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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 40
They'd been walking along the corridor, alongside Cecile in her wheelchair, when Roslyn groaned, grabbed the wall, and looked about to collapse, her face was ashen.
Dale grabbed her, supporting her just as a puddle of water appeared on the floor around her feet.
The orderly radioed for another wheelchair and told them to wait there for it, she carried on with Cecile.
Dale and Fleur helped Roslyn to a seat, with Dale saying.
"You pair don't do things by halves do you?, it wasn't enough buying five vineyards and a farm, building a house, and a winery, so you chucked in synchronised childbirth for fun, fair play to you".
Roslyn started laughing, then grabbed his arm in a vicelike grip almost screaming as the next contraction hit her.
By the time the wheelchair arrived and got Roslyn to the delivery suite, her contractions were so close together it was obvious she was going to deliver first, in fact, Cecile's had slowed and were now several minutes apart.
At four in the afternoon Roslyn gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and Cecile followed suit, giving birth to another healthy son, but almost eight hours later, just scraping in a few minutes before midnight, giving the boys a joint birthday.
It was two in the morning when Dale delivered Fleur back to the house, she'd invited him in, but he'd declined, explaining he had to be up early for work, and he needed to be at home, or at least, at his parents house when his son woke up, and he knew that wouldn't happen if he came in with her, but he'd kissed her goodnight, a kiss that left her panting for breath.
The days following that chaotic one had been ridiculous in Fleur's mind, it was as if fate were conspiring to keep them apart, she had to be at the hospital, supervise the contractors working overtime to complete the house, meet with accountants to approve wage payments, arrange for Roslyn and Cecile's homecoming.
As the days rolled on she made excuses for his absence, his silence.
Roslyn and Cecile were discharged on the same day, arriving home to find the house finished, Fleur had excelled, and she was first to hear the babies names.
Their first born, by Roslyn, was Pierre Woodruff Montclair-Thorn, their second born, by Cecile, was Woodruff Pierre Montclair-Thorn, Pierre and Woody.
Milo and Piers had come from Sydney to welcome them home, and Piers actually cried when he learnt the boys names, but Roslyn reminded him.
"Cecile and I, we're only together because of Pierre, it wasn't something we even had to think about, it's our way of honouring him, and Poppa's in there too".
Fleur was resigned to accepting fact, she hadn't heard from him, nothing, not a call, not a text.
At the weekend Frank turned up with the teams of workers, apologising for Dale, he had a family crisis which meant he couldn't come, Fleur saw it very differently".
In her mind, he'd decided what happened had been a mistake, to Frank she'd said.
"Whatever, can you manage what would have been his team?".
"Frank saw the dejected look immediately and tried to explain, but Fleur cut him off".
"Don't please, there's no need to explain, let's just concentrate on the work in hand, time is limited, it has to be completed in the next two weekends".
The work to restring the vineyards was completed on Sunday, a little before midday, two weeks later.
The workers had again been paid the full day and thanked for their excellent work.
Fleur left for Montclair the following morning.
Roslyn and Cecile had been sorry to see her go, but they understood her dilemma, and she'd sworn them to secrecy.
She'd known almost immediately, it was like a second sense, and looking at her diary, well that just confirmed it, her period should have happened a few days after she'd had sex with Dale, it didn't, and in the weeks following, it continually didn't happen, so she'd bought pregnancy test kits, dozens of them, and they all returned the same results, confirming what she already knew, she was pregnant, and he didn't want to know her, it was time to act.
Three days before the restringing was due to be completed she'd told them she was leaving, going back to Montclair, and she told them why.
They'd cried with her, begging her not to leave, but she was adamant, she'd deal with this alone if he didn't want a relationship, and it appeared he didn't, but she couldn't do it there, she needed to be well away from him.
Dale turned up at the house on the Tuesday evening, a day and a half after Fleur left, and Roslyn answered the doorbell.
All he heard were the few words.
"She left yesterday, I'm guessing she's almost home in Montclair by now".
