In The Darkest Hour

Part One - Chapter Nine: Going Out

Montserrat sipped on her coffee as she stared at Isla, she knew that the brunette was worried about what Gerard had said but she was sure that her son would never discover the truth.

Montserrat was still trying to get a proper investigation on the hospital off the ground and it would be a while until everything was out in the open about what had happened; she was prepared to do anything for the truth to come out.

“I just worry what will happen if he finds out,” Isla whispered peeking at Montserrat, she was scared about what to expect if Gerard learnt that she was the nurse he was looking for even if she was innocent of what she had been fired for.

Isla could only imagine the fury and anger that Gerard would release when he found out, especially now that she was working as a nanny looking after Milan.

“You have nothing to be scared of… I made sure that your name wasn’t released and it will stay that way,” Montserrat replied calmly, she didn’t want Isla feeling that she couldn’t work for the family anymore; the brunette hadn’t done anything wrong and she didn’t deserve to have her life ruined for someone else’s mistake.

Isla chewed on her lip, she wished that she could believe that and Montserrat hadn’t seen how determined her son had been about finding out everything there was to know about what had happened at the hospital.

Isla was frightened that he might go there and ask someone for her name and then everything would be over; she might have been innocent but Gerard didn’t know that.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Montserrat murmured hearing her son coming down the stairs, she could see how worried Isla was and she didn’t want the brunette giving up just yet.

Isla just nodded her head before turning her attention back to her hot chocolate, she sipped on it as Gerard walked into the room shirtless; she swallowed admiring her boss a little unable to look away.

Gerard ran a hand through his hair as he moved to search through the ironing to find one of his shirts; he had plans for the evening and he was hopeful that it would be a nice way to relax after a week of looking for the woman that had killed Isabel.

“You look nice,” Montserrat mused smiling a little, she hadn’t missed the look on Isla’s face at the sight of a shirtless Gerard; she was well aware that her eldest son was considered attractive to a lot of people.

Gerard nodded his head and pulled out the shirt that he had been looking for, he slowly pulled it on turning to look at his mother and Isla who were sat on the couch having a chat.

Isla blushed and looked away quickly, she couldn’t believe that she had just checked out her boss; she hadn’t really seen him look like that before and it had been a surprise.

“I’m going out with Leo and a couple of the others,” Gerard replied simply with a shrug of his shoulders, he had been invited out and he thought it would be a good idea; he didn’t want to shut himself up in his house anymore.

Montserrat nodded her head, she knew that Isla would be able to handle Milan by herself; the little boy had come down with a bit of a cold and Isla had been looking after him all day.

“Anywhere nice?” Isla asked flashing a smile to Gerard once she had calmed her thoughts, she noticed the smile on his lips and swallowed wondering if he had caught her staring at him.

Gerard nodded his head, he knew that this wasn’t going to be easy and he was glad that he had some time to himself; he was starting to feel normal for the first time in a long time.

“Just a restaurant and maybe a club,” Gerard murmured knowing that his mother wasn’t going to approve of his plans.

Montserrat pursed her lips, she wasn’t pleased that Gerard was going to a night club especially after the last few months that he’d had; she didn’t want him doing something that he would come to regret.

“What time shall you be back?” Isla asked hoping that he wouldn’t disturb Milan, she didn’t want to deal with a drunken Gerard; she worried that he would do something stupid and end up getting hurt.

Montserrat smiled pleased that Isla was looking out for Gerard, she didn’t want him doing something that could winded up putting himself in hospital; he was only just recovering from what had happened to him.

“I don’t know late,” Gerard replied with a shrug, he frowned wondering why Isla wanted to know since it wasn’t any of her business; he was going out and no one was going to convince him otherwise.

It had been so long since he had been on a guy’s night out and Gerard had missed spending time with his friends, he felt ready again to go out and enjoy himself after everything that had happened.

“Will you have your mobile with you?” Isla enquired softly, she knew that Milan only had a cold but she wanted to make sure that if something did happen that she would be able to contact Gerard.

Montserrat laughed softly, Isla was acting more like a mother than she did and she was happy that her son had someone else to pester him when he wasn’t doing what he should.

“Yes why?” Gerard snapped a little annoyed that Isla was asking all these questions, he knew she meant well but she wasn’t here to look after him only Milan.

Montserrat raised an eyebrow at her son, she had never seen him so defensive before and it made her wonder just what else was planned for the evening that he didn’t want anyone to know about.

“I don’t know… maybe in case something happens and I needed to get a hold of you,” Isla replied calmly, she wasn’t going to let his mood swings get her down.

***

Isla balanced Milan on her hip and stepped into the living room, she peeked at Gerard who was just about ready to leave for his night out; she was a little worried what sort of trouble he might get into.

“I’m leaving,” Gerard muttered pulling on his jacket, he knew that this was the first time that he had gone out like this since before Isabel had entered the later stages of pregnancy.

Milan babbled softly making Gerard pause, he peeked at the little boy in Isla’s arms for a moment; a jolt going through his heart before he shook his head and left without another word.

“Looks like it’s just you and me tonight,” Isla cooed at Milan, she pressed a kiss to the top of the little boy’s head; he was still warm and she hoped that it would pass soon.

Milan rested his head against Isla’s shoulder, he closed his blue eyes and murmured tiredly; he had been sleeping a lot and Isla hoped that it wouldn’t last long.

“Now let’s get you some dinner… your papa shouldn’t be gone all night,” Isla murmured softly, she feared that Gerard was never going to spend time with his son; she hoped that the footballer would realise that he couldn’t spend the rest of his life avoiding the little boy.

Isla didn’t want to think how much Milan could come to hate his father if Gerard didn’t start to bond with him; he would lose the best thing that had ever happened to him if he didn’t wake up.

Setting Milan into his high chair, Isla moved away to start making the little boy something to eat; she brushed some hair from her face wondering if Gerard would ever realise how lucky he was.

Isabel might have been gone but he still had a part of her with him and he was ignoring him; Milan was part of his mother and Gerard was lucky to have him.

Sharon could have messed up even worse and killed not only Isabel but Milan with her incompetence.