So I've been slightly depressed for the last few days but I'm hoping this will help. I also blame my depressedness on not updating yesterday. Sorry!
Belated thanks for chapter five and cyber cookies to: splitheart1120, ninetailsgirl94, Lynx of the Sand, Sapphiet, Lightwolfheart, GlitchGirl23 and RaveOn21now22. Sorry I didn't thank you last time :(
And now thanks to splitheart1120, Lynx of the Sand, Lightwolfheart, Sapphiet, GlitchGirl23, Morapores and riku for reviewing the last chapter.
Now things are finnaly looking up as we go into Act Two! Enjoy!
Act Two, Scene One
"Paulie! Put me down!" the young girl yelled as Paul swung her round. She was laughing like she used too and Paul was glad of it. Paul put her on the floor and laughed as she wobbled around from the dizziness. Paul chuckled at her.
"Don't do that to her, Paul," Dawn told the purple haired man. He rolled his eyes. "She's just eaten."
"I'm good," Emily said before she fell onto her knees, still giggling. Dawn let out a sigh as she cleared up the various plastic plates and placed them in a picnic basket. Paul was keeping Emily entertained as Dawn tided up. It had only been seven months after Emily's mother had died but things were looking good for once. Emily was finally smiling again and Paul seemed to be a bit more cheery. Dawn thought fondly about the two for a few minutes until she noticed Robyn walking towards her with Adam in tow.
"Hey," Robyn waved. Dawn waved back. Over the past seven months, Robyn and Paul's friendship seemed to be on the rocks ever since the whole thing with the lawyers and court. Best friend or not, Dawn had grown to be a bit sceptical of Robyn's loyalty. At least Robyn had taken the time to make it up to Paul. Dawn gathered that their bound was strong enough to pull through that episode even if Paul still seemed a little hurt by it all. Robyn had been a frequent visitor of Paul's and Dawn's. She was trying at least to make amends. Both Drew and Adam had taken their sister in law's death quite badly, however, they had handled it differently. Drew had spent a lot of time with Emily and Paul after the custody battle but not Adam. He had tried everything to get Emily away from Paul. In the end, Robyn and Drew had told him to stop it since Emily and Paul had seemed to settle into a normal life.
"How are you three?" Adam asked, putting his hand on his hip and looking at his niece. Adam glanced at Paul, his smile disappearing for a second or two.
"Uncle Adam," Emily chorused as she hugged her uncle round the knees. How strange the child seemed to forgive the man so easily even though he threatened to take her away from Paul. Adam picked her up and looked at the little girl's ears. She was wearing the prettiest Piplup earrings he had ever seen.
"A bit pricey, Paul," Adam stated, "They are designer earrings you know."
"I gave them her," Dawn told him. Adam noticed the ice in her voice. He turned to face her with a scowl forming on his face.
"Oh… I see," Adam said. He put Emily back on the floor, much to her distaste. "So you've had a picnic?"
"Clearly," Paul said, "It was a nice day."
"Good," Adam stated. The girls were now talking about some sort of contest. Emily was attempting to get involved but Dawn and Robyn were talking way too quickly for her to get a word in. Finally Dawn looked down at Emily.
"What do you think, Emily?" she asked, crouching down to Emily's level. Emily's face brightened as she began to talk about the contest. Paul rubbed his head. Dawn was so good with Emily. If he was busy, Dawn would take care of her. Many a time he'd walked into Dawn's shop to find that Emily was leading a fashion show that Dawn had put on to keep the child entertained. The customers loved it. So did Emily.
Paul's attention slipped onto Adam, who was talking into his phone. Paul raised an eyebrow at the trainer as he spoke with a smile on his face.
"Yeah, it's no problem," Adam was saying, "I can get round tonight if you'd like."
Paul watched Adam with some distain for a few seconds. There was something in his tone that alerted Paul. He ignored it anyway, going back to watching Dawn and Robyn play with Emily. Paul watched Dawn carefully for a few seconds. Those two had really grown close in the past few months. Even Paul had to admit he found her company great. There was no other way to describe it.
"Hey, Paul," Dawn shouted over to him, "Why don't you get the camera out?"
"Camera?" Paul muttered. Dawn must have read his lips because she pointed to her bag.
"In there," she said. Paul looked in her bag and found a small digital camera. He turned it on and took a few photos of Emily and Dawn together. He smiled at them as Dawn swung Emily round in a circle.
"You're smiling," Robyn teased him. Damn, he'd forgotten she was there. He gave her a look which made her giggle. "So maybe I was totally wrong about you, Paul. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter," Paul replied, brushing her off. Robyn smiled at him sadly for a few minutes until she looked at Dawn and Emily.
"For what it's worth," Robyn said softly, "You're a fantastic dad."
"Thanks," he said with a nod.
"Paul, come and grab her for me," Dawn yelled. Paul handed Robyn the camera before he went over to Dawn. Emily was hanging upside down. Typical, he took his eyes off of her for a few seconds and now this. Emily was laughing loudly as she hung upside down. Paul easily picked her up and got her the right way up. Dawn laughed as she stood up straight, looking at Paul. "Thanks."
"You always get into a mess," he told her. She stuck her tongue out at him. Emily sat between the two, looking up at them and giggling. She pointed over towards Robyn as a Starly flew over her head.
"A Starly!" she yelled. Paul and Dawn stopped their bickering and looked over to where Emily was pointing. Dawn smiled as she saw the bird. Paul looked unimpressed but he usually did. His eyes fell onto Robyn who was holding the camera up and happily taking photos. Paul opened his mouth to complain but was cut off by Dawn. She put a hand on Paul's shoulder and leant into him, looking down at Emily. Paul looked at Dawn, wondering what she was up to.
"Want to go play on the swings in the park?" Dawn asked Emily. Emily nodded.
"Yes, please, Dawn," Emily said. Paul put Emily down. Emily grabbed Dawn's hand and the two girls went running towards the play ground not too far away. Robyn walked over to him, handing him the camera.
"You're falling," she told him.
"Shut up," he replied.
I like nice happy things. They make me feel happy :) I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to read and review!
RSx
