A/N Danny and Alice were married when they were kids when Alice unexpectedly got pregnant they seemed to make it work until (due to circumstances out of their control) their son was taken away and adopted to another family. although a very hard decision they decided to leave him their which culminated in their divorce and going their seperate ways.
they met up 12 years later as Danny visited LD for a holiday and found that the old attraction still simmered under the surface but ignored it he went home. a year later Alice got a call from a social worker in England telling her that Thomas' birth parents were dead and she had the chance to adopt him if she so wished.
We then go back to find out that Danny's finance Sarah had just passed away and he had been in a fog which is why no one managed to get in contact until his old social worker called in and told him that Alice had custody of Thomas...
At the same time in South Africa
Alice was back in South Africa, she raised her face to the sky enjoying the feeling of the sun warming her skin. Even though she had been home a week full time a week she was still settling. After 3 months of jetting back and forth for meetings she was ready for some down time. She'd had meetings with two different sets of social workers and the time difference had played havoc with her sleep patterns she was suffering badly with sleep deprivation, it was all worth it though, Thomas was coming home to her! Thomas had been placed in a temporary foster home until all the necessary checks had been completed. She had everything sorted for him, medical insurance, his school, a newly decorated bedroom. No one knew but her she didn't want to tell anyone too scared to hope in case it fell through but the day was coming and she could hardly wait, finally! He was getting dropped off at dinnertime.
Rosie sauntered outside tapping on her phone, when she looked up she saw the almost euphoric expression on her sister's face and frowned at her. "Happy again?" Rosie asked. "What is up with you?"
Alice looked at Rosie wondering if the time had come to tell her deciding it was she smiled brilliantly, "Your nephew is coming home today." She told her.
"My nephew?" Rosie asked perplexed. "Who's…." realisation dawned. "You mean Thomas? Your son?"
Alice nodded her grin widening.
"So that's why you have been back and forth. Thomas, I thought you and Danny decided to try again and you were doing it secretly."
"I didn't want to tell anyone incase I didn't get custody. But I have and it feels amazing!" she almost clapped she was so giddy.
"What about Danny? Is he coming too?" Rosie asked with a smile.
Alice's smile fell and she was instantly defensive, "What about him." Her arms crossed.
"Well is he coming over to help him settle and bond you know do all the stuff dads do."
Alice shrugged noncommittally and Rosie looked at her intently knowing her sister was withholding something. "You HAVE told him right?"
Alice opened her mouth to reply when Rosie cut her off when she saw a lie coming, "You haven't have you? Do you realise how unfair that is? Why should you see Thomas and not him?"
"HE made the choice to give him up years ago I wasn't giving him the chance to mess this up for me a second time! We could have had him back if he hadn't backed out!" Alice retorted quickly falling back on excuses she had told to make herself feel better. "By doing that he negated any rights he had of….."
"Give him up?" Rosie asked incredulous. "You told me you lost him!" an undercurrent to her voice. She began to pace.
"We did lose him Rosie, fought for 14 months until we finally saw him again. He had a new family, he was settled, happy. They could give him everything we couldn't." Unknowingly destroying her own argument. "Danny said we should leave him there and I had no hope of getting him back as a single parent so I walked away from him then eventually Danny too."
Rosie regarded her coldly, "You willingly gave away your own son?" her voice full of disgust.
Alice shook her head needing her younger sister to understand, "You don't understand Rosie, it's not like you are making it sound. We were so close to getting him back when Danny backed out that wasn't me that was HIM!"
"And what about me?" Rosie asked seething. "You going to hand me back to mum when I'm too much trouble?"
Alice took a step towards her sister, her own anger building, "Thomas was never too much trouble for me! I would kill and die for that boy!" she shook her head, "And you should know that I would never do that to you!"
"I didn't think you'd give up your own kid either!" Rosie shouted. "Why not me when you did it with your own son!"
"Rosie…" Alice began anger making her edgy.
"No Alice I really don't want to hear it!" putting her hands up to dismiss her sister. "Just don't talk to me ok!"
