Once again thanks to Mills for her help with the visual effects
Paul broke the silence, glancing firstly at Gail and then Lucy, he angrily said
"I need to get out of here now!"
Gail was taken aback by the sharp tone in his voice, realising she had never heard him like that. She looked at Lucy, seeing that she was in shock she placed her hand gently on her shoulder, and felt her stiffen and pull away. Lucy looked up
"Is it true?" she asked with a hurt look on her face
"Not now Lucy" Paul said in a softer tone trying to sound reassuring
"Yes now…I want to know if what Julie said is true…am I the reason Mum is dead?" she replied
"Luce…let's go back to our house and we can discuss it there" Gail said in an attempt to diffuse the situation
"Why should I…everyone hates me…Dad didn't want me" Lucy cried "I'm not going anywhere with you"
Paul looked at them both, unsure how to respond and desperately searching for words; Gail reached for his hand and squeezed it gently, she sensed he was upset.
"No one hates you Lucy…" Paul said "Just let's go back to our house" looking to Gail.
Reluctantly Lucy agreed and the three of them walked back to number 22 in silence, Lucy pushed the door open, looked at the others in the lounge and rushed upstairs.
"Lucy!" Gail called after her, she was distracted by Paul as he let go of her hand and walked into the kitchen, pouring himself a drink he walked outside, not wishing to discuss what had just happened. Jim, Helen and Beverley looked stunned and confused. Gail walked over and looked at Robert sleeping in the basinet; gently she stroked his face and smiled sadly when she felt him move a little. Suddenly feeling drained she went to sit down, she didn't know what to say or where to start; she wished that Lucy had never gone over to number 26 with her. Jim broke the silence.
"What happened?" he asked
Gail was still slightly shocked, she couldn't believe what Julie had said and in such a vicious way.
Gail sighed not knowing where to begin, taking a deep breath she started "Paul and Julie were arguing in the kitchen when we walked in to the laundry" lowering her voice and looking down at her hands as she continued "she was telling him how useless he was, that our marriage won't last, the only reason we live in Ramsay Street is for the babysitters, that work is more important than family. I guess that is enough"
Helen looked at Gail, seeing the hurt on her face she walked over to her and sat down beside her.
"That's not true and we all know it" Helen said
Unable to contain her anger any longer Gail continued.
"She seems to have it in for Paul; ever since she got here she's been making snide comments about him, he's just shrugged it off but now….I don't know" Gail said
"What's wrong with Lucy then?" Jim asked
Gail closed her eyes 'Lucy' she thought, looking up towards the stairs she continued. "Paul reacted and Julie just kept going on about what it was like immediately after Lucy was born, how Paul couldn't cope, that he wouldn't cope with our children and our marriage would suffer. Paul told her that he was the one there for Lucy while she was self indulging, that's when she started on Lucy"
"So this is just a family argument" Beverley said "I'm sure it will blow over"
Gail sighed "It won't…not easily" she said not wanting to go any further.
"What do you mean?" Helen asked feeling more worried
"Gail is there something you're not telling us? Paul came in and hasn't said a word, Lucy's stormed upstairs. What's going on?" Jim asked in an urgent tone
"Okay...Julie started talking about how the family revolves around Lucy, that everyone seemed to forget that if it wasn't for Lucy Anne would still be alive. She went on to say how Jim hadn't wanted Anne to continue with the pregnancy. She apparently felt that her Mum had been selfish and not thought about the whole family; only about the unborn baby. Lucy and I were still in the laundry room . . .she heard everything" Gail said shrugging her shoulders in despair "she called Julie a liar and Julie calmly told her that she was nothing but a spoilt brat. I'm sorry Jim, I wish I hadn't let her come over with me" Gail said
Jim sighed "Don't be silly it's not your fault…I need to talk to Lucy" he said rubbing his head in tiredness as he sat forward.
Pausing Gail said "Jim would you consider letting Paul and I talk to Lucy first… I don't think she's in any mood to talk at the moment. She feels that she's been lied to, that the family feels the same way that Julie does"
"That's not true" Jim said
"I know and I understand" Gail said "Let me talk to her…maybe I can get through to her"
"Where is Julie now?" Jim asked
"Still at your house I think" Gail replied "Listen why don't you let Lucy stay here until Julie leaves? I'm not sure she'll come home while she's there anyway"
"But you two have enough to deal with" Jim and Helen said in unison.
