Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: This is the third in a series - the first two can be found on my profile - but you don't have to read the others to read this. All you need to know is, Tom Clarkson's younger sister Rebecca came to teach at Waterloo Road and got together with Jack Rimmer.
Chapter One
It was the last week of August, and Rebecca Clarkson sat on the sofa in the living room of the house she lived in with her boyfriend and foster daughter.
Rebecca was a history teacher at Waterloo Road high school, and would be starting her third year at the school in a weeks time. She loved her job there, and shortly after starting, had fallen head over heels in love with the handsome headmaster and had moved in with him within 7 months.
When she'd started at Waterloo Road, it had been ideal, not least because her brother, who she'd always been very close to, worked there as an english teacher, along with two women who'd been her friends for a long time - Izzie and Lorna, also english teachers. Lorna had been married to Tom, before they split up and he got with the real love of his life, Izzie.
Becky had also become good friends with the head of pastoral care, Kim, and the deputy head, Andrew.
Now, things had all changed.
About to start her third year of teaching at Waterloo Road, Becky could hardly believe how much her life had changed.
7 months ago, Lorna had killed herself after finding out she had MS and deciding it was too much to deal with, and two months ago, Izzie had been stabbed in the school playground by a drug dealer, and died in Jack's arms. To add to that, Kim and Andrew had upped and moved to Rwanda.
Becky had struggled to come to terms with it and had spent most of the summer flitting between home, and the house where devastated Tom lived with Izzie's teenage daughters.
Tom and the girls were coping now, and Becky had managed to pull herself together, but she couldn't deny it had had a huge effect on her relationship with Jack.
Jack was haunted by the memories of Izzie dying while he couldn't do anything, and he blamed himself very strongly. He had constant nightmares and barely slept, and he seemed to be finding it difficult to cope, no matter how much Becky tried to help.
Becky was lost and didn't know what to do, and the strain it put on her relationship was immense, but Jack was trying to keep it together and make it ok for her.
It didn't help that Tom had refused to come to the house all summer, claiming he didn't want to be around Jack. Becky had told him it was ridiculous but it was clear that Tom blamed Jack.
Becky hated that but didn't mention it to either of them, because she didn't want to fall out with eitehr, but she felt caught between them.
She hated being stuck in the middle and sometimes didn't know which way to turn.
Jack had left multiple messages on Tom's phone and tried to go to the house, but Tom didn't return any of the messages, and didn't answer the door when Jack turned up, and Becky was close to losing her temper with him, however much Jack tried to soothe her.
The door of the house opened, and Becky smiled when she heard Jack's voice.
" Hey honey! " he called out, " I'm home! "
Becky smiled as she looked up from her book and looked at the teenage girl sitting across the room, lost in the latest celebrity magazine. " And the peace is shattered," she said, shaking her head.
She and Jack had taken in 17 year old Maxine Barlow almost a year ago. She was a Waterloo Road pupil who'd given up attended months ago, and when they came across her she was addicted to everything under the sun, courtesy of no good boyfriend Lewis Seddon, and was living in a burnt out car before Jack and Becky covinced her to go back to her mother.
After her mother's boyfriend turned out to be a pervert attacking local school girls, and her mother choice him over her own daughter, Maxine was left with nowhere.
Now, after almost a year, it seemed like Maxine was their own daughter and they loved her as such.
Maxine was something of a daddy's girl despite not actually being their daughter, and although Jack could be harsh with her, he was protective and loved her, and she always made him feel a little better.
" In here, Jack," Becky called with a smile.
Jack appeared in the doorway with a smile, dressed down in jeans and a t-shirt and looking worn out. He passed Maxine, who was sitting near the door, and ruffled her hair as he did so, " Hey kiddo," he said.
Maxine rolled her eyes, " Jack! I'm not a kid! "
Maxine loved both Jack and Becky, and she loved how they were so solid and such a strong couple. They cared for her as much as parents did and they helped her and cared for her much more than her own mother and the dad she never knew, ever did. Yet she was also able to mess around with them a bit, and tease them both. She and Becky messed about, went shopping, talked about boys and poured over magazines and make up counters in the shops, and she and Jack lazed around with takeaway and pizza and homework - Jack would always make time to help Maxine with her work regardless of how much of his own paperwork he had to do.
Jack moved towards Becky and he leaned down to where she was sitting in the armchair and brushed his lips against hers lightly. She smiled and reached up to lay a hand on his cheek as she kissed him back, and he smiled and then planted a kiss on her cheek too.
