We do not own EastEnders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, or Doctors
Chapter 21
Rowan woke in the hospital. She glanced over at the IV tube hanging to the ground. She vaguely remembered removing from her hand, but not why she had. She sat up and looked around. Why was no one sitting with her? She shrugged and touched her shoulder and winced. They were letting her out today.
She got up and grabbed her bag from the floor and pulled out her phone. 7am. She scrolled through her contacts and called Alyssa.
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Jack heard Alyssa's phone ringing and reached over and grabbed it up.
"Alyssa's phone," he answered, noting his voice sounded better than it had yesterday. He reached over and gently shook Alyssa's arm.
"Lyss, it's Rowan."
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Chris woke and rolled over and slipped his arm around Shaz' waist, kissing her neck as he did so.
In two more weeks, they would be married and maybe living in Essex. That was what Shaz said she wanted at any rate.
Shaz sighed happily and leant back against Chris with a smile she placed her hands over the top of his as he held her. Two weeks, just two weeks. She turned in his arms and slid her arms around him, holding him to her happily as she dozed off again.
Chris nudged Shaz. "We should get up and go to work. The Guv won't be happy if we're late," he told her. "He already thinks we're deserting him."
He grinned at her and kissed her nose.
Shaz chuckled. "Moving to Essex isn't deserting. Besides, he'll get somebody new to bully, I mean," she corrected herself with a grin. "Break in."
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Ronnie finished making the tea and carried the mugs into the bedroom. She placed one on the table next to Jack and carried the other around to her side of the bed. She stroked her prominent bulge and sighed. The honeymoon had been fun, if a bit tiring. She was just glad she hadn't had any of the more negative symptoms. She'd been able to thoroughly enjoy herself.
She wondered idly how Sarah had done with the club while she and Jack had been away.
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Alyssa opened her eyes blearily and took the phone from him with a grumble. "Ro?" she asked sleepily. "What's up?" she continued as she fell back onto the pillows. She rubbed at her eyes and caught sight of the clothes she had worn the day before. Rowan was still in hospital! "Oh God, RO! I'm sorry! Do you need picking up?" she apologised, mentally cursing herself for forgetting her best friend's predicament.
"Um, not yet, I just wasn't sure what the plan was today, my head is a little fuzzy, of course, I just woke up," Rowan said. She scrubbed at her face, annoyed at the fact she couldn't seem to think at all.
Jack leaned up on his arm.
"I thought Ray was picking her up? Does she need a ride?" he asked curiously.
Alyssa looked over at Jack as she held the phone a little away from her ear.
"Jack! You just woke me up, and I've only just remembered that she's in hospital. How am I supposed to remember what's happening," she pouted then pressed the phone back to her ear. "Jack's under the impression that Ray's picking you up," she said. "My brain doesn't function without caffeine," she sighed.
"Well I only just woke up too," Jack grumbled, "AND I've been ill and all," he added. He huffed and got out of bed and stomped downstairs to make tea.
"Okay, thanks, Lyss. I couldn't remember really, my mind seems to be a bit blank. I better let you go then and call Ray. Once I've seen the doctor I'll know when I'm out of here. You and Jack should come over to the restaurant for lunch, or just you if he can't get off work. I'll make sure JT makes something special," she offered.
Alyssa rolled her eyes at him as he left and she sat up in bed and leant against the headboard.
"Sure, he's going back in today, I think, he's moaning again so he must be feeling okay," she chuckled. "I'll see you for lunch then, Ro."
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Ray rolled over and then looked over at the clock, he grinned happily, Rowan was out of hospital today, he would be there to meet her and she would come home, finally. The place really wasn't the same without her around, he was pretty sure that he was dying of starvation, or at least getting withdrawal symptoms due to lack of food. He checked his phone and then rolled onto his front, his alarm wouldn't go off for at least another 20 minutes, he would get up then. Then see Rowan. The bed felt empty without her, as did his arms.
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Gene woke and looked around at the empty bedroom. Surely this wasn't right. Alex was gone again. She never stayed anymore. He'd given up finding them a place to share. He'd found one that was perfect. Close to the station, but not too close and not too close to the Square.
But Molly had been grieving and she also had seemed to take a dislike to him after their initial meeting. He sighed. So Molly came first, every time. He tried to understand it, but he hated not having her around.
He climbed out of bed and padded to the kitchen to make some tea.
He'd found this flat, upstairs from Chris and just down the road from two of his other officers, Rhys and Ginger. Though Ginger had moved to the Square now and Rhys' rowdy sister had moved in with him. He shook his head and drank his tea and went to get ready for work.
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Alex woke up. Her arms were full of Molly and the little girl was having a nightmare again. They were a regular occurrence and had been ever since they had told Molly what had happened to her Dad. Since then, Molly had hated Gene without cause and done everything she could to make life difficult for Gene and herself. Alex was growing tired of it. She wanted Gene in bed next to her, but Molly would throw a tantrum big enough to rival Everest and that would be the end of that. They barely saw each other at all because Alex was at home with Molly on compassionate leave.
She missed him inexplicably. Once Molly was asleep, the only thing that Alex wanted to do was see Gene and be held in his arms. But there were obvious flaws in that dream.
She rubbed soothing circles on Molly back and held her until she settled down and the nightmare left her. Alex dropped her head on the pillow again. One night away. With Gene. That's all she wanted. Surely it wasn't too much to ask. But it was. Molly got upset when she wasn't there. Alex felt drained.
Alex let go of Molly and left her curled up in bed. She sighed as she ran her hands through her hair, she was beginning to feel trapped, she wanted to be at work. She wanted Molly to feel safe and happy enough so that Alex could leave her. She missed work. She missed Gene.
Alex went through and made herself a cup of strong coffee. 7 Months. 7 long months and Molly was still acting how she was when they had took her from Pete's house. Alex was beginning to wonder whether it was time to call and make an appointment with a psychiatrist. She couldn't analyse her own daughter. Her gaze drifted to the clock. Molly would wake up at 8am. It was the same every morning, just as the clock turned 8 she would sit up and go to the bathroom for a shower. Twenty minutes. Alex sighed and drained her coffee then made her way to the shower.
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Rowan flipped the phone closed as the doctor came in. He checked her over, checked her wound and tutted her when he saw she'd removed her IV.
"Well, no ill effects and you seem to have recovered well from your blood loss. I'll send the paperwork over right away, no reason for you to stay any longer. But if you have any problems you come back right away."
Rowan nodded and climbed from the bed when the doctor left and pulled the long dark blue, long sleeved top and jeans she'd had Alyssa bring for her from the bag and got dressed. Then she flipped open her phone and called Ray.
Just thinking his name brought a smile to her face. He really was an amazing man. She still remembered the night he'd come to find her and tell her he'd locked up Brian. That had been a treat. But then Ray had found out some of Brian's past and Rowan had been shocked. Wanted for murder in Sheffield! Watching Brian get sent down for murder had been quite a day!
She remembered when he'd got that little flat above the sari shop. She'd ended up spending more time there than at her own flat. Then Jane had come back to everyone's surprise and divorced Ian. She'd got the building with the flats in it and then surprised Rowan by offering her a tidy sum to buy the cafe back.
