Faith

[TelephotoMarigold]

Call my name and save me from the dark. – Evanescence (Wake me up inside)

Nic walked along the beach her mind on other things. She saw Angelo and Charlie in the distance with their baby. She smiled briefly watching the way Angelo was doting over the little baby and for a minutes she felt a sense of loss. She knew she should tell him but what if it ruined things for him she asked herself. He hadn’t been with Charlie then, but still. She sighed just thinking about it all made her head hurt.

She moved to go the diner when she caught sight of Leah sitting ahead of her. She paused and then taking a deep breath she moved over to her.

“Hello.” She said quickly before she could change her mind.

“Nicole.” Leah said.

Leah shaded her eyes and she looked up at her.

“I heard you were back. Tell me have you seen your father recently?” Leah muttered her tone still angry even after all this time.

Nic paused before sitting down next to Leah.

“Roman knows why I don’t visit him Leah.” She murmured.

Nic was wearing a black dress. She knew it was a designer dress because Liam had picked it out for her. She slipped her feet into black heels and stepped out into the lounge. Liam was already there ready wearing head to toe black. She tried to find words but none were there. She felt empty and lost. He came over to her and took hold of her hand.

“It’s raining.” She said finally looking up.

“Come on Nic.” Liam said softly and led her to the waiting car.

He seated her in the back and had to do up the safety belt. She looked out of the tinted window thinking the world looked grey enough without the colouring in the glass. They were driven through the city streets until they reached the quiet cemetery. She made to move out of the car only to find she hadn’t undone the catch on the belt. She clicked it and the sound reverberated through the quiet day. Easing out the back of the car she stood under the big umbrella the chauffeur supplied.

Liam picked up the raincoat he had put in the car and placed it around her shoulders. She looked at it blankly before putting her arms through the sleeves and doing the buttons up. He had to help her with the buckle of the belt because her hands started shaking. He looked at her and they moved slowly to the graveside.

She heard the rumble of an approaching engine and saw a police van stop a little way away. She raised shocked eyes to Liam and then looked over as her father was helped out of the back. He approached the graveside pausing when one of the guards placed a hand on his arm and spoke to him. She saw the guard lean over and removed the handcuffs.

“Dad?” she asked the first word she had spoken for days.

He ran to her then and wrapped her in his arms.

“I’m so sorry Nic.” He said tears in his eyes.

“How are you here?” she asked puzzled.

“Liam arranged it. Compassionate grounds.” He explained quickly.

She looked up at him and blinked.

“You would have been a fantastic Mum, Nicole.” Roman told her .”I’m sorry.” He repeated and although only words she felt something inside stirring into life.

She tried to say something then, to tell him what his being here meant to her but the tears that had been missing for the past few days when she had been wrapped in the fog of grief fell from her eyes and she sobbed. Roman held her in his arms stroking her hair.

“I love you Nic, and I’m so proud of you. You are so lovely and you don’t deserve to have to say goodbye to her. But we need to.” Roman said quietly. “We need to say goodbye to Faith.” He whispered.

She lifted her face to look at him with tear drenched eyes before nodding.

He kept his arm around her as they stood by the graveside. Nic looked over at Liam and held her hand out to Liam and he moved to the other side of her and took hold of her hand as they said goodbye. The pastor began the service and she listened to the words he said feeling a small piece of her heart healing, even though she thought it would have been buried with her daughter.

She stayed there a long time watching the small coffin in the too big grave, feeling Liam standing there beside her his hand warm round hers and her dad’s arm around her waist, supporting her until eventually she was handed a white rose from Liam. And she dropped it on top of the white coffin. Black and white merging to make grey.

They moved away through the rain and to the waiting cars. She was hugged and kissed once more by her Dad.

“I love you Nic.” He said in her ear before he was led away.

“Dad.” She murmured watching him leave.

After a long time she climbed into the back of the car and went home with Liam.

“I had a bit of a problem going to the prison.” Nic said not filling Leah in on the details. “Dad knows the reason why.”

Leah looked at her for a long minute before sighing.

“Does he know you are pregnant Nic?” Leah asked her.

Nic automatically put a protective hand on her belly.

“No.” she murmured. “Not this time.” she added and caught the look of shock on Leah’s face.

“This time?” Leah asked immediately.

Nic sighed and looked out at the sea watching the waves as she told Leah the story. Her eyes strayed once or twice to Charlie and Angelo playing on the beach with their baby and she felt an unbidden rush of jealously.

