enola_ray-of-sunshine-6

A RAY OF SUNSHINE by Enola <<< Part 5

PART 6

Stacey was busy with the morning washing up when James returned home after having taken Erica to school. He looked at her from the kitchen threshold for several moment in silence, a silly grin across his beardy face. She was wearing a short light blue dress with tiny shoulder straps which underlined her gentle curves and made her look incredibly sexy to his eyes. He went closer making sure not to make any noise and put his hands on her hips, his mouth active on her neck.

“James, stop it!” giggled Stacey trying to pull away, “Why don’t you take Taylor out instead of bothering me?”
“Am I bothering you? Tell me what I’m doing wrong,” he murmured lowering both of the shoulder straps down her arms covering her skin with soft kisses.
She sighed with delight as his stubble brushed her. “Let me finish the dishes first, then I’ll be all yours!”
“Why waiting when you can be all mine at once?”
She cried out his name again when he pulled down her dress to the waist and cupped her lovely breasts in his hands. “What the hell is wrong with you?” giggled Stacey, “Where has your patience got to?”
“I’ve never been too patient with a stunning woman next to me. And don’t put all the blame on me. You’re so bloody provocative in this lovely little dress. Don’t forget I’ve been chaste for more than one year.”
Stacey turned over and placed her hands over his massive chest. “Poor thing! How did you survive that?” she breathed teasingly.
“Don’t have a clue,” laughed James kissing her tiny nose. “The only thing I know is that it won’t happen again!”

Eventually, his hands cupped her face and he kissed her with urgency. Slowly, his hands went down her back making her quiver as his fingertips brushed her velvety skin. She felt him getting hard against her groin, then she suddenly pulled back.
“For heaven’s sake!” she grimaced, “You have a vibrator inside your pocket?”
“It’s my fucking phone!” he snorted in annoyance taking it out of his pocket. “Forgot to switch it off. Damn it, it’s Martin!” he added rolling his eyes. “Yes? No, I’m not home,” he said on the phone whilst looking at Stacey who was struggling not to laugh aloud. “I’m rather…erm…busy today, I don’t think I’ll be able to. Ok. Bye.” He switched his mobile off and put it over the worktop.
“So you’re rather busy today,” smiled Stacey widely. James smiled back but said nothing and took her hand. They went upstairs quickly giggling like teenagers and, unconsciously, James headed towards his bedroom.

“Not in your room,” said Stacey stopping abruptly on the landing.
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t.”
“You can’t what?”
“I can’t sleep with you there. I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
“Honey…”
“Not a word James. Try to understand. I’ve never entered your bedroom, it’s the only room in the whole house I’ve never been in. And you can’t expect me to sleep with you there. It’s a question of respect. That was her room.”
“Yeah, you said well. It was. Now it’s just mine and should be ours.”
“I’m sorry James. I really can’t.”
“That’s alright,” he whispered pulling her gently towards him. “It’d be too silly arguing because of that. Let’s go to yours then. You know what’s the problem with it? Your bed is rather smaller than mine and I always fear to fall off.” He had tightened his arms around her and was now smiling sweetly at her.
Stacey gave a soft laugh. “That wouldn’t happen if you weren’t such a beast in bed.”
He opened his mouth in shock. “You’ve never said it was a problem.”
“Because I don’t mean it is,” she winked at him.
“I’m going to leave you speechless.”

Stacey snuggled up to James sighing deeply. His arms were around her, his lips kissed her hair repeatedly. They had been lying in bed for over one hour just cuddling and kissing. She hadn’t taken into consideration that James, who previously had always been very impatient and rather horny whenever they were at home alone, could be the most tender of the men, extremely sweet and even mawkish.
“Babe what’s up?” he asked seriously worried as he saw a tear going down her nose.
Stacey raised her head and looked at him smiling tenderly wiping her eyes. “It’s alright. I’m just happy ‘cos you’re wonderful James. You were so sweet earlier. I really needed it.” Despite all of her attempts not to burst out crying, she failed. “I’m sorry. I always try to be strong but…” she said in a choked voice.
James rolled her gently on her back and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Oh love, I can’t bear to see you crying but if you feel the need to, just do it. I know that no one will ever make up for all of the love and affection you’ve never got from your mother, but Erica and I love you to bits and we ever will ‘cos you deserve it baby. Whenever you need a hug or a cuddle you just have to tell me, ok?”
“Ok.” She tightened her arms around his neck and James let her weep for several minutes as he stroke her hair gently.

