"He's asked you to do what?" Alex asked with surprise.
It had been a couple of days since Adams admission. Gina still hadn't given Adam her answer. She had told Alex to see what her view would be.
"Are you considering it Gina?" She asked.
"I don't know. That's my honest answer. Don't get me wrong, I love Adam I really do but…"
"… but are you prepared to give everything up for him?"
Gina looked at Alex. The thought of leaving Alex and the three girls was horrifying.
"What have you told him?"
"I've told him I'll get back to him. I don't think I'm really considering it seriously. I don't think I can give up my life here, unlike him I can see my future here. The only thing is, am I prepared to lose him?"
Alex looked at Gina and saw the hurt in her eyes that this question posed. She didn't want to see her hurt like this. Gina had done her plenty of favours over the years, now it was her turn. Alex decided to go speak to him herself, see if she could talk some sense into him.
Alex made her way round to Adams house. When she got to his door she felt nervous. She didn't have any ideas how she was going to phrase it. When Adam opened the door Alex could see the boxes. He'd already started packing.
"Alex, what are you doing here?" He asked as he stepped aside to let her in.
"Can we talk Adam, about you and Gina?" She asked bluntly.
"I don't see why we should be any of your concern." He replied.
"Well I do. I think it's really unfair what you've asked of her. She doesn't know anyone over there, she wouldn't have a job and she would be hundreds of miles away from her friends." Alex said.
"Not that it's any of your business, but if Gina loved me as much as she claims she does, then none of that would matter."
"You could stay here. If you loved her as much as you claimed you do, then you would do as much as you could to keep her happy."
"My life isn't here anymore." Adam said.
Their conversation started to turn into an argument. Alex was feeling really defensive about Gina. They continued to argue for a little longer, when Adam finally snapped.
"Why do you care so much anyway?" He shouted.
Equally as angry Alex shouted back at him. She said the one thing that she thought she never would.
"I care because Gina's my Mum." She shouted. Then the realization of what she had just said hit her like a tone of bricks.
"Gina's your what?" He said looking shocked.
However what happened next was even worse for Alex. Gina walked into the kitchen where Adam and Alex were. She had clearly heard what Alex had said. She looked at Alex for an explanation.
"Gina…How long have you been standing there?" Alex asked looking flustered.
"Long enough Alex." She replied.
"Gina what's going on?" Adam looked from one woman to the other, looking for some sort of explanation.
"You heard Adam." Alex said. She felt really bad.
"Adam, can you leave us for a minute please." Gina said as she gently ushered him out of the room.
"Gina… I'm so sorry…" Alex started to say.
"How long have you known?" Gina asked, cutting Alex off.
Alex thought for a couple of seconds. "About twelve years I think."
"Twelve years… and you didn't think to say anything to me?" Gina looked angry.
"Gina, you have every right to feel angry and betrayed, but can we go somewhere else and talk properly?" Alex said.
"Right, we'll go back to mine." Gina said and then she turned and walked outside.
Alex closed her eyes in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she had done. This could ruin everything she had built with Gina.
Alex parked her car in her own driveway. She had left Smithy looking after the kids. She walked into her house and found Smithy watching TV. He looked up and became worried when he saw Alexs' pale face.
"Alex, are you alright? What's happened?" He said as he rushed over to her.
"I'll tell you about it later, but I need to go and see Gina first. Do you mind keeping an eye on the kids a little longer?"
"No, no of course not." He smiled weakly at her.
She walked next door and knocked on the front door. Gina opened it and let Alex in without saying a word.
Alex walked into the hall and looked at Gina. She looked furious and hurt.
"You have every right to be angry Gina, but please let me explain first." Alex said.
"Go on then, I'm listening." Gina said as she sat down in the living room.
"I found out I was adopted when I was fifteen. My parents said that they would help me find my birth parents if I wanted to. At the time I said no. I kind of left it at that really. I got on with my life, got married to David and never thought more about it. That was until we split up. When I was moving in next door, I found my birth certificate and adoption papers in a box. My mother had given them to me incase I ever changed my mind. By this point of course I had already met you. When I looked at the box and at the papers, I saw your name on them. I became confused and wanted to know the truth. I wasn't sure whether to tell you then or not; I decided to find out if you were my mum first. I went to social services and a couple of weeks later, true enough it came back that you were my mum." Alex explained.
"So why didn't you tell me then?" Gina asked. Her tone had softened.
"When I first found out I was adopted, I said I didn't want to find my real mum. My parents asked me why, and I told them it was because my mum didn't want me when I was born, so why would she want me now. That thought has always been at the back of my mind. I was terrified that if I told you that I was your daughter, then you wouldn't want to know." Alex said. She could feel the backs of her eyes stinging.
"That's not true Alex. It wasn't a decision I made lightly I can a sure you. In fact it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I was nineteen when I had you. The first time that I held you in my arms, was also my last. I remember looking down at this tiny bundle and I loved you more than anyone else; but I wanted to protect you from the truth. I couldn't have you growing up around my family and all their problems."
"Protect me from what truth?" Alex asked looking confused.
"The truth about your father and what had happened to me. You see, at the time you were conceived, I worked in one of my Dad's bookies. There was a guy who worked there for my Dad, not a very nice guy and one night I was working late. He came into the office where I was and pinned me against a wall. I ended up getting knocked on conscious and whilst I was out cold he…"
"He raped you." Alex finished off, looking both shocked and upset. "Is that why you gave me up?"
"No Alex, that's not why I gave you up. When I found out I was pregnant, yes I was scared but I thought that you could be a new start for me. I had intended on starting a new life on the other side on Canley."
"So what happened?" Alex said.
"I realized that I couldn't leave my family in the mess that they were in, but I didn't want to raise you in that environment. So when you were born I gave you away. I watched them take my baby and I regretted every second of it." Gina said. Tears were now welling up in her eyes.
"Does anybody else know about me?" Alex said. She could no longer fight back her tears.
"My brother found out a few years later. Smithy knows as well. I had to tell him when it cropped up in the recent investigation into my brothers conviction. As far as I'm aware, that's it."
The tears were now flowing down Alexs' face. Gina pulled her into a hug and comforted her.
"I'm so sorry darling. Please believe me when I say I didn't want to." She whispered into Alexs' ear.
"I do believe you. I'm really sorry Gina, there's not a day gone by when I haven't felt guilty for not telling you. So, where do we go from here?" Alex whispered back, still being hugged by Gina.
Gina thought for a couple of seconds. "Will you give me a second chance?" She asked.
Alex pulled away and looked at Gina.
"A second chance to be my Mum you mean?"
"Only if you want to that is. If you don't, I would understand."
Alex smiled and nodded her head. She then gave Gina another hug.
"Hello Mum." She whispered.
Gina smiled and held Alex even closer.
"Hello darling." She replied.