Disclaimer : I don't own anything unless it's so unoriginal that it could be mine lol.

MISSA32189 : Arr thank you. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

DUCKS-GO-QUACK-00 : Once again, thank you for your review. This in fact id the final installment of this story, though I have another story in the works. Anyways thanks for your support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Chapter 9

CONNIE'S P.O.V

I was dreading this. I had spent most of my night, trying to figure out exactly how to tell them. I almost had a speech written in my head, rehearsing it over and over again as though it was a play, with me playing the bad guy. About half an hour before they were due to arrive, I headed upstairs, needing to be alone to collect my thoughts. Before I knew it, I heard them arrive, they still didn't know that I was back. I looked at the window, almost as though I was planning my escape route. Eventually after plucking up enough courage, I slowly and quietly made my way down stairs. Pete and Adam were stood near the kitchen doorway, but the kids were no where in sight.

"Hey honey". Pete stepped toward me, pulling me into a hug. "How are you"?

"I've been better". I answered truthfully.

"Are you sure you want to be the one to tell them"? I didn't get a chance to reply, as the kids were already running into the house and caught sight of me.

"CONNIE". They all screamed and dashed to me, wrapping their small arms around me.

"Hey guys". I tried to be cheerful, but it was hard, even harder after I noticed the look on Jack's face.

"How's mom"? He blurted out. He caught me off guard, this wasn't how I rehearsed it.

"She's um... She"... I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"She's dead isn't she"? He yelled, I managed a feeble nodd. "You promised she'd be ok, you promised". He began backing up.

"Jack, your mom was really ill". Pete intervened.

"She promised she'd be ok. Why didn't you tell me the truth"? He got as far as the door.

"Jack I didn't have a choice, the doctor said she wasn't getting any better".

"YOU, You told them to turn the machines off"! He shouted.

"I, had". I began following him outside.

"No, you KILLED my mom". He ran off down the front path, Pete following me.

"JACK". I yelled after him, as Pete took off after him, and Charlie, Julie, Guy and Emma were climbing out of the car.

I sunk to the floor, tears streaming down my face. I buried my face in my hands and remained there, until I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I shrugged them away quickly, as though they were burning me with a red hot poker.

"He's just upset Connie". Julie told me.

"Just leave me alone". I snapped then got up and ran in a different direction to Jack.

ADAM'S P.O.V

I got out onto the front porch, with three small bodies close behind, just in time to see Connie run off. I stood there speechless for a few seconds, then upon seeing Pete walk tiredly back.

"He'll come back when he's had time to cool off". He panted. "Where's Connie"?

"She took off". Julie mumbled.

"Adam, what did Jack mean"? Tyler tugged innocently on one of my pant legs.

"C'mon, we'll explain when we get inside". I took his hand and lead him and everyone else back inside to the living room.

When we got in the living room, Tyler sat on my knee, and the girls sat either side of Pete. I knew now why Connie had been dreading this. There faces were full of innocence and I could tell Cara and Kelly both had good a idea what was going on, but Tyler didn't. I tried starting a few times, but finally Pete thankfully took over.

"Can you remember Connie telling you she was going to New York because mom wasn't very well"? He began, receiving 3 nodds in understanding. "Well mom was worse than we thought, and well she died". Pete explained. I could see tears enter all 3 of there eyes, but they didn't spill.

"But whys Jack angry at Connie"? Cara asked.

"Well, Mom had machines keeping her alive, and well Connie had to make the decision to turn them off. She only did it, because the doctor told her that without the machine mom wouldn't be alive anyway. Do you understand"?

"Sort of. So Connie didn't really kill mom"? Kelly said.

"No sweetie, Jack just said that because he was upset, he didn't mean it".

"Where's mommy now"? Tyler asked.

"Well I think she's in heaven, where she's really happy, and where she can keep an eye on you to make sure your doing ok". Pete told them.

JACK'S P.O.V

I didn't know how I felt, it was a mixture of hurt, anger and betrayal. Deep down I knew Connie hadn't killed my mom, but she had lied to me when she said she was going to be ok, and that hurt more than anything in the world. I couldn't tell you why I ran out, probably because I didn't want anyone to see me cry. I ran as far as the park, where I broke into a walk, just wondering around, hoping to calm down. I sat on a bench, that over looked the river. Connie always used to bring me here as a kid, mainly because she always met Guy here, but I never used to care, I loved being around her, and even though I must have cramped her cool lifestyle, she didn't care. I looked up, and I wasn't sure whether it was my mind playing tricks with me, but I was positive I saw her. She was sat on the railing, looking down at the water. It was, it was definitely her, but alarm bells rang, it looked as though any second she might jump. I felt panicked and didn't really know what to do for the best. When my brain kicked into gear, I ran to the nearest pay phone, which thankfully wasn't too far, probably for situations such as this. I didn't have any change on me so I called the operator and reversed charges to my dads cell.

