:)

Sian had walked home with a spring in her step after last seeing Sophie Webster. Everything seemed to be fitting into place, and she hoped nothing would interfere any further. Although she had hung out a few times with Sophie weeks ago, she was fine taking it slow. And now that Erinn and Darren were out of the picture, as far as she knew anyway, she could see nothing to stop them from seeing where this would all take them.

Of course now that she's been sober for the better part of the year, save some drunken nights, she only had her thoughts to listen to. She tried to get her head around what Sophie had said about her sleeping around. There was nothing she regretted more than sleeping with Ryan, and she wished she could take it back but of course there was no way to do that. Sophie had been understanding as far as Sian could tell, but it's still a bit mortifying, shagging her best friend then trying it on with her. When she hit on Sophie, she knew she liked her, but she was still so new to all this shagging without love, and to be honest, Sophie was well fit and interesting. And sweet, so sweet. Her nervous and bumbling energy was endearing more than Soph knew and Sian had only been with boys before, so she thought… why not try the same tactic. Be with Sophie and go from there. Sian wasn't necessarily looking for another relationship, but she felt a connection and an attraction to Sophie. She should have known the younger Webster would be different however. Sure, Sian didn't know what else was playing out in Soph's life outside of the Rover's and the Corner Shop, she just had a good feeling about the brunette. She didn't know that she was being mentally dragged by someone else. She remembers the skirmish at the Rover's but that looked like an ending of sorts.

Sian walked up to her house and before she stepped in, she texted Sophie she had made it home. Sophie had instantly replied and what Sian read in her inbox made Sian's heart soar. She hadn't been able to tell Sophie all of what she thought, because she knew it would be filled with doubt and questions, so she was comfortable letting Sophie explain how she was feeling. She knew she would have to confess some thoughts to Soph, she just wasn't ready yet and plus the brunette had preciously fallen asleep during a conversation. Sian promised to herself and silently to Sophie that she would try to be as much of an open book as the brunette needed her to be. "Easier said than done," Sian thought as she entered her home.

Sian wasn't sure what to expect when she walked in. She knew old Vinnie was upset with her, but how much she didn't know. She knew he had a vicious temper but they hadn't seen that much of each other for the past 9 months or so for it to really show itself. And when they had spent time together, they were both grateful that Sian had left behind the mess that was her life in Southport, so it was more a friendly situation.

She noticed the house was dark save the main lamp in the living room, meaning that he had either gone to bed or gone to work, or spent the night with Pam. As she went to turn off the light and head to bed herself, she noticed a note was left on the end table.

Sian-

We need to talk. I know that Darren was here when he was supposed to have been turning himself in. If I find out that you were a party to this, then you will be in serious trouble young lady. I won't have you move here from home to wreck it all again. Be here to talk in the morning or I won't hesitate to send you to your Gran's in Scotland. I'm serious.

- Dad

Sian's heart dropped about 40 feet from her chest. "How did he find out? Janet I bet. Uggghhh!" She set down the note and turned off the lamp. She knew she'd have to eventually talk to her dad about missing meeting his new girlfriend, the one he could not be separated from for two seconds. Sian had only seen Pamela from the living room window while she was waiting in his car and heard her dad talking all cutesy on the phone with her, but even from that Sian felt annoyed by this woman. Plus she was so glad she got to talk to Sophie that she could take any yelling at or cold shoulder she would get from him. What she didn't expect however is to come home to a note saying he knew about Darren being here last week. Of course she would be honest, but maybe leave some stuff out. Like Darren actually being in their home and the last deal he apparently went through with. She had meant to check on him again, but no one was returning her calls to Southport and that crew was pretty much useless without their fearless leader.

When Sian got to her room, she slowly changed out of her clothes and got into her PJ's. She knew when she saw her dad, she would have to convince him that everything done with Darren was done at arm's length and that he really only came to make amends with her. Well, as far as she could tell. Sian sighed. Thoughts of Sophie came flooding into her mind as she rested her head on her pillow. She couldn't help but smile. Something good had to come of all this. She felt she deserved a chance to be happy, really truly happy and she hoped a certain brunette would help her along. She closed her eyes and did what everyone does when they dread something. Expected the worst and hoped for the best. And just like that Sian was lights out and in a deep sleep within minutes.