Pulling on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt she added trainers and screwed her hair up into a rough bun on the back of her head. Grabbing her keys she headed to the car and started the journey to the prison. It was the first time she was going to visit him since the funeral service and she felt nervous. She knew the journey off by heart have made the trip every week. She reached over and took a long drink of water to settle her churning stomach as she pulled up outside the prison walls. She took a deep breath and felt the need to take another immediately. Her palms became wet and she rubbed them on her Jean clad legs. She gasped feeling her breathing quicken. Her eyes darting this way and that until looking up she saw the grey walls and felt as though they were bearing down on her. She moaned feeling sick and it felt as though her heart was going to explode through her chest it was beating so fast.

Grabbing her phone out of her bag she speed dialled Liam and tried to talk to him but the only sounds to emerge between her lips were harsh moans and rasping breaths.

“Nic is that you? Are you ok?” he asked quickly.

“Help.” she gasped out.

“Where are you Nic.?” Liam said and she heard the rattle of him grabbing his car keys from the bowl they kept them in by the side of the door. She eased in a slow breath focusing on breathing just the one breath. It escaped in an unsteady hiss.

“Prison. Hurry.” She got out before she saw coloured dots in front of her eyes and she fell back into the welcoming darkness.

Liam got there in record time finding her lying back in the car. He worried for a moment that she had done something stupid but he reached for her hand and felt for a pulse. IT was strong and felt fast to him. He woke her up and saw the frightened panicked look in her eyes.

“I can’t” she gasped.

“Nic?” he said puzzled.

She pointed to the grey walls.

“It’s grey.” She said. “I can’t.” she moaned.

He nodded and helped her out of the car. He got her over to his and into the passenger seat felling her shaking against him. He collected stuff from her car before locking up her car and driving her home.

She tried more times to see him but every time she had a panic attack until eventually her dad refused to send her a visiting order.

“I’m sorry Nicole I had no idea. None of us did. How are you?” Leah asked her calmly.

She looked back at Leah.

“It hurts.” She said finally. “And for a long time it felt as though I was dead inside. I couldn’t seem to wake up.”

Leah nodded understandingly.

“And what do you plan to do?” she asked a spark of mischief in her velvet brown eyes.

“I need a job.” Nic confessed.

“Great I was hoping you were going to say that. We need help in the diner.” She murmured.

Nic laughed.

“I should have known you were up to something from your expression.” She gasped.

Leah nodded and stood up.

“No time like the present.” She said laughing and pulled Nic to her feet.

They walked to the diner and Leah started showing Nic the ins and outs of the diner.

[TelephotoMarigold]

You saw me standing alone – Blue moon.

Nic walked slowly home after finishing the late shift at the diner. She’d finally got the last person to leave and had been able to sweep and clean the floors before getting the coffee machine ready for the morning rush. It was late and she was tired and even her back was hurting she thought with a pout. It hadn’t hurt like this the last time she was pregnant she grinned to herself as she pressed a hand to her curved belly. She looked up and saw the full moon in the sky. It was one of those that had a bluish tint to it and she smiled to herself at the poetic thoughts. She moved along the path her footsteps making no sound as she stepped along the pavement. Suddenly from behind her she head a footstep. She gasped and spun around looking to see if there was anyone there.

Thinking that maybe it was her imagination she carried on walking, hearing the sound again she began to hurry. The sounds grew more consistent like the person didn’t care that they could be heard and the feelings of panic started to build up within her.

She saw a dark shape looming up ahead and she gasped. Spinning around she heard the footsteps again from behind her. Not knowing which way to go she felt a scream building up. “Nic.” She heard the person in front call.

“Who is it?” She asked.

He stepped forward so that he was no longer in shadow.

“It’s me.” Angelo called to her.

She sighed and ran over to him.

“Thank god.” She cried.

She listened and the footsteps from behind her stopped.

“Hey you’re shaking. Come on lets get you home.” Angelo murmured.

She looked at him as he led her to the police car.

“How did you know where I was?” she asked puzzled.

“I drove past you about five minutes ago when you were looking at the moon.” He grinned at her.

She nodded, thinking she was pretty engrossed in the sky, otherwise she might have noticed someone following her sooner.

Angelo opened the door for her and she climbed in.

“I thought we should talk.” He said softly once he was behind the wheel.

She nodded again.

“I have something I should tell you.” Nic murmured.

Angelo reached out and placed his hand on top of hers.