Alice closed her eyes and exhaled as Rosie walked into the house. Actually you know what, she refused to allow Rosie's reaction to ruin this moment for her, this day had been a long time coming and nothing was taking this away from her. So there she remained, continuing her vigil.
After a short while she saw a car slowly turn onto her hand and her stomach began to flutter with butterflies, her heart sped up and her palms began to sweat. She tried to calm all these things, drawing in slow calming breaths but her heart continued to pound and she found her hands wringing together nervously.
The car came to an abrupt stop and Alice moved to the top of the stairs craning her head to see. The door opened and Thomas climbed out, he looked taller somehow even with a slouch. He wore jeans and a t-shirt and she couldn't help but note that with the African scenery behind him she had never seen a more perfect sight…..well unless you counted the scowl on his face. His posture mirrored that of his fathers at that age when he'd been on the offensive. Thomas seemed to be looking anywhere except at her. She walked slowly down the stairs and it was only when he thought she was going to approach him that he shot her a look in warning, his eyes zeroing in on her face. It broke her heart that every time he seemed to look at her she saw nothing but contempt in his eyes, this time was no different. He straightened his spine knowing full well he towered over her. The social worker came over and greeted Alice warmly, "Good Afternoon Miss Collins."
Alice shook his hand briskly, echoing a greeting then looked at Thomas smiling. He glowered in return and crossed his arms tightly.
"Come on Thomas come greet…." The social worker encouraged.
"Call her my mother and I'll swing for you!" he seethed giving this person the same warning as Sandra in the UK.
"I was asking you to come and say hello to Alice."
Painting a belligerent expression on his face he sauntered over, he wasn't even fourteen yet Alice had to look up at him. "Hi." She said with a smile. "We're happy to…."
"I guess I'm stuck with you!" he spat cutting her off.
"I'm hoping you'll like it here when you settle," then after settling a few details with the social worker including a meeting in a few weeks to see how things were the car departed leaving Alice and Thomas alone.
"So Thomas…" Alice began.
"No welcome from HIM then, the sperm donor!" he shook his head and looked away. "Can't say I'm surprised." He added muttering.
"Your da…Danny…." She corrected. "Is still in the UK no one has been able to get in contact yet." She lied, well half lied. She hadn't tried very hard...well at all...
Thomas grunted, "He didn't want me then why should he want me now." He muttered then remembered himself and looked at Alice and smirked. "Let's get a few things straight!" he told her voice icier than before. "I don't want to be here and more than that I don't even like you so here's my rules. My mother called me Tommy so that is off limits to you! My friends called me Tom again, off limits to you. Talking to me at all is off limits to you, are we clear?"
"I need to talk to you Thomas." She replied simply.
"Did you not hear what I just told you?" he asked taking a threatening step towards her again using his height to try to intimidate her.
"You should be you don't know what I'm capable of! What I've done!"
"You mean your criminal record? Or the boy in the warehouse. Need I go on I know it all."
He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms hoping she hadn't been aware of that, he'd wanted to give her all the details him, including a few lies seeing as he'd been unable to do it.
"Now Thomas and that is what I'll call you as it's the name I picked for you before you were born."
He frowned, "My name wasn't different before?"
Alice shook her head, "Nope."
He shrugged and scowled. "My mum said she loved my name, best name she could think of for me as far as I'm concerned my mother picked my name! All you were was an incubator, which is NOTHING!"
Alice wasn't going to argue with him, "How about we go inside and meet people? Or have a look around? Or see your room; you'll need to tell me what you need to make it comfortable since…."
"Since you didn't love me enough to keep me first time around!" he finished for her.
"No one said I didn't love you!" she retorted.
He snorted then laughed, "What else do you call giving your baby away, I sometimes wonder if you sold me! How much was I worth to you?"
"Who told you I sold you I would never….." she stopped abruptly knowing he was trying to bait her and she was falling for it, she inhaled deeply, "You coming in?"
