danced with Franz, hugged Bernard and Marta more than a dozen times, she took advantage of the lull in the proceedings to disappear back to the veranda. It was a deceptively warm evening, and with a wrap around her shoulders she was comfortable. The view wasn't great at night, but it was pleasant to be away from the hordes of people and then inane conversations. She wanted a few moments to feel sorry for herself. 

She wasn't sure if the sound of feet behind her, or the distinct impression of someone watching her, hit her consciousness first, but when she did spin around, Lucas was lurking in the darkened corner of the same veranda.

"Lucas!" His name escaped her lips as a gasp before she had the chance to control her emotions. He looked so good, yet so awful. The immaculate dinner suit an extreme contrast to the dark rings around his eyes and the unkempt nature of his hair, even his stubble. But it didn't detract from the lithe and athletic build of the man she loved.

He was looking at her, she could tell that, but was unable to decipher his expression because of the shadows cast by the poor light that emitted from the dining room. And he didn't answer her.

"Lucas, won't you speak to me? Please? This is torture."

His laugh was harsh, and it set the hairs on her neck on edge. "I don't think we have anything to say. Do we?"

Taking a deep breath she walked toward him, "if that were the case, why have you suddenly reappeared? I'd have thought you'd have left."

Laughing angrily he stepped towards her, meeting her in the shaft of light that escaped through the curtains from the room she'd left. "I've not gone anywhere Carly. I've been here for every single minute!" 

She groaned, "Lucas...please."

Suddenly she realised he was more hurt than angry. She'd hurt him, not just that day, but in her rejections since she'd told him she hated him. "Sam is a friend of Camilla's. He came with me today so I didn't have to be here alone. My crutch. I never wanted to hurt you."

He studied her in silence, and she knew he was trying to tell whether this was the truth, looking for hints that she was lying. 

"You ignored me Carly. Do you have any idea how hard it was to have you never answer a call? Read an email? All I wanted was to talk things through."

Carly tried to smile, "but it was your inability to talk that made me so mad! I lay my heart on my sleeve, told you I loved you, I was willing to change my life plans for you. And you just...just said nothing!"

Lucas turned away, gripping hold of the railings as a way of managing his anger, "there are a lot of things I haven't been ready to share. And that's not a slight on you...but purely on me. I'm not a touchy feely person Carly. I dont' share my emotions. I thought you'd have given me more than a few days to get my head around how I feel about you."

She gulped with nervousness, "and how is that?" 

Laughing he glanced to his right to look at her, "how do you think? I've not slept since I've been back. I can't work...you've ruined my life!"

Carly couldn't help but grin, "sorry about that." She stepped towards him, "but there's one way of getting things back on track!"

He raised an eyebrow, a silent question.

"Say it! Then we can work on the rest. Tell me!"

Holding her breath she watched him fight with his indecision, "I'm not..."

"That is the whole point Lucas. If you can't tell me that you love me, that you want this to work then it won't, and you deserve any torment that you have. I deserve a man who can tell me how he feels."

As she turned away from him, he called out, "I showed you! I may not have said it, but I showed you EVERY minute we were together!"

Carly had tears in her eyes as she spun around to face him, "they say actions speak louder than words, but how could I ever know that I was more special than anyone else? Saying 'I love you' isn't uttering three words Lucas, it's a commitment, a sign that you want me. That I'm special." As she finished the sentence a tear escaped her eye, and without thinking he reached out to catch it with his thumb. She jolted away from the 'zap' that the contact caused a million memories fighting to reach her consciousness. "I love you Lucas, I want everything with you...but...well, you have to want it to."

Fighting so hard to not let another tear escape, she turned away, that was her final gesture. With shaky steps she crossed to the doors that would lead her back into the hotel and the life that was going on unaware of hers crashing down around her.

After six paces she reached the door with her right hand, and as she depressed the handle, a hand circled her wrist.

"I love you Carly. I do more than anything. You know that more than I do. I just don't know how to deal with that! It scares me!"

