Elliot's Return

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 70

Ella woke up and cried out.

“Hey.” Roman said moving quickly over to her.

“Hey.” She said to him and lifted up her hand.

He took hold of her hand in a firm grip before leaning over and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I hurt.” She told him.

Roman looked into her eyes.

“I know sweetheart.” He murmured softly stroking her hair away from her face. “The doctor will be here soon.”

“Has it gone ok?” she asked. “Is Gabby alright?”

“She’s responded well to treatment.” He said quietly.

“Have I asked you before?”

He nodded.

“You’ve been in and out for a day.”

She lifted her hand and stroked his face.

“Poor baby have you been worried about me?” she smiled slowly.

He nodded before half turning his head and pressing a kiss to her hand.

“Come here.” She said trying to move in the bed.

“Hey!” he protested.

“Hold me.”

Ella looked into his eyes and smiled.

He climbed up slowly and carefully onto the bed and put his arms around her. She eased back against him with a sigh.

“Much better.” She told him closing her eyes.

He kissed the back of her neck feeling her hands reaching for his and then tangling her fingers with his.

“Well.” Bill Matthews said walking into the room. “This isn’t a scene I usually encounter.”

Roman looked up at him and eased off the bed.

“I should hope so, you normally treat children.” Ella said with a laugh.

She eased up on the bed, smiling up at Roman as he adjusted the pillows to help get her more comfortable.

“Please tell me how Gabby is doing?” she begged.

Roman grinned and caught hold of her hand.

“She’s responded well so far. We were slightly concerned about a temperature spike but that passed. She’s awake and been asking if you were ok. We want to keep her in isolation for the time being.”

Ella nodded and squeezed Roman’s hand.

He moved over to the bed and began a quick examination before stepping back.

“I’ll have the nurse bring you some pain relief.” He told her.

She grinned.

“Yes but when can I go home?”

“I’d like to keep you in for another night.” He said softly.

“I’d like to go home. I have a baby daughter that I need to hold.” Ella countered ignoring Roman’s smirk.

“Ella.” Bill began.

She looked up at Roman after feeling his hand tighten on hers at the use of her name by the Doctor and smiled at him before squeezing his hand in turn.

“You’ve just been through an operation and you are in pain. Now what kind of doctor would I be if I let you go home?” he continued.

“A compassionate one. I have other children and I need to make sure they are ok.” she pointed out. “With Gabby in isolation I can’t see her and I’d rather be home even if I’m in bed resting because that way I’m with my children.”

Roman grinned.

“Give in Doctor.” He said quietly. “She’ll wear you down eventually.”

“Is that what she did with you?” he shot back.

Roman kept the smile on his face, just.

“She would like to go home Doctor.” He pointed out. “My son is a doctor at Yabbie Creek hospital so if there are any problems he is only a phone call away.”

Bill folded his arms and looked from one to the other before nodding.

“I’ll go and make arrangements.” He confirmed and moved out of the room.

Ella watched him go before turning to Roman.

“Ok.” she said.

He eased down on a chair and waited.

“What was that about?” she asked after a pause.

“The man fancies you.” Roman told her. “He was testing me.”

Ella laughed.

“Alpha males?” she muttered after a moment.

He nodded.

“And I kind of don’t like it that the man has seen you naked or as good as.” Roman growled jealously.

Ella giggled.

“He may have seen me but you get to have me.”

Roman smiled and leaned over and kissed her.

“And as soon as you are well I fully intend to.” He whispered kissing her again.

He eased back.

“I need to go make some calls.” He said quietly.

She nodded and watched him move out of the room before easing out of the bed and standing.

“You are stubborn aren’t you?” Bill asked her walking into the room.

Ella grinned at him.

“My husband and kids come first with me.” She told him. “I just want to be at home.”

He nodded.

“I have these for you.” He said placing a small bottle of pills on the bedside table.

“thank you.”

He looked into her eyes.

“I have to ask,” he said quickly.

She looked up.

“What?”

“You have some scars.”

Ella nodded.

“I was attacked.” She murmured finally.

“I’m sorry.” Bill murmured. “Both for prying and for.” He stopped.

“For thinking my husband may have been responsible?” Ella asked looking at him. “Well my husband is my hero Doctor and I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for his love and his understanding.”

He stepped back and smiled.

“Then .” he said.

“Even if I were single I’m afraid there is only one man for me. Even back when he was in the Army he was the one.”

“I’ll consider myself warned off in the nicest way possible.” He said. “And a good reference to him being in the army there.”

She smiled.

“I hoped you’d pick up on that bit. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Bill grinned at her.

“Forgive my prying but what really stopped you being together when Gabby was born?” he asked after a moment.

She looked at him.

“I could give you a list of reasons but it just wasn’t the right time for us. But we are together now and we are her biological parents.” She sighed. “I’m upset that her adopted parents were so hostile actually.” She found herself saying to him.

“You didn’t think of going for custody when you found out?” bill asked her softly.

She nodded.

“Of course I did. But Roman and I were going through a rough patch and well I got ill, it just wasn’t ok for us to drag her away from them and place her in a dysfunctional family.”

“I hear you saying you decided. What about your husband? Surely he had some say.”

Ella smiled.

“My husband and I talked about it of course we did.” Ella said not sure why she was suddenly feeling defensive. “It wasn’t easy for either of us. There was Francesca too.”

Bill nodded and looked at her. His eyes were cold and hard.

“He cheated on you?” he asked her.

She flinched at the question and then drew in a sharp breath.

“I lost a baby. Her name was Francesca. I was 6 months along.” She said, biting out the words in short sentences surprised that it hurt so much to tell him.

“I’m sorry.” He said immediately.

“So we weren’t doing that ok really. Both of us were grieving. Then I was ill. How could I bring Gabby into that?” she asked folding her arms across herself. “Roman had to be strong for me because I didn’t just lose Francesca I lost Gabby for a second time. So yes Doctor, he is my hero because I don’t know how I would have made it through that without him.”

Bill moved quickly and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Doctor.” Roman said as he moved back in the room.

“Just acknowledging the nicest put down I’ve had in years.” He told him. “Please see reception for your discharge papers and follow up care.”

Bill smiled and moved slowly out of the room.

“I leave you for five minutes.” He said softly.

She smiled at him.

“He had concerns that maybe you were …” she stopped and bit her lip.

“That I caused your scars?” Roman guessed. “Wants to rescue you?”

She nodded still biting her lip.

He walked over the room and sat on the bed next to her.

“What are you thinking?” she asked him after a moment.

“That I am responsible.” He confessed with a crooked grin. “I let Gardy do that.”

She shook her head.

“No way.” Ella leaned over slowly and pressed a kiss to his lips. “You were my hero.”

He shook his head.

“Roman stop this. I can’t do this for you right now.”

“Do what?” he asked.

“Be strong for you. We’ve been through a horrid few months and now we are here and we have our daughter back. I’m just so tired right now.” She ended with a whisper. “Stop letting the bad stuff spoil what we have.”

Roman shot up off the bed and moved out of the room. She watched him go with a sigh before easing off the bed and moving into the bathroom to get changed.

He found himself standing outside the hospital and groaned at feeling so crap. She was right, the stuff from all those years ago was driving him nuts with the unanswered questions. Yes, they had Gabby back but somehow like Meggy, he found there was something about her that caused him concern.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 71

Roman drove them home. Both of them remained silent. He could feel her eyes on him periodically and he wanted to turn to her and say something but he had no words. His guilt about what they had been through because of his past was never far away. He eased the car into the driveway and puled to a slow stop. He turned the ignition off and pulled the keys out before unbuckling the seatbelt and moving around the car.

Ella climbed out before he got there leaning back on the car.

He sighed before lifting her into his arms and carrying her into the house.

“Put me down.” She told him once they were inside.

“Bed.” He said quickly. “The children can come and see you there.”

She shook her head but was given no choice when she was carried up to their room. She gasped when she saw the room. A large teddy sat on the bed, there were extra pillows and even some lace cushions piled up. A vase of flowers sat on her dressing table and the chest of drawers had been moved to the end of the bed where they had positioned a TV and dvd player so she could sit in bed and watch it.

“Did you know about this?” she asked him.

He lowered her on to the bed.

“Some of it obviously but no it was mostly the kids.” He said.

She looked at him.

“I’m sorry I was…” she began stopping when the door opened.

“Do you like it Mummy?” Sophie asked coming in.

“It’s a lovely surprise.” She told her daughter. “I can’t believe you did it all and managed to keep it secret.”

“Sophie, let your mum get changed and into bed and then you can all come in and spend some time with her.” Roman told her watching as she pouted for a moment before scooting out the room. They heard her voice as she told the others Mum was back.

“Roman.” El murmured.

He stood back.

“I have to get the things from the car.” He told her. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Roman.” She said again.

She watched as he shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter.” He told her.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“Danni bought you a new nightdress.” He told her pointing to a spot behind her.

She turned looking at the princess style gown and then back round but he’d gone and she knew then that she had hurt him. She felt tears prick her eyes and blinked them back. Easing her clothes off she pulled on the new gown and moved back into the bed slowly. Lifting her legs was agony and she stopped waiting for a spasm of pain to subside before moving back against the pillows. She smoothed her hand over one of the lace-covered cushions and smiled. She’d often thought about buying some of these, but hadn’t wanted to make the bed seem too girlie.

“Hey.” Roman said coming back into the room with her bag. He placed it on the blanket box that was now where the chest of drawers had been.

“Hey.” She said and felt herself blinking back tears again.

He moved over to her and helped ease her into the bed. She found herself stroking the teddy bear as she moved it to one side. She caught sight of a small box on her bedside cabinet of her favourite chocolates.

“Flowers, chocolates, lacey things?” she murmured. “And I’m supposed to think these are from the children.”

She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down towards her.

“El.” He protested.

He caught hold of her hands and eased them off him.

“I can’t kiss you now?” she asked more tears springing to her eyes.

“No.” he told her his voice sounding blunt to his own ears. “I’ve got things to do.” He added an excuse.

She looked up at him and nodded.

“Can you bring Lily in please?” she asked her voice not quite steady.

He nodded and moved out immediately coming back a moment later with their youngest daughter. She lifted her arms towards them and he placed her into her waiting embrace watching as she smiled at their daughter. The door opened behind him and the other children came in.

“Mummy.” Sammy cried rushing onto the bed and hugging her.

“Steady.” Roman told his son. “Remember what we talked about.”

He nodded and eased back.

“And what did you and Daddy talk about?” Ella asked him reaching out and stroking his hair back off his face. “I hope it was a hair cut.” She murmured.

Sammy giggled.

“I want Daddy’s hair.” He murmured.

Ella looked up at Roman and saw him grimace.

“Maybe not.” Ella whispered. Stroking back the caramel curls on her son’s head.

“Daddy said gentle hugs.” Sammy whispered. “I forgots.”

“Its ok.” she told him. “Just make sure they are gentle from now on.”

He nodded and reached down to catch hold of Lily’s hand.

“She’s bigger.” He said. “When is she going to start walking?”

Meggy looked at her brother and grinned.

“Not for a long time yet dummy.” She told him.

“Hey!” he protested.

“The dvds.” Meggy murmured reminding him.

Sammy jumped up and ran out of the room coming back in a moment later with a basket of films for her.

“Here you go.” He said proudly.

“We thought you might be in bed for a while.” Sophie told her sitting on the end of the bed.

El nodded.

“Just for a couple of days.” She said and avoided making eye contact with Roman.

“I’ll leave you for a while.” He murmured and eased out of the room before she could say anything.

“so how is Gabby?” Georgie asked pulling up a chair so he could sit down.

Ella smiled.

“She’s doing ok. She’s in isolation at the moment so that she doesn’t pick up any coughs and colds.”

Sophie nodded.

“So.” Ella said smiling at them. “Who is responsible for my lovely surprises?”

“Daddy wrote out a list and we went shopping.” Georgie murmured.

She smiled at her son.

“Now lets look at these films shall we and decide which one to watch.” She suggested.

“Actually we were told not to tire you out.” Sophie blurted.

“Daddy again?” Ella asked.

Sammy nodded.

“If you got lots of rest then you’d be better quicker.” He said quickly.

Ella grinned.

“That is true.” She told him.

“Then we’ll leave you to get some rest. Do you want Lily putting back in the nursery?” Sophie asked her.

Ella shook her head.

“I’d like her to stay.” She murmured softly looking down on her baby. She had Roman’s striking blue eyes and his hair colour. Already growing in soft curls around her face. She loved the way Roman’s hair curled when he went too long without cutting it, the same with Sammy. Georgie had her colour hair, as did Sophie. And Meggy well, she seemed to have a mixture of their hair, long and straight but with hints of Roman’s colour in it. Natural highlights.

“Mummy.” Meggy began.

Ella looked up realising that she had been daydreaming.

“Yes?” she asked her.

“I don’t…” she began to say something and stopped at Sophie’s look.

“What is it?” Ella asked her gently.

“Oh nothing.” Meggy declared. “I was going to ask you something but remembered Daddy already told me.” She invented and eased off the bed. She leaned forward and kissed her mum on the cheek before going to the door.

Sophie stood too and held out her hand to Sammy.

“See you later Mummy.” He murmured and leaned over to kiss her too.

Georgie grinned.

“Do you want a film putting on?” he asked her.

Ella smiled at him.

“Can you put on this one?” she said handing him her choice. She watched as he put it in the player and started the movie placing the remote on her bedside cabinet. He moved the chair and pulled up the crib beside the bed.

“Thank you.” She said to him.

He smiled and eased out of the room following the others.

She sighed and moved back on the pillows until she was comfortable and pressed a quick kiss to Lily before turning her attention to the movie. Within moments she could feel herself dozing off and she moved quickly groaning as pain shot through her at the movement. She lay Lily in the crib covering her loosely with a blanket before easing back on the pillows breathing heavily at the exertion. She closed her eyes and within minutes had drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Roman saw the children coming down the stairs and smiled at them.

“Hey.” He said.

“Mummy is asleep.” Sammy declared, having checked on her twice before finally coming down.

Roman knelt down and gave him a quick hug.

“That’s good though.” He told him.

Sammy nodded.

“I nearly told her I didn’t like Gabby.” Meggy blurted out.

“Well she’ll find out some time.” Roman told her softly. “I’m glad you told me.”

“I sound horrible like when Lily was brought home.” She said and then smiled as Sophie came over and hugged her.

“Its ok.” Roman told her. “When Mummy is feeling a bit better we’ll tell her together,” he promised.

“Are we having pizza for dinner?” Georgie asked changing the subject.

“Actually Mike was going to take you out for a treat.” Roman told them.

“Yeah” Mike said coming in from the lounge. “So go get ready.” He instructed.

“Is Danni coming?” Sophie asked. “Are we going somewhere nice?”

Mike grinned.

“It’s very nice. And yes Danni is coming. You’ll want to wear something girlie.” He told his sister.

She squealed and ran out the room dragging a reluctant Meggy behind her.

“And you two will need to wear smart clothes.” Mike added to Sammy and Georgie.

Grinning as the two reluctantly moved up the stairs.

Roman turned to him.

“This isn’t some kind of excuse to date Danni is it?” he asked and watched as a wash of colour went over the other man’s face.

“Jeez you and my mother!” he exclaimed with a grin.

“Doesn’t answer the question. You know your Mum’s feelings on the subject.”

Mike smiled.

“Yes I do and Danni is special. Too special to mess about.” He said softly.

Roman chuckled.

“So you do like her then.”

Mike groaned.

“Dad I hate you.” He muttered running a hand over his face.

Roman laughed and clapped Mike on his shoulder.

“I should think that when she is finished her college course you might want to think about asking her out. “ Roman told him softly.

Mike looked at him.

“What about Mum?” he asked quickly.

“Your mum will accept it. “ Roman promised. “Danni will be able to make her own choices then.”

Mike nodded before moving up the stairs to get ready. He came down later and saw Roman out the back drinking a beer. Moving quietly he went through the open door and sat opposite him.

“What’s going on?” he asked him.

Roman shook his head.

“Nothing.” He said quickly.

“Must be something your out here instead of sitting with Mum. And don’t give me any soft soap about letting her rest.”

Roman looked at him and sighed.

“If I hadn’t killed Mark your mother and I would have been married all those years ago and we would have raised Gabby.”

“But there is no telling that you would have got back from that mission.” Mike pointed out. “Crippling yourself with this stuff isn’t doing you or Mum any good.”

Roman looked at him.

“I know its driving us crazy. And.” He stopped taking a drink of the beer.

“And?” Mike prompted.

“Your mother told me off.” He confessed. “Told me that she wasn’t strong enough to deal with my stuff.”

Mike whistled under his breath.

“That doesn’t sound like Mum.” He said quickly.

“But it does.” Roman gave him a wry grin. ”She’s been holding me together for a long time through all this Elliot business. Not pushing me to resolve the Mark stuff until now. She was the same.” He paused taking a long drink.” The same after Danni came to us pretending that she was Gabby.”

