Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Once Jason is bathed and sleeping, I walk into my bedroom, running a hand through my hair. The strands have grown considerably long but I don't hate it, I'm beginning to realise it's not the length or colour of my hair that makes me who I am.

It's my actions, my thoughts, my feelings and my friendships with everyone around me.

I walk past a mirror hung on the wall and stop, turning to face it. For once in my life, I don't despise what I see. I don't hate who I am. The corners of my lips tug upwards into a small smile and I know that I've finally come to peace with who I am.

Trisha Louise Lockwood.

"Trish?" I hear Tobias call me from downstairs, his words spoken softly so he doesn't wake Jason. My smiles broadens and I pull away from the mirror, heading back downstairs. He's standing at the bottom of the stairs, a tea towel flung over his shoulder. In his hand, he holds two glasses of wine.

"Fancy a relaxed night in Sugar?" Tobias smiles, handing me over a wine glass. I giggle and take it from him, leaning forward to peck his lips.

"That sounds perfect." I murmur against them. His hand slips around my waist and a sound of approval leaves his body as I explore his mouth with my tongue. His fingers press into my skin and I shiver against him, leaning into his chest.

"Netflix and chill?" Tobias murmurs down my ear, his words spoken huskily. With my free hand, I place it on his chest and let it wonder further down. My eyebrows raise in surprise and I lean back to look at him. His dark eyes are hooded over, undressing me by the second.

"How can I say no to that?" I respond, knowing that I'll never be able to resist Tobias Melvin or his sexy come to bed with me right now eyes. Tobias grins cheekily, brown eyes lighting up with a sparkle that I adore.

"I think we should skip the Netflix part. I just like saying the phrase because it makes me feel down with the kids."

I burst out laughing, shaking my head fondly at him as I lean forward for another kiss. His grin widens until his face radiates nothing but happiness.

"Oh Tobias Melvin, I do love you." I laugh, my heart bursting with nothing but pure love. When you eventually find the one, they become part of you, integrated into your every movement and thought. I never believed in soul mates but I believe Tobias and I found each other when the time was right. We both struggled internally for years, never feeling like we truly belonged. Throughout all that hardship, a force bought us together and gave us everything we wanted and more.

I've never felt more loved, adored or taken care of since I met Tobias Melvin.

"You're special to me Trish." Tobias says firmly, searching my eyes. I smile because it's like he can read my exact thoughts. If only he knew how special he is to me. . .

So I decide to tell him.

I take his hand and lead him towards our favourite spot in the house, the sofa. We sit down and talk for hours, laughing and drinking wine until the sun drifts away into the clouds and the moon appears. Eventually when his eyes begin to flutter shut and his breathing labours, I sit and watch him for a while, wondering how on earth I got to be so lucky.

I guess good things really do come to those who wait.

*****

Two weeks later

"Ivory, hurry up! I need to go and pick up Jason from nursery." I yell up the stairs. She pops her head round the top, peering down at me. Her hair is soaking wet from the shower and she's still dressed in pyjamas.

"You've got ten minutes." I tell her sternly and she nods before disappearing. I sigh and head for the kitchen to finish off my cup of coffee. Emily is cooking at the oven, baby Ruby bouncing around happily and skating around the floor in her walker. I bend down, catching eye contact with her.

"Ruby! Come here baby girl!"

She giggles and gurgles, pointing at me before skating over.

"Twish!" She says happily, her eyes lighting up. I gasp and nod, pointing at my face —

"Yes, I'm Trish! You clever girl."

"Well done Ruby," Emily chuckles, turning to beam at her finest creation. I fuss over Ruby for a few more moments until she gets distracted and whizzes off in the opposite direction.

"I can't believe how big she's getting. It won't be long until she's running around with Jason, causing all kinds of havoc." I smile, walking towards my best friend. Emily giggles, stirring the food on top of the cooker.

"Is it weird to look forward to that? I'm so happy she can grow up with Jason. It's like she has her very own cousin."

"No, it's not weird, we're just a fan of children now." I tell her.

"How times have changed." Emily laughs and I join in, agreeing with her. Things between us have changed but I'm excited for the new chapter and being able to grow with all of my best friends around me.

