Thank you Hollie for your reviews and I hope everyone had a lovely festive period. There are about 4 chapters left of this story…I really need to start writing the next one! Enjoy
Callum hadn't told Jess about his impromptu visit to see Cheung, and he didn't intend on revealing it anytime soon. He couldn't implicate her in his actions- if he was ever caught one of them needed to be there for Jamie. He was focused on trying to think of anything he could pin on Cheung to get him back inside. The only thing he had going for him at the minute was the gun that Keiko had pointed at him. But he had to be smart if he wanted any accusations to stick- Cheung could afford the best of the best defense lawyers, and any accusations would be thrown out when it was found out he had lied to get into Cheung's building and then into his flat. Plus he had threatened Cheung, and Keiko as his witness would mean that if anyone got into trouble, it would be Callum.
He woke on his day off to find the sun shining weakly into the bedroom, but Jess wasn't in bed with him. He checked the clock, it was still early, but he got up anyway, just wanting to see Jess. He pulled a hoodie over his head, walking down the stairs into the kitchen, noting that the patio doors were open, so stuck his head out into the garden. A rare smile graced his face as he took in the scene in front of him. He pulled his phone from his pocket, quietly entering the garden.
Jess had set out a blanket on the dewy grass right in front of the daffodils; Jamie was lying in Jess' arms, pudgy hands reaching out for the sunshine yellow flowers, small giggles erupting every now and then. Callum crept closer still, snapping picture after picture. Jess saw a flash out the corner of her eye, turning and seeing her husband stood there.
"Hey honey. Me and Jamie thought we'd have a little sunrise picnic. Care to join us?" Jess said, her voice still laced with traces of sleep.
"I'd love to. Was he up early?" Callum asked, settling himself behind Jess, letting her lean into his chest as he kissed the top of her head.
"Yeah, I think the birds woke him up. He was quite happy gurgling to himself though. I thought I'd bring him out here while it's still nice and quiet. He loves the daffodils; I might pick some and put them in a jug in his room." Jess said with a smile as Jamie let out a particularly loud laugh.
"I could listen to him laughing for a lifetime." Callum said softly, capturing his son's small hand in his own.
The end of April approached with bursts of warm sunshine followed by plenty of showers. The garden was slowly starting to bloom with more daffodils, tulips and cherry blossom on the trees, a reminder of all the care and hard work Robert had put into it during one visit with Michelle a few summers ago.
Jess' favourite thing when she woke up was to get Jamie and just sit in the garden, watching the sun come up, feeling the heat warm the Earth. Jamie loved to sit in his playpen that Jess had moved into the garden, playing with his toys and babbling to himself; it made Jess feel closer to Robert, and she hoped he was here in his own way. Jamie had also started rolling over, something Jess had discovered by complete accident.
She had left him on his mat in the living room while she went to get his milk, and when she came back in, he had disappeared. She checked everywhere, not understanding where he'd gone. Just as her panic levels were about to hit crisis, she heard him laughing. She peered under the coffee table, not for a minute thinking he was actually under there, and burst into peals of laughter. Her son was laying face up under the coffee table, having managed to roll under there and getting wedged in. Jess had to carefully manoeuvre the heavy coffee table off of him, minding not to catch him on it. The following day Callum had bought home the playpen, and the coffee table had been moved into the study.
That day, while Callum was at work, Sally had come over for a visit, and the friends decided to take advantage of the good weather and go to the park for a visit. Sally pushed the pram, Jess carried the food, and they set up under a tree near to the lake, placing Jamie on the picnic blanket while they sat either side, making sure he couldn't roll away into the lake. As they began to eat, they began catching up on each other's lives.
"So how're you and Nate?" Jess asked with a sly grin.
"Honestly, I don't think it's working out." Sally said sadly.
"What? Why? I thought you loved each other?" Jess questioned.
"So did I, but I don't think he's ready to take our relationship to the next level. I'm twenty six next week and I'm ready to make a proper commitment to him. I love living with him and being with him, but sometimes I don't think he's mature enough to get married and have a family together." Sally admitted.
"Have you spoken to him about it?" Jess wondered, scooping Jamie up to give him his milk.
"I can't Jess, I don't want to hurt him like that." Sally said.
"Why are you thinking about it though? I thought you weren't bothered about that yet?" Jess asked.
