Rising Up: Finding Me book 1 (33 page)

"Get those dirty thoughts out of your head Missy, I know what you're thinking about!  And no, I had no idea and I don't think Lake did either, he looked like he was being handed the Holy Grail."

"This should make a difference now, shouldn't it?"

"Yes babe, it should, I think that your parents legal team will reconsider their version of the alleged contract and will probably withdraw it completely,  I believe that the police have recovered the box your brother spoke about so that is being investigated and any of the names copied by your parents are being contacted for their version of events.  I really do think it will be over with soon.  So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to get out of there, I like to think I'm only on a need to know basis now and it's up to Lake to do the rest.  I wouldn't be in there constantly if I didn't work here or I wasn’t his friend so I'm going to let my very expensive lawyer do all the work from now on, and I am going to concentrate on growing this baby here and planning our home and loving you at every opportune moment. 

How does that sound to you?"  I let me tongue slide slowly across my bottom lip and then gently bite my lip.

His eyes darken with desire but he shakes his head.  "Babe that sounds pretty damn good to me, and as much as I want you bent over my desk with your panties around your ankles we both need to get some work done and hopefully we'll get some of the plans back from Matt tonight, he's already sent me some prelim's and I've put a copy of them on your desk, have a look and highlight anything you want to change and we can check to see if we've made the same choices. 

So run along Missy and I will see you later."  He kisses me and smacks my backside hard as I turn away causing me to yelp.  I leave him laughing to himself.

Mason

It's been three weeks since we gave the builders the go ahead on the plans and the house has stopped looking quite like a bomb site, and we can see our ideas and dreams coming to life, and we try to spend as much time we can over there but my workload is piling up since Lake has had so much of his time taken up by Ginny's case, but the court date has been set for Ginny's parents, thankfully Imogen has not been called as a witness, her extensive statements and corroborated with by the photographs and DVD and her advanced pregnancy have allowed her to stay here.

All the information and statements Lucas has collected and handed over to Lake and the police back in the UK seem to be watertight.  The first case has been and gone and Peter Jenkins got a suspended sentence and has been placed on the sex offenders register.  Imogen was happy enough with this as although she hated his part in her trauma she understood his reasons.

"He was being blackmailed Mason, how do any of us knows how we would react to our child being threatened.  He was afraid and foolish."  She wouldn't say anything else about him.

Damien Halloran, Marcus Cavanagh and Leo Mcbride were all found guilty on multiple rape and assault charges and were all imprisoned for between seven and twelve years as well as being ordered to pay damages to Imogen and three other victims, and again being placed on the sex offenders register. 

Imogen and Lake are the only two people to know how much she was awarded but as she has no desire to ever touch such tainted money I am happy to let it be a secret. 

But as her parent’s court date nears Imogen becomes more withdrawn and is suffering from nightmares, well when she can actually get any sleep.  This afternoon is our check up with the obstetrician and I'm going along, I would like her to be signed off work now, and I think I've got a way of persuading her.  I know I said the house was her birthday present but I think I've found something a bit more appropriate, although probably not the best time, but what the fuck, who cares.

"Hey Ginny, c'mon babe let's get going.  You know you can't pee till after the scan so get your ass in to gear."  I love watching her walk towards me with her bump proudly on show, even though she's cost me a small fortune in clothes thanks to Trudy finding a new designer dealing in solely in maternity fashion, she walks past me and swats my ass as she goes. 

The view from the back is just as sexy, you can't even tell she's pregnant, her ass is still high and firm and there isn't a spare ounce of weight on her. Crap I'm getting hard thinking of her naked and bent over now.

"Look, you're the slow one now."  She grins as she catches me adjusting my pants.  "Are you looking at my arse again Mase?" But she is walking off with just a bit more sway in her hips.

Catching up with her I rush her into the elevator and push her against the back wall and claim her mouth, licking at her lips and swiping my tongue against her top lip before tugging it between my teeth. Her moan seems magnified in the enclosed space as I run my hand up her thighs under her fitted dress and slip a finger inside the lace of her panties. 

"Always so wet for me babe." 

I dip my finger inside her and feel her muscles clamp down hard around it while my mouth still invades hers.  I know this elevator doesn't take long to reach the ground floor so I quickly press against her clit and she shudders quietly around my hand.

