Letting Go Of The Past, Holding On To The Future.

Part Thirty-Seven.

Karen was up Isla on her hip as she tried to clean up in preparation to leave for Ireland, Harry was with his dad considering recent circumstances, trust was limited between them, plus the fisher boys needed some bonding time. "dada" Karen smiled and rob walked in "that's it Isla you tell daddy to hurry up!... He's going to make us late" Karen looked down at Isla who was just blabbering away rather sweetly. "oh come on rob", "I'm looking for the tickets", " you'll have a tough time, I have them down here with the passports" Karen just rolled her eyes as she placed the passports and tickets in her bag before they were forgotten. " how is my beautiful girl today" rob took Isla and enjoyed a much needed hug, Isla's eyes lit up, "think she was fed up of hearing me moan at you" Karen light heartedly commented before giving rob a morning kiss.
He smiled at her and kissed isla's forehead. "right, Rob, do you have everything? I do, and so does Isla.." she said looking at hers and isla's suitcases and get handbag.
"erm.. Yeah.." he said uncertainly. he backed out of the room slowly, before legging it up the stairs when he thought he couldn't be seen. But she saw. She found it quite ammusing seeing him come back into the kitchen with his suitcase. "thinking of going to Ireland without any spare clothes, with your bad messy eating habbits.. Good luck" she teased lightly. he narrowed his eyes playfully at her,
"oh that hurt. I am wounded"he said rather over dramatically causing Karen and isla to both laugh. She walked over to him giving him another quick kiss. "got your phone?" she asked.
"yep"
"wallet?"
"Yep!"
"everything you need packed in your suitcase?"
"yes, you packed it." it sounded like he wasn't enjoying karen's pre-trip inquisition.
"good, let's go"
They walked out the house for the final time having loaded the car up, rob had Isla as he placed her in her car seat Karen passing him her elephant and blanket it was going to be a long journey. Isla was already getting fidgety she didn't really like being in the car, " alright isla" Karen turned the key in the ignition and they set off. "time to see the in-laws then" Karen looked over nudging him quickly at his sarky comment, "ow" he commented. "it won't be that bad, mum seemed excited about seeing Isla when I spoke to her last night" "I hope this monkey sleeps then before we arrive otherwise she'll be really grumpy when we arrive"
An hour or so had passed and karen looked across at rob, do you want to stop at the service station?"
He smiled at her and nodded. She drove into the car park and they got out, Karen picking Isla up. They waked towards the building, rob taking Karen's hand with his as they made their way in. The first stop they made at was the toilets. Karen waited outside the males for rob so they could head to get a drink and back on the road again. He came out and smiled at her, picking up her hand again and walking in the direction of the inside shop.
Isla couldn't help but reach out and hang on to anything that was in her reach "karen" " what?", "i
Think Isla fancies the whole shop" "oh Isla ! No baby" isla began to cry "shhh" rob kissed her head " rob will you grab a packet of quavers for her" " yeah sure" " aye daddy's getting you some food" isla stopped crying, "does that sound good aye"
Rob came back over equipped with a packet of quavers. "Nom nom nom" karen said grinning and opening the packet. She gave isla one as they made their way back to the car. Rob unlocked the car, as karen settled isla in her car seat. She passed her another couple of quavers and shut the door, sitting next to rob in the passenger seat. Rob kissed karen's cheek and smiled, focusing his attention back to the road.
Karen looked out the window as they headed for the ferry port which right now just seemed miles away! Isla was babbling away which wasn't exactly helping Karen's head ache, "Isla please", "you alright?", Rob asked catching on to Karen's tetchiness, "yeah, just got a headache", "okay love, ...Isla can you see all the cars, can you?", Isla looked out the window pointing up against the window, she was still as cute as ever.
"I love the irish accent.." Rob spoke his thoughts. Karen looked over to him, feeling her cheeks blush slightly red. "you better, because when I'm around my family for longer than an hour, my accent comes back. So don't laugh!" She teased, slightly wincing as her headache pounded. "Mmm very sexy mrs scotcher" he winked at her, keeping his eyes on the road, but placing a hand on the top of her thigh. She put her hand over his.
"Isla you going to see Auntie Niamh, and grandma and your uncle Ethan aye", Karen looked round to find Isla now sat contently elephant under arm, dummy in mouth covered in quaver crumbs, "oh you are a mucky pup! You going to give mummy your dummy, you don't need that at the minute, no because your a big girl aren't you", Karen reached out taking it from her, Isla grizzled, "shh, look at this Isla", Karen reached into the bag, pulling out a book with lots of touchy feely parts "do you want to read your, that's not my dolly book?", Isla took it and Karen watched as she put all her concentration into turning the pages over.
