"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 90... "Up Front...?"

Chapter 90... "Up Front...?"

Clara's PoV

'Just take a couple of deep breaths for me' the doctor instructed in his thick American accent and rested the stethoscope on her chest.

John was out sorting out and filling in the proper forms this time because I had such a struggle myself last time whilst I was in here with her.

'She seems fine. She's fit enough to travel. The sooner you get her home the sooner she'll be back in her own environment and happy again' he explained.

I wouldn't go as far as happy considering we practically move into the hospital next week for 3 - 6 weeks but that wasn't the point.

'So we can go? On the plane tonight?' I said quite happy that maybe - just maybe I would be able to be in my own bed in 24 hours time.

'You can indeed. I would advise obviously letting the flight attendant know that she's not very well but otherwise I can't see why not' he hummed handing me the other bits of paper work I would need for the flight.

'We can get on the flight home tonight John. Doctors said she's okay to fly'

'Oh good. I think. Is that good?' He said nervously unsure how I would feel about it.

'It's defiantly a good thing John. It means that we can go home and see our kids and Poppy can have her proper Christmas presents. You hear that Pop? You can go home and see if Santa's been?'

'Avia said he has been. And Daddy and uncle Richard showded me a picture' she said happily holding my hand.

She then continued to chat on about what else would be under the tree from dolls to teddies, books games and dvds.

'What time do we need to be at the airport?'

'Not until at least 6! We've got a night flight so I would suggest some shopping until then' John smirked.

- - -

'Lil? Have you seen my phone?' Richard yelled as he rounded the corner of the lounge to see Lilly sitting there waiting for him. 'What?' He scoffed her looking at him.

'What's this?' She said holding his phone up.

'What's what?'

'Who's Charlie?' Lilly said with a fake smile and a hint of sadness to her voice.

'Huh?'

'Don't look at me with that face. Who is she?'

'No one alright. Absolutely no one' he said snatching the mobile out of her hand and rolled his eyes. 'She's just a friend'

'That's what they all say Richard. That is what they all fucking say' Lilly growled.

'What are you looking for here? She's just a friend'

'Have you slept together?'

'Yes she was a partner of some description but she's not anymore because I got back with my wife. She's irrelevant'

Richard knew there was no point lying about the fact they had slept together - Richard had no bloody clue how it gossip seems to travel around here quickly and he knew if he didn't tell the truth then at sons point it would come back to bite him in the ass.

'And your still talking to her because?'

'She's a friend? Am I not allowed to have friends' Richard scoffed.

'Not when it's a girl you've slept with' she yelled as Richard turned around and yelled.

'She's just a friend who's helping me' Richard squawked at her as she stood back and growled.

'Helping? Just giving you what your not getting here no doubt' she scoffed.

'No. Why do you have to assume things?' Richard scoffed.

'Then what exactly do you propose her purpose is then?'

'IVF isn't free Lil. The only income you have is from John. I can't ask him to help again. I have savings but it isn't cheap' he scoffed as she was stunned.

'I thought we decided we were happy with Ollie? I thought we agreed that we wouldn't have any more kids? That it was time consuming and expensive' lilly grumbled.

'Lil. There all things that I said. I can see how much you want this. How much it's killing you everyday inside. I'm bloody determined to be able to afford this for you... if it's the last thing that I do'

Lilly had to admit that she was rather touched that he wanted to do it. That he would do anything for her - but he didn't want to force extra work upon him for no reason.

'Richard.... I love you but you don't have to do this if you don't want too. I don't want you to resent me and I really don't want us to break up again' she mumbled looking down into her hands.

'I want too' he said with a small smile hoping he was off the hook when lilly had a thought and looked up at him.

'Wait...Helping how?'

'I just do some extra work at an IT company that I work at night. Why do you think I come to so bed late?'

'I just thought that you watched the telly? Clearly not' she grumbled.

'Lil I'm doing this for you. I'm so close to being able to afford the next session that we might as well book it. But I need to do this extra work to do it' he said.

'Richard I didn't mean that we had to go crazy. I know what it takes and I earn enough. Maybe I could ask my Mum and Dad for an advancement my birthday present. Help us with the rest' she suggested.

'We don't need charity lil. John gave us the money last time... that's why we had Ollie. We've barely worked for our own kids. That's why I want to do this myself'

'But I don't want you working with your ex. There's better ways' she scoffed.

'Not when she's paying me good money. Way better than I could get anywhere else' Richard snapped leaving the room.

It seemed that was best with lilly.

Sometimes it was just best to get away from the conversation completely.