“I know.” He murmured. “Ruby told Charlie who told…” he trailed off. “I can’t believe how strong you were to go through that Nic.” He murmured.

“Wait, you’re not upset that I kept it from you.”

Angelo sighed.

“Of course I am. On some primitive macho level that is but well you have kind of blown me away with how courageous you are. You knew there was a chance she was mine and instead of confronting me and ruining the relationship I had begun to have with Charlie you left town. I have to ask this.” He murmured. “Officially.” He added.

Her head shot up.

“No.” she said before he even asked the question.

He smiled at her.

“Nic the person is here in Summer Bay and they know you are back.” He said softly. “Press charges and we can put him away.”

She shook her head.

“Angelo there is no proof.” She murmured.

He nodded.

“Then expect us to do what we can to protect you.” He murmured. “Officially.” He added. “And unofficially too.”

She half smiled.

“Do you want to see a picture of her?” she found herself asking.

“Yes please.” He said quietly, although his voice sounded loud in the car. He reached up and switched on the light as she routed around in her bag until she pulled out her purse.

“This is Faith.” She murmured handing him the snapshot.

“That is a beautiful name.” He told her emotion wracking his voice.

She nodded.

“She had an Angel for a father so there was no other name.” She told him. “I know it’s silly but with you that one time it was like comfort and friends and healing and even romance.” She said to him.

He reached out.

“It was special to me too.” He confessed. “All the stuff I was going through and I’d reached a place where I couldn’t deal with anymore but you were there Nic and you got me through that night. “

She smiled.

“I’m never going to be sorry we made her.”

Angelo nodded and passed the snapshot back.

“Thank you for sharing her with me.” He told her. “Now I need to get you home before Aden calls the station and gets a search party out for us.”

“He’s worried isn’t he?” Nic asked.

Angelo nodded.

“He cares for you a lot and he thinks this person is going to hurt you.” Angelo confessed. “At the moment we have a footprint proving that they were at your house. We can charge them with criminal mischief and stalking related offences.”

She nodded.

“But that won’t keep him away a long time.” she told him. “He’ll come back.”

Angelo looked at her as he pulled up outside her house.

“It’s a start. It’s telling him we are watching him.” he pointed out. “Listen Nic, take some time to think about it until then start thinking smarter than him, don’t walk home alone in the dark and if you must do keep to well lit streets.” He began.

She listened to him.

“Charlie runs a course on self defence for women.” He told her. “She given me some leaflets for you to look at telling you the basics of personal safety.”

Nic looked at him.

“Does she know about us?” she asked suddenly.

Angelo grinned.

“She knows that we were friends Nic as for anything else I wanted to know from you if it were ok to tell her.”

Nic smiled.

“Yes. If she is ok with it I don’t mind people knowing.” She told him.

“Ok lets get you inside.” He said.

He reached across her and took some things out of the glove box before climbing out of the car and walking around the other side to open the door for her. She moved to the door of the house to find it flung open by Aden.

“I was getting worried.” He told her.

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“I’m fine I had a police escort.”

Angelo smiled.

“Her are the leaflets and there is this.” He said.

She took the small cylindrical object and looked at it in puzzlement.

“It’s a panic alarm.” Angelo told her.

She smiled.

“Thank you.” She said to him.

He grinned at her and nodded before walking away.

Aden closed the door and looked at her thoughtfully before going into the kitchen and making a drink.

“Do you want anything?” he asked.

“No I’m going to go to bed.” She told him.

He watched her go up the stairs before he went and locked the door checking the security chain was on.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Change waltzes in with her sister Pain waiting for you to send her away wish her well break the chain – Tori Amos (Orphelia )

Nic woke up and groaned. She felt the now familiar wave of nausea go through her and raced into the bathroom just in time. When she felt she could stand she climbed up the hot spray of the shower until she felt human again. Easing down the stairs she made for the kitchen and reached for a cracker. The salty savoury taste managed to settle her stomach and she took the box into the lounge with her and ate some more.

“Morning.” Aden grumbled coming down the stairs.

She nodded acknowledgement and munched on another cracker. He moved over to the sofa and reached into the box helping himself.

“Cup of tea?” he asked and she nodded again.

He walked away into the kitchen.

“How long does it last?” he muttered.

“Could be the whole pregnancy. Although if it is I will have to have serious words with the baby.”

She stood up suddenly.

“Aden.” She gasped out.

He rushed over to her.

“Hey?” he asked, his panic at her call subsiding as he caught the bemused expression on her face.

