1.88 Zoe gets arrested

Zoe was enjoying the sun when the police arrived, “Ms Chase?” She looked up and replied, “Can I help you?”

“Ms Zoe Chase your bail has been revoked. You are to accompany me back to the station immediately.” 

Zoe snapped and argued with the officer then slapped him. The other officer forced Zoe’s hands behind her back and firmly said, “Now we are arresting you for attacking a police officer.”

“This is ridiculous; it was only a little slap.”

When Zoe was brought back to the station she was told not asked to see a psychiatrist. 

When the doctor walked into the office Zoe sarcastically asked, “Why do I need to see you?”

“Zoe, tell me about Hazel, your daughter?” Zoe straightened herself up and said, “She is my little girl.”

“Do you have any other children?” Zoe looked sad and replied, “No, after having my little girl, I found out that it would be best not to have anymore.”

“Tell me about your husband, Hazel’s father?” Zoe just stared at her and stayed silent. Dean Wright studied Zoe for a moment and then asked, “Are you pleased your daughter is married?” Suddenly she saw Zoe’s mood change, “My daughter is too young to get married and that man she is with is too old for her. He has corrupted my baby girl.”

“How old is your daughter, Zoe.”

“My daughter is fifteen years old and top of her class that is why they moved her up a year.” Dean Wright followed on with a few more questions about Hazel then excused herself to speak to the police. 

“What is your opinion?”

“Well at this point, I would say that Zoe Chase sees her daughter as a minor and therefore would see her husband Mathew as a man grooming her daughter. Zoe needs treatment not prison. I would like to do more assessments with her.”

“I will make the necessary calls but you also know that Ms Chase will be interviewed by another psychiatrist.” 

Dean Wright sighed at them but even she knew the rules. She was half way across the room when she felt arms around her, "We are in work." Randell didn't care and softly asked, "Are you going to home tonight?" She sighed then replied, "Ran, I will be home at 8, ok?" 

"Janice, please keep to your word this time." She bit her lip as she realised she put her clients before her husband, they had been married 20 years but lately they had hardly spent time together.

"I mean it, I promise." He kissed her cheek then went back to work.

She went back into the room to find Zoe on the phone, “Zoe who were you calling?”

“I’m trying to find my daughter. That man she is with is bad for her…”

“You do know your daughter is an adult and that Hazel is a year older than her husband. What if she was having a baby?”

“Is my baby having a baby…I’ll have to get things ready for her and the baby. The baby will need a cot and baby grows…” Dean Wright was very concerned and said, “Hazel isn’t pregnant, well not that I know of but you need to consider wanting the father of your grandchild dead would not make your daughter happy.” Zoe looked at her and said, “I love my baby but if Andrew wasn’t good enough for her then why would this Matt be. Also she needs to marry a man with money who would die soon.”

“So you know your daughter is an adult but you want her to marry an old man?”

“I want my daughter to be settled and rich. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for your daughter.”

“I do agree with you on that but there are times that you have to let go, like now Zoe.” She laughed at the doctor and said, “You never let go of your baby.”

Matt and Hazel were enjoying time in the pool, “Matt, stop it you’re not being fair.” He kissed his wife and replied, “I don’t know about that baby.” 

Hazel swam to the end of the pool and Matt followed her and then chased her. 

When he finally got his wife he said, “I love you and I couldn’t be happier.” Hazel bit her lip as she looked at her husband, “I love you so much but I don’t want to be here.” 

Matt traced the outline of her face and said, “I know baby just think of this as our honeymoon.” 

Hazel pushed him away and replied, “I know your right but I’m worried about my mum. I know what she did was wrong but she is still family and you take family seriously.” Matt held her and softly said, “You are right I do take family seriously but you have to remember one thing you are my family.”

Hazel was about to answer Matt when the phone went and Matt answered it. He mouthed to her that it was Uncle Estevan, “What is wrong?” Estevan went on to explain that he’d had a call from the police and Zoe was going to be under physiatrist care for a while.”

“Does that mean we can go home?” Matt looked at her, “No, we can’t go home yet until your Mum has been prosecuted.”

“But you said…”

“There will still be a trial but Dean Wright is trying to get her hospital treatment rather than prison.”

“Hospital treatment…is she that sick?”

