Behind The Curtain - When Cameras Are Off

[ilovekateritchie]

thanks for all the comments... I can't believe u actually like what i'm writing *feels real good*

here's another update:

PART 49

“You told him you didn’t want kids? Jodi, that’s not what I meant!”

“I know. I just… I didn’t want him to take me back because he’s feeling sorry for me.”

“This is wrong, Jodi! He’s just going to think that you might change your mind and get hurt! I’m begging you, tell him the truth.”

“I know you care Kate, but please… stay out of it.”

Kate just looks at her and Jodi leaves.

Kate sighs and Amy comes into the bathroom.

“Hey… how are you feeling?”

“I’m just glad this is over. I think today was the hardest part… the funeral is so… final. It’s finally sunk in, you know.”

“And how are you doing?”

“You know what, I’m doing fine actually. I still can’t imagine… living without him… but I’m not… angry anymore.”

“Angry?”

Kate nods.

“It’s silly, but… when… when he died, I was angry. At myself for not doing anything. At him for dying. Just at everyone, you know. The whole situation made me so furious…”

“And now?”

“Now I’m just… sad. But I’ll be okay.”

They hug and Kate smiles.

“I saw you and Nic sitting together.”

Amy blushes.

“Yeah…”

“What happened?”

“We kissed…”

“Amy, that’s great!”

“Yeah, but… I’m scared, Kate… I don’t want to get hurt…”

“Take the chance, Amy. You might get hurt, that’s true. But if you don’t take this chance, you’ll never know whether you’ve lost the love of your life.”

Amy hugs Kate.

“I’m so sorry… here you are giving me advice on your husbands funeral… it’s not supposed to be like this.”

“It’s okay, really. I need to… I need to keep my thoughts busy. So please, go on! Just shout whenever you need advice, please!”

They walk out. Chris is standing against the wall, looking glum.

“Chris? What’s with the face?”

“Nothing. Come on.”

“Not until you tell me what happened! I know you, Chris!”

Paul puts his arms around Jodi and she sighs.

“I still remember their wedding! It’s not supposed to be like this. It scares me.”

“Why does it scare you?”

“Kate told me that… they were so perfectly happy that she was waiting for something to go wrong. What if there isn’t such a thing as perfect happiness?”

“There is.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because that is what I have with you. Perfect happiness.”

“Paul O’Brien, I need to talk to you.”

Paul swings around when he hears Kate’s angry voice behind him and looks at Jodi.

“Perfect moment ruined. I’ll be right back.”

Paul follows Kate and Nic around the corner and she puts her hands on her hips.

“How dare you? How dare you talk to Chris about our friendship? How dare you suggest that it might turn into something more? At my husbands funeral! Do you have no sense of… reality? Or respect? I loved Callan! I can’t even think about moving on!”

“We were just…”

“Oh, save it! But let me tell you this – my friendship with Chris has nothing to do with you and if I hear another… hint of you contemplating a relationship with us I will neuter you both!”

She storms off and the guys look at each other.

“So much for trying to help.”

Paul shakes his head.

“I know. Why do I feel like the bad guy here?”

“Search me.”

[ilovekateritchie]

oh I forgot about the other Paul-obsessed-stalker. Here's an honourable mention Rachel.

And here's another update as well thank you all for the comments!

PART 50

“What about this?”

Chris holds up a shirt and Kate shakes her head.

“No, throw it out.”

“But Kate…”

“I’m not going to wear it, Chris! I just want to get rid of all this stuff! It’s been a month, it’s time.”

“But…”

“Stop butting me. Ada, how are you doing with that drawer?”

“It’s almost empty… there are a few things I want you to look at first.”

“If I can’t use it, throw it out.”

Ada frowns.

“Kate, this isn’t right.”

“Look, if you don’t want to help me, I’ll do it on my own. But would you just stop telling me how to do this? I need to get rid of his stuff, there’s no use in keeping it!”