" How was your day? " she asked him as he turned back around and slumped down onto the sofa, beside Maxine, resting his hands on her stomach as closing his eyes.
" Tiring," he said.
Becky smiled at her husband to be.
Jack had proposed to her at Christmas, and they'd agreed to get married the following Christmas as it would give them time to plan the wedding, save up, and because Becky's favourite time of year was Christmas.
" That's what you get for deciding to paint the school yourself," she told him, " though I wish you'd let me see it. "
" I've told you," he said, shaking his head as he opened his eyes again, " I don't want you to see it until it's finished, it's my masterpiece. "
Becky smiled.
Jack had decided at the beginning of the summer, that he wanted to help the school with a new image and make the new year Waterloo Road's best ever. As well as the new refurbishments that were taking place, he'd decided he wanted to use the blank walls of the staircase to make a big painting.
Jack had been quite big on art before he went to university and had been something of a dab hand.
He'd decided to take on the task of painting the walls around the staircase with designs and pictures, and Becky secretly thought it was a good way to keep his mind off it.
She privately didn't think he was ready to go back to work next week - he was quite frankly a mess, and he'd been working long and hard all summer.
The painting had been a good way to take his mind off it, but he'd also been busy employing a new deputy head and meeting with him, and organising all of the paperwork and making the arrangements for a new school year.
" But I really want to see it," Becky told him.
Jack smiled fondly, " You can see it next week, just like everyone else, love," he told her. He turned to Maxine, " what have you two been doing then? "
Maxine smiled, " Becky took me shopping. "
Jack smiled in amusement, " Did she now? " he asked, glancing at Becky and back again at Maxine, " Well, I think Becky spends too much time spending too much of my money. "
" Hey! " Becky protested, " I earn money too, you know. In fact, when I went shopping, the money came out from my bank account. "
Jack smiled, ignoring his future wife and asking Maxine, " Did she buy you anything nice? "
" Few new tops and some shoes," Maxine replied, " and a handbag and a bit of make up. "
Jack smiled, " I think she's spoilt you. "
Maxine smiled and nodded, before closing her magazine. " I'm going to go upstairs," she said.
Jack pouted when she stood up, " Hope you're not going on my account. "
" Don't be stupid," she said, shaking her head and causing Becky to burst out laughing, " Janeece reckons she's got something to tell me, and if she can't text me now because she's gone over the limit on her free texts. "
Becky smiled, " Just ignore your stupid insecure dad, sweetie. I'll get some tea cooking now he's home, and I'll shout you in a bit. "
Maxine nodded and left the room, with a smile for Jack, and when she'd gone Jack looked across at Becky. " Come here," he said.
She raised her eyebrows, " Little bit bossy today, aren't we? "
He smiled irresistably, " Come here," he repeated, holding his arms out. She smiled and stood up, putting her book down on the armchair before crossing the small space between the armchair and the sofa.
Jack touched her waist and pulled her down into his lap and she smiled and settled against him, her arms around his neck.
The 29 year old history teacher smiled at her handsome 38 year old fiance and her eyes wandered across his face. He was looking tired and exhausted but for once, it didn't look like he was tired with the stress and the pain. He was tired from a long day of work, but he looked rather happy.
" D'you realise you just referred to me as Maxine's dad? " he asked her happily.
Becky thought about it and she shook her head, " Did I? "
He nodded, " Yeah, you did. "
She smiled, " And how does that make you feel? "
He grinned, " I love it. "
Becky grinned. She'd long since thought of she and Jack as Maxine's parents, though Maxine had never called them mum and dad due to being 16 when she came to them.
" D'you want to know something? " Becky asked, reaching out with one hand to trace the outline of his jaw with her index finger lightly, " I think you'd make such a good daddy. "
Jack smiled and was about to say something when the doorbell rang.
He rolled his eyes and said, " Guess we'll finish this conversation later. "
" Maybe it's Tom," Becky said hopefully, clambering off Jack and heading into the hallway. Jack sighed as he watched her go - he knew she was hoping for Tom to come around and talk to Jack, and tell him it was ok, but he thought it was unrealistic, and he didn't blame Tom for blaming him for Izzie's death.
He did blame Tom for hurting Becky by forcing her between the pair of them.
He heard Becky open the door, and he heard voices, and the next thing he knew Donte was lingering in the doorway of the living room.
" Alright, Mr Rimmer? " he asked.
Jack nodded, trying to muster up a smile, though he didn't quite manage one, " Donte," he nodded.