She let out the breath she'd been holding, dropping her head she mumbled, "that's the point, risks are scary and love is a risk. But it's one I think you're worthy of."

Lucas pulled her around to face him, "don't leave. Not now. Stay and show me how to do this...Please?"

it was greater than any of the top fifty romantic lines from films, and knocked Humphrey Bogart's "we'll always have Paris" clean out of the water. When she was facing him, she saw her own tears mirrored in his and knew that this was what she wanted. Him, a quivering mess, over her. After all that was the affect he had on her.

A brief nod preceded his lips finding hers. A passion that she knew she'd never find with anyone else engulfed them almost immediately. When she managed to lift her head, look into his eyes, Carly smiled, "it'll work out if we have this, you know!" She referenced the passion that sizzled like electricity. But Lucas was too engrossed with enjoying her kisses to even digest anything else. But he knew in that moment he'd not let her go again.

Learning to Fly - 38

Chapter 38 - the Wedding Part One

Carly looked at the dress before she slid it into a dress bag. It was so much more daring and fashionable than was her comfort zone, but Camilla's enthusiasm for it made her pack it as planned. She'd not heard from Lucas. Well that was a lie. She'd had three emails all of which she'd ignored. Not even opened. Her heart was hardened against him, that was the mantra she muttered under her breath as she packed for the trip. 

She had spoken to Marta on a couple of occasions, she was both excited and nervous, and so grateful that Carly was making the journey to share in her special day.

Camilla on the other hand was almost vitriolic now that she had made the stance against her parents she was becoming fiercely independent. The frivolity of a privileged upbringing was all but over, she was knuckling down to work hard. She was even selling some jewellery to a dealer in Salzburg and selling a lot of her designer clothing via eBay.

It was a new strong Camilla, and Carly was so proud of her, even if she wasn't completely convinced that it was all genuine. She had no idea of Lucas would be at the wedding, and her preoccupation with Camilla was purely a distraction from that, she was completely aware of that.

Her flight was late afternoon and she was due into Salzburg by six in the evening. Camilla was meeting her and they were all booked into the hotel that was housing the wedding, since her absence from the resort Camilla had become good friends with Marta and Rochelle, which pleased Carly. They were the steadying influence that her friend needed. Carly was so excited at the thought of seeing all her friends again that she almost skipped through the arrivals hall.

And there was Camilla smiling and waving. 

"I've missed you!" she exclaimed pulling Carly into her arms. 

Carly grinned, "it's only been just under four weeks!"

"I know! But so much is going on!"

Carly pulled out of the embrace with a smile before she noticed the tall handsome man beside her friend. Looking questioningly at Camilla, her friend responded with a laugh.

"This," she swept an arm dramatically up and down the length of the six foot plus man, "is the answer to all your problems!"

Carly shook his outstretched hand, "pleased to meet you."

"I'm Sam."

Carly smiled a little confused, Sam was a staggering looking man, tall, blond, and a little rough around the edges with his stubble and casual clothing. He'd be the answer to many a woman's prayers, but unfortunately for Carly the memory and longing for Lucas meant there was no attraction.

"What do you mean Camilla?"

Camilla grinned, "this is your 'plus one' for the wedding!" She glanced up at him, "I can assure you that he will scrub up a little better than this, won;'t you?" She nudged him firmly in the ribs and after a little splutter he nodded.

Sliding her arm through Carly's she led her out of the airport leaving the mysterious Sam to manage the bags.

"I'm worried!" Carly announced as she was led to a nearby car, "what are you playing at?"

"Operation Get that Man of course! Look Sam's an old school mate, he works in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, it's about three hours away. Lucas has never met him, he's the perfect distraction for you."

"Do you think Lucas is the type to be jealous like that?"

Camilla shrugged, "if he isn't, then he's not worth it, doesn't deserve you. Look really Sam's my plus one, he's who I was in Paris with over Christmas. Amongst others."

"You dirty dog! Are you...?"

