Behind The Curtain - When Cameras Are Off

[ilovekateritchie]

Heres Kate all happy and pregnant and heres Jodi who cant have kids your an evil person!!!!!

If anything in this chapter is... upsetting blame it on her! LOL!

Thanks for all the feedback!

PART 39

Kate wakes up with the sun kissing her face. She rolls over, bumping into Callan’s naked body next to her. She smiles at him sleepily and kisses him.

“Morning.”

“Hey. Have a good nights sleep?”

“Yeah…”

He pulls her closer and sighs.

“I wish you didn’t have to go to work today.”

“Hmmm… so do I.”

“Call in sick.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Yes you can.”

She shakes her head and stretches out.

“Want some brekkie?”

“Sure, I…”

He suddenly grabs his jaw and frowns. Kate looks at him worriedly.

“Callan? What’s going on?”

“My jaw… it feels kind of weird…”

“What do you mean weird?”

“I don’t really know… just… funny. I think we kiss too much.”

“Very funny!”

“Or not enough…”

“I choose number two.”

They kiss again and she stands up.

“I have to go now… Otherwise I’ll be late.”

“Kate…”

“Hey, Jodi.”

“Look, I wanted to apologize…”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I shouldn’t have slapped you.”

“Ancient history. Come on, let’s go to the green room before Scott has a nervous breakdown!”

Scott looks at Kate and Chris who are lying in each other’s arms on the bed and nods.

“Right. And action.”

Kate snuggles up against Chris and closes her eyes.

He puts his arm around her and she sighs.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m just thinking…”

“About?”

“About Pippa actually.”

“Pippa?”

“Yeah… I talked to her on the phone last night. She said she was fine, but she didn’t sound fine.”

“Why don’t you invite her here?”

“Actually… I was thinking about going to her for a while…”

“Oh.”

Kate laughs.

“You don’t sound too happy about it.”

“No, it’s fine… for how long?”

“Oh, I don’t know… a few weeks. Maybe longer if she needs me.”

Chris sighs, kissing her in her neck.

“What am I going to do without?”

“You’ll survive.”

“Barely. I love you, Sal.”

“I love you too.”

“And cut! Perfect! Take five everybody, I want you all back here in an hour!”

Chris gets off the bed and helps Kate off.

She picks up her cell phone immediately and dials a number.

She puts the phone down after a while, looking troubled.

“He’s still not answering… And the neighbors said the doors are all locked.

They knocked, but he didn’t come out… Something is wrong, I just know it.”

Chris looks at his watch.

“Well I could take you home if you want… To check on him.”

“Sure.”

He puts his hand on her elbow and they start walking out.

Nic sees them before they can leave and shouts out.

“Oi! Where are you two going?”

Kate turns around.

“Where going to check if Callan is okay, he’s not answering the phone…”

“Okay, mind if I come?”

“Not at all.”

“It’s quiet…”

Kate unlocks the door, her hands trembling.

She opens the door and steps inside, but Mark pulls her back.

“Wait… let us go in first…”

Mark enters, followed by Nic, Paul and Chris. Kate walks in after Chris.

“It looks all right…”

They all wander off in different directions. Everybody rushes to the kitchen however, when they hear a terrified scream.

“Kate! What…”

They stop inside the kitchen, to find Kate kneeling next to Callan’s seemingly lifeless body.

[ilovekateritchie]

Next part, thanks for your lovely comments.

PART 40

“Callan… come on, baby, open your eyes… Callan…”

Nic kneels next to her, feeling for a pulse.

Kate looks at him hysterically.

“What’s going on? Nic? Why won’t he wake up? Why…”

Nic looks up.

“Chris, get her out of here. Mark, call an ambulance.”

Kate struggles to get loose as Chris drags her out of the kitchen.

“Let me go! I want to be with him! Let me go!”

Chris holds onto her firmly, pressing her head against his chest.

“Calm down, Kate, the ambulance is on its way.”

She looks up at him, her eyes shining with tears.

“Is he going to be okay, Chris? Please, tell me he’s going to be all right!”

“I don’t know, Kate.”

“Don’t say that! Say it’s going to be fine! Please, Chris… it has to be!”