Kate looks at her friends.

Jodi, Paul, Ada, Amy, Nic, Chris, Mark, Ian, Sharni and Jess all nod.

“Thank you. Now just… go on. Please.”

Paul shakes his head slightly, looking at Jodi.

“She’s crazy. This isn’t the right way to do this.”

“I know, but she just closes up whenever anyone tries reasoning with her.”

“I know… a month is too soon to be getting rid of all this. It’s like she’s trying to erase his memory. That’s not right.”

“Try telling her that.”

Kate picks up a book and smiles.

“Oh… he was still reading this…”

“Do you want to keep it?”

She glares at Chris and throws the book to the side.

“No. It’s not like I’m ever going to read it. There’s no use.”

“Kate, maybe you should just…”

“Chris, maybe you should just shut up. I know what I’m doing, okay. Ow!”

She grabs her stomach and Chris jumps up.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… he just… kicked. Hard. Excuse me please, I need to… I’m thirsty.”

She leaves and Chris sits down on the bed with a sigh. Everybody immediately stop with the jettison project and they look at each other.

Ada sits back, looking at everything lying around.

“This isn’t right.”

Nic nods.

“I know… she’s going to regret it. And then what?”

Chris sighs and starts throwing some more things into a plastic bag. Ada rushes forward, grabbing his arm.

“Chris, what are you doing?”

“Look, this is her way of moving on with her life. If we’re really her friends, we’ll help her and not try to stop her.”

“But it’s not right…”

“Maybe it is for her.”

Ada nods and joins him in throwing more stuff out.

“Chris is right. We need to be helping her, not fighting with her.”

One by one, the friends start packing things up, tears dripping as they do so.

[ilovekateritchie]

Okay here is the next update! Hope its happy enough!

PART 51

Kate walks into the studio silently.

“Kate, what are you doing here?”

Jodi jumps up to give her a hug and she smiles.

“I’ve been thinking… I need to go away for a while.”

Everybody looks at Kate in shock. Sharni finds her voice first.

“Go where exactly?”

“I’m going to England first… to visit Holly. I don’t know where I’m going from there… Italy perhaps. Or Germany.”

Jodi smiles sadly.

“You really need to do this, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“When will you be back?”

Kate shrugs, placing her hand on her stomach.

“Before this one is born, that’s for sure… I won’t be gone for long. A month, maybe two.”

“We’re going to miss you so much!”

“I’m going to miss you too! But I’ll call everyday!”

Chris shakes his head and walks out. Kate frowns.

“I’m going to go talk to him…”

She rushes after Chris, into his dressing room.

“Chris…”

“Oh… Kate.”

“Chris, talk to me.”

He looks up, smiling sadly.

“I shouldn’t make such a big deal of this… I’m just going to miss you so much. You… you’re my best friend, Kate. I know we hated each other when we first met, but we’ve come such a long way…”

Kate smiles.

“I’m going to miss you too.”

He hugs her tightly and smiles.

“I’m sorry for freaking out. I just didn’t know how to tell you all that… I’m not too good with emotions.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think anyone is really good with emotions.”

He puts his arm around her shoulders and they walk out together.

“You know, maybe when you come back we can go watch the footy with the other guys.”

“The other guys?”

Chris grins.

“Oh, I’m sorry… I forgot you’re a girl for a second there.”

Kate laughs.

“Okay first of all, I’ve never seen a pregnant guy before. And second – if I’m a guy, why is your arm around me, mate?”

He takes his arm away and laughs.

“Sorry… mate! So when are you leaving?”

“My plane leaves tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow? That’s so… soon.”

“Yeah, I know. The sooner the better.”

“For you maybe. Poor Holly! She’s the one who’s going to be stuck with you.”

“That was so mean! Oh, he’s kicking again! It’s like I have a kick boxer inside my tummy! Just feel that!”

