Hope you're still enjoying. Quite a long chapter here, needed to move the story along a bit. Hope you are still reading and enjoying.
Chapter 4.
Over the next few days, tension in the Hunt/ Drake household were slowly reaching breaking point. By Friday, Gene was growing increasingly annoyed as he felt he was stuck in the middle of his warring household. They were meant to be a family, however dysfunctional, so why couldn't they start acting like it?
"Adam! For the last time, get your lazy backside down the stairs now! I'm putting on a wash so I need your stuff."
Alex stormed into the kitchen slamming the clothes basket down.
"You know, it would be nice if your darling son could get off his backside and give a hand round here from time to time. We've been in work all week Gene and he hasn't done anything while we've been out."
Gene looked up from his paper and sighed.
"Alex, just get off his back alright? He's settling in and doesn't need you in his ear all the time. Give the lad a break. At least he's trying."
Alex ignored him and continued to sort the clothes as footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. Adam walked into the kitchen and threw the pile of dirty washing down in front of Alex.
"Here ya go. Seeing as yer asked so nicely and all. What's the plan for tonight, what time are we going?"
Alex looked at Gene, hoping that he'd stick to what they agreed. They were meant to be going to Chris' party tonight alone. Gene had agreed that a night out for the two of them would give them both a chance to enjoy some alone time so Adam would be staying at home. Looking across to Adam, Gene sighed and prepared for the inevitatable tantrum.
"Actually son, me and Alex were gonna go by ourselves if yer don't mind. We just fancy a night out y'know? You'll have the house to yourself though so enjoy it. We shouldn't be back too late."
Adam crossed his arms and glared across at Alex.
"Really, I wonder who didn't want me to come. Any ideas Alex? Why can't I come, are yer that ashamed to be seen out with me?"
Fixing Adam with a steely gaze, Alex willed herself to remain calm. Whoever said teenage boys were easy obviously hadn't studied Adam yet. Answering calmly but firmly, Alex flashed him an over the top smile, willing herself not to strangle the sulky teenager standing in front of her.
"Grow up Adam, your're seventeen not seven! Can you manage being separated from daddy for a couple of hours? Give me a break, now while you're there, it's your turn to clean up this morning so off you pop".
"This is you all over isn't it? Are yer watching dad, yer girlfriend hates me guts. I'm not yer skivvy luv, you do it yerself!"
"Oi, don't even think about talking to Alex like that. We just want a night out together. Simple as that. Now stop acting like a sulky kid and do the washing up. I won't have yer treating this like a holiday anymore, Alex is right, just grow up and do what yer told for once."
Adam skulked over to the sink and begrudgingly filled the sink, still annoyed at being told no and his dad's words.
"Well what am I meant to eat? Yer gonna let me starve?"
Alex walked over to Gene and squeezed his shoulder, silently thanking him for backing her up, she picked up his keys and turned to Adam.
"Funny enough, no we're not. I'm going to grab you a takeaway. What you fancy? Fish and Chips or Chinese?"
Getting no answer, Alex sighed and turned to Gene.
"Right, I'll have a guess. You get in that shower and I won't be long."
Gene leaned over and gave her a kiss before following her into the hallway.
"Seriously take no notice. He's just having a sulk. Just get him whatever is nearest. He can either put up or shut up for all I care. Sorry he spoke to yer like that, it's not fair on yer. Anyway, what you going to wear tonight? Something skimpy I hope? I mean it is a party after all Bolls"
Alex giggled and put her arms around Gene, giving him a sexy smirk.
"Well you'll just have to wait and see Mr Hunt, won't you?"
Gene growled as Alex gave him one last kiss and sauntered out the door. Heading up the stairs whistling, he could hear Adam slamming around downstairs and he rolled his eyes.
"Him and Bolly are more bloody alike than they think. Both sulky and moody when they don't get their own way. Genie boy, yer have yer work cut out for ya anyway."
Alex wandered downstairs cautiously, hoping that she wouldn't topple over her high heels. Hearing Gene talking to Adam in the kitchen, she picked up her bag and noticing that her purse wasn't inside, she had a quick look round, frowning. Walking into the living room, she had a brief search, spotting it under a cushion. Making sure, she had enough for the fare, she opened it, surprised to see that she didn't have as much cash in it as she had thought she had. that her purse was on the living room table.
"Strange, I thought I had more in here."
Hearing Gene come up behind her, she dropped it into her bag and turned to face him, seeing him gazing lustfully at her, she grinned, kissing his cheek.
"So skimpy enough? Does sir approve?"
"Whoa, Yer gonna give me a heart attack Bolls dressed like that. Fancy helping me recover later. Think I'm gonna need it."