Erica was in a bad temper when she got home from school. She went to Stacey and gave her a kiss as she always did, then she sat on the sofa sulking.
“What’s up sweetie?”
“Matthew Gray is an idiot!”
“There you go! What has he done this time?” exclaimed Stacey sitting next to her.
“I made a picture of Taylor for Marian but he took and tore it.”
Stacey shook her head sorry. “Why did he do it?”
“Because I told you, he hates me!”
“Or maybe he likes you,” smiled Stacey pulling the child towards her. “Men can act strangely when they like someone and the more you try to understand them, the less you can. I think that you definitely need a big slice of that chocolate cake I made earlier.” She kissed the little girl’s hair and got up. “Orange or raspberry juice?”
“Raspberry please,” smiled Erica pleased.

About five minutes later the child entered the kitchen and saw that Stacey and her dad were hugging each other.
“Erica!” cried Stacey parting abruptly from James as soon as she saw the little girl.
“Can I have some more raspberry juice please?” asked Erica as her brown eyes jumped from Stacey to her dad questioningly.
“Ahem, sure honey,” Stacey smiled at her embarrassed, opened the fridge and filled her glass.
The little girl took a sip of her raspberry juice and asked, “Why were you holding each other a moment ago?”
“Well, ahem,” Stacey looked at James for help but he gave an embarrassed cough and dropped his eyes to the floor. “Your dad was congratulating me on…ahem…do you remember that shop I worked in some time ago? Well, Doris, the owner, called me earlier and asked if I was interested in having my old job again.”
“Oh! I bet she didn’t find anyone better than you at it,” smiled Erica. “So you said yes?”
Stacey nodded her head. “But I’m doing just the mornings so we can stay together in the afternoons.”
“That’s nice. Can I hold you too?”
“Course you can darling.”

Stacey cut a slice of chocolate cake, put it on a plate and took it to the lounge where Erica was waiting for her to watch ‘LOTR – The Fellowship of the Ring’. The little girl had already set the DVD player and the film began. Erica laughed like mad during one of her favourite scenes, the one where Pippin and Merry play furtively with the fireworks making Gandalf angry. One hour later she took the remote control and stopped the DVD.

“Can I ask you something Stacey?”
“Sure. Tell me.”
Erica sat on Stacey’s lap. “Aunt Ruth yesterday told me you went out with a guy called Jack. Will you see him again?”
A soft giggle escaped from Stacey’s mouth and she scratched her forehead nervously. “Ahem, I don’t know. Why?”
“Because I was thinking that if you go out with him again maybe daddy will be jealous and he will finally ask you out.”
“And why should he do it?”
“Because I think he feels lonely so it would be nice if he had a girlfriend. But I don’t want him to go out with anyone else. You are perfect for him.”

Stacey felt her cheeks burning and couldn’t help giggling. “You think?”
“Yes. I’m sure he likes you and I don’t understand what he’s waiting for. You were right when you said that men act strangely when they like someone.”
“So you’d be happy if your dad and I…well, you know.”
“Oh yes, a lot! Because I love you and you love me too.”
“Yes, I love you so much honey,” grinned Stacey wrapping her arms around the little girl. “And you know why? ‘Cos you are my preciiiiooouuussss!!!”
Erica burst out chuckling as Stacey imitated Smeagol’s voice. “Maybe I should ask aunt Ruth if I can stay at her place more often so I leave you and daddy alone and you can watch telly, chat and do all those things that people in love do.”

Stacey listened to Erica amused shaking her head in disbelief. A part of her wanting to tell the child that her dad and she were mad about each other, but in the end she realised that that was something James and she had to do together. In any case, having the certainty that Erica would be happy about the two of them having a love story filled her heart with bliss.

“Are you really happy about me working again?” asked Stacey as she and James cuddled in the sofa later that evening.
“Yep, it’s ok,” answered James brushing her arm with his fingertips. “Even though we’ll spend less time together, but that won’t be a problem since Erica is going to know about us soon, isn’t she?”
“We could tell her in the weekend.”
“Today is Monday, so you just want to kill me,” grimaced James in frustration.
“Take it or leave it!”
“You’re a really wicked woman,” protested James with huge puppy dog eyes. “But going back to your job now, I’m happy for you but I don’t like the fact she’s given you the sack and now wants you back.”
“Doris had no choice and I’m not at all angry at her. She was desperate on phone this morning. She’s lost count of the assistants she’s changed so far and I’m so pleased she called me. That means a lot to me, can you understand?”
“Course I do.” James kissed her nose and gave her a lovely smile of his.

Stacey’s first day back at work went by quickly and as she got home she filled the bathtub and relaxed keeping her eyes shut until about ten minutes later she heard the front door closing. She then heard James calling her name but she didn’t answer.

