~Dedicated to first meetings and shocking truths~

Chapter Twenty-Four

Have you ever had one of those days where you couldn’t help but feel nervous no matter what? It was like you could feel your heart pounding like the galloping hooves of race horses and your breathing resembled a fish struggling for air out of the water and however much you tried to stay calm, you just couldn’t? I was having that day and it was because in a few hours I was to meet my father, the man who was non-existent for my entire life until now. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.

“Don’t you want to eat?” my mother asked as I paced around the kitchen.

I shook my head, “I’m not hungry.”

My mother sent me a reassuring smile, “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

I scanned her warm face and loving blue eyes before exhaling, “No, it wouldn’t be right. He gave me money for the trip and after all, he is my father.”

My mother nodded, before she sipped at her glass of orange juice, “You’re right about that.”

I sighed, biting my lower lip and asked, “But I thought he wanted to meet me on my birthday?”

A strange look passed through my mother’s eyes before she covered it with a smile, “Maybe he couldn’t wait?”

My eyes narrowed at her before I spoke, “Mum, what aren’t you telling me?”

A hooter sounded outside and my mother jumped, hurrying to open the front door as she threw over her shoulder, “Oh look that must be Jeff here to drop off Holly.”

I crossed my arms over my chest before I stomped after my mother, muttering, “You’re not changing the subject that easily.”

The front door swung open and in skipped Holly who looked more adorable than the last time I had seen her. Her dark hair had been left open, curling at the ends and she wore a bright pink dress which came to her knees. Her green eyes lit up when they landed on me and momentarily I forgot all about stressing about meeting my father and pulled her into a huge hug. She giggled slightly, wrapping her tiny arms around my neck in return before she turned to wave at Jeff.

“Bye daddy,” she called.

Jeff stuck his head out of the car window before waving back and replying, “See you later honey.”

While I left my mother to say her goodbyes to Jeff, I made my way back towards the kitchen where Holly followed me while twirling a strand of her hair playfully. She turned and smiled shyly up at me before I pulled her up and placed her to sit on the counter. Her big green eyes were filled with admiration and I couldn’t help but feel lucky that this little girl was soon going to be part of my family.

“We’re going to be real sisters now Vivienne,” Holly beamed, “daddy said so and he said that we can share rooms and have sleepovers and be best friends.”

I laughed as I nodded, “Of course we will Holly.”

“And we can share secrets,” Holly continued in her excitement, “and you can put nail polish for me like the last time you came and I can brush your pretty hair,” she replied touching my hair, then spoke in awe, “and we can be princesses.”

My mother walked into the kitchen, interrupting our princess conversation, “Viv honey, would you be a dear and take Holly to the park?”

I frowned, “Sure, but what about you-”

My mother rubbed her temples, something she did when she was stressed, “The wedding planner just called. Apparently she had to leave to see her grandmother and can’t do my wedding so she’s referred me to another planner who’s coming over shortly.”

I nodded before taking Holly’s hand in mine and hugged my mother before whispering, “Don’t worry. Everything will work out fine.”

“Aren’t I supposed to be telling you that?” my mother asked with a slight laugh.

I pulled away, shrugging with a grin, “Maybe.”

“Do you think we can wear matching dresses for the wedding?” Holly asked as I handed her an ice-cream.

I glanced at her wide smile as I replied, “If mum allows it.”

“She has to Vivienne,” Holly retorted, “otherwise I’ll tell Santa.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I led Holly away from the ice-cream stand and towards a small bench at the end of the park. She bounced excitedly with her tiny curls bobbing while she raced ahead towards the bench and plonked down. I smiled at her while I sat down next to her and for a whole, turned my attention to the rest of the people at the park. Mothers pushing prams walked by, while young children ran around and played on the jungle-gyms and swings.

Suddenly my eyes fell onto a familiar redhead and I called out, “Jules!”

