27. Perfect imperfection

With a bowl of cornflakes in front of me, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. The oversized T-shirt, I borrowed out of Alec's chest of drawers, hung off my shoulder and completely covered my PJ shorts.

Alec and I stayed up the previous night until the early hours of the morning. We tried to watch a film but spent most of the evening reminiscing over our time at school and all the mischief Sian dragged us into.

I roughly scraped my hair up into an untidy bun, the long brown strands unmanageable. The lack of sleep was catching up with me, my run once more a bust. My period had come to an end and along with it the pain. I would resume my running tomorrow.

Sunday mornings were so quiet in the Hart's residence. It was nearly nine am and no one was awake. Alec slept peacefully in bed as I slipped on my flip-flops and dragged my tired self to the main kitchen.

As I scoured the cupboards, all I found were these bland cornflakes among the granola and oats. Where were the kid cereals? Surely Lily had a stash of chocolate flavoured goodness hidden somewhere.

As I reluctantly chewed my way through my breakfast, Sarah Hart walked into the room, dressed in her Sunday best, her hair immaculately styled and a face full of make-up.

"Good morning, Natasha. If you wait a minute, I can make you a nicer breakfast than-" she peered over my shoulder at my bowl- "your cornflakes. I have to do a food shop so the selection has a lot to be desired. Would you like some eggs?"

"That's okay. I've nearly finished, but I'd love some eggs as well." I continued to eat my food as I watched Mrs Hart dance around the kitchen to find all her ingredients and utensils.

"I fancy an omelette today. Would you like the same?" she asked as she cracked eggs into a bowl and added butter, followed by a dash of milk. "Where's Alec? Still in bed?"

"Yes, he is and yes please to the omelette. Sounds great."

After seasoning the mixture and whisking everything together, she set the bowl beside the stovetop. She reached into the pocket of her skirt, spun around and rested her hand in front of me on the breakfast bar, a small box underneath it. Her fingers obscured the writing on the box until she moved them to the side and tapped the packet up and down on the marble surface.

My face flushed as my mind caught up with my eyes.

"So, I think we need to have a little talk, woman to woman." Alec's mum twirled the box of condoms in her hands, the corners of her mouth rising as her gaze held mine.

Mortified. I never had this chat with my own parents, and I was about to have one with Alec's mum. I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up.

To make matters worse, Alec decided the moment his mother slid the box of condoms my way was the perfect time to join us in the kitchen.

"Really Mum?" he snapped as he reached us.

"Well, excuse me for not wanting grandchildren when my babies are babies themselves. If you want Natasha to stay in your bed, this is a chat we need to have. I was hoping to speak to her first and then to you, but now you're here, take a seat." Her face stayed neutral, but her subtle smile gave her amusement away as she enjoyed watching us squirm.

After her excruciating conversation about contraception, Sarah added, "Now, can one of you tell me why I had to wait for Chloe to admit you were a couple? Alec, your father and I have always asked you to be honest. We have an open-door policy in this house and we expect this kind of information shared."

Alec grabbed my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. "Yes, Mum. But then you pull stunts like this, with condoms. I don't want you scaring my girlfriend away."

His mum's face broke out into a wide grin. She strolled towards the breakfast bar and held us both in a tight hug.

"Phew, as long as it's not like your brother with all those unsuspecting girls, then I'm happy. Well, more than happy." She let us go only to pinch both of our cheeks. "Oh, you two! It's about bloody time."

She returned to making our breakfast, plated one of the omelettes up and handed the plate to Alec. "Now, off you go. The garden's delightful this morning. I need to talk to your girlfriend. On her own."

Alec leant over and whispered in my ear. "Just scream for help and I'll be here. She isn't as scary as she looks." He offered a lop-sided smile and placed a quick peck to my lips.

"I heard that," Sarah laughed.

Alec's mum arranged two delicious looking omelettes on the breakfast bar and took the seat Alec had recently left.

We ate our food in silence and when we were finished, she rested her hand over mine.

"I called your mother." Her eyes never met mine as she delivered her message. Sarah Hart shook her head, sipped her coffee and continued, "I think she's not in the right frame of mind at the moment, and you should be the bigger person."

She twisted her body around on her chair and clasped both of my hands in hers. "I know it shouldn't be that way. With her being the parent. Sometimes, we just have to bite our tongues and right now, she won't listen to anyone. Go home Natasha, and talk to her. As a mother, she must feel ashamed of how she spoke to you, but she's too pigheaded to admit it. If I'm wrong and she still won't see sense, you can always come back here. You're always welcome in this house, whether or not you're with Alec."

At her words, I burst into tears. She pulled me into an embrace and stroked my hair as I cried into her shoulder. "Now, now, sweetheart. I didn't mean to make you cry."

"I know. It's just that you're so nice to me," I sniffled.