Chris places his hand on her belly and raises his eyebrows.

“Yeah, I hear you! He really is kicking hard! How do you sleep at night?”

“I don’t!”

They laugh and Chris smiles.

“You’re going to be so huge when you come back.”

“Thanks a lot!”

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

“I know. Come on, let’s go chat with everyone!”

“I’m going to miss her.”

Jodi sighs and Paul puts his arms around her waist.

“So am I. But she needs to do this.”

“Yeah… we owe her… she talked me into telling you the truth.”

“You’re right we owe her.”

Jodi puts her arms around his waist and he leans down, kissing her passionately.

“I love you, Jodz. I can’t stop saying that.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”

[ilovekateritchie]

Wow you went comment crazy after I went to bed. Not that i mind, it cheered me up!

Jodi won't have a baby, deal with it.

Jade, I killed Callan because certain people CoughBeckyCough complained that Kate was too happy as opposed to Jodi. No, I needed to. He had a full life.

Here's the next update!

PART 52

“I can’t believe she’s gone.”

Jodi leans back against Paul and he puts his arms around her waist.

“Yeah. She’s going to look totally different when she comes back.”

Jodi nods.

“I guess. Thank goodness I’m never going through that.”

Paul looks at her strangely.

“Don’t you think she looks beautiful?”

Jodi shakes her head, her heart breaking inside.

“No… it’s revolting. I can’t imagine looking like that.”

Paul frowns.

“How can you say it’s revolting? Kate looks gorgeous.”

“I never want to be that large! It scares me.”

Paul nods and walks off. Jodi touches her forehead and closes her eyes.

“You had to lay it on thick, didn’t you, Gordon?”

Shaking her head, she leaves, walking after Paul slowly.

“Paul?”

Paul turns around. Jodi is standing behind him with an adorable pout.

“It came out wrong. I didn’t mean that Kate was revolting.”

“But you said it.”

“Yeah… but just… I just meant that I wouldn’t want that. She looks beautiful but it’s not for me.”

She cuddles up against Paul and he puts her arms around her with a sigh.

“I love you to death, Jodi. But you have to think before you talk.”

“I will. I promise.”

He kisses her softly and they walk away hand in hand.

“Okay…”

Chris settles in and looks into the camera. He smiles a goofy smile and winks.

“Can you see me?”

Kate laughs.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Chris laughs.

“You don’t mean that, you think I’m good looking.”

“Not when you smile like that, you’re not.”

He immediately pouts seriously.

“How bout now?”

“No.”

“Okay, fine. How was the flight?”

“It was fine. There was this annoying guy next to me, he couldn’t stop talking though. I put in my headphones later… It was so irritating.”

Chris laughs and looks at Kate’s face in the screen, shaking his head.

“Now what?”

“You know, I haven’t seen you this relaxed in a long time.”

She looks down and smiles.

“Yeah… Holly is a good influence. I was here for ten minutes then she took me to go shopping.”

“Did you buy anything for me?”

Kate laughs.

“No! Oh, listen, I have to go, we’re going out for lunch. So I’ll see you later.”

“Okay… tell Holly I said hi.”

“I’ll do that! Bye, Kate.”

“Bye.”

Holly looks at Kate with lifted eyebrows.

“You’re even chatting on a web cam?”

Kate smiles.

“Yeah, I know, it’s crazy… but he’s becoming my best friend.”

Holly bites her lip and Kate lifts a brow.

“What do you want to say Holly?”

“Okay, this is none of my business… but being best friends with a guy… it’s complicated.”

“I know, but not with us. There is no sexual tension at all. From either of us.”

“Well if you’re sure about that…”

“I am. Besides, I can’t see myself with anybody but Callan in the near future… I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.”

“Hey, mate! You here again?”

Chris nods sleepily and Nic walks into his dressing room.

“Do you have anything in here to eat?”

“Yeah, in the drawer.”

