I thought it was time for a little Joanna/Bill time. Enjoy.

Chapter 21

Bill woke up and turned to see Joanna staring at the ceiling, lost in her own thoughts.

"Joanna."

"Hey, you sleep okay."

"Great. What's up?"

"It's Mum."

"I thought she was doing okay."

"What, oh yeah at work she's fine. I went by the office yesterday because she wanted to talk to me."

"You never said."

"Well I'm telling you now."

"So what did she want or is it a personal matter."

"She went to see the woman who killed Dad the other day."

"She did, why?"

"She was asked too. The woman's name is Hayley, she's in her early twenties and she has a 2-year-old boy called Mason."

"What did she say to M?"

"She apologised for killing Dad."

"Well that's something I suppose."

"I'm not finished yet. The young Boy, Mason."

"What about him."

"According to Mum, Hayley was beaten regularly by her Husband and the day she killed Dad she was running from the abuse. She has no Family and now that she's in Prison, the Boy will go into care."

"So he'll be in a better place, won't he."

"Mum's not convinced of that. She's certain he'll end up with someone like his Dad."

"Joanna, what are you telling me."

"Mum wants to foster him, look after him until that woman get's out of Prison."

"She's in there for 8 years."

"Yes I know."

"She's the Head of MI6 for gods sake, where's she going to have the time to look after a 2-year-old."

"You tell me. Personally I think she's insane but try telling her that. She's had insane ideas over the years but this takes the biscuit."

"What does James say about it."

"That he'll support any decision she makes. It's all very well him saying that but what if he doesn't stick around, gets bored with Mum."

"Joanna, I know you've only just met James but I've known him a long time. Now I'm the first to admit that he's famous for all the women he dates and that he never sticks around…."

"But."

"The way he is with M, it's different. It what has happened to M recently had happened to any of those other women I can guarantee he wouldn't have gone to great lengths to help them. He's given everything to your Mother over the years, he's been ready to die for her. I've never seen him feel the way he does about M with any other woman. He won't walk away from this."

"Do you think she's doing the right thing."

"I suppose you just never know until you try. If M's prepared to do this then the least we can do is support her. Help her out as much as she needs."

"I guess we will."

"So you've decided to stay then."

"I've been thinking a lot about things. I love my life in New York but coming back here, I've realised something that's more important."

"What's that?"

"You."

"Really." He smiled.

"You've always been there for Mum over the years, protected her and when Dad died, you were there again but this time not just for her, but for me too. I always liked you, the very first day I met you. You were so loyal to Mum, caring, loving and when I got to know you better I found myself falling for you but then I moved to New York and we didn't see each other as much, until now and over the last few weeks, all those old feelings I had have returned. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going back to New York because I've fallen in love with you and I'm not willing to lose you."

"I never thought I'd ever hear you say that but I'm glad you have and I'm glad you're staying because I love you too."

Joanna smiled at him as he brought her into his arms and kissed her passionately. She brought the duvet up as she hugged him.

"Move in with me Joanna."

"What, are you serious."

"We've skirted around one another long enough. I think it's time we made things permanent, don't you?"

"Alright, I'll move in, besides Mum's gonna need the space now, isn't she."

To Be Continued…