The next day Ronnie woke up and looked over to the other side of the bed, where Jack was still asleep.
She rolled over to him and tickled his nose.
He sniffled with his nose, but didn't wake up.
Again she tickled his nose.
Then Jack grabbed her hand which made Ronnie squeek loudly.
Jack opened his eyes with a cheeky smile on his face.
- 'You scared the hell out of me Jack'Ronnie said giggling.
- 'Let me make it up to you'Jack said still with a cheeky smile then putting his arms around Ronnie.
- 'Jack stop, so how long do you think those papers are gonna take, you know, untill it's finalised, "dad"?'Ronnie asked with a blink in her eyes.
- 'I think Ritchie is pulling all strings to get it over and done with really fast Ron, don't worry, it will happen, any day now'Jack said kissing her cheek.
- 'And then there's still Roxy's money'Ronnie sighed snuggling into Jacks chest.
- 'Well she has been spending a lot without thinking, but the money dissapearing from her room is strange though, i mean if it was there'Jack said.
- 'You think she's lying about it?'Ronnie asked looking up to Jack serious.
- 'No not really, but where is it then, there's noone else living in this house, or going in or out, so either it must be somewhere else hidden or..well it's simply gone'Jack said.
- 'I'm thinking that you better keep your apartement for a while cause we don't know how this is gonna go, we might be moving again, is that apartement above yours still free?'Ronnie asked.
- 'Yeah, but let's not think about that yet alright'Jack said'come on, let's get up mummy'.
In the other bedroom Roxy was waking up, and saw Amy standing in her cot, calling for her mummy and her aunty Robbie, who she saw, was still sleeping in her mummy's bed.
Roxy sat up and looked at her little sister still asleep.
She stretched and yawned and then waved her hand through Robbie's hair.
- 'Wake up auntie Robbie, i want a cuddle'Roxy said pretending to be Amy.
Robbie gave Roxy a little slap, but didn't open her eyes yet 'Roxy stop, what time is it?'
- 'Time to get up and get ready for school babysis'Roxy said, now stroking through her sisters hair gently.
- 'I don't wanna go, i think i have to throw up'Robbie said pouting a bit.
- 'Yeah right, come on, or else Ronnie's gonna blame me for making you come late for school'Roxy said pinching her sisters cheeks'and i've got some stuff to sort out'.
- 'Your money?'Robbie said opening her eyes and pushing her sisters hands away from her face.
Then she sat up 'how can it be gone Rox, i don't understand where it all went if it really is all gone, i mean you've been a bit reckless but it can't be all gone now can it?'.
- 'Yeah well that's what i need to sort out babe, now come on, get up!'Roxy said'i don't want you to worry about it ok, you hear me, school now!'.
- 'Yeah alright keep your hair on'Robbie said getting out of her sisters bed and walking out but not before giving her niece a big cuddle and a kiss first.
Ronnie poured some coffee for Jack in a cup, aAnd waited for the toast to pop up out of the toaster.
- 'Mum?'Robbie said walking into the kitchen 'i don't feel so good, i feel like i have to throw up'.
Ronnie turned around while Jack looked up from his paper.
- 'Come here'Ronnie said while Robbie walked over to her.
Ronnie felt Robbie's forehead 'see, i told you yesterday already you felt a little warm, come on let's go and take your temperature and get you back to bed'.
- 'Mum i gotta thro...'Robbie then threw up on the kitchenfloor.
- 'Great ehm..'Ronnie said looking at Jack.
- 'I'll get it don't worry, you get her back to bed yeah, i'll make some toast and tea'Jack said.
Ronnie walked Robbie upstairs to her room.
- 'You go back to bed lovey and i'll get a cold washcloth' Ronnie said walking out of the bedroom straight to Roxy's room.
- 'Morning sis'Roxy said while getting Amy dressed on the changingtable.
- 'Your sister's sick, she just threw up on the kitchenfloor'Ronnie said'didn't she feel warm to you?'
- 'No, i mean, yeah, just how i like it, my little heater she always is, she told me she wasn't feeling well i just thought she was trying some of her tricks on me'Roxy said 'so where is she now then?'
- 'I told her to get into bed again, just gonna get a washcloth to cool her down a bit and take her temperature'Ronnie said'morning my little cutie'Ronnie gave Amy a kiss.
- 'Alright, yeah, ehm, i'm gonna be home today to sort that money stuff out, if i can, so i'll be home'Roxy said.
- 'Yeah well, ehm, i gotta call school, Whitney or Peter, and i do have to get over to the Vic and do a shift, probably the last one before Alfie and Kat start running it'Ronnie said'after that i'll be home alright'.
- 'Alfie said they still need some staff you know'Roxy said.
- 'Yeah well i got enough work at the club and i just want to spend more nights at home'Ronnie said.
- 'Oh look at you, the proper housewife and mummy at the same time'Roxy teased.
- 'Shuss, just let me take care of your sister alright'Ronnie said then leaving the bedroom.
