A new day

Jane was the only one to wake up early. Everyone else slept well into midday. leaving Jane to give the house quick once over. When she finished, she settled down in the armchair and waited for the rest of the house to stir. Just after midday Jade and John emerged from Jade's room. Not long after Steven came downstairs followed by Ellen five minutes later. After everyone found themselves in the living room, Jane then questioned. "Care to tell me where you got to last night. I woke up at half two this morning and you were still out. None of you answered my call."

Jade was first to speak. "I'm sorry mum. We decided it would be best to tell you in person what happened. We got a cab back from the local and the police pulled us over. Some one tipped them off. Disguise didn't go as well as we expected. I didn't see anyone we knew in the pub last night."

"Well I'm new to the area. So unless someone I work with at the lab was there. But I would have seem them. And I'm sure they would have come and spoke to me." Said Ellen.

"So the police had you arrested. Oh no. So, forgive me for assuming the worst but. You're out pending further inquiries?"

"No mum." Steven spoke now. "Everything is sorted. The nightclub, the lab, everything."

"How?" Jane was at a loss. "What did you tell them?"

"We was honest with them mum." Replied Jade. "John told them about his friendship with Stevie and that he was only protecting me on my birthday and that was all he knew. I told them about what that creep was doing and that Steven only tried to help that's all. Both of us kept our knowledge of Ellen to only just meeting her."

Ellen then spoke to Jade. "You know, Jade. You told me yesterday that you wasn't that bright but you get by."

"Yes."

"Jade. You don't give yourself enough credit. You took the account of what happened and summarised it clearly without leaving out details and kept it short. Trust me, follow in your mums footsteps. You got a natural ability to remember things very clearly." Ellen then turned to Jane. "I just gave them my statement about the lab heist. I hope it puts all those arseholes in prison."

"Steven. What did you tell them to get off scot free?"

"I refused to speak to anyone except the highest commanding officer they can get. I ended up with the chief constable. He now knows everything. We needed someone in a position of authority to be involved. But I also told him what I could do to benefit the planet. So he agreed to keep it quiet. So Jade and I are free to go about as normal now."

"That's good to know. So I can go back to work on Monday now if that's the case, But if you still need a solicitor to help you Ellen I will be glad to help get the right one for the job."

"Thank you Jane. I will pop into your office and speak to whoever you feel is the right person for the job if needed."

Jade then come up with a plan. "I know. Let the guys have a good day in front of telly watching the footie. Ellen, mum and me. Why don't we go out and have a girly day." Ellen just looked at Jane and Jade not quite knowing what she meant. "Come on. A girly day. We go out and spend the day window shopping and stuff. Maybe buy some bits if we really like them. What do you reckon." Ellen and Jane were still uncertain. "Look." Jade continued. "Ellen, You and I can't stay wrapped up in our boyfriends arms 24/7. We need to have some time apart from them so we can have time with friends and stuff. And mum. You really need to find someone. So start looking in the right places." Reluctantly, both Ellen and Jane agreed that Jade was right. Jane was a single mum, Jade and Ellen were still young women.

John then spoke. "I got to pick my parents up from Stanstead tonight. So I will be busy with them for most of the night. I wanna know how their holiday was so I might not get round here again until tomorrow."

"Would you like me to come with you. I mean. Don't you think they'll be thrilled you got a girlfriend?" She fluttered her eye lids at him.

"I'll see how I can work it in. I can't promise anything though, but I'll try."

"Thank you sweetie. Come on girls, lets go and hit the town." And the women all left to get ready to go and visit the malls and the city centre. Leaving the boys to watch the football preview show on sky sports. Then Gillette soccer special as the scores came in as they happened.

It was close to 18:00 hours and the girls still had not returned. "I better go and collect my parents in a minute Stevie." He got up and headed to use the toilet. When he came back out, He gave Steven a brotherly hug, left a message for Jade that he will see what he can do, and left to collect his mum and dad. The women arrived back half an hour later.

"John already left Stevie?" Steven nodded and passed the message on. Jade put her head down but said she understood.

Steven then turned his attention to Ellen. "You enjoy yourself with my mad little sister?"

"She's fine Steven. She likes to have fun and she's not afraid to be herself. Although your mum found it easier to refer to both of us as daughters, as opposed to "my daughter and my son's girlfriend." Jade and I couldn't help but giggle over it."

"Yeah, I know. Jade don't let much hold her back now. So you have a good day?"

"I did. we all stopped in nice little wine bar for a quick one before we came back. Might of spent a bit more than I wanted to, well over £200, but never mind."

"You buy anything nice then."

"Just a few items of clothing. Then I went into the Anne summers shop to buy something sexy, just for you darling. I'll wear it tonight for you.

"Sounds like fun. Look forward to seeing you all dolled up in whatever it is you got."

"You'll love it. I'm going to go and help your mum with dinner. Got to help out a bit as I've been here a couple of days now. We'll go back to mine when we're ready." She gave Steven a short but loving kiss and headed to the kitchen. Jade came in the living room a few minutes later.

"Hi Stevie. How's it going?"

