Return to the Bay

[Annette]

This is a great fanfic, just one thing though - isn't it Steven rather than Stephen?

[Skykat]

This is a great fanfic, just one thing though - isn't it Steven rather than Stephen?

Probably but Stephen doesn't cause me half as much hassle with the spell checker so it's just easier to spell it that way!

[ldscott]

Thanks for the chapter!

Can't believe selina has finished with steve, seems a bit harsh!

Please update soon!

[Jazer]

“Not as devastated as I’ll be if the truth ever comes out!”

“Well maybe you should have thought about that when you separated a mother from her child,” Katherine snapped.

“Don’t you dare to lecture me. I did what I did because I felt I had to. I was a different person back then but I’ve changed now. People respect me and I will not lose that respect. You will keep your mouth shut or so help me I’ll shut it for you.”

“Are you threatening me?” Katherine demanded.

“More like warning you. Don’t cross me Katherine, you will live to regret it.”

“I already regret getting involved with you. It was evil, what you did,” Katherine told her.

“I remember you were paid quite handsomely for your trouble.”

“Maybe I was, but that doesn’t make it right. The Taylors were a nice couple though, I thought they’d really look after Belle,” Katherine explained.

“Belle Taylor? The child’s name is Belle Taylor?”

“Yes, that’s what I said, why?” Katherine asked, watching as her companion’s face drained of all colour. “Do you know the girl?”

“Know her? She’s my nephew’s girlfriend!” came the terse reply

“Oh dear," Katherine struggled to hide her smirk, "at least she doesn’t know who you are though,” she recovered, quickly.

“For your sake you had better hope she never does!”

“Understood Judge Bellingham,” was Katherine’s sarcastic reply.

Oh cool. So it looks like Bobby Simpson is Belle's mum (But I could be wrong). I can't believe Morag would do that but I guess she was a different person back then. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

See what happens when you lie to someone you love Steven. Hopefully he and Selina will sort things out.

I'm sure Peter will help Angel as he is not the type of person to run away from his problems!! Ohh trouble in paradise for Cassie/Lucas/Maddie/Dylan!!

Overall great job SKYKAT!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

Jarad

[Skykat]

I'm still experimenting with the Belle storyline at this stage so who knows what might happen. The next few chapters are on their way, it probably won't be until after the weekend now but I'll try and post a few chapters at once to make up for it. Thanks everyone for still reading and reviewing.xx

[I love music]

I'm still experimenting with the Belle storyline at this stage so who knows what might happen. The next few chapters are on their way, it probably won't be until after the weekend now but I'll try and post a few chapters at once to make up for it. Thanks everyone for still reading and reviewing.xx

I don't know a Belle (not being a H&A viewer anymore ) but looking forward to your updates. Especially the Kane/Kirsty/Gus and Steven/Selina/Joey parts.

[Skykat]

Two for the price of one today and there'll be more in a few days. Thanks to Jess my awesome proof reader who battled exhaustion to proof these for me. You rock girl!

CHAPTER FORTY NINE

“You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant,” Angel repeated “And before you ask, yes it is yours.”

“I would never of asked you that,” Peter replied.

“You’d probably have thought it though, after all, we barely know each other,” Angel replied, her tone bitter and defensive and Peter felt she was gearing up for a fight.

“How do you feel about it?” he asked her, Angel took a deep breath.

“At first I was shocked obviously, surprised, angry with myself, angry with you. Did you know I gave Dylan up when he was born?” she demanded suddenly, Peter shook his head.

“It was Shane, doing community service at the police station, he discovered my secret and when we finally got together he urged me to try and find Dylan, he helped me do it. I went through hell to get my baby back and then I very nearly lost him, he had leukaemia, needed a bone marrow transplant and I realised how much I loved him. I even considered sleeping with his Dad Paul, to get pregnant in the hope the baby would be a match for him but before I could go through with it I realised I was pregnant with Shane’s baby.” Angel avoided eye contact with Peter, focusing her gaze instead in the beach.

