Chapter 30
Beth
With Archie snuggled in his cot, the dishes washed up and put away, and Beth and Spencer lounging on the sofa in their pyjamas, it was another average night at home, but as Beth reached out for the remote control at the same time as Spencer, and their hands met, she wanted to add something different into their routine.
‘Can we talk?’
Spencer’s hand was still on hers. ‘Sounds serious.’
‘It’s just about us.’ Beth gazed at their hands. ‘About this.’
He too was looking in that direction, but then his blue eyes, so like her son’s, slowly moved to her mouth, and Beth swallowed hard.
‘We seem to have fallen into some sort of relationship,’ she added, trying to stay focused on the subject, rather than the pull of energy she could feel between them.
‘Not quite,’ he said softly.
Beth had skills in breath control now, and she was secretly using them so she wouldn’t show any nerves. ‘It’s just, well, we should talk about what’s happening here.’ She felt his finger twitch on her hand.
‘What part?’
‘All of it.’
He gave a brief nod.
‘Perhaps we should speak about the future,’ she added. ‘Plan ahead a little.’
Spencer’s forehead wrinkled slightly. ‘Is this about schools for Archie?’
‘No. I was thinking more along the lines of us.’
‘We’re doing all right the way we are, aren’t we?’
‘Yes, but are we just going to continue to live together and co-parent this way?’ She watched him mull over her words as he relaxed onto his side, still holding her hand.
It was a strange feeling bringing the unspoken words to the surface. She had loads more she wanted to say, and now was the time.
‘I want you to know I’m happy here, but I always knew this was short-term. I also know that when I move back to my place we’ll need to set up a routine for Archie.’ She cleared her throat, as her voice cracked on the last word. It was difficult to plan a future she didn’t want, but how could she move in permanently with him unless he said so?
Spencer wasn’t exactly joining in the chat. His bobbing head and lack of smile told her little.
‘Say something,’ she blurted, then chastised herself for sounding desperate. Pulling her hand from his, she sat back and folded her arms. ‘I want this talk to be about honesty. I need you to tell me what you want.’
‘You haven’t exactly told me what you want yet.’
She thought back to what she had said, then realized she was holding back. ‘I want this to be real. I want my family together, but I understand it’s complicated.’
Spencer shuffled closer, placing his finger up to her cheek. ‘It’s not complicated, Beth.’
The fact her heart stopped beating was a sure sign something was complicated all right. She met his gaze, warm and inviting. ‘Spence, I . . .’ Words failed her as his face inched nearer.
‘I want more.’ His voice was hushed, almost sedating her. ‘I want you.’
Beth lowered her head so it touched his. ‘I don’t want one night,’ she whispered, praying he felt the same, as she couldn’t bear it if he was only thinking of one thing when her heart was laid bare.
‘If you want me too, you won’t get just one night. I’ll give you all my nights. You can have everything.’ He gently raised her chin, and their eyes met once more, Beth seeing seriousness and passion.
There was something calming in that moment, so much so, she didn’t want to move and break the spell. Just looking at him was enough. His hand lightly brushing the back of her ear, his other still holding her chin, the way his eyes told a thousand stories. Where were her heartbeats? Did it even matter? Did anything?
Spencer’s nose touched hers, waking her gently from the daydream. ‘Do you want me, Beth?’
Tilting her head slightly, she slowly placed her lips upon his, showing him exactly what she wanted. Within seconds, their kiss deepened, and Spencer lifted her, carrying her to the bedroom.
She gazed at him leaning over her as he placed her on the bed and watched him close his eyes as he rested his cheek in her palm. It was a side to him she hadn’t witnessed before. One filled with affection and tenderness. Each gentle touch was making her feel safe and treasured in his arms.
Beth had never felt so overwhelmed by love before, and when Spencer nuzzled his face into her neck, trailing kisses up to her jaw, every part of her melted.
* * *
Sunlight poured in through the bedroom window, placing a golden hue over Spencer’s relaxed face.
Beth smiled at him, still in bed with her, right where he promised he’d be. Even though she believed him when he’d said he had given himself to her, there was still a tiny doubt niggling at her until she drifted off to sleep. To see him by her side, copper locks dishevelled from her touch, was heart-warming on every level. He was her boyfriend now, and she could kiss him whenever she felt the need.
The need was strong, but so was the peace that came from simply watching him sleep.
A hushed groan and a stretch later, Spencer opened his eyes, smiling directly at her.
‘Good morning,’ Beth said quietly, seeing he still looked sleepy.
One side of his mouth quirked. ‘It is definitely a good morning.’ His croaky voice had her lips back on his once more, making him chuckle. ‘Spaceman,’ he mumbled.
Beth pulled back. ‘What?’
‘Spaceman Spencer Jordan. That’s the name I was given at birth.’
‘Your parents called you Spaceman?’
‘Yep.’
Beth frowned. ‘Why?’
‘Might have something to do with them always being high.’
‘Oh.’
‘I legally changed it as soon as I could, but my aunt made sure everyone called me Spencer, as it caused me to get into some fights at my first school.’
Beth kissed his forehead. ‘Why are you telling me this? Was it in your dream last night? Is that why it’s on your mind?’
‘Nope. Just want you to know everything about me.’ He cupped her face, peppering light kisses along her lips.
‘Are we really doing this?’ she asked as she pulled back.