Gail smiled "Jim, we're fine, Robert is settling in nicely and we'll cope with Lucinda and Cameron somehow when they come home." she said
"It looks like we don't have any choice" Jim said "For the past four years Julie has never come home for the Christmas…suddenly this year is different and she needs to come and see the family. I'm under no illusions that the only reason she's here is because she doesn't want the triplets to get all the attention"
Gail looked at Helen "I think she's also jealous of my friendship with Lucy" Gail said
"That's still no excuse for what she's said" Jim said "Just at the moment I could disown her; I'm fed up with it, ever since she's got here she's caused nothing but tension…I'm going to have a talk with her…she either apologizes to Lucy or she can leave"
Standing up he walked over to the door
"Where are you going?" Beverley asked
"My youngest daughter won't talk to me…I'm going to make sure my eldest daughter listens to what I have to say" he replied
Helen looked at Gail "I think it's time we let you talk to Lucy."
Gail showed them out, closing the door and leaning against it she looked at the baby sleeping before climbing the stairs. Calling Lucy's name she found her in the nursery, sitting on the rocking chair. Sighing she walked over and knelt down in front of her.
"Hey why don't you come downstairs with me and we can talk" she said
"What's there to talk about...I've just found out that I caused my Mum's death and my Dad doesn't really love me" Lucy replied
"Hey, that's not true!" Gail said
"Just leave me alone…I don't want to talk to anyone…people just lie" Lucy said
Gail realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere with Lucy in this mood stood up, sighing she said "Okay…you don't want to talk…that's fine but don't shut out the people who love you" she said
Going downstairs she glanced at the basinet, discovering it empty she walked over to the back door and saw Paul sitting on the step cradling the baby. She joined him and sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder, gently stroking the baby's face.
"He started crying" Paul said
"I know I heard him through the intercom but I knew you'd get him" Gail replied
"How is she?" Paul asked
Gail closed her eyes "I don't know…she's hurting and she seems to be distancing herself. I honestly thought I could get her to talk to me" she said
Paul closed his eyes, Gail sensed that he was having trouble with his emotions; gently she placed her arm around his back and kissed his cheek.
"How much did you two hear?" Paul asked
"All of it…how I'm going to dump my children on Helen and Jim that's if I don't walk out on you before that; how you're useless and won't be able to cope with our family. Then there was the stuff about Lucy, how Jim didn't want Anne to continue with the pregnancy, how he said they didn't need another child." Gail replied
Paul looked at Robert in his arms and kissed his forehead "Gail she was so vicious, the way she behaved with Lucy, she didn't bother to backtrack but simply told her that Dad didn't want her. As for you, she doesn't know you, she doesn't know anything about our relationship what you went through to have these children." Paul said
"Darling I'm not worried about what she thinks about me; I'm more concerned about you and Lucy. I know she's hurt you" Gail said
"I don't want anything to do with her, she's not welcome here and I certainly don't want her anywhere near our children for that matter. Speaking of which what are we going to do about Lucy?" Paul said
Gail sighed "Just at the moment we can't do anything, we'll have to wait until she's ready to talk. She's not at school so let her stay with us for a while…she can help with the babies"
"The crazy thing is that Julie and Mum weren't close; they used to argue all the time" Paul said "Look at the time we've got to get back to the hospital to feed Cameron and Lucinda…what do we do about Lucy?"
"I'll go and see if Helen or Beverley can come over for a while. We can take Robert with us but I'm not sure I want to leave her here on her own." Gail said
"This is such a mess" Paul said "I'm sorry you got caught up in it"
"Hey we're a team besides this is the only family I've got now. I love you and we will sort this out together" Gail said "Come on let's get this little one fed and changed and then see the others"
"Do you think I should go and talk to Lucy first?" Paul asked
Gail looked at him, knowing how upset he was she thought it best he didn't "Darling she wouldn't talk to me…you're upset and I'm just worried that she'll reject you and hurt you even more. I think we have to let her come around in her own time. She knows we're here when she wants to talk"
Gail walked over to Number 26 while Paul fed Robert. Walking in through the kitchen Gail called out, Jim indicated they were in the living room.
"How's Lucy?" Jim asked
Gail sighed "Not good, she won't talk to me and just wants to be left alone. I think we're going to have to leave her to come around in her own time." She said "I was wondering whether one of you can come over to ours to just keep an eye on her while we go to the hospital"
"Sure" Helen said "Are you taking Robert, you could always leave him with me"
"Are you sure?" Gail asked "Paul's giving him his bottle now, so he should sleep afterwards"
"Of course I'm sure" Helen said
"I just don't know what brought this on, Julie always seemed to get on well with Lucy, and there was never any hint that she resented Lucy over her Mother's death. In fact I thought both her and Paul were in agreement that Lucy didn't need to know what happened to her Mum" Jim said
"Have you spoken to her?" Gail asked
"Yeah we had an argument. She said it was Paul's fault that she was just defending herself" Jim said
Gail looked shocked "Defending herself how? I heard the conversation Jim, she told Paul he was useless and wouldn't be able to cope with his family. She then started talking about how it was Lucy's fault that Anne died."