Juliet turned around and smiled when she spotted me. Instantly she stood and sprinted towards me with her red hair flying all over the place. She was gasping for air by the time she reached the bench where Holly and I sat and for a few minutes, she worked on getting her breath back before breathing out and grinning sheepishly at me.

“So maybe I skipped a few PE lessons?” she offered.

I rolled my eyes before grinning, “Yeah right, that’s more than just a few lessons Jules.”

Juliet huffed before turning her attention to Holly who smiled shyly at her.

“And who is this adorable little girl?” Juliet asked, sitting next to Holly.

“I’m Holly, Vivienne’s sister,” Holly replied with a smile.

Juliet threw me looks before smiling widely in return, “Aw, aren’t you cute? Can’t you be my sister instead?”

“Hands off Jules, she’s all mine and besides you have Toby,” I retorted.

Juliet snorted, “I’d rather have a cute sister than a brat of a brother.”

“Where is Toby?” I asked.

As if on cue, there was a loud scream from the centre of the playground and Juliet stood up instantly. Her green eyes narrowed before she muttered under her breath, “What has Toby done now?”

I followed her gaze and sure enough, spotted Toby who was yelling at the top of his lungs at another boy who was crying. Juliet groaned before marching towards the commotion where she seemed to be apologising to the mother of Toby’s victim before she glared down at Toby who cowered under his sister’s stern look. Holly scooted closer to me as she watched with wide eyes as Juliet towed Toby back to us with a scowl on her face.

“Hi Toby,” I greeted with a small smile.

Toby glanced up at me with his large puppy dog eyes and smiled in return, “Hi Viv.”

Juliet rolled her eyes, “Why don’t you tell Viv what you just did.”

Toby blushed before scratching his chestnut hair and whining, “I did nothing wrong!”

“Yes you did,” Holly suddenly chirped, “I saw you steal that boy’s spade.”

Toby frowned, “It was mine first!”

“But my daddy said that you must share,” Holly retorted in a matter-of-fact tone.

Juliet nodded, “Exactly Toby, listen to Holly.”

“Vivienne, tell them it was my spade,” Toby complained, his brown eyes on me.

I laughed nervously, feeling on the spot before I mumbled, “Toby is right.”

Toby instantly stuck his tongue out at Juliet before throwing his arms around me and grinning, “You’re my best friend Viv.”

“No, Vivienne’s my best friend,” Holly snapped.

“Oh for the love of God,” Juliet muttered, before she tugged at Toby, “Why don’t you just go and play on the seesaw or something?”

Toby huffed before complying as he trudged alone towards the seesaw. I turned to Holly who was staring after Toby before she turned to me and asked, “Can I play on the seesaw too?”

I nodded, “Sure, but be careful.”

Holly nodded and hugged me before running after Toby. For a while I watched them talk animatedly before running towards the seesaw where Toby helped Holly onto her seat. I couldn’t help a wide smile that took hold of my lips when I spotted them playing together like the best of friends. Instantly I remembered Juliet who was sitting next to me and giving me a look that screamed ‘spill the details’.

“Jeff proposed,” I spilled, “and mum said yes.”

Juliet’s eyes widened before she screamed in delight, “That is très fab Viv! A wedding for your mother, how magical,” she breathed dreamily.

I grinned, “I know right? It seems so surreal; everything’s falling into place for her.”

Juliet nodded before asking slyly, “And what about you?”

My cheeks warmed slightly at her suggestive tone before I faked innocence, “What about me?”

“Oh come on Viv,” Juliet drawled, “what’s going on with your boy dilemma?”

I bit my lower lips, casting a look at Holly and Toby who were laughing as they played on the seesaw. I sighed, “It’s not a dilemma.”

“Lie all you want Viv but we both know that you are gaga over Sean, why don’t you just tell him how you feel and poof! You’re marrying him and having his babies.”

“Jules!” I hissed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks once again.

Juliet smirked at me, her green eyes lighting up with mischief as she replied, “You can’t even say his name without blushing.”

“I so can,” I retorted.

“Then say it,” Juliet dared.

