Chapter 21: Heartbroken!

That night, after ensuring that his aunt was comfortable, Kane began watching a late night movie and ended up falling asleep on the sofa. He didn't wake up until just after nine the following morning, when he heard his aunt calling for him. He took her up a cup of tea and some breakfast and sat with her for a while. Just as he was leaving her room, someone rang the doorbell. Kane hesitated, aware that his hair was messy, his clothes rumpled, then decided it didn't matter. Surely it wouldn't be anyone important so early in the morning?

"Emma!" he said, startled to see his girlfriend standing on the doorstep, Jordan in her arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't wake you, did I?" she asked, taking in his untidy appearance. "Mum has taken Lucy up to Yabbie Creek to get things for school and we needed to get out, so I thought we'd come and see you. Besides, I think we need to talk, don't you?"

"It's…it's fine, I just didn't expect to see you. Here, let me take him," he reached for Jordan and Emma passed her son to him. "Come in. Sorry about the mess."

"Daddy!" Jordan laughed, clinging to his shoulder and patting the side of his face. Kane smiled and so did Emma, though she looked a little embarrassed too.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "He says that to a lot of people, it doesn't mean anything-"

"It doesn't matter." Kane cut her off, amused. "I don't mind, why should I?"

"I just…" Emma couldn't quite meet his eyes. "I don't want you, or anyone else, to think that I'm trying to force my child onto you, that's all."

"Don't be silly," her boyfriend smiled and kissed Jordan's forehead. "Actually, I'm rather honoured. I was just about make some toast if you want some."

"Kane!" His aunt called down the stairs. "Who is it, darling?"

"It's Emma!" Kane called back. "You remember, the girl I told you about?" He turned to Emma. "Would you like to come up and meet her? I've told her all about you and Jordan."

"All right," Nervously, Emma followed him up the stairs. She knew that Kane's aunt was very important to him and she didn't want to make the wrong impression. But she didn't have to worry; the elderly lady lying in bed wasn't at all frightening.

"This is Emma," Kane told her. "And her son, Jordan. Emma, my aunt Rose."

"Hello," Emma said shyly. Jordan copied her, studying the lady with interest though he kept a tight hold on his mum.

"Hello dear," Kane's aunt smiled warmly. "It is nice to meet you at last. I have heard a lot about you."

"I'll just leave you two alone for a few minutes," Kane told them. "I need to have a quick shower. I'll be back soon."

He left and Kane's aunt patted the edge of her bed. Emma sat down, her son on her knee, a little unsure of what to say. But Rose was the first to speak.

"So you are Kane's girlfriend?" she asked. "Emma, is it? He talks about you all the time, you know, you and your little one. He thinks a lot of you."

"And I think a lot of him," Emma said at once. "Things haven't been easy, with all that stuff about his past and everything, but we are getting through it."

"I'm glad," the older woman smiled. "I know Kane has made mistakes, but he isn't a bad lad really, not deep down. I think you are good for him; he needs more friends in the Bay. Just don't," she paused and Emma looked at her curiously, "just don't hurt him, will you, dear? I wouldn't like to see him get hurt again."

"I have no intention of hurting him," Emma promised her. "There is no need for you to worry about that. I love him."

"Do you really mean that?"

"Yes," she didn't even need to hesitate. "I love Kane, I really do."

"Then I hope that everything works out for you both," Kane's aunt told her. "You certainly have my full support."

"Full support for what?" Kane appeared in the doorway, casually dressed in shorts and a loose shirt, his hair still wet from his shower. "Is everything all right, auntie?"

"Perfect," she smiled and nodded. "Absolutely perfect. You all go and have some breakfast, I'll be fine."

Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting on the sofa in the front room, eating jam and toast in front of the television. Jordan was sitting on the floor, engrossed in his cartoons, muttering away to himself and occasionally glancing round to make sure that his mum was still sitting behind him.

Neither Emma nor Kane spoke for a while. Hesitantly, unsure of what her reaction would be, he slipped an arm around her shoulders. She rested her head against his shoulder, relaxed.

"I'm really glad you came by," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I was beginning to think that I'd done something to really upset you."

"Of course not! I'm really sorry I've been off with you lately, Kane. I just needed some time to myself, to get my feelings in order after all this counselling business."

"There is no need to apologise," Kane stroked her hair. "I understand how difficult all this must be for you. Especially after…what I did. But you do know that I…I'm sorry for that, don't you?"

"Oh Kane!" Emma looked up at him, and touched his face lightly. He turned his head slightly to kiss her palm. "I know that you're sorry and you can see that what you did was wrong. Thank you, thank you so much for being so understanding about all this." Surprising them both, she kissed him, embracing him fiercely. "I do love you, I really do. I am so lucky to have met you."

"I think I'm the lucky one," Kane kissed her again, his arms encircling her tightly, protectively. "I really thought that you wouldn't want anything more to do with me after you had found out about Dani…and I am so glad that it didn't happen. I feel like I have been given a second chance. I love you too."

"Yuck!" As they kissed again, Jordan turned around and giggled. "Kisses."

