A/N- finally found a couple of hours to update this story. Hope you enjoy and thanks for your kind words and reviews.

Disclaimer- nothing belongs to me...

Present Day

It was a pleasant, spring afternoon. John was currently enjoying his first day off in two weeks, such was the way his shifts worked, and in turn the first time in a fortnight he had seen Anna. She had told Ben she was with Gwen, and as she sat beside John on an old park bench, she didn't feel a hint of guilt as her hand entwined with his. The skin of his newly bare ring finger was still smooth to the touch, a reminder of all John had done to ensure they could be together.

In her free hand was a white envelope, papers enclosed that held the key to their future together. Divorce papers. Robert's friend had drawn them up, citing the reasons as irreconcilable differences. It was the truth. Ben had stepped up his efforts to convince Anna to have their child, and Anna had realised it was something she definitely didn't want. John was what she wanted, now she had to choose her moment to break the news to Ben.

'I'll be with you when you tell him, if you want.'

Anna was shaking her head. 'It's going to be bad enough, but with you there, it will be ten times worse.'

'I don't want you alone with him, Anna. It turns my stomach you go home with him every night now as it is.'

'He's my husband.'

'He's hurt you,' John argued back, his words a little harsher than he had meant. John lifted his hand to lightly brush his knuckles against the fading injury Anna had suffered at the hands of the man she had married. 'I'm scared what he might do to you.'

'I'll ask Gwen to be there. Not in the same room but the house at least.'

This served to alleviate John's fears somewhat, his demeanour easing as he leant back against the bench once more. Silence fell between them then, John releasing his grip on Anna's hand and choosing instead to wrap his arm around her. She responded by resting her head on his shoulder. This felt so right, John thought to himself. They simply fit together. He rued the day he allowed a bitter man to destroy what they shared. So much heartache could have been avoided.

'Have you spoken to your parents recently?'

Clearly not expecting the question, Anna looked up at John with a quizzical expression. 'They called me to say they had got home from their cruise safely, but that was about three weeks ago.'

'So your Dad doesn't know you know?'

'No,' Anna whispered. 'But we've barely seen each other since I came back from Australia. They are too busy travelling and what not. And the times I do see them they worship the ground Ben walks on and it gets a bit grating.'

'Because he's not me.'

As she leant forward, John rested his hand between Anna's shoulder blades, she looking back at him. 'What makes you say that?'

'Well, your Dad made it more than clear I wasn't suitable, and your mum never really made me feel welcome. I'm not surprised they'd be all over the man who they deemed the better choice for their daughter.'

Surprisingly, it had never occurred to Anna that that would be the reason they lauded Ben so much. Why would it when she didn't know then what she did now. 'Yeah, well. He's not better for me, is he?'

'No.'

'And they'll find out soon enough that for me, there is no better man than you.'

John smiled at her words as she moved back into his embrace, placing a gentle kiss on her temple. 'Aidan says we can move over whenever we are ready.'

'What did he say when you told him we were back together?'

'He said it was wonderful news, and about time I left Vera. We can stay with him whilst we sort ourselves out. I have savings, and with the sale of the house we can afford to buy our own place. Nothing grand, but comfortable.'

'It sounds wonderful, talking about the future together.'

'It certainly does.' John pulled her closer to him. 'Gill and the kids will be there too, obviously, so it will be a tight squeeze but he thinks we can manage it in the short term.'

'They have kids?'

'Yeah, two. A twelve year old boy called Kyle, and a nine year old girl called Isobel. I am their Godfather.'

'Really? That's wonderful.'

'Yeah, they are great kids. I speak to them on FaceTime regularly. Aidan announced they were expecting Kyle at their wedding reception.'

Anna released a small chuckle. 'I bet that was a party and a half.'

John shrugged. 'I was a groomsman and remember all I felt was lousy because it wasn't long after I had let you go. Mam laid into me big time that day...'

2003

Taking another sip of his lager, John tried to force a smile as he watched Aidan and Gillian so in love on the happiest day of their life, sharing their first dance as husband and wife. As the sounds of Someone Like You by Van Morrison echoed around him, John couldn't help but think of the love of his life.

She was in Australia now, building a new life without him and the thought made John want to drink until he couldn't feel the pain, couldn't remember the look on Anna's face as he told her it was over. Ever since that night, every time he closed his eyes all he could see was the hurt in her eyes, the tear that rolled down her cheek, could hear the desperation in her voice as she begged him to reconsider. John wasn't sure there was enough alcohol in the world to drown out those memories.

'It's your own fault you know, boyo.'

Turning his head, John noticed his mother had rejoined him at their table. She had clearly been enjoying herself, catching up with family and feeling pride as she watched her only nephew get married.