Isla giggled, karen loved it when she did that. Soon after they reached the ferry port. Rob turned to karen, "so your sure you have everything, passports,tickets..phones?" He asked. Karen nodded. "Yep" she showed him her little pouch with all the documents in. He smiled. "Wow, your one organised woman.." He laughed a little. "Well I have to be if I'm a headmistress" she winked. "And your wife" he gasped at that comment and mock glared at her. "You'll pay for that comment later" he winked. "Looking forward to it mr scotcher, but come on before were late"
They parked on the ferry before getting out and heading on board, Karen had Isla who was clearly distressed, "oh come on Isla look you can see the sea", Isla wasn't having it, she didn't like being on the boat, "you scared munchkin", Rob and Karen found a place to sit and Karen sat Isla on her lap, gave her back her dummy and encouraged her to lie back and sleep, brushing her hair away from her eyes as she watched he eyelids flutter shut, her elephant was tightly being squeezed under her arm and her blanket was being tightly held between her tiny fingertips. "Well this may not be that bad if she stays like that for the entire journey", "don't count your chickens mate".
He laughed, but soon stopped when he felt a wave of nausea in his stomach. Karen noticed this and looked at him. "Are you alright?" She asked him, rather amused. He nodded confidently till another wave of sickness passed through his body, his nod turned to a shake. "Sea sickness?" Karen asked sympathetically. He nodded slowly. "I had a feeling, take one of these." She handed him a tablet and a bottle of water from her bag. "Thanks" he smiled gratefully. "See, it pays for me to be organised"
Rob smiled thankfully before trying to get his bearings, his body wasn't really liking all this sea malarky! "You don't look great Rob", "thanks", "it will set in, in a minute", Karen replied sympathetically, "Harry's the same was never good with boats", Karen smiled Isla in her arms asleep still, "I used to be fine, used to go on trips as a teenager set off in a boat with my mates and sale off to different places, it was great and mum didn't mind as long as we were back by tea time. Must be old age", "tell me another story, I loved stories as a kid", "sounds just like Isla", Karen smiled before saying, "just get on with my story", rather playfully.
"Okay okay, um.. Well I was about seven, and I went to the fairground with my mum, brother, and grandparents. I wanted to go on this ride that went up, down, side to side. Mum said I wouldn't like it... I was just like.. Nooo I wanna go on. So she gave in finally.. I got on the ride by myself, and it started to go up slowly and It was so fun, then it started to gradually get faster and faster, moving rapidly side to side, and I passed out cold. My shoe fell of and hit someone beneath me on the head and apparently mum went screaming to the guy operating the ride for it to stop, screaming 'stooopppp! My suns passed out! Stop the ride now you absolute plonker!' The minute I got off that ride I fell over. I've never been back to the fairground yet.. Apart from with aiden.. But that's different.. I refused to go on anything.." By this time karen was roaring with laughter. "Oh that's right, laugh. Come on, tell me one of your stories"
"Hey that wasn't the deal, plus I'm sure you'll hear enough stories from the family while we're here", "don't think your getting out of this one, I told you one", "which I think was really sweet, I was never that brave! You went on, on your own!", "and passed out", Karen smirked, "now that's a story to tell the grandparents", Karen winked.
He shot her a mock glare. They were aware that the boat was coming to a stop and they smiled realising that Isla had slept right through and rob hadn't been sick. Or passed out. They got off the ferry and collected their car. Rob gave karen a quick kiss, and smiled. "Let's hear that sexy irish accent then" she giggled against his lips. "We've been in ireland two minutes. I haven't got the twang back yet" she laughed. He gave her one last quick before they got in the car and left. "I hope you know where your going, Mrs, Because I certainly don't.." He said cheekily. She nodded. "Take your first left, straight up to the round about, turn left at the local veg shop, then a right and its number 7"
Karen smiled at all the familiar sights, she hadn't been back In years. it felt so strange but so right. Isla was now awake, "were almost there sweetie" karen commented looking over at Isla. "Good to be back?" Rob asked. "Ask me at the end of our stay" they both laughed.
They arrived outside her family home, it hadn't changed a bit. The moderately sized cottage decorated with roses which climbed the walls of the building. Rob got Isla out quickly, she didn't like having to sit in the car for too long. But then it hit her that she wasn't really sure where she was, she became all shy her head burying into Rob's chest. "It's alright Isla, we're seeing Grandma", isla remained really quiet, Karen got out the bags for them and stood next to Rob to see her little girls eyes not full of sparkle as they often were. "What's up with my beautiful girl", "she's gone all shy", "this is grandma's house Isla, you don't need to be shy", "that's what I told her", Rob replied the pair of them sharing a look of worry, they understood that she didn't know her surroundings very well but she looked a little nervous too.
