Bridget was so scared and upset by her sister that she sat up, gritting her teeth against the pain. If Siobhan came back she would try to face her as equal, she didn't want to be so helpless.
A few minutes later she heard footsteps coming down the corridor, she braced herself ready to face her sister she wasn't going without a fight.
Bridget was so relieved to see Andrew peer round the door that she broke down and cried, the sobs shaking her body, causing her more pain. He rushed forward to hold her, catching her from falling off the bed and trying to coax her to lie down. Bridget wasn't having any of it.
"She's back Andrew, Siobhan's back and she's after me. You and Juliet aren't safe with me, you have to leave." She composed herself a little, crying wasn't going help him believe her.
"No Bridget, we're not leaving you." Andrew replied a little forcefully.
"You helped us so we're going to help you." Juliet added with a nod.
"Please," Bridget started; she couldn't bear to see either of them hurt for her sake.
"No, I'm not making that mistake again." Andrew wasn't going to give in. "How do you know all this anyway?" Horror flashed across his face as he realised the only answer. "She didn't come while I was…" The end of the sentence stuck in his throat.
"Yes, she did." Bridget was sure Siobhan had been about to kill her but she didn't want to say this, Andrew didn't need to know how close it had been.
"I'm so sorry Bridget. I shouldn't have got Daddy to come and get me; I should have got a cab." Juliet gasped and ran over to hug her. "You could have been killed because of me." Juliet sobbed into Bridget's shoulder.
"Juliet, it's ok." She pulled the sobbing girl into her chest. "I don't care. So long as you and your father are safe I don't care what happens to me." Bridget had never been so sure of something her entire life; this was the family she wanted to be a part of. She looked up at Andrew and as their eyes met they felt the connection, the pull of true love.
This was finally the moment he had been waiting for, Andrew pushed himself off the bed and turned to face them, he had never been so happy and he wanted it to be like this forever.
"Bridget, these past 7 months have been the best months of my life. I forgive you for everything. You did what you thought was right and no-one can be criticised for that. You put everything right and have been a better wife and step mum than Siobhan could ever have been." He was speaking from the heart for the first time in years and he was glad that someone actually cared for what he had to say and wasn't interrupting. "I know this is a little sudden, I haven't got to know you as yourself but nothing could make me change my mind." He reached into his pocket as he slowly sank to one knee. "Bridget Kelly, will you do me the honour of being my wife?"