This is only a story, and it contains adult material, which includes sex and intimate descriptive details pertaining to genitalia. If this is likely to offend, then don't read it.

Unfortunately no politicians were injured or killed in the writing of this story, and no one else was either.

If you enjoyed it, then please Email me and tell me. If you hated it, Email me and lie. I will always welcome contact.

tanya_jaya@yahoo.co.uk

The legal stuff.
This work is the property of the author, and the author retains full copyright, in relation to printed material, whether on paper or electronically. Any adaptation of the whole or part of the material for broadcast by radio, TV, or for stage plays or film, is the right of the author unless negotiated through legal contract. Permission is granted for it to be copied and read by individuals, and for no other purpose. Any commercial use by anyone other than the author is strictly prohibited, and may only be posted to free sites with the express permission of the author.

11.

My mother was eventually sentenced to two years, but it took six months to reach the crown court for sentencing. The unfortunate lad, Darren, was given community service, and had to attend a drug rehabilitation unit for six months.

By which time I was now Mrs Emma Roberts, and already pregnant with our first child. I conceived on our honeymoon, and it was quite deliberate on my part. I had tasted fame, I had fortune and I now wanted family. Above everything else, I wanted to be a mother, and I was about as happy as I could get.

Our wedding had been the most fantastic event, and I had to re-run the video to remind myself of everything that happened.

It had been a warm June Saturday, and I woke to the sound of the birds singing in the wisteria outside my bedroom window. I got up and looked out of the window, knowing that it would be for the last time.

Mike and Mary were now all ready to go, and the new vicar was already appointed and would be moving in on the following Friday.

I looked out across the view that had become home to me, and cried a little. It was not out of sadness, but out of a sense of change. I had been so happy since they had taken me in, that wet, bedraggled waif that cold morning all those years ago. They had simply taken me in, no questions asked, and loved me without reservation. I owed them my life.

I had a shower, and slipped on my dressing gown. I went down and found Mary up and busy in the kitchen. We had been very busy for the preceding few days, and the church hall was now prettier than it had ever been.

I had contracted some excellent caterers, and Mary and Joan were eternally grateful that neither of them had to cook.

The wedding was at 2pm, and it was the lull before the storm. I knew exactly where Steve was, and smiled as I watched Mary busy herself about the kitchen.

They were due to leave in the following week, so most of their belongings were in boxes. Much of the furniture was staying, as they were emigrating to New Zealand, and so Mary was just organising everything that was going with them.

I looked at my watch - 8 am. Steve would be meeting the flight from New Zealand as Caroline, her husband and children arrived. I had bought them all tickets, and arranged for them to stay at a super hotel a couple of miles away. They were going to take Mike and Mary with them when they returned, and it was to be a surprise.

I ate my toast, and looked at the paper. There had been mild interest when it was announced that Russell Drysdale had collected his inheritance, and then promptly disappeared. No further information was forthcoming, and the press moved off onto other prey.

In March, shortly after seeing my mother in court, Gwen approached me and offered me a place on the teaching staff at her college. I was actually thrilled and accepted without hesitation. I would be starting after the summer break, and couldn't wait.

Steve and I found a gorgeous farmhouse just outside Mursley, and I had great pleasure in buying it outright, but in joint names. It was just what we wanted, with five bedrooms in the main house, and an annex in one of the converted barns with another self contained four bedrooms and a small kitchen/dining room for self-catering if friends wanted to stay. There was a triple garage, as we both had cars now, and Steve wanted to rebuild a thirty year-old MGB roadster.

I preferred my Mazda MX5, and his Golf took him to work every day.

I immediately arranged for the builders and decorators to move in and improve it to our specifications, which included a small recording studio in one of the converted barns. I also insisted on a nursery just off the main bedroom, and we spent April and May getting the furniture.

I asked Sheri, Pam, Marcie, tall Sally, and Simone to be my bridesmaids, and all accepted. We had a real hoot selecting and fitting the dresses. I chose a very old-fashioned satin and lace dress with a full veil and long train. It was utterly gorgeous, and it fulfilled every dream I had ever had. The girls' dresses were all in gold and pale blue, and they looked stunning.

