Chapter 10
Hi everyone. Just a quick note to say I have been thinking of other stories for these characters. If you would like more once this story has finished please leave a comment and I will see what I can do.
"Why is this your fault?" Sally asked him as she squeezed his hands reassuringly.
"If I hadn't slept with her, none of this would have happened." Frank said as held her hands.
"All I wanted was to have you and win your heart but that was never going to happen with Mick around. When I went to their house for dinner, I could see how much Shauna loved and needed him but he didn't do what she needed him to do. I knew if I went over there and shook things up, Mick would eventually realise how much Shauna needed him and I was right. I didn't plan on sleeping with her but it happened and it's the one thing I do regret out of what I did. When Mick finally started paying attention to her, I was finally able to start getting your attention and I was so happy. When I found out you were pregnant I finally saw the daylight at the end of the tunnel and when you decide not to terminate, the light got brighter. When Shauna told me she was pregnant and it was potentially mine, part of the light faded again. I never wanted to wreck their marriage, just to bring them closer together but a baby wasn't part of the plan. I knew I had to tell you so there would be no secrets between us starting a fresh and so it wouldn't be a surprise if the kid looked like me. When you forgave me, part of my guilt went away but it was still there until the day she lost the baby. We'll never know if it was mine but if I hadn't of slept with her, none of this would have happened. Shauna might not have gotten pregnant, she wouldn't have had the baby swapping idea, she wouldn't have accused you of stealing her baby and she wouldn't have stolen our daughter. No matter how you look at it, it all comes down to me sleep with her."
Sally thought he would be angry at her for not telling him what happened that night but instead he was blaming himself for had happened.
"Come here." Sally said as she let go of his hands and placed her arms around him and he happily wrapped his arms around her.
They held each other again for a few moments before Sally moved so they were face to face again.
"We know there was a chance that the baby could have been yours and we would have dealt with it if it was but we didn't have to. Women have miscarriages everyday and yes it's sad. If I had lost one of the twins while pregnant, I would have been devastated as well but I would have moved on after some time. Shauna has chosen not to move on from her miscarriage and get help. You may have maybe gotten Shauna pregnant but you didn't cause her miscarriage and you haven't seen her in over a year. This is not your fault either. It may not even be Shauna that took Sarah anyway and we need to think of other people who would take her." Sally said to him.
"Suppose." Frank replied as he dropped his head.
Sally gently pushed his head up with her hand so he was looking at her again.
"You know it's the truth and you're not responsible for Sarah's kidnapping." Sally said to him as she leaned forward and kissed him. "I'm sorry to that I didn't tell you what happened that night." She said as their lips parted.
"Why didn't you tell me? I thought we agreed to no more secrets between us." Frank asked, as his looked turned serious again.
"I know we did and I kept meaning to tell you what happened but every time I went to tell you something would happen so I couldn't tell you. After a few weeks, I forgot about it and moved on." Sally replied knowing he was no longer feeling guilty but annoyed.
"What you mean something would happen?" Frank asked her as he peaked down to check on James.
"You kept your promise that you would support me and be there for me and the baby. I enjoyed it and it was nice to see your caring side coming out more, even supporting me in my decision to stay at the station while I was pregnant. It was just after we found out that we were having twins that you changed. You checked on me every chance you could get and every twinge I made, you always asked if I was ok. It was sweet to start with but as time went on, it felt you were suffocating me." Sally said as she lowered her head.
"I knew if I told you what happened with Shauna you would tell that I shouldn't have stayed at the station and it wouldn't have happened if I was at HQ. Every time I went to tell what had happened, you would do or say something that felt like you were suffocating me and I knew that if I told you what happened, you would get even worse. I did feel bad not telling you but what happened, happened and we couldn't have changed it. After a few weeks I forgot that it even happened and life went on." Sally finished as another tear fell down her face.