“I’m ashamed now, of ever thinking I could give Dylan up, I love him so much and I love Shane, my beautiful little girl. It was different when I found out I was pregnant with her, Dylan was so sick and I did consider terminating the pregnancy but at the same time I was overjoyed and Shane, he was so happy. I couldn’t go through with it and when it came down to it, I didn’t want to. So you see both my children I could quite easily have given up and if I had I’d still be regretting it now. I can’t give this baby up, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to have anything to do with it, I’ll not tell anyone it’s yours, I’ll leave the Bay even. I don’t expect you to get involved, I don’t need you or want you but I am not giving this baby up!”

“I’m sorry Angel…” Peter began but Angel glared at him furiously.

“I don’t want to hear it Peter, I hope you and Leah will be very happy together.” With that she was on her feet storming up the beach, away from him. Peter knew he should go after her but he felt too stunned to even move. Angel was pregnant, with his baby but she did not want him to have anything to do with it. Peter had never considered being a Dad but to be told he was going to be one but wouldn’t get to do it properly had completely floored him and the feeling is his stomach that was overwhelming him was one of complete and utter devastation.

“Here you go girlie, home sweet home,” Irene welcomed Tasha back to the beach house.

“Thanks Reenie, it’s good to be back,” she replied, “Hi Selina.” Selina sat staring into space on the couch and showed no sign that she had even noticed their presence. Tasha looked at Irene with a questioning look in her eyes, Irene shrugged.

“How about you go put your stuff in your room hey?” she suggested to Tasha with a pointed look at Selina.

“Sure,” Tasha replied, heading into her room.

“Right girlie,” Irene announced, sitting herself beside Selina, “spill.”

“Spill what?” Selina whispered.

“Whatever the blazes is wrong with that ugly mug of yours. You ignored Tash just then and you barely even noticed I was here, I thought you were going to be helping me with this party. Where’s Stephen got to?” Irene demanded.

“He’s gone,” Selina replied,

“Gone? What do you mean, gone? Gone where?”

“To Sally’s I think. I threw him out,” Selina explained.

“And why in gawd’s name would you wanna do a crazy thing like that?” irene demanded.

“He lied to me Irene. He deliberately kept the fact that Joey was awake from me and he made you lie too. Barry told me and before you go getting mad at him, it wasn’t his fault; he thought I knew,” Selina explained.

“Oh love he was only doing what he thought was best, he didn’t want to upset you,” Irene soothed.

“I’m more upset now than I would ever have been if I’d have known Joey was awake,” Selina insisted, “He doesn’t want me to have anything to do with Joey, he’s only thinking of himself.”

“Now you know that’s not true. Stephen loves you and you know it, don’t you think you might be over-reacting a little bit?” Irene suggested.

“No I don’t Irene, he lied to me.”

“Yeah but throwing him out? Why don’t you just talk to him?”

“He promised that he would never lie to me. When Tommy died, he tried to protect me then by lying. I found out, and he swore to me that he would never lie to me again, for whatever reason. But he did, so how can I trust him now? Maybe I am over-reacting, but I’ve got such a feeling of déjà vu…Stephen lying to me, it’s like a sign that something bad is going to happen, to me or my baby,” Selina attempted to explain.

“I think you’re being a little paranoid here love, it’s a completely different situation and nothing bad is going to happen. Trust me girlie, that poor bloke loves you so much, you should have seen him when you were missing, he was devastated. I don’t blame him for wanting to protect you, jeez I’m surprised he’s not doing more,” Irene told her.

“You think I’m being stupid?” Selina asked.

“Yeah girlie I do. I think you’d be crazy to throw away what you two have because of a stupid mistake. Yeah he lied to you, yeah you flipped and you had every reason too but you need to make it up with him. Do you really want to be here and have him living at Sal’s?” Irene asked her, Selina shook her head, “so go make up with him then.”

“I’m sorry Irene.” Selina burst into noisy sobs and Irene pulled her into her arms and stroked her hair.

“It’s okay girlie but it’s not me you need to be apologising to, you know that don’t yer?” And Selina admitted, still sobbing, that she did.

“Dylan I…” Angel threw open the front door of the house intending to talk to her son and was completely taken aback to see Matilda wearing Dylan’s shirt over her denim skirt and lying on the sofa in his arms.

