Shattered Glass

[Zetti]

I loved the way Belle blamed it on her hormones, so typically true .

I love the way Ric has like Jen said his own perspective on. Its really good to read. I didnt like the lack of Aden but the banter between Belle and Mattie more than made up for it. I am loving the prodding to tell Aden yet she just hasnt realised that she wants to tell him. I hope she knows that Aden will love her regardless of her being pregnant again. Please make him realise even if she isnt going to tell him. I really hope you do.

I love the way Mattie and Belle were deciding on names but I like the name Emma.. Emma Taylor. Sounds good

[xknomex]

LOVED that chapter.

I love how you've written pregnant Belle. brilliant!

I really really think Belle should tell Aden. and I really really hope that when she does he's nice about it and stands by her, it would be so heart breaking if he was to be angry at her or something....

personally I think the name Naomi is nice

update soon

xxx

[LAURZY!]

Awww poor Belle!! lol that scene was so good!

Loved all the scene's involving Mattie, and Ric you write it so well!! loved that Ric figured out who the babies dad is, hopefully that might make her want to tell him?? Please..... lol

Cant wait to see how she tells people about the baby!

Brill chapter

Cant wait for more

[jenpen08]

Oooh I've just got in and came online jst to read this!!

Once again I loved it even without any jamieness or Aden!

Loved how Ric worked it out! Belle and Mattie's little chats were soo good and Ric adding a bit of humour!!

Cannot wait for the nexr chapter

[HAA Girl 08]

at Belle blaming everything on her hormones! Hilarious!

Love the Mattie/Ric/belle interaction! Cannot wait for more

[Louise_2983]

Chapter 29

Thanks to Taniya and Laura for letting me use their names

Belle sat by herself on the front row, shuffling about in her seat with nervous excitement. She checked her watch for what must have been the third time that minute and wondered silently what was keeping Aden. As she looked up she noticed numerous sets of eyes staring at her, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, and consciously tugged at the black dress which Matilda had assured her hid her bump perfectly. As they all watched her she wasn’t so sure.

A pretty brunette perched on the edge of the seat next to her and turned to face her.

“Excuse me? I’m sorry to bother you” she said in a sickly sweet saccharine tone which instantly told Belle that she wasn’t sorry at all.

“It’s just front row seats are for parents only”

“I am a parent” Belle replied simply.

“No, parents of the children who are in this play honey” the brunette told her patronisingly, as though she were stupid.

“Oh this play? Sorry, I must have stumbled into the wrong performance on my way to broadway” Belle couldn’t help snap sarcastically.

“You might think you’re being funny but for people who actually have children in this play front row seats are important and you’re hogging one. And your bag’s hogging another” she nodded towards the

seat Belle was saving for Aden by placing her leather bag on it.

“I know parents want to be on the front row” she nodded in agreement.

“Which is why I’m sat here, my son is in the play”

“Oh I don’t think that’s possible, I know all the parent’s in Rebecca’s class”

“Except me obviously”.

Belle wanted to laugh at the woman’s audacity but managed to keep a straight face.

“I’ve know all the children and all their parents” she insisted again, her determination unwavering.

“Well then maybe you know my son’s father, Aden” Belle smiled slyly as Aden finally appeared and lifted her bag from the chair so he could sit next to her.

“You’re Jamie’s Mum?!” the brunette shrieked causing at least another 10 pairs of eyes belonging to curious Mum’s to focus on Belle.

“But you can’t be!”

“That was definitely me who gave birth to him right?” Belle asked Aden, pretending to be uncertain.

“Definitely” he replied with a low chuckle.

“Wow” the brunette almost whispered as she looked Belle up and down dubiously.

“I always thought Jamie’s mother was dead”

“You can check my pulse if you want” Belle grinned cheekily, holding out her wrist.

“Belle!” Aden scolded but couldn’t help but laugh.

“Play nice, you’re worse than Jamie”

“I was just sat here minding my own business” she protested with a slight smirk.

“Well Aden” the mother looked at him, almost disappointed.

“I think you need to start setting your standards a bit higher. I thought that wife of yours was just a blip but seems you’ve never been batting in the right league!” She announced before jumping from

her seat and flouncing off to gossip with a gaggle of Mum’s congregated by the side of the stage.

“I see the parents around here are so nice!” Belle exclaimed sarcastically as Aden laughed.

“They’ll get used to you, they just don’t like new Mum’s coming in and threatening the hierarchy they’ve got going in their Mummy’s Circle” he laughed with a glint in his eye.

“Especially not when they’re as attractive as you”

“Well they don’t need to worry because the only Mummy’s Circle I want to be part of is Jamie’s!”

“That’s good because you’re the only member of it” he smiled warmly.

“What took you so long anyway? I thought I was going to be sat here by myself all afternoon!”

