TWENTY-FIVE

Link came out the bedroom fully dressed and had not glanced in my direction at all as he was gathering his stuff. He grabbed his keys. His phone. His jacket, that I had taken off him last night in a frenzy to get him naked.

I watched him with my cold phone screen pressed again my lips. I had already sent Lexie a text message, waiting for her to come with Joy. If this day didn't call for a girls' day, I didn't know what did.

Link sat on the bar stool right in front of me, putting on his shoe whilst making a great deal out of ignoring me. I reached over for him but he moved just in time before I could touch him.

I dropped my hand. "Are you really ignoring me?" I asked him, confused and baffled at his behaviour.

"Are you really leaving me?" He shot back, turning his back to me.

I frowned at him. "I'm not leaving you Link. We're still together."

He turned around faster than I seen him do ever. "Are we together?" He shot back, walking back towards me. I stepped back, not a fan of this Link. At all. "People who are together make decisions together. People who have kids together make decisions together. It seems like you're making all the decisions for us."

"Link, listen to me-"

"You're lucky I'm not taking you to court for taking my kid from me again."

The room seemed to rock.

It was like he physically punched me as I reared back from his words. Did he just say that?

The pain that shot up my heart made me breathless. Bile rose up my throat. The mere thought the possibility of Joy being taken away from me made me sick.

"You don't mean that." I whispered up at him. I couldn't stop the tears as they pooled in my eyes, turning my vision blurry. I blinked a few times, letting them streak down my face.

"Damn sure I do. And that's my decision."

I took in a large breath, trying my best to stop the panic that was creeping up inside me. The thundering of my heart was deafening in my ears, my brain crying for the loud noise to stop.

"I wanted to be a family!" Link almost yelled out. "I wanted to be your family, don't you get it Orianna? I love you and that wasn't enough for you. I would do everything for you but you decide to just leave whenever the fuck it suits you? Well fuck you Ori, fuck you for ending my life."

I clasped the front of my shirt, hoping it would anchor me. Keep me in this moment. "I'm not ending you Link."

He stared back at me with his own shining eyes. "Feels like you are." He said back hoarsely.

He stormed out the door.

My knees buckled from under me and I slowly sank down to them, ignoring the pain in my thigh. I dropped my head down as big, tears streamed down my face. A whimper escaped from me, followed by a sob until I couldn't hold it back anymore.

***

Lexie found me still on the ground. I had gone still from all the crying, losing my ability to pull it together. It was like a blanket fell over me, making me void of any emotions as I drained the last bit of it. I could feel an impounding headache coming through with all the crying I had just gone through.

Lexie rushed to my side and picked me up just as fast. I stumbled against the kitchen counter, gathering my balance before I fell again.

I glanced down and saw Joy peering up at me with her brown eyes. She shot me her wobbly crooked smile, unsure of what to do or say.

I gave the top of her head a little rub. She came in and closed her arms around my legs. "Missed you, mummy."

I smiled down at her. "Missed you more." My voice came out cracked. If anything, I had to fix myself up before Joy started worrying over me. I cleared me throat. "You ready to go to Brighton?" I asked her.

"Ah." Lexie said out loud. "That's why Link is pissed outside. Let me guess, you didn't invite him."

I looked at her, a wave of sobs threatening to take me once again. "Let's go for breakfast." I whispered to her through my cracked voice.

She nodded in sympathy.

***

We arrived to Palmer's Bakery. Lexie had forced me to fix up, reminding me no one should be able to bring me down as much as Link had. And even if this was the case, no one had to know I was bleeding in the inside. The outside should always look fabulous.

With those words, I had showered and given my hair some fresh curls. They bounced around me head and I put extra care in applying my make up. My outfit was specially picked by Lexie, stating if there was any outfit to make Link see reason, it would be this one.

I wore a small leather skirt with embroidery on the side. My top was a cute, red frilly Bardot top. Paired with my killer stilettos and my red lip, the whole look was transformed.

His words kept replaying in my head. He wouldn't go to court, would he? He wouldn't put us through that. But to me, him uttering those words had already done the damage.

"Is it unfair to keep Joy from Link?"

I asked Lexie once Joy was kept occupied by Palmer. They were busy decorating a three-tiered cake.

Lexie shot me a small smile, albeit her eyes were rueful. "Not only is it unfair, legally it's wrong. Morally it's wrong."

I breathed out. "But I raised her."

"And you gave him no choice in that matter." She shot back.

"He wouldn't have stepped up, Lexie. Not back then."

Lexie rolled her eyes at me. "You don't know that. You took his chance of being a father from him and that's why, the whole court comment I don't blame him."

