Halcyon

Coward's don't Quit

A couple of minutes had passed and Nikki and Jack are sat in silence, Harry still holding onto Nikki through the railings. Nikki reaches over for Jack's hand and holds it. "Just remember this Jack... if you jump and die you are a coward if you jump and live you will still be a coward... just think about this, I will have to tell your children what happened and how their Dad was a coward."

Harry looks down at Nikki in shock, "Nikki, you can't talk like that... don't you think that was a bit harsh?" Harry questions the female pathologist.

Nikki takes a breath to try and compose herself slightly, "...Poppy will get bullied at school because her dad jumped off a roof instead of getting help, Poppy will vaguely remember you, Maddison won't remember you and this baby..." Nikki places her hand on her stomach "... they will never have met you... there will be no photos... no memories" She replies and Jack thinks to himself.

Harry looks at Jack who seems to be listening to Nikki and then interrupts them, "And for the girls, memories fade when you are very young."
Jack looks at Nikki, tears still in his eyes this was new for Nikki, Jack never cried to her, "I don't want that for them."
Nikki's response is blunt but to the point, "you are the only one who can change that for them."

The roof door suddenly opens again and Thomas peers this head around, Nikki looks back and sighs as she notices Poppy, "What the hell!" Nikki says loudly noticing her four-year-old stood in the doorway. "Thomas get her away!" Nikki shouts as Harry stands in front of Jack so she can't see her Father in this state.

Thomas grabs Poppy and lifts her up before carrying her back indoors, "Daddy!" Poppy shouts as she catches a glimpse of Jack.

Nikki looks at Jack and bites her lip, "Does that prove your point, your daughter just saw you on the edge of the roof,traumatic events scar children for life... she is going to need years of therapyif you don't get back over here and apologize to me and your children..."

"What is she doing out of school?" Jack questions.
"I don't know... I'm done; I've got to go console our daughter... remember I will never stop loving you but I will never forgive you for jumping" Nikki gets up and holds the railings before Harry helps her back to safety, she then walks off. Harry is left with Jack and looks up at Harry and sighs.

Jack looks across at Nikki walking away from him, she is carrying his baby and that is all he can think of right now, he stands and looks at her his heart racing, Jack then climbs back over the railing.

He calls out her name and Nikki stops before turning to see him. They then stand to look at each other for a minute. Jack walks to her and pulls her into the tightest hug he ever thought he had given her, she stumbles backwards slightly as the force of him pushing himself against her was so great.

Jack breaks down instantly and his legs buckle and he falls to the floor in defeat and Nikki follows and crouches in between his legs kissing and cuddling him, "I'm so sorry, I am such an idiot, I could never leave your or my girls... or this one" Jack says and places his hand on her stomach.

Nikki takes his hand and squeezes it tight, "Let's get you home for a good cup of tea and some food".

After some time kissing and cuddling Jack gets up with Nikki and he turns to Harry who is guiding Jack off the roof safely "Thank you for keeping her safe." Harry nods in acknowledgement as they all head back into the building.