The Dark Horse

[LauraPhilly!!]

Thanks guys so much for you're comments!

Here's the next chapter!

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 41

Belle looked down miserably at her baby as he bawled his eyes out.

Sehwas causing his pain.

She knew it.

She wanted to pick him up, hold him in her arms, and tell him everything was going to be ok.

But everything was not going to be ok if she didn't do these stretches with him.

Putting one hand light but firmly on his tummy, she took his leg and tried to stretch it out.

Robert cried even louder. Belle let go suddenly.

"I know it must be hard to hear him crying!" said the physical therapist beside her. "But we've got to do this! Try again!"

Taking his leg in both hands this time, Belle tried to stretch it out. Robert continued to cry, tearing pouring down his red face.

Belle let go of him quickly and jumped to her feet, backing away.

Aden, who had been leaning against the door frame, approached her slowly.

"I can't do it!" said Belle, wrapping her arms securely around her waist. "I can't do it!"

"Belle, you can't give up!" said Judy, the therapist. "Robbie will be so much worse off in the future if we don't start helping him now!"

"Babe, Judy's right," said Aden softly, putting his hand on her arm. "We've got to try!"

"I can't!" said Belle, burying her face in her hands.

"Belle - "

"Would you do it please?" she said, looking beseechingly at Aden.

He looked at her cautiously, sighed and then went over to Robert, bent down and started doing the stretches.

Robert burst into tears again.

"C'mon baby, don't cry for Daddy!" said Aden, tickling his tummy, and making funny faces at him.

Robert continued to cry but his squirming ceased, as he began to co-operate with him.

"You're the best boy, aren't you!" said Aden, grinning down at him. "You don't like any of this stuff though! I don't blame you, I wouldn't either!"

"That's good," said Judy. "Keep talking to him. Calm, familiar voices help to soothe him!"

"Belle look, he's calming down!" said Aden, looking around.

But Belle had quietly slipped out of the room.

Aden sighed.

"Judy, can we take a break?" he asked, taking Robert in his arms, and holding him against his chest supportively.

"Yes, of course!" she said, standing up.

"Help yourself to anything in the kitchen!" said Aden, as he headed for their bedroom.

Walking in the door, Aden was not surprised to see Belle lying curled up on the bed, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, her eyes wide open.

Aden walked over and sat down beside her.

"We decided to take a break," he said, looking down at her.

She said nothing.

Aden sighed. "Babe, I know this is hard! I really do! I hate seeing Robbie cry too! But he's going to cry so much more over this when he's older, if we don't help him now!"

In his arms, Robbie began to cry silently.

Aden smiled lightly. "He wants his Mum!"

Belle tightened her arms around her waist.

"Belle, please! He wants you! Don't you love him anymore?"

Belle looked up at Aden suddenly, her eyes incredulous.

"Of course I still love him! I never stopped! How could you ask my that Aden?? They're my children! I will always love them!"

"Well then could you show just a bit more!" said Aden, looking at her seriously. "I don't doubt how much you love them! Of course I don't but we've been dealt a bad hand and we just have to deal with it! We have both got to deal with this together!"

Belle expression turned soft, and slowly, she uncurled herself and sat up beside Aden, putting her hands out.

Careful, Aden laid Robert into Belle's arms, where he snuggled up against her chest, grabbing a handful of her shirt.

She chuckled, leaned down and kissed his forehead.

Then, she looked up at Aden.

"I'm sorry......for being difficult lately," she said. "I'm just finding this very hard."

"I know you are, babe," said Aden, kissing her forehead.

"Just knowing that he's hurting because of what she did, and that with all those stretches, I'm hurting him even more!" she continued. "Hasn't he been through enough?"

"Babe, we can't just do nothing," said Aden, reaching out to stroke Robert's cheek, but Robert grabbed his finger instead. "We need to help him as much as possible now, so.....he'll have a half decent life in the future!"

"Is it really going to be that bad?" asked Belle sadly, looking down at her little boy.

"I don't know," said Aden quietly. "Hopefully not.....but I don't know!"

"Are you saying we should prepare for the worst?"

"Maybe.....we also need to toughen up, because our lives are going to change, are changing! People are going to stare, people are going to point, but we'll just have to hold our heads high and be grateful that we have two beautiful children!"

"Everything was so perfect before...." said Belle, sadly.

"It still is...or still can be!" insisted Aden. "Things are as perfect as we make them out to be! In our eyes, Robert can be the normal one, and the rest of us are just weird!"

"He's still the only one, whatever way you look at it, and people would still point and laugh," said Belle.

"You're right, but we're just going to have to deal with that now! Accept it? No! But deal with it, yes!"

Belle looked up at Aden and smiled.

"I don't think I would be able to do any of this without you!"

"And I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!" said Aden, kissing her and holding her tight.

Comments?

[LauraPhilly!!]

Hey all, thanks for your lovely comments!

You really have no idea how much I appreciate them!

Here's the next chapter!

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 42

"Hello!" said Rachel brightly, walking in the door. "How are we today?"

"Good thanks," said Belle, holding Robert securely in her arms as she sat on the edge of the hospital bed. "How long will this take d'you think, Rachel?"

"Oh not long at all!" said Rachel, beaming at Iliana who was being bounced up and down on her Dad's knee. "We just need to check Robbie's progress!"

"Oh, ok!" said Belle, keeping Robert close to her chest, protectively.

Rachel noticed this and smiled at her understandingly.

"I know you're scared for him," she said. "But don't be! He's absolutely fine! He's just less fortunate than the rest of us!"

"Yeah, I know," said Belle, watching as Robert wound his fingers through a clump of her hair. "It's not just him though; I'm extremely protective lately over both of them! Since the....incident I can't really help it!"

Rachel smiled. "Of course, that's completely understandable!"

Then, she looked down at Robert. "Now, how about we get started mister!"

Laying Robert down on the bed carefully, Belle unwillingly let go of him, her hands continuously jumping as Rachel ran her hands over his legs and arms.

Robert lay obediently quiet on the bed, his eyes wandering around the room, and eventually resting on his mother's face.

Finally, Rachel took a little hammer out of her pocket and began tapping Robert's kees lightly. They jumped slightly, and then so did Belle.

"Everything's going good," said Rachel, standing up straight and putting the hammer away.

Belle picked up Robert immediatly, holding him close to her chest.

"Just keep up the exercises shown by the physical therapist," she said. "And we'll see you mister, in about four weeks!" she said, tapping Robert's nose lightly with her finger.

He gurgled in Belle's arms.

"Thanks Rachel," said Belle, picking up her bag, throwing it over her shoulder. "We'll see you around!"

"Well...actually Belle, you guys have to stay here for a bit," said Rachel, looking slightly uncomfortable. "The results of the paternity test are here and Peter wants to be here when the results are revealed! Legal procedures you know!"

"Oh right," said Belle, sitting down again. "Is he here yet?"

"I'd say he should be here soon - "

"No need to wait, I'm right here," said Peter, standing just outside the door. "May I come in?"

"Yes, of course," said Belle, as she propped Robert up in her arms.

"Hang on one second guys while I get the file," said Rachel, quickly leaving the room.

Belle looked up at Aden anxiously. He smiled reassuringly at her, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"Now, here we are," said Rachel, walking back in, file in hand. "Now, are you all ready?"

Belle looked up at Aden once more, and then smiled bravely at Rachel, nodding her head. "Let's here it!"

Opening the file, Rachel's eyes dropped as she read it's contents.

"Oh!" she said, looking rather surprised. "Peter....um, maybe you should have a look at this!"

Rachel quickly showed him the file. Peter's eyebrows raised, surprised.

"Well that changes things," he said, trying to sound serious, however he could not stop grinning.

"Why, what does it say?" said Belle, desperately.

"The guy who raped you Belle....he isn't the father of you're baby!" said Rachel.

"But if he isn't then who - ?" Then Belle understood why both Peter and Rachel were grinning.

Her mouth popped open as she turned to look back at Aden, whose face had gone pale with shock.

"I'm the father," he said breathlessly.

Rachel beamed at him. "Yes, you are!"

Aden looked down at Belle, his face still pale, but now a grin was forming on his face.

"I'm the father," he repeated.

Belle grinned and jumping up, holding Robert tightly so he wasn't jostled and hugged Aden tightly, despite the fact they both had the babies in their arms.

Pulling back, she wrapped her free arm around his neck, holding herself to him, and kissed him passionately.

They only stopped when Iliana and Rob began to cry in their arms.

"Oh sorry precious," said Belle, pulling away, kissing their heads. But she was still grinning, hardly able to keep her eyes off Aden's face.