“Hi Mum,” he greeted her sheepishly.

“Hello Mrs Parrish,” Matilda said shyly.

“Hello Matilda,” Angel replied, giving her still topless son a pointed glare. “I think I’d better get going, I’ll see you soon Dylan.” Matilda took the hint, squeezed his hand and stood up.

“If you don’t want your Mum to get suss you might want to give the shirt back,” Angel told her and Matilda brushed to the roots of her hair.

“Mum!” Dylan warned.

“I’m just saying, I don’t want Beth Hunter coming round here trying to beat the life out of my only son,” she replied. Matilda put the shirt on the sideboard and left the house in a hurry.

“Mum you were well out of order, you completely humiliated her!” Dylan snapped as the front door banged shut behind her.

“What’s she doing here Dylan? I thought she had a boyfriend,” Angel demanded.

“They split up,” Dylan replied.

“Right, and does he know you moved in there so quickly? I thought you were friends with him?”

“I am, well I was. Lucas walked in on us today, him and Cassie. Let's just say they didn’t take it too well so I could really do without a lecture from you as well. Poor Matilda was really upset,” Dylan explained.

“Poor Matilda should have had a bit more consideration of other people’s feelings. Why the hell can’t you get yourself a nice, decent, single girl without complications? Why do they always have to be bad news or involved with someone else and why do things always have to move so fast with you? Didn’t you learn anything from what happened with Natasha in England?” Angel demanded, furiously.

“That’s really unfair. You know how upset I was about the Natasha stuff and for your information Matilda is a nice, decent, single girl and I really like her. Lucas will come round and in the meantime I have no intention of giving her up. You can’t help who you fall for and while we’re on the subject I want some answers from you, like why exactly Peter’s moved out?” Dylan shot back. Angel sank to the couch, defeated and to Dylan’s horror she started to sob. “Mum! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout at you, what is it?” Dylan sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed.

“I’m sorry babe, sorry I was nasty to Matilda, she is a nice girl. I just don’t want to see you get hurt and I’d hate to have another Natasha situation. I’m sorry I shouted at you, I have no right,” Angel sobbed.

“Of course you have the right, you’re my mother,” Dylan soothed.

“No I don’t. Here’s me lecturing you about getting into messy relationships when what I’ve done is far worse,” Angel told him.

“I knew it, I knew something was up. It’s about Peter isn’t it? Come on Mum, we’ve always been honest with each other and it’s a long time since you hid things from me so how about you tell me what’s going on and I might be able to help,” Dylan suggested.

“I can’t, you’ll be ashamed of me,” Angel sobbed.

“As if that’s possible, come on out with it,” he urged. Angel took a deep breath and turned her head away, not wanting to see her son’s reaction.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

“Pregnant?” Dylan was floored, “And it’s…”

“Peter’s,” Angel supplied.

“I knew it! I knew you were more than just friends!” Dylan exclaimed excitedly.

“No it’s not like that, it was just the once, I was upset. We’re not together,” Angel replied.

“Why not? Mum you’re having his baby and it’s blatantly obvious to everyone that you’re meant to be together so why not?” Dylan asked.

“Because he doesn’t want me,” Angel replied.

“How do you know? Have you asked him? Does he even know about the baby?”

“Yes and he doesn’t want to know,” Angel replied.

“Did he say that?” Dylan asked, surprised.

“Well not in so many words, I didn’t really give him chance. Besides, he’s in love with Leah, not me,” Angel replied.

“Leah? His brother’s wife?” Dylan asked incredulously.

“Dylan you can’t say anything, I didn’t mean to tell you but you understand now why I know he doesn’t love me,” Angel told him.

“And you love him?” Dylan asked and Angel could only nod sadly.

Matilda entered the Hunter/Holden house quietly. She could hear her mother and Tony talking in the kitchen and she did not particularly want to face them just yet. Certainly not when she was pretty sure her make-up was still smeared all over her face. Besides she didn’t know where Lucas was or if he’d told them anything so she was pretty keen to avoid him too.