"Couldn't be better Jade. Everything that has happened lately is behind us, and I have one of the most beautiful women on the planet as my girlfriend. How could I not be alright? I mean, I was really happy at the prospect of being able to live again. But now. Life could not be better."

"I'm so happy for you Stevie. Ellen and I got on really well today. We have quite a bit in common which made for a really good day."

"That's the one thing that really did have me worried, You and mum liking Ellen. Don't have to worry about it anymore now though.

"No. Mum, Ellen and me are all sorting dinner out tonight. You just relax. Both you and John, providing I get to see him tonight, are gonna need your energy. Especially you Stevie. I saw what Ellen bought and you ain't getting any sleep tonight bro." Jade had a wicked looking smile on her face as she walked out.

"Now I really can't wait to get back to Ellen's." Steven thought to himself.

When dinner was served, they all sat to eat. Jade had received a text from John to let her know that he was now on his way back from picking his parents up. They sat in relative silence as they ate. Just the odd word here and there. When finished, they went and sat in the living room to relax and let their food settle.

"That was some great dinner tonight. When did you learn to cook Thai. or who?"

Ellen then admitted her doing. "I went there about a year ago for a week with a couple of old Uni friends. The food was awesome. So I decided to learn how to cook some. Your mum done most of the work. Jade and I helped peel the prawns, prep the veg, while your mum worked on the sauce.

"For my first go at it. It turned out better than I thought it would. No one left anything on their plates."

"You've done a first class job on it mum. You really did." Steven was rubbing his stomach. "Any left?"

"No. We ate the whole lot."

"Your mums a natural it Steven.

"Well we can always help out again tomorrow if you want Els."

"Els?" Steven wasn't sure he heard correctly.

"My fault. I let slip what all my friends at school and Uni called me."

Jade's phone then signalled that it had received a message. She went to retrieve it and then jumped for joy. "John's coming to get me. He's not told his parents about me yet. He's going spring me as a surprise to them. Can't wait to see the look on their faces."

"Are you spending the night round there Jade?" Jane asked.

"Possibly mum. Why?"

"It just made me realise. When you and Steven get your own places and move in with your partners. How lonely this house will be without you both. I am so pleased with you both. I've known John for years so, I think you and him will be fine together. Steven, you and Ellen look like you were made for each other. At such a young age, both my children are with someone that I feel is the right person for them. I just wish your dad was here too." Jane turned her face to the floor. Her eyes starting to water as she thought of her deceased husband. Steven rushed to his mum's side.

"Mum. Dad is here. He never left us."

"I know Steven. I can still smell him from time to time. I would give anything just to able to hold him again."

"I know mum. I know. But he hates seeing you down and wants you to find someone to be happy with. He'll wait for you." He then leant in towards his mum's ear. "He also called me a lucky little bastard when he realised I was with Ellen."

"Wait. You can talk to him?"

"Yes mum. He's here now. He's been watching over us ever since. It pains him to know that when Jade and I have flown the nest, that you'll be here without company. So please go and find someone mum. You've done everything you can for Jade and I. It's time to focus on yourself."

"You're right Steven. I do need to find someone. Even if they're half the person your dad was, then I'll be ok."

Jade then moved over to them and put her head on her mum's shoulder. "You'll never be alone mum." Ellen felt a bit awkward sitting there while the others had some family time. She went into the kitchen to make a some tea. While the kettle was boiling, Steven entered the room.

"There you are. You ok?"

"Yes I'm fine. thought it was best I left you three to talk it out."

"And?"

"I haven't seen my parents since Christmas. Seeing how close you all are to each other. reminded me of how much I miss my family. I'm used to it now, but I would like to see them a bit more."

"Then why don't we go up to Sheffield and see them. Give them a surprise visit."

"Yeah maybe. I haven't told them about us yet." Just then, there was a knock on the front door and John walked in.

"Hello. I'm back." Jade came out of the living room and wrapped her arms around John. "We'll come back here later if you prefer tonight Jade. See how it goes with the folks. You staying there the first night you meet them might not go down to well. I think they just want to relax and chill now they're back." Jade was fine with this. She didn't want to spend the night away from her mum now after the talk they just had.

"Ok. Well we better go if you're ready to spring your surprise girlfriend on them." Jade picked up her coat and popped her head back in the living room door. "I'm going round to John's now mum. We'll be back soon. John might spent the night round here instead now."

"Ok Jade. Good luck." Jade then left with John to his home. Ellen and Steven then returned to the living room.

"We're going back to Ellen's in a little while mum. You gonna be ok?

"Yes dear. I'll be fine. Jade's coming back later so I won't be alone for too long. So go and spend some alone time with your love." She then come up and hugged him, then whispered in his ear. "You're in for it tonight." She then let go of him and then gave Ellen a hug too. "Don't wear him out too much."

Ellen let out an embarrassed laugh. "I'll try not to." Then turned to Steven. "Ready when you are hun."

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

Not long to go now before Steven and Ellen get it on. I know you have all been waiting. But all good things come to those that wait they say. I really do hope you think it was worth the wait when you read it, Thank you to everyone that has taken notice so far.