A/N: Sorry for the wait, and again, this chapter explores more feelings and how Dani feels about Ronnie.
"Ron are you done charging your phone", Roxy shouted out of the kitchen whilst unplugging the phone.
Ronnie came running in, "Oi put it back, I'm expecting a call" Ronnie pounced at the charger forcing it back into the phone
"Well it said battery full, god, what's wrong with you?"
"Danielle promised me she would call, and I don't want the battery to die."
"Ah, right, look Ron, she'll call okay. She's probably got caught up on the stall; it's their busiest time of day." Roxy looked up to her sister. She couldn't believe the accusations she had thrown in relation to their father the previous night, but after Phil and Ronnie had explained everything, it seemed so obvious. She was furious at how her father had wormed his way in. If only she had listened to what Ronnie had been saying all along. The women who had practically raised her, the women who would have sacrificed anything for her sister, and the way Roxy had returned this life long commitment…
"Yeah I know, I'm being stupid", she sat down and invited Roxy to do the same. "It's just everything's out of my control. I can't make her do anything, and even though I tried to explain everything last night… Well, if I were her, I wouldn't believe me either. How can I even try to explain what happened with Dad all those years ago?" Ronnie starred at the screen of her phone. She pressed a key to activate the back light and a picture of her niece beamed back at her.
"Look, she's had first hand experience of what Dad's like, she's giving it a chance aint she, you gotta give it time Ron. Wow, I feel so old, I have a niece. She best not be calling me aunty or nothing yeah." Roxy nudge her sister who smiled up at her
"Don't think any of that will be happening anytime soon", she said disappointedly as she got up to leave. As she passed the threshold out of the kitchen, the phone started to vibrate in her hand. Ronnie hit the answer button before throwing the phone to her ear.
"Danielle, how are you sweetheart?" Ronnie held her breath as she waited for an answer.
"Um… yeah fine thanks, just a bit hung over. I was wondering when you're free for lunch, you know, if you're still up for it?"
"Yeah of course I am. I've left the club to Jack today so I'll be free the whole day. When can you get off the stall?" Ronnie paced the landing as she spoke to her daughter.
"Hmm, that's funny; I've left Stacey out on her own today as well. Okay, how about we meet in the café at say one?"
Ronnie couldn't believe it, "Yeah that sound great!"
"Okay, I'll see you there. Bye Ronnie.
"Bu-bye sweetheart", Ronnie hung up the phone. Her excitement soon turned to worry at how Danielle would cope in the café. If she knew Walford, then the events of last night would be on every ones tongue.
As Danielle hung up, she felt pleased that they were making progress. Ronnie had seemed very eager about their lunch date, but Danielle's excitement was opposed by the prospect of having to enter the café at the busiest time. She knew she would have to face up to the stares and whispers at one stage, but she didn't want it to be in front of Ronnie. Talk about giving a good impression, she felt like she was going through the whole job interview for the club all over again, but the difference here was, Ronnie was equally – if not more – nervous about the process. Danielle couldn't help but take joy in the fact that Ronnie was so vulnerable, so nervous around her. After seven months of it being the other way around, Danielle now held that power. It would be so easy for her to crush Ronnie, cause the same pain she was feeling, and show her how it felt to be rejected. But would Ronnie even care? Could she actually experience such pain at the thought of rejection? Ronnie had put on a good act last night, really convinced Danielle that Ronnie regretted ever giving her up. Archie had manipulated Danielle so well, and she had spent the whole of last night thinking if Ronnie was doing the same. After all, at the abortion clinic, Ronnie had openly said how regretful she was. Were those her true feelings? Was Ronnie's apology for those comments enough? All Danielle knew was she had to figure out what she wanted, and she had to do it fast. She could put her feelings, self respect and dignity on the line, and trust Ronnie. On the other hand, she could save herself all that heartache, humiliation and guilt by just avoiding Ronnie. What if this was all just a sick game to her?
Danielle decided to meet Ronnie for lunch and make her decision after. The prospect of meeting this woman still excited her more than ever. She had agreed to give Ronnie a chance, and the only way she could let these thoughts rest was to ask Ronnie herself. She only hoped Ronne wouldn't flip at being asked such questions all over again.
Someone has a lunch date next chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!!