(Author's Note: This story is going to be rated M soon when I get to the next couple of chapters. It does involve a different exit for Holly as I didn't think Hollyoaks did her exit well considering she's been in it since 1997. Not like that matters in the grand scheme of things, anyway, enjoy.)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sinead held her daughter Hannah's hand as she led her up the stairs of 'Oakdale Drive'. After persuading Diane to let her stay, she was on her next quest. After getting outside the door of the Lomax household, Sinead bent down so she is at Hannah's height level.

"Okay Hannah...listen to mummy, we are going in to see your daddy and your auntie Leela; does that sound good?" Sinead asked in a cheerful tone of voice.

The girl just gave a small nod while putting a little bit of her hair in her mouth as most little girls do. After being satisfied everything was fine, Sinead pulled herself back up and knocked on the door. The door was opened by a surprised looking Leela...

"Sinead?" Leela chanted in surprise; she wasn't expecting to see her tonight.

"Say hi to Auntie Leela!" Sinead told her daughter in a sing-song voice.

Though Hannah just held onto her mother, feeling quite shy as she hid behind her. She didn't remember 'Auntie Leela'; only daddy. Leela gave a sigh, her own niece didn't even remember her.

"Come in...Ste is upstairs" Leela informed Sinead; inviting them both in.

Sinead entered with a smug look on her face. Having Ste's baby has many advantages, that's for sure. It wasn't just the fact she has a chance to be a mum again but unlike last time, she also has a chance to be a proper family; with two parents.

"Do you want a biscuit Hannah?" Leela then asked her niece while kneeling down towards her.

Her niece just gave a keen nod which resulted in her going to the kitchen. She hoped to get to know her niece again, besides it be nice for her son Daniel to have a little playmate. Footsteps were soon heard on the landing. Ste walked down the stairs to see who was talking; he looked shocked when he saw who it was...

"Daddy!" Hannah exclaimed; it has been a few weeks since they have last saw each other.

Though Ste felt quite emotional about seeing his little girl again. He barely even acknowledged Sinead. He quickly made his way over to his youngest daughter before giving her a big hug. Sinead giving a small smile as she made herself comfortable on the couch.

"I know about you and Brendan by the way" Sinead piped up.

"Sinead! The kids are upstairs" Ste reminded her, not very happy about her just blurting out his name like that.

What was she thinking? She does know how important he was to Leah and Lucas (Leah especially).

"Oh sorry...by the way; if you think Hannah is ever gonna know him; think again" Sinead scolded him.

Ste was getting flashbacks of Amy Barnes and not in a good way. The mother of his children seem to really have it in for Brendan. Sinead was just thinking about Bart McQueen in all honestly, his recent death brought back raw emotions.

"Oh I missed you" Ste then cooed to Hannah as he picked her up in his arms; ignoring Sinead for now.

...

"Please don't speak to me like that in front of our daughter again" Ste instructed to a very disinterested Sinead.

She just gave a sarcastic grin while putting her feet up on the table as if she's at home.

"You the boss of me are ya?" Sinead asked him rhetorically.

Leela was looking at them while shaking her head, they were both acting very immature. She was trying to keep little Hannah occupied with a jigsaw. Though she was still very much listening in.

"No...I just don't want you to bring his name up in front of my kids; it took ages for our Leah to get over him" Ste insisted.

"Okay, whatever you say Ste" Sinead replied with a slight chortle.

It was like she didn't believe him or something. Brendan had nothing to with her life back then. Her life was on a different path, she was just happy to hang out with her friends Ruby, Tilly and George. Though Bart was different, he was special. She was making a life with him until he messed about with the wrong person.

"I don't get your problem...my love life has nothing to do with how we bring Hannah up" Ste declared.

Sinead shook her head as she gave another sarcastic laugh.

"It's funny you talk about love lives because your precious Brendan ruined mine" Sinead spat.

She always thought that either Jason or Maddie would have taken Bart away from her but no, it was Brendan Brady. He wasn't involved with her life then and she wants to keep it that way, the only thing he ever done for her was take Bart away.

"Is this about Bart McQueen? Look...Brendan did what he had to do; he needed to be taught a lesson"

"Oh...you supported him did ya? That's nice to know!" Sinead shouted.

The only reason she didn't say more was because of Hannah being there. She cleared her throat when she noticed Hannah looking over. Sinead gave her a very forced smile, wiping away incoming tears.

"Come here" Ste gestured; urging her to come closer to him; he wrapped his arms around her.

"He was my first" Sinead choked.

"I know...I know" Ste muttered under his breath; giving her a small kiss on the top of her head.

...

"I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for long" Ste teased.

"Shut up" Sinead bluntly uttered; chucking a cushion at him.

He wasn't out of the woods just yet though she had calmed down. Ste wasn't stupid though and he caught on. She's the mother of his daughter and Brendan is his soulmate therefore he had to sort this out. They were both going to be in his life whether Sinead liked it or not.

"Can we talk about Brendan like adults now please?" Ste asked her; her eyes widened.

"Well I can't stop you seeing him so what's to talk about? I'm here because the money ran out and I needed somewhere to stay...so I don't feel like talking about it" Sinead told him.

"Okay...what you said about him though? About Hannah not knowing about him ever" Ste was cut off...

"Oh Ste, you can tell her about him in 25 years or however long he's got left" Sinead groaned.

"45" Ste muttered under his breath.

"Sinead, be a bit more considerate" Leela piped up.

She was totally in Ste's corner after hearing the truth.

"You team Brendan now too? I didn't realize he had a fan club" Sinead remarked with strong sarcasm.

Leela tutted; going back to helping Hannah with the jigsaw.

"I have been seeing him again" Ste informed her.

"Ste..I really don't wanna hear about it"

"Okay; I just think you have a right to know as you are the mother of my child" Ste explained thoughtfully.

"I think I should set some ground rules then...Hannah is not gonna know about him until she's at least 18"

Ste gave a strong sigh, it's so difficult with her sometimes. She must understand that Brendan is always going to be in his life. Therefore eventually, he will know about Hannah and vice versa.

"You know what Sinead...your ground rules are crap"

Though Sinead didn't answer him back this time.

...

TBC