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Great Writing - Home > Extended > Let no man put asunder - chapter 25
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Extended Work
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| Let no man put asunder - chapter 25 | |
| By LynB | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 December 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sorry this chapter took so long. Hope you enjoy it.... Chapter 25 It was a frosty winter afternoon, and the festive season was fast approaching. Eliza was trying to persuade Jon to accompany her on a Christmas shopping trip, but with little success. After his unpleasant encounter with the girl in the restaurant, on Eliza’s birthday, his newly found confidence had taken a nasty knock, and it was proving difficult to build it up again. However, as he had come to realise, Eliza was not the kind of person to give up easily. “It’ll be all right” she said, putting a gentle hand on his arm. “I’ll be at your side all the time – you won’t have to face it on your own. We’ll take it slowly – I won’t go into every shop in town, I promise! Please, love, don’t let that spiteful little mare get to you. If you give up now, she’s won! Is that what you want?” “Of course not!” he replied, glancing at her, his voice trembling. “but I just can’t forget those awful things she said to me. That hurt so much, Eliza. I know what I am, without her pointing it out to me.” “What do you mean, you know what you are? You can stop that kind of talk right now! You say you remember what she said, but do you remember what her mate said? She said your true fans would stick by you, and would wait as long as it took! She said she wanted to hear you sing again, but only when you were ready! There must be something really special about you to command such loyalty. I think it’s wonderful, I really do. I’ve always loved your voice right from the very first time I heard it, and I know I will until the day I die. You may not think so right now, but there will be a time when you’ll be able to walk out on to a stage, and hold the audience in the palm of your hand, just like you did before – and when you do, I’ll be in the front row!” “I don’t deserve you, Eliza” he said, taking her in his arms. “You brought me back into the real world, and you helped me to live again. You’ve no idea what that means to me.” “I think I do.” she whispered, kissing him gently. “Now, how about that Christmas shopping? Remember what I said – small steps? Come on, you can do it. I have faith in you!” “You’re not going to give up, are you?” “No, I’m not – so get used to it!” “What have I done to deserve you, Eliza? Just when I thought I’d lost everything, you come along and put me together again.” “You’re not going to go all soppy on me, are you?” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “It’s Christmas, you’re supposed to be happy.” “I am. I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to me going all soppy on you. It’s the nature of the beast, I’m afraid!” “I can live with that! Come on, let’s hit the shops!” “Right, as Elvis once said – it’s now or never!” As they drove into town, Eliza noticed that he was looking a little pensive, and he kept giving her nervous sideways glances. She began to get the impression there was something he wanted to say to her, but did not quite know how to start. As he finally managed to park the car, she could not keep quiet any longer. “What’s on your mind, Jon?” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “Nothing. It’s just that….” “Just that what? Come on, tell me.” “I’m scared, Eliza” “Scared of what, love?” “I don’t know if I can do this. What if I lose sight of you?” “You won’t. I’ll stick to you like glue! You’ll be fine – you’ll see!” As she put a gentle, reassuring hand on his arm, she realised he was trembling. He looked at her, a pleading expression in his eyes. She was torn between wanting to take him home there and then, and making him face his fears, but she knew, for his sake, that she had to do the latter. As they both got out of the car, she took his hand, and held it firmly, as they began to walk towards the shops. For once, he was hoping that no one would approach him, as it was going to be hard enough as it was. Eliza decided that it would be too traumatic for him, at first, to go into a large department store, with lots of people milling around, so she decided to pay a visit to the small gift shop she went to every Christmas. As they walked around, he gripped her hand for all he was worth. His eyes rested on a My Little Pony gift set, and he felt them fill with tears. This isn’t right, he thought to himself, I shouldn’t be Christmas shopping without my children. He quickly brushed his hand across his face, hoping Eliza had not noticed. Suddenly, the introduction to ‘O holy night’ filtered through the loudspeakers on the wall, and he stood rooted to the spot, as he heard his own voice begin to sing the well-loved Christmas classic. They were playing his Christmas album from last year – before his life had fallen apart beyond all recognition. As Eliza stood there transfixed by his beautiful, pure tones, she realised that tears were streaming down his face. She put a gentle hand on his cheek, turning him round to face her. “Jon?” she whispered, discreetly offering him a tissue. “What’s up, love?” Before he could answer, an elderly couple approached them. The lady put a hand on his arm, and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. “That voice” she whispered, her eyes not leaving his face. “It’s you, isn’t it, dear? I knew it! So beautiful! So much power there, for one so young! It’s all right, dear, I know what happened to you. It’s a long road, but you’ll get better, I know you will. You’ve brought so much joy to this old heart, you deserve to find some peace of mind for yourself. You take care of yourself, all right?” Moved beyond words, he leaned over, and kissed her cheek. Eliza had not said a word, but she could not help but notice the light he had kindled in the old lady’s eyes. She felt a lump in her throat at the beatific expression on her beautiful old face. Jon’s whispered reply carried only to her ears. As they left the shop, Eliza glanced at him, and as he smiled back at her, his eyes were sparkling. Her heart filled to bursting point at the joyful expression on his face; it was such a contrast to his last venture out in public. He would never see her again, but he would never forget the old lady’s words, and Eliza could not help but notice his renewed confidence, and the expression of fear that she was so familiar with, had all but disappeared. The only cloud on the horizon was that on Christmas Day she would have to share him with his children. Although she was delighted that Donna had asked him to come over, she was disappointed that she would have