Safe Epilogue

[Ali_]

Hey everyone I'm back! I'll start writing soon but I'm waay jetlagged and have study to start so I'm not sure when it'll be up but watch this space!

It made me laugh when I read about how Maddie and Ric get together soon in H&A and maybe even Lucas and Belle!

[lynhay]

Really glad to see your back! - Can't wait to read more of your fanfics!

[summer_bay_rules]

Yey, glad your back! You're a terrific writer!

[Ali_]

Finally a new chapter up! It took twice the effort of before I was a walking studying zombie but finally results! It's not terribly long but hopefully chapters will be up more frequently from now on. Hope everyone had good holidays

**************************************

Why knocking works.

Belle spent the whole next day in her room brooding and listening to music, she couldn’t stop thinking about what Lucas had said and even more irritatingly, Lucas himself. Sure she found him attractive but looks weren’t so important to her, and sure he had a good personality, moral fibre and intelligence but he was Lucas! He wasn’t her moment guy was he? She hated him half the time so she doubted it.

“Belle?”

“Yeah?”

Irene came in the next morning with breakfast.

“You didn’t have to do that!”

“I know love but I have to make your time here as nice as possible or I may not be able to convince you to stay.”

“I came in pretty ****ty circumstances anyway but thanks.”

“So can I persuade you to stay with me? Maybe get a job or go to university? You’re a bright girl and I don’t want to see you waste what half of us would kill to have!”

“Sex appeal?”

Irene rolled her eyes.

“Good to see your sense of humour is still intact.”

“You’re my muse Irene.”

“Get away with you!”

Irene smiled.

“If you ever want to talk -”

“I know, thanks.”

“Oh and could you run an errand for me? I’m late for work.”

“Okay what is it?”

“I just need you to run a few things over to Colleen’s for me.”

“Leave them by the door and I’ll do it on my way to the shops.”

“Thanks, bye darl.”

Belle was happy just to have a reason to get out of the house, the truth was she was twenty one and didn’t have a job or any future plans. She had enough inheritance to buy a shopping mall let alone support herself but she didn’t want to live an idle life that meant nothing, it was her worst nightmare and she suddenly realised how desperately alone she was.

She trudged around to Colleen’s in an unhappy daze and seeing Colleen wasn’t making her feel much better. She knocked on the door but no one answered.

“Hello?”

There was old greek music playing inside so Belle opened the door to make sure everything was okay, actually that’s how she justified it when really it was out of pure curiosity.

What she saw in the lounge would forever haunt her dreams.

“Oh my god!”

Colleen shrieked in surprise and Belle dropped the box of things she was carrying and bolted for the door in fits of horrified laughter.

Lucas was walking along the street with his surfboard when Belle knocked into him still giggling.

“What are you laughing about?”

Belle grabbed Lucas’ shoulder for support.

“I just saw Colleen-”

“Yeah?”

“I just saw Colleen having sex with her husband on their couch!”

Lucas looked disgusted but laughed too.

“How’d you put yourself into that position or do I not want to know?”

“It was innocent I was taking stuff around to Colleen’s for Irene and walked in and then I saw two naked wild animals mating on the sofa it was so horrible.”

Lucas was grinning.

“That is just wrong.”

“Tell me about it.”

They were both casually chuckling to themselves when they realised they hadn’t parted on the best terms.

“Luke I’m sorry that I was a bitch to you.”

“It’s okay you were having a tough time.”

“Nah I’m just generally a bitch.”

She smiled slightly.

“But if you want to put up with me a little longer I’ll accompany you to the beach if you want.”

“Why not.”

Lucas hadn’t slept much the night before he was so angry and confused about Belle, also Diana’s snoring didn’t help. He was determined to be cold and distant with Belle when he next saw her and keep his resolve but that didn’t last very long. As soon as he had seen her something inside of him jumped and he automatically hated himself for it.

“So have you dumped her yet?”

Lucas groaned.

“Don’t beat about the bush.”

“I just think it would be in your best interests.”

“Why’s that? You just want me to be available ay?”

Belle scoffed light heartedly.

“It doesn’t make a difference to me, I don’t consider taken men to be off limits anyway so if I really wanted you, you’d know.”

