Chapter 6
Few weeks later
Rachel was eating dinner with Olivia and Jess, Katie was sleeping at her friends for the night so it was just the three of them, Rachel was feeling quite tired so after she'd got the girls to bed she was planning on getting a few things for school done and then having an early night.
"Rachel when can I get married" Jess asked causing Rachel to laugh
"what?" Rachel asked wondering where on earth this could be leading however with Jess you just didn't know
"Well Joseph at school asked me to marry him but I wanted to check with you first" Jess explained, both Olivia and Rachel burst out laughing
"Oh no Jess you didn't need to check you just go ahead my love me and Olivia will meet you after the plane for the honeymoon won't we liv" Rachel said nudging her daughter, she was glad to see that Olivia smiling again she was so pleased things at school were better now and her daughter was back to her usual happy self.
"Okay I'll tell him on Monday then" Jess said "Rachel can we watch a film tonight please" Jess asked hopefully she always did love having a night in watching a movie with her auntie
"Jess it's nearly 8 already if we watch one now you won't get to sleep till 10 and that's far too late for you, I know what your like the next day"
"Please Rachel" Jess begged
"Please mum I won't get tired I promise" Olivia said
"Well I can't fight the two of you can i" Rachel said laughing
"Can we watch sex and the city"
"No we can't Jess" Rachel said instantly
"Rachel what is sex" Jess asked Rachel sighed this wasn't really something she wanted to get into at the moment, with neither of the two girls
"Something that we'll talk about when your older" Rachel said quickly "anyway why don't we watch legally blondes I bought it today and I know you'll both like it"
The girls liked the sound of this so they all sat down in the living room to,watch , after just an hour Of the film Rachel turned round and saw Jess was fast asleep and Olivia wasn't far behind
"Right come on girls bed" Rachel said funding off the tv
Both girls were so tired neither of them out up much resistance and sleepily followed Rachel up to bed.
"Jess come on go to the toilet and brush your teeth" Rachel said, Jess did as she was told and then got straight into bed and closed her eyes
Once both girls were in bed Rachel went downstairs for a little while however soon the phone started ringing
"Hello" Rachel said half expecting it to bed Katie saying goodnight or something
"Rachel" Rachel recognised the voice immediately and it caused fear to flood though her body, she knew it was her ex husband
"Danny is that you" Rachel said
"Yep it's me"
"Why are you calling? What do you want?" Rachel asked panicking
"Woah same old Rachel then panicking about everything, relax I'm not about to come and keep you captive or anything I'm ringing about liv"
"What about Olivia" Rachel asked icily
"When can I see her"
"Oh no you don't do this to me... You left and since then we haven't heard a word from you, you don't care about Olivia, do you have any idea of the struggles she's had over the last year,and have you been around for any of it, oh no you've been going off with your bloody mates done the pub so don't you dare think you can call up and expect me to pack her bags and ship her off to yours don't you bloody dare Danny" Rachel yelled before hanging up the phone, she had felt herself loose her cool but she couldn't help it, he had just made her blood boil.
"Mum was that daddy" Olivia asked, Rachel was shocked when she spun round and saw her daughter she hadn't heard her come down
Olivia ran over to her mum and put her arms around her
"Yeah it was" Rachel said knowing there was no use lying her daughter would pick up on it in an instant
"Can I see him" Olivia asked immediately excited Rachel sighed she should have known this was coming
"Come and sit down love" Rachel said sitting Olivia down on her knee "yes he did ask to see you"
"Really when can I go" Olivia squealed
"Oh darling I don't know"
"Well why didn't you ask him"
"Liv you know what your dads like...the thing is I'm not sure I'm happy about you staying with him at the moment" Rachel explained
"But he's my dad mum, I love him even if you don't and I can't believe your going to stop me seeing him, he loves me and ...and ..." Olivia said
"Liv just calm down"
"No it's not fair, I'll hate you if you stop me seeing dad" Olivia screamed before running upstairs to bed
Rachel sighed she knew she should have handled that better Olivia was so sensitive about her dad and she hated it if either Rachel or Betty started slagging him off. She began to think about things rationally, she knew Olivia would be safe over there and maybe it was right for Olivia to spend some time with her dad.