“I don’t know, Kate. I really don’t.”

Nic looks up at Mark.

“What did they say?”

“They’re on their way. Is he breathing?”

“Barely.”

Paul jumps up at the sound of sirens to open the front door.

“In here!”

He leads the paramedics to the kitchen, where Callan is lifted onto a stretcher and carried out.

Nic, Paul, Mark, Chris and Kate slowly follow, driving behind the ambulance all the way to the hospital.

“Where are Nic, Paul, Mark, Chris and Kate?”

Scott looks at the cast angrily, but they all shrug.

“I don’t…”

Ada is interrupted by her cell phone, which starts ringing.

“Nic! Where are you, Scott is… What? You’re kidding! No, of course. It’s fine, call me when you find anything out.”

She puts the phone down.

“It’s Callan. They’ve taken him to hospital, they found him unconscious on the floor.”

“Here. I thought you might need this.”

Chris sits down next to Kate, handing her a cup of coffee.

“What’s taking them so long?”

Mark sits down on the other side of Kate, putting his arm around her shoulders.

“Nic just got off the phone with Ada.”

She nods absently and stands up when the doctor comes out.

“Mrs. Mulvey?”

“Yes. Where’s Callan? Can I see him?”

Chris walks closer, putting his hand on her back. They all look at the doctor, who is eyeing him with a grave expression.

“Mrs. Mulvey, your husband had a heart attack…”

“A heart attack? Caused by what?”

“A blood clot…, which formed in one of the arteries. Usually danger signs are chest pain, arm pains, an uncomfortable jaw..”

The blood drains from her face.

“He… he mentioned his jaw feeling weird this morning… but we both thought it was nothing.”

Mark chips in.

“But you could treat him, right? How long is he going to be in here for?”

“Yeah… can I see him?”

The doctor bites his lip, focusing on the growing belly of the woman in front of him.

“He… he unfortunately had a second heart attack before he arrived at the hospital.”

“A second heart attack? What does that mean?”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Mulvey. The second heart attack… was fatal. There was nothing we could do.”

[ilovekateritchie]

Okay this is so the last update for today!

I can resist the begging... I know I can! I'm just not trying hard enough and some people are begging me - I even get she-told-me-to-tell-you-that-you-have-to-update messages! CoughBeckyandTashCough

So here you go: (And I hope you have a nice joyful day now since this part isn't depressing at all.)

PART 41

“Fatal?”

Kate looks at him, her lip trembling.

“Kate…”

“Don’t even say it, Chris.”

Chris puts his hands on her shoulders and the doctor looks at her sadly.

“He died about twenty minutes ago.”

“No… no, you made a mistake… he can’t be dead, he was fine… he’s not…”

Chris’ grip on her shoulders intensifies and she turns to him.

“He… he was fine… this morning…”

“Kate…”

She looks at the doctor.

“I want to see him.”

“Sure. Follow me.”

Nic, Paul, Mark and Chris all look at each other.

Mark looks up, wiping tears out of his eyes.

“This is so unfair… what’s going to become of her? And the baby?”

“We’ll all be there for them, mate.” Paul

“Yeah. But it’s not the same.” Mark

Kate enters the room slowly.

He’s lying on a bed, his eyes closed… like he’s sleeping.

She walks up to him and softly traces the lines of his face with her fingers.

“I love you so much.”

She climbs onto the bed, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Come back to me, Callan. I need you.”

She starts sobbing, throwing her arms around him.

“We need you so much!”

“I can’t believe it… How do you think she’s doing?”

Mark looks at Paul, who shrugs.

“Does… does anyone know yet?”

In answer to Paul’s question, footsteps rush down the hallway. Ian, followed by Sharni, Jessica, Ada and Amy walks up to them.

“How is she?”

Ada looks at Nic and he shakes his head.

“She’s saying goodbye. I… I should have done something more… I should have called the ambulance sooner!”

He storms off and the friends all look at each other. Amy bites her lip.

“I’ll go.”

“Nic?”

He turns his head, looking at her.

“Nic, this is not your fault.”

“She’s… she’s one of my best friends, Amy. Seeing her like this… I don’t know how to handle it.”