I stared at her, aghast. "So you would drag Joy through that whole brutal process?"

Lexie leaned forward as she clasped her hand in mine. "If it was my child, no one could dare keep me away from her. Not even the respective parent who kept her a secret for all these years. No one could dare."

"Just imagine it being the other way around. And that's all I'm going to say about it."

The conversation came to an end just as a couple walked inside the shop, with their own daughter bouncing around in front of them. She looked around Joy's age.

And they both surprised me when Joy begged to be put down by Palmer and ran to the girl.

I frowned at her. Did they know each other?

"Mummy! This is Mary."

I smiled at the little girl with beautiful blonde hair and cobalt eyes. Her chubby cheeks were the cutest as she smiled up at me.

I waved at her. This was Mary, Joy's friend from daycare. What a gem. I lifted my head up to greet her parents but words stopped short when I saw who it was.

"Versa?" I choked out just as I saw her hazel eyes fill with recognition.

"Ori?" She said slowly, stumbling out of her partner's arms.

I stood up, not sure what to say or do. I hadn't spoken to my old best friend in six years, bounced with not much of an explanation. And never to be heard of again.

She ran and engulfed me in a hug, wrapping her small arms around me. "Orianna!" She shrieked. "How is that even possible?"

I laughed at her, ignoring the tears that spilled from my eyes. "You've got a baby girl?" I asked her.

She leaned back and nodded up at me. "So do you! And they're friends can you imagine?"

"I don't know what to say.""How are you?" Versa asked."I'm good! You seem so good as well.""Sit, we need to talk."

"I have so much to tell you." I whispered at her.

She smiled at me, emitting warmth. She hadn't changed much, although her dark hair was streaked with shades of blonde. She motioned her head over her shoulder. "So do I." She whispered back.

I looked over to her partner and nearly doubled over. "Ryan?" I screamed.

Ryan's muscled frame hadn't faltered in all these years. It was clear Mary took after her dad with the blonde hair and blue eyes. And she looked just like him. Expect he was sporting a full on beard now.

"Ryan got you knocked up?" I said to Versa, laughing at how beautiful it all was. Never had I expected that.

"We're married too." She added gleefully.

"And who's the baby daddy for your little girl." She asked me, looking down at Joy who was playing with the braids in Mary's hair.

"Link Dane."

Versa let out a sharp hiss. "Sit."

It was hours later before Versa was being dragged away by the arm by a tired looking Ryan. He had his screaming daughter, filled to the brim with cupcakes, tugged in his other arm. He had come and gone several times, wondering how long this girl catch up session was going to last. He loved her, that much was very clear in his eyes, but he had enough.

"I'll see you later!" There was a little bash happening at Palmer's for dinner. She was invited along with her little family.

Joy came to stand next to me. "Are we going to Palmer's now?" She asked me.

"Yeah, let's go."

***

Palmer's house was filled with food, fun, booze and all the people that were off their heads. Nolan and Thomas were playing a game way too inappropriate for Joy's young ears, so we had to stay clear of the living room.

Versa and Ryan had just arrived with Mary. He looked much happier after being refreshed in whatever way it was. And Versa was visibility beaming.

When Thomas caught sight of them, he greeted them like old pals even though I found out he hadn't seen much of them either. London was a big City, and not everyone stuck around in the same area.

"I remember when your wife wanted to be with me so bad." Thomas commented.

"Everyone wanted to be with you." Versa shot back.

"Too bad she realised how much of a wimp you were when you got your ass knocked over by Link. No girl likes to see that."

Thomas jumped for Ryan's throat. I guess this was a way for a man to mark his territory. And Ryan did it splendidly.

"I have you know, I beat the crap out of him now. Left right centre, he stands no chance against me." Thomas spat out before Nolan peeled him away from a laughing Ryan.

"That I'd like to see now."

"You don't believe me?"

"With the last time I've seen Link — and mind you it was a couple of years ago, he would have smoked you down."

"Mate, just listen to yourself. Link-"

"Mate, don't bother finishing that." Link cut off Thomas.

As they say, talk about the devil and it shall appear.

I carried on looking straight ahead, although my peripheral vision came in handy. He was walking into the living room, a dark jacket hanging over his shoulders. He was in a different outfit from this morning. Had he gone back to the apartment? Seen all of our stuff packed?

I mustered my best nonchalant expression, swirling the drink in my cup and taking small sips. I turned my body slightly, leaning against the wall and gave Lexie the look. If she couldn't decipher this look without me making a fool of myself, there were going to be some serious problems between us two.

