When All Is Said And Done

[Eli]

Thanks for the comments

Chapter 11

January 24th, 2009

“I’m glad you could make it, Geoff,” Reverend Cox said, “Please sit down.”

“No problem, Reverend,” Geoff replied and sat down, “What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to talk to you,” Reverend Cox replied with her American accent, and gathered her long, chestnut coloured hair into a ponytail, “I saw that you turned down the spot we offered you?”

“Oh,” Geoff muttered, and turned red, he should have known it would be something like this, “Don’t get me wrong, Reverend… It’s a great school, it’s the best! I just… I changed my mind.”

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” the reverend said, “We don’t usually ask prospective students, who turn down their spot, to come back and talk to us. But that’s because those prospective students usually choose to go to another school. North Sydney Theological College was the only school you applied to, Geoff, and no one was more excited and determined to go here than you at that prospective students meeting in August. What happened?”

Geoff looked at the books on the shelves behind her, next to a diploma written out to Lucy Taylor Cox, Yale University graduate of ’98.

“Can I ask you something, Reverend?” he asked, focusing on the young reverend again.

“Absolutely,” Reverend Cox replied, “Go ahead.”

“Have you been a Christian all your life?”

Reverend Cox frowned; she hadn’t expected a question like that.

“No, actually I haven’t,” she said, “I grew up in a family of liberal agnostics. I didn’t believe in God until I was 16 and some of my Christian high school friends helped me see I had to open my heart to Jesus, and let him be a part of my life.”

“But you used to be a liberal?” Geoff asked, knowing he was probably coming across as rude and nosy.

“Yes- Well, I guess in one way I still am,” the reverend said, “I have Jesus in my life now, but I still believe in a lot of the values my parents taught me when I was growing up. Why?”

“I just… It always amazes me how so many people who believe in so many different things can believe in the same God,” he replied.

“Faith is something very personal and individual, Geoff,” Reverend Cox said, “There is no one right answer, but that doesn’t mean we’re not all Christians.”

There was a silence, and then Geoff decided to change the subject again.

“I just realized I don’t think I want to be a minister after all,” he said, answering the Reverend Cox’ question from earlier, “I’m not so sure it’s the right thing for me.”

Reverend Cox bit her lip; she wasn’t really satisfied with his answer.

“You just changed your mind?” she said, “Just like that?”

“Yeah,” Geoff lied, “I figured maybe I’d study something else instead… You know, like Marine Biology or Political Science or something…”

He heard how fake it sounded, especially when he threw in the two totally random study fields.

“May I go now?” he asked, desperate to get out of here as soon as possible.

“Yes, if you promise me one thing,” the reverend replied, “You will think about this, and if you change your mind again, you will apply here next year.”

Geoff nodded.

“I will, Reverend.”

He was about to close the door behind him when he suddenly thought about something.

“Reverend?” he asked, and turned around, “Can I ask you one more question?”

“Go right ahead, Geoff,” Reverend Cox replied, without looking up from her desk.

“When you said that you were liberal… And that faith is something individual… Do you believe that God loves everyone?”

He paused, and could see from the reverend’s facial expression when she looked up, that he would have to specify what he meant.

“Like… Do you think He loves everyone? You know, even those who have premarital sex… Or has their own gods, or have abortions? Do you think He loves all people just the same, no matter how they look or who they love?”

“Yes,” Reverend Cox said, “I think He loves us all the same, no matter who we are.”

“Thanks,” Geoff said. Then he closed the door and muttered to himself:

“I wish I could believe that too, Reverend Cox.”

***

September 9th, 2012

Aden hadn’t been able to sleep one second since Belle had left. He had received a text message confirming that she had arrived safely in Brisbane, but that was it.

It was just a matter of time before people would start asking him questions. As soon as they realized they hadn’t seen Belle in days, and him walking around like a zombie, they would start digging for the truth, and it wouldn't be very difficult to find it. He didn’t know if he could take that; all of them knowing what a horrible, pathetic person he was.

“And so it begins,” he thought to himself as the doorbell rang. He wouldn’t open it; he could give them the gossip tomorrow. After a minute or two the person out there stopped trying, and Aden turned out the TV, zapping though all the channels, trying to forget about the real world.

Then he heard it; there was a sound in the house, and it wasn’t coming from the TV.

There was someone in the hallway, coming towards the bedroom.

Aden’s heart was beating fast; it could only be one person. It had to be Belle.

“Aden?”

His heart sort of sunk and jumped at the same time. It wasn’t Belle; it was Geoff.

“Geoff,” he said, “You scared me!”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Geoff exclaimed, “I just wanted to see how your were doing, and the door was open, so when you didn’t answer the door…”

“I’m fine,” Aden lied, “How are you?”