Jim walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulder "It's okay I know it wasn't Paul's fault, he and Lucy are so close he'd never do anything to hurt her" he said "I don't know Julie has changed so much, I feel I don't know her and just at the moment I don't like her very much"
"Is it jealousy?" Gail asked "That the family have coped without her being here for the last four years, I mean let's face it no one welcomed her with open arms"
"It doesn't excuse what she said" Helen replied
Jim sighed "What's done is done; we just need to find a way through this" he said
Gail smiled "Don't worry Lucy can't stay upstairs forever and when she is ready to talk Paul and I will be there for her" she said "Right now I need to get back home though"
"Okay give my Grandchildren a kiss for me" Jim said
"I will" Gail replied smiling as she left
Paul and Gail went to the hospital to feed Lucinda and Cameron, slightly relieved to be away from Ramsay Street for an hour. Thoughts of Lucy played heavily on their minds but both knew that there was nothing they could do and needed to concentrate on the babies. The nurses remarked that both babies were progressing well, gaining weight and would be able to go home shortly. On the drive back home Gail glanced at Paul, he looked tired and she knew he was upset. When they arrived back at the house, Helen told them she had made something for their dinner, which was in the oven, Robert was sleeping peacefully downstairs in the basinet but Lucy seemed to have moved to the spare room. After Helen had gone Gail went and called Lucy downstairs for something to eat but she declined, deciding that she couldn't let her go hungry she took a tray up to her.
That evening Gail was woken at 3am by Robert's crying, glancing towards Paul she saw that he was fast asleep, knowing how restless he had been in the night she decided to let him sleep on. Quietly she got up, walked over to the basinet; picking the baby up she quietly spoke to him, trying to ease his crying, glancing at Paul she smiled at the fact that he was still asleep. Putting the light on she gently cooed to the baby as she walked downstairs and was startled by the figure standing at the lounge window looking out.
"Lucy...what are you doing up?"
Lucy turned and looked at her but didn't say a word; Gail sighed and walked over to the kitchen.
"Well I see you had something to eat" she said when she saw the empty plate on the draining board.
Lucy moved into the kitchen, her eyes fixed on the baby.
"Can I feed him?" Lucy asked
Gail turned and looked at her for a minute, hoping that this was the way to get Lucy to open up she smiled and said "Sure...go and sit on the sofa and you can hold him while I fix his bottle"
"He's so tiny" she said
Gail laughed "He won't stay like that for long…not the way he's eating" she replied
"Where's Paul?" Lucy asked
"In bed…snoring" Gail laughed
Lucy gave a half laugh "Does he really snore?"
"Sure does" Gail said as she walked back into the kitchen to make the bottle. Every so often she sneaked a look at Lucy gently rocking the baby in her arms and softly talking to him. Making sure that the milk wasn't too hot she walked back over to them, and handed Lucy the bottle.
"Just be careful...don't let him drink it too fast or he'll be sick…he has a tendency to be greedy just like his Dad" Gail smiled, gently stroking the baby's cheek.
Silence filled the living room but it was a comfortable silence not as strained as it was when she spoke to Lucy in the nursery. After a while Lucy looked at Gail.
"Does Paul hate me too?" she said
Gail smiled "I know Paul...I know that he loves you very much, just at the moment he's upset and doesn't know what to do, he wants to talk to you but he doesn't want to hurt you" she replied
"What Julie said was true wasn't it? Mum died because of me" Lucy said
Gail felt the tears in her eyes, placing her arm around Lucy she looked at the baby, then back at Lucy, gently she shook her head "Lucy no one thinks that, what happened...was sad but it wasn't your fault"
"Julie said Mum was selfish for choosing to have me, what do you think?" Lucy asked
Gail thought back to her conversation with Paul "No I don't think she was selfish in fact she was incredibly brave to do what she thought was right. When you're pregnant you do everything that is recommended for you and the baby, or in my case babies! You change your life for that time because you want the best for the baby. Lucy it's obvious that your Mum loved all her children…including you before you were born, she did what was right for you and hoped that everyone else was wrong."
