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Great Writing - Home > Extended > Let no man put asunder - chapter 22
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Extended Work
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| Let no man put asunder - chapter 22 | |
| By LynB | ||||
| 21 November 2006 | ||||
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Chapter 22 For a moment, Eliza could not believe what she was hearing, and, for a moment, she held him at arms length, saying: “Jon, are you sure this is what you want?” “Never been more sure of anything in my life” “But why me? Most men normally run the other way!” “I’m not most men, so just….” “I just don’t get it…..” “Well, if you won’t shut up long enough to let me kiss you, then neither will I!” “Why you…! Come here, you gorgeous beast….” “It’s been a while since I had an offer like that! It would be downright rude to turn it down, wouldn’t it?!” She did not answer, but just wrapped her arms around his neck, and as she gazed at him, the expression on his face was one she had not seen until now – it was an expression of love, and of hope. The defeated look in his eyes had gone, and had been replaced by one of peace – and not before time. She hoped and prayed that it would last. Fate had delivered him into her hands – surely it had happened for a reason. To her, the reason was obvious – they were both in pain, both looking for someone to soothe their tortured souls. She realised - and she hoped that he did, too – that they did not have to go it alone. “You’ve already made one of my dreams come true” she said, her voice a husky whisper. “Now you’re just about to help me realise another one.” “Do you know something, Eliza?” he said, his voice soft and tremulous. “I’d almost forgotten what it was like to be happy and carefree, and I’ve been in pain for so long that I couldn’t see a way out, but thanks to you, I feel there is a point to life after all. I feel blessed, I mean, who am I to have a second chance at the kind of love that some people never find at all?” “You said love. Does that mean what I hope it means?” “If you hope it means that I love you, then yes” “Oh, Jon! You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words. I’ve wanted to tell you how I feel for so long, but I couldn’t. I still can’t believe it, I must be dreaming…” “No, you’re not….” “Say it again. I didn’t quite take it in the first time. Please, Jon – say it again!” “Okay. I love you, Eliza. Happy now?” “Yes” she whispered, trailing her hand down his face. “The happiest I’ve ever been in my life” After a quiet drink at a small country pub, they made their way back to Eliza’s flat. They had just made themselves comfortable on the sofa, when Jon’s mobile began to ring. He was tempted to ignore it, but then changed his mind, thinking that it may be important. His heart lurched when he read the display – ‘Donna calling’ – what did she want? There was only one way to find out. “Hello, Donna” he said, trying desperately to control the tremor in his voice. “What do you want?” “Just ringing to see how you are” she replied. “Are you feeling better?” “Like you care!” he snapped, tears stinging his eyes. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have ended up in casualty, having my stomach pumped, so don’t pretend you care! You don’t give a shit whether I live or die! Now, what do you want?” “All right” she said, her voice surprisingly calm. “I was just wondering if you wanted to come over and see the kids – maybe tomorrow?” “I thought you said you didn’t trust me to look after them!” “Well, I’d be there as well…” “Oh, I see! I thought it was too good to be true. Still, if it means I can see them, I suppose I’ll have to accept it. Just one thing, Donna…” “Which is?” “Just make sure he isn’t there when come round, otherwise I won’t be responsible for what I might do.” “Fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” He put the ‘phone back on the table, and turned to look at Eliza. Her dark eyes were full of concern, and she put a comforting hand on his arm. “Would you take me over there tomorrow, Eliza? I’m desperate to see them, I’ve missed them so much. I know it means that Donna will be watching me like a hawk, but that’s a small price to pay, if it means I can see them.” “Of course I’ll take you. I know how much it means to you – you’re a brilliant dad. I just wish Donna could see that. Still, at least you’re going to see them – that’s something. I’m so pleased for you.” It was arranged that Eliza would drop him off at his house the next day, then he would ring her when he was ready to leave, and she would pick him up. She stopped the car outside the front door, but he did not get out of the car straight away. She sensed his reluctance, and kissed him gently, saying: “Come on, babe. It’ll be all right!” Taking a deep breath, he opened the car door, and walked up to the front door, where Donna was waiting for him. It was all Eliza could do to restrain herself, but she kept