Carrying On

Due to my need to carry on the story forever and ever and ever after what can only be described as perfect finale, I've decided to write a kind of carry on... Starting from the night after the wedding.

There was a strange quiet around Leopards Den as the moon rose steadily over the landscape, casting its silver glow across the land, illuminating the faces of those who stood beneath it. It brought with it a chill, a cold night breeze that nipped at the bare skin sharply. It had been a momentous day for more reasons than one. Rosie, Danny's eldest daughter had remarried Dylan, the man who'd finally won everyone's approval including his father in law's, and of course, Dup. Danny couldn't help but admire how brave he had been, Dup's own words about his own father rushing back to hit him, he'd walked out into the night. Danny knew that somewhere out there, Dup was gone, and that tomorrow he'd have to start searching for him. Despite the fact Dup had chosen his time, there were legalities to abide by – he'd buried wherever Danny found him, or as close too.

Danny currently stood observing the mess in front of his house, his arm wrapped around his wife Alice, the woman who in the past few days, he'd finally seen properly. He'd been such a fool to ever doubt her, to lose sight of her for even a second and he'd promised himself and his best friend that he'd never allow it to happen again. He sighed as he looked over all the tables and chairs, the glasses lying around, the ribbon flapping in the wind trying to free itself of it's tight knot. Memories flooded back to him of their own marriage – it had been perfect. They'd tied the knot on their beloved copy, surrounded by their close family and friends before hosting a huge after party at Leopards Den itself before rushing off on honeymoon to London that evening. Danny smiled, Rosie and Dylan were well on their way and although he suspected Rosie knew about why Dup was missing, he knew that without hearing it, her honeymoon wouldn't be overshadowed.

"What a day." Alice sighed, resting her head on Danny's shoulder, "And what a mess." She chuckled.

"There's no mess anymore." Danny promised softly, kissing the top of her head, "It's over."

Alice looked up at him and smiled tenderly. She knew about Dup, she knew that she'd never see him again. She'd known this morning when he'd complimented her dress, told her a few home truths about how she and Danny looked at one another and kissed her cheek, telling her to look after Danny. Of course, no one had seen it, but she knew. His time had come.

"He died a happy man Danny." Alice murmured softly, her eyes full of compassion as her Husband spun, his face betraying his shock at her knowing. "I had my ideas, I think I hinted to Caroline to find out the truth, I don't know the full story but, this morning he confirmed it. I knew."

"He told me not tell you." Danny admitted softly, "We should have known, you'd know." Alice smiled, before both looked back over the landscape, "Come on," Danny smiled pulling gently on her waist, "Let's get to bed. It won't be long before Robbie's awake… all this, it can wait until the morning."

Alice nodded in agreement before walking into the house, her arm tightly wound around Danny's waist as he limped through the hallway. She rolled her eyes as she thought about his leg, trust Danny to be superman and get injured days before his daughter's wedding. She was sure he'd cut his arm the day before their wedding on a piece of barbed wire. As they neared the bedroom, Alice took her arm from around him.

"Alice?" Danny asked.

"I'll be five minutes. I'm just going to see Charlotte's asleep and Bobby is ok." Alice promised touching his face tenderly. Since they'd made up she couldn't stop touching him, she never wanted them to drift apart again.

Danny nodded entering the room as Alice set off further down the corridor, she opened Charlotte's door quietly, smiling as she saw her eldest daughter texting. She moved to sit beside her on the bed, stroking her hair tenderly.

"Try and get some sleep Charlie." Alice told her softly.

"I was texting Rosie, she wanted to know if Dup had come back." Charlotte replied, placing her phone down on the side. She looked up at her mother who's expression she didn't quite recognize. "Where is he Mum?"

"I don't know sweetie." Alice admitted, it wasn't entirely a lie. She didn't know where he was, she knew that her daughter had had her last hair ruffle this morning though. "Come on, go to sleep." Alice told her standing up and tucking her in just as she had when she was a little girl, "I love you sweetheart."

"I love you too." Charlotte smiled as Alice kissed her forehead before leaving the room, turning the light off as she did so.

Alice continued on down the corridor, she entered Robert's room. He was fast asleep. He'd napped during the meal and then woken for the party but that had exhausted him and he was comatose, snoring gently and quietly as he held his favourite teddy to him. Alice sighed, Dup had bought him that when he'd first come out to Leopards Den. They'd all near enough fainted when Dup had handed the little boy the brown bear. It had become a firm favourite besides Rory the Elephant who pillowed the youngster's head most nights. Danny and Alice had bought it him for his first birthday and it had been a hit since. She sighed, poor Bobby wouldn't remember Dup, or how much he had loved him. She ran her hand over his forehead gently, he'd know about him though, she'd make sure of it. With that final thought she left the room and headed back to her own.

"They ok?" Danny asked, pulling himself up to sitting.

"Yeh." Alice replied sitting on the egde of the bed so Danny could undo her dresses zip. She smiled as he did so without being asked. "Charlie was asking about Dup."

"We'll have to tell people tomorrow." Danny sighed, "I'm gonna miss him."

"We all are." Alice said, throwing her pjyamas on quickly before sliding into bed beside Danny, "You ok?"

"Yeh." Danny smiled, "You?"

"Yeh." Alice replied softly, "Though how about a trip to the Copy tomorrow night? And how about I come with you to… you know…"

Danny placed his hand upon her left cheek, cupping it tenderly, "You don't have to."

"I know, but I don't want you going on your own. If you don't take me then take Fatani."

"Fatani?"

"Just don't go on your own." Alice warned.

"I won't." Danny promised, "Come on, let's get some rest, it's late and Bobby'll be up in hours."

Alice turned, flicking the bedside lamp off before settling back into her Husband's chest. He wrapped his arms tight around her from behind, savouring the feel of her around him. He kissed her cheek softly before settling himself. Tomorrow would be an emotional day, but he'd get through it, they all would it… Dup wasn't here anymore but he would never be gone.

A/N – Uber quick chapter. I just had to get my ideas rolling haha! I know that was quite slow starting but yeh :P