Mike looked at him.

“You think there is something wrong about Gabby don’t you?”

Roman nodded.

“And your mother does too she just won’t let herself believe it.” Roman told him relieved at finally managing to say the words out loud. “That’s why she snapped at me earlier. And I’m down here avoiding her because we both know sooner or later we’ll have to talk about it.”

“Dad.” He began.

“No need to say anything. Your Mother and I will sort things out we usually do.”

Mike shrugged.

“Aside from the times you’ve split up of course.”

Roman glared at him.

“Thanks for that son.” He muttered.

Mike grinned.

“Always here to help. And don’t you think its funny how you two can be on the brink and somehow find a way back together? I don’t think I know of a couple who are as passionate as you two or tell each other those three words so often.”

Roman looked at him in shock.

“I believe in my parents love.” Mike said quietly. “It’s got them through some really tough stuff. It’ll get them through whatever comes their way.”

Roman found himself sighing before standing and making his way up the stairs and into their bedroom. He saw Ella asleep and he lay gently on the bed next to her.

“Hey.” She whispered sleepily turning towards him.

“Hey yourself.” he told her pressing a kiss to her head.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you I was feeling horrible about stuff.” She told him blinking up at him.

“It’s ok.”

“no it’s not.” She mumbled feeling him put his arms around her. She sighed and fell back asleep without telling him the rest.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 72

Mike ushered the children into the restaurant and grinned at the look on Sammy’s face as he looked around.

“Not quite the diner is it?” He bent down to whisper in his ear.

“Its cool.” Sammy said quickly still awe-struck.

Mike looked up and saw a waiter coming towards them. He stood up straight and looked at him before glancing around the room. It wasn’t what he expected, although he wasn’t quite sure what he’d expected really.

“Sir?” he asked.

“I have a reservation. Mike Addison.” He said giving his other name. “Table for six.”

They were shown through the restaurant to a large family table at the back and he got everyone sitting down before they picked up the menus.

“Ok spill it.” Sophie muttered to her brother not bothering to open hers.

“What do you think of this place?” he asked them.

Danni looked at him before looking around the dinning room. She took in the gentle lighting and the wooden tables and chairs. The walls had a pale cream colour on them and there were matching tablecloths and napkins on each of the tables.

“Its nice.” She said and saw Sophie nodding.

“So?” Sophie questioned.

“It’s a nice place.” Mike grinned. “Just thought you’d like to come to somewhere different.”

“We drove two hours to come to somewhere different?” Meggy muttered.

Georgie looked at him.

“And we had to have a shower?” he added.

“Can you keep a secret?” Mike asked them.

Danni laughed.

“Of course we can’t.” she answered for them all.

Mike chuckled.

“Well this is where Daddy used to work.” Mike told them.

Sammy’s eyes got bigger.

“Before he went to the diner?” he asked.

“Before he went into the army.” Mike told them.

Sophie looked at her brother.

“What are you saying?” she asked puzzled.

Mike smiled.

“Look at the menu.” He told them without answering her question. He felt Danni looking at him and smiled at her.

“Mike either tell us what we are doing here or I’m going to get a taxi and take the children home.” She told him after a pause.

“Ok.” he said with a sigh, knowing that she was serious. “This is the restaurant where Dad used to work. The one owned by his parents.”

Sammy shot up put of his chair and looked around quickly.

“Samson sit down please.” Mike told him softly.

He looked at Mike and then sat down.

“Does this mean…” he began to ask when the waiter appeared at the edge of the table.

Mike looked at him and smiled.

“Does the name Harris mean anything to you?” he asked him.

“Sir, this restaurant is owned by Marco and Alyssa Harris.” He murmured.

“And do they still work here?” he asked.

“Tonight you are in luck. This is the night they are in the restaurant. Marco will be cooking.” The waiter proclaimed proudly.

Sammy stood up again before catching Mike looking at him and he sank back in his seat.

“Perhaps you could ask them if we can meet them?” Mike murmured.

“I wouldn’t like to promise you anything sir.” He murmured.

Mike nodded ignoring the disappointed looks on the children’s faces.

“Well are we ready to order?” he asked them.

Georgie and Sophie looked at one another before asked for their meal followed by Sammy and then Meggy. Danni looked at him before she added her choice followed finally by Mike ordering a lasagne.

The each asked for drinks next and watched the waiter moving away.

“Ok Michael.” Danni began.

He held up his hand trying to stop them from talking.

“After Lily was born I heard Mum and Dad talking and she said that Lily was named after Roman’s Mum.” He told them. “So I started doing a little research.” He added.

“And here we are?” Danni asked sceptically.

“Something like that.” He said giving her a grin.

“So do we walk up to them and proclaim we are your long lost grandchildren?” she asked him sarcastically.

“I’ll do it.” Sammy told them ignoring the sarcasm.

“Sammy please sit down on your chair.” Sophie asked him.

“But I haven’t stood up?” he said puzzled.

“I know but you are about to.” She told him.

Meggy looked at him and grinned.

“Mike.” She said quietly.

“What’s up Megs?” he asked her.

“I need the bathroom.” She said sounding desperate.

Mike smiled and pointed to the ladies room.

“Are you ok going by yourself?” he asked her.

She nodded and moved away towards the ladies room. Mike watched her go into the ladies room before focusing back on the table.

Meggy eased out of the ladies and moved towards the kitchen. She slipped past a couple of waiters before stepping into the kitchen.

“Hey!” she heard shouted from behind her.

“Sorry.” She said spinning around. “I was looking for Alyssa.”

“And what do you want with my wife?” he asked her.

“My Daddy is called Roman.” She blurted out.

He paled looking over at her.

“Roman Harris?” he asked her moving over and kneeling in front of her.

She nodded.

“Do you know him?” she asked.

He smiled at her.

“I do indeed. Come with me.” He instructed. “Jack you have the kitchen.” he called out to the other chef.

He led Meggy to an office through the back and opened the door.

“Alyssa.” He said softly.

She looked up from the books she was going through and did a double take.

“Who is your friend dear?” she asked him.

“This is.” He stopped. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask your name.” He spoke to Meggy.

“My name is Megan Hope Harris.” She said suddenly shy twisting her fingers in her skirt.

“Marco?” Alyssa murmured.

“That’s right dear she’s Roman’s little girl.”

Meggy looked at them.

“I have lots of brothers and sisters.” She told them. “Come with me and meet them.”

Alyssa stood up and followed them out as Meggy led them to the table.

“Meggy.” Mike said and then went quiet as he looked at the people behind her.

“Mike this is Grandpa and Grandmother.” She said shyly.

Alyssa gasped looking at them.

“He’s the spitting image of Roman.” She murmured looking at Sammy.

Sammy groaned theatrically.

“Daddy doesn’t talk about you.” He said un-diplomatically. “But he called our sister Alyssa.”

“There is another one?” she asked.

Marco pulled up a chair for his to sit down in before getting his own.

“Perhaps we should introduce ourselves?” Mike suggested.

“I’m Danni Harris. I’m your adopted granddaughter.” Danni said with a smile.

“I’m Sophie Nicole Harris. “ Sophie murmured.

“Nicole?” Marco said quietly.

“I’m named after my sister.” Sophie told them smiling.

“I’m Georgie, I’m named after my grandpa George and my Mum’s honorary Uncle Joseph. I’m also Sophie’s twin brother.”

“Then comes me.” Meggy said.

“You are named after your aunt.” Alyssa told her.

“I have an aunt?” she asked her eyes going wide.

Alyssa nodded.

“We should call them.” she murmured turning to Marco.

“Not yet.” He cautioned.

“I’m next. I’m Samuel Raphael.” He said a touch of colour on his cheek from his stating of his middle name.

Alyssa smiled at him before turning to Mike.

“Ok this is a long story. My name is Roman Michael Addison Harris. I’m mum’s nephew but she adopted me when I was little and then when she and Roman got married he adopted me too. My parents were Jennie and Michael Addison.”

“He was in Roman’s unit.” Georgie said quietly. “But he died.”

Mike smiled at his brother.

“So tell me why are you here?” Alyssa asked.

“We haven’t finished yet.” Mike told them. “We have a sister called Gabriel and a foster brother called Aden. And I think you know about Nicole. But it’s because mum just had a little girl that Roman called Lily Alyssa that made me wonder about you. I heard my mum say that it was your name too.”

She nodded.

“Your daddy.” She began and felt Marco reach for her hand giving it a comforting squeeze.

“We fell out over Nicole.” Marco told them. “And the last we knew was when Roman was in the army.”

Mike grinned looking round the table.

“Well he doesn’t know we are here.” Mike told them. “But I thought that maybe if I did a little pushing we could mend the rift.”

Danni glared at him and he smiled back blandly then his smile faded as he felt her kick him under the table.

“Maybe you shouldn’t mention it.” Alyssa told them.

“That doesn’t work with Sammy he can’t keep secrets.” Sophie replied.

“Hey!” Sammy muttered glaring at Sophie.

“Well anyway I was thinking that we have these family get togethers all the time and maybe if we invited you then you and Roman could talk things through. Mum fell out with her Dad and now they are speaking again.” Mike informed them.

Alyssa looked at her husband and smiled at him.

“Yes.” He said simply. “And we should tell the others.”

“How many others?” Georgie asked.

“You have lots of Uncles and Aunts.” Marco told them. “And cousins.”

Sammy looked at them and his mouth fell open.

“Really?” he asked watching as they nodded.

Mike chuckled then reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope.

“I thought you might like these.” He said handing it over to them.

Alyssa took hold of it and opened up the envelope gasping when she saw pictures.

“Look at him.” she said to Marco holding up a picture of Roman.

“He’s tall.” Marco muttered.

She looked though the photos before pausing.

“Does Nicole have children?” she asked.

Mike grinned.

“Yup not only do you have loads of grandchildren you are also a great grandmother. She has three. And so does Aden,” Mike informed them.

“My son is a grandfather?” Marco said grinning.

Mike laughed.

“Yes he is and he’s pretty wonderful as a dad and a granddad.”

Sammy laughed before adding.

“He is the best Dad. He gives us hugs and makes our favourite things when we are poorly and he tells us stories and he and mummy kiss a lot.” He trailed off when he felt everyone looking at him.

“Then how can we refuse to come and see him?” Marco asked.

Danni looked at Mike and saw him smiling.

“I think it would be good if you come to us next weekend.” She told them. “Give Mum a chance to clean the house. You know how she likes to fuss.” She looked round the table before focusing back on the couple.

They continued talking and making arrangements before the food arrived and they were left to eat their meal.

“How could you do this Roman Michael Addison Harris?” Danni asked him. “Dad is going to go mental.”

He shrugged.

“It wasn’t me it was Meggy?” he suggested.

She looked at him.

“Oh ok, yeah he’s going to go nuts but did you see the look on their faces?”

“You argue just like Mummy and Daddy.” Sammy pointed out to them.

The two of them lapsed into silence and concentrated on eating their dinner neither of them making eye contact with the other.

“Mummy won’t be able to clean much.” Sophie said after a minute.

“I only said that because it seemed better that telling them all about Gabby.” Danni told her.

“I know but she won’t be doing much cleaning. We’ll have to do it.” Sophie told her. “We can’t warn Daddy because he’ll get mad that we’ve gone behind his back so we need to keep it a secret.”

Georgie looked at his twin and nodded.

“And Mummy is not to get stressed.” Meggy told them. “I hate cleaning.” She added.

“I’m moving out. We’re going to give my room to Gabby so my stuff is going to get boxed up.” Mike murmured.

“You can’t move out.” Sophie said. “Where will you live? Have you got a girlfriend?”

Danni looked at him her mouth open in shock.

“Moving out?” she asked.

“Hey, guys its not like I’m there all the time anyway.” He said softly.

“I really don’t like Gabby now.” Meggy declared.

“Megs.” He said quietly. “I won’t be far away and I’m all grown up now so it’s time I found a place to live.”

She shook her head and they saw two fat tears roll down her face.

“Who’ll stop my nightmares?” she asked him.

“Daddy will.” Mike said softly.

“But you went after the bad man.” She muttered folding her arms across herself.

“So did Daddy. And it was your daddy who stopped him not me.” Mike told her. “I love you sweet Meggy and I’ll never stop being your big brother but you know I’m all grown up and there is a lack of space in the house.”

She shook her head.

“I want to go home now. I want Mummy.” She said.

“Me too.” Sammy added.

He reached over and caught hold of Meggy hand and held it.

“Ok.” he said quietly.

He motioned for the waiter to come over.

“Can I get the bill please?” he asked.

“You’ve not eaten is there a problem?” the man asked.

“Yes, he’s moving out and he’ll forget about us and I don’t like him anymore.” Meggy blurted out.

“Ok girls lets go to the bathroom shall we?” Danni suggested standing up and helping Meggy out of her chair. She moved to the ladies with Sophie following behind.

“Come on Sammy.” Georgie said leading his younger brother out.

“I gather they didn’t take your announcement too well sir?” the waiter asked him.

“I don’t know why I’m feeling so guilty.” Mike confessed. “I’m only home a couple times a year anyway.”

“Can I suggest you wait until after dessert next time you have to tell them something?” he murmured.

Mike grinned.

“Nope I’ve learned my lesson I’m putting it on a postcard next time.” He collected his bankcard and stood up moving to the exit while he waited for the others. Ushering them out he picked up a still upset Meggy and carried her to the car before diving them home.

They climbed out of the car as soon as it stopped and ran into the house.

“What happened?” Ella asked him when her upset children mugged her. Roman had carried her down stairs and she was lying on the sofa in the lounge.

“Well we were having a nice dinner when I let slip I was moving out.” Mike said glaring at her.

He’d had two hours of Meggy crying and Sammy sulking and Danni glaring at him while he tried to get them home from an unfamiliar place with no Sat nav.

Roman reached over for Sammy picking him up.

“Hey Samson.” He said quietly.

“I don’t want him to go.” Sammy muttered sniffing.

“Why don’t we make Gabby go and keep Mike.” Meggy suggested. “I like Mike.”

Roman tried not to smile at the horrified look on Meggy’s face when she’d realised what she’d said.

Ella lifted Meggy on to her lap and put her arms round her.

“It’s ok not to like Gabby because you’ve only known her a short time.” she said to her daughter softly. “But that is only part of the reason Mike is moving out. He’s an adult now and in the army. He should be having fun with his friends. I know we’ll miss him loads.”

Meggy shook her head.

“I like him here he keeps the bad man away.” She insisted stubbornly. “And he plays with us.”

“Looks like you won’t be moving out.” Ella told Mike.

“Yeh!” Sammy cried.

“This doesn’t solve where Gabby is going to sleep?” Mike pointed out.

“Actually.” Roman said looking at El and seeing her grin.

“Yeah.” She said.

“We’ve talked about building a pace next to the swimming pool for people to change when they come over. We could just adapt that and Mike can have his own place and still be with us.” Roman suggested to them.

Meggy looked at him and then Mike.

“We could have sleepovers.” She told him excitedly.

Mike chuckled.

“Well if everyone is finished sorting my life out I’m going to go have a beer.”

Roman lowered Sammy to the floor and looked at his kids.

“Aside from that did you have a good time?”

Meggy looked at them and then Sammy.

“We didn’t eat dinner.” He blurted out.

Roman frowned.

“Was Traffic bad?” he asked.

Danni shook her head.

“No we went a bit further than normal and well we got upset by Mike’s announcement so we came home.” She explained and resisted the urge to bite her lip, a habit she’d picked up from Ella.

“I better cook something.” Roman said.

Ella caught hold of his hand.

“Nope we’re going to bed. Mike and Danni can handle this.” She instructed him.

He looked at her and grinned.

“Ok.” he said and leaned down to pick her up.

She put her arms around his neck and clung to him smiling as he carried her up the stairs almost with no effort.

“You like this don’t you?” he asked after a minute.

She grinned.

“Of course. It’s very masterful.”

Roman groaned as he lowered her to the bed,

“You would use a word like that when I can’t do anything about it.” he said softly.

“Don’t worry I’ll remind you in a few days.” She promised and heard his throaty chuckle.

“What have our kids been up to now?” he asked.

She shrugged.

“I’ve decided to give them a couple of days before someone confesses.”

“My money is on Sammy.” Roman said getting undressed and climbing into bed beside her.

She grinned.

“He nearly blurted. But it is big because Danni nearly bit her lip.”

Roman moved some of the excess pillows sitting back against the headboard. Ella looked at him before moving into his arms.

“The same thing you do when you are stressy about stuff?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Yup that’s the one.” She murmured.

“Because sometimes that’s kind of sexy. I just want to kiss your lips and well sometimes I have this mad urge to nibble on them too.”

“Ok why are we telling each other stuff that is going to turn us on when we can’t do anything about it.” she groaned.

“Oh so you like the idea of me nibbling on your lips as I kiss you?”

