Chapter 3

…

The Team had been called in for a few hours on Saturday morning to finalise some reports that needed done, Angie and Sam has been talking about their weekend plans when Ronnie had turned up, dressed in a sharper suit than was normal for him.

"Wow Ronnie, off somewhere nice later are we?" Sam joked.

"Just a lunch appointment Sammy."

"A Woman?"

"Mind your own." He said, walking away.

"I wonder who she is." Sam enquired.

"I think I might have an idea." Angie added.

"Oh yeah, go on then…don't keep us in suspense. Who is she?"

"Well the other night when I was leaving, I saw Ronnie and the Guv leaving together."

"That doesn't mean anything, so they left together…that's nothing unusual."

"Oh yeah, well he had his arm very firmly around her waist…they looked very, close."

"No way…the Guv and Ronnie…I can't believe it."

"I don't know, they've always been close."

"Yeah but close close, it's like watching your parents get it on."

"Do you have to down grade it."

"I'm only saying Ang."

"I think they've been spending a lot more time together since Matt's death, I think it makes them feel better. We're more like a Family than a Team, Ronnie and Guv are like the Mum and Dad of the group. You'll find that out for yourself when you've been here long enough."

"I guess, well I suppose we should get these damn reports done. I've got a date later and I can't be late."

"Oh yeah, who is she?"

"He….my Son."

"Oh that's adorable."

…

The paperwork took a little longer than anyone had expected as Natalie looked up from her desk to see it was coming up for 3pm. She got up and walked through to the incident room to see them all hard a work.

"Alright you lot, enough now. Get off home."

"You sure Guv, there's still a few more to do." Sam said.

"It can wait until Monday...it's your weekend off and I'm sure you all have plans, go."

"Cheers Guv."

Sam was quickly away from his desk, grabbing his jacket as he rushed out, Angie following quickly behind him.

"Thanks Guv, enjoy the rest of your weekend."

"You too luv."

"Bye Ronnie."

"Bye Ang luv."

Ronnie and Natalie stood quietly as the other few members walked out of the room. Ronnie was on his feet, pulling on his jacket.

"Come on, let's go grab your coat and we'll get outta here." He said.

"Good idea."

He followed her through to the office and waited in the doorway for her while she tidied up her desk and pulled on her coat before walking back over to him. They walked out of the building together, smiling to one another.

"You're looking very dapper today by the way." Natalie smiled.

"Well I thought I'd better look half way decent when your Boys come over later."

"You didn't need to do that for them, they know you. They take you as you are."

"Come here luv."

Angie and Sam were standing by Sam's car watching Natalie and Ronnie's behaviour.

"Bloody hell, you were right." Sam said, shock on his face.

"Told you, I think it's sweet."

"Yeah, if it makes then happy then who are we to judge right."

"You fancy dropping me off on the way home?"

"Sure, get in."

…

As soon as Natalie was in the front door, she'd headed upstairs to quickly shower and change before starting dinner. When she came down a little while later Ronnie was frying the mince and onions.

"Ron, you didn't need to do that."

"Don't be daft luv, I know I nearly burned the place down the other night but I think I've finally got the hang of this cooker of yours."

"Oh yeah, good. I'll make a start on the white sauce then."

"So, this their favourite then is it?"

"Ever since they were little yeah, it's been a few years since I made it though. Not much point making a lasagne for one is there."

"Well, now you have a good reason to make it more often, Lasagne happens to be a favourite of mine too."

Natalie smiled at him as she leaned down kissing him on the lips.

"You haven't tasted mine yet."

"If your Boys love it then I will too. Now, while you're making the sauce how about I make us a coffee?"

"Oh yes please."

Natalie finally for the white sauce right after 2 attempts and placed all the ingredients into a dish and popped it into the oven and joined Ronnie on the sofa. They remained there for another hour before the doorbell finally rang.

"Oh god they're here."

"Natalie luv, why are you so worried? Your Boys know me."

"Yeah they know you as my friend and colleague, this is different and you know it."

Ronnie was on his feet, bringing her into his arms as he placed a small kiss to her forehead.

"It will all be fine, trust me."

"I do, of course I do. I'm just so bloody nervous."

Natalie made her way to the door and found her two Sons standing on the doorstep.

"Hey Mum." Paul smiled.

"Look at the two of you, come here and give your old Mum a hug."