"We'll give you guys a minute," said Rachel, as Peter disappeared out the door.

Laying the babies into their pram quickly, Aden and Belle grinned at each for about a second before Belle jumped fully into Aden's arms, laughing madly.

Turning his head, Aden searched for her lips where he finally found them. He kissed her passionately, softly and warmly. She clung hersself to him, digging her finger and fingernails into his back, never wanting to let go.

Finally they pulled apart. Belle jumped to the floor, but still kept her arms tightly around his neck.

"I love you so much!" she said, beaming at him.

He placed his hands at either side of her face softly.

"And I have never been so happy before," he said, grinning at her. "And it's all thanks to you!"

Belle grinned, leaned in and kissed him passionately. They could have stayed like that forever; kissing each other, holding each other, being in each others arms. That was their safe harbour, the place they went to when they were lonely, because together they were never lonely.

*

"Hey guys, I'm just about to start dinner," said Irene, as Aden pushed the pram in through the back door, followed closely by Belle. "What d'you fancy?"

She stopped dead as she saw the wide grin plastered across their faces.

"What, what is it?" she asked, grabbing Belle's hand.

"We have the most amazing news," said Belle, beaming at her. "But we need you all together! Everyone!"

"Everyone being?"

"Geoff, Annie, Nic," said Aden, squeezing Belle's hand excitedly.

"And Mattie," said Belle. "Mattie deserves to know too!"

Aden looked down at Belle, frowning.

Belle nodded. "I know I was mad at her....but it really wasn't her fault! She's my best friend, I can't stay mad at her forever! I love her too much!"

Aden smiled at her, lifting up their entwined hands and kissing hers.

In less than half an hour, Irene had everyone assembled in the living room, dinner had been abandoned in light of Aden and Belle's most 'amazing' news!

"So Belle, what is it?" asked Geoff, desperately.

"Ok, ok," said Belle, laughing. "But first," she said, walking up to Mattie and taking her hands. "I'm sorry for being mad at you! You didn't deserve it! It was very wrong of me to be so mean to you!"

"No, no Belle, I deserved it!" said Mattie, squeezing her hands. "You and Aden trusted me to mind the babies and I failed you! I'm so sorry!"

"Let's both just forgive each!" said Belle, grinning at her. "If Aden and I leave you guys in the dark much longer I'd say you're gona crack!"

They all laughed. Belle hugged Mattie tightly.

"Best friends forever!" she said, holding their hands up.

"What like 8 years old?" asked Mattie, laughing.

"Yes, but in a serious way!" said Belle, grinning.

Walking back to stand beside Aden, Belle took his hand.

"So...do you want to do the honours?" she asked him.

Aden grinned and looked around at all his, now, family and friends.

"The results of the paternity test came back today and - "

But before he could finish, Irene gasped.

"Oh my God, you're the father?!"

Aden and Belle grinned at each other.

"Yes, I am!"

They all squealed with delight! Nicole and Irene rushed forward, grabbing Aden and Belle into bear hugs. Next came Annie, Geoff and Mattie who hugged them even tighter.

"Oh my God guys, this is so wonderful!" said Nic, when they finally all pulled away. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks so much," said Aden, wrapping an arm around Belle's shoulders, holding her close.

"You guys must be so happy!" squealed Mattie, tears running down her eyes.

"Words can't explain!" said Belle, wiping tears from her eyes now too.

"Oh this calls for a celebration!" said Irene, running over to the wine cabinet and producing from it a bottle of champagne.

"What did you have that for?" asked Belle in surprise, as Irene handed around glasses.

"Oh, I always have a bottle....just in case!"

They all laughed and toasted to Aden, Belle and the babies and then drained their glasses.

"More?" asked Irene, picking up the bottle again.

"Oh Irene, you better save that for a moment or two!" said Aden, putting his glass down on the table.

"Whatever for?" asked Nicole, eyeing the bottle hungrily.

"Because you're going to want more to celebrate this!" he said.

Then he put his hand in his pocket, and from it he produced a little black box. And before anyone saw it, Aden got down on one knee, taking Belle's hand.

Everyone gasped! Belle's hand flew to her mouth in shock.

"Oh Aden - " she began.

"No please, let me first," he said, grinning up at her.

"Belle, you are the love of my life. I knew from the moment I first saw you that I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. It started from that first kiss and our relationship has grown from then. While we drive each other crazy, I have loved every single moment of being with you, and it's only made me lovely you more!"

From behind his back, Irene was passing around the tissue box as tears streamed from Annie, Mattie, and Nicole's eyes.

"We've been through some steep and rocky patches but it's only made my love for you stronger. You make me happier than I have ever been in my entire life! If you let me, I promise I will try every day to make you as happy as I am!"

"Belle, I love you will all my heart and will do so until my dying day. Would you please do the honour of becoming my wife?"

And with that, he opened the little box in his hand to produce a stunning clear diamond ring.

Belle gasped, tears now streaming down her cheeks. But before she said anything, she got down on her knees to match Aden's height.

"Remember that book that I gave you last christmas...and it had that quote in it at the beginning?"

"Yes, it said 'As we grow older together, As we continue to change with age, There is one thing that will never change. . . I will always keep falling in love with you.'"

Belle took his hands and smiled at him softly, her voice barely a whisper now.

"I think you know how I feel," she said, tears in her eyes. "So, I think you know my answer!"

"Ok great, but just to clarify....?" said Aden grinning through tears.

Belle laughed. "Yes, yes! Of course I will marry you!"

Winding his arms around her, Aden lifted her into the air, twirling her around as behind them ther family and friends whooped and cheered. Glasses were again being topped up and the tissue box was now empty.

Aden and Belle did not let go of each for the entire night. They pulled apart from their hug, yes, eager to continue the celebrations but their always kept their hands entwined.

They had promised to stay together forever and they were not going to break that promise....ever!

Comments?

And btw guys, you've all said you've got your own theories on what's going to happen!

I'm dying to know what they are but I don't want them posted here!

If any of you would be willing to share your theories with me, I'd luv if you could PM me!

I wouldn't tell you if you were close or anything but I'd love to know what you all thought was going to happen!

Up to you anyway!

Thanks again!

[LauraPhilly!!]

Wow, thanks all so much for your comments RR1, twinklestoesjess, Gee, Scotcaz22 & Carina!

I really appreciate it!

Here's the next chapter!

Let me know what y'all think!

Chapter 43

Iliana was beyond annoyed!

Slamming the diary shut, she jumped up from the sofa and headed into the kitchen to grab her favourite chocolate bar. Whenever she was angry, annoyed or pissed off, she always found chocolate helped her calm down!

Chris always discouraged her comfort eating but this was an emergency!

"Of course it had impossible to tell me any of this!" she ranted, as she paced her kitchen. "Yeah, allthose afternoons we sat on the sofa talking, completely alone! You couldn't tell me my Dad was this Aden Jefferies, that you were engaged and probably married to him and that I had a twin brother?!?!?! God Mum, what did I do to you? What have I done to deserve this! You couldn't even tell it to my face! Argh!"

Still fuming, Iliana turned to go to the fridge and almost screamed when she saw a golden retriever sitting in the doorway, tongue hanging out, watching her with big puppy eyes.

"Hey boy, what are you doing here?" said Iliana, walking over and rubbing him.

Then, to Iliana's surprise, the dog barked and lifted it's leg. Iliana frowned but looked under it.

"Oh sorry....girl!"

The dog barked and licked her face. Iliana laughed.

"Stop that!" she said, although she couldn't find it in herself to be angry! "Now, where do you come from girlie? Your family are gona be worried about you!"

Iliana searched the dog's neck, hoping it find a collar. Alas nothing.

"Well, we better bring you to the pound I suppose," she said, standing up, putting her hands on her hips.

The dog whined, as if she understood what Iliana said.

"What, you don't want to go? Well you can't stay here sweetie, I'm sorry!"

The dog whined again, looking up at Iliana, almost sadly, through it's puppy eyes.

Iliana's will crumbled.

"Ok fine," she said, rubbing her again. "Just until we find you a home!"

The dog barked and licked Iliana's hand. She laughed.

"Well I guess you can keep me company while everyone's out!" she said.

Iliana set to cleaning up the house. She had been so absorbed lately in the diary she had neglected the cleaning and the house was now a mess. Well...in Iliana's eyes it was a mess. Chris insisted she was suffering from OCD!

The dog followed her around the house obdiently, barking when she forgot to pick up a dirty sock or a piece of paper.

"I could do with someone like you helping me around the house," said Iliana, grinning and rubbing the dog's head.

