Hi, I know I have so much work to do on my old stuff but this idea hasn't left my mind for the last few weeks so here it is. It is a follow on to 'Love is a Funny Thing', it wont make much sense if you haven't read that. Anyways hope you enjoy it and think I have made the right decision bringing my old story back to life and feel free to review and let me know? Thanks Jodie.
Chapter One
Knealing down infront her son Stevie placed a kiss to his forehead and smiled "You have a good day... and Mummy will be here to pick you up at the end of the day". Smiling to his teacher she watched him make his way through the door to his classroom and wave back to her, he shrugged his back pack back onto his back as he faded into the crowd of children. Dale was fast approaching five and was a right little monster, everyday he did something that reminded her of his father. She headed from the playground and back towards the car and slipped into the passenger seat. "He ok?" the tall muscular man next to her asked and she nodded slightly "I cant believe he has started school.. its unbelievable..". The man leant into her lips and kissed her gently "I love you Stevie". She layed her hand to his face and grinned "I know" she replied before she gestured down the road "Come on... or I will be late for work". She had been dating Andrew for a little over a year and although he was keen to move forward, for them to live together, get married and even consider children of their own but she still couldnt do it, her heart belonged with Smithy. Stevie had struggled in the years that had followed his death and the aftermath of what Oliver Roberts had done to her, it seemed she had fallen into a trance as the police car wizzing past them pulled them back to her senses and she realised she was only minutes away. Pulling up outside the station she leant towards Andrew and pecked his lips. She let out a loud sigh and Andrew frowned "Why dont you quit... get rid of the bad memories" she shook her head "Smithy isnt a bad memory.." he sighed "Thats not what I meant.." she glanced up at the building "My memories are here..." he cut in "Its been nearly six years Stevie.." she cut in "Its been 2,028 days.." he shook his head "Your obsessed.." tears rolled down her cheeks "He's the love of my life.." Andrew shouted "He is dead Stevie.. do you really think the way you act is healthy for Dale.." she grabbed the door handle and Andrew placed his hand to her leg "Im sorry... Stevie I didnt mean to snap but I cant keep having this same fight with you" she let the tears fall down her cheeks "Then dont.. I will not erase Smithy from mine or Dales life" she climbed from the car and headed towards the building.
Once inside she made her way towards the coffee machine, she always found it difficult and pausing outside the office she glanced up at the name 'Inspector Joanne Masters' and sighed, staring inside, she closed her eyes and transported herself back "I love you Moss" she could hear his voice in her head and she sobbed back the lump in her throat. "I miss him too" the voice startled her and she turned to the woman "I think about him everyday Jo... it shouldnt still be this hard". The woman gestured inside and they headed into the office and Jo pushed the door closed "Stevie... its so difficult to lose the person you love... and you will always think of him... he was the father of your son.." Stevie sighed "Dale... he would of loved Smithy so much.." she let the tears run down her cheeks "I wish I had never allowed Oliver into my life.. I deprived Smithy of ever knowing his son... and Kirsty would still be alive". Jo leant accross the desk and took hold of her hand "No... none of it was your fault... Oliver did this.. he did it all..." she paused "How is your therapy going?" she asked and Stevie frowned "Its fine... I go.. I cry and I come home and put an act on again". Jo smiled "I am always here... no act... I am your friend". Stevie nodded "I had a dream last night... Smithy and Dale they were playing football and I just sat watching them... it was the most perfect thing and then... Oliver he was there.. and I was back in the box... burried knowing that..." she placed her hand over her mouth and sobbed. The knock on the door startled them and she quickly recomposed herself. "Ma'am..." Callum spoke and Jo nodded, he moved in and closed the door "Its actually DI Moss I am after... we have been to a car accident.." Stevie nodded "Ok.. grab Terry and Max.." Callum shook his head "No its not that... its Pauline Smith... she was driving the car.." Stevie rose to her feet and Jo smiled "Come on I will take you down the hospital". Callum shook his head "Im sorry.." he watched as Stevie sunk back into the chair "There was nothing that could be done.. I thought with her being Dales Gran.. you had a right to know". Stevie nodded "Thank you.. I havent seen much of her.. she said seeing Dale was to hard.. after Smithy.. her other son Darren... he moved half way round the world... Pauline she chucked herself into charity work.. she saw Dale once or twice a year.. you know Christmas and Birthdays.. she would drop cards and presents". Jo smiled "Do you want me to take you home?". Stevie shook her head "Im fine.. I just.. I need to get on with some work". She headed out the door and Jo frowned "Callum..." he turned back to his Inspector and she smiled "Can you keep an eye" she nodded through the doo and he glanced after the small blonde "I always do" he stated before he walked from the room.
Staring at the rain as she continued with dinner, she had asked Andrew to stay away for the evening, she had to tell Dale that his Gran had died, a conversation she was dreading. Although Dale had never been close to the woman Stevie kept the Smith family alive with her son, she wanted Smithy to live on through him. She sunk down at the kitchen table and Dale moved towards her "Whats wrong with Mummy?" she frowned "What makes you think anythink is?" she asked and he sighed "You are sad.." he paused, pushing up into her lap "Are you thinking about my Daddy?". God this boy was to prescious, "Why do you say that?" she asked and Dale frowned "It always makes you sad when you think of him". Stevie shook her head "No Dale... your Daddy doesnt make me sad... he never made me sad... I just.. I miss him Dale.." the boy glanced down "Shall we go and visit him?" he asked and she smiled "Its raining today... how about I take you after school tomorrow?" she asked and the young boy nodded. "Why are you sad Mummy?" he asked and she smiled as she kissed his forehead "Im not... I will tell you what.. why dont you go and watch cartoons before tea". He nodded and slipped from her lap and ran towards the living room, she decided the hurt could wait for another day. Moving from the kitchen she headed through her apartment and towards her bedroom, once inside she headed to the photo on her bedside table she frowned "I love you Smithy... more and more everyday" she spoke before kissing the photo and placing it to her pillow.