"What would you have done?" Lucy asked
Gail watched the baby in Lucy's arms, feeding contently on the bottle "Lucy everyone is different, my situation was different because we had help with these babies and maybe this will be our only chance to have children. I know if I faced the situation I would have done the same, I couldn't have done anything to harm them"
"I'm scared" Lucy said
Gail looked at her slightly confused "Of what?"
"That now I know the truth that Dad and Gran won't have to pretend to love me anymore."
Gail sighed "You're not listening to me Luce…your Dad and Gran love you. I know I haven't been part of your family for long Lucy but I know when I see people who love each other. Take it from me, to have brothers and sisters is a bonus. I was on my own growing up and lost my Mum when I was young it wasn't easy as it was just Dad and I" she said
"Why does Julie hate me?" Lucy said
"I don't know what is going through her mind; she's been picking on Paul ever since she got here and to be honest I'm tired of it." Gail replied
"She said that you will leave Paul" Lucy said
Gail shook her head "I'm not going anywhere…I love Paul. Sure we've had problems and I blamed him for my Dad's death and getting caught up in work but we've talked it through and come out stronger. Paul's my best friend and there's no one I'd rather be with than him" Gail said "Lucy nothing has changed believe me…the people who really matter love you, don't give another thought to what Julie said, it isn't important…"
Gail was interrupted by Paul walking down the stairs. Lucy glanced at him but then looked back at the baby in her arms, not knowing what to say to Paul or whether she really felt she could trust him Paul and Gail exchanged looks both able to read each others thoughts without the need for words.
"Hey who wants some drinking chocolate?" Gail asked
Paul laughed "Okay"
"Yes please" Lucy replied quietly.
As Gail got up, Paul went to sit by Lucy; gently he placed his arm around her. Smiling he looked down at the baby.
Lucy looked at Paul "He's kind of cute isn't he?"
Paul laughed "Yeah he sure is, this takes me back to when I used to feed you in the middle of the night" he said
"Did you really get up in the night for me?" Lucy asked
Paul laughed "Yeah in fact I stayed up all night with you"
"Why? Where was Dad" Lucy asked
Paul looked at Gail, not knowing what to say, Gail nodded for him to tell the truth but he knew he had to do it gently "Well Dad was still in shock over Mum; I woke up one night and found you in your cot in the living room. In the beginning I used to make sure that I was awake enough to hear you crying but in the end I got up and went to sit with you in the living room" Paul said
"What happened, weren't you tired?" Lucy asked
Paul smiled "I was exhausted, I was still going to school, doing homework and helping around the house. I kept falling asleep during the day and Gran made me tell her why, that's when she decided to move in" Paul said
"Why did you lie to me?" Lucy asked
Gail walked back into the living room and placed the drinks on the coffee table, sitting on the sofa opposite. She looked at Paul and smiled.
Paul continued "Luce we never lied to you…we told you Mum died when you were a baby, which is what happened" he sighed
"Did Mum ever hold me?" Lucy asked
Gail looked at Paul, tears forming in her eyes; she knew how painful this was for him and Lucy.
Paul gently stroked Lucy's face "I honestly don't know Luce…there's only one person who can answer that question, I was at home with Gran" he said
"Why does Julie hate me?" Lucy said
"I can't answer that Luce" Paul said "To be honest I'm annoyed with her, she's not only hurt you but she's also said things about Gail and I as well."
"I don't want to go back home while she's there, and I don't want to go there for Christmas, can I spend it with you and the babies?" Lucy asked
"Well we didn't think you would want to go back while Julie's there so Jim has agreed that you can stay here…but I'm not sure about Christmas…I think we need to think about that one" Gail said
Paul looked at her "Sorry Gail but I'm not letting my children go anywhere near her"
Gail smiled "Okay you two listen; we can still visit Christmas Day to see Beverley, Jim and Helen"
"We don't have to stay long?" Lucy asked searchingly
Paul shook his head "Nope an hour or two at the most to do the presents"
"Then we invite the rest of the family over here if they want to come and continue celebrating Christmas, Julie can do whatever she wants" Gail said
"But she's not invited" Lucy said
Gail laughed "not just at the moment"
"We could go in the morning and then the rest of the family could come over for tea, mm sounds like a plan" Paul said
"But you won't want to be stuck with me" Lucy said sadly
Paul smiled and put his arm around her "Luce, you're my sister and always will be...of course I want you around" he said
"Lucy we love having you around…we named our daughter after you, what more do you want" Gail laughed, stifling a yawn.