“Yes baby she is but if she accepts the treatment maybe one day we can while come her back into the family.” Hazel looked worried but as always Matt calmed her down. “Matt, I miss her.”

“I know you do but believe me when she is better I will welcome her home.” Matt was surprised when Hazel asked, “When this is all over can we go back to your home town.” Matt was pleased to hear Hazel say that but added, “We will see when it is all over and we are free again.”

1.64 Kay's shock

Kay just stared at the box holding the ring and couldn’t take her eyes away from it’s sparkle until she heard Jake say, “Kay I can explain.” 

Kay looked over at Jake then panic set in so she quickly shut the box and said, “I have to put this book with the others.” She ran past Jake down the hallway, he tried to call after her but she didn’t respond. 

He fell to the floor and kept thinking, ‘You fucking idiot, now she has seen the ring, she is mad with you or upset and you have ruined everything. Don’t just sit there go and see if she is ok and try to explain.’

He opened the door and saw Andrew standing there, “Kirst, sent me to get you guys for dinner, she wants to welcome Kay home.”

“Kay found the ring…”

“Shit, what did she say?”

“I’ve messed things up and she ran off, I have to fix this before I lose her…”

“Are you asking her NOW?”

“No but I have to explain.”

“Ok I will stall Kirsten just texted me when you and Kay are coming up…well I hope you do or your sister will start the questions.”

Jake knocked Kay’s door and waited for a response, there wasn’t any so he knocked again and finally he heard a quiet, “Come in.” 

He saw her curled up so he sat on a chair and asked, “Are you angry at me?” Kay just shook her head and then Jake said, “Kay, please say something, anything.”

“How long have you had the ring?” 

Jake didn’t want to answer but took a deep breath and replied, “Since our third week together. When you started university that’s what triggered me off and…”

“Why didn’t you ask me then?”

“We had that fight and when that guy tried his luck and then him…It just seemed the wrong time. I thought about it but I want to ask you just when it is right for us with no complications.”

“It is a beautiful ring, I’m sorry I panicked. I just had a million and one things going through my head. You are right thought, it isn’t the right time for us and to think you made such a decision after only a few weeks.”

“Can you forget you saw the ring?” 

He offered Kay his hand as she pulled herself up into his arms. He held her tightly and Kay replied, “No but I can pretend.” 

Suddenly Kay kissed Jake passionately and at first Jake didn’t move but let Kay’s lips press softly on his, then he felt her arms glide across his back, and then Kay whispered in his ear, “Thank you for being you.” Jake savoured this moment as it had be a long time since Kay had initiated any intimacy between them. “Kay, aren’t you hungry?” Kay looked at him sweetly and said, “I guess we better go and eat before your sister sends a search party.”

A few hours later after Kirsten had made her fuss Jake and Kay made their way back to their rooms. Kay sat on her bed staring at her door and thought, ‘He wants to marry me someday, wow. Then all I do in return is just a kiss! Kay does this guy mean anything to you? Ok true you agree being engaged would be too soon but since everything kicked off all you have done is cuddled him, held hands and now kissed. Why are you stopping there when you know how much you are screaming inside for more?’

She picked up the phone and dialled her professor, “Did I wake you?”

“No I was marking papers, are you ok?”

“Can I talk to you?”

“Is it about your boyfriend?” Kay fell silent and then replied, “Yes it is, he came up with the idea no pressure and we’d have sex again once counselling was over or on our first anniversary. I was fine with that but then today I discovered a ring in his draw. We talked about it and he admits it was an engagement ring but he didn’t think it was the right time to ask me. I agreed but I kissed him for being sweet and that kiss…I’m confused.”

“About the ring or wanting him?”

“Both.”

“The ring is something I believe he wants to give you when the time is right, seeing the ring was a shock but remember Kay you weren’t meant to see it yet. It doesn’t mean he loves you less for not giving it to you. He got the ring because he loves you but properly feels he needs to wait until you are back on track. The feelings you are experiencing are for someone you genuinely want to be with right now. They are growing and the more time you spend together the stronger they will become. You have to remember sex is a small part of your relationship.”

“I just want to go to him right now and be with him.”

“Then what is stopping you?” Kay thought for a moment and said, “I might run off or panic and he will hate me.”