Then, when they got to the living room, and Iliana was re-organising the books on the coffee table, the dog began sniffing at all the books. Then she barked.

"Hey, what's up?" asked Iliana, walking over. "Have you found something?"

"And then, as if by fate, the dog pushed out, with its wet nose, Belle's diary.

Iliana picked it up and then looked from it to the dog. He stared up at her lovingly.

"I dunno what trick you're playing girlie," said Iliana, brushing away the thoughts that had risen to the front of her mind. "But I've got work to do! I haven't got time for reading!"

The dog barked again, pawing the ground impatiently.

"Oh alright, alright," said Belle, sitting down on the sofa. "But you made me read this so you have to listen, agreed!"

The dog laid it's head on Iliana's knee.

She giggled, snuggled into the armchair and opened the diary, however reluctantly.

*

"So are you going to have a small wedding or 'Big Fat Greek' - style wedding!"

Aden and Belle looked at each other uncomfortably. They could already see a wild wedding plan forming in Nicole's mind, one of extravagence and lots and lots of alcohol!

"I think just a small wedding," said Belle, looking beyond Nicole, to where Iliana and Robert were playing in there pen.

"Awwww!" said Nicole sadly.

Aden rolled his eyes. "I promise you Nic, that whatever style wedding we have, your opinion will be the most important to ours!"

Nicole grinned and hugged Aden tightly. "Aww, thanks you guys!"

Letting him go, she went skipping off to sit over next to Mattie, where both girls began planning excitedly.

"How are we going to rein them in?" asked Belle, as she watched them.

Aden chuckled. "I don't think we'll be able to!"

Then, over in the play pen, Robert started crying as Iliana took his toy.

"Oh baby, don't cry!" said Belle, running off and picking him up. "It's ok, it's ok! Mummy's here!"

Content now with being in his mother's arms, Robert ceased crying and began playing with Belle's hair instead.

"Is this all part of it?" she asked, as she bounced Robert up and down in her arms.

Aden shrugged. "Could be a part of the intellectual disability I suppose! Not wanting to share...? I'm not sure though!"

Belle looked at Robert, her face anxious.

"Oh Robbie," she said, more or less to herself. "If only I could take this burden from you! I do, I really do!"

She kissed him on the cheek softly, then laid him down back next to his sister, who was playing happily with a pile of Lego bricks.

"Everything was so perfect Aden," she said sadly, laying her head against his shoulder. "Why did it all have to change? They are the only good things that have happened to me out of the past few months! It's my fault Imogen did what she did? Why do they have to suffer, why does Robbie have to suffer, over a bad decision that I made?! I should be suffering, not him!"

"Babe, you've got to stop blaming yourself!" said Aden, turning to face her, holding her shoulders tightly. "You say you aren't suffering, but you are! They're pain is your pain...our pain! We can't choose to live or die so we certainly can't choose who suffers and who doesn't! I wish I could take all your pain and suffer it myself, but I can't!"

"But you don't deserve this!" insisted Belle. "None of this is your fault! You wanted to keep the baby! I didn't!"

"You were scared, you'd been through a tough time!" said Aden. "Becoming a mother was the last thing you wanted but Belle, you've changed in ways I would never have believed over the past few months! At first, I privately agreed with you that we were too young to be parents, that you were too young, but you've proven yourself to be worthy of being a mother to those children! None of this is your fault!"

"Well then how come it feels like it?" said Belle, in a small voice.

Aden smiled lightly. "Because your letting youself feel that way...?"

Belle sighed. "I am always going to think it's my fault though Aden, no matter what anyone tells me!"

"That may be so but don't let it consume you!" said Aden, softly, holding her close. "At the end of the day, we have too beautiful children! We are luckier than most people! And I'm more the luckier to have my children and to be getting married to you!"

Belle smiled, leaned up on her toes and kissed him softly.

"I love you!" she said.

"Love you too!" he said, pulling her into a hug.

She was reassured, Aden had succeeded. His comforting words had calmed her for the moment, but he knew there would be many more times before the Belle finally let it go. He understood why she felt this way, he really did.

However, he could not help feeling that, while he reassured her, he took all the worry and blame on himself. Unintentionally of course, but he nonetheless felt it.

He would never let it show, but Aden was even closer to the point of breaking down than Belle was.

Comments?

[LauraPhilly!!]

Hey guys, sorry not for posting a chapter in like forever!

I finished school today for the summer so i promise to update regularly!

Here's the next chapter!

Enjoy!

Chapter 44

"I thought you didn't like tradition!"

"I don't but there are certain traditions you have to follow!"

"But, I'm not even sure I want a stag night!" said Aden, as he fed Iliana in his arms.

"Yeah I know but it's your last night of being single," said Belle, bouncing Robert up and down in her arms gentle. "Don't you want to celebrate that?"

"Not really," said Aden with a smug grin on his face. "I can't wait to be married to you for the rest of my life!"

Belle smiled. They leaned forward and kissed softly.

"Are you sure you don't want to be doing more of this tonight?" he said, grinning.

Belle narrowed her eyes, thinking.

"Well...how much time do we have left before the guys come around?"

Aden looked at his watch.

"20 mins! Why?"

"Well...there's a lot we could do in twenty mins!"

Aden eyes narrowed and then widened as he understood what she meant. He licked his lips hungrily.

"What about the kids?"

They both looked down to see the babies sleeping in their arms.

"I think that problem is solved!" said Belle, laughing.

After carefully laying down the babies in their play pen beside the bed, Aden took Belle hands and kissed each of her palms softly.

Belle put her arms around his neck, pulled his face to hers and kissed him softly.

Slowly she began unbuttoning his shirt as Aden wound his arms around her back, his hands heading for the bra.

However a new feeling was creeping into the room; impatience.

Suddenly Belle ripped open Aden's shirt, kissing his neck hungrily, while Aden tore off Belle's shirt and bra, holding her toned body to his chest.

Collapsing onto the bed, they kissed passionately.

Belle grinned as she pulled away to watch Aden slip off his boxers.

Then, the front door rang.

Aden and Belle groaned in annoyance.

"Betcha it's -

"Aden? Belle?"

"Geoff," they both finished, rolling their eyes.

"Give us one minutes Geoff," said Belle, jumping out of bed and quickly throwing on a pair of jeans.

When they finally came out of the bedroom, Geoff looked kind of guilty.

"I interrupted you guys didn't I?"

Aden and Belle exchanged a look.

"Kind of!" said Belle, running her fingers through her hair.

"Sorry!" said Geoff. "Hey mate, you ready to go?"

"Yeah, defo!" said Aden, grabbing his phone. "Who has the booze?"

"It's in the jeep with Roman and Tony! I am ready to party it up!"

"Are you guys staying at Roman's tonight?" asked Belle, as Aden wound his arms around her waist.

"Well it's either there or here?"

"There! I aint having you guys throwing up all over my house! That would defo turn me off marrying the groom!"

They all chuckled and Geoff left quickly, leaving Aden and Belle time to say goodbye.

"Go, have a good time!" said Belle, mock punching him.

"You're sure you don't want me to stay at home!" he said, kissing her persuasively. "We can finish where we left off!"

"Whatever it is you're talking about I'm sure it can wait 'till after tomorrow!"

Aden groaned, turning around to see Nicole and Mattie, wide grins plastered across their faces.

"And what if it can't!" said Aden.

"Well tough 'cos it gonna have to!" said Nicole, grinning wickedly. "You better go, the lads are getting impatient outside!"

"Ok, ok!" said Aden. Kissing Belle quickly on the cheek, he walked out the door, closing it behind him.

When he left, Nicole and Mattie grabbed Belle's hands, pulling her to the sofa.

"Are you ready to celebrate your last night of freedom?" asked Mattie, grinning.

"As long as we don't wake up the babies!" said Belle, cautiously.

"Of course," said Nicole. "That's why we are having a traditional girl's night in! We're gona paint each other's nails, tell all our embarassing story and - now this is the best part - dish the dirt about how lover boys in bed!"

All girls burst out laughing and quickly got to work.

"We have to keep doing this, even after I'm married!" insisted Belle.

"But you'll be a wife and a mother, shouldn't you behave a bit more dignified?" said Nicole, grinning.

"I think I can forget about dignity once in a while!" said Belle, laughing.

The three girls laughed and stayed up 'till morning stuffing their faces until they all thought they would burst!

"Seriously guys, I'm not going to fit into my wedding dress!" complained Belle, as she threw all the wrappers in the bin.

"Well isn't it a good thing then that you're dress includes a corset!" said Mattie, collapsing into the sofa.

