Here's another update, hope you're enjoying! Please review, would love to know what you all think. - Madeleine
Chapter 8
It was now the day of the funeral. Rob had been staying with the Fisher's for the week and it
couldn't have run more smoothly. Karen couldn't quite comprehend how much Jess and Harry had
embraced Rob being there. It had been tough at times for Rob, but having Karen and the kids
around had been all the support he'd needed. Rob's family were from Newcastle and that had
meant having to travel up for the event, Rob had asked if Karen would come with him, which of
course she'd agreed to, she'd have done anything for Rob. Jess and Harry were being particularly
good this morning, Rob was clearly finding it all a bit overwhelming. Harry walked over to Rob who
was sat in the kitchen gazing at his cup of coffee which had now gone cold and gave him a hug. It
took Rob by surprise but the gesture really touched him. Karen walked in to round up Harry and
Jess, get them ready for Grandma to pick up when she saw the sight.
'Come on then you two, Grandma will be here soon' Karen commented calmly, leaving Rob and
herself alone as the two children went to get their coats and shoes on.
'How you doing?' Karen asked
'better after that little buds hug' Karen smiled, Harry was so content around Rob and really looked
up to him.
'Today's going to be tough' Rob admitted, 'but i'm glad you'll be there' Karen gave him a hug before
gently kissing his lips and being interrupted by the door.
'I'll just go sort those two out.' Karen opened the door to her mum who'd been so understanding of
the whole matter, 'right you two be good for Grandma' Karen gave Jess and Harry a hug and kiss.
'You're going to be home for tea aren't you?' Jess asked sweetly.
'We'll definitely be back before bedtime'
'look after Rob mummy' Harry sweetly and commandingly addressed his mum.
'I will don't you worry poppit'
'Right come on then, Grandad was making a picnic when I left' the two children were very excited.
'Thanks mum, i'll call you when we are on our way back'
'Alright darling' Karen's mum gave her a much needed hug, god knows she needed the strength to
get through today.
Karen closed the door and walked back in to see Rob, 'Sarah and Tom are on there way round.'
Rob's sister and her husband were going to give them a lift up. Karen was anxious about today, it
was going to be tough seeing Rob in so much pain, but it also meant meeting all his family and
their relationship was still new and she wasn't sure today was entirely the most appropriate time.
Rob and Sarah had both reassured her, Sarah had been lovely and was so grateful that Rob had
met someone as lovely as Karen especially at this sad and difficult time.
'Mum's looking forward to meeting you' Rob almost read her mind.
'Rob I'
'Karen, I don't think i've ever been happier and I don't know what I'd have done this past week or
so without you. They get that Karen.' His words reassured her and Sarah had arrived to pick them
up. The journey to Newcastle was quiet, Rob held on to Karen's hand the whole way, she caressed
her thumb along his hand in what she hoped was a comforting motion. It was a bittersweet journey,
Rob hadn't been back home in a while, his sister and brother had both moved down south and his
parents had nearly always made the journey down. He was feeling today that it wasn't a place he
wanted to go home to anymore. It had too many memories of Dan their brother, memories Rob
wasn't quite ready to face just yet.
'Do you know if Archie's going to be there Sarah?' Rob asked breaking the silence
'Kate phoned me last night, she'd been in two minds he's really not been coping but she didn't
want him to miss today'
'I'm really worried about him' Rob was being really honest, his nephew was 13 which was a difficult
enough age without having to cope with losing a parent.
'He's a Scotcher, he's strong. He'll always have all of us' Sarah and Rob were really close and she
knew exactly how to calm him down. Karen was really admiring their relationship.
'I'm sure he'll be glad to see his Uncle Rob though' Sarah added in.
They soon arrived at the church, a large crowd had gathered of Dan's friends and family. They got
out of the car and Rob held tightly Karen's hand. Rob and Sarah both instinctively headed over
towards their mum Cathy who was stood with Kate and Archie. Rob could see how vulnerable his
nephew was, they'd always been close. Rob would take him to the park for a kick about or the
theme park or circus when it came to town, he was a really hands on uncle. Archie broke down at
the sight of Rob who simply took his nephew into his arms.
'It will get better, I promise. Your dad would be so proud of you today, he was always proud of you.'
Kate was being really strong for Archie's sake but today was tough. Karen stayed back and gave
the family some space, introductions could be had later, they'd all known that Rob was bringing a
new partner and all had been supportive. Kate gave Karen an appreciative look, you'd have to be a
pretty special woman to come to your new boyfriends brother's funeral.