She pulled them inside and brought her arms around them. Paul was the oldest at 24 and Jamie 19, they may have been all grown up but to Natalie they were still her babies.

"Here, we got you these." Jamie said, handing roses to his Mum.

"Oh luv, they're beautiful…thank you. Come on through, Ronnie's already here."

She walked ahead of then, Jamie about to follow until Paul pulled him back.

"I told you something was going on."

"What are you on about now, Ronnie's just a family friend…he's been around for years."

"Yeah and when have we ever had dinner with both him and Mum at the same time."

"Okay never but so what, I mean we have spent time with him before. He took us to that football match just after Mum and Dad split up, he bought us hotdogs."

"I'm telling you, something's going on with them."

"How much do you wanna bet then, because you're wrong."

"Alright, tenner says they're dating." Paul said.

"You're on."

…

Paul and Jamie entered the sitting room to find Ronnie on his feet waiting for them, Natalie coming to stand beside him. Paul nudged Jamie in the side, basically saying I told you so.

"Jamie…Paul, great to see you Boys again…it's been a while."

"Hey Ron, yeah it has..how are you?" Jamie smield.

"I'm good Son, working away, your Mother runs a tight ship over at the nick."

"I'll bet she does." Paul replied sarcastically.

"Paul, that's enough of that." Natalie warned.

"Well sorry Mum but what's tonight all about huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on, Ronnie's never ever been over here for dinner in all the years we've known him and now suddenly you want us here, what gives?"

"I think he's on to us Nat."

"Nat, really and you thought I was talking crap Jamie."

"Alright Boys sit down."

They did as Natalie asked and sat down, Ronnie and Natalie standing in front of them, Natalie wishing the ground would swallow her up.

"The thing is Boys, Ron and I…we've been seeing each other, out of work."

"You mean you're dating?" Jamie asked.

"Well, I suppose so yeah."

"When did this happen?" Paul added.

"Son, it's been brewing for a few months now really. Your Mum and I, well with everything that happened to our colleague Matt…we just found it easier to talk about it with each other and I guess over that time it developed into something a little more."

"Does Dad know?"

"No he doesn't and to be honest it isn't really any of his concern who I see, he's not part of my life anymore."

"So you two, it's serious then?"

"Paul, listen Son…I love your Mum more than anything, there's nothing I wouldn't do for her and I give you my word, both of you that I won't do anything to hurt her. Now I ain't saying I'm perfect because I'm not, now I don't know if you ever knew this but I was an alcoholic, I always will be but I've learn to deal with my problems and I got help for them and thanks to those who helped me, your Mum included…I haven't had a drink in over 15 years and I plan to keep it that way."

Paul looked between Natalie and Ronnie, he could see Jamie was fine with it all and deep down he was too but something kept niggling at the back of his mind. Jamie was on his feet, hugging Natalie and congratulating them both as Paul remained seated.

"Paul luv, what is it."

"Don't get me wrong, I like you Ron and I am happy for you and Mum."

"Go on Son."

"What's to say you won't do what Dad did to her."

"Paul luv, what do you mean?" She asked.

"We're not stupid Mum, we know Dad hit you." Jamie said.

"You knew about that."

"The bruises kind of gave it away yeah, I remember the night he really went for you…you thought we were sleeping. He hit you pretty badly and I remember Ron coming around that night, I crept downstairs and I saw you, the bruising on your back, the scratch to your face that you had us believe was from a fall. I remember Ron being here with you, in here in fact…comforting you."

"Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Mum, we knew you didn't want us to resent Dad. We knew that's why you never told us."

"Paul Son, what is it that's bothering you with regards to your Mum and I."

"Dad wasn't always like that, you're not….but what's to say you wouldn't in the future."

"Paul, I can tell you that no matter what happens…whatever crops up along the way that I will never ever hurt your Mum, in any way. I could never do that, I've never in my life hit a woman, even when I was blitzed out of my mind…I knew right from wrong. Your Mum and I, whatever happens, I love her…always."

"I feel the same way Paul, Ronnie isn't like your Dad. You're Dad had severe anger issues, and I know he's finally getting the help he needs to sort it out."

"I love you Mum."

"Oh come here, you daft sod."

Natalie pulled Paul into her arms, followed by Jamie. Ronnie looked on, a small smile on his face. Happy that finally things might be heading in the right direction.

…

-Fin