So here we are at the last chapter! Only an epilogue left which we will be up ASAP.
Had a busy couple of weeks with exams and a new job but finally got this chapter done.
*Don't own Ashes or these brilliant characters.. Except Adam and he's going to get a lot nicer now, so it's not all bad.*
Enjoy and please leave a review and tell me what you think.
Chapter 10.
Staring at his son in horror, Gene stepped towards him threateningly, curling his hands into fists.
Adam tried to speak but Gene cut him off.
"Dad, I swear, it's nothing-"
"Have I got this right? Yer mean you've been stabbing me in the back since yer got here? You let me think that you wanted to get to know me again, let me make it up to yer and yer allowed me to feel guilty for leaving yer but all the time you and her have just wanted to fleece me?! Jesus, you destroyed everything Adam, my life and my family! I put everything on hold for you! Yer know what, I don't even know yer! Yer not like me at all are yer? Yer poison, just like her! Well that's it. I'm done!"
Storming into the kitchen and ignoring Adam's cries, Gene leant against the counter and closed his eyes. "Keep calm Gene, killing him ain't going to solve anything." Taking a deep breath, he walked back into the sitting room, seeing Adam wringing his hands and glancing up at him fearfully.
"Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't want-".
"Save it! I need to clear me head and I think if I stay around you any longer, I'll probably do something that I'll end up regretting, no matter how good it would be! Now I'll be back in a while. I want you to ring yer mother, invite her over. Tell her that I've changed my mind and I want to talk to her about the three of us. You think of telling her that I know what the two of you have been up to, I'll kick yer arse so hard, you'll be flying back to Manchester alright?"
With one final glare at his son, Gene left the house and got into his car and leant back against the headrest. Shit! How had he managed to mess things up. He had ruined his relationship with Alex for what? A son who was prepared to ruin him and destroy his life, well not anymore. Gene took a deep breath as he started the car and drove off. He needed to put things right with a certain someone before dealing with his wayward son and his ex.
X~x~x~x~x
Walking into Luigi's, Gene glanced around looking for signs that Alex was there. Walking towards the bar, Gene nodded at Luigi.
"Is she upstairs?"
"Si signore. What you want with her? From what the lovely signorina tells me, you have, what do you English call it, oh yes, a bastard to her!"
Gene sighed and tapped his fingers on the counter. The guilt of how he had treated Alex and his unborn baby washed over him and he hated himself and didn't need Luigi making him feel worse.
"I know, I wanna make it up to her ok? I will, I swear! I'm gonna fix this."
Luigi sighed and nodded upwards.
"She is upstairs."
Glancing back over his shoulder at the grumpy Italian, Gene walked out of the bar and walked up to Alex's flat.
Stopping outside the flat, he prayed that Alex would let him in and apologise. Knocking, he heard her move to open the door. This was it. Gene cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly.
X~x~x~x~x~x
Alex had been staring at her baby scan for the last few minutes. Tracing the baby's outline with her thumb, she smiled. Placing her hand on her stomach, she thought back over the past weeks events. She hated fighting with Gene and she hated herself for laying into him about missing the scan but how else was she going to react? Jumping as she heard a knock at the door, she got up from the couch and pinned the scan back on the fridge. Walking towards the door, she looked through the peephole and groaned. Great this is all she needed, another row would be more than likely and just she really wanted to go to bed. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and smiled awkwardly.
"Hello, didn't think you'd come round."
"Yeah well, didn't think you'd answer. Can I come in Bolls? Please? I won't stay long if you don't want me to, I just need to talk."
Opening the door wider, Alex nodded and let him in. As they both walked into the living room, Gene cringed as memories of their last row in the flat flooded his brain. God, he treated her like crap and all because of his bloody son.
After five minutes of silence, Alex sighed in frustration. So much for him wanting to talk! Glancing back to him, she lost patience as she saw him staring at the floor.
"Gene, why are you here? What did you want to say? I've got better things to be doing so if you're just going to sit there and say nothing you can leave. What's going on?"
Great Gene, now thinks your a twat, just tell her for gods sake! Gene took a deep breath and finally looked up at Alex.
"Sorry. I just didn't know what to do. I needed to see yer. Truth is Bolls, I don't know a damn thing bout me own son. I can't believe he'd do this to me! After everything I've done for him. He's been taking me for a bleedin fool!"
Despite her feelings towards Adam, Alex's heart went out to Gene, what had he done that had made Gene act like this? She had never seen him so deflated. What the hell happened? Obviously he's found out a few things about him. Her heart went out to him. He had truly loved his son and wanted to make it work. Not wanting to remind him that she told him to be careful, Alex went into the kitchen and found the bottle of scotch that sat in the cupboard. Bringing it back to him, Alex handed it to him and sat beside Gene and gently took his hand.
"What happened?"
Gene laughed bitterly, holding her hand tightly and told Alex what had happened.
