Everlasting Love

Chapter Six

"Wow this place is hugeeeeee" Izzy shouted in awe of the place as she scrambled out of her booster seat. I had to even take a moment to appreciate the scale of the place. Even I'd forgotten how big and impressive this house was. Bone's had lived an 'ordinary life' all through school in an average house. But when he enlisted in the British Army his Father had came into money through various business ventures and investments and they had relocated and bought an Old English State Home. "You okay?" I looked over to Bone's who had Izzy scooped up in his arms with her arms securely round his neck. "Yeah, er. I'd just forgotten how-" He sniggered looking up at his parents home. "Yeah, I know what you mean". "So this is your Mummy and Daddy's house?" He nodded, "Yes, so this is your Grandma and Grandpa". "Just like my Nanny and Pops is Mummy's parents?". "Yes Izzy, exactly". Bone's replied kissing his cheek and walking towards the house. He headed up the five stairs and let Izzy ring the doorbell. My nerves were running wild through me. "Bone's, wait. Are you-". "Calm down, I spoke to Mum on the phone the other week and told her everything". "And what did she say?" I asked curiously. "Just general stuff, asking after you and wanting to know about Izzy". He was interupted when his Mum appeared at the door. "Darling?" she was surprised to see him. "Mum, I'd like to introduce you to Izzy. Izzy this is your Grandma" Izzy turned to face me, shy. I smiled stepping closer. "It's okay sweetie". She turned round to look at his Mum again. "Em, come in. Don't just stand their". We foloowed through into the grand entraceway taking our coats off. "I wasn't expecting you or I'd have had some afternoon tea prepared". "It's not going to be a long visit today Mum, Izzy's-" "Hayley. Where are my manners. I haven't even said hello to you dear". She rushed over to me pulling me into a hug. "Does he know?" She whispered in my ear. "No" I replied shakily. "What's all the comotion out here?" A voice called from another room. "Arthur darling, Bone's has dropped in with some guests. Come say hello" Elizabeth called back. His father appeared. He glanced at me as I smiled gently back. He looked at Izzy as Bone's had placed her down. He drew his eyes up to meet his sons. "Alexander" Bone's sighed, he hated being called Alexander. "Father". They awkwardly nodded heads to each other, they'd never had a good relationship. "Alex is my Tigger's name". Izzy said lightning the mood. "Tiger. Not Tigger". Bone's and I both said in sync with each other. We exchanged looks with me trying to hold in a giggle. "Are you my Grandpa?" Izzy asked staring up at Arthur. He just looked at her solemnly. It felt like the longest pause. "You'll have to excuse me, I have some business to attend to" He quickly exited upstairs closing a door behind him. "Nothing new their then eh" Bone's muttered. "Let's go into the lounge, so what is this all in aid of anyhows?" Elizabeth kept her eyes on Izzy who stayed closely at Bone's side. She always took to men quicker than women for some reason. "Izzy is doing a school project. We need some photos of my time in the army. I don't have any". "Oh, I'm sure we can sort that out. Why don't you and I go and find some Izzy. I'm sure Mummy and Daddy won't mind staying here". Izzy turned to me and I nodded encouragingly for her to go with. Elizabeth moved her arm and opened her hand up for Izzy to take. She slowly did and they disappeared out the room. I placed myself on the far away sofa while Bone's paced. "I take it you and your Dad aren't any closer?" "Nope, just the same. I thought he might have shown a bit more interest. First grandaugher and all that, apparentlt not" He rolled his eyes sighing. "How are your parents?" "Yeah, they're good. Just back from holiday actually". "Do they know about me? Being here, involved I mean?" "No, not yet. Like I said they're just back from holiday and I didn't want to say anything too quickly until Izzy was settled". He nodded his head un-easily. I got up and walked over to him stopping directly infront of him to stop him pacing. "Don't worry, they loved you remember" He sighed, again. "I know, that's what's worrying me. I broke their only daughters heart". Hearing those words, they pierced right through me like a cold dagger. He knows what he did. I wondered what he felt now. If anything. Or was this all just for Izzy. "Mummy, look! Look what Grandma and me found!" Izzy called before rushing in breaking my gaze from Bone's. I stepped away and headed back to the sofa sitting as she climbed on beside me. Bone's went to the rear of the couch, he probably wanted to approve the photos. She passed me the photos they had picked. One of him when he was 18, fresh in the army wearing his combats. "God, look how young you were there". "Oi, what you saying" He said chuckling. The second photo was at his passing out parade after completing basic training. I was so proud of him that day, he was so proud of himself too. He wore his number two uniform - the old war styled uniform. A few more photos of him during and in between tours and the last one. I took a deep breath looking at it. "Look Mummy, I found one of you too!" A tear rolled down my eyes remembering this moment. His Mum took the photo with me in his arms after he'd just returned home from a long tour. We both looked happy. I placed the photo down trying to hold back any further tears. "Mummy, you look sad" "I'm okay sweetheart, it's just a lot of memories" Bone's walked round to the front of the sofa and Izzy got up and went to him and he placed his arm round her. I wiped my tears away as Elizabeth sat down beside me. "Oh, I just can't believe how big she's gotten". I seen Bone's facial expression change as she said that. "What?" I felt my heart stop for a full minute. I stood up taking a few steps back. "Darling?" Elizabeth shakingly said trying to brush it off casually. "You said gotten so big. Like you've seen her before?!" He was angry. I could see it. He glanced to me. I couldn't look, my eyes fell to the floor not knowing what to say. "Oh your shitting me! You knew?!" He shouted with rage burning through his tone. I looked up with a fright. Izzy got a huge fright and ran to me clinging to my legs. She'd never seen him angry, hell I'd hardly seen him angry. "Darling,  please let me-" "I can't take this" He muttered storming out. "Izzy stay with Grandma" I managed to escape her tight grip and ran out after him. The door in the kitchen was open which lead to the garden. I headed out looking for him. I stopped as I seen him in the distance near the old oak tree. His back faced the house. I quickly walked over still not knowing what to say. "Bone's" I whispered. He lifted his head amd turned slowly, growling. His eyes were so angry. "She knew! She knew! And I didn't! How the fuck! Hayley! When did she see Izzy?!" He yelled at me making me take a step back. "Bone's I-" "WHEN?!" "She came with me to the second scan and...and she held Izzy when she was a few weeks old" His face dropped. He had no words. Seeing him like this destroyed me. I knew he was angry and upset not knowing Izzy existed until now. "Bone's can I..." I trailed off not able to speak. "Why didn't she tell me. My baby girl. She.. My baby girl" He repeated, a few tears escaped my eye. I seen a few leave his too, it was the first time I'd ever seen him cry even if it only lasted a few moments. "Bone's. Hold me. Please. I'll tell you everything" I ushered out. I felt like a train had hit me, totally floored. "Please" I whispered. I felt everything start to move. I couldn't focus. Drained of all energy. I managed to hold my head up to look at him. "Please" He exhaled and walked closer closing the gap between us. He opened his arms and pulled me in tightly. It felt like we'd never been apart. We both fell straight into our nook with each other. One of his arms tightly wrapped round my waist, the other cradled my head. Both my hands resting on his back never wanting to let go. I buried my face into his chest as he rested his head on the side of mine. "Hayley talk" he demanded. I tried to stop myself crying taking a shaky inhale of breath. The oak tree rustled as the wind had picked up a little. "Hayley, please. I need to hear this". Our eyes locked on to each others. I nodded slowly taking one last deep breath before explaining everything.