Chapter Eight
It was almost eleven when the games died down.
"I think I should be going." Aggie said, looking at her watch.
She stood up and headed for the door. She grabbed her coat and turned back towards the lounge. "Bye everyone."
Stacie walked over and embraced her mum in a hug. "Thanks for coming today mum. I really enjoyed today."
"So did I. We should do this more often."
"Yeah, we should."
"I hope I didn't embarrass you too much." Aggie said, a small smile on her lips.
"Not at all." Stacie replied. "And thanks for the conversation we had earlier. I really appreciate it."
"Remember, if you ever need me for anything, just call. I'll always be there for you. I love you."
Stacie returned the smile. "I love you too mum."
"Bye Stacie." With that, Aggie opened the door and left.
Stacie felt a strange sadness as her mother left. Today, she had finally had the chance to talk to someone, outside the group, about everything. She needed a fresh prospective on her feelings for Danny and that's just what she got.
Everybody else began to slope off to bed. First Albert, then Ash and finally Mickey.
"Night." He said as he headed to his room. Stacie was finally alone with Danny.
"Um, I think I'm going to go to bed too." Danny said, starting to stand up.
Stacie knew she needed to seize the opportunity to talk to Danny now, before she lost her nerve. "Danny, do you mind if I talk to you first. There's something I've got to say to you."
Danny sat down again, but this time facing Stacie. "Ok."
Stacie took in a few gasps of air to prepare herself for what she was about to say. "Being with my mum today really helped me to be me again. For the last few years, I've only really had you guys for company and I've not really had a chance to get a new view on things."
Danny didn't know where she was going. "You're not leaving us, are you Stace?"
"No." Stacie said quickly. "Definitely not. I love being here, doing this."
"What is then, Stace?"
Stacie paused before she spoke again. "I don't know how to say this."
Danny smiled. "Come on Stace, you can tell me anything."
Stacie began to stand up. "Come with me. I can't say it here."
She led Danny towards her room, shutting the door behind her. Danny sat down on her bed and was soon joined by Stacie. She looked at him straight in her eyes.
"My mother reminded me of something that Ash had said at his wedding to June. He said that just because we do what we do, it doesn't mean we have to be lonely. He was right."
Danny didn't know what to say. He was about to speak when he suddenly realised Stacie's face was getting closer to his. He didn't know what to do. All the time, she retained eye contact with him and the intensity was immense. "Stacie?"
She didn't reply, instead she placed her lips on his. Danny couldn't believe what was happening. When Stacie pulled back, she looked at Danny. He still had his eyes closed.
"Danny?"
He slowly opened his eyes, afraid that what had just happened was a figment of his imagination. But Stacie was still there. For once in his life, he was lost for words. Stacie didn't say anything either. Instead they let the significance of the moment run. She gave him a huge smile then lent in for another kiss. This time it was passionate. She forgot about her head and let her heart take over. His hand moved from the bed onto her face, and Stacie moved her hand so that it running through his hair. She hadn't felt this free, and good, for a long time. The continued kissing for a few minutes, with the kiss becoming more fiery with each passing second. When they finally broke away, Danny had an enormous smile on his face.
"I'm sorry Danny." Stacie said. "I should have done that a long time ago."
"What about the others?" he asked.
"We'll deal with them tomorrow." She replied. "For now though, lets just be here, in this moment."
"Ok. I can do that." He said.
She laid down on her bed, pulling Danny up to be near her. They put there arms around each other and just held each other.
"Goodnight Danny."
"Good night Stacie" Danny replied, placing one last kiss softly on her lips. They both drifted off, comfortable in each others company.
