Taylor's POV
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"You know we could just have a little dress up and you could try on all of these things before you decide what to pack" Jay explains holding up a white lace bodysuit which I'm planning on wearing on our first night stay in California for the wedding.
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Rachel's wedding dress has arrived and on the second floor of the farmhouse she is busy packing everything just like myself and Jay are in the master suite. Jay has already packed his bags however he's sticking behind to watch me pack my own. I couldn't help but to notice his entire new wardrobe and appreciate the muted colours he's gone for. It's all very sophisticated and mature; since we've been home for several weeks my baby bump has popped. I worry I'll be unable to fit in my gown for the wedding, gazing at the dusty pink dress and smiling to myself for picking one with ruching around the waist.
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"A little try on" I tease him cupping his jaw in my hands as he lounges back on the four poster bed and smiles up at me. His grin utterly cheeky as he pulls me into his lap and kisses my neck.
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"Oh Jay we'll never get this done if we continually distract one another" I tease and he giggles, his hands rubbing over bump in my night dress.
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"Taylor..." he whispers looking down at the growing bump and smiling.
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"I'm going to put so many babies in you" he whispers as I rock my head back laughing, he bites his lip watching me and I run my hands through his hair.
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"Let's focus on this little one first" I tell him and he nods slowly looking up at me with pristine blue eyes that no longer hold an ounce of worry or paranoia. The eyes I fell in love with, all of those years before.
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"I love you darling" he says in his southern drawl and my lips curl into a smooth smile. I climb off of him slowly as he helps me to stand at the side of the bed, one hand on my lower back and the other on bump.
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"I bought you something" he whispers in my ear as he stands behind me. Slowly his hands trace up my sides and come to rest over my eyes where he shields my vision.
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"When I left Dubai I wanted to get you something" he explains slowly.
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"But I wanted to give it to you at the right moment." He explains slowly guiding me across the smooth marble floor. My bare feet warm as I walk guided by his capable hands. Removing his hands from over my eyes I take in a small wrapped box which sits on the side of the dresser. I had been so preoccupied by packing it strikes me that I hadn't even realised that it was there. Gazing at the red bow and the size of the box, I imagine diamonds. It would be very Jay to get me another diamond.
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"It's a..." I begin staring down at the open box flabbergasted.
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"It's something to say thankyou for putting up with me" he explains ruffling his hair and blushing. Taking the clasp of the gold bracelet he opens it and smiles as I hand him my wrist. So many glistening diamonds spreading light around the room that I gaze down upon it awestruck.
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"It's Cartier" he whispers in my ear and I nod vaguely recognising the brand name.
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"I couldn't just bring you tulips" he smirks and I giggle looking down at my wrist before I gaze up and into his eyes.
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"This is very special" I smile thanking him as he holds onto my wrist delicately. The large double door squeaks slightly and I glance over at it.
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"Taylor are you packed" Rachel inquires and I smile watching her like she's an excitable sister who cannot contain herself.
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"Oh I am getting there" I explain and she huffs entering the large bedroom, ignoring that I am in my husband's arms. At times she appears tactless but I've learned that she just gets excited to be in other people's company and so she never reads the situation before barging in.
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"Ohh that is!?" She says glancing from the fancy box to the bangle on my wrist. Jay rolls his eyes and kisses me softly on the lips before excusing himself to be with the guys downstairs.
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"That is a Cartier bloody hell" she exclaims and I shake my head laughing, I pace over to the walk in wardrobe and pull out a large suitcase.
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"Please help me pack" I laugh desperately looking over at the bed and the heap of clothes.
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"Of course" she laughs shaking her head and pulling clothes off of hangers. Pretty dresses and a few pairs of shorts.
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"Did you know a Cartier is worth crazy money" she sighs folding up a few cami tops.
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"I did not, how much are we talking" I say playfully and she sighs rolling her eyes.
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"We're talking thousands" she explains slowly her eyes widening.
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"That's quite a gift" she smirks as I check out my tan complexion in my mirror and put on some lip balm.
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"He's my husband and he earns a significant amount of money. I can only imagine how much" I sigh applying some all over moisturiser.
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"You are packed" she declares taking a seat on the white sheets and smiling triumphantly.
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"He must earn upwards of a million a year" she gasps looking down at the bangle again absolutely stumped.
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"I don't even think about it you know" I laugh and she shakes her head, blonde curls over her shoulders. We line my suitcases up at the door and I place my wash bag on top of it. Slipping into my robe and fastening the small bow I look over at her and smile.
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"Idea" she begins and I roll my eyes walking her out of my bedroom and turning out the lights.
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"Henry is being babysat by your mom, it's my wedding soon and I think we should all be fun tonight" she laughs as I swat at her.
