Thank you all for taking the time to read and review my story... good and bad they are warmly received and appreciated.

These were written in October - December last year. Please bear with me, Walt and Vic will reunite... but they have a long journey to endure.

Another one for you all...


Previously - Cady carefully chooses her words "you didn't say anything?"

Vic replied "I couldn't... I felt ashamed... I made a mess of everything... and I didn't want the same for my baby... I called my grandma... she told me to come and visit... I needed to get away, to re-think what I was doing... I knew that I was signed-off medically for a month... so I wrote my resignation letter giving my two weeks' notice... I left you a note with the letter and I went"

##########

Chapter 9

Meanwhile...

Flowers arrived at the Sheriff's Office; Ruby at first seemed to be delighted at the thought of receiving flowers... That was until she read the card... She places the card and flowers into the trash can.

Walt looked on confused... whatever he'd done... it was serious.

He needed to clear his head... so he walked out of the side door and towards the Bronco.

#########

Meanwhile back at Cadys' home...

The atmosphere was more relaxed after the bombshell, and air-clearing... Cady knew what her father was like with 'avoiding' people - keeping people, especially those he deeply cared for ... at arms length. He was definitely uncommunicative with those around him, almost to the point of being - anti-social...Cady knew that Vic had been truthful and open... she knew how difficult it must have been for Vic to finally be able to tell her side of the story... ... Getting her father to talk... Well that was an entirely different matter all together...

And would her Dad even want to discuss what happened with her? - Whatever the outcome, Cady promised Vic, that she still wanted her and William to be in her life, that her home was 'their home' - if that was what Vic wanted...

#######

It was far more relaxed, Cady and Vic were now sitting with their respective cups of tea, amusing themselves watching William trying to copy something he'd seen on the TV.

Cady gets up... "I think we should turn this off!" .. She switches off the TV... "Don't want to encourage him" - she laughs...

"It could be worse"... Vic replies..."he could have inherited my potty-mouth"

Cady laughs "yep, there is that!"... Cady picks up William and sits him on her lap... "So ... Now that you are staying"

Vic chips in..."Who said we were staying?" – She raises her eyebrows to Cady, who returns the gesture.

"You're staying... (She reaffirms her grip on William) – there is no way I'm letting this beautiful boy out of my sight.."

Vic replies "he takes after his mother" - Cady sensitively brooches the subject of Williams parentage to Vic.

"You need to tell Dad" - the thought of what Cady said brought Vic back down to earth with a thud...

"I don't think I want to say anything... I don't want him to hurt William, like he did me... He'll push him away."

Cady responds "Dad wouldn't do that!"

"Yeah... well... Walt is capable of doing things you don't expect!" Replies Vic.

Cady is quick to respond "You need to tell him... I know that Dad would want to know... please, give him a chance?.. why don't I get him to come over."

Vic looks nervous " what ...now? ... It's too soon... I'm not ready..."

Cady attempts to reassure Vic "okay... we'll get you settled in here ... And I'll get Dad to come round tomorrow afternoon?"

Vic nods, the day of reckoning was coming...

#########

Walt walks through the canteen-er doors into the Red Pony...

Walking towards the bar he nods to the barman, who indicates to the office door..

Walt walks behind the bar and knocks and opens the door.

"Walter?"

"Henry"

Walt sits down, Henry looks at him expectantly..

"something on your mind?" Asks Henry.

"I don't know... have I done something wrong?... (Walt fiddles with his hat)... now, Ruby won't talk to me... I thought I'd missed a birthday or anniversary... so I brought her some flowers to cover all bases.."

"And?"

"She threw them in the trash"

"So you have upset or possibly offended Ruby, ... is that correct?!"

Walt replies "well I must have... why else would she be ignoring me?"

Henry responds "could it be something else?"

"Like what?"

"Vic is back... she has spent time with Ruby and Cady... yet, not you!"

"I've seen Vic!" Walt replies in his defence.

"I know!... Cady called..." replied Henry.

"Didn't think they were that close... I know I asked Cady to let Vic stay with her, when I served the eviction notice to her, but... "

Henry informed Walt "Cady said that she and Vic kept in contact while she was gone.."

Walt looks on... confused "In contact? ... She never said?"

Henry replies "sometimes people do not tell people, what they want to keep secret."

Walt takes in Henry's words...

##########

It was late afternoon, by the time Vic and Cady were bringing the last few items into the house from the motel that Vic and William were staying in.

Cady said "We'll get a bed for William later"

"No... You don't have to do that... William can sleep with me" replied Vic.

Cady "okay... well that's everything in your room."

Vic replies "Thanks for everything... especially for being so understanding.."

They hug, both of them giggle when William joins them for a hug.

"I'm going to enjoy spending more time with this little guy" Cady tickles William, he squeals with excitement...

Vic moves to the sofa and settles down...

"So Walt's coming round tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I told Dad I was busy today... so he'll be here tomorrow afternoon... he said he was busy with things today"

"Yeah I bet... Never did miss those days.." Vic has a quiet moment to herself thinking back when she was working in the sheriff's department... the unusual incidents that took place... "My grandma said that munchkin ... (pointing in Williams direction) ... needed to know who Walt was... that he was getting to that age, where he'd ask questions."

Cady responds "what three and half?... " - She laughs, trying to imagine what she would have been like at that age...

"Grandma knows best!... Vic responds.