Two Months Later
She laughed, watching her son running round with his father, they were laughing and kicking the football to each other. The ball flew into the goal and Smithy ran up to Dale and lifted him onto his shoulders, the young boy cheered as Smithy ran round with him. They moved towards her and he stared at her, he always stared at her. Dale slid down onto the floor and Stevie opened her arms and he flew into her cuddling her. Her happy little family. Dale withdrew and plonked onto the grass. Smithy leant towards her and smiled "I love you Moss" before he kissed her lips, she kissed him back. When he withdrew she shook her head as she saw the man who had pulled back from her, his eyes burning into her. "You killed him" he spat before pushing her backwards, she fell and fell until thump, she was back in the coffin, suddenley thrown into darkness, Olivers sick laugh echoing round her head, Dale faintly crying for his Mummy. She felt her body shake and coming to her senses her eyes flicked open and she stared at her small child as he cried "Mummy... you were screaming again.." she pulled him onto the bed next to her, she wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead and the tears from her eyes. "Im sorry... Mummys so sorry... I just had a bad dream.." she kissed his head "I love you baby". He glanced up at her "D'you want my Barnaby Bear?" he asked "He will protect you from the baddies". She shook her head "No sweetie... you keep him... lets go and tuck you back into bed" she led him from the room and sung to him gently as he drifted off to sleep almost instantly. She moved into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on and begun to make herself a black coffee. The nightmare was a recurring one, it always started happily, her little family, the way it should have been, she had become fond of Andrew but he would never be Smithy. But her beautiful dream was always ruined by that man. The man who ruined her life and stole her one true love. Maybe it was guilt she felt, maybe it was lack of sleep, she didnt know, all she did know was, her heart was breaking everytime she thought of how Smithy died.
The slight knock on the door, she moved to it instantly, she wrapped her arms round the man, he pulled back "Stevie do you know what the time is?" she nodded "I know.. its gone midnight Andrew and I know I shouldnt of called but I will only be an hour..". He smiled "Where are you going?" he asked. She glanced down "Be careful... I dont want you sitting round a graveyard at this time of night" he continued. She smiled slightly "I wont be long.. its just... I need to go". She noticed the sad expression on his face "Stevie... I know you are still hurting but its been a long time.. I cant play second best.. I love you and Dale with all my heart but I need you to commit to me.." she frowned as the tears ran down her cheeks. He sighed "Im not meaning to upset you... but he would want you to be happy" she nodded "Ok.. we can have a chat and... I will commit" he leant into her lips and she pulled back almost instantly "I wont be long" she whispeared "I need to do this" he nodded and she made her way out the front door. She slipped into her car and started the engine. Feeling the tears run down her cheeks she sighed, nearly six years had passed and she was still struggling, she had thrown herself into raising their son the way Smithy would have wanted but she had never been able to cope, she missed him desperatly and she wasnt sure how much longer she could carry on like this. She glanced down the road before pulling off and begining the ten minute drive to the graveyard. Pulling into the car park, she layed her head into her hands and thought back to the many times she had layed curled up in his arms, feeling him holding her close, kissing her lips and promising his soul to her. She climbed from the car and pulled her coat tight round her, before heading to the grave. Pauline had been burried next to her son six weeks ago and Stevie had found it all to much too bear. The funeral had only been a few old friends and Stevie, Darren hadnt even returned and she knew Smithy would be turning in his grave.
Stevie glanced over to the grave and froze as she saw the hooded figure crouching down, she should just turn back and leave whoever this man was too it but she couldnt she moved towards the man and stressed "Oi.. what d'you think you are doing?" she asked. The man remained crouched on the floor staring at the grave "Eh.. I am talking to you?" she spoke again "Thats my boyfriends grave now move away..." her voice faultered and the man rose to his feet "Hello Moss" he spoke before turning to face her. "No.." she shouted "NOOOO" her voice was screaming and it echoed. She turned and ran from the grave and sprinted back towards the car, feeling his hands round her wrist as she passed the church, he pushed her against the wall and covered her mouth with his hand "Stop screaming... sweetheart you need to stop..". He moved his hand and tears streamed from her eyes as he removed his hood, his hair was short, much shorter than she remerbered and he had stuble on his face, he gently stroked her face "I have missed you so much" he whispeared and she pulled back "No... no.. your dead" she cried "Im going to be sick" she moved from him and began to be violently ill, he gently rubbed her back before moving her hair from her face. She placed her hands onto her knees and she sobbed "Your dead Smithy". He sighed to himself "Stevie I am so sorry.." he spoke. She wipped her mouth and he sighed "You havent changed" he spoke and she shook her head as tears streamed down her face "I dont understand". He shook his head "Im sorry..." he leant into her lips and kissed her gently before stepping back, he pulled his hood up and smiled "I will always love you Moss" he spoke before he sprinted off. "No... Smithy dont go..." she shouted before sinking down to the floor.