Peddie- Seven years is a long time

Every breath you take

Patricia's POV

"Amber she is not going to be under the pillow!" Joy exclaims pacing up and down attempting to keep Jaden quiet. "It's worth a try Joy" she snaps back before emptying all the cupboards. Sighing inwardly I exit out the back door and out to the love trail. I planned on looking for her but she couldn't have gone far and she's scared of the red rose bushes. I don't think she left on her own but I don't think she was abducted either. Amber desperately wants to call the police but we convinced her not to until it becomes serious. Anyway the police are useless with missing people until after twenty four hours. "It's mad in there" Eddie commented siting down next to me.

"I know but wouldn't you feel the same if your child was missing?" I ask keeping my eyes fixated on the rose bush. "I guess" he mumbled nervously. "Why are you out here anway?" He asks quickly changing the subject from children. "Needed some air" I saify heavily at the thought of Amber running frantically inside. "Do you still want to do it?" he blurts out obviously involuntarily. "Do what?" I ask nervously. "Get married" he expands on his previous statement but not by much. "Why? Do you not want to marry me?"

"No I do I just wondered if you wanted to" he says unsure.

"Your lying" I accuse pointedly.

"I'm not. I just wasn't sure if it's what you want"

"Of course I want it. Why would you even ask that? Unless your unsure of marrying me so you ask me if I want it so that you don't have to back out"

"I don't want to back out. that's not the reason"

"Eddie please just-"

I'm abruptly cut off by either a scream of anger or excitement. I jump up and run back to the house to avoid another confrontation with Eddie. I can feel the tears blinding my sight but I quickly stop, wipe hem away and walk inside to see everyone huddled by the front door. "Amber why did you scream?"

she turns with a tear stained face yet it's now also masked with hurt, anger and happiness. "Did you find her?" I ask hopefully stepping forward. "She was never missing"

"What do you mean?"

"Someone had taken her"

"I didn't kidnap her!" A voice exclaimed from behind. Nina stepped forward with a couple of tears trailing down her pale cheeks. "Then why was she with you?" Fabian asks carefully.

"I left a note in her bed saying that she was crying so I took her out for ice cream so that everyone could rest!" Nina exclaimed throwing her arms up for obvious affect. "I can't believe that you kidnapped my daughter! Though I guess I can considering you once told me that you had considered it" Amber said stepping towards her as everyone stepped away. I noticed Alfie cradling a sleeping Alex so I decided to offer to take her to bed. "Alfie do you want me to put her in her bed?" I whisper softly. He silently nods before handing her to me.

As I'm ascending the stairs I hear two cracking slaps.I can easily figure out who went first.

Placing Alex in the bed was easy but she woke up and started crying. I had accidentally placed her on something uncomfortable.

It's probably a toy.

Lifting her up again I can identify the uncomfortable object.

It's not a toy.

It's a note.

Unfolding it one handed I realise hat note it is.

It's the note Nina supposedly left.

I'm not sure their friendship can survive this. I hope it can. It's been through too much to end now.