Paul looked at her and saw how tired she looked "Darling you should go to bed and get some rest, I'll make sure Robert is settled" he said
"I think he's falling asleep" Lucy said
"Okay" Gail said "Don't you two stay up too long, we have to go to the hospital in the morning" going off to bed she kissed Paul goodnight
As Paul collected their mugs and entered the kitchen Lucy said "Thanks for telling me the truth"
Paul turned and looked at her "Well I guessed you deserved to know but there's someone else who wants to talk to you" he said, as he went back to washing the mugs.
"You mean Dad?" Lucy said
Paul left the mugs to drain and walked back and sat on the sofa next to Lucy "Yes Luce…he loves you like anyone of us" he said
"But….he didn't want me" Lucy replied
Paul silently cursed his other sister, gently he stroked the side of Lucy's face "Oh Lucy, Julie twisted everything." He said, trying to find the right words he thought for a moment "The pregnancy was risky; he was scared for both you and Mum. When you love someone you will do anything to protect them and keep them from harm, believe me if Gail had been in the same situation I probably would have done the same" Looking down at the baby he smiled "Of course she would have killed me for suggesting it. The point is he didn't want Mum to suffer, he wanted you but he just hated the fact that Mum was risking her life"
Paul got up holding the baby and reached for Lucy's hand. On arriving at her bedroom door, Paul pulled her into an embrace and gently kissed her head "Are you going to be okay?" he asked
Lucy looked at him and smiled "I think so" she said
"We can talk more tomorrow but right now you need to get some sleep. Gail's right what Julie said is unimportant and it isn't true. The family loves you and I know for a fact that Dad isn't happy with Julie" he said, wishing her goodnight he watched as she went inside the bedroom.
The following morning, Paul and Gail were eating breakfast when Lucy joined them downstairs.
"Morning, we're going to the hospital after breakfast to see Lucinda and Cameron, you can join us if you want and help look after Robert while we feed the other two" Gail said
An hour later Paul and Gail were putting Robert into his car seat when Lucy joined them outside.
"It's a good job I did change the car, we'd never have got all this equipment in the back of my old one" Paul said
Gail went and got in the front seat after making sure Robert was secured in the car seat, while Lucy got in the back. Just as Paul was about to close the boot, he heard Lucy groan, Gail looked at Lucy who was rolling her eyes. Paul heard the commotion and looked up to see his elder sister walking towards them, he called out that he didn't have time to talk and quickly got into the drivers seat and started up the engine and drove off.
Gail looked almost shocked "Paul, slow down you nearly hit her" she said
In the rearview mirror Paul caught the sight of Lucy smiling as she gently held the baby's hand.
"Can we please take it easy now…remember you have precious cargo in this car!" Gail said
Julie watched as the car drove away from Ramsay Street, shaking her head she looked around to check that no one had seen what had just happened, relieved that there wasn't anyone about she stormed back into number 26. Slamming the door she walked into the kitchen.
"I can't believe that man…he nearly knocked me over" she said
"What do you expect" Jim said "You insult Gail; you insult their children not to mention what you said to Lucy yesterday"
"Come on Dad, let's face it he's got a hopeless record with relationships, what are the chances of this marriage lasting and as for Lucy she'll just have to grow up" Julie said "It's all about Lucy isn't it and when Mum was alive it was always Paul. Maybe just maybe if she had still been alive now we may have been close" Julie said
"So Gail was right, you are jealous" Jim said half smiling
"No" Julie said vehemently "But it would be nice for once in this family that some of the attention was on my family instead of Paul, Scott or Lucy"
"Well you haven't been here for the last four years, where were you when your sister was sick or Scott got married. You moved away…chose to bring up your family away from here, I never forced you out" Jim said "You really can't stand the fact that Lucy has grown up and won't do everything that you want her to, that she prefers the company of Gail to you…maybe Gail treats her as an equal and not like a child"
"She is a child" Julie said "It's not fair Dad, Hannah is your Grandchild too but you've hardly given her any time while we've been here…it's all about those damn triplets"
Jim looked at his daughter, feeling anger he walked towards the door "Just at the moment I'm sick of the sight of you…you didn't visit to see the family, you came here to make sure that your family wasn't forgotten. What more I want to know how you can be jealous of a fourteen year old girl who has never known her Mother?"
Meanwhile at the hospital, Paul and Gail sat feeding Lucinda and Cameron while Lucy cuddled Robert.
"These two are alike" she said as she looked at the baby in her arms and at Cameron.
Gail laughed "Yep they sure are, can you imagine what mischief they're going to get up to when they're older" she said
Gently Lucy took Cameron's hand and laughed when he tried to squeeze her finger. Gail watched and smiled to herself as she saw a faint smile on Lucy's face, suddenly as fast as it appeared it disappeared.
