A/N: Reference to Drugs. Swearing. Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Lisa Armstrong (Ant's wife). Ali/Alison (Ant and Dec's PR). Simon Cowell, Stephen Mulhern.

No one spoke for the next hour. It was the house phone ringing that disturbed the silence. Everyone stared at it like it was an alien device, they were terrified to pick it up and see who has at the other end.

Ant advanced towards the phone and held it to his ear.

"Ant, you've left it long enough. I've been ringing you all day! What's going on with Dec? He's been all over the news?"

"I'm sorry… who is this?"

"Simon…. Now what's going on?"

"oh… he's got 20 years….."

"oh crap…" there was a silence on the line "is there no way we can get that shortened? We must have some power!"

"You might but I have none! It was meant to be 25 but pleading guilty made it 20, apparently it shows that he realised what he did was wrong. Unless something major happens he's going nowhere."

"What do you mean major?"

"I mean if I step forward."

"Ant, if that happens then you'll both be locked away!"

"But.."

"No buts…I've been calling a few people, and pulled a few strings but not much has changed. Let me get back to you. I'll see if I can try get this sorted."

"There's nothing you can do now, it's all too little too late." But Simon had already hung up the phone.

The phone was placed back on the side and silence was resumed. This time it lasted all of 5 minutes before there was a knock at the door. Lisa peered out of the window to check it wasn't just some press who had climbed over the gate. No one was there but there was a small brown package lying on the door step.

Ali opened the door, greeted with the flash of what felt like a million cameras. She retrieved the package and took it inside, laying it on the table.

Ant got a knife from the kitchen and went to cut the side open. "Wait!" Lisa shouted "Don't open it! If we've been on the news all day and people know, how can we be sure it isn't a bomb of some sort. A bit of hate mail or something."

"Well we can't just leave it here and who would send a bomb, I'm sure it'll be fine! If you want I'll open it out the back and you two can look out from the kitchen." The ladies agreed and stood in the kitchen watching Ant through the window.

He placed the package on the garden table and resumed cutting down the side. Once he had made a successful slice in the package, he could see the box inside. It was nothing special, just what looked like an old wooden shoe polish box.

He slid it out of the packaging and put it on the table. He took one deep breath before he slid the lid of the top.

Upon realising there was no bomb he waved for the girl to join him outside.

They all huddled around to see an unaddressed tear stained letter that was covering 4 envelopes, and a small gift that had been wrapped very carefully.

The letter read..

"To my dearest friends and family,

I am so sorry for everything I have done.

I let everyone who has ever had hope in my down and it is all my fault.

I'm a disgrace to my family name and to my company.

Having all this time alone has just allowed me to come to terms with everything, I know what I did was wrong, there is no way I can ever be forgiven and so, instead of praying for my forgiveness, I will pray for all of your safety.

I understand that you won't want to visit me in prison, so please don't feel you have to.

I had only one prize possession and I have sent it to you. Please keep it safe and think of the old me, not this mess I am now.

I love you all so much and I'll see you soon

Declan J.O Donnelly x"

Ant placed the letter down and picked up the envelopes, they were addressed to himself, Anne, James Grant and Simon.

Ali backed away from the table, clearly upset there was no letter for her. She tapped Lisa on the shoulder "I think it's best I go know… I'm not needed any more."

"No, Ali, you don't need to leave."

"I do, I've got some stuff to do at mine. I'll see you at that meeting tomorrow Ant, it's at 1pm. Don't be late, and dress smart."

Ant called after her as she left "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow"

Ant was still stood holding the enveloped, staring at the one that had his name on it. He couldn't bring himself to open it.

Lisa managed to take the other 3 from his grasp and place them back into the box. She lead Ant inside and sat him on the sofa.

"Babe, I know this is hard but you really should read the letter."

"I… I.. can't… it's just… to… real.." He stuttered

"I know, but it's best to read it now then in a week when everything has died down, it'll just make it harder the longer you leave it."

Ant knew she was right, but he didn't want to open it. He handed the letter to Lisa and gestured for her to do the honours.

"Dear Ant and Lisa,

I know this is just addressed to Ant but I figure you'll read it together.

I don't want you to feel bad about what I said in the shorter letter, that is there in case my mam wants to see it.

I don't know what to say to you two other than thank you. You have both been there for me every step of my life from when I was just a wee teenage lad.

Ant meeting you changed my life, I found my soul mate at the age of 13. Who would of expected it to get us so far!? Thank you for all the opportunities you have given to me, Japan has to be one of our best holidays ever. Even if it was suppose to be work. But PJ and Duncan was never work.

You were my rock in times of weakness and I could never thank you enough for how much support you both gave me when my Dad passed. But it just brought us even closer together, if that was even possible.

Lisa you have been like a sister to me, you look after me when I'm ill and treat our hangovers. And you make the best Lamb dinners ever!

But you already know that.

Good luck with everything and I'm sorry I can't be there to help you with the pregnancy or to be the cool Uncle Dec I wanted to be. But I would much rather your little one miss out on his cool uncle Dec than his father. I guess I'll get to meet the new McPartlin in 20 years, when he or she is all grown up.

Thank you for everything and I will write to you as often as I can.

I love you both lots and lots

All my Love

Dec xx

p.s the thing wrapped up is for you two."

Lisa was in tears by the end of reading it.

She picked up the small item wrapped up and peeled open the paper.

Out slid Dec's ring, the one he always wore on his right ring finger. He never took it off. Obviously the police had made him take it off, but it would normally be kept for when he was released.

The fact he had sent it to his best friends meant he knew he was getting out anytime soon and he wanted them to keep his ring safe.

She cuddled up to Ant on the sofa and they sat together crying until no sound escaped either of them. They had no more tears left to cry, they were tired and exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed.