Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

XSARAH : Of course Adam's cool, Adam's the COOLEST, HOTTEST, GORGOUSEST – not even a word but it is now lol – heck he's just the BEST lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review, and sticking with me throughout this story lol. CHEERS MI DEARS!

HOCKEY-GIRL90 : Ohh do tell who you think it is? Lol. Actually f you read carefully, I never actually hid it lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

Chapter 12

As I climbed under the cool sheets of my bed, two arms wrapped around me, holding me tightly. Maybe someone hugging me tightly, was what I needed all those years ago. Someone to hold me tight and tell me that everything would work itself out was what I truly craved. Things were pretty messed up for quite a while, I always knew they wouldn't be better straight away, but what can I say, I was young and naïve, and never really knew exactly how messed up things were getting, and how long it was going to take for wounds to heal.

FLASHBACK

A few weeks later, things had improved, but only very slightly. Charlie stopped drinking, but he still took very little notice of Jonah. He had realized I was living there, but I don't think he realized it was because I couldn't go home. Adam found out about me and Miles, and to say he was shocked was an understatement, but he agreed in not saying anything until I was ready. He offered me a spare bed time and time again, for if ever I got too out of my depth with Charlie. Sophie continued working for us, though I knew she too was struggling with the whole Charlie situation, in fact some days she nearly darted out of the house on my arrival. Though Charlie didn't drink, he still spent little time in the house, and neither me or Adam had a clue as to where he disappeared.

"Connie, there's a phone call on line 3 for you". The receptionist popped her head around the door.

"Thanks". I smiled at her, picking the phone up, and accepting the call. "Hello Connie Moreau". Thankfully I hadn't changed my name at work after marrying Miles.

"Connie, it's Sophie". The voice spoke.

"Hi Sophie, what's up? Is Jonah ok"? I knew there was something wrong as she never called me and work unless there was something wrong.

"No, no Jonah's fine. But I need to leave early today, and I won't be able to work for a few weeks. One of my Grandchildren is ill, and I'm needed by my daughter to help look after the other children". She told me.

"Ok, no problem. Um what time do you need me to be there for"? I asked, knowing Jonathan wasn't going to be over the moon about me having to take more time off.

"3pm". She told me.

"I'll be there". I replied, before saying my goodbyes.

I immediately headed for Jonathan's office to tell him the news. I was told by his secretary that I was ok to go in. I stepped cautiously in, seeing him wave me over to sit down, whilst he finished his phone conversation. I only had to wait a few minutes before he finally put the phone down.

"So, Connie, what can I do for you"? He looked at me in the eye.

"Well, Jonah's child minders, just called me. She's got a family emergency and has to leave early tonight, and might not be back for a few weeks, so, I um need to leave early today and won't be able to come back to work until I've sorted something out for him". I told him, seeing him sit back into his chair and let out a deep sigh.

"Connie, you're a good photographer, wait no scratch that, an excellent photographer, but these passed few weeks, your work has really slipped. You constantly have to be leaving early to care for someone else's child. I've let it slip until now, but I'm afraid you can't keep going on like this". He told me, in an even tone.

"What are you saying Jonathan? Are you firing me"? I asked.

"No I'm not firing you. But you have to make a decision. It's your job or this Jonah". He told me bluntly.

"You want me to choose between helping my best friend care for is child and my job"? I asked incredulously. "I'm sorry Jonathan, there isn't any competition. Jobs come and go, but my friends don't". I stood up, and walked out.

I headed straight for my office, and began packing my things into a few boxes. I didn't realize the tears that slowly dripped from my eyes. I loved this job, but put at the side of Jonah, there wasn't a choice.

"Connie, what the hell are you doing"? Xander asked as he came in, confused at my antics.

"Collecting my things. I just quit". I told him.

"What? Why"? He almost shrieked.

"Jonathan's just given me an ultimatum. My job or Jonah. There isn't a choice". A few stray tears ran down my cheeks.

"Stop packing. I'm going to have a word with him". Xander fumed.

"No Xander, don't, please. I don't want to work for someone who doesn't have any compassion". I packed my final things. "I've loved every minute working with you Xand, I'll see you around". I stood on my tip toes and planted a kiss on his cheek, before leaving.

I drove straight back to Charlie's, tears coming and going every so often. I wasn't particularly upset that I had quit, I think it was just that, everything was getting more and more messed up, rather than easier. More or less as soon as I walked through the door, Sophie gave her apologies at having to call me at work, then left, telling me she'd contact me at some point, then left. Jonah was in his play pen, playing with his trains. I sat deeply into the sofa, feeling my shoulders sag.

"Choo, chooo, look, choo chooo". He help a train up for me to see.

"Oh wow, is that train you got there sweetie". I turned my attention to him.

About an hour or two later, Adam's car pulled into the driveway. I was slightly shocked by his appearance, as I wasn't expecting him. I headed to the front door to greet him.

"Hey, what you doing here"? I asked, as I pulled the door open.

"Hi. Um, I came to take Jonah off Sophie's hands for a couple of hours", He told me, kissing my cheek gently in greeting. "What about you? Aren't you supposed to be at work"?

"Yeah, I was. Sophie called, she's got a family emergency or something". I told him.

"And let me guess Charlie was conveniently out of the way". Adam said bitterly.

"Yeah, I suppose so". I replied.

"How longs she gonna be away for"?

"Um, she doesn't really know, a couple of weeks probably". I answered.

"Ok, well I can look after him, Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon"… He began going through his schedule in his mind.

"It doesn't matter Adam, I got it". I told him.

"No, it's ok, your boss will be pretty pissed if you have to keep having time off". He told me, still mentally checking his schedule.

"Oh, I think we crossed that bridge a long time ago". I sighed. He immediately looked at me awaiting an explanation. "I quit this afternoon". I told him.

"You quit? Why"? His jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

"Jonathan wanted me to chose between my job and looking after Jonah".

"Connie, I'm sorry". He tried to comfort me.

"No, it's ok. It's just a job, I'll get another one no problem when Sophie gets back".

"Yeah, but if Charlie actually sorted himself out, you wouldn't have had to chose". Charlie was a bitter subject with him at the moment. "I think it's time to duck call". He admitted.

"Yeah". I too admitted, feeling a little relief to know that they'd all come, and we wouldn't be fighting Charlie alone.

Later that evening, we took it in turns calling the ducks, loosely explaining that we needed them. Non of them seemed to ask questions, just agreed and said they'd get there as soon as possible. I suppose they knew exactly why it was that we needed them.

END FLASHBACK

There has been times in my life when I thought I needed the ducks, some of which I really did need them. There was no time other than this that I really truly needed them. And like true friends they came. Who can say exactly what I needed from them, maybe it was just their presence that seemed to give me confidence, or maybe it was because I knew I would never be alone with them near by. Either way they came to see me through this troubled time to the bitter end.

So what do you think? PLEASE RR!