Afterwards, Alex felt her heart break as she took in the sorry state of Gene, who was taking another large swig from the near empty bottle. Reaching towards him, she gently but firmly took the bottle from his hand and placed it on the table.
"I'm a failure Bolls. Dunno why I'm surprised me own son turned out like 'e has. Look at his role model."
"Oh Gene, don't talk like that. Where is he?"
"At home, I warned him to stay put."
Alex squeezed his hand again and spoke softly trying to reason with him, shaking her head as opened his mouth.
"Right, you listen to me Eugene Hunt! No shut up, I'm talking! You are not a failure. You are the complete opposite. Look, you have listened and helped him over the last few weeks. You finished with me, with us, just so he'd be happier. Surely that has to mean something Gene. He's obviously damaged and I'm sure his mum hasn't helped either. It's not him doing this it's her. Yes he was a little shit when I was there but what about when it was just you two on your own watching TV, when I was doing the dinner, anyone could see he looked up to you, that he loved spending time with you. You're his dad Gene, and a great one at that. Adam loves you and so will this baby. Forget everything I've said. This baby needs you and so do I."
Sensing that Gene was still confused about what Adam had done, she continued, squeezing his hand in reassurance.
"He's not a bad kid Gene. Not really, he just wants his dad! You cut him out of your life for good and what will he do? He'll just be another good for nothing idiot that we put away every day, or worse. It's clear that he needs to get away from his mum's influence. She's the wrong one in this not him. Go home and just listen to him. Don't talk, just listen. You never know, he could surprise you. Forget what I said earlier, I was pissed off but I shouldn't have said what I did. I want you in this baby's life, we need you. Whether we like it or not Gene, this baby is his brother and whatever my feelings are towards him, I'm not going to stop him from being a brother to our baby. He's a good kid deep down. He's just a scared kid Gene, who needs his dad."
Gene finally looked into Alex's eyes and they both felt a surge of longing and love rush through them.
Gene was the first one to break the connection as he jumped up from the couch and walked towards the fridge, smiling proudly as he saw that Alex had pinned their baby's scan to it.
Reaching out, he ran his thumb along the baby's outline. He felt Alex come up behind him and rest her head on his shoulder.
Sighing, Gene turned to face her.
"I can't go back there alone Alex. I honestly don't know what I'll do! I know I've no right to ask this but can yer come with me? Please Bolls, I need yer!"
Alex nodded and pulled him in for a hug. Stroking his hair, Alex felt her heart swell with love as the last month of regret, pain and hurt ebbed away. This was where she belonged with Gene and their baby. Whatever happened, she knew that they could try repair the damage and be happy again.
But first, they needed to speak with Adam and deal with Sandra and so she kissed his cheek and moved away.
"Let's do this first and we can talk later ok? I'll even let you buy me dinner!"
"Oh will yer now? Well come on then whale woman, don't have all day."
"Oi you cheeky git! You'll pay for that!"
Laughing quietly to himself as Alex tried to slap him playfully, Gene took her hand and led her to the car.
X~x~x~x~x~x~x
Pulling up outside his house, Gene sighed and glanced at Alex. Seeing her flash him a brief smile, he set his mouth into a thin line and opened the door and got out.
Opening the door, he walked into the hallway and nodded for Alex to follow. Glancing into the sitting room, he saw Adam glancing nervously from the clock to the window repeatedly.
"Did yer call 'er?"
Adam jumped and turned to face him and opened his mouth to reply but stopped when he glanced over his shoulder and saw Alex. Clearing his throat, he looked back at Gene, trying not to wince as he met the stony glare from his dad.
"Um yeah, she'll be here in a few minutes. Um what's she doing 'ere?"
Gene growled and pushed Alex further into the room and looked threateningly towards Adam.
"Alex is 'ere to make sure I don't kill you or yer mother! I've told 'er everything, all yer tricks and how much I despise yer right now but she seems to think I shouldn't be so hard on yer."
Seeing Adam take a deep breath as Gene squared up to him, Alex put her hand on Gene's arm, feeling his muscles loosen.
"Hey, how about you make us a cuppa and bring me your secret stash of biccies. I think Adam and I should chat. Go on, we'll be fine. Trust me ok?"
Gene sent one last glare towards Adam before nodding at Alex and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before leaving them alone.
"Right come on, now he's gone, just tell me why you did it. I'm not angry Adam. It's not my business anymore, I'm just here supporting your dad."
Adam didn't move and looked away. Alex could see he was close to breaking point and she carefully walked over to him and rested her hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, look at me please? This is me you're dealing with not him. I'm the best you've got Adam because right now your dad hates you and unless you want him to kill you, talk to me."
Adam nodded and sat down on the couch and nervously began to open up.
X~x~x~x~x
Walking back into the kitchen, she saw Gene smoking furiously with his back to her and walked towards him.
"Oi! What about my tea and biscuits! You know pissing off a pregnant lady could be fatal."
