Chapter Forty Four

Oscar couldn't wait to get home. He sat in the business lounge checking through his emails as he waited to hear his flight called. Then he slumped back in the seat in amazement. He'd thought of Lizzie's house as home...suddenly the old adage 'home is where the heart is' made sense. He had left apart of himself with Nate, but also a huge part of himself it that small house in the outskirts of Manchester. The screen full of emails didn't matter. He would do anything to stay with her, and his son.

Running a hand through his hair, he dropped his head slightly, he was grinning like a crazy man, he knew that his fellow business men were sneaking glances at him. So he dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone, and re-watched the video of Nate saying good night whilst curled up with Lizzie in her bed, he'd received it before he left the hotel for the airport. It had become a daily thing, with him working and the time difference, they found it hard to catch up. So they sent him videos, and he sent them back. Little clips of Nate eating breakfast, him in a yellow taxi heading over Brooklyn Bridge...

But it was the latest one, the two of them lying in bed, sleepy, telling him how much they missed him that tore at his heart strings, this was no gentle tug. After watching Nate dissolve into giggles, burying his face in the pillows, he was treated to a sneaky wink from Lizzie, before she pulled the duvet over them both, ending the video.

"Shit," he murmured under his breath, not only was he grinning like a buffoon; he was also sporting a rather obvious erection...from a wink. Rolling his eyes, he reached for his drink, then changed his mind, ignoring the coffee, he ordered a whisky from the bartender, then hid behind it, unable to wipe the grin off his face.

Twelve hours and he'd be in bed beside his family. His heart surged, not only at the thought of it, but actually at hearing the words in his own mind. His family, his home. He didn't recognise himself any more. And it didn't scare him anymore.

Lizzie stared down at Oscar. He'd arrived at the home whilst she'd been out with Nate, he had swimming lessons. When they got back he was unpacking and turned to catch a hurtling Nate. As the two hugged, telling the other how much they'd missed them, he was giving her hot stares over Nate's shoulder. By the time it was her turn for a hug, she was melting, and his eyes were smouldering. His hard hot body dragging hers close.

But a five year old didn't make for the most romantic of days, and as Nate had missed his father so much, he never left Oscar's side. So Lizzie was unable to even give Oscar a kiss. But she knew that it affected him just as strongly as her.

After lunch, Marcus her neighbour knocked the door, he'd just had two new kittens and he'd promised Nate that he could see them as soon as they arrived. She smiled gratefully as Nate squealed then disappeared into Marcus' house.

But when she returned to the lounge, it was to find Oscar fast asleep, still sat in the same place on the sofa. He told her he hadn't slept on the flight...and he'd been awake for the best part of thirty six hours. So she left him there, comfortable, and catching up. Not for long. She still had a few things to do in what was loosely termed Oscar's room, the irony being that since she'd started to clean it out properly, he hadn't slept in it. But it was still a job she needed to finish.

"I'm getting a sense of déjà vu."

Lizzie looked up from her place, cross-legged on the bedroom floor, to see Oscar lounging against the banister, watching her through the open door.

"I just really need to finish this."

He gave a small nod, "I know. But now? This very second?"

She knew that he wanted a kiss, a hug...knowing him some sort of grope, but she wasn't about to just roll over. "Well, it's bin collection day on Monday...I need to get this done by then."

He stepped purposefully towards her, "and I can help you...later...tomorrow...any time..."

"Other than now?"

Oscar grinned, and she felt the almost spasm of desire that swept through her, he wanted her so badly that she couldn't be anything but turned on by that."I thought you'd still be tired."

He laughed as reaching for her hand he hauled her to her feet, "never around you! Though I do appreciate the fact that you let me regain some strength first."

As he pulled her lips to his, she mumbled, "Nate..."

He grinned against her mouth, "Marcus just called in, that's what woke me, he's taking his nephew to the park and then to McDonalds. Nate begged to go with him."