to spend the day without him. Still, she would not be alone, as her aunt and uncle had asked her to come and spend some time with them. His happiness was paramount to her, and if spending time with his children made him happy, then that was the most important thing. She had arranged to drop him off at his house, then Donna would run him home. Steve had offered to give him a lift, but his reply was not repeatable in polite company. As Donna opened the door to him, she gestured for him to come inside, smiling politely. “You’re looking good, Jon” she said, as he followed her into the living room. “Are you feeling better?” “I’m doing all right” he replied, plastering on a smile. “As you can see, I’m getting my life together quite nicely now, thank you. Hold on, he’s not here, is he? If he is, I’m out of here!” “Calm down, Jon. I told him that Christmas Day was off limits, and he understands” “Bloody decent of him, I’m sure” was the scathing reply. As he rounded the corner, and saw his children, his felt tears stinging his eyes. They immediately stopped what they were doing, and their faces lit up when they saw him. As he sat down on the sofa, Rosie and Clare virtually threw themselves at him, and Emily steered her chair as close to him as she could, and held out her arms. “I’ve really missed you, daddy” she said, as he held her close. “I know Rosie and Clare have, too. I wish you could come back forever!” “I know” he replied, trying to keep the tremor from his voice. “look what I’ve got for you!” “I thought Santa would bring them!” said Rosie, her smile fading. “Santa was extra busy” he replied, pulling her close. “so he asked me to bring them, to save time!” To his relief, Rosie seemed perfectly satisfied with this explanation. He smiled indulgently at her as she squealed with delight at the My Little Pony house that he had bought her. He glanced over at David, and beckoned to him to come over. He walked slowly towards him, an uncertain smile on his face. “This is for you!” he said, handling him a parcel. “Do you want me to help you open it?” “No” replied David, giving him a withering look “I do it!” As he watched him playing with the giant garage, complete with cars, he felt Donna’s hand on his shoulder, and looked up at her. Her heart ached for him, as she noticed the expression his face. “He still doesn’t know me” he said, as a solitary tear rolled down his cheek. “Give him time” said Donna, as she felt her own eyes fill with tears. “Come on, I’ll make you a cup of tea” He followed her into the kitchen, and as they stood waiting for the kettle to boil, Donna turned to face him. “Are you happy?” she said, putting a gentle hand on his arm. “You deserve to be, after all you’ve been through” “Yes, I am” he replied, without hesitation. “Eliza has given me a reason to go on. I love her – it’s that simple.” “I think it’s good we’ve managed to find happiness again” she said, not quite meeting his eyes. “We had some good times, though, didn’t we? I’m just sorry it had to end the way it did, that’s all” “Well, it all worked out in the end, didn’t it? We did have some good times, Donna, but that’s in the past now. The future is the only thing that matters now.” “I still care what happens to you, you know, even though we….” “Somehow I find that hard to believe, Donna” he interrupted, picking up his cup of tea, and heading for the door. “so let’s just leave it there, shall we? It’s Christmas Day, and I don’t want any bad feeling. Let’s concentrate on the one good thing to come out of our relationship – our children. I don’t get to see them every day, like you, so I want to make the most of every second I get to spend with them. I’m sure you can appreciate that.” “Of course” she said, sitting down next to him. “It’s my one regret that David doesn’t know you. I know how you must feel…” “No, you don’t, Donna” he said, his voice shaking. “You’ve no idea how I feel, so don’t insult me. It was like a knife in my heart, hearing my little boy call another man ‘daddy’. I wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone….” He did not trust himself to say any more, and his voice trailed off. As he fought for his composure, he felt a pair of tiny arms wrapping themselves around his neck – it was Rosie. She looked up at him, the look of love on her face warming his heart. She kissed him on the cheek, then lay her head on his shoulder. “I love you, daddy” she said, as he rested his head on her thick blonde curls. “Do you love me?” “More than anything” he whispered, suddenly blinded by tears. “You need never doubt that, Rosie. Whatever happens, I’ll always love you – all of you” “Would you sing for us, daddy?” said Emily, her head on Donna’s shoulder. “Will you sing us a Christmas song? It doesn’t matter which one” “Sing ‘O holy night’” said Donna, gently stroking Emily’s hair. “It’s one of my favourites, and no one sings it quite like you.” “Okay” he said, smiling gratefully at her. “I never could refuse a beautiful face.” There was a few seconds’ quiet, then he held the other two girls close to him, and began to sing. They all sat there in silence, as the beautiful voice they loved so well, filled their senses and held them spellbound. Donna could feel tears rolling down her face. She knew that if she lived to be a hundred, she would never hear another voice like this. It touched her soul in a way that no other ever had, or ever would. As he sang, Jon noticed David watching him intently, and wondered what was going through his mind. It was almost as if he was trying to work something out. Suddenly, he got up, and walked over to him. He held out his arms and said, in a small, uncertain voice: “Daddy? My daddy?” The girls all turned to look at Donna, as she gave a sharp intake of breath. Jon stopped singing, and held the little boy close to his heart, sobbing uncontrollably. “Yes, I’m your daddy” he wept, as he clasped the little boy’s face in his hands, before burying his face in his dark curls. “Oh God, at last! I thought I’d never see this day! I’m your daddy – I am! Oh, my little boy….” “Don’t cry” said David, gently touching his face. “Sing, daddy…” At that moment, Jon was completely incapable of speaking, let alone singing. He just held him close, the little boy he’d thought was lost to him. Eliza had said that one day something would trigger a memory in his child’s mind, and she was right. David had been lulled to sleep by his father’s God given voice since the day he was born; it was one of his very first memories, and it had helped him recognise the man who had helped to create him, and who loved him more than life itself. As Donna watched father and son together, she thought of what she had to tell him when Christmas was over. She did not want to tell him, she did not want to break his heart all over again, but she knew she had no choice.
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