Amy puts her arms around his waist, resting her head against his back. (She’s standing behind him)

“I know you’re upset about it. So am I. But all we can do is be there for her.”

Nic sighs.

“Yeah… you’re right.”

Further off in the hallway, Chris looks at his watch.

“I’m going to… I just want to go take a look.”

He walks out and Ada stands up.

“Chris, don’t…”

He ignores her and she sits back down.

“He’s only going to make it worse.”

“Kate?”

Chris walks closer to where Kate is lying next to Callan.

“Kate, come on.”

“Go away.”

“Kate.”

She looks at him, her eyes still shining with tears.

“How did this happen? This morning he was fine… and now… he’s dead. It’s not fair.”

Chris stands up, lifting her up into his arms like she’s a feather.

Kate puts her arms around his neck, burying her face against his body.

“I need him, Chris. I need him so much.”

EDIT: P.S. I actually like the begging, so i didn't critisize or something.

[ilovekateritchie]

I hope this part is long enough for the whole weekend.

Thanks for the comments!

PART 42

Jodi sighs when she’s woken up by a loud knock on her front door. Grabbing her robe, she walks forward, opening the door to Paul.

“Paul, not now, please.”

“Can I come in?”

“I was already in bed!”

“Jodi, there’s something I need to tell you…”

“Look, I’m not in the mood for…”

“Callan is dead.”

“What?”

She looks at him, astonished and he nods, bothersome tears forming in his eyes.

“We… we just found him lying there… There was nothing we could do…”

“Come in…”

He walks in after her and sits down, his hand over his eyes. Jodi bites her lip.

“What did they say? What happened?”

“It was a heart attack… that’s why we found him there. He had a second heart attack just before reaching the hospital. It killed him.”

“How’s Kate?”

Paul shakes his head.

“Hysterical… she didn’t want to leave his room, Chris had to carry her out… they gave her an injection just before I left… I just… I couldn’t handle it anymore… They were so happy together… why did it have to happen?”

Jodi looks at him and starts to sob.

“It’s so messed up… what about his child?”

She falls down next to Paul, crying helplessly.

And there they sit, two broken people.

Two people who can only mend each other. If they could find the words.

Nic, Amy, Ada and Ian enter Kate’s room, looking shaken.

Chris is sitting next to her bed, his eyes glued to her face.

“How is she, mate?”

Chris looks at Nic.

“She’s still out.”

Ian walks closer, looking down at her.

“It’s awful seeing her like this…”

Chris nods, rubbing his eyes.

“How are you doing? I know Callan was like a brother to you.”

Ian tries to smile bravely.

“I’m okay… I’m just… I guess someone should let Sharni know. I’ll do that.”

Ada puts her hand on Chris’ shoulder.

“I’ll sit with her if you want to go home.”

Chris smiles at her and looks back at Kate.

“No. I want to stay.”

“Okay…”

They slowly leave and Chris sits alone, looking scared and worried.

Ian sighs when the phone starts ringing.

“Sharni, hello?”

“Sharni… it’s Ian. Sorry for bothering you so late.”

“That’s okay… what’s up?”

“I’m at the hospital…”

“Are you okay? What happened?”

“It’s not me… it’s Callan… he had a heart attack.”

“How is he?”

“He’s dead, Sharni.”

“No… no, it can’t be, it’s not possible.”

“It’s true.”

“How’s Kate?”

“Sleeping. They had to inject her. Could you…”

“I’m on my way.”

Chris jumps up when Kate softly moans and opens her eyes.

“Hey. How are you feeling?”

She looks at him with a sad smile.

“You’re still here?”

“I couldn’t bring myself to leave. How are you?”

“I’m okay… I guess. I’m still a little groggy… what time is it?”

“Past three.”

“You should go home.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Why are you doing this? Staying here I mean. You don’t need to.”

“I want to. You were the one who constantly brought me food after my divorce, the one who talked to me when I felt bad. I feel like I owe you.”

“We were going to the gynecologist tomorrow. For another ultrasound. He was so excited… He couldn’t wait to see the baby. He said that it was going to be the first time that it wasn’t just a blob.”

She shakes her head, frowning.

“I don’t even want to go anymore.”