She grabbed a box of tissues from the counter and handed them over so I could wipe my eyes and nose. "Oh darling, it's nothing I wouldn't say to my own children or want someone else to say to them."

I watched Sarah peer over my shoulder and motion for someone to enter the room. Alec had been standing slightly out of sight. "I saw you crying." He strode over and looped his arms through mine. "You don't have to do it alone, Nattie. I'll come with you."

I rested my head on his chest. "Thank you, but it's something I should do alone."

***

My mother wouldn't be back from Scotland until late into the evening. I hadn't heard from Rosie, so I was still clueless about how her talk went with our mum.

One thing I wanted to do, however, was talk to my father. There was only one place I knew I could find him on a Sunday afternoon without my mother to rein him in, our local Pub.

The Crown Pub was a short walking distance from Alec's home. He offered to drop me off, but I needed the walk to clear my head.

Gerry stood behind the wooden bar as he did every Sunday. I scanned the area and there sat my father, on the end, propped up on his stool, a cold Guinness in his hand.

I nodded towards Gerry and perched on the seat beside him.

"Well, well, well if it isn't our little Miss Wilson. I hear you've been back a while. And you didn't think to pop in and see your old pal?" Gerry teased.

My father lifted his eyes and grunted when he finally realised I was there.

"Hey, Gerry. I know. Terrible of me." I smiled. "Can I grab a large Coke?"

My father quietly sipped his beer, not willing to start the conversation. Nerves took hold of my stomach. I honestly wanted to be sick. That could have also been due to the smell of stale beer and body odour.

"Hey, Dad. We need to talk." My voice sounded surprisingly steady considering the way I felt.

"I said everything I had to say to you the other day," he wheezed.

"Maybe, but I never got the chance to." I mouthed a thank you to Gerry as he set my drink in front of me. "What goes on between you and Mum should be between you. But it really isn't, because you have children. What happens at home affects all of us, and I'm sorry I hurt your feelings when I spoke up-"

He let out a loud grown, interrupting my speech and propped his arm on the bar, shielding himself from me.

"-actually you know what?" I snapped. "I'm not sorry. It needed to be said. I stand by the fact we didn't deserve your hurtful words. Mum didn't deserve those hurtful words. Why are you so scared of her going back to school? I think it's amazing and we should be encouraging her, not pushing her down. Think of everything she's given up to raise us and support you."

My heart raced, and my vision blurred. I downed most of my drink, slammed some money on the bar and stood up, scrapping my stool in the process. "It's your turn to support her, or you might lose her for good," I croaked.

With those words, I stormed out of The Crown Pub and crouched down on the steps outside the door. I wrapped my arms around myself, dropped my head on my knees and let out a shaky breath. A warm hand stroked the back of my neck. As I looked up, the brown unruly locks caught my eyes first, then the captivating green gaze. I threw myself at Alec as soon as he sat beside me.

"What are you even doing here? I said I would do it alone." My voice wobbled as tears threatened to fall.

"I know but I couldn't think straight at home and just wanted to be here in case." He pulled me in closer and kissed my forehead as I propped my chin on his shoulder.

"Will you stop being ridiculously cute? How am I meant to despise all men and develop daddy issues if you keep coming along to save the day?" I laughed and threaded my fingers into his hair to steady them.

"We can think of something later. I would hate to deprive you of any milestones," he chuckled and helped me up to my feet.

His white Audi was parked down a side road, a short walk from the Pub. I clicked my seat belt in place and turned to Alec. "Can we go for a drive somewhere? Anywhere? I just need to clear my head."

The engine rumbled as we drove away. "I know just the place."

***

Alec parked on the grass verge, outside one of the local houses. Well, house didn't do the building justice. The rustic cottage was straight out of a fairytale. The brambles and hedges surrounding the property formed a protective fence. No one would be able to glimpse at the beauty of this place unless invited, or if they trespassed as it appeared Alec and I were doing.

The squeak of old metal hinges pierced the peaceful countryside as Alec pushed open a hidden wooden door covered in creeping ivy. We wandered through a narrow passageway, down a cobbled path until we arrived at the centre of the most breathtaking garden I had ever seen. I thought the Hart's garden was impressive until my eyes took in the wonders of this haven.

"Wow," I breathed out. Alec squeezed my hand and nudged me to move forward. Clusters of blue, pink and purple flowers dotted the carpet of greenery. There seemed to be no symmetry or pattern to the design, yet the garden had a mesmeric order to it. Everything had its place.

"Do you remember Malcolm, our old Gardener?" Alec wrapped his arms around my waist as I struggled to tear my eyes away from the beauty of our surroundings.

"Mr Sutton? I thought he died," I mumbled.

Alec chuckled, positioned his chin on my shoulder and nodded. "We have the place to ourselves. He's very much alive and on holiday, so I have his keys. I have something to show you. This isn't the best bit."

