She's coming home, she's coming home, it's Maggie, Doyley's coming home...........won't mean a thing youwere in the UK when Frank Skinner and David Baddiel released their footy song. Oooooook, sorry about that. And sorry about the delay with this story. Hope you enjoy this one.
C
59
Two days later, Maggie was going stir crazy. The hospital was now a mere formality, Maggie was back to normal, was coping with it all, she and PJ were coping – hell, they were more than coping, they were dealing with it all. They'd been talking, the two of them. Talking their socks off. They'd been having deep and meaningful talks, finally getting everything out into the open, accepting, understanding and analyzing it all – and then leaving it in the past where it belonged. The rest of the time was spent getting to know each other again, catching up on Mt Thomas news and gossip. Tom Croydon, it seemed, had an ear for everything and anything in Mt Thomas. It was his business to know what was going on in his town, that was his excuse. Maggie and Zoe had smirked, but made good use of his nose for news.
Today was the day though, the day Maggie was going home. Home being PJ's place where Nick and Zoe had been staying with the boys. Maggie sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for PJ to arrive, and he couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped when he saw her sitting there.
"I take it you're ready then?" he said, coming over to give her a kiss.
"Shut up, you. I'm going nuts here, and I want to go home" she told him, standing up and grabbing a bag. "You take that one and let's go. PJ, what? What is it? What's that grin for?"
"Nothing. Just……….home. You're coming home" PJ's grin was wide as his eyes began to water. "I never, I just – " he stopped, swallowing tightly. Maggie instantly dropped her bag back onto the bed and moved over to him, wrapping her arms around him as she gently pulled him to her, understanding what he couldn't say.
"I love you PJ" she whispered as he held on tightly.
"Love you too" he whispered back.
"Again?" Nick's indignant voice came from the doorway. "No, Zo listen, every time we see them they're kissing or something. It's quite sickening" he grinned, as PJ and Maggie broke apart glaring at him, their glares turning to smirks as Nick suddenly winced and looked down. Near his feet stood two small identical boys looking curiously pleased with themselves as they stomped on Nick's feet.
"How?" Nick groaned, as the boys ran into the room, and into a parent's arms, PJ and Maggie sweeping their sons up into their arms.
"Instinct" PJ told him as he hefted a grinning Tom higher on his hip. "They saw Mags glaring at you and they protected her." He kissed his son on the top of his unruly hair. "Doyley, " PJ grinned, "We've got back up!"
"Yeah, well I'll soon bring them back to the dark side" Nick dug deep in his pocket before coming up with a triumphant smile and two Freddo Frogs. "Boys?"
Both Tom and Joe were now wriggling in their parents' arms and as soon as PJ and Maggie put them down, they were over beside Nick, wearing identical happy grins as they munched on the chocolate frogs. Looking up, Joe was momentarily confused, until it all suddenly became clear. Moving over to Maggie, he looked up at her, holding his arms up, Tom doing the same only moments later. Once again secure in their parent's arms, both twins smooshed their chocolate trophies into PJ and Maggie's mouths, looking triumphantly at each other when PJ and Maggie were forced to open their mouths and accept the mushy present.
"Ad – "Maggie swallowed the gloopy mess, grinning as PJ almost shuddered as he mirrored her actions, "Admit it Schultz, we win"
"Never" Nick said, and Maggie laughed out loud at the familiar look on his face.
"Oh, I'm so glad I've got my memory back, I owe you for so much, Nicholas" she said.
Nick paled slightly, moving to stand behind Zoe, before appealing to his best friend. "PJ, mate? I was there for you, I was completely there for you when you thought she was dead – " and Nick groaned out loud at the expression that suddenly appeared on both Maggie and PJ's faces as his words settled in. "I'm sorry" he whispered.
Maggie moved over to him, wrapping him in a one armed hug. "It's ok." She whispered to him, Joe looking at him with a confused expression on his little face as his buried his head in Maggie's neck as Maggie moved away.
Nick looked up, regret and apology written all over his face, and PJ gave him a small smile, accepting that his words had been in jest, had been a joke. Thing is, it was all still a little too soon.
"I'm sorry" Nick whispered again, giving Maggie a small smile and looking over at PJ.
The moment had vanished as Nick's words set in, and PJ fought against his feelings. She was back, here, with him, and the instant savage fear and anger that seized his heart was something he needed to fight against now. The misery he'd been living through, been living with – wallowing in – it was over. Maggie was back, standing beside him, alive and vibrant, loving him – PJ closed his eyes tightly, before opening them and locking gazes with her as he moved to stand beside her.
Reading him completely, Maggie stood on tiptoes, reaching up and softly – but completely – kissing him.
"Love you" she whispered, mirroring her actions from earlier. And this time, when PJ replied in kind, there was no interruption, no Nick to break the moment. He stayed quiet, understanding the magic of the moment. Breaking apart, PJ smiled down at her.
"Let's go home"