Shattered Glass

[xknomex]

For god's sake I tell you he's not lying and you still doubt me!

so sorry, didn't see the post where you said he wasn't

[Red Ranger 1]

Good chapter.Again I'm impressed that you manage to maintain scenes for so long with so few characters, just exploring the relationship between them.And it's nice that Aden was there when his baby kicked for the first time, even though he doesn't know it's his.Belle's still the first person he turns to in a crisis but now the crisis is over what are they going to do?

[bikinikill]

blimey louise you are positively torturing me. they get so close, and i think aden is finally going to get over this kirsty thing, and belle will finally tell him the baby is him, but no. no. louise, you are very very bad. you know that.

in all seriousness though, the only reason that i find this very very bad and painful and what not is because you write these things so well. so great work, but there had better be a happy ending at the end of all this! hahha.

[Zetti]

*Sighs in relief* I am so glad it is benign!

Belle and Aden in her bedroom How cute!

I love the fact the baby kicked when Aden was there, hope she tells him soon! Or Mattie lets it loose.

[Louise_2983]

Thank you to Taniya for reading this for me, although I have changed it a tiny bit since you read it! I think this chapter speaks for itself really....

Chapter 32

“Belle, what’s wrong?” Matilda asked full of concern as she entered the room to find her friend curled up on the sofa sobbing her heart out.

“Have you been trying to put something together again? What was it this time?!” Matilda sighed in exasperated as she crouched next to her friend on the sofa and put a comforting arm around her.

“No, nothing” Belle giggled through her tears.

“I learnt my lesson last time!”

“Then what is it?”

“I went to the hospital today” she sniffled as Matilda’s face turned white with fright.

“Oh my god, is it the baby?!!” she half screamed.

“No! No! Calm down Mattie!”

“If it’s not the baby then what?” she asked in confusion.

“I went to support Aden, he found a lump and they thought it might be cancer. But it’s not, it’s fine. He’s fine”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Because it could so easily have been the other way and the thought of something happening to him, it breaks my heart Mattie!”

“Oh Belle!” Matilda sighed, squeezing her friend’s shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.

“I have to tell him” Belle sniffled.

“You mean...?”

“About the baby” she nodded.

“I have to tell him”

“Finally!” Matilda exclaimed, a huge knowing smile occupying her face.

“Do not say I told you so or I will not be responsible for my hormones’ actions!” she only half joked.

“I wouldn’t dream of saying that!” Matilda protested before whispering under her breath.

“But I did tell you so”

“I heard that!” Belle giggled, attempting to wipe away her tears.

“I don’t know how I ever thought I could not tell him. I see him with Jamie and it’s just so beautiful how close they are and how much they adore each other. How could I even contemplate denying my

daughter, our daughter, the chance to have that sort of relationship with him?”

“She would be missing out on something special” Matilda nodded.

“Yeah and so would Aden. I missed 5 years of Jamie’s life and it kills me. I feel like I can’t breathe sometimes because I missed so much. I missed his first word and his first steps and so much more

and if I didn’t tell Aden then it’d be like I was stealing all that from him with this baby”

“How do you think he’ll take it?”

“I don’t know, well I hope. But I’m guessing he’s going to be annoyed that I let him assume Johnny was the father”

“He’ll get over it” Matilda tried to reassure her.

“He’s going to be happy that he’s going to be a Dad again surely?”

“Well I hope so because it’s a bit late if he’s not” she laughed skimming a hand affectionately over her tummy.

“Well yeah, just a bit” Matilda giggled too.

“Maybe I should just ask Geoff”

“What?”

“Geoff’s got this theory that him and Aden are complete opposites so if I want to know how Aden will react maybe I should ask Geoff and expect the total opposite”

“Sort of like What would Jesus do? But it’s What Would Geoff do Instead?” Matilda giggled.

“Exactly” Belle chuckled.

“Look I’m sure Aden will be happy about it”

“I’m just glad he was here last night when she kicked for the first time. Although the way he reacted afterwards, I don’t think he was”

“Hold on?! She kicked?! Why didn’t you tell me?! I’ve been here 7 minutes already!!!” Matilda yelped, her facial expression both accusing and devastated at once.

“Well I’m telling you now, she kicked last night”

“And I missed it? Dammit!”

“But Aden didn’t and I’m glad that he didn’t. He felt our little girl kick for the first time, that’s an important thing”

“Any chance she’s going to do it again whilst I’m here?”

“I don’t know she doesn’t give me a timetable in advance” Belle grinned sarcastically.

“But you’ll let me feel if she does right?” Matilda bounced excitedly on the sofa like Belle imagined Jamie would.

