"Haven't you heard?" Janine smiled with an eyebrow raised.
Archie watched as Ronnie and Roxy dragged eachother along,all smiles and jokes. He watched them cuddle into eachother and make their way over to the Jones's. "Heard what?" he asked trying to make out who answered the door,but the darkness of the night sky made it unclear to see.
Janine grabbed her handbag off the couch and stood behind her new lodger,"Your precious family are having dinner with Danielle's dad. I heard Peggy talking in the Vic this afternoon,all sounds very cosy" she grinned.
Archie turned around and crossed his arms tightly against his chest,"Like I said once Peggy hears my side of things all will be forgotten. Its just gonna take time Janine,some patience" he explained.
"Its going to take more than an apology to get all of them on side. I think your wasting your time! she laughed and slammed the door shut behind herself.
* * * * * *
Andy checked the food in the oven for the second time,everything had to be perfect tonight. Although he wanted to be himself he was eager to impress this new family. It seemed all his little girl wanted was Ronnie,all she ever banged on about was The Mitchell's and how fantastic they were. Andy wanted to find out for himself,he wanted them all to like him. With a tea towel resting on his shoulder he grabbed the well earnt glass of wine he poured earlier and took a sip.
"How long will dinner be?" Gareth shouted from the living room. Stacey had arrived early and offered to help out.
Andy smiled,"They aren't here yet son!" he laughed shaking his head at the loved up couple cuddling on the sofa.
"You didnt have to invite me tonight" Stacey said shyly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Gareth frowned,"Babe your my girlfriend alright and if I have to watch Dani drool over Ronnie then so do you!" he joked.
Stacey slapped his arm and shook her head,the two shared a quick kiss before the doorbell rang. Danielle raced down the stairs and bolted towards the door. Gareth and Stacey shared a look of amusement and braced themselves for a fun family night according to Danielle.
Danielle opened the door,relief washed over her as Ronnie stood in front of her. "Hey,please come in" she said politely smiling at her family as they strolled into her home.
Ronnie grinned and almost immediately pulled Danielle in for a hug,"I missed you" she admitted.
Roxy slammed the door shut behind her,"Oops sorry Dan" she laughed embracing her niece. "Right I brought this bottle of wine" she smiled handing it over to Andy.
Andy smiled,"Oh you didnt have to,we've got plenty of food and drink for everybody. Dinner wont be too long but please make yourselves at home" he smiled sweetly at Peggy and walked back into the kitchen.
"She didnt buy that bottle of wine she nicked it from the bar" Peggy pointed a finger and sat down near Gareth. "Oh Stacey,how nice that your here" she noted slipping her jacket off.
Ronnie felt a little lost and uncomfortable in Danielle's family home,the lights were quite dim making the room dark and private. "Something smells good" she smiled sitting on the arm of the sofa looking down at her daughter.
"Yeah well dad has really pulled out the stops tonight,hes even made his special gravy!" Gareth nodded in an almost childlike manner.
Stacey frowned,"Special Gravy,cant beat mums sausage surprise can it Dan?" she giggled as Gareth made sick noises.
Danielle smiled,she wanted to join in with the fun and laughter but she felt too tense. The nerves were fluttering inside her stomach and she felt pressured to make sure everyone got along. "Roxy what are you doing?" Danielle asked turning around to her aunt.
"Well well well it seems Danielle has had some really doggy outfits Ron,look at this one!" Roxy grabbed the picture frame from the shelf and thrusted it towards her sister.
Danielle quickly grabbed it and held it to her chest,"No,you cant see it its too embarrassing!" she moaned,she could feel her cheeks turning red.
Ronnie smiled,"Oh come on it cant be that bad!" she tugged at the picture but Danielle was not going to budge.
"Is it that one with the really weird haircut? Danielle once helped herself to the kitchen scissors and chopped one side of her hair off,it was so funny!" Gareth slapped his knee as he laughed only to be grimaced at by his sister.
Danielle couldn't help but laugh,"Yeah and dad went and got the camera out straight away" she replied back. Bowing her head in shame she handed Ronnie the picture,"Don't laugh alright I was only six!".
Ronnie looked at the photograph of her child. Danielle with her golden long hair,her cheeky grin and a fistful of coloring pencils. "Its beautiful" she breathed stroking the picture only to embarrass her daughter further.
Roxy peered over Ronnie's shoulder,"Yeah even with a doggy haircut you still manage to look angelic. You remind me of Amy there,hasn't Amy got Danielle's eyes Ron?" she pointed to the picture.
Danielle grinned at the fact Roxy said she looked like her cousin,she loved Amy so much.
