This next chapter is for:
JAZZY
I'm sorry its been a long time coming, but I wanted to make sure the people that were reading this had caught up and I knew Jazzy was two chapters behind, so I decided to wait for her to catch up before I posted again.
Anyway, here, at last is chapter ten. Thank you and enjoy!
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-- TEN --
That night, as the wind whistled through the trees and the rain tapped on the window sill outside, Sarah's bedroom door opened and John glanced around slowly. 'Are you still awake babe?' He whispered. 'Yeah.' She replied. 'I was talking to my parents when you went off to the toilet this evening and I think they like you. They said you were a nice girl with a lovely personality.' John smiled. 'Glad they liked me.. At least seemed to.' She replied turning over onto her side and shuffling over further towards him. 'Are you OK, you've been quiet the last hour or so.' John replied. 'I'm fine. I just hope I've got approval from your folks. I don't want to let them down.' She replied. 'You wont, they like you, they really do.' John smiled. 'You sure?' She asked. '100%' He replied.JAZZY
I'm sorry its been a long time coming, but I wanted to make sure the people that were reading this had caught up and I knew Jazzy was two chapters behind, so I decided to wait for her to catch up before I posted again.
Anyway, here, at last is chapter ten. Thank you and enjoy!

_______________________________________________
-- TEN --
'I'm glad they like me, I like them too' She smiled. 'I'm glad.. You seem to get a long with them really well, which is great.' John smiled. 'Your dad is very funny and has had me giggling all day.' She smiled. 'Anyway, I better let you get some sleep.' John smiled as she rose from the bed and walking towards the door. 'John?' She whispered. 'Yes?' He replied. 'I love you.' She smiled. 'I love you too.' He smiled as he closed the door slowly behind him.
As he made his way across the landing to his room, Sarah stood at her door watching him. He didn't know she was there and closed his door behind him. She stood there for a few moments before going back into her room. She sat on the end of the bed looking down at the ground. As she climbed in to her bed, her phone bleeped:
'I know you were watching me as I walked into my room a faw moments ago, so I'm guessing you're still awake. If you're not, and I've woke you, then I'm sorry. Come over here, I have something for you if you're still awake xx'
She placed her phone down on the bedside table, put on her dressing gown and made her way across the landing to his room and knocked on the door. 'Come in' John replied. John was sitting upright in bed on his laptop, his head rose from the screen and looked up at her. 'I had a feeling you were still awake' He smiled. 'Did you want me for anything?' She whispered. 'As a matter of fact, I did. To keep me company.' John replied. 'I don't want to be in your way if your busy.' She replied. 'I'm not doing anything. I was seeing if you were logged into Twitter, but you didn't reply so I'm assumed you weren't' He smiled closing the lid on his laptop.
'I don't know why we sleep separately if we're dating and have been for a good few months now.. I mean, I don't mean to seem as though I'm pushing.' John asked politely. 'I wasn't sure if that's what you wanted. I mean.. I wasn't sure if you'd want to give up part of your bed.' She replied. 'For you, I would. I'd like to spend I night with you, properly.. I don't mean that as it sounded. I don't want that if your thinking that's what I'm after, because I'm not' John smiled.
***
Next morning, Sarah woke to find John's arm still tightly around her like it was when she went to sleep that night. She smiled softly to herself. He was a man of his word, nothing happened. She knew for sure now that she could trust him and now was sure 100% that he was serious about her and wasn't after any thing but her love, affection and support. She turned over and faced him. 'Oh good morning' John smiled and kissed her softly on her forehead. 'I told you nothing would happen.' He smiled. 'I know now that you respect me.. Not saying you didn't to begin with, but as you know, it takes me longer now to trust people, what with my past and every thing.' Sarah replied. 'I understand.' John smiled.