“Matilda sweets where have you been, you’ve missed dinner.” Beth’s friendly voice was about the last thing Matilda wanted to hear.

“Oh I was just at a friend’s, just going to take a quick shower,” she lied, heading towards the bedroom without looking at either of them.

“Why don’t you tell the truth for a change?” Matilda turned to see a furious Lucas standing behind her. She sent him a pleading look but the look on his face told her that it would be useless.

“Lucas what’s got into you?” Tony demanded.

“Me? You should be asking what’s got into her, or more like who,” Lucas spat.

“Shut up will you!” Matilda snapped.

“Matilda!” Beth warned.

“Why don’t you ask her where she’s really been Beth?” Lucas demanded.

“Matilda, sweets, what’s he talking about?” Beth asked in her typical calm but quizzical manner.

“I think he’s a bit upset because I was at Dylan’s house,” Matilda replied.

“What’s wrong with that?” Beth wanted to know.

“She wasn’t just in his house when Cassie and I arrived, it was more like his bed,” Lucas snarled.

“Lucas!” Tony looked at him, disgusted.

“That’s right take her side. We’ve been split up all of a few days and she’s climbing into bed with somebody I thought was a good mate! But you defend her why don’t you Dad!” Lucas stormed out of the house furiously.

“Is this true?” Beth asked, shocked. Tears had begun to appear in the corner of Matilda’s eyes.

“It’s not how he said…” she began.

“Then how about telling me how it is hey?” Beth asked calmly. Matilda looked away, unable to meet her mother’s eyes. “Now,” Beth added in a much firmer tone.

“I think I’ll go check on Luke,” Tony remarked before bolting from the house as a livid Beth turned to her daughter for answers and Matilda put her head in her hands.

“Here’s the food Irene,” Kirsty placed some boxes on the kitchen counter and then watched with a smile as Kane struggled with double the amount she had had to carry.

“Gawd save us, do they think we’re feeding the whole of flipping Australia?” Irene demanded with a grin.

“Funny you ask that because the way Colleen was going on you’d reckon some pretty important people were coming,” Kane replied.

“What like me you mean?” Tasha emerged from the bedroom, smiling happily and was greeted with hugs from Kane and Kirsty.

“It’s good to have you home,” Kane told her.

“It’s good to be home,” she replied with a smile.

“So are we going to get cracking then? I thought Selina and Stephen would have done most of the decorating by now,” Kirsty remarked.

“Don’t ask,” Irene replied.

“Can I help?” Tasha offered.

“Sure girlie, why don’t you start putting the food away with me and you two can see to the deckies, that’s if you can leave each other alone for a second,” Irene told Kirsty and Kane who were exchanging butterfly kisses.

“I’m sure we could manage a second,” Kane replied.

“One,” Kirsty counted and then kissed him again.

“Enough! Gawd haven’t I got enough on my plate!” Irene headed into the kitchen with a smiling Tasha hot on her heels.

“The party will be good tonight,” Kirsty remarked as she took out the welcome home banner that Stephen had discarded earlier.

“Yeah,” Kane replied, a far away look coming over his face.

“Babe what is it?” Kirsty asked.

“It’s just this stuff with my Dad. I can’t settle with it hanging all over us, I just have this sneaking suspicion he’s up to something,” Kane told her.

“Babe we know he’s up to something, he’s trying to frame you with the police. It’s just that he doesn’t know we’re working with them,” Kirsty replied.

“But what about when he does realise Kirst? He’s not going to let it lie. I just can’t see this mess ever really being over with. He has far too much power,” Kane confided.

“Don’t talk like that,” Kirsty begged.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to upset you, I’m sorry,” Kane said sincerely.

“I know but will you trust me that everything’s going to be okay?” Kirsty asked.

“Yeah I trust you,” Kane told her. And he meant it but he didn’t trust his father, not by a long stretch and there was no way at all he believed this situation would ever be okay.

CHAPTER FIFTY

“Well Matilda, I’m waiting.” Beth’s voice was still calm and even but it also had it’s too familiar ‘don’t mess with me’ pitch to it.

“I don’t know what to say,” Matilda admitted.

