Never The Same

[Nataliakesfan]

So here goes for the next chapter.

I hope it's realistic and in character.

Anyway hopefully you guys will enjoy reading it.

Chapter 4: Our little secret

Aden:

He walked home as fast as he could. “Why did I do that,” he thought to himself. “Things were going great with Belle and then I go and do something as stupid as that and blow it all.” When he reached Roman’s house he slammed the door shut and ran straight upstairs to his room, ignoring Nicole who was sitting on the sofa. “Hello to you to. What got up your bum?” When he got to his room he sat on his bed burying his face in his hands. He was furious with himself. One day he was saving Belle from some creep the other he was forcing himself on her. He sat there like that for an hour when he heard a soft knock on the door. “Aden? Can I come in?”

Belle:

She decided to go home and have a shower before going to look for Aden. That would give him a chance to calm down. She knocked on the door to Roman’s house and was greeted by Nicole.

“Hey Nicole is Aden here?”

“Yeah he’s in his room but I don’t think he wants to see anyone right know he was in a really bad mood when he came home.”

Belle didn’t wait for Nicole to finish and just brushed past her and headed up the stairs as soon as she had the information she needed: he was in his room.

“Oy, manners,” Nicole yelled up at her slamming the door shut.

Only one of the doors upstairs was shut and Belle knew that must be Aden’s room. She knocked on the door but didn’t get an answer.

“Aden? Can I come in?”

Aden’s room

When he still didn’t answer she opened the door to see Aden sitting on his bed with his back to her looking out the window. He turned to face her.

“Look if you’re here to yell at me because of that kiss I said I was sorry ok. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

“Aden I’m not here to yell at you. I just want to talk to you,” Belle said softly walking closer to him.

Aden looked up at her in confusion.

“Can I sit down?”

Aden was still looking at Belle with an incredulous look on his face. He couldn’t believe she wasn’t angry with him. Instead of speaking he just nodded and watched Belle sit down next to him.

“You’re not angry with me?”

“No,” Belle said giving him a soft smile. “Why would I be angry with you?”

“Euh, I kissed you without you wanting me to. I’ve known girls to bitch-slap a guy for less than that.”

Belle couldn’t help but laugh at his comment. She wondered how he did that. He was obviously upset but he still managed to crack a joke.

“Aden, trust me, if I hadn’t wanted you to kiss me, getting bitch-slapped would have been the least of you worries.”

“You’re probably right, “ he said smiling at her shyly.

Belle was confused. She didn’t understand why Aden had gotten this upset and now he was being shy as well. This wasn’t the Aden she knew.

“Aden, what’s wrong? Do you want to tell me why you got this upset?”

“It’s just that … Yesterday I was saving you from that creep and then today I felt like I was doing the same thing to you myself … .”

“No, Aden off course you weren’t. That wasn’t even close to being the same thing. So that was what this was all about, you thinking you were forcing yourself on me?”

“Uhu, I just … I wouldn’t forgive myself if I ever did that to a girl. It’s the lowest thing a guy can do,” Aden admitted looking down to the floor, avoiding Belle’s eye contact.

“Aden, …,” Belle spoke putting a hand on Aden’s cheek, forcing him to look at her. “You didn’t do anything I didn’t want you to do,” she told him looking him straight in the eye.

They fell into silence looking at each other for a little while until Aden broke the silence.

“So what are you saying? You wanted me to kiss you?”

“Well I definitely didn’t mind,” Belle answered smiling. “Seriously though, that kiss was actually quite nice.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously”

Another silence filled the room as they sat smiling at each other.

“So,” Belle finally spoke.

“So?”

“So I was hoping you would brake that promise you made me when I first came in.”

“Promise?”

“You said you were sorry you kissed me and promised me it would never happen again,” she reminded him.

“Oh that promise. Yeah I think I can manage to break that,” Aden said cupping Belle’s face in one hand, stroking her cheek with his thumb and kissing her softly, slowly and passionately for the second time that day. Belle responded to the kiss instantly, gradually deepening it. When they finally broke apart, they rested their foreheads together Aden still stroking Belle’s cheek.