"What are the chances of us sleeping before the wedding?" said Mattie, yawning. "Let's see, it's about 6, that gives us - "

They all fell silent as they heard the babies begin to cry.

"Um, zero chance I think Mattie!" said Belle. "C'mon let's go - "

"No way! We'll take you of the babies!" said Nicole. "You go off and sleep for the next three hours! We'll wake you up when we need to start getting ready!"

"Thanks guys!" said Belle, yawning and grinning at the same time. "All the babies food and formula is in the cupboard above the sink, just - "

"Would you go already!" said Mattie, pushing her towards the bedroom. "We'll find everything you need! Just sleep!"

"Ok, ok!" said Belle, collapsing onto the bed.

"Nic! Come help me with the babies!" said Mattie, walking over to the play pen.

"I begs holding Illy!" said Nic, running into the room.

Belle laughed wearily, placed her head against the pillow and was sound asleep in about two minutes.

She woke up a few hours later to the sound of Mattie's voice in her ear.

"Belle wake up! Wake up!" exclaimed Mattie.

"Just a few more minutes!" moaned Belle, hiding under the duvet.

"No way! You'll be late otherwise! Now get up before I said Nicole in with the jug of water!"

Belle was up and changing before Mattie had finished the sentence.

"Can you believe you're getting married today?" said Mattie, grinning nervously.

Belle paused, smiling. "Yeah, I kind of can! I always knew I was reasy to spend the rest of my life with Aden! This is just the last piece in our little jicksaw puzzle!"

Let me know what you think!

x x x x

[LauraPhilly!!]

Aw, good to see I haven't lost any of my fans!

I appreciate you guys waiting for me!

Here's the next chapter!

Be prepared for a bunch of Adelle fluff in this one!

Chapter 45

Belle looked around the room.

Her veil was lying on the bed, with her bouquet on her dressing table.

Her jewellery was hanging from the arms of her minature doll, all accept for her engagement ring which Belle was admiring.

Walking towards the light, she smiled as the diamond sparkled in the sunshine. She turned her hand, each of the facets sparkling as they caught the sun.

Looking into her mirror, Belle saw in the reflection a young woman, her make up highlighting her soft brown eyes and her rosy cheeks. Her dress was silk, pure white, the material clinging to her slim form. The outlines of flowers were sewn into the dress, creamy against the pure white of the dress.

Belle smiled, smoothing her fingers down her dress. It had been made for her, she knew it. It would not have looked right on anyone else. Herself, Mattie and Nicole had walked into the first bridal shop, and there it was, waiting for her.

Despite the remainder of her bump, the dress had been extrememly slimming. Since, she had lost the baby weight and the dress looked even more suited to her figure. It clung to her slim form, flowing out at her waist.

On her small feet, Belle wore a dainty pair of shoes, encrusted with a single diamond on each that Irene had given her.

"They've been in my family for years," Irene had said when she gave them to Belle. "I was going to give them to my daughter when she was getting married but.....well, you are as good as a daughter to me so....I'd like you to have them!"

Belle smiled as she remembered bursting into tears and hugging Irene tightly. Indeed, Irene was like a mother to her. If she didn't have Amanda, Irene would've been the perfect mother.

Picking up her jewellery from her dressing table, Belle delicately clipped the necklace at the back of her neck, smoothing the diamond against her chest. The necklace had been a gift from Nicole and Mattie. It was a deep sea blue diamond.

Her something blue.

Belle something new was her dress, and something old was the shoes from Irene.

These were the sort of traditions Belle believed in. She didn't need the luck, she knew that. She had all the luck she needed as long as she was with Aden.

There was a small knock on the door and in walked Nicole and Mattie, their pale purple bridesmaids dresses flowing gently to their feet.

They both smiled as they saw Belle.

"You look so beautiful," said Mattie, in awe.

Belle smiled and looked at the veil on her bed.

"I think I'll need some help!" she said, smiling at them both impishly.

Smiling, Mattie and Nicole walked over, picked up the veil gently in their hands and delicately laid it on Belle's head, clipping it into place.

They stood back to admire her.

"Perfect!" said Nicole, wiping tears away from her eyes.

Belle smiled, and took their hands, squeezing them tightly.

"You two are the best friends anyone could have asked for," she said, tears now coming to her eyes too. "I would never want to celebrate this day without you!"

They all smiled and hugged quickly.

Mattie gasped as she looked at her watch.

"Oh my God, we're going to be late!" she cried. "Where is that wretched limo driver?" she despaired, rushing out into the hall.

Belle, still holding Nicole's hand tightly, followed her out the room.

Walking into the living room, Belle saw the babies in their play pen.

Robert had a little tuxedo on her and Iliana wore a simple white dress, with a ribbon pinned into her hair.

Belle smiled and walked over to them, peering into the pen.

They both looked up at her at the same time. Robert smiled and reached his little hand up to Belle.

She smiled, took his hand and kissed it gently.

"You both look so handsome, d'you know that?"

They smiled up at her.

"I'm sure they do," said Nicole, walking over, pushing the pram, which had been wrapped in the same silk as Belle's dress.

Nicole lifted each baby into the pram, buckling them in and kissing their noses.

"You ready to walk down the aisle with Mummy?" she asked them.

Iliana gurgled.

"Of course you are!" said Nicole, grinning at them.

Outside they heard a loud honk.

"The limo's here!" called Mattie.

Nicole took Belle's hand and squeezed it.

"You ready?" she asked.

Belle grinned. "More than I've ever been!"

Nicole smiled and pushed the pram out the door.

Belle followed her out the door. Before she shut it, she paused.

The next time I come here, I'll be Mrs Belle Jefferies, she thought.

She smiled, liking the sound of that, gently closing the door behind her.

*

Aden stood nervously at the top of the aisle, continuously fidgeting with the buttons of his jacket.

"Mate chill, you look fine!" said Geoff, who was standing behind him.

"You sure she won't stand me up mate!" whispered Aden, as he watched all the guests filing into the church.

"Mate, are you crazy?! Of course she won't! Belle loves you! She'd never do that!" insisted Geoff.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry! Just freaking out here!"

"You have no need to be! Just relax!" said Geoff, patting his back.

At the end of the church, Roman's head appeared around the door, and he winked at Aden.

"Tell the musicians to start playing!" Aden whispered to Geoff.

"I'm on it, brother!" said Geoff, smacking his back and walking off over to the musicians.

Pachelbal's Canon started playing softly.

All the guests stopped talking, all their eyes on the alter.

The doors of the chuch opened and first walked in Mattie.

Aden smiled as he saw. She beamed up at him.

Everyone looked back as Nicole came through the door, pushing the babies in front of her.

Everybody awed as they saw the babies. Aden grinned even harder.

As the music grew louder, everybody stood up, awaiting Belle's entrance.

Aden's mouth popped open as he saw her walk in the door.

She was so unbelievably beautiful.

Her eyes lit up as she saw Aden standing at the top of the alter.

If Aden knew he didn't have to stand still, he would have sprinted down the aisle, swept Belle up into his arms and walked triumphantly out of the church.

But he knew he had to stand still and wait for her to come to him.

It seemed to talk a lifetime but finally Belle reached the alter, took Aden's hands and stepped up beside him.

She smiled at him widely. He lifted her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently.

The priest stepped forward, smiled at them both widely and opened his book.

"Friends and family, we are gathered here today for the joyous union of Aden and Belle. Aden and Belle, you are joined her together under the sight of God to share your lives together.

Aden, do you take Belle to be your wife? Do you promise to love her, stay faithful to her through sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"

Aden took both Belle's hand and squeezed them. "I do!" he said, smiling at her.

Her tear rolled down Belle's cheek, as she smiled back at him.

"Belle, do you take Aden to be your husband? Do you promise to love him, stay faithful to him through sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"

Belle wiped the tears from her eyes. "I do!"

Aden grinned at her.

"Then I happily pronounce you husband and wife! What God has joined together in love, let no man cast assunder. Aden, you may kiss your beautiful bride!"

Aden smiled at her lovingly, took her face gently in his hands and kiss her softly and passionately.

The church broke into a chorus of applauds.

Behind Belle, Mattie and Nicole were in tears, while Tony, Geoff and Roman were all grinning widely.

As their lips separated, Aden leaned his head against Belle's forehead.

"I have never been so happy in my entire life!" he said, smiling lovingly at her.

"Bet you wana sweep me into your arms now, huh?" said Belle, grinning.

Aden raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"How did you -

"The expression on your face kinda gave it away!" said Belle, chuckling.

"Well, may I?" asked Aden, grinning.