Geoff examined him with his eyes.

“You haven’t slept since she left, have you?” he asked, not answering the question.

“How did you-?”

“Belle told Irene she was going up to Brisbane. Irene asked me if I knew what was going on, and it wasn’t very hard to guess. I didn’t tell her though, don’t worry.”

Aden swallowed.

“Yeah,” he said, his throat feeling dry, and his head heavy, “I think it’s safe to say I’m not Belle’s favorite person right now.”

“I’m really sorry,” Geoff said, sounding genuine, “I know this isn’t about me, but I can’t help feeling a bit guilty…”

He sat down on the bed, next to Aden.

“It’s not your fault,” Aden sighed, “Trust me, if it hadn’t been you, then it would have been someone else… Either way I would have ended up hurting her. At least in this case it’s over a guy that I know is- …That I know is a good guy.”

He just couldn’t say “worth it”. It wouldn’t be true; there was no such thing as something “worth” hurting Belle for.

“I just wish I could make this easier for you,” Geoff said, “I know it probably doesn’t mean anything to you, but… I’ve been praying for you… Just praying for things to get easier for you both.”

“Oh…” Aden said, and leaned back into the pillows, “That… That actually means a lot… Thanks, Geoff.”

He even surprised himself a little bit, faith had never really mattered to him, it usually just annoyed him.

“I wasn’t sure you believed in God anymore,” he muttered, and patted on the pillow next to him, inviting Geoff to lie down next to him, “You haven’t mentioned it once since we got back.”

Geoff lay down, facing Aden.

“My faith has changed a bit over the years,” he admitted, “I don’t know if I’m strong enough in my faith to believe anymore… I just… I believe in God, I just don’t know if I can believe that He really loves me for who I am.”

“I’m sure he does,” Aden whispered, closing his eyes now.

“Why do you care?” Geoff replied, smiling, “You never care about this stuff before?”

“I know how important it is to you,” Aden whispered back, and without opening his eyes he moved closer to Geoff, resting his forehead against Geoff’s chest.

“If it means something to you, I want you to be able to believe.”

“I don’t know if I believe as strongly as I did before,” Geoff whispered to the man, finally drifting off to sleep in his arms, “But my hope is stronger than ever.”

[Eli]

Thanks for the comments

Chapter 12

September 10th, 2012

“Love conquers everything.”

“What?”

Geoff turned over with a confused expression.

“Love conquers everything,” Aden repeated, still staring at the ceiling, “I wonder if it’s true.”

Then he turned his head and looked at Geoff.

“Thanks for being here for me last night,” he said, “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come over.”

“No problem,” Geoff smiled, “Anything I can do to help you.”

“Geoff, there’s just something I need to say,” Aden said, determined, “I know things are a bit uncertain between me and Belle right now… But nothing can happen, okay?”

“Oh yeah, I totally understand!” Geoff replied, a little too fast for it to be convincing.

“I still need to think about things, and I don’t want to promise you anything,” Aden continued, “It’s fine that you stayed over and all, but nothing more can happen. And definitely not here!”

“I know what you mean,” Geoff replied, sounding more honest this time, “And I don’t want to rush into anything either, I want to take things slowly… But you know, nothing would make me happier than being with you.”

Aden didn’t say anything, he just stared at the sheets.

“You know what?” Geoff suddenly said, sounding like something very important had just occurred to him, “I’m sorry, that’s not right.”

Aden just stared at him for a second or two, very confused.

“You’re right, Aden,” Geoff continued, “This isn’t about me. This is about you and Belle, and you don’t need me putting any more pressure on you.”

“What are you saying?”

Geoff took a deep breath.

“I’ll support you no matter what you decide to do, Aden,” he said, “Even though it would hurt at first; nothing would make me happier in the end than knowing that you and Belle made it back together. If your marriage ends, I’ll be here waiting; but if you go back to her, I will support you just the same.”

He paused again, trying to find the words to finish his speech.

“If you honestly, without lying to yourself, think that there’s a way you and Belle can work things out,” he said, “If you think there’s a chance you two can be happy together again… I don’t want to stand in the way of that, Aden. If you think there’s a chance, you should try to work on your marriage and make it work again.”

***

September 12th, 2012

Brisbane, QLD

Belle looked at the door again, just to make sure it was still closed. The apartment was silent, so it didn’t really matter anyway. Bonnie was at work, and Belle would have the apartment to herself for another two hours at least.

Shivering slightly, she opened the letter with Aden’s handwriting on the envelope.

Dear Belle,

I don’t really know how to start a letter like this, because I don’t think there is a right way to do it. I don’t want to say I’m sorry anymore, because we both know it won’t make anything better, and we both know we wish things had turned out differently.