His reply sounded pathetic to Roslyn.
"I wanted to speak to her".
Roslyn might have been sworn to secrecy on the subject, but it didn't mean she was completely gagged.
"Mmmm, what a coincidence, that's the very same thing we've been hearing from Fleur for these past few weeks, I guess she just got fed up with waiting".
After saying it she actually felt some remorse, he looked so dejected, and she needed him.
"Dale, there is at least a positive side to your visit, I'd been planning on calling you, I won't beat around the bush, I want you and your Dad as foremen, here at Montclair-Thorn, whatever you're earning now add ten percent, will you think about it?".
Her offer at least had the desired effect, causing him to brighten slightly.
"I can give you my answer now, I'll work for you, I'll need to speak with my Dad, I don't know what his decision will be, he's a fiercely loyal man, he's worked for the Mulroney family maybe twenty years now, but I'll ask one question though, how do you know I'll not just inflate what I'm currently earning and stiff you?".
She gave a hint of a smile.
"If you did, it would mean I got stiffed on more than one front, you see, I have you down as honourable, and that's not the action of an honourable man, I'll trust my instincts, you do as you see fit".
Dale had been right, Frank listened, gave it a couple of days thought, then he visited Roslyn and Cecile.
"I didn't want to send a second hand answer to what was a very generous and kind offer, but I'm declining, Dale probably told you, I've been with the Mulroney's for a long time, they've always done right by me, and I know I could get a rise in wages just by telling them about your offer, I won't, but I know I could, so, I suppose I'm saying I owe them my loyalty, but thanks".
Roslyn was genuinely touched that he would take the trouble to come and explain his decision face to face.
"Oh Frank, I, we, can only hope in a few years we'll have staff who feel that way about us, thank you for coming to explain, and if you are ever in need of work, you need only ask, we'll guarantee you a position, but I admit, I'm still jealous of the Mulroney's".
A little over three months later Cecile was out in the vineyards with Dale, they were inspecting growth and marvelling at what they saw.
Cecile had taken several pictures, when Dale asked why, her reply brought back that dejected look to his face.
"I want to send them to Fleur, she deserves the credit for this, none of us, you included, would have had the nerve to do what she did, I miss her".
His reply was almost whispered, not intended to be heard, but Cecile caught it, just faintly.
"Me too".
In Montclair, Fleur had moved into the house on Avenue Montclair which Roslyn and Cecile still owned, it had an enormous garden.
Explaining her situation to the family hadn't been a problem, with the exception of admitting she'd gotten it so wrong, she still couldn't quite believe that her trust had been misplaced, despite everything.
As the months of her pregnancy rolled by she'd started experimenting with producing new vines, having an enormous greenhouse built in the garden, grafting species together out of inquisitiveness, and being genuinely surprised by some of the results.
A year on, and there was cause to celebrate for most.
Montclair-Thorn had enjoyed a bumper harvest, and of a superior quality, the winery was in full swing, and the boys were celebrating their first birthday.
Roslyn and Cecile had begged Fleur to join them, they'd planned a massive party.
Everyone locally had been invited, including local Vineyard owners.
All of the Sydney family were attending, Jaque and Pete, along with Marcel, were coming from Montclair.
Fleur debated back and forth for a long time, she wanted to go, but how would she cope with seeing him, and she knew there would be no chance of her not seeing him at some point, he controlled everything to do with the four vineyards of Montclair-Thorn.
Finally Roslyn had almost cried on their weekly call, reminding Fleur everything they were celebrating was down to her, and so she'd agreed, on condition that no one knew she was coming, and bringing little Franky with her.
He was three months old and an absolutely wonderful, happy child.
Two days before the party Cecile was in town, picking up a few last minute items when she quite literally bumped into Jenna, Dales mum, she was studying her list coming out of a store as Jenna was studying hers going in.
The ended up laughing and Jenna suggested coffee.
Sitting in an air conditioned cafe they chatted easily, but something Jenna said fired Cecile's interest.
