Lucy - Now Completed!

Part 59 - June 26th Cont'd

Daniel held her. "Lucy love, what's happened? I thought you were all off to Germany today? Where are the children?" Taking her by the hand, he lead her over to the sofa and sat her down. He sat beside her and waited for her tears to subside.

Finally quiet, Lucy looked up at her father's concerned face. "The children are at home with Dot dad. They're fine."

"And the wedding?"

"Paul's gone."

Daniel looked at her. "So why haven't you gone? I thought you were looking forward to it?"

"I was dad, I was but..."

"But what my love. You know you can tell your old dad anything Lucy!"

"I think my marriage might be over dad."

"WHAT? Oh Lucy, what's happened?"

Lucy quietly explained what Paul had done and how she had become ill as a result. Daniel was appalled.

"You're getting treatment though?" he asked anxiously.

She nodded. "Yes. I finish the course of antibiotics in two more days. I'm fine dad."

He nodded, relieved. "And you and Paul? You think it's over?"

"I don't know how I feel about him dad," said Lucy softly, "When I see him I just feel an intense anger dad! I want to scream and shout and throw things at him! I hate him for what he's done but I love him too! The weird thing is it's not the sex with someone else that makes me feel like this! It's bringing VD into our home....our bed! I can't even look at him without feeling angry, dirty and disgusted in him. I made him still go to the wedding without me because I don't want him near me! How do I make sense of this anger dad? I feel like I'm going to explode at any time! I've snapped at the boys....I even yelled at Mary! You know I never ever do that normally!"

Daniel shook his head slowly. "You're entitled to be angry Lucy love! Paul's betrayed everything you promised each other on your wedding day!"

"I don't feel betrayed dad! It's not even like he's committed adultery to me. I accept it meant nothing...I really do! It's the fact that he did it with a prostitute and then infected me! It makes me feel physically SICK! He revolts me!"

Daniel took Lucy's hand. "Lucy love, you can't make decisions about your marriage whilst you're so angry!"

"I don't know how to get rid of the anger!"

"Only time will let you do that. Time away from Paul I suspect."

Lucy nodded sadly. "I know. I'd already worked out that I need some time away from Paul but the children dad? They need Paul."

"I agree sweetheart but you'll have to come to some kind of arrangement where he spends time with the children and you have some free time. At least then you can work through your anger and make decisions for the long term."

"Thanks dad."

"What are you thanking me for Lucy love?"

She smiled at him. "Because I'd already worked out in my mind that's what I need to do, to create some breathing space between Paul and I. It's nice to know that you think it's the right thing too." She leaned over and hugged her father, "I knew I could trust you to make sense of this mad bad situation!" She stood up. "I'd better go home dad. I went for a walk before I came here. I left Dot babysitting. She'll be wondering where I am!"

Daniel stood up and hugged Lucy. "Give me a ring so I know you're home safe. OK?"

"I will dad."