Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (2 page)

“Miss,” body guard no: 1 says as he heads over to me. I have decided not to
get involved with my security, therefore I simply name them body guard no:1
and body guard no:2. I don’t want to become friendly with them as Adrian
changes my security every two weeks. He feels that it is better to have fresh
people around me, as he doesn’t want me to been seen with the same people
all the time. The constant security and my lack of privacy do annoy me, but I
know that Adrian will not have it any other way. The only time that I don’t
have security around me is when I am with Adrian and I savour those moments
as I know as soon as leaves, the body guards will appear once again.

“My friend and I are just going to get some coffee.” I say as Sophie and I turn
and head towards the nearest Starbucks.

“So what do you need to talk about?” I ask as I take a sip of my latte macchiato. Sophie seems flustered and I can tell that she is uncomfortable. I
take a deep breath as I hope that everything with her and Dr James is okay.

“It’s James,” Sophie confesses. My heart races as I wonder what is wrong.
“Is everything okay?” I ask through gritted teeth.Sophie takes a swig of her
latte and then she exhales.

 

“I don’t know, I can’t really say what I am feeling - out loud.”

 

“Sophie I am starting to worry, please tell me what James has done?”

 

“He hasn’t done anything. It’s me, I am the problem.” I stare at her in
confusion.

“Sophie you need to be more specific.” Sophie exhales as she nervously plays
with her hair.
“I don’t know how to say this, I am totally freaking out.” I reach over and grab
Sophie’s hand as I notice that she is trying to hold back her tears.

“Do you not love him?” I ask quietly. My heart races as I await her response.
She shakes her head at me.

 

“I love him so much and I know that he is the one for me.” Now I shake my
head.

 

“Sophie I can’t help you, if you don’t tell me whatis wrong.” I say firmly.
“Alanna I am pregnant!” I gasp at her revelation and I don’t know what to say. I
look at her face and I cannot believe what she is saying. Sophie is pregnant.

“I um… don’t know what to say. Are you sure? Like,have you taken a test?” I
scowl my face at my words, as I feel very uncomfortable talking about this.
Sophie cannot hold back her tears as she confirms.

“Yes I am positive; I don’t know what to do, Alanna.” I take a deep breath as I
take in Sophie’s pain. She genuinely looks upset and I don’t know what I can
say to make to her feel better. I try to compose my confusion as I reach for
Sophie’s hand once again.

“Have you told James?”

“No, I can’t bring myself to tell him. I am so scared, Alanna.” I gaze at her and I
watch her tears stream down her face. Seeing Sophie like this reminds me of
when Adrian found of about William. I try to focus on my friend.

“You need to talk to him; you can’t hide this from him.”

 

“I know I can’t, but Alanna I am terrified of his reaction. What if he gets mad at
me and I don’t think I cope if he left me.”

“Sophie he won’t leave you. James is a decent guy and I know that he will
support you through this.” I pause as I say my next words. “Sophie have you
decided what you’re going to do?” She shakes her head at me.

“No I wouldn’t decide anything without James. Alanna you are the first person
that I have told about this, please promise me that you won’t say anything?”

“Of course my lips are sealed.”
“I am so scared of what my parents will say. They are going to be so mad at
me.”

“Sophie I hate to say this but, how did it happen?” Sophie looks stunned by my
words.

 

“Hmm it is pretty standard I think!” Sophie snaps and I feel that I need to rephrase my words.

“I get it, but I always thought that you were very responsible with things like
that. I guess I am just in shock, this is unbelievable. You are going to be a
MOM.”
Tears begin to fill my eyes and I reach over to Sophie. She pulls me
close for a hug and I feel her clutching onto me. Her breathing is heavy and I
can tell that her whole body is shaking. I feel compassionate towards her but I
need to convince her to talk to James about this. My mind again rushes back to
Adrian and William. I shake my head as I think of how stubborn Zara is being.
She is flat-out refusing to give Adrian a paternity test. He has been trying for
months, but she is unresponsive. He finally managed to talk to her the other
day but she rather rudely declined his suggestion. The longer this goes on the
more I start to believe Michael’s views on this matter. If Adrian were William’s
father, then there would be no issue in giving him proof that the child belongs
to him. I really feel that she has something to hide and it is only a matter of
time before we found out the truth.