"She gave this up for me" Lucy said quietly
Gail looked at her and waited for her to continue. Lucy looked up at her
"I mean Mum…she risked her life to let me live and gave up the chance of watching her children grow up" Lucy said
Paul looked at Gail, both not needing to say anything…both understanding what the other was thinking and feeling.
"She didn't see it like that Lucy" Paul said "She loved you just as much as she loved us, she couldn't have done anything to harm you…it would have destroyed her"
"When we finished here…can we visit Mum's grave?" Lucy asked
"Sure" Paul said looking at Gail for confirmation "We can pick up some flowers on the way"
"That sounds like a good idea. It will give me a chance to see Dad's grave as well" said Gail
Paul looked at her and smiled.
"When are these two coming home?" Lucy asked
"Beverley said at the end of the week" Paul said "So young lady, it's going to be all hands to the deck"
"You mean you don't mind me staying at your house" Lucy said
"Nope…free babysitter, you can deal with the dirty nappies…hmm what more could we want" Paul smirked
Gail shook her head and laughed "Just be careful Robinson…you may find yourself on nappy duties" she said
"Ganging up on me already" Paul laughed "Good job I'll have both my boys with me to keep the girls in line"
An hour later Paul parked his car in the cemetery car park.
Lucy handed the flowers to Gail and took hold of the pram, almost racing ahead of Paul and Gail.
"Hold on" Paul shouted "It's not a race"
"You're a fine one to talk" Gail said "Especially after the way you tried to mow your sister down this morning"
"What can I say she deserved it!" Paul replied "She seems a bit brighter but I know she's still worried about speaking to Dad"
"Don't worry I'll try and talk to her later" Gail said
Paul pulled her closer to him and stopped walking "I'm sorry… with the babies and Lucy I forgot what you're going through, with Rob I mean" he said
Gail kissed him "Hey I'm okay…I just remember what happened when I found out I was adopted, how I treated Dad and told him that I never wanted to see him again. I know Lucy feels that everyone lied to her, but I want to try and get her to realize that her Dad wasn't lying to her, he did what he did because he loved her and that he's the last person she should shut out" she said
"She's also worried that now that she knows the truth, dad and Gran won't have to pretend they love her anymore" Paul said
Gail looked at him "By the way how much of our conversation did you hear?" she laughed
"Almost all of it, I got up shortly after you last night…I was coming downstairs to keep you company but I heard you two talking and I figured that it was best to leave you to it" Paul said
"I'm still not sure how she is, I think we got through to her but I'm not sure how much she really believes…Julie's remarks about everyone hating her including Jim hurt her and I think she's scared" Gail said
"I'm sorry she seems to have taken over at the moment…we appear to have lost our son" Paul said
Gail smiled "Don't worry…it just means that I can pay more attention to his Father"
"Come on you two" Lucy called back after stopping
As they approached the grave, Paul saw that there seemed to be flowers on there already, getting closer he saw the red roses.
"Dad's been here" he said quietly
Gail watched Paul and Lucy tend to the flowers on the grave, gently she put her hand on Paul's back and he stood up.
"Hey, are you okay?" he said, placing his arm around her
"I'm going to go up to Dad's grave" she said
Making a move Paul said "I'll come with you…I'm sure Lucy will be okay"
Smiling she placed her hand on his chest "Darling let me do this on my own" she said
"But……"
"I'm fine…I just want to take our son up to see his other Grandfather" she said, seeing a look of rejection in his eyes she smiled "I'm fine…stay with Luce"
Paul sighed "Okay…if you're sure"
Gail squeezed his hand and kissed him "You worry to much"
"I'm allowed aren't I?" Paul watched as she wheeled the pram away from him. Faintly hearing Lucy say something brought Paul out of his thoughts and he turned back.
"What did you say Munchkin?" he asked
"Where's Gail gone?" Lucy replied
"She's just taken Robert up to her Dad's grave…she'll be back" Paul replied, still looking in the direction that Gail had gone.