Slipping my fingers out I put them to my lips and suck her juices from them.  Then just as the elevator doors slide open I straighten her dress and take her hand.  Not a word has passed between us.

"I've got something to show you after the check-up if you're up for it?"  I smile as we walk into the doctor’s offices.

"If it's something inside your pants I've seen it before and we wouldn't be stood here if you'd kept it in there."  She leans against me nudging my shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah, you couldn't keep your hands off me!"  I lead her to the waiting area but it's only a few minutes until we are called in.

After the scan shows that our little Cookie seems to be thriving well but may be a little on the small size, which means our dates could be wrong and we are not as far along as first suspected or Ginny is doing too much and not eating enough.  This gives me the perfect opportunity to voice my suggestion.

"Do you think they would both benefit from not working full time anymore?  Imogen has a full and busy diary and has been working long hours."  I can feel her eyes upon me and I know that she is not happy with me.

"Mason, we've discussed this and I love my job and don't want to leave this early, what would I do all day if I had to stop work?"  Her voice is low and I can tell she is trying to keep her temper in check.

Luckily Dr. Markson steps in.  "Imogen, the baby is only a little on the small size and if either you or your partner were small people I would not be concerned but you are both tall and athletic, so I'm going to have to agree with Mason on this and I'm going to strongly recommend you stop work, and we shall monitor the growth again in two weeks and then again two weeks later, and if during that time the baby continues to grow but at this slower pace, then we have lost nothing, but if it increases in weight then we will have a much healthier baby when it comes to delivery. 

I appreciate your job is important but so is my duty of care to you.  Take some time off, put your feet up and start thinking of baby names.  Pregnancy should be enjoyed Imogen, so please slow down and enjoy what time you have left.  Trust me once this little person arrives you won't have a moment to yourself."  She smiles and pats Ginny's hand.

"Fine, I'll sit at home alone and bored for the next ten weeks or so!"  Her scowl at me as I try miserably to hide my pleasure just makes me hug her to me.

"I love you babe and I promise I'll find something to occupy your mind."  I look up at the Doc who is smiling at our interaction.  "Are we good to go then?"

"Of course, and Imogen don't punish him too much he's got both of your best interests at heart."

"I know, that's why he's going to get away with it this time."  Imogen takes a copy of the scan to add to our collection.

We are both looking at it as we walk through to the waiting area and out into the sunshine I look up as I hear a gasp.  There in front of us is Lauren

Her face sneers when she sees us both.  "Hey Mason, I see it didn't take you long to move on."  Her eyes travel up and down Imogen's body.  "Well she's no looker is she?  Had to get yourself knocked up to keep him did ya?  I thought you wouldn't be in the picture any more, last I heard you had someone hunting you down.  Pity it didn't work."

"Shut your mouth Lauren, you have no idea what you are talking about.”  I’m furious and keep Ginny close to me.

"That's where you're wrong.  He only got close because I managed to give him the security details to your building.  I got one hell of a payment for it too, but y'know what Mason look me up when you're done with this bitch."

I keep hold tight to Ginny's hand when I feel her ready to launch into her.  "Goodbye Lauren, you deserve everything that's coming to you."

We get back to the car before Ginny speaks.  "Shit Mason, did that really just happen?” 

“I hate that woman, I’ll let Luc know what she said, and he can inform the cops.”  But turning to her and smiling I ask her a question.  "Anyway let's talk about better things.  Do you want to go and see something, well two things that can keep you busy and occupied till Cookie arrives?"

"Well since you practically forced this on me they'd better be good things."  She saw the way I raised my eyebrows at her.  "I know, I know.  It's more important to keep me and the baby healthy so come on show me what's going to keep me happy."

I drive out of the city and make my way to the house.  "I think since that now the main construction work has been done the place needs a project manager, someone who has very fixed ideas about how the place should look." 

Sending her a quick sideways glance and smirk and see her eyes widen in surprise.

"Really, you want me to oversee the work?  Oh God Mason that's a fantastic idea.  Shit!  How come I didn't think of it?"

I throw my head back and laugh loudly.  "Only you would say that Ginny, and that's why there is another condition to this offer."

He’s looking at me skeptically.  "I knew there would be a proviso, who've you got to keep a watch over me?"

