One Love For Always (Jim/Liz)

[jessi]

Liz woke up and for a minute, one single moment every thing was as it should be. Some one was in her bed and she thought it was her husband to be. She had forgotten for a moment he was in Ireland, that his father had passed. Then she opened her eyes. She didn’t remember a lot about the night before except she had drunk, Vernon had been in the back room and then they had.
"Oh god." she said to herself as she opened her eyes to find he was in her bed. Not good....not good. How could she be so stupid?
"morning." he said to her smoothly. It was as if he didn’t even fell bad. she had to say she couldn’t feel worse. Why had she had to get drunk when she had worked so hard to get her and Jim so on track?
"You’ve got Michelle to get home to. So get up.” she said to him as she did the same
how could she? How could she have done it to Jim when things had been going so right for them? Why had she had to spoil thing.
“Don’t I even get a cuppa Liz?”
Putting on her night robe she went down stairs so she did not have to face him and what they had done.
Her husband was burying his dad today. She was the most hateful B**** ever.
Going in to the kitchen she picked up her mobile to see she had a message.

Sleep tight angel. I can’t wait to be home, Jim x x x

A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Please don’t regret what we did,” she heard a voice plead with her from the door.
"No one can ever no." she said to Vernon. “I know, but as long as you remember, then that is away going to be ok with me.” He said to her.
Pushing a rough kiss to her cheek he left her be, he may not regret it but she seemed to.
-
Frankie got the milk in from the door for breakfast. She was feeling sorry for Jim as she remembered her new crush. She wished she could be there for him. she wished he had let some one go with him and she wished it was her.
Looking up the road she saw some thing though. Vernon. He was being let out the rovers. That meant Elizabeth had…
“Oh my god…” she said to herself.
“What’s up Frankie?” She heard Jamie asked.
“Nothing darling.” She said but she felt disgusted about Liz.
That poor man was burying his father and she was coping off with her old flame. How sick was that?
-
Liz could not look in to either of her sons eyes that day. The boys were never going to forgive her for this, not if they found out.
“What is it mum?” asked Andy while Steve looked at her. The worse thing was they were worried for her.
“I am fine!” She said to them angrily. She had no use for there pity. She had no need for it either, despite the fast she was not worthy of it. She was just so stupid.
“I have to open up.” she said to them….
“Why don’t you let me?” said Steve to her. “Get a bit of rest.”
“No, I can open up my open pub, thank you very much.” She said to him.
-
Frankie was in the café and her heart was else where. What was she going to do over what she had seen.
Was she tell Jim who would almost certainly brake with his wife to be and definitely b e broken by the news (especially after the loss of his father) or was she too do nothing.
“Frankie are you ok?” Eileen who was in the cafe.
“I don’t know really.” She replied. “Can we talk?” she asked.
“Of course.” Replied Eileen.
“What would you do if you saw one of your friends betray another, in like a affair ,” she said. “Do you tell the other?”
Eileen blinked. “Well I don’t know.” She said to her. Had some one been fooling around then. “If it was me I would want to know.” She said to her.
So would she, thought Frankie but… Jim had just lost his dad. He didn’t need this right now.
And if she did go through with it then was she had to be doing it for the right reasons. Not for personal gain.
“ I don’t know…” she sighed. It was a hard choice.
“Well who?” she asked.
“I can’t say.” she sighed. Not till she knew what she was going to do.
“So it is some one I know then.”

Three days on.

“Was it horrible?” Said Liz as she met her husband from the car. He was home at last. And she didn’t kmow who she was going to handle it.
“Well it wasn’t nice darling.” He said to her. “But I am home now so I am, so lets go in.” he said to her as he kissed her cheek. He had no idea what she had been up to. How could she have been so stupid, she thought yet again.
Making him a brew he quizzed he over what she had been up to since he had been gone.
“Nothing much has happened, except Steve told me we have the date for Tracy coming home.” She sighed.
More fun.
“Oh great.” He said to her. She was going to be furious.
“I know but I guess it is just one of those things we have to do.” She said as he took his hand.
And how right she was.
The day came and there was a knock on the door.
“Are you sure this is what you want baby?” said Steven. She nodded.
“I’ll go to the door then.” He said as he kissed her reassuringly.
-
Christmas had been great for Tracy. She had had a good time with her brother but now she was ready to be home.
She knocked on the rovers where she knew her daughter and her father had been staying and she smiled as he opened the door.
He seemed tense
“you ok?” she asked with a smile.
“Sure,” he sighed as he looked at her.
“Well can I come in, I can’t want to see Amy, how’s she doing?” she asked with a smile on her face.
“She’s fine.” He replied but he didn’t let her in.
“Well come one let me in. I have come to pick her up.“ she said to him.
“There’s has been a bit of a change of plan.” he said to her honestly.
"What do you mean?" she asked. How could there be a chance in the plans. What plans were there to change?
"She is going to stay on with me for a bit longer." Steve told her.
"No she isn’t Steve!" Tracy told him but when she tried to barge passed he wouldn’t let her.
"Yes she is. It is what she wants and that is what is important to me." he said to her and she looked on furious.
"I can’t believe you." She said shaking her head. He was taking her little girl from her.

[RitaLittlewood]

You really do impress me, jessi for someone your age (that's a compliment). This is so good and extremely well written, catching the characters completely. It gets better and better. More please!

Patsy

[valda]

I`m echoing Patsy all the way Jessi ok very impressed ,very well written and got the character`s perfectly, even to Liz doing that behind Jim`s back more please

[jessi]

Thanks. Next chappie is up tommorrow

[valda]

I`m all excited waiting Jessi

[jessi]

Three weeks ion.