Rob took hold of karen's hand and squeezed it as they walked up to the door. He planted a delicate kiss on her cheek before knocking on the door. It opened almost instantly. "Karen, dear" ava said, kissing her daughters cheek. "Mum" she smiled. "Rob" she shook his hand and he nooded at her, "ava". "And hello my beautiful little granddaughter!" She took Isla off of Karen. Isla began to cry, "shhh, Its only grandma Isla" karen said soothingly rubbing isla's back. Isla stopped crying but sniffled."Come through, ill get you's both a drink" ava smiled. Rob and karen went into the lounge to be greeted by ethan and niamh. "Niahm! Ethan!" Karen said hugging her brother and sister, "karen!" They said in unison. "I've missed you so much!" Niamh added. "I've missed you too!" Karen sniffed back the tears.
Ava reappeared with drink for Karen and Rob still holding Isla who to be quite honest looked scared stiff, Rob tried to give her a reassuring smile that only daddy could give her but it didn't help, Isla began to cry, her little cheeks becoming wet. "Aww Isla is grandma scaring you aye, come on auntie Niamh will make it all better", karen smiled, "she is going to spoil you", karen said in Isla's direction, "I'm allowed to spoil her, it's an auntie's job", Rob and Karen smiled. Rob hung on to his mug of coffee, he was feeling quite nervous to be honest, he had only ever met ava and Ethan briefly at his wedding and when they made there bombshell of a landing on there doorstep, he got on really well with Niamh who had made an effort to see Isla grow up and been there for her older sister through some hard times, but Rob wasn't really sure what to make of the other family members. Isla was much calmer now but Niamh was good at sensing she needed her mummy and daddy. "Here we go poppet, you sit with daddy for a bit", rob took her in his arms and gave her a reassuring, calming hug, she needed it. She wasn't herself at the minute. Karen rubbed her back before re-adjusting her little clip in her hair, which was pinning her fringe back to the side rather cutely. Isla had her thumb in her mouth and her head rested on Rob's chest. "She is such a daddy's girl", Ethan commented which made Rob smile, "well you would be to if you were as spoilt", Ethan smiled, "I don't spoil her", "of course not", Karen winked, "just want to see her happy", Rob was getting a little sentimental and karen squeezed his hand. "Right you guys probably want to unpack and settle in a bit", Karen placed her empty mug down "you're in the end room, should be big enough, there's a cot set up for Isla in there too", "you mean you finally finished that spare room of yours mum", "yeah, was done a few years ago", "come on then you, looks like she could do with a bit of a nap before some dinner", Rob smiled as he followed Karen who seemed to have a clue as to where he was going. They reached the end of the corridor and karen opened the door, all bags in toe! "This is lovely", Rob commented, Karen had forgotten her mums attention to detail when it came to decoration and the view out the window, oh it was magical! "What do you think munchkin", Isla smiled for the first time since arriving, "well it must be nice if Isla says so", Karen commented. Karen undid the suitcase and began to put away there clothes, "she does look tired Rob", "I know, it was a lot of travelling", "put her down for a nap, she'll flake out whilst eating her dinner otherwise".
"Come on then you, you going lie down for a bit, have a sleep?", Rob placed her into the cot, she grizzled and cried, "aye shhh, when your tired it helps to sleep", she sat in the cot and wailed before Rob picked her up, "well then I guess that means we just have to put up with her being grouchy and tired", Rob commented his little girl in his arms, her eyes all red, "think I'm going to have a shower freshen up a bit", "okay, come on then you, you going to come and help mummy unpack?", Karen took Isla off of him. She sat her down next to her as she carried on unpacking the last few little bits and placing them on the floor next to the suitcase. Isla was now fiddling around, crawling and picking up the things Karen had got out of the suitcase, "no Isla, pass it to mummy", karen took the small bottle of shampoo off her little girl, "ta", she replied in mimic with the action still encouraging her daughter to speak. Isla gave Karen a grumpy look just as Rob opened the bathroom door, "got any shampoo?", "think you might want to ask your daughter that", "oh isla you being unhelpful", Karen passed him the bottle before watching him disappear again. Karen continued on the last few bits until Rob reappeared again, "towel? ", Karen laughed and reached up on to the bed she was leaning on and threw him the towel. Karen then got up and placed the suitcase under the bed before putting away the last few bits. Isla continued to crawl around generally being naughty. She began to try and get onto the dressing table chair which Karen quickly put a stop to as she picked her up putting her down well away from the chair, she quickly put down some of her toys in hope they would help but nothing. Karen was worn out from the journey she didn't need Isla grizzly and being silly. Isla then went and crawled towards the curtains, Karen was just about finished! Isla's little hands grabbed on to the curtain as she began to pull and tug, Karen spotted her monkey in the corner. "No Isla!",
