Craig called Sylvie every day to make sure that Angel was all right.
On the third day he dialled and then laughed as Angel answered the phone.
`Hi there, this is Sylvie and Steve's place but there not here right now , this is the prisoner speaking.` she said.
She heard him laughing.
`I take it this is you Little Brother? She asked.
Craig tried to curb his laughter.
`I take it they are making you do as you are supposed to be doing, and resting? He asked.
`I've just this minute snuck out of bed, and if she catches me boy will I be in trouble.` she said seriously.
She heard him laugh again.
`How are you really? He asked.
`I really am much better, nearly ready to come home`, she said, `I miss you all you know`.
`We miss you too Honey, but don't rush back to soon, we're managing, despite them doing all their own cooking. You stay there until they leave, another two weeks will do you the world of good.` he
said.
`I know,` she said, But I worry about you just the same. You will call me if anything happens , won't you?
`I promise Honey, but it's quiet just now, and we're enjoying the time off, even though we know it won't last`, he told her.
`How's Casino?
`Quieter than usual, but he has a lot to think about, think he's still a little worried that you might not forgive him for leaving without telling you he messed up.` he said.
`Oh you can tell him from me not to worry about that, I've got time to plot just how he can say he's sorry `, she said
`Oh I think I'll let you tell him when you get home` He said.` Sorry Honey but I've got to go, I'll ring you tomorrow , okay?
`I'll be here `, she said, Promise me you'll take care`,
`I think I'm the one that's supposed to say that.` he said laughing.
`I love you , she said, `And I can't wait to get home, , but you just make sure that you are all in one piece when I get back, alright?
`Will do my very best Honey, and I love you too, take care and do what Sylvie tells you`, He said.
`Like I have a choice`, said Angel.
`Bye Honey `, He said as he ended the call.
Angel put the phone down and sighed, and realised once more just how much she missed them all.
…..
The next two weeks seemed to fly by and at last the day came when she would have to go home as Sylvie and Steve were heading out to her mother's house to say a final goodbye before leaving for
the States in a couple of days. Angel would be sorry to see them leave , for she had become quite attached to Steve, and realised that he would be a good husband , she could see the love he had for
Sylvie written all over his face every time he looked at her, and she knew instinctively that he would be a good father too. Craig had arranged to come and collect her, as he had managed to get a
pass for the weekend, and Angel couldn't wait for him to get there. It had seemed so quiet without them all, and she had especially missed the time that she shared with Craig.
When the knock came at the door she was there to answer it before either of the other two could get out of their chairs.
`Hi Little Brother`, she said as she flung herself at him and hugged him.
Craig returned the hug.
`Anyone would think we hadn't seen each other for months`, he said, `Not just a few weeks.`
It feels like months`, she said, `Come on in and I'll make some coffee`.
Angel pointed him in the direction of Steve and then turned to close the door,
As Casino stepped into view she was momentarily surprised.
`Hi , I didn't know you were coming `, she said.
`It okay? He asked.
`Only if you promise to be a good little boy, and behave`, she said with mock seriousness
Casino smiled back, glad that she had forgiven him enough to make fun of him.
`Will do my very best ma'am`, he said.
He walked passed the entrance to the front room and looked in.
`Hope it's alright for me to be here` ,he said.
`Sylvie kept silent , it was Steve who looked at him and said.
`You're more than welcome Casino, why don't you join us?
`Thanks `, said Casino, turning slightly pink with embarrassment at the welcome, `But I need to talk to Angel if that's okay?
He looked at Craig, who nodded.
`Take it easy Casino, she has a lot to forgive, remember that`, he said softly.
`I will Warden, I will `, he said.
As Casino left Craig turned to Sylvie.
`I hope you don't mind him coming, but he's been taking a lot of stick from the other guys about Angel being mad at him, He needs to sort things out with her here, where at least they can talk
without interruption. He said.
`He's welcome Craig, it was just a surprise that's all.` said Sylvie. `I didn't realise the others were making his life difficult`.
Craig smiled.
`The happy band are very protective when it comes to Angel, and I hate to think what they've threatened him with if he upsets he again, or if she arrives back at the mansion still mad at him`. he said.
Angel brought in the coffee and placed it on the table.
`Going to take a walk`, she said .
Sylvie couldn't help but giggle as she remembered the first time she had met Craig and his men. Going back to mending fences are you? She asked.
Angel smiled back.
`It would seem so, but this time the boots on the other foot, I'll have to think about how forgiving I'm going to be`, she said,
Craig and Steve looked at each other.
`You can explain it to them if you want to, hate to have them both worrying about what their missing`, Giggled Angel.
`It's obviously a woman thing`, said Steve.
`Yep, ` said Craig, `Probably something that us poor men should steer clear of, far too complicated for us.`
Wow , they're learning `, said Angel.
`And you told me they couldn't be trained`, said Sylvie,
`The women looked at the faces of the too men they loved and started to giggle again.