“Don’t say that…”

“It’s true. I don’t want to go. It’s terrible… but I just… I can’t do it. I just can’t.”

“Well… I’ll come with you… if it helps.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

“Thanks, Chris.”

“Anytime.”

“I want to see her.”

Sharni rushes to Ian, walking straight into his arms.

“How did this happen? How couldn’t we see the signs?”

Ian shakes his head.

“There weren't any. He was alone for the biggest part of the day, there’s no way anyone could have known.”

“I want to see Kate…”

“Chris is with her… but… he won’t mind.”

Chris places his hand on her belly and smiles.

“Isn’t it magical?”

“No.”

“Kate…”

“I don’t want this baby.”

“You can’t say that…”

“It’s true. I don’t. I don’t want to raise a child without his father… I just… I don’t. I know it makes me an awful person… but I don’t care.”

“It doesn’t make you an awful person. You’ve been through a lot today… once the baby is here, it will change. You’re going to love him more than anything. I know you are.”

She looks at him, her eyes lifeless.

“What if you’re wrong? What if I hate him?”

“You won’t hate him.”

“But what if I do?”

“You won’t. I promise.”

She grabs his hands, looking terrified.

“I can’t do this alone, Chris.”

“And you won’t have to. I’ll help you. And Nic, Paul, Jodi, Ada, Amy, Sharni, Ian… we’re all here for you, Kate.”

“I’m just… I’m going to miss him so much.”

“I know.”

She lets her head hang, tears slowly traveling down her cheeks.

[ilovekateritchie]

Hey guys! Thanks for the feedback... There will be some happiness soonish, don't worry...

PART 43

Jodi looks at her watch, her cheeks still tear stained.

“Do you think it’s too late to go and see how she’s doing?”

Paul nods.

“Yeah… she’s probably sleeping…”

“I don’t think you can sleep right after you’ve lost the person you love.”

He looks at her candidly.

“I know. But they have given her something to sleep. There’s a child to think of now.”

Jodi nods.

“I guess you’re right. I didn’t even think of… the kid.”

“This is going to be difficult for her. I trust you know that she’s going to need all of our help and support.”

“Of course I know that!”

“Great, so I can count on you supporting her and helping her.”

“I’m not an idiot, of course I will. I care about her.”

“Good. Because if you weren’t there for her, it would just be like a slap in the face.”

Jodi’s face becomes deathly pale when his words register.

“Who told you?”

“Does it matter?

“Yes. It’s none of your business! Was it Kate? Did she tell you?”

“How can you even think that? She’s not like that! And if you even think about asking her whether she knows anything, I swear you’re going to pay. The last thing she needs right now is your juvenile baloney!”

“How can you think I’d do that? Do you really think so little of me?”

“Asks the girl who dumped me because I wasn’t exciting enough for her anymore!”

“I never said that!”

“Oh, yeah, sorry! You stopped loving me for no reason!”

“This isn’t even about us, Paul! Just get out of my house!”

“Fine!”

He storms off angrily and Jodi shuts the door with a loud bang before falling down on the couch, seething.

“Kate? Are you awake?”

Kate opens her eyes slowly when Sharni comes into her room.

“Hey. What time is it?”

“Just after nine. How are you feeling?”

“Like someone whose husband just died.”

Sharni sits down next to her silently and Kate smiles bravely.

“I’m okay… I’m going for another ultrasound today. Around eleven.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, Chris is coming with me. I… I don’t think I could face it alone.”

“Well if you need anything…”

“I’ll give you a shout, thanks.”

“Okay then.”

“Actually… there is something…”

“What?”

“Could you ask Jodi to come here later today? There’s something I need to tell her.”

Sharni nods.

“I’ll ask her.”

“Thank you.”

“Hey! Are you ready?”

Kate looks up when Chris walks into her room.

“Yeah… We can go.”

Chris hugs her.

“You don’t have to be strong now, Kate. I understand that this is difficult…”

“Yeah, I just want to get this over with. So can we go, please?”

“Yeah… sure.”

“And there is his head… He’s sucking his thumb, see?”

Chris smiles tenderly.

“Oh… It’s so cute…”

Kate turns her head away from the screen and Chris and the doctor share a look.