Marcie emailed across her measurements, and she had just had her second child, she still had a wonderful figure. I hadn't seen her for ages, and was dying to see her children. Both the girls were my Goddaughters, and the photographs were divine. They were all coming over, and Steve had the farmhouse annex ready for them all.

They arrived a week before the wedding, and had taken over the farm.

Steve and I went to Heathrow to meet them in my future father in law's birthday present from me, a new Land Rover Discovery TD5.

I stood in Terminal Four, waiting for them to arrive, and then there was this high-pitched shriek.

“Emma!”

Marcia had arrived.

Ron looked a lot more relaxed and casual. He had been rather stiff at his wedding, and I don't mean in the trouser department, although he probably had been.

Marcia looked utterly fantastic. She had blossomed and motherhood suited her. Ron pushed a toddler in a buggy, and Marcia held a small baby on her hip with practised ease. Both girls were very pretty, just like their mother.

We hugged, and both talked ninety-nine to the dozen from then on.

We packed them all in the car, and drove the hour and a half back home. Marcia fell in love with the farm, as I knew she would, and we were very proud of our home.

Steve was living there all the time, and to be honest, so was I, but tradition dictated that the bride and groom should not spend the night before the wedding together, so we hadn't.

I stopped taking the pill two months ago, and not said anything. I just wanted a child so badly it almost hurt. Steve had just smiled when he found out.

I helped Mary with the lunch, and she was so excited.

“It almost makes up for missing Caroline's wedding,” she said.

“That is sweet of you, but I know that that is one hurt that you will never get over.”

She smiled and sighed.

“No, you are right, but I'd loved to have had them all in the church, just once before we left.”

I smiled and turned away. Mary announced she was going to finish the flowers, and disappeared off to the hall.

I went and put on some jeans and a tee shirt, and my mobile phone rang. It was Steve.

“Hi sweetie. I am about five minutes away,” he said.

“Everything all right?”

“Yes, do they know?”

“Not a clue. Mary is in the Hall doing the flowers and Mike is in the church, so bring them to the house.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

I watched Steve arrive with the Land Rover. He glanced at my window, and I waved. He gave me the thumbs up sign. I saw Caroline alight from the back with one of the children. Her husband Bruce got out and another child followed. They came to the back door, and I raced down to meet them.

Caroline was a little shorter than I, and now looked rather plump, and a good deal older, but I felt that I was looking at the nearest person I had to a sister.

We stood for a second, just looking at each other.

“Hi Caroline, I'm Emma.”

She nodded.

We embraced, and she held onto me so tight, I was rather surprised.

“I can't thank you enough for what you have done. You have saved us,” she said.

“No, they saved me,” I said, and we both had a little cry.

I met her husband and both children. Steve saw Mary coming and gave me a sign, so I sat everyone round the kitchen table, and just sat there as if we were all local friends having a chat.

Mary walked in, carrying a huge bunch of flowers.

“Emma, could you get me a vase for these, please sweetheart?” she said.

“Hello Granny,” said a childish voice of Maryjane.

Mary froze, and lowered the flowers. Then she dropped them and went very white.

I placed a chair behind her, in case, but Caroline was there before me, and just grabbed and hugged her mother.

I sat and watched, as they both wept and laughed at this unexpected and wonderful reunion.

The children jumped on the table, and hugged their grandmother too. I glanced through my tears at Bruce, and saw he was openly crying as well.

After about fifteen minutes, emotions were more or less brought under control, and Mary looked at me.

“Emma, you are so naughty!” she said.

I just smiled. Steve came and put his arm around me.

“She is not naughty, she is just an angel,” he said and kissed me.

“You can say that again,” said a voice from the door.

Marcia and her family had just arrived, and had brought her parents.

“You see Emma, everyone knows the truth,” said Anne, Marcia's mother.

I found everyone looking at me.

“What?” I said.

“Go on, admit it, Emma, you are really an angel, aren't you?” said Marcia.