“Then why the advice?”

“Life is too bloody mad and dark to be stuck with someone you can’t connect with. You’re always going to be wading in emotional crap the whole of your life whether you like it or not so why choose more of it? Find someone that doesn’t make life seem such an effort.”

“Someone like?”

“You want names? I’m not thinking of anyone specific because I don’t think jumping from one relationship to another is that great either.”

“You sound very sensible and insightful but you don’t exactly have the best track record with the subject matter.”

“I’m a hypocrite, I’m a do-as-I-say-not-what-I-do person because my wisdom only works on normal functional people and I am neither.”

“Who says I’m normal? Who says anyone is? I think you have to stop thinking your different from me and everyone. You’re beautiful, smart, sweet when you’re not trying to make me miserable and so what if you have some baggage that’s what makes people interesting and who they are.”

Belle smiled as she reached the beach.

“Beautiful? I usually get called trashy slut but I could work with beautiful.”

Without thinking about it she held his hand but once she had registered what she had done it was too late and Lucas was holding her hand back and looking at her strangely. When he stared at her it was like she had a clean slate, she could be herself which was a scary but liberating thought.

Belle and Lucas sat on the beach talking and flirting and laughing like they were just two young people in love but the reality was slightly different. Belle was still laughing at a cheesy joke Lucas had cracked when her phone rung.

“Hello?”

Lucas didn’t know who was calling but Belle obviously wasn’t happy with them.

“Just leave it okay? It’s done.”

She gasped.

“Say that again?”

She shut the phone and sighed.

“Who was that?”

“My ex boyfriend.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah he’s in Sydney at the moment for some stupid reason and wants to come and see me, he must be a glutton for punishment because he wants me back.”

“Do you feel the same?”

“Of course not, I flew half way across the world to get away from him I think that’s a clear enough statement but he always was a bit of a blockhead.”

“So why did you date him?”

“He was reasonably attractive and incredibly rich.”

“How could you be that shallow?”

“When you live somewhere like LA, don’t know anyone and your mother is off around the globe filming you tend to change to become an airhead. That’s why I left after she died, I realised how crazy it had all become. Besides I never really cared about anyone but Irene and Amanda until now.”

“Now?”

“Well we’re friends so I guess you fit the criteria.”

Lucas laughed.

“I’ve never heard anything so cool.”

Suddenly he had leaned in and was kissing her. She didn’t argue and they could have stayed like that all day if Diana hadn’t witnessed it and was running over.

“How could you? With her?”

Her timing was impeccable as usual, Luke had left when she woke up so she had followed him only to find this. Tears were streaming down her face and she was in hysterics.

Lucas just sat in shock and guilt for a moment before getting up to try and explain but he knew there was no excuse.

“I’m sorry Diana, I really am but we probably should have seen this coming.”

“What you kissing that trashy slut? I love you! She will use you and toss you aside but then I guess you deserve each other.”

Belle stood up.

“We aren’t nor will we be dating so don’t blame this all on me, the heart does things for reasons that reason can’t understand.”

“Well obviously, he’s not in his right mind.”

“I’m completely sane I just, I think this happened because of me not being happy in our relationship not because I’m attracted to Belle.”

“Finally you grow a spine.”

Lucas glared at Belle to shut up and she did so.

Diana began crying again.

“But we travelled together and you met my parents and I had picked the perfect engagement ring and now it’s all gone wrong.”

“It’s not the end of anything, we can still be friends and you can start over with someone who truly deserves you.”

Diana began hyperventilating so Belle went over to steady her but instead she lashed out and hit Belle in the face. She toppled on to the sand but got up again and refused to let Diana walk away without her help.

“I don’t need your help you stupid cow this is all your fault.”

“Maybe but even stupid cows can help when it’s needed. Just stop being a stubborn idiot and lean on me.”

Diana whimpered in self pity but did so as Belle lead her slowly into the diner and ordered her a drink. Diana sat sadly by herself so Belle subtly went over to a guy by the pool table and paid him fifty bucks to go chat her up and keep her company.

Belle was on her way home to ice her cheek when Lucas came to meet her as he had followed behind them but forgot his surfboard and ran back.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine.”

“Let me help.”

