Youngblood

Chapter 25

A/N Irl, I think that Mark and Rina are both lovely, genuine people. This is purely for story purposes, like with Katya x

Rina's POV

I've made mistakes in my life before. But none as big as the one I've been making the past few years.

Work gave me a purpose. It always had. Ever since before I met Mark, it was a goal in my life. Mark didn't really seem to give much of a damn about me, but then at least it looked like I had an extra achievement in my life. I had a good career, and a man I could call my husband, even if there was really never any love there.

Then I had my first child, and I was shocked to say the least. Then the second came along, and Mark was just happy that they were both male. Both there to take on the family name.

A few years later, I became pregnant for a third time. Mark wasn't overly thrilled to begin with, but then we went to the gender reveal, and when he discovered it was a girl, he was practically fuming. I was scared. Scared for my daughter. But I was a coward and turned to the only other thing I'd ever had in my life.

Work.

I became a proper workaholic, and when the opportunity in England arose, I jumped at the chance to get away from my sexist husband. Andrew was well on his way to becoming a dancer, and Brendan was a good student with all the right grades, so he would be fine. I knew that if Dianne stayed with the boys she would never get any chances of her own, and luckily Andrew convinced her to come with me.

Again, I hid away in my work and distracted myself from everything else in the world. Then I noticed that Dianne was spending less and less time at home, and one day I saw her walking home with this boy. I was just happy that she'd found someone, so I got back to my work. Then Andrew came over. And the fact that he'd rather spend time with this Joe and his family than me hit me. It was the wake up call I needed to be a good mother.

So when I saw the Suggs car heading off, I followed them.

And I ended up here.

I waited and saw my little girl dance, and she was incredible. Beyond talented. I just wish she could've danced earlier.

"I'm sorry," I say. Not just to Andrew, but to all of them. "I've been such a coward these past few years."

"Too right," Andrew scoffs, folding his arms and rolling his eyes. The girl, who looks around eighteen, is glaring at me, and the mother is giving me a disapproving look. Joe just looks disgusted. "If it wasn't for these people Dianne would never have been looked after and given the right amount of attention."

I look down at the floor and fiddle with my thumbs. Then the door behind me bursts open, and I jolt to the side. I watch everyone file out, then I lay eyes on my beautiful redhead.

"It was-" Dianne starts, the biggest smile spread across her face. "Mum?"

"I'm so sorry," I say. "For being a bad mother. For not giving you the attention you deserve. I'm just sorry for everything."

Dianne looks at me for a second, as though to try and decide what emotion to feel right at this particular moment. Then she drops her bag and wraps her arms around me.

"It's ok," Dianne says. She's so sweet and caring.

"It's not though," I say. "You are way more important than work. You, and Andrew, and Brendan. But I was a coward. I always have been, even since before I met your dad."

"I think we should talk back at home," the mum says. "Give us time to discuss everything in private.

-

We arrive back at the Suggs, and I've learnt all their names, but that's all that was really said in the car. Dianne said that she enjoyed her dance lesson, but it's fair to say that I've really crashed the mood.

"What made you change your thoughts?" Andrew questions.

I explain everything. About how work is all I had. How Mark was just a man I could put a title to in my life. How he scared me with his thoughts about men and women. How I was trying to pretend everything was ok, when it really, really wasn't.

"It's ok Mum," Dianne says again. "I think we were all scared of Dad to be honest."

My daughter comes and sits next to me, and the fact that she's forgiven me is more than I could ever expect.

"You really are amazing, Dot," I say. "I promise I'm going to be better from now on."

Dianne's POV

I'm in pure shock that Mum came. I'm just happy that she's finally got some sense and is finally being the mother I've longed for for so long.

"So, how was dance?" Joe asks, changing the subject.

"It was amazing. The teacher said I'm not even behind at all. I just feel so incredible when I'm dancing. It's the best feeling."

"I'm so happy for you," Joe says. "It's what you deserve."

Tracey makes us all dinner and I fill Mum in on everything that's happened at school. From what happened with Katya, and AJ and Jack, and just telling them random facts about the group, like how Caspar has the worst timekeeping skills, and how feisty Anna can be when she wants to.

"I'm glad you've met so many great people," Mum says. Finally, everything is working out.

-

I get into bed that evening with the biggest smile on my face. I'm still at Joe's, but I'll start spending more time back at home soon. Right now, I just want to be with the people who have finally allowed me to dance.

"You haven't stopped smiling all evening," Joe says, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Of course not! I giggle. Joe lays down next to me and plays with the end of a strand of my hair.

"I love you, Dianne," Joe says.

"I love you too."

And we both fall asleep there together.