Robbie walked down the stairs.
She had changed into something else just like Ronnie and Jack had ordered her.
She walked into the livingroom where Ronnie was sitting at the diningroomtable behind the labtop.
Robbie sat down on the sofa and turned the telly on.
Ronnie looked at Robbie, who was still looking like she was bummed about not getting her way with the clothes she really wanted to wear, Roxy's.
Robbie noticed that her mum was watching her.
- 'What are you looking at me for?'Robbie said while changing channels.
- 'Come here'Ronnie said in a calm way, while closing the top of the labtop.
- 'Why, what now?'Robbie asked wondering what she might have done wrong again.
- 'Will you just get over here!'Ronnie said grabbing the chair next to her, wanting Robbie to sit down on it.
Robbie sighed, got up and walked over. Ronnie made Robbie sit down on the chair.
- 'What do you think of this'Ronnie said opening the top of the labtop again.
- 'Mum that's beautifull'Robbie said starring at a picture on the screen, showing a weddingdress 'are you gonna wear that one?'
- 'I might'Ronnie said looking at Robbie's face starring at the weddindress on the screen.
- 'You might?'Robbie asked'it's gorgeous mum, i think you should wear that, Jack will be blown away, you know what it reminds me off?
- 'Of what?'Ronnie asked smiling while stroking through Robbie's hair.
- 'Remember that book you used to read me out of when i was little, you know the one with the pop up pictures in it, and in the middle was that castle with the princes, you know you always said that was gonna be me when i would grow up, mum i think that was meant to be you'Robbie said smiling.
- 'Ahh'Ronnie said'well you always be my little princes, the one with the big gob'.
- 'Oh mum you and your jokes kill me, if you keep going i might not even make it to your wedding, whenever that's gonna happen'Robbie said.
- 'Stop talking like that silly, guess what?'Ronnie said putting her arm around Robbie's neck like a little chokehold.
- 'If your jokes don't kill me, you'll choke me mum, let go a little, so...what?'Robbie asked.
- 'Oh shus you smartmouth, listen to me, now when you were upstairs i got a call'Ronnie said grinning.
- 'Mum, just give it to me alright, i hate it when you do your build ups to tell me something exciting, i just want you to tell me now!'Robbie said.
- 'Well yesterday at City hall we asked for the first date they had open to get married right?'Ronnie said.
- 'Yeah but that was still like a month away'Robbie said'you're gonna go back to plan it in January now right?'
- 'Well that was our option then yeah'Ronnie said'now when you were upstairs i got a call from a lady from City hall and well she asked if it would be possible for us, i mean since we're doing just a small wedding, if we could make it not upcoming Thursday but the week after that, and ehm, well Jack and i said yes'.
- 'So you're getting married in like a week and a half then, well sort off?'Robbie said smiling.
- 'Yes my sweet, your mummy and daddy will finally be getting married then'Ronnie said now smiling from ear to ear.
- 'Oh that's great news mum!'Robbie said standing up and giving her mother a big hug'so you gonna tell tonight then?'
- 'Well tonight it's Ben's night alright, but i'll might let it slip at the end maybe'Ronnie said still smiling.
- 'Oh i'm happy for you and Jack mum'Robbie said'so a little wedding but with a great dress right'.
- 'Yeah, i will go for this one on Monday and then start organising the rest, i mean we still wanna have a party to celebrate, we just don't know if we wanna do it at the Vic or at the club'Ronnie said.
- 'So ehm, you're going on a honeymoon then?'Robbie asked.
- 'Well we wanna go away just for a couple of days sweetie but not to long, i'd rather go on a vacation with the three of us when you're off from school'Ronnie said.
- 'Yeah but it's your honeymoon mum, don't worry about me'Robbie said.
- 'Jack and i talked about it and that's the way we want it, we just have a couple of romantic days and then later the 3 of us will go on a vacation alright, now if you don't wanna come on this vacat...'Ronnie said.
- 'Alright alright, whatever you want mum'Robbie said smiling 'so guess i will be spending those days here with mum and Rox then right, or can i stay in the apartement then?'
- 'What do you think?'Ronnie said rolling her eyes the way Robbie always did with her.
- 'Alright you're the best mum, the whole apartement for myself!'Robbie joked. Ronnie squeezed Robbie's cheeks.
- 'Cheeky!'Ronnie said.
- 'Can we buy me new trainers then?'Robbie asked.
- 'When, for the wedding you mean?'Ronnie askedimplausible 'are you taking the mick?'
- 'Ehm well maybe for the party then, you know some comfortable shoes to dance the whole night on'Robbie said with a cheeky smile.
- 'We'll see, but not for the wedding, alright'Ronnie said'but guess what'.