“Kate, don’t you want to see?”

“No.”

Chris lifts his shoulders up and the doctor shakes his head.

“So everything is fine with it?”

“Your baby is strong and healthy.”

Kate nods, still not looking at the screen.

Chris wipes some hair out of her face.

“Kate…”

“Can we go?”

The doctor bites his lip.

“Yes. See you in two weeks.”

“Yeah.”

He looks at the door long after Chris and Kate have disappeared and sighs deeply before getting the room ready for his next patient.

[ilovekateritchie]

Just caught up....Kyle...I HATE YOU for killing Callan*cries*...

At least I gave him a happy life.

What does Kate want to tell Jodz?

You'll see right now

And here is the next part thanks for your comments, you are all rock stars!

Kate goes all snappy, Chris goes all snappy and there's love in the air... (not between chris and kate though, im not a freak.)

PART 44

“Hey… Sharni said you wanted to see me.”

Kate sits up.

“Yeah…”

Jodi nods and looks at Kate unsurely.

“How long do they want to keep you here?”

“I have an appointment with the hospital shrink later today. Then I can go. I guess they just kept me here to make sure I didn’t do anything stupid. I was kind of hysterical...”

Jodi sits down and Kate stares at her.

“Jodi… you need to talk to Paul.”

“Please don’t start that again…”

“Look, the only way to find out whether he’ll be okay with it, is to talk to him. Life is short, Jodi. Too short.”

“You don’t know what it’s like… losing your dream of having a kid.”

“You’re right. I don’t. But what do you think is worse? Not being able to have a kid, but spend your life with someone who adores you or being four months pregnant and losing your husband without any chance of ever getting him back? Please. Just talk to him about it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Kate lies back.

“You will. You need to do this, Jodi. You know you do."

“Amy! Wait for me!”

Amy stops when she hears Nick’s voice behind her.

“Hey!”

“Hey. Where are you going?”

“I’m going out for lunch… You want to join me?”

“Would I ever say no for food and gorgeous company? I’ll just get my wallet.”

Amy nods, looking at Nic with a smile.

He returns and eyes her suspiciously.

“What are you smiling about?”

“I’m just glad you’re all right now. I was worried about you last night.”

Nic smiles at her.

“Thanks. For worrying.”

“Come on, let’s go grab something to eat!”

“Paul… can we talk?”

“What do you want to fight about this time?”

Paul glares at Jodi and she bites her nail nervously.

“I need to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Can… can we talk in my dressing room?”

“Okay.”

They sit down opposite each other and Jodi looks at Paul seriously.

“I want to tell you why I really broke up with you.”

“Kate… I hate to talk to you about this now… but… have you thought about… the funeral yet.”

Kate looks at Chris blankly.

“Funeral?”

“Yeah… for Callan. He needs to have one.”

She turns her head away again, but he doesn’t stand for it this time.

“You can’t keep turning your head away and think that this will sort itself out, Kate! It won’t! And I know this is terrible and that you’re devastated, but you need to deal with this! It’s not only your future at stake here! You have a baby inside you to think about!”

“I already told you. I don’t want it.”

“It? Him, Kate. You need to start thinking of that child as a person. And you need to start doing that now.”

She sits up straight, her eyes spitting fire.

“You don’t know what it’s like! You have no idea what it feels like to lose the only person you’ll ever love when you need him the most! Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be raising a child on my own? Going through this pregnancy on my own? Do you know what it’s like to feel guilty for being the reason your partner is dead?”

“It’s not your fault!”

“Yes it is! I should have known something was wrong.”

“Kate, look at me!”

He cups her chin with his hand, looking her in the eyes.

“It’s not your fault, okay. Say it.”

“But it is."

"Kate. Say it."

"It'snotmyfault."

“Try it again, and this time say it like you believe it.”

“It’s not my fault…”

She starts weeping softly and Chris strokes over her hear comfortingly.

“You don’t want kids? That’s why you broke up with me?”

Jodi nods.

“I know how badly you want kids and… I can’t ever see myself having a kid. I really can’t. And it’s not something that’s going to change.”

“But… why were you so upset when you found out you weren’t pregnant?”