Lucy looked at him "Do you miss Mum?" Lucy asked
"Of course I do" Paul said "It got easier with time, but in the beginning it was hard, I can remember sometimes getting home from school, going to find her and then realizing she wasn't there. With time Gran took Mum's place but it wasn't the same. I've thought about her more lately because of Gail's pregnancy. I was scared of losing her the way I lost Mum, but luckily she was okay" he said
"You really love Gail don't you?" Lucy asked
Paul smiled "Of course I do…to be honest I'd be lonely without her…she's my best friend" he said
"Funny...Gail sort of said the same thing about you last night!" Lucy said
"I know I heard" Paul laughed
Lucy looked at him "You were listening to our conversation" she remarked
"I got up to keep Gail company, I woke when I heard her walk out of our room but I heard you two downstairs and thought that you might talk to her more easily if I wasn't there" he said "I just sat on the stairs and listened for a while"
"You always told me never to listen to other people's conversations" Lucy said
Paul laughed "Do as I say and not as I do" he replied "Hey are you ready to go back to the car"
"What about Gail?" Lucy asked
"She'll follow shortly" Paul said
Paul unlocked the car for Lucy, looking back up the hill he realized he didn't want to leave Gail alone any longer, turning to Lucy he said "Hey do you mind staying here while I go and get Gail…I'll put the radio on for you…but don't touch anything okay"
"Sure" she replied
Paul walked back up the cemetery and found Gail still at her Father's grave, quietly he kept his distance but watched her, sadly thinking how lost she looked holding the baby. A couple of minutes later she put the baby back in the pram and turned, seeing Paul she smiled. Paul walked towards her.
"Are you okay?" he asked
Gail smiled "Yes…just a little sad"
Paul put his arm around her and kissed her.
"How's Lucy?" Gail asked
"She's okay…been asking questions about Mum" Paul said "Just at the moment I'm worried about you"
Gail looked at him "Darling I'm fine…just wanted some time on my own with Robert at Dad's grave" she said "Beside Lucy needs you"
Paul sighed and pulled her closer gently kissing her "Just don't shut me out okay" he said
"As if" Gail laughed "You worry too much"
On arriving home, Paul took the baby upstairs for a nap while Gail and Lucy made lunch.
"So what do you want to do this afternoon?" Gail asked Lucy
"Well I was supposed to be going to Emma's for the afternoon, her Mum was going to take us horse riding but I don't know if I want to" Lucy replied
"You should go…I know how much you love horse riding and I don't think moping around here will do any good, I'm sure Paul won't mind taking you and we can pick you up on the way to the hospital tonight" Gail said
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"I wonder who that is" Gail said "Might be your Dad"
"Or Julie" Lucy said
"I think Paul's made his feelings for her clear" Gail said as she went to answer the door, she stopped suddenly when she saw who it was.
"What do you want Julie?" she said coolly
"To see Lucy, she is my sister" Julie replied, as she made a move to step into the house, Gail blocked her entrance.
"Well aren't you going to let me in?" Julie asked surprised
"We're just about to have lunch" Gail said "And after your performance yesterday I'm not sure if Lucy is ready to see you just yet"
"But she's my sister…I have a right to see her, you can't stop me, you're not family, well only by marriage" Julie said dismissively "Don't think you can push your way in to this family and change everything"
Gail looked at her slightly shocked at the outburst but for the first time seeing how insecure Julie was. Paul appeared at the doorway from upstairs, Julie's attitude changed suddenly as she smiled.
"Hello Paul" she said
"What do you want?" Paul replied "If you're here to cause more trouble forget it"
"I just want to talk" Julie said
Paul shook his head "I heard exactly what you said to Gail and I think you should have a serious think about what you said yesterday and until you do and see what damage you caused I don't want anything to do with you" he said
"But…but Lucy has a right to know the truth don't you think?" Julie said
Paul looked at her "Lucy did know the truth…her Mum died when she was a baby …you told her things out of spite and jealousy …you hurt her Julie and it was so unnecessary" he said
"I'm sorry" Julie said "Please can I come in"
"No Julie" Paul replied as he gently closed the door in her face.
He turned and faced Gail "Are you okay?" he said
"Yes…Paul…you were a little bit hard on her don't you think?" Gail said
"Nope…I heard what she said to you and no one speaks to you like that...whether she likes it or not you're part of this family and always will be" Paul said as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
Lucy stood watching them "Was that Julie?" she asked
"Yes munchkin" he said stepping back "Lucy do you want to talk to her…she obviously wants to talk to you maybe she wants to apologise"
"Do I have to?" Lucy said
"No but she's still part of this family and at some point you're going to have to talk to her" Paul said
That evening Paul, Gail and Lucy were upstairs bathing the baby, when the doorbell rang. No one made a move to go and answer it, finally Gail rolled her eyes.
"Okay you two can I trust you up here while I go and find out who's at the door" she said, as she left the room and went downstairs. Opening the door Gail smiled when she saw Jim and Helen standing outside.
