Great Expectations. - Now Complete

Chapter 36

George looked at the clock. It was almost half past nine. He got up and walked into the kitchen,calling for Alice. She looked up as he came into the room.

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I took the girls to school," she said quietly, "Why?"

He looked at her, concerned. She didn't look herself. "How are you feeling love?"

She shrugged. "I'm OK. You?"

He smiled. "I was hoping we were friends again today."

"Sure." She turned to leave the room. "Alice, where are you going?"

"To collect the ironing. The joys of four children and a husband! Why?"

"Alice wait."

She stopped and turned around. He walked towards her. He could see how sad she looked.

"You and me Alice." he asked softly, "I need to know we're ok?" Alice looked at her feet. "Alice darling, please look at me! Don't let this situation with Donovan come between us! I love you so much."

Alice looked up, tears in her eyes. "I feel such a failure," she whispered, tears now rolling down her face. "I'm sorry about last night George. I feel liked I've failed you and Alexander. Crap wife and mother! Where did I go wrong George? Help me to understand so I don't make the same mistakes with the girls!"

"No baby! You've not failed any of us!" George wiped her tears. He kissed her softly. "You've always been an amazing mum. And as for being my wife? I wouldn't want anyone but you! I love you Alice Harrison."

"MUM?" They both turned.

George looked at Alexander in surprise. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you at school?"

"What's wrong with mum? Why is she crying?" Alexander walked towards them both, clearly concerned. "Mum?"

Alice turned from both of them and sat down. Within seconds Alexander was next to her. "I'm sorry mum. About last night and everything. I know I've been horrible to everyone but I do love you all. Louisa said she'd heard you crying all night. That it was my fault! Is it?"

George walked over to them both. "Why don't you explain to Alex how is behaviour is affecting everyone love?"

"Would it make any difference if I did?" Alice looked at her son, "Seriously? Would it?"

"Please mum...talk to me!" Alexander was now crying. Alice could suddenly see the young boy she loved so much. Almost twelve years old. Confused and scared. All the anger and angst seemingly gone, at least for now. Her maternal instinct so strong, she stood up and hugged him. "Alexander Harrison, I love you so much. All this heartache is slowly destroying this family!" She began to cry again. "I'm trying so hard to understand why you need to see your real father when you have George. When you know how I feel about Tom. I'm trying to push my own feelings aside.  I'm trying to support you. I've even been in touch with Granny Elsie this morning to see if you would be allowed to visit him in prison although I don't want you going there!"

He moved from her, looking stunned. "You've done that already?"

She nodded. "I said I would and I have," she looked at Alex, "I might not truely understand why you want to but I said I'd help and I have. Why?"

"But...but you don't want me to see him."

Alice nodded. She looked at George, not sure where this conversation was going. He gently shook his head, telling her to wait for Alexander to speak.

"I think," said Alex, looking from Alice to George. "That you and dad are amazing! You're both doing this for me even though you don't want me to do it. You're supporting me. I love you both so much mum. I don't mean to cause all this trouble but contacting my father, it's something I NEED to do. I'm sorry for hurting Kate yesterday. She keeps bugging me to play with her. I was angry about things and then you just made me madder! It's no excuse but..." His voice tailed off as he began to cry. "Please don't row because of me. Don't fall out and get divorced Dad, not because of me. I know mum loves you so much! Please!"

Alice hugged him again. "We're not planning on getting divorced Alex! Your dad and I didn't row because of you. I was stressed and wanted to be on my own! I was upset because of what happened between you and I. That's all."

"I'm sorry mum. Really sorry."

"Does that mean you'll try not to argue all the time now? Just wait until Granny Elsie gets back to us with the information?" Alice looked at her son, "And maybe if you talked to us about how you're feeling Alex love. It might take away some of the anger and confusion? What do you think?"

Alexander nodded, looking surprised. "I've not wanted to tell you how I feel because I don't want you to think I don't care about you both anymore. I do care. Very much."

"So maybe you need to trust in us a bit more Alex." said George softly, "As your mum says, talk to us. We might be able to help."

Alexander looked from Alice to George. "Mum, dad, I'm sorry. I promise things will different now."

George came over and hugged them both. "I'm so very glad to hear it!" he said, "But, with the risk of a different argument, why aren't you at school?"

After a much calmer couple of days, Alice received a phone call from Granny Elsie. She made notes during the call then, with heavy heart she put the phone down. George had been watching her.

"Well?" he asked.

"That was Elsie as you know," she explained. "Alexander won't be allowed in the prison to see Donovan. It's not just to do with his age, it's because Donovan isn't his father on paper. Like his birth certificate."

"OK. Who's going to tell Alex?"

"I'll do it. Elsie has said that if Alex still wants to contact Tom then the only way is to write a letter. She'll put it in with her letter and we'll go from there."

"How do you feel like that?" George asked.

"I'm not sure how Alex would feel about it as an alternative." she replied softly "I think that writing to him may have to be the compromise for all of us." She shrugged. "Well, no time like the present, I think I'll go up and tell him now."

"Do you want to explain to him instead?"

She shook her head. "Thanks but I'll do it."

She walked out of the room, expecting Alexander to be in his room. She passed the room they had set aside as a playroom when the girls had been younger. She could hear voices and giggling, Peeping round the door, she smiled in delight at the scene before her. Alexander was lying on the floor, building what looked like a complicated castle out of Lego, six year old Kate chatting and watching him adoringly. She crept from the room, letting her son be a child once more.

"That was quick?" George was surprised.

Alice smiled and gestured for him to follow her. After silencing him with her fingers on her lips, George looked into the room. He moved away, grinning. He led her back into the living room.

"See," he smiled at her, "You are the best mother as well as wife, Alice Harrison. Alex wouldn't have turned himself around so well without you talking to him." He kissed her and they sat down together, enjoying a few minutes peace together.