Thank you to Fan Fiction Dot Net Support for adding Lana to the list of characters.
CHAPTER TWO
2007
It had happened very quickly, Sky had to reflect. They'd both made the decision to leave Erinsborough in a bit of a rush, and it had led to them leaving together. And then, of course, they'd had to stop for the night and had ended up in a cheap motel, with only one room available and no choice but to take it.
Sky lay in bed and glanced across at Boyd, who had insisted on taking the couch. Kerry was asleep in a cot nearby. She'd been left thinking of their history recently. Boyd had had a point. They were better people then, before they'd made so many mistakes and hurt so many people. They couldn't go back but…it was good remembering.
Sky took a deep breath and came to a decision. "Boyd. Come over here."
Boyd looked up, giving her a slightly puzzled look. "No, I'm all right here."
Sky pulled back the covers of the bed and patted the place next to her. "Get in."
Cautiously, not quite knowing what to expect, Boyd got up and came over, getting into the bed. Sky pulled the covers back into place, then put her arms around him and kissed him.
"I thought we weren't going to do this,"Boyd reminded her.
"Well, I'm not saying we should get married or anything,"Sky replied. "But…maybe we could pretend for a while."
Boyd wasn't quite following. "Pretend?"
"It's just…the three of us, travelling like this, we're kind of a family, aren't we? For the moment."
"I suppose so."
Sky kissed him again. "So…maybe, while we're doing this, we could pretend that's what we are?"
Boyd returned the kiss. "Sounds good to me."
Three Months Later
Sky found Boyd on the edge of town, waiting by his car. They stood there in silence for a moment. "You don't have to go,"she said at last.
Boyd sighed. "Yeah, I think I kind of do."
"You could stay here with us."
"And sooner or later, someone will work out I'm not actually sleeping on your couch. Is that what you want?"
Sky lapsed into silence. She knew Boyd wanted her to say yes…and a part of her wanted it too. This strange, secret-family, friends-with-benefits arrangement they'd fallen into felt comfortable and safe and familiar…but she couldn't bring herself to see it as any more than nostalgia. Sure, they were friends and they had history, but actually being an official couple again? Too much had happened.
"Where do you think you'll go?"she asked at last, deciding to answer the question by not answering it.
Boyd looked disappointed but he accepted how things were. "I've been thinking of heading back to Victoria, seeing Dad and Summer."
Sky nodded. "Yeah, they'd probably like to see you."
"After that, I dunno. I'm thinking of re-enrolling at uni, finishing medicine. Might as well put all that work to some use. You?"
"Well, I think Kerry's gonna keep me busy for a bit. But I've got a few plans for the future. Let's just say my little spell as one of the wrongly convicted has inspired me a bit."
Boyd looked around to make sure no-one was looking, then he kissed her. She returned the kiss softly for a moment then he pulled back. "Can you make me a promise? I don't drive off and we never see each other again. We stay in touch."
Sky nodded. "I'll call you every week. Maybe even write to you."
Boyd smiled, grateful. "Good luck,"he said finally before leaving her to it.
2008
Sky paused in the entrance to the hotel restaurant until she picked out Boyd. It had been seven months since she'd last seen him. He looked well, more together than he had been than when he'd left. He saw her and gave a wave and she joined him with a smile.
"I was glad to get your call,"she noted.
Boyd nodded. "Well, I was going to be in the area on vacation. I figured this was safer than coming to Port Douglas. The Timminses didn't look too happy having me around there. Isn't Janae there as well now?"
"They're in Cairns,"Sky reminded him. "But yeah. I've got all my in-laws on tap now."
Boyd hesitated. "And…you and Dylan are back together now."
Sky nodded awkwardly. It was a decision she was never entirely sure about. She knew she didn't love Dylan anymore but being out there together, it had seemed like the right decision. "It's best for Kerry,"she said, feeling that the reason she gave herself would work here too.
Boyd nodded in acceptance. "Well, now that we've got the awkward stuff out of the way…you want a starter or shall we go straight to main?"
Sky relaxed and so did the evening. She found herself enjoying his company again. Enjoying herself, she had to admit, more than she had done since she'd last seen Boyd. What little guilt she felt over lying to Dylan to get him to look after Kerry faded away as the evening went on and she knew she'd done the right thing coming.
They headed out into the lobby and Boyd helped Sky back into the jacket she'd worn over her dress. "So, um, I guess I'll call you? Maybe see you again next time I'm in the area?"
Sky came to a decision, then turned in his arms and kissed him. "I don't have to go just yet,"she said as they paused for air. "You've got a room here for the night, right?"
Boyd nodded. "You're sure?"
"Oh yes. I'm sure."
2015
Boyd waited on tenterhooks for the video call to connect, until finally the screen popped up an image of Sky, cradling a baby. "Hi,"Sky greeted him enthusiastically, before turning her attention back to her newest child. "Hey, wake up! There's someone wants to meet you!"
"It's okay, let her sleep,"Boyd assured her, whilst also staring hard at the screen. "Can I..?"
Sky held their daughter as close to the camera as she could manage. "She's got your eyes…when they're open. Like Scotty has."
Boyd smiled. "I'm glad. Have you thought about what you're going to call her?"
"Claire. After your mum."
A part of Boyd was pleased. The other part was a bit worried. "Don't you think that might be a bit obvious?"
"I don't think Dylan or anyone else will think I'm doing it because you're the father. I'll just tell them I like the name."
Boyd could at least see the logic in that. "So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in, well…" He gestured to Claire. "Nine months."
"Good, good." Sky quickly looked around for eavesdroppers. "I might be able to come down and see you in a few weeks. I've got time off before basic training begins."
"I'll look forward to it, Constable."
"I'll get in touch with you later." Sky ended the call.
Boyd sighed. As much as he loved seeing Sky, it was always a bit painful to get a glimpse of the family that he could have had and didn't. But Sky had made it clear what she wanted. Things were what they were.