She lifted an eyebrow, leaning back from him, "and Mr Protective Daddy said yes?"

Giving a shrug that tried to convey nonchalance badly, he offered, "well, figured we could use some alone time!"

She gasped in mock disbelief, "you used that opportunity for your own benefit?"

Wrapping his arms back around her, he pulled her close, "I fucking hope so!"

Watching a five year old gush about the wonders of a new kitten and his newest Happy Meal toy was always rewarding, but when you were sat in the firing line of a hot and intense gaze made it all so distracting. The hour to themselves earlier was amazing, Oscar repeatedly told her how much he'd missed her, all the while overwhelming her every sense, he was intoxicating, devoted and completely irresistible. She now knew that she was powerless to fight what was happening between them. And whilst that terrified her, it also thrilled her. She was a long way from succumbing to him, to coming out about this relationship, from sharing it with Nate...but she wasn't going to fight him anymore. She couldn't, even if she wanted to.

The whole weekend passed in a blur of firsts for both Lizzie and Oscar, living as a family, confident in the knowledge that neither was about to shirk or run from the relationship they were starting to share. It seemed to give a whole different outlook on even the most simple situations. Lizzie hadn't ever shared anything like this with another person, let alone a man, shared decision making, considering someone else with every action she had. It was strange, but it also was rewarding, she liked having someone to come home to, and someone to share the intricacies of her day with. Not that she was doing anything. It was a couple of months since her sister had died, and she was still not back at work. Oscar wanted her to follow her heart with work, but she didn't know what that entailed. It was a long time since she'd even thought about what SHE wanted. She had a degree in law, qualifications and experience in corporate law, but zero interest in the field. She had enjoyed her education, learning about the world of legalese. She loved the facts, the language...the practice not so much.

Could she teach?

With Oscar at work, she decided to visit her old University professor for advice. A few hours and a couple of coffee later, she realised that she had to do a Masters, and headed home with the prospectuses for a few different courses. It wouldn't start until September, so she had the summer to fill first. It was a lot to think about, going back to school, but suddenly it seemed right. She was smiling as she almost skipped home. Finally she had a purpose, a direction. And studying wouldn't interfere with her responsibilities with Nate...and now Oscar.

To celebrate, she called to her favourite deli and picked up some yummy treats, they'd have a celebration meal. She laughed to herself, celebrating her finding a direction in life. That sounded so self indulgent, but then it was so much more, this was her accepting that Oscar was part of her life, that the three of them were a family. The meal was symbolic in so many ways.

Lizzie collected Nate from school, then they detoured via the park, Nate's squeals as she pushed him high on the swing warmed her heart, she snapped a pic and sent it to Oscar, knowing he'd wish he was there. After an ice cream, at Nate's insistence, despite it not being the warmest day, they walked home, talking, playing eye-spy and laughing. Lizzie couldn't remember when she'd felt that happy, that relaxed.

Her favourite meal was lasagne, and she made it with fresh pasta, fresh tomatoes, not a can or a jar in sight. As she tasted the sauce she grinned. It was good.

By the time she was ready to bath Nate for bed, she had made salad, garlic bread and opened the wine. Nate was tired, and was almost asleep by six pm.

"You're going to miss your Dad if you go to bed now?"

He nodded, his eyes closing, "I can sit here..."

She shook her head, "it's ok. I'll tell him to come give you a kiss as soon as he gets in the door."

Nodding again, happy with the compromise, he stretched out his arms, and she lifted him up, carrying him up to bed.

Once she'd read a page of the latest story, he was fast asleep. So, returning to the lounge, she sent a text to Oscar.

"Had to put the soldier to bed, he's exhausted. You going to be late?"

He didn't reply, but she guessed he was driving, he didn't usually get home until five thirty, but tonight he was a lot later.

