Reasons Why - The End

Chapter 27

 

Thump...thump...thump woke Chloe from the best night’s sleep. Opening her eyes it took a minute to realise where she was, but two warm arms were wrapped around her, and when she glanced to her right it was Chris’s dark profile she saw. It wasn’t a dream; he really was there with her.

But the thumping was still occurring. Sliding free of Chris, she reached for the silk robe that she’d tossed on the floor at some point after her shower and covered her nakedness. Opening the door, she found her brother Phil there with a concerned look on his face.

                “I was about to break the door down! You ok?”

Her response was an almighty grin, “never better.”

Smiling with relief he glanced over her shoulder to the prostrate figure of Petrakis wrapped up in the bed sheets, “Petrakis,” He shouted over, “there’s one hell of a lot of chaos downstairs, people seem to think you’ve been kidnapped. I suggest you get your ass into gear before my baby sis is arrested!”

A groan was all the response he got, but as he hugged Chloe, begging her to visit soon, Chris apparently managed to open an eye and groan at the time.

                “Shit! I’m due at an official breakfast thing in five minutes.”

                “My turn to disappear darling girl, take care of her Petrakis!” Phil added as he hugged her once more.

                “Will do!” he groaned as he pulled himself up to sitting.

At that point Phil left. Turning back to face Chris the door closed behind her, Chloe had to hold her breath. With his bed tousled hair, perfect body, and killer smile, she was stunned that this man was hers all over again.

                “Come here fiancée!”  He opened his arms, and Chloe dashed across to him. The hug and kiss were full of promise, as he pulled her onto the bed and under him.

                “Chris, you have to go!”

He nodded, “I know...but I can’t!”

An hour later she’d forced him out of the room and had a day to herself, to relax and be pampered.  She’d dressed into jeans and a shirt that were loose over her belly that seemed to be growing by the day when there was another knock at the door. Chloe hadn’t ordered room service and so had no idea who’d be there, she was surprised when she opened the door to see Rhea, Chris’s sister stood there smiling.

If she’d thought that she was beautiful from a distance, close up she was stunning, perfect skin, long dark glossy hair and the similar caramel eyes as her big brother.

                “You must be Chloe!” She squealed, then her eyes widened as she noted Chloe’s fairly obvious stomach.

Chloe grinned awkwardly, “Rhea, Chris has told me a lot about you!”

Still gawping she smiled back, “really? Well I think I’m the best of a bad bunch. I caught up with him at the training session; he told me you were here. I hope you don’t mind me invading your space, but I really wanted to meet the woman who stood up to my parents!”

Smiling Chloe invited her in; glad she’d tidied away the evidence of their night of passion. “I was a little defensive of your brother, I must confess!”

Rhea grinned, “Good! Tiana has them exactly where she wants them; it’s great to see that someone gave them a reality check.” She glanced at Chloe again.

                “It’s due in just over eighteen weeks. Your brother only found out last night.” A hand protectively over her stomach meant there was no confusion over the statement.

Smiling Rhea reached for her and gave her a hug, “awesome! That is amazing! I presume my mother doesn’t know yet.” When Chloe shook her head Rhea smiled, “I think we’re all meeting for dinner. That was the plan anyway. Obviously that was arranged before you appeared, not sure you’re up to meeting the family?”

Chloe sighed, it sounded like hell, but she was going to be part of that family, whether they or she liked it or not, was she up to seeing them all so soon.

                “Look don’t make any decisions now, I know how it must feel. You free today? I was thinking of shopping?”

And that was how Chloe came to spend the day with an energetic Rhea shopping.

That evening Chris called, asking her if she’d be happy to join him, and then his family for dinner. He’d booked a table at the most exclusive restaurant in town for nine o’clock, that’d give him time to end his official duties.

                “Dress smart!” he’d ended the conversation with, and now as she stood looking at her suitcase, and the purchases she’d made that day, she fell short. Half an hour before she was due to meet him there was a knock at the door. She was trying to decide whether to go with the smart trousers or the knitted dress, neither was that smart, and she was on the verge of bursting into tears. He’d never questioned her clothing before, and the fact that he mentioned a dress code put her on edge. She had dozens of smart dresses at home, but she honestly didn’t think she’d need them. Instead she was about to meet his family for the first time since she’d criticised them, and they were about to find out that she was carrying their first grandchild.

Stress didn’t come close.

Storming angrily to the door, she pulled in back with a scowl to see a member of the hotel staff holding a box.

                “Delivery for you Miss Palmer!”  Forcing a smile, she took the box with confusion, and the reception worker disappeared.

Back in the room she opened the box to reveal a beautiful cream coloured dress, demure yet attractive, and when she pulled it out of the box she realised that it would be tight around her larger than ever bust. She’d not feel a frump in it, but it was definitely a ‘meet the parents’ worthy garment.  As she lifted the light floaty skirt free of the box, a note fell to the floor.