"I'm not happy about this, I'm not happy about being here!" he growled. "I've been dragged away from all my friends. When I'm not happy I can get nasty."
Alice barely resisted the urge to laugh, oh please! The clichés coming out of his mouth sounded like they were from a bad gangster movie!
"I don't know why I am here; my friends could have taken care of me! I plan on going back!"
Alice looked at him, face impassive then she shrugged and walked up the stairs, "Let me know when you want to meet people and I'll introduce you." refusing to pander to him.
Thomas frowned at her back as she departed expecting her to be nice to him. He then stomped up the stairs behind her and barged past her as he passed. His shoulder knocked hers and Alice stumbled at the top of the stairs. Thomas snickered and sauntered into the house and saw a young girl walk out of the bathroom.
"Who are you?" he barked crossing his arms.
Rosie turned and surveyed him "Who are you?" she repeated in the same tone.
His eyebrows raised in curiosity as he examined the girl in front of him.
Alice meanwhile came in rubbing her arm, "Rosie….."
Rosie glared at her older sister. Thomas noticed it and looked between them more intrigued than before.
"Thomas this is my little sister Rosie, Rosie this is Thomas, my….your nephew." She decided on not wanting to antagonise him by calling him her son.
"You're HER sister?" he had been expecting someone older; this girl looked to be about his age.
"That's what I'm told I still don't know whether or not to believe it." Rosie drawled and studied his face and posture. "You don't half look and sound like Danny."
"You know him?" he asked suspiciously.
Rosie looked at Alice and saw her shake her head, and completely ignored the silent request. "Yeah, he's really nice. He visited here about a year ago."
Thomas once again was surly. "I don't care about either of them. I had a mum and a dad. My mum isn't her and my dad isn't this Danny person either!"
"Parents are overrated," she agreed and glared at Alice, "Sisters aren't that much better!"
"You live here full time then?" he asked.
Rosie nodded, "She's my guardian as my mum is rubbish."
Alice had watched them and since it seemed like they weren't screaming at each other she'd leave them alone to bond. She hoped that Rosie would help Thomas settle as even though she wasn't easy to bring up she was as angry as she used to be. "I'll leave you two alone. I'll be in the study sorting paperwork if you need me."
"I won't," both Thomas and Rosie chorused.
Alice shook her head ready to plan how to deal with two teenagers who didn't like her very much. "Like Auntie like nephew." She breathed walking away.
Rosie waited until Alice was out of sight then looked at Thomas and murmured, "She's not that bad really."
Thomas' brow furrowed, he glared at her and stomped outside.
"Like mother like son!" Rosie said entering her bedroom.
Danny sat on the phone talking to his solicitor while he surveyed his new surroundings. He had relocated him and the kids, at least for the time being, since the custody battle with Simon was well and truly ended. He almost hadn't been able to come at all, Evan being the deciding factor asking him not to separate from his sister and that he was going with Danny whether his father liked it or not. After hearing that Simon had decided to relax the custody arrangement for a little while at least, provided the kids still wanted to stay with Danny and provided he took financial responsibility for them. That was no problem at all; he had savings and already had a home and job….surveyed Mara once again this time with a smile. Leon was buying into the game reserve and he had agreed to run the vets surgery. Leon's idea was to eventually open up a laboratory of sorts. Danny didn't know all the details, that weren't his area of expertise he was happy just to get stuck into the animal part of this venture.
Of course now that he was here and settled he could now begin the process of getting his son back where he belonged. The fact that so much time had passed and Alice hadn't even bothered trying to get in touch with him irritated him no end! She had no right! Thomas was just as much his son as hers and she decided she could have contact and not even think to tell him? After everything they had said a year ago! How much THEY missed him! How hurt THEY were at him being so gone so long without any contact and after all that she went behind his back like this? He took a long drink from his bottle and placed it down on the table and stood up. He had stuff to attend to; the kids were on a game drive having a tour while he made plans. He had to act quickly. Vanessa would waste no time in telling Alice that Leon was back and he knew that the conversation would involve him and he wanted the pleasure of telling Alice he was back, he also wanted to see the expression on her face when he told her he wanted contact with their son. Not only that but he was going for sole custody too. In the beginning, had she told him he would have been cordial and tried to work out some arrangement and be amicable about this but no! She had to go behind his back and try to keep his son from him that was unforgivable and that was why he was pulling out all the stops to ensure that their son was with him. With that final thought in mind he patted the truck keys within his pocket and decided to have a little trip to Leopards Den….
