Rebound // Alfie Solomons

51. What Did Trouble Do

Cora was already packing a bag. She came down stairs to the boys shouting and running out the door. 

"What did trouble do?" Cora questioned. 

"Took Charles and ran." Polly declared. 

"Took him... where?" Cora countered. Polly flipped her hands up in exasperation. 

"Love you, love you, love you and I'm going home." Cora remarked hugging them goodbye. 

"NO!" Karl screamed out. 

"I stayed longer than I should have." Cora reminded them as she hugged Finn. "I love you all. I'm not leaving you I mean I'm leaving but I'm still around for you guys." Cora assured. Ada picked up Karl and he reached out for Cora. 

"I really hoped this would be your chance." Arthur admitted. "To maybe reconcile." He offered. 

"I'm here for you. I'm right here... but Camden town here." Caro added. 

+

When Cora got home she collapsed into bed. Alfie was at the bakery. She wanted it to be a surprise wanted to make dinner look sexy be all wonderful. She heard the door close and she woke up in a daze. She heard footsteps coming up and ran a hand through her half tangled hair. 

''What's it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?'' Cora sung out. ''Are we meant to take more than we give? Or are we meant to be kind? And if only fools are kind, Alfie..." she smiled back at him hopefully as the door opened.

''Then I guess it is wise to be cruel And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie What will you lend on an old golden rule? As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie..." Cora sung out as she sat up.  "I know there's something much more Something even non-believers can believe in I believe in love, Alfie Without true love we just exist, Alfie..."

"An Alfie song just for me." He remarked getting closer. 

"Until you find the love you've missed, you're nothing, Alfie. When you walk, let your heart lead the way. And you'll find love in me, Alfie... Alfie...."

"I missed you." Alfie declared hugging her tight. 

"I'm sorry I was gone for so long." Cora declared. 

"You want to talk about it? Them? You want to go out, let me take you out! Spin you around, hold you close. I know you love to dance." Alfie declared.

"I do love to dance and spinning around with you does sound perfect." Cora agreed. "But I'm thinking of another type of dancing." Cora countered pulling him into bed. 

+

Cora forgot how easily they fell into step together. How seamlessly they worked together. Cyril nudged up against her as she cooked breakfast. 

"Don't tell daddy." Cora whispered breaking off a piece of bacon. "I know you are on a diet but diets are stupid and you deserve it!" 

"The vet said he lost weight. Now I know why." Alfie mused. "He didnt have you giving him all your scraps."

"I don't have a clue what you mean my love." Cora purred as she felt his hand on her hips. He slid his hands up and around under his shirt hanging loosely to Cora as she cooked. 

"I missed you dancing around the kitchen in my clothes." Alfie admitted kissing her neck. "I missed you right here."

"I missed this." 

Cora had half expected to see womens clothes or perfumes, find a stray thong in the couch or really anything to give away that he wasnt faithful and Alfie was like every other man. But she didnt. Which made her love him more. 

SHe wasnt looking for him to be unfaithful. She just was cleaning and putting things away and well... Tommy was never conspicuous. He had their things lying around.  Out in the open. Didnt have the decency to try and hide the shit he pulled on her. 

Cora found women naked in their bed. That was fun. That was a damn blast. Tommy saying he loved her and wanted to make things right then barely two days passed before she found a woman in her bed. a smug look on her face as Tommy came out and didnt have the decency to act like it was a horror. He just stared back at her puffing out a cigarette. 

Alfie though was perfect. Cora knew that without a doubt in her mind. 

She loved him and wanted him forever. 

"What do you say I put some pants on and we talk Cyril for a walk...'' Cora pondered feeding him a piece of pancake. "To help with all the food I'm feeding all of us." Cora added. 

"Last night was quite the workout." ALfie countered kissing her. "But pants are preferred, I dont want anyone else seeing that gorgeous ass of yours." Alfie agreed.