“Here you are,” said James entering the bathroom and going towards the bath, “didn’t you hear me?” He bent forward and kissed her in the forehead.
“I did but didn’t feel like answering. Sorry.” Her voice was quiet but he understood something was wrong.
“Bad first day at work?” he asked sitting on the edge of the tub.
Stacey snorted. “Everything was fine, really. As I was serving the first customer I realised how much I’d missed it. Then things changed.”
“What happened?”
“Your mother-in-law got.”
“Oh fuck! Let me guess. She wasn’t at all kind to you, was her?”
“I went closer, said good morning and asked, extremely politely, how I could help her. Know what she replied? ‘I’d like to be served by somebody else. If the other assistants are already busy I’ll wait.’ So I asked one of my colleagues to attend to her.”

“What a fucking bloody bitch!” spat James shaking his head angry.
“Forget it James. Now that she knows I work there she’ll no longer come back.”
“So what’s wrong? Why are you so down?” his voice was now quiet and sweet. He knelt down and stroked her cheek.
“I wonder what she’ll say when she’ll know about us.”
James looked into her eyes in silent for a few moments, then he kissed her. “I don’t really give a fuck about it,” said he softly, “I’ve never cared what she thinks and I won’t start now. That’s none of her business. She has no fucking right to interfere in my life – in our lives, mine, yours and Erica’s.”

James snuggled to Stacey and his arm wrapped her waist waking her up.
“Damn it James!” she protested in a sleepy voice. “What the hell are you doing still here? Go to your room before Erica awakes.”
“Just kiss me first.” His morning husky voice always manages to turn her on. She made no resistance when James’s lips captured hers and his tongue forced its way into her mouth. James was a marvellous kisser and that was the best way to begin a new day with.

“It was about time!” said a familiar voice cheerfully.
James and Stacey parted immediately from each other and saw Erica sitting at the bottom of the bed, a huge grin all across her lovely face.
“Erica what are you doing here?” asked James getting pale as if he had seen a ghost.
“I went to the toilet then I noticed that the door of your room was open and saw that your bed wasn’t unmade and thought it was strange so I came here. You were sleeping so peacefully and I didn’t want to wake you up so I sat and waited. You look lovely together.”
“Thanks,” said James and Stacey together. They raised into a sitting position so Erica got closer and sat between them. She kissed her dad on the cheek first and then Stacey.

“Do you think you will get married?” inquired the little girl.
Her dad and Stacey looked at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.
“Well,” began James shyly, “ if Stacey will want to…”
“I’d like to have a little sister,” said Erica before her father could finish. “Almost all of my schoolmates have a sister or a brother.”
“Missy! Aren’t you going too fast now?” laughed James hugging her lovely little daughter.

Now that finally Erica knew the truth, James suggested inviting Ruth, Don and the kids for lunch on Sunday so that they could tell them as well. Stacey didn’t agree at first since she believed it was still too soon, but James didn’t need to work too hard to persuade her that it was better they knew. On phone Ruth insisted on coming a bit early so that she could help Stacey cooking and she was pleased about that.

“It was very nice of you inviting us for lunch,” said Ruth entering the kitchen with Stacey. “I was just about to call to know if Erica wanted to eat something special.”
“I know that we had arranged to eat at yours but this is a special occasion,” smiled Stacey pushing her curly hair behind her ears, “Erica has an important announcement to make.”
“Oh,” exclaimed Ruth looking slightly disappointed, “it’s a pity anyhow that you or James have nothing important to announce.”
Stacey bit her lip and said nothing.
“Come on, let’s go back to the lounge. I’m curious to know what this important announcement is.”

“Erica?” called Ruth leaving the kitchen, “Stacey’s just told me you’ve got something important to tell us.”
“Yes auntie. It’s something very important, so go and sit.”
As everyone sat down Erica stood before her aunt and uncle. She looked at her dad and Stacey for a while and finally, with a huge grin she stated, “Daddy and Stacey have fallen in love!”
“With each other I hope!” exclaimed Ruth looking at them. They both nodded a bit embarrassed so Ruth got up at once and went and hugged Stacey and her brother-in-law showing all of her happiness for the two of them.

They ate and chatted having a great time. James and Stacey were both over the moon since they finally could act freely with their friends. James was the happiest, he didn’t miss an opportunity to hold her hand in his, wrap her arm around her pulling her towards him and kiss her. They were in the kitchen putting the ice cream in some bowls when the doorbell rang, so Ruth went and answered it.
“Mom?!”
“Is that such a shock?” commented harshly Ruth’s mother seeing that her daughter wasn’t at all happy to see her. “I went at your place but since I didn’t find you there I thought I’d better come here and see James and Erica instead. I’m glad to see you here too.”