“Because… that is when I realized that we want different things out of life. And I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”

“Jodi…”

“I’m serious. I love you, but I don’t want to keep you from having kids. It’s important to you… but I just can’t. Sorry.”

“You mean more to me than a dozen kids ever could, Jodz. I love you. Why didn’t you tell me this?”

She shrugs, looking at the ground.

“I… I guess I was afraid of how you would react.”

He pulls her into his arms, hugging her.

“Let’s be honest with each other. I don’t want anything to come between us.”

She smiles up at him.

“Deal.”

“So we’re all right?”

“More than all right.”

She grins and kisses him affectionately.

“I’m sorry for being such an idiot…”

“That’s okay… as long as you make it up to me tonight…”

[ilovekateritchie]

Update again Kyle Pwease? I might give you a cookie.. If your lucky.. And nice.

That depends on what kind of cooky. Okay, just because you are asking so nicely. But that's the last update for... a while. A few hours I guess.

PART 45

“Home sweet home.”

Chris looks at Kate gravely when she unlocks the door to walk in.

“Are you sure you’re ready? If you want me to stay here tonight or call someone… you could even come and stay with me tonight…”

“No. I’m fine. I need to be alone. At my home.”

“Okay. Call if you need me.”

“I will.”

“And Kate…”

“Yeah?”

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

She smiles and nods slightly.

“I promise.”

“Good. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Kate closes the door behind him and closes her eyes, taking in the emptiness of the house. She slowly walks to the kitchen where they found him lying.

She sits down, placing her hands on the spot where he was lying and starts crying softly.

“Kate told me to tell you… I should have listened to her.”

“You’re right, you should have. But everything is fine now, so no harm done.”

“Do you think we should tell her? I mean, she’s grieving, I don’t want to look like I’m rubbing her nose in it…”

Paul shrugs.

“I don’t know. I want to believe that she’ll be happy for us, but this thing with Callan… It’s affecting her really badly. Obviously…”

“I know… it’s like she’s aged ten years in a day. She looks tired of living.”

“And with a baby on the way…”

Jodi looks up at him and he holds his hands up.

“Sorry… I guess it’s not a good idea to use the b word…”

“It’s okay. Are you sure you’re all right with it though? Not having kids.”

“I told you – I’m fine with it. Do you think we should go over to Kate’s? To see how’s she’s doing on her own…”

Jodi shakes her head sorrowfully.

“No. She needs to be alone. When something like this happens… the more people crowd around you, the more you want to tell them to leave. The more you bottle up your emotions. The only way that she’s going to accept this, is if she’s on her own.”

Kate stands up from the kitchen floor, with shadows in her eyes.

She walks to the room slowly and opens the closet.

One by one, she starts throwing out his things – like an automatic.

After finishing the closet, she pulls the sheets off the bed throwing it on the floor as well.

Finally, she walks to the table where their wedding picture is standing.

She picks it up, her fingers tracing the lines of his happy face.

“I’ll never stop loving you.”

She lies back on the bed, putting her hand on her stomach and closes her eyes.

Chris sits down on the beach, staring out in front of him.

He looks to his right when he hears a sound beside him.

“Callan? What are you doing here?”

Callan sits down next to him and Chris smiles.

“Mate, it’s so good to see you… I don’t know how it’s possible, but Kate is going to be ecstatic. Why aren’t you saying something?”

“Look after her, Chris. Please.”

“Come on…”

“Look, we both know you care about her. She’s going to need a friend, Chris. Please.”

“Of course… but… can’t you…?”

“No. I can’t.”

A freezing wind suddenly blows on his bare chest and he shudders.

Chris sits up with a start, looking around him.

The wind has blown his duvet off him…

He stands up to close the window, but looks out first. A single star is shining in the sky.

“I’ll look after her, Callan. For you, mate.”

KYLE'S NOTE: It was a dream okay.

[ilovekateritchie]

Well since you're begging and I can't do anything this weekend because I have the flu... I'll update.

PART 46

Scott looks up in pure astonishment when Kate walks into the studio.

“Kate… what are you doing here?”

“I came to work.”

Ada stands up, walking to her.

