DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS...ITV'S PROPERTY
Chapter 12/15 DONNA'S LAST BIRTHDAY part 1
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Ross was up early. He looked up the stairs to see if there was any movement, Debbie or her kids weren't up yet. He quickly pulled on his jeans and rolled up his sleeping bag. Seeing the empty whiskey bottle next to the sofa, he stooped and picked it up. He needed to go into town, but he because he had a skinfull he was well over the limit.
Feeling mad at himself he chucked the bottle into the recycling and sat on the sofa in a huff. He swallowed down and looked towards the kitchen counter and saw his phone. He went over and snatched it up.
He pressed call and put the phone to his ear, "Hey Finn... you wouldn't do us a favour for your favourite brother will you mate? Look, I know it's early. Please mate...I'm begging ya here, I've had too much to drink and I really need to get into town mate...or do you prefer me to risk it and drive...THANK YOU...pick me up in say half an hour...thanks bruv you're a real superhero"
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Donna was awake. She felt like shit and it was her Birthday. She rolled over to look at the time. The clock read 7am.
She looked up at the ceiling. How was she ever going to persuade Marlon and Laurel that she wanted Ross to stay over one night. Just one night that's all she wanted with him.
But that would go down like a lead balloon if she just asked him to come around and took the initiative. It was Marlon and Laurel's house and she was the guest, she knew that.
Ross was drinking. She could smell it on him the day before when he spoke to her and kissed her. He denied it of course, but that was Ross all over, he just hid stuff and said that the only thing that mattered was her.
She hadn't felt like this before...totally IN love with a guy. Of course she had loved Marlon and Max and Ross mark 1...but Ross mark 2...she was madly IN love with him and that was a wonderful feeling.
She lifted head from the pillow. Painful. She coughed and grabbed some tissues from the side...she coughed into them and removed the tissues from her mouth.
...blood...
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Finn drove Ross into town. The lad looked up his brother and frowned, "So what IS so important that you NEED taking into town for...it couldn't of waited till later till you sobered up"
"I need to do something...it's Donna's birthday"
Finn looked at him, "Ross if it were are card you wanted you could have picked one up at David's shop"
Ross shook his head at him as he pulled up into the carpark near the town, "Nah...I've got something to do and something to pick up"
Finn grabbed him before Ross could jump out, "Do you want me to stay and wait for ya?"
Ross shook his head, "I'll be a couple of hours tops...I'll call you when I'm done"
"Ross wait..."
"Finn, I haven't much time"
"I'm worried about you...we all our...about you and Donna...how things will end up"
Ross pointed a finger at his brother, "Not now Finn...please...I can't do this now...2 HOURS yeah!", and he scarpered off leaving Finn only to watch him go.
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"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy BIRTHDAY TO DONNA...happy bithday to YOU!"
Donna came down the steps and looked at all the cards on the sofa and then the banner, "Ohh THANK YOU! Look at all those cards!"
Laurel was smiling keeping April and Arthur at bay, "Rhona and Paddy said they'll be over later"
Donna picked up the cards and sat and opened them, "that's nice of them"
April swished up to her, "Mummy...are you going to have a party like me?"
Donna looked up at her and took her into a cuddle, "Mummy's too old for parties now...and too tired", she said looking at Laurel and Marlon.
Marlon looked worried for her, "are you okay?"
Donna gave him a sad nod, "the Meds aren't working the way they were, that's all"
Laurel glanced at Marlon, then turned to Donna pointing to the banner and cards, "Is all this too much for you...we can cancel people coming round"
Donna was opening up a card from Bob and Brenda and shook her head, "No...no it's fine...I want to enjoy today...", she wiped a tear from her eye.
April pushed her bottom lip out and touched her hand, "Mummy why are you crying?"
"It's my Birthday and I can cry if I want to", she laughed through the tears.
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In town, Ross was hanging around outside a scruffy looking shop. He looked up at it and blew out a breath, he then took two at a time on the front steps and went inside.
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Rhona gave the flowers to Donna as she came in through the door, "I hope you like them, I hasn't sure what your favourites were..."
Donna smelt them, "they are lovely, thank you so much!"
Paddy was looking about them and looked at Bob and Brenda, "has Marlon brought it over yet?"
Donna frowned at him, she had just cottoned on, "brought what over?"
Rhona tapped Paddy on the arm, "Paddy Shush...you'll spoil the surprise", she hissed.
