Better Off

It was Friday night and Hunter was sat in front of the TV, all alone. Since she'd come out of hospital, everyone had been wrapping her up in cotton wool and hadn't allowed her to go out too much- not that she had wanted to. Especially not tonight. Even though she felt terrible for using the loss of her child and the health of her other as an excuse it was because of her health she said she couldn't go out. In truth she wasn't up to it. Everyone was going. Callum, Beth, Stuart, Sam everyone apart from her. But she really couldn't force herself to go. One other person would be there as well. Mickey. After all it was his leaving party. That was the reason she couldn't go. She hadn't seen him since she had gone into hospital and didn't think she could bring herself to see him again, let alone for the last time. It would rip her soul apart to see him leave Sun Hill without her. So that was how she came to be alone.

Despite being surrounded by all his friends and family, Mickey couldn't help but feel alone at his own party. All his friends and colleagues were there. All but one important person. Sam had informed him that she was coming, saying that she couldn't really go out and exhorting herself in her current condition. He understood. She didn't want to be there. He was kind of glad. Having not seen her for the last couple of weeks had made it easier to come to terms with a life where she wasn't apart of it, which was what he would have to put up with from now on. Everyone around him seemed so happy and in love. Sam was dancing with Tom, even though he felt she too was with the wrong person. Callum and Beth were dancing so closely together it was easy to believe they were one person. He was the only person alone. Yes he had lots of dancing partners, including Sally but he wasn't with them. Sam came across towards him.

'Hey, I know you're going to miss us and we'll miss you to, but you're going to be near your family.' She tried to reinforce that he was doing the right thing, even if her heart was telling her it was wrong.

'Yeah I know, but soon I'm going to have a family here, and I won't be.' He looked her straight in the eye, and even without the tears that were forming it was obvious that this was a man in torture. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed. She couldn't let him do this. Even if he wasn't with Hunter he could still be a part of her and his child's life.

'Mickey, I don't think you should go.'

'What? You were all for it.' He pushed her away and looked at her in confusion.

'I know, but it'll destroy you to not be in her life or your child's life.'

'I know, but I'll never be a part of their lives even if I'm here.'

'But you can still see them. See your child growing up.' She reasoned, practically begging him not to make the same mistake she and Phil had.

'It'll be worse seeing her with him. Seeing my child call him Dad, and all I'll ever be is Uncle Mickey. That would be killing me more than if I wasn't there.' The tears that had been forming were now falling down his face and Sam could feel her own eyes filling up at the sight of a close friend in so much pain.

'Mickey, you can't do this. It'll eat you up. Both of you. Think how she'd feel.'

'I know how she'd feel, but she's with Stuart and he's so happy and she's happy to play this game of charades. She's had several chances to tell him, but she hasn't. Well I've had enough. I'm walking away.'

'She's already had one man walk out of her life, because he couldn't face up to his mistakes and now you're doing the same. So walk out of her life. She'll never forgive you and neither will that child. She never forgave him and neither did I.' She started to sobbed into his chest.

'Sam, I'm not like Phil.'

'Really. He gave up. I loved him and he walked out. He gave up on his kids and you're doing the same.'

'I'm not.'

'You are.' She snapped.

'No I'm not. He left because he loved you so much and he thought you didn't care. I'm leaving because I can't have Megan. If I could I'd have her by now. I've tried to get her to leave him and she went to him. She even rang me to ask whether she should marry him, and then even with doubts she's doing it.' Sam looked at him, not hearing the last of what he said. At that moment Tom came over.

'You OK Babe?' he put and hand on her arm.

'Yeah. Can you leave us for a bit?' she shrugged him away.

'Babe...'

'What did you mean about him loving me so much?' she questioned him, blatantly ignoring the fact Tom was still there.

'Who loves you?' Tom asked suspicious about who was making a move on his girlfriend.

'Tom go away.' Sam angrily pushed him away.

'No tell me.' He persisted.

'Sam look this isn't the time and anyway I think I'd better make a move. I've got some stuff still to pack.'

'Mickey don't just go. Tell me what you meant.' She shouted after him as he said his final farewells. Despite the fact she didn't make scenes and everyone was now watching what was going on she was determined to know what he had meant. Was she really the reason Phil had left. Because he had loved her, and thought that she didn't love him. Tom tried to grab her arm as she made to follow Mickey.

'Tell me who this guy is, Sam.'

'Tom, Get lost.' She shouted at him, annoyed that he was holding her back.

'If that's your attitude we're finished!' He retorted.

'Good.' And with that she ran out of the club and just saw Mickey jumping into a Cab.

'Mickey.' She wailed helplessly. As the taxi drove off she felt her heart be crushed. She had just lost her last hope of happiness. As the taxi rounded the corner her photo bleeped in her pocket. It was from Mickey.

07563223781 let him explain. She sighed, not knowing if she had it in her to summon the strength to call the number, but then again she had just caused a scene and she did have the perfect excuse. So maybe, just maybe she'd call him, even if it was just to hear his voice say her name one last time.

Sam wasn't the only one Mickey sent a text to that night. He also sent one to Hunter; however she was fast asleep when it came through and was unaware that its sender was in a taxi outside just looking up at her flat, in the hope of catching a glimpse of her or even just to remind himself of happier times. It wasn't until the next day and he was well gone, that Hunter got the message that tore her badly damaged heart apart.

Remember I will always love you until eternity and my love for you was unique. I wished we could be together, but unless you run away with me tomorrow and I don't expect you to do that, we don't stand a chance. But I will always love you, and when you hold our child for the first time please give them a big hug and a kiss from me and tell them that I will love never forever and that the only reason I'm not there is because Destiny had other ideas. Yours forever Mickey xxxxx If only she'd got it the day before she would have gladly run away with him, which was exactly what he'd hoped for as he waited outside, but as he left for Essex he knew it was better for all concerned like this.

I know its sad and you all want him to come back and for Sam to call Phil but you'll just have to give good reviews and wait patiently. the more reviews the quicker I update. Love Elle xxx