She opened up Isla's hands removing the curtain and picked her up, "I'm sure grandma doesn't want you pulling down her curtains", Karen put her down near her toys once more, "look come on Isla you can play with your elephant", karen showed her the elephant but Isla just cried, "Isla just sit and play please, I can't cope with you sitting here and screaming!", Karen was just so frustrated you rummaged through Isla's bag till she found Isla's dummy and gave it to her, "right Isla you can have your dummy", Karen put the dummy in her mouth, but it was no hope out it popped and so with it the piercing noise. Rob came out the bathroom to see Karen in complete despair, "what's the matter?", he picked up Isla, she was so unhappy and they didn't even know why! "I have no idea! She's just so grizzly!", Karen picked up the dummy and offered it to Isla who just turned her head, "well that was the only chance you were getting with that", Karen put it in the bag again, her tone could be described as fed up! "Come on you, we're at grandma's your meant to be happy!", Rob rocked her on his hip she began to quieten down. Karen walked towards Rob having finally settled all of there things into the room, Isla reached her arms out to Karen, who was fed up with Isla's mood swings, "your only getting cuddle if you promise to stop screaming", Karen sighed as she took isla into her arms, Isla's little head resting gently on her shoulder, "what was all that about aye", Karen looked at Rob, "we're so in for a night of hell!", Rob laughed, "oi! I don't know what's so funny your the one whose going to be up with her", Karen teased, "very funny! Your a funny woman sometimes", Isla giggled at Rob's face, Karen looked down at Isla, "now your laughing! You really are a daddy's girl!", "you say that but look who she wanted a cuddle with", "after she ran me ragged!", the pair of them laughed and headed downstairs. They sat down, Karen tried to encourage Isla to sit and play, try and be brave but it was no use, she knew she wasn't at home. She gave auntie Niamh a few of her cheeky smiles but other than that. Isla held on to Karen's legs as she stood up, "are you my clever girl, are you", Isla shone her proud of herself look and Rob scooped her up, "you can stand up now Isla", Ethan was being very sweet, as was Niamh Ava was a little tetchy almost trying to be old fashioned in her ways. "Well have to say didn't think I'd be playing grandmother to another one", Karen rolled her eyes at Niamh who said "here we go", "well it was a shock to us too mum", Karen just replied politely. "Careful there Rob, you don't want to get her all excited", Ava commented, "mum", karen, Niamh and Ethan said in unison, "mum can we drop the snob act", Ethan put it bluntly but they weren't young anymore they all wanted to get on forget all the grudges once held. "Isla's not going to be young for long, you should be making the most of it", Niamh added. Ava left the room clearly they'd hit a nerve and made some tea. "How are my favourite niece and nephew", Karen asked her older brother with a smile, "there fine, we're all coming for lunch tomorrow", "sounds lovely, we'll be nice to see Poppy and Oscar", "there both excited to meet Isla! Oscar was stuck at Uni and Pops was beginning her A - levels when we came down for the wedding.", "well we've come to see you all and that's what we intend to do...you looking forward to meet your older cousins Isla?", "bless her, she's always going to be the one that's fussed over", "clearly you weren't in range of her little tantrum a minute ago", Rob commented, "your to gorgeous to make such noise, how dare daddy say that aye", ethan teased Isla before tickling her belly with his finger. Rob put Isla down since she was getting fidgety, she managed to stand using Rob's knees this time and attempted a few steps before falling on the floor again, it was the normal drill. She looked up at Rob a sad face on, "your alright, look at all the toys behind you, is that your elephant", Isla turned around almost instantly as she huggedher elephant. She began to crawl around a bit which made Karen get up as she followed her around which was just as well as Isla attempted to accomplish another chair. "I don't think so monkey", Karen picked her up Isla just laughed, "stay over here", she put her down but she just began to crawl off, her cheeky smile being splashed back at her mummy and daddy, "uh uh, come back", she crawled back like a good little girl and Karen went and sorted her out a drink before coming back and giving it to her. "Right well I'm going to start on some food, you guys stay in here and chill it won't be long", it was almost time fr bed and by the looks of it Isla was definitely not going to be there for a while! "Come here Isla", Rob called her over, he wanted to sit her down and try and calm her before bed, that way she might just sleep! She lay back in his arms, her elephant in her arms as she drank the drink Karen had given her. Isla tried to get up again, "stay here Isla, daddy wants a cuddle", he did but really he didn't want her getting all hyped up again. Isla lay back just as a furry friend bounced in startling her. "Frazer!", Karen was shocked to see her old childhood friend, she stroked him, "hello, you being good, are you, are you?", Isla began to cry, "isla, it's a doggie, Frazer won't hurt you", Karen lifted her arms out