Chapter 8
There's a twist in store here, enjoy. This is one Chuffy fans will want to read :)
Standing in front of the mirror she glances at her figure, now half way through her pregnancy there was no denying it any longer. But as her bump grew her relationship with Ryan fell apart bit by bit. Or maybe it was because Charlie was here, reminding what she'd lost and missed. Each day brought a new argument between herself and her partner to the point Peter had cottoned on, despite them trying to keep any disagreements at bay until the kids were out. It didn't matter that he hadn't witnessed a cross word between them the lack of communication between them was enough for him to realise. Maybe she was reading too much into it all, pregnancy hormones were a nightmare after all. Fixing her long navy skirt into place before pulling her white vest back into place she decides she best face the world, whilst hoping Ryan had already left for next door.
Around an hour before her he'd stood just outside his mind firmly on their relationship like hers was.
He honestly didn't know what was happening anymore. He loved her more than she'd ever know but lately she seemed to move further and further away from him, more so once Charlie arrived. He was worried about her and the baby, he knew how difficult her last pregnancy had been and the last thing he wanted was for this one to be the same but anytime he attempted to ease things for her she got angry and upset. He couldn't win. Of course he knew pregnancy hormones were no mans friend but he never expected it to be this bad. Sighing to himself, things had to get better but until they did life went on. Getting into the car, the club desperately needed supplies, he could only hope she wasn't having regrets.
Reaching the living room she was met with the sight of her best friend sitting on the floor playing cars with her son. He looked so content and happy making her heart ache with regrets. Glancing up at her still standing in the doorway he creases his face.
"Are you okay?" Shaking herself from her thoughts she smiles before joining him on the floor.
"Yeah, just pregnancy brain. I"m sure I was going to do something but for the life of me I can't think what." Laughing at her whilst still playing cars with Paul he shakes his head.
"Never mind pregnancy brain, you've always been like that." Play hitting him she argues back.
"Rubbish!" Laughing back he mind went to the message Ryan had asked him to pass on.
"Oh Ryan said to tell you he'd be late home." Her face instantly falls at the mention of his name so much so he feels guilty having brought him up.
"I see." Placing a hand on her arm he finally caves, worried about her.
"Duffy? What's going on?" She wanted to tell him how unhappy she was but couldn't. He told her not to go back to him, he told her she'd regret it. But it wasn't anything he'd done, he treated her well and loved her. The problem was her.
"Nothing." Shrugging, wishing she'd open up, he tried once more.
"Okay. Could have fooled me though..." Her face breaks again, worse this time. He had no idea what he was expecting her to admit. Why was he always bloody right?
"It's my own fault..."
"What is?" Her eyes fall to her bump, words disappearing. Placing his arm back on her shoulder he continues. " Lisa if you aren't happy please just leave him." Her eyes shoot up at his words.
"You make it sound so easy! My children are happy here Charlie! As far as Paul is concerned Ryan is his dad and incase you've forgotten I'm pregnant! I can't just walk away!" Not backing down or being put off my her anger, he calmly continues.
"You've down this before Lisa please don't do it again. You deserve to be happy." Refusing to meet his eye once more she sighs.
"Other things matter more..." Shaking his head he wished she wasn't so stubborn.
"If you're happy the kids will be. Paul won't remember life with Ryan if you leave now, just like Peter doesn't remember life before Andrew." Shaking her head she places one hand on her swollen stomach.
"He loves me Charlie, I can't do that to him. This is his first child." Getting closer to her as Paul got fed up and wandered through to the next room full of his toys he just wasn't get through to her.
"But you don't love him Lisa! Don't do this to yourself. Please!" Looking into his gaze, his eyes were so deep, so full of soul. He was right, she didn't love Ryan. But it wasn't as simple as that, she loved someone else.
"Don't make me out to be the victim in this Charlie. It's my fault this relationship isn't working."
"There is always blame on both sides, you know that."
"Oh yeah? How is it his fault I'm in love with someone else?" Taken a back by her words he wasn't expecting that. Unable to take his eyes off her he replies with something he knows he'll probably regret.
"You can't help who you fall in love with but don't let the chance at happiness escape you Duffy. Tell him." Staring at him she doesn't think about what's she's saying or doing anymore.
"You really think so?"
"Yes. I've too many regrets at not telling someone. Don't make the same mistake." Both moving closer again, neither thinking, a second later the lips locked. No words needed to be said, they knew what the other had meant. Too long had they both longed for this. Neither thinking of the consequences.
Before the could go much further or realise what they were doing the loud knocking at the front door broke them from their actions. Shock on both their faces without a word Duffy forces herself up from the living room and towards the front door leaving Charlie to think about what they'd done. Minutes later she hadn't returned instead he heard her loudly replying to someone "No! Tell me here, now!" Getting to his own feet he follows her to the front door to be met with a policeman standing before her. He was older, his face broken. He'd been a policeman since he was in his early twenties but no matter how many years of experience he still hated this part of his job. The feeling of dread only multiplied on seeing the woman's, who had confirmed herself as the women he was looking for, swollen figure. As a man approached them he caved to her demands, knowing she wasn't going to give in and let in tell her inside and sitting down as he requested.
"Mrs Johnson..." Before he could say another word she corrected him.
"We aren't married. It's Duffin."
"Sorry, Mrs Duffin. I"m very sorry to tell you this but I'm afraid Mr Johnson died a short while ago..."