"Do you want one?" Reluctantly pulling away from Kane, Emma lifted him onto her lap and gave him a kiss. He cuddled against her and put his thumb in his mouth. "You know," she said, turning back to her boyfriend. "I've been doing a lot of thinking these last few days, about the past and everything, and I really think I'm ready to move on. From now, I am going to try and focus on the future."

"That's wonderful," Kane brushed his lips against hers once again, taking her hand in his. "I can understand why you are so upset about what happened, but it's better if you don't let it control the rest of your life. I'll do everything I can to help you and support you; you know that, don't you? If you ever need to talk or someone to hold you, you come to me at any time you need to, even if it is the middle of the night. And if that bastard who hurt you ever showed his face here, I really would kill him for what he did to you."

"You would have to get there before Benny did," Emma gave a weak smile. "Thanks, Kane. I don't know what I'd do without you. From today, this is a new start for us. We can put all the bad stuff behind us and start again."

"A new start," he agreed. "How about we celebrate that with lunch at the Diner? My treat."

"Lunch," Jordan said firmly. "Sausages, lunch."

*~*~*~*

The Diner was getting busy when they arrived as it was nearing lunchtime, but they managed to get a corner table. It hardly mattered anyway as they sat so close together that Emma was practically sitting on Kane's lap. Jordan had some sausages, his favourite, and a beaker of milk, while Kane and Emma both took turns at feeding him and feeding food to each other, occasionally pausing to exchange a quick kiss or two.

"I don't think I have ever been this happy," he said suddenly, gently raising his hand to stroke her cheek, brushing bits of her dark hair behind her ear. "I don't want this to end."

"It won't," she slipped her hand round to the back of his neck, running her fingers through his hair. "It can't. It'll be all right, Kane, we'll make things work no matter what anyone says."

He smiled and leant in to kiss her. Emma responded immediately and for a moment, they completely forgot where they were. Until there was a cough from beside them.

"You two should be ashamed of yourselves," they drew apart and glanced up to see Colleen glaring at them. "Making such a scene in public! Honestly, I don't know what the world is coming to!"

"Oh, leave them be, Colleen!" Alf gently scowled her, from where he was leaning on the counter waiting for Leah to finish making his lunch. "They're in love."

"Well I still don't think that is any excuse for such public displays of affection," Colleen grumbled. Picking up a stack of plates, she went through to the back, still muttering away to herself. Alf smiled over at Kane and Emma, who both smiled back at him before turning back to each other. They were good kids really and he was glad that they were happy. He just felt relieved that he hadn't sent Benny to get their lunch instead. He watched them for just a moment before taking up his sandwiches and cake and leaving the Diner.

Kirsty, who was sitting alone in the corner with a chocolate milkshake, found she had a lump in her throat as she watched them. As Kane fed Emma a piece of apple and then turned to help Jordan with his milk, she was forced to admit that they did look like one happy family. For everyone's sake, she had attempted to push her feelings for Kane away, telling herself that their relationship was in the past. Keeping everyone happy, having him as a friend, was more important and she really was pleased that he was happy with Emma. And yet she knew that she still did love him and seeing him with her, being so loving and affectionate, hurt her more than she had imagined it would. As a single tear fell into her drink, she really did feel as though her heart was breaking.

*~*~*~*

When Emma popped back home, a few hours later, Jess told her that Cameron had called to say that Allee had woken up.

"Is she all right?" Emma asked at once. Jess smiled and nodded.

"Cameron did say that they wouldn't know the results of the operation for another day or so and she has to stay in hospital until they know for sure, but she seems fine. He says you can go and see her as soon as you like."

"I'll go now!" Emma gave the young woman a quick hug, grabbed a bottle of juice from the fridge for Jordan and hurried out of the door. "Tell mum that I'll be back later!"

Together she, Kane and Jordan made their way to the hospital. It was quite a walk but the teenagers didn't mind. It was nice to get out on their own, away from everything. They chatted about nothing in particular, laughed about what Colleen had said and it felt as though they were a real family.

Allee was lying down, dozing when they arrived, but she woke up as they entered the room. "Hey Emma," she said sleepily and winced. "Ow! Stitches. Hey Kane! Hello Jordan." She grinned at Emma, the look on her friend's face telling her that they had managed to work things out. "How's your day been?"

"Fine, how about yours?" Emma said jokingly. Allee managed a smile.

"Been sleeping most of the day. Dad said you called just after I went into theatre?"

"Just wanted to check how you were."

"Bad timing." Allee yawned. "Can I hold Jordan for a minute?"

"Of course," Emma nodded and Kane handed him to Allee. He grinned at her and patted her face gently.

"Nice to see that you're okay," Kane said awkwardly. "Emma's been pretty worried about you. Actually, I think a lot of people have. I-I was too."

"Thanks," Allee yawned again and Jordan giggled.

"Tired," he said. "Go sleep."

"I feel like I need it," Allee admitted. Emma took Jordan from her, balancing him on her hip. "Do you mind if I-?"

"Don't be stupid, it's fine. Go to sleep and I promise I'll come back and see you tomorrow morning. First thing."

"I'll be looking forward to it," Allee muttered as her eyes began to close. The last thing she saw was Kane giving her best friend a quick kiss before sleep overcame her.

Next chapter: As school starts again, Lucy attempts to impress Dylan and Kirsty writes Kane a letter, but panics when she discovers that it is missing…