“I can’t see Cal ever giving up travelling.” He was Max’s sibling I knew least of all, mainly because he’d been away so much, working as a volunteer for various animal charities abroad.
Seph shook his head. “I think he and Wren are thinking about having kids.” Seph opened his mouth as if he was about to say something else and then stopped.
I knew why he stopped.
“I’m not going to fall to pieces if you talk about someone else having kids, Seph.” I sat down next to him. “Sometimes getting pregnant doesn’t happen overnight.”
He nodded, looked away. “I know. But I know Max is feeling shitty about it.” His expression was pained.
“That’s because Max likes everything to happen within his time scale and nature doesn’t always work like that. We haven’t been desperately trying recently because we wanted to get married and enjoy it.” They were words I’d practiced, heard myself say like a mantra and tried for everyone else’s sake to believe. “You know, I’d like to have a glass of champagne at the reception.” I elbowed him in the side. “And Max was never going to be chilled about all of this. You know that.”
He gave a half smile and I wished I could bundle him up and keep him safe. He worried. I knew he’d been concerned about Max as he’d been bringing him coffee from Amelie’s café on pretty much a daily basis and not spilling it.
“Come on, who’ve you got left to buy for?” I looked at the half dozen bags next to him. They ranged from clothing shops to an independent delicatessen that I knew did the best macaroons outside Paris.
He shrugged. “The cousins. I’ve managed to get everyonesomething.”
“Then do books for the rest of them. I’m after a book for Max. I’ll need to ask if they’ve got it in stock.”
“What is it?”
I grinned. “What To Do With Your Large Penis.”
Seph almost choked.
5
Hot Firemen of the Year Calendar – From Claire to Lainey
Victoria
Tradition saidmy dress should be white. Ihadlooked for a white bride’s dress, tried on a few and shuddered at the price for a garment that I’d wear for just one day. It didn’t matter how many dress shops I visited or how many websites I perused with a glass of wine, nothing had motivated me to buy a traditional white dress.
I’d asked Max if he had some fantasy of me wearing white on our wedding day, but that just led to some fairly kinky and rather surprising role-playing sex when I momentarily had my virginity back and he deflowered me. We then swapped roles, and I relieved him of his innocence, although unlike his actual first time, he lasted more than three thrusts. A lot more.
The dress instead was a two piece, a long skirt that was made up of layers of silk and toile, golds and bronzes giving warmth and colour. The top was long sleeved and lacy, plunging low between my breasts and making sure I’d have Max’s thoughts permanently fixed around them until he could get me alone. As soon as I’d seen a picture of it, I’d know it was the one – or the two, as it really was.
The outfit was hung in Marie’s dressing room, recently pressed and covered. Max – and Seph, because he couldn’t hold water – were barred from the space and Max had been told to hang all of his wedding stuff up in Jackson’s suite, because unlike Eliza, Teddy wasn’t going to start to try anything on.
I’d found myself staring at it for at least five minutes now, wondering how much Christmas dinner I’d actually be able to eat before the food baby I’d been developing was obvious. The skirt was useful, as it gave a degree of coverage so I could eat and drink, and didn’t need to lose a stone to make it look like it was meant to.
“It’s a beautiful outfit.”
The voice was sudden. I turned around and saw Marie standing in the doorway.
“I don’t think you could’ve picked a better one.” There was a softness to her voice that rarely came out unless you were alone with her.
Marie was a formidable, strong woman; she possessed a tender side that wasn’t hidden, but was reserved for certain moments.
“Thank you. I should say that I hope Max likes it, but I know he will.”
“He’d like you if you were dressed in a burlap sack.” She sat down on the chaise that I knew was old and had been recovered several times. It was a family heirloom from Marie’s family and Max had said if the house was on fire, it would be the first thing she saved, including all of the children too.
“I’m sorry your parents aren’t here to see you get married, Victoria.” The softness was there again. “They’d have been proud of what you’ve achieved and I know they’d have loved to see you so happy.”
“Thank you. It’s strange – I don’t think about them as much as I probably should. It’s been so long since they died.” I’d been a kid and they’d worked abroad a lot. My father was a reckless driver and they’d been involved in an accident that had been fatal for them both.
“I don’t think there are any rules around how much you should think of them. But know they’d be proud. I would if you were my daughter and you’re a credit to your grandfather.”