She chuckled, "if I'd actually bagged a man as fit as that, then I'd have been unable to keep it to myself. As it is, I fancy the pants off him, and this way I get him alone, away from our other mutual friends under the ruse of helping you. Lucas gets jealous, sweeps you away, and I'm left to 'comfort' Sam...win, win, win!"

Sam was driving and Carly slid in to the back, watching the obvious chemistry sizzle between these two people as they bickered over directions to the hotel. As a plan this stank, and she wondered how much of it was Carly's desire to get the very attractive Sam alone.

The hotel was familiar from her visit with Lucas to the city a few months earlier. Now in April there was no snow cover but that had never delayed the function of the place. She checked in and the three of them made for the elevators, and selected the third floor. 

"We've got adjacent rooms!" Camilla confessed, "I sweet talked the receptionist!"

"And Sam?" Carly couldn't face sharing a room with a stranger.

Cam chuckled, "he'll stay with me. Until the wedding anyway. Then he'll accompany you."

"And if Lucas comes here early it'll blow it all."

She shook her head, "he's working the tomorrow night, so he'll be arriving on the morning of the wedding."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

Laughing Camilla disappeared into her own room, leaving Carly to unpack.

That night they met Marta for a meal and a pamper in the hotel spa, Marta and Rochelle were overjoyed to see her, and the three disappeared for a little while to catch up. Rochelle was constantly nauseous, but otherwise her pregnancy was progressing along as planned. Marta was just so in love and gushing at the thought of time on a honeymoon with the dashing Bernard. And also their new life ahead. When she realised Carly still intended to travel she was even more excited at the thought of a familiar face in Australia. 

Then it was her turn to fill them in on her news. Camilla had already made them party to her plan, so they knew some of the facts, but maybe not quite how in love with Lucas Carly was. They both loved her and wanted nothing more than to see her happy, and were willing to do anything to help that cause. 

The evening ended with champagne in the bar of the hotel, Marta by that point was almost beside herself with anxiety, but they all reassured her that the next day would go like a dream.

It was with real trepidation that Carly dressed for the wedding. The black dress adorned with those large scarlet roses seemed too vivid, too tight, too revealing. But it was too late to change her mind. It was all she had. Sliding into the red patent sinful heels she groaned. This was all getting far too out of control!

As she was touching up her lipstick,there was a knock at the door. There immaculate in an ink black tux, crisp white shirt and dark bow tie was Sam. He looked amazing. The previous evening she'd had the chance to meet up with Sam and Camilla after the champagne with Marta. The two had been off on a jolly around the city and were slightly the worse for wear, though there was no sign of that now. 

"Are you ok with this?" She asked as she checked her bag for the umpteenth time. 

He nodded, "of course! Always glad to help a damsel in distress!"

Smiling she looked up at him, "not gutted that you aren't with Camilla?"

The widening of his eyes betrayed his cool calm exterior, he definitely had the hots for her. He was calm when he spoke, "I understand that if I do my job well, I won't be needed within an hour!"

She chuckled, "and just what is your job?"

He offered her his arm as he opened the bedroom door, "to make you appear as unavailable as you are beautiful! Ans my success is measured by how quickly this foolish man realises that he's lost the best thing that's happened to him."

Carly glanced up at him, "God you're good!" 

Laughing he swept her out into the hotel.

The ceremony room was hall full when they arrived. Carly walked to the front to a smiling Rochelle and the equally happy Franz who were keeping her a seat. After a round of hugs and kisses, she slid into the seat next to her, with Sam taking the aisle seat.

"Well I'm jealous, eve if he isn't...and he will be!" Rochelle whispered once they were all settled. "He's SO cute!"

"Isn't he?" Carly giggled in agreement, "and Camilla is besotted with him, thought she won't admit it...and he's no Lucas I'm afraid!"

Rochelle laid a hand on her arm, "he'll come good chéri, I'm sure of it!" 

Carly nodded, unable to voice her thoughts for the emotions that almost choked her. Rochelle's hand patted her arm, "how can he resist anyone who looks that beautiful?"

