CHAPTER TWO

The result was another round of celebrations. Dan and Sutton had rejoined Emma, Ethan, Laurel, Jordan, Peter, Kristen, Lexi and the children in the hospital room, prompting a great deal of backslapping. "I'm just sorry I can't drink a glass of champagne for you,"Emma observed. "But…"

"I know,"Sutton agreed. "You don't want Theresa getting a taste for it."

"So do you have any idea when you're having the wedding?"Ethan asked.

"We haven't really had a chance to discuss it,"Dan pointed out. "But it's not like we've only just met, so it'll probably be soon."

"You had any idea about bridesmaids?"Laurel asked Sutton. "Not that that's a hint or anything."

"I didn't expect to have this many candidates,"Sutton admitted. "I still haven't rung Mads and told her." She glanced over at Lexi. "You got any secret fantasies?"

"Plenty,"Lexi confirmed. "But I don't think that's one of them."

"Well, I assume you're not getting married tomorrow,"Kristen commented. "In which case, maybe we should leave the wedding planning until after the new parents have had some rest?"

"We're all right,"Emma protested.

"No, she's got a point,"Dan agreed. "You two need some alone time and so do Sutton and I for that matter."

The group began to file out, leaving Ethan, Emma, Eddie and Theresa alone. "Congratulations, mate," Jordan told Ethan as he passed him. He looked over at Dan. "Mates."

Once they were alone, Emma let out a breath. "What a day."

"It's been full of surprises,"Ethan agreed.

Emma shot him an amused look. "Why do I get the feeling you weren't as surprised by all of it as everyone else was?"

"Don't know what you mean."

The group currently leaving the hospital weren't the only ones to have heard of the engagement. Justin and Char had been there when it was announced but had decided to give the others some space. "It's good to see Sutton happy,"Char remarked as they headed up the drive to the house.

"It's good to see all of them happy,"Justin agreed.

"Yeah but I had all those years of watching Sutton being the mean girl at school. It's nice to see her settling down." She took Justin's arm. "Like us."

Justin smiled at her, but then he took in the fact that someone was waiting on their doorstep. "Is that..?"

"It can't be,"Char tried to convince herself but a few moments later, it was undeniable. "Mum?"

Phyllis looked at her awkwardly. "Hello, dear." She let her gaze drift to her son-in-law for a moment. "Justin."

"Mrs Chamberlin,"Justin responded politely.

Char was dumbfounded. It wasn't as if she'd never seen or heard from her mother since the infamous visit when she'd sent Emma into premature labour. But she certainly wasn't anything approaching a regular visitor. "Mum, what are you doing here?"

"I…thought I should see you,"Phyllis offered. "I have a lot to make up for."

Char hesitated, then nodded. "All right, you'd better come in."

"Okay, honey, thanks for letting us know." Peter hung up the phone then gave Kristen an apologetic look.

"Phyllis is back in town?"Kristen asked, having caught the gist of the conversation.

Peter nodded. "Char's letting her stay with them. She hasn't really got much choice." He saw how worried Kristen was looking. "If it helps, she thinks Phyllis is more together now."

"I wish I didn't have to say this,"Kristen sighed. "I know she's Char's mother, and she's Sutton and Emma's aunt and it would be nice if they could have a relationship with her, but she has been trouble as long as I've known her. And last time she was here, she tried to split us up."

"And failed,"Peter reminded her.

Kristen managed a smile. "There is that, I suppose."

"Don't worry. If Phyllis turning up is the worst that can happen, things are going to be smooth sailing."

Justin looked round as Char came downstairs. "Your mum?"

"She's settling into her room." Char gave Justin a hug. "Thanks for being okay with this."

"I couldn't not be, really, could I?"

"I just hope Lexi appreciates her new housemate." Char's attention was grabbed when her phone started ringing. She looked at the caller ID and smiled before answering. "Mads! Have you heard about Dan and Sutton, and Emma and Ethan..?" She paused, whatever Mads was telling her causing her demeanour to change completely. "What? But they can't! …Don't worry, I know it's not your fault…Okay, thanks for letting me know."

"What's wrong?"Justin asked as she ended the call.

Char swallowed hard. "The last thing that they need."

End of Episode One