It was too late, Donna knew that something was going on, she laughed, "you just as well tell me...what surprise...come on, it IS my last birthday"
Marlon brought through the birthday cake from the kitchen, "this...happy birthday Donna"
Donna opened her mouth in delight, "Marlon! That's just so..."
"Yummy!", Rhona laughed.
Bob was grinning, watching his granddaughter eye up the cake almost as soon as it was put onto the coffee table, "I bet April would love some of that now, knowing her!"
Brenda agreed, "I bet all the little ones would"
Donna smiled and went to the window and looked out, this was all so nice...but it all seemed so final as well...and that made her feel sad.
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Finn waited in the car, he looked at his phone and sighed out. Where the hell was Ross, he said he'd be here.
Then Ross was heading over with a bag in his grasp, he jumped in and sat back.
"Right come on kid, lets get back"
Finn turned, "aren't you not gonna belt up...I don't wanna be stopped"
Ross frowned at him like he didn't want to, "Ohh come on...coppers won't stop ya.."
"Ross!"
"Ohhhh ALRIGHT!", he belted up and it looked like he was in pain as he did do, Finn frowned as he started the engine, "What's wrong with you?"
Ross didn't want the fuss, he nodded his head towards the road ahead, "Just move yeah..I'll tell you later"
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Donna was sitting on her bed. She felt tired and worn out already and it was only lunchtime. She was about to get up when there was a tap at the window, Donna turned and saw Ross's grinning silly face. She went and closed the bedroom door and then unlatched the window. Ross bundled in.
"Ross! You should be careful! Climbing into windows and that"
Ross laughed as he brushed himself down from the moss outside, "Oh come on...you know I'm an expert at breaking and entering...it's a occupational hazard!"
Donna laughed and met him for a nice long kiss, she then rested her head into his chest, he flinched.
"What is it?"
Ross licked his lip, then stood back and unzipped his hoodie top showing off his bare chest, there was a band-aid above his right breast. Donna looked at him unsurely, "Ross, what have you done?"
Ross removed the bandage and the tattoo was clear to read 'Donna forever'
Ross was sounding all pleased with it, "It's above my heart...that's where you belong int it...my heart...do you like it? Or do you just think I'm a complete fruit for doing it?"
Donna stared at the tattoo and came forward, clutching his arms, "Awwwww you went through all that pain for me..."
Ross shrugged it off, "nahhhh...didn't hurt...MUCH"
Donna sat on the bed, Ross turned and reached out the window and pulled in a small bag, he handed it to Donna, "for you"
Donna broke out into a smile and took the bag and put it into her lap, she then took out the card and read it..."It's lovely..."
She then saw the velvet box, not sure of it's meaning, she pulled it out of the bag and looked up to Ross, "What's this?"
"Open it, and see why don't yah see, girl"
Donna swallowed and opened the box, it was a necklace with a D&R within a heart on it.
"Ross...", she looked up at him.
Ross was quick to defend himself just in case, "It's legit...I haven't nicked it all owt...cross my heart"
Donna started to sob.
"Awwww don't you like it?"
Donna shook her head, "It's not that...I love it, I do...it's just..."
Ross came and sat next to her and held her hands, "Donna what is it...is it me?"
Donna met his gaze, "I don't want to die Ross...I don't want to die and I can't stop it"
"Donna don't...PLEASE don't cry"
She looked up and him and stroked his face, "I wish we COULD go on the run...I wish I was well and we could all go, you me and April...I wanted all that...I NEED to know that YOU know that...and I wasn't trying to screw up your mind"
"I meant what I said...if any lass could trap me and shackle a ring around my finger...you could"
Donna blew out a laugh, "and they say romance is dead"
Ross shrugged, "you know me...pure class girl...I know how to show a lass a good time me"
Donna heard them downstairs, "I best get down there...you should come to"
Ross waved out his hands, "No way...I'm not gonna be put through the mill by them lot...do you really think they'll want me there"
Donna took his waved out hands interloped them, "It's not about them is it...it's my party and I want you there...and April does"
Ross, up for anything, pulled a face and nodded to the door, "Well come on then...lets get down there..."
Donna led the way, then she turned, "Hey, pick up my card and pressie...I want to show it off"
Ross turned and went to the bed to pick up the necklace and card. When he was about to leave through the door, he saw the blood covered tissues in the bin.
He closed his eyes and sniffed back the tears, his hands shaking.
Even a plain and simple guy like him knew that time was nearly up...
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Part 2 of Donna's party continues next time...
Although sad...I hope you understand that there can never be a miracle cure for her...:(
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