We sat there, tension rising with every minute that Sarah was gone. We sat side by side, no words passing between us. Jack came out to ask if the problems had been sorted, we both grunted an affirmation and he left once more.
Some time later, or so it felt, Sarah stormed back with the paper bag from a pharmacy and stood before us.
"So, how are we going to do this?" Sarah asked, looking directly at me.
"I think it's best if we went upstairs, away from prying eyes." I said, standing up. John Paul made a movement to follow us.
"I think it's best if you don't come up, babe. Sarah might try to scratch your eyes out again. I'll call you as soon as it's done, tell ya the news, alright?"
I kissed his cheek, hugged him before leading Sarah up to the flat.
She rushed to the bathroom with the stick, whilst I read the instructions. 2 minutes after she pees on the stick, it shows two blue lines if the person is pregnant, blank if not. The toilet flushed and Sarah returned to the kitchen, placing the test on the table before us.
"This is pointless, Craig. I know I'm pregnant, and you're the father. I haven't slept with anyone since we got together. Once it turns blue, you'll believe and then we'll have to start talking about our future and the baby."
"Can we just sit in some peace and quiet before the end of world comes in the form of a pissed-on stick that'll show two blue lines, please!" I stated through clenched teeth.
Sarah gasped in shock before flicking her hair over her shoulder and retrieving her phone from her bag.
I kept glancing at the clock at the wall every second it seemed, and after what felt like ten years of my life had passed, the two minutes were up.
"It's time," I said, taking a deep breathe.
We both leaned forward, to check the device and I breathed a sigh of relief, realising the long held breath.
Sarah, on the other hand, burst into tears.
"So, you've been lying all this time, Sarah? I know I hurt you, but that was a low blow. I think it's best if you leave now, before I say something I'll regret."
I stood and made a move for the apartment door. Sarah just sat there, staring mouth gaping at the test before her.
"I've been getting sick every morning, I'm late! I must be pregnant! What else could it be! I've been having weird cravings!" She cried, her eyes darting to me to gage my reaction.
"You shouldn't let Rhys hear you say that, he might feel his ego has been damaged," I snarked, opening the door for her.
She groaned, stood up and knocking the chair to the floor. She pushed past me and moved down the stairs. I followed after her, ignoring every smarmy rant and rave that passed through her mouth.
At the half way marker, the heel on her left shoe snapped and Sarah fell face forward, smacking her head of the hand-rail before tumbling down the remaining the stairs. She stilled at the base of the stairs, her limbs displayed in distinguishing and agonizing positions.
The door from the pub shot open and Jack came through. "What's happened here, son?" he asked, missing Sarah's position on the floor before him. I raced down the stairs and crouched before him, scrambling to take Sarah in my arms.
"Call 911, Sarah's fallen down the stairs!" I shouted, checking her pulse and her breathing.
He rushed back to the pub, using the phone behind the bar to make the call. I soon ran into a system of constantly repeating her name over and over again, asking if she was alright, telling her to wake up. Nothing worked. He breathing was normal, her heart beat regular. She just wouldn't wake up.
I remained with her until the paramedics arrived, and as they strapped her onto the spinal board I walked with her as they placed her in the back of the ambulance. A crowd had gathered around the pub during the whole event.
Jack informed me that he called Mike and told him the news and then guided me into a booth with some brandy to calm my nerves.
With all the hustle and bustle of the past few hours, and the number of brandy's that Jack had given me, I had become extremely exhausted. I returned to flat, dumped the negative test result and headed to bed and crashed before the sun had even set on the drama filled day.
I awoke the following morning as dawn broke. My head thumped as my hangover set in. I headed to the bathroom, and had a long hot shower, before swallowing a couple of paracetamol before heading to the kitchen for boiling hot coffee.
Forcing myself to mangle two slices of toast and a glass of orange juice afterwards, I decided to vacate the premises when I heard the sounds of the other inhabitants rising for the brand new day.
Walking around the park, I was surprised to find John Paul sitting in the park with Hannah, a football before him, at this hour of the day.
I made my way to the, head bowed as I moved across the freshly-cut grass. I mumbled an hello before collapsing before them.
"How's Sarah?" I asked the blonde girl, pulling at the blades of grass, ripping them from the life-giving earth.