Frank let out a heavy sigh after she finished telling him why she had kept it a secret from him. It was true that his caring side had come out more since Sally had decided not to terminate her pregnancy but he never meant to suffocate her. He was just so happy that she was his girlfriend and he was so excited that he was going to be a dad. He wanted to show that he meant every word about being there for her and trusting him. It was true that he wanted her away from the station at HQ. He knew how much she loved her job but it wasn't just about her now. Any manual labour or unnecessary stress could put pressure on a baby but it could be worse for Sally as they were twins. That's why he had checked on her so much to make sure she wasn't doing too much and that all three of them were ok. He knew she was right as well. If he had told her what had happened, he would have told her it wouldn't have happened if she was at HQ and would have talked her into going there instead of being at the station. He would have said something to Mick as well but that could have mad the whole situation worse as well.
He gently pulled Sally's head up so she was looking at him again.
"I didn't mean to suffocate you. I know how much you love being a fire fighter and knew you'd be bored being on light duties and doing office work. I checked on you so much to make sure you weren't doing more than what you were meant to." Frank said as he wiped away her tear with his thumb.
"I was bored. Every time you lads jump in the appliances and headed out to a shout, it was hard to just stand and watch as you's left. I wanted to be in an appliance going to the action as well but I wasn't allowed to and I had to watch my standby going instead. There were times as well when I wanted to do more than what I was suppose to but every time I went to do it, I stopped myself. As bored as I was, the kicking in my belly reminded me that it wasn't just about me. If I had done something that hurt our babies, I knew I wouldn't be able to forgive myself as it was me that hurt them and I could hurt you by doing that as well. It was nice to see you caring but I did was told by the doctors and Mick so that the kids would be ok." Sally replied as she smiled at him.
"I know Sal but I was just excited about being a dad, that I got more controlling. I had to protect both you and the kids." Frank said.
"I get that and you have done that since day one. I couldn't have asked for anyone better as a partner and as the dad to our kids but I also needed breathing space." Sally said to him but she took his hand again and squeezed it gently. "Are you mad that I didn't tell you what happened that night?" She asked him.
Frank squeezed her hand gently back once she took his hand. He let out a deep breathe before he answered her.
"We know it's not true what she said to you and there was probably nothing we could have done to change her mind. She had it out for you cause you had feelings for Mick and me sleeping with her didn't help. We're both to blame for what's happened but I thought we promised no more secrets between us? When I didn't tell you about the trouble with Adam, you were going to get rid of the kids but when you didn't I told you everything so there would be no more secrets. I told you everything that night and I've told you everything since then just like we promised we would but you didn't keep that promise." Frank said to her.
"I know that we promised no more secrets and I am sorry that I didn't tell you. I knew if I told you what happened, you'd talk me into going to HQ, so I was selfish and didn't tell you so I could still stay at the station. I did want to tell you but I eventually forgot it even happened until that copper said what he said. Shauna's ill and I didn't even think she would be capable of something like this but it's happened. I'm sorry and I promise it's the only secret I didn't tell you. Can we please just put this behind us and focus on getting Sarah back?" Sally asked his as her eyes filled with tears again.
Frank knew that she was right in what she was saying but it still hurt that she didn't tell him what happened after they promised there would be no more secrets between them. He was annoyed at her just now but he'd get over it soon. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around pulling her close to him and she responded by wrapping her arms around him as a few tears fell on his shoulder. They stayed embraced for a few moments until Frank moved away so that they were facing each other.
"Swear you'll tell me everything from now on, especially if I'm suffocating you?" Frank asked her with a soft smile.
"I promise but since the twins were born, you haven't suffocated me at all. You were just so happy and I didn't want to ruin it. Are we good?" Sally asked him as she smiled back.
Frank leaned in closer and kissed her softly. Once they broke apart, their eyes met again.
"We're good." Frank said and he leaned in again to kiss her, which she happily returned.
Once their lips parted, Sally placed her head on his shoulder and he pulled her close to him again. Frank knew that she was telling him the truth and there was nothing he could have done to change what happened that night or change Shauna's mind. He could tell in Sally's eyes how guilty she felt at not telling him but he understood her reasons. By tomorrow this would be behind them and they were still good.