After a little while Rachel went back upstairs, she knocked on Olivia's door and when she got no answer walked in
"Go away" Olivia said
"Hey liv I've just come to say if you really want to see dad I'll help and I'm certainly not going to stop you I'm sorry for earlier" Rachel said
"So I can see him"
"Yes love if that's what you want" Rachel sighed before grabbing the phone and calling Danny dreading the next few minutes she was going to spend taking to him
"Danny it's me" Rachel said sharply "look I have no intention of making small talk basically I've spoken to liv she wants to see you, when's convenient for you" Rachel asked trying to make it as brief as possible
"Tomorrow"
"Oh great to see your plans are as well thought out as ever"
"She can stay the night too obviously then you pick her up Sunday"
"No she can stay the night but you can get up off your backside and drop her off Sunday" Rachel snapped
"Fine, bloody hell your a snappy cow" Danny remarked
"Look just shut up and tell me what time your coming at"
"10"
"Where are you taking her"
"Ibiza where do you think?" Danny joked "frigging hell what is this an interrogation, I don't know we'll see where we both fancy"
"Fine" Rachel snapped before hanging up again feeling angry, she took a moment to calm herself down before heading back into Olivia's room and sitting on her bed
"Right I've sorted it, your seeing him tomorrow and sleeping at his, is that alright with you"
"Tomorrow" she asked shocked
"Yep"
"Okay" Olivia said before slipping under the covers
Rachel quickly said goodnight before going back downstairs and poring herself a large glass of red wine she was definitely in need of it, before going up to bed and quickly going to sleep.
It was about 6 and Olivia woke up suddenly she started feeling really sick and nervous so decided to go into her mums bed for a cuddle, she hoped Rachel wouldn't mind as she normally did like her lie in on a Saturday
Rachel was half asleep when Olivia came in but she woke up and pulled Olivia in for a cuddle
"Morning sweetie" Rachel whispered
"Morning mum" Olivia said beginning to relax in her mothers arms it was the one place she felt truly safe.
"How are you feeling, are you excited to see dad"
Olivia nodded her head however Rachel wasn't convinced
"It's okay to be nervous you know, it's been a while since you last saw him and you've changed a lot"
"I do want to see him but ..." Olivia began
"But what love" Rachel persisted
"What of he doesn't like me" Olivia said
"Olivia it is impossible for anyone not to like you and you know why"
"Why?" Olivia asked curiously
"Because you're you, your beautiful and funny and clever and most importantly your his daughter liv" Rachel said
"I guess"
The two of them stayed quiet for a bit and Olivia finished up going back to sleep
At about 8 everyone started waking up and getting dressed
"Rachel" Jess said running into her aunts bedroom looking worried
"What's up love" Rachel asked concerned
"Rory's gone I can't find her anywhere" Jess told her aunt nearly in tears, Rachel smiled to herself slightly, Rory was Jess's cuddly lion and Rachel knew Jess couldn't sleep a wink without her, Rachel had bought her it as a present for her 1st birthday and ever since then Jess took it everywhere.
"Oh well we can't have that can we, come on let's go and find her" Rachel said lifting Jess up and carrying her across the hall and into her bedroom.
They began to search for her and both of them began to get a bit worried, Rachel knew if Rory was missing she'd have to look in every toy shop going till she found an identical replacement.
"Oh here it is" Rachel said looking under the bed "how on earth did she finish up there huh" Rachel said
Jess grabbed hold of it and gave her a big hug
"Hey how come I never get that level of affection" Rachel asked causing Jess to giggle "right now the two of you are reunited I'll leave you to get dressed shall I" Rachel said before going to check Olivia was getting ready.
Rachel went into Olivia's room and was surprised to find her daughter already dressed in her leggings and the top she normally saved for special occasions. She was even more surprised when she saw her daughter seemed to have shoved something down her top to make it look as though she had a chest.