“I am so sorry for running off on you like that before. I’m such an idiot.”

“Hey, it’s ok. I actually think it’s kind of sweet you being so worried that you forced me into something I didn’t want to do. Who would have thought there was a gentleman hidden under that though guy exterior.”

“Leaving you behind like that wasn’t very gentlemanly though.”

“No but the reasons behind it were so you’re forgiven.”

“Ok,” Aden said smiling,” thank you.”

“Your welcome,” Belle said returning his smile and kissing him again.

They were interrupted by the sound of someone entering the house.

“Aden, Nicole, dinner,” Roman yelled.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave.”

“You don’t have to leave. I’m sure … .”

“No that’s ok. Irene is probably waiting for me anyway.”

“Ok. We’ll talk later?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll come over after dinner.”

“Ok, I’ll see you later,” Belle said pressing a final kiss to his lips before disappearing down the stairs and out of the house leaving a smiling Aden behind.

A few hours later Belle was sitting on her bed working on some photographs on her laptop when she suddenly noticed someone climbing through her window.

“What are you doing?”

“Well I didn’t think you would want Irene, Geoff and Annie to know I’m here.”

“You’re right. It’s probably better they don’t know yet.”

“Yet?”

“Yeah well it’s not like I was going to keep us a secret forever.”

“So there’s an “us” then?”

“Uhu, that is if you want there to be.”

“Off course I do.”

“Good.”

“Very good.”

“I want to take things slowly though.”

“Slow it is then.”

“And I think we should keep us a secret for now, so we have a chance to figure out what this is for ourselves first.”

“Belle Taylor are you ashamed of me, “ Aden said jokingly.

“No, off course not. That’s not what I meant. It’s just, …, I don’t want to sound harsh but people are going to be talking and Geoff, Annie and Irene aren’t going to be happy and I don’t want us to have to deal with that right now. I want a chance to figure out where this is going first.”

“I see. It probably is better this way. It gives us a chance to get to know each other without anyone else butting in. That and I guess it is sexier if we keep it a secret for a while.”

“So it’s our little secret for now?”

“Yep, for now.”

“Good to know we’re on the same page,” Belle smirked leaning closer to him.

“Very good indeed,” answered Aden closing the small gab between them and kissing her.

Before long, they were interrupted by Irene knocking on the door.

“Belle, those dishes aren’t going to wash themselves girlie.”

“Coming Irene”

“I’m sorry I was trying to get out of doing those but I guess that plan failed.”

“That’s ok. So I’ll see you tomorrow at work then?”

“Yep, you will.”

Aden gave Belle a final kiss goodbye before making his way over to the window.

“Aden?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad I’m getting to know this new and improved version of you.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you’re taking the time to get to know him.”

“I have to go now. Bye”

“Bye”

Belle left her room smiling to herself. “You definitely know how to surprise a girl Aden Jefferies.”

I hope You guys liked it.

[amz89]

I have read this from the start enjoy all ur updates and think you writting an amazing story. Can't wait for another update. I'm sorry I haven't commented before. I just sometimes read and forgot to post. But awesome story. Defs can't wait to see where you take this : )

[kitkat1992]

I love this chapter... the characters are so true to life

cant wait for more

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[Nataliakesfan]

First of all a huge thank you for all the extremely positive comments!

I'm glad you guys like what I've written so far, you're too kind.

Here's the next chapter which will probably be the last one for a while because I have to resit exams.