Alex giggled and grabbed their coats and shouting their goodbyes to Adam, Gene took her hand and led her out to the waiting taxi. Turning to Gene, Alex cast a brief glance over her shoulder, nodding to the house.
"Do you think he's going to be ok?"
"He'll get over it. Now tonight it's just about us. We're gonna enjoy ourselves and then we can have our own private party when we come home."
Waggling his eyebrows, Gene discreetly slipped his hand down to rest on her bum. Oh yes tonight was certainly going to be interesting.
Back at the house, Adam replaced the phone back to its holder. Picking up his jacket, he grabbed his set of keys and left the house, Making sure that he wasn't seen. He certainly didn't want to be caught. Why she didn't just come to the house he didn't know. They'd be alone for the next few hours at least to catch up. However, she had said it was for the best and not wanting to argue, he agreed. Turning the corner, Adam spotted a tall, blonde haired well-dressed woman and smiled as she turned to face him.
"Alright mam, fancy seeing you 'ere. Thought yer were meant to be in Manchester, at least that's what I've told everyone. Wouldn't want them thinking I'm shit stirring Y'know?"
Sandra smirked, despite it it only being a number of days since she had seen him, she had to admit, she had missed him. God he was so much like his dad, irritating most of the time but they could both charm the birds from the trees with a simple cheeky grin and that's what she loved most about them.
"You took your time didn't you? I've been here waiting for ages."
Adam shrugged and glanced over his shoulder.
"Yeah well had to wait for the love birds to leave didn't I? Couldn't just pop out while they were there, would be kinda hard to explain. Anyway what do we do."
Smirking Sandra took out a cigarette and began to fill in Adam on what should happen next.
After a few minutes, Sandra walked back towards her car, unlocking it as she said goodbye to him.
"Right that's me done here. Call me when the coast is clear and I'll make a surprise return and don't forget, We're doing this because it's for the best. She was the one who stopped your dad from coming back to us where he belonged. We could have have started again, just the three of us but she sunk her claws into him. You stick to the plan and we can be a family again. It's what we all want and need."
Nodding Adam took out a small wad of notes handing them to his mother.
"Here, petrol money. The posh tart's paying. Pinched it from her purse earlier. Don't worry she didn't see me, she hasn't a clue. "
With one last wave, Adam turned away from the car and walked back home, stopping as he saw a couple of teenagers that he had met during the week. Forming a plan, he walked over. This was going to be easier than he thought. If Alex wasn't packing her things by the morning, then he was seriously losing his touch!
As Chris' party got into full swing, Alex kissed Gene and went to get another round in. Shaz took the opposite seat to Gene and smiled at him.
"Having a good night Guv?"
"Yeah Shaz, nice to get a bit of time to ourselves y'know. She deserves a night out, it's been one hell of a week with Adam turning up."
Smiling, Shaz glanced over to Alex and seeing her laugh at something Ray was saying, she turned back to Gene.
"Alex tells me things are still a bit tense with Adam? If you don't mind me asking guv, why does he have so much of a problem with her? The way he talks to her ain't right Guv."
Gene frowned and tried to think back to their conversations. What was she on about, they barely spoke to each other, Alex had even told him that.
"Shaz, the only time Adam speaks to her is when I'm there. Otherwise, he doesn't. I'm not happy with it. I mean he can be a little shit now and again, but Alex has been pretty hard on him too. She needs to get off his case. He's my son and I want a relationship with him, don't know what she's been saying but he's not all bad. Now can i get back to me drink without yer wanting information about my personal life!"
Shaz sighed. Typical blooody Alex, she obviously didn't tell Gene about his sons behavior. Oh well here goes.
"Look guv, your right it isn't any of my business. But Alex has been miserable. I think you should probably talk to her about it. He's been horrible to her Guv. I mean really horrible. She probably hasn't said anything because she wants to keep the peace so you're not stuck in the middle but seriously Guv, it's about time you wake up and see him for what he is!"
Standing up and ignoring her boss's glare at her, she walked hurriedly back to her husband, taking a huge gulp of her drink. Chris glanced confusedly at her, surprised at her actions.
"Alright lover? What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing interesting Chris, you enjoying your night."
As Shaz took another drink, she bit her lip with worry. This wasn't going to end well. Gene wouldn't exactly take her giving out about his son lying down that was for sure! Well that's me out of a job! Alex you better tell him otherwise I'm sacked! Shaz thought watching as Alex walked back over to Gene, glancing suspiciously at her as she had bought yet another non alcoholic drink. She'd be having words with her later..
