Chapter 10

The events of the previous week had taken their toll on John and Casey. They had seen how Don and Liz had been affected by the events but more importantly they seen the true, unconditional love that they had for one another. It made both John and Casey think about what was really happening in their lives.

They were happy. They were happy to have someone to confide in and spend time with. They spent any free time they had together but they both knew something was missing. John was first to notice. Ever since they had returned from Ireland things had been different. Their relationship seemed empty. He did love Casey but in his heart he knew she wasn't the one. They had a lot in common. They liked the same music and the same music but that didn't matter because they didn't love each other.

As they sat in Casey's apartment watching a movie the space between them served as a wakeup call to John. He couldn't drag this out any longer. It wasn't fair on him and it wasn't fair on Casey.

"Casey can you turn that of I for a minute?" John's heart sank as he saw the look on Casey's face. It was obvious that she knew what was about to happen.

"Casey you know that I love you and I will always love you but I just don't think this is working out." Confessed John. Casey bowed her head , as though in defeat.

"I've been feeling the same way John. We make better friends than lovers, I think we just got carried away in Ireland because of what was happening with everyone else. I guess I just didn't want to say anything because I hoped things would just work out" As the words spilled from her lips Casey felt a weight being lifted from her shoulders. She was upset that she couldn't make things with John work out but at the same time she felt relieved.

"So I guess that's us then" Laughed John. He was trying to lighten the mood and it worked, Casey laughed with him.

"I guess so. You are still one of my closest friends though. Please don't let this come between us" Pleaded Casey. John smirked. He felt exactly the same.

"Of course not Case. We will always be there for each other"

The rest of the night was spent talking about the future. John said he wanted to find someone and settle down, as did Casey. She wanted to take a few months off work first though and do some travelling. She wanted to experience new things, she wanted to live a little.

"Listen Casey it's getting a little late I'm going to head home. I'm sorry this didn't work out but I know you will find Mr Right soon" Said John.

"I hope you find the one too John" And with that John left Casey's apartment. She stood for a moment just staring at the door. She smiled to herself. This was what she needed, a fresh start.

The next morning, across town, Fin and Melinda were meeting Olivia and Elliot for breakfast. They had started to do this once a week. They would all meet for breakfast and talk about what was going on in their lives. This time was different though, they were meeting to talk about Don. He had been through a terrible ordeal but they were worried about him and his sobriety. Liz had confided in Melinda and Olivia over lunch a few days ago that Don was cracking up. He was easily agitated and he was shutting her out. He wouldn't talk to her about what was going on in his head.

"So what should we do? I mean we have to do something man, he is like a father to all of us" Stated Fin. Everyone nodded in agreement. They had to help him but they had no idea how to help him.

"Well El and I are going over tonight so maybe one of us should talk to him?" Asked Olivia.

"I think you should Liv" Replied Elliot. He knew if anyone could get through to him it was Olivia.

"Yeah I agree Liv you should do it. He will listen to you" Agreed Melinda.

"Ok I will talk to him tonight. Anyway guys what's happening with the two of you? How is baby Tutuola?" Melinda and Fin smiled at the mention of their baby. They were both excited to meet their baby and they couldn't wait to be parents.

"Well actually we are going to for the twenty weeks scan today" Fin couldn't stop smiling as the love of his life talked about her appointment and how excited she was. Everything in his life was perfect and he couldn't believe his luck.

"You're very smiley today Fin" Joked Elliot while Olivia and Melinda talked.

"Yeah well who wouldn't be if they were expecting a child with the woman of your dreams" Laughed Fin. "Oh yeah did you hear about John and Casey?" He added.

"No what happened?" Asked Elliot.

"They broke up last night."

"Aw that's too bad. I thought they made a cute couple."

"Yeah but if the love isn't there, the love isn't there man" Explained Fin.

"Did John say why they decided to break up?"

"Yeah he said that his heart wasn't in it and Casey felt the same. He said he wants to settle down, have a family and Casey just wasn't the one"

"I can never imagine John settling down can you?"

"Hey man that's what you said about Don and look at him now" Laughed Fin.

Meanwhile Olivia and Melinda were talking about Fin.

"He is being so protective. It really is the cutest thing" Gushed Melinda.

Olivia smiled. She couldn't wait to tell everyone about her pregnancy. She was hesitant at the start about telling anyone but soon enough she would be twelve weeks and she would tell everyone. She was also excited to see how Elliot was going to act once the secret was out. She imagined that he would be just as protective as Fin, if not worse.

"Have you thought about what you are going to do once the baby is born?" Asked Olivia.

"Yeah we were just talking about this last night. I don't want Fin to give up his job and I don't want both of us to be working, I want to be there for my child. Anyway I've decided that I will cut back my hours, I will only work half days. I actually have a meeting with my boss later today."

"You seem to have it all worked out don't you?"

"Yeah well Fin is so excited he wants everything to be organised before the baby comes"

"I knew that under that tough exterior he was a total softy" Said Olivia.

"Oh you have no idea" Smirked Melinda.

Ok guys what do you think? I know that not a lot happened in this chapter I just wanted to clear up John and Casey's relationship. Please review! Reviews motivate me :P

Thanks for reading x