“Go help your girlfriend or whatever she is, not me.”

“I think you are one of the best people I know.”

Belle smiled slightly.

“You obviously don’t socialise very often then.”

Lucas touched her cheek in concern before withdrawing it awkwardly and smiling.

“I should go in and see her, can I come around later?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m going to anyway.”

Belle laughed.

“I’ve turned you into a monster.”

"Don't flatter yourself thinking you have that much influence over me."

Luke grinned and entered the diner as Belle walked home, her cheek was killing her but she had never felt so satisfied in her life.

***************

Maddy quickly tumbled out of bed and put on her dressing gown as she quickly ran to the door.

“Hi love, fancy a coffee?”

Maddy smiled nervously as she opened the door to her mother.

“Actually I was about to take a shower before lunch.”

“Oh okay, another time then. Ric still at work?”

“Yeah he should be back soon.”

Then the shower began to run and loud whistling could be heard, Maddy cringed.

“So I’ll talk to you later mum.”

She shut the door and screamed in embarrassment.

Unsurprisingly Ric had won the argument about Willow, after three more days at kindegarten she was being dragged home kicking and screaming away from her friends.

Being a sex slave was far from unappealing to Maddy but she didn’t like being wrong, she only actually agreed to it because at least she was wrong in a good way, her daughter was finally having fun and now so was she.

For a whole week Ric would rush home early at lunch to ravish his wife before having a home cooked lunch which was dream for Ric and his work efficiency increased ten fold thanks to Maddy’s 'help.'

“Who was that?”

“My mum.”

“Oh okay.”

“Not really but you should get going, you don’t want your boss having anything to complain about.”

“I’m his star performer at the moment so I wouldn’t worry.”

He walked over to her in only his towel and grabbed her hips.

“I really enjoy being right.”

Maddy laughed.

“Being wrong isn’t too bad either.”

“And on that note -”

Ric dropped his towel.

“Opps.”

Maddy picked it up seductively before throwing it at his naked body.

“Go to work and I’ll look past your greed.”

She smiled and pecked him lovingly on the cheek before going to shower herself.

Ric followed her.

“I think you forget how persistence I can be.”

Ric was in fact late for work that day.

******************

Matilda fiddled with the tassel on her belt nervously as she waited for her mum to answer the door.

Beth smiled sympathetically at her.

“What can I do for you honey?”

“Does a daughter need a reason to visit her mum?”

“Of course not it’s just I’m not feeling too flash at the moment.”

Maddy agreed she didn’t look well, she was pale and seemed tired.

“You okay? You’ve been like this for weeks!”

Beth smiled but she hesitated before answering and it sent alarm bells ringing for Maddy.

“You’re not are you?”

“Well -”

“It’s alright I wont bother you now but when you feel up to it I want you to tell me everything okay?”

“Of course, I tried yesterday but you were - indisposed.”

Maddy blushed slightly.

“Well I’m yours whenever you need to chat from now on.”

“Lovely so I’ll pop over tomorrow and see my gorgeous girls.”

Maddy smiled and left but she had a terrified feeling of dread. Maddy wondered if Lucas knew anything so she went around to Irene’s because she knew he was having lunch there with Belle. They had become fast friends the last few days although Belle would never admit it.

She knocked on the door but no one answered which was common so Maddy went inside and called out and at last Lucas appeared from the bedroom with jeans and no top.

Maddy laughed at the state of his hair and also at how dead on she had been about them shacking up.

“Hey Luke.”

“Uh hey, did you want to see Belle? She’s just uh tidying her room she wont be long.”

“Whatever Lucas you suck at lying but it’s not my business who you ‘tidy up’ with I just wanted to know if you knew what was wrong with my mum?”

“No her and dad are keeping it to themselves until they’ve talked to the doctor again but it sounds serious.”

Matilda sighed.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her, she’s been the one constant hope in my life.”

“Don’t be so dramatic I’m sure it’s just a persistent virus or something, keep positive.”

“You’re right but our family doesn’t have the best luck does it?”

“Maybe it’s on the up I mean we’ve had a good few years.”

“True. So if you and Belle are together what happened to Diana?”