Rowan had readily agreed. She'd found her own great little restaurant with a lovely flat over it. And Alyssa had moved in with Jack in his lovely house. They would be getting married in summer.
Selling Jane the cafe meant she would have enough money to get it.
Then she'd promptly asked Ray to move in with her. His face! It still made her chuckle.
Then one of her Kin had called, Junior. His brother had got into some trouble and Gem had suggested he call Rowan to see if he could send JT to her and get him away for awhile. Ray didn't seem to mind so she'd agreed and also took Junior's offer to buy her parents' house.
She liked it here too much, with her restaurant and her flat and most of all, Ray. Though she would be happy anywhere as long as he was there, too.
Rowan listened to the phone ring out and waited to hear Ray's voice.
Ray grunted and rolled over. That had not been twenty minutes, of that he was sure! He picked up the phone and realised that it was a phone call, not his alarm. He blearily looked at the number and then hastily pressed it to his ear
"Rowan?" he said "You alright? What time is it?" he added with a small grumble as he fumbled around for his clock.
"I'm fine, so says the doctor. He's just left. Just waiting on the paperwork and then I'm free," she told him cheerfully, loving the sound of his voice when it was thick with sleep. She relaxed on the bed and smiled.
"So, what are you wearing?" she asked him, making her tone low and seductive.
Ray chuckled and peered under the sheet. "Ummmmmmm, a duvet, annnnnnnnd, yeah. That's pretty much it," he finished with a grin. "What about you?" he asked, smiling, then sighed. "I wish you were here Ro, I miss holding you," he confessed to her, his smile fading.
"Ooooo, yummy," Rowan remarked then chuckled. "I'm actually fully dressed and ready for the papers to get here so I can go," she told him.
"I miss you, too." she said softly. "So why don't you get off your lazy bum and come get us out of here," she whined, imitating his accent as she did so. She climbed off the bed and went to the door to peer out. "Hurry, acuisle, I think the nurse is coming with the paperwork now," she told him, barely able to contain her excitement.
"Oh, and don't forget JT has opened the restaurant today. So don't freak out when you see him and Syed in the restaurant," she warned him.
Ray grumbled as he climbed out of bed. "Keep you hair on. I'm coming," he planted his feet on the floor and stretched languorously. "See!" he mumbled. "Out of bed, Rowan, I need a shower and as much as I would love to stay on the phone to you I don't think my phone agrees with water. I'll text you when I'm on my way," he told her as he fought back a yawn.
Rowan chuckled. "No, I can't see, but I can well imagine," she said, her tone going flirtatious again. She whispered what she planned to do when she did see him and grinned, knowing it would drive him crazy.
"I'll be watching for it," she told him. "Love you," she added and flipped her phone shut. She heaved a great breath when the nurse came in with her paperwork. She was glad to see it wasn't the nurse who'd been here last night. That woman had been creepy, though Rowan couldn't put her finger on why.
She hurriedly dug out a pen and got to work on the paperwork, fully intending to be outside and ready to go by the time Ray arrived. She just wished yesterday hadn't been his day off. She would love to just cuddle up with him on the couch, his strong arms around her. She just hoped he didn't blame himself for what happened to her.
He always protected her, this time it was her turn to protect someone else. She'd seen the flash of the gunman's aura and had just enough time to jump up and shove a sobbing Ffion aside to keep her from getting hurt. If it was anyone's fault, it was Ffion's brother, Rhys. Ffion never would have gotten up and tried to run in the first place if he had just left her alone. Rowan sighed and set herself to the paperwork again.
When she'd finished all of it she turned it in at the desk, took copies the woman handed her and hurried outside. She needed a cigarette and she needed Ray, in whichever order they occurred. She burst out the door and took a deep, grateful breath to flush the smell of the hospital from her nostrils and fished her cigarettes out of her bag and lit up when she was far enough from the door and then watched out for Ray.
She had debated a long while about it, but finally made the decision to get them a decent car for the holiday. She had the money Junior was paying her for the house and so it wouldn't set them back too badly. His face when he'd seen it! It wasn't quite as snazzy as Gene's Quattro, but it was decent. She held her phone and watched the screen, trying to see if she could predict when the text would come.
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Ffion kissed Bradley and left his flat with a quick wave. She was glad he'd turned out to be the father. She had loved Gerald in a way, but he was gone. Whether because his Ice Queen of a wife had turned up, or because the baby ended up not being his, she didn't know.
Bradley wanted her to move in with him now that he had his Uncle Jack's old flat. Jack had married his girlfriend, Ronnie and moved in with her in her flat over on George Street.
Ffion hoped Rhys wouldn't be too hurt by her moving out as well. He'd find a new flatmate quick enough. And he was never lonely for company for long either. She broke into a jog. She had a lot to do before work.
Ffion eyed the girl her brother had spent the night with as she hurried from the flat and shook her head. She herself was hardly a saint, but at least she didn't bring them home with her. Probably for the best since her brother seemed to bring his home. She hurriedly got ready for work and headed over to the restaurant.
She saw James on his way and waved and sped up to walk with him.
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Gene got to the station and looked at Alex's empty desk. She'd been on and off work for nearly 7 months now, since Molly's father had died and Alex had brought the girl to live with her.
He considered calling her. The incident at the cafe had shown him how badly they needed Alex's skills. And although Ray had improved greatly, Gene was aware he needed another DI, especially one with Alex's authority. Although, Ray was becoming more respected the more he took on in Alex's absence.
And being with Rowan, who provided great food to the station, also gave him a good boost.
He went outside to smoke and tried not to think about her.
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JT let himself and Syed into the restaurant and immediately got to work. Rowan hadn't wanted him to open up while she was in the hospital and the carpet had needed cleaning anyway. They got the baking started and then set about moving all the tables and chairs back where they belonged.
"So, is Ffion coming in today?" Syed wanted to know.
"James is for sure. I don't see why she wouldn't. Hopefully she won't fawn all over Rowan for saving her."
"How did Rowan know the guy was even planning to turn his gun on Fee?" Syed wanted to know.
"She just did. It would take too long to explain and I ain't sure you would believe me anyway," JT grinned and went back into the kitchen.
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Chris rolled out of bed since Shaz wasn't moving and jumped in the shower first.
When he finished, he wrapped the towel around his waist and went back into the bedroom to get some clothes. He looked at the motionless lump that was Shaz still in bed.
He went over and pulled the covers off her and stuck his hands on his hips.
"Get up and I'll start the tea," he told her.
Shaz rolled onto her back, put her hands on her hips and pouted at him. "What if I don't want to get up?"
Chris eyed her and smiled before leaping onto the bed next to her.
"I'll make sure the Guv tortures you before locking you up," he threatened her. "And I'll make sure he locks you up long enough to miss your Hen do and I don't think Alex or your sister will be very happy with you," he added and then kissed her before climbing off the bed. "Now, let's move it."
Shaz chuckled, but leapt out of bed. She wouldn't put it past Chris to do something like that, and the last thing she wanted was Michelle on her case, not to mention Alex. Though, her DI was far more likely to lay into Chris rather than her.
Chris stood outside and smoked as he waited for Shaz to get ready. He'd cut way back since he promised her he'd try to quit again.
Shaz got ready as quickly as she could, she didn't want the Guv breathing down their necks more than he was. She finished drying her hair and grabbed a slice of toast as she ran out of the house and smiled at Chris.