Alice paced in the kitchen waiting for any sound to emanate from her sons bedroom. Nomsa was at the stove stirring her pans. Caroline at the table catalogues around her comparing prices of new linen for the guest huts.
"What do I do?" she asked no one in particular. "Do I go talk to him? Maybe we need to get to know each other."
Nomsa and Caroline shared a look both knowing that Alice was trying too hard but knowing that telling her was futile as she wouldn't listen.
"Well he has to meet you both eventually doesn't he?" she replied at their expression. "He can't hide in there forever."
"Maybe you should give the boy some time." Nomsa advised gently.
Alice nodding hearing the words and knowing they were true….but still…."I know I know, it just it's been 10 years Nom." Alice breathed coming to a stop and bracing her hands against the table and bowing her head, "There is so much to make up for….so much lost time…."
Caroline reached across and patted her hand, "Just relax, this is a new situation for all of you. Settle into it. Don't run before you can walk."
Almost, as if on cue, a door opened down the hallway and a slouching boy came out hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans. Alice forgot all the advice she was just given and was soon walking towards him.
"Thomas come meet Nomsa and Caroline." She coaxed before he could leave.
"No." he told her and turned towards the front door. Alice followed him and stopped him before he could reach it blocking his exit.
"Come and meet them please, they are the people you will be living with. You need to know them."
His eyes narrowed, "Did you not hear me before? Are you deaf, stupid or both?" he spat.
"If you want any freedom around here Thomas then you have to learn to do as you are told. It's a simple request. I'm not asking much."
He glared at her darkly, raised his hand and shoved her but surprised her by turning and going into the kitchen. Alice sighed letting the shove go and followed him starting the introductions. "Nomsa Caroline, this is Thomas Spoor, he's…." Alice began to fumble with how to describe it.
Thomas though stepped in and began to explain for her, "I'm the kid she didn't want, the kid she couldn't be bothered with. She and the sperm donor were more interested in dr….."
Alice stepped in interrupting his tirade, "Thomas that's not true. Me and your dad always wanted you!"
"If that's true then where is he?" he shouted gesturing around. "If you both wanted me so much then why did I end up in care as a baby? And he is NOT my dad OK!"
Alice held up her hands in a calming gesture. "This is a story for when Danny gets here. But maybe this isn't as cut and dried as you think."
He scowled.
When he made that expression Caroline gasped, "By God he doesn't half look like Danny does he."
"And his voice…." Nomsa added.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not stood right here!" he fumed rudely. "Or are you like her too! Deaf and stupid!" he was starting to lose his temper.
"Thomas!" Alice reprimanded automatically. "You don't talk to people like that!"
Thomas turned to her and took a threatening step forward, "You going to stop me?" he shouted. "Huh? So called mother!" he pushed her. "C'mon then!" and pushed her again. "Stop me!" pushed her down the hallway once again.
Danny arrived at his destination in no time and hopped out his truck, hearing voices immediately. One was unmistakeably a male adolescent and he felt his heart begin to pound. His son! The enormity of the situation hit him. For the first time in over a decade he was going to see his child! He jogged up the stairs suddenly unable to wait another second longer. As the doorway came into view so did the hallway and in the hallway stood Thomas and Alice. He stood there in shock, but not only at the sight of his boy.
He just never imagined that after not seeing his child in all these years the first sight he'd see was him pushing his mother around…
A/N so sorry that i haven't updated in forever i'm just not feeling anything when i comes to writing. i really want to finish this story though and after that we'll see. hope you enjoyed it anyway x