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"I'm literally pregnant and unable to drink" I defend myself as she guides me down the hall. The guys are laughing downstairs, Jay's playlist is on and I can just imagine them sitting and drinking brandy like they always do.
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"First things first we change the music up-make it a party" she declares as I sigh watching her get carried away, she sashays in her nightgown that is pink with butterflies printed on it.
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"We can even do strip poker if you like- no truth or dare" she laughs defensively as we reach the bottom of the swirling marble steps. The chandelier's and candles illuminating light through the kitchen doorway.
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"That's not a good idea they are way better at poker" I giggle and she laughs.
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"Evening gentleman" she announces shooting me a glance before walking into my kitchen, I follow behind her heading straight for the sound system and changing the music up. Jay watches me and I wink at him heading straight over to the chair that he is on. Sat at the head of the oak table nursing a brandy he makes room for me to sit astride his knee.
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"Rachel's on a let's play and get wasted path" I whisper as he nods making my eye contact before looking briefly down at his brandy and downing it. A smile forms over his lips as he rubs bump, small kicks jab at his hands and I kiss his lips.
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"So Taylor and I wanted to play a game, stops you lot going on about business and cars" she announces and I laugh out loud unable to contain myself.
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"You do talk about cars too much" I tease Jay as he laughs a low throaty chuckle before running his hands through my hair.
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"It's just a little bit of fun" she smiles stroking Ross' hair as she walks past him and claims her spot next to Christopher. I notice how she keeps his eye contact before she continues her little speech.
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"No fighting allowed it's my wedding soon" she looks pointedly at Matthew and he raises his hands in protest.
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"When do I ever cause the trouble" he quips rolling his eyes and pushing his brunette hair back.
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"Here this will do it" she sighs pouring out the remainder of a bottle of wine into her glass. Setting the bottle down on the centre of the table she spins it optimistically. Clearly from his smile it's obvious he finds her playful attitude endearing. Rachel laughs happily and I hold onto Jay closer.
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"Rachel are you excited for the big day" I say in an attempt to distract her as the bottle spins. Jay's hands rub my legs slowly and I breathe in his cologne resting my head back onto his chest.
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"Of course, it's going to be the best day of my entire life" she smiles stealing a glance at Christopher. He is smitten with her, she can do no wrong even as she kisses Ross as part of the game.
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"I will not by the way be participating" I whisper in Jay's ear slowly as his eyes flick up to me curiously. Recognition dawns on him as he looks at me realising that I am telling him that I will not be taking part in any sexual interactions with any of the guys. His hand rubs my hips and wordlessly he seizes my lips in his own.
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"Don't worry me neither" he jokes and I giggle.
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"How's your Brandy darling? Would you like a Brandy espresso" I ask him breathlessly when we part from one another's mouths. It was a cocktail I always used to make him at any party that we went to.
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Jay lifts me up and carries me as I giggle all the way over to the kitchen island, he sets me down on my own two feet looking down at bump and staring briefly. His strong hands hold onto me and I smile up at him. Day by day since his return I feel like I have found him again, the man I fell for and said I do to.
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"Taylor it's your go" Rachel announces from across the room.
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"Busy" I reply cheekily seizing his lips in my own again. She huffs slightly but recovers and continues the game without me.
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"You remember how to make these" I whisper into his mouth as he stares into my eyes enchanted. I rest my palms flat on his chest noticing how the bangle glimmers under the chandelier. Swaying my hips over to the sound system I turn the music up slightly as he watches me move around our kitchen.
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"Of course I do" he whispers when I return to him with the coffee beans. I stand before him and begin brewing the coffee, my hips shimmying to the music. I glance up in his direction and he's transfixed on me, two hands over bump as he holds me closer.
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"Cream, Jay baby" I tell him and he chuckles lightly heading over to the large double fridge and retrieving the double whipped cream. Glancing up briefly I see Matthew kissing Ross and practically blush before setting my eyes resolutely back down onto my coffee mixture.
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"This okay" Jay says setting the cream down and dipping his finger into it. He places it to my lips and I giggle before tasting it off of his finger.
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"More than okay" I mumble turning in his arms to face him.
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"Now let's shake it all together" I tell him as he takes control and swiftly shakes up the mixture in the stainless steel cups. Rachel winks at me from the table and I beckon her with my eyes.
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She paces over to us at the kitchen island and I move her blonde hair behind her ear before I whisper to her that I'm not kissing anybody else.
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"Apart from you of course" I laugh as Jay scoffs rubbing my arms.
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"I'll kiss you and forfeit the others" I tell her and she laughs eyeing me.
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"Go easy on me, my body is all pregnant" I smirk imagining her forfeits involving me getting naked.
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"Oh stop it, you don't have to do anything you don't want to" she smiles reassuringly as I nod gratefully to her. It's a testament to our continually growing friendship that we always look out for one another.