“She went home yesterday after we broke up but I’m going to try and keep in contact and remain friends, we have history after all.”

“We aren’t together.”

Belle sauntered out of the bedroom in Lucas’ top and pyjama shorts and Luke cringed at the obviousness of it all but he couldn’t hide his hurt at her comment so she back peddled.

“I mean we are together but only as friends with benefits.”

Matilda looked at her feet feeling she was in the middle of a lover’s tiff.

“What so you’re just using me for sex?”

“Well it’s not just sex, it was life-changing sex if that makes you feel better.”

“I’m going to go.”

They’d didn’t even notice Maddy leave.

“But I don’t just want to be your bonk buddy.”

Belle laughed.

“You sound so hot when using lame terminology.”

“Don’t try and be nice now, it doesn’t suit you.”

“Look you’re my friend that I sleep with how much better could it get?”

“But it’s not the same.”

“Well I’m not going to screw anyone else so we basically are what you want us to be only without the label because once you put the label on what you want us to be I will freak out and wont want to be what you want us to be anymore because the label is relationship suicide.”

“You are seriously deranged.”

“You are seriously sexy with your messed up hair.”

Suddenly the verbal conversation was over and another kind began again on the sofa, the only language Belle truly knew how to express herself in and she hoped Lucas understood the crazy.

[lynhay]

This is a great chapter - loving both the Ric and Mattie and Lucas and Belle stuff. Looking forward to the next chapter!

I wonder whats wrong with Beth?

This is a great chapter - loving both the Ric and Mattie and Lucas and Belle stuff. Looking forward to the next chapter!

I wonder whats wrong with Beth?

[bella]

Wow, this is awesomeness. Love both relationships, especially the way you are writing Belle.

Please update soon .

[tasha7905]

I agree with what everyone else has said, you write the couples perfectly, I really like Lucas and Belle together their relationship is strange yet unique. Cant wait to find out whats wrong with Beth. Hope there is more soon.

[Jackieleanne]

This is great I love it I hope Beth is going to be ok. Loving Ric and Mattie.

[matty and luke forever]

Yay!! An update that was class!! Loving Lucas and Belle.. can't wait for mroe!

[Ali_]

Hey all! It was my birthday yesterday and I had such a great time I was inspired to write and give all my lovely reviewers something to read

************************

Life Lessons

“Grandad?”

“Yes sweetheart?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course you can, what is it?”

Alf was sitting in the diner with Willow trying to act enthusiastically while holding a barbie doll and trying to make it walk beside Willow’s one. He was Alf Stewart, unofficial father of Summer Bay and he was playing barbies.

“Where do babies come from?”

“So what’s your barbie’s name then?”

“Where do babies come from?”

“Do you fancy a strawberry milkshake? I’m sure Colleen could whip you one up!”

“Where do babies come from?”

“Any chance you are going to drop the subject?”

“No, is it a really hard question? I don’t have it in any of my colouring books but if you don’t know I could ask someone else.”

Alf laughed.

“I know the answer but its how to explain it that’s tricky.”

“Maybe write it down and spell it out slowly that’s what I do.”

“You see I think your mum might be the person to ask.”

“But I want you to tell me, things always sound better from you.”

Alf smiled.

“Okay here I go - when two people love each other..”

Alf tried the conventional speech but he ended up mumbling that babies came from mummies’ tummies and that they got put there by a great love of two people and ended the topic. He looked at Willow hoping she wouldn’t ask anything else. She didn’t because she didn’t want to make her grandad feel bad but even then she knew it was a bit more complex than that.

***************

“So are you at least seriously thinking about sleeping?”

“Not really.”

Ric sighed and rested his head on his daughter’s bed.

“I’ve read you three different fairytales!”

“I know but I’m not sleepy!”

“Can you at least pretend to be when mummy comes in because otherwise daddy will be in trouble, I’m only supposed to read to you once.”

“Read me one more.”

“No way I’ve fell for that one already, daddy has become a very wise man.”

“I pa promise I’ll try to sleep if you read me one more.”

“Well I trust you with that oath so okay. What one?”

“I want you to tell me about you and mummy and your fairytale.”

Ric groaned.

“It wasn’t exactly a fairytale romance.”

“Well then make some parts up.”