"You may!" said Belle.

Putting one arm under her legs, Aden lifted Belle into his arms. He kissed her passionately.

"I love you so much!" he said, earnestly.

Belle cupped his cheek with her hand, lovingly.

"I love you too!"

Aden smiled, and stepped down from the alter, walking down the aisle of the church.

Everyone wolf whistled and clapped even louder as Aden kissed Belle passionately at the doors of the church.

"Ready to start your life with me?" asked Aden.

"I started my life with you years ago!" said Belle, smiling at him. "All I want now is to finish my life with you. I want to be with you every single day of our lives."

Aden smiled at her.

"Your wish appears to be granted!"

He leant in to kiss her, walking out the door and closing it behind them, separating them from the guests, just the two of them. Alone and in love, just the way they wanted it!

Belle's Wedding Dress

Let me know what you think!

x x x x x

[LauraPhilly!!]

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments!

I writing weddings! esp Adelle weddings!

Here's the next chapter!

I hope you all enjoy it!

Just a small warning that there will be some adult words in this chapter.

(That sounds cheesy but I didn't know what else to say! )

Chapter 46

Belle smiled as Aden drove into the driveway.

They'd had a beautiful honey in LA. The sun had shone every day, they made love at least twice daily and there was an endless bottle of champagne and bowl of strawberries in the fridge.

For the first two days, they barely left the honeymoon suite. The large room with the amazing room and King sized bed gave them a lot to be doing and they only left the room when they realised how much they still had left to do.

However, despite seeing the Hollywood sign, walking down the Hall of Fame and seeing a bunch of celebrities, they looked forward nothing more than to be alone together at night.

It wasn't only for the sex - only they both agreed that the sex was the best part - it was just to be together, alone. They could sit up for hours and talk, just talk, like they used to when they first went out.

It was nice for once not having to get up and change nappies, or go to work. They could be totally relaxed, and not have to worry about anything.

"Wasn't it amazing?!" said Belle, smiling as she thought of it.

Aden grinned. "That depends on which part you were talking about?"

Belle laughed. "All of it obviously! It was even more amazing because it was just you and me!"

Aden smiled at her lovingly, leaned in and kissed her softly.

Her lips lingered on his for awhile. She wanted to make the most of this moment, knowing when they went inside, they would not have another time like this for a long while.

Aden kissed her again.

"You know how much I love you right?" he said, looking into her eyes.

She smiled back at him. "Yes, and I love you too, more than I can explain!"

They kissed once more and then jumped out of the car, taking out their lugage from the boot.

"I wonder if they missed us?!" said Belle, Aden's arm around her waist as they walked towards the back door.

Knocking gentle, Belle waited for a reply.

Nothing.

She opened the door and they both walked in.

There was silence for a few seconds then everyone cried 'WELCOME HOME!'

Belle and Aden gasped, completely shocked by the welcoming.

They looked around the room, Mattie was holding Robert in his arms who was wearing a 'I Heart My Mummy' t-shirt, Irene was bouncing Iliana in her arms, grinning widely at them both, Colleen was wearing a large hat with all sorts of ribbons on it, and Geoff and Roman were in the corner, silently laughing at it.

They all rushed over to their friends and family, hugging and kissing them all. They rushed first to the babies, picking them up and whirling them in the air.

Belle was smothering Robert with kisses. "Mummy missed you oh so much, she did! Mummy will never leave her Robbie along again ever! Mwaw, mwaw, mwaw!"

Aden lifted Iliana into his arms, comforting suddenly by the familiar feel of her warmth and weight in his arms.

"So tell us guys," said Geoff, walking over, clapping Aden on the back and kissing Belle's cheek. "How was the US of A?"

All the guests silenced, also dying to hear how the honeymoon went.

"Oh it was absolutely amazing!" said Belle, holding Robert close to her chest. "The weather was amazing, we saw so many celebrities! Johnny Depp, oh my God, girls, I almost ran over, leaving Aden behind!"

Everybody laughed loudly.

Aden shook his head. "Two days into her marriage and it's already under threat!"

They all laughed again while Belle kissed Aden soflty on the cheek, whispering in his ear, "You know no one could replace you in my heart!"

The guests stayed for another hour until Robbie and Iliana yawned.

"We'll go and let you two get these darlings settled for bed!" said Irene, kissing Belle's forehead. "I bet you missed them!"

"Like you wouldn't believe!" said Belle, as she lowered Robbie into his armchair.

"They are such darlings!" said Irene, rubbing his cheek. "They didn't cause an ounce of trouble. All Mattie and I had to do was wake, feed, burp and put them to sleep! They were fantastic!"

Belle smiled proudly.

"Thank you Irene, and you too Mattie," said Belle, smiling at her gratefully. "For taking care of them. It made our holiday so much more enjoyable knowing they were in safe hands!"

"Any time!" said Mattie, hugging her tightly.

Finally after all the guests had gone, Aden and Belle fed the babies, bathed them, changed them and put them to bed. They spent extra time with they by the cot than usual that night, glad to be home with their babies again.

"I didn't realise how much I missed them until I had Iliana in my arms!" said Aden, as he tucked the blanket around them. "It was like something had been missing from my arms for two weeks! It was nice to have the whole filled again!"

Belle nodded, her eyes fixed on Robert.

"Irene said Robbie made some fantastic progress while we were in LA!"

Aden's eyes widened. "Really, like what?!"

"Well, she said he managed to pick up his bottle and put it in his mouth himself! Iliana figured out how to do that weeks ago!"

"That's good though Belle!" reassured Aden. "It shows he's coming along. He probably learns from her but just takes longer to put what he sees into action. I'm amazed - I didn't think he'd be able to do that for another while!"

Belle sighed. "I wish I wasn't so paranoid about him! I suppose it's a mother thing!"

Aden smiled and put his arm around her waist. "Yes it is, and you are a great mother Belle, those babies don't know how lucky they are!"

She smiled at him wearily, then curled up in a ball against his chest, laying her head against his shoulder, before finally falling asleep.

*

As per usual when Belle woke up, she always searched the other side of the bed for Aden. He was usually there, and she would snuggle up to him and fall asleep for a few more hours.

However, the next morning, as her arm searched for his while her mind was still half asleep, she realised he was not there. Looking at the clock, she saw the time was 6am.

Aden was never up that early unless the babies woke them. But the babies hadn't cried out this morning. Belle would have heard them.

Suddenly she was wide awake, and for some reason, slightly worried about Aden's whereabouts. After quickly checking both babies were still asleep in their cots, she tiptoed down the stairs, looking for him.

She found Aden sitting on one of the kitchen chairs, a hot water bottle pressed to his head, and a newspaper open on the counter, which he was flicking through.

"Hey, are you ok?" asked Belle, walking over, winding her arms around his waist and kissing his cheek.

"Yeah, I'm ok," said Aden. "Just another splitting headache again. I took some asprine but it wasn't really working, so I got the hot water bottle. Now that is really helping!"

"Is it the same or worse than the one on the honeymoon?" asked Belle, curiously.

"Definately worse!" said Aden.

"Would you like me to make you a cup of tea or anything?" she asked, anxiously.

"No babe, you go back to bed, I'll be back soon! Just gotta refill this bottle! You go, I'll be there in a minute," he insisted.

Belle nodded, still sleepy, and waddled back, collapsing on to the bed, and immediatly falling asleep.

She didn't know if Aden came back in or not, she didn't hear him, and by the time she woke up the next morning at eleven, he was already gone.

She hoped his headache was better. If it was anything like the one in LA, he would have to lie low today. That headache had him bed bound all day, Belle had been very close to call the doctor, but Aden insisted it was nothing.

As Belle lay asleep on the bed, her mind in peaceful, non-existent places, she was hardly thinking of what would come in the following weeks. Of what would happen in the following weeks.

Little did they know, but Aden's headache's were to turn out much more serious than either of them thought.

Let me know what you think!

x x x x

[LauraPhilly!!]

Thank you all for being patient!

I'm sorry for not updating sooner!

Here's the next chapter!

Hope you like it!

Chapter 47

Belle sat in her armchair beside the play pen, watching the twins.

Robbie was lying on his tummy, his stuffed giraffe in his little hand, Iliana was sitting up against the sides of the play pen, her Princess Barbie lying beside her.

Belle watched Robbie intently as he tried to crawl over to his sister and the pile of lego. She could see him trying to kneel, to push himself up onto his knees. He fell again onto his tummy, and began crying quietly.

Belle jumped up and lifted him into her arms, her heartbreaking as she saw his upset. Iliana looked up at them imperiously. The smile Belle gave her daughter was twinged with sadness.

