Whilst you were gone.. ('The Irish Girl' Sequel) (DG fanfic)

Chapter 42: Lessons of the day

3 months later
Today was the day, I get to see my cousin. It had been three months since I saw him, life was looking up now. And my future with liam was brighter than ever. I decided just to go by myself I'd rather go on my own, I needed to have some one to one with Stevie.
Even though Liam kept worrying, "Baby, are you sure you wanna go on your own?" I sighed as I zipped up my jacket and slid my gloves on. "Liam, it's Stevie not a notorious serial killer. I'll be fine, all you have to do is keep away from my records and I'll ring you when I'm coming home okay?" I told him as I gave him one more kiss, we were still all over each other. So it was hard to go out the door, "You could be late" Liam suggested kissing my lips again. I groaned "Liam, he's my cousin but I'm sure he won't mind if I'm a couple of minutes late" I giggled. "Chloe, you'll be late, come on Romeo let's go paint the shed like you promised eh?" Mike said interrupting us and I rolled my eyes.
"Okay Sargent buzz kill, I'm off, love you Liam" I kissed him again then I left. "Love you too!" I heard him shout as I left the house.
I jumped on my bike and rode off, reluctantly but I wanted to see Stevie. It took me an hour to get there, he was placed in a local prison.
They decided to keep him in England as he had lived here long enough to be a British-Irish citizen, so you could say I'm relieved I didn't need to go all the way to Ireland again.
After they took my phone, my jewellery apart from my nose and lip piercing. I saw Stevie waiting for me, in a grey tracksuit and yellow bib. "Rover!" Stevie exclaimed as he hugged me, "Oh Ste I've missed you!" We sat down and then he carried on smiling. "Wow, I never known you to be so happy to see me" I joked and he rolled his eyes "I literally have been in the same place for 3 months, I missed your eighteenth, which reminds me. A guy will be over later to drop your present off, and no it's not a new bike even though your bike needs a service, speaking of MOT you need to dye your hair again, is that a grey hair I see?" Stevie joked as he touched a strand of my hair and I scoffed "Well, your not getting any younger Stevie" then after we finished joking it became serious, "Chloe, I don't regret it you know. At least now you won't have to worry about bone coming after you, his associates had enough of him so they won't come for you. Before you start, I don't want you to feel guilty okay? Besides 5 years isn't too long. I've got my pals and Emmett who says hi by the way, you go and make something of your self. But don't get married without me" I began to cry as I said "Ste, your giving me away remember? And besides even if they were to come for me, I'll be ready. I'll always feel guilty no matter what you say, but I'll visit more and promise me no funny business" I told him and he saluted me, "Yes ma'am" then a bell rung. Meaning the visit was over, "I've got so much to tell you ste, can't you stay?" I asked and he shook his head "No can do rover, time to go back to my cell and watch Coronation Street and have a fag" Stevie gave me one last hug, "Stay safe rover" he said.
"You too Stevie" then I walked out, Stevie waved as he went behind the barred gate. I had tears in my eyes but I knew I'd be okay, it's going to be hard not seeing him everyday. Stevie was my only family apart from my sister, it's always been me and him. He always said we're like Ant and Dec or Joey and Chandler.
Now it's just chandler, although I have a Monica. But I feel so alone, Liam keeps me happy no doubt but before I had liam. I had Stevie, I could always rely on him. My mother wasn't around and I didn't know my dad, aunt Clare was sick. Before I found out about roxy, it was just me and Stevie. Now I'm facing five years of visiting him in the one place auntie Clare didn't want him to end up in, I feel like I've failed her. After getting my phone back I rang Liam, "Hey, I'm on my way home, I see mike hasn't killed you yet" I joked and he laughed but I could see him roll his eyes. "You mean I haven't killed him, I can't wait to see you. I've missed you clo" Liam told me and I held back tears "I was only gone for a couple of hours lee, I'll ride home to you okay?" I told him smiling. "I'll be waiting, I love you" he said and I replied "I love you too sweetheart".
I got back and Liam was there when I opened the door, "Hey beautiful" he smirked and I placed my hands around his torso. "Well hello handsome" I smiled. "So? What did Stevie say?" Liam asked as I sat on his lap, "Well, he made cracks about my age but it's hard for him. He makes out that it was all for my benefit but all that ever comes with people protecting me is a prison sentence. Stevie's always been in my life, the only family I had after his mum died" I tried not to cry, I was happy a minute ago. "Hey, hey don't cry" Liam noticed as he held me tighter.