The registry office was booked for march and with only seven weeks to go before the big day there was plenty to do.
So when the bride woke feeling sicker than she had in years a few weeks after her husbands return she felt more annoyed than ever too.
“Come on, go back to bed Liz I’ll bring you up a cuppa.” said Jim to her as he watched her leave the living room.
Her head wasn’t spinning so much though as it had been when she had got up And now she had been sick she felt ready to go on.
“I don’t think it is really necessary.” She said to him as he tucked her in to bed
“I really do.” He said as he kissed her fore head. “Its no wonder your not feeling so well. You have been doing so much lately, not getting enough rest”.
“And who’s fault is that sir?” she grinned.
“Most certainly mine but you need to keep it up.” he said to her.
“What, rest or our night time –“
“Elizabeth.” He cut her off. “For today at least forget the wedding, for get the kids and rest.” He said and he nodded.
Bur the minute he was gone she wished she had not taken to her bed. For all she remembered when she was not able to worry over him and the kids was the night when she had been unfaithful to him.
She couldn’t just lay there.
Getting up, she changed in to jeans and a strap top. On her arm, a small bruise from the rough had tumble she had had with Vernon, still remained.
She sighed.
Why, why, why was she so stupid?
Going out of the back door she decided to go in to town. She had to get away from here.
Later that day when she returned her husband quizzed her on where she had been but she smiled and told him she had been getting her head together.
He believed her and she knew it. He never doubted her love for him any more, which made her feel ever worse.
She wanted to devote herself. She did.
She just was no good at it. You would have thought she’d of gotten the hang of it after all this time, but no. was she the sixteen year old who never grew up or what?
-
The same thing happened when Liz got up the next day. She was sick and through out the day she was moody.
When she was ill also the next morning, and after wards she sat on the bed and Jim looked at her seriously, and took her hand
“we have to do a test, so we do. We have to know, you know we do.” He said to her. She nodded.
“We always said we didn’t think we were going to get another chance and this and I am so old now. I’m not sure I want it.” she was fifty in a few years. Far to old to restart everything. Go through motherhood…
“Don’t say that love,” he begged her. “I’ll go in to town and get one. You just rest.” He said to her. he didn’t want talk of keeping it or no till they knew if there was a it.
The boys came round when Jim was out. Just what Liz didn’t need.
“Mum are you sure you are ok?” asked Steve.
“I will be when your father gets back!” he replied. If she was with child then the chances were it was his but then there was a chance that it was not. And she cursed herself for that.
“Mum tell us what is going on.” Said Andy.
“I can’t, at least not yet.” she replied to him.
“When will you?” he asked.
“When I know what is happening myself.” She said and the door opened to reveal Jim.
“You two better go.” she said to them and he went over to him and confused, the boys left as she had asked them too.
“Ready?” he questioned and she nodded. “What ever Liz, before we do this promise one thing?” he asked and she nodded. “Don’t lock me out this time.” He said remembering how helpless he had felt when he had found out she was carrying Katherine.
“It’ll be ok, I here, and I’ll look after you, so I will.” He said as she took him by the hand and led him upstairs. She had to know, going in to the bathroom she did the test and came out ion time for the results, which were going to changed there lives.
“Its positive.” He realised. “Your – your carrying my child.” He said to her.
Neither knew what to say. Twenty years back this news would have been welcomed.
“We always wanted more.” She said to him.
“And now we have that chance.” He said to her and she nodded. But like this? When they were so old.
“Do you know what. We’ve done every thing on instinct since you came home. Nothing had been planned. And I don’t think we should change that.” She said and his face lit up.
“If we’ve been given this child, then we should raise it.” she nodded. “No talk to the other options. We did that before, and we lost our baby daughter. Things will go right this time.” She said and he nodded.
Turning to face him she pushed her lips to his.
“Ready to be a daddy again.” She said and watched as tears filmed his eyes. She knew this Had been all he had ever wanted. To be a proper family. He hadn’t been there for the boys when they had been young and this was going to change this time. He was going to be there.
“I love you, and I love our baby.” He declared.
As they embraced she shut her eyes in pain, knowing it might not be ‘their’ baby.
“All I have ever wanted is to look after you, you know that don’t you?” he said and she felt as tear slip down her cheek.
“I know my darling. I know.”
-
“maybe we should start taking on new staff.” Jim said to Liz. “I don’t want you being over stressed right now.” He said to her.
“And I am not going to be.” She promised him.
“I don’t care. This time it is going to be stress free for you. I don’t want to take risks we don’t have too.” He said.
She nodded understanding, she remembered how he had hurt when they had lost Katherine. How they had both. Well things were going to be so different this time. This was happily ever after. She was going to make sure of it.
-
Frankie sat at home thinking. What if she had got this all wrong over Liz and Vernon. What if they hadn’t gone together and it was just her on her mind making it so.” She thought to herself. What if she even wanted it so to cure her own selfish desires. She had split up a marriage before. Believe it or not she hadn’t enjoyed it.
“Hey J,” she said as she heard her step son come in. Looking at her pensive face he sighed.
“What is it Frank? You have been quiet for days now.” He said to her. She knew it was true. Ever since she had seen.
“I’ll be ok babe. Now what do you want for dinner?”

[valda]

Way to go Jessi getting better and better Liz is pregnant, but is it Jim`s or greasy sleezy Vernon`s ( I`m scared as I`m only a few year`s younger than Liz lol).

[jessi]

lol.

[jessi]

Liz went through to the bar.

“Jim, its here.” she said to him and he turned to her.

“The date of the scan?” he smiled. They were both so excited over this but so far they had not confided the good news in any one.

Smiling at him she nodded. They had been excepting it for some days now.

