Criminal [Book 2]

Chapter Twenty Three

Once the news was dropped to everyone that Jack and Beth would be leaving, the house began to get slightly emptier as the days passed. Jack was having their items shipped over to the house he had waiting for them over there which meant their house here had begun to look bare.

It never bothered Beth until it was time to start packing up their bedroom. All the little memories she had set out had begun to vanish and although she knew she would see them in their new home, it just wasn't the same.

For now, Beth was sitting on her bed with her wedding box. She was looking through all the pictures and really thinking to herself, how did all this happen from a man kidnapping her for his own selfish needs? Their love story was one truly messed up tale but she wouldn't have it any other way.

"What are you looking at?" Jack asked coming into the room

"Our wedding photos, it's fun to see the gradual messes we became with alcohol" Beth smiled

"Yeah, I'm surprised we made it the whole night" Jack laughed

"I'm really going to miss this place you know?" Beth said

"I know you are and i will to but you know why we have to do this" Jack said

"I know, its the safest option for our angel" Beth nodded

"Exactly, plus it'll be fun out there, you'll have the sun and we don't have to pretend to be someone we're not every time we go out and we can make sure Angelina has an amazing school to go to" Jack said

"This is our shot at a normal life" Beth said

"That's exactly it" Jack nodded

"It actually sounds nice" Beth said

"It will be, everyone's coming over in an hour for a sort of goodbye party so get ready for that" Jack smiled

"You set this up?" Beth asked

"I did, Angelina is bathed and ready and having a little nap so her mummy can get ready" Jack said

"Thank you, i will get on it now" Beth said

"I'll go set out the alcohol," Jack grinned, slipping out of the room.

Beth had a long shower and got herself ready just in time for people to start arriving. Jack had really set up a nice party for everyone and Beth was surprised as it was usually her who did all of this. He learned from the best, clearly.

Beth walked around everyone with Angelina on her hip as everyone basically said the same thing to her. They would miss her and Jack and of course Angelina and it was going to be strange without them being around. It was nice to hear and it would certainly be weird having to make a completely new circle of friends as Beth loved these people a lot and they wouldn't be around anymore.

It was clear they would be leaving very soon. It was safer that way and it was better to get it done now before anyone they didn't want to find out, found out where they were off to because that would defeat the purpose of leaving.

"Avoiding me are you?" Arianna smiled as she approached Beth

"Of course not" Beth smiled "I didn't know this many people would be coming"

"Did you really think that? Everyone loves your little family and we're all going to miss you a lot" Arianna said

"I'll certainly miss it here, there's a lot of memories" Beth nodded

"A new start does sound promising though, you won't have to worry about crimes and police and injuries" Arianna said

"I wish you could come with me" Beth smiled

"I wish i could to girl, you're going to be so tan over there" Arianna laughed

"The benefits" Beth smiled "I'm actually quite excited"

"You should be" Arianna smiled "It's just going to be weird without you here"

"We can video chat and you can keep me up to date with the gang gossip" Beth laughed

"Oh you know i will" Arianna said

They stayed together and talked for a long while before Beth realised the time and had to leave her so she could feed, change and put Angelina to bed. Jack joined her to do this and once it was done, they stood for a second in Angelina's room, looking out the window at the front garden part of the house.

"I actually think I'm going to miss all of this" Jack admitted

"I knew you would, this has been your life a lot longer than its been mine and i already miss it and we haven't left yet" Beth said

"I can't wait to start a new life with you though" Jack said putting his hands on Beth's waist "A life where i know you'll be safe"

"I love you" Beth smiled

"I love you more" Jack grinned "We should get back to the party"

They made their way back down to the party with the baby monitor and Beth let Jack go a bit wild. She would stay sober and look after Angelina and he could have a drink or two. Maybe three. He got drunk but Beth was completely okay with it.

By the end of the night Arianna helped her carry him to bed and she helped her carry Noah to the car. It's things like this, Beth would miss. She made a promise with Arianna that they would have their own little day out for them to say goodbye that didn't end with their significant others, very drunk and not able to walk up stairs.