"I wasn't really, but then I see you with Jamie and Callum, and I'm jealous Jess. I want what you've got." she said honestly.
"Oh honey, you don't want to rush into things though. Look what happened with me and Dan." Jess pointed out.
"Yeah I know, I just feel like I'm missing out, that's all." Sally said with a sad smile.
"Sally Armstrong, you listen to me right now. You are beautiful, smart and a fantastic cop. Nate loves you, and even though he may act like an immature child on speed a lot of the time, deep down he's ready to make that commitment, all of us but you can see it. Just talk to him Sal, I promise you that it'll all work out." Jess said with conviction.
Sally smiled despite her fears, embracing her best friend, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'd have a quiet life, that's for sure." Jess said with a laugh, "Now, what are we doing for your birthday?"
"Oh, I wasn't really planning anything." Sally said meekly.
"Ok, here's what we're going to do. We're going to get all dolled up, and we're going to go out dancing. I haven't been dancing and drinking in way over a year, and frankly I'm overdue. Let's celebrate your birthday as we always have, as is tradition, by getting rip roaring drunk." Jess said with a grin.
"Where's my best friend the sane mother? Who is this person sat in front of me?" Sally said with a laugh.
"I just want you to celebrate your birthday and have a good time like we always do, that's all. So whaddya say?" Jess said convincingly.
"I say let's do it!" Sally said with a wide smile.
The following week, on a Friday night, Jess came down the stairs with her overnight bag, dumping it by the front door as she moved through to the kitchen. Callum was cooking his dinner, with Jamie set up on his play mat on the floor with his toys. Jess slid behind Callum, wrapping her arms round him and resting her head on his back.
"Are you sure you don't mind me going out tonight?" Jess asked, moving to stand next to Callum as he continued cooking.
He shot her a sideways look, "For the tenth time I don't mind, go out and have some fun with everyone. You deserve it."
"Ok as long as you're sure? My phone will be on loud the whole night so just ring me if anything happens or you need me ok? And I'll be back tomorrow morning as soon as I'm up and had breakfast." Jess said.
"Jess darlin', we'll be fine. Won't we Jamie, boys night in huh? Shall we put the boxing on? Grab a beer? What do you reckon kiddo?" Callum scooped a smiling Jamie from his mat, walking back over to Jess, who pressed a kiss to Jamie's chubby closed fist.
"You be a good boy for daddy ok? I love you Jamie." Jess kissed his cheeks and nose, earning a giggle from her son. She stretched up on tiptoes to kiss Callum, her palm stroking his cheek. "There's expressed milk ready to go in the fridge. I love you, have a good night."
"You too, make sure the boys behave themselves!" Callum said with a laugh as Jess waved and blew her boys a kiss.
Jess arrived at Sally's flat an hour before they were meeting everyone at the club, and as soon as she was inside, Jess presented Sally with a bag of presents.
"Jess, you didn't need to." Sally chided gently.
"This is from me and Callum, and I got you something separately, as did Jamie." Jess said with a grin, producing two more packages from the bag. Sally slid her finger under the envelope flap, lifting out a piece of paper. She read what was written, a small frown on her face, turning into a beaming smile as she realised what it said.
"You want me to be his godmother?" Sally asked.
"We sure do. We're not sure if we're definitely getting him Christened, but if we do, you're the one we want to be his godmother. If we don't get him Christened, we want you to be his adopted auntie." Jess said, hugging Sally.
"I'm honoured, thank you so much!" Sally said with a beaming smile.
"Ok, now for my present...well, I say my present, but all the gang chipped in" Jess said, handing over a small box. Sally unwrapped it, finding another box inside. She opened it slowly, expecting something to pop out, but there was another piece of paper. "Read it!"
"A holiday? Jess, I can't accept this!" Sally said in shock.
"Erm, yeah you can! Me, you, Beth, Millie. We'll tear it up!" Jess said with a laugh.
"Wow, Cyprus for a week with my best friends! I love it! You've spoiled me!" Sally said, shaking her head at her best friend.
"Well, someone needs to spoil you, right!" Jess argued, handing over the last package.
"I hate you sometimes." Sally teased, carefully ripping off the paper, uncovering a framed photo of Sally with Jamie not long after he was born, out in the snow in the Stone's back garden, "Aw, I love this photo! I kept forgetting to ask you for a copy! Thank you so much Jess, for all of it." Sally carefully placed the photo frame with the others clustered on her sideboard in the hall of the flat.