“We are careful but mistakes can happen and it has. I am pregnant this is real.”

“Sophie you really need to talk to James. Would you like me to give you a ride
over to his apartment?” Sophie nods in agreement and we make our way out
into the street once again. We hurry towards the car, closely followed by the
bodyguards. We slide into the back seat and the driver quickly pulls away. I
turn to Sophie as I feel her grip my hand. I smile at her and then I hear my
phone buzzing from inside my bag – a text from Adrian.

Hello baby, how did your dress fitting go? Text me as soon as you get this… I
quickly respond.

Hey doll, the dress fitting went well. How is your meeting? X
My meeting went well I have clinched another few deals. What are you doing
just now?

Sophie and I went for coffee after the dress fitting and now I am just giving her
ride over to James’s x.
I see, are you being careful, Alanna.
Yes dumb and dumber are always by my side.
Alanna how many times must I tell you not to referto your security in that
way?
I know, I know, I am sorry. Anyways, what are you up to?
I have a ton of paperwork to get through before I meet you for dinner. I meant
to ask how you are feeling about tonight.

I pause as I reply. I have not really thought about tonight’s dinner with Emma
and Michael. My mind has been pre-occupied with wedding dresses and
pregnant friends. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Sophie is
pregnant. It is so unreal and I have no words to describe how I am feeling.

To be honest I have not really thought about it. I have been busy all day with
wedding stuff.
Is your Mom still acting like the wedding planner from hell?
Hey, don’t dis my Mom!
Sorry baby you know that I mean no harm, anyway I had better dash, I will see
you later?
Of course, you will and hey Adrian, I love you just a little today.
Ha ha very funny.
I couldn’t resist,
Until next time baby,

I throw my phone back into my bag and I cannot contain smile. I love Adrian so
much that it actually hurts. My heart is aching right now because he is not
here. The last few months have been torture and I am so glad that he is here in
New York. Adrian had to spend the last two months in London, because of his
work. The company is going through some major changes right now and of
course, Adrian had to be there to approve every decision. I stayed here in New
York to plan the wedding, whilst Adrian brought his company up to another
level. I had to survive on only seeing him once every couple of weeks, it was
always at weekends, and those two days were never going to be enough. I hate
that we live so far apart but once we are married, I will fly three thousand
miles to be with him forever.

The car pulls up at James’s Soho apartment. I quickly glance at Sophie as she
reaches for the door. Her cheeks are tear- stained and she looks terrified. I
really hope that James treats her right, when she tells him the news. For the
first time I really think that, Sophie is genuinely in love. She shares something
special with James that she never did with Chace. He gets her wicked sense of
humour and he loves that she is so forward. I feel that he loves her for who she
is and I truly believe that he will never hurt her. I smile at her as I try to
reassure her that everything will be okay.

“Sophie it will be fine, James will be ecstatic.” Sophie presses a half-smile from
her lips at my kind words.

 

“Do you really think so?”

 

“Yes, now go and tell him.” Sophie pulls me in for a gentle hug.

 

“I will call you later, okay?” She says as she opens the car door. I shift over in
the seat and I smile at her once again.

 

“I am always here if you need to talk.”

“You are the world’s best friend, Alanna.” I blushat her words and then she
closes the door and I watch as she makes her way upthe steps of the building.
I quickly glance at my bodyguards who sit frozen in front of me. I briefly smile
as I alert the driver to take me to my next destination.

“Take me to my house.”

