Page 71 of One More Time

Charlie watched as Grace’s eyes fell upon the two plane tickets inside. Pulling them out, she read the destination. ‘Oh my god.’ Her face a picture of absolute delight, she shot to her feet. ‘We’re going to Greece?’

Charlie felt wonderful seeing her so happy. ‘We sure are.’

‘Oh my, now it’s me who doesn’t know what to say!’ She threw her arms around Charlie’s neck, and they shared a kiss to the background of the four kids telling them to get a room. ‘Thank you, all of you.’ Her teary gaze flitted from one to the other. ‘I’m so blessed, having such a loving, thoughtful family.’

‘We learnt how to be that way because of you, Mum.’ Standing, Hope came and wrapped her arms around her mother. ‘We all love you so very much. You deserve this, after everything you do for each and every one of us.’

‘Family group hug!’ Bryn shouted, and they all came together.

A loud sniffle sounded, followed by a strangled sob, and they turned to see Jacob with a handkerchief to his eyes. ‘You lot have got me real good,’ he chuckled. ‘How lucky am I, to be invited into such a loving home.’

And it was at this very moment that Charlie accepted Jacob as one of his family. Hudson had made a marvellous choice for a partner, and he couldn’t be prouder of his son.

* * *

The phone rang out in the dead of night, scaring Grace awake. Her nerves jangled, she flicked her eyes to the bedside clock: one-thirty am. Nothing good came from a call at such a time. Her heart in her throat, she groped through the darkness and clutched her mobile, quickly answering it.

‘Hello?’

‘Gracie, it’s your father.’ Her mother’s voice was wrought with emotion. ‘He’s had a heart attack.’

‘Oh my god, Mum! When? How? Is he okay? Are you okay?’

‘It happened about an hour ago, and he’s not in a good way, my love.’ Muffled sobs were followed with sniffles. ‘I think you should come to the hospital as soon as you can.’

Sitting up beside her, Charlie’s hand rested on her back. ‘Grace, what’s wrong?’

Grace shook her head. ‘We’ll be there as soon as we can. I love you, Mum.’

‘Love you too, Gracie, see you soon.’

The phone went dead in her hands and she just sat there, staring at the eggshell-blue walls of their bedroom lit up by the lamp. Charlie’s soothing voice wavered back into her perception. She sucked in a sharp breath. Like a sharp slap to her face, the reality of the phone call hit home, mighty hard, and her sense of urgency soared. What if her father died before she got to tell him, one more time, just how much she loved him?

‘Hurry, Charlie.’ She leapt from the bed. ‘Dad’s had a heart attack.’

Fifteen minutes later, Charlie’s wide stride echoed with Grace’s tiny steps as they crossed the car park and rushed through the doors of the Sapphire Hospital. They quickly headed to the lift, and up to the third floor. Grace saw her mother at the nurse’s station, her face red and puffy from crying.

‘Mum,’ Grace said before both women entangled each other. They stayed like this for a few moments, their sobs echoing in the quiet room.

‘Come and see your father, Gracie.’ Taking her daughter’s hand, her mother led them down the hall, and then stopped at a closed door. ‘He’s in a bad way, so prepare yourself, love.’

Adrenaline pumping and instincts on high alert, Grace paused and drew in the deepest of breaths while trying to gather enough courage to step into the room. Glancing up and into Charlie’s compassionate eyes fortified her, and his hand upon her back gave her the nudge she needed. So, she stepped in.

One hand came over her mouth, the other over the pounding of her breaking heart. If it weren’t for Charlie’s arm, coming around her waist, she would have fallen to her knees.

CHAPTER

21

October 2010

Four months after her father’s death, after wading through the inconceivable heartbreak of losing a man who’d always loved her unconditionally, with his whole heart, all throughout her life, Grace felt ready to take on their travel plans, and her mother insisted she go.

Over the speaker, the flight attendant announced their imminent arrival into Greece. Eagerly leaning across Charlie, Grace pressed her face up against the window, marvelling at the multicoloured cliffs soaring out of the sea-drowned volcanic crater, the half-moon shape of the island and the snow-white sugar-cube houses all backdropped by the brilliant blue Aegean. The supermodel of the Greek isles, Santorini was enchanting, cosmopolitan and very romantic, but she knew there was far more to this place than just a pretty face. There was so much history, so much soul to the people who called it home.

The plane turned and the land and ocean quickly approached, along with a runway that looked way too short. Grace drew back and rested her head against the chair, closing her eyes to pray for a safe touchdown, all the while gripping Charlie’s hand as if her life depended upon it.

‘Are you okay, Grace?’