“Just like you like the idea of me spanking you.” She pointed out.

“I have noticed that you seem to be using those claws of yours more.” He said softly with a chuckle.

“And I’ve noticed that you seem to be liking it.” she murmured in response.

He nodded.

“Oh yes.” He said leaning down and kissing her.

She wound her hands around his neck and held him to her as they kissed.

“I love you.” She told him.

“I love you too El, but we need to talk.”

She nodded.

“I felt a bit weird with Bill asking all those questions today and I ended up saying more than I intended to him. “ she said biting her lip.

She caught Roman’s gaze and laughed.

“Ok do you think about sex every time I do that?” she asked.

He nodded.

“More or less. I think that’s why you seem to win most of the arguments when you do that.”

She laughed again and pressed a swift kiss to his lips.

“Anyway carry on.” He said to her stroking her hair away from her face.

“Well it got on to the subject of Francesca and I said I wouldn’t have got through losing her without you.”

Roman sighed.

“That’s debatable. I fell to pieces too.”

“Ah but carried on for the sake of the children at least. I ran away to my studio.”

He smiled snuggling closer to her.

“You went to a place where it didn’t hurt so much so you could deal with it. That’s not running away.”

Ella looked at him.

“I don’t recall you saying that at the time.” she pointed out,

“Because I thought I was losing you.” He confessed. “I thought with losing her and everything we were going through it was going to be over at any minute. I was scared.”

“What told you otherwise?” she asked out of curiosity.

“It was one time when you kissed me when I dropped the kids off. It wasn’t like the other kisses we’d shared. I felt like you were awake inside.”

She looked at him in shock.

“You knew?” she found herself asking.

He shook his head.

“Not what you were going through but it was like you’d died inside and nothing I could say would bring you back to me, to us. But what really told me you were back was when you stroked my back while I was pretending to be drunk in Papa Joe’s. I hated playing a trick on you but I needed to know if you still wanted me.”

“Well you got proof.” She muttered lowering her head.

“Wonderful loving proof.” He told her with a grin. “Hot and damn sexy too.”

She looked at him blushing.

“Its only you.” She mumbled.

“That gets you like that?” he asked.

She nodded before burying her face against him.

“Then I love you even more.” He whispered.

“This isn’t the conversation I was planning to have.” She mumbled.

He chuckled.

“So tell me what you’ve been thinking?” he asked her.

She looked up at him.

“There is something wrong.” She muttered. “And I don’t know what it is.”

“Gabby?” he asked her.

She nodded.

“I love her Roman but this has all been too fast. The diagnosis and treatment and well her coming into our lives like this. I didn’t want to have doubts because of how I was with Danni but I do.”

He nodded and leaned over to kiss her trembling lips.

“I know. I can’t put my finger on what is wrong El but I feel that something is.” He confessed to her.

“And my snapping at you today.” She began.

He kissed her again.

“My retreating from you when we stopped talking.” He pointed out.

“You are my hero husband Roman. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I wouldn’t have my lovely home or my wonderful children. You have to know that.”

He sighed.

“Even though we were 11 years too late.”

“Were we?” she countered. “I had Mike and I did some travelling and growing up. Yes, we missed out on being with Gabby, but I thought I’d lost her Roman so even if you’d tracked me down then we wouldn’t have raised her.”

“If I’d come after you then yes.” He told her.

“In the space of 15 weeks?” she asked. “That’s how long I was in the hospice for. They kept me in until I was 26 weeks and induced me. So you only had 15 weeks to find me. Not even my Dad looked for me and he knew I was ill. He was actually fooled by my mother.”

“Been thinking about it a lot?” he asked a strange half smile on his face.

She nodded.

“Every single minute of every day for the last few months. When the Elliot stuff was happening. I can’t blame you for anything. I could have marched into that bar and dragged you out and told you I was expecting our baby. I could have contacted you when I first had Mike and asked to meet and maybe we might have figured out something else had happened. But we did none of those things and when we found out about her instead of clinging together because we had another child out there we tried to hurt each other.”

He did a quick double take.

“No.” he said sounding shocked.

“We did.” She insisted. “I hated you for trying to put Danni in first Francesca’s place and then Gabby’s. It hurt me but every time I tried to tell you about it you got mad at me. It felt like you were trying to fix what was broken.”

He flinched.

“God El, no.” he muttered looking at her. “I was mad because you were and are so loving towards our children that when it came to Danni you were so hurt and angry that I couldn’t get through to you anymore. I just wanted to get you to think about the possibility that she could have been ours. And yes I hoped that she might help with some of the grief we were feeling but not as a replacement.”

She began to cry and wrapped her arms around him.

“Isn’t it funny how we never really talked about this stuff?” she said to him softly.

“I think it’s why we’re being so cautious with Gabby.” He said his voice muffled as he clung to her.

“I didn’t like her parents and I really wanted to.” She confessed. “Because now I’m just going to sound jealous when I talk about them.”

He nodded.

“I know what you mean. And I don’t know El but they gave me the creeps.” He said. “And in case you haven’t guessed Meggy doesn’t like her.”

She chuckled.

“She’s been hiding it well.” El murmured.

Roman laughed and kissed her.

“Right I need to check on Lily and make sure Mike has got everyone to bed.”

She frowned.

“What?” he asked quickly.

“Him and Danni.” She said after a moment.

“Do you think they will be having a big wedding?” Roman asked and caught the pillow she tried to hit him with.

“Roman Harris.” She grumbled.

He stood up out of the bed and leaned over and kissed her.

“You my wife are my joy and my strength. You make every day special even when we aren’t so happy with one another. I’d rather be fighting with you than on my own without you because I know that the fighting will end at some point but the loneliness of not being with you will never end.”

She looked up at him, blinking back tears.

“That is so sweet.” She gasped out.

He smiled and pressed his hand to her face.

“I love you Ella Harris.” He told her looking deep into her eyes.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 73

Ella eased down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Morning.” She said.

“Hey.” Roman murmured coming over to her and kissing her, “I was just about to bring you up breakfast.”

She grinned.

“I wanted to have it down here with my favourite people.” She told him and glanced at her subdued children.

“Mummy.” Sammy said and then lapsed into silence.

“Ok who broke Sammy?” she asked them moving over to the table.

“I’m not broke.” He told her. “I’ve just got a thing that I need to think about.”

She smiled and caught Roman grinning.

“Seriously, it’s been a week and none of you have confessed.” She told them.

She grinned as they avoided eye contact with her.

“You broke my camera? Mike drank my vodka? Someone lost one of the cats?” Ella suggested.

“I can’t stand it anymore.” Meggy said standing up from the table. “We’ve been trying to clean the house as a surprise!” she shouted.

Sammy looked at her and then slowly smiled.

“You have?” Ella said quietly.

“That’s very nice but I have Nic and Belle coming round later today to help me.” She told them.

Meggy stopped herself from nodding.

“You have?” she asked trying to make her eyes go big.

“I do indeed Megan Hope Harris.” Ella told her.

“I think if you’ve finished your breakfast you should go upstairs and get your schoolbags.” Roman suggested and grinned at the mass exodus.

“Nice try.” He told her.

“It almost worked. And incidentally Nic and Belle are now in on it.”

Roman nodded handing her a cup of coffee.

“I got that bit. Why is it when Meggy tries to look innocent she looks more guilty?”

Ella chuckled.

“Your genes.” She told him softly.

“Hey!” he grumbled.

He sat next to her and held out his hand smiling when she put hers into his firm grip.

“So it’s big and they want the house cleaned.” Ella murmured.

“Its not our anniversary or birthdays.” Roman pointed out.

“Nor any of theirs.”

“Our kids throwing their own surprise birthday party?” he mused.

“I think Meggy would do anything to get more presents.” Ella told him with a grin.

He laughed.

“Yeah, but she’s the first one to offer to give her toys away if there is a charity appeal.”

Ella nodded.

“I know and she was the first to hug Gabby even though she didn’t like her.”

“We’ve got some wonderful kids you know.” Roman told her proudly.

“That would be the influence of my genes.” She grinned.

“It is a good job I love you isn’t it.” he grumbled looking at her.

He stood up and moved over to the kitchen collecting her breakfast and passing it to her.

“I was thinking that I might try some swimming later. See if I can get these muscles working.”

“I’ve got to go to the diner and sort out new shifts soon give Leah and Irene a break.”

She nodded.

“So how about after I come back you try out the pool.”

“Over protective.” She grumbled.

He nodded smiling.

“And don’t you love it.”

She looked him in the eyes.

“I love you.” She told him softly.

He leaned forward and kissed her before moving into the hall.

“Kids!” he shouted. “Times up.”

They came rushing down the stairs and out the front door clambering into the car.

“I won’t be long.” He told her smiling at the kids sudden eagerness to get to school.

She smiled at him watching as he moved out of the door for the morning school run. Finishing her breakfast slowly she moved carefully and cleared the table.

“Mum.” Mike called out walking into the kitchen.

“I’m fine if you are.” She murmured sipping at the glass of orange juice Roman had poured her as part of her breakfast.

“Hey!” he said softly, turning and leaning against the archway.

“Ok what have you done?” she asked.

“ Does Dad ever talk about his family?” he asked coming over and picking up a piece of toast.

Ella shook her head.

“Why?” he murmured easing into a chair.

“I’ve never asked him but I know he was hurt by them.”

“Really?” Mike gasped out.

Ella nodded.

“I asked about them coming to our wedding and he said they were not part of his life.” She explained.

“As far back as that?” he smiled slowly trying to swallow the bite of toast he had taken past the sudden lump in his throat.

She nodded.

“I’ve never asked him Mike because he doesn’t use words like hurt when referring to himself and he did that day.”

“I’ve done something bad.” He burst out sounding like Sammy.

She smiled.

“You’ve got in touch with them haven’t you?” she murmured.

He looked up at her quickly.

“How on earth did you guess that?” he muttered.

She smiled and leaned over kissing him quickly on his cheek.

“What is the phrase?” she asked him.

“Mothers always know!” he grumbled.

She grinned.

“Yes.” He said after a minute. “And they are coming here this weekend.”

She whistled under her breath.

“Oh my god Mike.” She murmured. “And now I’m in on it.” she added.

He grinned.

“Yeah, I wonder how that happened.” He said with a chuckle.

“You are grounded.” She told him.

He leaned over and kissed her.

“So how are you going to tell him? Because the kids have met them and are looking forward to having grandparents.” He asked her.

She stood up and moved to her cupboard in the kitchen and pulled out her secret stash of cookies and moved back to the table. She bit into one as she sat back down.

“Mum?” Mike asked.

“I’m thinking.” She told him. “We can’t tell him. At least not until it’s too late for him to cancel.”

He nodded.

“Belle and Nic?” she asked and saw him nod again. “My God Mike. You may be a superbrian but you need to consider other peoples feelings.” She burst out.

Even as she said it she caught hold of his hand.

“Sorry.” She told him.

“It’s alright.” He murmured. “You are right I should have asked before I did it but well you and Granddad sorted things out and he called Lily after his mum.”

She smiled.

“He did didn’t he.” She mused.

“And Megan after his sister apparently.” Mike added.

“He did?” she questioned.

“You didn’t know?” Mike murmured looking at her.

She shook her head.

“I’m so going to kill him.” she muttered, “After I’ve finished killing all of you of course.”

“Hello!” Nic called coming through the front door with Mira. Belle following behind.

“Hey.” El called out eating another biscuit.

Nic looked at them and grinned.

“You told her didn’t you?” she said.

Belle smiled and walked over to sit next to El.

Mike nodded.

“Here?” Ella offered her cookies to them. “Your dad is going to kill you all.” She warned.

Belle took one and bit into it.

“Why did he fall out with them?” she asked.

Ella shook her head.

“I don’t know.” She murmured.

“Seems weird.” Nic commented. “All these years and he’s not even mentioned them.”

“Not so weird he never told you about Mum.” Mike grinned. “Or what he did in the Army.”

“Aden would say he’s keeping too much bottled up.” Belle said reaching for another cookie.

Ella grinned.

“Better change the subject or he’ll walk back in and guess what we are doing.” She instructed.

“Well we are here to clean.” Nic murmured. “What needs doing?”

Ella grinned.

“Getting the vacuum out and doing the whole house. Dusting and polishing. Cleaning windows.”

She murmured.

“I’ll do the windows.” Mike told them.

“Well if I dust and polish you can come round with the vacuum.” Nic murmured to Belle.

She nodded.

“I think we can handle that.”

“Fine I’ll tidy the kitchen and get this stuff put away. Mike the cleaning stuff is in the pantry on the last shelf.” Ella told him.

She grinned as Mike moved away to fetch the cleaning things.

Nic lifted Mira out of the carrier and placed her over in the bassinet next to Lily. She watched as her little girl rolled over and placed her thumb in her mouth before settling back down to sleep.

Ella chuckled.

“Was I doing it again?” Nic asked turning back around to look at the table.

Ella nodded.

“She is beautiful.” Belle told her grinning.

“I know.” Nic told her proudly.

Ella stood up and began clearing the table. She stacked all the pots on the side before opening the dishwasher.

“Mother!” Mike exclaimed. “Sit down.”

“Stop fussing.” She muttered and yelped when he picked her up and carried her to the sofa.

“I said sit.” He muttered.

Nic giggled.

“Ella I think he means it.”

“I wonder where he got that from?” Belle asked also chuckling.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” El told her a blush starting on her face.

“I love it when you try and play innocent.” Nic said. “Your nose twitches.”

Ella reached up and touched her nose.

“It so doesn’t.” she mumbled.

Nic and Belle laughed.

They looked up when the door opened and Roman walked in.

“Hey.” He called.

“Daddy.” Nic called out.

“I don’t see much cleaning going on,” he said coming over and placing a kiss on her cheek.

Ella grinned.

“Its seems Mike decided that I wasn’t allowed to tidy the kitchen.” Ella murmured.

“He picked her up and put her on the sofa.” Belle informed him. “We can’t think where he got that from.”

Roman chuckled and watched as Ella blushed some more.

She eased up off the sofa and walked over to him.

“Does my nose twitch?” she blurted out.

Roman laughed.

“Only when you are trying to look innocent.” He told her.

She groaned.

“You were listening outside weren’t you?” she asked after a minute.

He nodded.

“I heard that comment just as I was about to open the door.” He confessed with a grin.

She groaned as he tugged her into his arms and kissed her.

“Dad put her down.” Nic muttered to him.

Roman grinned at his daughter.

“Right then what wants doing?” he asked.

Ella grinned.

“I was cleaning the kitchen.”

“Until I saw you bending down to fill the dishwasher.”

“Hey!” Ella muttered. “No chance of that I had to empty it first.”

Roman flushed.

“I was going to do that but got distracted.” He murmured. “And no Nicole, it wasn’t in that way before you try and embarrass me.”

“You admit to getting embarrassed?” she gasped theatrically. “I think I need to sit down.”

Roman glared at her and then looked at El.

“Hey!” she murmured.

He chuckled.

“Not like you haven’t ever embarrassed me.”

“I was drunk! I didn’t mean to tell them!” she said quickly.

“Tell us what?” Nic asked quickly.

“Never mind.” Roman said after a minute.

“Probably means that nickname for his…” Belle began.

“Shut up!” Ella hissed.

“You told them that too?” Roman asked raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

Ella went bright red.

“They made me drink wine.” She gasped out.

“Yeah wine.” He told her. “Not truth serum.”

She looked down and then over at Nic and Belle.

“We should do the cleaning.” Nic said.

Belle nodded.

“Shall we start upstairs?”

Nic nodded gathering up the cleaning things Mike had put out.

Roman watched as they left the room and then gave Mike a look. He grinned and followed them.

“You told them that?” he said.

Ella nodded.

“I just thought you talked about ‘how sweet the first time was’!” he muttered, using his fingers like quotation marks.

She nodded still blushing.

“Well it was.” She murmured looking up at him and biting her bottom lip.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her his tongue tracing the outline of his lips before he tugged the bottom one between his teeth and nipped it gently, feeling her quiver against him he moaned before placing his lips firmly back on hers and kissing her again.

“Seriously?” she began. “Every time I bite my lip?”

He nodded.

“I just want to do that.” He confessed. “And feel you move against me just like that.”

“But every time?” she murmured smiling at him.

“Well until the novelty factor wears off in a couple of years or so.” He grinned.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and guided him to the sofa.

“How about a little petting?” she grinned.

He laughed moving with her and sinking back onto the cushions. She snuggled up to him and they began kissing.

“Missed you.” He whispered after a time.

She eased back and looked at him.

“Hey.” He muttered. “Get back here and keep kissing.”

She laughed putting her hand up to stroke his face.

“You know I think I’m feeling well enough to..” she stopped and looked at him. “have an early night tonight.”

Roman looked at her and growled.

“You’re telling me this now when we have a house full of people.” He grumbled.

She grinned.

“Well you could kick them out but I think they might guess.”