- 'What?'Robbie's eyes lit up.
- 'You finally get to wear the same clothes as Roxy'Ronnie said'a beautifull bridesmaiddress baby'.
- 'Ha very funny mum'Robbie said standing up and walking back to the sofa again.
Ronnie went back to looking for dresses again while still laughing.
xxxx
Later at nr 55 Ben was happy to be back at the square again, yet all the attention for him alone felt a little too much, it was still a little weird to feel free and being surounded by family and friends again.
He and Abi had gone upstairs to escape everyone.
The other youngsters moved around the house, the stairs, the kitchen, outside the kitchen, at the foodtable in the livingroom.
- 'Well this is boring'Lauren said as the youngsters were now passing time on the stairs.
- 'It's a homecomingparty, for Ben, he hasn't really been a joy to be around'Jay said.
- 'How come, you have to share Phils attention now?'Robbie joked.
- 'Well that's how Ben's probably feeling, think he rather have me leave the house'Jay said.
- 'He's probably been through a lot, just cut him some slack, maybe in a couple days he'll be glad to have you as a big brother around'Peter said.
- 'So ehm Jay, do you have drinks here then, i mean you were bragging about it last night'Lauren asked.
- 'Yeah, there's some at the table over there but Jack and Max are watching it like hawks, but ehm there's some in the kitchen left, so if someone could get it when noone is looking, i dare you' Jay said with a cheeky smile looking at Robbie and Lauren.
Lauren, Jay, Lucy and ZsaZsa then got up and walked over to the livingroom, when Robbie also wanted to get up from the stairs Peter pulled her back.
- 'Stay here'Peter said showing a little Vodkabottle that was coming out of the pocket of his jacket.
- 'Oh you bad mister Beale, now that is a little bottle you got there, don't wanna share that with the rest now do we'Robbie said with a cheeky smile slowly climbing up the stairs leaning on Peter who was smiling.
- 'So you want a zip then?'Peter asked.
- 'Hmm'Robbie nodded.
Peter put some in his cup and gave Robbie a zip, then took another zip and closed her mouth and got close to Peter's face.
She slowly got close to Peters lips and before kissing she swallowed her drink then gave him a loving kiss.
- 'Oi Robbie, what do you think you're doing?'a voice said 'get down here!'
Robbie jumped up when she saw Jack standing down the stairs, looking at the both of them, Peter got a little nervous.
He knew, from his past with Lauren, how hot tempered the Brannings could be and he found Jack more intimidating then Max.
Robbie sighed and turned around to Peter giving him a cheeky smile.
- 'Robbie!'Jack said again'you can go sit in the living, you too Pete, so i can keep an eye on the both of you, i only wanna see those lips eating or drinking but not on eachother alright'.
- 'Sorry dad'Robbie said trying to win Jack over.
- 'Just go to the livingroom darling alright'Jack said as he lead Robbie to the living room.
Robbie turned his her head to Peter and gave him a little wink.
Peter smiled at how cheeky his Robbie was, then walked down the stairs and walked over to the other entrance of the room and then said down on the armrest of the sofa next to Jay and ZsaZsa who were watching Ronnie, Roxy, Vanessa , Jane, Shirley and Phil dance to some old disco music.
- 'What was that all about?'Max asked his brother putting some crisps in his mouth.
- 'Racing hormones'Jack said looking over at Robbie who was now sitting with Heather and Lauren eating some pizzaslices.
- 'Well they're getting at that age Jack, they're not really little girls and boys anymore'Max said'how much you want them too'.
- 'Yeah i know that, i just don't wanna see Beale junior stuck to my daughters lips, don't want her to get hurt you know'.
Max started grinning at his brother being so serious.
- 'Have you forgotten when you were a young lad babybruv?'Max said.
- 'That's exactly what i'm afraid off Max'Jack said, his brothers grinning also made Jack laugh.
- 'Maybe it's not even Pete that you have to be afraid off, don't forget that all Mitchell woman are very strong willed and don't let anyone tell them...they tell you'Max said.
- 'Yeah well don't forget Robbie's a Branning now'Jack said.
- 'Poor Pete, she's gonna eat him alive'Max said'but you're right i hate this age, think Abs still has a crush on Darren, can you believe that'.
- 'Just want to protect my girls Max, gonna let noone take advantage of them, don't know what it is, a feeling, you know what i mean'Jack said grabbing two bottles of beer and giving one to Max.
- 'And a little guilt maybe?'Max said.
- 'Guilt, what do you mean by that?'Jack asked frowning a bit.
- 'Penny, you still have another daughter remember'Max said.