Becky appeared in the doorway behind the teenage boy and she nudged him into the rom, a hand in the small of his back, " Hey, sit down," she said, " can I get you a drink? "
" Nah, I'm ok," he said, " I just dropped by for a quick chat. "
Donte Charles was a pupil at the school, and the same age as Maxine. He was dating one of Izzie's daughters and had been for at least two years.
Becky had been at school with his mother, who got pregnant with him whilst still at school, and Becky was his godmother. Donte's mother had got depression and walked out long ago, but it never stoppd Becky from helping him and being there.
Jack wasn't overly keen on Donte, who was something of a bad boy, but he had to admit, the boy was more or less family now.
Donte sat in the armchair so he wouldn't have to sit beside Jack - if he was honest, he thought Jack was a decent bloke, but he wished he wasn't the headmaster. He knew if his godmother's boyfriend was anyone other than the school's headmaster, he'd probably be pretty good friends with him.
Becky followed him into the room and sat back down beside Jack, reaching out to rest her hand on his knee. He smiled in response and rested his hand on top of hers.
" What's going on, sweetie? " Becky asked her godson when she realised that he looked worried.
Donte sighed before looking at her, " I wanted to ask you something about Chlo. "
Becky raised her eyebrows, " About Chlo? "
He nodded, before swallowing and looking very serious, and causing Becky to glance worriedly at Jack, who smiled a little and and brushed his thumb against the back of his her hand, as her hand squeezed his knee a little.
Donte took a deep breath before saying, " We're gonna get married. "
Becky was stunned and she raised her eyebrows, " Married? Really? "
" Yeah," Donte said, " I mean, I'm 16, and she's just turned 16 - we can get married now, and I love her. We're going to get married. "
" When? " Becky asked, still stunned.
" As soon as," he said.
Becky couldn't believe it and she said, " I ... you're serious? I mean, sweetie, you're so young, and you're still in high school, and ... is it really the right time, and the best thing to do and ... oh, sweetie, have you thought about this? "
Donte looked a little offended and said, " I didn't come here for a lecture, Rebecca, I came to tell you. I thought you might like to know. But you've got to promise not to tell Tom - Chlo wants to tell him herself. "
It occured to Becky that Donte must have a lot of real trust for Jack, to talk about this in front of him.
" Wait," Becky said, shaking her head, " sweetie, I'm not trying to have a go, but are in the right place to get married? You're 16! You haven't been together that long, have you? You both live at home ... is this really a good idea? "
" We've been together nearly 3 years," Donte protested, " that's longer than you two have been together, and you're getting married. "
" That's different," Jack protested, " we're older than you, we're stable. "
" Me and Chlo are stable," Donte insisted, " we love each other and we want to make a commitment. I just thought you might like to know. "
" But when? " Becky asked.
" Soon," Donte replied.
" Toms going to murder you," Becky said, shaking her head, " it was nice knowing you. "
" He hasn't got any reason to be mad at me," Donte said, " Chlo and me have been together years, and we love each other - why can't we be allowed to show each other that? This is what we both want. "
" Ok," Becky said, " listen, I'm not going to argue with you, Donte because you've clearly made your mind up about this and if I know you and Chlo, I know you won't be changing your mind any time soon. But I've got to say, I think Tom's going to go mental and I can understand why. I mean, if my teenage girl was getting married to a 16 year old with no real prospects, I'd - "
" Becky," Jack mumbled, squeezing his hand in an effort to try and silence her when he realised she was digging herself a hole, although he didn't think the marriage was such a good idea either, but didn't think it was his place to do anything.
Becky smiled a little at Donte and said, " I just think you need to consider it properly - you're still very young, and marriage might be better suited for someone older with more prospects. You two should really talk to Tom, and don't ... do anything rash. "
Donte nodded, before standing up, " Just ... so you know ... " he told her, " Chlo and me do have prospects. I'm going to go into business and Chlo's gonna do her hairdressing ... it's gonna be mint. "
Becky sighed, " Just think about what you're doing, sweetie. I think it's great that you want to make a commitment to each other and that you love each other, but just ... I think you should talk to Tom before you do anything because after everything Chlo's been through, she needs her family on side. "
" Well, thanks for listening," Donte said, " but I'd better get going, or my dad'll be wondering where I am - just thought I'd call in. "
Becky nodded and after she and Jack had said goodbye to Donte, and she'd showed him out, Becky returned to the living room, looking stunned.