“Nervous?” he asked her because he didn’t think he could be so if she was not.

She nodded. She was no fool. She knew that she was going to find it hard to carry the child. And there was dangers to the baby too having two older parents… who ever was the real father, he was older then the normal age…

She shook the thought out her head.

“The three of us are going to be fine.” He said to her and she nodded. She liked it when he spoke about them, their life. Their family. Their baby.

“I know.” She said as she gave him a kiss. He was there, and she was safe. But she remembered his temper. Perhaps she was in danger, more so than she knew when she had his heart.

She was going to be when he found out. In her heart she knew he was going too. He always found out. Yet he was so unsuspicious this time. She was his gold. The women of his dreams. He had never even thought…
-
They decided not to long after that it was time to tell the boys they were going to be big brothers again and when they got the call to go over the boys were revealed.

Their parents had never been normal per se but lately they had been acting weirder they normally did.

“So what is it?” asked Steve as he and Andy stood in the living room waiting for the news.

Liz had no idea how they were going to take it. They were grown men now after all.

“Well the fact of the matter is lads, is your mother – well she pregnant, so she is,” said Jim.

Their son’s faces did not fall with shame or disappointment but neither did they smile. It was a huge shock. Just like it had been before.

“A baby?” asked Andy.

“Yes son that is generally what comes at the end of a pregnancy,” said Jim. “So come on Steven what do you think…” he asked.

“Your sure, I mean this is definitely.”

“as sure as two test can be,” Said Liz. “I’m showing all the signs too.” She revealed

“and you are going to keep it?” asked Andy and she nodded, though she felt Jim tense behind her angrily. How could he even think they might consider simply getting rid after Katie.

“It isn’t often people our age get a second chance. Me and your father want to make the most of ours,” she said and Steve came to hug her,

“then if this is what you both what I am so happy for your mum. Honest, this is great news.” He said and she held him tight.

“Thank you son, thank you so much.” She had needed so much for him to applaud her for this. Not knock her back.

“It is fine.”
-
Later that day as the McDonalds talked Jim brought up the subject of every one else.

“You’re going to start showing soon. We’re going to have to tell them all some time. Why not sooner?” he said to her. He was so excited and he was so content. He wasn’t to shout it from the roof top.

“No,” she said to him. she wasn’t so enthusiastic. Once Vernon heard he was going to know there was a chance he was the father of the child and that could implicate so much. She wanted a ring on her finger before he knew.

“Why not?” he asked her suspiciously. Was she having second thoughts.

“I just think. Well this wedding, it s close and I just want us to focus on that,” she said to him smiling. “And then we will shout our good news from the roof tops. Promise.” She pushed a ending kiss to his lips gently, making sure to win him round.

“Alright.” He muttered.

He just was so excited about his impending father hood. How could he wait.
-
It was dress fitting time.

Deirdre and Amy were going to be the bridesmaid, in fact more specifically maid of honour and flower girl.

Liz was beginning to wonder if she should confess her in to her best friend. If any one understood what it was like to be an adulteress it was her. Still you’d think she herself would get used to it.

Amy was in a beautiful little pink dress, and on the day she was going to have matching flowers in her hair. As she looked in the mirror for the first time in a bit she smiled as she looked at her two grandmothers.

Somehow, though the women didn’t know they had managed to keep the custody caser out of there friendship. Thought it was written all over the face of the little girl before them.

“You look beautiful darling.” Said Deirdre to her.

“Where’s grandpa , nanny Liz? I wanna show him.” she explained. Jim had been with her a lot since every thing between her mum and her dad had been going on.

"In the bar love, go through." she said to her.

As soon as she was gone she turned to her old friend, "I am the biggest fool in the world." she said to her.

"What, where has this come from?" asked Deirdre. That had been kind of sudden.
"From the fact I am such a silly old fool who will go with any one after a bit of wine has been poured down me neck." she said as she sat at the table in the back room.

“What do you mean?"

"I mean to say that I have gone with some one who is not, wasn’t my Jim.” She said to her. “And I hate my self for it,” she said and her friend hugged her tightly.

“Oh Liz, why, who?” she asked. She had been so happy ever since her husband to be had been home

“Vernon…” Elizabeth got out slowly.

Deirdre shook her head.

“Don’t say it I know, I am the biggest fool, in the world.” she sighed. “But that’s not the worse.” She said.

“I’ve braced my self.” Deirdre said to her.

“I’m pregnant.” She said to her quietly, letting a tear fall.

“Oh my god!” Deirdre brought a hand to her month.

“I never meant for it to happen any of it.” she told her best friend.

“Well how much does Jim know, have you told him about the baby?” she asked. Liz nodded.

“He knows that I am pregnant but he thinks he is with out doubt the baby’s dad. And it isn’t with out doubt.” She said. “What am I going to do?”

“I hate to say it but I think you need to talk to Vernon.” She said to her.

“Why exactly? Talking to him was the thing that got me in this mess.” She reminded her friend. Though it had been a bit more than talking hand it? if she had she had stuck to talking every thing would have been ok.

“Maybe but you need to tell him your pregnant.”

“No way, not in a million years.” Liz shoo0k her head. Why should she tell him about her and Jim’s baby. Her and Jim’s if she thought and said it enough maybe it’d be true.

“If he finds out some where else things could get a lot more nasty.” Said Deirdre.

“And you need to keep the peace till the wedding is done with.” She said to her as Amy came back in.

Wiping the grave look off her face Liz turned to the little girl and smiled.

“What did yer grandpa say?” she asked as she lifted her materially on to her lap.

“He said I looked just like a princess.”