Chapter Five: Caught in the act

Belle and Aden had been seeing each other for a couple of weeks now and everything was going great. They enjoyed just spending time together mostly in Belle’s room, on the beach or in Yabbie Creeck catching a movie. Belle was even thinking about filling Irene in on what was going on between her and Aden. There was one thing that put a dumper on their happiness though. Aden’s dad had gotten involved in a car accident. The test they had had to run at the hospital had shown that he had been drinking again. He couldn’t cope all by himself and because of the drinking the insurance wouldn’t cover any care so Aden decided to move back home until his dad was back on his feet. He hated it at first but Belle had been there for him and things had gradually gotten better between him and his dad. Next to doing the best he could for school and taking care of his dad, Aden was still doing shifts at the diner. Belle was alone in the kitchen chopping vegetables when he walked in that afternoon.

“Hey you,” Aden said walking in and giving Belle a quick kiss on the lips.

“Hey, yourself. You know you need to be careful doing that, somebody could see us.”

“Who cares? I thought you wanted to start telling people? “

“Yes I do but I don’t want them to find out like this.”

“Yeah it’s probably better if they don’t.”

“So euh, dad has a session at the hospital this arvo which means I have a bit of spare time. Did you want to go to the beach?”

“Yeah sure I’ll meet you there after work.”

“Cool”

“Aden, those tables aren’t going to clear themselves mister.”

“Going Irene,” Aden said smiling walking out into the main section of the diner.

When Belle made her way to the beach after work Aden was nowhere to be seen so she decided to walk up to his dad’s house to meat him half way but when she reached the house Aden was still not in sight. She decided to see if he was still there only to see Larry with a bottle of scotch when she looked in through the window. Unfortunately for her he saw her. He got up from the couch as fast as he could and came towards her.

“Hey, Belle right?”

“Yeah”

“Are you here to see Aden?”

“Yeah I was meeting him to go to the beach.”

“Right. Listen what you just saw, that was a one of. I ran out of pain meds and I just needed something to take the edge off. Aden went to get me some new ones I won’t touch another drop after this I promise.”

“Right so you want mind if I do this then.” Belle walked inside grabbed the bottle from the coffee table and emptied it in the sink. “Is there any more in the house?”

“No, I just told you … .”

“Right, I know you’re lying. You’re an addict so I know there’s more. For your sake get rid of it. If you don’t want to lose Aden completely you come clean to him about this. Admit to him that you need help and get the help you need because if you don’t and he finds out for himself, which he will, he will never want anything to do with you again. I am giving you a chance to tell him yourself for Aden’s sake, but if you don’t tell him by tomorrow, I will.”

“No Belle please he won’t understand.”

“If you admit to him that you need help and you’re honest with him he will understand and he will help you but you need to start being honest with him and earning his trust. I know you guys have been getting on better lately so I’m giving you a chance to salvage that, but I will not lie to Aden for you.”

“Yeah, you’re right I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“I wouldn’t do it if you did ask. I’m going to go now. It’s better if Aden doesn’t know I was here.”

Belle made her way out of the door only to bump into Aden.

“Aden, hey”

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“You were a no show at the beach so I decided to walk here to meat you half way but … .”

“Yeah I’m sorry dad needed me to get dad his meds. I thought I would be quick enough but … .”

“That’s ok. Did you still want to go or are you too busy?”

“I definitely still want to go. I’ll just drop these inside and then I’m all yours.”

“Ok.”

Aden looked at Belle with a surprised look on his face.

“Ok? That’s it? Just ok?”

“Euh yeah why?”

“Well it’s not like you not to jump on a statement like that.”

“Euh I think you mistaking me for yourself there,” Belle said jokingly.

“Funny, very funny,” Aden joked back walking inside but he couldn’t help but feel as though something was up with Belle.

That night Aden was lying in his bed thinking through what had happened that day. Belle had been weird all through the couple of hours they had spent at the beach. He had asked his dad if he might have said something to upset Belle. He had assured Aden he hadn’t but Aden didn’t believe him. The more Aden thought about it, the more he was sure his dad had mentioned his grandfather to Belle, which caused Aden to panic.

The next day he saw Belle on the beach when he was on his way home from school.

“He told you didn’t he?”

“Hello to you to,” Belle said smiling. “Who told me what?”

“My dad, he told you about my grandfather didn’t he?”

