This chapter is a bit longer than usual, hope you enjoy!!! :D

Danielle took a deep breath as she pushed the door open, preparing herself for what was to come. As the club came into view Danielle couldn't resist the smile that spread across her face as Ronnie jumped up from her chair, clearly over eager to see her daughter. It had been a heart warming moment to see her mum's face light up with one glance at her daughter; that was Danielle's dream summed up in one simple gesture, to have her real mum to genuinely love her. But still it wasn't perfect, and despite Ronnie doing everything right, Danielle could still feel herself being held back.

Ronnie wanted to allow her love to flow over Danielle, but restraint seemed to be the key at the moment, though it appeared they'd had a breakthrough when Danielle had not only returned but she had also smiled. Ronnie could see how beautiful her baby had become and she never wanted that image to fade.

After a silent moment shared between the pair, Ronnie decided to make the next move by expressing her concern which would hopefully convey her love along with it, "Is everything ok?"

Danielle frowned slightly having temporarily forgotten the other situations, which now seemed to be revolving around herself and Ronnie, "What? Oh yeah, Stacey...its fine."

"Good" Ronnie offered a smile with her reply, unsure of what to do or say next she remained silent waiting to see if Danielle would give away any clues as to what she was thinking or feeling. Danielle abruptly broke their eye contact and shifted uncomfortably whilst looking down at her fidgeting hands which were lightly clasped together. She had felt quite relaxed with Ronnie for a few seconds, but had quickly become conscious of the situation as the past events came flooding back all at once.

Within moments it felt as though Danielle had reverted back to her usual self in Ronnie presence, she felt shy and intimidated by her mother. This clearly showed in her appearance as Ronnie immediately noticed the subtle change in her daughters attitude, Ronnie almost felt ashamed that she could make her own daughter feel this way, but it was more guilt and regret that she felt above all. Ronnie's behaviour not only towards Danielle, but also as a person in general had caused her to portray this image and for Danielle to feel this way. In an attempt to make herself less intimidating and to put Danielle at ease, Ronnie sunk back down onto her stool. Danielle's eyes flicked up as she noticed the movement, but very little changed in her expression.

Ronnie sighed in sadness that she couldn't make her daughter happy. It seemed that with every step forward there was step back, if only they could move forward, no matter how slowly this would be, it would be worth it, but Ronnie had begun to doubt her ability to be the mother Danielle deserved. She didn't yet know if Danielle even wanted her as a mother, maybe some answers was all Danielle had been looking for and not a relationship at all. Ronnie had so far had no opportunity to even ask this most simple of questions, though she knew the majority or questions would be aimed at her and she needed to prepare herself to answer anything her daughter needed to know.

"Would you like to sit down?" Ronnie asked warily, almost not finishing the question in fear of a bad reaction from Danielle. She indicated to the stool at her side, though it was a good distance away, something Ronnie prayed would aid her in convincing Danielle; she didn't want to make her daughter feel trapped, but at the same time didn't know how to start with the atmosphere feeling so awkward between them.

Danielle glanced at the stool, but didn't move. The requested processed in her mind for a moment before she began to consider her options; this was still Ronnie's territory and it felt as though control was gradually slipping away from her. Danielle once again glared at the stool before cautiously approaching it, she reasoned that she would still be aimed at the door and was not trapped as she could see and reach her escape if necessary. Turning back now was not really an option as she had come this far and it would be cowardly to run away, and, though she tried to deny it, Danielle was curious as to what Ronnie would have to say, how she would behave; every little detail about her mother still fascinated Danielle, after wanting this for so long she couldn't simply ignore her heart's true desire.

Ronnie breathed a sigh of relief as Danielle sat herself on the stool, granted she was perched on the very edge and clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but at least she was still here. Ronnie tilted her head to one side and gazed both lovingly and curiously at her daughter. After a few moments Danielle looked up expectantly, waiting for something other than being watched. This prompted Ronnie into action, she decided the best approach would be to start softly and be as honest as possible, though this was easier said than done. "I'm...I don't really know how to do this...I don't know how to be, how you want me to be , what you want me to be..." Ronnie took a deep breath, she knew this was probably making no sense whatsoever, it sounded ridiculous in her own head with words not even making sentences after she had said them, let alone sense. She felt frustration with herself; this was the most important thing she had ever had to say and it was coming out wrong, she dreaded to think of how Danielle was perceiving her rambles.

Ronnie continued, but tried to be clearer in her meaning, "I know what I want, what I want to be to you, but it's you that matters and...I don't know, I don't know what you want from me...I don't know how to be a mum, I know you might not even want that..." Ronnie quickly back tracked, fearing that she had said the wrong thing and given Danielle the impression that she would push her in a direction she was not comfortable with. "I just...I won't force anything onto you, everything is down to you, it can all be at your pace" Ronnie paused, not sure what more she could say to ease the tension, Danielle wore a reasonably blank expression with her eyes lingering on the floor beneath Ronnie's stool, though she was obviously taking it all in and thinking it through.

Once again, Ronnie deeply breathed in the surrounding air and aimed for a response, any indication from Danielle as to how she was suppose to handle the situation, "Danielle, I really want to be everything you want and need, I just...What do you want?" Eventually Ronnie decided to ask a direct question, hoping this would trigger a response, good or bad, she couldn't keep rambling on like this all day, it was getting them nowhere.

Danielle sighed, her arms lightly wrapped around herself, as she attempted to explain her own thoughts, "I just want you to be who you are..." Tears threatened her eyes as Danielle allowed her emotions to pull her into the conversation, "You change so much and I realised I don't even know you, not really, I tried to get to know you but...that's what I want Ronnie, the real you."

"This is the real me, Danielle I promise I won't change again, this is it, now I've got you back I won't be like that anymore" Ronnie implored her words and put as much conviction in her voice as she could muster against the tears she tried to hold back, which crept into her words nonetheless.

Danielle sighed, she wanted so much to believe Ronnie, but it was too soon, "How do I know that?"

Hope you've enjoyed the update. I was going to split it into smaller chapters, but I thought I'd give you a treat as I haven't updated very often recently ;D I hope I'm portraying this well. The reviews so far have been really amazing, please, please keep them coming!!! :D