***
Sitting downstairs with John's parents, Sarah was chatting to his dad in the kitchen as they, together made the tea and coffee. 'Will we be hearing wedding bells soon then?' His mother asked John. 'Its early days yet mother, lets see how we go shall we? I don't want to scare her away.' John replied. 'She's a star, you've got a good one there, don't let her go. There aren't many people out there like her you know.' His mother replied. 'I know, I truly am lucky to have found her and I never want to let her go' John smiled watching her in the kitchen with his dad.
'How long have you been seeing each other?' She continued. 'A few months now, things are going well and the relationship is evolving' John smiled. 'That why I saw her go in your room last night eh?' His mum winked. 'Nothing happened, you know I wouldn't' John replied as his face went bright red. 'I know, I'm only messing with you.' His mother laughed. 'Its good to see you happy again' His mother smiled.
'This lady of yours can't half make a good Victoria sponge cake!' His dad smiled with a mouth full of cake, as he strolled from the kitchen holding the door open for Sarah. 'Don't talk with your mouth full John!' John's mother replied as she told his dad off. Sarah was stood holding the drink tray giggling in the background. 'You're showing your son up in front of his girlfriend' His mother continued. 'It's OK, I find it kind of amusing.' Sarah smiled. John sat on the sofa with his head in his hands as they continued chatting. 'Are you OK?' Sarah asked as she sat beside him. 'Oh what.. Yeah, I'm OK.' John replied as his head rose from his hands. 'You know, your parents are funny, there's no need to be embarrassed.' Sarah smiled.
'Oh, its not because of that.' John replied. 'Then what is it?' Sarah asked. 'I have a headache, that's all.' John replied as he stood up from the sofa and made his way into the kitchen. As he reached the kitchen door, he turned around and gestured to her to come into the kitchen. 'I'll be back in a moment' She smiled as she left the room. His parents sat and stared at each other.. 'What do you think they're up to in there?' His father whispered. 'I have no idea, but we shouldn't go prying in there private matters.' Marion replied.
***
Sarah and John stood in the kitchen together. 'Why did you call me in here?' Sarah asked. 'I didn't give you what I was ment to give you last night' John replied. John reached into the back of one of the kitchen draws and pulled out a small black box. Contained in that small black box was a silver necklace with the words 'Forever' engraved on it. 'I meant to give that to you last night.' John smiled. 'I'd like you to wear it for me tonight.' John continued. 'Why? What's happening tonight?' Sarah asked. 'I'm taking us all out for a meal.' John replied. 'Oh OK.' Sarah smiled and she walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where his parents were sat waiting..
***
That night John, Sarah and his parents sat having a meal, talking about future plans. John sat looking down at his empty plate, he had visions running around in his head. Images of his future, his career, his family. John stood up from the table and left the restuarant. He stood outside the entrance and looked out over the skyline in the distance. He was scared he was going to loose everything, have nothing left to live for.
For a few days now, he'd felt like the one person he was in love with seemed distant, like she wasn't 100% there, like something was bothering her.. John sat on the small wall, buried his head in his hands and sobbed.. He needed to know what was going on in her head, weather she trully loved him or not.. They'd been together for a good few months and already, things were changing.. He was scared his dream was now shattering to pieces around him.
As he sat there pondering what to do next, Sarah walked out of the doors and sat beside him... 'I need you to be truthful with me - don't lie.. Are you no longer in love with me?' He asked. 'What?! Don't be stupid..' Sarah replied. 'Then what's with the distance.. The change in your mood, the lack of conversation..' John asked. 'I don't know what you mean?' She asked. 'DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME!!' John replied his voice rising. 'I really have no idea what you're going on about..' She replied looking worried.