her dignity, and just drove away. “Hello, Donna” he said, wondering how the hell it had come to this, addressing his wife as if she were an acquaintance, instead of the woman he had been married to for the last five years. “Can I come in?” “Well, I’m not going to make you stand on the doorstep for the next few hours” she said, gesturing for him to come in. “Come on, they’re waiting for you. David’s asleep at the moment, but the girls can’t wait to see you!” He went into the living room, and as he heard the shouts of laughter from his little girls, he felt his eyes stinging with tears. He blinked them away, before they had a chance to see them. He stood there rooted to the spot, not quite sure what to do next. Emily was the first to see him. She smiled, and her eyes lit up as she held out her arms to him. He held her as tightly as he dared, suddenly feeling inexplicably tearful. “Are you better now, daddy?” she said, her smile warming his heart. “Mummy said you’ve been poorly!” “I’m much better now, Emily. I’ve missed you so much! I’ve missed all of you…” His voice gave way, and he put his hand over his face, as he fought for his self-control. He felt a pair of tiny arms find their way around his neck – Rosie’s. She clung to him as if she would never let him go. Clare climbed on to his knee, leaning her head on his chest, declaring how much she loved him. “Where have you been, daddy?” said Rosie, looking up at him. “I’ve really missed you, you know! Will you come back and live with us? I’ll never be naughty again if you come back and live with us. I love you so much, daddy! Please come back…” “It’s not that easy, Rosie” he said, gently stroking her face. “Mummy and I – oh God, how do I explain it – we don’t love each other as much as we used to. Sometimes people stop loving each other – they don’t always know why, they just do. I still care about mummy, and I always will – and I’ll always love you. No matter what, I’ll always love you – all of you! I’ll come and see you as often as I can, I promise. Do you understand what I’m trying to say, Rosie?” “I think so, daddy” she said, an earnest expression on her little face. “Will you read me a story, please? Will you read ‘Bob the Builder’ for me?” “I thought Bob the Builder was for little boys.” “That’s sexist, daddy” said Emily, disdainfully. “There’s reason why girls can’t like Bob the Builder, you know.” “I consider myself told” he said, smiling. “Come on, then. Give me the book. Do you want to sit on my lap, Emily, or are you too big for that?” “I’ll just sit next to you, daddy. Let Rosie and Clare sit on your lap. They don’t take up as much room as me!” He lifted Emily out of her wheelchair, and gently placed her on the sofa, then waited while Rosie and Clare positioned themselves on his lap, waiting patiently for him to begin. As he sat there reading to them, their gaze never strayed from his face, and Donna felt a lump in her throat as she watched them together. She may have tried to stop him from seeing his children, but she could never stop him from loving them, and it was obvious for the whole world to see just how much they loved him. If she stopped him from seeing them altogether, she would have been punishing the children just as much as him, and that, to her mind, would have been unforgivable. No matter what had happened in the past, she should have known that he would never do anything to harm his precious children. During those dark days when he thought there was nothing to live for, his love for them, and theirs for him, had helped him to face the future. Suddenly, there was a tap at the door, and Steve’s voice said: “It’s only me, Donna! How are you, sweetheart?” Jon immediately stiffened at the sound his voice, and the girls looked at him as he suddenly stopped reading. Donna noticed the expression on his face change, and motioned to Steve to leave, but he misunderstood her gesture, and came in instead. He put his head around the corner, and smiled at the girls. “Jon! Fancy seeing you here! How’s it going?” “You’ve got a nerve! Don’t you speak to me, because I can’t trust myself to be civil to you. I’m not going to raise my voice in front of my children, but I’ll just say this – get out of my sight while you can still walk unaided!” “Fair enough!” said Steve, holding his hands up. “Oh, I can hear David crying! I’ll get him, shall I?” “I don’t think so!” said Jon, his voice low and angry, his eyes blazing. “I don’t want you anywhere near my kids! Haven’t you caused me enough pain already? Why don’t you just bugger off!” “I’ll get him!” said Donna, trying to diffuse the situation. “Won’t be a minute!” With that, she disappeared upstairs. About five minutes later, she reappeared with David in her arms. His eyes lit up, and he held out his arms. Jon’s smile faded, and he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces, as his little boy’s outstretched arms reached past him, as he looked at Steve, and said: “Daddy!”
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