Iliana had no trouble crawling, she had successfully crawled on her own for the first time a few weeks ago. Aden had been ecstatic, but Belle had been subdued. Her eyes had glanced over Robbie, who was looking at his sister. He had tried that same day too but to no avail.

Robbie was complacent in Belle's arms, as she held him close to her chest, bouncing him up and down lightly. He put his little fingers up to Belle's lips, where she kissed them gently, smiling softly at him.

She glanced over at Aden, who was standing in the kitchen, his fingers pressed to his forehead, his face contorted with pain.

He was having another headache.

"Babe, are you ok?" asked Belle, hurrying over, alarmed by the look on his face.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," said Aden, wearily. Belle was shocked by how tired he sounded. Aden had slept in late, unusual for him. He shouldn't be tired. "It's just another headache, babe, don't worry!"

Belle frowned. "Maybe you should go to the doctor?" she suggested. "You could be suffering from chronic migraines. How are you going to work when your head feels like its going to explode!"

"Belle, just stop ok!" snapped Aden, causing Belle to step back a little. "If I want to go to the doctor, I will go, ok! Just back off!"

Belle walked away quickly, back to the play pen, shaking slightly. Aden had never raised his voice to her like that. Never. Not even when they were arguing. She quickly looked back at him, and saw he had his head buried in his arms.

He looked up and saw her worried glance. Belle's head snapped back, and she focused back on Robbie, who was now playing with her hair.

Aden sighed, walked over and bent down beside her.

"Babe, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have snapped at you like that! It's just...look I'll go to the doctor this afternoon and everything will be alright, ok!"

Belle nodded, without uttering a word.

Aden leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He put his finger under her chin, and turned her face to look at his. She looked uncertainly into his eyes.

"You know I love you right!" he said, earnestly.

"Of course," she whispered. She leant forward and buried her face in his neck. Aden smiled as he breathed in the smell of her sweet, smelling hair.

As she pulled away, he ducked his head under her hair, claimed her lips and kissed him passionately. She responded, kissing him back just as passionately. Her lips lingered on his for a moment, before Aden finally pulled away and stood up.

"I'll go now, ok!" he said, grabbing his jacket. "Then I won't have to put up with these headaches anymore!"

Belle nodded, supportively. Aden knelt down and kissed her once more. He kissed Robbie on the cheek, and blew a kiss to Iliana.

"Mind my angels," he said, as he headed for the door. "That includes you!"

Belle smiled and blew him a kiss as he walked out the door. She turned back to look at Robbie, who was squirming in his mother's arms, trying to get back to his sister.

Belle lowered him carefully into the play pen, and stayed for awhile watching them. She was still shaken by how Aden snapped at her. It wasn't him she knew, it was the headaches. But how bad could they be to cause Aden to lose him temper?

*

"Well Aden," said the doctor, putting away his thermometer. "By the looks of it, you're just suffering from migraines!"

"What could have brought them on?" asked Aden, curiously.

"Various reasons," explained the doctor. "Extra stress, lack of sleep, lack of fruit and vegetables. Any of these sound familiar?"

"Well I suppose we've been under a lot of stress lately," said Aden, thinking back over Robbie's troubles. "But I would never really have thought of it!"

"Well Aden, it is very important not to get too stressed out!" insisted the doctor. "As long as you take these tablets and try to stay calm and relaxed, I think you'll find you will be much improved!"

"Thank you doctor!" said Aden, standing up and shaking his hand. "I'll let you know how everything goes!"

*

"Feeling any better babe?" asked Belle, after they had finished dinner.

"I do actually!" said Aden, his face much more relaxed. "Those tablets seem to have done the trick! Thank God!" he said, getting up and bringing the plates to the sink. "They were absolutely unbearable!"

"Well I'm glad you're so improved!" said Belle, walking over and kissing him lightly. "I'm going to put the babies to bed, d'you think you could wash up?"

"Yeah sure!" said Aden, pulling on Belle sequined encrusted washing-up gloves. She giggled at the sight of him, hoisted Robbie up into her arms and walked into the nursery.

Belle changed the babies diapers, and put on their freshly washed pyjamas. She was just lowering Iliana into the cot when she heard the clatter and breaking of plates in the kitchen.

"Aden, what was that? Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry babe," said Aden. "I dropped a plate!"

Belle nodded and continued with the babies. She was so focused she had hardly noticed how shaken Aden's voice was when he spoke, and how he strained to say the last word.

Just as she tucked their blankets around them, she heard an even louder clatter and a thud.

"Aden?" she called, walking out of the room. "Aden?"

Walking into the kitchen, she gasped at the sight before her, and froze for about half a second before rushing over. Aden was laid out on the floor, a broken plate lying beside him. His eyes were closed and his face was a ghostly white.

"Aden! Aden, speak to me please! Please wake up!" begged Belle.

She shook him but he didn't awake. She pressed her fingers against his neck and was alarmed at how weak his pulse was.

Jumping up, she grabbed the phone on the wall and dialled 911.

"Hello? Please you've got to help me!" she cried, once someone had answered the phone. "It's my husband, he's collapsed, I don't know what's wrong with him! You've got to hurry, I can hardly feel a pulse! I think he's dying!"

As soon as the person promised to be their shortly, Belle hung up and lay down beside Aden again. She pulled his head into her lap and caressed his face softly. She pulled down a blanket from the counter and wrapped it around his cold form.

"Don't worry Aden, I'm here! Everything's going to be ok! I won't leave you, I promise! I'm here! I'm here....

Let me know what you think!

xxxx

[LauraPhilly!!]

Hey all!

Sorry for not updating in so long!

I'm actually on holidays at the moment in England!

However, I'm not up to much this afternoon, so I thought I'd sit down and update this fanfic!

About time I did too!

Here's the next chapter so!

I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 48

Belle sat at the foot of Aden's bed, watching his face. The doctors, including Rachel, had been in to see him earlier, and the news wasn't good. Belle could hardly bare to think about it, but she could not stop the thoughts coming to the front of her mind.

"It could just be nothing," Rachel had said. "You're not to worry until we get the tests back! It might be nothing serious at all!"

But out of the corner of her eye, Belle had seen Rachel's serious face as she'd spoken with her fellow doctors. A hundred different solutions were swimming around her head, some more probable than others.

All Belle knew was it wasn't going to be something that would clear up in a few weeks. This would haunt Aden for the rest of his life, Belle knew. The doctors hadn't said anything to her, but Belle knew.

Belle's heart jumped as she saw Aden's eyes flutter and finally open. She crawled up to sit beside him on the bed, kissing him frantically as ears came gushing down her face.

"Didn't I tell you those headaches were more serious than you thought!" she cried at him in between her constant kissing and crying.

Aden sighed, pressed his hand to the side of her face, and looked into her eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry!" he said, as she leaned in to kiss him. "At least here we'll be able to find out what's actually wrong, and we can go home and not have to worry about it anymore!"

Belle's heart faltered as he spoke these words, and her smile fell from her face. Aden's face was immediatley full of concern.

"What? What's wrong, babe?"

She shook her head, and looked towards the open doors, where doctors and nurses in blue and white suits were constantly passing.

"They haven't told me anything yet!" she said, looking back to Aden, whose eye's were stil full of concern. "I thought that they were waiting for you to wake up, seeing as it involves you!"

No sooner than she said it, Rachel's face peered around the door. Seeing Aden sitting up and talking to Belle, she walked into the room, a file held close to her chest. She wasn't smiling.

"Hey, Rach!" said Aden, trying to remain cheerful as he saw her serious face. "What's up?"

Rachel managed a smile but it was gone within a second. She put the file down on the table in front of her and looked up at Aden, her eyes full of sadness.

"Well Aden, we carried out the normal tests....and a few extra ones going on what Belle was telling us about your headaches!"

There was a moments silence.

"And...." said Aden, prompting her.

"I'm sorry Aden, but the results on the special tests we carried out of your brain didn't come back with the results we wanted," said Rachel.

"What were the results Rachel?" asked Belle, tears coming to the rim of her eyes.

Rachel sighed heavily. "We discovered a tumor towards the front of your brain. It's continuing to swell, putting pressure on the other parts of your brain, which is what caused your chronic headaches."

Belle was shaking, the tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned to look at Aden, whose face was pale but otherwise, unemotional.

"What does this mean?" he asked. "Can you treat it? Can you can rid of it?"

"I'm so sorry Aden....maybe if we had detected it earlier there might have been something we could do but....no, I'm sorry!"

