Great Expectations. - Now Complete

Chapter 39

Alice peered anxiously out of the window. It was just after five yet there was no sign of Alex. She felt George place a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him. He pulled her into  a hug.

"Hey, come on, " he urged, "Try to relax abit! It's only just five. Given him a chance!"

"I just want to see Alex is OK love," she said, clearly fighting back tears, "It's only been a day and I've missed him like mad!"

"Are you sure you want to do this like we discussed last night?"

"What choice do we have love?" Alice looked sad, "You heard what that extortionately expensive solicitor of yours said. As his father, Tom has rights. That a court would grant joint parental rights. No, at least this way, we get a chance to dictate what happens." She turned back to the window. "He's here!"

Alice ran from the room and into the driveway. Alex climbed out of the car. George watched as she moved forward and hugged him. He hugged his mum back George noted. Alice said something to him and he laughed. He could see how the strain of the last 24 hours had affected her. He moved to the door and waited for Alex, Alice and Tom to reach him.

"Hi Alex," he said brightly, "Ok there son?"

Alex gave him a big, warm smile. George was surprised. His son seemed geuinely pleased to be home. "Yeah, great dad. You?"

"Sound Alex. Sound."

Alex moved into the house and shouted his sisters. They came running to see him, especially Kate, who adored her big brother. George turned and welcome Tom with a brief handshake. He noticed Alice stayed as far away from him as possible. The meal was difficult. The girls were confused by the man at the table but pleased to see their big brother. It was virtually impossible to talk as Alice and George realised that Louisa, Laura and Kate knew nothing of their brother's parentage, or what knowing it would mean to Alice. Meal over at long last, George took the girls out of the room, leaving Alice alone with Alex and Tom.

"OK," said Alice softly, "Time to talk about you Alex love. About what you want and to make some arrangements."

"I've told you, I want to live with Tom."

"And how do you feel about that?" Alice asked Tom a direct question.

"Me? I'm fine about it." said Tom, "As long as it's agreed by the three of us and we ALL stick to it. Including you Alex."

"I will. I promise." He looked at him mum. "I'm sorry about last night mum."

She smiled at him. "If your dad and I agree with going to live with Tom for a while. It's going to be just that, for a while. A trial period perhaps? Tom?"

"That's fine by me," Tom looked at Alex. "It's got to work for both of us Alex. I'm not used to having kids around all the time. Plus, my house isn't as plush as you're used to. We both need a get out clause!"

"Very poetically put!" said Alex laughing.

"Two weeks?"

"Two?" Alex looked disappointed.

"Three?"

"Sounds good." Alice gave Tom a quick smile. He grinned back, thinking how beautiful she was even though she was older.

"And you make sure he gets to school." That comment was aimed at Tom. He scowled.

"It's miles away for me."

"I don't care," said Alice, "If you can't guarantee that then that's it, I'm not agreeing to this in term time!"

"OK." Tom sounded resigned, "But you'll have to get out of bed without arguing!" He grinned at his son. Even Alice laughed, knowing how hard it was to get Alex out of bed in the morning!

The conversation continued. Alice found herself warming more to Tom. His pleasantness was good to see. He did seem to like being with Alex and Alice liked  to see how relaxed they were together. George returned to them just as things were winding up. He waited at the door as Alex went to say good night to his sisters and collect a few belongings. Finally, it was time to go. He hugged first Alice and then George and, after promising to visit, he walked away.

Alice stood watching them leave.

"How do you feel love?" George asked her gently.

She smiled. "Better than I thought I would," she told him softly, "I still don't like it but I'm feeling a lot happier now we've made the rules clear to both of them. And Tom seemed willingly to agree to everything. I'm meeting them later this week. I'm going to see where Tom lives when I take some stuff Alex needs. I think I'll feel better once I know where he's actually living too."

He hugged her. "I'm glad you're feeling happier," he told her, "I don't like seeing you so stressed. There is one thing though."

Oh?"

"The girls. They were asking me who Tom was and why Alex was with him. I think we need to decide on the best way to explain the situation to them Alice love."

Alice nodded thoughtfully. "Mmmm. I can see how theu would be confused. You're right. I'll think about the best way to do that first." She smiled her first relaxed smile in twenty four hours. "Come on Harrison. I'm so tired. Let's go to bed."

He laughed. "Now that sounds like a promise of something nice!"

"If you're a good boy." his wife replied wickedly, "Only if you're good!"

Chuckling, he kissed her again then, taking her by tye hand, he led her upstairs.

After making love, George fell asleep quickly. Alice, on the otherhand, lay in the dark thinking things through. She felt much more positive now she decided. This whole Alex thing could work. Despite loving her son very much, it would be nice to concerntrate on the girls without the stress of an argumentative teenager. George stirred beside her. He looked at her, hs eyes adjusting to the dark.

"You OK my love?" He whispered.

She turned and smiled at him. "I'm fine. Just can't seem to switch off tonight."

He reached over for her and began to kiss her again. Soon they were both lost in the sensations being created between them as they made love once more.