“Feel.” She told him and lifted his hand to her belly.

He pressed gently and felt a foot kick him. It felt so weird like there was an alien inside her about to spring out. He looked at her face and saw the happy look in her eyes that had been missing lately. She smiled at him.

“That is the baby.” She said un-necessarily.

He chuckled.

“A footie star in the making.” He grinned and looked at her face when she gasped. “Nic?” he asked.

She looked away quickly.

“Bible boy?” he asked.

She shook her head but not before he saw the stain of blush on her cheeks.

“Too late.” He muttered.

She glared at him.

“No.” she said. “The father is out of the picture.” She murmured.

He chuckled.

“Ok.” he agreed and moved away slowly to get the drinks.

She glared at his back and then gasped as she saw the kitchen window smash. The loud crack of breaking glass echoed around the room and she moved towards Aden intent on getting him out of the way.

“What are you doing?” he asked her when he felt her hands on him pulling him back.

He looked at the object that had landed in the middle of the kitchen and grimaced. It was a large brick.

“I didn’t want …..” she stopped and started shaking. “That could have hit you.” She said with a sick moan.

Her eyes rolled back in her head and she slumped against him.

Aden swore and grabbed hold of her limp body moving it over to the sofa. He pulled the throw over her and tried to rub some warmth into her cold hands.

She woke slowly and saw him.

“Are you ok?” she asked him.

“Shouldn’t that be my line Princess?” he smirked.

“I’m ok. We should call the police.” She murmured. “I need to go upstairs.”

He nodded and helped her ease up. After a minute she stood up and he helped her to the stairs watching as she went up them slowly. He waited until she was at the top before he reached for the phone and called the police.

Nic listened to Aden talking on the phone and began to cry. After a time she found her phone and with a shaking hand she typed out a message on it.

“Meet me at the pier at three or I’ll tell the police about you.”

There was no need to add her name he would know it was from her. It took her another few minutes to locate the number she had written down. She looked at the screen of her phone and then sent it before she could change her mind her hands still shaking. She dropped the phone and raced back inot the bathroom knowing this time that it wasn't due to the baby as she was once again sick.

Romeo looked at his phone and sighed. He re-read the message before putting his phone away and making his way to the beach.

Hugo stopped what he was doing when he saw his phone had the little envelope icon on it. He clicked it open and looked at the message before carrying on with his work.

Geoff pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket and read the incoming message. He sighed and climbed in his car starting the engine before signalling and pulling out into traffic.

Xavier was over the other side of the room when he saw his phone vibrate on the table. He went over to it and clicked it open reading the incoming message a thoughtful expression on his face.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Someone told me long ago there's a calm before the storm,

I know; it's been comin' for some time.

When it's over, so they say, it'll rain a sunny day,

I know; shinin' down like water.

Have you ever seen the rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Nic paced at the end of the pier looking around nervously. She checked her phone looking at the time on the display and groaned. It was 3.10 they were late. She was getting even more nervous torn between horror at them showing and horror at them not showing. She had to get control back in her life and not be terrorised by him. She pressed a hand to her belly feeling the swell of her bump, still so slight but making his or her presence felt already, she’d had to change out of her funky jeans and find a pair of tracksuit bottoms with elastic waist. Of course they were pink and had diamantes on but that was beside the point.

She grinned and checked her phone again.

“Hello.” A voice said from behind her. “I got your message.” he added.

She spun around and looked at him. This was the face that haunted her dreams, this was the man who made her ashamed. He was nothing. He couldn’t hurt her again.

“Hello.” She said calmly.

He grinned.

“Little Nicole all grown up.” He murmured.

She felt a rush of nausea go through her at his choice of words and bit back a scathing reply. She had to play this cool.

“You know why I got you here?” she asked.

He nodded.

“You want to tall me anyway.” He suggested.

“Stay away from me. Keep away from my house. Stop following me.” She began.

He laughed at her.

“You have no proof that’s me.”

She looked up then and found her eyes meeting with his.

“I don’t need proof. I don’t intend to go to the police unless I have to.” She murmured. “Keep away from me and my friends and I won’t “ she muttered the words forcing their way through numb lips. She could swear she could still taste the aftershave he used in her mouth a bitter taste. His sweat had fallen on to her scarring her for life as he used her body. She felt so unclean just from being in the same space as him.

“I did nothing to you that you didn’t want Nicole. You were begging for it.” he muttered stepping closer to her.