Nic grabs a chocolate bar out of the drawer and sits down next to Chris.

“What’s with the laptop and web cam?”

“Oh, I talked to Kate.”

“How is she?”

“Fine. Holly’s cheering her up, so that’s good.”

“Mate, can I ask you a question?”

“No I’m not in love with her anymore.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah… Look, I’ll admit that I felt something for her but… that day I went to pick her up at the hospital and I saw that baby on the ultra sound… the little boy… I started to accept that we’re not meant to be. And from then… what I felt for her changed into a solid friendship.”

“Okay…”

Nic stands up and stretches out.

“I’m going to bed. See you tomorrow.”

“Night mate!”

Nic leaves and Chris turns to his side, falling asleep immediately.

[ilovekateritchie]

Thanks for all the comments. Here's the next update.

PART 53

In another bed, it is a total different story as Jodi is lying on her bed, staring at the roof and listening to Paul’s breathing.

Never having a child of her own…

She turns around, cuddling up to Paul.

How unfair was it to him? He could have kids… the only thing stopping him was her…

“He chose you Jodi.”

She softly whispers to herself, trying to ignore the dark voice.

Paul stirs and Jodi silently looks at his chiselled face.

They would have had such gorgeous children…

Tears form in her eyes and she moves closer to him.

Was she ever going to get over this?

The only other option was to adopt and – Jodi shudders – a stranger in your house… no way… As for a surrogate… no. Everything inside her kicked against it…

What if Paul became too close to the woman who carried his child?

Jodi shakes her head. What was she thinking?

She told Paul that she doesn’t want kids… if she swings around now, telling him that she actually can’t have kids, but she wants them… he’ll never forgive her for lying to him, never…

“What have I done? I can never tell him now.”

Jodi sighs and closes her eyes, waiting for the sleep that wouldn’t come…

Holly smiles as she pours herself a cup of tea and Kate shivers.

“I don’t know how you get used to this rainy weather. When was the last time you saw the sun?”

Holly laughs.

“When I was in Australia!”

Kate pulls her jacket tighter around her, reaching out for her own cup of tea. She looks at Holly with a smile.

“Haven’t you invited the Queen over?”

Holly laughs.

“No, she said she’d come tomorrow.”

Kate almost spits her tea out, laughing.

Holly looks at her with a shadow of a smile.

“It’s so good to see you laugh.”

Kate turns her head, looking at the gloomy sky out of the window. When she finally looks back at Holly, there is just a shadow of sadness in her eyes.

“I still feel a little guilty when I laugh…”

Holly squeezes Kate’s hand over the table.

“Oh, Kate…”

“It’s okay… I’m getting there. Callan would want me to be happy… he wouldn’t want me to sit around, sulking.”

“Just take it easy. You can’t force yourself to feel anything. If you want to laugh – do it. And if you want to cry –do it.”

Ada turns around again and Chris (her hubby not Sadrinna) frowns, pulling her close.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I don’t know, I can’t sleep.”

“Why not?”

“I’m worried about Kate and the baby, I’m worried about Jodi – something is bothering her and she won’t tell me what, I’m worried about Nic and Amy, you know how he is, he only wants something until he can get it, he can’t help it, but…”

“Ada, stop!”

“What?”

“If you’re going to keep this up, you’re never going to sleep. Listen to yourself!”

“Well someone has to worry about them.”

“Yeah, but Ada… if you keep this up… you’re always worried about everyone around you. You can’t do that. You have to keep some of that worry for yourself.”

She puts her arms around him and kisses him softly.

“I have you to do that.”

“And I do. I’m worried about you who keeps worrying about everyone around you.”

Ada smiles.

“Okay, I have no idea what you just said, but I’ll try not to worry so much.”

“Good.”

He kisses her and closes his eyes. Ada sighs for one last time, before closing her eyes too, holding onto her husband’s hand

[ilovekateritchie]

Hey guys, here's the next part, thanks for your comments again!