'The other night.. When we were talking, you seemed distant with me, like you weren't there. Like you were in a world of your own..' John replied turning to face her. 'I didn't know I was being like that.. I'm sorry. I love you, I really do.. Its just-.' She began. 'That night, you know, the night we first spent together.. It brought back memories, horrible ones..' She replied. 'What do you mean?' John asked. 'When I was with Andy - we'd been together 6 months.. And he... He tried to..' She replied, tears rolling down her face. 'Oh my-' John replied with horror on his face. 'Did you tell the police everything?' John asked. 'Yes, that's why he got such a long sentence. He may be behind bars, but the visions are still there, still fresh in the back of my mind..' She sobbed.
'I want you to know, NOTHING like that will EVER happen with me. I PROMISE you on ANYTHING.' John replied pulling her in towards him and holding her tight. She sobbed hard into his chest and he held her close. John looked up towards the door, his parents were standing there looking at John concerned. 'Go back inside, I'll be in soon' He mimed. His mother was worried about Sarah, what had been said, what went on, why was she crying..
***
Marion sat back down in her seat and waited for her son to appear through the door. She was still trying to work out what had gone on outside, what had been said and if Sarah was OK. She had a feeling it wasn't John's fault, he'd never upset her, not on purpose. Sarah was a lovely girl and she made her boy happy, the happiest she'd ever seen. He was besotted with her, she meant the world to him, she knew that much, without him having to say a word.
Sarah was the most kind, considerate and caring individual she'd had the privilege to meet and John was lucky to have found her. There was an age gap, quite a big one, but she wasn't bothered. As long as her son was happy, then she was happy for him. She was really hoping there relationship would go from strength to strength. He couldn't do better then her, she was one in a million. He'd be stupid to ever let her go, she was a real gem, a diamond and treasure and she'd be happy to have her as a daughter-in-law.
***
John made his way to the table and picked up his car keys and his jacket. 'I'll be back in half an hour, taking Sarah home.' John whispered glancing around making sure no-one was listening. 'We'll come back with you, don't want you making two trips for the sake of us.' His mother replied getting up from the table. 'OK, but don't ask her about what happened outside, I'll explain it all to you later.' John replied holding the door open.
As they drove down the street towards home, Sarah sat constantly looking out of the window at the world whizzing by. Tears were still trickling down her cheeks, her eyes were red and puffy. She was determined not to make eye contact with anyone. 'Like I said before and I wont go into details. Everything is going to be OK, I promise' John replied looking at her through the interior mirror. 'Is she OK?' His mother whispered. 'She's fine.' John replied glancing at her before returning his gaze to the road ahead.
***
As they arrived home, John swung open the front door and Sarah ran up the stairs to his room and closed the door behind her. She lay down on the bed and buried her head in her pillow. As she lay there, the door opened and John walked in slowly and closed the door behind him. Sarah sat up quickly and panic washed over her face.
'Its OK, I'm not going to do anything, I just want to talk to you. Get to the bottom of this.' John replied. 'I just want to forget about it and move on, but my memory wont let me and I'm scared I'm going to loose you because of the fears in my past.' She sobbed. 'You wont, I understand how you feel and I know it'll take time for you to completely get over him and his horrible behaviour. I promised you months ago nothing will happen to you and no one will harm you and I stand by that statement. I'm a man of my word' John smiled, sitting on the foot of the bed.
'I'm really sorry if I upset you, but its my past, not you. I just need time to get over this.' She replied. 'I wont rush you into anything, I promise. What you say goes and I'll respect your wishes.' John smiled. 'Can I come and lay with you now? I promise I wont do anything.' He asked. 'Of course you can. And I know it wont, I do trust you.' She smiled shuffling over.
As they lay together, a knock came at the door. 'Are you OK Sarah?' Came the voice on the other side. 'Yeah, I'm fine.' She replied. 'I'll be downstairs if either of you need me' And the person walked across the landing and back downstairs.
John sat and smiled happily to himself. Finally, everything was sorted and things were back on track. He could finally smile, laugh and enjoy his life again knowing Sarah wasn't going anywhere. He felt whole again. She was in it for the long haul, she was there to stay - just like he was. His dream was still a dream and he was determined to keep it that way.