To be honest I’m not even sure why I’m writing you this letter, but I guess it is because I want to make some sense of what’s going on. The truth is I’m not really sure what it is myself. All I know for sure is that I love you, more than I ever have.

I’ve lied to you far too many times, and I won’t do that anymore either. Instead I will tell you the truth, which is that I do have strong feelings for Geoff; and I often doubt that the feelings I have for you are of the same kind as my feelings for Geoff.

Maybe, if things had been different in my past, this could have been easier, or made more sense somehow, but I’m not going to blame any more of my problems on that. It works for a while, but in the long run it doesn’t do any good, because the fact is we have a problem, and we need to find a way to solve it.

What scares me the most in all of this; is thinking you might doubt that I love you. I still love you, and I don’t want to take back anything I’ve ever said to you about loving you, because every word was true.

I know I’ve really made a mess out of everything, but I want you to know I will respect you whatever decision you make. If you want to end things, I will understand you. I won’t blame you for leaving me after all I’ve done to you.

But if you decide you want to see if we can work things out, I will give our marriage another chance. The things I feel for Geoff, I don’t know if they’re anything compared to you and me yet, and I’ll give it up without hesitating if you just ask me to.

I hope you will come home when you’re ready. Whenever it happens, I will still be here, waiting for you.

Love,

Aden

Not knowing exactly when she had started crying, Belle folded the letter and put it back in to the envelope.

Then she reached over to the night stand, grabbed a pen and a note pad and started writing. It was time to start sorting through the problems.

***

September 14th, 2012

It was definitely getting hotter; Belle was sure it hadn’t been this hot when she had gone for a run two days ago.

It was almost like therapy; when she was running it almost felt like she was all alone in the world, and it gave her time to think.

Belle had almost forgotten how liberating it could be to live in a city where you could walk out the door, go for a run and not have to worry about meeting someone you didn’t want to meet.

After living in Brisbane for almost two years, she certainly had managed to build up a network of friends here, but unlike Summer Bay, she still didn’t have to think about running into someone she knew. The chances were very small in a city this big.

The vibrating in her pocket brought Belle back to reality. She slowed down, took out the phone and looked at the display.

Hidden ID. Was she ready to talk to Aden yet? It was obvious it was him; hidden numbers always meant either telemarketers or someone who thought she wasn’t interested in talking to them. Since she had registered her number so that telemarketers wouldn’t call, and there really only was one person who would think she wouldn’t pick up; it was pretty obvious.

She definitely wasn’t ready to come home just yet, but talking to Aden for a few minutes could be a good thing.

“Hi,” she said, trying to make it sound casual, as she picked up.

“Belle, please don’t hang up, I know you probably don’t want to listen to anything I have to say right now, but-“

“Geoff?” Belle said, forgetting all about sounding casual, “Is that you?”

There was a silence that lasted a few seconds, and when Geoff spoke again, he sounded more confident Belle wouldn't hang up.

“Belle, I know you don’t want to talk to me,” he said, “But there’s something I want to tell you.”

“Okay,” she replied, figuring it was best to say as little as possible, “Go ahead.”

“Oh, okay,” Geoff said, “I guess what I want to tell you is that Aden really loves you.”

“You don’t need to tell me that,” Belle replied calmly, “I know he does.”

“Do you know that he’s willing to do anything to make your marriage work?” Geoff asked, “There’s nothing he wants more than to be with you.”

Belle bit her lip, this was her chance to ask about something that had been on her mind ever since she found out.

“Geoff, can you clear something up for me?” she asked, “And please, don’t lie to me, just tell me the truth, no matter what it is.”

She paused.

“Are you and Aden together?”

“No, Belle, we’re not,” Geoff replied, and Belle could tell from the way he said it, it wasn’t a lie, “And that’s another thing I want to say to you. I don’t want to tell you what to do, because it’s none of my business.”

“I think what’s going on sort of is your business, whether we like it or not,” Belle sighed, “It takes two people to kiss.”

“Yeah, and I’ll admit I kissed him first. But that was just a kiss, Belle. It was a moment of weakness, even if that is a cliché. The thing is… This is really about you and Aden. Aden is willing to stay away from me and forget whatever feelings he might have had for me if you want to work things out. And if you do, I will stay away from your lives. If there’s any chance you two can work it out, I don’t want to be the one to ruin that. This isn’t about me, it’s about you and Aden; and I won’t ask for anything from you, because Aden loves you, Belle, and he’s willing to go to great lengths to prove that.”

Belle swallowed, some of the things Geoff had just said to her… Geoff probably didn’t even know, but some of the things he had said really helped.