[valda]

this is fantastic Jessi ,so typical the breaction out of Andy ,and the wonderfull reaction from Steve ( I`ve often thought they are complete oppisites to be twin`s, ). I hope Dierdrie will she do something strange and keep her mouth closed this time lol.

[RitaLittlewood]

LOL! I loved that line from Jim about a babay being the end of a pregnancy. Oh but it can't be slimey Vernon's. Imagine the hair!

Patsy

[jessi]

LOL. Thanks!
Liz thought on what her friend had said to her and she knew it seemed like wisdom deep down. But she didn’t wasn’t to see Vernon. She didn’t want to spend time with him.
She just wanted to worry about keeping the baby healthy and securing her place in her husband’s to be heart.
They were the only things that mattered.
She was ever more grateful for the baby for if nothing else, it was a great excuse for her hormones which she was unable to control because of the baby and the worry.
Jim was more gentle with her by the day, showing all the romance and tenderness towards her he had when she had he had been seventeen. It was as if he was scared she was going to break.
Soon enough though they were saying good bye. It was time for the stag and the hen night.
“I can comeback for the night if you want me too.” He said to her.
“Its bad luck,” she said to him remindingly.
“We had enough of that last time to last a life time.” He sighed. This were going to be a hard night with out her or his unborn child. He hated leaving her just for a moment.
“no.” she said to him, putting her foot down. There was cause for bad luck on her part. She didn’t want to risk it. “Go back to the flat and I will see you at the registry office.” She promised him as she gave him a kiss.
“Ok, will do.” he said to her. Sweeping down he kissed her stomach making her laugh.
“I’ll miss you. Both of you.” He promised.
-
Frankie had to go to the hen night. Not that she was comfortable with it. She had to. She had no excuse not to in her friend’s eyes.
But the fact she knew she was in love with the groom. Well it made it rather awkward for her.
Maybe she should just say she was sick. That could get her out of going tomorrow too. But she wanted to.
“Ready?” she heard violet asked who was rather looking forward to the night.
“Yeah,” she said to her. She had to go really. And she knew it. there was no way to get out of it.
-
The stag do was off.
Kevin, the twins, Ashley and Martin who had come down for it were all attending.
In the Weathy arms they started off.
“I propose a toast.” Said Andy. “To mum and dad. May the marriage last this time,” he said and every one gave a good natured laugh even Jim. He prayed to go it was going to.
Raising a pint he smiled.
“I propose another.” He said to them all. “I know I’m not really meant to tell, but I am that proud so I am that I have too.” he said and his sons knew what he was going to say. “To my kids – all three of them. No, four, my little Katie god rest her soul.” He said and he was brought down to earth as he realised his new born soon to be should have had a big sister.
The others looked at him and his sons grinned. They had known he wasn’t going to keep quiet for long.
“What?” asked Martin. “Liz’s – she’s ?”
“Yeah. She’s having a baby. And it going to be the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to us. To us both”
-
Liz and the girls sat in the rovers.
Bev poured champagne in to seven glasses and passed them around. Shelly had come to the event, with new born baby Jasmine, who was the child she had had with Charlie. But she was not his. She was all hers.
Liz had enjoyed cuddling her and she knew in six months she was going to be able to hold her one.
As her friends passed her the alcohol she realised some thing. She could not have it. Not even a sip.
She and Jim had agreed they were going to do every thing they could to look after the little one. If he knew she had been drinking he was going to be furious.
For a moment Deirdre had thought she was going to sip it but it turned out not. She put the glass down.
“What are you doing?” said Bev to her friend as she put the glass down.
“I can’t have it.” she said to her. She just couldn’t. She was unable to risk it.
”What do you mean? I mean come on Liz, first the fags now the booze, any one would think you were preg – oh my god you are.” she said to her.
This was not how Liz had wanted to tell them, but they knew now she guessed.
“Oh my god congratulations.” Said Shelly to her.
“Well odunno about that but I’m certainly going to make a go of It.” she said to her friends smiling as she put her hand on her womb.
”does Jim know?!” asked Eileen.
Coolly Liz nodded.
“But you lot can not tell him that you know. We promised we wouldn’t tell any one till we were wed.” she said to them but she was unable to sto smiling.
While Violet, Shelly, Eileen and Deirdre as well as Bev congratulated her, Frankie was thinking.
This was not Jim’s baby! It couldn’t be.
Smiling, trying to stay pleasant she sighed. Now she knew she felt she couldn’t stay.
Pulling Liz aside she smiled.
“I am dead happy for you mate, but I have got such a head ache and I want to be there in the morning, do you mind if I go home? Get some beauty sleep.”
“No love you get your self back and get enough rest.” She said to her. Liz had the others to celebrate with and she had been getting the cold shoulder off Frankie and way for a while now.
–
Vernon got back to the flat and he was seething. He had loved her for so long. How could she do this to him?
He had done the math he knew he might be the baby’s dad.
And if he was then he wanted to be a dad. The sole father figure in its life. No one else.
He just couldn’t believe it.
Why had had he found out like that. Hearing another man toast his child, as if it were his own. All he had wanted was a change of scenery and a quiet night.
Well one out of two wasn’t bad.
-
Frankie h=ad no idea what she was going to do. How was she meant to just let tomorrow go to plan now when Jim had no idea what he was getting himself back in to.
He had to be told. May be she’d go over in the morning. Or maybe she would pull him aside at the registry office. Either way he had to know.
-
The end night and as Liz was concerned had been a success and as she got in to bed she couldn’t be happier. Tomorrow was going to be the biggest day of her life. Then six months later she was going to have her little one. She and her husband were going to be happier than he they had been in there lives.
Maybe she had got away with the one night stand. It was months ago. Surely if it was going to come out, it would have by now. And so as she rolled over she was smiling. Her life was perfect, her world was once again golden.
-
It was the big day. The last chance. Today was it.
Liz and her girls friends sat in the back room, she was still in her dressing gown, the others dolled up as Audrey came in to do her hair.
“Well how are you feeling?”
“Relieved today is here at last.” She said as she drunk to her orange juice.
she had had already been a bit of a morning with her sickness, but that was gone now and she was able to just look forward to getting to the registry office and getting her husband back.
“I bet you are. This has been a long time coming, hasn’t it?”
-
“Dad, come on we have to get going in twenty minutes, get your suit on,” Steve urged his father annoying the groom slightly.
“Jesus Christ Steven I know, I know! I’ve been Married before you know.” He said to him.
“And still you find yourself getting ready for today.” said Steve as he passed Jim his tie.
“Yeah but come on dad, not many people need as many practise goes as you and mum have had.”
“Or you and Karen son.”
Andy laughed at his dads and brother banter. They were always going to have a sarcastic relationship.
“Yeah well this is the last time cos me and yer mother have no plans to have to split again.” He declared. “Glad to heart it,” said Andy as he brought in three whiskeys.
“Just cos mum can’t drink doesn’t mean we cant.” He reminded them. And the others smiled.
Downing them the three looked at each other.
“Ready?” asked Andy to Steve,
“yeah.” He said as they watched there father walk in to the bed room. He just had a bad feeling over all of this. It had gone too well.
-
“Frankie, where are you going?” asked Jamie as he came down the stairs.
She had been going over to see Jim to trying and make him see sense but he guessed not now…
“I was just going to get some confetti.” She lied.
“No time now.” said Jamie to his step mum. “We have to get going to the registry office.” He said to her.