They stayed embraced in each other's arms until a loud thump interrupted them. They both sharply turned their heads in the direction of the noise and froze when they seen what it was. Somehow James had managed to roll out his play nest and land on the floor but when he landed he had managed to push himself into a crawling position. The twins had been able to push themselves into a crawling position recently but hadn't managed to crawl yet. James hadn't noticed his mum and dad looking at him but was starring down at the floor wondering how he could move. He lifted one arm but put it back down where it was instead of moving forward and then did the same with the other one. He was clearly frustrated and gave a low growl before looking up at his mum and dad who were watching him.
"Come on. You can do it." Sally said to James.
James looked down again and moved his arms but instead of moving forward he stayed in the same place and let out another frustrated growl.
"Let mummy help you." Sally said as she got out of Frank's arms.
She got up off the couch and sat down on the floor beside James but she was sitting behind him. Frank had also moved so he was sat on the couch, leaning forward with his arms stretched out to James.
"Come here Mate. Come see your old man." Frank said to James as he looked at his dad.
He tried yet again but didn't understand that he had to put his arms forward instead of staying in the same place. The next time he lifted his arm, Sally gently pushed him on his bum trying to coax him to move his arms forward.
"Go on. Go to Daddy." Sally cooed to him as she gently pushed him forward again.
James tried once more but he still stayed in the same place. Frustrated that he couldn't do it and tired of his mum pushing him, he lay back down on the floor with a final grunt.
"He's nearly there. He just can't figure out how to move his arms forward." Sally said as she waited encase James tried to crawl again.
"At least he can hold a body plank at his age." Frank replied as he waited as well to see if James would try again.
"Working on his tummy and arm muscles." Sally smiled back at him.
James finally decided to lift his head up off the floor but instead of trying to crawl again, he looked up to Frank with his arms reached out. "Dd Dd Dd Dd." James babbled as he asked his dad to pick him up off the floor.
Frank smiled at his son and leaned forward to pick him up.
"Can you say Dada yet son?" Frank asked him as he sat back down on the couch with James on his lap.
"No he's gonna say Mama first. Aren't you?" Sally said to James and Frank as she got off the floor and sat down beside Frank on the couch.
"You jealous?" Frank asked as she sat down.
"No but it's only fair that one of them says Mama first. Sarah's closer to saying Dada than he is. Come on darling. Say Mama." Sally said to Frank before turning to James.
James was not interested in what his mum was saying. When Frank picked him up, he had spotted his dads watch on his wrist and was occupying himself by touching all the buttons and face of the watch.
"James you're breaking my heart." Sally said to him as she tickled his cheek.
James swatted his mum's finger away and keeping his eyes fixed on his dad's watch. Happy that he wasn't fussing, Sally leaned forward and placed a kiss on his head.
"I was thinking that we could go and see Elaine tonight." Sally said as she leaned back up.
"Yeah see how she's getting on but what we gonna do with this one?" Frank asked as he looked down at his son.
"I'll give Andy a call. He seems to be fine as long as he's not left alone and if we time it for dinner time, he'll be happy that someone's feeding him." Sally replied.
"Hope your right." Frank said.
"Me to." Sally said hoping that she was right.
Frank had called Adam to see if Elaine was up to a visit from them that night. Adam said Elaine wanted to see them as well and tonight was perfect as he would be there as well to comfort Elaine encase she broke down again. While Frank called Adam, Sally had called Andy who was more than happy to come and look after James while they were out. When Andy had come in, she had sat and talked to Frank and Sally for a bit to see how James would be. After 10 minutes she had reached out to take him from Frank's lap and he happily let her take him off his dads lap and settled into her lap. He still hadn't smiled or laughed but he was happy to be passed to a familiar face, which was a good sign and he sat in Andy's lap without wanting to go back to is mum or dad. Just as Sally and Frank were getting ready to leave, James had started to fuss now realising what was going on but luckily they had plan. As they made to leave the flat, Andy had started to get James's dinner ready and the little boy quickly forgot about his parents leaving him and his attention was now on his dinner. Frank and Sally had snuck out of the door without saying goodbye to James as they didn't want to upset him again if he seen them leaving but waved by to Andy as she seen them leaving.