"She's doing fine, just a few bumps and bruises and a cracked rib... she should be fine. She's being held in for another few though, for further tests." Hannah explained, pushing her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose.
"Further tests? Why?" John Paul asked, quickly glancing at me.
"Some psychological tests... apparently she's been telling all of the nurses and doctors that she's pregnant, but her blood test shows that she isn't."
"Yeah, she took a pregnancy test yesterday, just before her accident. She said she's been having morning sickness, having cravings and that she's been, you know, late," I mumbled, embarrassed at my own choice of words.
"Yeah, mum said she was claiming the same thing. Since Kathy was institutionalised, they are wondering that maybe she's been have an hysterical pregnancy. So, the other tests are to figure it all out." Hannah replied, rising up on the grass and sitting indian-style instead.
"I can't believe that she's been ill all this time, and we didn't know," I said, gulping down the nausea of guilt that had been bubbling since Sarah had been carted off the night before.
"I think you've had a lot of other stuff on your mind," Hannah said, smiling approvingly at me before standing up and wiping off any grass that had remained on her body.
"Yeah, but it's not really an excuse, is it?" I said, shrugging ashamedly.
"How were you to know, eh?" John Paul asked, reaching out and taking my hand in his.
"I know, but I can't fight the guilt I'm feeling. Don't worry, it'll pass soon." I smiled appreciatively, squeezing his hand as a silent thanks for his support.
A gushing noise broke our attentive appreciation of each other as Hannah burst into laughter. "You two are so cute!" she insisted, rolling the football around in her hands.
I blushed, John Paul joined in her laughter.
"Now, are you two going to make out are we going to kick some balls?" She asked, her voice filled with innuendo.
"You just want us to get all sweaty and strip," I joked, pushing myself to my feet.
"You figured out my dastardly plot!" She lifted her hand to her heart. "Am I that transparent?" she asked JP, who I was in the process of helping to his feet.
"Yes. Yes, you are." John Paul replied for me.
Laughter once again ensued.
–
And so the days passed and the exams ended and finally summer really began. Me and John Paul had a few drinks with Hannah and Nancy, but it didn't take long for the girls got pissed and we had to escort them home. We dropped off Nancy first to find that Jake had made a dinner for her for the end of her exams and with her in her pissed state, Nancy passed out on the sofa. We attempted to make small talk with Jake, but he just grunted and left the room to aid a crying Charlie. I sighed dishearteningly before telling John Paul that we should make a move.
Our next stop was the Ashworth's, and as a Hannah was being led up the stairs by Josh, her mother informed the pair of us on Sarah's recovery. She had been through a number of psychological profiling and had been given a prescription to fight off her hallucinations.
We made our way back to the pub, and mum approached us, a look of concentration forcing her face into a tight smile.
"Hey lads, exams done now? You two must be glad to finally have a holiday." Mum said, smiling at JP. I smiled at a him, and he shock his disbelief away before he answered.
"Yeah, its good. Only problem now is waiting for the results!" he joked, drinking some of his bottle and smiling up at her.
"No need to be thinking that far a head yet, just enjoy it for a few weeks at least. Anyway, I just came over to ask if you two wanted something to eat, a sandwich or something?" She asked politely, taking out a pad and pen from her apron.
"Eh, I could murder a bacon sarnie!" I replied, smiling at her cheekily.
"One bacon sandwich. What about you John Paul?" She asked, her smile more relaxed now. He asked for one as well. Mum said she'd be back with a few more bottles and then make the sandwiches.
Mum left and we were swamped in a shock silence. I looked towards the bar and mum and Jack were in an embrace but she left soon to grab our drinks. Jack winked at me and smiled brightly. I followed suit and raised my drink.
I returned my gaze to John Paul and chuckled at the look on his face.
"Did that just happen?" he asked, smirking at me around the bottle top before he took a drink.
"It really did, and we have Jack to thank." I remarked, and John Paul soon saluted his thanks to my step-dad. We had only just finished the drinks when mum returned with out lunch and drinks. We chatted for a few minutes and then she was off to serve another customer. We tucked in, making sporadic comments to each other.