for Isla but she buried her self backwards, Karen went ahead and picked her up on to her lap. Isla screamed, "aye, shhh", Karen stroked Frazer, he was so dopey and friendly, he rested is head on Karen's leg, "Isla it's fine baby", karen took her little hand and stroked Frazer, she was shaking, but at the touch of frazer, she instantly calmed down; "is he soft isla? Is he?" Isla giggled and stroked Frazer's head softly. "I better be getting off now, ill see you all tomorrow" eathan said standing up and smiling. "Was lovely to see you again, Karen, Rob. And of course you princess" he continued picking Isla up, isla wrapping his arms round him. Eathan smiled and put her back down. "Bye mammy, see you tomorrow" eathan shouted up, "bye son" ava called down and with that the door shut. "Mammy?" Rob whispered. Karen grinned. "Yes, even I have to call her mammy when I'm with her" karen whispered back, her accent stronger. Rob beamed. He winked and dramatically looked around the room, seeing that Niamh must of gone to get a drink he whispered again. "Wooow. I didn't think you could get any sexier.. But that accent.. Yeah.. That just did" he said cupping her face with his hands and kissing her lips. Karen just smiled there heads still touching, "sorry to break it up in here guys", Niamh made her usual entrance of an awkward line. Isla looked up at her auntie and lifted her arms as she groaned wanting to be picked up, "hello you! Shall we go an entertain ourselves then leave mummy and daddy alone for a bit?", isla made a noise as if to say no, "alright then shall we just play with your toys?", "Isla you going to show auntie niamh how you can build your tower", Karen asked Isla looking up at her mummy as she turned around Niamh now on the floor, she picked up a brick and held it out to Niamh, "no you do it Isla, you do it", karen had now sat next to them to, Karen placed one block on the floor for Isla to put the next on and the next, untill all the blocks were used up! "Yay", Karen and Niamh said in unison, Isla clapping her own success. Karen kissed her head, "well done baby", Rob looked on proudly before realising the time, "hate to break up your fun but it's time isla was going to bed", Isla made a grumpy face, "no! Daddy didn't just say the B word Isla!", Karen responded looking down at Isla who couldn't think of a worse place to go right now! "And we were having so much fun! Is daddy being a party pooper!", Niamh joined in the fun, "you know it will take a while for her to be settled tonight not being in her own bed", Rob responded, "right Isla you can have 5 more minutes and then it's bed otherwise it won't just be you in trouble with daddy!", Rob rolled his eyes before sitting back on the sofa watching whatever was left on the tv. Isla began to yawn, "is somebody tired", Rob commented catching her little mouth widen, a smile creepying on his face aswell as Isla's which was joined with a little shake of the head, "I think it was", karen tickled her belly making her giggle, "I think somebody needs there bed", Rob picked her up, Karen picked up her elephant, "right this ones going to bed", karen stood up, "night night Isla, sweet dreams", Niamh kissed her Forehead which made her screw up her nose rather cutely, "where are we all going to?", Ava asked confused at the parade to the door, "just putting Isla to bed mammy", "oh sleep well sweetheart", "do you have a good night kiss for grandma isla?", Rob asked, Isla leaning forward with her cute kissing face which was more just a slobbery open mouth, Niamh and karen just laughed at there mum, "yes, thanks dear", "right come on trouble up we go", Rob headed up the stairs Karen in toe as they headed up to start the battle of getting Isla to bed. They walked upstairs, and into the room they were staying in and over to the cot. "Here you go monkey" rob said as he kissed isla's little forehead. Karen gently placed her down in the cot and kissed her cheek, niamh doing the same. "Night sweetie" niamh said in no more than a whisper. Isla started sob. "Come on love, don't get all upset" screams filled the room as Isla cried. "Baby.." Karen picked her up and rocked her In her arms. "What's up with her?" Niamh asked. "She just doesn't want to be left alone, especially because she's not familiar with the surroundings" karen said whilst cradling isla. Her whole little face was screwed up, "what happened to my happy little girl aye", Rob came over with her elephant which she took but it wasn't enough to calm her down properly, "shhhh, it's time to sleep now Isla", Karen placed her back into the cot, she didn't expect her to stop screaming but it gave her a chance to fetch her blanket and dummy, "here we go, shhh I don't want to hear anymore screaming", isla continued to cry, "Isla if you keep screaming you won't get your dummy", Rob added, "Isla stop... If you stop crying you can have your blanket", it was relentless. "Karen you might aswell just give it to her", "but then she'll just scream everytime she wants anything. You can go down if you want, I'll stay and put her to bed", "no it's fine...Isla, Iiislaa", Rob said in a funny voice, "you going to stop making so much noise, stop giving mummy and daddy such a hard time", Isla began to calm down as Rob leant over the cot and spoke calmly, "here you go sweetheart'", Isla took hold of her blanket and dummy, "lie down then", Rob said Isla rather cutely