“Keep your distance.” She hissed at him and could have kicked herself for letting him know he affected her.

He laughed.

“Why did you come back Nicole?” he asked her. “You should have stayed away with your rockstar boyfriend.”

She took in a deep breath before she spoke.

“I came home. That’s all you need to know.” She paused looking out across the blue water and then back at him.

“I won’t have you destroy my life Nicole. I have a job and a relationship. You should leave the bay.” He muttered. “Why did you just take those warnings.”

“You admit it was you?” she murmured quietly.

“What do you really want from me? Is it money?” he glared at her. “Is that it? Now that your pregnant I heard the dad was a deadbeat. Did he shoot though on you Nic, is that it?”

She shook her head.

“Do you really think I want my baby anywhere near you? That I would accept anything from you?” she sneered. “You are a …” she stopped and looked him in the face. “A Rapist.” She finished.

He reached out and grabbed her arm.

“It was a mistake alright. I never meant it to happen.” He muttered rubbing his free hand over his eyes. “You were there and I was drunk.”

“You admit it?” she asked.

“Yes.” He hissed. “I admit it Nicole. I had sex with you.”

She shook her head trying to pull her arm free.

“I didn’t want it.” she said and couldn’t control the panic in her voice.

“You were the town tramp Nicole. Of course you wanted it. So I had to use a bit of force. Yeah, I was drunk but you wanted it.”

She gagged against the nauseous feeling in her throat. He still wore the same scent and she had to bite her lips to stop the scream building up in her.

“I was on my way home and you “ she stopped unable to continue.

“I may have grabbed you but it was nothing. I’m not going to let you ruin my life.” He muttered and pulled her arm as he moved to the end of the pier.

“NO!” she screamed.

He looked round them nervously dragging her along.

“I don’t want to do this Nicole but you are forcing me.” He said to her. “So I got a little rough with you, so I had to use a little force. You loved it. I heard those whimpers of yours.”

She tugged at her arm pulling it from his grasp. He reached and caught hold of her picking her off her feet.

“Remember how it was. Oh I may have forced you Nicole but you wanted it.”

“Just admit you raped me and we can forget this.” She said desperately.

He looked at her seeing her struggle in his arms.

“I raped you Nicole.” He said. “Is that what you wanted.” He stood her back on her feet and looked into her eyes.

“No, but its what I needed to hear.” Angelo said moving quickly over to them. “Hugo Austin I am arresting you on suspicion of Rape you do not have to say anything but anything you do say will be taken down and used in evidence against you.” He yanked Hugo’s arm behind his back and started to put the cuffs on him.

Charlie came over to Nic and started to lead her away.

“Come on.” She said to her feeling the girl shake in her arms.

Hugo glared at her with loathing.

The next happened so quickly that no one was prepared.

Hugo yanked his arms free from Angelo and pushed him away he grabbed at Nicole and spun her away from Charlie’s grip. She let out a scream feeling his hand on her again, her ankle twisted and she felt herself starting to fall. Her head hit the wooden support at the side of the pier as it shattered behind her and she let out a cry. Charlie and Angelo tried to grab Hugo but he moved quickly. The momentum of the fall and the force of Hugo pushing her forced Nicole to fall into the deep dark water below. She opened her mouth to scream and sucked in water sinking slowly down into blackness.

[TelephotoMarigold]

I can be you hero baby

I can kiss away the pain

I will stand by you forever

You can take my breath away

Hero - Enrique Iglesias

Geoff saw the struggle and then his heart sank as he saw her fall from the other end of the pier he screamed out her name and started running towards her. Aden ran beside him. The two men having been told to stay back by Angelo.

“I told her this was a stupid plan.” Aden ground out.

They reached the spot where she had fallen in.

“You get him out of here.” Geoff shouted to Angelo, referring to Hugo.

They had managed to once more subdue him and were putting handcuffs around his wrists.

“She’s nothing but a tramp.” Hugo muttered.

“She’s my wife.” Geoff told him and pulled back his arm. Without thinking about it he released a punch connecting squarely with Hugo’s jaw. The other man started to sink down only supported by Angelo’s hold on his arms.

“Wife?” Aden asked.

“Now is not exactly the time.” Geoff muttered, turning his attention to the broken stretch of pier where Nic had gone in. He kicked off his shoes and stripped off his T-shirt, as did Aden. They looked at each other for a fast second before they dived into the water below.