Chris hurried after her and caught her hand as they walked to the station.
"So, only two more weeks. Do we have any appointments this weekend for looking at places to live? I made sure to get the whole weekend off just in case. Rhys was willing to cover the shift for me. Oh, and be prepared to be proud. I got all the confirmations for the hotel in Cardiff for our honeymoon. So, we are set," he told her, his tone slightly smug.
Shaz nodded at him. "We've got that one around 2 on Saturday, I think that it's for the one down the road off the High Street, with the big oak tree on the roundabout," she reminded him with a smile
He knew how much she wanted to go to Cardiff and even though he wasn't as avid a fan of her shows, he would happily do it for her.
Shaz flung her arms around his neck at his news about the Honeymoon.
"CHRIS!" she squealed in excitement. "That's fantastic!" she beamed at him and kissed him soundly before pulling back with a grin. "I love you," she laughed happily.
Chris looked at her. "That sounds like a good one, and it's not too close to your parent's house either," he remarked.
Chris held in a laugh at Shaz' reaction. "Hey, steady on!"
He looked down at her. "I love you, too. I also spoke to Bradley, and he's written down all the places to go for seeing where Dr. Who was filmed. He's done it already so thought he'd be the best person to ask."
Shaz grinned at him, "Don't worry, I promise to go to some places that you want to go to as well," she grinned. "But we are soooooooooooooooo going to Torchwood tower!" she beamed as she let go of him and resumed their walk to work.
Chris slung his arm around her shoulder.
"I want to do whatever you want to do, love," he told her and hurried up the steps to get the door.
Shaz rolled her eyes at him and chuckled lightly as she went into the station and made a beeline for her desk, so much work to do
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Jack huffed around in good-natured indignation, getting the tea going and looking in the fridge for breakfast possibilities. He spotted the bacon and got that out and dropped several slices in the pan to get them cooking.
Alyssa noticed that Jack hadn't come back upstairs and clambered out of bed reluctantly. She grabbed her dressing gown and went downstairs. She grinned at the sight of Jack cooking and smiled at him. "I'm taking your moaning as a sign that you're feeling better," she grinned.
"I moan everyday," he told her, not taking his eyes from the bacon he was frying. "I suppose I'm feeling slightly better, but either way I'm hungry and I have to go back to school," he grouched. "Here, take over the bacon so I can get a shower. I have to leave soon," he kissed her forehead and gave her backside a quick smack and hurried upstairs to get ready for work.
Alyssa grabbed the spatula. She needed to get to work today too. Two unexpected days off wasn't fair on the others. But Jack had to be at school earlier than she had to be at the Salon. She frowned as she turned the bacon over: he better not have given her the lurgy!
Jack got ready for work, took some cold medicine and hurried back downstairs. He got himself some tea and then poured coffee for her and put it on the table with the bread. He grinned at her as he made his sandwich and then gave her a peck on the cheek before heading out.
"I'll try to get out for lunch, but I can't make any promises," he told her as he hurried out.
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Ray hurriedly got showered and dressed, now he had heard her voice he just wanted her back, here, at home, with him, in his arms preferably. He rubbed at his hair with a towel roughly to dry it; he sent off the text and grabbed a jacket and the car keys as he left the flat.
JT fixed up tea for Ray and coffee for Rowan and put them in cups to go and grinned at Ray and handed the cups over when Ray came downstairs.
"Rowan texted me you'd be down soon and demanded coffee for you to bring to her and tea for you," JT explained before heading back into the kitchen.
Ray waved at JT and Syed as he passed through the restaurant and mentally thanked Rowan for the warning; he grinned at JT and thanked him then took both drinks outside. He breathed in deeply as he got outside and felt the cool morning air refresh him more than his shower had. He opened the car with a grin, he remembered her showing it to him when she had got it. He grinned and put the two drinks into the most secure drinks holder he had and set off for the hospital.
Ray pulled up outside the tall, intimidating building and smiled as he spotted Rowan and got out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him and marched straight over to her. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against him, breathing in the smell of her hair as he clutched her tightly to his chest. "Missed you," he mumbled quietly.
Rowan nearly bounced with excitement when she saw Ray striding towards her. She tossed aside her cigarette and wrapped her arms around him as he pulled her to him. She closed her eyes and smelled his clean, spicy smell that she loved. She was where she belonged. In his arms.
"Missed you, too," she said. She lifted her right hand and touched his cheek before sliding her fingers back into the thick softness of his hair. He was truly the best thing that had ever happened to her.
"Take me home," she finally told him and laced the fingers of her left hand with his fingers. "I need to sit with you for a bit and have some decent food."
She glanced back at the hospital once as they moved towards the car. She'd never been so glad to leave some place in her life.
She looked at Ray and smiled and slipped her fingers from his so she could get in the car. She exclaimed with pleasure at the sight of the coffee and hurriedly picked it up to take a drink. She leaned back against the seat of the car and sighed with pleasure. Decent coffee.
Ray grinned at her as he started up the car and pushed his cup of tea towards her. He had no need for caffeine now. Ray gladly pulled away from the hospital and drove them back to the restaurant and parked the car in their little spot outside. He grabbed her bag from the back and slung it over his shoulder as he opened the door for her to get out and beamed. "Welcome home."
Rowan climbed out of the car and shut the door. She looked at Ray and then looked at her restaurant. She ran a hand down his arm.
"Do you have time for breakfast with me before you go to work?" she wanted to know as she moved towards the door. She opened it and held it open for him and followed him in. JT rushed out of the kitchen and grabbed Rowan up and spun her around.
"Glad to see you back, Auntie Ro!"
Rowan rolled her eyes and sighed. Why did people constantly feel they had to pick her up?
"Put me down," she said, her tone one of long-suffering patience. JT grinned and set her back on her feet as Ffion came over and caught Rowan in a hug.
"I'm so glad you're back," Ffion said, nearly in tears. "Are you okay?"
Rowan hugged her back and nodded. "I'm fine, how are you?"
Ffion put her lips to Rowan's ears. "Bradley is the father," she whispered and leaned back.
"I'm okay. Glad you're back."
"Me too, can you or James bring Ray and I some breakfast upstairs?"
Ffion nodded and hurried to the kitchen to take some food out to her tables. Syed came out and gave Rowan a quick hug.
"Good to see you back," he told her.
"Thanks, Sy."
She gave James a quick wave as he looked away from the table he was helping and nodded at her. Rowan looked at Ray.
"So, food ready soon, let's go up," she said and headed for the stairs to the flat.
Ray nodded at her with a grin, he was sure that the Guv would understand his being late, Rowan had just got out of hospital after taking a bullet to the shoulder, she warranted his attention. Besides, even though Alex was rarely at work there was always Chris, Rhys, Shaz and Ginger, it wasn't like he was understaffed! Ray grinned at Rowan employees as he passed through and followed her up to their home. The place felt so much more like home when she was around anyway, it felt strange without her.
He tossed her bag into their room and shut the door with a snap behind it as he turned to face her, he looked at her as he leaned against the wall next to the door and smiled at her happily, she was home and already bossing people about. He chuckled to himself and tilted his head as he looked at her. His heart was almost bursting with the joy he felt at seeing her back at home.
