This chapter was inspired by the 1968 song 'Blackbird' by The Beatles.

13 – BLACKBIRD

"I beg your pardon?" Georgina gasped, making Lucy laugh heartily. The two of them were sitting in Pete and Georgina's flat, discussing Lucy's wedding plans. It reminded Lucy of not so long ago when she was helping Georgina plan her own wedding.
"I want you to be my maid of honour." Lucy repeated, smiling. She was recovering and had begun to feel a lot more like her usual self.
"Lu, I'm honoured, really, but what about Riley? The two of you have been friends since you were kids."
"It's a complicated situation." Lucy told her, "It's like...we've drifted apart. We live such different lives now. I'll always be there for her, but I need someone I can rely on, it is my wedding day after all."

Georgina understood.
"I'm here to help in any way I can." She said, making Lucy smile.
"Thanks Georgina."
"Are you kidding? I just can't believe that you asked me."
"Of course I did! You're like a sister to me!"
"Well I sort of am your sister Lu!" Georgina laughed.

"What're you two giggling about?" Pete asked, walking into the room.
"Lucy just asked me to be her maid of honour." Georgina told him.
"Really Lu?" He asked, smiling, "Because Alex asked me to be his best man."
"He didn't?" Lucy asked, but Pete nodded, confirming it.
"Is it a problem Lu?" He asked, seeing her frowning.
"Well, it's just that I wanted to ask if you would give me away..." She mumbled.

Pete and Georgina both looked very surprised, and Pete walked over to where she was sitting, kneeling down to her level.
"Lucy, you know Dad would want to do that."
"No he wouldn't Pete, you know what they think." He looked very sad, and a little guilty.
"I told them what happened you know? I think you'll find them more understanding if you go and visit them again." Lucy just shook her head, annoyed with her brother. She was still emotional and felt upset that he had told them what happened without asking her first.
"Just think about it." He said, "If not, I can always give you away and be the best man. I'd be honoured to have that privilege Lu."
"Thanks Pete." She said.

When she walked home she thought about what Pete had said. She missed her parents, even after all that they had said and done to her. They were family and she wanted them to be there, to support her. Hoping she wouldn't regret it later, Lucy turned around, heading towards her old home.
"Lucy?" Susan said when she opened the door, looking very shocked.
"Hi mum." Lucy replied quietly, feeling very vulnerable without Alex there. Susan stepped aside, letting Lucy in and led her over to the dining table where Ed sat. He was very shocked to see her, but he didn't look angry which Lucy took as a good sign.

"Hi dad" She said, sitting down across from him. She saw Susan sit down beside her, and felt her mother's hand reach out to her own.
"Are you alright?" Susan asked, leaving Lucy speechless.
"Am I alright?" Lucy repeated, suddenly angry, "Is that really all you can say? You're supposed to be there for me, not kick me out and throw me away! You were the one's saying Alex was a bad influence, that he would destroy me! Yet, here you two are, perfectly happy while I've been going through all kinds of awful things! Who was there mum? It wasn't you and it wasn't dad either, it was Alex! He has been the most supportive person I've ever known and I think it's about time that you accepted that. He isn't going anywhere and neither am I!"

Susan and Ed were at a loss for words; Lucy had never spoken to them like that before.
"We're getting married you know, and I'd really like it if you came!" Lucy continued, "We're supposed to be a family."
"Lucy, we never meant to hurt you, but try and remember that you hurt us too." Susan said and that made Lucy furious.
"How did I hurt you? I haven't even done anything wrong!"
"You ran off with that boy!" Ed grumbled.

"You're the ones that made me leave dad. All I wanted to do was start my own life."
"But you're just a child!" Susan argued.
"I haven't been a child for a long time mum. I work and cook and I try my best to stay out of trouble. The most important thing to me right now is my family, and that includes Alex. We want a family together mum, what part of that is childish?"

Ed and Susan didn't seem to have anything else to say, and Lucy was weary of the conversation, seeing that it was going nowhere.
"I have to go." She told them, standing up, "I really do hope you'll reconsider. I want you to be a part of my life." They didn't say anything, they just stared at the ground, so Lucy left, feeling incredibly discouraged.

Alex was waiting for her when she got home, studying for his chosen career. He had put it off for a while, but was now completely focused and dedicated. He looked up at her when she entered; smirking and getting up to give her a tender kiss. All of her anger and frustration seemed to melt away.
"I always miss you when you're gone." He stated, "Why is that?" This made her laugh and Alex was pleased that she was happy again.
"It's because you love me Alex." She teased, laughing again when that wicked smirk returned.

"What about you Lucy-Lu?" He asked, playing with the top button of her shirt, making her blush.
"What about me?"
"Do you miss me?" He playfully inquired, undoing the button and moving down to the next one.
"Hmm" She pretended to think over it, "I don't know..." She giggled when he removed her shirt abruptly.
"ALEX!" He had picked her up now, and was carrying her toward their bedroom. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he left a trail of kisses along her neck.

Finally he carefully lowered her down onto the bed, continuing to kiss her, but moving lower and lower.
"Well?" He asked, "Do you?" She laughed again, biting her lip.
"Always" She whispered and he smirked, playfully nipping her with his teeth.
"Alex!" She complained, but he was in a mischievous mood and began kissing her lower stomach, arousing her, but then a thought seemed to come over him and he stopped abruptly.

"Don't stop!" She exclaimed, but then noticed he looked very guilty.
"I'm sorry." He said, moving to sit next to her.
"Why?" She asked, very confused.
"Because I didn't ask if you were ready." He had a very serious expression and she found herself sitting up and embracing him tenderly. They hadn't made love since she'd gotten back from the hospital.
"I love you." She whispered in his ear, "You don't have to ask Alex, I'm fine because you're here, helping me. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, I hope you know that."

He turned to face her, kissing her temple, then her cheek and then finally their lips crashed together.
"I'll always be here to help you." He whispered back.
"Are you sure you can handle all that?" She teased making him smile again.
"Only for you." He replied mischievously, before turning serious again.
"Are you sure you're ready?" He asked. She knew he was genuinely concerned, but she could also see that the temptation was taking over him again.
"Yes!" She said, and he wasted no time.