Letting Go Of The Past, Holding On To The Future.
Part Fourteen.
The Big 45!
It was Karen's 45'th birthday , rob and jess were planning a big 45th birthday party for her without her knowing. Karen was stood in the kitchen feeding Isla her bottle, she stared into her blue eyes, Rob walked over. "Got anything planned for today?" Rob held karen's hand,"might just go get a few bits and pieces from ASDA," "sounds good, do you want me to come?" "No, its fine Rob, I'll take Isla with me, I'm not getting a lot" "Okay well I'll just make the most of some alone time", "you just do that", she gave him a kiss and got Isla all ready before leaving and heading to the shops, Isla's second big outing. "Aide, Karen's gone out you coming over to sort out the last minute plans...yes bring the decorations"."Right I'm off, don't make too much mess, if you make toast". Karen kissed rob on the cheek"actually, just don't make any toast..." They both laughed. Karen left with Isla in her arms. Rob ran into the Kitchen, getting the clipboard for the party out from underneath all the towels. Rob had everything ticked off pretty much, just to decorate all ready for the evening. Presents were hidden even a special one from Isla, Rob just had to sort the last few things out. The doorbell rang and they flooded in quickly with bags of equipment, music decorations and the guest list. They sat down discussed what was left to be down, Bella made life a little difficult by playing with anything that was put near her "Bella mummy said no" which then leaded to her screaming, "jess why don't you take her home, I can finish this off with dad", "you sure, I mean it's my mum's birthday", "it's fine babe Bella can't be expected to just sit there", "okay Aide I'll see you at home and Rob we shall see you later, bye bye granddad, bye bye", Jess's attempts at getting 10 month old Bella to wave goodbye was failing well the least she could have done was look at him, she let herself out running into her mum and a sleeping Isla as she left "jess?", "hey", jess carried on walking heading to the car and slowly walking off, "what was all that about aye", Karen spoke to herself but in a sleeping Isla's direction. She let herself in through the open door placing Isla who was in her car seat on the floor of the lounge "Aiden?", "Karen...just having a natter with my dad", "rob?", Karen wasn't stupid, "what are you up to Scotcher?", she gave him the eyebrow, "why do I have to be up to something", "I know you and I am going to find out", "anyway dad I best be off", "okay son I shall see you out", "She can't find out". Rob closed the door before heading back into the lounge for Karen. Rob sat on the couch and tried to change the subject,"was it busy in asda?" "Don't try and change the subject Scotcher! What were you up to? I'm not stupid" "fine, we were planning... Planning a trip to the zoo for Bella and Isla" "when I said she was a little monkey I didn't mean it literally" they both laughed. "Why couldn't you tell me though?" "It was supposed to be a surprise" Rob was getting good at thinking fast. "Yeah, well next time when your organising a 'surprise' don't do a family meeting when I have nipped round the corner to asda for some bread and milk." Karen Laughed at Robs beet red cheeks. "You knew it was a family meeting?" "Rob... You had a clipboard and the family here, it doesn't take a genius to work that out" she raised her eyebrow before kissing him on the lips. "Not really the best at keeping secrets", "I'm glad", it was a comfort to Karen to know that rob was trustworthy after everything she had been through. "So how's my beautiful little girl", "she's fine she's already drawing a lot of attention to herself", "Oh really is that so", "mhmm, hit with the oldies our Isla", rob laughed hysterically Karen followed suit!
