Halcyon

Spill the Tea

Nikki comes down the stairs and smiles as she sees Poppy taking her coat off, she looks up the stairs and a huge grin appears on Poppy's face as she sees her Mum. "Mummy!" Poppy squeals excitedly, Nikki comes down the stairs and picks up her fair-haired daughter and cuddles her close before moving her to her hip. 

"Did you have fun at the park with Great-Aunt Josephine?" Nikki smiles kissing Poppy on her cool cheek. 
"Yes, I fell over," Poppy says frowning and pointing to her knee.

Nikki sits Poppy on her stairs and rolls up her leggings and looks at her knee, "Oh baby it's only a graze... you'll live" Nikki smiles as she places her leggings back down and stands herself back up. 

"I told her that but she was adamant on telling you" Josephine chuckles before removing her shoes and heading to the kitchen and turning on the kettle. "Nikki would you like a cup of tea?" Josephine calls through as Nikki comes into the kitchen herself. 

Nikki smiles and nods, "Yes I'd love one..." Nikki replies with a sigh as she sits at the kitchen table.
"What's wrong pet?" Josephine questions as she looks over at her. 
"It's nothing really" She replies resting her head in her hands. 
"Come on Nikki, talk to me, don't bottle it all up" She says as she brings the two hot drinks over to them. 

Josephine hands Nikki her drink before getting the milk and sugar for the two and a plate of biscuits. "So come on darlin' ... what's with the face?" Josephine questions her. 

"...Jack and I... we've had an argument" She sighs as she looks at her cup of tea. 
"An argument? what about?" She questions. 

Nikki looks at Poppy who is attempting to reach for a biscuit on the table, "About Poppy... I suggested we look at Preparatory schools... and he blew his lid at me" Nikki explains.

"Does he do this a lot?" Josephine questions bringing her mug to her lips and taking a sip. 
"No, he's got a short temper anyway, he usually boxes and stuff to clear his mind, he pushed me today... it was my own fault I fell and landed on the floor instead of the bed... missed it" She chuckles trying to make Jack not sound bad in any way.

"Ahhh, he's always been explosive even as a wee boy, I couldn't cope with him that's why his aunt Colleen raised him..." She sighs and Nikki looks at her in shock. "...I've said too much," Josephine says realizing what she has said. 

Nikki places her drink down "What are you trying to say?... you're... his... Mother?" Nikki questions.
"Please don't tell him, he won't take it well!" Josephine panics.
"But..." Nikki stutters.
"Don't... please, He is happy not knowing, I'm just so proud of this wee boy who I didn't expect to even get a decent job never mind a family, like a family that is together with children" Josephine stutters getting emotional. 

"I really don't know what to say," Nikki says as she passes Poppy another biscuit.
"Don't say anything I beg you, just make-up with him... you deserve the entire world and he will give it you... you've got a beautiful daughter and carrying another child of his... you two deserve a happily ever after?" Josephine says slightly concerning Nikki to what she is actually talking about. 

Soon Jack comes downstairs after parking the suitcases, He comes down into the lounge where Nikki is now sat with Poppy on her lap and Josephine in the armchair. Nikki looks at Jack and shifts awkwardly as he sits beside her, Nikki then looks across the room at Josephine and raises an eyebrow, "What's wrong with you now?" Jack asks Nikki. 
"I think you need to talk to Josephine... she's got something to tell you," Nikki says causing Josephine to frown at her. 

"Do you? what is it?" Jack questions. 
Josephine glares at Nikki but she just looks at her and shakes her head. Nikki grabs Jack's hand and just squeezes it tightly. "Nik?" Jack says unsure of what is to come. 

"Tell him, Josephine, he needs to know" Nikki speaks up.
Josephine takes a deep breath in and replies to Jack, "You see... the thing is ... you haven't really been told the truth about your parents... see the thing, is... I... I am your Mum, not Colleen, Jack?" Josephine speaks hoping he will speak.

"Jack? are you okay? Jack, please speak to me" Nikki speaks as she moves so she is facing him, she places her hands on his face and strokes his cheeks with her thumbs, "Jack, please speak to me..." Nikki speaks and strokes his face continuously. 

Jack looks at her and shakes his head, "You're lying to me, My Mother died years ago... you know that don't lie to me!" Jack says turning his head to Josephine. 
"Jack... calm down" Nikki says holding his face and making him look at her. "She needs to explain" She adds. 

Jack moves Nikki's hands from his face and looks at Josephine, "So?" He begins.
"Look the thing was... I was young, and you... you were just too much for me, you were full of energy and you hardly ever seem to rest. My sister, Colleen took you on and after time Colleen and your Dad fell in love and got married" Josephine questions. 

He stands up and looks at Josephine, "No!" He says as he leaves the room and heads outside.
Nikki stands up and sits Poppy on the sofa, "Stay here baby, I'm just going to check on Daddy" Nikki smiles and kisses her head lightly before heading out the front door to Jack.

She instantly hugs Jack from behind, "I'm sorry..." She mumbles against his shoulder.
Jack smiles and kisses her arm before pulling her around face him, "Let's go home" He smiles and Nikki nods.