A/N: Here you go. As always feel free to leave reviews or PM me whenever. Thank you to all who have stuck with this story, left reviews, and messaged me. It's spurred me on to do what I never thought that I'd be able to accomplish.
Sophie was nearly as giddy as her daughter was to see her dad waiting for her. Her and Emily had taken the Tram into Manchester proper, while Sian stayed behind. Her dad would then shuttle them to Weatherfield. It had all been arranged on the phone the night before. Her dad had refused to hear any crazy ideas about them staying at a B&B or summat.
"You'll stay at the house and that's it" he had insisted.
"But where will I sleep? Where will Emily sleep?" Sophie had asked.
"Jack can take the couch or the floor. End of discussion" he had insisted.
Having retired from the garage, he was fully capable of picking them up as well. Sophie knew better than to try to argue with the stubborn man any further. She had caved.
Still she was excited to see him and Jack. Having moved away she didn't see them as much as she wished, still they talked on the phone enough. Occasionally Kevin drove over for a visit, but his age was beginning to take a toll. Her entire life Sophie had never seen her father as anything but physically strong. He could take on any comers. But leaning against his car waiting for them he looked far too thin. His hair was noticeably greyer and their were more lines in his face then she remembered. Yet, as he waved to them she could see the same lopsided grin that they shared. She melted into his arms as they came together a few steps away from where the car was parked. After letting go of his daughter, he scooped up his only granddaughter. Sophie saw the sparkle in his eyes as he carried Emily the rest of the way, and placed her in the car.
Making sure that her daughter was buckled in properly, Sophie was sure that her heart could've burst with the soppiness that she felt at the moment.
It was good to be home.
Sophie pulled her bags out of the car. Looking over the cobbles of her youth she noticed the small differences and found a nostalgic comfort in what was still the same. Jack and Vera's (even though it had been Fiz and Tyrone's for a long while now everyone still called it that with respect) stones were still yellow and blue. She swore that she could hear a dog barking from the Barlow residence. And someone shouting at someone from inside the Platts.
Some things never change, she thought as she headed into No. 4.
"So what's all the goss Dad? Howse Rosie holding up?" Sophie asked.
"Well you know your sister! Angry threats one minute, tears the next. Poor Jack just flees the scene. She needs you Soph" he replied.
"Oh I'm sure it's not that bad Dad" she said chuckling.
"Well she'll be happy to see you tonight I reckon" he nodded.
"Yeah but she'll have to tone down her insanity in front of my daughter. If she starts wanting to dress like her...well I don't know how I'll cope" Sophie shook her head.
"I'll watch her" he turned his head to where Emily was coloring a picture at the old kitchen table.
"No offense Dad but I don't see you having any idea how to entertain my little princess right?" Sophie laughed.
"Hush you! I had two daughters if you remember" he defended himself.
"All right, but you better not just plop her down in front of the telly dad while you go to the pub like you did us" Sophie snarked as she poured herself some more tea.
"Oh Sophie it's all gone wrong!" Rosie screeched the moment that Sophie entered the door.
Her sister came towards her all big eyes and shaking hands. Sophie sighed.
"It can't be that bad" she said soothingly as she hugged her crazy sister.
Breaking the embrace Sophie looked around the flat that Rosie and Jason shared. It was in it's usual state of chaos, albeit the wedding edition. All Sophie could see was so much taffeta. Everywhere.
"Well good thing I'm here aye?" Sophie said.
She went to the kitchen and automatically put the kettle on. Tea would fix this. It always did.
"I just want it to be perfect Sophie" Rosie moaned as she sat down with her head in her hands.
Sophie couldn't help but smirk. Her older sister always had a flare for the dramatic. She went to sit down beside her.
"And it will be" Sophie reassured her as she took her sister's hands "stop being such a drama queen. Y'know that Jason won't care" she said softly trying to be reassuring. Rosie looked up.
"He's my "Once Upon A Time" Sophie. It has to work this time" Rosie said in her most genuine tone. Sophie squeezed her hands.
"It will Rosie I know it" Sophie said keeping her eyes locked on Rosie's opposite hers.
The kettle whistled. Sophie got up to pour them each a cup of tea.
"Remember what mum would say "a cuppa fixes everything" aye?" Sophie said as she placed a steaming cup in front of her sister.
"Easy for you to say! You already have the love of your life. Although you two don't seem to be in any rush" Rosie said as she sipped from her cup.
"Oh you know that when she decides it's right we will, Rosie. It's up to her" Sophie said with a hint of disappointment. Rosie picked up on it.
