Great Expectations. - Now Complete

Chapter 34

Alice watched as George and Alexander walked from the car to the house. They were still talking and Alexander was carrying a book of some kind.  She heard them come in. George walked through to the kitchen and Alexander disappeared to his room.

"Hi." George said quietly as he saw her.

Alice gave him a hug. "You look weary. Was everything OK?"

"I'm not dad anymore."

Alice looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Alexander. I'm not dad anymore. I'm George."

"NO!"

George nodded. "And boy does it hurt Alice! It really hurts!

She nodded. "Is he OK with you though?"

"Oh yeah. He's talking to me but there's been a definate edge to his manner." He kissed her softly and wrapped his arms around her. "I think we're in for a rocky ride my love. Apparently Donovan is currently serving 5 years for armed robbery. Alexander has already expressed a desire to visit him or write to him!"

"No way!" Alice was adamant. "I'm going to tell him."

"Alice wait!" George  caught her arm.

"WHAT?!"

"He knows that it's unlikely that you'll agree to any of it, don't worry." He pulled her back to him. "Please baby. When all this started, you and I agreed that I would deal with it. I promise to keep you informed but if you go storming in, no matter how angry you feel, then the more likely Alexander is going to fight to see Donovan in prison!"

Alice calmed down almost immediately. She moved to make George a drink and he told her about the events of the day.

"She's given him a photo album? Of what?"

"Your engagment party to Donovan." George smiled for the first time. "You look stunning in them. Absolutely stunning!"

"Our engagment party? Why?"

"Alexander seem very preoccupied with whether or not you loved his father."

Alice looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

"He kept asking if you loved Donovan. He knows that you've said in the past that you hate him."

Alice shook her head. "And what did Elsie say to that?"

George gave her a whimsical smile. "That you adored him. That you would have done anything for him, which was why you ended up pregnant before you were married. She also said that he didn't always treat you well and took advantage of the fact you loved him."

Alice nodded thoughtfully. "And what did he say to that?"

"Not a lot to be honest. He asked me again in the car."

Alice stood up. "Where are you going love?"

"I think I need to talk to Alexander. Just to reassure him that he was conceived from love...at least as far as I was concerned. Maybe make him feel a bit better."

"Stay calm Alice! Please!"

With heavy heart Alice walked upstairs to Alexander's room. She knocked softly on the door.

"GO AWAY KATE!"

Despite how she was feeling, Alice smiled. She knew Alexander was growing fed up of being followed around by his youngest sister. "Alex, it's me. Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Alice opened the door. Her son was sat hunched up on his bed, the photograph album still in his hands.