“You need to explore these feelings but you also need to grow together so when the time is right, you may panic slightly but his touch, smile or something he says to you will reassure you at that moment that you are ready to be together intimately again.” 

Thank you to Mypalsim for the Looking at the ring box pose :)

1.61 Looking ahead

Andrew caught Kirsten resting her head on the table, “Do you want to talk about it?” He heard a muffled, “No.”

He went to walk out when he heard Kirsten shout, “I’m cancelling the wedding.” 

He spun around as Kirsten continued, “My mother is not listening apparently I’m having the wedding she wants not what I want. Andrew breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly, “So you still want to marry me but you want it your way?”

“Haven’t you been listening?”

“But you said…”

“I said my mother is driving me insane.” Andrew held her and said, “Come with me.” 

He sat her down and asked, “What do you want?”

“I want the wedding here, I want a small wedding, I want the dress that I’ve always dreamed of having. I don’t want my rich friends here because they are too false and I don’t want this to be a business wedding. Andrew let’s just elope and…” Andrew kissed her and said, “We aren’t eloping, we are having a small wedding here and I will talk to your Mum.”

“But you don’t have family.”

“I have family, they may not be blood related but this full house is my family.”

“Matt and Hazel aren’t here then there is Jake and Kay…”

“Kirst, our wedding will be perfect. Matt is home because Heather died and Hazel went with him. He will be gone awhile but he wouldn’t miss our wedding and as for Jake and Kay they will be fine besides the wedding is 10 months away.”

“Are you counting down our wedding?”

“Of course…”

“We can’t get the wedding planned in 10 months,” she started to pace the floor. “The wedding won’t be the way I want it and it will be ruined.” Andrew grabbed her and sweetly said, “It will be perfect because I’m marrying you.”

“You’re after something, And.”

“Yes I am…see there it is that beautiful smile.”

Jake went to pick Kay up from her counselling session and when she opened the door her counsellor was at the door with her. “You must be Jake?” 

He looked shocked and just nodded as the counsellor added, “Kay talks about her family as well as you, it’s nothing to be alarmed at. Kay, remember what we talked about today!”

“I will,” as she walked hand in hand with Jake. Once they were by the car Jake asked, “Do you always talk about me?”

“Not always but sometimes.” 

Jake had many thoughts running through his head as he drove them home when they were in the living area of the basement Jake had to ask, “Kay, what do you say about me?”

“Different things…”

“Like…?” Kay shrugged her shoulders and replied, “How we met, our sex life that is now non-existent.” Jake almost choked but stayed calm while he asked, “What have you said?”

Kay couldn’t help but tease a bit, “I don’t say anything bad, if that’s what you mean.”

“Oh so it’s all good then.” Kay nodded her head with a smile, “Yes it’s all good.”

“You know it’s nice to see you smile again and tease me. The sessions must be helping…”

“They are and I even talked about returning to uni…”

“But Kay…” Kay cupped his face, “I’m not returning for a few months yet but I will start soon from the local hospital then if I feel comfortable then I will go back.”

“I just don’t want you…”

“I know but he can’t win please try and understand.”

“Matt said you would go back but I didn’t think it would be so soon. Listen I have been thinking since all this happened and…” Jake got up and started to pace the floor as he tried to find the right words, “This isn’t going to be easy to say and please don’t take what I have to say the wrong way but…” Kay cut him off and said, “Don’t break up with me, I love you.”

“What no that wasn’t what I was going to say,” 

Kay fell to the sofa as she listened intently to Jake. He crouched down beside her and said, “My Dad gave me some advice and well I want to try use that in our situation but it is difficult because I’ve never said this to a girl before but what would say if we agreed to hold off on the sex part of our relationship until the counselling was finished or until our first year of being together, whichever comes first?”

Kay sat there stunned and replied, “Wow, you would really do that for me, for us?”

“I will try.” Kay laughed and said, “There is the Jake I know but what if I’m ready before that?”

“Then let me know but I just wanted you to know the pressure is completely off for you.”

Kay cuddled into him and said, “Thank you.”

“Any time Kay any time,” as they settled to watch TV together.

1.58 Let them help you

In the kitchen the girls were getting snacks and drinks ready when Kirsten asked, “When are you going to stay here again?”

“I miss you too Kirsten.”

