Thanks ever so much to Jack-Really Bad Eggs and JessMike for the reviews. It’s so appreciated and keeps me going!

Chapter eighteen

Jessica led her brother to the couch. “Sit down,” she said gently. “I’ll go get some coffees.” She squeezed his shoulder. She took a deep breath before she headed back into the kitchen and to her husband. Mike didn’t say anything, seeing the person sat in the living room. Jessica touched his shoulder this time.

“He’s got no where to go,” she said quietly. Mike still didn’t say anything. He glanced up at her.

“I’ll go get some sheets for him,” he finally answered. Jessica leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you, honey.” Mike stood up. “Do you want one?” She questioned, gesturing to a cup. He shook his head.

“Look, Jess, he can stay the night but don’t-.”

“OK,” she agreed, reading his thoughts. She reached for his hand and squeezed it. She took the coffees back into the living room as Mike went to the bedroom. She passed her brother a cup and sat down next to him. She didn’t speak, waiting for him to talk first.

“She doesn’t want to see me,” he said hopelessly. “I waited but they said she wasn’t up to visitors.” Jessica bit her lip.

“Maybe she wasn’t,” Jessica said, trying to sound reassuring. Steven shook his head.

“No, it was about me,” he said with certainty. “She doesn’t want to see me.” Jessica didn’t know what to say. She looked up as Mike came into the room with some sheets.

“Thanks,” she said quietly. She gave him a half smile before he headed back into the bedroom. She turned back around to her brother. “She just needs time,” she tried to assure him. Steven lent his head against the side of the couch.

“How much time?” He questioned hopelessly. He looked exhausted. Jessica reached over and squeezed his arm.

“I’ll tell you what,” she announced. “We need doughnuts,” she told him. “We can pig out like when we were kids.” She gave him a smile. He forced himself to smile back. She stood up and headed to the kitchen, reaching into the cupboards and placing some doughnuts on a plate. She took a deep breath and forced herself to be strong for her brother’s sake as she headed back into the living room.

“Steven,” she began. She paused as she saw her brother. His eyes were closed. She smiled sadly, relieved he had some peace at last. She put the doughnuts down on the table and picked up a sheet instead. She spread it out, placing it over her brother.

“Night, Steven,” she whispered, flicking off the light and going into the bedroom.

Elizabeth paced the floor of the police station nervously as she waited for her father to come back, trying not to bite her nails. She glanced out the window at the early morning sun. She couldn’t believe she might finally be able to see Todd again. It had only been one night but it seemed like so much longer. She wouldn’t believe he was OK until she saw him herself. She sighed to herself. She needed to see him.

“Liz,” a voice called. Elizabeth felt tears filling her eyes as she recognised that voice. She turned around.

“Todd,” she cried, turning and running towards him. She threw her arms around him as she reached him. She squeezed him tight. She almost couldn’t believe he was real. “I thought I might not see you again,” she choked.

“Hey, hey,” he said gently, pulling her close. “They don’t separate us that easily!”

“I was so worried,” she told him, the tears falling. Todd pulled back and wiped them away.

“I’m here now,” he said gently. He pulled her back into his arms. “I’m here now,” he repeated. He kissed the top of her head.

As Jessica slowly opened her eyes she felt something soft on her skin. “Baby,” a familiar voice said quietly, putting a hand on her arm. “Baby.”

“What?” She questioned sleepily.

“I missed you last night,” he whispered, kissing the back of her neck. Jessica laughed.

“I only stayed up a bit longer than you!” She protested.

“Still doesn’t stop me missing you,” he murmured against her ear. Jessica giggled as he placed a rapid series of kisses on the same part of her neck.

“Mike, stop it,” she protested weakly. He put his arm around her waist, continuing his action. “Mike, please,” she managed to giggle. He finally relented, pulling her around to face him. She looked at him questioningly. He met her gaze before leaning towards her. Jessica closed her eyes as he kissed her gently. His fingers tenderly stroked her hair. His kisses became more passionate as he wrapped both his arms around her. Jessica felt her body heating up. She didn’t know what had gotten into to him and right now she didn’t care. Not after so long. She reached out to pull him close. He ran his hands over her back as their kisses became even more demanding. Jessica’s eyes flew open as she heard the door ease open. She froze, looking over.

“Sorry,” Steven apologised, blushing. Mike reluctantly pulled away. “I just needed the bathroom,” he added awkwardly, quickly tiptoeing to the bathroom. Jessica sat up, biting her lip guiltily as the events of yesterday filled her brain.

“He’s going to think we’re awful,” she whispered.