Rachel went and sat down next to Olivia
"Darling do I need to be worried"
"What" Olivia asked
"Well if you've suddenly developed double D boobs in the last 20 minutes I think that's a cause for concern and we'd better get you to the doctors" Rachel said causing Olivia to laugh slightly, Rachel put her hand down her daughters took and took out all the tissue
"Right young lady can I have an explanation" Rachel said however her voice didn't sound angry
"I wanted dad to see how much if grown up, he didn't like me that much when I was little because he found little kids annoying ... I heard grandma say that once but I thought if he saw I'd grown up loads then maybe he'd like me more" Olivia explained "don't be cross with me mum"
"Oh liv" Rachel sighed pulling her daughter in for a cuddle "look your dad will love you, you don't need to change yourself for him to love you, and I think even Danny would be slightly shocked if he saw his 8 year old had turned into a fully developed women since he last saw her" Rachel said smiling slightly
"Maybe he would" Olivia said
"Come on then love why don't you out another top on, I don't know where you'll be going and I don't want that one getting ruined, grandma bought you it and it cost a blooming fortune" Rachel said
Olivia sighed and took her top off and changed it for another one
"That's better now I've got to nip to tesco for a few bits and pieces so you and Jess had better come to" Rachel said not particularly looking forward to going as Jess would normally go crazy and tesco and finish up wheeling the trolley out of control and finish up knocking everything down
"What if dad comes while we're out though" Olivia asked suddenly feeling worried
"He won't love and if he does he'll wait won't he"
Reluctantly Olivia got in the car with Jess and they drove to tesco
"Now I don't want to be very long so just be sensible and stay with me okay" Rachel said aiming this particularly at Jess "you hear that Jess" Rachel said looking at her niece in the mirror
"I'm always good" Jess said causing Rachel to raise her eyebrows "well I am if I get chocolate for being good" Jess added craftily
"No Jess you've had more than enough rubbish over the last few days"
"Okay but then I can't promise I'll be good" Jess said mischievously
"Well how about this, if you're a good sensible girl you can play out with Lucy next door, but if you're not then you can spend the day inside and you won't be allowed to watch any tv, that sound fair" Rachel asked knowing this would be enough to persuade Jess, however she had no intention of making Jess stay in all day, any dad when you had to have Jess with you for a full day was enough to drive anyone crazy.
"Okay" Jess sighed "when's Katie coming back" she asked
"I don't know she said she'll text me" Rachel said hoping that Katie would text her soon as she hated having to wait in all day in case she texted her asking her to pick her up.
"Rachel" Jess said
"What" Rachel replied
"Can I sit in the trolley so I can go for a ride" Jess asked
"No you can't"
"Why" Jess whined
"Because you'll start screaming kicking up a massive fuss, so everyone will turn and stare at us"
"But you let me last time" Jess argued
"Yes Jess hence why I'm not letting you do it again, from experience I know it's not a good idea"
They finished there drive and much to Rachel's surprise actually ended up having a pretty up eventful trip out so they were back home pretty quickly.
Rachel looked at the clock and saw it was nearly 10 she sighed realising that Danny would be arriving anytime now.
Sure enough just a few minutes later there was a knock on the front door, Rachel waited a moment and went to answer it.
"Come in" Rachel said bluntly not wanting to make an effort to make conversation
"Hiya Rach how are you? You're looking fantastic" Danny commented
"Let's the the niceties shall we?" Rachel said "Olivia your dads here" Rachel called hoping her daughter wouldn't be too long
"Oh I can't wait to see her" Danny said
"You sure you'll recognise her after 2 years" Rachel said
Danny chose to ignore her and soon Olivia came running down the stairs
"Oh my god it's my little girl all grown up" Danny said causing Rachel to roll her eyes
"Should we get going" Danny asked and Olivia nodded her head excited
Rachel wrapped her arms around Olivia and gave her a big hug
"Bye darling have a nice time, and any problems you ring me okay"
"Bye mum love you lots"
"Love you too"
"Come on then" Danny said however on the way out he tripped over the mat near the door "shit" he muttered under his breath however he wasn't quiet enough for Rachel not to hear
"Generally I'd prefer you not to swear in front of the kids" she said unable to resist having a little dig
Danny just rolled his eyes and left
Rachel couldn't help but feel anxious, she always did even if Olivia had just left to go for a sleepover with her friends.
"Rachel why aren't you with Danny any more" Jess asked curiously
"We just weren't getting in so well" Rachel explained she always did hate discussing her husband and there relationship
"Were you sad" Jess said
"At first I was I suppose but you get over it" Rachel sighed "anyway what do you fancy doing today, Katie wants picking up now so how about we go somewhere once we've picked her up" Rachel suggested not really wanting to stay home all day
"Can we go to the park"
"Yeah I think we could manage that, it's a lovely day as well" Rachel said, she soon got Jess ready and in the car and began to drive to Katie's friends house
"Rachel do you mind me living in your house" Jess asked randomly
"What? Course I don't darling I love having you" Rachel said
"Even though I'm not always good"
"Even though you're not always good, what child is anyway"
"Miss james said I was possibly the loudest most hyperactive child she'd ever met" Jess said causing Rachel to laugh
"Miss james wouldn't be wrong then"
"Am I really loud"
"Yes Jess yes you definitely are" Rachel said laughing the two of them chatted for a bit longer and then they pulled in and Katie saw her aunt so came running out
"Hi Katie did you have a nice time" Rachel asked her niece
"Yep it was really good, Chloe's mum was having a little party with some friends and they were having cocktails and champagne and she let us have a glass each"
"Did she, I'll have to keep my eye on you then young lady I don't want you stealing glasses of my champagne" Rachel joked
"I won't it was minging" Katie said laughing
"Anyway me and Jess are going to the park, you fancy coming with us"
"Is there any other choice" Katie said knowing her aunt had a thing about everyone going out together
"Not really, I'm not planning on driving back home to drop you off" Rachel said
Katie suddenly noticed her cousin wasn't in the car with them
"Where's Olivia" Katie asked
"Having a day out wig her dad, she's sleeping there too" Rachel explained
"Oh god really but Danny hasn't seen her for ages, will she be okay" Katie asked
"He's her dad course she'll be okay" Rachel said not really wanting to talk about it any more
They drove the rest of the way to the park and Jess immediately went off and started playing on all the stuff so it was just Katie and Rachel
"Rach I wanted to ask you something but don't get mad okay"
"Okay I won't" Rachel promised
"Well it's just you know Luke"
"Yeah the one you never stop going on about" Rachel joked causing Katie to blush
"Well he's kind of asked me to go out with him to the cinema tonight, can I go?" Katie asked sounding nervous
"As a friend or ..."