Rowan saw Ray smiling at her and walked over to him and leaned against him.
"So good to be home," she sighed. She took his hand and led him to the couch and sat him down. She settled herself on his lap and cuddled against him, leaning her head up to kiss him.
She broke off the kiss and met his gaze as she put a hand to his cheek. "What would I do without you? You know you're the best thing that's ever happened to me?"
Ray wrapped his arms tightly around her and hugged her close to him and kissed her forehead, he chuckled and grinned at her. "Do you know that before you I'd never had a proper relationship," he countered with a smile at her. "I'm glad you're home, Ro, it's not the same being here on my own," he confessed. "It's too empty," he squeezed her and nuzzled her neck gently, careful to mind out for her wound.
"Neither have I, I don't really count Brian," she told him. She slid a hand into his hair as he nuzzled her neck.
Ray growled low at the sound of Brian's name. He kissed along her jawline softly as he discarded her ex-husband's name. Brian was in prison for life, and no doubt getting the shit kicked out of him daily. He couldn't hurt Rowan or anyone else. "I love you, Ro," he murmured into her ear.
Rowan shivered at his words. She never tired of hearing him say it. "I love you, too," she whispered back around a lump in her throat. She wouldn't cry, it would upset him. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and sighed.
Ray could hear the footsteps coming up the stairs to the flat and sighed. They were about to be disturbed, by food. He chuckled lightly and kissed her as he waited for breakfast to arrive.
She turned away at the tap on the door.
"It's open," she called and a moment later the door opened and James brought in a tray.
"Wasting no time, I see," he teased and put the tray on the coffee table.
Rowan gave Ray a quick up and down look and then looked back at James.
"Can you blame me?"
James chuckled and winked at her as he left. Rowan leaned over and picked up the plates, handing one to Ray. She shifted herself off his lap slightly and leaned against the arm of the couch, leaving her legs draped over him.
"Decent food, can't beat it," she sighed around a mouthful of bacon.
Ray grinned and reached for some food of his own. At least now he wouldn't go hungry, his stomach rumbled in agreement and he frowned slightly before taking a huge bite of his breakfast.
Rowan smiled as she watched Ray eat and shook her head. She put her food down and just watched him.
"I hate that yesterday had to be your day off, timing couldn't be worse," she remarked.
Ray grunted through his mouthful and swallowed. "I'll try and get off early. It hasn't been busy lately and I've had plenty of time to catch up on paperwork. It's just minor stuff. There's no reason I can't get off earlier," he shrugged.
"If not, then come back here for lunch. I asked Alyssa to come, too, but I like having lunch with you everyday," she said and kissed his arm, careful not to dislodge his plate. The restaurant was close enough to the station that they could, and did, meet for lunch every day. She always tried to cook something new and special just for him since most evenings she was too tired from making dinner for other people to do more than heat leftovers up or throw together a salad, not that he ever seemed to mind.
She gnawed her lip a moment and contemplated what to make for lunch. She'd got a recipe recently for a nice chicken Dijon, she could make that with some wild rice. She nodded to herself. That would do.
"But let me know, I've planned a special meal and so I'll need to know when to make it," she told him. Even after all this time she still wanted to impress him. "If you're going to leave early then we'll just have something already made for lunch."
Ray raised his eyebrows. "You got out of hospital less than an hour ago and you're already planning a special meal?" he asked incredulously. "Do you ever relax Ro!" he grinned. "I'll try to get off early AND have lunch with you. I'll probably come to pick up the lunch orders from the station anyway," he shrugged.
She plucked a piece of bacon from her plate and ate it slowly, breaking it into pieces and eating each piece. She slipped a hand around his neck and pulled him close as she leaned towards him.
"And you can have me for pudding and all," she whispered.
He smirked at her and moved his face closer. "I fully intend to Rowan! You can count on it," he smiled and kissed her lips lightly then pulled right back with a grin and picked up his last slice of toast.
"Hardly an effort," Rowan shrugged. "There are people down there I can boss around," she gave him a cheesy grin. "I'll relax and save my strength for tonight," she told him. "I have a feeling I'm going to need it," she added in a teasing tone.
She raised her eyebrow at Ray. She didn't remember Mr. Hunt making arrangements for her to do lunch for the station.
She knew her head was still a bit fuzzy from being in hospital and whatever drugs that nurse had given her, but surely she would remember something like that? Unless they were doing lunch today because she hadn't been sure she was going to open today and therefore no breakfast order had been submitted.
"Are we doing lunch today because we couldn't do breakfast?" she asked curiously, hoping that was right and that she wasn't losing her mind.
Ray shrugged and nodded. "I guess so!" he grinned. "They've been deprived from your cooking Ro, they're probably craving," he teased her with a chuckle.
"Well, don't tell them I didn't actually cook it then, with these hands," she laughed and held up her hands.
Ray placed his plate on the table and took hers away too. He pulled her back onto his lap with a smile. "Now, I reckon that I have about half an hour before I absolutely have to be in work," Ray chuckled at her and cradled her face in his hands.
"Before you absolutely have to be there?" she echoed. "Is that, as opposed to the highly recommended time that you be there?" she teased and leaned forward to kiss him.
Ray grinned at her and nodded. "Yes, actually," he retorted as he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. He could quite happily say here all day, with her in his arms, just holding her. Work could wait, he couldn't.
Rowan slipped her arm around his neck and into his hair, running her fingers through his curls as he kissed her. She found herself wanting him desperately, it had been two whole days.
But she would not make him late to work, though she knew he already was. She melted against him and enjoyed being back in his arms until he had to leave.
Ray finally loosened his grip on her and glanced at the time. He was well and truly late for work now. He sighed and regretfully let go of her completely. "Now I really do have to go," he grumbled to her as he gently shifted her off his lap and then smiled. "I'm looking forward to pudding," he said with a grin as he hurried to work
"Me too," she said and watched him leave. She bit her lip then picked up her plate and ate the rest of her breakfast. It was cold but she didn't care, it had been worth it. When she finished, she took the plates downstairs and sat and chatted with JT and Syed for a bit while they cooked and prepped the chicken she planned to cook for lunch. JT had agreed to help her cook it.
She went back upstairs and started tidying the flat. She vacuumed in JT's empty room and hoped once again Roxy wasn't seeing him just to annoy her. He didn't deserve it. She wondered if she should take Roxy aside and have a talk with her. She'd thought of doing it several times over the past few months, ever since JT had seemingly moved in with Roxy, but something always came up.
Rowan rubbed her forehead and finished the cleaning. She went slow and took a few breaks so as not to overdo it. She did not want to be too tired for later. She rummaged in her drawers and found the lingerie she'd bought once when she'd gone shopping with Alyssa but never had the guts to wear.
She had changed her clothing a bit, not wearing shapeless things and wearing the occasional low cut top, even though the way Ray looked at her made her feel beautiful. She'd never really understood lingerie.
But, if she was going to be 'pudding', maybe she should dress it up a bit. She put the things back in the drawer and decided to have a long bath after lunch and tart herself up a bit. The bandage would detract a bit, but it would be fine.
She and Ray had never been apart for long, and she wanted to make it special. She flopped on the couch and waited for lunchtime.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\\/\/\/\
Ronnie stood outside the salon and waited. She wanted to get her nails done and wanted Alyssa to look over some ideas for the baby's nursery. Jack was useless and Alex was still so often tied up with her daughter. Personally, Ronnie thought the girl needed some help. She knew about excessive grieving and what that teenager was going through wasn't healthy.