He stood up and held out his hand to her smiling as she stood up and moved into his arms.

“Let’s get busy.” He suggested and watched as she blushed again.

He led her into the kitchen and they began tidying it up.

“So have you found out the reason we are doing this?” he said after a time.

“We are having a party at the weekend.” She told him biting her lip again.

“El.” Roman said stopping and looking at her.

She looked up.

“Oh!” she said looking at him. “I’m so going to have to stop that aren’t I?”

He nodded.

“Or just do it in the bedroom.” He suggested.

“That is another one of those conversations I’m going to have to block out of my memory.” Mike called out walking into the kitchen.

“Is he still here?” Roman asked her.

“Afraid so.” She murmured back.

“So how are you going to build me a house?” Mike asked looking longingly at the coffee pot. He turned and put the jug on to boil before crashing on a chair at the table.

Ella eased into a seat near him.

“Ok?” Roman asked her.

She nodded.

“Just a bit tired and achy.” She said.

“I thought we would do a bathroom and changing room on the ground floor and a self contained apartment on the top for you.” Roman said making the coffee.

“Sounds good. How about adding a room or two so that George and Irene can stay there too.” Mike suggested.

“Or alternatively we could live there and let the kids have the house.” Ella pointed out.

Roman laughed and handed out the coffee.

“No but hey, when Mike and Danni get married they can still live with us.” Roman said.

Mike stood up rapidly spilling coffee down himself. He placed the cup on the table and looked at them.

“That is so not funny.” He said glaring at them and pulling his shirt away.

“He’s right that isn’t funny.” She muttered.

Roman chuckled.

“Just because you like referring to Nic and Aden’s kids as my grandchildren.”

Ella blushed.

“Yeah, but Mike is still a baby.” She muttered.

“Hey, number one I’m still here in the room and number two I was old enough to move out a while ago.”

Ella looked at him.

“But you’ll always be my baby.” She told him.

He grinned and stripped off his wet shirt revealing toned and taught abs and bulging biceps.

“Oh My.” Nic exclaimed as she walked into the room. “To think Geoff used to look like that.”

“And Aden.” Belle added standing next to her sister n law.

Ella laughed at the slow blush travelling over her son’s face.

“Roman still does.” She commented and found herself pulled out of her chair.

“There is only one way to shut you up isn’t there.” He muttered kissing her.

“Behave!” Nic groaned.

“So what is this party that we are having?” Roman asked them.

Ella looked at the others before biting her lip and sinking back into the chair.

“And now there is apparently two ways of shutting you up.” Roman muttered glaring at her for a moment. “Am I expected to be cooking for this thing or have you got a caterer coming in?” he asked.

Mike looked at him and sighed.

“Ok that’s one more thing to add to the list and no mother, I’m not going to order a load of pizzas.” He said looking at her first hopeful expression and then disappointed one.

“Hey.” She moaned.

“Maybe you should use that cordon bleu certificate and cook something.” Mike suggested.

Ella sprang out of the chair and looked at Roman before back at Mike.

“I can’t believe that you said that.” She muttered at him.

Roman laughed.

“Harry’s kitchen.” he said two words to her.

She glared at him.

“You knew?” she asked.

He nodded grinning at her.

Springing around she glared at Nic.

“And I let you blackmail me.” She screeched.

“So that’s how you learned to cook?” Roman asked his daughter.

Nic blushed and nodded.

“Nic.” Belle muttered.

“Well I was desperate I didn’t want to kill Geoff off with my cooking.” She justified.

“None of which answers the question. How many people are coming and what are you going to feed them?" Roman brought them back on topic.

“I don’t know and that answers both of those questions.” Mike said to him. “Probably do a BBQ.” He added looking at Nic and Belle.

They both nodded.

“Food sorted then. We can do salad and stuff and even I can do BBQ.” Mike muttered.

Ella glared at them.

“Sorted then.” She said after a minute.

“Hey El.” Nic said coming over to her.

“I’m alright.” She told her holding up her hand. “But I am going to go lay down upstairs.” She added moving away.

“Ella.” Roman called.

She smiled at him.

“I’m fine.” She said softly. “Just need to lie down.”

Roman nodded and made to follow her ignoring her shaking her head. He put his arm around her as they moved up the stairs. Once inside the bedroom she reached for the bottle of tablets on her bedside cabinet and shook two out into her hand.

“Ella?” Roman asked.

“I know.” She whispered. “I’m just achy.”

He moved into the en suite and came back with a glass of water watching as she took the tablets and drank the water handing him the glass back.

“And you were planning on doing what tonight?” he asked after a moment keeping the smile on his face with difficulty.

She smiled.

“You still might get lucky, Mister.” She promised.

He sat on the bed and moved a pillow into his lap, grinning when she lay beside him and put her head down. Within minutes she had gone to sleep. He looked down at her and stroked her hair away from her face.

“I’m worried about you El, you’re not well and this is scary. I’m not used to you taking tablets.” He whispered. “I can’t cope if you get ill again, it’ll break my heart all over again.”

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 74

Ella woke up and found she was in Roman’s arms. She smiled and felt him stirring.

“Hey there.” She whispered. “I love it when you watch over me.”

He grinned.

“That’s not what you normally tell me.” He replied stroking her face.

She leaned up and kissed him.

“I’m feeling better. I want to go for a swim and loosen up these muscles.”

He nodded.

“We still have an hour before we have to get the kids. Do you want to visit Gabby tonight?”

She flinched at the mention of her other daughter.

“I’m going to sound horrible but no.” she murmured. “I’m tired and still in pain so I don’t think visiting her would be good. Her parents are still here aren’t they?”

He nodded before pressing a kiss to her lips.

“It’s ok.” he murmured.

She smiled looking into his eyes.

“I’m a horrible parent.” She said and then bit her lip.

“El seriously you are going to have to stop that.”

“Saying I’m horrible.”

“Well yes.” He told her, “But the lip thing is driving me nuts.”

She gasped before looking at him from under her lashes.

“Well we are on the bed and we could do a little petting.” She suggested.

He laughed.

“Now what kind of husband am I if I try to get you fooling around with me on this big bed of ours?” he murmured, his voice husky.

She looked up at him and groaned.

“How inventive can you be?” she asked him.

He smiled.

“You have to ask?” he said to her lowering his lips to hers.

She wound her arms tighter around his neck and kissed him back. He found his hands pushing up her top and found her full breasts cupping them gently.

“I love you.” He said against her lips.

She ran her hand down his back until she found the edge of his T-shirt and pushed it up. He sighed when her hand touched his bare back.

“I love the feel of your skin under my fingers.” she whispered to him.

Roman groaned against her lips.

“And I love the feel of your hands on me.” He said to her.

He eased her back on the bed and moved to lie next to her. His hands caressing her as he eased her clothes off. She pushed up his T shirt until he pulled it over his head. She feasted her eyes on him.

“Do I get marks out of ten?” he asked after a minute.

She blushed before running her hands down his belly.

“Very nice.” She said to him moving down until she could kiss where her fingers had been. She found the small puckered scar where Gardy’s bullet had entered his body and their eyes met as her fingers brushed it.

“It’s a love mark.” He told her. “You held on to me and kept me here.” He added softly.

She smiled and pressed her lips to it before moving over to his navel and swirling her tongue around his belly button. She laughed as he moved restlessly on the bed.

“That tickles.” He moaned and felt her breath graze across his skin as she laughed some more.

“Are you like your Dad or your Mum?” she asked him unthinkingly.

He paused and put his hands on her arms easing her up on the bed.

“Why do you ask that?” he said.

She found herself looking at him.

“The way Gabby is like me but has bits of you in.” she suggested and bit her kiss swollen bottom lip again.

He pulled back from her and reached for his T-shirt pulling it back on.

“Roman?” she said softly feeling anxious.

“Dinner in a restaurant they refuse to name. You then ask me about my parents? Secret party this weekend?” he muttered. “I hope to god I’m wrong because if your beloved son has meddled I will kill him.” Roman snarled at her before slamming out of the room.

She eased off the bed pulling her clothes back on and followed him down the stairs. She found Mike facing Roman in the garden.

“Roman.” She called clutching at the door jam.

She flinched when he didn’t even turn around to look at her. She moved over to them.

“Tell me I’m wrong?” Roman snarled at him.

“Dad.” Mike said quietly.

He reached out and bunched his fists in the fabric of Mike’s shirt almost lifting him off the ground. Leaning forward he looked into the younger man’s eyes.

“So tell me you didn’t take my children to see them?” he ground out.

Ella reached them and immediately put her hands on Roman’s.

“Enough.” She told him.

“Not until he answers the question.” Roman snarled at them.

“Roman.” Ella shouted at him. “Let him go.”

He looked at her then and slowly released his hands from Mike’s shirt and stepping back.

“Roman.” She said again softer. “Yes, he did. He meddled and your parents are coming here this weekend.” She told him.

Roman looked at them and swore.

“I can understand your anger Roman.” She told him, her hands still on his clenched fists. “But since when is Mike just my son?” she asked. “And the rest of our kids just yours?”

He shook off her hands and pulled back looking at her seeing hurt reflected on her face.

“Mike.” He began.

“No.” Ella said to him. “You don’t talk to him in that tone of voice and you don’t treat him like this.”

Roman shook his head.

“Stop dictating to me.” He snarled at her.

“Stop shouting and start thinking.” She shouted back. “What is so terrible that you can’t even meet them?”

Roman turned at that and looked into her eyes.

“They paid Natalie to have an abortion and when that didn’t work.” He shouted. “ Well then they paid her to keep away with my baby.”

Ella kept her gaze on him.

“And that is awful.” She told him. “But you’ve just damaged this family and you’ve damaged us.” She added in a soft tone of voice. “Now you can meet them and you can be pleasant. Then you never have to see them again if that is your choice.”

He shook his head.

“They are not welcome in my house.” He ground out.

“Well then we have a problem because they are invited to our house.” She murmured.

“Don’t mess with semantics.” He muttered looking at her. “You want to see them then fine you go ahead and do that but don’t think that we will have a relationship afterwards.” He growled out.

“Are you threatening me with a divorce?” she asked unable to believe what he was saying.

“You’re right El, they are our kids and I have a say in what they do too and I do not want them to meet my parents.” He said folding his arms across his chest.

“Well too late Roman because apparently they have already met. And maybe you should have told me that Meggy was named after your sister.”

He looked into her eyes and swore.

She reached out to him and he pulled back.

“No.” he said. “I’m not going to pacified by your use of your body.” He hissed at her. “You want them here then fine but I won’t meet them and I won’t have them talked about. So warn those kids of yours not to mention them to me ever. As far as I am concerned they are dead to me.” And with that he turned on his heel and stormed out.

“Mum.” Mike murmured his voice shaking.

“Well Mike.” She began and shook her head as the first tears welled up in her eyes.

“I swear I didn’t know.” He moaned. “I would never have.” He broke off.

“I know.” She said quietly.

He reached for her just a moment before she collapsed. Holding her up he guided her to a chair.

“This is too much pain Mum. I’m going to call Aden.” He told her.

She nodded sinking back onto the cushions behind her as he moved into the house and reached for the phone. He came back out after a few minutes.

“Sorry I have to take you to him he’s at the hospital.”

Ella nodded at Mike’s words.

“Lily.” She said.

He nodded.

“I’ve got her ready. Do you need me to carry you to the car?” he asked softly.

She nodded and sighed as he swept her into his arms. He moved to the car out the front having already opened the doors.

“Can you get my bag it’s in the bedroom. Got my phone in it.” she said quietly.

Mike nodded and moved back into the house. He came back only minutes later with Lily and her changing bag and handed over Ella’s handbag to her before settling Lily in the front and climbing behind the wheel and setting off. It took long minutes to get them to the hospital and then more of them ticked by before Aden got them into an examination room.

“Hey Ella.” Aden said softly.

“Hey.” she said before closing her eyes and leaning back on the examination bed.

He began to examine her wincing as he saw the bruising on both of her hips. There was more continuing down her leg and he swore under his breath.

“Doctors shouldn’t swear.” She told him.

“Patients shouldn’t wait a week before coming and seeing me.”

She looked at him.

“It was fine I had tablets.” She told him.

“Well there is nothing I can do about the bruising but I can have a look at these tablets.”

She nodded tiredly and handed him her bag.

“They are in there.” She told him lying back on the bed.

Aden grinned for a second before reaching for the handbag. He took out the tablets and looked at the label before frowning. Leaving her on the bed he moved out to the nurses station. A couple of minutes went by before he picked up the phone and spoke to the pharmacist. His conversation was terse and he swore again after hanging up. Moving over to Mike he sat next to him.

“Who prescribed these to her?” he said.

Mike shook his head.

“As far as I know it was Bill Mathews, Gabby’s doctor.” He said.

Aden nodded.

“And he said pain management?”

“Aden I don’t know. Roman was there.” Mike pointed out.

Aden nodded.

“Can you get him here?” he asked Mike standing up. He missed the look on Mike’s face as he moved away.

Mike groaned and reached for his phone. He picked up Lily’s capsule and walked outside to make the call and was surprised when Roman answered on the second ring.

“Dad.” He said quickly his mouth dry.

“Where is she?” Roman asked him.

“We’re at the hospital can you get here?” he asked him ,missing part of answer due to static.

“…..the kids and then I’ll be there.” Roman replied.

Mike heard the discontinued buzz in his ear before clicking his phone shut and moving back inside. He went into the room with Lily and sat next to his sleeping mum feeling himself get more worried with every heartbeat.

“Mike.” He heard called and he spun around.

“Dad.” He said.

“What happened?” Roman asked him.

“She got worse after you left and I phoned Aden and brought her here.” Mike told him softly.

Roman nodded.

“How did you know it was about Mum?” Mike asked him.

“After I was that mad at you two?” Roman gave him a crooked grin. “You calling could only mean that she was bad.”

Mike stood and turned to the door when Aden walked in,

“Roman when El was given these did he say they were pain killers?” Aden murmured straight out.

Roman nodded.

“Made a point of telling us about taking them every four hours.” Roman said feeling himself getting angry again.

Aden looked at him and then over at the still sleeping Ella.

“These are tranquillisers not pain killers. I spoke to our pharmacist and there is no way you can get these mixed up by accident. He knew what they were.” Aden told them.

They looked at each other before Mike put his hand out to Roman.

“So you are saying he was drugging my wife?” Roman growled out.

Aden looked at him and round the room before answering.

“Yes.” He said simply.

“Keep her here.” Roman told him. “Look after her.” he instructed him before spinning on his heel and going into the corridor. Mike followed with Lily and saw the children lined up sitting on chairs in the corridor.

“Hey.” Roman greeted them. “Aden has taken care of Mummy and we’re going to go home and get our homework done.”

Mike found himself grinning as he lifted Lily out to the car in her capsule. He helped Sammy and Meggy into the car too with Sophie and Georgie going with Roman. They drove home slowly and then once inside with the children sorted Roman moved into the study. Mike joined him after a minute watching as Roman went through Gabby’s things piece by piece.

“What are you looking for?” he asked him.

Roman pulled out a battered notebook and looked inside.

“Dad that’s her diary.” He said softly.

Roman nodded and put it to one side as he continued looking. He pulled out a sheaf of letters recognising Ella’s handwriting on one and added those to the pile. His hand encountered more papers and he pulled it out looking at the newspaper cutting. He scanned it and handed it over to Mike.

“This is the newspaper report of when Mum was diagnosed.” Mike said reading the print. His mother’s celebrity status as a renowned photographer had meant that certain things were reported in the press.

“Proving that Gabby knew who she was at the time.” Roman pointed out.

He touched something in the bottom of the bag and pulled it out looking at the label on the smooth brown plastic.

He pulled out his phone and dialled.

“Hey Aden.” He murmured controlling the anger in his voice with difficulty.

“Roman what have you found?” Aden asked him.

Roman heard the sounds in the background fading and knew the other man was moving into his office at the hospital.

“What does an overdose of penicillin do?” he asked.

“Hang on, putting you on speaker,” Aden replied and Roman heard the click as the phone was changed. He heard noises in the background and then Aden came back on the line.

“Anaemia.” Aden told him. “Overdoses of penicillin can cause anaemia.”

“Can that look like Leukaemia?” Roman asked knowing the answer already.

“You know it can.” Aden said.

“Thanks Aden.” Roman murmured hanging up the phone. He swore again and reached for her diary.

“Dad.” Mike murmured.

“I know it’s an invasion. I once told your Dad off for going through my diary but Mike I need to know what they’ve done.”

“My dad did?” Mike asked him.

Roman nodded a half smile on his face.

“He wanted to find out who I was seeing. When I wrote about your Mum I wrote Ella and of course he didn’t know it was his sister Elizabeth.” Roman told him softly.

Mike grinned then sobered.

“So Gabby is a con artist.” He said quietly.

Roman nodded.