PART 55

*Time lapse – one and a half months later *

Chris looks at his watch and smiles. Him, Ada, Nic, Amy, Jodi, Paul, Ian, Sharni, Jess and Mark have all come to pick her up. Amy, Nic, Ada, Jess and Mark were already downstairs. Ian, had convinced the others to come drink coffee with a view.

“The plane should land now… I… Hell you guys!”

Chris looks at Jodi and Paul with a frown.

“There’s not enough space between you for the wind to get through! Ease up!”

Jodi laughs, holding onto Paul’s hand.

“We happen to like it that way!”

“Right… oh look, that’s Kate’s plane!”

Everyone but Chris crowd around the window as the plane comes to a landing. Chris looks at them for a second before shaking his head and leaving to the arrivals. He is joined by Ian and Sharni before long.

“Where are Paul and Jodi?”

Ian looks back and shrugs.

“Jodi wants to buy new lip ice, but she wants to know whether Paul likes it before she buys it, so they are in the shop.”

He mocks around with pretend lip ice.

“Put on, kiss off, put on, kiss off.”

Chris laughs.

“No, seriously.”

“He is serious. It’s disturbing, oh look! There she is.”

Ian does a little double take.

“Woah… she’s huge…”

Chris and Sharni both look at him exasperatedly and he shrugs.

“Well she is!”

“Just make sure you don’t mention it in front of her.”

“Sure…”

They walk closer, all hugging each other.

Kate grins, inspecting each of them from head to toes.

“It’s so good to be back! Holly sends her love to all of you!”

Chris takes her trolley.

“The others are…”

“Kate! Wow, you’re huge – what are you carrying, a baby whale?”

Sharni, Amy and Chris all glare at Nic, while Ian sniggers. Nic and Amy walk closer and Nic gives Kate a hug.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be gorgeous again someday.”

Ian frowns.

“Why did you forbid me to say how huge she is?”

Chris glares at him too and Amy smiles.

“Ignore the kids, Kate. You know how they get.”

Kate nods, bewilderedly and touches Chris’ arm.

“Can we go please? Flying when you’re seven months pregnant isn’t the best idea.”

Chris smiles and looks at her playfully.

“Seven and a half.”

Kate laughs.

“What are you counting?”

“Yes.”

Jodi and Paul finally join them, taking turns to hug Kate. Ian looks at Jodi with a smile.

“Got the lip ice?”

Jodi and Paul both grin.

“Yeah! It’s a new…”

“… vanilla flavour…”

“… it’s unbelievably…”

“… good tasting.”

Chris, Kate, Amy, Nic, Ian and Sharni all look at them. Then Chris speaks.

“Okay, don’t do that.”

Jodi makes a face and the happy group walk out of the airport, chatting cheerfully.

Paul looks at Kate curiously.

“So is he still kicking?”

“You’d think I was a football!”

Everyone laughs – even Jodi. Although Kate notices that the laugh doesn’t reach her eyes.

Chris looks at Kate.

“By the way… there’s this cocktail do that we have to attend – you, Paul, Jodi and I. If you’re up to it.”

Kate nods.

“Sure… but why us?”

Jodi shrugs.

“No idea, but it sounds like fun! I’ll be sipping cocktails the whole night.”

“When is it?”

“In two weeks time.”

Kate looks at Chris solemnly.

“Two weeks? I’ll be eight months pregnant and looking like a baby elephant.”

Nic sniggers.

“No offence, Kate, but you already look like a baby elephant.”

“I resent that! I’m not that huge.”

Ian and Nic look at each other and then at Kate.

“Yes. You are.”

[ilovekateritchie]

Thanks for all the fab comments! Here you go!

PART 56

Paul puts his hand on Kate’s shoulder as they reach her front door.

“Kate… can I talk to you?”

“Sure… can it wait until tomorrow though? I have jet lag and cravings.”

