Come back to me

[mellochino]

Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I've decided to do the next update in two parts seeing as I've keep everyone waiting for so long. Here's more from Declan, consider this the 'part one' and I'll try and get the other part up tonight, if possible. Enjoy everyone, I hope it's alright . I've had to rewrite Declan's part so many times

Declan’s dream

It always started with Declan standing in a garden. He would walk through it wondering where everyone had disappeared to. He’d look for signs of anyone familiar and then he’d keep walking. Everything would be still and quiet. At the bottom of a garden there was a maze and for whatever reason he always felt compelled to go through it. He would wander through the passageways, never knowing where the middle was and then he’d hear a noise. It was like the sound of a clock ticking and it would get louder and louder as he ventured further into the maze.

After a while, he’d come across what looked like a separate garden from the maze. Was it the middle? He was never sure and so he would cautiously walk towards the centre. The ticking would intensify and then it would chime loudly. As the clock chimes a figure would appear behind him. As he’d turn around he’d see a woman in white facing away from him. A woman who from the back looked like Bridget and just as he’d touch her shoulders she’d disappear into the light and chiming clock would through echo more loudly through the maze. At least that's how it would normally go.

However it was different this time as he ventured through to the hidden garden. The woman was there and she wasn't looking at him. He moved towards the woman and found he was able to touch the back of her shoulders. He was shocked that he was actually able to touch her and went to open his mouth to speak to her, but he found them both falling together into what seemed like a black bottomless pit.

Quickly he grabbed hold of the woman’s hand, spinning her towards him, so they were facing each other. It was Bridget! He couldn't believe it, but it was her! Declan looked happily at her and tried to speak to her, tell her he loved her, but no words were able to be spoken. It seemed like Bridget was able to hear him though and she smiled back. She opened her mouth, speaking, but no words were heard. As they fell into the darkness, it was as though someone was playing their life together to them.

There were projections of the wedding, India’s birth, their first date, Declans sorry songs and more of their special times together. It was all memories that they’d shared together playing all at once. Declan found that as he was falling Bridget began to float upwards. He tried to pull her back towards him, but the pull was too much, he was falling down and she was ‘falling’ up. Declan found that now they were only holding on to each other by the tips of they fingers. Bridget gave him a sorry smile and spoke again, but like before Declan couldn’t hear her and then they were separated. If he could, Declan would be screaming out Bridget’s name. He watched in horror as he fell down and she floated up out of sight.

Then another projection came on once Bridget was out of sight. A car on the verge of crashing. Suddenly Declan felt something in his hands, he looked down and found that he was holding a steering wheel. He looked back up and found that he was in that car. It began to screech and roll. He opened his mouth to cry out, but it was too late. The car had crashed and that's when Declan woke up.

[suse]

Oh that was great Laura. I was rivetted the whole way through. Very well written and I really like the idea of it being in Declan's dream.

Can't wait for the next bit ;D ;D ;D.

[kate]

This is fantastic. I was really hoping you'd update again because I want to know if Bridget's coming back for real...

Oh and don't apologise about leaving big gaps between updates, you will never be worse than me...

[mellochino]

Thank you, I'm so happy that you guys like it. I've been stressing over this chapter for a while now, the second part is pretty much done, I'm just going to read through it a couple more times and add things/take bits away as needed. Part two will probably be up on Thursday (maybe tonight if I can get it to read the way I want it), hopefully you'll like it and forgive me for yet another cliff hanger with part two ^^;;

[sophie]

Laura this is really, really good, can't wait to read the next bit!

[Bee]

this is great!! i cant wait for more!

[mellochino]

Here's the next part, it should have been up a while ago, sorry.

Declan/Part 2

Beads of sweat were apparent on Declan’s head as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. It felt like his body was full of adrenaline from his ‘car crash’, he was shaking and felt rather sick. This dream came to him a lot, he’d put it down to stress that it seemed to repeat all the time. However, it had been so intense this time, what could this all mean? Deep down he wondered whether it was his mind and hearts way of telling him that he hadn’t recovered from the death of Bridget. Why was the dream different this time? Was there some sort of meaning behind it? Still, he couldn’t allow himself to think like that, India needed him to be the best father he could and by moping around and wondering about dreams he had, he couldn’t do that. He looked over at the clock and sighed, he’d over slept. He got himself up, wondering why Indie hadn’t woken him up, she was very good at making sure her Daddy didn’t forget her. He noticed a note from Rebecca on the kitchen side.

I thought you would want to be left to sleep. You look like you needed the rest. Don’t worry about Indie, we’re going to go to the park and to the shops for some girl time. I know you want to see Kate today, so go have fun. We’ll see you at lunch.

