“Do you want us to stay with you for a bit Spencer?” He asked quietly.

She looked at her parents and towards me then shook her head.

“I’ll be okay dad, I just want, I just. Normality you know?” Spencer almost whispered the broken sentence fragments. She looked at me as if asking something. I held her gaze, trying to convince her whatever she wanted was okay.

“Can you come back tomorrow?” She addressed Paula this time, who practically jumped forward.

“Of course we will Spencer!”

“See you tomorrow darling” Mr C moved carefully towards Spence and placed a fleeting kiss on her head. Paula followed suit but seemed reluctant to leave. I just stood quietly by the door.

“If you need anything Spencer, anything, just call us and we will be right here to take you home.”

“Goodnight Ashley,” Mr C stepped forward and gave me a brief hug.

“Night Mr C, night Paula.”

“Goodnight Ashley,” was the curt reply I received.

“Come on Spence,” I gently touched her elbow to guide her into the loft as Mr C guided Paula away.

We entered the loft in silence. I saw the table I had set up in preparation for the celebratory dinner had been packed away. I thanked God for Kyla’s intuitive nature. Neither of us would have wanted that reminder.

Speaking of, I spotted a note in Kyla’s familiar hand writing on the bench and picked it up.

Ashley

We guessed that Spencer wouldn’t want us all round tonight so I’m staying at Aiden’s. I should be back tomorrow morning unless you call and say otherwise. I hope you are both okay.

Love

Kyla.

My head snapped up and my attention was drawn away from the note by a loud sob.

I spun around and saw Spencer crumple to the floor sobbing.

“Spence!”

Oh god. I ran across the room and dropped to my knees beside her. She looks so broken.

My heart was breaking as I looked at her.

“Baby please, Spencer.”

I reached out slowly and tangled my fingers in hers. I wanted to hug her so badly. Hold her, comfort her. Just ease her pain in anyway.

She didn’t pull away but sobbed even harder.

“I-I’m s-so s-sorry”

“Babe it’s not your fault! Nothing is your fault”

My heart was breaking. I could feel my own tears making their way down my cheeks.

I reached out and brushed a strand of her hair out her face. I felt her freeze then lean into my touch.

We just sat there. Quietly crying in the middle of the loft. Trying to comfort each other.

I squeezed her hand gently and stroked her hair while being careful not to crowd her. Despite my body and heart screaming otherwise.

We sat like that for over an hour before her sobs eventually turned to sniffles and she looked up at me.

I gazed into her eyes. Being her strength. Being her rock.

Her eyes scanned mine and my face, as if she was attempting to find something. After a while she closed her eyes slowly and took a deep steadying breath. Her gaze connected with mine again and she squeezed my hand.

“I love you Ashley.”

“I love you too Spence.”

I brought my hand down to cup her face, softly wiping away the tear tracks with my thumb, smiling gently.

“Always.”