We finished our feast and decided to head up to the flat to spend some quiet time. I took his hand in mine as we passed through the bar, I pushed the door to the flat open and followed the stairs to the living room. We entered my room and I soon moved to the laptop and chose a track worthy of the peace we've finally gotten.
I settled on Eclipse by Robyn before climbing on the bed beside him. I turned on my left side to face him and rested my hand half on his cheek, half on his neck. He smiled languishingly at me before rising up to me and kissing me. I relaxed into the kiss, my mouth opening to his as he tongue swarmed in my mouth. I was consumed by the taste of his mouth, the velvet touch of his tongue against mine, the heat of his mouth and the sharing of breath and just the scent of him and the feel of his body against mine. I smiled against his mouth before he pulled me flush against him. He released my mouth and I groaned at loss of him. But he soon returned.
He kissed at my neck, I relished in the touch. He brought my earlobe between his teeth and moaned in appreciation. I felt the electricity of arousal pulse through my system, and the drowsiness as the blood rushed from all over my body to my crotch. My jeans felt too tight and I was gasping from his mouth. He took a final nibble before pulling away from my ear and smiling at me, his eyes dark with lust.
We looked into each other, his eyes apparently searching for something. Once he found whatever it was we were tearing at each others clothing, seeking the skin to skin connection as well as the already displayed emotional one. Our mouths crashed together, a kiss full of teeth and tongues.
I mumbled something to John Paul, and I was overexcited to see his full body blush completely before he smiled clumsily at me. We soon got into position and his hardness soon was enveloped by my hot, wet mouth and he gasped at the pleasure. Not so shortly afterwards, my own dick was swallowed in the heat of my lovers mouth.
The room was filled with quiet moans and the occasional gulp as we consumed each others nectar.
We continued for minutes and as my balls tightened, my crotch pushed upwards. My ending arrived all too soon and then, as if aided by my own crescendo, John Paul pulsed in my mouth. His saltiness coated my tongue and I swallowed out of habit. I felt own production being taking by John Paul.
We soon fell apart and John Paul crawled back beside me. As we panted our breath back, I pulled John Paul to my chest. He kissed the centre of my chest after I kissed the top of his head and rested his sated form against my own.
"I love you," I mumbled into his hair, pulling the duvet across our cooling bodies.
"I love you too," John Paul breathed against my chest sleepily.
It wasn't too long before we feel into a steady sleep, wrapped in the security of each others arms.
I awoke around half ten that night, and disentangled myself from my lovers sleeping form. I grabbed my boxers and t-shirt and dressed before moving out of the room as quietly as possible. I headed for the kitchen, aiming to get a pint of water and something to nibble on.
But when I made it to the end of the corridor that led to the kitchen I was stopped in my tracks by the voice of my mother and step-father.
"I'm really pleased at how you handled yourself today, love. I think Craig was really happy to have your support today, I think it made his day." Jack stated, resting his hand on mum's knee as his other hand rose to wipe away some of the tears that had begun to run from her mascaraed eyes.
"Whenever I thought of the the two of them together, my blood ran cold. But, after watching them just sit together, talk together today, I finally understand what Craig has been trying to tell me for weeks. It's not about being gay, it's about who you fall in love with. And I saw that today. John Paul loves my son completely and without question. And Craig just returns it with so much passion... I haven't seem him that happy in years." Mum replied, her voice cracking as her emotions overruled her system.
I stepped forth from the shadows and rushed to her side, taking her into my arms.
"I love you so much, Mum. Thanks for understanding... I know it's not what you want for me, I know it's not you'd planned for my future, but I love John Paul so much mum... It's like I've never felt this way about someone before. He's a part of me, and I want to be with him for the rest of my life mum... which I know sounds completely, incredibly stupid given the fact he's only just gone 18 and I'm only 19, but I can see it mum, I can see a future with him, I can see the rest of my life with him." I whispered to her, pulling back from our hug.
"I know son, I understand now... I just wish I hadn't been so arrogant before to see how much he means to you. I can't believe how much of a fool I've been... I just hope you can forgive me." She replied, her eyes shining at me with the love that I thought I'd never feel again.
"Mum... I forgave you this afternoon. You just taking the plunge and talking to the both of us... It made my day." I smiled, rubbing her back in thanks. I then got to my feet and went in search of a glass for my water.
