Page 68 of One More Time

June 2010

Grace thought she couldn’t possibly be any happier than she felt right now. She and Charlie had shared a romantic seafood dinner, talked for hours over a bottle of pinot noir, and were now swaying each other around the lounge room to ‘Love Me Tender’. Mother Nature added to the ambience as steady rain beat on the homestead roof and distant thunder echoed. With the soft candlelight flickering over Charlie’s handsome features, Grace found herself lost in the magnetism of the man she’d spent over half a lifetime tied to. He’d always been her strength, in one way or another, and the perpetual link that had bound their family together. In vivid detail, she knew every inch of his body, and the way he made her feel when he made love to her was out of this world.

As if reading her thoughts, he tipped her chin to look up at him, and she tumbled into his heart, now stripped bare of the armour he’d worn for far too long. Within his baby blues, his love for her was clear as crystal, and the potency of it almost buckled her knees. He’d never stopped loving her. She’d never stopped loving him, not for a single breath. They shared a powerful bond that could never be broken, and a love that had endured everything that life had thrown at them. Now, thirty-two years later, she was more in love with him than ever. How they’d ever survived without each other was beyond her. She never wanted to live a day without him there to share it with.

‘Grace.’ Her name rolled off Charlie’s tongue so tenderly.

She gazed into the eyes that had looked at her with absolute love for her entire life. ‘Yes?’

‘I love you.’

Grace’s soul lit on fire – she’d never tire of hearing him say those three beautiful words. ‘I love …’ Her voice cracked with the word she felt so deeply within her heart. ‘I love you too, my darling Charlie.’ She took a deep breath, her eyes transfixed on his.

‘I know you do. I feel it every second of every single day.’ His gaze pulled her in deeper and captured her – there was so much promise in his tender regard of her.

Her soul sighing into his, Grace rested her cheek against his chest – her soft-landing place, her home sweet home – relishing the feel and sound of his heartbeat. His sincerity was compelling, and all encompassing; no more words were needed. She knew they would be together forever now, until one of them took their final breath, with the other holding their hand. If almost losing him had taught her one thing, it was that she was and always would be, deeply in love with this amazing man. She wanted him, needed him, was a part of him, just like he was a part of her, and when they passed from this life into the next, she wanted to be the one holding his hand on the next journey through life, because she couldn’t imagine any lifetime without him.

The record coming to an end, the needle lifted and went back into place.

‘You ready for bed, my sweet Grace?’

‘I sure am.’

Taking her hand, he led her upstairs to their bedroom.

The following morning, nursing a cup of black coffee, Grace padded around her recently renovated galley kitchen backdropped by newly installed French-style doors that allowed jaw-dropping views over Moonflower Acres. Talk about letting the outside in – it was glorious.

Now four years to the day since Charlie was given the all-clear, and with his six-monthly cancer checks coming back negative each time, it was a massive relief to know he was past the worst of it. Even so, every single day counted.

High on their blissful life, Grace was in the mood to celebrate her husband’s good health tonight at their Christmas in June family dinner. Her parents had moved back home almost two years ago upon her father’s retirement; she was disappointed they couldn’t make it this time around, but with her father unwell the past few days, he needed his rest. Given everyone’s lives were so busy these days, with Bryn and Hudson running the teahouse, Hope busy supporting Kelvin as he climbed ranks in the army, and Ava working hard, too, having a midyear Christmas was always a great excuse to pull them all together. Tonight would be extra special, given Charlie’s cancer-free anniversary. And apparently Hudson had something important to tell them too. Maybe – hopefully – he’d finally met a girl he’d fallen for.

Turning off the heat beneath the pan of scrambled eggs she’d collected from the chicken coop this morning, a pool of golden sunlight beckoned her from the kitchen and out onto the back verandah. Kicking off her slippers, she wandered into the warmth of it, enjoying the feel of the cool timber floorboards beneath her feet. Leaning against the railings, she closed her eyes and breathed the sea breeze in deeply, while the distant call of seagulls added to her invigorated senses. How fortunate she was to call such a magnificent place home.

The crunch of tyres on the gravel drive had her squinting into the morning sunshine to see Hudson’s shiny black jeep approaching. Shading her eyes with her hand, she wandered down the steps and along the garden path to meet him at the front gate.

‘Hi, love, we weren’t expecting you until tonight.’ Rising on her tippy toes, she brushed a kiss on his cheek. ‘Is everything okay?’

Hudson grimaced. ‘Yes. And no.’ He half smiled. ‘I guess it depends how you and Dad look at it.’

‘Look at what? You’re worrying me.’ Nerves filling her belly, she watched nervously as her son frowned and fiddled with his jacket. ‘Hudson, please tell me what’s on your mind.’

‘I will, but I need to sit down with you and Dad and tell you together, if that’s okay.’ He glanced up at the house. ‘Is he home?’

Grace couldn’t help but think the worst. ‘Yes, he’s just having a shower, but I can let him know you’re here and would like to talk.’

Tossing his keys from one hand to the other, Hudson nodded. ‘That would be great. Thanks, Mum.’

To stop him fidgeting, just like his father always did when he was anxious, Grace took Hudson’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. ‘Come on, let’s go inside. I’ll make us all a fresh cuppa, and we can sit and have that chat.’ She fought not to run inside to tell Charlie to come downstairs, right this minute. The curiosity – and concern – was killing her. Once she had Hudson settled on a stool at the breakfast bar, she gave up the fight and did just that.

Less than five minutes later, with Charlie dressed in his robe because he hadn’t had the time to get dressed before Grace basically dragged him downstairs, they found Hudson pacing outside.

Charlie looked to Grace and shrugged. ‘Come on, Huddy. Don’t keep us in suspense, son,’ he said as they seated themselves at the table.

‘Yes, sorry. I know, I’m getting to it.’ He folded and unfolded his arms, shifting from foot to foot. ‘I have something to tell you both.’ He looked everywhere but at his father. ‘You might find this a bit of a shock.’

‘Hudson, please,’ Grace implored, panic rising. ‘Just say whatever’s on your mind.’

‘Okay. There’s no real way to say this gently, so here goes.’ He sucked in an almighty breath, as if trying to draw the strength of the landscape in with it. ‘I’ve fallen in love.’