Carly shrugged, "I was awful to him when he left. I told him I hated him."

"If you didn't care you'd say nothing. Have faith, ok?"

Bernard arrived, smiling and shaking hands, when he saw Carly he winked and mouthed, 'Good to see you', then continued to his place, to wait for Marta.

She arrived in a cloud of white and flowers, gliding down the centre aisle, radiant and happy and the service commenced. Carly always got emotional at weddings, and within moments she was swiping at the odd tear that trickled down her cheek, they were both so happy.

"Here, take this!" Sam had stooped to whisper at her ear, handing her a linen cotton handkerchief. 

She smiled up at him in thanks, and it was at that moment that she felt two eyes burning into her from the back of the room. Carly didn't need to turn to know that Lucas was there, watching her. 

Sam was looking at her with concern, "you ok?"

Nodding Carly glanced up at him, "he's here."

Sam reached for her hand and squeezed it, before whispering, "you KNEW he would be. Just relax and look beautiful. Ok?"

Photos and smiles followed the service, before they all followed the happy couple into the restaurant for the wedding breakfast, even thought it was mid afternoon!

The guests filed out from the front following the bride and groom up the aisle. Carly felt sick at the thought of the confrontation, she was dreading any eye contact let alone dialogue with him. She could barely think straight. Sam was the gentleman, guiding her in the right direction with a hand firmly on her elbow.

Carly's eyes flitted around the room trying to be discreet, but she seemed to fail miserably, and anyway, he wasn't there. He must have gone. Her heart sank at the thought, obviously trying to make him jealous was the wrong plan...she couldn't be angry, as Camilla had repeatedly told her, if he wasn't willing or able to fight for her then he didn't deserve her anyway. It wasn't an easy thought, but she had to think that this was karma or fate. 

What would be would be...

Learning to Fly - 37

Chapter 37 - Operation 'Get that Man' commences!

Carly was more than sceptical at Camilla's plan, or rather lack of it, but the awful scenes between her father and her were enough to detract from anything else going on. Her father truly was the most egotistical and overinflated man she'd even had the misfortune to meet. She imagined that Konig Snr was as successful and as wealthy as him, but he had much more class and elegance. Carly was in a tricky situation in that she didn't feel able to really tell Camilla her thoughts, after all he was Cam's dad. 

As soon as she'd woken in their house after their drunken night out, the sound of raised voices wafted into her. The male voice was commanding and dictatorial, Camilla resorted to shouting instead of anything calmer. It was all a dreadful mess. 

Camilla had come to find her later, and it was only then that Carly felt happy to leave the room. Mr Lloyd was a tall and overweight man, sweating profusely every time he took on his daughter. When Carly appeared he glared at her with a complete lack of respect or regard. The gist of the argument, that they took to his study as Carly ate breakfast, was her 'wasting her life' in Austria, but Camilla's challenge that she wanted a career fell on deaf ears. All he talked about was an 'advantageous wedding'. Carly was appalled. Camilla had told her of her father's plans back in Austria, but it was so foreign a thought to her, that she'd believed Camilla's tendency for the dramatic was running away with her. Now sat here, listening, she felt sick.

A door slammed and eventually Camilla joined her, Carly tactfully ignored the puffy red eyes, and discussed what they had planned for the day.

Camilla's plan wasn't really discussed until they stopped for lunch.

"So," Camilla leaned in close, "Lucas Slater! I've been thinking about this!"

Carly responded with a groan, "Cam, I've decided to move on without him, the world's my oyster..."

Camilla placed a hand over Carly's arm and spoke with her usual drama, "Carly. Have you ever felt like this about anyone else? Is he the most special man you've ever met? Because that's what you hinted at last night."

It was a shocking thought to Carly, really having to process the void that destroyed her life without him in it. With a silent nod she fought those damn tears that once again sat on the edge of her emotion ravaged life. 

"Then you can't give up without a fight, surely you can see that?" 