Sitting back in his chair, John put his lager on the table before regarding his mother. 'What's my fault?'

'That you're miserable as sin on a day like today. Your cousin has got married and has announced he is to become a father.'

'I'm not miserable as sin,' John protested, loosening the knot on his deep purple tie. His tailcoat had long been discarded but his mother had insisted he keep his waistcoat and tie in tact. He was a groomsman until the newlyweds left for their honeymoon and should take his role seriously.

'You could have fooled me. I just hope when the pictures are developed that Aidan and Gill don't notice how fake your smile was.'

Wiping his brow, John turned his attentions back to the happy couple. 'I miss her Mum.'

'Then why did you let her go, you eejit?' John wished he could tell his mum the truth. 'The best thing that ever happened to you, that girl. And what do you do? You lose her.'

As the first dance ended, it was just John's luck that the next song would be what it was. Yellow began to fill the room, and suddenly John felt like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Rising to his feet, he walked passed his mother and was soon in the fresh air of outside. The wedding car stood nearby, decked out in white ribbons.

John turned his back on the vehicle and reached into his pocket to retrieve his cigarettes. As he placed one between his lips, he soon realised he had left his lighter in the breast pocket of his tailcoat.

'Ahh shit,' he cursed himself, removing the cigarette from his mouth. It was then that he heard a voice, causing him to look up.

'Need a light?'

Standing before him was a brunette woman possessing the most striking green eyes John had ever seen. She wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but there was something about her that meant John couldn't avert his gaze. Realising she had asked him a question, John nodded.

'Allow me,' she growled in her Irish burr, indicating for John to put the cigarette back between his lips. He did so, before she lit it for him. He took a long drag, retaining eye contact with the mystery woman. 'You know, most people meet their future spouse at weddings.'

'Bride or groom,' he found himself asking in response to her rather forward remark.

'Neither, I work on the bar. I'm on my break.'

Nodding, John offered his hand. 'I'm John.'

She wrapped her hand around his. 'Vera.'

Present Day

'Why do I even have to be here?' John asked as he followed Robert into the grand function hall, hands firmly in his pockets. 'She's your daughter, not mine.'

'You know how important these charity functions are to Mary, her chance to network and publicise the business. Plus Cora has sidled off to America to visit family and left me in the lurch. There was no way I was coming here alone.' Once they reached the bar, Robert signalled for the barman. 'Bitter?'

'Coke.'

'Oh, come on John. Live a little. Won't you even have a shandy?'

'I am working tomorrow afternoon. I don't want to risk it.'

With their drinks purchased, they found a table in the corner of the room. Mary had been to see them, and made her apologies that she may not have a lot of time for them, what with greeting all her guests. Robert told her it was absolutely fine, he and John would be quite happy sitting in the corner and putting the world to rights. Secretly, John was wondering why they had to be here at all when for the most part, Mary wouldn't even realise they were there anyway.

'So, how's Anna?'

A smile instantly passed over John's lips. 'She's fine. She says thank you for the papers. It's all about finding the right time to give them to her husband now.'

'Then you'll be deserting me for the Emerald Isle,' Robert sulked before finishing the remainder of his pint in one long sip.

'I'm sure you'll learn to love again, my friend.' Robert didn't reply, instead John noticed his eyes grow wide as he looked towards the entrance. 'What?'

Looking in the direction Robert was, John inhaled sharply as he saw Anna beside Gwen, but beside them was a man who was resting his hand on the small of Anna's back. It must have been Ben.

'Shit, I'm guessing that's her husband.'

'Must be,' John agreed, unable to stop staring. The way Gwen was greeting Mary, it was clear the latter had invited the former, and Anna and her husband were her guests. However, John hadn't been prepared for Anna to meet his gaze. She was visibly shocked to see him there.

'You can't go over there,' Robert advised his friend. 'He may not be for much longer but she is out with her husband and you are her bit on the side, so to speak.'

'I know,' John snapped back. 'Obviously I'm not going to go over.'

With their greeting and introductions over, Ben made his way to the bar as Gwen and Anna found a table. Once sitting, Anna looked up to see John still staring. If Ben saw him, it wouldn't end well. They had argued over John once before, the night they had come back into each other's lives. He would remember.

'Why is he here?' Gwen asked, bringing Anna out of her transfixed manner.

'The man he is sitting with is his best friend and Mary's father. I'm guessing he is his guest this evening.'

As she shrugged off her shawl, Gwen continued to protest. 'If Ben hadn't insisted on joining us, this wouldn't be so awkward. Please don't ruin anything, forget he's here because if Ben notices, he will cause a scene and I am so close to a new deal with Mary's company.'