“Yes of course”

“Well even the slightest twitch, even if she’s just flexing her toes rather than a full on kick, I want to know about it!”

“Ok! Ok!” Belle laughed.

“But she seems to be fast asleep right now”

“Stupid lazy baby” Mattie mumbled under her breath.

“Hey! That’s my daughter you’re cursing! Your goddaughter!”

“I know, sorry I don’t mean it really baby girl” she cooed towards Belle’s bump.

“Auntie Matilda just wants you to like her too”

“She will like you” Belle tried to reassure her.

“She’ll love you, you’re going to be her favourite Aunt”

“Well I thought so but now you’re going to tell Aden I’m going to be competing against Nicole and Jamie so likes her more than me!”

“That’s only because he’s known her longer!”

“I knew he liked her more! Even you think so!”

“Seriously there is no competition!”

“You really think so?” Matilda looked at her, her eyes hopeful and begging for reassurance.

“Yes”

“Of course you’re going to love me. I’m going to be your fairy godmother!” Matilda declared, aiming her words at Belle’s tummy.

“Now would be a really good time to kick baby girl” Belle ordered her bump and both she and Matilda stared at her tummy expectantly.

“No, nothing” Belle concluded with a giggle.

“But you’ll let me know right?”

“Straight away”

“Good” Matilda concluded, patting Belle’s bump gently.

“She will kick, she wants to like me I know she does”

“Ok well you can touch me when she does but until then hands off! I’m pregnant, that doesn’t make me a public exhibit!”

“Sorry I forgot you were touchy about that! But I’m not the public, I have a VIP pass to the museum!” Matilda grinned cheekily.

“Museum? Are you calling me old now?”

“No of course not!” Matilda hurriedly replied fearing violence if she didn’t rectify the situation immediately.

“You’re a piece of modern art obviously” she grinned, pleased with what she thought was her own genius.

“Look, just keep your hands to yourself ok?”

“Unless she kicks?”

“Unless she kicks” Belle laughed.

“So you know Aden’s probably going to leave Kirsty when you tell him right?” Matilda asked, suddenly serious.

“Well that was why I didn’t want to tell him in the first place”

“So not only is that going to make you an obligation it’s also going to make you a home wrecker”

“Gee thanks Matilda! Make me feel better why don’t you?!”

“I’m just trying to prepare you for what other people are going to say”

“It doesn’t matter what other people say. All the matters is Aden and Jamie and this little one in here” she smiled, stroking her bump affectionately.

“So you’d be ok if he left her because of the baby?”

“No but not telling him is not the answer. I love him but if he leaves her because of the baby then I’m not just going to take him back like that. I’ve got more self respect than that. I want him to want

me and unless he wants me regardless of whether I’m pregnant pr not then we’re not going to be together. I’m just going to focus on Jamie and little Hari or Lila or Millie or whatever name she

eventually gets.”

“Tilly?” Matilda grinned.

“Nice try but no” Belle giggled.

“Please?”

“Tilly Taylor?” Belle grimaced.

“Ok maybe not!” Matilda agreed with a laugh.

“But if you’re telling Aden then won’t it be Jefferies?”

“I don’t know I didn’t really think of that. When Jamie was born we were both Jefferies’ but this time I’m not going to be and I don’t want my baby to have a different surname to me!”

“I don’t think Aden will like it if you don’t give the baby his surname”

“Well we’ll just have to figure something out. Double barrelled or something. I haven’t even told him yet I’m not going to worry about it now”

“Well maybe you’ll be a Jefferies again one day huh?”

“Don’t get my hopes up” Belle sighed.

“Belle, he loves you”

“He acts like he does sometimes but whether he actually does and will admit that to himself I don’t know”

“You’re both just as bad as each other! I’m really tempted to bang your heads together or lock you in a room together until you work things out! You’re having a baby together, he went to the birthing

class with you even though he doesn’t know it’s his baby, you supported him at the hospital today! You’re already having a relationship, it’s just neither of you is admitting it!”

“God you’re right” Belle sighed.

“We’re together and not together all at the same time”

“So when are you going to tell him?”

“Tomorrow”

“You’re not going to chicken out are you? Because I can arrange for the knocking together of heads if needs be!”

“I’ll tell him”

“Good because this little one needs her Mummy and Daddy don’t you sweetie?” she cooed gently.

“Oh my god!” Belle suddenly exclaimed.

“What?! Did she kick?”

“Nah” Belle grinned mischievously.

“Just kidding”

***

“You’re so naughty” she whispered to her tummy as another surge of tiny kicks took her breath away.

“You had to wait until Matilda left to wake up didn’t you?”