Aden's face had turned to stone as Belle burst into tears, her entire body shaking madly. For a minute Aden couldn't even comfort her. Looking over at her, he then put his arm around her shaking form.

"How long do I have left Rachel?" he asked, to which Belle cried even louder.

Rachel looked up at him sadly.

"A matter of weeks....."

Let me know what you think!

xxxx

[LauraPhilly!!]

Hey everybody!

Thanks for your lovely comments, I really appreciate it!

Sorry if this story doesn't turn out the way some of you want it!

I'll try to do my best to keep you all interested!

Here's the next chapter!

Enjoy!

Chapter 49

Belle felt numb as she sat in the taxi on her way home.

The taxi driver had seen her face as she climbed in and that had told him enough that he shouldn't say anything. He felt sorry for her though. He didn't think anything he could say could help her feel better.

This was true. Nothing he could say, nothing anyone could say would make Belle feel better. It was like she was falling into a black hole, and she would never, could never, come out of it.

When the car pulled up outside the house, Belle silently handed the taxi driver the fee and stumbled out of the car. He watched as she walked away, afraid that she might hurt herself.

Then, just before he drove away, Belle tripped on one of the steps up to the house, falling into a heap on the ground. The taxi driver jumped out of the car and rushed over to help her. By this stage, Belle had burst into tears, moaning quietly, tears flowing down her cheeks.

The taxi driver didn't know what to do. He put his arm around her and rubbed her back reassuringly, as she continued to sob. As he felt her crying begin to cease, he carefully helped Belle to her feet, walked up the steps with her and knocked on the door.

Belle looked up to see Irene walking to the front door. Seeing Belle's red face through the window, she rushed open and flung open the door. She stood there, aghast for several minutes, taking in the sight that was before her.

"What is going on here?" she asked, glaring at the taxi driver, presuming fowl play.

"Ma'am, I just drove this young lady from the hospital," informed the taxi driver. "She seems in a very bad way. She collapsed just before she came up the steps!"

"Oh my goodness, Belle, my darling, what's wrong?" said Irene, taking her from the taxi driver and hugging her reassuringly.

Belle shook her head and burst into tears again, burying her face into Irene's cardigan. The answer was unbearable to think of, but yet Belle couldn't not think about it. It would remain a constant nightmare in her head.

Belle knew she would never be the same ever again.

Irene smiled bravely up at the taxi driver. "Thank you so much for your help, - ?"

"Paddy," said the taxi driver, and Irene suddenly noticed his strong Irish accent. "I hope the young lady feels well soon!"

"Yes, thank you Paddy!" said Irene, closing the door behind him and quickly leading Belle to her room. Belle was barely able to stand, Irene had to support her the whole way up the stairs and into her room.

Once there, Belle collapsed onto her's and Aden's bed, and cried into the sheets, her body shaking, her cries and moans continuous. Irene sat with Belle on her bed, rubbing her back softly.

Irene didn't know yet what Belle had to tell, but she was crying just seeing her foster-daughter so upset. Irene knew something terrible must have been revealed at the hospital, and she could only think of the worst.

When Irene had eventually managed to calm Belle down enough, Belle told her everything that had happened at the hospital, and everything that Rachel had told herself and Aden.

Irene was crying herself as Belle told her the story, gasping softly every now and again. As Belle began to cry again, Irene cried even more and hugged her daughter tightly. Irene wanted nothing more than to take away all the pain Belle was feeling.

However, she could not imagine the feelings running through Belle's head and heart. They were unlike anything she had ever felt in her entire life, and she knew she would never hurt this much in her entire life again. You only feel this kind of pain once, she knew, and that was only for when your true love, your soulmate, was being taken away from you.

Belle's heart broke and cracked into several pieces as she continued thinking of it, and what her life would be like without Aden in it. But she couldn't. She couldn't imagine a life without Aden. She couldn't imagine waking up in the morning and not feel his strong arms wrapped around her, not seeing him playing with Robbie and Iliana when she came down to make breakfast. She couldn't imagine never making love to him ever again, never feeling his soft lips against hers, never celebrating a ten-year anniversary, or a twenty-five-year anniversary or even a fifty-year anniversary.

Belle would never experience any of those things ever again, some not even once. She would never sit on a wooden porch with Aden, surrounded by their grandchildren, playing games in the late evening sun.

She would never have that, never experience that feeling.

That was when Belle realised that she would never live again without Aden.

*

Aden could not remove his eyes from her face. Her beautiful, soft, warm, flawless face. He would soon be parted from it forever. He would never take his eyes away from Belle's face ever again.

Usually Belle would have smiled when she noticed the loving gaze he looked at her with, but she couldn't smile this time. There was nothing to smile about, no reason to be happy anymore.

She had put on a brave face for Aden before coming to the hospital. She knew it was pointless though as Aden saw right through her within seconds of her being in the room. She had burst into tears once more and, seeing his open arms stretching towards her, she leaned over and curled up beside her, crying into the hospital gown he was wearing.

Aden had held her closely, burying his face in her soft hair and smelling it's scent, smelling the scent of her sweet perfume, holding up each one of her fingers and kissing each of them. He finished with her left hand, which bore her wedding ring.

He'd smiled at it softly, but sadly, remembering that happy day when nothing had worried them, and they'd had their whole lives before them, before kissing her finger softly, holding it firmly but gently in his grasp.

Now, she sat in front of him, and they were staring at each other, drinking in the image of each other, determined never to forget.

"I love you," Belle suddenly said. The amount of love in her voice was unimaginable. It was like she was saying it for the first time....and possibly one of the last times. "So, so much."

Aden smiled back at her softly, lifted the hand he was holding and kissed it softly.

"I love you too, like I always have, like I always will."

Belle smiled back slightly, but it hurt to smile and she stopped suddenly. Her heart lurched again as she remembered as she would never see his heart-warming smile again, or his baby blue eyes. These were the things she never appreciated on a day-to-day basis, but would now cherish, and hold on to, for the rest of her life.

There would never be another man after Aden. She knew that. No-one would ever replace him in her heart, no-one.

There was a quiet knock on the door, and Rachel walked in, followed by a young doctor, around the same age as Aden and Belle. He saw Belle and smiled at her sympathetically.

"Aden, Belle, this is Dr. Alan," she said. "He's specialises in....terminal cancer cases. He's going to help you Aden to be comfortable and complete any tasks you needed done before....."

She glanced awkwardly at Belle, who had already sunk into a chair when she'd mentioned 'terminal cancer'.

"Well I'll let you get to it, Alan," said Rachel, patting him on the back lightly, and leaving the room.

"Hi," said Aden, whose voice was brave, but Belle could here the fright and anxiety behind it. "I'm Aden. D'you mind me asking what's your first name, seeing as we'll be working together quite often?"

"My name is Alan actually!" he said, smiling at them both. "I prefer going by my first name! Some people find doctors can be quite intimidating when they used their last name. So, I thought I'd be different."

Aden laughed. "Well good for you! This my wife, Belle. Belle?!"

Belle was curled up in the chair in the corner, not listening to what Aden or Alan had been talking about. From the minute she's heard Aden's laugh, that young, exuberant laugh, she had begun falling into the black hole again, this time going deeper and deeper.

"Belle? Belle!" Aden kept calling, louder and louder, trying to get her attention.

"Mrs Jefferies?" said Alan, walking over and touching Belle's arm. Belle snapped back to the present at once.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I must have dozed off!" said Belle.

"Mrs Jefferies, are you sure you're ok?" asked Alan, frowning at her pale, tired face. "Maybe you should see a doctor?"

"No, I'm fine!" insisted Belle, jumping up, walking over to Aden, and taking his hand. "Now, what plans do you have for my husband's comfort?"

Aden and Belle sat for a half an hour, listening to Alan's plan to help Aden's last few days more comfortable. It was the hardest, longest half an hour Belle ever sat through in her entire life.

All she could keep thinking of was this man was sent to them to prepare Aden for his last few days... Belle could hardly breathe at this thought. Her heart was thumping madly in her chest, fit to explode and escape from her rib cage.

Could Belle really think about Aden's last few weeks or days? She couldn't bare to think off how much he would deteriorate over the next few weeks, as Alan said he would.

How could she prepare herself for saying to goodbye to the man she loved, her soulmate?

Didn't the priest say at the wedding 'For who God has joined together, let no man cast assunder'. No man had cast asunder. Instead, it was God taking Aden from this world, from Belle.

As she looked at her husband's face, now intent as he listened to Alan, she could not bare to think that in a few short weeks she would never see Aden's beautiful face ever again and that her life, without him, would never be the same again.