It was an incredulous expression that Anna offered her best friend in response. 'Ben would recognise John from that night at the restaurant, so it is my intention to keep him on this side of the room. Do you think I am mad?'

'Do you really want me to answer that?'

As the night passed by, Anna had succeeded in her attempts to keep John out of sight of Ben. They were sharing a pleasant evening all told, Gwen monopolising the conversation discussing her latest business deals, Ben offering gentle advice here and there. Gwen was a good actress, and for the hate she felt for the man given how he had treated Anna, she was good at being civil towards Ben.

Making his excuses to use the bathroom, Anna announced she would buy the next round. So far, so good. As she waited for the barman, Anna felt a presence beside her. Expecting to turn her head and see her husband, a gasp escaped her as she saw John. She looked back to the table quickly, noting Ben and her best friend deep in conversation, his back to the bar. There was no way he could see them unless he turned and manoeuvred a little.

'Ben knows you from that night at the restaurant when your wife caused a scene,' Anna whispered, not looking at him. 'He saw us holding hands. He'll recognise you.'

'Alright, I won't stay. Robert is talking to Mary so I saw you alone at the bar and saw my chance to speak to you.' He leant down so his lips were right next to Anna's ear, his voice leaving him in hushed tones. 'I couldn't let tonight pass without telling you how breathtaking you look, an angel in human form.'

The sensation of his warm breath caressing her ear, his words had caused Anna to close her eyes. When she opened them, he was gone. The man always knew what to say, and the sincerity in his voice left Anna wanting him even more. The most Ben had said was that she looked 'nice.' And in that moment, Anna knew she had to tell Ben the truth. It wasn't fair on him, it wasn't fair on John and it certainly wasn't fair on herself.

'So I'm lumbered with a list of things to do to the house as long as my arm, whilst my darling wife is sunning it up in California.' Robert stopped talking, suddenly realising his friend wasn't listening to him but busy staring across the room instead. 'But you know, I might just burn the house down and be done with it.'

'Yeah, probably for the best, mate.' Reaching for his drink, John finally looked at Robert who was staring back at him, shaking his head. 'What?'

'You haven't been listening to a word I have said, have you?'

'Sorry mate, I was, well,' John's voice faltered as he brought his glass to his lips.

'You were lusting over another man's wife.'

'What's going on?' John asked, gesturing towards Anna's table with his glass. She and Ben seemed to be sharing quite a heated discussion, however both men were too far away to hear what was being said. Gwen was looking on, her demeanour awkward before she left the table and the the warring couple to it. Ben was close to Anna's face as he spoke, however it was anything but friendly. 'I've got to get over there.'

'Sit down,' Robert took hold of John's sleeve. 'It's none of your business.'

Harshly staring at his friend, John reluctantly sat down. As he did so however, Ben stormed out of the room, leaving Anna alone, a hand on her brow.

'How can he treat her like that?' John asked his friend, unable to stop looking at Anna.

'I don't know, mate.'

'She does nothing to deserve it.'

'As is the case in most of these situations.'

John slowly turned his head to look at Robert. 'I just want to make her happy.'

Robert patted John's hand across the table. 'I know you do.'

Just then, Anna stood and followed in the direction Ben had left in. This time, Robert was too slow to stop him as John strode across the room and out into the lobby. Looking left and right, John creased his forehead as he saw the area deserted until a flash of red by the stairwell caught his eye. Anna had worn a red dress this evening.

Tentatively walking in that direction, just in case Ben was with her, John reached the stairs. Out of sight, he saw she was alone. He stopped for a moment, leaning against the bannister, watching her pace the floor with her arms crossed across her body. He decided to make his presence known.

'You aren't half beautiful when you're angry.'

Anna looked up upon hearing his voice, instantly ceasing her pacing. She offered him a slight smile, before launching herself into a rant, John a keen observer.

'How dare he talk to me like that, in front of my best friend as well.'

'What happened?'

Anna met John's gaze, swallowing thickly. 'He got upset when I wouldn't commit to trying for a baby.' She looked to the floor before continuing. 'What he said next isn't worth repeating.'

Taking a step closer, John placed his index finger under Anna's chin, gently lifting her head so their eyes could meet. 'You don't have to stay anymore. Give him the papers, let's go. Let's go build a home. Let's start our own family. Let me make you happy every day for the rest of your life. Please.'

It sounded wonderful, what John was proposing. The life Anna had always wanted but had always been out of reach. And now here he was, the man of her dreams and he held all her wishes and desires in his hands. As she steadied herself with her hands on his shoulders, and raised on her tiptoes to place her lips on John's, Anna was distracted by someone standing behind him.

Suddenly all the air left her lungs. Her mouth was dry.

'Well, this is very cosy.'

It was Ben.