lay back, her hand holding on to her blanket near her dummy. Karen and rob both kissed isla's head as she drifted off. Rob took karen's hand as they followed Niamh back downstairs. They walked into the kitchen and sat down at the breakfast bar, Karen perching on rob's knee. "Top Up?" Niamh offered gesturing towards the two empty glasses. Rob looked to karen for a response and she just smiled. "Yeah, thanks" rob replied for them both. Niamh smiled and poured the wine carefully into their glasses. "So, what's been going on in Rochdale since I left. I wasn't there for long.. But long enough that not a day goes by without a heap of drama" she laughed taking a sip of her wine. "Not much to be honest, plus your keeping quiet about someone you met on your visit", Karen hinted Rob just smiled, inwardly laughing, "I wouldn't have the faintest idea what your on about Karen", karen laughed and beamed as did Niamh, "So, did you talk to Chris?", "I may have done", "and... Your not getting out of this one lightly","well let's just say I extended my stay a little", "you dirty stop out Niamh!", Karen laughed with shock, "she's stringing the poor bugger along", Rob joined in the torment properly, taking a swig of wine as he did so. "Who said anything about stringing people along!", rob and Karen both looked up at Niamh who was blushing intensely, "so how do you expect this to work?", Karen asked confused, well she had a point long distance relationships never really worked, "well we are trying to see eachother at weekends and taking it in turns to stay at the others for a few weeks", "seems you've got it sussed", karen replied shocked, "that must cost you a fortune!", "well we don't have much option at the minute, trying to take it slowly", "well we're both very happy for you", Karen smiled but Rob cheekily looked at her, "who said anything about me being happy! I feel sorry for the bloke, having to put up with one of you girls!", Karen playfully slapped him before looking at him, "well you seem to be coping okay", she raised her eyebrows, her voice slightly husky as she spoke, "well you know me, I get on with things", "you are such a cheeky bugger!", "and you wouldn't have me any other way", Karen smiled as she leant forward capturing his lips with hers, "and that just proved It", Rob whispered. "Dinner's ready!", Ava called through, "great! I'm starving", karen looked at him, Rob looked back, "so you planning on moving anytime soon?", he asked her, after all he wasn't going anywhere till she got off his lap. "Why am I in your way?", she teased, "no more like obstructing my path", Karen laughed, "we can do this the easy way or the hard way", "hmm", Karen replied as if to say she was thinking about it, karen teased him. "The easy way being you get up now and we finally eat or the hard way, I tickle you till you move and ask your mum to get the baby photos that illustrate so many of Niamh's stories so well", karen pouted at him, "was that the hard way did you say?", Rob teased her back just as she was getting up, "oh that's a shame I was so looking forward to your mum dishing the dirt", "don't push it Scotcher!", she gave him a a sexy stare, "oh that can still be arranged", "and you can stay out of it", "I'm well out of this one, I mean I wasn't involved in this deal", Rob and Niamh continued to tease her, "right move your bum Scotcher and sit at that table before I have to drag you". Rob shot her a cheeky wink and sat down at the table, karen sitting next to him. Ava put the plates in front of them all, karen smiled at her. "T'anks mammy" karen smiled. She looked at rob who was grinning. "God Karen, how much stronger can your very sexy accent get? Because if it gets much stronger, I can't be held responsible for my actions.." He whispered, his breath grazing her cheek making her grin. "Glad you like my accent" she winked. "Anyway I thought you said you were hungry! Eat up!", the food was delicious Ava was a bit of a wiz in the kitchen, "mammy this is lovely, now this is the reason I come home at weekends", "watch it Niamh think you may have just nominated yourself for washing up duty", Rob commented, "now that isn't a bad idea Rob, Niamh you have the delightful duty of cleaning up", Niamh rolled her eyes in a childlike way. "Are we trying to get into mother in laws good books", Karen whispered so only he could hear, "Is that such a bad thing", Rob replied. Dinner was nearly over they sat enjoying a warm cup of coffee that was untill Isla had other ideas about sleeping. Rob got up, "hey, you stay here carry on with hearing about mammy's adventure in Thailand", "it's fine honestly", "no you stay here I promise I won't be longer than 5 minutes", "alright but if your not down in that I coming up as back up", "Back up? What do you think Isla's planning, Robbery?", "you know what I mean", karen kissed his cheek as she passed and headed quickly to there room where she was greeted with what looked like a red eyed monster. "Right grizzly guts what's the matter?",Karen lifted her up, Isla began to groan, "hweeeeyyy", Karen bounced her on her hip, "come on it's been a long day", "hweeeey". Isla continued Karen finally realising she missed her older brother, "he's not here Isla, he's with his daddy", Isla seemed to cry more at that comment, "hey but you'll see him soon", Isla was hysterical, "oh baby, shhh", Karen hated seeing her this upset so she had