Carly sipped her wine, "I laid my emotion on a plate Cam, and it wasn't enough for him. He chose to leave it."

Camilla nodded deep in thought for a moment, "but, you asked him to make a rational decision. You know, come with me to a new life. He's a man, he can't make that decision, I really believe men aren't capable. What you have to do is make him realise there's an ultimatum...that he's missed!"

Carly looked confused, so Camilla grinned, "Marta's wedding. He's going. You go, looking amazing...but be aloof, distant from him. Give him an 'I'm SO over you message'."

Camilla was beaming, proud of herself, but Carly wasn't sure of anything. But it did mean they spent the rest of the day shopping for the perfect outfit, classic, sexy and to quote Cam a bit 'look what you could have had'. The final shop bore the fruit they were looking for. Carly emerged from behind the curtains of the fitting room wearing a black knee length dress, strapless with a fitted bodice, the skirt fell in waves over her thighs, and it was decorated with large but sparse red roses. Coupled with killer red heels it was to quote Camilla 'rocking'.

To celebrate, they both made for a bar that Camilla loved, and there they ordered dinner, and of course more wine!

"So what else does this plan entail, other than a killer outfit?"

Camilla grinned and tapped her nose in secrecy. That was all she managed to find out that evening. 

Carly was dreading heading back to Camilla's, her friend was quiet about the issues with her parents, but Carly was disturbed. Camilla was a nice girl, and by that she meant honest and open. Her parents were important to her, and as far as Carly could see, they were bullying her into who knew what. No one seemed to fight her corner and that irked her. 

Later that night, she followed Cam back into the house with a similar level of unease. No sooner had the door closed and they took their coats off and her mother descended upon them.

"Wait in the lounge Carl, I won't be long," Camilla assured her. 

The lounge was a lavish affair, heavy damask fabrics and deeply embossed wallpaper. Carly couldn't help but get the feeling despite Camilla telling her that her parents were aristocrats with a long pedigree, that this house was created to display nay wealth they had, in a rather cliched way, rather as she'd expect someone self made to behave. it was a confusing issue, but none the less, she sat on one of the uncomfortable Chesterfield chairs and pulled her Kindle out of her bag. A godsend as she had the feeling that this was going to be a long evening. 

She'd read a chapter when she heard the door open, and looking up she saw the as usual hot and flushed face of Camilla's father as he strode into the room. He was the only man she knew who'd be so hot and uncomfortable on a miserable March evening.

Glancing up he spotted Carly and gave a quite ugly grimace, "should've known!" He muttered under his breath.

"Excuse me?" Carly called out as he made to leave. "Did you say something to me?" When he turned and said nothing, she gestured around the room, "you spoke and there's only me here?"

Another grimace preceded what could only be described as a tirade of abuse, "I said I should have known...that you'd be here. How much have you cost this family today? Camilla always brings home any waif and stray! I presume you'll need more than a saucer of milk and a shoe box to sleep in? Typical!"

Carly was incensed. If she'd had forethought she'd have held her tongue, but she'd always been impetuous, "Mr Lloyd! I didn't realise that putting up a friend of your daughter's would be such an inconvenience, I can assure you that I'm both willing and able to book a hotel room. Though I do think that will upset your daughter even more than your ridiculous demands already have."

"I know your type!"

Carly shook her head, "is that it? I've got a Scottish accent and am not dressed head to head in Armani or Chanel and you think you can judge me?"

When he laughed and his head almost in disgust, Carly felt a chill rush up her spine, this man was repulsive. "I've had a long time and a lot of opportunity to observe gold diggers!"

"Excuse me!" She exclaimed. "Are we living in the Victorian era? I am no more a gold digger than you are polite and well brought up. I am however suspicious,  you seem to resent feeding me breakfast for two mornings and the occasional bout of hot water for a shower, then you're desperate to marry off your daughter to some one she despises. This does not seem the sane and rational behaviour of someone of your apparent social and financial standing."

If it was possible to see a red faced man turn puce, Carly did. There and then.