"I'm just going to get some water and head back to bed... it's been a hectic day." I explained, filling the glass to the brim before making my way back to the hallway.
"Goodnight mum, Jack."
"Night son," Jack said, taking mum back into his arms.
"Night love," Mum added smiling at me with such warmth I felt like all my Christmas and Birthdays of years gone by had come and were here to stay.
I stopped myself from skipping down the hallway, I was overexcited, like a kid on Christmas morn, but it was worth it... my mum was talking to me again, my mum was getting past her prejudices and seeing what my feelings for John Paul were; that my feelings for him were my own and not some twisted game she thought he was playing on me.
I, as quietly as was humanly possible, opened the door. But I shouldn't have made the effort: John Paul was sitting up in bed, the bedclothes spiraling around his body as he rubbed sleep from his eyes.
"Evening," I cheered, plonking down before him on the mattress and passing him the drink. He gratefully took a few chugs and then handed it back to me.
"Cheers," he said, beginning the search for his clothes. "What time is it?" he asked as he pulled his t-shirt over his head.
"Almost eleven. Why? You're not thinking of heading home at this hour are ya? C'mon, just spend the night. It'll be fine. And then for breakfast we can have some morning delight!" I said suggestively as I waggled my eyebrows. He laughed as he pulled up his underwear.
"Are you sure? I mean, your mum is just speaking to you again, do you really think it's safe for me to be spending the night?" He asked, his eyes catching mine. I felt my heart rate speed up as his blue eyes burrow into my very being.
"I want you to... and yeah, I think mum'll be fine with the arrangement. We had a heart to heart of sorts a few minutes ago, so I think we'll be fine. C'mon, please stay. Text your mum and then lets get back to bed!" I again wiggled my eyebrows. He laughed, but gave into my reasoning and soon the message was sent. As he was typing the message, I was finishing the last of my water and crawling back under the covers beside him. Once he'd got a reply from Myra (who said it was alright but that he should be back before lunch time the following day) we collapsed against each other in the bed, limbs entangled. We kissed each other chastely before wishing each other sweet dreams and falling into dreamland.
--
We awoke the following morning to my mum wrapping at the door asking what we'd like for breakfast. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I quickly realised that we had shifted in our sleep through the night and John Pauls front was pressed up against my back, his arms wrapped around my waist with his head resting on my shoulder.
I called out our order and mum informed us that the shower was free and to toss our clothes in the clothes hamper for washing. I thanked her and waited until she had moved for outside my room back towards the kitchen.
I breathed a sigh of relief as John Paul laughed beside me. I swatted his shoulder in retaliation.
"Oi, it's not that funny! She may be alright with us being together, but I don't think she'd be pleased with seeing us in bed together! It may break whatever resolution she has gotten from yesterday. And anyway, your morning glory was pressing against my back!" I told him, rotating in his arms.
"Oh, calm yourself!" he instructed me before leaning forward and kissing me. "Morning," he said, smiling at me.
"Morning." I replied, grinning brightly. We just smiled at each other for a moment before I unwillingly relinquished his warmth. I crawled from the bed and searched my dresser for clean underwear and tossed him a pair.
"What's this for?" He asked, looking towards me quizzically.
"For after our shower. Now c'mon, before Darren gets up and stays in there for his regular hour." I explained, before pulling him out of my bed and to his feet. I kissed him before leading the way to the bathroom.
We showered together, with minimal groping and kissing in between washing each others backs and hair. We then took turns in shaving and brushing our teeth. We left the room twenty minutes later, dressed only in our fresh underwear to find Darren steppin inpatiently as if he was an expecting father waiting for news on the birth of his first child.
He waved his arms in the air, which was a triumph in and of himself given the fact his hands were full with a towel, his beauty products, a gaudy pink shirt and some dark jeans.
"I hope you two washed down the shower curtain, I don't wanna lean against in any unkown liquids in there!" He exclaimed, before rushing into the steam-cloud filled room.
"What a drama queen!" I chided, laughing as Darren's singing began to echo through the doorway.
"And I'm supposed to be the only gay in the village! How much products does he use everyday?" John Paul asked as we returned to the sanctuary of my room. I began rifling through my wardrobe, searching for any clothes that John Paul would actually wear as he ran through a list of all of Darren's faults. I made a quick decision and just tossed him some jeans, a t-shirt and a cardy. I quickly grabbed clothes for myelf and we started dressing in silence.
