Sorry I haven't uploaded for ages, I've got my GCSE's coming up so revision has been my priority. Hope you enjoy. This chapter is set 2 months after the previous 1 so that I can move this fic on.

Chapter 25

Zoe.

It was 2 months since Lou's funeral and it was gradually getting easier. Jess still found it difficult to be without her mum and dad but she would always come to Ash or I if she needed to talk or cry. She was getting on well in school and Mr Philips, Jess's care worker, had assigned her a counsellor who she saw once a week with me even though she only played and didn't really say my during the sessions. Pete had been arrested again and was now in prison serving time for possession with intent to sell and GBH. He would be away for a long time so we had no need to worry about him anymore.

Ella was frequently staying over and my parents had visited twice to see how we were all getting along an had seemed quite satisfied with the results, they finally saw that Ash was with me for the long run and didn't want to take advantage of me. The ED had grown accustomed to our relationship and it was now old news, people had moved onto newer more exciting things.

Ash and I had got used to managing the time we spent at work with the fact that we still had to look after Jess. We always managed to make sure that one of us was at home when she was and if that wasn't possible then we brought her to the hospital and she would play in my office or watch TV in the staff room. I no longer worked weekends if I could help it but on the occasional times I did Ella was always around to babysit and if she wasn't available then my mum had said she could come up at any point.

"Zoe" I heard my name being called as I walked into the ED on Monday morning after dropping Jess off at school. It was Louise.

"Yes Louise."

"Ash has been asking for you in cubicles."

"Thanks." I called as I made my way to my office to dump my stuff before the hectic day stared.

"Ash. You wanted me." I called as I entered the cubicle he was in.

"Yes, Zoe this is Sharice, 15 years of age. She says she knows you." Ash said.

I looked at the girl on the bed and couldn't believe it. I stood there speechless.

"Zoe?" a timid voice said.

"I… I… I can't believe it. I haven't heard from you or your grandparents for a long time. How is everything, how are you?" I spurted out, rambling. I sat down on the bed and opened my arms. "Come on, give your me a hug." I was nearly crying now, she was so much older and more mature than she was when I last saw her, not that she was not a cheeky and rude girl then.

She fell into my arms and just cried.

"Zoe, Sharice was admitted to the ED at 6 this morning with a suspected broken wrist and a nasty laceration to her head, Jeff and Dixie brought her in from the Farmead Estate. She has been refusing treatment until you came." Ash explained.

"Why Sharice?" I asked as she let go of me and lent back on the bed.

"I..." she mumbled.

"I didn't quite catch that."

"I wanted to see you. I didn't want them touching me."

"Why not sweetie."

"I need you Zoe."

"What about your grandparents?" I asked.

"Granddad died two years ago and then grandma 6 months ago. I was put into care and I ran away. It was horrible there Zoe, don't make me go back. Please." She sobbed.

"Oh Sharice, why didn't you just call me?"

"Because I needed to see you."

"Ok, sweetie, lets have a look at that head then we can make you better and have a good chat about everything." I said.

Ash handed me a pair of gloves to put on. Sharice's head was bloody and looked sore, the wound she had sustained was not bleeding anymore.

"Ok sweetie. Lets have a look at your wrist and you can tell me what's happened to you." I said as Ash left the cubicle.

"This gang have taken a disliking to me. They pushed me down the stairs of one of the buildings. I hit my head but didn't pass out or anything." She said as I examined her.

"Ok, well if you want to report it you can, but after we have X-rayed your wrist."

"No. There's no point. Don't leave me Zoe. Please."

"I wont. Don't worry, just let me get a porter to take you to x-ray." I said.

Whilst Sharice was at X-ray I went and found Ash.

"Hey Ash." I said.

"Hey Zoe." He replied as he kissed me on the cheek.

"You know that girl that was asking for me."

"Yes."

"Well 6 years ago I was in the process of fostering her after her parents died, but I gave up when her grandparents showed up and I realised I couldn't give her the time that she needed. And now her grandparents have died – " I explained but was cut off by Ash saying,

"-And you were wondering if she could come stay with us. Of course she can Zoe. She obviously has no one else. Of course she can."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't, would I?" He said.

"I love you so much, you're the best boyfriend ever!" I smiled, kissing him.

"Well that's good isn't it, I need to go. My shift is over and it is time for me to go and get Jess from school. I'll see you later at home, with Sharice." Ash smiled too walking off to get Jess.

Sharice's wrist was indeed broken but the cut on her head was nothing much and only needed some steri-strips.

"Well, it looks as if we can discharge you." I said looking at her notes. "If you wait in my office I'll take you home in a bit."

Sharice looked up at me confused. "Home?" she asked.

"Yes, you're coming home with me." I answered.

"Zoe, you can't do that. You don't have to. I'll find somewhere."

"Sharice. You are coming home with me. Tomorrow morning you and I are going to social services and I am adopting you for real this time. You are about to become part of my family." I said.

"I can't say how much that means Zoe." She said, crying now slightly.