She poured a glass of wine and sat in front of the evening news...which made way to the soap operas. She had turned the oven off, and sent a few more messages. She didn't want to seem like she was checking up on him, but when it got to eight pm, she was worried. The last person who hadn't turned up when they were supposed to was her sister, and that had ended badly. Very badly.

Picking up her phone, she called him. But it went straight to answer phone, so she left a message.

"Oscar, you're late. Just checking that you're ok. Just drop me a text so that I know you aren't wrapped around a tree, or something like that. Sorry that sounds irrational, but it's been that kind of year! Anyway...let me know. OK? See you later...by the way, I've made lasagne, our mutual favourite. Kind of a celebration. Made some big decisions today, I'll tell you all about it later."

Hanging up, she refilled her glass and curled up on the sofa. There was a film starting on that she wanted to see, that would pass the time.

Oscar was driving like a madman, he knew that, but he felt like a madman. All this time, all these lies. He almost threw the car into a parking space then marched up to the door. Staying away hadn't made him any calmer, he was more than angry, he was livid. The day had gone from bad to worse, from the moment his boss had called him, querying things from his trip and hinting that he may need to travel to California, he had felt out of his depth. The thought of travelling, of leaving Nate...and now Lizzie, so soon was terrifying. But that had only been the start of things.

Pushing open the door, he marched into the lounge, then paused for a moment. Lizzie was curled up on the sofa, looking almost angelic, her hair up in a pony tail, her long eyelashes fanning her cheeks. But he couldn't let that sway him. She KNEW, all the time, she knew.

Tossing his keys onto the table, he was rewarded by her jumping awake at the noise.

"Oscar! Thank God you're ok. I was worried."

She starting to stand, but he stepped towards her, towering over her, "were you? Were you really? Because I find that hard to believe."

Her eyes widened, she looked surprised, but he knew women, she was as conniving as her sister, that was for sure. "What do you mean? What's wrong, Oscar?"

He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head, "wrong? Nothing's wrong. Just that I've been informed by my solicitor that YOU are Nate's new legal guardian, that I have to jump through dozens of hoops just to be recognised as his father...it could take months or more to get my name on his birth certificate..."

"I don't..."

Before she could speak, he silenced her, "don't. Just don't. Two weeks ago you became his legal guardian, and it's stipulated in the documentation that his father is unknown. If my name was there, recognised...then this would be so much easier. I can only wonder what your agenda is?"

Pushing him away, she stood up, "don't land this on me. This is nothing to do with me. It's another shower of shit that my sister left me with. So before you start all this, stop."

Shaking his head, he ran his hands through his hair, "but this is all you, Lizzie dearest. Because two weeks ago you could have named me, made me part of this, instead you chose to shut me out. You're trying to steal my son, take him away from me."

That made her laugh, and it angered him even more, "listen to yourself, Oscar! I've invited you into my home, my life...shit even my bed and at the first test, you turn on me like a rabid dog. THIS is why I never wanted this to happen. I knew it was all too good to be true."

"You're just like the rest, Lizzie, lying, manipulating...he's MY son, and I won't give up on this."

He watched as she took a deep breath, "have you forgotten that it was ME that phoned you, ME that called you to tell you that he needed you. This has been all my doing? Yes you're right, I have reunited you. But the rest of the bullshit you're screaming about?" She gave a sharp laugh, but it was accompanied by a sob, by a tear escaping her eye, "the rest is just that. Bullshit. Yes, I'm Nate's legal guardian. That is because it was what Janis wanted. And anything to do with that was done when she died, not since. You turned up, and no, I didn't tell the legal team who you were, but I had no idea if you were going to stay around. Sorry that this might make things take a little longer to get what you want, but he's your son for life, so I can't understand what difference it makes if you are on his birth certificate now or in six months time."

She swiped at the tears, then moved towards the door, "I really can't believe that you've been like this. A simple question would have sufficed. Instead you've ruined everything. Just when I was starting to think that we DID have a future."

And with that he watched her leave the room.