“Sean,” I replied feeling my heartbeat quicken and my breathing hitch slightly before a wave of tingles ran down my arms.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” Juliet whispered before nodding towards Sean who was making his way towards us followed by Amanda.

I let my eyes travel down Sean, who wore plain jeans and a white shirt that fit his body as though it was made to show off his muscles perfectly. I felt my mouth dry when my eyes landed on his chiselled to perfection face and amazingly hazel eyes which looked gold when the sunlight fell against them. His dark hair looked messy yet at the same time, it looked attractive against his whole bad boy look which clung to him so well. I let out a breath before forcing a smile onto my face and pushing away the nagging feeling that had edged its way to my mind when I noticed Amanda.

“Vivienne,” Amanda beamed, “it’s been forever since I’ve seen you!”

I grinned up at her, taking in her long hair which hung loosely around her face. She wore a simple white tank top which clung to her body like second skin, showing off her curves and amazingly skinny waist. Her denim skirt came to her mid-thigh and it was obvious that every guy in the park were checking her long legs out. For a moment I envied her and felt stupid for deciding that wearing the plain jeans and a summer shirt was anything attractive.

“I know,” I replied, forcing another smile onto my lips, “where have you been hiding?”

Juliet snorted before muttering under her breath so only I could hear, “In some guy’s bed?”

“Oh, I’ve been busy with Lily at the salon. Apparently her boss thinks I have a great future for a fashion designer,” Amanda replied, “and then my dad came down from London so I’ve been visiting him.”

“Actually we’re off to meet him now,” Sean finally spoke, his eyes falling to mine, before he continued, “he’s waiting at the Le Cheesy Restaurant.”

Juliet suddenly replied, “Oh that’s our restaurant.”

Amanda grinned, “Seriously? I so love your pasta, it’s beyond delicious.”

Juliet smiled, “Well it is my recipe and dad says that it was a bad idea.”

Toby suddenly came running with Holly skipping behind him with a large smile on her face before he gushed out, “Hey Julie can you take me and Holly to see dad?”

Juliet raised an eyebrow, “What for?”

“Me and Holly wanted to eat pizza,” Toby explained, “and dad makes pizza.”

Sean snapped his fingers, “Great idea, how about we all get pizza and Amanda can meet her father?”

“Great,” I mumbled unenthusiastically as I felt the colour drain from my face.

This had to be a coincidence or maybe I just heard my mother wrong when she said that I was supposed to meet my father at Juliet’s restaurant. I mean it’s not like Amanda’s dad is the only one who would be at the restaurant. There would be tons of middle-aged men who were reuniting with their long lost daughter, right?

It was like a slap of cold water in my face as I entered the restaurant and my eyes fell onto the man who I knew for a fact was Edward Williams, also known as my biological father who had recently made it known that he wanted to be a part of my life; especially when his eyes lit up with recognition when they fell onto me and then widened with shock when they landed on Amanda who was grinning widely at him as she gave him a hug.

“Daddy, I want you to meet my friends, Juliet and Vivienne,” she introduced.

“Vivienne,” he breathed out.

Instantly everyone went quiet as they turned around, their eyes falling onto me as my cheeks lit up with a bright blush. I bit my lower lip as Holly tugged at my hand anxiously, giving me a worried look. I sucked in a breath then glanced at the man who was supposed to be my father then at Amanda and then, without thinking, I bolted towards the direction of the restrooms.

A/N Hey Geeklings :) Another short chapter, but I'm in the midst of studying Geography, Physics, Biology and Maths at the moment, so forgive me. I know, not the best chapter and yeah, I'm not exactly proud of it. Have a go at me if you hate it, because I would understand. And yes, I know, not a lot of Sean but I didn't have the time to write him in that much into this chapter, but don't woryy, next chapter will totally include a lot more of him and you know, a bit of moments ;) Remember to vote, comment and spread the word!

Enjoy your Saturday (in whichever corner you're in)

xoxo

Mona-Mae