Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (27 page)

“Wow that’s amazing, right?” Janet’s lips curve and she releases a deafening
laugh. I slightly jump from the sound, but I manage to compose myself as she
begins to explain about Olivia’s potential parents.

“Yes its wonderful news and they seem like really good people. They are both
doctors and they have already have an adopted child. They were at the visiting
day and when they saw Olivia, something inside of them clicked with her.”

“That’s really good news, Olivia is an amazing child and she deserves to have a
great life. With wonderful parents who will love and provide for her. I truly
couldn’t be happier about this news.” Janet smiles at me and then she stands
up and walks over to me. I stand as she hovers over me and when I am
positioned in front of her, she pulls me close fora hug. Her warm arms are
holding onto my as she whispers.

“You have a kind heart and one day you will have our own orphanage and
those kids will be the luckiest children in the world because you are there to
care for them. Never forget your kindness as it makes you the most special girl
that I have ever met.” I pull back from Janet and then we walk side by side
along the hallway until we reach the lounge. As weenter Janet alerts the
children that she needs a moment of their attention.
“Children,” she urges and all of the kids instantly stop their playtime as they
turn to face us. I can feel my throat drying up as I hate goodbyes and know that
I am going to break Olivia’s heart by leaving. I promised her that I would always
be around and now I have to break that promise. Her heart will break and I will
feel terrible, but I know that there is no other way to keep her safe.

“Now today is a very sad day because Miss Alanna has decided that it’s time
that she moves on from us. I don’t want any tears or protests it’s just the way
life goes. Now come and say your goodbyes.” A few of the younger children
rush over to me and they give me gentle hugs as they say goodbye. I grip them
tightly as I wish that I didn’t have to leave. I hold back my tears as I hug every
child in the orphanage – expect for one. I scan the room in search of Olivia and
when I spot her, she is standing over by the back wall with her arms folded and
with tears in her eyes. I march over to her and when I reach her I kneel down
to her level. I gaze into her eyes as I gently stroke her cheek.

“Sweetie, aren’t you going to say goodbye?”

“No, I don’t want to say goodbye. I want you to stay, why are you leaving me?”
I try to soothe her as I move my hand onto her arm. She looks furious with me
and I hate to see her like this. Olivia means a lot to me and I hate that I have
broken our bond and I feel that I need to try to explain my reasons for leaving
as I don’t want her to hate me.

“Sweetie, I need to leave.”

 

“But why,” Olivia insists. I exhale as I look at her sad eyes.

“I need to leave because if I don’t then everyone here will be in danger. There
are people out there who aren’t very nice and they don’t want me to stay here
with you. I want to keep you and your friends safeand the only way I can do
that is by leaving. I want you to know that nothinghas changed, I still care
about you and you will always be in my heart.” Olivia accepts my explanation
as she lunges into my arms. I grip her tightly and I stay in her grasp for what
seems like – forever.

Fifteen

When I arrive home after my terrible day at the orphanage, I am drained. All I
feel like doing is curling up into a ball and never moving again, but that isn’t an
option as it’s less than an hour until Sophie and James arrive. As I prepare for
their arrival, I begin to think about my ordeal of the day. I woke up this
morning and everything was awesome and now my worldhas shattered. I have
no job and I have lost one of my dear friends and to top it all off, I was followed
and threatened by someone in a black Lamborghini. I don’t know what I have
done to deserve such a punishment. I have lived a good and honest life, but
maybe that’s my downfall. I always see the good in everyone and I always try
to put a positive spin on everything that happens.Maybe I deserve to be
punished because of my honesty and for the love that I have for Adrian.

I finish preparing the guest bedroom and then I head back downstairs as I
begin to prepare dinner for my guests. I whip up Sophie’s favourite meal –
chicken parmesan and then I set the table, making sure that I have an extra
place setting just in case Adrian decides to have William over. I light a few
candles whilst I keep the food warm in the oven and then I leap into action
when I hear the doorbell ring. I stride into the hallway and I check myself in the
mirror before I open the door. I smile as I am looking a little fresher than I did
earlier on. I take a deep breath and then I open the door to reveal Sophie and
James.
“Hello,” they greet me as I step out into cold to hug them.