“And I don’t think this is a first time.” Roman told him opening the diary and scanning the writing. He groaned as he read a passage and handed the book over to Mike.

“God. They are sick.” Mike muttered as he read it. “They’ve done this before.

Roman looked at him.

“We need to play this carefully. We have to get Gabby away from them.” Roman told him.

“Dad, I didn’t know what your parents did. With you calling her after your Mum I just thought it was time to meet.” Mike told him.

“I can’t do this right now Mike. Not with your Mum in hospital and Gabby being hurt.” He replied.

Mike nodded.

“I know but you have to believe me if I’d known I would never have interfered.” He muttered lowering his head.

“Mike.” Roman said quietly.

He lifted his head and looked at his dad.

“What they did was so abhorrent to me that I will never forgive them. I can’t meet them and they don’t deserve to know any of you.”

“What if they have changed Dad? What if they regret what happened and want to make it up to you?” Mike suggested.

“They can’t.” Roman told him simply.

He stood up and moved into the lounge and pretended everything was ok for his other children.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 75

Ella slipped into the house and went up the stairs. She’d slept a long time waking when Aden came to check on her. One look at his face and she’d known something was wrong. Sitting as he told her what he knew she’d waited for him to fill another prescription and then checked herself out of the hospital to head home. Once inside the silent house she went into their bedroom. She caught sight of Roman in the bed asleep. Stripping off her clothes she climbed naked into the bed.

“Ella.” He mumbled.

“yes.” She said simply.

“I’m sorry.” He told her.

“What for?” she asked her tone angry.

“For Gabby.” He muttered.

“Anything else?” she asked.

“No.” he said bluntly rolling over away from her.

“Fine.” She muttered to him.

He sighed and rolled back over pulling her into his arms.

“El.” He whispered.

“So which one do we tackle first?” she asked.

Roman sighed again and tugged the covers over her loving the way she placed her head over his heart and snuggled close to him even though they were fighting.

“My parents.” He said.

Ella waited feeling his heartbeat quicken against her cheek.

“I understand they hurt you Roman but you nearly hurt Mike. That breaks my trust in you.” She told him softly. “Did you ever listen to their side of the story? I’m asking because I need to know the details.”

He groaned.

“I know what I did. What I said to him and to you, but you need to know that they were responsible for me not being with Nicole for most of her life.”

“Just as my mother took Gabby from us. Don’t tell me I don’t understand, ok.” she muttered a hint of anger in her voice. “You had no right to lay hands on our son like you did. Do you know the last time I hit Mike?” She lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

“No.” Roman answered.

“It was before Nicole’s wedding.” She said quietly. “And that was the only time I ever struck him.”

He groaned remembering the incident.

“El.” He said quietly.

“I can understand your pain. “ she told him again. “But the fact is they are coming here this weekend and if they can do that after what has happened you can at least see them. Whether you form some kind of relationship or not is up to you but getting my father back in my life has been something special Roman.”

“I hear your words but I don’t think you do understand.” He muttered.

She rolled away from him and tugged the covers over him.

“Fine then I don’t understand. We’ll have the party and you don’t have to be there.” She told him.

“Well if that isn’t a classic case of you using your body to get what you want.” He muttered determined to hurt her, taking his pain out on her.

He heard her laugher first then felt the movement as she eased out of the bed, she switched on the light and he blinked as the soft glow took him by surprise. Within minutes she had pulled on a nightdress and grabbed her bathrobe. She tugged her pillow away and then stormed over to the wardrobe pulling out a spare cover.

“What are you doing?” he asked after a moment.

“I’m taking my body downstairs to the sofa so it can’t influence you one way or another.”

“Don’t be stupid.” He ground out.

“We are so over Roman. I regret every tear I’ve ever shed over you. I regret every time I slept with you.” She told him quietly.

It was her quiet tone that got to him twisting up his insides into a knot.

“Then you regret our children.”

She shook her head.

“No I only regret that they are your children.” She muttered and turned walking out of the room. She heard him curse and bit her lip then realised what she was doing and stormed the rest of the way down the stairs. She put the tv on and turned down the sound finding an old black and white movie to watch as she made her bed on the large sofa. She eased into it and snuggled down wishing she had thought to bring down her travel bear with her.

Roman woke just before the alarm was set and rolled over. He noticed immediately that her pillow was gone and swore remembering that it hadn’t been a dream. He got up and showered moving downstairs as soon as he was dressed. He saw Ella awake and in the kitchen, Lily in her arms.

“El.” He said softly.

“Forget it. I meant what I said. We’re done.” She said.

“I’ll be at the damn party.” He ground out.

Ella turned and looked at her husband.

“This isn’t about that anymore. It’s about you thinking I would prostitute myself to get something round you.” She said keeping her voice even. “Not once but twice you accused me of it.” She reached into her bathrobe and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” he asked puzzled.

“My fee. Backdated to the first time we had sex.” She told him. “I’ll accept a cheque.” She turned away and poured out a cup of coffee for herself, taking it over to the table and sitting down.

He watched her his eyes narrowing.

“I presume you factored in inflation and interest on this.” He said sarcastically.

She nodded.

He opened up the sheet and read it before swearing.

“You are such a bitch.” He cursed her.

“Think your words are going to hurt me Roman? I’ve got a daughter that needs me to rescue her from hell. I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to tell my kids we’re getting a divorce.”

“Stop this.” He shouted his control gone. “We aren’t getting a divorce.”

She looked at him then.

“Yes we are. You must be deluded if you think I can put up with the stuff you’ve pulled in the last two days.”

He looked at her and took in her calmness, the way she had Lily in her arms and the single cup of coffee she’d poured out and groaned.

“Ella.” He began.

She picked up her coffee and took a drink before looking at him.

“I’ll meet with my parents.” He told her. “I’ll listen to what they have to say.”

Ella stood up and walked over to him.

“This has gone too far for that Roman. I don’t want to be with you anymore. I don’t want to be accused of using my body to win an argument or persuade you to do something. I don’t want to see you get so mad you are threatening violence on my child. A child I trusted you with. I don’t want to have to explain why you aren’t excited to show off your wonderful kids to your parents but I’m going to have too. And when I tried to talk to you about this you turned nasty. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m too tired. I’m too upset.”

“That’s so funny because you don’t seem upset El, you are acting like we are talking about what we need on the shopping list.” He said bitterly.

“Of course I’m upset.” She told him as quietly as before causing him to look at her his eyes narrowed. “You’ve been mad at me for a long time Roman and I don’t know what I’ve done to you for you to want to hurt me.”

He shook his head in denial and sank into a chair by the table.

“No.” he moaned.

“Yes.” She insisted. “Through all the Mark and Elliot stuff and even now. You’re scared that you’re losing me but inside your angry.” She said and then her voice lowered to a whisper. “Aren’t you?”

He shook his head once more before burying his face in his hands.

“Where the hell do you think Mike would get the idea to meddle?” he asked after a minute glaring at her.

“From either one of us. Do you think he’s in the army just because Mike was?”

Roman groaned.

“Yeah that’s right. He wanted to impress his dad. And you turned on him for doing something that is not a million miles away from what you would have done.”

He looked at her.

“So this is about Mike?” he asked quickly.

“No it’s about us Roman, you and me.” She denied. “I’m just explaining why Mike went to find your parents. You can’t say you weren’t thinking about them.”

She moved slowly over to him and placed Lily in his arms.

“And there is Meggy too.” She added.

“Megs bought a teddy bear.” Roman told her. “When Nat announced she was pregnant Megs went out and picked out this bear and presented it to me.”

Ella hid the smile on her face and knelt down at his feet.

“Tell me about her.” She said so quietly. that for a moment he thought he imagined the request.

“She had long brown hair and blue eyes. You could tell she was going to be tall. And when she smiled it was like a light went on inside of her. She was so really beautiful.”

Ella listened to his words with a growing sense of dread.

“What happened?” she asked him.

“She heard about what my parents did and tried to commit suicide.” Roman told her his voice breaking. “She’d always been up and down but..”

Ella gasped and put her arms around him feeling him shake. She took Lily away and placed her in her bassinet before going over to Roman and leading him to the sofa. She eased him down and then sat next to him as close as she could before dragging over the cover she brought down the night before and wrapping it around them.

“Then?” Ella asked him dreading the answer.

He wrapped his arms around her.

“She was committed to an asylum for manic depression.”

Ella gasped.

“Roman?” she asked him.

“As far as I know she’s out of there but I couldn’t do it you know?” he murmured tears pouring down his face. “I couldn’t be a part of their lives. I hated my parents for what they did. Both for paying Natalie and abandoning my sister and yet I abandoned her too.”

Ella moved until she was kneeling on the sofa in front of him. She pressed kisses to his lips before wiping away his tears.

“So you didn’t protect her?” she asked him gently.

Roman shook his head.

“And you didn’t protect Natalie from your parents.”

He glared at her for a moment before shaking his head again.

“And you didn’t protect me from being hurt.” She added. “But you know sometimes you have to accept you can’t protect people. Maybe Megs needed to be in that place to get her head sorted. And maybe you need to meet your parents to let this go. At least you’ll be able to find out what happened to her, to your other brothers and sisters,”

He looked up.

“And if I can’t.” he said.

“Then you’ll have this haunting you.” She whispered. “We are going to have that party Roman.” She murmured. “If you can’t be there so be it.”

“So be it? Are you still…” he stopped looking at how she had wrapped herself around him and was holding on to him.

She smiled slowly.

“Maybe.” She said.

“Ella.” He groaned pulling her against him.

“Roman stop making me do this ok.” she told him softly pressing her lips to his. “I shouldn’t have to prod to get this stuff out of you.”

He eased back.

“I can’t El.” He murmured.

“Its me. I’m your wife. Your soul mate, remember. You can tell me anything. You can share your nightmares with me.”

He shuddered before pulling her back close to him and kissing her.

“Make love to me El.” He begged huskily.

She eased back and looked at him before standing up.

“I don’t know, can you afford my rates.” She said to him.

He roared and stood, picking her up and carrying her up the stairs to their room.

“You’ll just have to put it on my bill.” He said.

She laughed.

“How long did you spend trying to work that figure out anyway?” he asked her.

“Wondering if we really have made love that many times?” she replied grinning at him.

“God no.” he told her kissing her as he eased the bathrobe from her. “I’m wondering if I should pay you a bonus for how hot you are and how you drive me wild and all the times you look at me just like you are doing now.” He whispered. “It makes me wild to be loving you to feel you underneath me as we are joined together.”

She sighed feeling his lips press on hers before he kissed her neck and eased her onto the bed. He framed her face with his hand before looking deep into her eyes.

“Love you.” He told her.

She smiled stroking his face in turn.

“I love you too.” She said. “But you need a shave and we only have about half an hour before we have to get the kids up and shuffle them to school.”

Roman grinned.

“half an hour?” he asked. “I can do a lot in half an hour.”

He pushed up her nightdress stroking her legs before he noticed the bruising.

“Ella.” He groaned.

“I’m fine.” She told him.

“Not fine enough for me.” He groaned.

He moved to lie beside her putting his arms around her.

“What are we going to do about Gabby?” he asked her after a moment.

“I think we should let them think we are still fooled by them and get evidence against Sarah and David.” She muttered a note of anger in her voice. “Get Jacko and Pete to run a background check on them.”

Roman smiled before kissing her.

“So I’m not allowed to kill them.”

She sat up glaring at him.

“Roman.” She muttered.

“Hey, I can make it look like an accident.” he said.

She starred at him before a reluctant smile crawled on to her lips.

“I don’t doubt it.” she said. “But no. And if when I turn around you are pouting and start saying I spoil all your fun I shall hit you”

He laughed pulling her against him.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 76

Roman watched as the children ran round the garden tidying up their toys before moving inside the house to do the same with their rooms.

“Are they excited?” he asked El.

She smiled at him.

“What do you think?” she murmured.

He gave her a half smile in return feeling her hand touch his back as she moved past him.

“El.” He whispered.

“I know.” She told him. “It’ll be ok.”

He nodded.

“I think I’ll go help Mike get the BBQ started before I go to Miles place.” He told her.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek as he moved outside.

“He’s not going to meet them is he?” Nic asked watching him go outside.

Ella turned to her stepdaughter and grinned.

“Don’t count him out yet.” She told her. “Now that’s the salads all done. And we have Colleens Cakes. And home-made ice cream for desert.”

Nic grinned.

“So you just need to go get ready.”

Ella looked down at her apron over a pair of Jean cut off shorts and a shirt that once belonged to Roman and grinned.

“You don’t think this is a good look?” she asked her fashionista daughter.

Nic chuckled.

“Yeah but I’m sure you want to try out that new dress I spotted earlier hanging on your wardrobe door.”

“Hello.” Belle called out holding the front door open as her and Aden’s kids came in followed by Aden.

“Hey.” Ella called back.

Aden carried through a box into the kitchen.

“We have chips and dip and bread and all sorts.” He told her.

“Well I’ll sort these out Step mama, you go get dressed.” Nic said with a smile.

Ella smiled and pulled off the apron before she moved up the stairs.

“She alright?” Belle asked.

Nic nodded.

“Can’t say the same for my Dad though, something’s bugging him.” Nic told them.

Belle looked out the back seeing him chatting with Mike.

“I guess Ella will get it out of him.” she said and then looked at Nic and both of them giggled.

“I don’t know what you are thinking about but I guess it’s to do with sex.” Aden groaned and reached for a beer before moving outside.

Nic and Belle looked at each other and grinned.

“What’s that?” Belle asked looking at a piece of paper pinned by a magnet on the fridge door.

Nic looked at it noticing it for the first time.

“I have no idea.” She said. “Why would Ella write out a bill for that amount?”

“We should ask when she’s had some wine.” Belle told her sister in law.

Nic giggled just as her dad walked back in.

“Hello.” He greeted Belle. “Where are the kids?”

“Went straight upstairs. I think Brett is working up the nerve to ask Danni out.”

Roman chuckled.

“He’s too late. She likes someone else.”

Belle nodded.

“We got that vibe.” She said and gestured to Mike.

Roman looked at her and nodded.

“So you are joining us tonight?” Nic asked him.

He shook his head.

“I can’t.” he said simply.

Nic moved over to him and gave him a spontaneous hug.

“Hey!” he told her.

“You don’t mind that I want to meet them?” she asked him quickly.

He looked into her eyes and smiled.

“No I don’t.” he said and was surprised he was telling the truth.

He gave her a quick kiss before moving up the stairs and going into the bedroom. He heard Ella in the shower and went into the en suite.

“Do you want your back washing?” he called out.

She turned in the shower and looked at him.

“No.” she muttered. “I don’t have time.”

“El.” He said softly.

She reached out and turned off the water before wrapping herself in a large fully towel and stepping out.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Are we ok?” he said quickly. “I mean about my not being here tonight.”

She moved over to him and took hold of his hand.

“Do what is in your conscience.” She said quietly. “Now I have to put on make up and get dressed.”

“Is that my answer? Go away I have to get dressed?”

She looked at him.

“I’m not holding you up here Roman. You have to decide what to do for yourself and do it for the right reasons. I’m not going to hold out a big reward for you to reach for. It has to be because you want to do it.”

He looked at her.

“Maybe that didn’t come out right.” She added after a moment and bit her lip.

She caught the way his gaze picked up on that and groaned.

“Will you stop that.” She muttered.

He laughed and reached out to her pulling off the towel.

“You shouldn’t have bit your lip.” He grinned. “I had it under control until then.”

She chuckled, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him. He drew her bottom lip in-between his and gently nipped before crushing her lips under his once more.

She moaned feeling his hands touch her all over. She reached for the fastening of his trousers and undid them as they fell on the bed. He pushed his trousers down and within moments they were joined.

“Love you.” He murmured against her lips.

She sighed.

“Love you.” She told him feeling pleasure building up in her.

She touched him where she could reach knowing what he liked.

“Yeah hold me. “ He gasped moving against her. “Ella.” He moaned her name.

“Take me to heaven.” She whispered.

He looked into her eyes as he drove into her, feeling her hands on him and then her legs wrapping around him as she moved.

They reached their peak together.

“Now I’ll have to put my hair up I don’t have time to style it.” She told him.

He eased away from her and looked into her eyes a smile playing on his lips.

“I’ve just pleasured you and you moan about your hair?”

She nodded moving away from him and picking up her towel.

“I’ve got to get ready.” She told him.

He stood and stripped off his clothes dropping them untidily to the floor.

“Hey, no fair!” she moaned.

He turned back to her and grinned.

“You could share my shower.” He suggested. “Re wash that hair of yours.”

She glared at him before standing from the bed and looking over in the mirror.

“You pig!” she hissed at him looking at the tangled mess.

“Can I help it if your hair got messy?” he asked her.

She stormed past him and he heard the shower come on and grinned. Following her into the En suite he climbed in behind her and took over washing her hair for her. He massaged her scalp with his fingers before rinsing out the shampoo and doing the same with conditioner. He heard her sigh and lowered his lips to kiss her neck and along her shoulder. She turned around and wrapped her arms around him.