“Look, Geoff,” she said, “I’m not ready to come home and face Aden just yet, but when I know what to say to him, I will come back to Summer Bay.”

“I’m sorry this had to happen,” Geoff replied, “You probably don’t believe me, but I am.”

“Thanks for calling, Geoff,” Belle said, “I just need some more time.”

They hung up, and Belle had to take a moment before she could start running again.

Staring at the sky, things were starting to make sense. She had thought she would need a lot more time to think, but Geoff’s phone call had strangely made a lot of pieces fit into the puzzle and make sense.

“Aden loves me, and he wants to prove to me just how much,” she thought to herself as she started running again, “Now I need to prove to him how much I love him.”

[Eli]

Thanks for the comments, everyone! Here's another chapter (hopefully without any major errors this time ), two more to go after this one

Chapter 13

September 16th, 2012

The doorbell rang. Of course it did. It always did when he sat down to read the paper.

“I’m coming!” Aden called out, angrily as the person outside repeated the ringing.

Annoyed, he opened the door.

“Hi, I just came by to give you this,” the mailman said and handed him a letter, “I was finishing my rounds when I realized this had gotten stuck between the seats in my car. Looks like it’s been there a few days, judging from the date… Sorry, dude…”

Aden ripped the letter out of the mailman’s hand. Even from three feet away he recognized the handwriting, and it made him forget to yell at the mailman for losing his letter.

Without taking his eyes off the letter for a second, he closed the door, forgetting all about the man on the other side of it.

Nervously he opened the letter and let the envelope fall on the floor as he unfolded the letter.

Dear Aden,

There’s a lot of things we need to sort out when I come back, and I don’t want to get in to this in a letter. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be coming home when I’m ready, and we’ll try to figure out what to do then.

Belle.

P.S.: I know you love me, I never doubted that. I’m just worried you love someone else more.

Shocked and sad, Aden folded the letter, picked up the envelope and put the letter back in to it.

Never had any words hurt as much as the ones in the last sentence.

How could he, through all of this have forgotten to make sure there was no doubt about who he loved the most? He didn’t love Geoff! He loved Belle, he just wasn’t sure if his feelings for her were as strong as…

He had to stop, because all of a sudden he realized that didn’t make any sense. Was there any feeling stronger than love? Hate maybe, but that didn’t really have anything to do with this, because he didn’t hate Geoff. He didn’t love Geoff, but was it still possible he could feel something for Geoff that was more important than what he felt for Belle?

Aden didn’t know, but either way there was only one right answer. Even if it felt wrong, and he on some level wanted to be with Geoff; he also had made a commitment to Belle.

He couldn’t have both, and if he had to choose it would have to be Belle. After all he had made her a promise, and he wasn’t prepared to break that promise. Belle deserved better.

***

Brisbane

There was no plan. There should be a plan, but there wasn’t.

Belle had tried to come up with something to say, but even though things made so much more sense now, it still wasn’t enough for her to be able to plan out exactly what to say.

She had been through it in her head many times, and she knew what the right thing for them to do was, but still there seemed to be a long way to go before she could put words to it, so that Aden would understand.

She loved Aden, that was for sure, but at the same time there was no way they could ignore the fact that Aden had feelings for Geoff.

“Hey, how are you doing?”

Belle hadn’t even heard Bonnie get back.

“Oh, hi,” she replied, “I’m fine thanks, just thinking about stuff…”

“Any closer to knowing what you’re gonna do?” Bonnie asked.

Belle shook her head; this wasn’t something she could talk to Bonnie about at all.

“Thanks for being such a good friend to me, Bonnie,” she said, “It really means a lot to me.”

“Anytime,” Bonnie replied with a smile, “I’m here for you as long as you need me, and so is my apartment.”

Belle smiled. She wished she could tell Bonnie everything about what she was planning, it only seemed fair; but she knew she couldn’t do that. It would mean having to put words to everything she had been thinking; and the only person who should hear those words right now, was Aden.

“Anyway, I’m almost late for work already,” Bonnie said, “Time flies by when you’re grocery-shopping. I’ll see you tonight, maybe we can rent a movie or something?”

Belle just nodded, eager to get Bonnie out of the apartment before she cracked under the pressure of not telling her friend everything.

She could hear the door close, and waited a few minutes just to be on the safe side.

Then she wrote a note to Bonnie, left it on the table and left the apartment.

She hadn’t told her everything, but she knew Bonnie would understand.

***

It almost scared Aden, how easy it was to go back to doing normal things. Sure he missed Belle; and sure, not a single hour went by without him wondering what they were going to do. But after spending weeks without her, it was like a part of him had realized there was no point sitting around crying all day. Going to work or watching TV didn’t make him any less of a husband, it just made him human.

