Ant's new son

Telling Dec and Ali the news

<early afternoon>
[In living room]
(Third person P. O. V)
Ant and Anne Marie were sat watching telly whilst Neil was upstairs having a nap. They already had a call from the police telling them that they've arrested Neil's father but still needed Neil's statement and to take photos of his injuries so that they could have a strong case against Neil's father.
Whilst watching the telly, Anne Marie noticed how quiet Ant was, so she gently asked.
"You ok Ant?"
"I'm fine," Ant honestly replied, "I'm just still a bit shocked is all about what the police said about Neil."
"Do you think he's going to be up for the police to take photos of his injuries for evidence?", asked Anne Marie.
"I don't know. Just have to ask him when he wakes up." Ant replied.
Just then the pair of them heard a car parking outside. Ant got up and looked through the window to see who it was.
"Who is it Ant?" Anne Marie asked.
"It's Dec and Ali. Wasn't expecting them to come that quick." Ant surprisingly replied.
"Neither did I." Anne Marie added as joined Ant at the window.
As the pair of them saw Dec and Ali get out of the car along with Isla, Ant started to feel anxious. Anne Marie noticed and worriedly asked.
"You ok?"
"Not really," Ant honestly replied, "I'm worried about telling Dec and Ali about Neil. How are they going to take it?"
"Probably the same as we did." Anne Marie whispered.
Just then they heard the front door opening which startled the dogs. Once Dec, Ali and Isla entered the room, Ant and Anne Marie put a smile on their faces.
"Hey you three." Anne Marie greeted.
"Hello you both." Ali greeted back.
After they were done greeting each other, Dec sensed something was wrong by the look on Ant's face. So he concernedly asked.
"Ant, Anne Marie, what's going on? We've heard rumours that you were seen at a hospital Ant. Why were you there?"
Ant sighed after hearing what Dec was asking. So after they all sat down apart from Isla who was playing with the dogs, Anne Marie gently explained.
"Dec, Ali. Both Ant and I have got something to tell you both and it's to do with why Ant was seen at a hospital yesterday."
"What is it you both want to tell us?" Ali worriedly asked.
Ant took a deep breathe. He then slowly but sadly said.
"Yesterday I was at the park walking Hurley and while I was walking him, Hurley began to sense something and wondered off. I followed him to this tree, where I found him next to this boy who was soaking wet and in a bad way. I felt so sorry for him that I pick him up, took him to my car and drove to the nearest hospital."
Dec and Ali were surprised when Ant was done explaining about yesterday but Dec noticed that something was still up with Ant and Anne Marie. So he then asked.
"I'm sensing there's something else going on here. Ant, what else you're not telling us?"
Ant was starting dread even more on telling Dec and Ali the truth but before he could say anything, the four of them heard a voice saying.
"It was me, Mr McPartlin found yesterday."
Dec and Ali looked to the living room door and were shocked to see Neil standing there with a ashamed look on his face. As for Ant and Anne Marie, they were concerned to see Neil awake.
"Awww Neil, did we wake you darling?" Anne Marie worriedly asked.
"No, I had a coughing fit again." Neil sadly replied back in a quiet voice.
Anne Marie got up and took Neil to the kitchen to give him his medicine. Soon they left, Dec and Ali turned their heads to Ant who had a frown on his face.
"Ant, was that Neil?" Ali shockingly asked.
Ant nodded his head in response. Dec and Ali were shocked at that response from Ant. It was then Dec began asking.
"Ant, what happened to him? Who gave him that black eye?"
Ant was really starting to dread telling Ali and Dec the truth about Neil but he couldn't keep it in any longer.
"The reason Neil is like that," Ant slowly began saying, "Is because he's been a victim of child abuse."
"WHAT?!!" Dec shouted.
"Child abuse? From who?" Ali surprisingly but shockingly asked.
"His father." Ant quietly replied.
It was then Ant explained to Dec and Ali everything that happened last night at the hospital. When he was done explaining, Ali was in tears whereas Dec was speechless.
"That poor boy." Ali tearfully whispered.
Just then Anne came back in with 4 cups of tea and a cup of juice for Isla. After the drinks were given out, Ant asked.
"Where's Neil love?"
"He went back upstairs. He got upset when he heard the shouting." Anne Marie gently replied as she sat back next to Ant.
Dec and Ali began feel bad for upsetting Neil.
"Sorry that was our fault. We were just shocked after Ant told us about what happened to him?" Dec apologised.
"It's ok Dec, I was the same when Ant told me last night." Anne Marie gently reassured.
"So what happens now? Have you told the police about Neil?" Ali then asked.
"They already know. The doctor had already done it for us when I was at the hospital with Neil after he told him what happened. The other thing they want to do this to take pictures of Neil's injuries to help make the case strong against his father." Ant kindly replied.
Ali felt reassured when she heard that and so did Dec. It was then Anne Marie and Ant remembered what they were talking about this morning with Neil. So Anne Marie then said.
"There is something else Ant and I want to tell you both regarding Neil."
"What's that?" Dec and Ali both asked.
"We both had a talk last night and we've already told Neil this morning about this. We just hope that you both are not going to be shocked by this." Anne Marie gently replied.
"Shocked by what?" Dec then asked.
It was then Ant bravely replied.
"We both decided that we want to adopt Neil and we need your help."
After hearing what Ant said and how serious both his and Anne Marie faces were, Dec and Ali had a thought about it. After discussing amongst themselves, Dec and Ali both supportively said.
"We love to help to you both with adopting Neil."