`One of these days, the worms will turn you know, ` said Steve`, and then you'll both be sorry`.
You keep telling them that Steve and one day they might just believe us`, said Craig.
Sylvie and Angel looked at each other .
`Naw`, they said in unison.
Both men smiled , knowing they were beaten.
`I'm out of here `, said Angel, `See you later.`
She headed back towards the kitchen.
`You want to do this then? She asked.
Casino said nothing , and just followed her outside.
….
They sat on a bench at he park and she tried not to smile at the concerned look on Casino's face.
`I'm sorry `, he said.
Angel waited, and as nothing else was forthcoming she turned to look at him.
`You don't really think that I'm sorry covers any of the things you did , now do you? She asked.
`I'm sorry for throwing the punch, I'm sorry for yelling at you ,I'm sorry for scaring you, I'm sorry for everything, alright? He said.
`That depends on whether you mean it , or whether you just think that saying it is going to get you off the hook`, she said.
`Never was one to apologise`, he said, `But I do mean it. `I would never have hurt you`.
If I'd moved to get out of the way of that punch, you'd have knocked my head off`, said Angel.
`Guess it's a good thing you had enough faith in me to stand still and trust me not to hurt you then wasn't it? He asked.
`Yeah, guess it was`, she answered.
`I was mad, thought you'd told everyone about the baby except me, should have known better, shouldn't I? he asked.
`You should know better than to think I would do anything to hurt you, any of you.` she said.
He looked away from her , and starred at the grass, looking guilty.
`I really loved her , you know? He asked
`I know you did, ` she told him quietly.
`WhenI found that letterand i knew where you'd gone , well it just felt like you betrayed me ,I thought that you were going to help her disappear without giving me a chance to talk to her, I hated you for that, for taking her side, for making me feel like I wasn't good enough for her and the kid. He said softly.
`You couldn't have been more wrong Casino`, she said.
He lifted his head and looked at her.
`I came here to ask her to come and see you, to explain , thought that you deserved that at least. They were both coming back with me, and then you came flying in like a bat out of hell and just
proved how wrong I was , It wasn't exactly perfect timing you know` .she said smiling slightly. `You couldn't have got it more wrong if you'd tried.
`Yeah, always good to mess things up, that's me`, he said.
Angel sighed.
`You cared Casino, there's nothing wrong with that. Believe me , no one would have been happier for you if things had worked out differently, but you didn't see her when she was waiting
for you to get back from that mission. She could never live like that, it would have destroyed you both. As hard as it is to say I think that maybe this is the best thing for both of you right now.`
Casino didn't look at her.
`That they're both better away from me you mean, that the kids better off without a con for a father`, he said angrily.`
Angel gently took his hand.
`You are going to make a great dad one day`, she said. `But maybe now isn't the right time, and as much as you love her , maybe not with Sylvie.
Maybe you need someone stronger, someone that can deal with what you do`,
`Someone like you? He asked.
She smiled at him.
`Now that 's an offer I never thought I'd get`, she said .
`He looked at her, saw that she was not offended, and smiled back at her.
`I wanted this, he said sadly.
She put her arm round his shoulder.
`One day,` she said, `It will happen`.
`If the war doesn't get me first`, he said.
Angel squeezed his hand
`They're going to be okay , aren't they? He asked. `He seems like an okay kind of guy.`
`I like him, he's fun to be with, and there's no doubt that he loves her, loves both of them, he'll make a good dad too. Casino, you've just got to find the courage to let him, that's all`. She said.
`It's ain't easy baby , you know? He asked her, swallowing hard.
`I know, but at least you're not alone, you have friends to help you get through this. `she said.
He smiled at her.
`Did you know Actor threatened to break my bones and then feed me to the Injun? He asked.
She burst out laughing.
`He did what? She asked.
`Came to see me in jail`, he said joining in her laughter.
`Oh I would have loved tohave heard that conversation`, she said.
`They're mad at me for hurting you, don't know whether they'll want to help, don't deserve it , according to them.` he said.
`Well they're hardly going to stay mad at you if I don't , now are they? She asked.
`How come you're not mad , you damn well should be.` he asked.
`Well I figured if you'd done this with any thought at all and not just raced in there guns blazing, it just wouldn't have been the Casino I know and love , know would it? She asked giggling at him.
He smiled at her.
`Naw, I guess not`, he said.
Angel tousled his hair.
`We okay then? She asked.
`Yeah`, he sighed, `and thanks for putting up with such a pain in the rear`, he said
`It's what families do Casino, didn't you're mother teach you anything? She asked.
He kissed her cheek.
`Guess sometimes I just need to be reminded`, he said.
`Well that's a job I can do`, she said smiling at him, `Now we had better get back, before he starts sending out search parties.
`Yeah, don't want the Warden mad at me , not right now anyway`, he said.