Sophie opened her eyes in her partially lit room. The sun was streaming through the gap in her curtains and she tried in vain to roll over and stay asleep. She knew it was futile to stay in bed any longer, especially as she knew her mum and dad, but especially her mum were waiting to further the conversation they had started last night. When Sophie thought about it as she grabbed her dressing gown to use the facilities and head downstairs, she had nothing to be ashamed of. Well embarrassed a bit yes, the whole Erinn debacle had stolen much of her later teenage years, and truly created a lack of trust in others in relationships. Some might view her way of dealing with men and women as callous, men are sexual beings, earn that first then get them to stick around, and the opposite with women, but from her experiences and her dealings, that's all she knew. Sex with Erinn wasn't a necessity, but she desperately wanted to be thought of as important in Erinn's world, and when she was rejected and led on, that is where the heartache came.

The recent sex games with Erinn were important in that she felt she was being rejected or toyed with yet again with Sian this time, and what was so hard to come by before with Erinn was at the ready, and therefore used as stress relief and proof that she is lovable and wanted. Sophie needed intimacy and closeness before any hanky panky was to happen between Sian and herself. "That's a good thing right?" she asked herself silently in the mirror. Of course looking back at the conversation she had with Sian she did notice that Sian hadn't said anything of how she felt or what she was going through. Sophie did get the feeling that Sian was uncomfortable with having the brand of "one night stand" girl, and Soph hoped she had done a good enough job to clarify that touchy subject. The sensible part of her thought, "I hope Sian's alright with my explanation." While the immature, stubborn part of her though, "Well, what about me, she kissed her ex boyfriend in front of me which lead me to MY ex's and then led to a week of mess and…"

Sophie's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door. She opened it to see Sally standing there with a huge grin on her face.

"Morning Sophie. Breakfast is all ready for you. Toast and your favorite jam…"

"Um thanks mum. I'm done in here if you need it," said Sophie sliding past Sally.

"Oh, no I'm fine. Sophie thank you."

Sophie looked at her mum. There was something fishy about how she was acting. Over toast. She had a questioning look on her face but her mum simply smiled back. Soph chalked it up to not being a morning person and walked slowly down the stairs. In the kitchen was her dad and Jack sitting in his high chair being spoon fed his breakfast.

"Hi dad…"

"Hello there Sophie! How are you? Some toast is making in the toaster as we speak."

"Oh not you too…" Sophie thought with a slight eyeroll. "Yeah.. thanks.." Sophie thought about it for a second. Why not test this? "I wish we had some more juice left. You drank it all I think Dad."

"Oh, yeah looks like I did. Well how about you watch Jack for a couple of minutes and I'll run to the shop and…"

"Okay okay what is going on here Dad, why are you and mum acting weird? I'm not sick yanno."

Kevin was about to protest that nothing was afoot, but Sophie knew him too well to lie to her. "All right, your mum and I had a discussion last night. And while this thing with Sian is all new and well.. so out in the open, we decided that that issue was the least of our problems. From what you told us Sophie, Erinn really did a number on you. Do you.. want to talk about it like?"

Just then Sally walked down the stairs, eavesdropping the whole way. Sophie heard her mum stop at the doorway of the kitchen and Soph turned around from the sink to look at her. "Um maybe some other time. It's still all so.. fresh? I mean I don't know. It's still kind of raw. I will talk to you about Sian all day though. You can ask me anything. And it's not going to be a problem is it? Her and I, 'out in the open' as you just said?"

Sally and Kevin looked at each other. They had wanted to get to the bottom of Sophie's distress. They had collectively pieced together that time period and all the mood swings, the failing grades, the drunken stupors, terrible hangovers. All caused by one girl that they had invited to their home time after time under false pretences.

"Sophie.." Sally started.

"Well are you going to see her again?" asked a very concerned Kevin.

"Hopefully not, especially not after what she's just pulled…" Just then Sophie knew she had said too much. She looked at her mum's expression, her eyes growing wider.

"What has she done Soph?" asked Sally cautiously. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer, but her curiosity was getting the better of her.

"I.. can't. Not now, not to you. No offense!" Sophie didn't want it to sound as bad as all that but she couldn't help it. She would rather take a lap around Coronation Street naked than tell them what had happened. Telling Rosie had been hard enough.

"But you're okay now? Done with it? Don't feel threatened or harassed? It wasn't anything criminal was it?" asked Kevin seemingly going through some checklist in his head.

