A/N- Hey guys! It's been a little while, huh? Huge apologies for how long it's taken to get this chapter to you all. It's been a hectic few months. I promise the wait for the next chapter won't nearly be as long. Enjoy x
"She really is Emily's double," my Mum comments fondly, appearing by my side with a fresh mug of much needed morning coffee. I accept it from her, sliding both my hands around it's warmth as we both focus on Olivia who has happily settled herself in front of the tv with some yogurt and cartoons, which she apparently never misses. "Such a beautiful little girl,"
"She's all Emily," I say, a content smile fixing itself on my mouth before I sip at my coffee. "Thankfully, she's got her Mum's good genes,"
"Bit like yourself love," she winks, I laugh, even though it's most definitely true. After watching over Olivia for a few more seconds, I move myself over to the breakfast bar and help myself to some fruit from the bowl in the centre. I feel my Mum's gaze rest on me and for as long as I can, I ignore her obvious stare I'm receiving from across the way. "I'm proud of you, you know?"
"Why?" I question, scrunching my face as I ask. My Mum hadn't said that to me for a very long time.
"Turning your life around," She replies simply. "You've always loved that girl, even when you introduced her as a friend all these years ago I knew something was there. Okay, you sidetracked a little bit but you've got her back and you've taken on her little girl,"
"I never saw myself with kids, like ever," I admit with a quiet laugh. "Yet now, what I've got, I realise it's what I always wanted. I really doubt I'm the best option for a second parent to Liv but I want to give it my best shot,"
"Hey," my Mum hushes, reaching across the table to give my hand a squeeze. "As second parents go, you're the best she could ever hope for. Emily will know that and from what I've seen, Olivia adores you, you're already doing a great job," I smile a wide smile and thank her, it always meant a lot to hear that I'd made her proud. "So, is Emily not joining us today?"
"We left her to sleep, she had a bit of a restless night last night and mini Fitch through there wasn't for getting more shut eye," I explain, taking a glance over to make sure Olivia is okay. As expected, she's still happily glued to her cartoons. "Actually, I am here for a reason this morning. Emily's invited you and Kieran to dinner tonight, she's going to cook. I'm pretty certain before I left, I got this look that said, don't you dare come back without the answer being yes,"
"Hah," my Mum chuckles behind her mug. "We'll be there, of course we will. I can't wait to see her again, we've got so much to catch up on, I've bleedin missed that girl,"
"She's missed you too, she's missed you both, speaking of which where is Kieran this morning?"
"Fishing trip with the guys,"
"Fishing?" I laugh.
"He's actually quite good at it," my Mum informs me, quite proudly too. "He gets together with the guys a few times a month for a few hours,"
"Just didn't seem the fishing type,"
"Oh sometimes he's out on that bloody boat all day,"
"Well I hope he isn't today," I respond quickly. "Dinner is at seven,"
"Don't worry sweetheart, we'll be there on time,"
"Naomi?" Olivia appears from the front room, photograph in hand, that she passes to me. Her giggle is so infectious. Just like her Mum's. "Why have you got such silly hair?"
"Liv," I almost laugh, looking at the old school picture that she's found from somewhere. "You'll have to ask my Mum that one,"
"What? It was trendy back then,"
"Funny that. I don't remember anyone else having the same ridiculous haircut,"
"You're so over dramatic Naomi," her eyes roll.
"Liv darlin', just you be thankful your Mummy has better taste," I tell her, jokingly poking my tongue at my Mum which makes Olivia chuckle. "I'm going to pack some of my clothes and things for Emily's, then we better think about getting back,"
"Naomi's staying with me and my Mummy," Olivia announces, cute as ever. She melts my heart more each day, she really does.
"Is she really?" My Mum feigns surprise with a grin.
"Yup," Olivia nods eagerly. "She's staying in my Mummy's room too, so they can cuddle,"
"Right monster," I find myself interrupting quickly, looking past my mum's amused facial expression. "Come on, you can help me sort some things for the house,"
Emily's POV
I wasn't used to the house being so quiet in the morning. Usually I'd be woken by Liv sneaking into bed beside me to alert me that it was cartoon time, which meant I'd be up, sharing cereal whilst watching tv that was far too happy and loud for eight in the morning. I chuckle to myself, knowing full well that Liv will be sat in front of the same cartoons right now at Gina's. Naomi's already figured out that little morning routine in the short time she's been here.
After enjoying the chance of a lay in and a longer than usual soak in the bath, I slip on my robe and make my way downstairs into the kitchen for breakfast. I barely sit down with my coffee and croissant before my hope for peace is shattered by the front door slamming shut. I sigh, placing down the paper. It was too early for it to be Naomi and Olivia.
"Morning babes," Katie beams happily, swinging the kitchen door open and making herself at home by dropping her handbag onto the table and plonking herself down onto the chair opposite. "Oh is that a fresh pot of coffee? I wouldn't mind,"
"Help yourself," I say, although she has already.
"Where's Liv and Naomi?"
"At Gina's. I've invited them to dinner tonight,"
"Ooh dinner with the parents, serious stuff for you two,"
"Don't Katie,"
"Chill your tits, Em," She laughs at me. "I'm only teasing, I'm assuming things are all good here in Campbell love mansions then, yeah?"
"Uh huh, perfect actually, Liv found out about us this morning, so,"
"What?"
"Don't fret, it's fine, she's fine," I reply. "Said she seen us kissing like you and Jake and reckons it's okay because it makes me smile a lot," I chuckle to myself, remembering Olivia's words earlier in the morning. It wasn't something I was expecting at the time.
