Christian
I swear this has been the longest night of my life. After Molly fell asleep on me out on the swing I kept her with me for a little while then carried her in and put her to bed. The poor girl was so worn out that she didn't even stir the whole time that I carried her. Tom and Callum had the kids in with them so I put Molly in my bed and I took the couch. I knew that I wouldn't be getting much sleep tonight so it really didn't make any difference to me and I was right, it's almost 4 am and I'm still laying here wide awake.
I've tried everything I can to get some rest even the old classic counting sheep but nothing will work, my brain just won't shut off. Katie is at the very front of it and I can't get my mind off of her. I just keep praying that she's ok that Amy has got her somewhere safe. I reckon she has as all she cares about is getting her hands on the money and if keeping Katie safe and looked after is the way to do it then she will, that I believe more than anything.
That poor little girl is just a money bag to her mother but she is one of the most important people in my life and I'm going to give her the best life possible. Just a few more hours and she'll be here with us, right where she belongs.
Thinking about her reminds me that I need to phone my solicitor first thing this morning to get the ball rolling and the paperwork in order. I also need to get in touch with that social worker and let her know what's going on and pray that it will all be ok and work out. Everywhere was closed yesterday due to the storm so I was stuck but today they will be open and I want everything started ASAP. I want full custody of all of the kids and I won't stop until I have it.
A creek in the floorboard has me sitting up only to find my dad creeping across the lounge and heading for the kitchen. "Sorry son, I didn't mean to wake you." I untangle the sheets from around my legs and stand up before stretching out my aching limbs. Four hours of laying in the same potion on a couch that is too small for my size can play havoc on the body. "You didn't Dad. I haven't been to sleep yet. What are you doing up, you ok?"
"I'm ok son just can't sleep that's all. Coffee?"
"Sure, why not. There's no way I'm getting any sleep tonight so I may as well have some." He nods with an understanding look on his face then heads for the coffee machine that's on the kitchen unit and gets to work on making it. I didn't expect Penny to have a coffee machine in her house, she's very old school so I'm pretty shocked but insanely grateful, I have a feeling that I'm going to need a lot of coffee to get me through today.
I walk over to one of the stools at the breakfast bar and haul my tired ass on one of them while rubbing my burning eyes. "I'm so fucking tired but my brain just won't switch off." My dad turns around to face me as the coffee machine does its thing and gives me a compassionate smile.
"I get it, son, you have a lot going on right now, between Katie and Molly you must feel like you're ready to burst." I nod but then his words quickly hit me and my brain-to-mouth filter fails me as I start a conversation I don't really need right now. "What do you mean about Molly?"
"He gives me a look that tells me that he isn't about to buy my bullshit and once again I want to kick myself for opening my big fat mouth! "Well Tom told me that she's leaving tomorrow and I know that's not what you want." I go to talk but he holds his hand up stopping me. He turns back to the coffee machine and pours us both a cup before coming to sit at the breakfast bar right opposite me. "I'm your dad, your bullshit won't wash with me son so how about you start telling me the truth, yeah?"
I'm not a great liar and an even worse one when it comes to my family so I already know that my dad can see through what I'm saying. "I have to concentrate on Katie, Dad, I can't..." He sips his coffee seeming to think about his response. "Katie is taken care of, yes she's stuck with that poor excuse of a women right now but in a few hours, she will be here with her family, safe and taken care of. Tom has the money covered so aside from the obvious concerns you don't have to worry about that situation, it's taken care of."
"I know, I know. I just can't rest until she is here with me." He nods as he continues to drink his coffee. "I know son and I'm pretty sure we all feel the same but your time isn't limited with Katie but it is with Molly." He's not going to let it go and given how good he is at seeing through my lies I decide to just go with it and be honest with him. My Dad's always been very wise and open and honest whenever any of us need to talk so maybe he can help me figure out my head because I'm struggling right now.
"I just... I can't... ahh Dad I just don't know where to start here." He reaches out and takes hold of my hand. "Son answer me something and I want the truth." I nod dreading what it is he'll ask. "What do you want? Put aside all the bullshit that you're telling yourself and all the complications you both have in life. Just think about you and her and nothing else then tell me what it is you want?"
"I want her." The words leave my mouth so fast that I shock myself but it's the truth. "Then don't let her go, son. Don't live life with that kind of regret because it will eat away at you. I understand that you both have been hurt and are still dealing with that but the way I see it is this could be meant to be. You have both been married, and both met the people who you thought you were destined to be with but they weren't the right ones for either of you but you and Molly... I can see that working, you, Molly and those beautiful children...yep that's a future that I can see."
"I'm going to leave you to let those words sink in. I'll be in my room if you need to talk some more son." He takes his cup to the sink before walking back towards me and slapping my shoulder as he walks past. As he reaches the door he calls out to me.
"Chris, I don't feel like I tell you this enough but I'm so proud of you. You are one incredible Dad and what you are doing for those kids and Kaite, hell, it makes me full of pride but you also deserve your own personal happiness. I know you're scared of getting hurt again even if you don't want to admit it to anyone but please I beg you to really think about this before it's too late." I give him a nod but don't say a word then he leaves me alone and my head whirls with everything he has said. Fuck me!
Molly
"You ready, baby girl?" Tom pops his head through the bedroom door as I just finish up getting dressed so we can get to the bank. "Yes, I just need to get my sneakers downstairs and we can go." He nods as I walk towards him and head for the longe. I've been awake since five this morning and all I've done is replay last night out on the porch with Chris and Tom, everything we spoke about, and the way Christian was being with me. I also can't remember how I got to bed which is strange and what's even more strange is that I woke up in the bed that Christian has been using. What the hell happened last night?
We make quick work of finishing getting ready and heading outside to the truck. The weather is changing so fast and the leggings and shirt that I am wearing ain't doing much to keep me warm. I need to grab some more clothes before I leave here. Just as Tom starts the truck up shouting reaches us and we both turn to see Christian heading towards us with Sophie resting on his hip. He walks over to my door and quickly opens it before handing me a hoodie. "Take it, sweetheart, it's cold." It's the first time I've seen him this morning and he ain't acting awkward which is a good sign but I still want to know how I ended up in his bed and where the hell did he sleep?
The look on his face tells me that there's no point arguing with him so instead I smile and thank him while making quick work of putting the hoodie on and loving the instant warmth that I feel. I know he said he had bought some hoodies yesterday but he must have worn this one as it smells of him not that I let him know that I've realised that but hell the smell of him instantly brings me comfort that I didn't know that I needed right now.
Within thirty minutes we are in the bank and I am signing for the money. It's a lot of money to handle in cash and it pretty much fills the large rucksack that Tom has brought with him. Thank god he remembered to bring it because I didn't even think about it. Well done, Molls! The banking assistant hands me the bag over to me and I feel nervous just holding it. Yes, it's my money but I've never been one for carrying much money on me so this feels pretty surreal.
"Do you want me to take it darlin'" Tom clearly sensed how tense I had become and as usual he rescues me. I give him a grateful nod as he takes it from me. Two of the security guards from the bank soon join us and escort us back to the truck to make sure we are safe and the moment we are in the truck and Tom locks the doors I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Let's go get your niece back!" Tom looks at me with the warmest smile and gives my hand a quick squeeze. "Molls...I..." I stop him mid-sentence as I already know what he's going to say, he's going to thank me again but I don't need to hear it, I'm just glad I have been able to do it. "You don't need to say it Tom, I know babes, I know."