Paul smiles, putting his hand on her belly.

“Oh, he’s kicking… yeah it can wait. It’s not important.”

He looks back to where Jodi is waiting in the car.

“Look, I’ll see you later.”

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah… everything’s fine. See you later.”

“Okay. Thanks for offering me a lift home.”

“Anytime.”

Paul leaves and Kate winces when she sees him and Jodi sharing a quick kiss before driving off.

“I didn’t know it would hurt so much.”

“What?”

She looks at Chris who has just come around the corner sadly.

“Seeing other people… couples. I just… it makes me miss him so much more.”

“I understand. Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here?”

“Of course… I can’t believe you actually slept in the studio. It must have been awful.”

“I had some company before Amy and Nic moved in together.”

Kate laughs.

“Nic slept there too?”

“Yeah… Look, I’ll be back in my house once everything is sorted out.”

“Don’t worry about it. There’s nothing as awful as an empty house. Besides – now I have someone to order around when I get crazy cravings!”

“It would be my pleasure to drive around for you.”

Kate laughs.

“Well you know where the guest room is, so…”

“Yeah… thanks.”

Kate watches him as he walks to the guest room before sitting down on the couch and turning on the TV.

“So you and Kate talked intensely… Chris waited around the corner for you to finish.”

“Yeah?”

Jodi stares at Paul.

“What did you talk about?”

“Oh, you know… just about how she’s coping and so on. I feel sorry for her.”

“It looked serious.”

Paul grins, pulling Jodi closer.

“Are you jealous?”

“No! Why would I be?”

“Exactly what I was going to ask…”

He kisses her softly.

“Come on, we still have to meet Rhys, Indi, Amy and Nic.”

“Yeah… I’ll just get dressed. Be right back.”

“Come on, Amy, you look fine…”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes and it’s only dinner with friends.”

“That’s not the point, I want to look good.”

Nic pulls her close and kisses her.

“You look fantastic.”

“Thank you…”

She puts her arms around his waist and looks up at him.

“You are the most amazing guy I know. Thank you.”

“I love you, Amy.”

“What?”

She looks at him in astonishment and he shrugs.

“I know it’s soon and everything… but you’re my soul mate. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You do?”

“More than anything.”

She stands on her tiptoes and kisses him passionately. Nic puts his arms around her, pulling her down on the couch with him.

“Maybe we should stay at home…”

Amy laughs.

“I don’t think so. Come on, get up. We have dinner plans, remember.”

Nic pulls a face.

“I wish we didn’t…”

Indiana checks her watch.

“I wonder what’s holding them up.”

“Yeah, me too… they’re late…”

“Finally!”

Indiana frowns when Amy and Nic finally sit down at their table.

“What took you so long?”

Nic winks at Amy and grins.

“Sorry. We lost track of the time.”

Indiana lifts a brow and looks at Amy with more attention.

“Amy, your hair looks great!”

“It does? It’s the first time I’ve straightened it, so I wasn’t sure…”

“You look fantastic… I wonder where Jodi and Paul are though…”

[ilovekateritchie]

Thanks for all the feedback. Very lovey dovey chapter alert!

PART 57

“Do you think we should have called?”

Paul looks at Jodi with a grin, stroking over her body.

“I’ll give them a call right now…”

“What are you going to tell them?”

“I’ll think of something.”

“Yeah, like?”

“Shh… Hey, Indi… it’s Paul. Yeah, I know we’re thoughtless idiots, but… it’s Jodi. She’s not well… fever. Yeah and she’s been throwing up and everything. No, I think it’s the flu. Yeah, I’ll tell her. Bye.”

“The flu?”

“Well I had to say something. And now we can have the rest of the night to ourselves…”

Jodi laughs, cuddling up to him.

“Sounds like a master plan to me…”

“Kate? What are you doing?”

Kate turns her head to see Chris standing behind her in his boxers.