‘We can do this all day if you like,’ he replied, bringing her back to his mouth.
Beth laughed. ‘No, I meant us being a proper couple, sharing everything.’
Spencer’s smile was a mixture of mischief and warmth. ‘Yeah, we’re really doing this.’
Beth curled under his arm, wishing they could stay in bed all day, but Archie would wake soon, demanding their full attention.
‘Why don’t we go out for the day?’ suggested Spencer. ‘A trip to Looe, perhaps.’
Beth lightly stroked over his chest. ‘We can check out the baby bank over there. Sam told me he spoke to the lady who runs the centre. He was after ideas.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’
Beth leaned up on one elbow. ‘It’s our first family outing. Maybe we should just focus on us.’
‘Hey, the baby bank is important to you. We can do both. It’ll be good to see how they do things over there anyway. Could be helpful to see it for ourselves.’
Beth smiled as she kissed his cheek. The sun had not long come up and already she was having the best day ever.
Spencer turned his head, grinning as he cupped her face. ‘I think we have time for a lie-in before little man wakes.’
‘Shall we go back to sleep then?’ she teased.
Spencer pulled her closer into his arms. ‘Or . . .’ he mumbled, kissing her.
* * *
‘Ta-da!’ said Spencer, spreading his arms out to Samuel’s dark 4x4 parked outside the flower shop.
‘Why are you showing me Sam’s car?’ asked Beth, lifting Archie higher to her shoulder.
‘We’re using it for our day out. It’ll be way comfier.’
Beth couldn’t agree more, squealing on the inside at having use of such a luxurious vehicle. She waited for Spencer to secure the rear-facing car seat, then place Archie inside, checking all the straps while the baby tried to lick everything coming close to his mouth. She offered Archie a soft play ring, which he grabbed with both hands and stuffed straight into his mouth.
‘Right, I think we’ve got everything,’ said Spencer, checking through the baby bag.
Beth laughed, taking it from him to place by her feet as she sat in the back with Archie. ‘We’re not going too far, and I’m sure there are shops in Looe if we do find we need something.’
Spencer clambered in the front, then turned to grin at her sitting behind him. ‘We are definitely getting a car.’
Beth glanced around at the expensive-looking interior. ‘I wonder how much these cost.’
‘Knowing Sam, probably the price of a small house.’
She laughed as he started the engine. ‘I doubt they’re that much.’
Spencer pulled away. ‘I can get one of these if you want, but I’d rather put my savings into a house for us.’
That came as a surprise. ‘You’ve been thinking about that?’
‘Archie can have a paddling pool in the garden. I thought that would be nice.’
Beth smiled, feeling it reach her heart. For two months they’d shared a little flat above a shop, grown closer, and now they were talking family cars and home ownership. She reached forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. ‘It’s something to work towards.’
Spencer tapped her hand before placing both hands back on the steering wheel. ‘I know it’s early days for us, but it’s good to do a bit of future thinking.’
‘I suppose, as it would take some time to save anyway.’
‘We can afford one now, Beth,’ he remarked casually, making her frown, as she was pretty sure she couldn’t. How much did a florist make exactly?
Beth sat back, watching the world pass by her window. ‘Not sure you know how much primary school teachers earn, but—’
‘I was talking about my own money. I’m not saying you can’t chip in. I’m just saying I have enough for us to buy a house.’
It was niggling at her but she didn’t like to ask. Her dad always told her it was uncouth to ask people about their finances.
Spencer smiled at her through the rear-view mirror. ‘I’m not loaded, but I got left some property.’
‘Oh.’
‘My aunt left her home and shop to us when she died, the flat above included. Lottie wanted to stay in the house, so I said it would make more sense for me to take the flat. I stayed with her on and off over the years, but the flat was mostly home. We never divvied up any money until she got with Sam. The flat isn’t worth as much as the house, so Lott gave me the extra. We still share the business though.’
‘Your aunt helped you in so many ways, didn’t she?’
‘Yeah, I guess she did. Not just her though. When George passed away, he left his house to Lottie and me. So I have half the money from that too. See, this is why I can afford to move us.’
‘Oh, Spence, I don’t want you spending all your money on us. I feel a bit bad.’
His laugh was quiet and warm. ‘I can’t think of anything better to spend my money on than setting up a home for my family, and I know Rebecca and George would be pleased to see the inheritance go in that direction.’
‘I just feel uncomfortable about it all falling on you.’
‘Doesn’t have to. You can buy the car with your savings or use it to decorate the place. We’re in it together, honey.’
Beth warmed at him calling her honey. She glanced at Archie, still happily chewing his toy ring. For so long she had assumed it would be just him and her, juggling life, coping as best they could, and now Spencer was in her life, offering all sorts of wonderful opportunities.
‘Don’t stress it, Beth. We can work on a plan later that makes you feel comfortable, okay?’
She nodded. ‘Wow, we really are future thinking, aren’t we?’
‘I told you. I’m all in.’
It was nice to hear, but it was still early days for them as a couple, so she figured she’d just see how things went as they moved forward together.
She leaned forward once more to stroke his shoulder. ‘Can you believe it’s the festival in a few days? Where has the time gone?’
‘I know, and the weather report says dry, so that’s good. I reckon it’s going to be a brilliant day.’ Spencer sounded excited as he nattered on about the day, and Beth was happy to be part of the event. To feel her joy rise once more.