Ronnie got a washcloth with cold water and walked over to Robbie's room, just as Jack got upstairs with the tea and toast.
Robbie was putting on some socks and put some schoolbooks in her bag.
- 'Ehh excuse me, but what are you doing, i told you to get back into bed, so put your bag down and into bed you, you're not going anywhere today but bed!'Ronnie said as she put the cold washcloth on Robbie's forehead.
- 'Muuum i'm alright jeeez'Robbie said sulking, but getting back into bed just like her mother ordered.
- 'I'll be the judge of that, now open you're mouth, i'm taking your temperature, here i've got another one for under your arm'Ronnie said pushing Robbie to lay down.
- 'Mwum...'Robbie said with the thermometer in her mouth 'gwot anwother one to stwick in my bwum,Gwod stwick em anywhere will ya?'
- 'Better keep that bum in bed today alright little bigmouth'Ronnie said winking at Jack.
- 'Just let her take your temperature peanut, you didn't just threw up out of nowhere now did ya, you're burning up, now let your mum do her thing alright'Jack said putting the tea and toast down on Robbie's bedsidetable, while putting his hand on Robbie's forehead.
- 'Yeah, i can't believe you, you hate going to school and now you're sick you wanna go, you doughnut?'Ronnie said looking at the thermometer while it was still in Robbie's mouth'looks like you're a little feverish, maybe something you ate last night hmm'.
- 'Yeah, maybe the whole strawberry/chocolate/covered in too much of whipped cream did it for ya'Jack said smiling.
- 'I'll be alright after i eat some of this'Robbie said, taking a bite of the toast looking annoyed at Ronnie.
- 'You've got a fever, don't be so stubborn, now i don't know what your problem is but you're staying home today, you're not going to school today, end off Robbie!'Ronnie said looking strict at Robbie.
- 'Will you ring Pete then mum'Robbie said looking dissapointed.
- 'I will call school ánd i will call Peter, don't you worry, just try and get some sleep yeah, i'll be sure that you drink enough today and you maybe fine tomorrow my little heart alright'Ronnie said sitting down next to Robbie on the bed.
Robbie lay her head on Ronnie's chest and Ronnie put her arms around Robbie.
- 'Why don't you just stay home with her today Ron?'Jack said'someone will cover for you at the Vic'.
- 'Well Rox is supposed to be home today, but with her busy with her missing money and all, i doubt she has any time for our little doughnut here'Ronnie said grinning.
- 'And she has Ames'Robbie said.
- 'Exactly'Ronnie said knowing Roxy would be to busy with herself today.
- 'Can i call Pete then maybe mum?'Robbie asked 'i mean, i don't have my phone, you have it so he can't text me, you know for homework and all'.
- 'Yeah right'Ronnie said pinching Robbie's nose'you really think i'm that thick, let me get the phone, you call Pete and then i'll call miss Bell'.
- 'Thanks, me loves you mummy'Robbie said giving Ronnie a cuddle.
- 'Me loves you lts too my sweet'Ronnie said.
Ronnie gave Robbie a kiss on the head, stood up and walked out of the bedroom to get the phone out of her room.
- 'Why don't you just get some sleep, it makes the day go a little faster, by the time you wake up you also maybe feel better'Jack said handing Robbie her tea while stirring the sugar in her cup.
- 'Thanks Ja..dad'Robbie hesitated in saying what she had been so eager to say all this time, this felt like the moment to do it, just as Ronnie walked back into the bedroom again to witness this little moment, her heart melted and so did Jacks, who gave Robbie a little kiss on the cheek.
- 'Feel better soon peanut'Jack said smiling.
Ronnie swallowed her emotions away and handed Robbie the phone, to not make a really big thing of it or to make Robbie feel uncomfortable by calling Jack, dad.
- 'Here you go sweetie, you call Pete with this one, i'll call school with my mobile so you both can talk a bit alright, then after i want you to get some sleep alright?'Ronnie said.
- 'Yeah alright, thanks again mum, maybe later we can watch a movie together in your room yeah?'Robbie said looking a little shyish at her mum.
- 'Feel better first ok, but sounds good babe'Ronnie said, then she and Jack left the room.
Outside Robbie's room Ronnie and Jack embraced eachother and smiled.
- 'That was really sweet'Ronnie said.
- 'Yeah, and i totally didn't see that coming yet'Jack said'come on mum, let's call school, dad's gotta go get ready for work today, you wanna take a shower together ey' Jack smiled cheeky at Ronnie.
- 'Sounds tempting dad but i'll shower later when Rox is up and about'Ronnie said giving Jack a kiss.
At the Beale's house the phone was ringing and Jane picked it up.
- 'Jane Beale here'she answered.
- 'Hi Jane, it's Robbie, ehm is Peter around maybe?'Robbie asked.
- 'Morning Robbie, yeah if you have a minute, he's still upstairs, you alright then?'Jane asked.