”…And tonight we’ll take you behind the scenes that shocked viewers world wide. How can a family man and professional athlete end up as a murderer? We talk to Anderson’s family and try to figure out how something like this can happen to-“

The doorbell rang again.

“Just a sec!” Aden called out, and left the TV muted.

He opened the door, expecting Leah or Geoff, or someone else; just not the person standing outside.

He just stared at her with great shock for several seconds, unable to say anything at all.

“Hi, Aden,” Belle said and lifted up her bag, “I think we need to talk…”

[Eli]

Aww, you guys are too nice, 11 replies in less than 24 hours? I usually don't get 11 replies to other fics I post in 24 days! Thank you so much for not giving up on this fic even though it hasn't always been Aden/Belle-happy-ever-after

Anyway, here's the 14th chapter; I will post the last chapter either tomorrow or Thursday

PS. I love torturing you with cliffhangers

Chapter 14

September 16th, 2012

“You… You didn’t have to ring the doorbell,” Aden said, still trying to figure out if he was hallucinating or not, “You could have just walked right in…”

“Yeah, I know,” Belle replied, “I just didn’t think I should, since I hadn’t called first…”

“Oh, oh, that’s okay!” Aden said, starting to realize how ridiculous this conversation was, “Come on inside!”

He helped her with her bag, and she followed him as he went to put it in the living room.

“I didn’t expect you back so soon,” Aden said, “Not that it’s not okay, of course, I just mean, I didn’t expect-“

“Me neither,” Belle replied, saving Aden from his own search for words, “But I figured it was time I came back and we started working through our problems.”

There was an awkward silence.

“So… Did you have a good time in Brisbane?”

Belle bit her lip.

“Yeah, it was fun,” she said, “I mean, not fun, but it was good seeing Bonnie again. It wasn’t fun because of the circumstances, but you know…”

“I know what you mean,” Aden replied, it was his time to save her, “Did you see any more of our old friends?”

“Yeah,” Belle nodded, thankful for the fairly easy question, “I saw Craig and Sarah… Oh, and I ran in to Jessica and Kaylie when I went to Veronica’s.”

“Oh, Veronica’s!” Aden replied, “It’s been so long since I’ve had a real Veronica’s coffee!”

“Yeah, I know!” Belle exclaimed, “I had almost forgotten how good it tastes!”

The conversation died, and again there was an awkward silence. This time Belle was the first one to break it.

“Aden, this is kind of ridiculous,” she said, quietly, “We both know there’s something we need to talk about… I guess there’s no point, beating around the bush…”

“I guess you’re right,” Aden nodded, “It’s just… I’m not exactly looking forward to it, you know?”

“I know,” Belle replied, “But I think we have to.”

They sat down on the couch, and again Belle was the first one to break the silence.

“I thought a lot while I was gone,” she began, “And at first I was very angry and upset. I felt like you were cheating on me, you know? Only, after a while I started thinking that maybe you weren’t cheating, or maybe you just couldn’t help it…”

She had to pause, starting to cry already.

“…Maybe you couldn’t control it, and I just couldn’t see that you were unhappy?”

“Oh, Belle!” Aden exclaimed, and instinctively he reached out and grabbed her hand, “I’ve never been unhappy with you! This is not your fault, do you understand?”

“But if you were happy, and there were no warning signs for me to see,” Belle cried, “Then how can this be happening to us?”

“I… I don’t know if I have a good answer to that question,” Aden replied truthfully, “Except…”

He took a moment to look for the right words.

“When I was in high school, before I ever started dating you, I started having feelings for other men,” he began. It was not easy to say this, but he had to do it for Belle, “But at the time I was still so messed up after everything I had been through. You are the only person who have ever made me truly happy, and the only person I have ever loved. I think maybe you helped me work through so many of my problems… Maybe you made me stop denying things I on some level felt, even if I wasn’t aware of it? Does that make sense?”

“I think so,” Belle sniffed, “But it doesn’t make it any easier…”

She broke down, crying helplessly.

“Belle, please don’t cry,” Aden said, realizing he was crying now too, “I know I’ve hurt you, but if you will just give me another chance, we can make this work! We will make it work!”

“You see, that’s the problem, Aden,” Belle replied, “I think I can give you another chance. I can get over the fact that you hurt me; hell I can even get over you kissing Geoff. But that doesn’t change that I don’t know if it’s enough.”

Aden looked at her; he wasn’t sure if he understood.

“What I’m saying,” Belle continued, “Is that it’s not what you did that is the problem; it’s how you feel.”

“Please,” Aden begged, crying, “I don’t love Geoff! I love you!”

“But this is not about Geoff,” Belle cried, “If it hadn’t been Geoff, it would have been some other guy, don’t you see? If you’re gay… Giving this another chance isn’t gonna solve or problem, it’s just gonna delay it.”