"Well, I do need to update you on my life, I've changed a lot since we last spoke." I said.

"Oh! How? Don't tell me you have finally settled down now?" She exclaimed.

"Well…"

"Zoe Hanna, the last person I ever thought would settle down was you!"

"Thanks Sharice! You were what 9 when you made this assumption?"

"Yeah! Now tell me!"

"Well, you know that doctor who was here earlier when I arrived."

"Yeah,"

"Well, he's my boyfriend. We've been together for only about 4 months but we live together and his daughter stays over regularly and my niece lives with us."

"You definitely have changed Zoe."

"For the better?"

"Absolutely. Are you sure that it wont be a problem for me to come and stay with you?"

"Sweetie. I'm certain. Jess will love you and Ella will enjoy having someone nearer her age to chat with."

"Is that their names?"

"Yeah, Jess is my niece and Ella is Ash's daughter. Ella is 18 and Jess is 5. Jess's mum died just over 2 months ago and her dad isn't around, he's in prison."

"That's awful."

"Sweetie, I remember you going through a lot when you were younger."

"Yeah, but I don't wish for anyone to go through anything remotely similar."

"Of course you don't. Neither do I. Why don't I take you to my office, I finish in half an hour."

"Great."

I took her to my office and gave her my phone to play games on. I had loads installed because of Jess, though they may have been slightly childish.

My shift finished on time for once and I took Sharice in my car back to mine and Ash's.

"Sharice. Welcome home." I said as we arrived.

It was only 6:30 pm. Jess was still awake and Ella was staying tonight as well.

"I'm nervous Zoe." Sharice confessed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure that the girls and Ash will love you."

We entered the house.

"Hello! I'm home." I called out.

"We're all in the kitchen Zo." I heard Ash reply.

"Come on through." I motioned for Sharice to follow me. I pointed out the rooms we passed as we moved through the house.

"Auntie Zoe!" Jess called out. "Ella made dinner. We've got lasagne."

"Lovely. Thank you Ella." I smiled.

"Ok girls, Zoe has someone we would like you to meet." Ash said as he made his way over to me, giving me a quick kiss.

"Ella, Jess, I'd like you to meet Sharice. She will be living with us from now on. Sharice, this is Ella and Jess." I said as she came, shyly, into the room.

Ella stood up. "Hi, its nice to meet you."

"Hello." Sharice replied.

"Let me get you a plate. You like lasagne, yes?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Take a seat Sharice. Its great to have you." Ash said hugging her.

"Thanks."

"Now, lets eat. I'm starving." I said.

We all ate and got to know each other a bit better. Jess was quiet so I made a note to talk to her later.

"Right Jess, bath time." I said once we had cleared up the dishes.

She went up stairs in silence.

Ash looked at me.

"I'll go check on her. Ella, can you show Sharice around? Her room will be the one opposite yours." I said following Jess up.

"Hey darling. What's up?" I asked as I caught up with Jess in her bedroom.

"Who is she?"

"Who? Sharice?"

Jess nodded.

"She's someone that I was going to look after a few years ago, before you were born. Her mummy and daddy are both with the angels and when I couldn't look after her she went to her grandparents, but they have both moved on recently too so she needs some family around her. That's us. She's very nice."

"So she's like me."

"Very similar darling, but I know how hard it is for you to talk about it and it's the same for her, so please don't ask her about it."

"Don't worry Auntie Zoe, I wont."

"Good, do you want a bath now?" I asked.

"Yeah!" and she jumped off the bed and ran to her en-suite.

Jess went to bed easily and even requested that Sharice gave her a kiss good night along with the rest of us.

"Sharice, did Ella show you your room?" I asked.

"Yeah, thank you Zoe. You really didn't need to do any of this."

"Don't be silly. You are now part of the family."

"Thanks. Ella's given me some pyjamas for tonight. I left everything I own at the care home."

"Good, tomorrow I have the morning off, we are going to the shops to get you everything you need and then to social services so that I can adopt you properly."

"Thank you so much Zoe, I cant even begin to say that enough."

"Nonsense. Now lets go sit with Ash and Ella. I think there's a film on TV tonight." I said putting my arm around her shoulders and going into the lounge with her.

Ash and I sat in bed that night, cuddled in each others arms."

"Thank you." I said.

"What for?"

"Letting me bring Sharice in."

"Its fine Zoe. I've been meaning to speak to you all day actually."

"Go on."

"Ella's mum told me today that she's moving to London. I've spoken to Ella and she doesn't want to go."

"Ash, there's no need to ask. It's your house too. Of course she can stay here full time."

we smiled at each other.

"We have quite a big family now don't we." I said.

"We sure do."

I snuggled down into his chest.

"I love you so much Zoe."

"I love you too." I replied kissing him.

We fell asleep like that, only to be awoken 2 hours later by a small little girl creeping into our bed.

"Jess, what are you doing?"

"I can't sleep."

"Ok then, baby. Come here." I said snuggling her under the covers.

Once again I am so sorry for the huge gap between updates. Please review and let me know your thoughts. X