“You can’t put you life on hold forever,” Mike told her, sitting up as well. Jessica looked across at him.

“Still, it looks a little insensitive,” she said uncertainly. Mike took hold of her hand.

“It was my fault,” he said. “I was just trying to take your mind of it.” Jessica gave him a half smile.

“No, it was sweet,” she assured him. “I-.” Her voice broke off as the bathroom door opened. Steven didn’t say anything, just giving them a nervous look before starting to cross the bedroom again. Jessica swallowed. “Steven,” she started. He halted and looked over at her. “Do you need a lift down the hospital later?” She offered gently. Steven looked between the couple.

“It’s OK,” he said. “I can get myself there.”

“No,” Jessica told him firmly. “We can take you.” Steven hesitated.

“It’s OK,” he protested. “I’ve got to go to town as well,” he said honestly. “I need to get some clothes and things. With the fire….” He didn’t finish his sentence.

“Mike can lend you some clothes,” Jessica offered hastily. “Won’t you Mike?” Mike opened his mouth but she elbowed him, sensing his response. He finally nodded.

“I couldn’t-,” Steven protested again. Jessica shook her head, getting off the bed.

“Yes, you can,” she said firmly. “And we’ll take you to the hospital.” Steven opened his mouth. “Come on,” she interrupted, taking hold of his arm. “We’ll get some breakfast.” Jessica dragged him from the room. Mike groaned, throwing his head back against the pillow.

“So, he’s free to go?” Elizabeth asked her father, still holding onto Todd. Ned Wakefield nodded.

“Yes,” he answered. “They were happy to grant bail. On my assurances,” he added. Elizabeth nodded this time.

“Thank you, Mr. Wakefield,” Todd said sincerely, his gaze moving to Elizabeth’s father. Ned didn’t say anything, putting his hand on Todd’s shoulder.

“What happens now?” Elizabeth wondered uncertainly.

“We wait to hear,” Mr. Wakefield answered bluntly. “If they decide they want to prosecute they’ll give us a date shortly.”

“We have to wait again?” Elizabeth cried in disbelief. Ned nodded once more.

“I’m afraid so, sweetheart.” Elizabeth sighed, closing her eyes. Todd squeezed her arm reassuringly.

“We should go get something to eat,” she told him, regaining her composure slightly. She wanted to be strong for him. She wasn’t going to fall apart. “You must be hungry.” She looked at her father. “Do you want to come, dad?”

“Yeah,” Todd said quickly. “I’d like to say thanks,” he told him. Mr. Wakefield shook his head.

“No, I should get back to Elizabeth’s mother,” he told him. “She deserves to know what’s been going on.” Elizabeth looked down at the floor. “And you should call your parents,” he said to Todd, raising his eyebrows pointedly.

“Dad’s right,” Elizabeth agreed. Todd wanted to groan. That was one conversation he wasn’t looking forward to having. Elizabeth pulled away from him. “But first,” she told him. “You can have a shower!”

Billie’s eyes met Steven’s as he paused in the doorway to her room. She didn’t say anything as he came and sat on the chair near her bed.

“How are you?” He whispered. Billie bit her lip.

“OK,” she told him, her own voice quiet. “They said I should be able to go home soon.” She snorted. “Wherever that is.” Steven was silent. “Where did you go last night?” She wondered.

“Jessica’s,” he answered. Billie’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know where else to go.” She nodded. “Jessica said we could stay there for a while,” he added, watching her reaction.

“Me as well?” She asked with surprise. Steven nodded.

“Of course.” They were both silent for a few moments. “I’m sorry,” he finally whispered. Billie bit her lip again, her eyes welling up with tears.

“No, I’m sorry,” she told him. She looked over at him. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I know I-but I didn’t want to lose the baby.” Steven took hold of her hand.

“I know,” he assured her. “I know.” Billie swallowed hard.

“Is the apartment that bad?” She wondered. Steven hesitated.

“We won’t be there for a bit,” he admitted. Billie closed her eyes for a second. “It doesn’t matter,” Steven said firmly. “You’re all right. That’s all that matters.” Billie looked over at him questioningly

“Do you want me to come back with you?” She asked. Steven didn’t hesitate this time.

“Yes,” he said with certainty. “Yes.” He knew there would be more questions to answer, a lot more questions, but for now they could wait.

“Do you think they’ll work things out?” Jessica wondered as she slid into the booth next to Mike. They’d headed for some lunch after dropping Steven off at the hospital, figuring he and Billie needed some time alone together. Mike picked up his menu.

