Love the life you live

Secrets

**1 month later**

Jayne and the twins had settled into a nice routine with the weeks that had past since the birth. Jayne was slowly getting back to normal but was still not allowed on the ice. All of the children made sure to do as much as they could to help their mum out knowing it wasn't going to be easy. Everyone who came to see the family always commented on how happy they all looked and that there never seemed to be any drama. People would always say there was no need for drama, Jayne and Chris had married their best friend and had the family they always wanted, they were the perfect family.

It was Saturday night which meant only one thing: movie night!
"So what are we watching tonight?" Chris asked.
"Anything apart from 'Frozen'!" Heather said.
"Oh come on please Hez!" Jess pleaded with her puppy eyes.
"Alright fine. However, I'm holding your mother responsible for showing you those bloody puppy eyes!" Heather said gently nudging Jayne.

Jack and Heather went to get popcorn and drinks for everyone.
"We are going to have to tell them eventually! We can't keep it a secret forever." Jack whispered while poring the drinks.
"I know we can't but I don't want to tell them just now, everything is just beginning to get back to normal and mum and dad are happy. I really don't want to ruin it." Heather whispered back.
"But you won't ruin it. Mum and dad will be pleased!"
"No, mum and dad like everything exactly how it is right now! If I go barging in telling them, God knows what will happen!" Heather said angrily.
"Ok, but you have to promise to tell them soon," Jack said.
"I will tell them eventually. Monday is the last day for me to make a decision. I will think over the next few days, and if I decided that this is what I want I will tell them."

Just at that, Chris came in to help with the drinks.
"Everything alright guys?" He asked noticing the silence.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be!" Heather responded with a smile.
"No reason?" Chris said curiously.

Noticing the burning questions in her dad's eyes Heather grabbed the popcorn and ran to the living room before he could ask anything else. Sitting the popcorn on Jaynes lap she sat in the empty space beside her lifting Jess' legs and placing them on her knee.

It wasn't long before Jess, Megan and Kieran were sound asleep. Jayne wasn't far behind either.
"Come on you lot, I think it's time for bed," Chris said lifting Jess.
"I'll take her dad, you carry Meg up," Heather said taking Jess.
"I'll take Kieran up dad," Jack said.
"You guys go up, I'll put everything off down here," Sam said.
"Thanks son."

It wasn't long before the whole family was tucked up in bed fast asleep.

~~~~~~

The next day was the usual hectic Sunday. Everyone was doing different things for work or school the next day. The kids would try and help each other with homework they had 'forgotten' about over the weekend, Chris would hide away in his study and try to choreograph some routines for Jayne and him for the next series of 'Dancing On Ice'. And Jayne would do different jobs around the house.

The whole family would gather at the dining table at dinner time for the first time that day.
"I will be home late tomorrow. I have a meeting with my teachers about my exams." Heather said finishing her meal.
"Ok, would you like me to come with you?" Chris asked.
"No, no. It's fine! It's nothing major, it's just to get my timetable and a chance for me to ask my teachers anything."

After dinner, Ellie and Callum were put to bed and the younger kids were getting ready to settle down for the night. Heather was in her room finishing her final piece for her art folio, she was so focused on her painting she didn't hear Jayne chap and enter her room.
"That's amazing Heather."
"Oh! Sorry, mum, I didn't hear you come in. It's not perfect but it'll do for my folio." Heather said jumping a little.
"What made you pick this for your final piece?"
"The theme this year was emotions, so I wanted to show that showing emotion through body language and facial expressions give things more depth. My teacher said this would be a great final touch to it all because you can see how painfully in love the two characters are." Heather said with a smile.
"I'm sorry we haven't had time for our usual girl chats lately."
"It's fine mum, I think you have a valid excuse," Heather said with a laugh.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Come and sit with me."
Heather put her brushes and paint down and joined her mum on the bed.
"What were you trying to say the day you came to visit the twins in the hospital?"
"I can't tell you right now. I have to sort some things out first and then we can tell everyone."
"We?"
"Jack and I both have something to tell you but we are going to wait until tomorrow so we know everything is finalized."
"You aren't in any trouble are you?" Jayne asked concerned.
"No, of course not. We just don't want to jinx anything."
"Ok, come on. It's late."
"I'm just going to sort my paints then head to bed."
"Ok, sweetie. Goodnight." Jayne said giving Heather a kiss on the cheek.
"Night mum."

After Heather had sorted her paints and washed her brushes she got washed and ready for bed. On her way back to her room she jumped into Jack's room.
"Tomorrow after dinner. We need to tell them! I can't keep it any longer."
"Hello to you too. Ok, tomorrow after dinner."
"Thank you." Heather gave Jack a hug and went to her own room and went to bed.

~~~~~~

Monday. The day the world hated with a passion! The Dean household was up at the usual time of six o'clock (that being Chris' idea) to get ready for school. Jayne went to see if Heather was awake but was met by an empty bedroom, she went over to the desk where a letter was sitting.

Dear mum,
I knew you would be the one to wake me. Don't worry about me I'm not in any trouble and I haven't run away. I am just finalizing those details I told you about last night. I will be home after tea.

Love you lots
Hez x

"Where's Heather?" Chris asked worriedly.
"I'm not actually sure but she's left this." Jayne handed Chris the note.
"Ok, if she's not home after dinner I will call the police!"

The kids were all at breakfast when Jayne got a text from Heather, it was a selfie on a train with the caption: 'almost at my mystery destination! I promise I'm safe and I know what I'm doing! Love you lots Hx'

"Mummy, where's Hez?" Jess asked finishing her coco pops.
"She had to go to school early sweetie, she had some things to finish."
"Will she be home tonight for dinner?"
"I'm not sure. We will have to wait and see. Right come on you lot, you will be late for school!" Jayne said changing the subject as quickly as possible.

Jayne handed Chris her phone to show him the text.
"Where the hell is going?" Chris said trying to analyze the picture.
"I have no idea."
Just then Jack was heading for the door when a too familiar sound of his dad made him enter the kitchen.
"Where is Heather, Jack?" Chris said sternly.
"I don't know! I don't keep tabs on everywhere she goes."
"If you do know and something happens-"
"She is an adult dad. Let's at least wait until dinner time and if she doesn't return I will tell you. I need to go or I'll be late, see you guys later." Jack said running for the door.
"He does have a point, Chris, Heather is an adult now. She won't want or need us in her case anymore. And as much as we hate to admit, she will want her own life pretty soon which might not include us." Jayne started to tear up.
"Hey come on," Chris said pulling Jayne into a hug. "That will never happen. She will always want us in her life, especially you, you are her mum! She will always love and want us wherever she goes."
"Not by blood. What if she wants to find her real parents and likes them better than us. What if she-"
"Jayne, you have to stop thinking about the 'what ifs' anyone can be a mother but it takes a very special person to be a mum. You might not have given birth to Heather but she is your daughter, everything she knows she has learned from you." Chris kissed her on the head and pulled her close.

The twins began to wonder where their parents were by letting out a squeal. Chris let go of Jayne and their day with the twins began.