- 'Yes i know that Max, i wanna be protective of áll my girls i said, it's only that Selina took her to France, married a new man who Penny calls dad now, there's nothing i can do about that, you don't know how many times i tried to call her Max, she's either out, staying with a friend, sleeping, there's only been a few times i got to talk to her, i can hear she's uncomfortable talking to me, Penny is my daughter, and i love her just like my other two girls, it's just that she refers to Selina's new husband as dad, i don't know, i hope she's happy that's all i want, and she always has a place here if she wants, maybe later, when she gets a little bit older she wants to come and see me again'.
- 'What about the wedding, you're gonna have her over?'Max asked.
- 'We talked about it, but we don't wanna disturb her life in France'Jack said putting the bottle of beer to his mouth.
- 'Hey you, you're gonna hang with your brother here the whole night?'Ronnie said walking up to Jack giving eachother a kiss.
- 'Not planning to Ronnie'Max said smiling to his sister in law, then walking up to Vanessa.
- 'You're ok then?'Ronnie asked Jack while taking a little sandwich.
- 'Yeah i'm fine'Jack said watching Robbie dance with Roxy 'so what time was your mum coming?'
- 'Well she...is here'Ronnie said pointing at the entrance where Glenda just walked in.
- 'So the party started then?'Glenda asked.
- 'Yeah we already have been dancing mum'Ronnie said'the girls are dancing look'.
- 'So where's bad boy Ben then?' Glenda asked.
- 'Think he's a little overwelmed by seeing everyone again'Ronnie said pouring herself a drink 'you want a drink mum?'
- 'Yes please, and keep em coming, this is gonna be a long night'Glenda said looking around the room.
- 'Just enjoy mum and if you wanna leave you leave again and go home or whatever'Ronnie said.
- 'Hey mum finally found your way over then'Roxy said walking over to the table to get another refill.
- 'Don't think i needed to be here from the beginning darling, and i don't think i'll be here till the end'Glenda said.
Roxy rolled her eyes while looking at Ronnie, making faces at eachother for their mums behaviour.
Robbie and Peter had been helping Jane out taking some plates to the kitchen to let Jack see they were not getting into any trouble.
When Jane walked back to the livingroom with some clean plates and cuttlery, Robbie and Peter stayed behind.
- 'You want another zip then?'Peter smiled at Robbie.
- 'Yes and make it quick'Robbie said smiling'just put it down on the table here so that if someone walks in we can pretend to be doing some washing up, just keep the water running or something, put a towel in your hand'.
- 'You're so cheeky'Peter said'i love that about you'.
- 'Yeah well, i got something else for ya'Robbie then said looking around if noone was there.
- 'What's that?' Peter asked as he walked up to Robbie.
At that moment Glenda, followed by Ian, walked in.
- 'Oh ehm, you're needed in the livingroom darling, Ronnie wants you'Glenda said to Robbie.
- 'Well we were just doing the dishes'Robbie said.
- 'She wanted you now darling now go on, listening for a change wouldn't hurt now would it!'Glenda said leading Robbie out of the kitchen making Peter follow.
- 'And you just keep drinking mum, you really light up a room'Robbie said knowing her mum was acting a little drunk.
- 'Now that went well'Peter whispered.
- 'I got a surprise for you a little later then'Robbie whispered back.
While Peter sat down next to Jay, Robbie walked over to Ronnie who was talking to Roxy, Billy and Julie.
- 'Hiya lovey, having a good time then?'Ronnie asked putting her arm around Robbie.
- 'Mum said you were looking for me'Robbie said.
- 'Oh did she now, think mum has a little bit too much to drink already, you just go enjoy yourself "my little princes" ok'Ronnie said winking at Robbie.
- 'Heard you gonna be Ronnie's bridesmaid then?'Billy said.
- 'Can't wait to see you in your bridesmaidsdress'Julie said smiling.
- 'Thanks a lot mum, your taking the mick out of me then, couldn't keep that gob of yours shut about it ey'Robbie said.
She loved cool skirts or dresses but bridesmaiddresses were to barbie-like for her which she wasn't fond off, that was more a Jodie-style.
Ronnie and Julie started laughing.
- 'You will look beautifull Robbie'Billy said'you all will'.
- 'Yeah yeah'Robbie said walking away.
- 'Phil put some music back on will ya'?'Roxy yelled walking behind Robbie, followed by Julie to the middle of the living where they had their imaginary dancefloor.
Slowly it got a little later and everyone of the adults were really celebrating Ben's homecoming by letting the alcohol flow.
The youngster kept moving around, enjoying the party in their own way, still the grown ups seemed to be enjoying it more, like it was there first party of the year.
The alcohol took over.