Angel stood up ,and waited for him to do the same, then linking her arm through his they started to walk back to the house.
…...
Is he going to be alright? Asked Sylvie.
`Yeah, he'll be fine eventually`, said Angel. `It's just kinda hard for him to let go of something that he wants so much, but don't worry, we'll get him over this.`
`I still feel a little guilty`, said Sylvie.
`You did what you thought was right for you and the baby, that's not a bad thing, it would have been so much worse if you had stayed with him you know.` said Angel.
`How do you work that one out? Asked Sylvie.
`You would probably have been the death of him`, said Angel seriously. He would have spent a lot of time worrying about you being at home worrying about him, it would only have taken one slip on
his part, and it could have ended with one or more of them getting hurt. Feeling guilty for that would have destroyed him`.
`Never thought of it that way`, said Sylvie.
`You have a man that loves you, and that baby, let him share that love with the both of you, be the family that you should be, right now Steve has got to be the most important person in your life`,
Sylvie looked at her and smiled.
`He is`, she said simply.
`Good then all's as it should be and I can go home`, said Angel.
Sylvie laughed.
`I am so going to miss you`, she said tearfully.
`Oh don't start that or you'll have us both at it`, said Angel hugging her.
`I'll write , I promise`, said Sylvie.
`You'd better, and pictures too, I want to know all about the new house, and that Godchild of mine.` she said.
They walked arm in arm to the door where the men had been waiting patiently.
`You take good care of both of them`, said Angel as she hugged Steve.
He wrapped his arm round his wife's waist.
`You know I will`, he said seriously.
Craig shook hands with Steve and hugged Sylvie.
`You ever need anything you let me know, ` he said, and headed out to the jeep.
`Casino walked up to Sylvie and then looked at Steve.
`May I? he asked.
Steve just smiled.
`Don't have to ask his permission you know`, said Sylvie as she hugged him.
`You take care`, he said, as he handed her a package.
`What's this? She asked.
`You can open it if you want`, said Casino ,it's just a little something for the kid, you know`,
Sylvie opened the box and started to cry.
`Oh Casino It's beautiful`, she said as she picked up the small silver rattle.
`Well wanted to do something `, he said
Sylvie hugged him once more .
`Thank you, for everything, I do know how hard this is for you,` she whispered, `You will take care of yourself won't you,?
`Me ? I'm almost indestructible`, he grinned.
`It's the almost part that worries me`, she said.
Casino held out his hand to Steve.
`Take care of them `, he said `They're kinda special`.
`I will, and you take care too, `, he said shaking Casino's hand,
`I mean after all this kids going to want to meet his Godfather after the war now isn't he? Asked Steve.
Casino looked at him in amazement.
`You mean it? He asked.
`The jobs yours if you want it`, said Sylvie.
`Want it? Of course I want it`.he said excitedly
He picked Sylvie up and swung her round. Then grabbed Steve's hand and shook it vigorously.
`Hey careful there, I've only got one good one left you know.? Said Steve.
Casino let go.
`Why ? He asked, `I thought you wanted me to stay away`,
Steve looked at him and smiled.
`Let's just say we were convinced that you would be an asset to our family Casino, shall we? Steve asked.
Casino beamed.
Steve looked at him seriously.
This gives you no rights with this baby , other than what we give you, you do understand that don't you. ` he asked.
`Just want a chance to be a part of it's life , that's all, I would never do anything to hurt it, and by the time it 's old enough to understand what happened , you'll already be the only father it's known,
I do get that. ` said Casino.`
So long as we understand each other`, said Steve.` And yes you have our permission to spoil it as only Godparents can, he said looking passed Casino at Angel.
`Was going to do that anyway`, she said smiling.
`Steve looked at Sylvie and smiled.
`What have we just let loose in our family? He asked `They are both going to be uncontrollable aren't they? He asked
Sylvie giggled as she looked at the both of them.
`I do hate to tell you this dear, but I think they are already way beyond hope`, she said.
`Hey I gotta go and tell the Warden. Said Casino as he shook Steve's hand once more and kissed Sylvie.
`Thanks `, he said.
`He walked to the door ,
Hey Warden, guess what? He yelled as he walked to the jeep.
Angel smiled at them.
`Thanks for that`, she said.
`It's us that should be thanking you, it's stupid that we didn't think of it ourselves, solves so many problems, and your right , he should be a part of our child's life.` said Steve.
`Well I'd better be going, I think Craig might just need rescuing.` she said.
`You think he'll get the chance to tell Casino he's the other Godparent? Asked Sylvie.
`Don't think Craig will tell him for a while, he'll let Casino get used to the idea first, job's kind of special after all.
As Angel left and got in the jeep she turned and waved goodbye and smiled, all in all things hadn't turned out to badly after all. She turned back and made herself comfortable for the long journey
home.
`Hey Angel? Asked Casino.
`What? She asked
`You think they'll let me buy a train set? He asked.