"Right, shall we crack open the bubbly and get ready?" Jess said with a grin, offering Sally her arm. The two giggled as they strutted down the hall to Sal's bedroom.
By the time Beth and Millie arrived, Jess and Sally were unrecognisable. Sally had on a candy pink one shouldered body-con dress, complete with black platforms and glossy pink lips. Jess had curled Sally's hair for her, which hung gently framing her face. Jess had on a simple emerald green backless dress, nipped in at the waist with a gold chain belt, complete with high gold strappy heels and lightly glossed lips and thick lashes. She had tousled her hair and it gently curled down her back.
The girls had drunk nearly the whole bottle of champagne when Millie and Beth arrived. Beth was dressed in a gorgeous sunshine yellow drape dress, embellished round the hemline with big sequins. Her hair hung loosely waved around her shoulders, accented with statement red lipstick. Last but not least into the flat was Millie, wearing an bright blue batwing dress, coupled with black patent heels, her hair a fiery halo round her face. The girls got lots of photos before they left, Beth commenting that they looked like birds of paradise in their bright frocks.
It was a tipsy group of women who left the flat twenty minutes later, arriving in a cab outside the "XX" club, apparently one of the hippest clubs in London. The girls made their way carefully down the stairs into the belly of the club, the pounding music slamming into them. They were waved over by the guys, consisting of Ben, Will, Smithy, Nate and Leon, who promptly grabbed Sally and commenced with twenty six birthday bounces, much to the amused looks of the other patrons. When they finally put her back down, they produced four large pitchers of their favourite cocktails, one for each lady. It wasn't long before they were consumed and the gang were busting some moves on the dance floor.
"Hey Jamie, it's just me and you tonight, a boy's night in. Whaddya say to that?" Callum cooed at his son. He'd said to Jess, while she was pregnant, that he wouldn't talk to his child like he was an idiot, he would talk to him like he would to any other person. That hadn't happened. "Shall we go and watch the boxing then? Take advantage of mummy not being here? Yeah, let's do that. First though, daddy needs to get a beer, and I suppose we should get you some milk." Callum walked through the living room into the dining room, then to the kitchen. He grabbed himself a beer from the fridge, heating Jamie's milk in the bottle warmer. He scooped a tube of Pringles off the table, and then they were set, settling down to watch the boxing.
"Sal?" Nate shouted above the music to his girlfriend. She turned round, offering him a drunken smile. "Come with me a minute, I want to give you my present."
"What? You gave it to me earlier, numpty!" Sally slurred, stumbling slightly, Nate steadying her.
"Just come with me." Nate insisted, half dragging half carrying her away. Jess watched them with a knowing smile on her face, elbowing Beth and Millie to watch. Nate stopped in a secluded booth, helping Sally to sit down before sitting down himself. "Sal."
"Nate." Sally said with a giggle.
"I love you, you know. I don't think I say it enough, but I do love you." Nate said sincerely.
"I know you do honey, it'd be nice if you showed it more often though." Sally said thoughtfully, playing with a napkin.
"I'm going to show you now how much I love you." Nate promised. Sally looked up at that, her carefully made up face confused.
"What do you mean? Nate, you're confusing me." she answered.
"Doesn't take much." he said, with a grin, "Anyway, here, open this." Nate thrust a decorated box across the table to her. She grabbed it, shaking it to hear if anything rattled inside. She frowned before untying the ribbon, lifting the lid of the box. Inside was a whole lot of tissue paper.
"Gee Nate, a box of paper, thanks." Sally said, rolling her eyes.
"Feel around in it." Nate said with a laugh.
Sally did as she was told, her tongue sticking out with the effort. Finally her fingers found purchase, and out of the box emerged a delicate silver ring with a single princess cut diamond nestled in the centre.
"Oh Nate, it's beautiful!" Sally whispered, suddenly feeling very sober.
"Sal, the reason it's taken me so long to do this is because I wanted enough money behind us to make a good start when we got married. So, what do you think, will you marry me?" Nate blundered through.
"Of course I will! I love you, you immature man!" Sally squealed, launching herself into Nate's lap. The rest of the gang gathered round the booth, shouting their congratulations and producing bottle after bottle of champagne. When Sal caught Jess later, she glared at her.
"What's that look for?" Jess asked with a grin.