Aden just cried silently; the fact that her words were almost identical to what the ones he had used when I talked to Geoff about this, made this so much more painful.

“You know, maybe I’m not gay?” Aden suggested, “Maybe I’m bisexual? Maybe it’s just a phase, or maybe I’m even straight? Maybe this is just something that got in to my head, and I’ll get over it? I know for sure I love you, so maybe this is just…”

He couldn’t say anything more, it was too painful.

“And maybe not?” Belle whispered, “If you really were happy with me, and there was nothing to you that was attractive about other people, then why would you cheat on me in the first place?”

She paused; it has just as difficult for her to say it, as it was for Aden to hear it.

“You might not love Geoff, but you must feel something for him that you don’t feel for me.”

Aden let out a desperate and sad cry.

“But I love you, Belle, I love you! We can’t just throw that away!”

“I love you too, Aden,” she replied, “And that’s why I can’t ask you to live your life as someone you’re not.”

“I am your husband,” Aden said, “It doesn’t matter if I feel differently about someone else, because as long as I still love you, I can’t just let this end.”

“But can you guarantee that something like this won’t happen again? Can you say for sure that you will never develop strong feelings for someone else?”

“No, but I couldn’t have done that even if I was straight!” Aden exclaimed, “You can’t just give up on our marriage like that! There are risks to take on both sides here, I’m willing to risk having to work hard to make this work!”

“I know you are,” Belle replied, “And if you were straight, I probably would have been willing to do that too. But fact is, you’re not; and like I said, I can’t risk being the one to make you unhappy.”

“You won’t!” Aden exclaimed, “I’m happy when I’m with you!”

“Except, now that you’re not denying that side of yourself anymore; you’re never going to be happy with just me.”

Aden was now sobbing desperately. He had no idea what to say; he knew what Belle said was right, but he didn’t want to just give up either.

“So, this is it, then?” he asked, when he finally managed to control his own voice again, “We’re just gonna give up like that?”

“We’re not giving up, Aden,” Belle whispered, “We’re just…”

She didn’t know how to finish that sentence.

“I promised to be true to you,” Aden replied, quoting their wedding vows, “And I can hardly look myself in the mirror after breaking that promise to you. I also promised to love and to honor you for the rest of my life… I can’t just give up on our marriage, Belle…”

He grabbed her other hand too.

“I might not love you in all the ways I should, but I still love you more than anyone else,” he continued, “I said I’d love and honor you, and I can’t… I don’t… I just… How can I do that if we’re just gonna throw all the promises away like that? What we promised each other; it means so much to me… “

Belle just looked at him without saying anything; he didn’t have to finish his sentence for her to understand what he meant.

“If we just divorce each other and go separate ways…” Aden said.

Then suddenly, Belle’s expression changed, like she suddenly thought of a great idea.

“You know what?” she said, determined; and for the first time since she came back, Aden could see something that resembled a smile on her face, “We’re not going to.”

[Eli]

Okay, here's the last chapter, and I just want to thank you all for reading and commenting, it really means a lot to me that so many people have shown interest in this fic

The ending was actually the original idea for this fic, so I created the rest of the fic to build up to this ending, because this is based on an idea I got when I watched a documentary (read the original post). I found the story told about that relationship so inspiring it made me think that this was something I wanted to write. I have a few ideas to how I hope you're feeling after reading all this, but I won't say anything before you've read it, so then I guess there's nothing left for me to do but to post the last chapter. Again thanks for sticking with me throughtout all these 15 chapters. I'm sorry that the last chapter is a bit long, but I would rather have a long chapter at the end than ending this fic without properly wrapping it up.

Enjoy

”Here's to us one more toast, and then we'll pay the bill

Deep inside both of us can feel the autumn chill

Birds of passage, you and me

We fly instinctively

When the summer's over and the dark clouds hide the sun

Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done

In our lives we have walked some strange and lonely treks

Slightly worn but dignified, and not too old for sex

We're still striving for the sky

No taste for humble pie

Thanks for all your generous love, and thanks for all the fun

Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done

It's so strange when you're down and lying on the floor

How you rise, shake your head, get up and ask for more

Clear-headed and open-eyed

With nothing left untried

Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run

There's no hurry any more when all is said and done

Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run

There's no hurry any more when all is said and done”

- “When all is said and done” by ABBA

Chapter 15

2012

It all seemed so surreal. Again he had to ask himself how they got here, standing together to pledge their love for each other and begin the next chapter of their lives.

“Shall we proceed with the ceremony then?” the judge asked.

Aden and Belle looked at each other to make sure they were both on the same page.