Life is not worth living for when the person you are supposed to share it with, is no longer there.

Let me know what you think!

xxxxx

[LauraPhilly!!]

Aw guys!

Thank you SO much for all your lovely comments!

I feel bad for the way this story is turning out because you've all been such good friends,

and you don't deserve this story!

I'd change it now if I could, but that would just mess up everything!

Hope you enjoy it anyway!

Here's the next chapter!

Let me know what you think!

Chapter 50

Belle sat, legs crossed on the bed, both babies in her arms, held close to her chest.

She wasn't looking at them. She was staring into space, but in her mind, she was in another world.

She was walking down the hospital corridor, the nurses and doctors were all smiling at her sadly, some patting her arm supportively. Belle was confused, she didn't understand why they were so sad. She met Rachel at the open door, and she looked at Belle and smiled sadly at her too.

"I'm sorry Belle," she said, looking into the room. Belle frowned but followed her gaze. She looked straight for the bed, where Aden should have been lying. But instead there were three men, and one was zipping up a large, long bag. A body bag.

Shock vibrated through Belle's body and it was this feeling that brought her bad to the present. She sighed in relief as she felt the twins warm weight in her arms, as they laid their heads against her chest.

Belle kissed each of their heads softly. Did they know they were about to lose their father? No, they didn't. Would they ever have a proper chance to know their father? No, they wouldn't. Would they be able to remember him when they were older? No, they wouldn't.

He would just be a distant memory to them, triggered maybe by a word or a place. But Belle was determined to never let this happen. The twins would know their father. They would know him, and the heartbreaking story of their parents love and their untimely split. She wanted Iliana and Robert to tell their children of Aden and what a great father he was. She was determined they would never forget.

There was a gently knock on the door, and Irene peered her head around the door. She smiled sadly as she saw Iliana and Robert held protectively in their mother's arms, as if she was afraid to lose them if she let them go.

"Belle sweety, the ambulance has just arrived," she said, quietly.

Belle nodded silently, and carefully slipped off the bed, careful not to jostle the babies in her arms. She left the room and walked into their new nursery and laid them in their beds. With Aden coming home from hospital, Belle felt it was best to move the babies into their new room. Aden would want all the sleep he could get, and Belle didn't want him to be awoken by the babies crying.

After leaving the babies in her cot, Belle walked nervously into the living room, where she saw the paramedics pushing Aden's guerney through the back door. Aden could barely lift his head, but tried his best to smile at Belle, his head quickly collapsing on the pillow again.

Belle pursed her lips and silently directed the paramedics to their bedroom. There, she stood in the corner, watching painfully as the paramedics lowered Aden onto the bed. It scared Belle how much Aden had deteriorated in the past few days.

Rachel had told them Aden had only a matter of weeks, so Aden insisted on returning home as soon as possible. The hospital agreed as long as Dr. Alan was on hand incase anything went wrong.

Once Belle had heard this, she had hurried home to prepare the spare room for Dr. Alan's stay. She looked up then at the open bedroom door to see Dr. Alan walking through, his face serious as he watched Aden discomfort as he was moved onto the bed.

Once the paramedics had finished and left, Aden asked to sleep for awhile, so Dr. Alan slipped him half a sleeping tablet. Belle had stayed with him, lying beside him, holding his hand tightly until he fell asleep.

Then, she got up, left the room quietly, and walked into the nusery. Again, she lifted the babies from their cot, and held them in her arms, close to her chest. Walking into the living room, she nodded as she saw Dr. Alan, walked over to the sofa opposite Irene and sat down, holding the babies close to her chest, watching their faces intently.

After half an hour, Irene stood up and grabbed her car keys.

"I'm just going out shopping, anything either of you would like?" she asked, kindly, looking at Dr. Alan too.

While he said no thank you, Belle carefully picked up her handbag and pulled out a piece of paper.

"They're just baby supplies Reenie," she said, handing her the note. "I'll pay you back for them later!"

"Don't be silly darl, I've got these," said Irene, winking at her.

"Thanks Reenie," said Belle, smiling lightly.

Irene blew kisses to both the babies, grabbed her keys and left the house quietly. As Belle bounced the babies up and down on her knees, Dr. Alan came over and sat down where Irene had been sitting. He smiled as he watched the babies giggling at Belle as she made funny faces.

"They're beautiful," he said, smiling at them, and Belle.

Belle smiled back gratefully. "Thank you. They're my pride and joy," she said, smiling at Iliana and Robert lovingly. "Aden and I went through so much having them, but I wouldn't take any of it back in a second. Them, and Aden, are my reason for living!"

She smiled but it was tinged with sadness, Dr. Alan saw. He shuffled his feet uncomfortably with the sudden silence.

"I'm so sorry about what's happening to Aden," he said. "I know how you feel. The pain is unimaginable!"

Belle looked up, intrigued. He saw her look and nodded.

"My little sister died of breast cancer two years ago," he said, sadly. "She was only sixteen. Breast cancer was in our family, but we never thought it would happen to Lily. She was just so young, it was a massive shock!"

"Oh Dr. Alan, I'm sorry," said Belle, sadly. He really did know how she felt, Belle realised. Maybe she would be able to talk to him about the pain she was going through. No-one else understood, except maybe him.

"Please, call me Alan, it's far less formal," he said, smiling kindly.

Belle shrugged. "Well if you insist," she said. She turned back to the babies; Iliana was playing with a clump of her hair, and Robbie was turned around, staring at Alan imperiously.

"Well, he's a curious little mister, isn't he!" said Alan, chuckling lightly. He held his hands out slightly. "May I hold him?"

Belle looked at Robbie apprehensively. She hardly allowed anyone to hold him, apart from herself and Aden, for fear of him being hurt. However, Alan seemed the carefully type. Carefully, she laid Iliana on the cushion beside her, and held out Robbie as Alan took him in his arms.

"Wow, he's sturdy," he said, sitting him on his knees. "How old are they?"

"Ten months," said Belle, smoothing a comb through Iliana's small hair strands. "It feels like yesterday though that they were newborns and I held them in my arms. It was the happiest day of my life, that and getting married to Aden!"

After a few minutes, Iliana started crying in Belle's arms, followed soon after by Robbie.

"Shh, omg, shh, sweeties," said Belle, bouncing Iliana close to her chest, and urging Alan to do the same. "If they wake Aden - shh, shh, my darlings. Be good babies for Mommy!"

After bouncing them for a few minutes, Iliana and Robbie stopped crying, their small mouths forming into a large 'O'.

"They're tired," she said, leaning her arm out to take Robbie. Alan snuggled him carefully into Belle's arms. "I'm just going to put them to bed, I'll be back in a minute!"

"No problem, can I use your bathroom?" asked Alan.

"It's just beside the nursery, follow me," said Belle, kindly, walking down the hall to the nursery. After pointing Alan to the bathroom, she walked into the nursery and prepared the babies for their nap.

After changing and tucking them into their beds, Belle lit the small light in the corner of the room, which also played sweet music. Blowing kisses to them both, she quietly left room, closing the door behind her.

As she backed away from the door, she bumped into Alan walking down the hall.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry," she said, as she'd bashed into his chest.

Suddenly Belle realised what an awkward position she was in. Having just bumped into Alan's chest, her face was inches away from his. She looked up at him uncertainly, afraid of what he was going to do.

Alan quickly ceased the awkward position Belle was in, slowly bent down and kissed her softly. Belle stood frozen out the nursery door, shocked by his actions. Alan took this the wrong way, and thinking she wanted more, pressed his lips harder against hers, pushing his tongue through, trying to prise her mouth open.

Quickly, Belle pressed her hand on his chest, muscled she just noticed, and pushed him away. Glancing up at him with a shocked and angry face, she stood there. In the room beside them, she heard Aden call out her name quietly.

"Coming babe," she called, pushing Alan out of the way, and walked into the bedroom. She quickly closed the door, and pressed her back up against it, closing her eyes. She couldn't believe what had just happened, that she had allowed Alan to kiss her.

However what shocked and frightened Belle the most was, part of her was screaming at her for stopping the kiss and wished that she was still outside with Alan. She gulped and looked guiltily over at Aden, his face a deadly pale, his body thrashing slightly under the covers.

She was furious with herself that she could even have the slightest feelings for another person, when Aden, the love of her life, was dying and needed her the most.

Then, for the first time in years, as she lay down beside Aden and closed her eyes, it was not his face that she saw in her dreams, it was Alan. She woke up suddenly, sweat pouring down her face and her heart punding rapidly against her chest. However, this time, it was pounding for a different person.

Let me know what you think!

xxxx