Gary and Libby - Take Two

Chapter Twenty Six

Ethan come on.." Gary half growls as the red faced toddler continues to, literally, run rings round him in the kitchen.
"I dont wan' tooo! I dont wa't tooo!" The small child proceeds to chant, waving two small arms frantically in the air.
"Ethan. You have until the count of three." Garys mouth sets into a hard as his arms fold neatly across his chest. "If youre not on your way to the bathroom by the time i get to three there is no story, okay?"
Ethan gasps suddenly at the impossible ultimation presented to him, but at the same time continues to protest fiercely against bath time.
"One." Garys left eyebrow raises slowly as he gazes down at our son. "Two."
"Okay!" Ethan squeals desperately, and i dont hear the words that follow as he sprints as fast as his little legs will carry him, out of the kitchen and along the hall.
"Wait at the bottom of the stairs for me Ethan!" Gary turns his head every so slightly in order to shout through the doorway, and we both automatically freeze as we wait for the response.
"Yes 'addy!"

"Do you want to bath him, or shall i?" Gary smiles slowly as he lifts his all-too-full wine glass from the counter top and takes a long, slow sip.
"Well, it would be a shame to waste all of your hard work up to this point wouldnt it eh?" I grin sleepily, lifting my hand out of politeness to my mouth as i yawn.
Gary just grins back at me in response, padding slowly over to where im sat at the breakfast bar until hes stood behind me. "Alright..." His breathe is warm against my neck as he snakes his arm around my front, pulling me back against him and hugging me from behind. "Youre exhausted, go and lie stick something on TV and ill be down in a bit ay?"
"Oh." I jibe playfully, "Youre actually going to let me choose are you?"
"Maybe." His reply is lightning fast. "So hurry up before i change my mind."
"Alright, alright." I chuckle, slipping off the stool and seemingly deserving a playful swat on the backside from Gary as i go, only inducing another set of slightly tipsy giggles. "Im going."
"Good." Gary replied quickly, leaning forwards and kissing the top of my head before im out of reach, "I wont be two minutes." And with that, he replaces the wine glass and strides in his usual all too confident manner, out of the kitchen.

I smile slowly to myself. When the fuck did i get so lucky? I mean look at this. Look at what i have and all because my god damn car broke down.My life could be so different right now, but instead im here, with more than i could have ever drempt of. Ive only reached the threshold of the kitchen doorway, when im ceased by the intrusive sound of screechy ringtones and vibrating. Spinning quickly on the ball of my foot i half skip back, following the claggy sound back to the worktop. Its Garys.Urgh. Hes busy with Ethan...Itll be fine if i just silence it for ten minutes.
My finger reaches to flick the bottom on the side of the Iphone, when i catch sight of the caller ID.

Helena.

My brow creases immediatly. Who is Helena? Ive not heard her mentioned before. I swallow hard, wasting my will power on fighting the temptation to snoop further, but its a battle i have already lost. With no particualr grace or pose, i close the missed call and return to Garys lock screen. Fuck me.
My eyes dance briefly over the numerous messages and previously missed calls.

Helena. 4 minutes ago.
call me ASAP.

Helena. 8 minutes ago.
We need to talk Barlow.

My body betrays my mind as i snort out loud. Barlow?! Just how close are they?! I dont know who she is but i already hate her.However, my finger keeps moving, forcing my eyes back to the alight screen.

Helena. Missed Call.

Helena. 17 minutes ago.
I hope youre not to busy, just tried to call. x

Helena. Missed Call.

Mark O. 23 minutes ago.
Yea thats fine mate, ill E-mail it to you in about an hour alright? X

My mood is mellowed slightly as my eyes skim over the message from Mark. Three years ago i would have been repulsed by that as well, but time has a funny way of sorting things out. I continue to read.

Helena. 29 minutes ago.
We could really do with a chat Gaz. x

In an instant, i drop the phone back onto the work surface in disgust. Gaz? Gaz?!Ive never even heard this womans name mentioned at yet theyre close enough for her to call him Gaz? What could she possibly want that was so urgent? Why hasnt Gary mentioned her before? An unwelcome answer seeps into my continence  but i sake my head to keep it at bay. No. Thats just not plausible  There will be a valid explanation  ill just ask Gary when he comes down stairs.

"Hey baby." Right on cue, Garys voice sounds from behind me. "What you doing?  I thought you were in the lounge?"
"Erm.. ye." I smile slightly as i turn around, rubbing my right hand across my forehead as if to fathom some impossible puzzle. "Who is Helena?"
Instantly, Garys brows pull tightly together as his mouth gapes like a goldfi