“Well my best friend is at university and my future sister in-law isn’t here and I’m stuck with grown children.” Kay was in shock at the statement and in a panic asked, “What did you say?”

“Sorry forget I said it, please don’t take off. Jake will kill me.”

“Has he said something?”

“No it’s just the way he is with you and you are with him…I know it’s silly but I just thought you’d get married.”

Kay sat on the counter, “You know before this happened I thought of a future but now…”

“Please Kay think happy it’s the only way.”

Andrew shouted from the living room that the film was ready. Jake was upset he was resigned to a chair when all he could think about was Kay sitting on his lap while they watched a film together. Kirsten snuggled up to Andrew on the sofa and Kay took the other chair and smiled at Jake.

She noticed how comfortable Kirsten looked and thought, ‘I miss that, Jake’s arms around me. I miss the nights when he holds me so I don’t feel alone, why can’t I let him near me? I did it the other day but why not now?’

After the film had finished she told Jake to get some rest and went to her appointment.

Counselling Office

Kay looked angry and upset as she paced the floor, “Kay are you ok?”

“No, I want my life back. I want to be with my boyfriend again but why can’t I?”

“Kay, you need to let go and talk about what happened.” 

Kay sat there and decided to try and talk, “The other day you asked when? Well I was 3 or 4 years old. I was woken by a noise and there standing in front of me was him my…my…Dad, he was naked. He walked over and pulled back the covers and said we were going to play a game. I felt sick and scared but thankfully as he was getting into bed my Mum walked in and screamed at him. They started to argue and I ran. I saw my Dad in the street.”

“You mean Spencer?”

“He is my Dad, anyway I told him Mum and Dad were arguing and he took me back to the house but when Mum told him what happened…well he punched my Dad and threw him out. Next thing I knew I was at the doctors with policewoman there and my Mum.”

“Did the doctors help you?”

“I thought so until he turned up again. There now I told you will this help me.”

“It’s a start. Tell me about your boyfriend.”

“Jake, what’s there to tell…”

“You must like him or you wouldn’t be dating.”

“Well he’s Jake, did you know he nagged me into a date.”

“He is good looking?”

Kay softened her expression as she let a smile across her face, “Very good looking and boy can he kiss.”

“Didn’t you tell me he was a firefighter?”

Kay nodded and the professor added, “Does it bother you?”

“Sometimes but I can’t ask him to quit. I mean we’ve only been going out about 6 weeks.”

“Does he know what happened?”

“I told him about when I was younger and he knows about this too except…” Kay fell silent and the professor spoke, “Except this is what is causing the conflict within you? The man you have fallen for is now the one you are pushing away yet you want to let him near you.”

Kay looked at the floor as she continued, “You know it is all up to you. If he loves you then he will wait but remember he might not wait forever.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean he won’t wait years but that doesn’t mean he will expect you to have sex straight away either. You need to open up here with Jake and the others in your life you need to decide can you trust them and take it day by day. With your boyfriend for example let him hold your hand or cuddle you to start and move on from there but it has to be when you are ready and with no pressure on you. Remember the key here is to talk to him and if you love him don’t shut him out.”

“Everyone has said that.”

“It sounds like you have good family and friends.”

“I do.”

“Then let them help you.”

1.56 Anywhere but here

Matt stood there while Hazel wrapped her arms around him and softly said, “Kay will be ok.” Matt sighed, “I don’t know…” Matt paused and Hazel asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”

Matt walked over to the bed and sat down, “After Kay saw Jake I spoke to her, you can see in her eyes she still loves him but I don’t know…when she was talking you could sense that she was holding back and I’m afraid that if she doesn’t get help we will all lose the Kay we know.”

“Jake seemed happy after Kay had visited him, Kirsten told me.” 

Matt got up and put his arms around her and with an upset tone replied, “Jake is going to lose her, I’m losing her because she is burying what happened and won’t talk about it.”

Hazel was confused and asked, “Matt, Kay and Jake are talking…”

“I know but she’s not telling him or anyone what really went on. When I left her she started to cry. Dad told me that when she came home she went to take a nap all he could hear was screams coming from her but she was asleep.”

Hazel kissed Matt and told him to speak to Jake.

Matt walked into the bedroom to find Jake lying there, “How are you feeling?”