Gene stubbed out his cigarette and handed over a mug to her, smiling gently as she sighed.
"Well, what did the boy wonder have to say for himself?"
"He's damaged Gene. She has messed with his head for years. She told him that you left because of him and she tried to contact you a few years ago but you told her you met me so not only blaming him, she blamed me. For gods sake, she's his mother and she has destroyed him. No wonder he hated me! According to him, she says I'm the bloody reason why you never bothered to get in touch."
Gene took in Alex's flushed cheeks as she shook with anger. Pulling her into a hug, he rubbed her back soothingly.
"She always was a scheming bitch. Look, you know it's all bollocks don't yer? It's not yer fault. I don't know what to do anymore Alex. What do I say to him?"
Pulling back, she smiled at Gene and stroked his cheek.
"We'll get through it together ok? Let's deal with his mother first and then we can sort him out. She'll be here in a minute. I'm going to stay in here until you need me. Don't say anything about me, until I come in ok."
Hearing footsteps in the hall, they both turned around as Adam wandered sheepishly into the kitchen.
"Er, mam's just pulled up outside. Do you want me to let her in?"
Alex threw him a reassuring smile and pushed him reassuringly into the sitting room, as Gene bolted out of the room towards the front door, ignoring him completely.
X~x~x~x~x
Keeping out of sight, Alex bristled in anger as she heard Sandra enter.
"I knew you'd want me back, you never could get enough of me."
Entering the sitting room, she took in Adam's demeanour as well as Gene's glares and she began to worry. What was going on? Glancing between the two, she tried to reach out for Adam but he shrugged her off and walked over to the far corner of the room, refusing to look at her.
Unable to stop himself, Gene stalked over to her and nodded towards Adam.
"He's been telling me all about yer scheming. You know, I thought I knew yer Sandra. I thought I knew everything about yer. But I didn't know how much if a poisonous, scheming liar you really are! You've sent him up 'ere to destroy me and my life!"
Sandra's eyes widened with horror and she shook her head frantically.
"What! Gene, no I swear, he's lying. It's him that's the schemer. He pushed me into it. Told me he wanted to teach yer a lesson. I didn't want to go through with it but he made me Gene. I only did it because I love yer please Genie, you have to believe me. It's all him!"
Adam launched himself at his mum just as Alex entered the room, unable to leave them alone any longer. Sandra stared in shocked horror as Adam finally broke down and told his mam exactly what he now thought of her.
"You liar! Yer told me I was to blame for him walking out. Me! I blamed myself for the last ten years because of you! I thought he hated me. You told me that all you wanted was for the three of us to be a family again but yer don't do yer. You just want to punish him for finding someone a lot better than you. Jesus yer sick in the head mam. I hate yer!"
Alex reached out towards him, hoping to calm him but Adam took her by surprise by turning towards Alex and hugged her.
Calming him down, Alex looked over his shoulder and spoke in a low but threatening voice, that chilled Sandra.
"He's right, your poison. What you've done to this boy is cruel. What kind of a mother are you?! You get jealous over me but take it out in your own son. Your not fit to be a mum. Look at him Sandra, look at what YOU did."
As Sandra began to protest, Gene cut in. He'd heard enough. This ended now. Walking over to his ex wife, he eyed her with disgust and nodded to the door.
"I've had enough of this. Get out. Go back to Manchester and leave us alone. I never want to hear from yer again that includes to 'im. I can't stand yer. Go on get out, before I throw yer out!"
Glancing at the three stony faces in front of her, Sandra picked up her bag and glanced towards Adam before storming out, slamming the door behind her.
X~x~x~x~x~x
Squeezing Gene's shoulder, she nodded towards Adam, who was staring at the floor.
"Right, seeing as you boys have probably been eating rubbish and takeaways for the past month, I'm going to make a start on dinner, then I'll get out of your hair."
Gene sighed and sat down heavily on the couch beside Adam.
"Look, what yer mam said to you, yer know it's a load of bollocks don't yer? I never forgot yer, yer me son and despite everything that's gone on, it ain't going to change."
Adam looked up in surprise.
"Yer mean we're ok? After everything I've done, your gonna give me a second chance, just like that?"
Standing up and rubbing a hand through his hair, Gene nodded.
"Well don't think I've forgotten everything cos I haven't alright? Yer ruined me relationship and very nearly ruined our relationship but yer had yer reasons. I'm not angry with yer, disappointed maybe but not angry. It's yer mothers doing and I'm not going to punish you for her mind games. So yeah, we're ok so long as you talk to me from now on. Anything you want to know or any questions you have, you come to me first. Now I'm going to check that mrs woman isn't planning on feeding us rabbit food!"
Adam sunk back into the couch and grinned as Gene's voice boomed from the hall.
"Well Boll, what yer making. Are you sure yer can use that thing? There'll be hell to pay for if you poison the Gene Genie! Ow! What was that for?!"
x~x~x~x~x
Hope you've enjoyed and please leave a review.