"I'm so ready for your party, can't remember the last time I had chance, or reason to have fun, I'm bringing Jimmy to the party, he's so much better, it'll be good for him to get out and mix with other kids again".
She looked baffled and asked.
"Has he not been well?".
Jenna tutted, she wasn't really surprised Cecile didn't know, Dale didn't give much away about his personal life.
"We almost lost him a year ago, it's why you haven't seen much of me, I've been looking after him while Dales at work, it started the day after you girls gave birth, the doctors were baffled at first, took them a while to diagnose meningitis, the worst three weeks of my life, Dale didn't move from his side for weeks, they said Jimmy might not make it, he was a complete mess, wouldn't leave the hospital until they said Jimmy was on the mend, and he could see it for himself, it's been a tough year for us, and for Dale and Jimmy, it left his immune system really weak, he's picked up just about every bug going, but slowly he's made it, I just wish I knew what was bugging Dale now, Jimmy's improved no end, but Dale's not himself".
They'd chatted a little more, with Jenna promising to turn up early on the morning of the party, she'd been baking for days and was bringing a load of different dishes.
Cecile couldn't wait to get home, dragging Roslyn aside discreetly as soon as she could.
Roslyn just stared open mouthed as Cecile recounted the conversation, then she uttered a gasped response.
"Oh shit, Fleur doesn't know, how the fuck did we not know, this is too ridiculous for words, in Montclair we would have known about it straight away, these people are so bloody private".
Cecile was hardly listening to her, she was speculating on what would happen when Fleur and Dale met, and said.
"She has to know before she gets here".
Roslyn nodded, saying.
"I've ordered one car to bring them from the airport, I'll change it, if I book two cars, I'll go to the airport, I can get Fleur in the second car with me, I'll explain it on the way here, but how she's going to react, that's a question I can't answer, if I tell her too soon, she might just turn around and hightail it back to Montclair".
They'd seen Roslyn as soon as they exited into the FBO arrivals lounge, but Fleur noted straight away, she looked............ what?.......... worried?............ nervous?, yes nervous, that was it.
As they were doing their greetings, in typical family style, Roslyn whispered to Marcel.
"All of you in the first car, I need Fleur alone in the second car, I have to talk to her, it's important, spread the word discreetly".
Marcel nodded, though he did look baffled.
When they got out front Roslyn guided Fleur into the second car, answering her questioning look as they got in.
"Don't argue I have good reason to get you alone, there's something we only found out by chance yesterday, and you need to hear it".
She laid it all out, Fleur just sat, mouth open, tears streaming down her face, shaking her head in disbelief.
"What's he going to think of me, his son almost died and I ran away, oh god, I don't know what to do, I need to go back home, I can't do this".
Fleur was in full panic mode.
Roslyn did what Roslyn does best, she took control, slapping Fleur hard across the face.
Fleur stopped dead, as Roslyn said.
"Okay, so I have your attention, this has gone on long enough, you have to meet at some point, however he reacts is immaterial, you can't keep him in the dark any longer, he deserves to know about, and meet his child".
Fleur just nodded, admitting, Roslyn was right.
That night Roslyn called Jenna, who was surprised to hear from her.
"What I'm about to say probably won't make much sense to you, but I'm desperately trying to do some good, and I need your help".
Jenna's reply was typical.
"Try me".
Roslyn took a deep breath.
"Dale said he wasn't sure he'd turn up at the party tomorrow, I need you to make sure he's there, it's absolutely crucial, he has to be there, I can't say why, but you told Cecile recently, you didn't know what was bugging him, I do, and I can't tell you what that is either, you have to just trust me on this, please help me".
There was silence for a few moments as Jenna was obviously thinking, then.
"So it's to do with why Dale's unhappy, and you know what it is, and you think you can fix it".
Roslyn answered with what was more a statement than a question.
"I'm going to give it a damn good try, will you help me?".
There was no pause this time, Jenna's reply was instant.