“Kate, there’s no need…”

“I know. I just… I need to stay busy. Otherwise I keep thinking and… I can’t handle that.”

She smiles courageously.

“Come on… let’s start.”

Ada puts her hand on Kate’s arm.

“Take it easy, Kate. Overworking yourself… it’s not good…”

“For the baby, I know.”

Ada gasps, shocked at Kate’s bitter tone.

“Kate, when you say it like that…”

“Ada, let it go.”

Kate looks at Chris thankfully and he nods at her. When everybody goes their separate way, however, Chris looks at Kate sighing.

“Kate.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Would you just…”

“I am trying, Chris.”

Kate opens her eyes when her dressing room door opens and Paul walks in.

“Oh, hey Paul!”

“Hey, Kate… listen… I need to tell you… Jodi and I are back together. I know it’s a bad time to tell you this with Callan and all, but…”

“No, there’s nothing wrong with the timing. I’m really happy for you, Paul. So… she told you?”

“Yeah… that she doesn’t want kids. I’m fine with that… We’re still young, she might change her mind later on.”

Kate looks at him strangely.

“But…”

The door opens and Jodi comes in.

She walks up to Paul and kisses him.

“Nic told me I could find you here. How are you doing, Kate?”

“I’m fine… Excuse me.”

Amy knocks once before entering Nic’s dressing room. He smiles when she enters.

“Aimz! Hey!”

“Hey, Nic… look, Kate’s just told me that Callan’s funeral… is tomorrow evening.”

He sits down on the couch.

“It’s so soon.”

“Yeah… she wanted to get it over with… it’s just us going to be there. It’s very quiet… she doesn’t want the press to be there. I figured I’d come and tell you.”

“Thanks, Amy.”

“Okay… I’ll just go then.”

She opens the door.

“Amy, wait.”

“Yeah?”

“Will you come with me, please? To the funeral. The thought of going alone… I can’t bare it.”

Amy nods and sits down next to him.

“Sure…”

They look at each other for a short while and then Nic moves his head closer and kisses her tenderly.

[ilovekateritchie]

Liz, you are a cow.

Thanks to all the OTHER people who gave me feedback. Here is the update:

PART 47

Amy pulls away after another kiss and smiles at Nic.

“Does this mean we’re together?”

“If you want…”

“I don’t know… do you?”

He thinks for a while and then kisses her again.

“I do.”

“Are you ready?”

Kate looks at Chris.

“I can’t do this.”

“You can.”

“No… I can’t…”

Chris walks closer and takes her hand.

“Kate, I promise you I’ll be there next to you throughout the service.”

“Really?”

“Really. I won’t leave you alone for a second.”

She hugs him tightly.

“I love him so much Chris. So much.”

Amy pulls away and looks at her watch.

“Oh my word, look at the time! We have to go! Come on!”

“Wait, wearing my Peter Baker suit?”

“You look fine, we’re going to be late!”

Grabbing each other’s hands they rush out and drive to the church.

“How are you doing, love?”

Kate looks at Ray and nods.

“I’m fine.”

“The truth.”

“Okay… I don’t want to be here. I… I just want to crawl into my bed and never get up. I don’t want to face the world without him, Ray.”

He squeezes her shoulder.

“If you need anything, tell me.”

“Thanks.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life…”

The minister looks up and Ian stands up, walking forward slowly.

He looks at all of their friends for a while, a white piece of paper in his hand.

“When something like this happens… and you stand before people, and you have to say something… words are impossible to find. A few months ago, I spoke at Callan’s wedding.

And now I’m speaking at his funeral… And this morning I wished that I could find the right words. But they don’t exist. I truly believe that everyone here thought of Callan as family.

He was like that… he made you feel loved and cared for. And I know that he’s going to leave a large gap in all of our lives.”

Kate puts her hand on her stomach, tears flowing freely. Ian closes his eyes for a second and continues.

“I have a poem I would like to read to you. It’s called a broken chain.”

He looks at Kate before he starts reading, his voice breaking.

“We little knew that morning that

God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly.

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.

You did not go alone,

for part of us went with you

the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.

Your love is still our guide.

And though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one,

the Chain will link again.”