It was just after 5:30 as Frank and Sally got in the lift in the hospital as they made their way to see Elaine. Sally went to push the button for level 9 but she almost pushed the button for level 4 automatically. Sarah and James were born in the same hospital that Elaine was in but they had never been to another part of the hospital besides the maternity ward. She smiled as she pushed the right button and they made their way up to level 9. Once they reached their level, the double doors opened and they walked out onto the ward. They headed for the reception desk to find out what room Elaine was in but before they reached the desk, Frank spotted Adam waiting for them in the waiting area and walked towards them.
"Alright." Adam said as he approached them.
"Yeah. How is she?" Sally asked.
"Better. She's slept for most of the day and her migraine's gone but she's still blaming herself for what's happened." Adam replied with a pain looked.
"Once we tell her it's not her fault, hopefully she'll change her tune." Sally said she lightly squeezed Frank's hand.
"Hope so. Come on let's go." Adam said as he turned and walked towards one of the corridors.
Frank and Sally followed him to Elaine's room and braced themselves for what state she would be in. After a few turns down the corridor, they came to the door of a private room and when they walked into, Elaine was propped up, sitting up in bed and she turned to face them as they walked in. The gash on her head had been stitched up and it was starting to scab over and heal. Her colour looked good on her face but her expression was full of pain.
"Hiya." Sally greeted her as she went over to Elaine and hugged her. As she hugged her, Elaine hugged her back tightly.
Sally released her and took a seat in one of the chairs beside the bed. Frank followed her actions by hugged Elaine and then sat down on the chair next to Sally.
"How are you feeling?" Sally asked her as Frank sat down next to her.
"Much better. My migraine and double vision has finally gone but still a bit dizzy when I stand up. The doctor thinks I should be able to go home tomorrow." Elaine replied with a shaky voice as she fought back the tears.
"No you're not going home. You're coming to ours for a bit until you're fully better." Adam said sternly to his mum.
"Adam I don't want to get in your way. I'll be fine at my house." Elaine said back to him.
"You're not going to be in our way. You're coming to ours and that's it." Adam replied more sternly.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Elaine said as she turned back to Sally and Frank. "Have the coppers found anything yet?" She asked as more tears weld up in her eyes.
"Yeah they have found something. They got fingerprints and CCTV footage from the area and have found a suspect. They said they were questioning them then they would get back to us." Sally said. They had decided not to tell anyone that it could be Shauna until it was proven.
"Do you think Jimmy could be involved?" Adam asked knowing what he was capable of.
"Nah mate. I went and seen him today and he's not involved. He's capable of some things but not taking someone else's kid. He's got kids himself and wouldn't do that as a father himself." Frank replied knowing that Elaine would be wondering the same question.
"That's good. One more to cross off the list." Adam said. He had a suspicion that Jimmy could have taken Sarah to. He knew the police couldn't get involved with Jimmy but Frank had made his own enquiries so they could cross Jimmy off their minds.
"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for me." Elaine said.
'Elaine this is not your fault." Sally replied to her.
"No Sally it is. You trusted me to look after your kids and keep them safe, and then what happens when I'm looking after them? One of them is kidnapped. Whoever took Sarah did it for whatever reason but I should have done more to protect her. Fought against whoever was at the door so that they didn't take her. I just want you both to know sorry I am and I'll never forgive myself for this, even if they find her quickly. I understand if you don't want me looking after the kids again even for an hour but I am so sorry." Elaine said as the tears finally fell down her face.
"Elaine." Sally said as she moved to sit beside Elaine's side on the bed. "This is not your fault. Whoever took her has their reasons for doing so but it could have been Andy or Kate who was watching them when it happened. It was going to happen regardless."
"That may be the case Sally but I should have done more to stop them." Elaine replied as she squeezed Sally's hand.
"Elaine, did you see the person before you opened the door?" Frank asked her.
"No. I was watching the end of the lunchtime news and was about to settle the boys and Sarah for their afternoon nap. I got up to get them from the playpen and I heard the doorbell ringing. All three were happy in the pen so I left them there while I went to the door. I walked to the door and opened it, and then everything went blank. I didn't even see the person. Just a bit of sunlight from outside and then blackness." Elaine as she wiped away another tear.
