Hey everyone, I am a little sad writing this because this will be my last update from Tasmania as I leave tomorrow! Yes, my holiday is almost over and it SUCKS! I wish it could last forever, I am having such a great time seeing my grandmother and seeing all the wonderful sights of Hobart, Tasmania (and the greater region) and the weather – although MUCH cooler than I am used to, is delightful. Such a refreshing change from the heat and sweaty, grimy temperatures I am used to! I am going to use this update as a little plug for a tour I went on today. Now if any of you or any of your friends are going to Australia then tell them they MUST stop by Hobart, Tasmania and go on the Yellow Boat Adventure Tours, they are boat tours (obviously) that take you on a trip around parts of Tassie, now there are two tours – the Bruny Island Tour and the Port Arthur Tour. Today I went on the Bruny Island tour and Oh My God! It was the most amazing, exciting, interesting thing that I have done, I got to see dolphins and albatrosses and the trip takes you around to show you the natural beauty but also to see the seals! They take you right up close to the seats and you can hear them making noise and moving around (although it stinks majorly!). It is really a great trip, just Google the Yellow Boats and I am sure you will find it, they are known world-wide and have won Tourist Awards and were ranked in the top 100 best trips in the world (something similar to that) Anyway enough of my bragging, as I mentioned I am probably going to wrap up this story by chapter 100 which will not have resolved Cooper's case but there will be a sequel so don't worry! Hope you like this chapter, I have tried to draw from personal experiences with loved ones going to jail (not for rape though! Geesh!) Please read and review, Dannielle xoxo
[DISCLAIMER/COPYRIGHT: I do not own any of the existing characters or storylines in Home and Away but any characters, storylines or ideas used in this story are strictly copyrighted and are not to be used by any other person/s without written permission of the author of this story. Thank-you.]
BELLA POV
I was propped up on the couch still wearing Cooper's shirt with my legs across his lap. I watched as he chewed on his fingernails as he had been doing for the last few days "stop worrying" I said and he looked over confused "what?" he asked obviously unaware of what he had been doing "you're chewing your fingernails" I said and he looked at his hand "oh was I?" he said "yes you were which means you're nervous but you need to stop worrying and let Morag do her job" I said and he sighed "Bella it's had okay, if she can't make it go away then I will go to jail for a long, long time" he said and I tried to ignore him "don't think that way" I said more trying to convince myself "why not, it's a possibility" he said and I shook my head "no it's not, Morag will get you off" I said and he looked at me "and what if she can't huh? What then, I go to jail, you say you'll wait for me and then next thing I know I get a letter saying you've met someone else" he said pushing my feet off his lap "what!" I hissed totally confused "yeah well that's what will happen won't it" he yelled and I shook my head, I climbed off the couch and headed down the hall where I started to change. I heard Cooper following me but I didn't stop "what are you doing?" he said and I looked at him "what does it look like – leaving, isn't that what I am best at!" I cried and I saw him roll his eyes "oh come on, you're over-reacting" he said and I looked at him furiously "don't you dare!" I hissed as he moved forward "you know what, I should have known I would be in this on my own" he laughed and I launched my shoe at him, hitting him in the back "YOU JERK!" I screamed "you are such an ass, you think this is all about you did you ever think for one second that I am not only trying to convince you that everything will be alright but I am also trying to convince myself!" I screamed, tears falling before I could stop them "did you ever think for a second that I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like not to have you? Did you think that I am too terrified to even imagine you not being here to hug me and make me feel safe! No you didn't because as per usual you just fob me off as being a typical, dumb blonde girlfriend who only thinks about herself, well you know what you want me gone then done, I'm gone" I said grabbing my bag and heading out the door. I quickly jumped into the elevator and pressed the close button, narrowly missing Cooper who jumped away in time. I reached the bottom and heard his loud footsteps on the stairs, I speed walked across the car park and climbed into my car, flicking the locks and staring the engine. I watched Cooper in my rear view mirror as I drove away, looking defeated, lost and scared. I knew that he didn't mean what he said but I needed time to cool off and get over what he had said before I could go back.
COOPER POV
She left, just like that. I knew what I had said was out of line and harsh but I just couldn't help it, I was so nervous and scared about what would happen to me that I just lashed out. I hadn't realised that she had been feeling that way, I mean I knew she was nervous but I didn't know that she was that scared. I felt terrible but I knew that it was no use calling her now, she needed time to cool down and think rationally before I could apologise. I could not lose her, she was the only thing in the world that I had left, when I parents found out about the allegations they had told me until the truth – whatever it may be, I must have no contact with them. I still hadn't told Bella yet because I knew she would flip out, it was part of the reason I had been so stressed lately. I sat back on the couch and pulled the top off the beer, taking a big swig I felt the cool bubbles slide down the back of my throat.