I rush into the Condo and I throw my bag down onto the floor. I make my way
into the lounge and I sink into the large, brown, leather sofa. I kick off my
shoes and I try to digest the events of today. My heart is racing and my head is
buzzing, as I think about Sophie and that she is pregnant. I shake off my shock
as I leap from the sofa and run into the bathroom. I quickly run the bath as I
prepare for tonight’s dinner with Michael and Emma. I slide into the tub and as
the warm bubbles caress my skin, I cannot escape my thoughts of Michael. My
relationship with him has definitely changed. He still remains my friend and we
do talk on a regular basis, but things are not the same as they used to be.
Michael is more restrained with me. I feel that he holds things back, that he
would usually tell me. He is more guarded when it comes to being affectionate
with me. Michael would always kiss me on the cheek or pull me in for hugs but
now – nothing. He doesn’t talk to me the way that he used to and I feel that he
has –changed. Although he is always around me, he feels so far away. The only
explanation I can think of for his behaviour is Emma. I believe that he cares
deeply for her and that she feels the same way. Emma adores Michael and
over the last few months, Maggie has learned to accept that her daughter
needs love and therefore, she has accepted Michael as her daughter’s
boyfriend. I watch them together and they seem very happy. Michael is
content with Emma and I am glad that he has found someone. However, that
doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt me. I ache every day for Michael. He means the
world to me and I would give anything if things could be back to the way they
were, even just for one day.

I quickly get dressed and as I blow dry my hair, I hear my phone buzzing from
inside my bag. I sigh as I answer the call.

 

“Hey Mom,”
“Alanna, I am so glad that I caught you.”
She says in a desperate tone.
“Why what’s wrong?”
I ask firmly.

 

“Nothing is wrong sweetie, I have the final seating chart and I don’t know
whether or not to hold a place for Adrian’s Mom.”
“Mom he hasn’t said that she isn’t invited so hold a place, just in case.”
“Sweetie the wedding is in six days and we need an answer. Can’t you ask him
again?”

I shake my head as I feel that my mom shouldn’t be pushing this on Adrian. He
has been working extra hard on keeping his anger at bay and he has been
doing so well. Ever since I told him that he needed to sort out his temper, he
has been attending regular therapy sessions both here and in London. He finds
comfort in talking about his past, in a controlled environment. He is beginning
to move on a little from what happened and I feel that any day now he could
have a reconciliation with Alice. I just think that our wedding might not be right
time for that first meeting. So many things could happen and I don’t know if he
could fully control himself around her. I wouldn’t want anything to ruin our
special day and I would hate it for my parents and our guests to witness an
anger filled Adrian.

“Mom, I don’t want to push him on this. You have to understand how hard it is
for him.”
“I do understand but I need to know.”
My mom says firmly.

 

“I guess that I could ask him again.”
I give in as I think that there is no other
way out of this conversation.

 

“Thanks sweetie, now remember you also need to talk to him about the
wedding gifts and his tux!”
“Yes Mom, I got it!”
“Okay, just making sure that you remember I know that you can be a scatter
brain sometimes!”
I laugh slightly and then I end the call.

I slump down onto the bed and my mind quickly revolves back to Sophie. I
wonder how James took the news and I cannot help but worry as to why she
hasn’t called yet. I flick through my phone until I come across her number. I
resist the urge to call her, as I think that they could be trying to work
everything out. I would hate it if I got in the wayand I feel that I should wait for
Sophie to call first. I glance at my watch and I notice that it’s gone five. Adrian
should be home by now and I wonder why he is takingso long. I find his
number in my contacts and I quickly hit send. My heart gently races as I wait
for him to answer.
“Hello,”
I hear him say in his deep, English accent. I cannot hold back my smile
at the sound.

“Hey doll,”
I say in an excited tone.

 

“Baby I am running late so I will just have to meet you at the restaurant, is that
okay?”
I frown and then I agree.

“Yeah I suppose, why are you held up?”
I say quietly as I don’t want him to
think that I am prying into his business. Adrian hates it when I question him on
what he is doing.

“Paperwork and I have a session with my therapist in a bit, Alanna why are you
questioning me?”
“No reason I was just a little worried that you weren’t home yet.”
“Your voice sounds serious is there something wrong?”
I clear my throat as I
reply.

 

“Nothing is wrong, but I do have a few things that I need to talk to you about.”
“What things, tell me!”
He says firmly.