“So you were at Dylan’s?” Beth asked, Matilda nodded, “and you two are together now?”

“I didn’t mean to upset Lucas, it just sort of happened. I really did love Lucas but there wasn’t the same spark as there is with Dylan. He makes me feel so special,” Matilda explained.

“Oh Mattie, I’m worried about you. From what Angel was saying he was a right tearaway in England, a real heartbreaker, always going from one girl to another,” Beth cautioned.

“It’s different this time Mum, he really does like me,” Matilda protested.

“I know you’re the same age sweets but you’ve only really had one serious boyfriend and you and Lucas didn’t, you know…” Beth trailed off.

“No we didn’t,” Matilda supplied, understanding full well what her mother meant.

“But from what I’ve heard Dylan has, with more than one girl. He’s so much more experienced than you Mattie and I don’t want you getting hurt,” Beth told her.

“I’m not going to be. Dylan didn’t pressure me at all, it was actually me who instigated everything, I wanted it. It just felt right,” Matilda explained, blushing at having to say such things in front of her mother.

“But you hardly know him,” Beth cautioned.

“I know enough. He was a different person in England because he was so unhappy, that’s why he rebelled. He’s different here, more relaxed. He’s told me stuff that he never told anybody, dropped all his barriers, trusted me. And I trust him too, I know stuff about him, stuff that he’d never want anyone to know and he’s so guarded he never would have told me any of that if he didn’t really care for me. He’d be too scared that I’d blab on him. Besides, I can talk to him, I can tell him anything. Not like Lucas who kept everything in, Dylan’s so honest. I really, really like him Mum,” Matilda told her.

“Oh Mattie, I can’t possibly be happy about this. You and Lucas were so cautious, taking your time over things and that was great, sensible. We knew Lucas, we trusted him not to hurt you, but Dylan…”

“But don’t you see? It never happened with Lucas because it wasn’t right. We were waiting and waiting for the time to be right but it never came because we weren’t right for each other. Dylan is right for me, he makes me feel so safe and loved, I’ve never had that before. Please can you try and understand? At least try and get to know him,” Matilda pleaded.

“Oh sweets I don’t know. It’s all a bit difficult, I have a loyalty to Lucas as well you know,” Beth told her.

“I know that but Lucas will come round. He knows the same as I do that me and him weren’t right together. It’s not as if I cheated on him, we split up by mutual agreement, as much Lucas’s decision as mine, maybe more so. Lucas really liked Dylan and Dylan refused to get involved with me in case it hurt him,” Matilda explained.

“Yeah, he tried real hard,” Beth replied, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

“No Mum it was me. I pushed it, not Dylan. He didn’t want to hurt Lucas, he tried to shut me out but I wouldn’t let him, please don’t take this out on him,” Matilda begged.

“I can’t say I’m happy with this situation sweets, how can I be?” Beth demanded.

“Because I’m happy? I’ve never been this happy, please Mum.”

“Okay sweetie just be careful will you and be wary of Lucas’s feelings,” Beth urged.

“I will Mum, thanks,” Matilda promised, wrapping her arms around Beth’s neck in a strong hug.

“Come on then, we better be getting ready for this party at Irene’s, do you know what you’re wearing?” Beth asked.

“No but there’s a few things I could try, will you tell me what you think?” Matilda asked.

“Sure sweets,” Beth replied. As Matilda headed to her room to try on clothes Beth sank down on the couch. How was she possibly supposed to be happy at her youngest daughter sleeping with a guy she barely knew? Matilda was obviously besotted with him but from what Beth had heard, from his own mother no less, most girls were and he continuously hurt them. In her mind there was only one answer, she would have to challenge Dylan about the situation.

“Stephen you can’t just stay home, you need to at least attempt to make it up with Selina,” Sally urged from the kitchen.

“I have attempted, she doesn’t want to know,” Stephen replied.

“Well try again. Look Pippa’s crying now and I need to start getting ready but I really think you should come,” Sally urged, heading upstairs.

“You should go Stephen, it’ll be a good party. Do you like my dress?” Cassie twirled around in a white, sheerless dress that clung to every fibre of her body leaving very little to the imagination.