Jodi buries her head against Paul’s shoulder, her body jerking with sobs. He puts his one arm around her, using his other hand to wipe tears out of his face.

Kate stands up and walks to Ian. She hugs him tightly before facing their friends.

“Thank you all for coming… It means a lot to me to… to have you here.

These last few days have been chaos and there are some people that I need to thank.

First of all, the hospital staff, the doctors and everyone… Nic, Chris, Paul and Mark who were with me when we… when we found him. Jodi… for helping me cope with everything… and… for just being there when I need a shoulder to cry on.

That actually goes for everyone… Lynn, Cornelia and Debra for… making sure that I get to eat… I haven’t been feeling like cooking much.

Ian – thank you for the poem and what you said. Reverend Joe… for doing this. Chris… I know I thanked you already, but you’ve been my rock these last few days. If it wasn’t for you… I would have broken down completely. And then I… I want to thank God.

For borrowing Callan to me… we weren’t married for long, but it was the best time of my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. So… thank you again for your support.”

[ilovekateritchie]

I thought you were going to make things get a bit happier

How do I make a funeral happy? lol.

Thanks for all the feedback and Quiet Achiever was right about the Debra, sorry, I should have made that clearer! Here ya go:

PART 48

“I don’t know how you can be so brave.”

Holly looks at Kate through her tears and the two women hug.

“Thanks for coming all the way to Australia for this, Holly.”

“Are you kidding? You couldn’t have kept me away. Do you need anything?”

“No… I’m good. Thanks.”

Holly holds her away and looks at her.

“Do you sleep at all?”

“I try…”

“Oh, I wish I could stay for longer… but I can’t get out of this contract in London and…”

“It’s fine, Holly. I understand.”

“But if you ever need me… just give me a call and I’ll be on the first plane here.”

“Thank you.”

They hug again and Kate looks over her shoulder to where Chris is standing, keeping an eye on him.

“I see you have a new bodyguard though.”

Holly waves at Chris and he nods. Kate smiles.

“I… I actually made him promise that he wasn’t going to leave me alone today. He’s been great.”

“What happened? Last I checked, the two of you hated each other.”

Kate shrugs.

“He changed. I know it’s hard to believe, but… he’s just so supportive. I think Callan talked to him before the wedding… then there was his divorce and now this. He’s really just being such a good friend.”

“Well, I’m glad. You’re both such nice people. I always found it strange that you didn’t get along.”

Holly looks at her watch and sighs.

“Oh, I have to go, otherwise I’ll be late for my flight. Good luck and remember to call me – anytime.”

“Thanks. I might just take you up on that.”

“I hope you do.”

“Hey, mate.”

Chris looks behind him at Nic and Paul.

“Not you two again! Go away!”

“Chris, we need to talk to you.”

Chris shrugs.

“I promised Kate I wouldn’t leave her alone today.”

Paul rolls his eyes and walks to Jodi.

“Jodz… could you do me a favour?”

“Sure, what?”

“Take Kate to the ladies room for a while, please. I know she isn’t showing this, but all the attention is getting a little too much for her…”

“Okay, sure.”

Jodi walks to Kate and Paul returns to Nic and Chris, smiling.

“So now we can talk.”

Chris glares at Paul and Nic.

“Fine. Talk.”

Paul and Nic look at each other for a while and Nic nods.

“Okay… tell him Paul.”

“Why do I have to tell him? It was your idea!”

“But you agreed!”

“Yeah but…”

Chris looks at them angrily.

“If you are going to fight over who tells me, then leave it.”

Paul sighs.

“Okay, fine. We want to know what you are doing.”

“What do you mean?”

Nic and Paul look at each other and Paul waves his hand to Nic. Nic pulls a face.

“Fine, Paul. With Kate, Chris. She’s getting… dependent on you. She’s really vulnerable, mate, and it’s going to be easy for her to think she’s in love with you because she’s depending on you… we know you’re in love with her, but…”

Chris looks at them in pure disgust.

“How can you even think that? Callan was my mate; I would never hit on his wife!

He’s not even cold yet and you think… Kate’s my friend and that’s all! You’re a right couple of sicko’s, you know.”

He storms off. Paul and Chris look at each other and shake their heads.