Thank you all so much!

FLESH NOT STONE

Chapter Ten

Two months later, and Rob had a permanent home at the Fisher residence. The discussions had been on-going for a couple of weeks at least, Karen carefully asking her two children as to their feelings towards the Scotchers moving into their home; whether the change would have a positive or negative outcome for them both. Harry had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of two more males in the home, admitting in a sarcastic manner that the house was dominated by oestrogen levels and the strong smell of perfume, and it was about time that changed. In the first week, Rob and Aiden had taken Harry out to play football in the park, as well as a small fishing trip on a bright and sunny Saturday in the hope of building some type of bond that would be necessary should their relationship continue successfully. Jess, on the other hand, was slightly apprehensive about the living conditions. Undoubtedly, she had no problem with her mother and Rob's relationship - in fact she had been the one to push her mother further to delving deeper into this newfound romance, persuading them to go on dates and the like - it was merely the presence of Aiden, her ex-boyfriend in the house that would cause a considerable stir. They had slowly grown to stand on speaking terms once more, with the help of Rob and Karen. Rob had attempted to spend time with Jess, as he did Harry, however for an almost adult female he had found it incredibly difficult to discover a level playing field and similar interest. Eventually, he had come to helping her with English coursework, his talent for the subject and the deep analytical mind he had for the likes of Shakespeare and certain poems that were on the national curriculum shining through. Aiden had surprised them all, being so adapt to the prospect of a new family. He had once been so focussed on reuniting his father and mother, both Rob and Karen had worried it would cause a stir but nevertheless he enjoyed the feel of being around in a lively household compared to that which he used to share with just his dad.

The divorce between Rob and Naomi was beginning to proceed quickly, and it remained clear that Karen's supportive influence and steady arm beside him was a much greater help and appreciation than Rob could summon to words.

His first night in her home, or his now as he currently possessed his own front door key, had been fantastic. It was a Saturday, he remembered it clearly as the sun had shone down, beating against his back as he struggled with the last remaining box containing his worthwhile possessions. The children had long since disappeared, leaving their two parents to unpack all the boxes as they continued with their apparent social life, however both Rob and Karen assumed it was an excuse to escape the hard work. After spending the entire morning faced with a surplus of cardboard boxes, they had both adjourned into the garden, collapsing onto the grass and staring up at the sky. They had talked for hours, about nothing in particular; anything they could think of, all the while their fingers interlaced contently. Rob had then offered to cook them all dinner that night, which consequently led to an evacuation of the kitchen, a permanent ban for Rob using the oven and making a call to the local pizza shop. They had sat around the television that night, watched utter rubbish and laughed like a family, his arm all the time wrapped protectively around Karen as they had slumped on the sofa.

"Go on, Harry! It looks like you've got one."

Rob's loud voice, filled with excitement for the teenage boy rippled throughout the cloud Harry had been shrouded within for the past half an hour. Alerting himself, he began reeling in the line, working hard as this rare opportunity reared from the water, only to lose the fish. He let out an exasperated sigh. Rob offered his condolences, watching as his mind seemed to wander.

Rob continued to watch him tentatively. They had been fishing a couple of times since he had moved in, Harry thoroughly enjoying the day out with male company. However, today he had been distant and seemed completely disinterested. Cautiously, Rob approached the subject. "Look mate, it's alright that you haven't caught one yet."

Harry's eyes did not avert from the water, despite hearing the voice of his mum's partner. "It's not that." He admitted, sitting back in his chair and taking a swig out of the coke bottle his mum had packed for them both that morning.

"Oh?" Rob asked quietly. "What is it then, mate?"

He took a deep breath. "Dad's getting married, to that… Woman." He pronounced the ending to that sentence with a slight hint of disgust. Harry had never seen eye to eye with his dad and Maria since they had left for London. It had hurt him, more than he cared to portray, that his dad was ripping himself entirely out of their lives and moving away; so soon after his oldest sister had ran away from home. At the time, it had felt like his family was falling apart left, right and centre. To imagine that Maria's children had his own dad there, all the time, as a role model and someone to kick a football around with, whereas he would see him twice a month, a couple more times if he were lucky and there were a school holiday. Of course his mum had been there throughout, but there were some things growing up that he could never dream of talking about with her.