“What? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Come off it Belle. You have been acting weird ever since I saw you at dad’s yesterday. There’s no other explanation, he told you.”

“Told me what? Aden, honestly I don’t know what you are talking about,” Belle said honestly looking Aden straight in the eye.

Aden new she was telling the truth. “Right, just forget it,” he said starting to walk away.

“Aden wait,’ Belle called out grabbing Aden’s arm. “You can’t just have a go at me and then tell me to forget it. What is this about your grandfather?”

“Nothing I got confused. Please leave it.” Belle contemplated what to do but before she could speak again Aden was already asking her another question.

“What did happen then? And don’t tell me nothing because I know something was wrong.”

“Ok I wasn’t going to tell you this because I wanted to give your dad a chance to tell him yourself. I was hoping he would have by now but he obviously didn’t.”

“Tell me what?”

“I saw him drinking when I came over yesterday.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me straight away?”

“Aden I emptied the bottle I saw him with and told him to tell you he needed help to get of the grog. I told him to be honest with you. I said I would tell you if he hadn’t told you by today himself. For your sake I wanted to give him a chance to do the right thing.”

“Yeah as if he was ever going to that,” Aden exclaimed angrily while turning and walking away.

“Aden wait. Please, I was trying to do what was best for you. I’m sorry.”

“I have to go Belle.”

Belle ran her hands trough her hair watching Aden walk away. She was sure she had blown it.

“Where is it,” Aden yelled slamming the door to his father’s house shut.

“Where’s what?” “The grog dad Belle told me.” “Aden, mate, what Belle saw it was a one off. I was out of meds, I … .” “Do you really expect me to believe that? You’re a pathetic lying drunk. You know what I’m not even going to bother you’re on your own. You weren’t here for me when grandad … . I’m not going to be here for you either.” After that Aden stormed into his room and started to pack his stuff.

Later that night Belle was lying in bed, trying to sleep but failing miserably because she couldn’t stop thinking about Aden when heard something outside her window. “Aden?” “Yeah it’s me. Can I come in?” “Off course.” Belle waited until Aden had climbed in through her window before speaking again. “Aden I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to keep this from you but I wanted to give your dad a chance to do the right thing.” “I know that Belle. It’s not you I’m angry with it’s my dad. I shouldn’t have been that short with you before. I’m sorry.” “It’s ok. What’s with the bag?” “I told dad I never wanted to see him again, packed my stuff and left. I was hoping I could stay here tonight? I’ll talk to Roman tomorrow.” “Aden, …” “It’s ok if I can’t stay here I’ll find somewhere else … .” “No, no, no, off course you can stay, but are you sure you want to leave things with your dad like that?” “Yes Belle, he has messed up my life enough as it is. I don’t want anything to do with him.” “Alright, if you’re sure. Do you want me to be there when you talk to Roman?” “No I’ll be fine but thank you.” “Don’t worry about it. It’s pretty late we should get some sleep.” Aden agreed stripping down to his boxers crawling into bed, snuggling up to Belle. “Aden?” “Yeah?” Do you want to talk about today? Do you want to tell me about your grandad?” She felt Aden stiffen next to her. “It’s ok if you don’t. Just know that I’m here if you do want to talk.” “Thank you,” Aden said gratefully “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Belle replied pressing a soft kiss to Aden’s lips and watching him drift off to sleep.

There it is. Let me know what you guys think.

[amz89]

Loved it. It's kinda like the show when they first got together. Can't wait for more : )

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[adellejefferiesxox]

I need more, more I tell you!!!!!!!! becoming.very.addicted.to.this.story!!!!! It's really great writing and I love how you're rewriting those old school adelle scenes

UPDATE SOOON!!!!

[xknomex]

omg i LOVE this fic!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just read it all! its soooooooooooooo goooood!!!!!!!

good old fashioned Adelleness!

love it!

update soooooooooooon!

[Nataliakesfan]

Sorry it took me so long to update.