Affectionately she skimmed her free hand over her bump before standing up to turn off the TV, balancing her empty ice cream bowl and spoon in the other hand. Flicking the power switch off she

yawned and stretched a little before addressing her bump once more.

“How about we cut a deal huh? You go back to sleep now so Mummy can get some rest and I’ll feed you more ice cream tomorrow?”

Another flurry of kicks responded.

“What no deal? I’ll make sure it’s Ben and Jerry’s baby?”

Her words were greeted with no movement this time.

“Oh I knew you’d like that” she giggled.

“Us Taylor females will do anything for Ben & Jerry’s”

“Is that right?” his voice asked suggestively and she raised her head to find him standing in the centre of the kitchen.

“Aden, what the...?” she exclaimed as her eyes wandered down to where Jamie lay fast asleep, cradled in Aden’s arms. He was wearing his Mickey Mouse pyjamas and looked completely adorable

nestled against his father’s chest.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ve left Kirsty” he announced as though it was the most normal thing in the world for him to turn up at almost midnight with their son in his arms.

“What in the middle of the night? And you’ve just taken our son straight from his bed?!” she yelped in outrage. This was what she had wished for and yet now he’d actually done it she found herself

angry.

“Pretty much” he shrugged with a small smile.

“Does she even know?!!”

“Of course she does! God Belle what kind of jerk do you take me for?!” He exclaimed as Jamie stirred slightly in his arms.

“Look can I put Jamie down before we get into this? He’s not as light as he looks you know”

“Yes he is Aden but of course you can, I can’t believe you just took him out of his bed! How confused is he going to be when he wakes up?!”

“Well we’ll just have to make sure that one of us is there to explain”

“Explain what exactly?”

“Well that’s up to you” he told her nervously. He hadn’t expected her to run into his arms exactly but her frosty reception was not what he’d anticipating.

“Just put Jamie down” she sighed walking towards Jamie’s room and opening the door so Aden could carry him through.

He obeyed brushing past her and tucking Jamie into the Mickey Mouse bed before dropping a kiss onto his cheek as Belle watched from the doorway. He slipped out of the room and closed the door

behind him.

“Well I-” he began when they were finally alone.

“Hold on a minute” Belle told him, raising her hand to stop him before flinging the door back open and advancing into the bedroom.

She ran her fingers tenderly through her son’s hair, before pressing her lips to the exact same spot Aden had minutes earlier. She let them linger against his soft skin, breathing in his familiar scent,

before smiling to herself and exiting the room.

“That’s better” she told him with a soft smile, wandering towards the kitchen so they wouldn’t wake Jamie.

“You can do that every night now” he smiled softly, following her closely. That was all he’d ever wanted. For them to be a family. It had just taken him a long time to let himself believe they could ever

have that.

She span around to find his face mere centimetres from her own. His warm breath tickled the tip of her nose and she found herself laughing at its touch. She put her china bowl down on the counter and

let out a deep sigh.

“Aden, are you crazy?”

She still couldn’t believe he’d just turned up in the middle of the night.

“Yes” he nodded with a grin.

“Completely certifiable...over you”

“I can’t believe you just left her in the middle of the night!”

“I didn’t just leave, I told her first”

“Should I lock the door? She’s not going to come after me with a gun is she?” she only half joked, glancing over her shoulder to check Kirsty hadn’t crept in with a weapon whilst she’d been distracted.

“She was expecting it. She said that ever since you came back she’d been waiting for this like she was waiting for a bomb to explode. She said she knew the detonator was counting down she just didn’t

know how long was left on the clock”

“She said that? Really? Wow Kirsty’s smarter than I thought”

“Belle!” he scolded her but couldn’t help let a small laugh escape as he leant casually against the counter.

He raised a hand to her cheek and tenderly brushed her hair from her face.

“We can be a family again now. You, me and Jamie. Nothing’s going to get in the way of that again”

“How do I know you mean this?” she questioned, moving away from his touch with a sigh.

“How do I know you’re not going to regret this and go back to her in the morning? It wouldn’t be the first time would it?”

“I’m so sorry I did that” he told her, his tone brimming with sincerity.

“ But this is different. I’ve told her everything including what happened between us that night. And do you really think I’d lift Jamie out of his bed in the middle of the night if I wasn’t completely serious?”

“No” she shook her head slowly.

“You could have waited Aden, he’s probably going to think Mickey Mouse kidnapped him or something!”

“He’ll be fine when he sees that you’re here” he grinned at her.

“ I couldn’t wait Belle, I couldn’t wait another second”

“Why? Why now Aden? I’ve been back here for 5 months and the entire time, with the exception of those few hours, you’ve been adamant that you couldn’t leave her!”