Aden saw her first but had to surface to get more air. He dove again and saw Geoff pulling her up to the surface. She cleared the top and they swum back to the end of the pier pulling her out of the water bit by bit. She was unconscious and Geoff couldn’t tell if she were breathing.

Aden helped him as they got her unsteadily up the ladder.

They got her on the deck.

Aden looked at Geoff watching the conflicting emotions on his face. Geoff found his fingers touching the side of her neck feeling for a pulse.

“Come on Nic.” He murmured.

He shook his head and Aden nodded.

“Airway.” He murmured.

The two men started working on her. Geoff breathed for her while Aden started chest compressions. Angelo and Charlie watched them.

“Paramedics are on their way.” Angelo murmured.

“Come on Nic.” Geoff muttered. “You need to explain our marriage to people.” He added taking a breath and blowing between her lips.

“Not half Princess. I think I’m going to spank you for all those fibs you’ve been telling me.” Aden grinned.

“Stop.” Geoff told him and Aden looked at him.

“I’ve got a pulse.” He said in relief.

Nic gasped and coughed. They turned her to the recovery position and Geoff reached over and took hold of her hand.

“Geoff the baby.” She gasped.

“It’ll be ok, I promise.” He said.

Aden looked into his face and knew that the other man had just lied. There were no guarantees.

“He is gone.” She questioned.

Angelo lent down to look into her eyes.

“We got him. Everything is on tape Nic.” He murmured.

She eased up coughing some more.

“My ring?” she asked Geoff.

“That’s my Princess a near drowning and all she cares about is her jewellery.” Aden smirked easing up.

He moved over to pull his shoes back on and grab his T-shirt. He noticed then the silver cross necklace Geoff was wearing. He reached up and undid the chain pulling off the two silver rings. She held out her hand and Geoff smiled as he placed the ring on her finger. She took the other ring from him and placed it on his finger and they held hands for a moment.

“Geoff I love you.” She murmured.

He grinned.

“Love you too.” He told her and uncaring of the audience he kissed her.

He fastened his chain back around his neck before putting his arms around her and holding her close.

“Er Nic… Bible boy.” Aden said quietly.

Nic looked up at him and held out her hand,

Aden looked at it for a second before he sat down next to them.

“I needed to face the people I left behind.” She murmured, her teeth starting to chatter.

Just then they saw the paramedics running along the pier towards them. Geoff moved to one side and let them check her out. He stood next to Aden and the two men watched anxiously as she was lifted onto a gurney an oxygen mask over her face.

Aden turned and fetched Geoff’s shirt and trainers and handed them to him.

“Thanks.” He murmured and tugged the T-shirt on followed by the trainers.

“Which one of you is with the young lady?” A paramedic came and asked them.

“We both are.” Geoff said.

“Oh er…” he paused stuck for words.

“It’s ok.” Aden said “Geoff go ahead.”

He grinned at Aden.

“We both go.” He said.

Aden chuckled and they climbed in the back of the ambulance.

“About time.” Nic mumbled lowering the mask.

She reached out and looked into Geoff eyes and caught hold of his hand placing it on her belly. He felt the baby kick against his hand and he sucked in a deep breath.

“Wow.” He murmured.

Aden leaned over to him and whispered in his ear.

“Mate, you know that scene in Aliens?”

Geoff laughed.

“Yeah.” He grinned.

“I’m going to have my hands full with you two aren’t I?” she asked holding out her other hand to Aden.

He smiled and took hold of her hand.

The door was closed and the ambulance moved off.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone

I keep waiting for you but you never come

Is this in my head, I don't know what to think

He fells to the ground and pulled out a ring

Love Story – Taylor Swift

Nic lay on the sofa a cover over her. Geoff sat perched on the arm. Across the room from them were Annie, who was still tearful, Ruby Miles and lastly Aden.

She grinned at them and eased up a hand pressed lovingly on her belly. Geoff moved then to sit beside her and they looked at one another.

“Ok.” Geoff said.

Nic chuckled.

“Alright.” She murmured.

Neither of them seemed able to find the words to explain.

“Geoff.” Annie cried out.

“Ok, “ he mumbled again taking hold of Nic’s hand, “We met up in the city and started seeing each other.”

“And why couldn’t you have told me?” Annie asked him.

“Annie.” He murmured.

She shook her head and glared at him.

“Finish the story.” Nic encouraged him.

Geoff turned his head a fraction and looked at her. She smiled at him and he nodded.

“We dated for a while and well.” He paused.

