Gerry rushed back into the police office and more specifically up to Strickland's office. He didn't even bother knocking and instead just entered.
"Gerry?" Strickland asked nervously.
"Read the letter." Gerry replied as he handed Strickland the letter with his name on in red ink, and left. He deserved the privacy to read the letter in peace and Gerry wasn't about to deprive him of that.
Dear Rob,
Well I suppose I should start of by saying I'm sorry for rushing off, I never intended on returning to London and certainly never seeing any of you lot again. I was a mess, I didn't know what was for the best and I didn't and still don't want my daughter to get hurt. It was affecting her too being out here, I was busy being a wreck and she was getting passed from person to person, and it shouldn't be like that. I love her more than anything so it was best for me and her to go home.
I suppose I should now move onto the part you actually want to hear, I'm sorry to tell you that Olivia isn't your daughter. I know you wanted her to be, but on the plus side, your operation worked. For what it's worth, I'm sure you'd have been a brilliant dad to her, you'd have probably spoiled her rotten too.
Now that I've got that bit out of the way, sorry this is weird. I'm writing all of these letters and I don't yet know the outcome, sorry if these sound clichéd but I'm trying to imagine each situation. I want to apologize yet again for using you, for sleeping with you on the rebound. It'd have never have worked though, we're too different. Just know that I always liked you, but in more of a friendship way, we had fun while it lasted though. You were the second best boss I ever had, I think you'd agree that Jack was first, thank you for all the fun we had together and at UCOS.
I suppose this is goodbye and I shall end with saying sorry one more time.
All my love,
Sandra x
A tear fell from Strickland's eye as he scan read the letter to look for those all important words. It was only once he'd learnt the truth that he went back and read the letter in full. The rest of the words did little to ease the pain of his heart breaking, he slipped the letter back into the envelope and laid it in the drawer in his desk. It wasn't a case of out of sight, out of mind though as he sat back in his chair and just cried.
"About time! Did you get it?" Dan shouted as Gerry came down the stairs and into the UCOS office.
"You can use my office guys." Sasha told them as she sat on the sofa with Steve.
Dan sat on Sasha's chair while Gerry stood close to the closed door.
"Well?" Dan persisted.
"Read the letter." Gerry told his friend calmly as he passed Dan the letter and left him too it.
"Done already? Is he okay?" Sasha asked caringly.
"No, it's a letter from Sandra. He doesn't know yet." Gerry replied as he sat on the chair beside the sofa that the other pair were sat on.
Dear Dan,
Well I suppose I should start of by saying I'm sorry for rushing off, I never intended on returning to London and certainly never seeing any of you lot again. I was a mess, I didn't know what was for the best and I didn't and still don't want my daughter to get hurt. It was affecting her too being out here, I was busy being a wreck and she was getting passed from person to person, and it shouldn't be like that. I love her more than anything so it was best for me and her to go home.
I should just get it out in the open I suppose, Olivia is your daughter. Now I suppose you want to know more about her, and I'd be happy to tell you. Liv is 3 and a half, her birthday is 22nd April, she was born at 03:55. Her full name is Olivia Jayne Pullman, she has blue eyes and she's got blonde hair. She has a birth mark that looks like a flower on her ankle and has a severe nut allergy. Her favorite toy is a fluffy white teddy bear that I got her just after she was born, it's called Boo and she barely goes anywhere without it. She's an amazing little girl, she's curious about everything, she's full of energy and most importantly, she's happy. Liv never stops laughing.
I suppose now we come to 'what next?'. It's a massive question and the answer will have a big effect on all of our lives. The decision is purely down to you, I don't want you coming out of some sense of duty. If you honestly want to be her dad then you're welcome here anytime, just ask Gerry for my phone number or address. If not then that's fine and I won't judge you, I don't have any expectations of you when it comes to her, I don't expect money and I don't expect you to help me bring her up. When the time comes though, when she asks about her father, I won't lie.
Sandra x
Dan sat back in the chair, he was in shock, he had another daughter. He sighed as the impact of Sandra's words sunk in, he was now going to be faced with the biggest decision of his life. What was he going to do?
The End.
A/N Well we've reached the end folks. It's been a roller-coaster and I really hope I kept you all guessing until the last minute. This isn't the last of Olivia Pullman though, she'll be back soon with a sequel, so if you really are going to miss her or want to know what Dan's going to do, or how it'll affect Dan and Strickland's friendships, then you hopefully won't have long to wait. It may be the end of June before the first bit is up but what can I say, places to go, people to see and exams to sit. Hopefully you've enjoyed this story.
Beth xxx