“Anyone would think you weren’t happy about this” he told her, scanning her face in disbelief.

“Belle?” he prompted when all he got in response was a nervous gulp.

He’d finally found the nerve to walk away from his marriage and now it looked like it would all be for nothing. Had he ruined any chance Jamie had of a proper family?

“I thought you wanted this!”

“It doesn’t matter what I want Aden, what do you want?” she looked at him accusingly as though she was still having difficulty believing him.

“You” he told her confidently.

“Are you sure about that?” she pushed.

“Belle, all I’ve ever wanted was you. I’ve been such an idiot and it’s taken me so long to get here but I want you I do. And to answer your question, why now? Well this morning I didn’t know how long I

might have left to live and I still don’t. I’m so relieved that everything was fine but things could so easily have gone the other way. Life’s so short Belle and we have absolutely no control over it. I could

get struck by lightning or hit by a bus or the world could end tomorrow”

“This is really cheering me up Aden, thanks!” she told him sarcastically and he threw his head back with a chuckle.

“I don’t know how long I have left in this world Belle but I do know that I don’t want to waste a single second of it with someone who isn’t you”

“You are serious” she murmured, a small smile dancing on her lips.

“I’ve never been more so. But if you don’t want this I understand”

“Aden!”

“No Belle, let me finish please” he silenced her with an outstretched finger pressed softly to her lips.

“I’ve treated you really badly since you came back here. I toyed with your emotions when I had no intention of ever really acting on my own because I was an utter coward. I let you flirt with me and I

reciprocated and I confided in you when I knew that the only effect it would ever have would be to make us closer and to make this whole situation even more painful and confusing. And worst of all I

slept...no I made love to you and then I just walked away like you meant nothing to me when you mean everything”

“You weren’t the only one playing the game Aden. I flirted with you even though you’re married and I let you into my bed”

“But you weren’t expecting me to walk away afterwards and I knew that. I’m a coward and an idiot and you deserve so much better than me Belle” he sighed wistfully.

“ And if I was a better guy I wouldn’t be here now, I’d leave you to find someone deserving of you but I’m not that guy and I think, hope, that you want this as much as I do. I’m not that much of

an idiot that I’m going to let the girl I love more than anything in the world go if I have even the slightest chance of keeping her”

“Keeping me? I’m not a possession Aden!” she responded slightly huffily which was not the answer he had expected, or hoped for.

“I know! But I kind of like to think of you as mine anyway...” he told her nervously.

“I’m joking” she grinned at his sheepish expression.

“I don’t want a better guy Aden. I want the guy, my guy and I’m not that much of an idiot that I’m going to turn him down when he turns up in the middle of the night declaring his love for me”

“Does that mean...?” he allowed a small smile to begin to form on his lips.

“It means...” she smiled coyly as she paused.

"Come here, so I can kiss you”

“I thought you’d never ask” he grinned back at her, his smile beaming and his eyes sparkling as he moved forwards in long strides until his hands cupped her face and his lips met hers.

She responded softly at first before looping her arms around his neck as the kiss became more passionate. Heated and intense. Impatient and breathless. Lustful and loving.

"I love you too” she whispered softly as they broke apart gasping for air.

"Don’t ever leave me, us, again” he told her gently as he rested his temple against hers.

She pressed her lips tenderly to his and brushed the softest of kisses against them before responding, her eyes gleaming with love and happiness.

“Don’t let me”

[xknomex]

OMG

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You

*jumps up and down* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

Yay, They're back together! :D eeeek!

brilliant update btw, brilliantly written. practically perfect in every way!!!!!!

although she still hasn't told Aden about the baby and i'm a bit worried to how he's going to react but at the moment i'm just enjoying that they're back together! eeeek

xxx

[leah1234]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Wooooooohhhhhooooo!!!!

I didn't see that coming at all!!!! AT ALL!!!!!!

He left kirsty- thank god

And they can be a family again!!!!!

I can't wait for her to tell about the baby now!!!!!!

( I apologize for the exclamation marks- shock!!!!!!!!!)

Update soon

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[LAURZY!]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

That has just made my night, i was adament that you weren't gonna have them reunite in this!!

Loved the scene with Matilda, i love how you write their friendship

I am so happy that Aden turned up, Jamie's gonna be ecstatic!!!

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

Cannot wait to read more.....

[LAURZY!]

Sorry! Double post.... I was that excited! haha

[Inactive User]

Awwwwwwwwwww Adelle :wub:

Loving Mattie and Belle's friendship-so sweet

Hopefully Belle will soon tell Aden he's the father

Update soon:)