I looked at Steve, and he just grinned at me. I had told him about their silly notion, and he had simply nodded and said that he understood why they thought that way.

At that moment, Mike chose to walk in.

He stood and stared in complete disbelief at the scenario that met his eyes.

“Hello Daddy,” Caroline said, and he crumpled in front of us.

Steve and I took Marcia and her clan out, and let Mike and Mary have some time with Caroline.

Gradually, the other girls arrived, and we had an early lunch. I was excited, and Steve disappeared to get ready. I went up to my room to change. Mary was with me, and she was crying.

“What's up?” I asked.

“I'm so happy,” she snivelled.

I smiled.

“Did you know they have asked Mike to bless their marriage after your service?”

“Yes. I suggested it,” I said.

She looked at me.

“Emma, are you an angel?” she asked, perfectly seriously.

I smiled.

“I didn't think so, but everyone is trying to convince me that I am.”

She smiled, and came and gave me a hug.

“It is just ever since you came into our lives, everything changed, and got better. I was speaking to Marcia and her mother, and they said the same thing. Even Caroline thinks you are.”

“Sometimes we are used by a higher power,” I said. “Besides, you have done the same for me. You know that you are really my mother, don't you?” I said, and she burst into tears again.

I finished dressing despite the tears.

Mary stood back and looked at me.

“You are such a beautiful girl. Are you happy?”

I nodded.

“Absolutely.”

She hugged me.

“I will miss you.”

“I'll come and visit you all, often,” I said.

“I know. But thank you.”

I smiled.

“We both met each other's need's. You gave me love and were a mother to me when I desperately needed one. So it is only fair that I be your daughter.”

“I couldn't have wished for a better one,” she said, and we had a final hug, and she went to change.

I went downstairs and found the girls all waiting in the dining room for me. They were stunning in their dresses, the garlands of flowers in their hair were wonderful, and they all told me that I looked a beautiful bride.

It only took me a couple of minutes to walk over to the church, but it was like a marathon. By the time I got to the door, I was shaking like a leaf, and Mike appeared.

He smiled at me, and I wished he was my real father. Mary fussed about with my train, and then looked at me.

“This is the first time I have given away the bride, and married her,” he said with a chuckle.

“Mike, words cannot ever hope to express the thanks I have for what you both did for me. I owe you both my life,” I said.

“Then, lets call that quits,” he said, and the organ started. Mary kissed my cheek, went in and sat next to her daughter, at the front on the bride's side.

I took Mike's proffered arm, and began my last walk as Emma Pearson.

The church was full.

I recognised many of Steve's family and friends, and there were all my friends from the Teesdale College, not least Gwen herself. There was a large contingent of police officers, with Ron and others. I just smiled and felt as if I was walking on air. I saw Steve turn and look at me from up by the altar rail.

His smile coincided with a shaft of sunlight, and I smiled back, but I realised that he probably couldn't see me under my veil.

Mike handed me over, and then took the place of his friend, the vicar of the next parish, who covered the beginning bit.

It all went very smoothly, and we made our responses, I held him tightly, and then Mike asked that dreadful question, “Is there anyone here present who can give any just cause why these two should not be wed?”

Mercifully, there was no reply, we were pronounced man and wife, and I wore my ring with joy and pride.

I lifted my veil from my face, and we kissed. I felt all light-headed, and totally convinced that I was doing the right thing. I loved this man with all my heart, and all my soul.

We went and signed the register, and then we returned for a short, but even more moving ceremony, as Caroline and Bruce had their marriage blessed by Mike. Steve and I stood next to them as witnesses, and then we were all out into the sunshine for the photographs.

“I love you, Mrs Roberts,” Steve said, kissing me.

“I love you too, Mr Roberts,” I replied.

The day went so fast, that I can hardly remember much. The speeches were short and funny, by my decree. However, there was so much charged emotion, that there was hardly a dry eye in the house at some points.

Mike actually gave a speech, it was short, but he made his wife, his daughter and me cry several times.

He ended up thus:

“It is rare in a man's life to be permitted a glimpse of heaven, so it is with great pleasure and humility that I can make such a claim.