“Yeah, great,” Stephen replied, not quite sure where to look.

“Is it true that you got together with Selina when she was at school? Do you have a thing for schoolgirls?” Cassie whispered in a husky voice, bending down close to him.

“That’s none of your business, you need to learn some respect girl. I love my Selina, I always did, and the fact she was at school had nothing to do with it,” Stephen snapped.

“That’s good to hear.” Stephen spun round on hearing Selina’s voice at the door.

“Sel!”

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like playing with dolls?” Selina spat sarcastically at Cassie.

“Just remember that in a few weeks I’ll be back at school and Stephen here will be my own personal teacher, just like he was with you,” Cassie retorted before skipping off to her room.

“She is trouble, poor Sal’s got her hands full there,” Selina remarked.

“Selina, I’m so sorry,” Stephen told her.

“Yeah I know you are. Do you understand why I was so upset though?” she asked.

“Of course, it’s the Tommy stuff, I promised never to lie to you, even to protect you. I’m so sorry I just acted, I didn’t think. I love you so much,” Stephen told her.

“I know and I love you too, that’s why it hurts when you betray me like this. I know I over-reacted throwing you out but you did really upset me,” Selina explained.

“I know but there’s not much else I can say is there? I’m sorry, I love you. I’ll make an effort with Joey, I’ll do anything to have you back, please just give me another chance,” Stephen begged.

“Of course you get another chance, I love you too and you’re the only person who makes me feel safe right now. Besides which, our baby needs a family, but you’ve got to understand that Joey’s family too. He was like a brother to me and he was sick, he never meant to hurt me, he’s so sorry now. You’d never turn your back on Sal even when she was doing crazy things and I won’t turn my back on Joey either,” Selina explained.

“I know, I’ve been selfish. I’m so sorry,” Stephen repeated.

“That’s okay then. So are you coming home?” she asked.

“You bet’ya, I get a bit scared around here,” Stephen admitted.

“What the teenage piranha? She even tries and I’ll rip her eyelids out,” Selina warned and Stephen grinned.

“It’s good to see you’ve got that old fighting spirit back,” Stephen told her.

“I never lost it,” Selina replied, “Come on lets get home, I need to be beautiful for this party,” Selina replied.

“You always are beautiful, I’ll just go tell Sal and then we’ll go,” Stephen replied, kissing her gently on the lips and Selina smiled to herself.

“Hey,” she called after him and Stephen turned to look at her. “No more fights please Mr Matheson?” she asked.

“No more fights Mrs Matheson,” he confirmed, smiling gently at her before heading upstairs to see Sally.

“Come on Pete mate, shake a leg or we’ll be late,” Dan urged as his brother sat moping on the couch.

“I’m not going,” Peter replied.

“Come on mate, you’ve got to go. If it wasn’t for you neither of those girls would be back safe and sound,” Dan told him.

“I’m not going. I can’t face her,” Peter replied.

“Angel you mean? What exactly did she say to you? I’m sorry mate I really thought she had feelings for you,” Dan told him, feeling guilty that his encouraging Peter to speak up about his feelings had caused him upset.

“Who knows what she feels,” Peter replied, a far away look on his face.

“Hang on, did you even tell her you loved her?” Dan demanded, Peter shook his head sadly. “Why not?”

“Because she doesn’t want me, she wants nothing to do with me, she wants me out of her life, away from both of them,” Peter explained sadly.

“Both of who? I don’t understand Pete, you didn’t tell her you loved her but instead she told you she wants nothing to do with you?” Dan asked, confused.

“She’s pregnant,” Peter explained.

“What?” Dan was floored, “You mean from that one night?” Peter nodded.

“But she doesn’t want me to have anything to do with it. She gave me this long speech about how there was no way she could give up the baby but she didn’t need me to get involved, she didn’t want me to have anything to do with it. My own baby,” Peter explained, despairing.

“And what did you say?” Dan asked.

“What could I say, she made it pretty clear how she felt,” Peter replied.

“You fool, she was lashing out. She was trying to get a reaction out of you!” Dan exclaimed.

“How do you mean?” Peter asked, confused.

