Hello everyone, I hope you've all had a wonderful Easter! What will Jimmy have to say? Will Rube get his way? Find out now, please let me know your thoughts as always, thanks, Kayxxx :)
Home for the holidays – Chapter thirty-five
"How much do you want this?" Jimmy asked as Rube stood before him.
"More than I've ever wanted anything before in my life" Rube replied as he wiped away his tears and tried to be strong.
Jimmy looked at Ethan and then back to Rube as he thought. He let out a huge sigh and spoke, "...six weeks Ruben. I'll give you six weeks to try life out on your own and if you change your mind in the slightest you're coming straight home-" He was cut off by the force of Rube hitting in to him for a hug.
"Oh thank you dad, you won't regret it I swear" he cried as he hugged him tight.
"You behave yourself you hear?" Jimmy told him as Rube pulled away, he nodded in reply as he wiped his tears away once more, "and Ethan if he's any trouble at all you just let me know alright? He'll be on the next flight home" Jimmy warned as he winked at Rube.
"Thanks but I'm sure he won't be any trouble" Ethan replied easily as they made their way back to Ethan's.
"I do believe in you Ruben...I just didn't want to lose you to the UK as well, Victoria is already starting a family over here and I just-" Rube cut him off.
"I get it dad, don't worry" Rube told him reassuringly.
"...well?" Vicky asked as they made their way back inside.
Rube took a deep breath "I'm staying" he announced with a smile.
"Welcome to the rainy UK little bro, it's not as cool as you think you know, no pun intended" Vicky laughed as she gave him a hug.
"Thanks but I think it'll do me" Rube stated.
"Right I'll have to get you a sofa bed for the living room" Ethan started to plan for is new housemate.
"He can just have my room?" Cal suggested.
"Well where would you stay?" Ethan asked easily.
Cal slowly made his way over to him, it was time to break the news, "...Ethan, I'm going back to Australia tomorrow with mum and dad and Lockie" he spoke carefully.
You could see Cal's words physically hit him like a tonne of bricks, "Oh" he mumbled as he looked down.
"I'm sorry I didn't know how to tell you, I could stay here but, well, Lockie needs me more right now, and it's the first time I've known him when he isn't fighting for his life and I'm quite excited to see that side of him" Cal explained.
After a few seconds of silence Ethan looked up at him "I understand" he nodded.
"Are you okay?" Cal asked him warily.
"Yeah, I don't know why but I just didn't imagine you leaving again, I just assumed you'd be staying...I thought I had you back...but I completely understand Caleb don't worry about me, I've got Rube to keep me company" Ethan stated as he shot a smile at Rube.
"We won't lose contact this time okay? I promise" Cal told him sincerely.
"Good, because if we do I'll be over there quicker than you can say the word 'Nibbles' ready and waiting for a perfectly good excuse for it" Ethan joked causing Cal to laugh.
"Come here Nibbles" Cal smiled as he pulled him in for a hug.
"Rube..." Lockie's small voice whimpered causing everyone to look towards him, "I don't want you to stay Rube I want you to come with me" he cried as he ran and threw his arms around him.
Rube kneeled down before him, "Look Lockie, do you know how much you want to go back to school? You know that feeling you feel?" he asked Lockie nodded as the tears continued to trickle down his face, "that's what I feel about this...I really want this Lockie" Rube told him determinately.
"You're my best friend" Lockie cried.
"And you're mine. And you always will be okay? Nothing will EVER change that I promise" Rube told him sincerely as he wiped the tears from his little brother's cheeks.
"Will you call me?" Lockie whimpered.
"Every day" Rube told him.
"Promise?" Lockie asked.
"Cross my heart and hope to die" Rube promised as he held his pinky out, Lockie wrapped his much smaller pinky around his brothers and they set the promise into stone.
Lockie threw himself into Rube once more, "I'll miss you" he cried as Rube held him.
"I'll miss you too, I love you little buddy" Rube replied as tears built in his eyes once more.
"I love you too" Lockie sobbed as Rube picked him up and held him tight.
"I really want this mum" Rube told her as she watched on.
"I know you do Ruben...I just, can't lose you" She spoke sadly as she made her way over.
"Mum you won't lose me, if anything you'll get me back. I'm free when I'm here mum, I can be myself and I love it...I'll always be your son" Rube whimpered.
"I know, I know" Myra gave him a kiss on the head, "You chase your dreams Ruben, never forget how proud I am of you son" she smiled as a tear escaped her eye.
"Look after my baby for me Ethan" Myra told him as she put her arm around Rube and gave him a kiss.
"Mum, stop being embarrassing!" Rube moaned as he rolled his eyes.
Ethan smiled at them and then turned to the TV "Hey look, it's the countdown" Ethan announced.
"Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!" Everyone cheered, even Lockie who was still clung to his big brother Rube, but the second he heard the fireworks outside he jumped from his arms and hurried out.
"Woah!" He spoke amazed as he looked up at the different colours lighting up the black sky. His family stood around him, them too watching the fireworks with smiles gracing their faces. Lockie looked up at Ethan who stood next to him; Ethan too looked down at him and smiled. He held his hand out for a high five but instead Lockie took hold of it and held it tight, "I'm so glad I met my English brother" Lockie grinned.
"Me too" Ethan smiled.
"We're swapping big brothers Nibbles" Lockie announced, "I'll looks after yours if you look after mine" he teased.
"Deal" Ethan grinned as they shook hands causing Cal and Rube to laugh.
"I'll look after your little brother if you look after mine too" Rube held his hand out to Cal to shake.
Cal looked at his hand for a moment and then at Lockie and Ethan who awaited their handshake, "nah you're alright" he shrugged.
"Oh thanks" Ethan laughed sarcastically.
"I'm joking, deal" Cal smirked as he shook Rube's hand.
"I wonder where we'll all be in five years...what will we be doing?" Rube announced as he looked up at the fireworks.
"Hopefully you're doing something with paramedics, something that doesn't involve you being on the stretcher that is" Jimmy spoke sarcastically.
"Me too" Rube spoke wondrously, no doubt imagining it.
"I'm going to be fifth-teen" Lockie announced amazed.
"Ah fifth-teen, you're going to be constantly moody and blowing me off for girls" Cal joked causing Ethan and Rube to nod along.
"I wouldn't do that Cal!" Lockie replied confidently.
"We all say that buddy" Rube winked.
"Come here you" Cal called as he grabbed Lockie and sat him on his shoulders as they all continued to watch the fireworks. For the first time ever everyone's lives seemed to be finally falling into place and there was nothing more exciting than that...