Karen her tears away from her eyes, she was laughing so much. She didn't know why she was laughing so much, but it was robs laugh that cracked her up! Karen put one hand on the side of his face, and kissed his lips gently. "Sorry about that Isla" rob laughed. Kissing Karen back. "I think we should put the shopping away now, seen as you've finished questioning me" rob giggled - "you go sit down Karen, I'll put it away, you sit with Isla, I'll come and sit down when I'm done" No I'll just come keep you company with Isla, she can take notes on how to get into mummy's good books", she winked before carrying a sleeping baby Isla into the kitchen she had grown so much and yet she was so tiny! Rob packed the shopping away, "I got a letter this morning", "Oh really who from?", "the school", "what?", "they need me to go back early, something about the cover not working out and", "how early is early Karen?" , "a few months time", "Karen Isla will only be around 3 months! Plus you won't be ready to go back, you need time to recover and just chill", "gee thanks for the vote of confidence", "you know what I mean", "oh I don't know what to say Rob, I can't just turn around and say no", "yes you can", "Rob are you listening to what you're saying", "yes. Look you may need to compromise and go back earlier but you're entitled to your maternity leave, you've just had Isla. We have 2 more weeks together as a family before I go back to work; I want to make the most of it, just us 4. Why don't you have a word with Sian or Tom couldn't one of them stand in for you if the cover can't take it?" Karen looked at Rob, "your right, that's their job for god sake", "exactly", "youre a right bag of great ideas you", "well I have been told", Karen loved his humour he was the opposite of Charlie so laid back. "I'll email Tom there is no way I am getting on a phone to that lot, really don't fancy facing all that stress right now", Rob smiled "sounds like a good idea", he closed the fridge before taking his finance and little girl into his arms. Karen hesitantly sent the email,"does this sound okay? "Dear Head office, I would really appreciate it if you could ask Sian, if she could take over my role as head until my maternity leave is over, yours sincerely Karen Fisher" Karen sent the message. "You've done the right thing Karen, your head of the school and you have a right to the maternity leave you planned" Karen smiled and began to burp Isla who so lovingly threw up over her shoulder, thank god for the muslin cloth. Rob bent down wiping her tiny face "all clean", "right I better get on with some ironing", "ironing? You don't need to do that now, why don't we go for a walk, Isla will have a snooze and we can just have some time together", Karen so wanted to say yes, "I should probably get on with it", "come on Karen, how often d we get to do this sort of thing, I go back to work soon", "oh alright Scotcher only because you insist", he kissed her cheek before taking Isla and putting her into her gorgeous pink all in one bear coat, she looked so cute and was very cosy. Karen went and grabbed her coat, the smart black one and slipped on her boots. Rob carefully placed Isla into the pram and popped on the bag of all of Isla's things as he placed Isla's elephant next to her and covered her tiny body in the three-quarters folded blanket. Karen headed downstairs with her bag. Rob grabbed his jacket off the stairs as Karen checked Isla's bags, "it's all in there", rob called it was quite sweet watching Karen in her element of control, "just checking" she shot him that smile, the smile only rob was ever shown. "Come on then Mrs. Bossy", rob began to wheel the pram "Oi you, less of the bossy thanks", they headed off for there leisurely walk, Rob managed to text Aiden: out for a walk with Karen empty house. Can you put up the final decorations and get Harry home in time he's with Ruth. Dad x"I think we should go get an ice cream" rob sounded quite happy, he'd just received a text back off of Aiden,"on it! Bex has just arrived, were all in the car, just about to pick harry and Ruth up" he beamed,"yes!" He quietly said to himself,"what?" "What?" They both laughed,"two vanilla ice creams please," Karen smiled. "There you go, £4:30 please," "thanks" Karen handed Rob his Ice Cream, she started to eat it. Rob burst out laughing,"paha! Your moustache grows quicker than mine!" He got a wipe out of isla's bag and wiped her lip,"all clean" he teased her. "Ha ha. Very funny" she kissed him on the cheek, "we better be getting home, Isla will be freezing!" "NO! Errm we umm.. Can't, we should go to the park and feed the ducks with Isla" Rob" she sighed. "Come on Karen, just think of it as a family outing" he smiled. "You forgetting something? Maybe something important on this SPECIAL day?" "Erm, I don't think so? Oooh! The bread!" "Yeah... That's what I meant..." She hung her head and started too walked to the local shop to buy a loaf of bread. Rob felt really bad, he just wanted to hug her and wish her happy birthday! He was waiting for the text of Aiden to say everything was ready. Karen came over;"it was 45p" the hints had started. "Alright, get us both a slice out"