“Yes please,” Aden said, nervous, but determined at the same time, “Let’s go through with this.”

***

September 20th, 2012

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” Belle automatically exclaimed, not even realizing at first that it was Geoff she had bumped into.

“Oh, Geoff…” she froze for a second and just stared at him before she realized what she was doing, “Hi.”

“Hi…”

“You…” Belle began, trying to make it sound as causal as possible, “You heard about me and Aden, right?”

Geoff nodded.

“Yeah,” he replied, “Aden told me… It’s… It’s… Great news. Am I allowed to say that?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Belle replied, smiling a little, “This is not a perfect world, and definitely not a perfect situation, but I think this is as close to a perfect solution as we can get. I mean, it still sucks, but…”

Geoff nodded again; he was sensing it would be best if he politely ended the conversation now. He didn’t blame Belle for not wanting to talk to him.

“So, I guess I’ll see you around then?” he asked, knowing that wouldn’t be the case, as they would both be busy trying to avoid each other for some time before things settled down.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Belle replied, “I better go, I need to buy some… Groceries and stuff.”

“Belle,” Geoff said as she was about to turn around and disappear behind a shelf of bread, “I know I’ve said this before, but I’m really sorry. About everything.”

“Thanks Geoff,” Belle replied, sincerely, “That means a lot. And I’m sorry too. About everything.”

***

October 11th, 2012

Unlike in the case of their wedding; only the closest friends and family were present this time. Irene, Annie, Roman, Mattie and Ric were sitting on the front row. Geoff, trying not to be too visible sat next to Bonnie, Leah and Vinnie on the second of the two chair rows.

“We’re gathered here today,” the judge began, “To honor a promise made by Belle and Aden; to love, honor and be true to each other. Two years ago Belle and Aden exchanged rings, and a promise to do everything they could to make each other happy. As a part of that promise we are gathered here again today, to witness Belle and Aden take their next step in life, and begin a new journey, together and as individuals.”

***

October 10th, 2012

“Are you still sure you want to do this?” Aden asked, nervously, “We can still back out.”

Belle couldn’t help smiling, even though it was hard to know for sure what she should feel in this situation.

“You know, you said the same thing the night before we got married,” she replied, “You asked me if I had changed my mind.”

“Well… Have you?” her husband asked, “I understand if you can’t go through with it…”

“Can you go through with it?” Belle replied, “It feels right, doesn’t it?”

“I think it does,” Aden replied quietly.

“Me too.”

She turned away from him and looked at herself in the mirror.

“I want to do this, Aden,” she said, “It feels like the right thing to do.”

***

October 11th, 2012

“Belle, you are the most amazing thing that ever happened to me,” Aden said, when the judge signaled it was time for him to speak, “You have helped me open doors and see things I didn’t know I could ever see. This day is just another proof of how you make the impossible possible; and painful as it is, it also feels good in a strange way. I wish I could have given you all the things you deserve, but the sad truth is that I can’t. But I can give you one thing, and you helped me realize that despite the fact that I can’t give you everything you deserve, I can still give you a chance of happiness.

A big part of me doesn’t want to let you go, but another part of me knows it’s something I have to do, because I want you to have true happiness; and if I can’t give you that any more…”

His voice broke; he hadn’t realized until now that he was crying.

“If I can’t give it to you, then the least I can do for you, is give you a chance to have it without me.”

Belle was crying too, and she mouthed “Thank you” when he finished.

“Aden, over the last months we have been through so much pain and confusion,” she began, as a light breeze swept in from the sea, and brushed through the trees surrounding them, “Things I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But on the same time, I’m not bitter or angry. It’s painful to stand here today, knowing we can’t be what the other one needs; but at the same time, it makes me proud and happy to be here, because I know we wouldn’t be if we didn’t love each other.

You said I deserve to be happy, and so do you. I’m letting you go today, hoping that we will both find happiness.”

She had to pause to dry her eyes. When she continued, her voice was trembling a little.

“I know this is the right thing to do, because if there’s one thing we both know, it is that we love each other, and wish all the best things for each other.

To me, going separate ways today; is not going against our wedding vows. We promised to love, honor and be true to each other for the rest of our lives; and the only way we can do that is if we let each other go. Staying together despite knowing it wouldn’t be right, would be breaking our promises to each other; but even though our marriage technically ends in a divorce; it’s not our promises that stop existing. It’s just a legal union on a piece of paper; and that means nothing to me compared to knowing we’re doing all we can to make each other happy.”

The judge cleared her throat; she was obviously moved by their honest speeches.

“Belle, repeat after me,” she said.

Aden didn’t hear a word she said, he was too focused on trying to stay calm and keep his feelings somewhat under control until it was his time to repeat the new vows.