"I'm really proud of you though Trish. You're doing amazing." Emily tells me. I feel myself beginning to grow emotional and smile at her, blinking back tears.

"Thanks Em." I whisper, my thoughts turning to Leroy. It's been a battle and at one point, I didn't think I'd survive his death. Fast forward time and I'm doing so much better mentally with a family that I adore. You definitely do shine differently when you're loved properly by people around you.

"We should set up a play date soon. Say this weekend?" I ask her, changing the subject. Emily nods, putting the lid on-top of her dish.

"The weekend sounds good, we could take them both to the farm? Ruby loves animals and I'm sure Jason will enjoy that too."

I nod, agreeing —

"It's adorable watching them together. Jason loves her but refuses to call her anything other than baby."

"Eh, I think that's kind of cute." Emily replies, keeping an eye on Ruby who's bashing her toys against the wall.

"My child is crazy." She laughs, rolling her eyes playfully. I glance down at my watch and groan, knowing if I don't leave now, I'll be late to pick up Jason. He's settled in perfectly at nursery and has already learnt countless things. It's exciting to see all of the pictures he makes me and hear all of his adventures when I pick him up.

"I'm going to kill Ivory." I mutter, heading back for the stairs. Emily waves at me and I wave back, bending down to quickly kiss Ruby goodbye. When I reach the stairs, I breathe in deeply before yelling —

"Ivory! Are you ready? I have to leave in nought point two seconds!"

I hear her run out of her room, popping her head around once again. One half of her hair is dry and the other is still dripping wet. She gives me an apologetic look —

"Go without me, I'm going to be a while. Sorry!"

"Fine, can I have your car keys? It's raining and I don't want to walk." I tell her. She nods and disappears again before dropping the keys down the stairs. They land with a thump on the last step and I bend down to retrieve them.

"Here, you'll need a jacket too. It's really coming down out there." Ivory says, dropping her hooded denim jacket down towards me. I thank her and take it, pulling it on and heading out the door.

"I'll be back in twenty! Love you!" I shout before leaving the house. I quickly scurry over to Ivory's white car, using my hands to shield myself from the pouring rain outside. Once I'm safely inside, I breathe out deeply, wiping away the rain soaking my face.

"Damn." I groan, starting the car and turning the wipers on. The rain hammers down hard onto the windscreen and I turn up the speed so I'm able to see clearly. As I'm driving towards Jason's nursery, I ask Ivory's car to call Tobias —

"Hey Sugar," His voice fills the car as he answers on the second ring. I smile automatically, the sound of his voice makes me feel content.

"Hey hot stuff, do you fancy dinner round Jake's tonight? I'm picking Jason up from nursery now, I'll only be twenty minutes." I tell him, coming to a slow stop at a red light. I glance in my mirror and notice a black car behind me, dangerously close. I roll my eyes and shrug it off, too many bad drivers on the roads these days.

"Sounds great. I'm on my way there now so I won't be long." He responds, his voice a smooth drawl. I start driving again, narrowing my eyes as I struggle to see clearly through the rain.

"Wow, it's really coming down out here. Make sure you drive safe," I mumble to Tobias, glancing in my mirror to find the black car following me again. I frown, a little confused. I can't make out the drivers face but I can see two shadows in the car.

"Are you okay? You sound worried." Tobias says, breaking the tense silence in the car. I turn down a side street, minutes away from Jason's nursery and the black car does the same, keeping close to me at all times. My heart begins hammering against my chest and I swallow, my throat becoming dry.

"Tobias, I know this sounds crazy but I think I'm being followed. There's a black — "

I don't get to finish my sentence as I feel a strong force hit the back of my car at full speed. I automatically lurch forward, releasing a scream in the process. My head hits the steering wheel hard and I slam on the brakes, groaning from the sudden impact.

"Trish?"

"Trish!"

I slowly lift my head, my vision blurred from my head injury. Somewhere in the distance I can hear Tobias shouting my name, his voice lined with worry. I glance back in the mirror to find two masked men dressed in black leave their car, heading straight for me. I open my mouth to scream again —

"Tobias, help!"

That's when I notice what their carrying and my entire body freezes in fear — A gun in each hand.