“Stop.” She moaned against his lips.

He chuckled.

“I don’t think you mean that.” He murmured as he rinsed out the conditioner.

He heard her sigh.

“I have to get ready.” She told him with a groan.

He leaned over and kissed her before lifting her up and out of the shower. Wrapping her in a big towel He tugged another one off the towel rack and wrapping it around her hair.

“Go get ready Beautiful.” He said softly, leaning forward and kissing the end of her nose.

She smiled at him and placed her hand on his face.

“Love you.” she murmured softly.

“Have a goof time tonight.” He whispered as he kissed her.

She smiled and lowered her lashes so he wouldn’t see the sad look on her face and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Turning she moved away from him back into the bedroom and he heard the hairdryer start up as he stepped back under the shower.

He joined her a while later watching as she moved around the room getting ready wearing very seductive underwear but not yet dressed. She had full make up on and her lips looked kissable outlined in red. She caught him looking and shook her head.

“What?” he protested.

“You have this thing where you have to remove my lipstick.”

He nodded.

“True.” He told her.

He moved around the room pulling on clean clothes and tidying up towels and things before straightening the covers on the bed, catching sight of her blushing.

“I’ll see you later.” He told her.

She gave him a smile and watched him go out the door, sinking down on the bed once the door was closed. She gave a small sob trying to pull herself together.

“El.” He whispered having come back into the room.

“Go see Miles.” She instructed sitting up straighter.

“I don’t want to leave you like this.” He murmured coming over and sitting next to her.

She placed her hand into his.

“I’m ok. Please go. You don’t want to meet them it’s ok.”

He squeezed her hand and smiled sadly.

“I love you.” He told her.

She nodded and looked up at him.

“It’s no good you are going to have to refresh that lipstick.” He said leaning forward. He placed his lips on hers first gently then passion caught them and his lips became demanding. She wound her arms around his neck and clung to him and the kiss deepened.

“Now I’m going.” He told her grinning.

“You came back just to remove my lipstick?” she asked.

“No I came back to see that expression on you face rather than the sad one of a moment ago.” He murmured.

She smiled.

“Get out of here!” she grumbled throwing a cushion at him.

She heard his laughter as he moved down the stairs before finishing getting ready. She pulled on the new designer dress she’d bought and smoothed it down over her stomach feeling the nerves beginning to grow. Taking a breath she moved down the stairs and out the back.

“Mum.” Mike called.

She looked over and saw him standing with Roman’s parents. Walking over to them she pinned a smile on her face.

“Hello.” She said.

“This is Alyssa and Marco.” Mike began introductions. “And this is my mother Ella Harris.”

“Hey.” She said.

“How do you do?” Alyssa asked softly and shyly held out her hand.

“I’m good, thanks.” Ella murmured placing her hand in the other woman’s. She was struck by how Roman had inherited his build and looks from Marco but those blue eyes and his caramel hair definitely came from his mother.

“Have you met all the kids?” she asked them.

She watched as Marco nodded.

“All except Lily.” Alyssa murmured.

“She’s inside.” Mike his mum. “Can I get you a drink Mum?”

“Not for me.” She told him. “Won’t be a minute.” She smiled and moved inside to fetch her baby out. She returned a moment later with Lily, cradling her in her arms.

“Roman didn’t want to meet us?” Alyssa asked peering at the baby.

“No.” Ella found herself saying bluntly. “He told me about Megs.”

Marco nodded.

“She was troubled.” He said.

Ella nodded.

“I’m concerned about the use of past tense.” She said quietly.

“Oh no.” Alyssa began. “She’s ok. She turned her life around and is married now with kids.”

Ella clutched the baby closer to her reluctant to let Alyssa hold her baby.

“Ella.” She heard her name called from the doorway and gasped.

“Roman.” She asked.

He walked over to them.

“Hello Mum, Dad.” He said his voice even.

“Roman?” Alyssa said clutching at Marco’s arm.

“Son.” Marco grinned happily and held out his free hand to the other man.

Roman waited a moment before reaching over and shaking the other man’s hand.

“Shall we go sit down.” He suggested pointing to the bench and seat on the veranda.

They moved over slowly still uncertain about one another. Roman caught himself looking into Ella’s eyes and smiled. He recognised that look on her face and felt his heart thump in his chest. She looked almost proud of him. Now that made his coming back even more special.

She leaned over placing Lily in his arms and she snuggled next to him on the bench.

“They were just saying that Megs is married and has children of her own.” She told him.

He smiled down at her before looking at his Mum. She was obviously dying for a cuddle with the baby. He reached over and place Lily into her arms and heard her sigh.

“She is lovely.” Alyssa told him. “All of your children are gorgeous.”

Roman grinned.

“That is down to my beautiful wife.” He shrugged.

“When Mike came to the restaurant he brought photographs for us. We thought.” Marco began looking at his son. “That we should do the same for you. We put together and album.”

Alyssa nodded.

“There are letters from everyone too, with contact details so you could get in touch if you wanted to.” She added quietly.

Roman smiled slowly.

“Thanks.” He said. “My wife is our photographer. She’s got albums of all the kids. All the family get togethers.”

Ella looked at him and grinned.

“I think they know who I am.” She told him.

Alyssa nodded looking up form the baby.

“We do. I have a couple of your books.” Marco murmured.

Roman looked at them.

“So tell me how you ended up with so many children. As I remember it when you were younger you said you didn’t want any.”

“Well that is Ella’s fault.” He told them smiling.

“Hey. I didn’t exactly do it by myself you know!” Ella grumbled.

She reached over and caught hold of his hand placing something in his palm.

He looked at her and then into his hand.

“El.” He whispered.

She leaned into him.

He grinned and put the platinum band on to his wedding finger before leaning over to kiss her.

“I think that is how they ended up with so many kids dear.” Marco told his wife

.”Dad do you want a beer?” Mike asked walking over to him.

Roman nodded watching as Mike came back a moment later with a bottle. He took a grateful swallow.

“It was Meggy.” Alyssa told them. “She ran into the kitchen and announced her presence.”

“She has a habit of doing that.” Ella told them with a grin.

“You are proud of them?”

Ella nodded.

“Yes.” Roman told them. “I love them so much.” He added.

“Megs has three children. Sassy has two.” Marco murmured. “Antonio doesn’t have any yet. Then there is Santino he has just the one.”

“Ok, so Roman has two brothers and two sisters.” Ella said.

Roman nodded.

“Its Ant, Santino Sassy, me and then Megs.” He told her.

Ella grinned at him stroking his leg.

“So you have brothers.” She murmured grinning.

He looked at her.

“And you are so never going to meet them.” he muttered.

She chuckled at the possessive note in his voice.

“Actually we are having an anniversary party in a little while we were wondering if you’d like to come. It’s for everyone, kids included.”

Ella grinned.

“We’ve got a lot going on at the moment so we’ll have to let you know.” She told them and felt Roman put his arm around her.

“It’s not a flat out no.” Roman told them seeing their disappointed faces.

“Well that is something.”

Nic walked over to them with Mira in her arms.

“If you’ve finished holding that ugly baby I have a cute one here.” She told them.

Alyssa smiled.

“I think this one is beautiful and she has a lovely name.”

Nic chuckled.

“I’m going to take Mira in and put her to bed.” Nic murmured.

“Yeah it’s time Lily went too.” Ella said quietly. She retrieved her daughter from the other woman and carried her indoors and up the stairs with Nic following.

“Is it safe to leave Dad on his own with them?” she asked softly.

Ella nodded.

“He came of his own free will Nic.” She said. “And I love him for it.”

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 77

Roman looked at his parents and gave them a smile. He wondered what to say to them without asking about the things that he really wanted to know.

“Megs wanted to come with us tonight but we thought it might be a bit much.” His mother was saying.

Roman nodded.

“How is she?” he asked his voice hoarse.

“She is a manic depressive.” Marco told him. “The condition is controlled with medication.”

Alyssa smiled.

“Does she work?” he asked suddenly.

“Roman.” Ella called coming back out. “The kids want to sleep over.”

He looked up and saw her in the doorway smiling over at him.

“Are you up to that?” he asked her quickly.

She nodded.

“Mira is in with Lily. I thought that if Mike went upstairs with the others we could give his room to Aden and Belle and then Nic and Geoff next to the nursery on the airbed.”

Roman smiled.

“So you want me to ask?” he said softly.

She shrugged.

“The option is there.” She told him moving back over to sit next to him.

He grinned placing a kiss to her head before putting his arm around her.

“So Aden is the foster son?” Alyssa asked.

Roman nodded.

“When I came here I had been out of the army a while and I needed a place to stay. The Bay seemed to be what I needed.” Roman told them quietly. “Aden was going through some rough times and needed a place to stay.”

Alyssa nodded.

“I can’t believe how tall you got.” She told Roman.

Ella laughed as she saw a hint of colour travel over his features.

“Don’t forget handsome.” She murmured, feeling Roman reach out and hold her hand.

He chuckled.

“You might be biased.” He said.

Mike walked over to them.

“Can I get anyone a drink?” he asked.

Roman nodded holding out his empty beer bottle.

“Can I get a glass of wine?” Alyssa asked.

“Would you like to come and choose? We have red, white and rose.” Mike grinned.

“Now he could get a job in my restaurant.” Marco murmured watching as he led Alyssa away to make her selection.

“He spent a couple of summers working in the diner.” Roman told his father.

“The Diner?” he was asked.

Roman nodded.

“I own a part share in the diner in town.”

“You still cook?” Marco asked him.

“He does. He’s wonderful.” Ella grinned.

“Again my wife is biased.” He grinned. ”But yes I enjoy cooking.”

Marco nodded and looked over to see Alyssa coming over to them a glass of wine in one hand and Sammy clinging on to the other.

“Hello Samson.” Roman called softly.

“Daddy.” He said coming over and climbing up into his lap.

“What’s up Sammy?” Ella asked him leaning over to tie his shoelace.

“Can we go watch a dvd?” he asked.

Ella nodded.

“And I think everyone is going to stay over so can you make sure toothbrushes and towels are out please.” She told him brushing back the curls from his forehead.

Sammy grinned and shot off to let everyone know.

“I’ll take him for a haircut on Monday.” Roman told her.

Ella nodded but he noticed the sad look in her eyes.

“He can’t keep his hair long.” Roman pointed out.

“I now but he wants his hair like yours.” Ella told him.

Roman put his hand up to his shaved head and looked at her.

“I won’t let him ok.”

She nodded again before sighing.

“Hey.” Roman said softly.

“I’m ok.” she told him quietly.

It was his turn to nod and he looked up to see the kids moving toward the house. Angel and Robbie enfolded him in a hug and he chuckled.

“Grandpa.” Angel murmured. “Thanks for letting us stay.”

Roman kissed his granddaughter and watched as she skipped into the house and up the stairs.

“Shall we move into the house?” Ella asked.

“Feeling cold?” Roman asked her.

She nodded.

He peeled off his lightweight jumper and handed it to her watching as she pulled it on and rolled the sleeves up.

“Now what were you guys talking about?” she asked them.

“Just the kids.” Roman said.

Ella nodded.

“So not the important stuff yet?” she asked him.

Roman rolled his eyes and then looked over at his parents.

“You’ll have to get used to this Ella fixes stuff.” He told them. “Mostly me.” He added with a grin.

She held out her hand to him and he enfolded it within one of his own.

“How long were you in the army?” Marco asked.

“Still am, technically. “ he replied. “I’m in the reserves.”

He watched his dad nod absorbing the information.

“He was in for 12 years. With the last 6 in the SAS.” El told them, she felt Roman’s eyes flash to her and she grinned at him. “Like I wouldn’t know.” She muttered with a grin.

“I worked up through the ranks.” Roman told them. “Before I was accepted for specialist training.”

“He volunteered for it.” El murmured. “And then after some tours abroad came the relief efforts after the Tsunami and also in Africa.”

“El.” Roman said again.

“What?” she asked.

“You aren’t supposed to know half of this remember.”

“Hey, Jacko told me.”

“Ok, who is Jacko and the SAS? I’m so glad I didn’t know that bit I would have worried myself sick even more.” Alyssa told them.

Roman smiled at his mum.

“Funnily enough I only got shot in Summer Bay.”

“That is so not funny.” Ella muttered pulling her hand away. “Now they aren’t going to visit again.”

“Well it’s true.” Roman paused. “Mostly true.” He added.

Ella groaned.

“Shot?” Alyssa said putting her hand up to her throat as she swallowed fearfully.

“Its ok mum.” Roman said softly. “I’m fine and El is fine. And we have wonderful kids and a brilliant life. I have good friends here.”

She looked over at him and blinked back tears.

“I missed you Roman.” She told him.

“Perhaps you need to ask them Roman.” Ella told him gently.

He looked at her before his glance slid back to his parents.

“Why did you pay Natalie to have an abortion?” he burst out.

Alyssa gasped.

“We never!” she moaned. “Is that what they told you?”

She stood up and the wineglass slipped out of her fingers and fell almost in slow motion to the decking below. The sound of glass breaking captured everyone’s attention.

“Roman.” Alyssa murmured holding out her hand in a pacifying gesture.

He stood up and stepped toward her.

“It’s ok.” he said, surprising himself with how he was ok. “It’s a long time ago.” He found his eyes travelling to where Nic was standing next to Geoff by the others and he smiled over at her.

“It’s not ok Son.” Marco told him. “It’s caused a lot of trouble. We paid Natalie money towards the baby. If they told you different then..” he trailed off.

“And Megs?” he asked. “Why did she do it?”

Alyssa gasped.

“That is something you’ll have to ask her.” she told him. “Marco perhaps we should go.” She suggested to her husband who had stood too and had placed his arm protectively around his wife.

“Please stay.” Roman was surprised when the words came out of him.

“There are different issues here. I don’t think the answers are going to be a magic fix for you.” Ella told Roman gently standing next to him

He nodded acceptance.

“If you didn’t pay Nat to have an abortion then” he stopped looking at El for support.

“Then she and her family lied to Roman. And caused part of the rift between you.” She finished for him and saw him nod again.

“I’m sorry. “ Marco told him.

“Why are you sorry dad?” Roman asked quickly.

“Because you were hurt.” he said simply.

Ella felt Roman tremble beside her before he stepped forward and pulled his Dad and then his mum towards him putting his arms around them both.

Ella smiled and blinked back tears as she watched them.

“Maybe we should get something to eat?” she suggested looking at Mike next to the BBQ.

Roman eased back and nodded.

“I’ll clean the glass up.” Roman told them. “Go get something and I apologise for Mike’s cooking in advance!”

Ella chuckled and led the other two off down the garden to the picnic area.

“You have a lovely place.” Alyssa told her.

“Did they give you a tour?” Ella murmured.

“No we didn’t.” Mike said quickly. “You and Dad were getting changed.”

Ella smiled slowly hoping that she wouldn’t blush and give away what she and Roman had really been doing when they had taken so long to get ready.

“Well I’ll show you round in a bit.” Ella mumbled and caught Nic looked at her a knowing expression on her face. She came over and leaned close.

“Persuade him did you?” she asked referring to her dad showing up.

Ella shook her head.

“No.” she said bluntly her tone cold.

Nic blinked and eased back.

“El I’m sorry.” She said quickly.

Ella folded her arms around herself and stepped back.

“Excuse me.” She murmured. “Mike can you make sure ..” she began and watched as Mike nodded. She turned without finishing the sentence and moved away toward the house.

“What was that?” Belle asked Nic.

“I don’t know but I think I prodded in a sore spot.” Nic said biting her lip.

Roman looked up as El stepped into the kitchen. He’d just finished wrapping the remains of the glass in newspaper.

“What is it?” he said quickly.

“Nothing.” Ella gasped out trying to move past him.

“Ella it’s not nothing if you are upset.” He pointed out catching hold of her arm.

“Let go of me.” She said tugging uselessly to loosen his grip on her arm.

“Ella.” He said again softly.

She looked at him and the tears she had been holding back spilled down her face.

“I hate you.” She told him. “I really hate you.”

Roman flinched at her words and looked out seeing Nic looking at them.

“What did she say?” he said quickly.

“Just that I persuaded you to come her tonight on my back.” Ella muttered. “Now let me go Roman.”

He sighed and tried to pull her into his arms but she resisted.

“Let me go.” She shouted uncaring of the audience surrounding them.

“Ella its not true.” he told her. “I say it to hurt you. I know it’s not true.” He finished in a whisper.

She flinched away from him tugging at her arm.

“Let me go. Let me go. Let me go.” She muttered and leaning forward so her face was close to his. “Let me go.” She shouted.

Roman released his hold on her arm by reflex.

“Ella?” he said quietly.

“I feel dirty.” She whispered. “You made me feel dirty.” She told him. “Why would you do that to me?” she added in a little girl voice.