She bounced the laptop bag off her knees and hummed to herself, before glancing at her watch. Any minute now.
Alyssa waved at Ronnie as she drew close to the Salon and opened up. She smiled a confused smile at Ronnie. "Heya, Ron, I didn't know you had an appointment today," she frowned as she ran the appointments in her head, she was sure that she would remember if one of her friends had booked something.
Ronnie held out a hand.
"Nails desperately need doing, but I don't have an appointment. I also," Ronnie opened the bag and pulled out a book and opened it to show paint and wallpaper samples, "am in need of decorating advice."
She grinned at Alyssa.
"You'll help, right?"
Alyssa grinned. "I'm sure I can fit you in," she smiled as she opened the door and let Ronnie inside, "but until the girls get here, let's see what you want my opinion on."
Ronnie quickly pulled things out of the bag and opened books on the table.
"These are the paints I'm thinking, and the paper, and the carpet, so hard to choose though. Jack's useless with this and told me whatever I want is fine."
Ronnie sighed.
"Why do they have to make it so difficult? It's so simple!"
Alyssa looked at Ronnie's laptop with raised eyebrows. "I guess that's where I'm lucky, Jack had some strong opinions on how he wanted the house, we had to come to a compromise on half the décor, though I got my way when it came to the bedroom," she smiled mischievously at Ronnie as she skimmed through her ideas. "Do you know what colour you want or are you completely stumped?" she asked.
"Well, these are the shades I've narrowed it down to," Ronnie told her. "Would have helped so much if the baby had cooperated so I would know if I'm having a girl or boy. Anyway, what do you think?"
Alyssa leafed through Ronnie's colours and patterns and glanced up briefly as Maddie came in she offered the young girl a smile as she passed and went back to Ronnie's colours.
"Well, seeing as you don't know the sex of the baby these are good," she chewed her lip. "How about if you go with the green, you can do a lot, just don't go with white or magnolia," she cringed. "Magnolia is terrible!" she sighed and looked down again. "Yeah, green," she smiled.
"I was leaning more towards these shades of yellow," Ronnie said and pointed. "And I like this paper with the teddy bears, teddy bears are neutral right? And I like this pale, sort of fawn-colored carpet, goes with the bears," she grinned.
Alyssa chuckled. "If you've got it all sorted then why are you asking me?" she exclaimed with an amused smile. She pointed at the two variations of the teddy bear wallpaper she liked. "So, the pattern of teddies all over or the one with just the border through the middle?" she pressed.
"I just need a second opinion, and some help with the paint colors," Ronnie reassured. "I'm only going to do paper on one wall so whole wall of teddies should work, I think. The really hard part is I have nothing bought," she looked at Alyssa.
"I don't suppose you fancy shopping? When you're done for the day of course, I'll even throw in dinner," Ronnie gave her a toothy smile and waited expectantly.
Alyssa laughed. "Ronnie, the magic word was 'Shopping'! Of course I'll come with you", she smiled and grabbed her appointment book. "And..." she said as she scrolled her finger down the page. "We have a gap in an hour and a half if you want your nails done," she smiled.
"An hour and a half," Ronnie sighed. "Okay, I'll go to the cafe and get some breakfast. I'm so ridiculously hungry anymore," she remarked and stroked her belly. "So, when do you think you're gonna plan one of these?" she asked as she gestured at her bump.
Alyssa shook her head as she eyed Ronnie's baby bump. "I don't want kids," she confessed with a small shrug and grabbed a pen to write in Ronnie's appointment.
"Really?" Ronnie asked in surprise. "So, Jack doesn't want kids either, then?"
Of course, Jack did work with kids all day, maybe he didn't.
"Okay, so I'll see you later, then," Ronnie said and stuck her things back in the laptop bag before heading to the cafe.
Alyssa shrugged. It wasn't something that they had discussed. She smiled as she waved Ronnie off and officially opened the Salon.
/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\\/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Alex was itching to get back to work, Molly was curled up around a cushion on the sofa and staring blankly at the TV screen and wearing one of her Dad's jumpers. Molly had broken down completely when Alex had tried to take Pete's clothes to a charity shop and Alex had reluctantly agreed to let Molly keep them. She hadn't seen her in any of her own tops for weeks, always one of Pete's shirts or one of his jumpers, or one of his t-shirts. Alex tapped her fingers on the counter and made up her mind. She grabbed her coat and tapped Molly's head. "I'm going into work for a few hours, Molls," at the panic on her daughter's face she sat down and cupped her chin. "Only a few hours, I'm on the other end of the phone okay, you need me you ring me, you know my number, I promise I'll pick up straight away," she kissed Molly's forehead and resolved to make her an appointment with a therapist. She needed to get her sorted, it was hurting both of them and it wasn't healthy.
"Mum, please," Molly said weakly, her eyes darting around in desperation. "Don't leave me."
Alex sighed. "Molly, we both know what happened last time you came to the station with me, I'm not going to risk you having another panic attack there," she sighed. "Stay here, watch a movie, eat some ice cream or whatever," she stroked Molly's fringe from her eyes. "Only a couple of hours, Molls," she reassured her.
Alex put a safe DVD in the player, she had gone through the DVDs and classified each one, the 'safe' DVD's were ones Molly could watch and not get upset, the others, well, they didn't get watched. She kissed Molly's forehead again and left the house after pressing the phone into Molly's hand.
Alex nearly sprinted to work, it felt so good to be out of the house, she felt guilty that she had to find a way to shake Molly off her, but she was drowning at home, she hated being trapped and home was beginning to make her feel claustrophobic. She sighed happily at Adam as she came into the station and went directly to her desk, she felt so out of the loop. Alex knocked on Gene's door and opened it. She felt stronger just looking at him. "I'm only in for a few hours, I left Molls on her own, I'm going to have to go if she calls me," she explained with a weary smile and then left his office and sat down at her desk.
Alex immediately pulled out a list of therapists she had been gradually compiling at work, there was no way she would have Molly freaking out over this list if she found it. She compared each one and then made an appointment with one. She needed Molly better and Alex couldn't fix her.
Gene looked up as Alex opened his door. He listened to what she said and watched her leave. That wouldn't do. He stood up and opened his office door.
"Get in here," he said to her. "Now, please."
Alex looked up at him and finished her phone call, she noted down Molly's appointment in her diary and stood up. She furrowed her brow at him as she followed him into his office. What was wrong now. She was in work wasn't she? She hadn't been for weeks! He knew about her dilemma, she was sorting it!
Gene shut the door behind her and quietly flipped the lock before pulling Alex to him and taking her lips in a devouring kiss. He pulled her close and hard against him, one hand running into her hair and the other down her front to rest on her breast.
He broke off the kiss and put his lips to her ear. "I need you, Bolly," he breathed, his voice harsh and thick with lust. "It's been too long, Bolls. I know she needs you, but I need you, too, in more ways than one, woman," he told her before putting his lips to the soft skin of her neck.
Alex shuddered and clutched at the front of his shirt. He was right, it had been too long. Far too long. She tilted her head with a soft sigh as she relaxed into him and pulled his head back up to hers. She studied his face for a moment then pressed her lips against his, hard!