* * * * * *
Andy began serving the food up as chatter and laughter filled his living room. Danielle looked finally relaxed and everyone was getting along just fine. Doubts were always in his mind and he knew that Ronnie was not going anywhere,he could see how stubborn she was. He watched his little girl from the corner of his eye,he saw her look up at Ronnie with nothing but complete love,she didnt even look at Lizzie like that. Andy quickly sniffed away his tear and made sure he gave Gareth extras.
"You didnt have to do all this darlin" Peggy entered the kitchen wanting some older company.
Andy smiled,"Its fine,if it makes Danielle happy then I dont mind" he said softly rushing around with hot plates and saucepans.
Peggy nodded,"Well Ronnie has never been this happy,its like shes a different person. Having Danielle back in her life has changed her..for good!" she explained stepping aside for Andy.
"Seeing Danielle happy is all I want Peggy and if Ronnie makes her happy,well..then so be it" he replied bluntly. "Right come on everyone dinner is ready!" he shouted carrying two plates over to the dining room table. Peggy grabbed two more to make herself useful as everybody rushed to the table.
* * * * * *
Danielle looked across to her right as Roxy tucked into her meal,then she glanced to her side at her mother. Ronnie looked happy. Happier then Danielle had ever seen her before,it was so strange to experience this other side of her mother. So many times Ronnie verbally abused her,it was so rare to see any emotion of affection come from Ronnie.
"This is really great Andy,thank you" Ronnie smiled across the table and took a sip of wine.
Roxy nodded,"Best roast ive had I think,Aunty Peggy doesn't do them this good!" she laughed with a mouthful.
Danielle felt Ronnie's hand rub her leg under the table,the two shared a loving smile before continuing to eat.
Andy felt proud of himself,he knew his Lizzie would be watching over him and smiling at him for making the effort. "Well I thought this dinner was long over due,its about time we all sat together and enjoyed a meal".
Stacey stared in complete amazement as Gareth waded through his roast dinner like there was no tomorrow. "Does he always eat like that Dan?" she asked feeling like her best mate was a million miles away across the table.
Danielle nodded,"Yeah its disgusting!" she added picking at her food.
Gareth grinned with a mouthful as Stacey dabbed the gravy off his chin with a napkin.
Whilst chatter between everyone commenced again Ronnie looked over at her daughter,she looked at the food barely touched and she began to worry. "You ok baby?" she asked tucking Danielle's hair behind her ear.
"Im fine,just not hungry..feel a little ..you know" Danielle stuttered placing the fork on the side of her plate. "Are you alright you know,with all this?" she asked reaching over to grab her drink.
Ronnie nodded,"Yes,yes im fine I couldn't be happier" she smiled cupping her child's cheek. The look in Danielle's eye always made her feel on top of the world,like she could over come anything. "I love you" Ronnie mouthed pulling Danielle's head towards her to kiss her forehead.
"Are you gonna eat that Dani?" Gareth asked interrupting the precious moment between mother and daughter.
Danielle rolled her eyes and pushed her plate towards him,"You've got gravy all down your T-Shirt" she pointed out.
Stacey chuckled and helped herself to more wine,"He wasn't like this when he came round mine for dinner!" she noted shaking her head a little.
Andy stood up with a glass in his hand,"I would like to raise a toast,to my beautiful daughter Danielle" he smiled as everyone raised their glasses and sipped their wine.
Danielle blushed,her heart suddenly beating rapidly as Ronnie stood up.
"I would like to say something" Ronnie began,running her fingers through Danielle's hair. "All my life ive been so miserable,ever since you were taken away from me. Some days I couldn't even get out of bed because I felt so..so broken" she turned to face Danielle. "I didnt think I would get a second chance but I have,and im the luckiest person alive. Just to see you everyday,knowing your here with me..is the most amazing feeling in the world" she stuttered as the tears threatened her.
Danielle held her mothers hand as she said her speech,the tears already steaming down the young blond's face.
Ronnie tilted her head to the side and wiped away her baby's tears,"Im not perfect,but ive changed. Danielle I am so so proud of you,what you have become" her eyes flickered towards Andy in appreciation for bringing her child up. "I love you now and always,to Danielle!" Ronnie finally finished and took a sip of wine.
Danielle stood up and embraced Ronnie in front of everybody,hearing her mum in front of everybody speak about her like that touched Danielle. "I love you too" Danielle whispered in Ronnie's ear,her arms tightly clamped around her.
"To both of you!" Gareth piped up holding his glass in the air.
"To Ronnie and Danielle" The family toasted.
Extra long/light/funny chapter! Really hope this is ok guys! Wanted to get a real feel of family between everybody. Not alot of R&D bonding but there will be,got lots more to come. Please read/review and enjoy!