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"Brandy espresso things" Jay announces placing the pitcher on the table and a few martini glasses, I smile watching his bare back as Rachel guides me back over to the table.
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"Wow" Christopher smiles and I nod to him as Rachel pours herself another glass of wine.
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"These are great" Chris laughs sipping the espresso and turning to Jay, they begin conversing about distribution and Jay gives him a run down of the offices in Dubai.
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"Whilst you were away we actually sort of..." Chris begins and my ears tune into their conversation as Rachel smiles over at me briefly and knowingly.
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"Taylor I dare you to remove that robe" she giggles and I oblige knowing that I have my camisole silk night dress underneath.
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"We actually purchased a place here, in Tuscany" he finishes and I smile looking over at Christopher and then Rachel in turn. I drape my robe over the chair and watch the bottle spin before locking eyes with Matthew just briefly. Drinking brandy and watching me is his new norm.
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"Does that mean!?" I exclaim watching Rachel and her broad grin.
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"It means my darling you're not getting rid of me ever, you move to Italy, I follow you" she laughs and I clap my hands as Christopher shows Jay pictures of the property on his iPhone. I smile standing up and wrapping my arms around Rachel as tears fall down my cheeks and she scoffs.
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"Lord you and pregnancy equals tears at every opportunity" she laughs sipping her Prosecco.
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"You're going to live here!?" I say again imagining beach days and coffee mornings. Sharing dinner reservations and having my best friend in the same country as me. It's the final puzzle piece to slot into place and I clasp my hands together looking up at Jay as he rubs my back.
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"Congratulations man" Jay says to Christopher.
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"The property isn't far from here either, around twenty or thirty minute drive" he explains as my eyes rake over the images of their farmhouse. Similar to our own, with terracotta walls and a swanky marble kitchen. I mouth the word babies to Rachel and she snickers.
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"We're practically neighbours" Rachel laughs and I smile wiping my eyes as Matthew looks down into his drink before congratulating them on their new home. Ross with his shirt hanging loosely over his broad shoulders hugs Rachel before pouring himself a cocktail and smiling warmly at me.
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***
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"Shhh I'm not going to do a thing" Matthew whispers as I set the jars of coffee and liqueurs back down in the cellar. The only light that filters through is the residual light from the chandeliers up in the kitchen. Rachel has been escorted up to bed by her fiancée, Jay is checking on our son and I'm supposed to be cleaning up. Well that was my plan until it got gatecrashed by Matthew. I sigh looking down as his hands that travel over bump.
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"This is you doing things" I whisper begging him to stop.
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"Jesus" he whispers as we both feel the kicks on the front of my tummy.
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"That was!?" He asks slowly and I smile turning to face him.
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"It was" I tell him slowly as he grins.
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"Wow" he says as a look of enchantment falls over his eyes. Glancing at him briefly before I turn and pace over to the wine cellar, the dark steps that wind all the way down to the wooden doors. I flick the small switch on and the lights guide me down to the doors.
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"Replenishing the wine has become a thing since Rachel" I tell him and he laughs following me.
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"She drinks a lot huh" he sighs and I shake my head laughing.
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Matthew watches as I move around the cellar retrieving a few bottles that I plan on sneaking through customs for Rachel to take with her. It's a silly notion that my wine is better than anybody else's, but really nothing comes close to authentic Italian red wine in my humble opinion. I glance up at him slowly and an expression of worry falls over his face, I long to make him better. The work I have however put into my marriage is invaluable to me and I will not be messing anything up.
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"What's got you down" I say instead of throwing my arms around him.
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"When you're back here after the wedding, you won't need me anymore" he whispers and I shake my head. Rachel's admission of buying a house out here means that there is no obvious reason for Matthew to be here to help me out. Christopher will always be on hand should Jay have to fly out for a meeting whilst I'm pregnant. It's a factor I had considered instantly when they revealed their plans and I know Matthew did too.
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"You won't need me Taylor" he whispers approaching me as I stand with the bottle of wine in my hands. Concern falls over me as I read his body language, eyes that linger on me.
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"Matthew, I think this is a sign" I tell him and he shakes his head slowly a few stray tears falling loosely down his cheek.
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"Let's not" he says in a choked voice as he approaches me. His physical contact is something that knocks the wind out of me as I stand against the racks of wine and he wraps me up in his arms. Three huge deep breaths before he looks into my eyes and gets himself together.
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"Keep me in the back of your mind" he whispers and I had been sure that we had already said our goodbyes to all of the doomed possibilities of us. But now, I'm sure that this is it.
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"I will Matthew" I say in a reassuring tone as his eyes search my own.
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"Remember Taylor, the house in England" he whispers before kissing my forehead just once more. I commit the moment to memory before I watch him ascend the stone steps away from me.
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