Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Thirty Five

Sal glanced around the room, not receiving an answer from either of her parents, as Bryony remained too upset to speak. His eyes shifted down onto the bag clasped in her mother's hands, before he noticed that all of Bryony's belongings had been packed up.

"Is anyone going to answer me?" He pressed, seeing Bryony's mother begin to crack.

"Look, Sal...I think it's best if Bryony and Dustin come back to live with us." She answered, causing Sal to shake his head repeatedly, swallowing back his tears.

"N-No, you can't do that!" He shouted, which ultimately made Dustin begin to fuss. The new-born cries echoed around the room, as Sal received a scowl from Bryony's father.

"Well done, you've upset the baby." The man spat, as he tried to shush his grandson, not having much luck.

"Give me my son...now." Sal demanded, his voice trembling, as he tried to remain strong.

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

"You can't keep him from me...please, just let me calm Dustin down." Sal's voice transferred into a calm tone, as he held his hands out for his son. Bryony's father was reluctant to hand the infant over, before he finally gave in.

Sal cradled Dustin, shushing him softly, as he rocked him from side to side. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes, not knowing whether he'd ever get to hold Dustin again. The single teardrop rolled down Sal's cheek, falling from his face, and landed onto the blanket that was securely wrapped around Dustin. He raised his head, letting his eyes fall onto Bryony, as he witnessed the small smile tug at her lips. Sal moved to sit next to her on the bed, as Bryony caressed her hand over Dustin's head, smiling down proudly at her son.

"Please don't go..." Sal's voice was quiet, as Bryony looked at him, shaking her head.

"I-I have to," She whispered to him. "I love you."

Sal felt his emotions inundate his senses, as he broke down, letting the tears stream down his cheeks. His gaze fell down onto his son, as he brought him up to kiss gently at his head. Sal's heart could burst out of his chest, until the reality hit him, breaking his heart in two.

"I love you, I'm sorry for everything I ever did to hurt you." Sal wept, leaning across to kiss at Bryony's lips, feeling her tears dampen at his cheeks. He broke away, letting his forehead rest against hers, as they stared into one another's eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sal saw Bryony's mother pass the bag to her husband, before coming to take Dustin out of his embrace. He swallowed his pride, focusing all of his attention onto Bryony, as he brought his hands to rest on either side of her face. "P-Please stay..."

"I-I have to go." Bryony stated, kissing at Sal's lips, before pulling away abruptly.

Sal watched, as she stood from the bed, dressed in his hoodie. He shot a glare across to her father, as they made their way to the door. Bryony turned back to Sal, feeling her heart crush at the sight in front of her, before she was pulled by her arm out of the room. Her parents guided her out of the building, ignoring the calls coming from her group of friends.

"Please don't tell me what I think has happened is happening..." Rachel stated in shock, as the group turned to see Sal shuffle his way into the waiting room, completely broken.

His cheeks were tear-stained, with his eyes bloodshot and puffy. His shoulders were slumped, as his stare burrowed into the floor below. He had lost his whole world in a matter of minutes, not caring at all if the ground were to suddenly open up and swallow him whole.

"Sal...?" Joe was cautious, as the boy looked up, the smile that used to permanently play on his lips had vanished, instead being replaced by a solemnness frown.

"Is everything okay?" Beth asked, as Sal shifted his eyes amongst his friends, emotionless, his stare being distant.

"T-They took her...they took him. I have nothing." His voice was rasp from his anguish.

"What are you doing here? You should be fighting for her!" Brian expressed, as Sal shook his head, shrugging his shoulders.

"What's the point anymore?"

"Sal, that's your son...that's your girl...they can't just take her!" James exclaimed in a panic.

His words rang through Sal's mind, snapping him out of his solemn daze. His eyes widened in fear, as he pushed passed his friends, running after Bryony and her parents. Although, by the time he had reached the parking lot, they were no longer in sight. Sal sprinted to his car, speeding his way back to their apartment, knowing full well that they would go back for all of Bryony's belongings.

He parked up, before making his way as quickly as he could up the stairs. Sal ran to his front door, barging through into the living room, startling Bryony's parents in the process.

"Where is she?!" He yelled at them. "Why are you taking her from me?"

"Sal, look at this place. Do you really think that it's suitable for a baby to grow up here?" Bryony's father questioned, as Sal took a step back from him.

"It's not about where we live, it's about the love, and Bryony and I love our son dearly. I would walk to the ends of the earth for that little boy, I would give him my last dime." Sal answered proudly, seeing the exchanging of glances amongst the two. "He's my son, you can't just take him from me!"

"We can do whatever we like, Kid." Her father laughed sarcastically, irritating Sal all the more. He swallowed back his anger, as his hands balled into fists either side of him. The man took a step towards Sal, causing the boy to cower backwards until he hit the wall behind him. Her father towered over him, his strict and unnerving presence getting the better of Sal. "We're moving away, and there's nothing you can do to stop us."

Bryony's father went to move away, when he felt Sal shove at him. The man turned to face the teen, a disapproving scowl upon his face. "What the hell do you think you're playing at, Kid?"

"I'm not a kid." Sal stated simply. "I am a man, a father, just the same as you."

Sal stepped away from the wall, for once standing up to the man that he once feared, as Bryony's father remained vigilant. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean that I am not capable of bringing my son up. I work, I provide, and I would do anything for him. You have no right to be in my home, you have no right to take my son away from me, and you certainly don't have the right to take your daughter away from the person that she loves."

"I won't allow my daughter to love a boy like you." Her father hissed. "We are moving, and we are taking Bryony and Dustin with us."

"I'm surprised you even know your own grandson's name." Sal spat. "If you must take them, at least let me say a proper goodbye first. They're my family, they're all I have, but you won't rest until I have nothing, will you?"

Sal's stare burrowed into the man, as a glare settled upon his features. "Just know that I will find her again one day, and when I do, you won't be able to stop me."