"I'm sorry, I've killed the mood" I sobbed as I laughed. "Don't worry, it will be okay baby. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere" Liam kissed my temple and I clung onto him like a safety blanket as I felt my chest tighten.
Liam played with my hair and whispered sweet nothings until I was calm, just like he used to after every nightmare. I saw Ryan loiter in the door way unsure of what to do, I just smiled to reassure him that I was fine where I was.
Another thing I felt guilty about, Ryan and his place with me. Even though he's my best friend it's still hard for him, he's in love with me. I love him but not like I love Liam, I made the right choice in that department. Stevie was my main worry today, seeing him in prison made me realise how dangerous this whole thing was. Not being a serpent but it's all connected, Liam leaving.. thinking about that still made me wince a little, but it was also me falling for Ryan and then Liam coming back into my life.
The fight and me leaving for Dublin, then becoming fully involved with the serpents. All because of this love triangle.
I blame myself, maybe if I was different and I didn't ever meet Liam or Ryan then maybe Stevie would be here with me. "Chloe, what's wrong?" Liam asked and I cried uncontrollably, "It's all my fault! It's all connected, my mother abandoning me and I almost died then me turning up at elm tree, falling helplessly in love with you and then you left, I became a mess and fell for Ryan then bam! We all have a fight and Stevie pays the price. It's all my fault!" I couldn't breathe and Liam shook his head, "It's not your fault! Don't ever blame yourself, it's all been a mess and it was bound to blow up at some point. No one is to blame, I know you feel guilty but Stevie still loves you and he doesn't blame you. No one does" Liam told me and I wanted to agree but I couldn't help but blame myself. "I should never have left, I should've stayed and heard you out. I'm such a hot tempered idiot!" I groaned and he laughed a little. "Well I won't disagree with that but as harsh as it may sound, Stevie pulled the trigger clo. I know he did it for you but you can't blame yourself, I won't let you" liam said.
"All I wanna do now is just get a shower, eat and cuddle up with my favourite person" I sighed as I patted his cheek. "About that shower? Any chance I can?..." Liam hinted and I gasped as I gently hit his chest. "Liam, there are children present! And that's a sentence I thought I'd never say until we were forty" I joked and he laughed "Well, you go before you start talking about kids" I made a face at him as I left the room. The shower was hot, just like I like it. I was yawning a lot, so no late night tonight. I got in my comfy jumper and tartan sweats and went downstairs, I wore my thermal socks. They've always been my feet's best friend, "Ta dah!" I announced as I entered my room, Liam made himself at home. "Well, you put any run way model to shame babe" 
I posed like a model and that made him laugh, "I only eat air darling, vogue" I said in a posh voice. "Oh yes darling, air is exquisite" Liam mocked, we both laughed until we cried.
"Oh Liam, I forget how silly you make me act" I breathed as I feel back on my bed. "Well, it's good to see you laughing clo" he replied as I snuggled up next to him under the duvet.
Liam played with my hair and I felt the sleep kick in, I took my meds this morning and I didn't need to take them again. Brian lowered my dosage and I scrapped my iron pills, I eat better now than I did before the DG. Liam ate like a king and I was blessed with a great metabolism so I could eat like him but I chose not to. I grabbed my diary and Liam smiled "I haven't seen you get this out in ages" and I chuckled, "Well, I know you've read it before Liam. Just like the time you and frank snooped through Gus's notebooks" I said and he gasped "I never touched it!" He argued and I laughed "It's okay because most of it was about you".
Liam smiled at me "I know", I opened a fresh page and began to write whilst Liam pretended not to look and played with my hair.
Dear diary, today has surprisingly taught me a lot and if it's taught me anything it's to remember to hide your diary where certain people can't have a juicy gossip. I.e my nosey boyfriend liam. But, all in all seriousness I've learned to never blame myself for things that are kind of my fault but to reflect and look on the bright side of life. Yes, I too whistled in my head. But I may not have Stevie right here, but I know I'll be okay. I just have to suck it up like a man as Stevie would say, actually my nana.
All in all, I can honestly say. I'm happy.
I really am truly happy, and in love.
Yours Truly, Chloe Stone x
(Almost the end 🥺)