“I have no idea,” he answered flatly, struggling to fake interest in something that was none of his business. Jessica hit his arm. Mike glanced over at her as he read the menu. He sighed, realising he probably had to say something to placate her. “Look, I’m sure if they talk things through they can maybe sort it all out.” Jessica didn’t respond, thinking about his words. She wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted them to work it out.

“I wish he’d let us pick him up,” she murmured. Mike shrugged.

“He wanted to make his own way back. It’s his choice.” Jessica watched her husband closely, wondering if she could ask what had been nagging her for most of the day.

“Mike,” she ventured.

“What?” He didn’t look up.

“About this morning,” she began, licking her lips nervously.

“What about it?” He questioned. “Breakfast was nice. The food I mean, not the company.” Jessica rolled her eyes.

“I mean the bit before Steven came in,” she said pointedly. Mike froze.

“Oh that,” he answered as realisation dawned. “What about it?” Jessica shifted in her seat awkwardly.

“Well, lately you’ve been kind of distant,” she told him bluntly. She felt guilty that she was even thinking about this right now after everything that had happened to her siblings in recent days but she wanted to know. Mike finally put down the menu and looked over at her properly. He hesitated a moment.

“I meant what I said,” he explained with a sigh. “Yesterday for a moment I really thought….” He didn’t finish his sentence. “Anyway, all I want right now is to keep you close to me. I realised I’ve been stupid.” Jessica leaned against him and he kissed the top of her head. Jessica looked up at him, knowing she had another subject to broach. She took a deep breath.

“Mike,” she started. “When Billie gets out her and-.” Mike groaned, knowing what was coming.

“Jess, please don’t ask me this,” he begged. She sat up turning pleading eyes on him.

“Please.” She pouted.

“Jess, they can’t stay with us,” Mike argued.

“Where else do you think they’re going to go?” She demanded.

“To your parents,” he fronted, struggling to sound as if he actually believed that was an option.

“Mike, they live nearly an hour away,” she reminded him, her voice flat. “Come on, I’m not exactly thrilled about Billie being there either. But Steven’s my brother.” He sighed.

“Do you want me to end up with another black eye?” Jessica groaned.

“It’s not a black eye,” she protested. “It’s barely even noticeable now the swelling gone down!” He snorted, folding his arms. “OK, OK,” Jessica relented, sitting up straight. “A few days. Just let them stay a few days.” Mike groaned again.

“Jess, I want to be alone with you,” he said meaningfully, meeting her gaze. “We can’t be alone if they’re there.” Jessica laughed.

“Mike, for weeks you haven’t and now you decide you want to be alone with me!”

“I explained that.” He leaned close to her. Jessica stared back at him, the tension from this morning building again. She pulled back.

“I’ve got an idea,” she announced . “I was going to wait to mention this.” She reached over for her handbag. “Lila, gave me these,” she explained, holding up the passes to health spa. “It’s just day passes to a health spa but lets say we go there and get out of their hair until things have calmed down a little bit.” He was about to make an argument about being pushed out of their own home but even he couldn’t deny the idea of getting away did sound appealing.

“It’s just a day thing,” he pointed out. “We’d have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Not if we call them,” she implored. “I’m sure if we pay they’ll let us stay the night. They have cabins and everything.” Mike tensed at the mention of money. Especially at the thought of not going into work for another day.

“They might not go for it,” he pointed out.

“They might,” she argued. He didn’t respond. “Come on,” she persisted. “You can blow off work and we can just spend the day together.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You know, after everything I’ve been through,” she said, pouting slightly. “I think I deserve a little relaxation, don’t you?” Mike groaned. “You know you want to. We could be alone all we want,” she added, her own voice meaningful. She felt that uncomfortable twinge of guilt that she shouldn’t even be thinking like that right now.

“Fine,” he agreed, desire winning out over common sense. “But Steven is only staying a couple of days, right?”

“Right, I’m sure they’ll be all right with that.”

“If we go though, Jess,” he said bluntly. “I want us just to relax and enjoy ourselves. I feel for your brother and Billie, I really do, but I don’t want to spend the whole time worrying about it.” Jessica hesitated, still reluctant, but finally nodded. She let a grin go across her face.

“So, as soon as we’re finished here we’ll go home and call them?”

“You’ll have to see your brother first,” he pointed out.

“That’s OK. I gave him the spare key.” Mike rolled his eyes. He sensed he’d been had.

“You look better,” Elizabeth teased as Todd came into her dorm room. Washed and clean. She grinned at him.