“I had to go and help Jamie with his costume, Nicole’s made it so complicated we might need a surgeon to get him out of it!”

“I bet he looks so cute, doesn’t he?” she sighed with a swoon.

“He does” Aden grinned back at her.

“Although he’s still complaining about not getting to fly!”

“Well he is Peter Pan!” Belle giggled as she remembered Jamie’s constant complaints that Peter Pan could fly and he wouldn’t be a proper Peter Pan if he couldn’t fly.

“I just hope he doesn’t decide to try it and throw himself off the stage!” Aden chuckled.

“He wouldn’t! Would he?”

“I hope not!”

“I’m worried now!” she replied suddenly anxious, a nervous feeling whirring around the depths of her stomach.

“Don’t be. All he has to do is sing along and remember the few very brief lines he has. They’re 5, it’s not a broadway production!”

“I know, it’s just his first play and I want it to be perfect for him!”

“At my first school play my Mum had just died, I was the only kid in the class without a costume and my Dad turned up drunk and made a scene half way through. Compared to that Jamie’s is going to

be a dream!”

“Oh my god Aden!” she sighed sympathetically.

“Don’t Belle” he smiled.

“it was a long time ago, I’m over it. I only told you so you’d stop worrying”

“Well now I’m worried about you” she told him with a sheepish smile.

“Are you going to be ok watching this?”

“Belle I’ll be fine, unless I burst with pride that is” he smiled.

“Well we both have a lot to be proud of” she grinned back.

“We sure do, our little boy the lead in his very first play”

“You realise he’s going to want to be the lead in all of them now don’t you?” she laughed.

“Oh yes” he chuckled back as she realised that someone’s presence was lacking.

“I thought Kirsty was coming?”

“Well it’s a good job she didn’t because you didn’t save her a seat” he pointed out knowingly.

“Well I forgot, I only just remembered this minute”

“She decided not to come, I don’t think she wanted to see you to be honest”

“Well that’s just stupid, today’s about Jamie she should be able to put her petty feelings about me to one side for that”

“I agree” he nodded solemnly.

“But it doesn’t matter because all Jamie’s going to care about it that we’re both here and we are”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world” she grinned as the lights went down and the teacher introduced the play.

“Me either” she heard Aden whisper in the darkness before the curtain went up to reveal a bunch of over excited five year olds who promptly began to sing out of tune.

Her heart melted into a puddle of goo as she watched with warm tears welling up in her eyes, she found Jamie in the centre. As their eyes met he instantly stopped singing and raised his hand with a big

grin to wave to her excitedly. Tinkerbelle, next to him, promptly nudged him with her sharp elbow and he remembered to start singing again.

Belle giggled softly to herself as she lowered the hand she had raised to wave back at her son and glanced across to Aden. She could just about make out the pride in his expression as he smiled the

most adorable smile, a single tear glistening on his soft cheek. She watched him mouth Jamie’s first lines to help him remember when he stumbled and she felt an overwhelming surge of love rush

through her.

Without thinking she reached out and took his hand in hers, resting them both on his knee. He didn’t turn to look at her but squeezed her hand gently and kept hold of it as they both watched in awe until the final words were spoken, the final song was sung and the curtains came down to a rapture of applause from proud parents.

“I’m so glad I was here for that” she whispered wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Where else would you be?” he smiled back knowingly as he let go of her hand.

“Nowhere” she grinned.

“Our son is going to be a star” she laughed.

“Although I think he’s going to have to learn how to get on with his co-stars better!”

“That was Taniya” he chuckled as they both remembered the scowls Jamie had thrown at Tinkerbelle throughout the show.

“She tried to kiss him in the playground last year”

“Oh no!” Belle chuckled, interspersed with a gasp.

“Exactly, he was scared to go to school for the rest of the week in case she did it again!”

“Just wait until he’s older” she smiled knowingly.

“All the girls are going to want to kiss him then and I very much doubt that he’ll be complaining! He’s going to be a real Romeo”

“Of course! He’s going to take after me obviously!” Aden winked cheekily.

“Yeah, you wish! Remind me how many girlfriends you had again?”

“That wasn’t really through lack of opportunity though was it?” he whispered quietly.

“Well no, sorry” she sighed at her mistake.

“It’s ok. I’m just glad Jamie never has to go through anything like that”

“Me too” she nodded, reaching over to affectionately rub his arm until a small voice interrupted them.

“Daddy!” he yelped as he hurtled towards them at speed, still in his adorable green and brown costume complete with hat.

Aden scooped his son up in his arms and gave him a hug.

“I did it!” Jamie proclaimed proudly.

“I membered all my words!”

“I saw it all” Aden smiled, placing a soft kiss on his son’s cheek.

