Ronnie sat alone her finger poised over the call button to ring Rebecca's number but something was holding her back. She had hated making her leave but there was no way Roxy would have let her stay, Ronnie knew they just needed a bit of time to calm down. The thing with the painkillers was worrying but in Ronnie's head she had convinced herself that this would be the wake up call Rebecca needed. It wasn't that bad, she'd stop now... It was such a naive way of thinking but with everything that was happening with Danielle Ronnie couldn't think straight.

She didn't know why she was here. She wasn't sure what it would achieve but she had wanted to know so badly whether Amy was ok. Ronnie had looked surprised when she had opened the door to see her daughter standing in front of her. It had been easy at first because Danielle didn't have to speak to Ronnie, she occupied herself with Amy and Roxy. But it wasn't long before the effects of an incredibly long day of excitement had caught up on Amy and she was fast asleep in no time, Roxy had carried her off to her cot leaving mother and daughter sat alone. Ronnie didn't dare say anything but Danielle simply interpreted it as not wanting to say something and so the silence continued, neither knowing how to break down the wall that stood between them.

"I made a mistake..." Ronnie eventually started, she knew it was pointless but she had to try and stop this. She was trying to read every emotion on Danielle's face but it was like she'd shut down completely cold and hard. Danielle didn't realise it but she truely was her mothers daughter.

"Its not just that... There's a lot of things wrong here Ronnie" Danielle sighed. Hearing Danielle call her Ronnie instead of mum broke Ronnie's heart, it was actual physical pain.

"Tell me what I can do to fix it and i'll fix it" Ronnie promised, her eyes longed for Danielle to open up to her. This wasn't unnoticed by Danielle, Ronnie's eyes always told the truth about how she was feeling. It was a weird sensation for Danielle to be fighting the desire to just be held in Ronnie's arms but she knew she was doing the right thing.

"There's no simple answer" Danielle was struggling to explain herself and Ronnie was getting frustrated. It would be so easy for Danielle just to ignore everything and forget that she'd been hurt over what had happened with Joel but that wasn't going to make things better.

"I can't go back in time Dan, I can't not give you away but you came looking for me, you wanted me" Ronnie insisted, there was so much hurt in their past but none of it could be changed, they were open wounds that had been infected by betrayal and now it was harder than ever to heal them.

"Look where that got me! Ronnie you don't even like me!" Danielle snapped, her fists were clenched and anger was bubbling away.

"Don't like you? Danielle I love you" Ronnie promised, she didn't understand how Danielle could possibly think this. The past few weeks had been perfect.

"I just happen to be your daughter Ronnie, it's biology. You choose your friends but you can't choose your family." Danielle mused

"I can though Dan, I don't have to have you in my life at all. I have no legal tie to you. Instead I choose you Danielle, I choose to have you in my life because I love you" Ronnie was edging ever closer to Danielle.

"But Joel..." Danielle started, she knew her basis for arguing with Ronnie was weak but it was symbolic of so much more.

"...Was a mistake. I am not perfect Danielle" Ronnie felt like she was shattering an illusion, she just wasn't sure which one of them had built it in the first place.

"I want to take things slowly this time..." Danielle began, granted this wasn't perfect but she'd started on the difficult road to reconciliation.

"Ok." Ronnie smiled, baby steps were still steps.

Danielle flushed red "...if I hug you it doesn't mean everything is better... I just need..." Danielle was stuttering now, she didn't know how to explain that even though she was furious with Ronnie and though she really did want to build up everything from the beginning slowly and securely, she still longed for that contact. Luckily for Danielle Ronnie knew exactly what she meant, holding Danielle in her arms was the most natural thing in the world it was that desperate desire for affection that despite everything still burned strong.

"Why is this so hard?" Danielle asked, her voice sounded like a little girl. She had everything she wanted but it still wasn't right.

"We just need to work at it. If its what we both want then we'll get there in the end" Ronnie sighed, stroking Danielle's hair. She hoped this wasn't too much, she was just taking chances here. It wasn't long until both had fallen asleep.

***

Opening her eyes, Ronnie was suddenly aware of how much discomfort she was in. Realising she'd fallen asleep on the sofa, Ronnie began to stretch, the first thing she noticed was that Danielle had gone. Looking around the room Ronnie quickly spotted a note that Danielle had left Speak soon x. With a deep sigh Ronnie made her way into the kitchen, spotting the open box of Crunchy Nut on the counter, well at least she had breakfast first, Ronnie thought. That natural mothering instinct kicking in before sitting down and pouring herself a bowl. Breakfast alone just wasn't the same and she ate silently thinking of how different things had been just a week ago.

"There's no milk!" Danielle complained looking at the empty bottle that stood on the table. "Yeah sorry about that" Rebecca giggled eating her own cereal. "Whatever, i'll have toast" Danielle sighed. "Yeah no bread either babe" Roxy grinned, biting into a piece of toast. "We really need to go shopping" Ronnie smiled, eating the last yogurt. "I am so going to the cafe" Danielle rolled her eyes and made her way towards the door.