PS: Your broken photoframe and photo of you and Indie is up on the side. I didn’t want either of you to hurt yourselves on it.

xx

That’s right, he’d promised to meet Kate today, while Rebecca looked after India. He was having second thoughts though. Would he really be able to see her today after having that dream? He sighed, he felt like he was being a basket case, dreams weren’t real and Didge wasn’t coming back. He liked Kate and that was that. It wasn’t love, or at least he didn’t think so. Kate had popped the ‘L’ word to him, but he hadn’t known how to respond. She was patient though, he was pleased she understood his situation, or at least that’s how it seemed to him.

He wasn’t doing the rebound with Kate, he wasn’t, despite what Donna had told him. His other friends had said that too actually….No, he had to stop thinking like this. He needed to move on. He got himself ready to leave and texted Kate, to say he was leaving the house to meet her. He walked past a picture of him and Indie, he smiled, wishing for his little girl to have a great day with her Grandma. He was glad that he lived under the same roof as his mum, she worried about him a lot and always did her best to ensure that he and Indie were happy. He hoped that one day he’d be able to find his own place, but for now he was happy.

He walked past a photo that Rebecca had put up of him, Kate and India. It was great that India seemed to like Kate, Declan was happy in a way that she did, but at the same time he wished that Bridget was the main female influence in her life. India was told stories about her Mum all the time by his family and of course himself. He’d told India a story like his dream, except that they all lived happily ever after. If truth be known, he would be devastated if India started to call Kate ‘Mum’. Again, he found himself questioning whether today was such a good idea to meet Kate. He was in a horrible mood now and found himself questioning all his actions. He popped his shoes on and left the house, hoping that his funny mood would be undetectable to Kate.

Kate was waiting for Declan outside of her house, she gave a little wave as he came into view. He gave a slight nod of the head of acknowledgement and automatically felt a little guilty that he’d given off the impression that she was happier to see him than he was. Once he stopped walking, Kate smiled and gave him a hug.

“Hey, where do you want to go today?” she asked, as she hugged him. She was obviously excited about the date and he automatically felt awkward. Dates with Kate felt awkward at times, despite knowing that he liked her. It didn’t flow as naturally as he wanted it to.

“I don’t mind, I’ll leave that decision to you” he responded, with less enthusiasm than intended. Damn, Declan, she’s going to think you’re a right ass if you keep this up he thought angrily to himself. That was when he realised that Kate had picked up on the tone of his voice.

The hug ended and Kate studied Declan’s face as if she was trying to read him. She did that often and it always made Declan feel guilty, like he was hurting her or like she thought he was using her.

“Are you ok?” she asked, her facial expression changing to concern “You don’t look that happy to see me” she added with a laugh, not a happy one though.

Again Declan felt bad, he hadn’t intended on upsetting her, he knew this was a bad idea. He should have followed his instincts on this one and stayed away from her today.

“I am happy to see you, Kate, I’m sorry” he replied, trying to seem more cheery. He didn’t sound very sincere, but it looked like he was out of the dog house, for now. He gave her a kiss on the forehead, held her hand and started to walk.

“So, where am I taking you today?” he asked, being very careful with his words and attitude.

“How about we grab something to eat and drink and go to the park?” she asked.
Declan nodded and smiled slightly. “Sounds good to me”

After they had bought a few bits and pieces to eat and drink, they made their way down to the park. Declan had tried to keep all thoughts about the dream at bay, but it was hard. It finally over took him when they were sitting down to eat. He completely zoned out on Kate, thinking about Bridget, the memories…the car crash. It was then that he heard his name. “Declan!”

He blinked and looked back at her sheepishly. He was in big trouble now and he knew it. Kate looked so hurt and Declan felt like a bigger asshole than he did earlier.

“Declan….do you really want to be here with me today?” Kate asked, with a hurt tone.
“Yeah, of course, why do you ask?” he replied
“It just doesn’t seem that way” she said, her voice sounding more hurt. “You never seem to be that interesting in our dates”

Declan touched her hand and gave her an urgent look. “Kate, look, I’m sorry-“
The apology was broken off abruptly, as Declan appeared to be fixated on something going on a little further on in the park. A woman dressed in white, had just stood up and had begun to start walking back towards the street. It was the same white dress Bridget had worn in the dream. From the back she looked exactly like his wife and Declan felt a surge of emotions ripple through him.

“Bridget?” he said out loud, not taking his eyes off of the woman in white. Big mistake, Kate was still sitting there and she was on the verge of crying. She made a sobbing sound and Declan realised he was in deep trouble. He was going to have to apologise so much to her if he wanted to stay on her good side.