"Yes, I'll make sure he's there if I have to hog tie him and deliver him in his own truck, I don't know what this is all about, but anything that is going to help my son, then I'm rooting for you, good luck".
Jenna arrived around eleven next morning, as a passenger in Dale's truck, the rear cab loaded with food.
Whilst several pairs of hands unloaded the truck, Roslyn led Dale into the house.
"I need you for something, don't ask, just follow me".
She led him to the door of the bedroom Fleur was using.
Opening it she said just one word.
"Inside".
He looked baffled but stepped inside, half turned, looking back at her as she closed the door without coming into the room.
Then he heard her voice.
"Dale".
Turning, there she was, only feet from him, and his heart almost stopped.
He closed the gap between them in seconds, wrapping her in his arms, hugging her, kissing her face, then their lips met.
Fleur broke the kiss, and he could tell, her expression said it all, there was something bad coming, he still didn't let go of her, he just looked at her and said.
"Whatever it is Fleur, just tell me, I can't feel any worse than I have this last year, but if you're not here for me why do this?".
She was almost whispering, clearly nervous.
"It's not about being here for you, that's not in doubt, I'm afraid you won't forgive me, I've done something terrible Dale, without knowing, but no less terrible all the same".
He could tell how difficult this was for her, but she'd said she was here for him, that was at least a positive sign, he pulled her in close, whispering in her ear.
"Deep breath, then tell me, I love you, trust me".
She was crying now, he could feel the shudders.
"I didn't know about Jimmy being ill until yesterday, I thought you didn't want me, I was pregnant, I ran away".
He didn't say anything for a few moments then.
"You were pregnant?, we have a baby?".
She looked up at him nodding.
"Francis, Franky, three months old, he's your son, he's next door in the nursery".
She could see the emotions flitting back and forth across his face, the tears, then he smiled, his whole face lit up, and he almost crushed her.
"We must be the stupidest couple on earth, I'm sorry, I blanked out everything when they told me Jimmy might die, I was a real mess, when they said he was finally improving I came straight here, but you'd gone, I thought you didn't want me, and there you were thinking the same thing, we need to learn to talk, now introduce me to our son, I want to show him off to the world".
Out in the lounge Jenna said to Roslyn.
"Has your plan started, I don't see Dale anywhere?".
A clearly nervous Roslyn nodded.
"Don't hate me Jenna if it all goes wrong, I can't call it, Dale is the only one who can decide the outcome".
Jenna nodded, then said.
"If it's all out in the open now, can you tell me what's going on, I need to be ready to catch him if there's fall out?".
Roslyn nodded.
"Come into the little lounge, you're right, you need to be ready".
When they emerged Jenna was crying, and clearly as nervous as Roslyn.
Neither need have been worried, at that precise moment, Dale was lifting a gurgling, smiling Franky out of his crib in the nursery.
"Well hello son, I'm your Daddy, and I can't wait to show you off to the world, now let's go enjoy being a family at last, you need to meet your big brother, and I'm guessing Grandma's going to need cuddles too".
He scooped Fleur in under one arm.
"I love you, never doubt it, I won't".
As they came out into the lounge Jenna couldn't hold it together any longer, she burst into tears seeing him so happy.
Dale laughed.
"Well that's not exactly the reaction we were hoping for, Franky, meet your Grandma, she's the blubbering wreck, where's Jimmy Ma?, he needs to meet his baby brother".
Cecile led Jimmy in from the kitchen where she'd been plying him with food.
He looked at his Dad with a questioning expression.
"Son, you remember we talked about Fleur, well this is her, and this here fella is your little brother Franky, wanna say hi?".
Jimmy's eyes went really wide, and his reply made everyone laugh.
"Oh cool, a little brother, we're gonna have so much fun".
Then Jenna seemed to get a grip.
"If Jimmy knew, how come I didn't know?".
Again they laughed at Jimmy's response.
"It was guy stuff".
But Jenna wasn't being put off any longer.
"Give me my grandson, I need a cuddle".
And that was it, they lost possession of Franky for the rest of the day.
