Chapter 37 #2
I’m so relieved Cal talks about me at all. “Likewise. You two are her heroes.”
Sue blushes. “You don’t need to go overboard. We’re her grandparents. There’s nothing heroic about us.”
“I’m sure you can understand why she loves you so much. You’re her everything.”
Vaughn and Sue look at each other smiling, then Sue turns back to me. “Well young man, it seems you could be the one to give us a run for our money.” She smiles, then adds, “You’re taller than I imagined, definitely taller than you look on the telly.”
“You’ve seen me on TV?”
Sue blushes again and chooses not to answer.
Calla must keep her grandparents up to date with the band, too.
Does this mean these two knew exactly who I was as soon as they opened the door?
Their expressions told me no, but this additional information tells me otherwise.
I get why they didn’t let on at first and how they probably wanted to protect their granddaughter. She’s been through so much.
“You can find Calla at the beach, just past Lefkada Marina. Do you have any transport?” Sue asks.
“I’ve hired a car,” I tell her.
“Step in young man,” Vaughn says, waving me into their cool and airy home. The air conditioning is a welcome relief from the heat outside. “I’ll give you directions. It’s not far,” he continues.
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
“Would you like coffee while we show you the map?” Sue offers.
“Thank you, but no. I’d much rather get to her as soon as I can.”
“Good,” says Vaughn. “I think she’s been waiting for you a very long time.”
It doesn’t take long to reach the tiny Greek beach.
It’s just one long winding road down a steep hill, but Christ, it’s narrow.
The road throws up dust-balls at every corner, and the verges are chalky.
It makes driving hazardous, especially with the added challenge of local cars forcing their way past. Still, I get down to the marina, eventually.
It’s beautiful here. Despite the dusty roads, the air around the marina is fresh and set against a backdrop of lush green mountains. It’s exactly as Cal’s grandparents described, so I know I’m in the right area. I park up my hired Toyota by a small café and make my way along the waterside.
The yachts moored up along the harbour are insane.
They’re probably bigger than the two-bedroomed rented house I shared with Tommy in Braebeach.
Wow, I haven’t thought of our hometown in a while.
The memory hits me in my chest, taking my breath.
I promise myself, as soon as I can, I’ll go home, spend some time with Mum.
She’s so looking forward to becoming a grandma, and I know Cal is grateful for the help she’s offered us.
I probably better check on my dad too, not that he’s tried to contact me at all, and I’m still angry with him.
The thing is, for my mum’s sake, I’m putting it to one side.
I believe he got everything he deserved when she filed for divorce, but he’s still my father.
I should make sure he’s okay and probably tell him about the baby.
Who knows if he’ll be interested? I’m not sure I really care.
It’s midday, the sun is at its highest and hottest, yet there’s a welcome breeze blowing from the sea.
I stop for a minute and take a few deep breaths.
Cal and I have kept in constant contact from the day we got back together, and yeah, everything is slowly returning to where it should be, although we didn’t break up in my mind.
But now, I’m actually here and about to see her for the first time in over three months, I’m nervous as hell.
I stride along the harbour like a man possessed, looking out for the small beach Cal’s grandparents described.
There’s a family holiday vibe from this place with its shops full of souvenirs and several restaurateurs trying to get me to eat at their place or book a table for the evening.
I don’t want to be rude, but food isn’t on my mind right now.
Finally, I get to the beach by the Marina. I look over the long stretch of sand, but I can’t see her anywhere.
There’s a wall by the port side, so I take a moment to sit and take in every face I can.
I scan past the families with teenagers and babies.
They’re all enjoying the sand and splash in the salty water.
Then I stop as soon as I catch her dark, messy bun piled high on her head and the outline of her curvy figure, covered with an orange wrap-around.
I can only see her side-on, but I’m positive it’s Cal.
She looks out to sea, her hand over her dark sunglasses, and I have an overwhelming urge to sweep her off her feet.
There’s no question in my mind now; that’s my girl.
When I reach the water’s edge, I stop. Cal is knee-deep in the calm waters of the sea, looking out to who knows where.
I pull off my trainers without undoing the laces and leave them by the water’s edge.
Desperate to be near her, I move through the water, but my wading legs must alert her senses.