an idea, "shhh, listen to me Isla, I'll ring Harry, let him say goodnight to you, would you like that?", Isla didn't reply, "stop grizzling, there's no need for all these tears", Karen picked up her mobile off the side and dialled Harry, "mum?", "hello sweetheart, everything okay at your dad's?", "it's alright about to go out, anything to get away from Olivia and Jack", "Don't be so mean give them a chance", "mum?", "alright, just promise me you Won't give your dad hell", there was a silence, "harry", karen replied sternly, "alright I promise", "if you manage the next 2 days I'll sort it with your dad for you to come home early", "thanks mum!", "but you have to promise me no funny business, I'll make sure Jess keeps an eye on you", "okay, I learnt that lesson, I don't want to put you through it all again", "I should hope so, anyway I have a very upset little girl who wants her big brother to say goodnight to her", "goodnight? Shouldt she have been in bed like 3 hours ago!", "yeah she was but she's woken up missing you", "aww I miss her too!", "right I'm putting the phone next to Isla", Karen put it on loud for isla to hear, "na'night squirt, sleep well sweet dreams. Sending you a big hug and a kiss! Now you be good for mummy and daddy yeah", Isla calmed down "I'll see you soon", "bye Harry", the line went dead, "was that Harry Isla, did you like talking to him aye?", karen gave Isla a cuddle before settling her back into bed, "dada", Isla spoke, "he'll be up soon, now you go to sleep...lie back, that's it", she kissed her head before heading back downstairs to join the adults. She walked back into the kitchen, sitting down next to rob once again. "I was about to come and find you" he kissed her cheek before continuing. "What was the matter?" He asked. Karen looked at him. "She's missing harry, I rang him and he said goodnight..she calmed down instantly" she explained. Rob nodded and smiled. "She's gorgeous" ava spoke her thoughts. Karen turned her gaze to her mum and smiled. "She's the image of her mum" rob said planting a kiss on her cheek, and resting a hand on her upper thigh. Karen blushed bright red at his comment thinking of what her mum said. "Time to do the washing up" karen said smiling. "Ill do it, Niamh." Karen continued. "You sure, Karen?" Niamh looked shocked. Karen never did like washing up. Karen nodded. "Ill help, I wanted to talk to you anyway" ava added standing up and picking her's and niamhs plates taking them to the kitchen. Karen looked to niamh, them to rob. 'Oh God' she mouthed to him. He shrugged. She let out a sigh, and stood up, leaning down and kissing his lips softly and made her way to the kitchen. "Mammy, what did you want to talk to me about" karen asked, worry in her voice. "Nothing specific really" ava added. "Oh, well you can ask me anything" she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I don't want to ask anything, just.. I know we've sorted everything.. But I feel I need to say it again, I'm really sorry for blaming you for your dad's death.. It was wrong of me, I was just looking for someone to blame.. And I guess that person seemed to be you. I'm so sorry Karen darling". Karen walked over to her mum. "Mammy, as long as we are alright, and I don't lose you again, its alright. I don't blame you." She hugged her mum, lovingly. "I love you darling" ava kissed her daughters hair. "I love you too mammy" she tightened her grip on her mum. "Rob's a keeper. I never liked charlie you know, always had a bad feeling about him" she said. Karen broke away smiling, she loved Rob more than she could ever tell anyone, words could not accurately express how she felt. How he made her feel safe and indestructible, how he'd found her self confidence again and made her feel good about herself, "I don't think I'll be letting go of him", Karen's mum smiled proudly as Rob walked it he knew how happy he made her eldest daughter, she'd been through a lot in the last 2 years or too and she really deserved the happiness she was finally allowed to feel. "Well have to say rather impressed with the teamwork going on here", Rob commented having checked on Isla to make sure she was still asleep, "well us girls can get anything we put our mind to done quickly", Karen laughed at her sisters little speech, "just went and checked on Isla", "oh and? She hasn't woken up again has she?", "no she's sound asleep, calling Harry seems to have done the trick", Karen smiled and looked as if she was going to give Rob a kiss but sneakily passed him the clean plate, "and what's this?", he asked with a smile in his voice, "it's your next job", Karen smiled as Rob went and got all the other clean dishes off the side and headed out to put them away before returning, "wow! If only you were this helpful at home", Karen headed towards him this time for a kiss, "oi! I am helpful", "hmmm helpful in terms of getting you and Harry out of the way because your in my way!", "well it's nice to know you appreciate us", Rob put on a mock pout, "oh I do appreciate you, just not when your being a pain in my kitchen", "your kitchen", "our kitchen", they shared a kiss, Ava and Niamh had left, "well your write Karen it is your kitchen", "no it's ours Rob, it's our house", "but it's not really", "well what are you suggesting Rob?", Karen looked up at him confused, "well we could have our own house, that really was ours", "what move?", "yes", Karen