Roman flinched back and stepped away from her.

“God Ella no.” he muttered.

“Go to them.” she said pointing to the others. “I’m going for a lay down.”

He nodded and let her walk away from him feeling as though he’d just had his heart ripped out.

“What’s going on?” Mike came in and asked.

Roman looked at him and shook his head watching as Ella slowly moved up the stairs.

“Dad.” Mike said quietly.

“Mike leave it ok. I hurt her and I need to find a way to make it up to her.” He finally said after a moment.

“Something’s you can’t make up to her.” Mike said and reached for the piece of paper off the fridge door. He screwed it up into a ball and threw it in the rubbish.

Roman flinched.

“You knew what that was?” he asked him.

Mike shrugged.

“You shouted out about her using her body to pacify you.” He told him. “I figured this was something to do with that. Come on there is a beer with your name on and you need some food. Mum will be back down as soon as she’s got herself together.”

Roman flinched once more.

“I do that a lot don’t I?” he asked.

Mike nodded.

“There are a lot of things you two throw at each other when you want to hurt one another. That’s one of the nastier ones.” Mike murmured. “Because you know it’s not true.”

Roman nodded.

“Of course I do.”

“And you know it’s all tied up with what Gardy did to her..” Mike said quietly. “It’s hard for her to see herself as sexual person when she’s ashamed of her body.”

Roman groaned feeling sick to his stomach. He moved away from Mike and went up the stairs.

“What did you say to him?” Nic asked coming into the kitchen.

“I told him something he should have known already.” Mike said to her. “But don’t worry it’s so they can fix something.”

“Oh great I ask a question and you give me Confucius.” Nic muttered taking a sip of her wine.

“I keep forgetting you are blonde.” Mike said to her.

“Hey!” she groaned and slapped his arm. “We may not be brainiacs but at least we have more fun!”

Mike grinned.

“Nic my dear sister. You have brains and beauty.” He said quietly and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “Now come on lets get everyone fed and drunk.”

Nic smiled and moved outside with him.

Roman paused outside the bedroom door listening to Ella crying. After a moment her turned the handle and moved inside.

“I’m sorry.” He said softly. “I didn’t think.”

She looked up.

“No, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”

“El.” He said coming over to her and sitting on the bed. “You are beautiful.” He told her.

She shook her head.

“I’m not.” She denied.

“Yes you are. Your eyes shine with love and your hair goes wild and your hands are so soft and gentle as they touch me. And each time we make love I’m so thankful that Gardy didn’t take that away from you when he stole your innocence.”

She looked up scrubbing at her eyes.

“I wasn’t.” she began.

“Yes he did. You believed in giving your body in love. And he took that away from you and made it about sex and hate. And when I throw those insults at you I do the same. I didn’t know how much that hurt you Ella.” He finished in a whisper.

She looked at him and tried to smile but her face wouldn’t co-operate.

“Its ok.” he said wiping at her eyes and removing the traces of tears. “I don’t want to be forgiven. I hurt you.”

She shook her head.

“It’s just.” She began.

Roman reached out and kissed her.

“I love you El.” He said to her. “I’m sorry.”

She reached for him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Love you.” She whispered. “And I’m so proud of you for meeting your parents.”

He grinned.

“I noticed.” He said easing back and looking at his wedding ring.

“It’s engraved.” She told him.

He pulled back and took it off looking inside it.

“R&E F&A” he murmured. “Roman and Ella Forever and Always.”

She nodded.

“Because I noticed something in mine.” She told him and watched him blush.

“Yes, ok, I had it engraved.” He said.

She looked into his eyes.

“Because I love you today.” She told him.

“Yesterday and Tomorrow.” He said completing the words he’d had put into her rings.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him again.

“Ella I do love you.” He told her.

She kissed him.

“We should go downstairs and let them know we are alright.” She murmured.

He nodded standing up and holding out his hand to her.

“I need to make sure I don’t look like a panda. I’ll be down in a minute.” She told him.

He kissed her and moved down the stairs and out the back.

“I’m sorry.” Nic siad to him.

He put his arm around her shoulders.

“Its ok Nic.” He said pressed his lips to her head. “Now what are you eating?” he asked.

Nic looked at her plate and teased the meat with her fork.

“I knew what it was before Mike cooked it.” She said.

He laughed and nodded. Pulling out his phone he made a quick call and ordered pizzas.

“Trying to get into Ella’s good books?” Aden came over and asked.

Roman glared at him.

“That’s a yes.” Geoff said.

“Can you remember that I’m trained to kill.” He asked them.

“Yeah but you are getting on a bit.” Geoff murmured.

“And we can run really fast.” Aden finished the familiar joke.

“You know that boy of mine used to compete in races.” Marco said coming over to them.

Roman blushed.

“It was nothing.” He denied one eye on the house waiting for Ella to join them.

“District Cross country champion.” Marco said proudly.

Roman groaned.

“Dad!” he protested.

“Well weren’t you?” Marco grinned.

“Yes.”

“And how many years in a row?” he asked his son.

“Four.” Roman muttered.

Geoff whistled under his breath.

“Cool!” Aden murmured.

Roman turned and saw Ella walking towards him. He held out his hand and she immediately moved to his side.

“I’ve ordered pizza’s.” he told her nodding at the bbq.

She chuckled.

“Shall we take this inside?” she asked.

Roman nodded leading his parents to the house.

“Mum, Dad.” He began. “We have spare room if you want to stay over.” He said.

Ella watched as they looked at each other before Alyssa nodded.

“Thanks.” Marco told him.

Roman gestured to the sofa and they sat down. Ella easing down onto Roman’s lap feeling his arms wrapping around her.

Nic and Belle joined them after a moment sitting next to Marco and Alyssa.

“The boys are tidying up or drinking more beer.” Nic told them.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 78

“Hey.” Roman said softly easing into bed beside her.

“What time do you call this?” Ella muttered without bothering to open her eyes.

“Nearly 3am but we had a lot to talk about.” He said and leaned forward to kiss her.

“Oh my god Roman Harris!” Ella exclaimed pushing him away. “Have you been smoking?”

He grinned at her.

“A small cigar.” He confessed with a crooked grin.

“Get out of my bed.” She screeched at him pushing him away.

“Hey.” He muttered sitting up.

“You taste horrible and you smell of whisky.” She told him gritting her teeth to bit back further words. She took a breath. “Go shower.” She instructed.

He grumbled unintelligibly before climbing out of bed and going into the en suite. Waiting until he was gone she stood climbing silently out of the bed and moving out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She walked into the kitchen and poured out a large glass of vodka with a shaking hand.

“Sorry I kept my son up.” Marco murmured walking in from outside.

The large figure looming out of the darkness acted on her already highly-strung nerves and Ella let out a high-pitched scream and the glass slipped from her fingers to the floor smashing into smithereens.

“Hey it’s me, Marco.” He cried. “Where is the light?”

Ella looked at him blinking in the semi darkness, the illumination coming from the lamp still lit on the hallway console table.

“Ella.” Roman said running down the stairs wearing just a towel.

She reached out a hand to him.

“Stand still love.” Roman murmured. “There is broken glass on the floor.”

He moved to the edge of the room and switched on the light.

“Sorry.” Ella murmured her teeth chattering.

“It’s ok Ella.” Roman said calmly.

He looked at her and gave her a small smile before reaching for the brush and dustpan.

“This is sticky what did you have in it?” he asked her in his normal tone of voice.

“Vodka.” She answered.

“It was the combination of the cigar and the whisky wasn’t it?” he asked and saw her nod.

“What?” Marco asked.

He looked from one to the other.

“Oh no.” he said after a moment.

Roman looked at his father before focusing on getting all of the glass up.

“There.” He said putting the dustpan on the side and standing up. He opened his arms and Ella moved over to him giving into sobs.

“What’s going on?” Mike asked coming partway down the stairs.

“It’s nothing just a broken glass.” Roman called out. “Can you make sure everyone is ok?”

Mike nodded and moved back up the stairs. They heard him talking softly and then the house went quiet apart from the sobs from Ella.

“Come on.” He told her. “Dad can you pour out a drink for her.”

Marco nodded moving over to the top and pouring a measure of vodka into a glass.

“I’m sorry El I didn’t think.” Roman said quietly.

He put the glass into her hand and she took a small drink as he guided her into the lounge and a seat on the sofa.

“What happened?” Marco asked them.

Roman shook his head in response to the question then felt Ella’s hand on his own.

“I was raped.” She said quietly. “And I have some bad nights sometimes.”

Roman smiled at her and wiped the tears from her face for the second time in just a few hours. She gave him a smile but avoided his gaze.

”El.” Roman said quietly sitting next to her.

“Don’t.” she moaned. “I’m ok.”

“You don’t seem very ok to me, sweetheart. I should have thought about it.” he said cursing himself.

“I’m fine.” She said sipping at the drink.

“Ok.” he whispered.

“Is there anything I can do?” Marco asked.

“Well you can forgive me for the scare I gave you.” Ella murmured, looking first at him and then over at Alyssa who was standing in the doorway of the study.

“Of course don’t worry about that.” He said and looked at Roman.

“Why don’t you turn in Dad.” Roman suggested to the other man and watched him move into the study with his mother. He waited a moment before he stood to lead Ella up the stairs. He turned off the lights and took her to bed. Tucking her in before climbing in beside her.

Ella turned and pressed herself close to him.

“So when you kicked me out ti was because…?” he asked.

“Because you smelt just like him.” she admitted with a sigh.

Roman groaned pulling her as close to him as he could.

“Sorry.” He said feeling guilty for hurting her earlier and now reminding her of that nightmare she went through with Gardy.

“I’m sorry.” Ella told him pressing kisses along his collarbone.

“Ella.” He whispered.

“Do you want me?” she asked him softly.

“Please don’t.” he murmured. “You know I want to make love to you but not like this El.”

She sighed and collapsed against him.

“I’m sorry.” Roman told her. “But I need to just hold you right now.”

She shook her head.

“I need to be alone.” She whispered.

“El I’m not rejecting you.” Roman groaned against her hair. “ You are beautiful and wonderful and sexy as hell but right now all I want to do is hold you because making love would feel wrong.”

She shivered at his words before moving away to her side of the bed.

“Can you put some pyjamas on please.” She whispered.

He sighed and moved out of the bed to comply with her request. He made sure his bedside light was switched on as he climbed back into the bed. He kept to his side of the bed and closed his eyes feeling himself slowly start to relax.

“We should tell him.” Alyssa murmured.

Marco nodded.

“I want to but it’s up to Megs.”

“He has a right to know what happened. He’s been blaming himself for all these years.”

Marco sighed and looked at his wife.

“So how do I tell him what happened to his wife also happened to his sister?” Marco asked her. “We’ve only just got him back I don’t want to burden him with that.”

Alyssa sighed.

“I think he’ll understand.” She told him. “Poor Ella.” She moved closer to her husband in the large sofa bed and sighed again.

He put his arm around her.

“It’s been good to see him happy. I’m surprised by all the children.”

“Great grandpa.” Alyssa murmured.

“Yeah!” Marco grinned. “And I’m now in bed with the sexiest Great grandma.” He said leaning over and kissing her.

“Behave yourself Mr.” She muttered with a giggle.

“Geoff are you awake.” Nic asked prodding him in the back.

“Unnk.” He muttered rolling over. “I am now.”

“I think Ella is upset.” She whispered. “And it’s all my fault.”

“Babe.” He told her softly pulling her into his arms. “I think it’s been a rotten few days for them with the Gabby stuff coming on top of what Elliot did.”

Nic sighed,

“And we totally made it worse by setting up this party and getting his parents here.” She moaned.

Geoff sighed and pulled her into his arms moving her against him.

“I think you did a good thing. The way your Dad was with them, seems to me he’s been missing them as much as he hated them.”

Nic turned in his arms and placed her hand on his face.

“How did I end up with such a wise loving husband?” she asked him.

“You were just very lucky.” Geoff told her deadpan.

She eased back and glared at him before he began to tickle her.

“I love you.” He whispered after a time.

She wound her arms around his neck.

“I love you too Geoff Campbell.”

Aden rolled over and found Belle looking at him.

“Hey.” He said softly stroking her face.

“Hey yourself.”

“I thought about it.” he confessed. “But you’re my wife and I love you.” He added.

She smiled.

“I am but you still thought about it.” she pointed out.

He nodded in the quiet dark of the room.

“Because she sounded hurt and I’m a doctor along with their son.” He told her.

Belle looked up at him and smiled.

“Is that all you feel for her?” she asked him.

Aden nodded.

“I like her Belle because she is nice and a good friend and fun but I don’t love her except as my dad’s wife.” He murmured.

Belle moved quickly in the bed and pressed kisses all over his face.

“Hey woman!” he moaned with a laugh before his lips found hers and his hand roamed over her body.

“Do you think..” she murmured.

“Well we could be really quiet.” He said rolling them over in the bed. “Because I would love to make love to my beautiful wife.”

Mike sat up and looked over in the darkness.

“Danni said she would go out with you?” he asked Brett.

“Yes.” Brett murmured. “I should have asked her a year ago.” He added sounding smug although that could have been because Mike wanted to go over and thump him. He groaned covering his mouth with the pillow so they wouldn’t hear him.

“Whatisit?” Sammy said sleepily rolling over.

“Nothing Sammy.” Mike said quietly.

“Hey do you think she kisses?” Brett asked.

Mike rolled over and starred at the ceiling.

“Will you shut up and let us get some sleep?” Robbie muttered from the bottom bunk where he and Tyler were sleeping.

Georgie sighed.

“Is Mum ok?” he asked Mike.

Mike rolled over and leaned over the side of the bunk looking at Georgie and the still part asleep Sammy in the lower bunk.

“She’s fine. She just saw a spider. Daddy sorted it out.” Mike told them before moving back in the bed.

Roman sighed rolling over in the bed he found her side empty and groaned.

“El.” He whispered.

He reached out and turned off the light and sat up rubbing at his face before standing up and walking over to the en suite. He came out a moment later and pulled on his bathrobe before padding down the stairs. He moved to the kitchen and began to make breakfast along with a pot of much needed coffee. He poured out a cup for himself before opening the back door and looking out on the garden. Sipping the black brew he sighed before turning his attention back to the food.

Within half an hour he had a full breakfast prepared, scrambled eggs, a plate of toast, bacon, mushrooms and grilled tomatoes. He served them in bowls on the table and put out a stack of plates and cutlery.

“Smells good.” Aden said first down the stairs.

“Help yourself.” Roman said and grinned as he watched the other man dig in.

“How’s El?” Nic asked moving to the table and sitting next to Aden.

Roman passed them both a cup of coffee and added a jug of milk and sugar on to the table without answering.

“Dad?” Aden murmured.

“She wasn’t in bed this morning.”

“Where is she?” Sammy asked sleepily coming down the stairs with Robbie and Tyler.

“I don’t know guys, but anyway you need to get breakfast.” Roman said his voice even.

Sammy nodded before helping Tyler and Robbie with their breakfasts. He looked at his dad.

“Go on then.” Roman said to him and watched with a smile as Sammy moved in front of the TV and put cartoons on.

“Coffee.” Mike groaned. Walking into the kitchen.

Roman handed him a cup and watched at the younger man drained it.

“Mike?” he said softly.

Mike nodded to the door and walked outside with Roman following.

“Danni and Brett are going out.” he said quietly.

“Sorry.” Roman told him.

“And you wanted me to wait.” He grumbled.

“Well.” Roman said softly.

Mike looked at him.

“Is that all you can say?” he asked.

Roman nodded.

“You Mum comes up with the good stuff.” He told him. “I’m more the action type.”

Mike glared at him before storming back in for more coffee.

Roman gave a brief chuckle before going back inside. Geoff and Belle were now at the table as was Danni and Amy-belle. He looked over to see Sophie, Meggy and Georgie sitting on the sofa with Angel along with Robbie and Tyler.”

“Where is Sammy?” he asked.

“Gone to see where Mummy is.” Meggy told him.

Roman nodded and moved up the stairs and into their room. He found Sammy sitting next to the wardrobe and he frowned then realisation dawned on him and he moved over to him.

“She’s in here.” He asked Sammy who nodded. “Well done for finding her now go back downstairs and don’t let the others know ok? Otherwise when she next plays hide and seek with us she’ll have to use a different hiding place.” He invented a story to keep Sammy calm watching as he moved out of the bedroom.

“Ella.” Roman called opening the door.

“No.” she cried out. “Get away from me.”

“Ella it’s me.” He told her. “Come out of there.”

She scrambled further back.

“I know its you. Stay away from me.” She moaned.

Roman flinched and pulled back.

“Ella?” he asked.

He heard her begin to cry and cursed.

“You told me it was a dream.” He said. “It was a dream wasn’t it?” he asked her his voice shaking.

She crawled out of the wardrobe and knelt in front of him.

“Ella?” he whispered. “Please tell me I didn’t hurt you like that.” He begged huskily.