"Yes, yes, no and no, and no. It was nothing like that. Just a bit crazy is all. It's over now, trust me," said Sophie with a slight smile. She wanted to reassure her parents she was over the messy part now, well, reassure herself as well. Sophie also wanted this conversation to never happen again. Talk about awkward.

Sally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her watch. Almost time to get to the factory. "Okay Sophie but the Sian thing isn't over. She seems lovely but we hardly know her. We will talk more about this later. Maybe have her for tea?"

"Umm maybe," said Sophie with a slight smirk. She looked over to Kevin with whom she had an easier relationship with. "Did I answer all your questions aye?" she asked while she sat down with her toast.

"Sophie… you know it's all out of love. We worry about you. And we WERE worried then, and now that we know why, and it's someone we knew and…"

"All right all right I get it. Sorry Dad, it's okay now. It makes me feel terrible that I wasted so much time and energy on it but it's over now. I have bigger better things on my mind." Just then Sophie's heart starting beating quicker and her ears got hot, which didn't go unnoticed by Kevin.

"Well okay but the door is always open to talk. Alright?" Kevin got up to fix Jack up for the day and to get ready for work himself.

"Yeah. Oh and Dad? Thanks." Sophie smiled a genuine easy smile at her Dad. There was nothing to screw this up now. Nothing. Sophie sipped on her tea and ate her toast.

Sian woke up with a start. She tried to slow her breathing and calm her beating heart but she knew why she was all out of sorts. Besides waking up from an indescribable dream, she had her very impatient, very hot headed father waiting for her to discuss things that she never thought she would have to discuss again. Darren.

She rubbed her face and got out of bed looking for her dressing gown. Her course of action now hinged on how much she wanted it over with. She could prolong it and shower or just head out and hope her dad was there waiting there in the living room.

Sian decided she wanted a fresh start. To cleanse herself of all that had come before and focus on moving forward. Forward with Sophie. Yes, she had many things to discuss with her father.

While Sian got out of the shower she figured she might as well "come clean" with everything. Darren, Sophie, the drugs. All of it. It did worry her a bit. She didn't want to rub Vinnie the wrong way, after all he is letting her live there rent free and they were getting along just fine. Sure neither was home very much, but it worked.

Sian walked into the living room holding her breath. Vinnie was sat in an armchair reading the paper drinking his tea.

"At last. Where have you been aye?" asked Vinnie putting his paper down.

"Working, with mates, around," answered Sian slowly. She had to remember that she wasn't a teenager anymore. She wanted to prove she was an adult to herself and her father.

"This came for ya. Sian what were you thinking?" asked Vinnie his voice raising slightly as he handed her an envelope. The return address said Southport with the initials D H. Sian studied the writing. It was Darren.

"I didn't do anything wrong, he came to find me. And why are you reading my mail?" asked an exasperated Sian skimming the letter. She glanced over more apologies, how good it was to see her and how he never meant to hurt her. Sian didn't want to be so flippant but in front of her dad she had to feign ignorance and would definitely read it later.

"Sian, after all he put you through. All he made you do.. how could you welcome him again?"

"It was a little more complicated than that. He came to say he was sorry on his way to prison. He wanted to make amends for all of the stuff you just mentioned," explained Sian running a hand through her hair.

"Sian this guy put you and all of us through so much. Was he here?"

"Yes, he was on Coronation Street," said Sian lying slightly.

"I meant here, WAS HE?" asked Vinnie.

"Dad, calm down…"

"I won't calm down, this is insane. After all he made us endure.."

"Oh don't get all soppy on me now. You weren't there at the end, you left remember? He didn't put you through anything. It was me, all me. And look I got out of it didn't I? I didn't allow him back in. He was here to say sorry. I know it's hard to believe that he could be apologetic but he was, and I believed him."

"Sian look.." started Vinnie. Her comment about him leaving had quieted him a bit. It was true, the marriage to Janet and Sian's absence had made his decision to leave an easy one.

"No Dad, I want you to know some facts, just hear me out, please."

Vinnie sighed and looked up to the ceiling. Did he want to know this much about his daughter's dysfunctional relationship? He wanted to listen to what Sian had to say, but this subject was a tough one to hear.

"Okay, go on."