“It’s been forever, come on in.” I urge as I take Sophie by the arm. James
follows behind us as he carries their bags.

 

“Where will I put the bags?” He softly asks.

“Just set them down there,” I say as I point to the end of the staircase. “Adrian
will take them upstairs when he comes home.” James obeys my orders and
once their bags are set down, I lead them into the lounge. When we enter
James compliments me on the house and then he stares at me – a little
awkwardly. I try to brush off his intense stare as I offer them something to
drink.

“Would you like something to drink?” Sophie laughsand then I laugh with her
– but I am not sure what we are laughing at. Sophie straightens her face and
then she glances at James before she answers my question.

“Water will be fine,” I smile at her and then I make my way into the kitchen. I
rummage in the fridge and I take out a large bottle of Evian. I grab a few
glasses from the counter and then I head back into the lounge. When I enter I
notice that Sophie has taken off her coat and now I am seeing her baby bump
for the first time. My eyes light up as she glows, her bump is quite prominent
but at the same time it’s very cute. I march over and I set the glasses and the
bottle of water down onto the drinks cabinet. I slowly begin to pour three
glasses of water and then I take two of them and I glide over James. As I hand
him his drink, he begins to stare at me again. I feel a little annoyed and tense
and I wish that he would stop. I try to ignore him as I head over to Sophie.

“You are glowing and your bump is so cute.” Sophiegently pats her stomach
and then she takes the glass of water from my hand.

 

“Speaking of my bump, what’s for dinner? Something smells good.” I laugh and
then I fill her in on what we are having for dinner.

“Chicken parmesan,” I say proudly as I know that it is her ultimate favourite
meal. Sophie smiles at me whilst she licks her lipsat the sound of the food. I
glide over to the arm chair and I sit down as I quiz Sophie on her pregnancy.
“So have you found out the sex of your baby?” James makes a smooth look
towards Sophie and she smiles back at him. I look at them in amazement as I
feel that I am missing something.

“We have found out, but we haven’t told anyone yet.” Sophie gushes. I nod at
her as I understand that she might want to keep that information to herself. So
I don’t press her for an answer instead I smile and nod politely. However,
inside I am dying to know. I still can’t believe that Sophie is going to be a mom
and for the past few months I haven’t really believed that it was real. I know
it’s stupid, but I was kind of in denial about the whole thing. It just seems so
grown up and even though I am married and I live in London I still feel that we
are kids. Living in New York and hanging out at the mall, those days still seem
real and relevant. Whenever I am sad or when life becomes tough, I look back
on those days and I am comforted. I guess that I am sad because I know that
when Sophie has her baby those amazing days will be gone.

“That’s great that you have found out. At least you know what colour to buy.”
Sophie laughs and then she narrows her eyes at me.

 

“Aren’t you going to ask what the sex is?”

“Well no, I asked and you said that you knew but you haven’t told anyone.
Don’t worry I won’t pressure you into telling me, I understand how private a
thing like that can be.” James stares at me again and this time I have to ask him
what wrong. “James, are you okay?” He laughs at my question.

“Yes why wouldn’t I be?”

 

“You just seem a little… nervous, perhaps?” Sophie makes a darting look
towards him and when he locks his eyes on hers he quickly composes himself.

“I’m a little jet lagged,” he says as he sips his water. I smile at him and then I
jump as I hear the front door open. Sophie looks atme and she senses my
anxiety.

“You seem nervous, are you alright?” I nod at her and then I turn to face the
door as I hear footsteps. I watch the doorway untilAdrian glides into the room.
I stand up as he enters and then I rush over to him.
“Hello, it’s been a while,” he says smoothly to our guests. James stands up and
then he makes his way over as he firmly shakes Adrian’s hand. Sophie attempts
to stand, but Adrian stops her as he glides over and gently kisses her on the
cheek. She blushes from his affection but at the time, she is beaming that he
has kissed her. “How was your flight?” Adrian says as he strides back over to
my side. He slides his arm around my waist and I grip onto him as I need him. I
have missed him so much today and I wish that I could snuggle into him and
never leave. I want to feel his arms holding me as I tell him about my terrible
day. I want him to tell me that everything will be alright, but I know that I will
have to hold back as I remind myself that we have guests.