"Everything ok honey?"
Gene looked up at Alex as she placed his beer in front of him. Gene honestly didn't know how to answer her. What the bleeding hell was going on between her and Adam? Why didn't she say something to him about Adam? Why did she tell Shaz and not him?
A small voice in his head told him that he had ignored her all week about Adam and his laziness so she probably thought that he'd ignore her on this too. Bloody idiot! I'll be having words with him in the morning. Putting Adam out of his mind, Gene smiled at Alex as he took her hand, glancing at her orange juice.
"Everything's fine Bolls. Anyway, have yer decided to become a nun or something? Yer not drinking. Everything ok? "
He had noticed, not for the first time tonight, that she didn't seem to be having any alcohol. Funny enough, she didn't have any all week. Something was up.
"Just tired that's all. Don't worry, I'm sure you can drink enough for the both of us!"
Gene laughed and leant in closer, nuzzling her ear.
"Listen, yer wanna get out of here soon? I think we had made plans? This lot will carry on without us."
Smirking, Alex nodded and glanced towards Shaz, seeing her glance in their direction and then nodding to the ladies, indicating she needed a word.
"I'll be back in a minute, then we'll go."
Entering the ladies, she saw Shaz leaning against the wall, giving her a smirk.
"What's up with you?"
Shaz's smirk grew wider. She lived these moments when she could tease her friend.
"You tell me 'ma'am. Why haven't I seen you with a glass of wine all evening?"
"What? Oh it's nothing, I'm just tired Shaz, so didn't feel like adding alcohol to the mix. Anyway what are you getting at?."
Shaz raised her eyebrows and she patted Alex's belly in a teasing gesture.
"Really. Tired? I'm not getting at anything; I'm just wondering how Adam is going to react when he finds out that not only are you his step-mummy but he's also getting a little brother or sister. He'll be thrilled (!) Seriously, how far gone are you? Have you told Gene? Can I be godmother?!"
Alex laughed as Shaz became more excited and took her arms, which had begun to swing wildly.
"Whoa slow down a minute! Which one do you want me to answer first? Seriously Shaz calm down, I'm not going to tell you anything until you stop! Ok so firstly, I'm not his step mummy as you so sweetly put it. Somehow I can't see him being too thrilled with that title. Secondly, I took a pregnancy test during the week. I've done the dates and I'm roughly 10 weeks pregnant. I haven't told Gene yet, I was thinking of doing it tonight, when we get home. I can't wait to see his face Shaz! It's what we both want. We were talking about it before Adam turned up."
Shaz pulled her in for a hug, still squealing with excitement.
"Oh Alex that's fantastic! I'm so happy for you. Right go home. You're not staying here any longer. Go home and tell him and don't worry about Adam, he'll get over it or go back to Manchester. Gene loves you and I wish I could see his face when you tell him. We'll meet in the morning and you can tell me all about it. Now go on shoo, I need to pee and you need to go home."
Laughing Alex left the bathroom and nodded to Gene. Time to go home.
Gene smiled across at Alex as the taxi pulled up at their house. Leaning over her, he handed over the fare and grabbed her hand, leading her out of the taxi.
"C'mon Bolls, I believe we have plans. 'Ey up, yer looking rather excited. I know my reputation is good but there's something different about you, yer gonna tell me what's going on?"
Alex smiled and led him to the front door, her excitement of wanting to tell Gene was growing.
"Well I do have some news that I think you might like but I'm not telling you out here on the doorstep. Let's go inside."
Gene smiled indulgently but suddenly he stopped, listening as loud noises could be heard from within the house. Frowning, he unlocked the door quickly and they both stared in horror as they took in the state of their house.
"What the bloody hell-?"
Beer bottles were thrown around the floor along with takeaway wrappers. Moving towards the kitchen, a group of teenagers that neither Gene or Alex recognised were raiding Gene's drinks cabinet, much to his fury. Walking over towards the group, Gene grabbed the bottles out of their hands and dragged them towards the door.
"Oi! Can someone tell me what the bleeding hell are you lot doing here? You Sonny drop that bottle before I paint yer balls the colour of nuts and inform the squirrels that winters coming! Where the bloody hell is my son!"
As Gene finished throwing the hordes of teenagers out of the house, he followed Alex as she had stormed into the sitting room and switched off the blaring music and they both turned to see Adam, smirking cockily as he walked over to them.
"What happened to the music? Oh you two are home early, thought this lot would be gone by the time yer got 'ome. Well yer did tell me to enjoy meself. "
Alex glanced at Gene and took a step forward, glaring at the teenage boy in front of her. This was going to be settled once and for all.
TBC.