"Just hold that thought babe and think what, rather than who."  We pull up outside a large one-story property with large heavy duty wire fencing all the way around it.  Thankfully it is all quiet when we arrive so there are no clues for her.

Walking up to the door I ring the bell and a middle-aged couple answers the door.  "Mr. and Mrs. Connor?  I'm Mason Reynolds and this is my partner Imogen.

Imogen speaks up. "Hello, I'm his girlfriend not his partner.  I always think that makes me sound like a cowboy."  She laughs and puts her hand out to shake theirs.

"Oh sweetie I totally agree, anyway don't stand out here come on in, come on in.  Let me show you what we've got.  Now normally I wouldn't recommend it just before a baby comes along but your boyfriend put up a very good argument.  I guess that's why he's a lawyer."  Mrs. Connors chuckles away and leads Ginny down a corridor and through a door.

I hear Ginny's gasp and she claps her hands.  "Oh Mason, look puppies and oh wow!  They are just gorgeous.  Is one of them for me?"  As she looks round at me with tears in her eyes and a smile so bright my heart misses a beat.

"Yeah babe, you wouldn't accept the house so this is you new birthday present, if there is one here you like?"

Mrs. Connors leads her into the room through the child safety gate that is keeping the dogs contained. "Now sit quietly on the floor for a little while and let them come to you.  You too Mr. Reynolds, this is your pet too."

So we squat down and let the eight or so puppies clamber all over us, laughing as they lick our faces and nibble our fingers.  But there is one that keeps coming back and lying across Ginny's legs eventually after a large milky scented yawn collapses down and sleeps.

"Well I think your puppy has chosen you, don'tcha think?"  Mr. Connors leans round the door frame.  "Oh you got a good one there, he's always been a favorite of mine."

"Oh Mason, yes, this one please?"  Imogen's eyes are shining so bright and all of the stresses of the last four months look washed away.

"Mrs. Connor, you've just sold us a dog."  I stand up and leave the room to sort out the paperwork with Mr. Connor. 

When I look back Imogen is listening very closely to the older lady and is nodding her head but a small tear escapes her eye and runs down her face making me concerned, but her face then lights up as she smiles and again nods her head, the private moment is over and her voice rises again.

"Have you ever had a dog before Imogen?"

"No but I have always wanted one and this is most definitely the one I want."

"They are a very special breed dear, they love without condition and protect without guarding, your new family will be safe with him.”

We leave with a huge sack full of food, a blanket from his bed and I pick up a T-Shirt of Ginny's from their sleeping area.  Ginny looks at me questioningly.  "Mrs. Connor suggested I gave them something of yours so that they would know your smell."

"Bloody hell Mason, when did you sort all this out?"  Her eyes are as wide as saucers.

"Last week, you came home from work so tired and dejected I knew you needed this."

"God, Mase.  You are gonna get so lucky tonight when we get home."

This makes me laugh so much that the sleeping puppy in Imogen's arms opens just one eye and frowns at me.  "What are you going to call him Ginny?"  I have no idea what is a normal dog name back in England, but I'm sure she'll surprise me with whatever she chooses.

"His name is Phoenix."  Her voice is so confident and resolute that I have to question her choice. “It’s because he is helping me be reborn from the ashes of my former life."  Leaning down she kisses his head and inhales his unique puppy scent.

I have to swallow a few times to hide the emotion in my voice.  "It's perfect babe, abso-fucking-lutely perfect.  Welcome to the Reynolds-Banks household buddy."  I ruffle his ears and he just buries himself deeper into Ginny’s lap.  "I know the feeling mate, I love it there too."  Imogen laughs and slaps my hand.  My life is so fucking perfect.

At three o'clock in the morning when Ginny has gotten out of bed for the fourth or maybe even the fifth time to calm a restless and whining puppy.  "Mason please?  He misses his litter-mates and his mother.  Let him sleep in our room."

"No Imogen, not now, not ever.  We will be having the baby in our room soon enough and there's only so much of you I'm prepared to share.  Now please leave him alone and come back to bed.  We both have to be up in less than four hours."

"I hate you, you know that don't you."  She kisses Phoenix on the head and tucks him back up.

"No you don't babe, you love me.  So get your ass back in here."