“Aden, repeat after me,” the judge suddenly said, and Aden was brought back to reality, “I, Aden…”

“I, Aden,” Aden repeated.

”Resolve the pact we made…”

“Resolve the pact we made…”

”As a part of my promise to love, honor and be true to you…”

“As a part of my promise to love, honor and be true to you…”

”Today, out of my deepest love and respect for you, I let you go as we go separate ways.”

“Today, out of my deepest love and respect for you, I let you go as we go separate ways.”

***

Geoff made absolutely sure everyone else, - and especially Belle; were busy talking to someone else before he dared to approach Aden. He didn’t know what he should or could say, but he knew he just had to say something.

“Hi,” he muttered as he finally found enough courage to seek Aden’s attention, “How are you doing?”

“Hi,” Aden replied, and it looked like he was thinking about the question for a while before he answered it, “I’m… I think I’m okay, actually.”

Geoff nodded.

“Good,” he replied, “I’m glad you found a way out that works for you both. I mean, I’m not glad, because obviously the best thing would be if you had-“

“Geoff, it’s okay,” Aden cut him off, saving him the embarrassment, “I know what you mean. Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Ehm… Okay,” Geoff muttered, blushing and looking down. Aden didn’t blame him; he didn’t really know how to act himself, “I just wanted to make sure you were okay…”

“Thanks,” Aden replied, and this time he smiled, “And Geoff… You know… Us… I just need some time to move on a little bit, but after that… I think we can talk about us.”

Geoff’s first thought was to reply “That’s great! That’s wonderful!” or something like that, but suddenly he thought of something else.

“You know, I actually have to tell you something,” he said, “Like, sort of a confession.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“You know when you asked me about that night at Leah and Vinnie’s wedding? You asked me if I remembered anything, since I was so drunk?”

Geoff took a deep breath.

“I lied when I said I didn’t remember anything,” he admitted, “I remembered the kiss… I just… I guess I didn’t want to give you anything to worry about.”

Aden smiled again.

“Things could have worked out so much better for us, couldn’t it?” Aden asked, “If things had been easier from the beginning, maybe I could have promised you something now.”

“It’s okay,” Geoff said, “I don’t need you to promise me anything right now.”

“I promise you I’ll be thinking about it,” Aden replied, and smiled with a relieved expression on his face, “And when I’ve had some time to think… I just hope you’re still waiting for me.”

***

“How are you holding up?” Mattie asked as she sat down, “In need of a friend?”

“Hi, Mattie,” Belle replied, smiling, “I’m doing better than I thought I would.”

“You were both so great,” Mattie said, “The things you said to each other, they made a lot of sense actually. I didn’t really understand how you could be so calm about it all until I heard you today.”

“Oh believe me,” Belle replied, almost laughing, “We haven’t been this calm all along, we’ve done the ‘complete mess’ thing too.”

“I just think it was a nice way to end things,” Mattie said, “I think it’s good that you can end things without all the bitterness that usually follows these sorts of things. I guess you couldn’t have done this if you hadn’t really loved each other.”

“It made a lot of sense for us to do it this way,” Belle explained, “You know, having everyone we love here to witness us tell each other that we love each other, but have to go separate ways… Now that we’ve looked at each other and made sure we’ve said and done all there is to say and do… It’s like, closure, you know?”

Mattie nodded.

“I think I know what you mean,” she said.

“So, where do you go from here?” Mattie asked, when Belle didn’t say anything more.

“Well, we’ve talked about it a lot,” Belle sighed, “And we’ll definitely stay in touch. Aden thinks he’s going to stay in Summer Bay for a while, while I go up to Brisbane again. We’re selling the house, and I’ve rented a small apartment and found a job at a newspaper up there. I think we both need some time apart to move on, but we’re not going to forget about each other.”

Mattie reached out and took Belle’s hand.

“Don’t worry though,” Belle added, with a perky smile, “We’re both coming to your wedding.”

“Oh good, because that’s the only reason I came here today,” Mattie joked, laughing, “To make sure you weren’t canceling on us.”

Belle laughed too, and sensed how wonderful it felt.

“Seriously though,” Mattie said, “I think it sounds like a good idea to get some alone time to move on. You probably both need to find out what you’re going to do next, and it’s probably a good idea not to study each others’ plans that closely right now.”

“Yeah,” Belle said, “I don’t think I can deal with seeing Aden with someone else just yet. I will need some time to get used to the thought, especially because it’s Geoff, you know…”

“I know,” Mattie said, “But you’ll get through it.”

Belle nodded, and for the first time she was sure as well.

“Yeah,” she whispered, and looked over at Aden, who was talking to Geoff, “In the end, we’re going to be okay.”

***

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