Jimmy spent a long time chatting with Fleur throughout the day, they got on well, she could see how much he loved his Dad.
Late in the afternoon Dale had a crazy idea, he approached Roslyn, who, after hearing his request nearly choked on her drink.
He'd said.
"I want to propose, but I don't have a fucking clue what her surname is, so what is it?".
Roslyn finished coughing and said.
"Not quite so simple tiger, you might want to ask her father for permission first".
Dale sighed.
"Jeez, okay which one is he, and what's his name".
Roslyn pointed to Jaque and said.
That would be Fleur's father, Jaque The Comte de Montclair, to help your brain out that means Jaque The Count of Montclair, and next to him are Fleur's brothers, JJ Vicomte de Montclair, and Marcel Vicomte de Montclair, and for clarification, you would be asking him for the hand of his daughter, Fleur Contessa de Montclair, that's Fleur The Countess of Montclair, okay, got that?".
Dale was just staring, open mouthed, it was a good thing there was a chair behind him, because he dropped down in shock, saying.
"You're tugging my dick, she's a Countess?".
Roslyn replied, giggling.
"You know as well as I do, I would puke at the very thought of even touching your dick, let alone tugging it, and yes, she's The Countess of Montclair, address her father as sir".
Dale started to walk away, then he stopped, turned back.
"I need a bloody ring, where do I get one?".
Roslyn giggled again, taking off her wedding band, she slipped off one of two further rings.
"My mothers engagement ring, don't lose it, I'll get you a real ring in about three days".
Dale didn't understand the last part, but the ring looked really good.
Approaching Jaque who was talking with Pete, and Fleur's brother's, he said.
"Sir, I apologise for breaking into your conversation, but I wanted to introduce myself, Dale, Fleur and I....... Err, well, I'm Franky's Dad".
Jaque smiled, he liked this one, unlike some of the wasters Fleur had introduced to him, he extended a hand.
"It's good to finally meet you Dale, let me introduce my partner Peter, and Fleur's brothers, JJ and Marcel".
Introductions over, Dale went for gold.
"Sir, I want your permission to ask Fleur to marry me, I don't have a lot, but I work hard, would you agree sir?".
Not just Jaque, all of them were beaming, and Jaque's reply made him smile.
"Dale, I haven't seen her smile for over a year, until today, so you've definitely get my vote, go get your girl".
Fleur was holding Jimmy's hand, standing with Piers, Milo, their family, Cecile, Jenna, who was cradling little Franky, and Frank, Dale's Dad.
As he approached her she gasped as he went down on one knee.
"Fleur, Countess of Montclair, it's fitting we are here amongst our families, and that our two sons can see and hear us, I love you, I've been adrift for this last year, I, we, your family need you, would you make me the happiest man alive, and do me the honour of becoming my wife?".
Fleur, was crying, as were quite a few others, but she managed to find her voice.
"Yes, but the honour is all mine, yes Dale".
As he put the ring on her finger she was heard to say.
"Jacqueline's ring, Roslyn lent you this didn't she?".
He blushed.
"Yes, but then, I wasn't exactly prepared for today, I'm sort of winging it, and the Countess bit, that sort of threw me off kilter for a while".
She hugged him for a change.
"We need to talk later, there's a heck of a lot you don't know, I hope it doesn't scare you, I love your family, I really hope you'll like mine, it's big, really, really big, but it's full of love".
He smiled and looked down at his son.
"Now you see, everything I told you, I knew I was right".
Fleur looked baffled until Jimmy said.
"I asked him why he was so sad, he told me all about you, how beautiful you are, how warm and kind, he wouldn't tell me if you'd done the naughties, but I'm not stupid, you didn't catch Franky from a toilet seat, I like you, and me and Franky need a sister, there's two of us now, we can look after her".
The rest of the day and evening had been wonderful.
Fleur introduced Piers and Milo along with their family.
Dale told them he was amazed that they'd adopted four children, and giggled when Piers corrected him, telling him about Vinny who was now married and traveling the world as an IT Executive for Guardian.
