A/N - Wow! I never ever thought when I started writing this story it would actually be read and enjoyed by you lot. Seriously I can not thank you enough for all of your follows, favorites and reviews - I read every single one of them and I am so glad you all take the time to write me such supportive and encouraging messages. Anyway before you need a sick bucket! On with the seventh.
As per I don't own Waterloo Road or any notable characters or dialogue!
I rolled over and hit around trying to find the snooze button on my alarm clock. The day that I had been dreading for a while now had finally arrived. Today was the day that I had to say my final goodbye to Tom. Planning the funeral had not been easy and I was glad that Josh had stayed up with me for the week to help with the planning and to just be there for general support. Josh had grown into a great man. He was kind and caring, just like his father had been. He had to head back down to London last Saturday as he had to get back to working. When he left was when the lack of Tom's presence in the house had finally hit me. And it hit pretty hard. It was too quiet, too clean and just too empty without him around. I didn't like being on my own and it was certainly taking some getting used too. I missed seeing him around the house with his feet up on various bits of furniture. I missed him making me a cup of tea in the morning. I missed snuggling up to him when I was sad of tired. I missed his kisses as we sat watching mind numbing TV. I even missed having to nag him about leaving his things laying around. After mulling things over in my head for a further 5 minutes I decided I had best get up and start to get ready.
After a strong cup of tea and piece of dry toast, the only thing I was able to stomach in the mornings, I went for a long hot shower. After washing and drying my short dark hair I walked over to the wardrobe to find something to wear. It was a fairly hot day in the middle of July. Tom's favourite kind of weather I thought to my self smiling. After routing through my wardrobe I finally decided to wear a short sleeved black t-shirt and a pair of plain black trousers. I pulled them off the hangers and dumped them onto the bed before going over to my underwear draw and picking out a simple pair of cotton pants and a black t-shirt bra. I pulled on my under wear and went and stood in front of the mirror. My breasts were all but spilling from the cups of my bra. I reckon I must have gone up a cup size already despite being only 12 weeks pregnant. I looked down at my belly which I still think was unusually large for this stage in the pregnancy. I had a scan booked for later this afternoon so I guess we will find out what is happening then. I stroke my belly praying that everything is OK with the baby. I need it to be alright. I finished looking at the toll pregnancy was already taking on my body and finished getting dressed. My top was much tighter than it usual was but that wasn't what bothered me. The fact that my trousers, which I normally had to wear a belt with to keep them in place, where straining to stay done up was more worrying. Nobody apart from Christine and Josh knew about the baby and I guess I won't exactly have to tell them after today. I looked over at the clock and saw it was 10.45 pm. I had to leave now if I wanted to turn up on time. I quickly pulled my most comfortable boots on as well as grabbing one of my signature blazers from the wardrobe before running downstairs and into the Tom's car. Driving his car had been something that I had done subconsciously ever since going to pick it up from the school car park. I guess it just made me feel closer to him. I had actually gone and put my car up for sale knowing that I wouldn't have the heart to sell Tom's.
After a ten minute drive I parked the car in the church car park. I could already see that many of Tom's friends and colleagues had began arriving. Taking a deep breath I opened the car door and climbed out before locking it and walking over to where the group of people were standing by the entrance to the church. Walking over slowly I could feel there eyes become trained on me. Knowing that is was time to go inside for the surface was a small mercy. I couldn't face the questions yet. I needed to get my head around what the hell I was going to say. Everybody started to file into the church as I walked over obviously realizing the time. I stopped as I reached the door way and looked around. I could see Christine, Audrey, Maggie, Grantly, George, Sian and Chalky as well as the few of Tom's family members that he was still in contact with all sat in their seats looking miserable. Even Micheal and Lorraine had decided to turn up. They must have heard the door close behind me as they turned around and all shot me the same sympathetic smile. Josh had stood up from where he was sitting at the front and walked over to me, pulling me into a tight hug and walking with me down to where I was supposed to be sat. I was glad that we had decided to invite the pupils to say goodbye as Tom had truly touched many of their lives as he had mine. Soon the vicar was talking and the service was underway.
