Chapter Twenty-Five

As Chris settled down more within his life he appreciated it was probobaly the best it had been for ages. He now had a steady income and was earning more than average pay as Ian Beale had decided to make Chris into his next prodigal employee. Chris and Amber were more in love than ever; Stacey and baby Lily were home happy and healthy; Becca didn't bug him anymore and although knowing he had a murderer sister was a bit uncomfortable Chris didn't care remotely and as long as only Stacey, Max and Chris knew this information there was no reason why it should get out

Although Chris's life was not full of drama anymore there certainly was a lot going around the square. Lucas Johnson it turned out was a grade A murdering not job who locked Denise up and pretended she had died and Ben Mitchell was inside for attacking Jordan Johnson with a wrench (Chris laughed for 4 hours straight when Jay told him). It was late August and Amber realised it was time for Chris's 16th birthday party

"August 29th 1994" said Jean as she, Amber, Stacey, Becca and Mo sat at the Slater's kitchen table planning a surprise birthday party for Chris "It was very, very warm that day. Labour seemed to go on for hours and It did. But in the end I got this beautiful baby boy".

"Anyway" said Stacey giving Lily some food "If you wanna have it here Amber I'm sure we can make all be desecrate for the night and besides I'm going to scatter Bradley's ashes with Max later". Becca did a double take at Bradley's name.

"Who you inviting" said Mo "I don't want any toe rags loitering the place with dodgy stuff"

"Quite a lot of pot calling the kettle black there" said Amber; Mo shot her a look "Just Jay, The Beales, Leon, Fatboy, Mercy, that Zsa or whatever she's called; Darren and his bird and all Chris's mates from school"

"Chris never talks about school much" said Stacey "Never. He's left now I know but was he popular"?

"Ridicously so" said Amber "We'd walk in the front gates and people would literally be all over him"

"Why did he never say anything" said Stacey "What were his grades like; he never gave us one parents evening slip"

"He muddled along OK; I think he was best at Maths and Geography" said Amber "He talked about them a lot; he hated English Lit though"

It was the night of Chris's party and Amber asked Jay to keep Chris amused for the day whilst she, Mercy and Whitney got things ready for that night. Chris spent all day in the Vic with Jay catching up on some Mitchell gossip

"Sam is pregnant" said Jay handing Chris a can of coke as they sat in the living room playing on video games "Reckons its Ricky's"

"Could be Jack's" said Chris "She and him did do the dirty; but then again she is blonde and a Mitchell he was bound to have shagged her at some point. Give him time he'll get through Peggy"

"You don't have a high opinion of him do you" said Jay; Chris smirked

Finally, at 8pm Chris and Jay headed back to the Slaters were Amber and everyone were hiding in the living room.

"Where the hell is everyone" said Chris switching on the living room light; he nearly had a heart attack when everyone jumped out

"Happy birthday my darling" said Amber kissing him

The party was in full swing when at about 10pm Lucy came into the kitchen and asked for a private word with Chris. Chris had decided not to drink that night as he could not be bothered with a hangover the next morning and he was convinced the pint of water trick would not work

"I'm leaving" Lucy announced as reluctant Amber finally left the kitchen. Chris was flawed by Lucy's revelation

"Why" Chris said genuinely upset

"Walford's not for me anymore" said Lucy "I doubt it ever has been"

"Where are you going" asked Chris now close to tears

"My Nan's in Devon" she said with tears in her eyes. Saying goodbye to Chris; the boy she had feelings for since the day she met him was proving the most difficult thing Lucy had ever had to do "There's just one thing I need to tell you before I go and that's that I love you"

Chris knew of Lucy's feelings towards him and they were completely unreturned on Chris's part but he was not going to be mean to Lucy about it

"I think I've always loved you" said Lucy "Amber's a lucky girl getting lovely gorgeous you; I'm really gonna miss you Slater"

"I'll miss you Beale" said Chris giving Lucy a hug. She kissed him on the cheek and left.