“A few years ago, a young waif came to us in tragic circumstances. Her short life a catalogue of misery, loneliness and disaster. She came to us when we were at the lowest point in our lives, and our family was so split that every day was an effort to struggle through.

“With this waif came a free and wonderful spirit, which touched everyone she met. She brought sunshine where only dark clouds existed, she brought colour where there was none. She brought laughter where there were only tears, and joy where there was sorrow.

“Such was her impact on this family, that I have now blessed the marriage of my prodigal daughter, and I have witnessed the congregation of my little church grow from less than thirty to nearly eighty people. I have had witnesses come forward to testify to her magical charm, and I know several people who are convinced she is an angel sent amongst us, to save us from ourselves.

“It has been a joy and a privilege to have been part of your life, and to watch everything you touch turn into blossom and joy, from the deepest depths of my heart, Emma, I thank you.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, my daughter, the angel, Mrs Emma Roberts.”

I was crying so much, I could hardly see, but I saw everyone rise and toast, “Emma, the angel.”

There was hardly a dry eye in the house, and it took several minutes for us to recover.

I had had enough, and I stood, which was not planned. I took the microphone, and was going to have my reply.

“Friends, and new family,” I said.

“The waif will speak!” shouted Marcia, and there was some laughter.

“I have sat here and heard everyone say such wonderful things about me, and it is making me cry a little, but it is also making me slightly nauseous.

“Marcia and her mother have accused me of being an angel, and now my husband and adopted father are doing the same. I am flattered and pleased that I come over as such a heavenly being, but in truth, I know that I am not an angel.

“But, what is an angel?” I asked, and paused.

“An angel is a heavenly creature, whose sole purpose is to serve God, and help men when they are in trouble,” I paused again, and Marcia interrupted.

“Everything you've said, I agree with, and I still think you are an angel!” she said, and there were many nods of agreement and laughter.

I laughed, but felt frustrated, I knew what I wanted to say, and it was not coming out right.

“If I were an angel, then I should be able to make something miraculous happen on such a day as today. But what has happened is wonderful, but hardly miraculous. I see a family reunited, I see friends gathered and differences forgotten and forgiven. You have done this, not me. Two wonderful people, who dragged me from the pits of despair, and helped me become the person I am today, took me in. I am mortal, I feel pain and sorrow, I feel joy and can laugh, I am not an angel, but I feel very humble that some of you see me as such. But in truth, Mike and Mary are the real angels. Moreover, without them, none of us would be here today.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Mike and Mary.”

After the toasts, we cut the cake, and the party began.

I sat and chatted with everyone I could. Pam and her dweeb, Paul, who was now her fiancé, were having a great time. Pam took me aside.

“Emma, I thought your speech was great.”

“Thanks Pam.”

“But I don't buy it.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“I don't know what you did that time you first met Paul, but he is a completely different bloke.”

“Huh?” I said, completely baffled.

“You know he came second in a top class rally, and MG Rover have just sponsored him to drive for their new team?”

“Good for him. No, I didn't know. But what is that to do with me?”

“You did something to him, that night. He took me home, and he was quite quiet all the way back, then he turned to me and said, ‘Pam, I have been a real drongo. I am so sorry, I should have told you that you look so pretty and your dress is stunning, but I was so worried about being a prat, that I was one naturally. I was so proud that you came with me, and I think I love you.' He then kissed me in a way he had never ever kissed me before, and he has been like that ever since.

“He encouraged me to go to back to college, and then to take courses in massage and fitness, and even to have other boyfriends, but, I came back to him, and he is just wonderful. Therefore, you can deny it all you want, but I know the truth. And thanks, he is gorgeous.”

I looked at her and shook my head sadly, but with a smile.

“Pam, I am so pleased, but I didn't do anything, he just opened his eyes.”

“Yeah, right,” she said, and gave me a hug. “Whatever you say, Emma, whatever you say.”

Steve came over, and grabbed me round the waist.

“Hiya wife,” he said.