“Oh…”

She quickly looks back at the TV screen.

“Just watching a movie.”

“Steel Magnolias? You’re a sucker for suffering.”

She looks at him, wiping tears away.

“There was nothing else on…”

“Hey… come on over here…”

She leans on against him, her body jerking with sobs.

Chris strokes over her head, his body breaking out in goose bumps when he feels her warm tears on his chest. He stands up suddenly, his body shaking.

“I have to… excuse me…”

He practically runs out and Kate shivers before turning the TV off and slowly heading to bed.

She takes one last look at her wedding photo before crawling into bed and closing her eyes.

“Jodi has the flu.”

Indiana puts down her phone, pouting, and Rhys takes her hand.

“We can invite someone else…”

“Like? It’s almost nine…”

“Sharni and Ian?”

Indiana grins.

“Okay, I’ll call Sharni!”

Rhys grabs his phone.

“I’ll call Ian.”

Nic looks at Amy and winks.

“Told you we should have stayed at home… Now we’re spending the night with teenagers.”

Indiana glares at him.

“Very funny. Come on, we have a reservation at the restaurant.”

“What about Ian and Sharni?”

“They’ll meet us there.”

“Are you sure this is the place?”

Sharni looks at the ragged building warily and shivers.

“It looks deserted…”

“Rhys said the Beachview Moon, didn’t he? The phone was breaking up…”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think this is the place… it looks spooky, never mind deserted…”

“It does… let’s check it out!”

Sharni grabs his arm.

“Are you crazy?”

“Come on, what could happen? Afraid of ghosts?”

“Of course not…”

“So are you going to wait outside while I go in?”

“No! I’ll come with you…”

She grabs onto his arm as they walk in.

Ian looks at her.

“Sharni, my arm is going to start bleeding any second.”

“Shh… did you hear that?”

“What?”

“I heard something squeaking.”

“Sharni it’s probably just our shoes…”

“No, there it was again…”

“Okay, I heard it…”

There is another squeak and small footsteps. Sharni screams when she sees a shadow against the wall and jumps into Ian’s arms. They stand there for a few seconds, before she starts to laugh shakily.

“It was a rat.”

“A rat?”

“Yeah…”

They look at each other for a second, their faces centimetres apart… and then they kiss.

[ilovekateritchie]

Still loving it Kyle, update soon.

one question though, the poem that Ian read at Callan's funeral, was that one you wrote?

/\ I wanted to answer this sooner, but it slipped my mind. No, I found it on the internet, but it was by an anonymous poet! And thanks for the feedback guys!

PART 58

“Where were you last night?”

Indiana looks at Sharni and Ian angrily when they show up at the studio and Sharni blushes.

“We… got lost…”

Nic sniggers, looking at Ian’s face.

“Looks to me like Ian got more than lost…”

“Shut up.”

Grabbing Sharni’s hand, he walks past them to where Kate is sitting on a couch, paging through a book.

“Hey, what’s up?”

Kate looks up and smiles.

“Hey, guys. I’m just paging… you?”

Sharni sits down next to her.

“Oh… not much. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. What’s going on with the two of you?”

Ian smiles, putting his hand on Sharni’s shoulder.

“Nothing…”

“You’re together, aren’t you?”

“Yeah…”

“That’s great, guys.”

She checks her watch and stands up.

“If you’ll excuse me…”

She walks to her dressing room, but instead goes to Chris’ and knocks on the door.

“Hey, Kate.”

He smiles and opens the door wide enough for her to enter. She sits down on the couch with a sigh.

“Why is everyone suddenly coupled up?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Ian and Sharni are together. Jodi and Paul, Indi and Rhys, Amy and Nic… it’s just getting to me.”

“Hey…”

He pulls her close, holding her safely.

“It makes you miss him, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah…”

She looks at him charily.

“What happened last night, Chris?”

“Nothing, what do you mean?”

She looks at him sadly.

