This final chapter is set two years on, Zainab and Masood were still married (just), Jane has left Ian with custody of Bobby, she house shares with Amira, becoming a second Mum to Safiya.
Sorry a bit cheesy – but I had to give them a happy ending. Reviews always appreciated.
The Abyss – Resolution
It was probably the dullest Christmas party that Christian had ever been to, but his chest still swelled with pride. Here he was with at Sy's business in the company of staff, customers and business dignitaries, predominately Muslim and yet Sy had shown no discomfort introducing him as his partner.
He had seen Masood wince; it was funny how the relationship with his parents had changed. Masood was at least consistent, he might now acknowledge Syed existed, but he still avoided direct contact. Zainab, fuelled by guilt was desperate to make amends, and it was Syed who sought to keep her at arm's length.
His success in their businesses, and the fact he supported both Amira and Safiya, had won him back some respect in the Community, and he had returned to his local mosque, the snide comments and bigotry hadn't disappeared, but lessened over time and he had learned to shrug it off. It wasn't that Syed stopped feeling guilty, it was part of his personality to absorb blame, it was just that now it no longer defined him. Given that his success also lined his pocket, Qadim had honoured his promises and they no longer lived in that shadow.
As the evening wore on Christian became impatient to join Roxy who had an altogether more exciting night planned. This was going to be their last Christmas in Walford and Christian didn't want to miss out. He sought eye contact with Sy, who even with his back to him, knew he was being watched so he made his apologies and crossed the room to be at his side.
"Are you getting bored?" he said apologetically.
"I hope the Absacadabra Christmas party isn't going to be quite so tame."
"Don't worry boss!" he grinned "It will be totally tailored to your every need."
Christian loved that despite his own success Sy still paid attention their small, but growing company. Mind you he guessed it was as much that Sy wanted to be in charge of who he worked with, taking full control of all recruitment. Despite his flourishing confidence Sy had never managed to keep a lid on his jealousy!
It took another hour to extricate themselves, and Roxy was already well drunk by the time they got to R&R. She lined up the shots and draped herself around Christian while Syed went in search of Tamwar. It was past three when they finally made it home and Syed managed to get Christian to bed. He then poured a coffee and sat surveying all the boxes stacked ready for moving, in three days they would be gone from here. Given that it was Christian's flat before it became theirs, he had expected him to be more emotional about the move but he didn't appear to be. It was Syed that was finding it hard to move on, yes he knew that with the regular visits from Safiya, Amy and Bobby they needed the space, but this flat held so many memories – some bitter, some sweet and some hot! His mind was filled with memories, of fights, denials, discovery, tears, love and joy. Even yet it was only"within these four walls" that Syed felt he was truly himself. He worried whether by moving he would lose that security, he wondered whether having a conventional living arrangement in a house that was no longer dominated by that big bed might redefine their relationship and that they too might lose the passion, that didn't fuel their love, but expressed it in all its glory. Were they finally growing up and becoming responsible? Carrying these doubts he crawled in beside a slumbering Christian, who automatically wrapped his arms around him, nuzzled his cheek and succumbed to sleep.
On the day of the move everything was meticulously planned, Syed catalogued and ordered the boxes Christian stacked the van; Peter and Tamwar help carry out the larger items. Jane was at the new house, organising the new furniture and ready to unpack boxes as they arrived. Zainab came to help clean the flat, lest Ian retain their deposit! By 11am the flat was empty bar a few last minute boxes and Sy stood alone at the window waiting for the van to come back.
He suddenly felt bereft and wandered around the bare flat his fingers skimming the surfaces dragging out all sorts of memories with them. He leant against the wall, fighting back tears, and suddenly realised he was not alone. "It's only things" Christian tenderly reminded him, "home is not bricks and mortar, it is wherever you are." They clung to one another, reliving the good and the bad times.
The next day Christian went shopping leaving Syed with a few boxes of their personal possessions to unpack. He returned home stocked the kitchen and went to the bedroom, he tutted as he noted the boxes were still there, opened but not empty. He wondered where he had gone, and was about to leave when he heard a suppressed snuffle. "Sy?" He walked round the other side of the bed, sitting on the floor with a tear stained face was Syed. Lying scattered in front of him were the twenty one letters that Christian had written him during those missing days.
"You never told me..."he started.
"I never really meant for you to read them, it was just a way for me to cope."
"I'm sorry"
"What for – everything has turned out for the best. It's OK – it really is all OK". And Sy finally believed that it was.