She made her way into the house and went straight to the lounge without removing her coat. At that very point James and Stacey came out of the kitchen giggling stupidly, he grabbed her by the waist from behind and kissed her on the neck. Harriet looked at them horrified. She was about to turn over and leave but, in the end, she changed her mind. Stacey didn’t dare watch her, she knew that Harriet was going to explode with anger and she was the one who was going to get the worst of it.

“I knew that babysitting my granddaughter and gaining her affection was just the first step to end up in my daughter’s husband’s bed.”
“Mom please!”
“You shut up. It was your sister, Ruth. But you all seem you’ve forgotten about her already.”
James was ready to rage at her and throw her out when Erica screamed at her grandmother to stop it. “My mum has died. Nothing and no one will ever give her back to me. But Stacey is here and she loves me. You should be happy about it. Today had to be a special day to me but you spoilt everything. Go away and leave us alone.”

Nobody said a word afterwards. The little girl rushed upstairs in tears, Taylor running after her. Moments later they all heard her bedroom door being slammed. At that point Harriet left quickly while Stacey ran to the kitchen and burst out crying. Ruth and James looked at each other shaking their heads. He went upstairs to his little daughter so Ruth went and hugged Stacey tightly.

Two weeks later

When opening the door and seeing James’ mother-in-law standing before her, Stacey shivered with terror.
“Hi,” said Harriet in a quiet voice, “are James and Erica already back?”
“Erm, no. Today James has to speak to Erica’s teachers so I don’t know how long it will take him.”
“Oh, I see. I’d like to wait for them, if you don’t mind of course.”
“It’s no problem,” replied Stacey aware of the risks she was taking. She opened the door wide and let the woman step in. “Would you like some tea?”
“A cup of tea would be nice thank you.”

Stacey left her and went quickly to the kitchen. What did Harriet have in mind? She filled the kettle and pushed the plug into the socket. Her confused and apprehensive thoughts were interrupted by the water boiling. She put the cups on a tray and carried it to the lounge.
“I forgot to ask if you’d like some biscuits of a slice of apple pie with your tea.”
“Apple pie you said? You made it? The kids say it’s very good. I’ll try it, thanks.”

Entering the kitchen again, Stacey looked at her watch. Why James and Erica were so late? She called him but found his mobile off. Damn it! She had to do it alone then. She handed Harriet her apple pie and sat down opposite looking at nothing, her hands on her lap.
“The kids are just right. This thing is very good,” said Harriet pleased. A while later she gave a soft laugh. “Amber was an absolute disaster at cooking. Well, she wasn’t perfect even though children always are to their mothers. I’m sure you also are to yours.”

“Not at all,” replied Stacey straight away with a steady bitter voice, “considering that she left home when I was 4 and never came back. But I’m sure the two boys she’s had with her husband are.”
Harriet didn’t know what to say. “What about your father?”
“Never known him. She got pregnant at 16 and never said who he was. My grandmother raised me. Well, let’s say she found obliged to. I was nothing but a burden to her. She worked hard all day and when she got back she grabbed the bottle and forgot dinner, the washing and everything else. But I never complained. I couldn’t. I was too scared that she might leave as well. I did it when I was old enough to. I so wish she had aborted, at least she wouldn’t have ruined anybody’s life. I didn’t ask to be born.”

She got up, grabbed her tea which she hadn’t drunk and took it to the kitchen. She was still, her hands over the edge of the sink when Harriet came in.
“I know that in your eyes I have no right to stay here in your daughter’s home with her husband and their little girl. I’m sorry she’s dead, I really am. I’m aware it’s not fair ‘cos she was young and I know she was a lovely person. But I love James and I love Erica. I just want her to be happy, I want her to feel loved. I want to give her all that love no one ever…”
A lump in her throat prevented her from going on. Tears that she could no longer control fell copiously down her cheeks. Harriet went closer and patted Stacey’s shoulder consolingly.
“I’m glad she didn’t abort. If she had, who would take care of my little granddaughter now? Thank you Stacey. Thanks for putting a smile upon her face again.”

Taylor lay next to the door waiting impatiently for Erica to return from school. He pricked his ears up as the door unlocked, then he stood up and when the little girl stepped in he gave her a warm welcome licking her all over her face. She ran to the kitchen and a moment later she ran back to her father and spoke to him softly.
“Daddy you won’t ever believe what I’ve just seen. Come with me.”
“Erica what…”
“Shhh!”