"Rachel!" Katie said not wanting to discuss this too much
"I'm sorry darling I'm just interested that's all course you're allowed to go" Rachel said
"Thanks Rach"
"That's alright love just make sure ..." Rachel began however then she saw what Jess was Doing "wait a minute love ...Jess stop that" Rachel called when she saw Jess was attempting to hang upside down from one of the bars and knew this was going to end in tears
"Honestly I can't take my eye off her for one second" Rachel sighed "Jess get down now" Rachel said
"I can't I'm stuck" Jess shouted sounding panicked
"Oh god" Rachel sad rushing over and helping her down
"What have I told you Jess you've got to be sensible" Rachel said
"I'm sorry" Jess said she was about to go off again but Rachel stopped her thinking it best if they all go for a walk for a bit hoping that way Jess could keep out of trouble
"Rachel can I go for a swim in the river" Jess asked "I don't need armbands anymore, I'm really good"
"No you can't go swimming in a freezing river which is probably full of rats and all other horrid things you are going to stay next to me where I can see you"
Jess sighed she hated not being allowed to do what she wanted
"I have a tummy ache" Jess told Rachel
"Dangling upside down for 10 minutes after having that ice cream might have something to do with it Jess" Rachel said
They continued walking for a bit longer but Jess was actually in quite a lot of pain so they decided to head back
Once they were in the car Jess fell asleep, she was still feeling quite tired from having stayed up late last night
"Right hopefully she'll feel a bit better for having a sleep" Rachel said
"Normally she does"
Once they were home Jess did feel a lot better.
Olivia was at home with her dad but all she could think about was how much she wanted to be home, they'd started off okay and had gone shopping and Danny had let her get her ears pierced, even though Rachel said she couldn't have them done till she was at least 10, but ever since she'd got home he'd just been completely ignoring her.
Danny had left Olivia in the living room to watch tv while he got on with stuff
She stayed hours until it got to about 8, Danny came in then "liv one of my mates asked if I could meet him down the pub you'll be okay here for a couple hours won't you I'll be back by 10 promise"
Olivia didn't really want to be left but she didn't want to annoy her dad so nodded her head in response
"Okay"
Suddenly Olivia realised how hungry she was, she'd only had the bag of crisps her dad had got her for lunch but since that she hadn't had anything since she was starving
"Dad I'm a bit hungry can I have some tea" Olivia asked
"Oh sorry darl I forgot about that, there should be some stuff in the fridge if not I'll leave money order a take away yeah"
"Okay" Olivia said Danny quickly kissed her goodbye and then left Olivia alone, Olivia ran to the fridge and managed to find some cheese and bread so ate that.
After a while Olivia heard the phone go she wasn't sure if she should answer it but in the end decided to
"Hello" Olivia said
"Oh hiya liv it's mum"
"Hi mum" Olivia said
"Are you okay love? Have you had a nice time" Rachel asked
"Yeah thanks" Olivia said Rachel couldn't help but noticed how flat Olivia sounded
"Oh good darling are you getting ready for bed yet" she asked
"Yeah"
"Okay love well I was just ringing to check up on you and say goodnight, so I'll see you tomorrow love you lots" Rachel Said
"Love you too"
Olivia then out the phone down and began to cry a little bit she decided to go and get dressed and go off to bed, it felt weird not having Rachel come up with her to make sure she brushed her teeth and went for a last wee, although she always complained to Rachel about it saying she wasn't a baby anymore she did like it really and loved it when her mum tucked her in and gave her a goodnight kiss.