Alec kissed below my ear and entwined his fingers between mine to pull me forward. A weeping willow flowed down to the floor, sheltering a small seating area. Two rusty metal chairs and a bistro-style table stood near the trunk of the tree, on a pale wooden deck. A few steps further and I could see a ladder that led down to a natural swimming pool.

"I have no words. It's gorgeous. Has this always been here?" I slipped my shoes off and settled on the top step to dip my toes in the water. Goosebumps appeared on my legs due to the coolness, despite the warmth from the summer sun.

A mix of large boulders and slate stones edged the pool and formed steps into the water at the shallowest end. Aquatic plants and tall grasses surrounded the bank, making the area blend seamlessly into the garden.

Alec moved the chairs out from under the shade of the willow tree and removed his shoes, followed by his T-shirt. "A few years now, but never this nice. He had one of those hard plastic, above-ground ones, but last summer decided to landscape the area and built himself this one."

I glimpsed over my shoulder as he unbuckled his belt and his shorts dropped to the floor. He stood, staring at me in nothing but his boxer briefs. The late-afternoon sunlight cast a warm glow over his bare skin. My breathing quickened at the sight of his strong thighs, muscled stomach and defined chest.

Every passing day, I sank deeper into a quicksand of lust and longing for my best friend. I already loved the mind of this person who would do everything and anything for me. My body was playing catch up, now driven by the chemical reaction that took over whenever he was near.

Alec walked over to the shallow end of the pool and strolled into the water. As it reached his chest, he swam the rest of the way to the ladder.

"Come swim with me." He placed soft kisses to my knees as they dangled over the edge.

"In my underwear? What if someone sees us?"

"Underwear or nothing at all, if you wish. No one can see us. I'll take mine off if it makes you feel more comfortable." He peered up through his lashes and smirked.

"Now how's that fair? You're already in. If you take your boxers off, I won't get to see anything, and I'm stood up here on display," I teased.

"I can come back up there if you like. I have no problem with it." His voice low as he massaged my calves.

"Okay. If you get back here and strip, I'll do the same." I rose and removed my top and shorts until I was in nothing but my mismatched bra and knickers. "Don't judge these beauties. I wasn't expecting them on show," I giggled as I gave him a twirl.

Alec scrambled out of the water as if his boxers were on fire. "I thought you were joking. Are you really going to jump in naked?" Alec's eyes widened before they flittered all over my exposed skin.

I gently pushed his shoulder back. "Stop gawking you perv. You have to do it too. We only live once, and you are bound to see everything at some stage." I winked and clutched his hand to walk him over to the steps. I unclasped my bra and threw it over to the edge of the decking. "Right. On three, we take the rest off and run in."

We grinned as we stared into each other's eyes. "One-" I hooked my thumbs into my knickers- "two-" we both burst out laughing- "three." We slipped our underwear down and ran until the water reached our waists.

I dipped further down to shelter my exposed chest as Alec towered over me. "Why are you hiding now?" He grabbed my hand and pulled me up until I stood in front of him. My gaze followed each droplet as they trickled down his honeyed skin.

"No need to go all shy. You're perfect." His fingers trailed up my sides until they cupped my face. He bent down and pressed his lips against mine.

"Isn't perfect a little boring?" I whispered between kisses. "Who wants perfect when the beauty of imperfection is more enticing?" I linked my hands behind his neck and fell back until we were both submerged.

The breeze chilled my wet skin, but each part that touched Alec's, burnt with an intense heat.

A fever that wouldn't weaken even as I shivered in his arms.

"Perfect or imperfect, I just want you," he breathed as he nipped my earlobe.

His mouth trailed down to my collarbone, leaving delicate kisses to my chest. Our hands exploring each other until his lips lingered on mine, his tongue doing an achingly slow sweep.

"I want you too," I moaned. "Not here, not like this."

Alec swooped me up into a hug and my legs wound around his hips, his hard body pressed against mine. His kisses were urgent. Ravenous. Possessive.

"I can feel everything," I confided as my hands traced along his ridged stomach.

"You're driving me crazy," he rasped into my neck.

"Then take me home."

Alec marched out of the pool with my legs wrapped around him. He set me down on the ground and gathered our clothes up. We dressed, not bothering to dry ourselves.

The car ride was charged with an electric static. My skin could feel each burst of current, our breathing ragged as we struggled to find our words.

We ran across the courtyard, hand in hand, laughing as our feet kicked up the gravel. We clumsily tumbled up the stairs until we faced each other in front of the bed, quietly staring.

I reached out and placed my hand over his heart, every single pound louder and stronger than the next. Pulling his T-shirt over his head, my fingers trembled as they brushed against his skin. Alec carefully mirrored each of my movements until we were both naked.

He pressed his forehead against mine and held my hands. "Perfectly imperfect," he said, his voice shaky.

I giggled until his lips seized mine, his touch searing my skin. My stomach flipped, each nerve ending humming as all of my senses were intoxicated by everything that made up Alec Hart. My Alec.

***