Exams are over now and I have a month left before I go back to uni so I'm hoping to finish this story in that time.

Anyway here's the next update, it's a bit of a filler chapter before the next one which will be pretty big.

Chapter Six: Out in the open

The next morning Belle awoke wrapped up in Aden’s arms. She gently ran her hand though his hair and pressed a series of soft kisses to his cheek and lips until Aden woke up smiling.

“Good morning handsome.”

“Good morning indeed. Being kissed awake by a gorgeous women definitely beats waking up to an alarm clock.”

“Which we slept through.”

“We did? What time is it?”

“Seven forty five.”

“If I leave now I can still talk to Roman before I go to school.”

“Sure. Listen I was thinking, while you’re talking to Roman, maybe I should have a chat with Irene.”

“You mean you want to tell her about us?”

“Yes, if you’re ok with it.”

“Yeah, of course I am. Did you want me to be there or …?”

“I think it would be best if I talked to her alone,” Belle laughed.

“I’m kind of glad you said that because I’m pretty sure she would strangle me if I was within reach.”

“I think she’ll strangle me first,” Belle joked back, “and then there’s Annie and Geoff … .”

“I’m sorry,” Aden whispered in shame, “If I hadn’t been such a jerk to everyone in this town for most of my life this wouldn’t be so hard on you.”

“Hey it’s ok. It’s nothing I can’t handle. They’ll get used to it. I haven’t exactly been a saint myself. You would make it easier for me if you showed the rest of the town a bit of the Aden I have gotten to know though.”

“What you mean walk around in nothing but my boxers all day,”

“Funny, you’re funny,” Belle said hitting him with her pillow.

“I think so.”

“Seriously though, … .”

“I know. You’re right. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior from now on.”

“You had better be. You might be my boyfriend but I’ll still kick your ass if you’re being a jerk to anyone who doesn’t deserve it.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Good now get out of here. Being late for school is not a good way to start showing people you’re one of the good guys now.”

“I can’t argue with that. I’ll see you at work this arvo?”

“Yep, unless Irene actually does strangle me.”

“You’ll be fine,” Aden said smiling before pressing a final kiss to Belle’s lips and climbing out of the window.

Aden was just about to knock on the door of Roman’s house when it was jerked open and Roman walked out looking like he was in a hurry.

“Aden hey mate,” Roman said looking at Aden noticing the bags he was carrying.

“Roman hey I was coming to talk to you but if you need to be somewhere I’ll just…”

“No, no, no. Come on in mate. What’s going on?”

The both of them went inside and sat down at the kitchen table with Aden filling Roman in on what happened the previous day.

“So Belle saw him drinking?”

“yeah.”

“Should I ask what she was doing at the house,” Roman questioned smiling.

“She was coming to see me. We were going to meet up at the beach and I was late so…”

“Right so is she going to be coming around here looking for you as well?”

“She might,” Aden said smiling shyly.

“Right and does Irene know about this?”

“Belle was planning on telling her today.”

“Good. Listen mate you better drop your stuff in your room and then get to school and I should get to work.”

“Yeah I’m sorry if you’re late because of me I didn’t mean to barge in on you like this …”

“It’s alright mate. You just make sure you get to school on time and let your dad know where you are.”

“Sure. Thanks Roman I really appreciate this.”

“It’s my pleasure mate.”

“Seriously though, you don’t have to do this, if I’m ever in the way…”

“Mate I’m happy to have you. Now get to school.”

“Will do. Thanks Roman.”

No worries mate,” Roman said walking out of the door.

Belle and Irene both had the morning of work so Belle decided to wait until Geoff and Annie had left for school to talk to Irene.

“Irene? Could I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure darl what’s going on?”

“Do you remember the conversation we had a few weeks ago when you asked me whether something was going on between me and Aden?”

“Yes, … . Belle are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Well I know Aden hasn’t been the nicest person around, that he can be difficult and that he has a lot of problems but yes we are seeing each other. I didn’t lie to you when we talked about this the first time. I guess I did have feelings for him then but I wasn’t ready to admit that to myself yet.”