"Just when you think that kid can't get any cuter,"
"I know. So, how was your romantic break away?"
"Amazing," she gushes, flicking her hair in typically Katie Fitch fashion. "Seriously babes, it was great, shame that it went so quick really. Mum called this morning, her and Dad are hoping to visit in the next few weeks, they're looking at flights,"
"You didn't say anything about Naomi, did you?"
"Do I look stupid, Em?" her laugh follows. "Course I didn't tell her. Fuck, that's your mess, you can deal with it. Although if I were you, I'd say nothing until she got here,"
"Yeah, cos that would soften the blow," the sarcasm drips from my tongue. If anything was ever certain in this World, it would be my Mum's reaction to the news about Naomi. "Fuck, she'll go mental,"
"Well yeah but she'll get over it, she sort of has to," Katie adds whilst noticing my obvious concern. "Look Em, don't worry about Mum. I'm not going to pretend I'm completely happy with this situation but you are and Liv is, that's what matters in the end,"
"What have you done with my bitch Fitch of a Sister?"
"Still here underneath Ems," she winks. "I'll still be having my little chat with Naomi, do my protective Sister bit and all that,"
"Do you really have to?"
"Yes," she replies sharply. "I don't want her thinking I've gone soft, worst still I don't want her thinking I actually like her,"
"Katie,"
"Sheesh, I'm joking. I just think it would be good for both of us if we have a chat, clear the air, if she's going to be staying here, it needs to happen,"
Naomi's POV
When we arrive back at the house, after a trip to my Mum's then the beach, I'm met with Katie making herself at home in the front room. I almost forgot she was returning from her break today. Olivia immediately rushes through to see her aunt, who is quick to produce a couple of presents from her holiday and they both engage themselves in conversation. I find Emily in the kitchen, already slaving over food for the evening. For a short few seconds, I lean against the door frame and find myself taking in her perfect from behind features. I never was able to resist the opportunity to drag my eyes all over her beautiful body. I stride forward, slipping my arms around her waist.
"Hmmm. Something smells good in here," I nuzzle her neck for a brief moment. "You will be pleased to hear my Mum and Kieran can make it, I told them half seven,"
"Perfect," she rests her back against my body, settling into my embrace. "Where's Liv? I hope she wasn't too much trouble,"
"Are you kidding me? She was an angel, made quite the impression on my Mum, who can't wait to see you by the way," I press my lips to her cheek. "She's with your Sister in the front room,"
"Yeah about that," Emily wriggles from my grasp and turns to face me. "She wants to talk to you,"
"Okay,"
"Okay?"
"Yeah," I laugh. "Em, don't look so worried. It's just the 'hurt my Sister again, I'll hurt your face' chat, I've been expecting it,"
"Please don't let her wind you up,"
"I won't," I promise as she leans forward, delicately pressing her lips to mine. There was always something so calming about the way Emily kissed me. It still had the same effect. "I'll be straight back then I'll help with dinner,"
"You'll help with dinner?" She giggles. "I might let you set the table,"
"Hmm, even that might be a bit high profile for me," I kiss her once more.
When I entered the front room again, I got Olivia to join her Mum in the kitchen, she did so and I clicked the door shut behind her, which left myself with an unusually quiet Katie. Usually, her mouth would have opened by now. I shift my weight from one foot to the next then, when she still says nothing, I sit myself on the chair opposite.
"Katie," I sigh. "You don't have to do this, I know exactly what's coming. You want me to promise I won't ever hurt Emily again,"
"Well?"
"I love her,"
"You loved her before, apparently,"
"I was a prick before," I say admittedly, Katie glances at me approvingly. "I was a stupid, selfish, scared and insecure prick,"
"I couldn't have put that better if I tried,"
"Katie, I love Emily. I love her so much, I couldn't even begin to describe to you. I know you're protecting her, I would too, if I were you but I'm not that person anymore,"
"I fucking hope not," she hits back. "Olivia is just a kid, she doesn't deserve any upset,"
"She's my little star," I reply fondly, I see the surprise in Katie's face. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt either of them,"
"If you ever did, I swear to god,"
"I know," I hold my hands up defensively. "I'd even hand me over myself,"
"Please don't fuck it up, don't fuck them up,"
"I won't,"
"I want to like you but you make it impossible sometimes,"
"Likewise," I shoot back with a slight smile. "Look Katie, you just have to let me prove to you how much I love Em. If I ever hurt her again, you have my permission to kill me,"
"I don't need permission," She warns but the same smile I had is creeping onto her face. "My Parents are visiting in a few weeks,"
"That'll be... Eventful,"
"They'll come round,"
"You think?"
"Well she sort of has to," she continues, only mentioning Jenna. Rob was always the much nicer of the two, especially where I was concerned. "Emily loves you like crazy, now Olivia does too, nothing is going to make either of them feel any different,"
"I don't want Emily to lose her relationship with your Mum because of me,"
"She won't," she tells me like she's almost certain. "Look Campbell, I'm not as stupid as I look. I've seen how happy Emily and Liv are when you're around, if they stay that happy and you look after them both, properly, then I'll never have any complaints and my Mum shouldn't either,"
"Thank you,"
"Doesn't mean we're best friends or anything though,"
"Ew no," I laugh at the mock disgusted look that's plastered across her face. "We'll never be anything like best mates Katiekins,"
"Naoms," she half grins at me as she reaches the door, turning back after pulling it open. "Don't call me that again,"