[RitaLittlewood]

Ooh. What's the creep Vernon going to do? I'm on tenterhooks here, jessi!

Patsy

[valda]

Nice one Jessi keep it up , omg trust Vernon to add up and make the baby his when there is a chance it`s not . wonder what that slimeball is planning now?.

[jessi]

You probably won't like it

The street was lined with cars as the bridal party came out. Cheers and claps were all around Amy and her grand mothers. She was looking forward to today, to getting to see her grand parents show there love for one another. It was strange, normally you didn’t get to go to your grand parents weddings but she had been to both. Getting in the car, Liz smiled at her.
"I can not believe today has co me at last." she said to them. This had been all she had wanted for such a long time. She knew she was doing the right thing. She had not a seed of doubt about reclaiming the name Mrs Macdonald. It was in the way she still got butterflies when she thought of her husband. In just an hour she and jam were going to be man and wife again. Nothing could seem sweeter in those moments.
That day was hers.
-
Jim and his twins sons were at the registry office already waiting Liz’s arrival It was the most nervous Jim had been in all his life. Even more so than the trail or there other marriages.
What if she realised this was the man who had done awful things to her. What if she remembered the night of the army reunion?
He wasn’t proud of what he had done to her that night. He had not been any sort of man. He had been weak and he was repulsive by his actions when he thought about them.
But finally after what seemed a life time of waiting, guests where arriving. He could put those thoughts to the back of his head.
Eileen and Jason went in and the Platts did, as well as Audrey. Sean Tully and a few of the other factory girls went in when a most welcomed friendly face came in to his sight.
“I am glad to see you lass.” He said as he kissed Frankie’s cheek in a friendly manor of greeting.
Her heart did a summer sort.
He was a good man. He was one of the few good men left of the street. How was she meant to let him go through with this.
“Jim I need to talk to –“
“you alright Frank love?” a voice said from behind her. It was Danny. “You wanna come sit with me?”
“yeah, yeah.” She said to him tiredly as she turned to the groom “good luck.” She said to him and Jim got a bad feeling.
She had had some thing to tell him but now the moment was gone.
“Can we get ready please,” said the registrar distracting him from hid thoughts. “The bride is here.”
“Absolutely.” said Jim he had been waiting for this for so long.
Liz walked down the isle in a pink suit, which was rather dignified, and she looked classy for once. She felt right. Natural. Amy had her little white dress on and as always looked as pretty as a picture.
Steve also walked with his mother though, as he was going to be giving her away, or as it was, back to his father as Andy got the job of best man this time.
“You’ve got the rings?” Jim said out the side of his month to his son.
“For the fourth time, yes. Foucs on mum!”
Honestly though. How was he able to do any thing else but focus on Elizabeth when she looked so stunning.
As soon as she got to his side Liz slipped her hand in to Jim’s.
The registrar got up and the service begun.
“Today we have gathered here, to watch the joining of James and Elizabeth. Marriage is the basis of society. It strengthens love, and enriches community. James and Elizabeth are about to enter this was of life, but before they do I am required to ask if any one knows if any reason why they should not be joined?” she said to the community.
This was the part Liz had been dreading, what if some one knew, then what?
Frankie felt her heart race. What was she to do? Tell him for it was unfair to let him to in to the marriage not knowing or let them be happy.
They looked so happy when they were together.
But little did she know it was not required of her to do any thing, for some one else was going too. Some one who had not been invited today. Some one who had come on the soul purpose to destroy the day for them.
It was Vernon.
“I do.” He said as he came in.
Liz shook her head. He couldn’t do this to her. Please god not today.
Going up to the now less than happy couple he looked at the bride.
“I know.” He said simply.
“Excuse me, what do you know?” asked the registrar.
“I know that this woman is pregnant. And there is a chance the I am the father.” He said.
There was a muttering that went through the crowd...
Frankie kept her eyes on Jim. You could see his soul in his eyes. His heart was broken.
“No, no that cant be right.” Protested Jim. “Elizabeth tell him his wrong. Tell me he is wrong. Please,” He said to her, but the tears in her eyes were proof enough of what Vernon had said to them.
“Oh my god.” He said to her.
“Please don’t, Jim, we need to talk. I am so sorry. It was a mistake, its you that I love not him. We can still go through with this.”
“How I am meant to believe a word you say?” he asked as he turned away from her and walked out the room, her wails behind him.
But suddenly as she cried out he knew it was not in upet but pain.
Turning back he saw her hunched on the floor, cfutching her stomach.
The baby…
0
When he had heard her crying for him Jim had wanted to leave Liz. Say she deserved it if they lost the baby now. It was gods pay back on what she had done to him. But he couldn’t.
For the first time since he had been out of jail that day his temper had flared and he was not proud of that. He never was.
Sitting in the waiting room of the hospital still in his suit his sons stay by him anxious for news of there mother.
“Dad.” He heard Andy say.
“Aye lad?” he asked.
“I am really sorry over the way today turned out.” He said.
”So am I.” he nodded.
“What are you going to do now?” asked Steven.
Jim shrugged. He had know idea. It wasn’t just the marriage he had lost .
All the dreams and the fantasy’s that had gone along with it. Maybe he should have known it was too like a fairy tale to go right.
Him and his princess Elizabeth in their own little castle with a baby in the crib. No he had been a fool for thinking it was all going to be ok.
It was then as he mourned what he had lost the doctor entered to talk to them… there was a chance he was the baby’s dad and he cared for it. He wanted to be there for it still. And deep down, for her too.
“Mr MacDonald I have some news for you your wife,” he begun and Jim cringed. They were not man and wife but he did not point it out. He was more concerned over the wellbeing of the child.
“I am pleased to tell you that the baby is well and although Elizabeth is tired she will recover.” He said to them.
Jim sighed in relief. “Good, good.” He said as he got up and so did his sons only when they got out of the visitors rooms where as the twins headed up to see there mum Jim headed for the exit.
“I can’t face her after today I just – I can’t.” He told them. Jim knew he was being weak but he had no heart to go in there, he was so anger deep down.
And as long as they were going to be ok that was ok with him. They could leave it for a bit.
-
Liz had never been so disappointed as she saw it was just her sons who came to see her.
“Where’s you dad boys?” they asked.
“He was here, he was the one who brought you in remember?” asked Andy and she nodded. “But he has to get his head clear mum. You know why. What he doesn’t understand as well as us is why? Mum why did you have to go with him?” she asked angrily.
They were so nearly a family again. And that was that was gone.
Liz shook her head as tears silently roiled on to her cheeks. She wished she had but she didn’t.
-
Jim was by the canal, walking he had a bottle of scotch in his hand.
He as no longer looking handsome like he had that morning in the registry office. His tie was off, his shirt was untucked ands his face was tear stained.
As he sat down the bench he opened the bottle. When he had brought it he had had every intention of getting to wreck to walk home.
But he couldn’t. he didn’t want to go back to that self pitting man he had been when he had gone inside. He had changed so much,.
He was a man worthy of respect t now.
Why would he want to go back.
“Hey stranger.” He heard a feminine voice say. It was Frankie. “I’m sorry Jim.” she said to him.
“Aye me too love.” He replied.