"Do people ring your doorbell during the day?" Frank asked her again.
"Yeah. Some friends, family, postman and sometimes one of the neighbours round the corner." Elaine said back. She knew what he was doing.
"If you've got the kids and the doorbell rings, do you normally leave them if they're settled?" Sally asked her knowing what Frank was doing as well.
"Yeah. If there settled and in the playpen I wouldn't make them upset just cause I'm answering the door." Elaine replied.
"So all the kids were happy and settled in the playpen. You went to answer the door like you do most days and you didn't see the person at the door who did this. How is this your fault?" Sally asked her.
Elaine went silent. She knew that she had done nothing different to what she did when she had all three kids and nothing bad had happened before. Whoever took Sarah had only wanted her as they left the boys and made sure Elaine was out the way.
"I know what your both getting at but this still happened when It was me that was suppose to make sure they were ok but they weren't and now one of your kids has gone." Elaine said as she wiped away more tears.
"Well we don't blame you for any of this. We won't know why they took Sarah until they catch the person but it's not your fault. When your feeling better we want you to still look after the kids when we're on day shift, if you still want to." Frank said with a reassuring smile.
"You still want me to look after them? Even after all this?" Elaine asked as she surprised they would let her nearer the twins again.
"Of course we do. Your great with them and they get so excited when they see you. What happened has happened but it could have easily been someone else who was looking after them or even one us. Someone planned this but its just bad luck that it happened when they were with you." Sally said to her.
Elaine hoped that they would say that. She loved Ajay more than words could describe. He was her only grandchild and she spoilt him to make up for time she had lost with Adam when she was forced to give him up. Sarah and James were not her blood family but she treated them like they were and would be gutted if she wasn't aloud to see them anymore. The two of them were always smiling and laughing, hardly ever cried but if they did it was a soft whimper and did almost everything in sync with each other. They were easy to look after as they were such good babies and they were both gorgeous as well, especially James with his big cheeks. At times it was challenging if all three babies were fussing, needing changed or fed but she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Well if you still want me to look after them, I would love to." Elaine said as she looked between Frank and Sally.
"Of course we do but you need time to recover from what's happened. Take as long as you need and we can work something else out until your ready." Sally replied as squeezed Elaine's hand.
"Oh don't be daft, I'm fine. My double vision is gone and my concussion is easing off. Another day or two and I'll be fine." Elaine replied with a smile.
"Mum did you not listen to the doctor? Yes that may be easing off but you need rest and no stress." Adam said to his mum, annoyed that she was brushing this off.
"Adam I'll be fine and Doctors aren't always right. I don't need rest but what I do need is to see Ajay and James's smiles." She said to him before turning her head back to Frank and Sally, ignoring Adam's argument. "How's James doing without his other half by his side?" She asked them.
"Yeah he's alright. Not his usually smiley self but he's alright. He's still wanting his grub so can't be feeling that bad." Frank said to her. They didn't want to tell Elaine how James really was as it would make her feel even worse as Sarah being kidnapped had also got James in the state that he was in.
"That's good. Whenever he doesn't eat you know he's not right but let's hope it won't be long until the coppers find her and James will be himself again." Elaine said.
"Yeah let's hope it won't be long." Frank replied hoping it would be tonight or tomorrow that they got Sarah back.
"How did Kate get on with her boss?" Sally asked Adam.
"Good. He gave her a couple days of compassionate leave till we get mum sorted back home." Adam shot his mum a look, as she was about to protest at his words. "Then depending how mum's feeling, Kate can either get extra days as holidays or take it as unpaid leave but her boss is trying to see if she work from home on a laptop until mum's better." Adam said as he looked back to Sally.
"That's good. Is she at home with Ajay just now?" Sally asked as she thought Kate would be here.
"Yeah her friend was suppose to have Ajay tonight but she called a few hours ago and said she had food poisoning. We couldn't find anyone else short notice or she would have been here. She was meant to call you earlier but with everything going on she forgot." Adam replied with an apologetic look on his face.