                “I knew you’d be worrying meeting my parents and ‘dressing smart’, so I thought I’d help you out. Though you’d look stunning in whatever you wear. I love you, pick you up at half eight! Chris’

Her eyes filled with tears, he was a really thoughtful man, and the dress fitted perfectly. She was applying lip gloss when there was another knock on the door.

This time Chris stood there looking beyond desirable in an immaculate white shirt under a well fitted tux. Divine was not the word.

 Chloe’s breath caught in her throat as she looked at him, “Hi!” Was all she could manage.

His grin lit up her world, then he lowered his lips to hers, as he pulled back he looked down at her and smiled, “you are the most beautiful person I have ever met Chloe, inside and out.”

Smiling it was only then she realised that the hotel corridor was full of his family, and possibly even some friends.

                “I’ve arranged a party for us tonight; it’s been a hectic day. But before we can celebrate, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Chloe felt her stomach lurch with anxiety as he dropped down on one knee, “I’m a traditional man,” he sniped at her misdirected proposal of sorts the previous evening, “and I have one thing to ask, and it’s not because it’s convenient, and it’s not because it’ll keep you in the country, and it’s not even to make my child legitimate...” at that his mother gasped, it seemed tonight was a surprise for all parties. “Chloe Palmer, I love you more than anything...” she blushed amazed that these words didn’t faze him, “but you’d make me the happiest man in the world if you agree to become my wife...Will you marry me Chloe?”

Through a veil of tears she nodded her agreement. As if she’d ever say no.

Six months later

                “Mrs Petrakis! If you don’t get your backside down here in the next five minutes I WILL go without you!”

Her heart skipped a beat, they’d been married for five months yet she couldn’t get used to him calling her that. Glancing in the mirror, Chloe had no idea why she was stalling, today was Owen’s birthday...and of course her birthday, twenty seven! What a year her twenty sixth had been. She’d down as best she could considering she was only eight weeks after delivering a seven and a half pound baby boy.  Evan - the light of her life.

They’d settled into upstate New York following their week in Vermont, and had moved into a house they’d bought together before Evan appeared. Chris was playing close by, and in the summer another spell in Victoria beckoned. Chloe had already agreed that she’d spend part of that time with him there; it was chance to see Phil, Didi and the kids, the rest she’d spend with her parents. Chris’d miss them both for those times, but life had to go on.

But today, her husband and son were taking her out to dinner. A rare treat as he was usually training or even away with his team. He’d even paid for her to have a spa day with Rhea, all so that she’d be relaxed and happy.

Brushing her hair for a final time, she ran her hands over the dress she’d chosen to wear, still far too many lumps and bumps, but...she blushed at the memory of the previous night. Chris still loved every inch of her, so she couldn’t let it get her down.

As she reached the top of the stairs, she saw him pacing the hallway, traffic stoppingly good in a new well cut suit.

                “At last,” he announced, but was looking at the baby curled up in his arms, “she’s FINALLY ready buddy!”

As he settled the little mini Chris into his car seat, he stood and pulled her into his arms, “but you’re well worth the wait.”

After a brief but passionate kiss, he led his family out to the waiting car. He’d stabled his classic soft top, and now drove a top of the range four wheel drive. Much to the amusement of his friends. Chloe loved the change in him; he was a natural father, loving every minute of his time with Evan.

He’d arranged a table at the local golf club, the restaurant there was a local legend, but when they entered the lobby, they were directed to one of the side rooms as the restaurant was over booked. As Chris negotiated the pram through the doorways, Chloe led the way. Pushing open the door she froze, the room was filled with everyone! Her parents who she hadn’t seen since they flew home six weeks ago, Phil, Didi and the two boys who flew at her, dropping to her knees she embraced Carter and Mikey, she hadn’t seen them since the previous summer. Then there was his family. Kassandra and Spiros Petrakis loved her beyond compare, maybe it was the production of a grandson, or maybe it was that she’d stood up to them, or purely that they could see how much she loved their son. But love her they did.

                “Happy Birthday!” They chorused as she blushed bright red and accepted the hugs and kisses of her extended family. When she was finally free to turn and search for her husband, she spotted him at the bar talking to her Dad. Sidling over, she laughed to see Evan being passed around the females of the family like a trophy.

Slipping an arm around his waist, she leaned into the hardness of his body and smiled, a year ago she was distraught at losing her twin, the dynamic and vivacious Owen, but now she had a man who loved her as much as he had, and was willing to walk on hot coals to make her happy. Who knew how he’d organised this soiree, and she knew he’d have paid to fly her family here. As his arm moved around her shoulder, as he pulled her close, she knew she'd finally stopped grieving for Owen, that she could al last be happy. And it was all thanks to the love and devotion of Christos Petrakis.