Tracy POV

I hugged Jess tight. The trial had been tough, heck the whole of the last week had been tough while she'd been living with her dad. But now I finally had her back, she was coming home with me.

Jess hugged me tightly too. It must have been hard for her as well, sorting all of this out, trying to pull our family back together. I was so proud of the person she was becoming, a kind, loving girl who protected those around her and stood up for what was right.

Eventually we pulled away. I took her hand and put on a brave face. "Shall we go and tell everyone?"

Jess smiled and nodded.

The three of us made our way back into the main room, everyone turning to us expectantly.

"I'm going home with Mum."

The room erupted into cheers. Jess' friends ran over and gave her hugs, while Cam came over and gave me one.

"It's over," she said gently. "You're ok."

I hugged her tightly, taking a moment to allow my feelings to calm. Thoughts and emotions were racing through me, though being in Cam's arms halted them somewhat.

I pulled away after a few moments. "I'm just going to the bathroom."

"We're going to go down to the beach," said Cam. "Do you want us to wait?"

"No, I'll join you there."

Cam gave me a smile and a squeeze on my shoulder, before she went over to Jess. I left the room, heading towards the bathroom to take a moment for myself.

Once there I locked myself in a cubicle and sat down, finally letting the tears escape. They had been building up for the whole trial, almost spilling over when Mike had come in, but I couldn't hold them in any more.

I could hear people going past, happy chatter as everyone made their way out to go to the beach. I heard Cam and Jess go past, and then there was silence.

I took a couple more minutes before I headed back, going to grab my bag and then take a calm walk to the beach alone.

I wasn't the only one still here.

Mike gave me a smile as I came in. "Cam said she thought you needed a moment."

I gave him a small smile back. "Yeah, just..." I sighed. "It was a lot."

I sat down on one of the chairs, tears once again threatening to overflow.

Mike came and sat next to me, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Jess told me what her dad wanted to do," said Mike. I could detect a hint of anger in his voice. "Why on earth he thought you weren't fit to care for her is beyond me."

"It's ok, we're working together now."

Mike turned to look me in the eye. "It's not ok, Tracy. I'm all for forgiveness and getting on, and I'm not saying you should hold anything against him after this. But trying to order a court to take Jess away from you was completely unacceptable."

I nodded, screwing my eyes shut. Sadly it didn't stop the tears.

Mike sighed, then pulled me in for a hug. I instinctively hugged him back tight, the way I always had all those years ago.

"I'm sorry," said Mike, rubbing his hand on my back. "I'm just so sick of this whole situation. As soon as Jess rang me I knew I had to come and be involved."

"Jess rang you? I thought it would have been Cam."

"Nope, Jess called me." Mike chuckled. "She's as determined as you were at that age."

I smiled. Knowing now that she'd set all this up, of course I should have known that Jess would have been the one to call Mike.

"Though I did speak to Cam," he continued. "She was just as angry as I was, as I'm sure you know."

"I didn't think you got angry," I said. "Thought you always kept your cool."

Mike gave me a serious look. "There's nothing that makes me more angry than someone hurting those I love."

Silence filled the room. I could still feel a little of Mike's anger, but as my tears began to dry up I could feel it lessening. His level of protection towards me always made me feel safe.

That reminded me...

"I thought you were here a few days ago."

Mike looked at me in confusion. "Why?"

"I ran behind a horse and got knocked out," I said, watching as Mike's face filled with concern. "Si was speaking to me as I woke up, and I thought it was you. You were always there before when I came to."

Mike's eyes were full of worry. "Are you ok? It must have been quite a knock."

"I landed on a brick." I watched as Mike winced. "I'm ok though. Night in the hospital, a few stitches, and I feel alright."

Mike gave me a smile. "I'm glad." He gave me a squeeze as I rested my head on his chest.

We sat in the quiet for a few minutes, Mike allowing me the time to calm. I'd forgotten just how good Mike was at this, having not had him there to comfort me for quite some time. I knew I would cherish this moment.

Eventually I pulled away. My mind was finally calm, my emotions no longer wanting to spill over. I felt at peace for the first time since Si had brought all this up.

I let out a deep breath.

Mike gave me a smile. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I am now." I paused for a moment. "What were you still doing here? I thought you'd have gone down to the beach."

"I thought you'd need someone to sit with you while you processed everything," said Mike. "Cam was going to stay, but I told her to go off to the beach and let me stay." He paused. "Plus, I wanted the chance to give you a proper hug after today. I've missed it."

I smiled. I'd missed this too. Mike always knew the right thing to say when I was upset, the right thing to do, and always gave the best hugs. He was like no one else I'd ever met.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, Kiddo."

We sat for a few moments before I got up. "Did you want to go and see the others?"

Mike stood up too. "If you're ready."

"I think so. I think the walk will do me good anyway."

Mike took my hand and gave it a squeeze, before we made our way out.

It was a lovely day. The sun was shining, the sky blue, the air warm. I began to walk with Mike through the town, making our way down to Flo's beach hut.

Mike chuckled. "Sorry, just remembering your face when I came in. You had no idea I was coming, did you?"

"Of course I didn't!" I laughed. "You knew how to make an entrance though!"

Mike laughed too. "I wasn't planning on it being like that. The train was delayed." He smiled. "I was so worried I wasn't going to make it. I'm so glad I did, even if I did have to run in!"

I smiled too. To be fair the trial had been going well, Justine would likely have found in my favour. But Mike coming in had guaranteed that.

"I just can't believe it's been so long. Jess is a teenager now, isn't she?"

"Yep, turned thirteen a couple of weeks ago."

"Wow," said Mike. "I'm sure last time I saw you, you were still living in that flat. She was a lot smaller certainly."

"It's been too long."

I linked my arm with Mike's and rested my head on his arm as we continued to walk. It really had been too long. Obviously we'd kept in touch over the years, Mike offering support when I'd needed it, but it just wasn't the same as seeing him for real.

We walked in silence down to the beach, a comfortable silence. Soon we could hear chatter and laughter, and could see a group of people, a small fire going in the middle of them.

"You ok to go and join them?"

"Yeah, my head's cleared a bit now."

Mike put an arm around me as we made our way down the beach path. Comfortable silence filled the air once more. Years of knowing each other, and all we'd been through in that time, meant we didn't need words. Being together was all that mattered.

Cam saw us coming as we got to the sand. She gave us a wave and came over.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good now." I paused for a moment. "You and Jess ok?"

"Yeah, she was a little worried about you, but she's with her friends."

I smiled. I was so glad Jess had friends around her to support her.

"Come on then." Mike gestured the way forward.

Cam gave my arm a squeeze as we started to walk again, and very soon we were at the beach hut.

Jess rang over and gave me a hug. "You're here!"

I smiled as I hugged her back. "Yeah, just needed to clear my head a bit. I'm ok, you don't need to worry."

Jess gave me a squeeze, before she pulled away. She smiled at me, then went back to her friends.

Cam gave me a smile too, and went to join her.

I led Mike down to the beach hut, sitting on the step in front. He joined me, sitting close next to me.

I watched for a moment, realising how lucky I was to have all these people that cared about me, and were willing to stand up for me and Jess. I didn't ever think I'd been surrounded by so much love, and I was truly grateful.

Speaking of grateful...

"Thanks for what you said."

"I meant every word of it."