The evening light filtered softly through the curtains in Catherine's living room, casting warm hues over the familiar surroundings. It was one of those rare moments when the chaos of her day as a police officer faded away, allowing her to embrace the comforting ordinariness of home. Catherine sat on the sofa, her heart heavy, staring blankly at the television, which played an old crime documentary she had little interest in. Just as she began to lose herself in thought, Charlotte entered the room, holding a plate of sandwiches. "Mum, you need to eat something," she said, her tone laced with concern. "You've barely touched your lunch."Catherine managed a smile but didn't reach for the plate. "I'm not that hungry, love. Just tired, I guess."Charlotte took a seat next to her, placing the plate between them. "You need to take care of yourself. You can't help others if you're running on empty.""I know," Catherine replied, her voice heavy with resignation. "It's just... everything feels a bit much at the moment." She paused, her thoughts drifting to Ryan and the struggles they faced as a family. "I want to be there for Ryan, but sometimes it feels like I'm failing him.""You're not failing him," Charlotte said gently. "You're doing everything you can. He's been through so much with everything that happened to Becky. It's no wonder he's acting out."Catherine's heart tightened at the mention of her daughter. The loss of Becky was a wound that never fully healed, a constant ache in her chest. "I just wish things could be different. I wish he had the chance to know her—to have that relationship.""Me too," Charlotte said, her voice thick with emotion. "But we can't change the past. All we can do is be here for him now. You know he looks up to you, Mum. He sees you juggling everything, and he knows you love him.""I hope so," Catherine murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not enough."Charlotte placed her hand over her mother's, offering a reassuring squeeze. "You are more than enough. And you're not alone in this. We're in it together, all of us. We just have to keep talking, keep supporting each other."Catherine took a deep breath, the weight of her daughter's words settling in. "I just worry about how this job affects us—how it affects me. The things I see every day, the darkness I deal with... I don't want that to bleed into our family life.""It does, but we can work through it," Charlotte replied, her voice steady. "It's okay to talk about what you see, what you feel. You don't have to carry it all by yourself. You have me and Ryan. We want to help."Catherine nodded, grateful for Charlotte's presence. "You're right. I just need to find the right time, I guess. I want to shield Ryan from all the pain, but I also want him to know he can talk to me about anything.""Maybe we could have a family night, just the three of us," Charlotte suggested. "Play some games, watch a film, and just... be a family. It might help lighten things up."Catherine smiled at the idea. "That sounds lovely. I'd like that."As they sat in comfortable silence, Ryan wandered into the living room, his expression puzzled. "What are you two doing? Why are you just sitting there?""Just having a chat, bud," Charlotte replied, a playful smile on her face. "Want to join us?"Ryan hesitated, glancing between his mother and sister. "I guess. What are you talking about?"Catherine exchanged a look with Charlotte, sensing an opportunity. "We were just talking about how we can spend more time together as a family. Maybe we could play a game or watch a film later?"Ryan shrugged, a hint of interest sparking in his eyes. "Sure. Sounds good.""Great!" Charlotte beamed. "We can order pizza too. Your favorite.""Now you're talking," Ryan grinned, the tension in his shoulders easing.After a brief discussion about what to order, Ryan retreated to his room to grab his gaming console. Catherine watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She wanted to be the strong, supportive figure he needed, but she also felt the cracks beginning to show—cracks from the weight of her job, her past, and the ever-looming presence of Tommy Lee Royce.Later, as Catherine pulled her car into the driveway after a late shift, she felt the exhaustion wash over her like a wave. She stepped inside, greeted by the comforting scent of pizza and the sound of laughter echoing from the living room. It felt normal—almost idyllic. But even amidst the joy, her heart ached with the weight of what she carried."Mum! We're ready to play!" Ryan shouted, his enthusiasm infectious."Coming!" she called back, forcing a smile as she joined them. The familiar warmth of her family enveloped her, and for a moment, the chaos of her world faded into the background.As they settled in for a game night filled with laughter, competition, and the occasional playful banter, Catherine felt a flicker of hope. No matter the shadows that threatened to invade their lives, moments like these were a lifeline—a reminder that love and connection could still shine through the darkness. In the midst of the chaos, she was reminded that family was worth fighting for, and together, they could navigate whatever lay ahead.
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