"You know that you two just need to get over each other y'know" she said irritated.
"Y'what?" Sophie shook her head in confusion.
"Sophie, it is daft that I'm about to be married for the third time, yet my lovely sister hasn't even come close to marrying the love of her life. I don't get it" Rosie sniped.
Sophie got up from the table having finished her tea. Turning her back on Rosie she started opening up cupboards randomly. She was searching for something. Soon enough she found it.
She set the bottle of voddy on the table and grabbed two glasses.
"I know how to calm you down" Sophie said with a wink. They chuckled in unison.
After taking a few sips, Sophie just decided to chuck the whole thing down her throat. Her sister gasped. After wincing Sophie gave her a hearty laugh. She loved shocking her sister. It was rare that she got the opportunity. She went to pour herself another glass.
"Hey sis! Why don't you slow down eh? Don't you have my niece to care for?" Rosie warned having poured herself another glass.
"Oi! It's a rare opportunity that I get to have fun at all. Since dad's watching her I'm taking a break" she defended herself. It wasn't like she was lying. Being a mum meant that her clubbing days were over. Her and Sian rarely went out anymore for more than a few drinks and one of them always stayed sober in case something happened with the child-minder.
She also had some thoughts gnawing at her brain and heart. It wasn't healthy but alcohol sure was an easy way to dull things.
"All right! As long as you don't wrap your head around my toilet sis. Jason's out with his mates so we have a few more hours. So why don't you tell me why you're really drinking all my voddy?" Rosie said slyly. The world often saw Rosie Webster as a ditz but that was a gross underestimation. Sophie knew that her sister's logic was confounding at times, and her motivations utterly selfish. However Rosie was a keen observer of human behaviour, which made her often a cunning manipulator. Or a supportive older sister if she chose to be.
"Rosie" Sophie paused staring into her glass "what does getting married mean to you?" she asked earnestly.
"Means he has to legally stay with me and support me always" Rosie said with veracity in every word. "Sophie, we both know that my modelling career is well over. Time for a family of my own. Jason will be a great dad. He wants it and so do I" Rosie said softly.
"Oh god! Little Grimshaws & Rosie's running around! The horror" Sophie mocked.
"Y'know you're not the only one who can be a mum eh? And you didn't even have to have the baby. I'll be a fat cow" Rosie shuddered.
Sophie reached out and squeezed her sister's shoulder.
"I know. You'll be great, I know it" Sophie grinned "Mum would be proud."
"Yeah well, she waited for you. Especially after what Jack told us…" Rosie stopped herself full stop.
"What did Jack say?" Sophie asked quickly.
Rosie sighed loudly. She raised both hands to her face dramatically. Uncovering her face she looked to the left of Sophie's face.
"Sian told him that she was going to marry you" Rosie said reluctantly.
"He what?" Sophie shook her head.
"Don't blame him. He just blurted it out at the dinner table trying to defend her to mum" Rosie said as she took a sip from her glass.
"Who all was there?" Sophie asked.
"Just us family Sophie. It was supposed to be a secret. He felt so bad about it, he made us promise not to say anything" Rosie finished. "Y'mean you two haven't talked about it? You've been together forever and it's even legal now" Rosie threw up her hands dramatically.
Sophie kept silent as she considered the glass in her hand. Her sister took her hand across the table.
"I know it's what you want. And I've always said that if you want something you have to demand it yourself. How do you know that she's just not waiting for you?" Rosie asked genuinely.
Sophie just shook her head some more. Either it was the voddy working it's way to her head, or her own thoughts getting on top of her, but she couldn't respond to what Rosie had levelled at her.
"Oi! Enough about you and your lesbo feelings! How are we going to get Todd seated as far away from the Platts and Maria and the Dobbs's as possible?" she slammed her fist down on the table and reached for the seating chart.
Sophie entered the door dropping her purse and hanging up her coat. Her dad sat alone on the couch watching football. She flopped down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. They stayed that way for a moment.
"Dad?" Sophie said breaking the silence.
He nodded.
"Where's my daughter?" Sophie asked curiously.
"She crashed from everything. I tucked her in upstairs. Jack will be home soon. Been enjoying the quiet. Did you get Rosie sorted?" he asked in return.
"You know how she is dad" Sophie shook her head. "She'll be alright if she can just draw a breath" Sophie finished.
"How are you doing?" her dad looked at her with that same lopsided grin that she'd known all her life.