“I-I’ve tried….I’ve really tried, I can’t do this anymore, Declan” she said, standing up.

“Kate, wait-“ he urged, trying to focus on Kate and the woman.

He knew that Kate had obviously seen him trying to focus on the woman and her. She was crying now and she looked angry, it had gotten to the stage now that he almost felt like he didn’t care, the urgency of needing to see if that woman was Bridget was overpowering him. He was a prick and he knew it, but that HAD to be Bridget. He had to know and if that meant Kate being angry at him, or leaving him, fine.

“This isn’t going to work, Declan. You don’t really want to be with me, you want Bridget, don’t you?” Kate said through tears “If you’re still hung up on her, then be honest and tell me, don’t lead me on!”

He went to speak to her again and reached out to touch her hand, but Kate dismissed him. She obviously wasn’t going to forgive him quickly this time.

“Just leave me alone, I’m tired of being second best” she said, pushing his hand away “I don’t want to see you right now”

After that Kate ran away, back towards her house. Declan knew that he should have gone after her to apologise, but finding that woman was more important. He had to, even if it seemed stupid and impossible, he was convinced that she was Bridget. She couldn’t have gotten that far ahead, she’d only just started walking.

He chased after the person, despite knowing that he was going to be disappointed and probably left kicking himself for not going after Kate. He ran and ran until he almost slammed into a stranger. He quickly said sorry and tried to go around the man in white, which was until the unexpected happened.

“Looking for Bridget, Declan Napier?”

Declan automatically stopped and gave the man a surprised look. How did he know?

“Who are you?” he asked

“She’s going to need your help to remember” the man continued, “Do you remember everything you’ve both been through together?”

Declan gave the man a dumbfounded look, unsure of what to say to this man and automatically felt angry that he was speaking to him about his dead wife this way. Who the hell did he think he was?!

“I don’t know what you want, but I’m through talking to you” he said through gritted teeth, as he tried to walk away.

“Maybe you’ll make some new memories, or maybe you’ll end up loosing her forever” the man said “Just remember that this was your wish and you’ll have to continue my work from here”

Again, Declan became angrier and was about to give the man a hurl of abuse, until the man disappeared into a ball of light and the sound of ticking.

It’s up to you know, help her remember or loose everything forever

Completely stunned and confused, Declan questioned whether he was dreaming or crazy. Perhaps both, he knew he was acting like a complete weirdo. These questions where quickly brought back into play when the woman who looked so much like Bridget was walking down the road opposite him.

“Bridget?!” he called out loudly, he had to find out if it was her. When the woman turned her head towards him, Declan’s words got caught in his throat. He ran towards her, seeing with his own eyes that she was Bridget. He couldn’t believe it, how was she here? Was this another dream? Who cared, he had to go over to her, embrace her, tell her he loved her. He ran towards her and threw his arms around her, embracing her, taking in her smell again. This couldn’t be a dream, she felt real, it took him a while to finally let go of her and speak.

“Didge, how are you here?“ he started to say to her and stopped, adding in “I’ve missed you”

There were a million things whizzing through his mind that he wanted to say. He couldn't get his words to come out thought. However, he got a response from his wife that was unexpected and he’d finally understand the words of the mysterious man.

"What's wrong, Didge, are you alright?"

tbc

[Bee]

Very good!! Very very very good!! i love this story!!

bloody kate though..you're still hung up on Bridget < OF COURSE HE IS HE'S HER WIDOWER!

[jess]

you cant leave it at that update agains oon please

[mellochino]

I've found Kate really hard to write because I really do not like her character at all. She annoys me in my own story too lol. Next update will follow soon, I'll try and get it up within the next week or so.

[smilelino]

Give us soon an update again please. i really like this story.

[Ali]

i love this story so much!
and you got Kate whining down to a t ;D

[suse]

Oh my gosh laura....that was brilliant. Don't leave us hanging too long.

Bloody kate .

So will Didge remember him and Indy?

Beautifully done ;D.

[sophie]

Very good! ;D

[mellochino]

Haha, I'm glad Kate's whinging is spot on! I don't like writing as her that much, but I want to try and be fair playing her as a character (well as much as humanly possible hehe).

I'm happy to say that I have written up the next chapter in rough, it should be up as early as this weekend, I'll try and get it done tomorrow. Fingers crossed Thank you again to all the lovely comment, it's you guys who inspire me to write and keep this fic going.

I don't want to give too much away, Suse. You'll find out in this chapter about what Didge remembers and possibly doesn't. Hopefully your questions will be answered this weekend!