Thirty minutes later, Vinnie was on the phone in the kitchen, calling into work saying he would be in at midday. Sian had divulged all, what had happened at the start and the end of the relationship with Darren. Also why seeing him and letting him say his peace when he showed up at her door was so important. Sian had taken to picking at a strand on the couch during the last part of her story. She was waiting for the right moment to bring up a certain brunette that worked at the Corner Shop, and she had no idea how this would go down.

"Sian? Want to step on the street and get some breakfast?"

Sian was jolted from her very concentrated state she was in. "Uh sure. Yeah dad. Wait, are we… okay?"

"Sian this is a lot to take in. My beautiful daughter was in an unfathomable relationship years while neither myself or your mother made a move, not one inch to rectify that." Vinnie and Sian stepped out of the house and started walking to Coronation Street. "No one is blameless, and I don't want to say you were a victim but you didn't know any better. And that hurts Sian. A lot. I can just be grateful that you're out of it now."

"You and me both. Looking back it is so strange that I lived like that," said Sian shaking her head.

Vinnie reached out his arm to put on Sian's shoulders. "I'm proud of you, you know? You got out of it and then when he showed up, you handled it like a mature adult. I would have beat the stuffing out of him."

"Good thing you didn't see him then. You two in prison together?" chuckled Sian trying to keep it light. As she got nearer to Corrie, she was feeling a mix of emotions. She was getting closer to Sophie, which she wanted, but she was also getting closer to Sophie, which she didn't really want at this second with Vinnie in tow.

They walked into Roy's Rolls and took a seat. They had passed Sophie's work which wasn't quite open yet and past the Webster's house. Sian had assumed that both of Soph's parents were at work and she had glanced over for a brief second or two.

Vinnie ordered a full English for himself and some toast for Sian. She was way too nervous to eat a full breakfast.

"Dad, there's more, but it's not bad news. It's just..news."

"Oh I don't think I can stomach anymore," said Vinnie sighing.

"There is someone new. Someone incredible..." started Sian. Just then Vinnie's phone rang.

"It's work, I'll be two seconds," said Vinnie stepping outside. Sian sighed. She had just plucked up the courage to tell him about Sophie and they got interrupted.

Vinnie came back into the coffee shop. "Okay Sian I gotta go. Some people are so useless, I swear. Can we continue this later? I want to hear about this new Mr Right."

"Uh, um… yeah okay but.." Sian didn't want to just blurt it all out so she let the gender of her new love slide. She wasn't going to sit in there alone either, so she went to follow her dad outside Roy's. She motioned to Anna that they were leaving and put her coat back on.

Stepping outside to say bye to her dad for the day, she locked eyes with the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. "Sophie…" Sophie quickly strutted over to Sian and embraced her in a huge bear hug. Sian was both happy and a bit embarrassed that Sophie was there. She hadn't had a chance to tell her dad yet. Then it happened. Sophie leaned in for a kiss, and not a friendly kiss, an exuberant passionate kiss. Not a slobberfest but enough to look more than just cohorts.

"Sophie no! Stop," struggled Sian against the brunette's lips, trying to break free from the hug.

"Ayyee what's all this then?" asked a very confused looking Vinnie.

"Sian?" asked Sophie putting the blonde down.

"Sophie.."

"I ASKED WHAT THIS WAS SIAN? WHAT'S GOING ON?" said Vinnie who felt like he was being ignored.

"This is her Dad. Mr Right," said Sian sheepishly. Sophie looked confused at the statement but suddenly she realized that Sian hadn't told her dad anything. She had let her passion and good feelings overtake her and went overboard in front of Sian's dad. "Uh oh.." thought Sophie.

"Mr. Powers? Um I'm Sophie…"

"Yeah the Webster kid, the lesbian. Sian?"

"Dad, I tried to tell you.."

"Sian, no, no NO. What other secrets are you hiding aye? I don't even know you anymore. I have to go to work," said Vinnie turning around and storming off in the direction of the flat.

"Dad wait! Let's talk about this! Please!" cried Sian as she watched Vinnie walk away.

"Sian I'm so so sorry! I was just so glad to see you and…"

"Save it Sophie, not now," said Sian sighing and crossing her arms. Sophie reached out to hug the distraught blonde.

"He'll be okay Sian. It'll be okay, if not? Sod him. You have me now."

Sian hugged Sophie back but kept her eyes focused on her dad in the distance. "It can never be easy can it?"