Her hands flew to his waistband and she got started on the buckle of his trousers, pushing them down once they were loose. They landed with a small thump on the floor at his feet and she slipped her feet out of her shoes and nudged them aside as her arms went back around his neck and pulled him closer with a small moan of desire.
Gene groaned into the kiss and pulled at her clothes, he needed to touch her. He yearned for her desperately. He looked over her bare body, god he loved this woman!
"Oh, Bolly," he moaned and thrust into her. He slid a hand down her leg and pulled it up around his waist as he fastened his lips to her. He could never get enough of her.
Alex moaned and tightened her grip on him. She had missed him so much, Her hands undid the buttons on his shirt and she slid her hands underneath to touch his bare skin. She rested her forehead against his as her eyes closed and she met every movement he made.
Gene thrust hard, ramming into her, trying to take all he could from her. He gritted his teeth to bite back the urge to call out as he exploded within her. He dropped his forehead to her shoulder and panted for air.
"Oh, Alex, I need you," he rumbled and closed his eyes, unwilling to let her go. He wanted to stay inside her, joined with her, with his arms around her.
"So," Ginger asked as he walked in with a box of muffins from the cafe. "How are the almost-marrieds?"
He offered the box to Shaz and then to Chris.
"You know, I'm really torn. I don't know if I want to go to the stag or the hen night," he told them then looked at Shaz. "Will you be having a stripper?" and grinned.
Shaz grinned and looked at Chris slyly out of the corner of his eye. "Oh yes! Definitely! You can't have a Hen Do without a stripper," she laughed. "Especially if Michelle has anything to do with it," she laughed.
"Right, then," Ginger said and rubbed his hands together. "Sorry, mate," he said to Chris, "but I'm going to have to party with Shaz."
Chris shook with silent laughter and rolled his eyes. Shaz just might regret Ginger going along.
"We'll be fine ourselves, right Rhys?" Chris asked.
"Oh, no doubt about that," Rhys agreed. "Ray is getting you a stripper, right?"
Chris shrugged. "He's not telling us anything, goes all MI-5 if I even ask, so I've given up and all. You can give it a go if you've a mind too, but I'll just wait and see."
Chris looked over and winked at Shaz before turning back to the computer screen. He glanced up at Ginger. "Give us one of those muffins, mate if you're just going to stand there talking."
Ginger absently put the box down by Chris and continued to talk to Shaz, wanting to know if there was any chance Simon could come along.
Rhys got up to make some tea and brought the food list from the small kitchen.
"Did everyone get their lunch orders in? We really should fax this over," he announced as he headed back down the hall towards the main room. He glanced at the Guv's office and paused then stepped forward and shut the door to the room where Alex and Ray officed that one had to walk through to get to the Guv.
He gave an uncertain glance at everyone. "Um, looks like DI Drake is here but sounds like she's in a..." he trailed off for a moment, "meeting with the Guv," he finished and handed the lunch order list to Shaz.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\
Alex tangled her fingers in his hair as she held his head to her shoulder and tried to get her breath back. She couldn't believe that the feelings he evoked in her were so strong. She pressed small kisses to his head and reluctantly let go of him with a small sigh. "I know," she whispered.
Gene leaned back and looked at her.
"Please come spend the night with me tonight," he pleaded.
Alex shook her head. "I can't, Gene! Molly... I can't leave her all night," she said regretfully. "She's still having nightmares, she wakes up crying almost every night! I can't leave her on her own! She'll panic," she said as she looked up at him. "I can't."
"Bolls, this isn't healthy. You should have got her help months ago," Gene said and he hitched his trousers back up. "You should never have let this carry on so long."
Alex's eyes flashed dangerously at him as she dressed herself, "What am I supposed to do Gene! I'm a psychologist and I can't even help my own daughter through this! How do you think that makes me feel, it not only makes a huge dent in my pride but also makes me feel utterly helpless around her! She's still in the first few stages after all this time and I can't get her out of it! She gets terrified if I even mention leaving her, she refuses to let anyone else look after her, she gets nightmares every night and wakes up screaming and crying! I have to hold her while she sleeps to try and make her feel safe, she doesn't talk, she eats barely anything, she's always crying most of the time and refuses to let me throw any of Pete's things away, she hugs his bloody jumper all the time!" she rounded on him. "And you think that I don't know that it's not healthy! I'm having to try and find a way through it Gene! I'm the one who is having to get her through this and every time I mention a psychiatrist she throws a tantrum and breaks down!" she glared at him. "You are not the one who feels your heart break every time you look at your daughter!" she snapped at him and threw on her jacket and slammed the door of his office behind her as she went to sit back down in her seat, she glanced briefly at Ray who was silent and tactfully didn't look at her.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\/\/\
Ronnie went to the cafe and had a decent breakfast and then went to the club and visited with Jack for awhile before going back to the salon to have her nails done. She smiled as she adjusted her dress and hair, it had been quite a nice visit.
She practically skipped as she came back into the salon.
"I'm ready," she trilled and grinned hugely at Alyssa.
Alyssa smiled at Ronnie and watched Kim come downstairs with her last client, she grinned "You're right on time, Ronnie," she smiled as she handed her friend over to Kim and handed the other woman her invoice.
Ronnie gave Alyssa a wink. "Some things don't take long do they," she giggled and followed Kim upstairs.
Ronnie thanked Kim when she'd finished her nails and went downstairs and handed her money over to Alyssa.
"So, I'll be back here around 4:30?" she asked.
Ronnie couldn't wait to go shopping. She probably should buy some new clothes too. Some of her loosest tops were getting snug.
Alyssa glanced at her phone and smiled. She sent one back saying yes.
Alyssa grinned and nodded. "Sure, see you then," she waved at Ronnie as she left then looked down at the time. She grabbed her bag and went off to the restaurant.
/\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\\\/\\/\\/\/\/\
Ray stumbled into the office and nodded his greeting at the rest of the team. He gave Chris a smirk, the guy wouldn't know what hit him when they finally got to the Stag Party. Ray only hoped that Shaz wouldn't kill him for doing what he was planning to do. Chris wouldn't get a choice. He winked at his best mate as he passed and went to settle at his desk, he frowned, Drake was here? Where?
He shook his head, stupid question, they hadn't seen her for weeks now, no doubt she was in with the Guv. He sighed, it wasn't the same around here without her, who was he supposed to wind up mercilessly when she wasn't about?
Chris gave Ray a quick nod as he passed. He wondered what Ray had planned for him and hoped it wasn't something Shaz would kill him for. He looked at Shaz.
Shaz raised a sceptical eyebrow at Chris but didn't comment, she was a little anxious about his Stag do, she knew what Ray could be like. She was anxious, but Chris was sensible, surely nothing too bad would happen.
Chris was tempted to go outside and smoke when he saw the Guv stalking off down the hall but he'd promised Shaz he would quit and he was doing his level best to keep his word. It wasn't as hard as he thought it would be.
Gene huffed as he fixed his clothes. This was ridiculous. She'd never failed to put him in his place, but it seemed she couldn't handle her own daughter. He decided to leave it, there wasn't much he could do about it. He dropped into his chair and pulled the bottle out of his drawer and poured himself a drink and knocked it back with a sigh.