"I thought I was all right, but something Rosie said tonight…" she started. She was cut off when her cell phone rang. Answering it she got up and stepped into the conservatory. Twenty minutes later she came back into the living room.
"Sian says hiya, Dad. Good news she's coming down tomorrow. Her case got thrown out, so she wants to be here" Sophie flopped down beside him again.
"You okay Soph? You don't sound too happy to see her is all" he asked turning toward her.
She ran her fingers thru her hair nervously. It's true. She should be fucking elated. But what her sister had said earlier still gnawed at her. She had to talk to Sian about it as soon as possible. Sophie's head was all over the place and it wouldn't be righted until this was sorted.
"Dad? Can I ask you something?" Sophie said quietly.
He urged her on with a shake of the head.
"Why did you remarry mum? You guys didn't really have to. I just wondered why you bothered and all" she asked tentatively.
Her dad got all tight-lipped when it came to talking about her mum since she passed away. She didn't like seeing the pain in his eyes whenever she came up. He paused then gave her a squeeze on the shoulder. A wistful look came over his face.
"Well your mum was a traditional woman. Sure she liked to put on sophisticated airs, like she was different from everyone else. But she really just wanted Jack to feel like he was in a stable home for once. And in the end Sophie, I always tried to give your mum what she wanted. I just loved her" her dad sighed.
He got up from the couch rubbing his eyes. Stretching out he headed toward the stairs. Before he got to the stairs though he stopped and turned back to Sophie.
"Whatever's going on with you Soph, it's best to sort it out quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to say what you want to say" he said caringly.
As he went up the stairs Sophie just stared at Jezza as it came on. She started absent-mindedly wringing her wrists as her thoughts went far away.
"Will you sit still love?" Sophie pleaded as she tried to get her daughter's hair in order. Having gotten her all cleaned up and dressed without much fuss Sophie thought that all was right. However it turned out that Emily had a severe disagreement with having her hair brushed. Sophie was wound up already having tossed and turned all night. She really didn't need this at all.
"Now don't you want to look good for when your mum gets here?" Sophie tried to get her brush through the girl's tow-head. Emily squirmed with the giggles.
"What is with you today?!" Sophie exclaimed as she finished up. Letting the girl free she burst from her arms. She started to hum the tune of a pop radio song loudly that Sophie didn't even known that she knew. Emily remained glued to the window as if Sian would be driving up any minute. Sophie just sighed as she looked at her phone.
Sian had texted earlier that she was leaving Salford. Sophie was glad that she texted so that she wouldn't have to talk to her. Her head was still all over the place. Although she had matured enough to be able to bottle it, it's not like she was perfect. And she was never good at hiding things from Sian anyway.
A gleeful hoot from Emily brought her out of her thoughts. The young girl ran downstairs and out onto the street. Sophie followed her yelling out useless warnings about stairs and cars. She could already hear the reunion before she even made it to the door.
As Sophie poured the tea, she listened to her father and Sian go back and forth about accommodations.
"Kevin, you don't have any more beds. We'll go to a B&B" Sian insisted.
"Jack can sleep in the conservatory! He won't mind will'ya?" he gestured toward his son.
"Dad! I'll just stay at Luke's. This place is just full of women ain't it?" he protested taking his tea.
At 16, Jack had grown up to be nearly as tall as his dad. His hair had darkened as he got older, but it wasn't quite as black as his half-sisters. Sophie barely remembered his mum Molly Dobbs, but she guessed that any small differences were from her. Otherwise, he had become very much a replication of his father. Once he was old enough Kevin had gotten him a job at the garage. When he wasn't in work overalls he was wearing a Man U shirt and talking football. Despite everything he had turned out like any other lad, and that was a small miracle.
"Oh now we can't chuck you out!" Sophie protested.
"Do you think I want to be around for hurricane Rosie?! No chance" he chuckled as he dug into a plate of eggs.
"Well see then it's settled Sian" Kevin said getting up from the table to get to work. Sian looked up at Sophie frustrated. Sophie just shrugged back. She knew there was no arguing once Kevin Webster was set on something. She turned to Jack who was buried in the sports page.
"Hey Jackers, can you watch Ems please? Need some time alone with my girl. It won't be long I promise" Sophie asked.
"Oh all right! But if she wants to play princesses or summat, then I'm calling in reinforcements" he protested.
She reached over the table and ruffled his hair.
"You're my favorite brother y'know" she laughed.
"I'm your only brother!" he snarked back as he batted her hands away with the newspaper.