She raised her tear-drenched eyes to his and he moaned standing up he grabbed his clothes and pulled them on before heading out of the room and down the stairs. Spotting everyone in the lounge he looked at them all, before going out of the door and into his car. He pulled away calmly not knowing where he was going just needing to get away.

[TelephotoMarigold]

Chapter 79

Roman drove home feeling like, well there were no words to describe how he was feeling. He hated himself and he had to go home because there were the children and Ella wasn’t in a fit state to cope with them all. He pulled up slowly and took out the bags of groceries he’d bought as his excuse for sneaking out. He walked to the front door and opened it slowly. He took in the children playing a game and the stereo on playing some pop tunes. Moving into the kitchen he put the bags down and turned around.

He saw Ella sitting with a cup of coffee in her hands next to his mother. There was a photo album open on her lap and she was smiling at something. He felt his heart lurch in his chest and forced himself to move out to her.

“Hello.” He said surprised his voice sounded so normal.

“Hi.” Ella murmured to him not quite meeting his eyes. “I’ve been looking at your baby photos.”

He let out a laugh.

“See that was another reason not to invite my mother.” He tried to joke.

Ella moved the album and stood up.

“I’ll leave you to talk. I’ll be down in a bit.” She told him moving past him. She paused and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.

“El.” He whispered.

“I’ll be down in a minute.” She said again and went up the stairs.

He watched her go before going out to sit next to his Mum.

“Go on then get it over with.” He said to her pinning a smile on his face.

Alyssa laughed.

“It’s not too bad.” She said and handed him the album.

He opened it at the first page and saw pictures of him as a baby and then as a young boy before a group shot with his brothers and sisters. He turned the page and smiled seeing a picture of Megs when she was younger and then as an adult and finally a group shot. Tucked into the book was a colourful envelope with his nickname scrawled on it.

“Please tell me El didn’t see that.” He begged.

“Certainly did Speedy.” El murmured from the doorway. She had Lily in her arms and she moved over to Alyssa and handed over the baby.

“I can’t believe you told her.” he groaned and then found himself smiling as El sat next to him on the bench. She took hold of his hand and smiled at him. “Ok?” he asked her.

“I’m good.” She told him quietly. “I had a rough night but I’m ok.”

He smiled at her but felt so sad inside and resisted sighing as he turned the page. He saw shots of his brother and grinned. His finger traced the name on the envelope with the letter from his brother Ant.

“So explain the names?” Ella asked. “Italian names for the boys and.”

Alyssa chuckled.

“Sassy is Sarah.” She murmured. “My grandmother’s name and Megan because Roman named her.”

Ella looked at her husband and raised an eyebrow.

“Told us he didn’t like being the youngest one and wanted a younger sister called Megan.” Marco told her.

Ella smiled.

“That funny because we got Sammy in similar circumstances.” She told them.

Alyssa laughed.

“I bet my beautiful wife hasn’t told you how we got all the others.” Roman said softly.

Ella grinned then her smile faded.

“It’s ok.” Roman said immediately.

She looked at him.

“No it’s not that. I was supposed to ring Gabby earlier and I forgot.” She said with a sigh.

“Lets do it now. I’m sure my mother won’t mind looking after Lily.” He said seeing his mother nodding her assent.

Ella stood up and moved inside with Roman following behind her. He saw the groceries had been put away and he grinned before moving up the stairs and into their bedroom. He saw immediately that the covers had been changed on the bed and he sighed.

“Tell me.” He blurted out.

“You didn’t. I had a bad dream and I couldn’t escape.” Ella said her voice very quiet.

“So you hid in the wardrobe and scared me to death?” he ground out. “I don’t believe you.”

She raised her chin and looked at him.

“So you want to believe that you are no better than him?” she asked him scathingly. “The drugs have been messing with my sleep Roman, I’ve not been able to get past the bad dreams. And I used to.” She stopped and bit her lip.

“Used to?” he asked trying to ignore the sudden impulse to drag her into his arms and kiss her.

“I used to hide in Mike’s wardrobe when my .” she stopped and looked at him.

“Ella.” He whispered.

She walked over to the window and pushed the curtain to one side to look out of the window.

“I don’t know what you dreamt Roman but I bet it’s not half as scary as my dreams. So I’m sorry I scared you but I wish you’d stayed this morning to take care of me.”

Roman sank on to the bed and looked at her.

“I’m sorry.” He said to her.

She nodded.

“Tell me the dream.” She said after a moment.

“You came to stop me drinking.” He began after a long silence. “And I pushed you down on the sofa and ripped off your nightdress.” He stopped unable to continue. “I hurt you.” He added in a hoarse whisper.

She moved over to him and put her arms around him.

“Roman it didn’t happen.” She said. “You didn’t rape me.”

He shook in her arms and then looked up at her.

“Why are you smiling.” He asked puzzled.

“Because of the role reversal.” Ella muttered. “And well you do have a habit of being forceful.”

He tugged her down on the bed and pushed her onto her back before easing back and lifting his hand to stroke her face.

“Like that?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Roman I need you. I need you to keep the nightmares away, for both of us. You’re stronger than me right now and I need that ok?” she said beginning to cry.

He nodded and put his arms around her.

“Please don’t cry.” He whispered.

She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” She said.

“Ella.” He muttered. “I’m the one to be sorry. I threw those taunts at you and then I left you this morning when you needed me to be there.”

“But I feel I should be over this.”

“What is the time limit on a person’s hurt Ella?” he asked her.

She looked at him and sighed.

“We need to ring Gabby.” She told him.

He nodded and reached into his pocket and then sighed.

“I left it.” he said and saw her nod.

“Yes. And you might find you have a couple of messages.” She muttered folding her arms.

He looked at her and smiled slowly.

“How mad were you?” he said.

“Listen to the messages and find out.” she glared at him.

“That mad huh?” he mused and held out his hand.

She placed her phone in it and he dialled before putting it on speakerphone.

“I’ll listen, you talk.” He told her.

She nodded.

“Room 315 please.” She asked when the call went through.

“’Lo.” Gabby answered on the ninth ring sounding sleepy.

“Hey Gabby.” Ella murmured. “You wanted me to call.”

“El?” she asked.

“That’s right.”

“Hey! Glad you called. Listen.” She said. “Listen.” She said again.

Roman looked at Ella with a frown on his face.

“Are you ok?” Ella asked. “Are your parents there? I can call back later.” Ella murmured and saw Roman nod.

“is fine. Not my parents. No! Don’t! “ Gabby answered in a rush. “Took phone.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“Come get me please.” She said. “Please.” She added in a whisper. “I need you.”

“Ok Gabby we’ll come and see you soon.” Ella said and rang off.

She picked up her phone and moved over to the wardrobe.

“Ella.” Roman said.

“I’m not going to leave her there.” She told her.

Roman stood and grabbed hold of her arm spinning her around. She reacted instinctively and reaching up a hand she slapped him round the face.

“Oh my god.” She cried. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“I guess I should learn not to grab you when you’ve had a bad night.” He murmured putting his hand to his cheek.

“Are you ok?” she asked unable to make eye contact with him.

He nodded before leaning down and kissing her.

She moved into his arms and held on to him.

“El.” He said after a moment. “It’s ok.”

She sighed.

“But now you are strangling me.” He murmured.

She gasped and pulled back.

“Seriously, I probably deserve a couple more of those for the way I’ve been acting the past few weeks.”

She looked at him.

“No.” she murmured. “not a couple anyway.”

He chuckled.

She spun back around and opened the wardrobe pulling out something he knew he should recognise as designer and laid it on the bed.

“El,” he said softly. “How about we get a plan?”

She looked at him.

“Look what they did to me? “ she ground out. “What do you think they are doing to her? Have done to her?”

“Ella” he murmured cutting her off mid rant.

She folded her arms and looked at him.

“Fine, plan?” she asked looking at him.

“We transfer her to Yabbie Creek.” He said.

“Can you get that done?” she asked him.

He shrugged.

“I’m sure…” he began to say something when Ella rushed past him and ran down the stairs.

“Aden.” She called out.

“Aden can help us.” Roman finished in the empty room. He resisted the urge to straighten the bedcovers and went downstairs after her grabbing his phone from the side of the bed. Clicking it open he listened to the messages and smiled.

“Ella.” He called walking into the room where she had Aden cornered and was talking rapidly to him.

She spun around catching sight off the phone in his hand and blushed before lapsing into silence.

”First off I didn’t know you knew those words and second you are about to pester poor Aden into something.”

“Poor Aden?” Aden quoted.

Roman smiled slowly.

“Now I know I’m about to do something that breaks the law.”

“Like we would have you do that!” Roman added grinning.

Aden nodded.

“Hey!” Roman muttered.

“Don’t you think you’ll get it past me.” Aden murmured.

“What?” Roman asked.

“Your stupid plan. Whatever, it is!” Aden said and walked away from them.

“Please.” Ella said.

Aden turned around and came back over.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“Can we transfer Gabby to Yabbie Creek hospital?” Ella asked him. “Today?”

He looked at her and then at his watch.

“I’ll have to make some calls. She’s of age so you aren’t her legal guardians.” He said.

Ella nodded.

“Can’t we get a protection order or something?” she groaned.

Aden shook his head.

“Not unless she makes a complaint out.” Aden said softly.

“How do you know that?” Roman muttered.

“Doctors need to know that stuff in cases where they have to call in Docs.” Ella pointed out.

Roman gave a brief nod and then looked from one to the other.

“So transferring her?” he asked. “Can you do it?”

Aden gave a slow nod.

“I have to make a call.” He said and pulled his phone out before moving away and dialling.

Roman looked at Ella and tried to give her a smile but the closeness he saw between her and Aden reinforced his old jealousy.

“I can’t believe you.” She muttered at him and turned away.

“Ella.” He said quickly.

She gave him one of those looks and he flinched.

“I’m going outside to see if my parents are ok.” he muttered moving away.

He looked over at the children sitting on the sofa in the lounge and then moved outside.

“Hey is everything ok son?” Marco asked him.

Roman nodded.

“Yeah, we do have a lot on but it’s under control.” He said quietly. “Are you wanting to make a move?”

Marco nodded.

“It’s been good.” His dad said emotionally. “Think about the anniversary party. Your brothers and sisters are bursting to meet you.”

Roman nodded a slow grin on his face.

“You’ve given Ella the details?” he asked.

“Yes.” Alyssa murmured. “She’s got the dates and everything.”

Roman smiled at his mother before going over and sitting with her. He put his arms around her and placed a kiss to her cheek.

“You never used to be like this?” She said to him.

“Showing affection?” he found himself asking.

She nodded.

“I don’t what happened.” He said after a moment. “Something happened with us and after the stuff with Natalie I didn’t feel.” He stopped. “I wasn’t the same.”

Alyssa smiled sadly and shared a look with Marco.

“We need to go, we have to open the restaurant.”

Roman nodded and reached out to take hold of Lily.

“I do have one question.” Alyssa murmured.

Roman looked at her.

“Yes.” He said cautiously.

“How come I don’t see your paintings?” she asked. “I see Ella’s beautiful photos but not your paintings.”

Roman looked at the baby.

“I stopped painting.” He said softly. “But there is something.” He added and gestured for them to come with him. They followed him up the stairs and into the nursery. Marco and Alyssa looked at the painting of the lily on the wall he’d had to touch up after Meggy’s graffiti with the marker pen. He saw his mum touch a trembling hand to her lips before she went over and traced the outline of the flower.

“It’s beautiful.” She said quietly.

Roman blushed.

“Hey!” Ella murmured walking in behind them. She touched Roman’s back, stroking down his spine before reaching out a hand to her wide-awake daughter.

“Yes, so this is the nursery.” Roman told them quickly.

Alyssa smiled and caught Marco’s gaze before moving over to her son.

“Better not open the back of the album then.” She warned.

Ella looked from one to the other before turning and running down the stairs.

“Mum!” Roman groaned and handed over the baby to his father before turning and running down the stairs after her. He caught her looking in the last page of the photo Album and crying.

“El.” He said.

“All this time and you never once told me you did this.” She told him.

“El.” He said again.

He saw that her hands were shaking and he knew she was freshly hurt on top of everything else. She looked at him.

“We need to talk.” She said. “And when we are done we need to decide where we are going.”

He stepped over to her and sat on the bench pulling her down beside him.

“Ella.” He murmured.

She glared at him and rested the album in his lap so he could see.

“My god.” He muttered.

Roman stretched out his fingers and touched the paintings his parents had placed in the album. One of his sister, Megs and another of the view across some place they had gone on holiday too.

“This is Megs.” He said un-necessarily. “I didn’t do portraits but she begged me.” His voice was husky with emotion. ”She was so beautiful, still is.”

Ella looked over at him seeing something in his eyes that hadn’t been there for a long time.

“Roman.” She said softly.

“Painting was the past. Nothing to do with who I was when I first met you.”

She nodded and carried on listening.

“I do have something that I did. Wait here.”

He placed the album in her lap and moved past his parents and a puzzled Nic. Coming back a couple of minutes later with his notebook in his hand. He sat beside El and opened it at a certain page placing it on top of the still open album.

Ella looked down and sighed before tears welled up in her eyes.

“Can I look?” Nic asked.

Roman nodded his eyes still on Ella.

She pushed both the album and his notebook away and stood up moving away from him.

He sighed thinking the worst at that point but she suddenly turned and launched herself at him wrapping her arms tight around his neck.

“I loved you.” He said. “You were my life and I screwed it up and I’m sorry. I repeat patterns of behaviour even now when you’d think I’d be grown up enough not to do it. But Ella I love you. The 19-year-old you that rocked my world and the 30-year-old you that tracked me down and gave me this life and no matter what has been thrown at us I love you.” He said, his strong arms tight around her. “I’m sorry my past hurts us. You are my soul mate.”

She eased back and looked at him and then over at the audience of his parents, Nic and Geoff and then Aden and Belle and Mike grinning at them.

“I don’t care.” He said his eyes still on her. “I’m in love with you.”

“Yeah, I sorta love you too.” She grinned.

Mike moved over and picked up the notebook and grinned as he looked quickly through it. He saw the photo of his real dad with Roman and a laughing Ella and the scrawl of his handwriting until he found the place where it had been opened. He looked at the drawing of his mum and chuckled handing it over to Nic to look at.

“I’m so jealous.” Nic muttered under her breath.

Roman laughed and reached over turning a few pages. He heard Nic’s sigh as she looked at the drawing of herself as a baby.

“Dad?” she asked tremulously.

“I missed you Nic and I didn’t have a photo of you so that was the best I could do.” He told her.

She nodded passing the book back for the others to see.

“Oh I see, foster son’s don’t get the same treatment.” Aden said to him tongue firmly in cheek.

“I wonder who’s going to have to go buy art supplies now.” Ella said pressing herself close to him.

He leaned down and kissed her holding very tightly on to her.

“You know you were cute as a baby.” Mike told Nic. “what went wrong?” he asked and earned a glared from her.

“I got a stepbrother. It aged me.” She told him flouncing away.

Aden and Geoff grinned.

“I think we are going to go.” Marco told them.

Roman nodded and called his kids to come and say their goodbyes watching as his parents were hugged and kissed by all of them in turn. He moved over and did the same and saw Ella step forward. She handed over a piece of paper and he suspected it was contact details seeing a conspiratorial light in her eyes. Then he watched the car pull away and he found Meggy had slipped her hand in his.

“They’ll come back won’t they?” she asked him.

Roman smiled.

“Yup.” He said. “Definitely. Now go thank your brother Mike for tracking them down.” He said to her. “I think he needs lost of kisses.”

“Roman Harris.” Ella muttered after Meggy had moved away and pinned Mike to the sofa planting wet kisses over his face.

“Well you wouldn’t let me hit him.” Roman said quietly.

She smiled.

“Lets go get Gabby.” She said.

He nodded and they moved over to where Aden was standing.

“Right.” He began. “Rachel has done the paperwork and faxed it over to the hospital. We have an ambulance on standby to go get her.”

“Legitimately?” Roman asked raising an eyebrow as he queried the other man.

Aden nodded.

“We did it on an emergency care order. But it’s going to need Gabby to make a statement as to what they have been doing, you too El. The tranquillisers instead of painkillers for example.”

She nodded.

Roman moved away and into the study opening the cupboard door where he’d put Gabby things the night before, while his parents used the room and brought out the pill bottle and the diary. He handed them to Aden.

“Can these be used as evidence.” He asked.

Aden nodded.

“Shall we go now?” he asked.

Ella nodded and felt Roman take hold of her hand.

“I’ve got the kids.” Nic told them standing in the kitchen looking at them. “Geoff is coming with you.”

Roman nodded knowing that he wouldn’t be able to persuade them otherwise. They moved out. He drove while Ella sat beside him. The other two in the back seat. Aden made a quick call,

“The ambulance has set off.” He said after hanging up.

Roman nodded before concentrating on the road ahead.