Dale told her later, he'd really bonded with Piers and Milo, he liked their take on life, and their kids, he'd thought they were the business.
Fleur had sat next to Roslyn late in the evening, she could see Piers and Milo a couple of tables away, each cradling a sleepy Pierre and Woody, she'd nodded toward them.
"Have you any idea how happy you made them with those names?".
Roslyn nodded.
"Yes, but in truth, it wasn't for them, it was for us, I really hope Pierre is watching, I hope he knows how much we miss him, he gave us the world, if the boys turn out to be one tenth the man he was we'll be proud, but what about you, has it been a good day?".
Fleur pulled her into a hug.
"Thanks to you it has, I never thought I could have him, I'd convinced myself he didn't want me, and I love him so much, you gave it all back to us, I owe you so much".
As she said that Jenna sat down beside them.
"Can I echo that as well, I've never seen my boy so happy, that's down to both of you, and Cecile".
She turned to Fleur.
"And you, a bloody Countess, that was a bit of a bombshell, I think Frank is still shell shocked, he's trying to remember how many times you argued over the pruning, how many times he called you a know it all bitch".
They laughed, then she turned to Roslyn.
"Don't tell us you're a Duchess".
Roslyn's reply had them in absolute stitches.
"You'd be fucked if I was, I still remember the day you called me a licker when we first met".
Dale dropped into the seat next to Fleur.
This sounds like dirty women talk, should I leave?".
But Fleur hugged him in closer.
Then remembering, she slipped the engagement ring off her finger and offered it back to Roslyn.
"Take it back, I know how much it means to you".
Roslyn pushed it back to her.
"I will take it back, but not until a replacement arrives and this man puts it on your finger, then, and only then will I take Momma's ring back".
Fleur looked quizzically at her cousin.
"What have you sent for, and don't bullshit me, remember, I know you?".
Dale and Jenna were totally baffled by this exchange, which they could see was good natured, and Roslyn's reply had them stunned.
"The ring you've always wanted, the Czarina's yellow diamond and emeralds, I spoke to Carry earlier, it's in the air as we speak, being delivered by guess who?".
Fleur groaned, and Dale asked what was wrong.
Roslyn was laughing as she explained.
"Stand by, the invasion has started, I requested a ring from the Woodruff Collection, it's a family jewellery collection, but I had to say why I wanted it, that means word has now zipped around the globe, the ring is being delivered by Spain and France, stand by for an update on London, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia".
Dale looked puzzled.
What does Spain and France mean?".
Fleur answered him.
"It means, expect, from Spain, Josef and Carry, Paulette and Vinny, with their son Andy, Sofia and Rick with their boys, Joseph and John, Juan and Ralph, then from France we're lucky, four are already here, it cuts down the number inbound, expect, Paul, Roslyn's brother, and that in itself presents problems, but Ros will deal with that, then there's, Berto, Maria, and their boys, Eduardo and Carlo, Aly and Bo, Junior and Daniel, Danny and Petre, so I'm guessing around twenty two are inbound, let's just pray America doesn't start moving at the same time".
Dale picked up on the reference to Paul, and asked what that was about.
Roslyn explained.
"It's not good, many years ago my brother professed his love for Fleur's brother JJ, and JJ was totally in love with him, but Paul is a cheat, a philanderer with whomever of either sex is available, a slut really, and JJ finally walked away with a broken heart, Paul saw something he owned drifting away and has pursued JJ ever since, even at the funeral of his late partner who was killed in an auto accident, it took me a long time to see Paul for what he is, but if he presents a problem, believe me, I'll deal with it, because the alternative would be Milo and Piers, and that could get really messy, Milo's already threatened once to send him home freight in a black bag".
When they retired that night, Jimmy was bunked in with Baz, Jez, and Pil, and he was in his element.
Fleur and Dale shared her suite, they didn't make love, in fact both cried a lot that night, tears of joy, and thankfulness.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.