“Right. I’m not going to pretend to be happy about this, girlie. That boy is trouble waiting to happen even if he has changed for the better since he’s been living with Roman. Come to think of it he’s been on edge again since he moved back home. I know that telling you not to see him isn’t going to do any good. You wouldn’t listen anyway and you’re old enough to make your own decisions but I am telling you to be careful. That is one troubled boy and he probably has problems you don’t know how to deal with so you thread carefully alright?”

“I know Irene and I will. Thank you. I do realise Aden has had a lot to deal with but things will be better for him now that he’s going back to Roman’s place.”

“He’s moving back in with Roman?”

“Well he was going to talk to Roman this morning. I saw his dad drinking two days ago when I went over there looking for Aden. I know that Aden moving out isn’t going to solve the problem but he’s been dealing with his dad’s drinking his whole life and there’s obviously nothing Aden can do to help him.”

“I see … . Look Belle I know you want to help him but don’t get caught up in this stuff. Let Roman help him out with this yeah?”

“I’ll make sure Roman knows what I know.”

“Good. Now promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I promise I’ll be careful and I’ll try to keep both of us out of trouble.”

“Right now how were you going to tell Geoff and Annie about this?”

“I haven’t figured that one out yet. They’re not going to be happy with me that’s for sure.”

“Word of advice girlie, tell them before they find out another way. At least that way they’ll respect you for being honest with them.”

“Somehow I think respect is the last they’ll be having for me when I tell them.”

“You can’t exactly blame them for not liking Aden though.”

“I know.”

“Anyway. I’m going to go to the shops before work. Did you need anything?”

“No thanks Irene and thank you for being so understanding about this.”

“I’m glad you told me. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

“I know. Thanks for looking out for me Irene.”

“Anytime girlie,” Irene retorted before walking out of the door and thinking she was surprised by how mature Belle was being about this.

When Aden came in to work that afternoon Belle was outside taking orders and he walked in to find Irene alone in the kitchen.

“Afternoon Irene. What did you want me to start with?”

“You can just start clearing tables after I have a chat with you. Belle talked to me about you two being together this morning. Now I know I can’t keep you from seeing each other but you will have me to deal with if you do anything to hurt that girl you got it?”

“Absolutely. Look I know I’m probably the last guy you want to see Belle going out with but I promise I’m serious about this Irene. Belle has been pretty amazing to me. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

“I should hope not. Now go on those tables aren’t going to clear themselves.”

“I’m on it. Thanks Irene,” Aden said smiling and walking back into the main section of the diner.

An hour and a half later Aden was on his break and Belle had just finished her shift.

“Hey you,” she said walking up to Aden on the beach near the diner.

“Hey yourself,” Aden responded smiling at her.

“So did you sort everything out with Roman,” Belle asked wrapping her arms around his waist while Aden put an arm around her shoulders.

“Yeah, he was pretty great about it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Irene told me you spoke to her.”

“Yeah she was actually pretty great about it as well.”

“You would say that. You’re not the one she’ll shred to pieces if I ever hurt you.”

“Oh you won’t have to worry about Irene if you ever do hurt me. What she would do to you is nothing compared to what I will do to you.”

“I’m sure that’s true,” Aden said smiling and pressing a kiss to Belle’s hair.

“Seriously though I’m glad she’s being so good about this. Geoff and Annie will probably be a different story.”

“Are you going to tell them today?”

“Yeah they’ll probably be home from school by the time I get home so I’ll talk to them then. I don’t want them to find out another way.”

“That probably is best. Listen I need to get back to work now. Will I see you tonight?”

“I’ll come to Roman’s at about nine?”

“That sounds great,” Aden said smiling and kissing Belle softly before saying goodbye and walking away. Belle watched him walking back into the diner, before heading to the beach house thinking she was glad that her relationship with Aden was now going to be out in the open.

Hope you guys liked it.