Dani scraped back her long black hair into a ponytail. Her face was bare. She had the same feeling in her stomach the last time she knew she was going to see him; but this was different. She would try to make her peace. She had to.
Rhys waited patiently for his family to come downstairs. Their mediation session was at midday, but he wanted to talk to them first, or at least what was left of them. Shelley had left him, after Kirsty's recovery, and moved in with her new lawyer boyfriend in Sydney. Only Jade, Max and Dani would be joining him today. .
"Morning Dad." Jade was ready.
"Morning Jade." There was a slight pause. What could they say? They were pleased they would see Kirsty again, yet angry because Kane would be there. Rhys only wanted Kirsty to come home now.
"How's Dani?"
"She's okay, she's almost ready."
"Good. And Max?"
"Brushing his teeth as we speak. Dad are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, you know how it is. I'll be civil for Kirsty's sake. You never know. There might be one more at the table tonight."
"I hope so."
Dani entered the room silently. She forged a smile. "Max is just coming."
"Good. Well let's get this show on the road. Max, we'll be waiting in the car!" shouted Rhys. "Don't forget to lock up!"
The Sutherlands descended into their old car, still not saying a word, but little did they know that was about to change. Soon their real emotions would show.
***
The Drop in Centre was quiet before the storm. Flynn wiped the tables yet again, and changed the water of the tulips. He doubted it would make a difference to anything, but there was no harm in trying. Kirsty and Kane were bang on time, with Kane wearing smart trousers and a shirt, and Kirsty wearing one of her few dresses.
"Hi Flynn, " said Kirsty. "I just want to say thanks for letting us do this. I hope it works out."
"I'm here if you ever need me Kirsty, as a doctor and a friend. You too Kane."
Kane smiled. He didn't have too many friends around here. They sat down and began to wait. Kane wasn't used to looking so smart, and was dying to change into his legendary t-shirt and shorts. He was only dressed like this for Kirsty's sake. As if clothes would make a difference.
The sound of feet approaching broke the silence. The Sutherlands were here. Kirsty got up. She wasn't sure whether to hug them or cry, or both. She finally managed a quiet 'Hello."
Rhys nodded. "Hello Kirsty. Kane."
Flynn was ready to mediate. "Please, take a seat." Dani took the seat as far away from Kane as she could, and Max was opposite. Jade sat on the other side of Kirsty, and managed a slight smile. "I'm glad you could all make it." Rhys shot a look at Kane. "Now, I know how you must all be feeling at the moment, and some of you haven't communicated for a while. I hope we can listen to what each other has to say, and work out some of the issues. I only ask that you be patient while everyone speaks."
"Fine by me, " said Rhys. "Kirsty, I just want to make it clear. We never wanted your baby to die; I wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all my own daughter. I know my actions weren't thought through, and I regret pushing you away. You know I never want to see you hurt."
"I think I knew that. I think I was just looking for someone to blame, " said Kirsty. "I'm sorry I shouted at all of you."
"I'm sorry too Kirsty, I should have been honest. I was looking forward to becoming a grandparent, " said Rhys, faltering. "And I shouldn't have blamed you for the demise of my marriage. That's my own fault."
Kane still hadn't spoken yet. They were still skirting round the real issue. He gripped Kirsty's hand. Dani winced.
Flynn picked up on Kane's isolation. "Kane, would you like to say something?"
"Okay." Kane took a deep breath. "I don't really know where to start. I know how you feel about me, and I don't blame you for that. You still think I'm the same person I was years ago. I'm not. Kirsty has helped me to change in more ways than you can imagine. We all know that's the real issue here; that I love Kirsty."
"That is not the issue, " said Dani, pained. "The issue is what you did to me, and how you behaved afterwards; how you made me feel and how my sister seems to have forgotten this."
"I haven't forgotten!" exclaimed Kirsty.
"Well how can you touch him? You say he's different, but he'll always be the same person to me, always. I'm sorry Kirsty, but I don't see it. He said he was sorry, and that he understood he was wrong, but that doesn't ever make the pain go away. " Dani began to cry. "You see what he does to me?"