I stumbled across the front lawn and cupped my hands around my mouth "BELLA!" I whispered loudly as I swayed on the grass "BELLA!" I whispered again.. still nothing "BELLA!" I hissed and I finally saw the light in her room flick on and I saw her beautiful outline in the window "COOPER! What are you doing!" she hissed down at me "I ca-w-me to see you-u" I slurred "why now!" she hissed back "because-cause-cause I needed-ed some dush courage" I slurred back "Dutch you idiot – wait there" she said and closed the window "wait Bella come-e-e back-k-k!" I squealed as I felt myself falling onto the grass. I heard the back door slide open as I lay on my back looking up at the stars, suddenly a pair of smooth, tan, slender legs were beside me. I looked up to see my girlfriend standing on the grass in the middle of winter in a pair of long pyjama pants, a long sleeve shirt of mine and a fluffy dressing gown. I blinked as I studied her face, she was mad, but also amused as she looked down at me "get up" she said holding out her hand. I grabbed her small, cold hand and yanked her down on top of me.
She squealed softly as she fell onto me her legs automatically sliding to either side of my body "we've done dis many times bee-fore" I laughed and she hit my chest "get up" she said sternly and I nodded climbing up off the cold grass and following her inside, I heaved a sigh as I felt her hand rest on my arm as she helped me climb the stairs "I wuv you" I mumbled as I tripped and fell onto the floor of her bedroom "Cooper be quiet!" she hissed at me and I laughed as I tried to stand up "take these off" she said tugging on my shirt sleeve "oohh I see were dis is going" I slurred and she sighed "no because they are wet and they have grass blades on them" she said as I shrugged out of my shirt and slid into her bed "Cooper I said you could sleep on the couch" she said pointing to the couch "I like it here" I sighed as I felt sleep overtaking my body "urgh fine" I heard her sigh as I felt her small, warm body slide in beside me.
BELLA POV
I woke up the next morning and carefully lifted Cooper's arm off of me and slid out of bed. A short while later I was running down the road, the cool winter wind brushing past my face and bare arms, the music playing softly in my ears as I felt my feet hit the pavement in a steady rhythm. I knew leaving before Cooper woke up was stupid but I didn't want to face him after last night, during the fight we had I had revealed things I promised myself I wouldn't and I couldn't face him until I could face my fears themselves. I stopped running as I reached the top of Stuarts Point and bent my body slightly over my knees to catch my breath. I stood up and gripped my hips tightly as I slowly regained my breath, the visions of last night running through my head. Cooper's arm sliding around my waist, his breath tickling the back of my neck and he breathed softly behind me, watching him as he laughed and smiled freely like he used to, watching him as he drunkenly stripped off. I shook my head, trying to block out the images that were rapidly becoming more and more inappropriate and pushed the earphones into my ears as I continued on my jog.
I ran up the drive to see Cooper's car no longer in it and let out a small sigh of relief as I stepped through the front door. I found the place empty and silent as I walked into the kitchen, my joggers clipping softly against the wooden floor as I opened the fridge and grabbed the jug of water, pouring myself a glass and taking a sip, letting the cool liquid slide down my throat as I noticed a note on the table. I smiled instantly recognising Brax's handwriting 'had a little visitor did we? Breakfast in the oven if you're hungry, cya later. Love you, Brax xo' dropping the note I placed breakfast in the microwave and pressed re-heat before heading upstairs for a shower. I walked into my room and stopped as I saw a bunch of bright gerbera's on my bedside table and a small note. I picked it up and read Cooper's neat handwriting 'I know why you left and it's okay, I'll always be here xo' I shook my head a wave of guilt washing over me as I realised what I had to do.
What did you all think? I know, I know it was all COLA but this last half of the story is about COLA and the troubles they are going through with the court case, but I promise there will be some CHAX or more Charlie as she will come into the story and have a little small plot of her own that will probably cross over into the sequel so stay tuned and don't give up on me! I am going to pack my suitcase for my flight home tomorrow (boo! I don't want to leave!) and head to bed so goodnight everyone and next time I update I will be at home! Review please :) Dannielle xoxo