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Chapter 55 - mummy's present

Once Dan had finally pulled himself together and got ready, he had returned 20 minutes later looking slightly more presentable. The smell of alcohol had disappeared slightly due to his fresh clothes and now he was up and moving around he didn't appear so out of it.

"I want to see mummy's present!" Brooklyn began repeating over and over again as they hovered in the living room ready to leave.

Jess' eyes darted straight to Jack in unease as she wasn't quite sure what the little boy meant. She was desperately hoping this wasn't another one of those moments where he was expecting her presence to return because on his birthday would make it even more heartbreaking.

"Yeah? You want to see?" Jack grinned as he started to leave the room before Dan's voice brought him to a stop.

"No!" He demanded causing Brooklyn's face to drop into sadness. "We don't need to see that."

"He wants to see it." Jack tried to rationalise yet he was trying not to be too firm.

This was a sensitive situation for his dad and every birthday he tried to put them all off the idea but it never quite went his way. It was fair enough if he didn't want to be faced with it on his own due to the pain but he couldn't deny his sons the chance.

"You can go out of the room if it's too much, dad."

Dan shifted uncomfortably on the spot while he tried to avoid everyone's glances. Jess was still stood in confusion as she was unsure about what was happening yet could feel the mixed feeling surrounding them all.

"No. I'll stay." Dan shook his head before reaching out for Brooklyn. "Come on, let's sit."

Brooklyn followed his dad's orders as he climbed onto the sofa beside him and was filled with so much excitement over what was to come.

Jack then continued to head out of the room yet paused as he reached Jess.

"I'll be back in a second." He spoke gently followed by giving her a reassuring smile.

Nodding her head, Jess mirrored his expression before heading over to take a seat on one of the sofas and being engrossed with uncertainty.

...

Jack's second felt more like an hour as they all waited intensely for what was to follow. No one was saying anything and instead they just waited in an eerie silence.

It wasn't until Jack arrived back into the room that the mood suddenly picked up as Brooklyn began jumping with pure excitement at the CD placed in Jack's hand.

"Five." He grinned as he held it up towards Brooklyn.

The CD had the words 'Brooklyn 5' written on the front and it was in that moment that things quickly became clear to Jess.

Jack inserted it into the DVD drive before taking a seat on the sofa beside her. He didn't say anything, didn't even attempt to explain what was happening and just allowed it to play out before them as a strange silence filled the room once again.

The first message that appeared on the screen matched the basic title that had been on the front of the CD but it was when the letters disappeared and a face was present that caused the most intensity.

The woman on the screen did not need any introductions. Her features were mirroring of the two boys sat in this room who had most definitely taken after her. Her soft and loving eyes glimpsed to the camera before off to the side again as she tried to figure out if it was on.

"Are you sure it's recording? You said it was last time." She chuckled and her voice was just as soft and loving as she looked.

She had long warm brown hair, green eyes and freckled cheeks covering her tanned skin. She was beautiful.

"Yes babe, it's recording! You can start." Dan's voice was heard in the background as he was sat mesmerised by the screen in front of him now.

"Okay, I'm ready then..." she began and you could hear the sound of the door shutting as Dan had obviously left before Louise was focused on the camera before her once again.

"Happy birthday Brooklyn!" She sang in such a joyful voice as she threw her arms out in the air. "I can't believe you are five now. Wow, you are such a grown up boy."

As his mum began to speak, Brooklyn instantly pushed himself off the sofa and began running towards the screen. He took a seat right before it as he began clapping his hands and answering his mum as if she was really there.

"I bet you can do so much and are so smart! I am really really proud of you."

"I'm sorry I can't be there with you baby..." Louise began and it was then that the break in her voice was heard. She took a moment to breath as she wiped the tear from her eye before recollecting herself once again. "Oh I really wish I was there to give you the biggest birthday cuddle ever! I love you so much Brooklyn and I miss you."

"I love you mummy!" Brooklyn shouted back at the screen as he reached his hand out to touch it.

"But I know your dad and big brothers are looking after you well. I hope Jack and Connor won't let you eat too much birthday cake so you are sick again." She chuckled and Jess could sense the emotions rising in Jack as he heard his mum speak his name. "As they will be cleaning it up this time."

"I want cake!" Brooklyn grinned as he laughed along with his mum who had no idea when she filmed this what reaction it would get from her son.

"Okay well I should stop blabbing on now shouldn't I? But I love you, I love you all so so much. Gosh, I can't even describe how much.
Five years old, my little baby is all grown up. I wish I could be there. You are all my absolute world and no matter what has happened, I'll always be in your hearts, you have to remember that."

Louise placed her hand against her chest as she spoke and Brooklyn sat copying her every move.

"You look after yourselves and each other okay? I don't want you missing me too much, I want you all to continue to enjoy your life.

Dan, Connor, Jack... continue to be those strong and loving men I know you are.

and baby Brooklyn, have the best birthday ever with lots of fun!

I love you. Happy birthday!"

As Louise spoke those last few words, she remained still and silent for a moment as she recollected herself before blowing a kiss towards the camera.

As if he knew it was coming, Brooklyn reached out to catch it before blowing one back.
Then standing to her feet, Louise made her way over to turn the camera off before it all went black once again.

💜