“I’m proud of you mate”

“Are you proud too Mummy?” the five year old asked, looking at Belle expectantly.

She heard a gasp behind them and saw the brunette from earlier watching them, mouth agape, clearly only convinced that Belle was Jamie’s mother now she heard him call her Mummy.

“So proud I could burst!” she told him, kissing his right cheek at the same time that Aden kissed the left causing him to squirm amid a fit of giggles.

“Don’t burst Mummy!” he exclaimed in horror.

“I don’t want to not have a Mummy again!”

“Sweetie, that’s not going to happen” she told him reassuringly.

“I’m always going to be your Mummy”

“Good!” he grinned, holding out his arms to hug her. She hugged back as he clung onto her, his legs still supported against Aden’s chest. She let go and he returned his arms to encircle Aden’s neck.

“Hey Jamie” A female voice suddenly interrupted.

“You were great today”

“Thank you” he replied sincerely but at the same time wrapped his arms tighter around Aden, protectively as though he were defending him from the pretty female currently batting her eyebrows in his

direction.

“Aden” she smiled almost seductively as she looked at him and placed a hand on his forearm.

“A few of us are getting together at my place for coffee now, let the kids play and work off all this excitement. We thought you might like to join us?” she told him, nodding towards a group of Mum’s

watching expectantly a few metres away, waiting for Aden’s replied. Belle could have sworn one was pouting and another had definitely just flicked her hair. She chuckled to herself softly.

“Daddy?” Jamie whispered softly.

“What mate?”

“I can’t get out of my costume and I really need a wee wee!”

“Sorry Laura but we have plans” he replied, gesturing to Belle. She felt a glow of happiness. They didn’t have plans but at least he was letting her know that he was there with her.

“And I think I should get this one to a toilet”

“Well, next time maybe?” she asked expectantly as she backed away.

“Yeah maybe” Aden replied nonchalantly before the group of Mum’s left disappointed.

“They’re shameless!” Belle exclaimed as Aden lowered Jamie to the floor and he ran towards the bathroom.

“Don’t they know you’re married?” she laughed as Aden began to follow their son. He turned back to look at her with a small grin.

“Yeah but then so do you and it doesn’t stop you!”

***

She closed the door behind her quietly and sat down slowly on one of the hard, plastic chairs in the corridor of the hospital, not once tearing her gaze from the scan she clutched in her hand. Her lips curved into a small smile as she patted her tummy lovingly.

Finding out whether she was having a boy or a girl had made all the difference. As soon as she’s been told she felt a sudden calmness surge through her and she felt better. Like she was in control, like she knew what to expect and that she would be able to handle it alone. Any annoyance she’d had about Matilda having to pull out of accompanying her to attend a last minute work commitment had dissolved in that instant.

She could see herself as a mother to her baby, see herself caring for them and playing with them and she was happy. Plus it helped that she didn’t have to buy everything in shades of white or cream this time too.

She sat there for a good 15 minutes just letting it all sink in as the world whizzed by around her, a blur of multi-colour, noise that she could hear but wasn’t listening to.

Eventually she tucked the scan carefully into her bag and pulled herself to her feet, noticing her reflection in the clear screen opposite her seat as she did so. She had chosen not to wear baggy clothes to the appointment, her bump was too hard to conceal now and she figured she the only person she knew that she was likely to see at the hospital was Rachel and there was no need to hide it from her.

She gazed at her reflection and let her hand skim over her tummy. Pregnancy suited her even if she did think so herself. Her complexion was fresh and clear and her hair was thick and shiny. She was glowing.

She had made a decision to tell both Aden and Jamie about the pregnancy that evening and it felt like a huge weight lifted off her shoulders already. She only hoped that there weren’t any awkward questions about the father. And that was just from Aden. She hadn’t even really thought about what Jamie would say or how she would tell him.

Smiling to herself as she remembered the sound of her baby’s heartbeat she wandered down the corridor towards the exit of the maternity section of the hospital. Her head was in the clouds as she wandered aimlessly, paying no attention to people or objects around her.

“Owww!” she cried as bumped head on into another body.

“Watch were you’re going!” the body snapped viciously before their tone turned apologetic.

“Oh my god, Belle! Sorry I didn’t realise it was you, are you ok?”

“I’ll live” she laughed as his eyes wandered to the sign directly above her head reading MATERNITY and then slowly down her body until his eyes rested on her bump.

“I was going to tell you” she blurted out guiltily.

“You’re pregnant?” he half whispered, his eyes wide in shock.

“I was going to tell you” she repeated sheepishly.

“When?” he asked accusingly.

“Were you going to give me a call from the delivery room?”

“Tonight! I was going to tell you tonight. You and Jamie”

“You’ve obviously been hiding it for while though” he sighed.