"Hello"? He had his confused tone.

"Dad, its me. I'm at the park near the river. I've just seen Connie, she sat on the rails, it looks like she's gonna jump". I said faster than I'd ever said anything before.

"WHAT"! He yelled. "Jack, I want you to come back here now". He told me before the phone went dead.

Like hell I was going to just go home. That was my sister, that was preparing herself to commit suicide. I ran back to her, might I add crying like a baby, more with fear that anything else.

"Connie, please don't jump". I pleaded. "I didn't mean those things I said". I walked closer to her, but not too close, incase I made her jump.

"Jack". She began but I cut in.

"I'm sorry, I was being selfish. We've just lost mom, don't make us loose you too. If you won't come back for me, come back for Cara, Kelly and Tyler". I wept.

"Jack, I'm not going to jump". Connie, slowly and carefully climbed back over. I ran into her arms, crying with relief, guilt and the fear that my sister hated me. "I'm sorry I scared you". She knelt down, wrapping her arms around me, as we both cried into each other.

"I love you". I whispered through sobs.

"I love you too, more than you'll ever know". She replied. "C'mon lets get back before the old man starts worrying about you". She stood up, placing her arm around my shoulders.

"About that"...

PETE'S P.O.V

"Jack, I want you to come back right now". I said panic stricken, before slamming the phone down. "Emma, Julie, can you watch the kids for me, the rest of you come on". I ran toward the door, with the three of them running behind me, confused, but still following.

"What's going on"? Adam asked, he knew it was something serious.

"Jacks just seen Connie in the park". I panted.

"And"... Guy asked.

"She's sat on the fence overlooking the river". I needn't say anymore, they all knew what I meant.

I loved Connie like a daughter, when I met her mom, the idea that she already had a daughter didn't bother me, in fact it made the relationship feel that much more special. I had immediately taken to the 7 year old with long brunette hair and a tom boyish look about her, and thankfully she had taken to me. Even when my own children were born, I still thought of Connie as my own. When I split up from her mom, I continued seeing Jack and Cara regularly, taking them at weekends, along with Connie, who was growing rapidly into the young woman she was today. When Monica married Terry, I got even closer to her, something I wasn't sure was possible since we were already 'tight' as Connie put it. She began spending more and more time with me, even when I didn't have Jack and Cara. In the holidays, instead of going home, she came to me. Timing couldn't have been more perfect when she got accepted to NYU, I was offered a promotion out there. Going from past thoughts to future thoughts, although I had my own daughter, I often had thoughts about giving Connie away at her wedding, being there when she had her children and well being apart of her everyday life, then thinking back to Jacks words, all those thoughts came crashing down around me.

Suddenly I saw two figures heading our way, as we got a little closer, I realized they were Jack and Connie. I pushed myself a little harder, reaching them both at the same time and taking them both into my arms.

"Don't ever scare me like that again". I told Connie sternly, before pulling her into another hug feeling the relief wash over me.

"I'm sorry, but I wasn't planning on jumping you know". She managed a weak smile, I looked at Jack, who looked a little guilty.

"I'm sorry pop, I jumped the gun a little". He looked as guilty as sin now.

By now Connie was enveloped in a tight hug with Adam, and then with both Charlie and Guy.

"No son, I'm proud of you. Though I do think I remember me telling you to go back to Connie and Adam's". I hugged him tightly. Proud of him for calling me and I suppose proud for ignoring my instructions.

"WHAT, and leave my sister to jump to her own death. I don't think so". He said, his eyes growing wide.

"Ever the dramatic Jack, ever the dramatic". I laughed, before we all headed back the way we had arrived.

I knew our problems were far from over. Connie had a lot to deal with, and her grieving and guilt wouldn't just disappear, as well as trying to help the kids grieve too. After the funeral, the dust seemed to settle, and we had all come to terms with the fact Monica was gone. I think that's what Connie struggled the most with, realizing she no longer had either of her biological parents around. Jack, Cara, Kelly and Tyler were pretty lucky, they at least could still talk to their biological parent, Connie however couldn't.

So what do you think? I think I'm gonna leave it here, it's as good a place as any to end it, don't you think? PLEASE R&R!!!!!!!!