By the time we were all heading outside to see the coffin lowered there was not a dry eye in the house. There were some incredibly emotional readings given by Josh, Te football team and Me. Well, Christine had to read what I had written as the minute I went to speak I broke down. The students looked shocked by this. To them I was the big, strong, no nonsense ex - army teacher. A facade I wish I was able to hold now. Students were comforting each other as were teachers and Tom's family. Josh had stood by me the whole time. Once the coffin had been lowered and the final things said various guests had began to depart. I didn't want to organise a wake. It was something I never really liked and a knew Tom felt the same. Most people had gone apart from Christine, Chalky, Micheal, Lorraine, Sian, Josh and myself. "I know. Why don't we head down the the usual place. Have a drink in Tom's memory." Micheal said smiling. I heard various mumbles of agreement from the men and Lorraine before they headed off to their cars together. I just stood their looking at the grave stone. Heavy tears were cascading out of my eyes. I felt a hand on each of my shoulders a turned around to see Christine and Sian, both looking fairly rough, looking at me. "You coming for that drink Nikki." Sian asked me clearly not noticing my bump. I shook my head "I'm not drinking at the moment." I said quietly, placing a hand on my bump and rubbing it. She looked down and it clicked. "Oh Nikki. I am sorry. I didn't realise. Is it Tom's baby?" I nod tears falling faster at the mention of his name. "Come here Nikki." She said pulling me into a hug as I wept into her shoulder. A few minutes later and I pulled away wiping the remains of tears from my face a taking a deep breath. I looked at my watch. I had to be at the hospital in half and hour. "Sorry ladies but I am going to have to go. I have a scan in 30 minutes and I can't miss it." Both women nodded looking ever so slightly concerned. Christine broke the silence that had fallen. "Are you going alone Nikki? Do you want one of us to come?" Worry evident in her voice. I shook my head. "Thank you for the offer but I want to do this alone. This would have been Tom's first time seeing the baby and I don't want to replace him." Both women nodded understanding my reasons for going alone before pulling me into a hug and wishing me luck. I said a tearful goodbye to Sian as she had to get going back to home. "and Nikki ring me if you ever need anything. I know I am miles away but I want to help you. You're a good friend to me as was Tom." I nod promising to do so before getting into my car and driving off to the hospital.
25 minutes later and I was sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair. There where 3 other mothers around me. All with sizable bumps and partners by their sides grinning wildly at the prospect of seeing the child. I self consciously put a hand on my bump dreading what these other mothers where thinking. I was soon broken from my thought by a voice calling my name. I stood up and grabbed my bag before following the friendly nurse into the room. Once inside I took a seat. " So Nikki you are here for your 12 week scan correct." I keep silent and nod my head. "Brilliant. Now we have all your information from last time so we can get right on with the scan. If you wouldn't mind lying on the bed for me and lifting up your top so we have access to your belly." I did as I was told and lifted up my shirt. The nurse got up from her computer screen set about collecting the equipment. "I couldn't help but notice on your form it says you have a partner. Is he not here today?" I bit my lip, my eyes watering slightly. I knew I was going to have to answer this question and ones similar at some stage. "He um... He passed away a couple of weeks ago." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The nurse stopped what she was doing and looked at me. "Oh honey I am so sorry for asking." I shot her smile showing her I didn't mind. She carried on getting what she needed in an awkward silence before wheeling the stuff over to where she wanted it. She put on her gloves. "Well that is quite a large bump for 12 weeks. Are you sure the dates were right." I nodded. "Positive. We were always careful. There was only one time that we didn't use protection." The nurse nodded. After having a feel of my bump she picked up the gel. "Sorry, it's a bit cold." She warned but I still winced as it landed on my belly. She got the scanner and began moving it around. All was looking to be OK until she hovered on one spot before moving it to another on the other side of my stomach. She repeated the action a few more times before putting the scanner down and taking of her gloves. "Just lay there a minute love. I need to get a doctor to confirm something." She exited the room and I panicked. There has to be something wrong with the baby. Why else would she need a doctor? Was it going to live? I couldn't lose it. My breathing had quickened up just as the nurse re entered the room with a doctor in tow. She must of seen my panicked expression and faster breathing and put a hand on my shoulder. "Don't panic lass. This is just standard procedure." I nodded not feeling any more relaxed at all. The doctor quickly put some gloves on and picked up the scanner before moving it around like the nurse had done. After few tense moments I saw him turn the screen around. "Congratulations are in order Miss. Boston. It looks as if there is not just one healthy baby in there." He said pointing at the blob on the screen which was my baby. I smiled slightly seeing the baby. "But two." He said moving the scanner around to the other side of my belly to where there was most certainly a second slightly smaller blob. "You are carrying a healthy set of twins Miss. Boston. Congratulations." He said smiling as he passed me a print out of each baby. I took the pictures and stared at them opened mouthed. Twins. What was I going to do now!
There we go. Sorry it had taken me so long to update. I feel terrible about it.I have just had the most crazy two weeks with maths exams, playing at the Royal Albert Hall and travelling 300 miles for a 50th birthday party. I am hoping to have a regular update day now that life has calmed down a bit! Thank you for reading and drop a review!