"It's fine, probably wouldn't have been able to talk with the copper round anyway. I'll give her a call later tonight or tomorrow." Sally replied with a smile.
"You and Kate need a night out after all this. Two full time working mums with babies under 6 months old need a break. A night out with wine, no babies and no men is what you and Kate need, while these two look after the kids." Elaine said.
"So in other words they just wanna gossip and moan about us mate." Adam said to Frank.
Frank, Sally and Elaine laughed knowing he was partly right. "Totally mate. If they're getting a mum's night out, we should get a dad's night out as well." Frank said back to Adam
"Sounds good to me. We can moan about them for a change." Adam replied laughing.
Frank caught a quick look at Sally as she laughed. As bad as their current situation was, it was good to see her laughing and smiling again. Sally caught him looking at her and was about to give Adam a cheeky comment back but Frank's phone started ringing in his jacket pocket. He dug it out his pocket and pushed the green phone to answer it without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello." He said as he brought the phone to his ear and the other three stopped laughing while he talked.
"Yeah alright." Frank replied once the other person had spoken and he went quiet again as the other person spoke.
As the other person spoke Frank's expression dropped. "When?" He almost shouted down the phone as Adam, Elaine and Sally were waiting to know what has happening.
"Are you sure?" Frank asked nervously down the phone and went silent again while the person spoke.
"Yeah course. When will you be there?" Frank asked.
As the other person answered, Frank's expression dropped again with the answer that the person gave.
"Which one are you in?" He again almost shouted down the phone.
'We're here just now as well. Give us five minutes and we'll meet you at the reception desk." Frank replied once the other person had stopped talking.
"Ok thanks. See you down there." Frank said as he removed the phone from his ear and hung up the phone.
As he put the phone back in his pocket, he looked up and saw three pairs on eyes staring at him, waiting to know what the call was about.
"Frank what's happened?" Sally asked with a shaky voice as she sat on the edge of her seat. She knew it involved Sarah but didn't know if it was good news or bad news.
"Sal, it's ok." Frank said as he went and kneeled beside her. "It was Campbell on the phone. They've got Sarah and…."
At his words Sally let the tears flow down her face. "Is she ok? Where have they taken her now?" She asked as she wiped the tears away.
"He needed us to go to the police station to identify her as ours but they took her to hospital just to check her over. This one was the nearest so they've got her downstairs on ward 4 and we can do it here to save going to the police station." Frank said as he had a tear in his eye as well.
"What are you two still doing here?" Elaine almost shouted at them.
Frank and Sally both stood up quickly to head down to get Sarah.
"Sorry it's a short visit Elaine but we'll visit again soon." Sally said as she headed for the door with Frank behind her.
"That doesn't matter. Go!" Elaine said as she pointed to the door. If she could have gotten out of bed, she'd be right behind them.
Sally and Frank left Elaine's room and broke into a jog as they went back to the reception area. When they got there the double doors of the lift opened and they got in. Frank pressed the button for level 4 where Campbell would be waiting for them.
"What if it's not her?" Sally asked nervously as the door closed.
Frank turned and pulled her into his arms. "It will be. With everything you told him about Shauna it has to be her for him to find her so quickly." Frank said to her as he held her tightly. If it wasn't Sarah, Sally would be inconsolable.
"I hope so." Sally replied.
As they felt the lift slowing down, they broke apart but Frank held onto her hand as the double doors opened once again. They got out and went to the reception desk where Campbell was standing waiting for them.
"Miss Fields. Mr Mooney. This is a happy coincident." Campbell said as he eyed the nervous parents.
"Is it her? Is she ok?" Sally asked him.
"From the picture you gave me, it is Miss Fields but I need you to make the formal identification. She seems fine but I just wanted a doctor to check her over to sure. You ready to see her?" Campbell asked already knowing the answer.
"Yes." Frank and Sally replied at the same time.
"This way please." Campbell said as he turned and walked towards a corridor.
Frank and Sally followed him to see if the baby he had found was their Sarah.
TO BE CONTINUED.
