This is the next chapter of my Carol/David fiction. I miss these two in EastEnders so much. I think Carol isn't the same without David in fact I think she has gone a little mad as I know I have! Hope you enjoy this chapter. As always please do read and review. Thank you for your continued support.
Amber French Chambers
David
The first noise that bought me back to the present was the wolf whistling and clapping of the people around us. Carol and I suddenly remembered where we were and looked around somewhat guilty. I was at my mum's funeral, a celebration of her life and here I was once again making everything about me. I was always selfish, always looking out for number one. I hoped by coming back to the Square it could be a new start for me and by the level of noise echoing off the church walls, I was certainly going in the right direction. Mum wouldn't have approved though. I took a sneaky peak at Bea, half expecting to see a look of reproach in her eyes, but to my surprise she was the happiest one of them all, besides Tiff of course. Carol and I turned back in our pew Tiffany stood on her tiptoes, so when she next whispered her warm breath tickled my ear.
'I knew it, I just knew it! Does this mean you will be sticking around for good now Grandad?'
'I think so, someone needs to keep an eye on you, don't they Cheeky Monkey?'
'What about Uncle Derek? He won't be too happy about this.'
Carol having overheard our quiet exchange leaned over and told Tiff not to worry, she didn't think Derek was going to be all that bothered, that she had sorted it. At the time I thought it was a little odd, but at the end of the day they were brother and sister if they'd had words, it was nothing to do with me. All Derek needed to know was that I loved Carol more than life itself, and no matter what he tried to do to me I wasn't going anywhere. I wasn't prepared to lose her again. When I tried to ask Carol what she had meant, she just mouthed that she would tell me later. When the service ended told Carol I would meet her outside and I went up to the priest intending to thank him for giving Mum such a moving service, instead it was him who gave me a piece of advice, which would change my outlook on life forever, it was something like
'Mr Wicks your mother would have been very pleased to see you here. I know your mother didn't believe in the Good Lord and that's her perogative but I tell you something she did believe in. Her two boys, no matter what might have been going on at the time, or what has happened since, she was proud of both of you. All she ever wanted was for you to be happy and you looked pretty happy today when you were kissing Carol Jackson just now.'
'Yeah, listen sorry about that, she's just the love of my life and I didn't realise how much she still means to me until I came back to the Square, but I was never the best partner when I was younger, I would always be swayed by just the look of a pretty woman and end up cheating. But this time it feels different. I love her. I love my family. I've got grandkids who I adore. I want to work this time, I really do, but I know what I am like, how do I stop myself from being drawn in?'
'Hold those you love in your heart for the rest of your life and you shouldn't be tempted ever again by unwanted situations and you will become a better man as a result. Your Mum had faith in you; all you need to do is have a little bit of faith in yourself.'
It was then with the priests' words still ringing in my ears that I made the biggest decision of my life. As I once again approached the priest, my steps were lighter than they had been in ages. When he turned around and smiled at me I knew I was making the right decision.
'Talking of believing in myself I have a huge favour to ask you. Do you have any time later today to fit in a marriage?'