“Yeah sorry, a few months but I needed to get my head around it before I started telling other people”

“So me and Jamie we just come under the category of other people? Gee thanks Belle!” he snapped.

“No of course not! I was going to tell you guys first, before anyone else”

“How far gone are you?” he asked, staring suspiciously at her ample bump and she began to panic internally. He was going to figure it out, she wouldn’t even have to tell him. Despite her internal state

of chaos she managed to stay relatively calm on the exterior.

“4 months”

“4 months? God Belle, you could have told me”

“I just needed to let it sink in and make sure everything was ok, I don’t have the best record with pregnancy do I?”

“And is it?”

“Is what?”

“Everything ok?” he asked annoyed at her failure to understand his meaning.

“Yes, everything’s great. The baby’s healthy and I’m good”

“That’s great” he smiled before his expression turned to one full of sadness.

“I bet Johnny’s thrilled huh? A baby to cramp his rockstar lifestyle?”

Relief and pain shot through her in equal measure. He’d instantly assumed the baby was Johnny’s. She didn’t have to lie to him, the one thing she’d been dreading more than anything. But at the same

time it hurt her to the point she felt like she was suffocating. He’d never even stopped to consider that the baby might be his. Like he’d forgotten what happened between them 4 months ago. Like it had truly meant nothing to him.

“He’s not going to be involved” she whispered, struggling to breathe.

“Figures” he muttered almost under his breath.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s exactly what I’d expect of him... not to care”

“Don’t judge him, you don’t know him!” she replied defensively, getting angry but not really knowing why.

“I bet he just threw money at you didn’t he?”

“It’s none of your business Aden”

“I knew it!” he exclaimed, taking her comment as confirmation of his assumption.

“Jerk”

“What are you doing here anyway?” she questioned eager to change the subject but also realising that they were stood in the middle of a hospital. Her panic levels increased tenfold.

“Is everything ok?”

“Everything’s fine!” he snapped instantly.

“I was just leaving, I’ve got to go”

“Aden!” she shouted after him as he darted away from her.

She knew something was wrong, she wasn’t going to let him just walk away. She hurried after him as fast as she could, struggling to keep up especially with her bump to transport as well as her usual

self.

She sighed as she realised she’d lost him and slowed down to a steady walk, struggling to get her breath back. She sighed again in defeat as she turned a corner only to find him slumped on a bench in

front of the hospital, his head buried in his hands.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong now?” she whispered, sitting down next to him.

“It’s nothing” he replied shaking his head.

“Aden, look at you it’s clearly not nothing and you’re at the hospital so you’re freaking me out right now! Just tell me please!”

“I found a lump” he gulped, his words like a string of bullets through her chest.

“A lump?” she gulped too, her words broken and breathy.

“Yeah” he nodded quietly.

“Aden...” she whispered, her hand reaching out to gently stroke his arm.

“I just had a biopsy. So they should know in a few days whether it’s cancer or not”

“Oh god Aden” she sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say or do but instinctively she reached out to embrace him.

“Don’t Belle” he shrugged her off, standing up.

“I jus-“

“I’ve got to go” he told her quietly.

“Don’t follow me this time and don’t tell anyone about this”

“No, of course I wouldn’t” she shouted after him as he walked away from her and she burst into a flood of tears.

- Jamie's costume: https://www.a2z-kids.co.uk/disney/disney_co...pan_disney.html

[LAURZY!]

PLEASE dont let it be cancer *pleads shamefully*

Brilliant chapter, the beginning was so cute and i loved Belle's comebacks at that woman!!

So gad Aden knows now, but she should/has to tell him it's his!

Reallllllly cant wait to read more!

Thanks for the name check

[Taniya_K]

You had to go do that, didn't you!? Poor Aden! Poor Belle! Poor Jamie, too, I guess!

Aother wonderful chapter. Loved the play at the beginning! How cute is Jamie!? And lol at using my name! So I'm the girl who tried to kiss Jamie? Well, don't blame her...

That ending was so great! Am a bit peeved that you mentioned that Belle knows if the baby's a boy or a girl, but you didn't feel the need to tell us!! And Aden! I can't believe that. I truely hope it's not cancer! Things are getting so muddled up here...

Cannot wait for more!

xoxo

[leah1234]

Aaw Jamie!!! So cute

Loved the other mums reaction to belle

And belle with her scan was great too

But no Aden- he better be alright

Update soon

Xxxxxxxxx

[xknomex]

*tear* Why?? why is everyone hurting Aden in their fics!?!?

I'm in shock ....Please dont let it be cancer! pleassse *begs*

that beginning was brilliant, Jamie was sooo cute. ahah that Tanyia tried to kiss him

I really hope Belle tells Aden the baby is his! please tell him!

Update soon

xx