I really hope you are enjoyingthis, I am really enjoying writing it. Please rate and review would love to hear what you all have to say - Madeleine
Chapter 7
Karen and Rob arrived back at Karen's. 'Are you sure staying with me is what you want to do?'
Karen really didn't want to push him or overwhelm him, she knew he was vulnerable.
'yes, I just need some time to process it all and I'm not going to be able to do that on my own' he
took her hand within his, squeezing it with reassurance.
'I should probably mention that when I left, Harry had been having a tantrum because you weren't
coming to play with him'
'oh bud, well better get a move on then.'
Karen placed her hand on his thigh, 'Rob' Karen was worried he was burring his head in the sand
and that at some point it was all going to hit him again.
'I'm fine Karen honestly. I actually miss those two terrors in there you know'
'you do?' Karen smiled sweetly
'I really do. They're pretty special you know, they mean as much to me as you do.'
Karen couldn't believe that Rob was being so sweet when his whole world had just fallen apart.
'Come on then you, lets go get you settled in' Karen smiled.
They opened the door to find Karen's mum sat in the lounge reading Hansel and Gretel, Jess and
Harry were entirely engrossed and hadn't even heard the door go.
'hello darling' Karen's mum welcomed her home, in response the two little heads bolted up.
'mummy' Jess wrapped her arms around her mum
'hello you, you been good?'
'they've been angels'
Karen smiled at least everything had calmed down since she'd left.
'mummy I thought you said Rob wasn't coming to play?' Karen didn't really know what to say and
Karen's mum looked sadly at little Harry. Rob crouched down, Karen put her hand on his shoulder
as if to say he didn't have to do this. Karen's mum could see exactly why her daughter was so fond
of the man stood in the room as he tentatively cared for the well being of her grandchildren.
'well Harry mummy was right, I had some sad news this morning' Harry's little eyes stayed fixed
upon Rob and Karen's grip upon his shoulder tightened and Karen's mum pulled jess on to her lap.
'My brother fell off his motorbike' Harry gasped quite sweetly, showing an awareness of an adult
conversation. 'Is he ok?' Jess asked, Rob had a slight lump in his throat and he really had to
muster up the strength to carry on, he wanted to tell them. He didn't want there to be lies or secrets
between any of them, they meant a lot to him as well as Karen and he wanted them to feel like
they could confide in him and this was how he'd show that.
'He was very poorly and hurt, but it's ok because the angels are looking after him now' Karen felt a
tear fall down her cheek she turned her head not to make it obvious to her children as she wiped it
away, but her mum had noticed.
'He was so poorly that he's gone to heaven' Jess replied very worked up
'yes' Rob replied sadly as Jess burst into tears. Rob moved towards Jess before giving her a
cuddle, Karen's mum gave a special look to Karen as if to say, he's special this one.
He wiped the little girls tears away and cuddled her until she calmed down.
'It's ok to be sad Jess. I was sad too and your mummy looked after me' Rob gave a reassuring
smile to Karen who was now sat with Harry.
'Mummy gives the best hugs when your sad, did she give you one of her special hugs Rob?' Jess
asked sweetly.
'She did, she's very special your mummy'
'she is' Jess agreed which warmed Karen's heart. This was a very special moment.
'Rob's going to stay with us for a little while, I told him that you two would help look after him and
cheer him up' Karen explained to her little angels who really were being amazing about the whole
situation. 'You can have my woody tonight if you'd like Rob, he always makes me feel better' Karen
could squeeze Harry he was being so sweet.
'It's okay Bud, but thank you' Rob ruffled his hair.
'I know what would make us all feel better?' Karen looked down to three wide eyed faces,
'Ice Cream' Harry and Jess were very pleased and Rob smiled and mouthed thank you.
'I'll go dish some up' Karen headed for the kitchen leaving her two children and Rob in the lounge
bonding. Karen's mum followed her through, 'that was very brave of him'
'he didn't have to tell Jess and Harry, but I really respect that he did' Karen was being very honest
with her mum.
'He's definitely made an impression on those two in there. He's a positive male role model for them
and it's clear that he cares a great deal for all of you. Don't over think this, this is your chance to be
truly happy again Karen' she gave her daughter a hug and kissed her cheek.
'thank you mum, for looking after the kids'
'anytime, he's going through a lot he needed you'
'and yet here he is looking after those two' Karen replied shocked and surprised.
'It's because he wants to, anyone can see that he fits you, Jess and Harry'
'I'm beginning to think you're right'
'mum's are always right, you should know that by now' Karen's mum gave her a little wink.
'Anyway sweetheart I better be going, but I shall see you all very soon.'
Karen's mum popped into the lounge, 'it was nice to meet you Rob. I'm so sorry to hear about your
brother, it will get better. I promise' Karen's mum's words were sincere and Rob really valued them,
he could see why Karen was the strong, caring beautiful woman that she was.
'I'm Ellen by the way, sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. I'm going to make a move but I'm sure
we'll be seeing each other very soon. Enjoy the ice cream you two.' Ellen's blessing on their
relationship meant a lot to the pair of them.
'bye bye Grandma'
'make sure you give Grandad my picture, I drew it especially' Jess replied enthusiastically before
they both gave their grandma a kiss and a hug goodbye.
'Now whose for ice cream' Karen entered with bowls and bowls of ice cream and they all sat down
together all huddled up on the sofa. Karen felt for the first time despite all the trauma and
heartache of the day that something positive was finally coming out of years of sadness. There
was a future, a future with Rob.