[RitaLittlewood]

Poor Jim.

Patsy

[jessi]

Yup Thanks reviewing

[RitaLittlewood]

He should duff up Vernon, so he should.

Patsy

[jessi]

Jim awoke in the rovers without Liz, though he felt they should have been together. They should have woke together enjoyed married life that day. But all chance was gone.
Getting up he was sure he had never felt so lonely in his life. How could she have done it to him.
Had he not been on his best behaviour with her since he had come out. He had not been paranoid, he hadn’t doubted her once.
It was all so unfair.
Putting on a shirt and jeans he headed down where he saw Violet, Betty, Sean and the twins all getting ready for the shift .
"We can go if you want." said violet. She had been there yesterday. It couldn’t be easy for him right now.
"No." he shook his head. He had to go on as if nothing had happened. As if he had not just lost the love of his lie to a low life scum bag. Though by the sounds of things Liz sill wanted him and not Vernon.
"Did yer see yer mother yesterday?" he asked the boys and they nodded.
“She was pretty low!" said Steve.
"Is she going to bed coming home today?" he asked and they nodded.
Right, he thought to himself. That was ok. She could have the big room and he would go in the spare. He couldn’t be with her like that right now.,.
"I can go pick her up if you too have other thing stuff to do, so I can.” He said. He wanted to go get her any way.
“Alright” said Steve.
“Good.” He said to them finally. “Any one want a brew?”
-
Liz was shocked when she saw it was Jim and not one of her sons who had come to get her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. The tension could be cut with a knife.
“Pretty sick.” She admitted. “With myself.”
“Not here Elizabeth.” He said under his breathe. They would talk about them, when they got back. “The baby?”
“Its doing ok, but I have to get more rest, and avoid stressful situations.” She laughed. How was she meant to do that?
“Alright then.” He said as he went over to her and helped her off the bed.
“Are we still together Jim?” she asked.
“I dunno Liz. Things have changed so much now. I don’t know what is going to happen between us any more.” He could here how broken he was just in his voice.
She nodded guessing that was a fair reply.
-
Amy was still with her dad while all this was going on and it couldn’t have upset her more.
Her nanny was ill and her grandpa was upset, worse still her dad and her uncle were telling her nothing.
“I am not a kid. ” the six year old said.
“Amy, you really are hunny.” Said Andy as he gave her a hug. “What you have to understand is nanny Elizabeth and Grandpa Jim are going through a really, really bad time right now.”
“Does this mean I wont get to have a new aunt or uncle?” she asked.
“No kiddo the baby is fine but I may mean that the baby lives with nanny Liz and granddad has to visit or vice versa.”
“That won’t be nice for the baby though.” Amy protested. She wished she could live with both her mum and her dad and it was unfair she couldn’t.
It was just then that the door opened and her grand parents back from hospital walked in.
“You alright mum?” asked Andy.
“yeah I am love, just I’m a bit tired. I might go up for a bit of a rest.” She said and Jim nodded.
“I can do you a brew if you want.” he offered.
“No, its ok Jim. I need a bit of sleep.” She said to him and she didn’t want him, running about after her any more. It was not fair on him.
Walking up, m she took off the suit she had worn to the ceremony yesterday. It had been every thing she had dreamt of.
Every time she thought on it though she just felt so guilty that it made her feel physically pain.
She had thrown so much away in the moment she had succumb to Vernon.
Steve waned down to the Kabin. His mum and his dad needed some milk and despite her betrayal it seemed Jim was unable to leave his mum, not while she was in such a state. He had to be there for the baby’s sake he said. Just encase, till Liz relaxed a bit more.
Opening the door he sighed. Then he heard it gossiping. He should have known.
“Well it was always going to happen with that woman as the bride. She’s a hussy, always has been.”
“Don’t be so unkind.” Bit back Rita. ”You can tell she loves him, it just didn’t go to plan.” He said.
“Yes of course it didn’t she got caught.”
Steve felt his blood race as he released they were talking about his mum and his dad. They had no right to!
“Oh Norris you are a scenic, just cause your marriage didn’t work out.” Said Rita.