“Fine. Once upon time on a road not too far from here daddy and mummy who had been estranged friends met again after mum’s car broke down and an evil man was trying to steal her for himself..”

There was shrieks of glee and laughter from Willow’s bedroom for at least an hour after that and Maddy would have complained about the late hour if she hadn’t herself fallen asleep on the sofa after a hard days ‘work.’

************

“She’s asked me to tell her where babies came from!”

Ric’s eyes bulged as he almost spat out his lunch at the diner.

“You didn’t tell her did you?”

“I sort of gave her a vague overview but nothing she shouldn’t know before she’s twenty one.”

Ric laughed.

“It’s scary how fast she is growing up, I want her to stay this age forever, at the moment everything I say is interesting and I can teach her stuff, once she gets to high school she’ll realise how little her dad has achieved and how little he’s seen of the world and see me differently.”

“That’s a load of nonsense! She’ll still love you no matter how smart you are after all I’m no rocket scientist or intrepid glob trotter but I still deserve respect which I get and you’ll be no different. Everyone always has something to learn whether it’s in books or by making mistakes no matter what age you are.”

“I know and I mean I can’t wait to see her graduate high school, get married and have her own children. I shouldn’t be living in the past it's just I've never loved someone so much as I do her it's crazy."

“Well there's a very special bond between a dad and his daughter."

“So what did Willow say once you told her your vague babies story.”

“She just nodded and we didn’t talk about it anymore.”

“Well then she either doesn’t believe you or doesn’t want to make you feel bad.”

“Why?”

“Because any satisfactory answer you give my daughter will be followed by ten other questions as what we find a satisfactory answer is only the tip of the iceberg for Willow, she has to know everything. The fact she dropped the subject was lucky for you but not so fun for me.”

“I’m sorry she just sprung it on me.”

“It’s okay if she asks I’ll just tell her to ask me in a decade.”

“You could try the stalk story, I was going to use it but I had forgotten how it went, it’s been years since I faced this hurdle.”

“Granddad she’s young not stupid.”

“Fair enough.”

******************************

“You are so screwed.”

Lucas groaned.

“Tell me about it.”

Maddy clasped Luke’s hand across the table.

“Are you sure? I mean positive? Because you could be confused.”

“I wish I was but the fact it is simple makes it harder.”

“What did she say?”

“I haven’t told her, I’m not going to tell Belle I love her and have my heart trampled on. She wants to be a casual fling until she decides what she’s going to do with her life and I’m the fool that went along with it because I didn’t want to be without her.”

“Don’t blame yourself, you can’t plan who you fall for and I’m sure Belle cares about you more than you think.”

“Even if she did she would never tell me she’s had years to build up the walls around her they are not coming down easily and I don’t know if I have the patience to keeping trying to get over them.”

“What do you mean?”

“She says she wont sleep with someone else but she flirts with guys all the time and it kills me. I can’t do anything though because I’ll seem possessive and needy and push her away but I want people to know we are together so they back off but technically we aren’t even an item it drives me up the wall.”

“You have to tell her. Even if you lose her isn’t it better to try and change things than be in a position to get your heart broke anyway?”

“I know it’s just hard, she can be really sweet sometimes and I remember why I care about her but other times she seems so shut off.”

“She’s had a tough life one way or another and the way she is is a direct result of a tumultuous childhood you just have to tell her straight and hope for the best, besides she’s not dumb so I think she’ll stick with you.”

“Thanks. So has Beth said anything to you?”

“Well she came around a few days ago for lunch and she said she’d tell me then but when it came to actually telling me she blew me off and said the tests were late so she’d discuss it with me at a later date.”

“If it was nothing she wouldn’t be so official about it all.”

“That’s what I think but I’m trying to be optimistic.”

“Even if it is something bad there are so many treatments these days that a diagnosis is only the first step.”

“Do you think I should just go and see her and demand it out of her?”

“But then you’re being selfish because you are only pressuring her to make yourself feel better!”

“I know but the waiting is eating away at me, I love her more than anyone and she has kept me in the dark it just hurts.”

“You know its to protect you though.”

“Yeah but I’m too old to be protected now I’ve not exactly lived the most sheltered life anyway. I just want to be able to support her and make things easier if it is something worrying.”