He got up and stalked out of his office. He barely glanced at Alex as he stormed past and went outside to smoke.
Alex didn't glance at Gene as he left, but turned to look back at his office once he had gone, sure enough, there was the bottle sitting proudly on the desk, she sighed. Typical. Always drinking once he was upset or angry or didn't know what to do. Drinking and smoking. She sighed once more and jumped as her phone went off. Molly.
"Molls?" she said wearily without looking at Ray to receive whatever look he was planning on giving her. "What's wrong sweetheart?" Alex looked down at the note she had made in her work diary about the psychiatrist and held back a sigh; the appointment couldn't come soon enough. "Alright Molly, calm down. I'm on my way," Alex paused as she stood and switched everything off. "Yes, Molly, I'm sure, don't panic okay. It's probably nothing," she reassured her as she stalked out of the office with her phone glued to her ear, trying to console her daughter as she left work.
Gene came back inside and stormed down the hall and past Ray and Alex's desk. He looked at Ray.
"How's she doing? She got out of hospital today, didn't she?"
Ray nodded. "She's alright Guv, just not keen on being on her own, so, I was wondering whether I could leave early today?" he asked taking advantage of the situation.
Whitney hurried to the cafeteria for lunch and sat at the table where she and Brett always sat. She wondered if she should invite him back to hers again. It was always funny to see him and Jack around each other. She had to hide the fact though that she found it funny.
Whitney looked around and wondered where Brett was.
Brett finally reached the cafeteria and grabbed some food with a grumble of thanks. He had 3 essays to be in by next week, which meant he wouldn't be able to see Whitney as much as he had planned. He wiped the scowl from his face as he spotted her at their table and dropped into his seat opposite her.
"Sorry, the lecture ran over again," he apologised as he tore a chunk from his bread roll and stuffed into his mouth. He had missed almost half of his lunch break and he was starving.
"It's fine, I completely understand," she told him. "So, things are picking up since you started this project. It's amazing. And I used my practical project last week as the template for a new top and took the pattern to the place that's making the shirts now and you wouldn't believe how well it's doing!" she added excitedly.
Brett grinned at her. "I told you it was a good idea, Whit," he beamed at her proudly. "I'm halfway through my evaluation about the progress your business is making, I need to go over the figures again and include a copy in the folder for evidence that I'm not making all this up," he grinned.
"Can I borrow your laptop a minute? Tamwar set up some nice admin features for me and I can print out some good reports," she told him. "I can give you all the information off the website that you need. That's where I'm seeing the biggest jump," she told him and took a bite of her lunch.
Brett nodded and dug his laptop out of it's bag and started it up. He rolled his eyes and typed in his log on password then handed it to her so she could do whatever with it. He took a large gulp of his water as he watched her with a smile.
Whitney thanked him and set about getting onto the site and copied all the information he wanted and saved it on his computer.
"I'm not seeing as big a change on the stall, but you know," Whitney shrugged and smiled. "It's working though."
Brett grinned at her as he took his laptop back and looked over the information briefly. He shrugged "Whitney, come on, the only people that shop in Albert Square's Market are the people that live there and shop there every day! You won't get much more interest from that side of things, but the major retailers are drumming up a lot of publicity for you," he smiled and bite into an apple. "Besides, it gives me more to comment on if the stall isn't doing so well, we can think of ways to remedy it" he shrugged.
"I'm wondering if I wouldn't do better, and I mean this for later, but when I get some more projects under my belt that do as well as the top I'm selling on the site if maybe I shouldn't get rid of the stall and get a shop somewhere. But I don't think I'll be ready for that for awhile yet," Whitney added, "I need to wait until I get done at school for that I think, or at least nearly done. It would be too hard to do both."
Brett nodded encouragingly at her. "Good plan," he agreed with a grin. "A shop would be better than the stall, you'd be able to advertise more, you don't have the hassle of setting up and cleaning up after each day," he shrugged. "But like you said, you need to finished your course first, if you were at school AND running a shop then I'd never get to see you," he smiled.
"Well, that would never work!" Whitney said in mock-shock and grabbed one of his hands between hers. She tilted her head and batted her eyes. "I promise to wait," she fluttered and then flashed him a cheesy grin.
Brett chuckled at her, he squeezed her fingers and kissed her hands with a grin.
"So," Whitney said, removing one of her hands from his and twining the fingers of her remaining hand with his. "It's now my turn to ask you for help with a project. We did a top for women, now we have to do one for men," she raised her eyebrows at him hopefully and tried to look pathetic.
Brett couldn't hold back a laugh "And what has that got to do with me?" he asked innocently, a cocky grin materialising on his face.
"Well, you are a guy, yeah? So….can you help me out this weekend? Stand there and let me use you as my dummy?" she widened her eyes at him. "Please?"
Brett grinned at her and nodded. "Your place or mine?" he asked as he smiled at her and pushed his finished tray of food away from him.
Brett contemplated his options. His flat, which meant tidying it and getting it in a state that was acceptable. Option 2, her place. She was renting a room at Jack Rimmer's home.
That had been interesting when he had gone round there. Meeting his old head teacher had been a bundle of laughs. Jack looked as though he was going to have a heart attack. It had been his fiancé that had brought him back to earth. She had seemed nice, pretty. He looked up at Whitney and shrugged.
"If you come round mine then you'll have to deal with the mess," he told her. "But it'd be easier for me to go you, that way you'll have everything you need with you," he shrugged.
"Mine it is. How does Saturday afternoon work for you?" she asked. She kept her expression carefully neutral and turned back to her food.
Brett nodded. "Sure," he smiled as he tapped it into his phone calendar. "Any time in particular?" he prompted.
"What's good for you? If we get started early-ish we could go have lunch when we're done or if we do it later we could go have dinner?" Whitney shrugged. "I get up a bit early on Saturday and take my brothers and sister to the park for a bit to give B a break," she explained. "So, I'm free anytime after 10."
Brett nodded. "I think I'll be up by 10," he grinned at her as he set his alarm so he could guarantee he would be up and ready to go round to hers.
"Okay then," she said coyly and picked up her things. "I have to go to class now. I'll see you later or tomorrow?"
She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
Brett nodded and smiled at her retreating figure before grabbing at his laptop and reading through the information she had got for him.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\\/\\
Rowan went down to the kitchen to supervise and help make lunch for herself, Alyssa and Ray. She had missed cooking so much when she was stuck in the hospital.
She texted Alyssa to make sure she was still coming and then texted Ray to see if he was coming for lunch, too. She would have preferred to have an hour alone with Ray, but she wanted to spend time with her friend, too. And it would be better to wait. She was going to make tonight as special as she could.
She opened the oven and checked on the chicken and then sat down to wait.
Rowan made sure the food was ready and helped JT and Syed get the lunches ready for the station while she was waiting for Alyssa and Ray to arrive.
Alyssa grinned at Rowan and JT as she skipped into the restaurant and gave Rowan a careful hug. "How're you?" she asked as she studied Rowan. "You look better," she commented with a smile.
"I feel better, I really do. I'm just so glad to be home," she said and gestured Alyssa to pick up one of the trays Rowan had put the plates and things for the lunch on. She picked up the other tray herself and led Alyssa upstairs.