wasn't sure, "we wouldn't be moving far, we still need to be able to get into school and Harry needs to be able To get to college",Karen ran the idea through her mind, "why not! Let's do it!", Karen smiled, she loved the idea, "really?", "well my old house has so many memories and not all good!", "If you're sure? I don't want you to feel pressured or-", karen kissed his lips passionately before he could finish his sentence. "I'm very, very sure!" She grinned. He looked her straight in the eyes and grinned back, before suddenly picking her up in his arms and spinning her around, kissing her lips deeply. She hungrily responded to the kiss, and wrapped her legs around his waist. He backed her back to the kitchen side and placed her down on it kissing her again. Niamh walked in, "Karen, do you fancy watching a fil-" she stopped when she saw them, and burst out laughing. "You caught me, I caught you. I call that even. No more said." Karen warned her younger sister. "I was going to ask if you wanted to watch some home movies.. But it looks like your going to be pre-occupied. Stay Safe" and with that niamh made a swift exit. Karen looked at rob, and burst out laughing, getting down off the side. "Is that proof enough for you that I'm sure", Karen posed the question, "I'd say I'm satisfied", Karen just smiled and rolled her eyes, "you coming to join Niamh?", "I think I'll pass I have a few other ideas", "ROB!", "what?", he replied cheekily, "number 1 we're at my mum's and 2 Isla's asleep in our room", "since when has that stopped us?", he took her hand in his, Karen pulled back, "karen?", "well then we best go say goodnight to everyone first, I'm mean it would be rude not to", Karen replied slightly menacingly. "Oh of course", Rob replied, they headed into the lounge, Niamh looked up, "where's mammy?", Karen asked, "she went up to bed", "oh okay well I just came to say goodnight, we're going up now", "oh I bet you are! Just don't keep me up!", "Niamh there's not going to be much of that, we do have a sleeping baby!", Rob's heart sank a little, "see you in the morning", they left the lounge and closed the door, "you letting my down Mrs?", "of course not, but have to keep some of my love life hidden from my sister, can't have her knowing everything", Rob smiled, "take me to bed Rob", Karen commented again her irish accent coming out stronger than ever, "oh happily!", He scooped up her hand and kissed her lips softly before picking her up in his arms, making her squeal a little. He carried her up the stairs, to the bedroom they were in at the end of the hall. skilfully pushing the door open quietly with his foot. "Impressive" karen whispered, her voice husky. "I try" He captured her lips with his, and lowered her down onto the bed. "You do realise we are going to have to be quiet.. For Isla's sake.. And everyone's in the house. Especially us.. Don't fancy the 3dr degree of mammy at breakfast in the morning" karen said. "You sound so sexy Mrs. Scotcher" "Oh shut up and just kiss me", Karen and Rob shared a passionate kiss as they began to undress eachother, giggling as they made an effort to keep quiet. But then a noise stopped them in there tracks, "mammy I told you last weekend, if your running a bath you have to turn the tap to the left cause your taps are backwards", "but then it's cold?", "no! It will be hot because the taps are backwards", "niamh stop shouting", Karen and Rob laughed, "do you know what not in the mood with those two bickering!", karen moaned sadly, Rob agreed and they got ready for bed and lay in eachothers arms, Karen's head lay on his chest and Rob stroked her hair away. "So we're moving house", Rob said cheekily he was rather excited! "We are! Though not quite sure how Harry will take it!", "leave him to me" Rob stroked Karen's shoulder. "I can't stop smiling" Rob blurted out happily. "Me neither' karen agreed cheerily. "A house is all we needed to complete us. We have a baby, a marriage.. And we love each other", "yes, we do" karen grinned. "Maybe we could get a puppy too?" Rob asked cutely. "A dog?" Karen asked. Rob nodded. "Isla took well to frazer, I'm sure she'd love a dog.. I know I would", "Ill think about it.. But if I do agree.. And I mean if. You remember scotcher.. I'm your wife, not the dog. I need to be loved and hugged too," karen winked."I will always love you...I always have loved you" he moved onto his side, resting in his elbow. Karen mirrored his actions. "I've always loved you too, since the first day I met you" she stared deep in his blue eyes as she continued; "do you think everyone's in bed?" She asked quietly. Rob stayed quiet for a moment, listening for any movement. He heard nothing, so replied; "yeah, I think so. Can't hear anything. Why?" He was confused. She moved a little closer to him, "I think we broke off a little prematurely earlier.." He could feel her breath on his face. "I thought you weren't in the mood?" He asked. "I wasn't.." She confirmed, her lips hovering dangerously close to his, "but now.. I am very much in the mood" Rob looked over at Isla who was sound asleep like a good little girl, "well then Mrs Scotcher", karen giggled inwardly, Rob captured her lips before rolling over on top of her. His lips travelled down her neck as there night of passion began. Isla remained asleep, it had been a long night, though it hadn't been enough to wear Rob and Karen out clearly!