“Then I think just let her know you are there to support her and listen when she needs to talk and leave it. She’ll come to you when she’s ready.”

“You’re right, as usual. So you go talk to Belle and I wont talk to mum we clear?”

“Sure, it’s good we can have these talks and beat the correct moral choice out of each like this.

“Me too.”

*******************************

Belle climbed into Lucas’s bedroom through the open window as always, she wasn’t that comfortable with Beth so she skipped the awkward small talk and went straight to his room via a different exterior entrance.

“Hey Luke, I got an awesome new rental from the store and your favourite chips so I think we are set for the night.”

“Belle we need to talk.”

“Well I was hoping we’d watch the movie, eat and maybe have sex but I wasn’t so keen on talking, especially when you have that look on your face like you’re constipated or something.”

“Well it wasn’t a question, we have to discuss some stuff before we do all of the above activities which for the record sound really appealing.”

“Fine spill.”

“Um well I was wondering what your plans were for after the summer?”

“I don’t know what are yours?”

“Well I have my double degree in law and sociology so I could work in the city as a lawyer.”

“Okay that sounds cool you should do it.”

“So you have no future ambitions?”

“What is the big deal with future plans? What’s wrong with taking each day as it comes and enjoying the present not stressing about the future?”

“It’s alright for you to say that you have a trust fund bigger than most resident’s bank accounts put together here! You don’t have to worry about finances like we do.”

“Well then why are you so intent to make me worry where I am in a few years time?”

“Because I might want to be with you in a few years time and therefore what you do and how you make yourself happy will be my concern too.”

“Woah is it me or did this conversation suddenly become a little too heavy?”

“Look, you hated me when I was a coward so I’ll bite the bullet - I am an idiot because I clumsily fell completely in love with you in a space of time that scares even me. Those are the facts and I can’t dispute them anymore than you can it’s whether your feelings concur with mine or not that I want you know.”

“You are pretty professional with your lawyer talk, but I don’t know what to say in response to your testimony.”

“Just tell me that I’m not wasting my time hoping for a future with you and that I might have a chance at being more than your ‘friend’. I can survive having you break my heart now but I can’t say how I’ll do after hoping and being with you much longer so just do what you do best - be brutally honest with me.”

Belle stared hard at Lucas for a while and smiled.

“Honestly? You are the best thing to happen to me in a long time and that terrifies me because when you have something great, you have something to lose and I can’t lose anyone else. So I can pretend that you are just another ‘hump-and-dump’ guy but I’d be lying. I don’t love you yet, but there is room for growth there somewhere so don’t think there is anyway you are leaving me.”

Lucas looked like all his christmases had come at once and they skipped the movie and food and went straight to the last activity. Belle had told only a half truth, the truth was she did love Lucas probably as much as he loved her but she had learnt from past experience that wearing your heart on your sleeve and getting caught up in someone ended in heartbreak so she was playing it close to her chest for now at least.

*************************

Willow was busy telling Maddy about her day at kindegarten the next day when the phone rang.

“And Phillip stuck a coin up his nose which was funny but he got told off and had to go to the doctor and -”

“Hang out sweetie.”

Maddy picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey sweetheart it’s mum.”

“I’m glad you called.”

“Well good because what I have to say wont be easy, I wanted to do it in person but as soon as I see you it will make it harder. So here we are.”

“That’s totally fine whatever is best for you. So what’s up?”

“As you know I’ve been pretty sick lately but what I only recently found out is that it’s a little more serious than the flu.”

“Okay well at least you know, so what’s wrong?”

“I have cancer love.”

Maddy felt herself tearing up.

“Oh mum.”

“I meant to tell you earlier but I didn’t want to worry you until the biopsy came back but it’s definitely cancer.”

“So what happens now.”

“Well I have breast cancer and luckily because I caught it early I can have surgery to remove all of the infected tissue and make a full recovery. It will be an uphill climb but I’m a tough old bird, I can take it.”

“So that’s good news that you’ll be healthy again at least.”

“Exactly, it could always come back somewhere else but it’s not very likely and I’ll be on the lookout from now on.”

“So what sort of surgery do you have?”