“I mean she likes you. She does want to be with you but she was giving you the option of getting out. All you had to do was tell her you loved her and that you wanted to be with her and not just because of the baby. That’s all she wanted to hear,” Dan explained.

“You really think so?” Peter asked.

“Yes I do. You’ll be an absolute fool if you lose her over this Pete,” Dan told him.

“I know, guess I should just get ready for the party then,” Peter replied, grinning.

“Guess you should,” Dan urged.

“Ta da!” Leah came out of her bedroom and gave a twirl. She was wearing a stunning red, halterneck dress with her hair loose. She looked gorgeous but Peter hardly even noticed as he raced past her into his bedroom.

“You look gorgeous,” Dan told her as Leah looked hurt at Peter’s lack of reaction. “Don’t worry about him, he’s just preoccupied, trust me you look wonderful,” Dan told her, pulling her close. Leah allowed herself to be held but if she was completely honest with herself, his were not the arms she wanted around her right now.

Martha checked her appearance in the mirror and grinned at herself, happy with what she saw. The blue mini dress fitted like a second skin and perfectly matched the colour of her eyes. Her hair was loosely curled around her shoulders and her make-up was subtle but sexy. Finally satisfied she made her way into the front room, hugging herself with the thought of Jack’s reaction. They had been arguing so much recently that she was desperate to show him that she was worth being with.

“Hey sexy,” she announced, heading into the main living area of Jack’s house.

“Hey Martha, looking good,” Kim replied, Martha blushed.

“Sorry Kim I didn’t know you were here, I thought you were Jack,” Martha explained.

“Guessed as much,” Kim replied with a grin.

“Hey girl, looking hot,” Kit added from the kitchen area.

“Thanks Kit, you look great too,” Martha told her honestly admiring her simple jeans and pretty green top combination.

“Thanks,” Kit replied, wrapping her arm around Kim’s waist.

“So where’s Jack gone then?” Martha asked, disappointed that her big entrance had been ruined.

“He’s just outside on the phone. Someone from work, Lara I think,” Kim replied.

“Great.” Martha clenched her teeth together in frustration and headed outside. Jack was indeed outside on the phone, so she headed towards him, watching him all the while and waiting for him to look up and notice her. But it never happened. Gently she touched his arm and he jumped.

“Jeez Martha you scared me half to death. Okay Lara well I’d better go anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jack said down the phone before ringing off.

“Sorry,” Martha told him as he put his phone away. “You look very sexy,” she added, thinking how true it was. He looked absolutely stunning in a pale blue shirt and jeans, his hair all tousled and perfect.

“Cheers,” he replied and Martha said nothing waiting patiently for the returned compliment that he was sure to make but instead he marched off in the direction of the house. “Kit, Kim are you ready to go?” he called.

“Sure thing,” came back the reply.

“I said we’d give them a lift, after all it is their leaving do. That's okay, right?” Jack asked Martha.

“Sure. What did Lara want?” she asked, not bothering to conceal the bitterness in her voice.

“Just work stuff, you know,” Jack replied. Martha wanted to tell him that no, she didn’t know, but Kit and Kim were heading in their direction and there was no point in starting a row in front of them. She felt bitterly disappointed though.

“Some hot birds were taking out here mate,” Kim remarked to Jack, his arm round Kit’s waist as they headed to the car.

“Yeah they look great,” Jack replied, barely even giving Martha a second glance, “Come on guys, lets get going,” he urged, jumping into the drivers seat. Martha let Kit and Kim into the back and seated herself beside her boyfriend trying desperately hard not to cry.

“Wow Irene the place looks great,” Josie commented on her arrival at the Beach House.

“Thanks,” Irene replied, sincerely, “That’s a nice outfit,” she added.

“Thanks,” Josie replied with a smile.

“Josie!” Tasha came racing down the stairs and into her Aunt’s arms, “I thought you’d gone already.”

“Not yet sweetie, I’m leaving tomorrow. I couldn’t miss your party now could I?” Josie asked, hugging her niece.

“I’m going to miss you so much, it’s been so nice having you around again and with Kim and Kit leaving too, I’m going to be so lonely,” Tasha mused.