"What happens between my daughter and me is our business, not yours." But the manner in which it came out spoke volumes, Carly had stumbled on to something, and it wasn't until she glanced to the door that she realised that Camilla had witnessed the end of the conversation if not all of it. She looked crushed. 

Carly sat in the bed in the guest room waiting for Camilla. It had all gone a little crazy after her witnessing the 'debate' between her father and Carly. So Carly was hiding out and waiting to speak to Camilla. 

When the door finally burst open Camilla appeared looking like she wanted to kill someone.

"I hate him!"

Carly stood and reached for her hands, "don't put up with it!"

Tears started to roll, "how can I cut myself off? I'll never survive!"

Carly smiled, "of course you will. It'll be a change of budget...but you can do it! The World is there for you too Cam, you're young, beautiful and intelligent."

"I'm not strong like you!"

Shaking her head Carly met her eyes, "you're exactly like me! I spent five years living at home putting my life on hold to help my parents, because it suits them. It's only now I've taken the chance to change that. But if I can, you can! What's the worst that can happen?"

"Daddy's lost a lot of money, some investment in Africa collapsed. He wants to merge this family with another richer one to stop going bankrupt."

"Tough!" Carly announced. "It might sound harsh, but you definitely didn't make any decision for him. He's got himself into his own mess. Sleep on it, ok? I'm going home tomorrow...but I won't abandon you, ok?"

Camilla hugged her then smiled as she left.

Initially Camilla felt the need to stay, to try and do the right thing. But before Carly's train had completed the seven hour journey, she'd received a call from a tearful Camilla saying she'd left, was heading back to Austria. Carly promised to call her, they'd work things out before she went off travelling after the wedding which was in four weeks. Camilla in turn promised to take Operation 'Get that Man' to the next level.

Carly felt nervous at that thought, and boy did those four weeks fly by.

Learning to Fly - 36

Chapter 36 - What to do?

Carly woke the following morning and stretched, she ached in so many places. The thought brought a smile to her lips, and she rolled over to watch Lucas deep in sleep next to her. He was so beautiful in sleep, his long lashes brushing his cheeks, that unkempt hair that was so endearing. Today was judgement day for Carly and she rued the fact that this could be the last time she woke with him like this. 

There was so much to work out, and she feared that Lucas would bolt once she pushed him, but she'd realised the previous day that she was no longer willing to put everything on gold until he decided if she was the one he changed his life for. His strange reaction to visiting his family had surprised her, but had also given her the bonus of realising that it wasn't her in this scenario, he seemed to have this lack of commitment or responsibility for everyone, not just her. He was rejecting his family too. All this made her realise that HE had to change. And she was only part of that. 

She loved him, but she loved herself too. She owed herself the future she wanted. Her mother was right, if he loved her too, if it was meant to be, then it would work. Somehow over the last two days, basking in the attention and desire of Lucas, she had re-found her wanderlust. 

She stroked a finger over the contour of his cheek and one eye half opened, his face transforming into a smile, God he's so gorgeous she confirmed. He winked before surprising her, throwing himself over her, trapping her against the bed. 

Giggling she succumbed to his advances.

Much later they dressed, and headed out into the bleak wet day. 

"This is why I want to get to sunnier climes," Carly smiled, interlinking her fingers with Lucas' as they hopped to across the pavement avoiding the large puddles. 

He laughed, "that's why I love Austria, snow is more beautiful than rain."

"Snow always turns to rain!" she warned, but let that one go.

They'd decided on a restaurant to take her parents to that evening, an Indian restaurant across the small town. There wasn't a great amount of choice, but it did have a great reputation. 

"I need to check up on my emails," she told him once they'd had breakfast in a small cafe. Really she wanted to start trawling the Internet for long haul flights, in the hope that he'd feel a pang of jealousy. Somewhere behind his stubbornness was an adventurous man, she just knew that. 

Her family home was empty, both parents were at work, so she put on a pot of coffee and some music, and they both settled at the kitchen table, Lucas reading a couple of newspapers, catching up on the football world he'd turned his back on four years earlier, Carly to open up her laptop.