- 'Nah, i threw up and i'm running a little fever so mum wants me to stay in bed today'Robbie said.
- 'Oh that's too bad, be sure to get lots of fluids in then ok, just let me call Peter for ya alright sweetheart, talk to you later then ey, get well!'Jane said walking upstairs with the phone to Peters room'Peter, i got Robbie on the phone for you'.
Peter opened his door and received the phone which was handed to him by Jane.
- 'Robbie?'Peter said 'you alright?'
- 'Hi, no, mum's keeping me at home today, i've got a fever and i just threw up downstairs so she wants me in bed'Robbie said.
- 'Ah, sorry about that, now i'm gonna miss you all day'Peter said.
- 'Yeah, that's why i asked if i could call you instead of mum calling you, then i can hear your voice at least'Robbie said making sad faces for herself.
- 'Ehm well i will take notes and ask Whit to do the same and then maybe this afternoon we could come by and give them to ya and see how you are feeling maybe'Peter said.
- 'Yeah, i think that will be alright, as long as you mention to mum it's for school it won't be any problem i guess, oh and you know what?'Robbie said.
- 'What?'Peter asked curious.
- 'We ehm, well we signed the adoptionpapers last night, we had dinner at Fargo's for auntie Peg and then when we got home, Ritchie was there with the papers and we signed it, i can believe it Pete, now when they get finalised Jack's my dad for real, and i already called him dad this morning, he was really sweet bringing me toast and tea, you know taking care of me'Robbie said.
- 'Well you deserve it babe, you deserve a dad that truly loves you, i have to be carefull now haha, carefull i'll treat you right or he'll has my head on a plate i'll bet'Peter joked.
- 'Haha yeah, but don't underestimate my mum Pete, think she'll rip your heart out'Robbie said smiling'better be good to me mister'.
- 'I have no other plans but to do all that for you'Peter said'i really have to go now or else i'll be to late, they're probably already waiting for me outside'.
- 'Alright then, it was good to hear your voice this morning babes, makes me feel already a little better, i'm gonna sleep and hopefully when i wake up school is over and you're here'Robbie said'say hi to the rest yeah, see you later mister Beale'.
- 'See you later Robbie B'Peter said already refering to Robbie's new name Branning.
In the afternoon Ronnie had popped over to the Vic to see if they were alright with her not working her shift today.
- 'So Robbie's sick then?'Shirley asked with Phil standing behind her.
- 'Yeah she threw up, she's running a fever, i don't know if it might be from dinner last night, Jack thinks it might have been desert after, she likes her whipped cream with a little icecream on the side'Ronnie said grinning'you need any help today though?'
- 'No we're alright, Trace should be here any minute and i asked Ryan to also come over, he needs the money so he'll be willing to do some shifts here'Phil said.
- 'So how's auntie Peg and Sam doing, they're all ready to go?'Ronnie asked.
- 'Yeah they're both packed for tomorrow, but i heard her up all night moving around'Phil said.
- 'Still cannot believe she's going'Ronnie said'and ehm, well then Kat and Alfie take over or what?'
- 'Ehm yeah well, they might be moving in here and i will rent the place to them'Phil said as Shirley walked away to help another customer.
- 'Where will you all live then?'Ronnie asked surprised.
- 'Well i can rent nr 55 for really cheap since it has been standing empty for so long, and the city council doesn't want deterioration of the square so we can made a good deal on it'Phil said.
- 'And where do you get money to decorate and stuff?'Ronnie asked being curious.
- 'We're taking most of the furniture from here, Kat and Alfie wanna make it their own, which is understandable, and ehm well'Phil said and whispered to Ronnie'i made a couple of dodgy deals, but i never told you alright, keep it to yourself will ya, just some last deals and then i'm done with that, i gotta think of Ben, Jay and all'.
- 'Hmm alright, ofocurse i'll keep my mouth shut, just promise it's the last Phil, you don't want all the trouble anymore now would ya, i mean, Peggy has gone through enough, don't want her to worry about you anymore once she's in Portugal'Ronnie said serious.
- 'That's what i mean, that's why it's the last, i haven't told her about moving and all, don't wanna get her in to it, only Shirley knows'Phil said.
- 'About Ben, you heard anything then?'Ronnie asked.
- 'Yeah, he might be home in a week or two, so i hope we'll be over there and a little settled for when he comes home'Phil said.
- 'Oh that's some good news then, ehm we signed the adoptionpapers for Jack and Robbie last night, it was Ritchie on the phone at Fargo's, she came over later, soon as that's finalised we'll have to have a little party at our place to celebrate that alright, have some family over and well, keeping the family together like you're mum wants it too'Ronnie said.
- 'Oh yeah'Phil said'yeah we'll do that'.
Then Phil got called over by Shirley to change a barrel.
Ronnie stood there for a while and looked around, it was gonna be different not having Peggy run the Vic anymore, she thought also of herself not working behind the bar anymore, in her thoughts she could still hear her and Roxy laughing on all the good times they had working here.