“I got pregnant.” Nic chirped in.

Geoff blushed at Aden’s smirk and then had to endure the other man grinning at him.

“Yes.” He murmured. “So I proposed and she said yes.”

Nic laughed.

“Not quite.”

“Well eventually she said yes.” Geoff amended.

Miles chuckled at them.

She looked up at Geoff and smiled encouragement to him.

“I wanted to come back here and try and make things right. I owed explanations to a lot of people.” Nic murmured softly. “We talked it over.”

“Did nothing but talk for days.” Geoff said quietly. “I wasn’t happy with her choice to come back here alone but eventually I accepted it.”

Nic looked up at him and he leaned over and kissed her.

Aden wolf-whistled and they broke apart quickly.

“So what was the wedding like?” Annie asked dreamily.

Nic looked at the floor and then to Ruby.

“Yeah Nic, did you have a big meringue dress?” she asked and gave them a smile.

“Thank you Rubes.” She said softly. “No it was a plain little white cotton dress. We did it somewhere unusual.”

“Perhaps you should rephrase that last bit.” Aden suggested.

Nic glared at him even as she blushed.

“The prison Chaplain married us.” Geoff murmured.

“With Roman?” Aden asked quickly.

Geoff nodded.

“Nic hadn’t been able to visit him since she lost her baby.” He said softly. “So I arranged for us to go there together.”

She smiled again at him.

“I still have trouble but it’ll get better.” She said positively.

“Why didn’t he say anything?” Miles murmured.

“We did swear him to secrecy.” Geoff said. “After first stopping him from breaking out to come here.”

“Bet that was a heck of a conversation.” Aden grinned. “What?” he asked when Annie looked at him. “I’m practising changing my language for when the baby comes.”

Annie laughed at him before looking at Nic.

“Oh my god I’m going to be an Aunt.” She gasped.

Geoff chuckled.

“Yup.” He murmured. “Think you can handle that.”

She nodded and clutched hold of Ruby’s hand excitedly.

“Ok Annie.” Ruby told her.

She looked over at Nic and Geoff.

“See what you’ve started and there are still six months to go.” She grumbled.

Nic laughed.

“I have a question.” Miles murmured. “Well two.” He amended.

They looked at him.

“First of all what does a guy have to do around here to get a coffee? And second.” He paused. “Are you going to live here.”

Geoff looked at Aden and then Nic. He saw the hopeful expression on her face and he leaned over and kissed her gently.

“Yes.” He answered and saw her smile. “Maybe not here, here.” He added indicating the house.

“There’s plenty of room Bible Boy. I reckon we can get along for a while.”

Nic looked up at Geoff and placed her hand on his back.

“Please.” She murmured softly.

He smiled down at her and nodded.

“Guys.” Ruby groaned. “You are so sickeningly sweet you are giving us all toothache.”

“Yeah.” Aden agreed standing up. “Miles do you want a coffee?” he asked moving into the kitchen.

The other man joined him.

Geoff stood and moved over to sit with Annie. She smiled up at him and he put his arms around her.

“I’m sorry. We should have included you in our plans but it was all so rushed.” He apologised to her.

“It’s ok maybe when you are settled you could have a church blessing.” She suggested and looked up at him.

Geoff chuckled.

“Blackmail Annie?” he asked with a grin.

She shrugged.

“Will it work?” she asked.

Geoff laughed and pulled her to her feet and hugged her. He guided Annie into the kitchen giving Nic and Ruby a chance to talk.

“I can understand not telling us everything Nic.” She began. “But, well, there are an awful lot of secrets you managed to keep.”

Nic sat up putting her feet on the floor and leaning over to her.

“I know and I hated it but until Hugo was sorted out I couldn’t just blurt everything out.” She murmured. “And we knew if we came back together it wouldn’t give me the chance to make amends. If it’s going to be difficult for you we can move back to the city.”

Ruby shook her head.

“No chance you aren’t running out on us again.” She murmured.

Nic grinned at her.

“Really?” she asked.

Ruby nodded.

Nic launched herself off the sofa and put her arms around the other girl.

“Thank you.” She squealed.

Ruby laughed.

“Welcome home Nic.” She murmured.

“Yeah.” Miles said. “Welcome home Nic.”

She looked at each of them.

“It’s good to be home.” She said.

Geoff grinned at her and held out his hand,

She stood and went over to him.

“Thank you. “ she said to all off them. “Now what is the quickest way of letting everyone know we’re married.”

“Oh that is still Colleen.” Miles said sipping his coffee.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Last Chapter and apologies that it is so bad.....

Baby you’re my Angel - Aerosmith (Angel)

Nic stood at the graveside, Geoff holding her hand. Liam was there too, standing with Miles and Ruby. It had been 5 years to the day that Faith died and they had decided it was time to visit her. She remembered how grey and dark the day was she buried her, today it was sunny and earlier threatening clouds had drifted away as if by magic. She looked to the trees swaying form the gentle breeze and smelt summer flowers drifting through the air.

She looked up and saw Charlie and Angelo walking towards them. The other couple had been through a rough time after Charlie had found out about Faith but eventually she had come round. Accepting that it had happened before they had even got together. Behind them Aden and Annie walking together and holding hands.

Nic smiled and caught Geoff watching her. He waited a moment before he began to speak.

He talked about the joy he found with Nic and their baby, but how their family would always have a missing piece because Faith wasn’t there.

Nic looked at him tears pouring down her face and then she began to speak, quietly at first.

“Geoff talked about Family. He refereed to me and him and our baby girl, Roma, but we have more family than that. You are the proof right here. Thank you for being here today.” She said looking round at everybody. “Faith would have been honoured to have grown up with you in her life and I’m sorry she will miss knowing you, and as much as we miss her we know that she is watching down on us.” She finished and blinked back more tears.

Angelo stepped forward and placed a white rose on Faith’s grave he didn’t say anything but turned to Charlie. She stepped forward and put her arm understandingly around him.

“We would have loved you to know your brother.” Charlie said referring to her 4-year-old son. “We‘ve decided that when he is old enough we’ll tell him about you so that he knows how special you were.”

Nic nodded.

Geoff looked up and in the distance saw someone walking towards them. He didn’t say anything to the others, just stood that and waited until the person came into view.

“Dad?” Nic gasped.

He nodded.

“Sorry I’m late.” He murmured.

“But what are you doing here?” she gasped out, hastily wiping tears from her face.

“I’ve been released.” He said quietly. “I’m free. It took forever to get here.”

Nic shook her head watching as Miles and Roman shook hands and greeted each other. She looked first at Aden and then Geoff.

“You knew about this and you didn’t tell me.” She accused them.

Aden and Geoff looked at each other. Aden smirked and then felt Annie kick him on the ankle.

“Hey!” he cried out.

Geoff coughed and brought people’s focus back to him.

“I’d like to finish with a prayer.” He said softly.

He looked round and saw them bow their heads and then he began to speak.

“Dear God, We know this little girl is in heaven with you now and as if she takes after Nic I hope you aren’t having too much trouble with her. “ he paused and saw Nic glaring at him, with a sad grin he continued. ”Thank you for letting us all come together to be here today to remember her. May she rest forever in peace until we can once again hold her. Amen.”

A scattering of Amen’s went around the group and he looked up and saw Nic smiling at him.

“Thank you.” She said quietly.

They started to move away leaving Nic there last.

“Thank you baby girl for giving me the faith to go home and for sending Geoff back to me. I know it was you because when he walked into the café that night your song was playing on the radio.“ she said softly and placed a red rose on her grave. “It was playing again when we made love for the first time and concieved Roma and then when I went into the water that day, I heard it again. There was no way it could be playing anywhere but I heard it. I wasn't supposed to come back was I?" Nic said quietly. "I was supposed to die that day that Hugo pushed me in but you saved me. That's why I had to lose you isn't it?" she asked the headstone picturing her daughters face superimposed on the sleek marble. "Every time I heard it I knew you were helping me. I knew you were my Angel.”

Nic stood up and walked over to where Geoff was standing. She took hold of his hand and they went home.

I'm alone

yeah I don't know if I can face the

night

I'm in tears

and the cryin' that I do is for you

I want your love let's break the wall

between us

Don't make it tough I'll put away my pride

Enough's enough, I've suffered and I've

seen the light

Baby...

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

You're my angel

come and make it alright

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

Don't know what I'm gonna do about

this feeling inside

Yes ,it's true loneliness took me for a ride

Without your love I'm nothing but a

beggar

What can I do?

I'm sleepin' in this bed alone

Baby...

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

You're my angel

come and make it alright

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

You're the reason I live

You're the reason I die

You're the reason I give when I break

down and cry

Don't need no reason why

Baby, baby, baby

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

You're my angel

come and make it alright

You're my angel

come and save me tonight

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