“A complete mastectomy.”

“What’s that?”

“Removing both my breasts.”

Maddy couldn’t help but silently cry.

“But they are a part of who you are as a woman and as you. There’s no other treatment you could have?”

“Well there is chemotherapy and radiotherapy but surgery is more direct and less damaging to my body. My breasts are just bits of fat that hang down too far at my age and I know Tony loves me for what’s inside not outside so it’s not that hard a decision.”

Maddy knew her mum was just being brave so she tried to be too.

“You’re right and these days you can get plastic surgery if you want and at least you caught the cancer early enough to have a chance to fight it, that’s what’s important.”

“Thank you.”

“So what can I do to help?”

“I go into surgery next week and I’ll be in there for five days so I’ll need lots of visits from you and Willow and then I have to stay housebound for at least two weeks to take it easy so I need lots more visits to keep me sane.”

“You don’t even need to ask, we’ll be there everyday.”

“But I don’t want fussing I just want to be kept in the loop and reminded of normalcy while I go through this okay?”

“Well I promise not to fuss but I can’t speak for Willow.”

Beth laughed.

“That’s what I want to see, a good sense of humour.”

“So how is Tony feeling about this?”

“He’s being a saint as usual, he’s worried for me but completely supportive of what I’ve chosen which is a comfort. He’s the best husband I could ask for.”

“I’m not surprised. I might have to get you around for a home cooked dinner before you go into hospital, show you what you’ll be missing for a few days.”

“Sounds perfect. Well I should go I’m half way through fixing a button on Tony’s shirt and I have to do a shift at the bar so I’ll call you soon and take you up on that offer.”

“Okay take car mum I love you.”

“I love you too. Give a kiss to Willow for me.”

Maddy wouldn’t let Willow see her cry but as soon as she went in her room to watch cartoons Maddy locked herself in the toilet and cried. Sure Beth may not be losing her life but she was losing a part of her that defined her as a woman. She was still going through a trauma and she didn’t deserve it.

“Where is everyone?”

Ric had gotten the afternoon off for his good work record but found no one in the kitchen or living room.

“Hey daddy! Spongebob just split in half and his eyes went bulgy!”

Ric bent down and gave her a kiss.

“That’s nice, so how was your day?”

“Good! Phillip shoved a coin up his nose!”

“Again? You’d think he’d learn that it probably wasn’t a good idea.”

“It’s funny! He said I could be his girlfriend.”

Ric laughed nervously.

“Well you tell him you belong to your daddy until you are at least fifteen and daddy has approved your male suitor.”

“But he gave me some of his chocolate and I said he could come around and play next week and mum said it was okay.”

“Well as long as you don’t let him do anything naughty it’s okay with me.”

“Naughty? I’ll make him stop shoving coins up his nose when he’s here.”

“No I mean, just only hold hands and nothing more.”

Willow looked confused so Ric tried to explain.

“Just make sure the first boy you kiss has more appeal than just sticking metal objects up his nostrils okay?”

“Ew I wouldn’t kiss a boy they have diseases.”

Ric wasn’t sure what Willow defined as a girlfriend but he was relieved that Willow had weird misconceptions about the opposite sex and he was in no way going to set her straight.

“Exactly, until boys get much much older they have lots of icky diseases so try not to get too close or you may come home with a monster rash or an extra limb.”

Ric pushed up his hand and began moving it around like it was possessed until it reached Willow and began tickling her. Willow screamed in excitement.

“So where’s mum?”

“She’s in the toilet still.”

“Still?”

“She’s been there for a while. I think she ate something bad.”

Ric walked over to the bathroom and was about to knock on the door when he heard her muffled crying.

“Maddy you okay?”

There was silence.

“What are you doing home?”

“I got let off early.”

“That’s good.”

“Less about me, are you okay?”

“Not really.”

“Want to open the door?”

There was a pause and Maddy finally opened it. As soon as he was her heartbreaking face he automatically hugged her and she hugged him back.

“What’s up Tilly?”

“Mum is sick.”

“Tell me everything.”

******************************

So what do you think? I love writing Lucas/Belle almost as much as Ric/Maddy and I may do a little bit more Henry/Cassie for balance later on.