Erica grasped his dad’s hand and leaded him to the kitchen where Stacey and Harriet were holding each other by the sink. Harriet was stroking Stacey’s hair. Father and daughter looked at each other in bewilderment. Not longer later Harriet noticed their presence in the room and smiled at them parting from Stacey who wiped her eyes with her hands.
“Hello darling,” smiled Harriet at her granddaughter walking closer, “come with me. Let’s leave daddy and Stacey alone for a while.”
James was still speechless. He went close to Stacey and pulled her towards him. “What the hell’s going on?”
“I told her everything and some moments later I was crying in her arms. Unbelievable, isn’t it?”

Harriet sat down in the sofa and let Erica sat on her lap. “How are you honey? How are things at school?”
“Everything is fine,” answered her little granddaughter.
“Glad to know that. I’m sure you’re wondering what’s happening, aren’t you?”
Erica nodded.
“Well, Stacey told me something I didn’t know which touched me.”
“About her mother?”
“Yes. Do you know?”
The child nodded her head again. “At the beginning she told me they argued many years ago and didn’t speak to each other, but she told me the truth some days ago. Granny, you’ve had two daughters, how is it possible that a mother abandon her own child?”
“I really don’t know darling,” answered the woman shrugging her shoulders. “That’s something completely inconceivable to me.”

“I’m very lucky child even thought mummy has died, because I have daddy, you, aunt Ruth and uncle Don, Brian and Robbie and both my grandpas. But Stacey had no one but her grandma and now she has no one but me and daddy. You understand now why she’s so good to me?”
“Yes honey, she’s very good, isn’t she?”
“Yes she is. Daddy says she’s even too good to me.”
“I’m so sorry about the way I’ve behaved towards her.”
“I forgive you,” smiled Erica kissing her grandmother on the cheek. “Granny, I haven’t forgotten about my mum and I never will. I think of her every day and I kiss her picture every night when I go to sleep wishing her goodnight and I do the same every morning when I wake up.”

Stacey and James entered the lounge hand in hand. Harriet kissed and hugged Erica, then stood up. “James would you walk me to the door?”
“Of course Harriet.”
Before leaving she went closer to Stacey and took her hand in hers. “You can call me if you need to talk to someone a bit old. James has my number.”
“Ok. Thank you.”
Harrier kissed her on the cheek. “You’re welcome dear.”

James helped her to wear her coat. “I’m so sorry James. I know I’ve never been a good mother-in-law. I didn’t like you at the beginning, I can’t deny it. When I learned Amber and you wanted to get married I was against it. I’ve always wanted the best for my daughters and at that time I was sure you would hurt my child but I was so wrong. You made her happy, you’ve been a wonderful husband and you’re an excellent father. Grief because of her death consumed me, but I’m aware I’ve got to change because I’m getting old and I don’t wanna be lonely in my old age.”
“I loved her like mad Harriet and she’ll always be in my heart. You can’t doubt it. She was my wife, she gave me Erica, how could I forget about her? But I love Stacey and I wanna be with her.”
“I know. It’s fair, you’re still young and have to keep on living your life. Take great care of her. That girl is a gift from God. I like to think that it was Amber who sent her to take care of Erica.”
James couldn’t help but smile at the thought of it. “I will Harriet.” He hugged his mother-in-law for the first time in almost nine years. “Come and see us anytime.”

Stacey tucked Erica in and wished her goodnight kissing her on the forehead. The little girl tightened her arms around her neck and whispered ‘I love you mummy.’ Stacey switched the light off and closed the door. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she entered her room. James was already in bed and smiled at her. She got undressed and snuggled up to him.
“Erica asked you I guess.”
“Yes. I didn’t really expect that. When she asked if she could call me mum I…I…it’s not easy to explain. Do you really think that Amber wouldn’t mind?”
“Well, according to Harriet, you’re here ‘cos Amber sent you here to take care of Erica.”
Stacey burst out laughing. “But you believe this is just a bunch of nonsense, don’t you?”
“My agnostic self obviously thinks as you said, but thinking over it more carefully, I can say it’s a nice thought.”

“James?”
“Yes?”
Stacey propped herself up on her elbow. “Do you remember the day I packed and left? When you ran after me you said that I’d brought a ray of sunshine into Erica’s and your lives.”
“Yes, of course I do,” smiled he widely.
“You and Erica have brought a ray of sunshine into mine.”
James pulled her towards him and kissed her sweetly.

Part 7 >>>

<<< Mona's stories