DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS...ITV'S PROPERTY
A/N: Hey...managed to read all the reviews and thank you all so much. This chapter is alot longer than usual...hope you enjoy and kt me know what you think...
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Donna was up bright and breezy the next morning. She got April ready and went into the kitchen to take her medication. Laurel came in through the door and held back.
"It's okay...I don't mind an audience", Donna said putting down the beaker on the draining board.
Laurel smiled and went to the sink, "don't mind me"
Donna leaned on the counter and looked at her, "You didn't know, did you? About me moving in here"
Laurel sighed and stopped what she was doing, "Marlon's just doing what's for the best and I support him AND you...this is all for April...and YOU of course...blimey I must come across as a right cow"
"Don't be silly"
They sat at the table and could hear April watching the TV.
"Marlon says that you and him are going to tell her...now we all know, it's best you tell her soon or she might hear it from somebody else"
Donna shook her head.
Laurel placed her hand over the top of Donna's, "I'll be there...you can guarantee on my absolute support...and Paddy and Rhona and Bob...we'll be ALL there"
Donna looked at her, Laurel looked back at her, then pulled a face, "What?"
"You are so good for Marlon...and...you, I'm so glad April is going to have you as a mummy...I don't want anything to spoil that"
Laurel frowned at her, "why would anything?"
Donna stood up and laughed it off, "Ohhh nothing, just me being silly...best get April ready...will you be okay to look after her today...I know it's cheeky..."
"No...it's fine, don't be silly, I LOVE looking after her, she and Arthur get on really well"
"good"
XXX
No sooner was Donna out the house she went into the village and headed straight for the garage. Debbie was standing there with a mug of tea in her hands.
"Is Ross around?"
Debbie shook her head, "I haven't seen him since yesterday...mind you he is back somewhere because the car he took yesterday is back where it should be"
Donna nodded forcing out a smile.
Debbie licked her lips and came out with it, "Donna, I KNOW all about you and him...what you two were doing..."
Donna's face was a picture...she looked aghast.
Debbie reassured her, "It's okay though, I'd do the same if it were my daughter Sarah...as Mums, we have to put our children first, don't we"
Donna put her hair behind her ear and nodded, "look...do you know where he is...I think he's in a bit of a state if I'm honest"
"Ross is ALWAYS in a state, have you seen the way he turns up here to work...", she then felt abit guilty about not mentioning the illness, "...I'm sorry to hear about you...it's really sad"
Donna waved a hand at her and tried to be brave it off, "Trust Marlon to go blabbing it all out in the pub like that"
"He was worried though...he thought you were dead when Bob came into the pub with the news about you...he felt abit silly when he realised you were okay...well...you know"
"Alive..."
Debbie nodded towards Andy's house across the street, "Knowing Ross he's still in that pit of his...go knock for him..."
Donna gave her a parting smile and turned around to cross the road, Debbie called out, "I've never seen him like this before Donna...he must have it bad for you"
But Donna was hurrying across the road.
XXX
Donna leaned on the door and caught her breath. She then knocked it, and Andy was soon opening it to her.
"Donna? What do you want..."
"Is Ross in?"
"No...he's not in any trouble is he, he turned up with a shed load of bruises on him last night"
Donna nodded, "No it's not official business...he said he'd look at my car...", she TRIED making that sound convincing.
"Well...all I know is, he had a massive bust up with Adam last night"
"Adam?"
"Yeah...they were going like the clappers them pair...Ross was on about some job going wrong"
Donna was backing away, "Ok...errrrm...I'll call back later"
Andy frowned at her, "do you want me to tell him you stopped over"
"Nahhh...I'll catch him later, BYE", she sang and was well on her way up the road before Andy had a chance to shut the door.
XXX
Donna decided she would have a coffee at the café. She sat down with one and got a call from the police station, they wanted to see her again. That's all she needed.
Bob came over and sat down opposite her, "Where's April?"
Donna smiled at him, "With Laurel...I just wanted...well...some fresh air"
"You seem abit peeky, are you sure you are alright, I was telling Brenda earlier you looked abit peeky...you said the doctors have given you stronger painkillers yesterday and..."
Donna shook her head at him, "Bob, stop fussing..."
Bob became all serious, "I'm just looking out for you Donna...somebody has to...have you spoken to Scott or Kelly?"