“Just what I was thinking.” said Steve as he appeared making them both look rather embarrassed.
“Oh Steve. How’s your mum?” asked Rita.
“She’s recovering.” He said as he shot a look that could kill at Norris.
“And, the baby?”
“Well its still there so it’s a relief,. She hasn’t lost it.” he reassured Rita.
“Send her my love.” She told him as he paid for his milk.
!”Will do.”
-
Liz woke at six that evening hungry. She had slept a lot of the day. It was time to get up.
Going down and straight in to the back room she saw it was for deserted, for which she was grateful, and she wondered in to the kitchen.
Making her self the tea that Jim had offered her early, she took it through to the sofa with a bit of toast and sat down.
She wished she knew what was going to happen now. Every thing had been going to well for her. Why had she had to go and screw it up?
It was then the door opened to reveal the man who should have been her husband by now.
“How are yer feeling?” he asked her worriedly.
“Not wonderful but better than was I guess.” she said to him. “and guilty.” She admitted. “If I could turn back the clock Jim, you have to know I would.”
“I do, I do Elizabeth but you see I was trying to figure out when all this went on.” he said and she shut her eyes in pain. He had done the math. He had put two and two together and he had ended up with four. “You see we’ve been together every night since I’ve been out, except when I was burying me dad.” He said and she couldn’t look at him for guilt.
“I didn’t plan it to happen I didn’t want it to happen Jim it just did.” She said to him.
“Right.” He nodded knowing his worse fears were confirmed. “Was it in our bed?” he asked trying really hard not to let his temper get the better of him.
She said nothing.
“Some times actions speak than words. Aye?” he asked as he got up and left the room.
What he had left of his had now been broken.
-
The next day Liz got up on time, put on her face and went down to open up. She had hid long enough.
She had hated awaking though to find Jim wasn’t there. She hated him being in the spare room and not in there.
“You should be resting.” He reminded her as she walked in to the bar.
“I want to face every one. Show them that I’m ok, and so the baby.” She said and he nodded.
“Alright but go put your feet up till we open.” He asked and she nodded.
“Thank you.” She added, just as she left.
“For what?” he questioned her.
“Not leaving me, you would have every right too. most men would has have been gone by now.” She added.
“Do you remember the night of the party, when I got home?” he asked. She nodded.
“I promised you I would never leave you again, so I did.” He told her and she nodded understanding.
“Thank you any way Jim. You’re a prince.”
-
Liz decided to go out for a bit on the night shift so at seven she braved the bar. Every one fell silent as coronations street scarlet women came in to view.
“What can I get you derider?” she asked her friend trying to act normal as the bar stared at her.
“G&T please Liz.” Deirdre said supportively to her friend.
“Coming right up!” She said as she went to get it,
Every one marvelled at how Liz and Jim still seemed together. Every one had thought he would scarper. His boys were proud of him for the way he was taking care of there mum. He had had a moment of weakness, but that was all it was when he had gone to the river.
She was doing well on the shift.
Till Vernon and Michelle came in. She clearly knew, and she looked furious.
“You COW LIZ!” she said to her. Jim was intensely on the defence.
“Don’t you dare talk to her like that.” He said to her. No way was he going to let a gobby little cow like that say those things. Especially to a pregnant women.
“What the hell are you doing sticking up for her? You have been betrayed to mate.” She reminded him.
“Thing is she I love her. And I am not going to let you talk like that to her when she is pregnant.” He added.
“The brat probably isn’t even yours.” She accused Liz. “It’ll probably be Vernon’s. My Vernon’s.”
She was really pushing Jim to his limits now. He loved Liz. He promised her to look after to her.
“It is.” He said to her as he wrapped his arms round Liz’s bump, holding her for the first time since the wedding, despite the anger he felt for her in those moments. ”now get out. You’re both bared.” He told them.
Vernon shook his head. “I have to talk to you Liz.” He wanted to be part of the child’s life if it was his.
“No you don’t. This is Jim and my baby. Not yours. So leave us in peace. Its like Jim said, you’re both barred.”