"You knew didn't you!" Sally accused.
"I had a feeling, but I didn't know for sure. See, I told you not to worry, didn't I. Best birthday ever?" Jess questioned.
"Definitely." Sally said with a smile, hugging the woman who was like a sister, close to her.
Callum woke with a start, feeling suddenly very hot. The TV was still on, as were all the lights, but it felt like the heating was on full. He rubbed his eyes, careful of Jamie, who was asleep on his chest. As his eyes focused, he noticed a glow in the room, an almost orangey glow. And that's when he smelt it; smoke.
He immediately panicked, cradling Jamie tight to his chest, throwing a blanket over him just in case. He peeked his head out into the hall, immediately assaulted by smoke and heat seeming to come from the front entrance. He ran back into the living room, dialling the fire department and the police. Once the dispatcher had confirmed that the fire engine was on its way, Callum quickly ran through to the kitchen and out into the garden, walking round and out the back gate to emerge at the front of the house. He could see the flames licking through the hall, and he knew exactly who was responsible for this.
Jess and Sally stumbled back in Sally's flat at just after two in the morning. Nate was staying with Will for the night, so it just left the two girls.
"Oh God, I don't feel so good." Sally moaned, running for the bathroom. Jess kicked off her heels, stumbling through to the kitchen to get them both some ibuprofen and lots of water. The sound of the chain flushing announced Sally's return, and they both collapsed onto the sofa, the ringing in their ears almost deafening. "I'm too old for all this drinking nonsense." Sally said soberly.
They both burst into laughter, groaning as the movement jostled all the alcohol in their stomachs.
"Here you go birthday girl." Jess slurred, handing Sally some ibuprofen and water.
"Cheers baby doll." Sally said in her best perv voice, causing Jess to spit out her water she was laughing so much. It was then that Jess' phone started blaring. She covered her ears as she fumbled for it, unable to get to it. She finally pulled it out of her bag, noticing that it was Callum calling. Maybe he just wanted to say goodnight? Or he was up with Jamie and was checking in.
"Hey baby!" Jess said a little too loud.
"Jess? You need to get home." Callum said.
"Why? Is Jamie ok?" Jess asked, immediately panicking.
"Jamie's fine, but he could easily not be. Same for me." Callum said bluntly, not giving anything away.
"Tell me what's happened, Callum, please." Jess said, feeling very sober.
"Someone tried to burn the house down. I fell asleep with Jamie in the living room, and when I woke up, the hall was on fire. The fireman put it out, and they said we're lucky I woke up when I did and that the fire didn't spread further than the hall." Callum said, and only now could Jess note the slight waver in his voice.
"Oh God, I'll be right there. Are you two ok? Do you need to be checked out?" Jess demanded, running to put her shoes back on.
"Jamie was checked over, he's absolutely fine. The paramedics said we woke up just in time, there was no damage. Please Jess, get home soon." Callum begged.
"I promise, I'm leaving now. I love you." Jess said quickly.
"Jess? What's going on?" Sally asked, a worried expression on her face.
"Someone's tried to burn the house down." Jess said in a shocked voice, not quite believing it herself yet.
"Oh my god, is everyone ok?" Sally asked, pulling her shoes on as well, following Jess out the flat and calling a cab.
"Yeah, Callum said they're fine. I can't believe it." Jess said quietly.
"Let's just get you home." Sally said resolutely.
They pulled up to the house fifteen minutes later, Sally throwing money at the cab driver as they hopped out. Jess ran to her family, holding her husband and son tight.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Jess asked, doing visual checks over both of them.
"We're fine; the same can't be said for the hall though." Callum said, looking over Jess' shoulder to the smoking house. Jess took a deep breath and turned round, taking in her blackened front door which was now soaking wet and hanging feebly off its hinges. All she could see through the door was dark soot.
"I don't care about the hall. My god, who did it?" Jess demanded, wheeling round to find the police officers who'd attended the scene.
"Jess, calm down. You're drunk and probably shocked and overwhelmed, just come here and sit with me a minute." Callum pleaded, sitting carefully on the kerb opposite their house, knowing exactly who was responsible for the fire. Jess took one last look at the police officers chatting to the firemen before sitting with her husband. She took his bigger hand in her small one, holding it tight, and thanking whatever higher power there was that her husband and son were safe.
She would find out who caused this fire, as there was no way this was random, and she would make them pay.