Olivia got into bed and tried to go to sleep but she couldn't help but feel scared, she tossed and turned but couldn't get to sleep, she was so worried
Her dad didn't get in till 12 but Olivia was still awake, she was going to run down and give her dad a hug but suddenly she heard a woman's voice she heard he'd laughing and follow her dad upstairs and she heard them go into her dad's room, she wondered who she was as she'd never seen this woman before, she needed a wee but didn't want to annoy her dad or the woman, so decided to hold on even though she was really desperate, she prayed she'd be able to hold on till morning but she wasn't so sure, she was so desperate to be home now and wished her mum could come for her.
Suddenly Olivia realised she couldn't hold on any longer but she could hear her dad and the woman so she didn't want to get up, but she realised she didn't have any other choice however just as she was about to get up she realised she'd left it too late, she began to cry into her pillow worried about what to do, she decided to leave it till morning and then sort it out.
After a while she drifted off to sleep and didn't wake up until morning, she quickly shoved her pyjamas in her little bag and got dressed for the day, she quickly sorted her bed out and made it up trying to do it as neatly as possible.
Olivia then ran downstairs to see her dad
"come on then love let's get you back home" Danny said
Olivia ran upstairs to get her stuff and jumped in the car.
The drove back was a bit awkward but eventually Danny pulled up on the drive quickly went in and as soon as she saw bed mum ran into her and put her arms around her so glad to bed home
"Woah steady on do you want to knock me flying" Rachel said laughing "hiya darling" she then said
Danny followed her in
"Hi" Rachel said icily
"It was great having her, she's a nice kid" Danny said "we had loads of fun didn't we liv"
Olivia nodded her head in response not knowing what else to do
"Now obviously me and you have some stuff to discuss Danny so shall, we go in the kitchen"
"What's to discuss" Danny asked
"Well we need to come to some arrangement about Olivia"
"Whoa steady on...I can have liv now and then but Rach I've got too much going on in my life I can't have a kid to loom after" Danny said causing Rachel's anger to bubble
"Oh well far be it for us to inconvenience you" Rachel said "you know what Danny why don't you just go, we don't need you and I certainly won't have you whisking liv away out the blue and then disappearing off again, I won't have her upset you get that"
"Well I'm fine to have her a few nights in summer or whatever"
"Oh wow you after father of the year award... Just get out will you and don bother coming back and I mean that"
Danny sighed and then stomped out
Rachel tuned to face Olivia who by now was crying "oh liv" Rachel said wrapping her arms around her daughter lovingly
"Does he not want me" Olivia asked
"No darling course he does he's obviously got a lot going on that's all, come on let's go upstairs for a chat" Rachel said
Olivia followed her mum up and immediately collapsed down on her bed and began to cry
"Like that is it" Rachel asked gently before going over and squeezing Olivia supportively
Suddenly she realised Olivia's ears
"Oh god, your ears" Rachel said shocked
"I'm sorry mum he said I could get them done don't be mad, I'll take them out" Olivia cried
Rachel rolled her eyes "no darling you don't have to, they look nice it's just you know I wanted you to wait till you're a bit older but never mind" Rachel sighed
She then began to unpack Olivia's things and came across her pyjamas, she realised what must have happened and knew Olivia wouldn't want to talk about it "oh these are for the wash I see" Rachel Said however this was enough to make Olivia burst into tears
"Oh love" Rachel said sitting on Olivia's bed and putting her on her knee "what's up" she asked
"I'm sorry"
"Don't be darling it doesn't matter, dad wasn't angry with you was he"
"I didn't tell him"
"Okay" Rachel said quietly "what's upsetting you so much then hmm?"
"Mum it's well.."
"Go on darling take your time" Rachel coaxed
"Last night ... I was by myself for a few hours and then dad came home and he had this woman with him they went up to his room, and I was too scared to get out of bed even though I needed the loo" Olivia explained
"Wait hang on ...he left you on your own" Rachel said shocked
Olivia nodded her head in response
"Oh wait till I get my hands on him" Rachel said furious
"What Re you going to do mum" Olivia asked scared
"I'm going to make sure you never sleep there again that's for sure"
"I don't want to anyway" Olivia admitted
"You know something love if he wants to treat you like that then he's not worth it honestly he's not"
"I know" Olivia said glad to be safe in her mums arms
They stayed cuddled up for a few minutes
"You look shattered love, how about you have a little rest" Rachel suggested
"Okay" Olivia agreed, Rachel got her comfy and it didn't take long for Olivia to get to sleep, Rachel kissed other on the forehead before leaving her room to get on with other stuff
Please review xxxxxx