"You mean Maria…" Rob responded, clearly aware of the state Harry seemed to be in. "Are you OK with that?"

"Well I have to be, don't I? It's not like I've got any choice, I haven't got a say in anything anymore." Harry feared he had revealed too much, let loose far too many emotions.

"What do you mean?" Rob asked, confused whilst eager to learn more and, hopefully, make things easier.

"Dad moved down to London, with his girlfriend. And suddenly, I can barely see him. It's twice a month maybe, it's not like I can just pop 'round and see him whenever I need to!" He looked towards the floor, scared that if he would reveal the tears forming in his eyes. "And dad's getting married now, it feels like he's trying to cut us out completely."

"That's not true," Rob persisted, unaware of the situation but resolute that Charlie, whatever his faults in the past, would never wish to lose his son as Harry seemed to be presuming. "If your mum and me ever decided to get married…"

He trailed off, leaving Harry to finish. "No, that's different. You're here, and so is mum. It's just so hard, you know? I hate not having a dad. Someone to come fishing with like we are now, someone to kick a ball around with, someone who I can talk to about girls at school…"

"Girls, eh?" Rob lifted his eyebrow. He watched Harry chuckle, and as he rose his head to look directly at him. "Have you spoken to your mum about this?"

He shook his head. "It'd only upset her. I don't want that. She's happy with you, bringing up dad would only stir up trouble."

"She'd still want to know if you were unhappy. No matter what differences she has with your dad, she'd still try and work things out for you. So she can make you happy. And so would I." Rob watched as his lips curved into a smile.

"You're cool, Rob. And err, about that time… When I gave you the 'talk' about my mum, before your date… I'm sorry." He looked away shyly, before Rob pushed him playfully on the shoulder, causing him to turn and witness an amused smile.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Shows how much you care," Rob nodded and outstretched his arm, waiting for Harry as he too copied his actions and shook the hand sturdily. "I won't hold it against you." They both laughed.

-WLR-

Rob tiptoed lightly across the landing. Returning from their fishing trip, both himself and Harry had not realised the time. Upon arrival back home, everyone else had gone to bed; the house was unusually silent. After collecting a glass of water and brushing his teeth in the bathroom, Rob carefully entered their bedroom and slipped out of his clothes. Dressed in just his boxers, he slid under the duvet and nestled closer to Karen. He pressed a kiss to the back of her head, herself in a sleep too deep to realise he had returned home and that she was no longer the only occupant of their bed.

Rob could not help but smile brightly. This woman lay perfectly beside him, and he wondered how they had ever reached this stage. Since their kiss in the staffroom, things had progressed so quickly, but neither he nor Karen could deny how right this all felt. He knew her inside out; she knew him straight down to the core - his likes, his dislikes, the sensitive spot on his neck that she would kiss, the one place he was ticklish that she would use to her advantage on many an occasion. They had been on countless dates: coffee, dinner, a glass of wine or two in a fancy bar, a drive into the country. They had even been to the cinema together, despite the jeering laughs they had received from all three of the children about not sitting on the "back row". He had grown to love watching her sleep, it was one of those rituals he would have should she fall asleep before him at night. The gentle rise and fall of her chest would be a reassurance to him, to see the feisty headmistress so peaceful and so at ease would lock him in a trance. He had grown to love her lips; how they would feel as they moved gently, caressing against his own. He had grown to love her laugh, how she would sound like a small child whenever she did. He had grown to love her smile, how her lips would curve unmistakeably whenever she felt happy and content with the world - it was a smile that he barely used to see, and if he had the opportunity to visualise that each and every day, then he would grasp such a chance with two grateful hands. He had also grown to love her cheeks; how they would blush a clear colour of red should he compliment her, and for that reason he would speak of her irrevocable beauty as often as possible.

He wrapped his arm gently around her, careful not to wake her sleeping form. Inhaling the scent of her shampoo as he squirmed closer, marvelling in the close proximity of their bodies, he was lulled within minutes into a deep sleep.