She shot me a knowing smile, but other than that, sauntered away.

"Seriously?" I mouthed after her. She just shrugged and pointed at her drink.

"I have to go for a refill."

"Bitch, your cup is full!"

My eyes caught sight of Link leaning down at Joy, She had her small arms wrapped around his neck and gave him the tightest hug. He returned it with one of his. I saw him whisper something in her ear, and she let out a small giggle and nodded enthusiastically.

"Link hasn't changed a bit." Versa came to stand next to me, staring openly at the interaction between Link and Joy "He's good with her." She pointed out just as Link handed a small box to Joy. She quickly put it in her pocket, a mischievous grin playing across her face.

"That smile," Versa whispered. "Just like her dad."

The night continued with more boisterous laughter as the alcohol started to sink in. The kids long retired in Palmer's bedroom, cuddled in her bed with the TV on. Whenever I crept to check on them, they were both engulfed in the movie playing on the TV.

After my tenth check- up, I sat at the top of the stairs, dreading going back to the party. Link had continued to deny my presence, openly laughing and drinking amongst everyone else. He had even struck up a conversation with Lexie, leaving her in her own fits of giggles. Until Lucian had walked in, and she too was now slumped in a similar mood to mine.

I noticed her looking shocked at his appearance and had given her own taste of medicine. "Chin up, you don't want to seem that desperate for him."

Although it earned me a swift elbow into my side, I let out the first laugh of the evening. If we weren't forever going to talk about how two men ruined our lives, we wouldn't be the best of friends we proclaimed to be.

And man, was this evening taking a toll on me. I couldn't even enjoy it as much as I wanted to. We were leaving tomorrow after I had finished picking up the rest of our things from his place. And tonight we were crashing at Palmer's.

I let out a most needed sigh, dropping my head against the wall. I could hear Nolan laughing loudly at whatever joke Thomas had just said. The girls were in the kitchen, hanging around after we had all cleared up.

The night was coming to an end. Versa was already running around looking for Mary's belongings. She just came out of the kitchen and started making her way up the stairs when she spotted me.

"Not enough drinks to make you forget about Link?" She asked me quietly as she sat next to me. She was still so petite and managed to fit without requiring me to move.

"No." I admitted to her. "You saw the way he ignored me all night?"

She nodded slowly. "I think everyone noticed."

I looked up and tried to force the tears back into my eyes. Why was I crying over this? I felt annoyed that I painted this picture perfect image of our future together. The feelings I harboured over him were blinding and driving me wild and I had caved in. All to get hurt again?

"I love him." I choked out.

Versa dropped her head on my arm. "I know."

"Joy loves him."

"He loves you both, that I can tell. His ego is just so bruised right now."

"That doesn't mean he can lash out and say such a thing about taking Joy away from me."

"People say a lot of wrong things when they're hurt. And the reality is, people just take a while to change no matter what you ask of them. The expectations don't mirror the reality and that's where most of us go wrong."

"When did you become so wise?"

She let out a small laugh. "Once I got married and I had to do a lot of comprising. More than anyone expects or sees. Even if it hurt me in the moment, it was always for the best. Or at least, I tell myself that... I'm still waiting for the best part."

"Isn't Ryan the best part?"

Versa smiled. "He is." And there was her answer.

"I want that one day."

"You already have it. You guys are just idiots that need the right push."

I wanted to add to that but Link appeared at the bottom of the stairs. The devil was really at the party tonight.

"I'm just gonna say goodnight to Joy." He said without making any eye contact with me. I shrugged at him, giving him nothing more. Those were the first words he had spoken to me since the morning.

He ascended up the stairs, slowly until he reached just before us. Versa moved to make way for him and he used his long legs to get over us. I saw the mischievous glint in Versa's eyes before it was too late. She moved to quickly and pushed Link so he fell over my head. He righted himself quickly so he didn't fall backwards but instead fell into me.

"Are you kidding me?"

"What?" She asked me, feigning confusion.

She took that opportunity to bolt down the stairs.

"We're not kids!" I yelled after her.

"Are we not? I thought we were for a second there." She said before she disappeared out of sight.

I shifted in my seat, Link already straightening himself. His whole weight on me was suffocating, in ways I didn't expect.

////

- I'm toying with the idea of Link's P.O.V the next chapter since it will the final time to do so. We'll see.

- And sorry if you see weird symbols in this chapter, my little one kept banging on the keyboard as I was writing.

- It's coming to an end. I'm going to miss this, honestly wow. What am I going to do without Link. It's been my biggest project ever. Thank you all for the support :(