“With you… something’s wrong.”

“Kate, I just needed sleep, don’t make a big deal out of this.”

“But…”

She turns when there is a soft knock on the open door to see Paul standing there.

“Hey, guys… Sorry for bothering you, Kate… but…”

“Yeah, I know… we can talk in my dressing room.”

She gives Chris a last look before heading into her dressing room, closely followed by Paul.

“Sit down.”

He sits down and she sits down on the couch next to him.

“What’s going on?”

Paul sighs.

“Okay, Jodi can never know about this…”

“What…?”

“You know how she doesn’t want kids?”

“Yeah…”

“Can you please try and convince her otherwise?”

Kate looks at Paul silently for a whole two minutes before finally speaking.

“What?”

“Can you just tell her how great it is to be pregnant and everything?”

“No.”

“Kate!”

“Okay, first of all… you should really talk to her and second of all, I’m not going to tell her how fantastic morning sickness, swollen feet and weight gain is.”

“Kate, please…”

“Look, Paul… Jodi has her reasons, okay? Talk to her. But I can’t do what you’re asking. I’m sorry.”

“Will you at least think about it?”

“I’m not going to change my mind, Paul!”

“I’ll give you a week. If you still say no then it’s cool, okay?”

Kate sighs.

“You’re not going to listen to me, are you?”

“No.”

“Fine. I’ll just say no again in a week.”

“You have to promise me that you’ll think about it.”

Kate rolls her eyes.

“I have to breathe and I have to eat.”

“Please, Kate. I’m practically on my knees here.”

“Fine. I promise, okay?”

“You’re an angel!”

He kisses her on her cheek before running out.

Kate shakes her head.

"Not."

[ilovekateritchie]

Paul finds out soon... Thanks for all the feedback and here you go!

PART 59

“You look great.”

Kate looks over her shoulder when Chris talks behind her and laughs.

“Why aren’t you getting dressed?”

“What’s wrong with this?”

Kate eyes the towel which is tied over his lower body and laughs.

“I’m not sure that covers formal. I'm not sure it covers much either...”

Chris laughs, still looking at her.

“I just wanted to see what you looked like. I like your hair like that…”

She looks at her hair which is hanging loose, lightly curled.

“Really?”

“Yeah. It suits you.”

“Thanks… go get dressed now, we’re meeting Paul and Jodi for drinks first, remember?”

“Okay mum!”

He leaves, laughing and Kate just shakes her head, putting in her earrings carefully.

“Kate…”

“No, Paul.”

Paul grabs her arm, pulling her to the side.

“Have you thought about it?”

“Yes, I have and the answer is still no. Let me go now.”

Neither of them notice Jodi and Chris coming up behind them.

“Kate…”

“Paul, I’m not going to try and convince Jodi to have kids! I told you to talk to her about it yourself!”

“You asked her to do WHAT?”

Paul and Kate both swing around to find Chris and Jodi staring at them.

“Jodi…”

The four of them glare at each other for a while, saying nothing.

“I can’t believe you did that, Paul! You told me it was fine!”

“Jodi…”

“No! Don’t Jodi me! I can’t believe you did that!”

Chris steps forward, frowning.

“Well, think about what you’re asking of him… never being a father… It’s a wife’s duty to…”

“Oh, stay out of it, Chris!”

Kate looks at Chris angrily and he holds up his hands.

“All I’m saying is…”

“I don’t care! Being pregnant is not exactly a picnic! And if it wasn’t okay with you, Paul, you should have said so!”

Jodi grabs Kate’s arm.

“Come on, Kate. Let’s go. They can do whatever they want, I don’t even want to look at their faces now.”

Kate glares at the men before storming off with Jodi.

Chris and Paul look at each other.

“We’re in trouble.”

“Yeah… I’m so getting the couch tonight.”

Chris looks at Paul sympathetically before they follow the girls – keeping a safe distance of course…