“The flight was awesome we can’t thank you enough for your generosity.”
Sophie thanks Adrian and he simply nods at her words.

“Can you please excuse us for a minute?” Adrian says tenderly as he leads me
into the hallway. He pushes me against the wall and I am stunned by his
actions. I stare at him as he grabs onto my face. His lips are quivering as he
leans down and kisses me. I melt into his touch and then I am angry when he
pulls his lips away from me. I frown at him and he smirks at my gesture. I slide
my hand onto his back and Adrian kisses me again. He gently pulls back and
then he alerts me that he needs to ask me something.

“Baby, I need you to do something for me.” I stare at him as I think that I would
do anything for him.

 

“Yes,” Adrian laughs.

“My father is in the car and I would like it if he could have dinner with us.” I
sigh as I think back on the last time that I saw Edward. He was angry and he
called me names. He seemed as if he hated me and Ican’t forget the extent of
his temper. When Adrian arrived home that night and after he explained why
he had lied to me about meeting with his father I told him about my worries. I
explained that I didn’t feel that he was a genuineperson. I felt that Edward
was selfish and that he knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted Adrian in his
life and I fear for the wrong reasons. Adrian hasshowed him kindness and he
has provided him with a nice lifestyle. He has bought him a new car, new
house and he has given him a job at the company and I worry that it’s Adrian’s
money and not him which Edward pulls to his heart. However, Adrian is happy
that Edward is back in his life and as I am his wife I need to stand by him and I
need to make an effort with Edward.

“Of course, bring him in.” Adrian smiles at me and then he kisses me again. I
watch as he glides along the wide hallway to the front door. He pushes it open
and then he steps out into the cold. I make my way back into the lounge as I
inform Sophie and James that we have another dinner guest.

“Adrian’s father is going to be joining us for dinner.” Sophie stares at me.
“Charles?” She quizzes. I shake my head.

“No, Edward, Adrian’s biological father.” Sophie is silent and James looks
awkward. I try to reassure them that everything will be fine. “Don’t worry he is
actually rather nice and you might end up liking him.” I almost choke as those
words pass from my lips.

I sit back down on the arm chair as I wait for Adrian to waltz back into the
room with Edward by his side. I hear the front door open and again I hear
footsteps making their way closer to me. Adrian slides into the room, followed
by Edward. I look at Adrian and he looks amazing, he is dressed in a black
pinstriped suit with a white shirt underneath. His hair is slicked back and his
smile is devilish. He quickly introduces his father to Sophie and James and then
he walks over and stands by my chair. He places his hand onto my shoulder as
he waits for Edward to greet me. Edward nods and smiles at Sophie and James
and then he turns to me. He is dressed in a blue suit and I can’t deny how
much he looks like Adrian and seeing them together is startling. They have the
same presence and the same manner. Adrian is a little taller than Edward, but
when they stand side by side their eyes glow continuously and I can’t help but
feel mesmerised at the sight of them.

Edward glides over to me and he reaches out for myhand. I make a daggering
look towards him, but with Adrian standing so closeand his eyes burning
through me, I reluctantly reach out and place my hand in his. He smiles at me
and then he gently kisses my skin. I roll my eyes at his touch and then I politely
excuse myself as I need to check on dinner.
“Sophie would you like to help me with dinner?” I say as I flash Sophie a
desperate look. She senses my urgency but she accepts my question with
poise.

“Of course I will, Alanna.”

 

Sophie and I head out of the lounge and as we walk along the hallway and into
the kitchen Sophie lets me know how she feels.

 

“That was so intense,” we enter the kitchen and I alert Sophie to take a seat at
the breakfast bar as I begin to take the food out of the oven.

 

“So how is everything going with you and James?” I ask as I plate up the food.
Sophie exhales and then she fills me in on her new life with Dr James.