As we were dumping our dirty clothes in the clothes hamper, mum called out that breakfast was ready.
"Are you ready for this?" I asked him, tucking his short locks behind his ear and taking a gentle hold of his neck as I rubbed out a pattern of concentric circles into his skin.
"Well I'm starved, so there's nothing else I can do. Now come on, I need tea and I need it now."
And so began John Paul' first breakfast at the Dean/Osborne breakfast table as my boyfriend. Mum made pleasant conversation with John Paul: asking about his exams, where he applied to for uni, normal stuff parents ask I guess.
But as the topic continued, and John Paul explained how he didn't have much hope of getting to anywere except HCC, I suddenly lost my appetite. His story of how his family didn't have enough money for him to move away and that if he stayed in Hollyoaks, he could keep his job on at the Loft.
At this, mum offered him some shifts in the pub, maybe even a few gigs during the summer months. Personally I was flabbergasted that mum would really offer to take him on as an employee, and I could tell from John Paul's reaction that he was too. He then accepted the offer gratefully and was enthusiastic in their discussion of how they could work out some shifts for him and any weekends that an in-house DJ may be required.
I excused myself, using the excuse of needing the loo. I locked myself away and took a number of steadying breaths. I made up my mind, and flushed the loo to make it look like I went in there for what I said.
I returned to the breakfast table and continued in the conversation, agreeing that I'd help in training up John Paul for bar work.
"So, Monday afternoon work for everyone?" Mum said, piling all of our used plates and untensils on top of each other and carrying to the sink.
"It's fine with me," I agreed, watching with mirth as John Paul made it to his feet and offered mum some help.
"Oh don't worry about it! You two get out from under my feet. It's a heatwave outside! Now get going!" She instructed, waving her arm in the general direction of the stairs.
I hugged her thanks and she smiled at me with adoration, something I hadn't seen in weeks. My heart warmed and I wa so glad that she was coming to terms with accepting us.
We made our way outside, deciding to head to the park and just laze about in the heat. Before we left, we both removed our jackets, leaving them behind the bar, otherwise we would've melted.
The short walk to the park was difficult given the heat. We joked and shoved at each other as we walked. Once we arrived at the park, we collapsed under a tree in the shade.
We rested against each other, enjoying the day and chatting about everything and nothing. But I couldn't stop thinking about John's conversation with my mum. There was still time for him to make his application for Trinity – if we got it in before the middle of July, everything would be fine if he got the best results. So I took the plunge and spoke up.
"John Paul, I was thinking..."
He interrupted me with a laugh, before rocking his shoulder against mine, "Did it hurt?" he joked.
I smirked at him before continuing, "Oi! What I mean is, what you were talking to mum about earlier... is that really what you want? To stay in Hollyoaks?" I asked him, plucking at the green foliage before me.
"What else can I do? I can't get anywhere else. And, anyway, it's too late to make new applications." He said, blinking his eyes in reaction to the bright sun.
"Well, I was thinking, and I've already checked – you can still make an application for Trinity, and if you start working behind the bar at the Dog and getting some gigs at the Dog as well, you could be able to afford to head off to Dublin with me, and you could probably get some shifts in the Union, and I could get some shifts behind the bar. And we could wander around in our little love nest after uni and work and enjoy being together, if ya want to?" I suddenly bursted out with, worried of what he'd say in reply.
We sat in silence as the birds sang around us and the sun shone down. John's face was one of concentration.
"Craig?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you asking me, in a round about way, to come to Dublin with you?"
"Yeah..."
"Is that what you want?"
"Of course!"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright then, we'd best get to it then."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
I jumped to my feet and pulled him to his feet and kissed him quickly. I crashed his body to mine and continued to kiss him passionately.
"You are coming to Dublin with me, yeah?" I asked, suddenly realising that his agreement wasn't all that clear.
"Yeah... what did you think?"
"Just got a tad confused with your answer! Now c'mon, we've get the online application ready!"
And as I pulled him away back towards to my house, he couldn't help but laugh at my overexcited mood and the laughter was contagious and I soon joined in.