Sian was surprised when Sophie suggested the Red Rec. She had a feeling that something was going on with Soph. On the phone last night she had been a bit distant. And today she could see the circles under her eyes from a lack of sleep. It always stirred up a sense of doom inside her stomach when Sophie was keeping something from her. It never led to any good. Sian couldn't figure out what it could be. Everything had been going well. Sure their daughter and work took up much of their time. But isn't that always how it is? She thought that Sophie would be ecstatic to see her this morning, but she continued to be subdued. It had to have something to do with her family. There was no other reason that Sian could surmise.
Lost in her own thoughts, Sian hadn't even noticed where they had been going. She had let Sophie lead them, figuring that was for the best. Now she saw where they were.
"Do you remember this park bench?" Sophie asked as she sat down.
"Course" she said sitting down beside her. "What's going on?" she asked nervously.
Sophie leaned back, her hands in her jacket pockets.
"At the time, I had thought that I'd never see you again. That I had blown it. Asked for too much too fast" Sophie sighed. It seemed as if Sophie were reliving the emotions as she talked and it was all a bit heartbreaking. "But there you were. Here. Like Magic" Sophie smiled and looked toward her for the first time since they'd sat down.
"Y'know I let you lead us. I don't ask for much. The major things...well I figure it will all work itself out and you'll come around when you are ready…" Sophie started to hesitate.
"Sophie what is all this about?" Sian asked trying to prod her along.
"Rosie said...well...why did you tell Jack that you were going to marry me?" Sophie asked quietly.
Sian took a moment to understand what Sophie had asked. Her occupation had taught her very well to be able to listen and pick things apart. It was a skill that she had become very good at.
"So hold on" she placed her hand to her forehead then down into her own pockets. "Rosie said that Jack told her that I was going to marry you? That's what this is all about?" Sian asked frustratedly.
"No that's not it. But you did right? She's not lying" Sophie replied.
Sian looked away for a moment over the peaceful grounds of the Red Rec then turned back to Sophie's face. She sighed and nodded.
"What I want to know is why did you tell him that and then backed off the idea ever since?" Sophie said becoming more fraught with each word.
"Sophie" Sian pleaded.
"Because all I've done is waited for you. And you know how important this is to me" Sophie continued.
"What do you want me to say Sophie? Aye? That was ages ago" Sian said defensively.
"I want to marry you. I don't care if it's at a courthouse or a church or whatever. I want our daughter to see us make a commitment to each other before god so that she can tell her schoolmates. I want to be able to say this is my wife Sian. I want…" Sophie stopped.
Sian had not been able to stop the laugh that had bubble up from her throat. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but one of soppy joy. She nodded her head and pulled Sophie's lips toward her own. After a moment they pulled apart.
"So…" Sophie said as quiet as a whisper. She looked so vulnerable that Sian thought that she'd shatter.
"Yes! Of course yes!" she grinned. Sophie sighed in relief.
"Promise me something though?" Sian asked.
"Anything" Sophie nodded.
"I get to tell our daughter first" Sian asked. She couldn't wait to see the look on her angelic little face.
"Course" Sophie burst.
Of course, once Emily knew then everyone knew.
Rosie at first acted put out that the lesbos were stealing her spotlight. Then she turned around and took credit for it all. The newly engaged couple allowed her to believe it simply just to shut her up. Of course her dad was well chuffed. This time he knew that it was for the right reasons. He would be keeping his mouth shut he promised.
"As if you'll be even invited?" Sophie snarked. "Maybe we'll just elope to avoid you all entirely" she laughed.
Of course the Webster's all protested. Loudly.
Sophie and Sian just let them. All they could see was each other as sappy as that is-it was the truth.
Eventually Sian went upstairs to lie down. Sophie sat down with Emily to watch X-Factor with her. Her brother sat down beside them. Sophie slapped him on the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?" he mocked protested.
"Thanks for telling me little brother!" she snarked feigning anger.
"Hey! I was only six. She told me not to tell anyone" he argued laughingly.
"And then you proceeded to tell everyone but me! I'm surprised that Norris didn't have it printed in the Gazette" she laughed.
He shrugged as their attention returned to the telly. After a particularly brutal performance which made them all wince, he turned back toward her.
"In all seriousness though sis, why now? You and Sian have been together practically my entire life so what does it matter?" he asked.
"Well it's the only way that I'll get my toaster for proper turning her" Sophie laughed wanting to keep it light.
"No Really! All jokes aside" he asked genuinely.
"Because I love her, it's simply that" Sophie said with all the truth that she could muster. She leaned down and softly kissed her daughter's head.
The End