" Well," she said, " that's a bit of a suprise. "
Jack nodded, " Tom's going to murder Donte," he said with a little smirk.
Becky nodded. She thought it was sweet that Donte and Chlo wanted to get married and she wished they'd wait a while before getting married, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it, and she supposed even Tom would have to accept that Chlo was growing up, and try and be supportive. She wondered if she should mention it to Tom but supposed it was for them to tell Tom themselves.
She absent mindedly wandered over to the fireplace and picked up a shiny plaque from the mantle piece and reached for a duster lying around from when she'd dusted the day before.
She started to wipe at the golden plaque and as she did so with care, a proud smile crossed her face.
" Will you put the damned thing down? " Jack demanded, glaring at it with disdain, " I've already told you I don't want it on show. "
" It's a national bravery award," Becky told him, shining it up, " it shows everyone you're a hero. "
" And it's ego centrical to have it on the mantle," Jack grumbled, " not to mention it's a reminder. Are you trying to get me sent back to that stupid woman? "
Becky rolled her eyes as she carefully put the award down - Jack had recieved it along with a medal of honour for talking a dangerous drug dealer in his own playground.
" That stupid woman," she told him, " is a top psychologist who helped you. "
Jack huffed, " Only because you forced me to go. "
" It was for your own good, and it was a damned sight better than the pills the stupid doctor gave you," she told him, though an amused smile tugged at her lips, " now stop being Mr Grumpy," she said, moving towards him.
He sighed and relented, stretching his arms to her.
She smiled and slid into his lap again.
She often felt like a teenager when she was with him, and he didn't seem his age either. In fact, she was certain that a man of his age shouldn't be half as adorable and sweet as he was, but somehow, he was simply adorable and had a boyish quality to him, but with all the charms of a man.
One of the things that had so attracted Becky to Jack in the first place had been his irresistable magnetism - he'd been so sexy in the way he moved and the way he smiled at her sometimes, but looked at her seriously other times in this strong manly way. And the way he had an answer for everything, always with a smile.
They made an attrative couple - Becky was short and dark haired with bright blue eyes and a dazzling grin, and Jack was dark haired with steely blue-grey eyes and a sexy smirk.
They still found each other as attractive as they had almost two years ago and were still very close and loved moments alone like this where they could just be together.
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his lips in her hair, finding her ear, the cold tip of his nose brushing against her cheek and making her giggle.
" You're beautiful, Rebecca," he told her, his breath tickling her ear.
She smiled and leaned away from him just enough that she could turn her head to the side and plant a suprise kiss on his lips.
He smiled and she reached out to cup his cheek with one hand, " You're a hero, Jack, I hope you know that. You're my hero. " She sighed happily and it made him smile even wider as she added, " Never thought I'd be living with a real life hero. "
He reached up to take her hand from his cheek and he kissed the back of her hand before holding it, and lacing his fingers between hers.
" I might have been doing a bit of thinking," Jack said.
" Yeah? " Becky asked curiously.
He nodded, " How d'you facy having hero kids? "
She laughed at the thought of it, though she couldn't deny she liked the idea of it, and once she looked at him properly, she saw he was grinning, but he was serious.
" Kids? " she asked him, " you want to have kids? "
Jack grinned, " Maybe I don't want one to appear tomorrow, but ... " he took a breath and said, " I've kind of been thinking for a while, and I know there's nothing more I want than to have a family with a beautiful wife. "
Becky grinned, " Are you asking me to have your babies? " she asked.
Jack shrugged, though there was a glimmer in his eyes, " I'm asking you your opinion," he said coyly.
Becky grinned, " When d'you want to get started? "
Jack laughed and leaned in to steal a kiss from her, " You've no idea how happy I am to be with you," he said, " I think we'd make excellent parents. "
Becky smiled and she nodded, " I think you're right," she said, " I want us to have a family too. I know we've got Maxine, but I'd like a couple of our own. "
Jack nodded, " A little girl with mum's looks and dad's brains," he said.
Becky shot him a mock glare at the insinuation that he was the brainy one, but the look on his face meant she couldn't even pretend to be mad for a moment, and she nodded, " When I met you, I never thought you were the family type. "
Jack squeezed her hand, " Well, I've got the right woman now, haven't I? Don't get me wrong, I want to be able to have you all to myself for a while longer first. "
Becky nodded, but she was thrilled to know that a baby was on the cards, somewhere down the line.
" Maybe after we get married," Jack said, leaning in again, " honeymoon baby. "
Becky smiled happily and closed her eyes as their lips met.