"Hi" she said "Come in…I thought it might be you"
"How are you?" Jim asked
"I'm fine…we were just bathing Robert, trying to get him in a routine for when Lucinda and Cameron come home." Gail said
"Shall we come back later?" Helen asked
"No it's fine…I think I can trust that husband of mine to take care of our son" Gail said "They should be down soon"
"How's Lucy?" Jim asked
"I'm not sure…we talked to her last night, she spent the morning with us and then went to Emma's this afternoon, they went horse riding which cheered her up" Gail said
"Gail I'm sorry, the last thing I wanted was to put added pressure on you two. " Jim said "In fact we were supposed to be helping you with the triplets this Christmas not entertaining Julie and her family"
"Its fine" Gail said "Paul and I are managing at the moment. Lucy isn't that much trouble, she helps me keep him in line" Gail laughed
Meanwhile Paul and Lucy finished tidying upstairs.
"Come on let's go downstairs" Paul said scooping Robert up.
"Was that Dad at the door?" Lucy said
"Yes...he wants to see you" Paul said "Come on Lucy he hasn't done anything wrong. He loves you"
"I'm going to stay up here" Lucy said "I don't want to see him yet"
"Lucy…"
"Please Paul…I'll be fine, I'm just not ready to talk to him" Lucy said
Paul looked at her knowing that she wasn't going to go anywhere with him "Okay…but you need to talk to him at some point" he said
As Paul came downstairs with Robert he greeted Helen and Jim
"Where's Lucy?" Gail asked
"Upstairs…I tried to make her come downstairs but…I don't know" Paul said
"Shall I go up and talk to her?" Jim asked "Try and clear the air"
"Leave her alone for a while" Gail said "She might come down on her own; I'm going to make a drink"
Paul handed the baby to Helen and went to help Gail in the kitchen. Jim and Helen cooed over the baby, silently wondering if Lucy would ever talk to them again, after putting the drinks on the coffee table, Gail said she was going to take a drink up to Lucy.
"Thought you said to leave her to come down on her own" Paul said protesting
"I did…I'm just going to give her a drink that's all" Gail said
Gail knocked on Lucy's bedroom door and opened it slightly.
"Hey" she said "Thought you might like a drink"
"I guess you're going to try and persuade me to go downstairs as well" Lucy said
Gail laughed "Would I dare….beside you're too much like your brother" she said
"No I'm not" Lucy replied
"Yes you are…you're both so stubborn" Gail said "Once you dig your heels in neither one of you can be moved"
Lucy laughed
"It's true" Gail said "Although I always find that if I'm careful I can get Paul to do what I want, I just have to make him think it's his idea. Don't tell him I told you though. So tell me why you won't come downstairs, it's lonely up here"
"I just prefer it up here…not sure I want to talk to Dad yet" Lucy said
"Luce…your Dad loves you, you know that" Gail said "Don't shut him out…he desperately wants to talk to you…why do you think he came here tonight"
"To see Robert" Lucy replied
"Luce…don't be so hard on your Dad, please" Gail said "Look I almost disowned my Dad when I found out I was adopted. I hurt him really badly but with Paul's help I realized that I was over reacting, and that the reason he couldn't' tell me was because he didn't want to lose me, that he was scared if I knew the truth I wouldn't love him"
"But you did" Lucy said
"Of course I did but I was angry because I felt I had been lied to" Gail said "And now he's no longer here and I miss him terribly"
"You've still got your real Dad" Lucy said
Gail sadly shook her head "No…you see he was my real Dad, he was the one who was always there for me" she said "Lucy...the only thing your Father has ever done is love you; he's protected you, kept you safe and did everything that he could for you. After your operation he's the one, who stayed up all night with you, the whole family were scared that they were going to lose you"
"All except Julie" Lucy said
"She's one person, besides I think the problem with her is she's jealous" Gail said "You're no longer her little sister…you are your own person with a mind of your own and she can't boss you around anymore"
"I heard what she said to you" Lucy said
Gail laughed "It's not important, she can think what she likes" she said "So are you going to come downstairs with me or not?"
Lucy laughed "You did come up here to get me to go downstairs" she said
Gail smiled "No I didn't, I just came up here to talk" she said
Lucy sighed "Okay I'll come downstairs" she said "But you owe me!"
Gail laughed "And you say you're not like your brother" she said
Gail returned downstairs and gently placed her hand on Paul's shoulder as she sat on the arm of his chair. Seconds later Lucy followed her and stopped by the desk. Jim and Helen looked up startled as they had almost given up hope of her coming downstairs that night. Jim was speechless and didn't know where to start.