“Better now I’ve eaten and with my own personal doctor looking after me, I’m doing great.” Matt was pleased to see Jake smile but said, “We have to talk about Kay.” One thing Jake wasn’t and that was stupid, “You mean her withholding what happened and that every time I want to hold her the scared look that I could hurt her.”

“Jake you could lose her.”

“Never going to happen, Matt. I love her too much.”

“Jake…”

“Don’t Jake me. I spoke to your Dad this morning and we have made an appointment for Kay to see someone…” Matt interrupted him, “Does Kay know about this?” Jake shook his head, “Spencer made the appointment and is taking her there this afternoon. I want my girl back.”

“Jake I’m glad you aren’t using her…”

“Using her…I am crazy about her and my Dad was right, I need to rely on more than just sex for a real relationship but this wasn’t the way I wanted it to happen.”

Matt looked at Jake and said, “I really am happy that you are looking out for Kay but you should also encourage her back to the campus.” Jake started to yell, “Are you crazy?”

Matt yelled back, “Stop being the jealous boyfriend, will you? My sister needs to have normality back in her life; her family, you and her studies and you know I’m right?”

“Let me have a bit of time with her.”

“I’m not talking about tomorrow but over the next few months.”

“Ok but I won’t push it yet.”

Counselling office

“Dad, why are we here?” Spencer opened Kay’s door and replied, “Kay, I’m worried about you. In fact we all are and I want you to talk to someone…” Kay screamed at him, “I just want to forget about it.” 

She tried to open the car door but Spencer now stood in front of the door. “Kay please, if you don’t want to come back fine but please go to this session and then take it from there.”

Kay reluctantly agreed to go inside but was shocked to see her professor sitting on the desk, “Kay please take a seat.” 

Kay sat down and then the questions started, “I see you are shocked to see me? Well I still run a private practice and when I saw your name I knew I had to help because I know I don’t want to lose one of my best students. Now what do you hope to get out of these sessions?”

Kay looked blank at her professor and said, “Any magic wand so I can forget and go back to the way things were?”

“I’m afraid not Kay. Let’s start with something easy, your family, tell me about them. Tell me about your mother?”

Kay had a slight smile on her face as she recounted about her childhood with her Mum. Then she was asked, “What did she look like?”

“Before she died someone once commented on how we could pass for sisters, I still miss her…” Kay paused and then added, “She would know how to make this better…”

“Kay, I understand you miss her.” Then she paused and said, “Tell me about your relationship with Mathew Dark.”

“Matt…he’s like a brother to me, not that I get quality time with him because of his fiancée.” 

Kay started to pace the floor, “Don’t get me wrong, I like Hazel but I need him too.”

“Have you ever told her this?”

Kay shook her head. “Are you afraid of Hazel?”

“What…no, they were going through issues lately so I just left it. I was going to talk to them but…”

“Maybe now you should speak to both of them because you will need their support. Who is Spencer and what is he to you?”

“Spencer is Matt’s Dad…well he’s my Dad too.”

“He is the Dad you always wanted?”
Kay sat looking at her and took a deep breath and replied, “No he is my Dad, he’s always been there unlike…”

“Unlike your real Dad?” Kay just stared at her and coldly said, “I don’t want to talk about him…Spencer is my Dad.”

“Kay you need…”

“Look I told you Spencer is my Dad so just drop it.” 

Spencer was outside and he could hear Kay’s raised voice and sat there thinking he had pushed too hard but then the thought of losing the Kay he loved scared him. It was supposed to be a happy time with a new baby on the way but the happiness was being overshadowed by this horrible event in their lives. The last time he saw Kay’s Mum he’d always promised to look out for her. The thought had crossed his mind to call in a favour from either Estevan or Will but he lost Tracy once and was not prepared to lose her again.

Kay slid down the door after she gave up trying to leave, “I hate him…”

“Go on.”

“Why did he hurt me I was his daughter, I was surrounded by my toys and then he came out of the shadows like…” Kay broke down in tears.

“Are you saying he tried this before?” All Kay could do was nod, “How old were you?” Kay kept crying and couldn’t answer. She knew Kay getting this far was a start so decided to leave it for now. She handed Kay some tissues and recommended that she saw her twice a week to start and they would take it from there.