“No you won’t darl because you’ve still got us and Martha,” Irene pointed out.

“And Robbie,” Josie added pointedly, “Don’t you think it’s about time you two talked properly? At the very least you could try and be friends again,” Josie urged.

“Josie’s right love, it can’t hurt to try can it?” Irene added.

“Yeah maybe I’ll speak to him tonight,” Tasha replied, at which Irene and Josie smiled.

“Well that’s Matthew asleep, how he sleeps through all this noise I’ll never know,” Kirsty remarked as she and Kane walked hand in hand from their bedroom.

“He’s just like me that’s why,” Kane replied.

“Yeah right.” Kirsty punched him playfully, “Hey Josie.”

“Hello Kirsty, Kane.”

“Have you two seen Selina and Stephen? People will be starting to arrive soon and we’re missing one of the guests of honour,” Irene remarked.

“From the noises we heard I’d say they were busy making up,” Kane explained with a grin.

“Selina girlie if you don’t get your arse down here right now you’ll miss your party!” Irene hollered up the stairs. A few minutes later a dishevelled and blushing Selina emerged and Stephen followed immediately after, desperately putting his tie back on. “Good. Now we’re all here I just want to say something before everyone else arrives,” Irene announced, “Belle I want you to hear this too,” she added calling her away from the front door where she had been awaiting Ric’s arrival.

“Why do I get the feeling this is going to be gross?” Belle remarked.

“Don’t be cheeky girlie. I just wanted to say that a lot has happened over the past few weeks, but that I personally am proud as punch to have you motley crew living here with me. I think of you all as family, even you two house hoppers,” she added in the direction of Kirsty and Kane, “and I hope you all know that there’ll always be a place here for you as long as you need it. I also wanted to take this chance to run something by the lot of you. You see Joey is being released from hospital soon and he’ll be going to a secure unit to get help, but after that he’ll be released. I know it’s a long way off but I’d like him to come and live here when he does. I know it’s asking a lot, particularly after what he put you two girlies through but I still think of him as one of my own and I reckon he deserves a fresh chance. If he can go to that unit knowing he has a home to come to when he gets out I think he’ll get through it a lot easier but I didn’t want to agree to nothing without checking it by yous first,” Irene explained.

“Count me in. Stephen and I will probably be in our own place by then, but even if we weren’t I’d want Joey back in this house where he belongs,” Selina spoke up.

“I agree with my beautiful wife,” Stephen added and received a kiss from Selina in return.

“Doesn’t bother us,” Kirsty replied on behalf of herself and Kane.

“Another nutter in the house, he’ll fit in well with us all then,” Belle remarked.

“Belle!” Irene warned.

“Geez I was kidding, why would I mind?” she added.

“Tash?” Irene asked.

“None of what happened was Joey’s fault and he never did anything to me personally, not like he did to you and if you can forgive him then I think I can too,” Tasha told them all, looking at Selina.

“That’s settled then!” Irene beamed at them all.

“Aw, group hug?” Kane suggested in a mocking tone and received a punch from Kirsty.

“How about we get the party started instead,” Irene suggested as Stephen headed to the door to admit Sally and Cassie, Belle made a beeline for Ric and Kirsty and Kane went to sort through the music. Irene took a second to pull Selina and Tasha into her arms. “I’m so glad you two are back safe, you just make sure you never put me through anything like that again won’t yer?” Irene demanded.

“Promise,” they both replied allowing Irene to hug them.

[I love music]

When I read this fic, I become totally immersed in the scenes, especially when Irene's in them (you always get her character exactly right). Glad Selina and Steven have made up. That was a nice touch, about the plans for Joey, very Home-and-Away-ish.

[ldscott]

Thanks for the chapters!

Can't wait to read the next part!

[Jazer]

Thankyou for those great chapters SKYKAT!!

I'm glad that Selina and Steven sorted out their problems but he does need to be more careful next time .

I hope Joey recovers and returns as his old self.

I wonder how everyone else in Summer BAy will feel about Maddle and Dylan's relationship??

Jazer (Jarad)