Cal turns around. At first, she stares, I think my way.
I can’t tell where her eyes fall from behind those dark glasses.
She turns back to her original position, and at first, I think she hasn’t seen me.
I have to get to her, but before I make a move, she turns around again, sliding her sunglasses onto her head.
I stop in my tracks, taking her in. She is so fucking perfect and what makes her the most beautiful woman on this beach, is the baby bump she strokes with one hand.
I look into her eyes. She glances just for a moment to mine, then down to her bump as if to say, ‘Look. This is real. This is our baby.’
I can’t move while I take in her beautiful form. Struck by something I can only explain as real and pure love, I wade further into the sea. I’m desperate to get close to her, but when I’m a few metres away, I stop again. I have to take a minute. I can’t believe I’m standing here, finally.
There’s so much to take in all at once. Cal’s sparkling blue eyes, the shape of her mouth I’ve missed so much, and the curve of her shoulders which glisten with water droplets.
As my eyes scan over her body, the sunlight catches a silver bangle on her wrist. I realise it’s the clam bracelet I gave Cal for her birthday. Seeing it against her sun-kissed skin; knowing she’s been wearing it while I’ve been away, makes me smile and gives me hope.
The orange wrap she wears around her middle blows gently in the sea breeze against her beautiful round belly, protecting our baby. She is beautiful.
Cal is now twenty-nine weeks pregnant. We worked out it must have happened during Brae Fest, on our last night together.
When I look back now, we weren’t exactly careful.
We focused on making the most of every second we had.
The last time I saw Cal in late November, she was already pregnant, but neither of us had any idea.
Cal’s hand gently touches her lips. “Ash, it really is you.”
“Yeah, it’s me.” I lose myself in her beautiful blues. I want to tell her how gorgeous she looks, how beautiful she’s always been, but my brain doesn’t co-operate with my mouth.
I wish I could reach over, pull her towards me, wrap my arms around her and let her know I’m here to take care of her and our baby, but I don’t. The last thing I want is to overwhelm her. I laugh nervously. “You look really…well, Cal.”
She smiles, then I watch the rise and fall of her chest as she takes in a large breath. When she releases her tearful sigh, her words take my breath away.
“Just hold me, Ash.”
I take two seconds flat to get to her. She wraps her arms around me when I lift her body to mine, and she nuzzles her face into the crook of my neck. She smells incredible, and when my skin touches hers; it sparks a familiar fire inside me. I can’t hold her close enough.
Her warm breath brushes over my skin when she says, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too, so fucking much, Cal.”
A few minutes pass until I finally set her back down in the water.
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” she says, her hand running over my chest, her eyes glassy.
“Hey, don’t get upset.” I wipe away her tear with my thumb.
“I’m here now and we’re going to be okay,” I reassure, and she beams right back at me.
Jesus, I’ve missed her beautiful lips, and without thinking, I lean down, taking them with everything I have.
It isn’t long before our tongues entwine; slowly and seductively.
My hand reaches around to the back of her head.
Holding her firmly in place, I take what I’ve been missing these past months.
Her breathing increases while my heart is beating heavily.
Cal’s fingers run around to the back of my neck, scratching at the nape.
Fuck, I can’t get enough of her, and my cock stirring in my shorts only confirms how worked up I’m getting.
This isn’t the place to get so heated, as we soon realise.
“Excuse me? Hello?” We both stop mid-kiss, but our mouths stay connected. “Hello there.” Our heads turn simultaneously towards the voice.
“Oh, hi. Do you speak English?” A lady with a wide-brimmed hat and American accent asks.
“Yes, we do,” I reply.
“Great. I was just wondering if you could turn down the heat level a little, with the kissing an all. It’s just my kids are swimming nearby and—”
“Oh my God, we’re so sorry, aren’t we Ash,” Cal says while I try to keep her in place. If she moves right now, kissing won’t be the only thing this woman will complain about.
With my arms wrapped tightly around Cal, I reply, “Yep, so sorry. We’ll stop right now.”
“Okay then.” The woman looks a little disturbed. I hope she hasn’t noticed what’s going on in my shorts. “I appreciate that.” Then she makes her way back to a group of three kids by the shore.
Cal looks up. “You okay?”
“I will be, just give me five, okay?”