"Rob why are we doing this Isla's asleep", "because she was awake. Shall we start walking back", "YES I'm frozen", rob gave her a loving hug, "any warmer", "maybe a little" she smiled Karen pushed the pram and Rob frantically texted Aiden of their return he sure as hell hoped everything was to be ready! "Seriously Rob I'm going to ban you from that phone of yours like I do with Harry at this rate... So much for time together", Karen was irritated now, they hadn't exactly had the nicest of days out and the idea of Rob forgetting her birthday wasn't exactly something that filled her with glee, rob felt awful it wasn't long till it was time to surprise but those few minutes home felt like hours. They were getting closer and closer, they were at the end of the street, as rob got a text off Aiden,"iya dad." Were ready and hiding" "Race you!" Rob started to Jog up the road, Karen laughing at him from behind as he nearly tripped, Rob put the key in the keyhole slowly, before he kissed Karen on the lips, "I love You!" just before he opened the door he grabbed karen's hand he opened the door, the lights switched on, "SURPRISE!" Everybody popped up from behind random objects in the room,"Happy Birthday Sweetheart!" Rob picked Karen up and swung her around in a circle whilst kissing Karen's lips. "So this is what you've been up to!" "Yes! You didn't think I had forgotten did you!" "Well I hadn't thought you'd remembered", "I would never forget your birthday", Karen smiled, "thank god I only turn 45 once ". Karen smiled before being interrupted rudely by Isla who hadn't taken to well to the surprise, "now now Isla that isn't the way to wish mummy a happy birthday", Karen watched as rob picked up their daughter instantly soothing her, the faces of the guests such as Chris, Tom, Janeece, the Diamonds were completely in awe especially the woman Isla really was gorgeous, rob held Isla whilst Karen carefully zipped her out of her warm coat, she bound to be feeling a little hot by now. Jess ran up to her mum,"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!" She wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you darling, and thank you for organising this guys!" Rob took Karen's hand and guided her over to the settee, where they had put the presents, Karen sat down and rob handed her Jess' present to her mum,"if it's not right you can take it back," "I love it! How did you know I wanted this bag?" Karen winked. "Come here" she hugged her daughter and put her new bag on the side if the sofa. Next Rob handed Janeece's present to her, Rob and Karen both shared and equally worried look... She unwrapped a police officer suit... "Thank you Janeece," "no problem Mrs. fisher" "you wearing it tonight?" Rob added under his breath. They all laughed. "Don't even think about it" Karen looked at Rob her smile with eyebrow glaring at him. Harry and Bex were next, "aww thank you", they had given her some bath smellies, "well we thought since there is another one of us you may want some time to yourself", "your all so very kind", Karen had received such lovely gifts with the exception of Janeece, she was very grateful turning 45 wasn't so bad after all. "Wait, you still have 2 more presents", Rob handed over the penultimate present. "This is from Isla", Karen smiled at the thought that was put into Isla giving her a present. She opened it up, her mouth beaming her eyes slightly filling with tears, "it's beautiful, we don't have a photo of all of us", "it's Isla's first day at home", Karen gave her little girl a kiss whispering "thank you sweetheart" into her tiny ear as she sat back up again. "So here is the last. Final. The present that completes all of the presents", "oh get on with it Rob", Tom shouted over in a jokey laddish way, "well said Tom", Karen smiled with relief, Rob handed her a very well wrapped present, the card full of romantic lines from her favourite poem, Karen was already lost for words. She opened up the present to find a box; she carefully opened it to find a beautiful gold necklace, with the outlines of two interlocking hearts. "Rob it's beautiful", "not half as beautiful as somebody else I know, happy birthday sweetheart", he gave her a very loving kiss before helping her to put on the necklace, she lifted her hair up out of the way before clasping the necklace shut, she couldn't help but hold her hand on it fiddling with the hearts it meant a lot and Karen loved it! Karen stood up, still fiddling with the hearts,"thank you everyone, you've all made my 50th so special" everyone clapped and smiled. Karen picked up the box the necklace came in as she spotted a note taped to the inside of it, "26th April 2012" rob went and stood next to Karen, "the date were getting married" rob stood there waiting for Karen's expressions, tears started to fill her eyes as she turned around and hugged Rob. "Please tell me those are happy tears?" Rob wiped the tears away from her eyes,"of course they are!
Everyone cheered, Bex came over and hugged them both, "congratulations mum and rob" then harry followed, "congrats mum and dad, um I mean rob, I mean-" "its fine whatever you call me" "alright dad" Karen and rob turned to each other and smiled. Then Jess and Aiden with little Bella. "Congratulations mum and dad, were all so happy for you both!" Rob wrapped his arm around Karen and pulled her in closer. "Happy Birthday Fisher" "Thanks Scotcher. And thanks for everything you've all planned!" "I love you" rob stared deeply into Karen's eyes,"I love you too"