“Hello husband,” I said, and kissed him.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Nothing,” I said.

“She is an angel, isn't she Steve?” Pam asked.

“Of course. But don't tell anyone, she hates anyone knowing,” he said, and I hit him.

“Ow. I deserved that, thank you, O Angelic one, for correcting me,” he said, and I pulled my fist back again.

Marcia came over, having overheard.

“Pam, she definitely is, I can prove it,” she said.

“Marcia, no. Please.”

Marcia looked at me.

“Then you have to tell me the truth, you know those secrets you said you would tell me, or otherwise I am going to spill the beans about my miracle.”

“That's blackmail,” I said, and Steve grinned.

“Steve, do something.”

He held up both hands, palms towards me.

“This is your fight, my love, you got into this, so you have to get out of it.”

“But tell her that I'm not an angel, please.”

He looked right into my eyes.

“I can't. Because to me, you are.”

“Steve!” I said, frustrated.

“Well?” asked Marcia.

I took her by the arm, and led her to the bench by the churchyard. We sat down.

“Marcia, you know that night when the miracle happened for you?”

“I'll never forget it. So?”

“I went through exactly the same thing a few weeks before you.”

She stared at me.

“No. You couldn't have. You could never have been a boy.”

“How do you think I knew how you felt? Because I'd been there. I was at a boys public school, and was as miserable as you. Only my mother hated me, and was to try to bump me off a few weeks later.”

She stared at me, shaking her head.

I told her the whole story, leaving nothing out.

“You're Russell Drysdale, the missing millionaire?”

“No, I am Mrs. Emma Roberts, the multi-million heiress. I was Russell Drysdale, in another life.”

“And Steve knows?”

I nodded.

“How many others?”

“Mike, Mary. Steve, Ron Higgins the policeman, and my solicitor.”

“And you trust me that much?”

“Marcia, you are the sister I never had,” I said, and she burst into tears and hugged me for all I was worth.

“I knew I was right asking you to be Godmother to my children,” she said with a grin. “Now I know they will get super presents.”

We laughed, and she continued to shake her head.

“What?” I asked.

“I don't care, to me you will always be an angel. So, just accept it,” she said, kissed my cheek, and dragged me back to the party.

There was a subtle change, as some of the older generation drifted away at about eight o'clock, and the disco started. I went and changed into a skirt and top, and felt pleased to be out of my dress. It was lovely, but hardly practical, and I had eaten nothing for fear of spilling food down it. I helped myself to a huge plate of food, and Steve joined me.

“Ready?”

“For what?” I asked.

“Your honeymoon.”

I smiled.

“You have kept it a secret, I can wait a little longer,” I said.

His car was on the drive, absolutely covered in the usual wedding rubbish. Cans and boots, crazy foam and duct tape, the car was a riot of crap.

He looked up, and I saw the lights of an aircraft approaching. Closer and closer, it came, and then it dawned on me, it was a helicopter.

“Go get your case, my love, for your carriage has arrived.”

I ran and got my case, and when I came down, Mike and Mary were waiting with Steve.

“We just want to say goodbye. Emma, we…” Mike broke off, tears streaming down his face. Mary was crying too.

I hugged them both. Words were unnecessary, and would never cover what we wanted to say.

“Enjoy New Zealand. And we will come and have Christmas with you.”

“We'd like that,” Mary said.

“That is if they will let me fly,” I said, and they all frowned.

“Why?”

“Because I will probably be about six months pregnant by then,” I said.

Steve stared at me with an open mouth, and I laughed.

“No, I'm not, but after tonight, who knows?” I said.

“Oh, Mike, this is for you,” I said, thrusting an envelope into his hands.

The helicopter landed in the adjoining field, we dashed over to it, and I was helped in. We circled the crowd a couple of times, and I dropped my bouquet. Pam caught it, and I smiled. We then headed for the airport.

“What did you give Mike?” Steve asked.

“The deeds of a cottage in New Zealand, just fifteen minutes away from Caroline. I asked Bruce to find it, and I bought it. It was the least I could do.”

Tanya Allen

© 5 December 2004