She had thirty emails, it had been a while since she'd had the motivation to log on and check. Some were junk and spam, but amongst them were an email form Millie in Boston, she'd been devastated that her father had cancelled their trip back to the resort, also there were two from Camilla, and an email from Marta. 

She opened Marta's first, and chuckled at the stories of the chaos that occurred in the  creche, Rochelle was pregnant, her and Franz had only been thinking about it and she'd caught straight away, but then came the real reason for her contacting Carly, her and Bernard had set the date for their wedding.  They'd chosen a date six weeks away, and after that they were both heading off to Australia. They had jobs in a Sydney hotel that Herr Konig was opening in a few months time. Their wedding was in Salzburg, at one of the smaller churches there, then a reception in a small hotel. Marta wanted Carly there more than anything.

She was pondering how that fitted into her time when Lucas glanced up, "what's wrong?"

She told him about the invite, "seems like I'll have to travel after that.

"What's wrong with  travelling in Europe first? Take in some of the cities in Estonia, Latvia or Czech Republic, places you wouldn't normally visit."

Carly nodded, "great idea, but a whole different wardrobe to one needed for India, Singapore or Australia. There's only so much I can carry!"

"And a flight from Salzburg to Scotland, a few day stop off..." he shrugged, "hardly difficult."

She glanced at him again, and saw the sceptical look on his face, "are you trying to make me jealous?"

Carly chuckled, "no! I'm just thinking aloud. You asked me what I was pondering if you remember." As he nodded and turned back to his paper she added, "not my fault if you find the thought of three months on hot beaches in only swimwear makes you a little envious. There'll be plenty of people there thought, so don't worry I won't be alone!"

The comments landed on a silence, but she knew his lack of response meant he was struggling to digest it. She laughed inside and returned to her emails. Camilla was coming back to London in a week and wanted to meet up for a few days, that was another thing to add to her schedule. Suddenly her future was mapping itself out again. Penning a quick reply she promised to call Camilla to discuss dates, then closed the computer. 

"I'm just going to get some better Cd's from my bedroom."

As she made to leave, he glanced up, "I doubt there's anything better! I know your taste!"

Indignant she stood with her hands on her hops and laughed, "who died and made you King of Cool?" His laugh made her stop again. "Ok then will.i.am, you pick some music."

He followed her upstairs and instantly Carly felt a tinge of regret, her room was still decorated as it had been when she was a teenager, complete with Take That stickers around her mirror and Back Street Boys pictures glued to her wardrobe doors! As the door opened, he burst out laughing, "Oh My God!"

Holding her head high she ignored his giggles as she opened a cupboard next to her bed that was rammed full of Cd's. As he browsed his laughter subsided. 

"Ok, ok. I'll presume that you're music choices have matured along with the rest of you!" 

Poking out her tongue she pulled out her favourite CD of the moment, Fleetwood Mac Rumours, and left the room. She was well into Dreams by the time he joined her, a stack of six Cd's in his hands. 

"Can you copy these on your laptop?"

She burst out laughing, "so says the man who questioned my musical taste?!"

Laughing they sat back down and Carly spent the rest of the day singing along to so many songs loudly.

As they made their way to the Indian restaurant that night, Carly reminisced on what had been a simple yet wonderful day with him, proof that just hanging out in each other's company was more then enough, they didn't need to hide behind trips to pubs or cinema. As time went on she became more and more aware that they were compatible. She just had to prove that to him, somehow. And time was running out.

Her mother giggled around Lucas like a school girl, and she could tell that her father was equally as taken with her. After the meal, spicy curry with rice and several Indian beers, they meandered home via their local pub. And there too Lucas was the centre of attention. A lot of people knew Carly and all wanted to meet this handsome stranger who was more charming than most expected. 

her parents left them around ten, but Carly could tell Lucas was enjoying himself chatting to the dozen or so old school mates who'd gathered to sit around the open fire in the lounge of the pub to chat. It was after eleven that they left and made their way back to the hotel dark streets. 