Donna became adamant, "Not yet...and I'm not calling them...last thing I need is them fussing round me...I have a life too you know...sorry, I'm just all over the place at the moment"
Bob put a hand on Donna's arm, "I'm here for you...all you need is to ask, love...trips to the hospital and appointments...if Marlon's not free just say the word"
"thanks Bob"
And she gave him a parting hug before leaving the café.
XXX
Donna walked up the street and saw Ross. He was on his way back towards Andy's house. Donna hurried after him, "Ross...", she called.
Ross stopped and turned at the front door, the key was already in the lock, "What do YOU want?"
Donna stopped near him, he looked well rough his jumper was dirty and he looked abit unwashed, "did you get my text?"
Ross looked at her, like he was trying to figure her out, "I'm not interested"
"I'm sorry...are you not even going to let me explain"
Ross opened the door and turned on the doorstep, his cuts and bruises stood out in the sunshine, "explain what? Why you lied to me? Why you used me? Why you saw this mug coming?"
Donna looked hurt, "Ross...", she whispered.
Ross looked at her and seemed hesitant, then he forced out, " ...just DO one"
And he slammed the door in her face. Donna feeling upset and hurt turned and leaned on the wall catching her breath.
Unbeknown to her, Ross was looking out of the window, she didn't see the concern in his eyes as he saw her struggle back up the road, why had he not noticed all this before?...instead of going out after her, he smashed his fist into the wall in total frustration and took out the plaster.
XXX
Donna tried to compose herself when she reached Tall trees. She wiped her eyes with her finger and then brushed herself down, she then went inside.
Laurel had April and Arthur painting at the kitchen table and the glitter had gone everywhere. Donna breezed out a, "Hiiiii I'm home! Hurrrrr What's all this!"
"I'm making you a card mummy...because you are poorly"
Donna gave Laurel a questioning look.
"She heard me and Marlon talking about the hospital...THAT'S ALL she knows Donna, I promise..."
Donna shook her head and stroked her daughters soft hair. It seemed that it was more of a time than ever that April should know the truth.
If only she could muster up the strength.
XXX
Up at Butlers Farm, Ross was sitting on a haystack with Finn. Finn looked at his brother who appeared to be more greasier than usual.
"What is it? You come up here all mean and moody and having ago at everyone and then you do this"
Ross looked up to him, Finn could see something rare in his brothers eyes. Ross looked distressed.
"What have you done", asked Finn with some edge. This meant trouble no doubt.
"It's killing me Finn...I just want it all to just go away!"
Finn sat next to him, "Ross...what is it? Have you upset someone?"
Ross shook his head and looked at him, "It's me and...Donna...we've been seeing eachother"
Finn didn't look too surprized, "really?"
Ross jumped up at him, "What, you don't believe me, is that it?"
Finn calmed him, "Ross! Stop it...cause I believe you...it's just...a copper? Seriously? Goes against what YOU stand for"
Ross moved towards the barn doors and leaned on a post, his hair fallen to his face, "believe me it took ME to get my head around it..."
Finn stood up and shrugged, "So what is it? Has she binned you off or something...?"
Ross turned and looked at him, "she LIED to me Finn...I've fallen in love for the first time and it's ALL been a total lie!"
Finn swallowed and came forward, "What? What do you mean?"
"She...yes SHE is dying...poor little Donna...SHE'S dying and she's got everyone feeling sorry for her"
This was news to Finn, but then again Finn had been out of the village for a few days.
"Dying? But shes got a little girl, hasn't she? Wait up...didn't THEY know you and her were seeing eachother...or is it just me"
Ross almost burst out in laughter, "That's the BEST bit our kid! I was her DIRTY little secret...and I STILL AM!"
Finn felt for him, "she's out of order...she should've of told you, I give you that"
Ross shrugged his shoulder and dismissed it, "why should SHE care...she feels NOTHING for me...I feel like going round there and..."
"Ross don't"
Ross shook his head, "I'm not...it's only just words...I just wish she'd been honest...it wouldn't have mattered, we still would have got what be both wanted...the money and all that"
Finn screwed his face up, "Money?"
Ross came to his senses, "it doesn't matter...I've sorta came up here to say goodbye mate..."
Finn was opened mouthed, "goodbye?"
Ross came forward and sniffed back the tears, "I'm breaking loose mate...I've done it before, I'll do it again...you're my favourite brother right"
Finn let himself be pulled into a hug, "You're mine", he managed to say.
Ross kissed Finn's forehead and then he pulled away and was off. Finn watched him slope off across the mud and towards the farm gate.
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Will Ross really go?