Chapter 8 Heathrow
The drive to Heathrow took nothing more than forty minutes, I knew that because I counted.
Intentionally.
In the last five years, I let things pass through my eyes without doing anything with special moments, I didn't exactly live, I just sat somewhere there, counting time pass.
Because my dreams didn't seem valid enough, and I was basking under the mirage that I had everything I'd ever need.
But not anymore, I would make the best of every time I have onwards, let the universe reward my efforts.
I'll go back to the dreams I once had, about a future so bright, and a name that gingered admiration from all and Sunday.
My gaze drifted out the window, London looked grey through the lenses, and the sky didn't seem to care about what I've been through.
The city too, it looked less bothered, with the black cabs, the sleek modern vehicles, narrow roads and people walking about clad in coats, and a lot going through their minds.
Although everyone here looked unbothered, I was already loving the landscape, nobody here would care enough to know me, worse off as Ethan’s ex wife.
My weight too, no one here was familiar enough to have an opinion about it,so this was a clean slate in disguise.
I pressed my face closer to the glass, and shut my eyes, allowing the thoughts to settle in somewhere there.
“Nobody here knows me, or has an opinion about my life.”
And for the first time in days, that really felt like a gift, like something I'd spend forever searching for was suddenly handed over to me with no conditions.
I leaned back into the seat, and yawned, my hands finding my stomach in the protective way it's been doing so often lately.
The driver and two men on my side were mute, confirming the fact that they were employed to protect, and not get involved in personal business.
Maybe that's what I actually needed, the silence away from my life and everything that was resting ahead.
But each time, my mind kept bringing me back to where I started from, my own problems.
The baby.
Would Dr. Lane still take me in knowing that I was expecting a baby?
‘Come of it Liana' my subconscious mind scolded, and I shook my head.
I've known her long enough to know who she really was, so why was I jumping into stupid conclusions?
I felt intense gaze on myself, and taking my gaze up, I sighted the driver staring at me from the rear view mirror, with a look that whispered.
‘Are you okay?’
Of course I wasn't, and although soon enough I'd be, I wasn't sure how soon.
But who's this guy, and why's he staring at me?
With my gaze still fixed on the rare view I mumbled. “You're staring too much.”
“I'm sorry ma'am.” He replied, looking away.
The car finally turned through iron gates, and started up a long driveway. I sat up immediately, with different thoughts running through my mind, especially anxiety.
I really wanted to see Dr. Lane again, it's been ages already.
The last time we met was at my wedding, she was genuinely concerned, and now that I think about it, the whole idea of my getting married to Ethan didn't really sit well with her from the beginning.
But she didn't try to stop me, or encourage me against the wedding, instead she let her thoughts remain opinions, until I was certain that I no longer wanted to be in the marriage.
Snapping myself out of my head, I looked around the mansion, allowing myself to admire the beauty that lived in this magnificent mansion.
The water fountain, a huge white stone, huge windows, ivy on one side that looked like it had been there longer than most marriages I knew, and a couple of guards standing around with stiff faces.
Everything here was classy, and perfect, reeking of old money and actual wealth.
I really don't intend to compare, but honestly… This was way bigger than the D’Arden estate. I was still admiring the beauty when something loosened in my chest.
The front door opened and at that exact moment, the driver pulled up in front of the mansion, just behind the fountain.
Felicity came down the stairs in an emerald green dress, her hair although in a messy bun, it had more silver than the last time I'd seen her.
She flashed me a wide smile, looking exactly like a woman who had been through fire and decided to become the flame instead.
“Oh my…Liana.”
Before I could hold back, a tear slid down my face. “Dr. Lane”
Moving closer to me, she engulfed me in the warmth of her arms. “You're here now.”
She wasn't one to cry over spilled milk, or go around sharing sympathy, or even trying to get a piece of it too.
“You didn't lose anything that was truly yours..” She mumbled, and I sighed, hoping that I could say the same some day, without feeling like I was the one really at loss.
“Good Morning, Dr. Lane.” I said, the moment we broke the hug.
“Morning Child.” She replied, the amused grin not leaving her face. “Look how much you've grown?”
My face heated.
“And you too… you look really beautiful and ethereal.” I replied, although still not finding the exact words I wanted to use.
She turned her head playfully. “I know right? This woman right here has been very intentional about taking care of herself.”
“It's beautiful.” I mumbled, knowing that she was passing a cryptic message across to me.
Of course I got the message, and I certainly was going to take care of myself, and my baby when it eventually comes.
“Thank you.” She turned to my bags, and the driver who was still standing on the side, and said something I didn't quite get, to him.
“Take her bags to her room.” She said, and a woman I didn't realize was there the whole time, stepped forward. I assumed she was the housekeeper, as she nodded and disappeared inside, returning with two robed maids.
Dr. Lane held my hand, and nudged at me, leading me into the house.
And as I walked by her side, I didn't know what lived on the other side, and certainly wasn't expecting anything, but I knew for a fact that my life was about to change.