“Thanks, that makes me feel great,” he joked. Elizabeth laughed. She reached out and pulled him down next to her.

“You know what I mean!” She leaned her head against him. “I’d take you however you look,” she told him sincerely. He put his arm around her.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he assured her. Elizabeth looked up at him sadly.

“You’d better not be,” she whispered.

“I’m not.”

“What if they decide to take it further?” She finally put the question out there.

“They won’t.” He tried to sound certain. Elizabeth looked away, taking a deep breath.

“Todd,” she began nervously. “I was thinking we could make this whole think go away.” Todd looked down at her. His eyebrows raised. Elizabeth hesitated a moment. She met his gaze.

“I could talk to James,” she told him. Todd opened his mouth to argue but she continued before he had chance. “Maybe if I drop the charges he might drop-.”

“Elizabeth-,” he tried to interrupt.

“No, listen,” she said hastily. “This whole thing could be over. This whole nightmare.”

“No, Elizabeth,” he said firmly.

“But-.” She tried to argue. Todd was shaking his head.

“I don’t want that,” he told her bluntly. “I want you to get justice.”

“Todd-.”

“Elizabeth, we’re going to get that jerk to pay for what he did to you, OK?” He nodded his head encouragingly. Elizabeth stared at him and then reluctantly nodded with him.

“So? What did they say?” Jessica asked anxiously, trying to read his expression. Mike put the phone down slowly, concealing his reaction.

“They said,” he kept his voice emotionless. “We can go,” he finally told her excitedly.

“Yes,” Jessica cried, throwing herself into his arms. Mike laughed, spinning her around.

“We have to be there by five,” he told her as they pulled back. Jessica nodded.

“I’d better leave Steven a note,” she said. “And call Liz!” She put her hand to her forehead, starting to feel overwhelmed.

“And pack!” Mike added with a snort. Who said Jessica forgot the little things?

“You’re right,” she agreed, nodding her head enthusiastically. She looked at him, her face breaking out in a smile. She squealed and threw herself back into his arms. She was so looking forward to having a few days away. Mike laughed. They pulled back a little, gazing at each for a few moments, their breathing getting shallower. They lent forward, ceasing each other lips, letting out a passionate moan. Jessica threw her arms around his neck as he pulled her close. His hands rushed over her as he moved her onto the arm of the couch. A little part of the back of Jessica’s brain was still protesting that she shouldn’t be feeling this way, not with everything that had happened to Steven and Elizabeth, but she couldn’t think with him this close and she couldn’t deny how much she wanted her husband right at that moment. Darn hormones. They kissed hungrily. Jessica went to undo his jeans as he reached under her skirt to pull down her underwear. They jumped as the front door opened. Steven and Billie froze. Mike hastily tried to do up his jeans as Jessica quickly straightened her skirt. She coughed awkwardly.

“I just need the bathroom,” Mike said, not turning around. Jessica held back a snort as he headed to the bedroom.

“We weren’t expecting you back yet,” she admitted with an embarrassed laugh, running her hand through her hair.

“I can see,” Billie commented, raising her eyebrows. “They discharged me,” she explained. She coughed this time.

“We got a taxi,” Steven added.

“Oh right,” Jessica replied, her cheeks red. “We just-well, I might as well tell you now you’re here,” she stuttered. “We’re going anyway for a couple of days. Just to this health spa thing.”

“We are OK to stay here?” Steven asked uncertainly. Jessica nodded.

“Of course,” she told them. “This place is yours for now.” She decided not to add her husband’s qualification of a couple of days. She was sure she could talk him around. Steven and Billie didn’t say anything. “I’d better go call, Liz,” she said awkwardly. She gestured to the kitchen. “I won’t be long.” Steven and Billie nodded. They exchanged a look as she disappeared hastily, raising their eyebrows.

“What do you mean, Jess?” Elizabeth questioned with confusion. She held the phone firmly against her ear. “Of course I don’t mind if you go away,” she assured her. She turned to Todd, rolling her eyes. Trust her twin to think she was the centre of everything. “No, you go and have a good time.” She continued to listen. “Yeah, he’s OK,” she said quietly. “He’s been really strong,” she whispered. “We don’t know yet,” she sighed. “OK, Jess,” she said finally. “See you soon.” She laughed as she put the phone down.

“What was that about?” Todd wondered curiously.

“Jess, is going away for a couple of days,” she explained. She laughed as she sat back down next to him. “I think she was worried everything might fall apart if she’s not here,” she joked, surprised by her twin's sudden sense of responsibility. Todd snorted, putting his arm around her.

“That’s, Jess.”