"I…I didn't mean to, " said Kane.
"Of course you didn't, " cried Dani. "Poor Kane the victim!"
"He's not condoning his actions, " said an emotional Kirsty. "He was messed up then. His brother planted all these ideas in his head, and made him do all these things he didn't want to."
"So that gave him the excuse to take what he can't have?"
"No!" Kirsty was growing frustrated. "Dani you have to move on. People can change. I've changed. I used to take drugs. Now I don't. Jade used to have bulimia. Now she doesn't. We've all changed, just like Kane. He can't be bad forever."
Dani sighed. She knew Kirsty had a point, yet still knew she could never have remotely platonic feelings about Kane. It just wouldn't work. "I keep trying to move on, but every time I try, I become the same person I was two years ago; frozen and helpless. Just when I think I'm stronger, I see him and I'm weak."
Kane shuffled awkwardly in his seat. Never had he felt so ashamed; He had the Sutherlands glaring at him from all angles. Only the warmth of Kirsty's hand holding his made it better.
"I don't see how this will work Dani if you can't move on from the past, " said Kirsty, wiping her eyes. "I wanted to talk about the future, I wanted to repair our relationship."
"No matter how I feel about Kane, I had no hatred towards the baby. I didn't want it to die, and I'm equally sad, " said Dani.
"Me too, " said Jade, chipping in. "It made me realise how short life is. We can't be angry forever; it's just a waste of life. No matter how I feel about the situation Kirst, I'll always love you, you know that, and I know I haven't been the best sister to you over this time. I wish I hadn't been so obnoxious."
"It was understandable, " smiled Kirsty.
"I hope we never fight again, well at least not like this."
Dani and Rhys were still silent. They wouldn't forgive so easily. Kane still felt awkward. He wasn't part of this family moment.
"So, " said Flynn. "What happens now?"
"I really don't know, " said Rhys. "I would love it Kirsty, if you came back home with us." Kirsty shot a worried look at Kane. "It's your decision, but we could gradually work this out between ourselves. You could go back to school, and see Kane at weekends. Living together can be pretty intense."
"I know Dad, but I don't want anything to come between us."
"Nothing can, " said Kane. "I think it's a good idea. I can't be your family; you need to be with them. We can still see each other."
"As long as you don't come to the house."
"I won't, " promised Kane. "We'd better get your stuff Kirsty."
"I'll pick her up later." Rhys didn't want Kane near the house at the moment, plus he didn't have a car.
"Kane, do you want to go for a walk? We have some things to discuss." Kane obliged, and after Kirsty uneasily hugged her family, they made their way towards the nearby beach.
"Wow, " said Kirsty. "How do you think that went?"
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it could be. I still have both arms and legs which is good."
"I wouldn't have let Dad hurt you. Are you gonna miss me when I go back home?"
"Yeah, I suppose. I mean I'll have the bathroom back, more food and stuff like that, but I think it's best you go back home. I'd be selfish to keep you all to myself. Plus I don't want you to be pushed away from your family. The sooner you make up with them, the sooner they might accept us, " said Kane as they walked. "I hardly think we'll get to the family barbeques stage."
"That doesn't matter. It might be better this way. We can go on dates, have late night phone calls; they say absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Kane smiled. "I'm sure it will."
"I'll miss living with you though. We've been through so much, on the run and here. I feel like we've been living together forever."
"I'll miss you too, but we'll still see each other. I'm only a bus ride away."
"Yeah but it won't be the same, " Kirsty stopped walking. "I want to make sure we still stay strong. Kane, will you marry me?"
Kane had never felt so stunned in his life. Kirsty had taken him completely by surprise. He's always intended to propose to her, but never got round to it. "Aren't I supposed to ask that?"
"It's the 21st century Kane! Do I get an answer anytime soon?"
"Yeah. I'll marry you."
"Great!" Kirsty had butterflies in her stomach. "No prizes for guessing how my family will take this."
"Doesn't matter, " said Kane. "All that matters is us. How about sealing our engagement with a kiss?"
Kirsty smiled, and the newly engaged couple kissed, ready to take the world on with their love.
Chapter 50 will follow…