She put her tray on the table and put the plates of food and the basket of bread off the tray and then the bowls of salad off the tray Alyssa had carried.
She set up the table and grabbed some cutlery from the drawer then got in the fridge. She got out a beer for Ray and looked at Alyssa.
"Coke or iced tea?"
"Coke," she smiled back as she took her seat at the table.
Rowan nodded and handed her a can and poured herself some iced tea and sat down.
"New recipe, hope you like it," she said as she gestured at the food. Go ahead and start, Ray will eat when he gets here if he's able to make it," she told Alyssa and started in on her food.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Ronnie went back to the club and worked on the paperwork while Jack supervised a delivery.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Rhys grabbed Ginger. "Let's go get the food." Ginger stopped and stuck his head in and looked at Ray and Gene.
"Rhys and I are going to get the lunches, we'll be back soon," he said.
Gene looked at Ray steadily for a minute and then nodded.
Ginger nodded at Ray as he looked up and stood up.
"I'll take my lunch break now, Guv," Ray said quickly as he hurried after Rhys and Ginger and followed them out. They walked through the doors and down the hall.
"Just consider yourself done for the day, Carling," Gene called after him. It would be pointless for Ray to stay here when his mind clearly wasn't on his job.
Rhys and Ginger talked and joked as they walked along. Rhys hung back a moment.
"Is there anything I can do to thank Rowan for what she did for Ffion? Turns out Bradley is the father so at least that's something," he remarked.
Ray grinned as he heard Gene call after him. Though it would mean he was down two DIs, he sighed. They rarely saw Alex anymore and when they did she looked awful. He spotted Rhys and Ginger ambling along and overtook them with a grin.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Ray called out hello to Syed and JT as he rushed upstairs. He smiled at Alyssa and Rowan as he saw them at the table and planted a kiss on Rowan's cheek before taking his seat next to her and cracking open his beer. "So, Guv gave me the rest of the day off work," he smiled at her.
"That was nice of him," Rowan said and bit her lip. That was going to make her plans slightly more difficult, but she could manage. She couldn't wait to see his face. She'd danced a bit for him that first night, and then she'd been very drunk at Chris and Shaz' engagement party and had done some dancing then, too. But she intended to go just a bit farther this time. She couldn't wait. She could barely contain the glee in her eyes and quickly turned to Alyssa.
"So, what do you think?" she asked curiously with a gesture at the plate.
Alyssa nodded and tucked into the food. It amazed her how Rowan had got out of hospital a few mere hours ago yet still managed to throw together delicious food like this! She didn't argue about it though. Just accepted and ate her fill.
Ray smiled at her and took another large swig of his drink, then grabbed at some cutlery and tucked into his lunch greedily.
Alyssa swallowed her mouthful with a huge grin. "Definitely another triumph!" she exclaimed. "Will you put this on the menu?"
Ray grunted in agreement around a large mouthful.
Rowan bit back a laugh at Ray and looked at Alyssa. "I might. I didn't do all the work though. JT helped a lot. I wasn't up to doing all the work myself," she gestured at towards her shoulder. "It hurts to stretch too much there and you know I don't like to take those painkillers," she explained and took another bite.
She looked at Ray then. "So, are Chris and Shaz really moving to Essex after the wedding?" she wanted to know. "I'm really going to miss our Geek Girl nights," she sighed. Rowan had grown to see Shaz as a friend almost as close as Alyssa. It had been fun when one night, Chris and Ray and the men had gone to the pub and Rowan and Shaz found themselves at loose ends and started Geek Girl night after a phone conversation where they bonded over Dr. Who.
She loved spending time with Ray, but even he had to admit they needed the occasional night with just their friends away from each other. Though she was trying hard to understand football and watch it with him, although they did need to stop kissing to celebrate every time his team got a goal, he was missing too much of the game. Rowan didn't mind. His enthusiasm was so infectious she'd come to enjoy watching it, even if she didn't entirely understand it.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Jack sat at his desk eating a tuna sandwich with little enthusiasm. He picked up his phone and sent off a text to Alyssa.
"How's lunch with Rowan? *jealous*"
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Alyssa nodded. "Not the point, Ro," she smiled. "It's delicious."
Ray shrugged. "Looks that way," he sighed. He would miss his best mate tremendously once he had left for Essex with Shaz. But, there was always Gene and Jack if he wanted a drinking buddy. Even if he had found out that Jack supported the opposite team to him, the competition at work when it was City vs United, with him and Gene placing bets on the score. Now, Jack had turned up supporting the same team as Gene the rivalry had spread to the pub. With Chris gone he wouldn't have back up.
Ray grinned, the stag would be good though, he had almost everything planned. While Michelle, and in theory, Alex, were planning some soppy hen do for Shaz he was planning a stag to remember, as long as they didn't get too pissed, which they would. He smiled as he ran his plans through his mind, at least Shaz had ordered the Stag and Hen to be 3 days before the wedding, rather than the night before. He still had 10 days to finalise everything.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Alyssa smiled at the text "New Recipe! Big Yum! Xx"
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
"Boring tuna sand *sigh*" Jack sent back.
/\\\/\\/\/\/\/\\\/\/\\/\/\\\
Alyssa stretched as she finished eating and checked the time. She chewed her lip and carried her plate and cutlery to the sink. "I've got to get back, Ro, Gayna needs her lunch break," she smiled as she dropped a kiss on her cheek.
"Well, I'm glad you like it," Rowan smiled and finished her food.
"Thanks for lunch, I'll see you later," she grinned and patted Ray's head as she left.
"Okay, well, you're welcome for lunch. See you."
Ray scowled after her and ran a hand through his hair to sort it out, she'd gone and flattened it down. He grunted his goodbye.
Rowan picked up her dishes and put them in the sink and started the washing up.
"I hope you're not going to do something too horrifying to Chris. Shaz is worried you know," Rowan remarked and glanced over her shoulder at Ray. She'd seen that smile, it was his "up to no good" smile. She raised an eyebrow at him before turning back to the sink and the dishes.
She finished hers and Alyssa's and walked back over to the table and picked up Ray's now empty plate. She put a fond hand on his cheek and traced his lips with her thumb and smiled.
"Let's go sit on the couch and find something you want to watch while I use you as a pillow and have a nap," she suggested and pressed a quick, soft kiss to his lips before carrying his dishes to the sink and quickly washing them. She stuck them on the drainer, content to let them air dry and headed for the couch. She picked up the remote from the end table and held it out to him expectantly.
Ray raised his eyebrows, but took the remote from her as he moved to the sofa and collapsed onto it with a satisfied sigh. He flicked on the TV and channel surfed until he found a decent program. He turned his body to face her and held his arms out to her expectantly with a grin on his face.
Rowan quickly draped herself on him, slipping her arms around him and pillowing her head on his chest. She sighed contentedly and took one of his hands and put it on her head to encourage him to stroke her hair. She always felt better when his fingers were combing through her hair. She put her arm back around him and settled against him, feeling better than she had in days. She felt her eyes get heavy and let herself drift off.
Ray hugged Rowan to him happily, and starting running his fingers through her hair as he had learnt she liked him to do. She was a welcome weight after those couple of days without her. He was not wasting this. He leant into the sofa comfortably and watched his program, the odd chuckle escaping him every so often.