one person can change everything

Chapter 30 Mrs cooper

"Oh my...." is all I managed to say.. this hallway is beautiful. hardwood floors carpet up the stairs. wooden banister painted white.

"Lonan just beautiful" as we entered the kitchen
"Thank you I think so"
"You have worked hard haven't you?"
"Yes Mrs cooper lots of hours and very long days" he took mugs out the cupboard and started the kettle
"Mrs cooper sit please" he hinted to the couple of arm chairs tucked in the corner.

"Thank you" the soft fabric was comfortable enough.
"Here you go... shall we leave them for a while?"
"Yes good idea.... so tell me was it bad?"
"Bad?? Terrible... I lost it.. I've never ever been like that Mrs Cooper I can tell you.. But to see him......... see that I lost it" his expression tightened and tensed up
"And Richard?"
"I hurt him.. I regret it but to see it... saw him hitting alex.... I couldn't control myself at all.. he's alright from what police said. he has a broken nose but that's it"
"Oh... " His voice was shaky and disappointed

"I hope they are talking"
"I think they are... come with me" he walked around to the side of the house to where we could see them sitting. The sun was warm & they were exchanging words.

"See told you they will be talking... maybe it needed to get this bad Mrs cooper"

"Yes yes maybe.... what do you think Richard will do?"

"About what?"

"The house.. her share the bills? I don't think alex has the assets to tackle him.. and well we can't afford to give her it either"

"Don't you worry about that Mrs cooper.. my solicitor will sort it"

"Lonan is there anything you can't do?"

"Yes.. plenty... I try my hardest to help people.. I'm a good person and giving to people to me doesn't cost anything as such"

"Hmmm but do you let others help you?"

"Help me?? Please don't think I'm being rude but I can afford it myself"

"True... but I don't mean materialistic... I mean advice? A mean affection?"

"That's one thing I find hard"

"I can tell... you know I have respect that you took alex in.. protected her.. looked after her.. But most of all.... showed her she deserves to be loved!!"

I watched him watching alex.. His eyes were wide and soft. bright even. his mouth started to twitch at the corners preventing a smile

"Mrs cooper can I be honest with you?"

"Of course"

"I love your daughter that's no lie. and to see her so hurt not just physically but mentally kills me.. but what you have to understand is that people don't stay around me long... soon enough they leave.. they leave me because i work and focus so much on my career.. I can give her anything.. But I can't make her love me for who I am.. and I don't want her to love then change her mind 6 months or years down the line because I'm working too much. one that's heart ache for me and her."

"Sounds like you have practised that saying Lonan and maybe say it with belief and maybe I will believe you but right now I know that's not true... you love my daughter and I thank you for it.. im pleased she has found someone who wants to protect her. hold her. kiss her. just simply love her..... Lonan love like this reminds me of when we met.. even down to the clothes he was wearing and yet even though he is stubben old man I wouldn't change him for the works because I know he would go to the moon and back for me.. now that.... that's what is called love.."

I finished saying before I joined them on the bench