In the hotel room they changed for bed, a more somber affair than the previous evenings when they'd ripped each other's clothes off in the heat of passion, tonight, they changed into pyjama's and slid beneath the sheets from opposite sides. When Lucas reached for her hand, Carly went willingly,but she couldn't hide the tears that trickled down her face. Lucas swiped them away with his thumbs, but where she wanted to hear 'I love you' or 'we'll work this out', she met silence. 

The next morning Carly insisted on driving him to the airport in her old beat up two door economy car, his rucksack filled the backseat. As they waited at the entry to the departure lounge, she managed to fight the tears, but as he heard his flight call he pulled her into his arms for a goodbye kiss, she hissed against his lips.

"I hate you Lucas Slater! I hate you for running away like this!"

He looked at her with a stunned expression, "Carly?"

But she was stepping back, viewing him through a veil of tears, "I can't believe you're doing this! I can't believe you can't love me!"

With that she turned and ran, and it was a long time before the tears stopped.

Camilla called and arranged for them to meet in London the following week, a real interlude, then Carly had to think hard. Did she got to Salzburg with all it's memories and the proximity to Lucas for Marta and Bernard's wedding? Or did she head off away from all that to start anew, maybe catching up with them when they started their new jobs in Australia? She didn't know. But she did know that Camilla would bring news. She'd avoided contacting Lucas, and other than a few unanswered calls, there was no contact from him, but Carly knew that he'd have spoken to Camilla, if he wanted to speak to her, see her. 

Carly was stood at the Arrival Hall with a big balloon and a 'Welcome home Camilla' banner as she spotted her extremely blond friend sashaying through the throng of people. When she saw the banner she burst out laughing, one drunken evening she'd confessed that she'd love to have a welcome committee when she came home from a trip, like you saw on TV or at the movies, but her father usually sent his driver to get her, not even coming himself.

"Oh Carly! I LOVE it!" She hugged her friend before taking the balloon and giggling. "I really do love you! You're THE best!"

The two walked towards the station to connect to London, "so what have you got planned for the next three days?"

Camilla found a bench on the platform and sighed, offloading her bags, "well Daddy dearest has begged me to come back to discuss...and I quote 'the future', which I'm worried might mean another potential beau!"

Carly nodded, "and you're hoping that he'll act a little less dictatorial if I'm around? Glad to be off help!" Despite her words she wasn't angry.

"I can't deny that you will be a sweetener, but I have missed you cherub! I really have!"

There was no one in the Kensington home, which was a virtual palace. So Carly followed Camilla to the spare bedroom and dumped her bags. An hour later they were in a local wine bar, toasting absent friends and reminiscing about their times together as reluctant roommates

"So..." Camilla finally asked the question that had been on her mind since seeing Carly at Heathrow. "What happened with Lucas? He told me he was coming to visit you. How was it?"

Carly groaned then turned to her friend, "best sex in the world, but despite declaring my undying love, he left me to go back to the most important thing in his life, his job!"

"Ah!" Camilla looked awkward as she tried to think of a reasonable solution.

"Don't worry Cam, I'm done with it all. I'm planning my big travel trip, he doesn't want to come, so I'll just have to do it alone."

"You're strong and independent." 

"I know!" Carly found herself announcing before adding angrily, "but I wanted this to be something I didn't do alone for a change. The bastard!"

Camilla's hand on her forearm caused her to smile, "if it's any consolation he looks like shit, that's why I asked how it went."

"No real help!" Carly announced sadly.

A while later after several more glasses of wine, they were both tipsy and giggling, but as they waited for a waiter to bring them the food they'd ordered, Carly found that Lucas was too much of an invasion to her calmness. 

"I love him Cam!"

Camilla froze, then turned to look at her friend, "you do? does he love you?" When Carly shrugged, she broke into a smile, "then we have to do something about that! We need a plan Carly dearest, and I am the one to help! Operation 'Catch that Man!'"