[valda]

it`s such a shame for Liz and Jim, why on earth couldnt greasy sleazy Vernon and mouthy Michelle go away from the street and leave them in peace so they can be a family? good on you Jim and Liz I`d love to barr those two perminantly;) . it`s not been proven yet the baby is Vernon`s only dna can do that.

[RitaLittlewood]

Because nothing runs smoothly in soaps.

Patsy

[valda]

that`s true, I forgot about that Patsy

[jessi]

Every day brought the birth of the expected child close. Every day there was more excitement.
Jim in time moved back in to the room he shared with his ex wife and though to begin with it was hard cos he knew another had been there with her. he got used to it though. He had too.
In the mean time though he had to focus on getting the spare room in to a nursery.
But Jim some times got the feeling he and Liz were bring over confident. What if it wasn’t his?
Not that he confided this in her. She had to think he believed her feelings. And he did it was just hard trying to regain the confidence he had had in her before he had learnt of the affair. But the last thing he wanted to do was lose her.
But some times his thoughts were lost to Frankie and what would have happened if he had kissed her that night when they had met in the alley. He was sure she would have let him. But things had changed between them since he had said ro her he had to stay with his Liz. She avoided him. And god did he miss the friendship they had had together.
So often he thought of her. But in was he shouldn’t. what if he had agreed to go with her. To start some thin,. To try and start again. Then he brushed these thoughts asid,. He loved his women.
“Do you have any idea what it is going to be?” Jim asked Liz as she laid on her bed.
“What sex wise?”
“Yes. I am getting a baby girl or boy?” personally he was dying for a little lass. He had had sons. He wanted a girl.
“I honestly don’t know.” She sighed. Some mums said they just knew but she didn’t. She had no idea.
“Well we could ask. “ he suggested.
“You really want to know?” she asked.
She knew she did not wish to. She liked not knowing till it came out. To her it had always been one of the bits she had liked the best about pregnancy. That magic moment you hold the child for the first time and then the mid wife tells you.
“I don’t know.” He said. He guessed he sis. But if she didn’t then they were just going to gave to wait he guessed.
It was seven months in to the pregnancy know. He didn’t believe it.
It had gone so fast.
Liz wanted it to go even faster though. She wanted to hold the child in her arms. It was so exciting.
There was knock on the door then. It was Deirdre.
“Can I come in?” she asked and Jim nodded.
“I have a shift to get on with so yer can keep me good lady company,” he said as he kissed the top of his ex-wife’s head.
It had been a while since they had been so close. The wedding had been disastrous but it hadn’t split them up.
As he shut the door, Deirdre smiled at her friend.
“I see you two are getting back to the way you were.” she said.
“Up, I think we are going to be just fine.” she smiled as she got up slowly, the weight of the child now having a affect on her moving about.
“Can I get yer a cuppa tea.” She asked.
“Oh don’t be silly I can get that my self!” Deirdre said but Liz shook her head.
“I have to do some thing while Jim is in the bar. If it was up to him I would do nothing till I have given birth now. It’s sweet really. He just wants to protect Me.”
“Well you seem happy with him this time.” She commented as they went in to the kitchen.
“I am. He really has changed since he has been home you know.” She said, as she opened the door to allow some of the cool august wind in to then pub. “He can be a gent and he has shown me it.”
She smiled. This was all she had ever wanted. The two of them happily running there own pub together. It was how it should have been when they had Queens all those years ago.
But what was the point of the two of them looking back. No the only way she was going to make it was if her and Jim kept there eyes forward this time. For get what was, and focus on what will be.
“I think he has too.”
Deirdre remembered all those times when Jim had made it so his wife had needed a shoulder to cry on and she had thought no, he was never going to change. He was incapable. But he had proved her wrong. He had, He was a family man this time or he was a really good actor any way.
“He has hit any one, though I must say I don’t think I’d object if it was Vernon.” She laughed. That man had nearly lost her everything. Every thing she and Jim had worked so hard for.
If she had she didn’t know what she would have done. It was weird she had been independent of him for the past six years and now he had returned she was so dependent on him, and his love. That might not be a good thing.
“So are you two getting every thing ready for the baby now?”
“yup Jim is going to start doing up the spare room this weekend.” She said to her.
“Aww I think its so sweet.”
“Yeah it is. He is taking such an interest considering every thing.” She said to her. They knew what that meant. Considering the child might not even be his.
“Do you know what names yet you might want to call it?” she asked.
“No its been mentioned a few times but I don’t think we are going to name it till we see the child. Give it one that suits it. Though me and Jim were useless with the twins. We had been arguing for two weeks before we settled on Steven James and Andrew Richard.” She said. "And that was after he had got there.”
The first week of the twin’s life had been hard on her as he had been away posted with the army in Hong Kong. He had done all he had been able to get home but he had missed the birth and then he had found father hood the hardest task he had ever had to face up to. Fighting for him was easy. Peace in those days had confused him. To Jim peace said that a storm was brewing. And that frightened him she thought.
Not knowing how to cope scared him.
-
Vernon was going mad. How could he just not see her when she was giving birth to his child in two months.
He had to see her. He knew she was going to want to see him. When he had been thinking he had realised just hat was going on and he knew it was more important he was there for Liz than ever.
She was being coached. That was what was going on. Nothing more. She didn’t really want to be with that bully.
It was he she was really going to be waiting. She had always wanted him before she had gone to black pool.
That was where every thing had gone wrong for them. They had been happy before that day when she had gone to the prison.
He was going to get her back. Some how.

[valda]

good one Jessi, I reckon Jim and Liz will be happy with this baby , typical of greasy sleezy Vernon thinking Liz would want to see him he can`t take "no get lost " for an answer can he?

[RitaLittlewood]

Vernon's a twonk.

Patsy