They began to go in, Rob sat next to Archie and Karen. As the coffin was walked in Karen could
feel Rob physically start to shake. She took his hand and rubbed circles with her thumb in soothing
motions. Rob had his hand on Archie's shoulder, any attempt to protect him from the world that had
already bruised him. Karen could tell that the Scotcher's were a special family, the bond and
support they were all showing today was admirable. Tears were shed and flowers laid before the
coffin disappeared behind that dark curtain. They all filtered out, Karen's arm now around Rob's
waist her head inclined.
'It was a beautiful service' Karen commented
'I think he'd have liked it' Rob said proudly sniffing back his recently shed tears.
'I'm proud of you' Karen replied as she wiped the last tear that had escaped.
Rob's mum Cathy looked on at the couple proudly, she could tell that Rob was finally happy and in
the process of settling. As a mother she gained some reassurance that something positive was to
come, there was going to be a way out of this terrible sorrow.
The party moved on to the wake at the local pub that Rob had many a fond memory of.
'me and Dan used to sneak in here as teenagers'
'what and they served you?' Karen replied half laughing half shocked at Rob's story
'No, Rob and Dan still looked about ten when they were 16. They'd always get thrown out' Cathy
interjected, remembering fondly the things her boys got up to together.
'you must be Karen' Cathy began the long introduction process that was to follow.
'Yes, I hope you don't mind that I came' Karen asked, worried about having trod on anyone's toes.
'Of course not!' Cathy reassured her 'it's lovely to meet the lady that's been taking such good care
of my Rob, Sarah's been keeping me well informed' Karen was very heartened at how Cathy was
welcoming her in.
'See I told you, you had nothing to worry about' Rob reiterated.
'Oh love you have no need to worry, they're a lovely bunch I promise. It's Rob you needed to worry
about' Kate commented which made them all laugh.
'Yeah thanks Kate' Rob replied
'thank you both for coming, we really appreciate it don't we Arch.'
Kate encouraged Archie to come and meet Karen.
'Whose this?' Archie didn't mean to sound so abrupt he'd been introduced to lots of people today
and it was all starting to get too much.
'This is Karen, Uncle Rob's girlfriend' Karen blushed, she'd never heard it said out loud by another
person. Rob placed his arm around Karen's waist proudly and Archie managed a cheeky smile.
'Hi' Archie lightheartedly said to Karen.
'So do you have any children Karen?' Cathy asked, the afternoon had moved on and the family
were all getting to know Karen. 'I have an 8 year old daughter Jess and a 6 year old son Harry'
'and they're a right pair of monkey's' Rob added in teasingly. Cathy could see that the two of them
were made for each other, they really complemented one another.
'Have you had to leave them with their dad today then?'
'My mum's looking after them, they were off on a picnic I think.'
'They are really great kids, you'll have to meet them at some point mum' Rob's suggestion really
surprised Karen, it meant their relationship was developing that he really believed in them as a
couple.
'I'd like that' Cathy replied.
'Right whose for another drink?' Rob asked,
'actually Rob we should probably make a move, we've got to get back to Emilie and Liv'
'yeah Rob I said we would be back before Jess and Harry's bedtime.'
'Alright then you guys, thank you for coming, it was lovely to meet you Karen'
'you too, hopefully we shall see you soon' Karen replied in spirit of Rob's earlier suggestion.
'Do you know where Kate and Archie are mum?'
'Over by the bar.'
They headed over 'we're all going to make a move, children to get back to' Sarah explained
'ok, well thank you for coming. Not sure what would have happened without you Scotcher's.
They're a special bunch of people you'll soon learn that Karen'
'I think i'm beginning to'
'well it was lovely to meet you, I'm sure that we'll see you soon.'
'We're here for you Kate, anytime you feel like you need a chat or a reminder that you're going to
get through this you call ok' Sarah gave her sister in law a big hug whilst Rob had a heart to heart
with his nephew.
'And you please call me when things get bad, if you need me i'll be there I promise. You look after
your mum ok and remember that your dad's always going to be proud of you' Karen was touched
by Rob's words, he'd do anything for those he cared about.
They finally arrived back at Karen's, 'Thank you for today'
'oh don't be silly Rob I wanted to be there for you'
'seems you were a bit of a hit with the Scotcher clan'
'they're great and Kate's right about you guys being special. You really look out for each other and
that is exactly why you are going to get through this.' Rob couldn't resist the urge any longer to kiss
Karen. He couldn't put into words how grateful he was for having her in his life.