Title: Happy Families Author: Amanda, amandalb2000@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with the show stingers or it’s characters etc, etc. Category: Mac and Pete (Also a bit Angie and Oscar) Summary: It’s a little over eight years on and Pete and Danni married and moved away but are now divorced. Pete sees Mac for the first time in eight years. She has a family of her own, a great job. But her family is also about to collapse. She also has a secret that she’s kept for eight years that’s about to come out. Peter Church walked across a local park not to far from his place late Friday afternoon thinking about what had happened to him the last few years. He had found a woman who he had loved greatly. But a mistake he made a few months earlier had caused him to marry another women and he had to forget about the one he really loved. But he fell in love with this other women when she had a baby and started a family. They moved to Sydney and then when their son Jeremy was six they moved back to Melbourne and that was when all the trouble started. His wife had seemed distant and then one night she came home and announced that she was leaving him for another man. How did everything get so wrong? Pete asked himself. He sat down on the nearest bench thinking. He was then drawn to look at a woman across the road at the shopping center, she was putting three kids into a BMW, a boy and a girl around four or five and another girl around eight. She looked so familiar Mac he thought. He couldn’t believe it. Mac had kids. Just go talk to her, no it’s been to long. She’s probably married. He didn’t have time to anyway as she sped of down the street. He then headed back to his place as he was catching up with an old friend of his Oscar Stone from when he worked in Undercover that night. Ellen Mackenzie paced around her house that night waiting for her husband Robert Callaway to arrive home from work so she could go out to dinner with an old friend of hers with whom she had worked with eight years ago. Suddenly the front door swung open and her husband burst through the door ‘Ellen Darling I’m sorry I’m late I was stuck in surgery’ Robert said ‘Oh that’s fine, I got the kids Macdonald’s so you’ll just have to find something for yourself to eat. I shouldn’t be too late tonight’ Mac said kissing him goodbye ‘Alex, Hannah, Daniel, mummy’s leaving now’ she called up the stairs. The kids came running down the stairs, she kissed them goodbye and rushed out the door. Angie Piper sat in a restaurant waiting for her old boss and friend Ellen Mackenzie to arrive. She then spotted Mac walking through the door and waved. Mac then headed over to the table ‘Oh Angie it’s so good to see you’ Mac said as both woman embraced ‘Mac you look great’ Angie said stepping back. ‘So do you’ Mac said as she took a seat ‘How have you been?’ Angie asked ‘Great, everything is going really well’ Mac said ‘That’s great’ Angie said ‘So how have you been?’ Mac asked ‘Good, now I understand how hard it must have been for you when you were in charge of the unit’ Angie replied ‘So, do see any of the others?’ ‘I speak to Oscar every now and then but I haven’t spoken to Pete and Danni since they left with each other. What about you?’ Mac asked ‘Neither. Oscar’s said that’s he seen Pete a couple of times. He’s back in Melbourne working in a local police station as a detective. It surprises me that you two didn’t keep in contact’ Angie pointed out ‘Things have changed’ Mac said ‘So how are Robert and the kids. They were only little the last time I saw them’ ‘They’re gorgeous. Roberts fine, he’s been working a lot lately but so have I’ Mac said ‘How long have you bee married now?’ Angie asked ‘Six years’ Mac replied ‘Wow, how are you finding it being the Assistant Commissioner” Angie asked ‘It’s tough but I like it there. The hours and pay are a lot better then when I worked in undercover. So how what’s going on in your life. Have you met someone else since the broken engagement?’ Mac asked ‘Let’s just say that I’m involved’ Angie said with a grin ‘Really’ Mac said ‘Oh look there’s Oscar’ ‘Wow it is too, I wonder what he is doing here?’ Angie asked waving. Oscar waved back and then Mac spotted Pete walking over to him ‘Oh God’ Mac said ‘What?’ Angie asked ‘Look who is with him’ Mac pointed out ‘It’s Pete’ Angie exclaimed waving them over ‘Angie don’t’ Mac said. But it was too late Oscar headed over with Pete reluctantly following ‘Mac you look fantastic’ Oscar said embracing Mac warmly ‘Oscar it’s so good to see you again’ Mac said as Angie and Pete embraced. As they pulled apart Mac and Pete stood awkwardly opposite each other. They slowly embraced ‘It’s good to see you’ Mac said to Pete ‘And you’ Pete replied ‘How have you been?’ Mac asked ‘Alright, you?’ ‘Great’ Mac replied as they both sat down. They both looked at each other and they both knew what the other was thinking. They were thinking back eight years, the last night they saw each other. ‘So Pete what’s been going on in your life. How are you and Danni doing Oscar told me you had a son’ Angie asked she got a kick on the leg from Oscar ‘Yes I have a six-year-old son called Jeremy but Danni and I separated a month ago’ Pete said ‘I’m sorry’ Mac and Angie said ‘So Mac, are you still Ellen Mackenzie or did you change your last name’ Oscar asked ‘Mackenzie. It was easier for work’ Mac explained ‘Oh, So what’s going on with you. How are those three kids of yours?’ Oscar asked ‘Great. Um Alexandra is eight and Daniel and Hannah are five’ Mac explained ‘How long have you been married?’ Pete asked ‘Six years’ Mac said ‘Oh is um Alexandra your husband’s daughter or someone else’s. It’s just that she was born before you were married and I was just curious’ Pete asked suspiciously ‘Another man I was seeing excuse me I need to use the ladies’ Mac said rushing away from the table. Angie shot Pete a dirty look. Mac stood there in the ladies room thinking back to that night eight and bit years ago. Pete had announced to her the following week that he was resigning and leaving for Sydney, Danni had decided that she wanted to move to Sydney as she was offered a better job with better job prospects for her since she was pregnant. Pete decided to move with Danni. He and Mac had gotten into a fight and Mac wasn’t talking to him for the remaining week he was there. The night before he was due to leave there was a knock on his door ‘Mac’ Pete said as he swung the door open ‘You’re really leaving’ she said spotting the boxes stacked up near the door ‘Yeah’ he said ‘Come in’. She walked into the apartment ‘Want a drink. Sorry this is all I’ve got’ he said chucking her over a beer ‘Thanks’ she said ‘Peter, I am so sorry for how I reacted when you told me you were leaving’ ‘I understand’ Pete said ‘It’s just that I’m going to miss you so much. You’ve really been there for me these past years and I don’t know what I’d do without you’ Mac said crying ‘Hey, don’t cry’ Pete said pulling her into his arms comforting her. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes, he looked down at her and suddenly their lips met. The sat there kissing for awhile and then they stumbled into Pete’s bedroom. In the middle of the night Mac woke up and found herself in Pete’s arms. She jumped out of bed quickly getting dressed wanting to slip away unnoticed but Pete woke up and saw her ‘Mac what are you doing?’ Pete asked ‘What does it look like’ she snapped ‘Whoa, Mac don’t take it out on me what’s wrong’ ‘What’s wrong, You’re leaving for Sydney with Danni tomorrow and your asking me what’s wrong’ Mac said ‘Mac, I don’t understand’ Pete said ‘Just leave for Sydney and forget this ever happened, don’t call me, don’t come to see me just forget about this. It was a stupid and careless mistake’ Mac said ‘Don’t I get any say in this?’ Pete asked ‘No, no you don’t’ Mac said hurrying out the door. Mac walked back to the table feeling slightly emotionally drained. Just then Angie’s mobile rang ‘oh hi James’ ‘Now, we’re in the middle of dinner’ ‘Oh alright’ Angie said hanging up ‘Stone, let’s go there’s a break in the case,’ Angie said trying to fake annoyance ‘Damn’ Oscar said getting up ‘I’d better be going too,’ Mac said standing up. Angie practically pushed her back into the chair ‘Stay, you two should catch up,’ Angie said ‘Oh here’s the money for the drink I’ve had’ ‘It’s on me,’ Mac said ‘Yeah let her pay, I happen to now that Assistant Commissioners get paid a lot better then us peasants in undercover’ Oscar said joking around All four laughed and then Oscar and Angie headed out the door ‘I think we’ve been set up,’ Mac said smiling ‘Yeah, can’t trust them,’ Pete said grinning ‘I’m so sorry about Danni’ Mac said ‘It’s funny I didn’t even know you were married let alone had kids’ Pete said ‘So who is he’? ‘Robert Callaway, he’s Chief of Staff at the Royal’ Mac said. Pete sat there shocked, uncomfortable and embarrassed ‘Is everything alright?’ Mac asked noticing his expression ‘Fine, just fine. Congratulations’ Pete said ‘Thanks’ Mac said smiling proudly ‘Um who is Alex’s father?’ Pete asked ‘I don’t think that is any of your business’ Mac said her expression changing from a happy one to a angry and embarrassed one ‘I was just curious’ Pete explained ‘Well don’t be because it isn’t any of your business. Excuse me’ she said throwing cash onto the table and fleeing the place. ‘You’re home’ Robert said hanging up the phone that night ‘Uh early night. Who was on the phone?’ Mac asked ‘Um, someone from work’ Robert said ‘So how was tonight?’ ‘Good, Angie and I talked for a bit and then Oscar and Peter two other people I used to work with were there so we all caught up’ Mac said ‘Oh. Oscar and Pete hey’ Robert said ‘Are you jealous?’ Mac asked smiling ‘A little’ Robert said pulling his wife into his arms ‘Don’t worry I’ve only got eyes for you’ she said as they started kissing each other. That morning Mac was in her office sorting her way through reports when her assistants voice came through the phone ‘Peter Church on line two’ ‘Thanks Kelly’ Mac replied before picking up the phone ‘Hello’ Mac said ‘Mac, hi’ Pete said ‘What can I do for you?’ Mac asked ‘I need to talk to you’ Pete said ‘What about?’ Mac asked sighing knowing exactly what Pete wanted to talk about ‘You know’ Pete said simply ‘How about the little café we used to go to. You know, same street as the hospital’ Mac suggested ‘Alright’ Pete said ‘See you there in twenty’ Mac said hanging up. She straightened her desk and grabbed her handbag, jacket and keys. ‘I’m going out for a bit Kelly. I shouldn’t be too long’ Mac said before heading out to the carpark Pete sat in the café waiting for Mac to arrive. This café held a lot of memories for Mac and himself especially when they first started dating and they had to hide their relationship from their boss at the time Bernie Rocca. He then noticed Mac standing at the entrance looking around for him. She pulled her sunglasses of and put them on the top of her head. Pete took a good look at her and realised she hadn’t really changed a bit, she was still the professional but beautiful woman she was when he last saw her eight years ago. She spotted him and headed over to the table ‘Hi’ she said awkwardly ‘Hi Mac, we really need to talk’ Pete said ‘Yeah, yeah we do’ Mac smiled trying to cover up her nerves ‘What happened that night Mac?’ Pete asked ‘You know what happened’ Mac said ‘No I don’t, what I remember is you leaving me in the middle of the night without an explanation’ Pete said ‘I gave you an explanation Peter’ ‘No you didn’t’ Pete replied ‘You told me that you were leaving because I was leaving for Sydney with Danni. I was hopping that you’d have asked me to stay’ ‘Would you have?’ Mac asked ‘Ofcourse’ Pete said ‘No wouldn’t have Pete, you were head-over-heals for Danni’ ‘Not as much as I was for you’ Pete replied. Mac didn’t answer ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Alexandra?’ ‘What’s there to tell?’ Mac said trying to laugh of her embarrassment ‘I know she’s my daughter’ Pete said seriously ‘How?’ Mac asked ‘Come on, she’s the right age and I saw the embarrassment that was all over your face when I asked you if she was your husbands daughter’ ‘Well um’ Mac said trying to explain but then she caught Robert sitting at a nearby table ‘Robert’ Mac said getting up out of her seat ’What are you doing here?’ ‘Having lunch’ he said ‘Oh, this is Peter Church, I used to work in undercover with him’ Mac explained ‘Nice to meet you’ Robert said extending his hand ‘Same’ Pete said ‘Robert’ a female called out as she came over to the table. Mac and Pete snapped their heads in that direction instantly ‘Danni’ they both said stunned. Danni stopped dead in her tracks ‘Oh um Danni this is my wife Ellen and her friend Peter Church’ Robert said awkwardly ‘We know each other. Peter is my ex and Ellen and I used to work together’ Danni explained. Robert looked up at Mac noticing her questioning look as she looked right back down at him ‘Danni and I are old family friends’ Robert explained ‘Really’ Mac said not believing a word ‘I’ll see you tonight’ Robert said kissing Mac. Mac half smiled trying to act like she believed him. But inside she had her doubts. Apparently Danni and Pete had broken up because she was seeing someone else and she just happened to be out with her husband. ‘Does Robert know that I’m her father?’ Pete asked as they walked back to the table ‘Why are you so sure that you are?’ Mac asked ‘I can tell it in your face’ Pete said ‘I could always tell what was going on in that mind of yours’. Mac looked over at Robert and Danni ‘Let’s go somewhere else’ Mac said ‘Thank God their leaving’ Danni said ‘Robert you have to tell her, I broke of my marriage you have to do the same’ ‘It isn’t that easy Danni, if she finds out I was having an affair while we were married then she’ll use it against me when I go to get custody of the kids’ Robert explained as they sat in the corner booth of the café watching Mac and Pete leave ‘Robert, I think she’s already figured it out. Mac is smart. She used to be my boss’ Danni said grabbing his hand. Robert looked around to make sure Mac was out of site ‘I’ll have a talk to her when I get her home. Don’t worry it will all be over soon’ Robert said kissing Danni Mac and Pete began crossing the park that was opposite her office building ‘You want the whole story?’ Mac asked. Pete nodded ‘Alex is your daughter. I found out I was pregnant a little more than a month after you left. I wanted to call you and tell you that I was pregnant with your baby, but… I couldn’t. Oscar told me that he had spoken to you and that you were so happy in Sydney and I couldn’t ruin that for you. And I felt so guilty because Danni was a friend’ Mac said ‘Don’t you think I would have been happy being with you and watching my little girl grow up Pete said ‘but you wouldn’t think of that would you Mac, you were just being selfish’ ‘I’m sorry Peter, I thought what I did then was the best’ Mac said ‘You’ve deprived me of watching my daughter grow up. I’ve lost eight years of her life and I’m sure she thinks that Robert’s her father’ Pete said. Mac nodded ‘Well she calls him daddy’ ‘So what, what’s going to happen? Are you going to let me see my daughter or are you going to pretend this didn’t happen’ Pete asked ‘I, I don’t know’ Mac said as tears began to roll down her cheeks ‘I’m so sorry Pete, I’m so sorry’. Pete begin to calm down when he saw how hurt Mac was ‘It’s alright Mac, sssh it’s okay’ Pete said as they sat down on a bench and Mac cuddled up in Pete’s arms. Mac walked into her house at around five that afternoon ‘Thanks Samantha, I’ll see you tomorrow then’ Mac said as she paid the babysitter ‘Bye Ellen’ The babysitter said. The Twins were sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons ‘Mummy’ they called out as they saw her enter the room ‘Hi kids’ she said as they rushed into her arms ‘Where’s your sister?’ Mac asked ‘Playing with her dolls’ Hannah said. Mac smiled at them and walked upstairs to the playroom. When she got to the room she stood in the doorway watching her play. Mac noticed so much of Peter in her she had his eyes and his cheerful playful manner. Alex looked up and saw her mum in the doorway. ‘Mum’ she said as she got up and hugged her ‘How was school today?’ Mac asked ‘We had to draw pictures of our family. Look it’s you, Hannah, Daniel and daddy’’ Alex said as she proudly held up a picture. Mac smiled at her ‘It’s great. I’m going to go and put it on the fridge’ Mac said as she walked out of the room with it. As she walked down the stairs all she could think about was that picture, and Alex thinking that Robert was her father. She knew that she was going to have to do something to sort out this mess. Fast. At about ten that night Robert walked through the door ‘Where have you been?’ Mac asked as he walked through the door ‘Work, sorry darling I was in surgery’ Robert said trying to kiss her. Mac pulled away from him ‘Have you looked at the time?’ Mac asked ‘ten-o-clock’ ‘Yeah so’ Robert said ‘Your having an affair aren’t you’ Mac asked straight out. ‘Ellen don’t be stupid. I told you I was working late’ ‘And Danni at lunch, don’t feed me that shit about being old friends’ Mac said ‘Ellen it’s true’ Robert said ‘Anyway what about you and Peter’ ‘Were friends. We were best friends when I was in undercover’ Mac said ‘He’s Alex’s father isn’t he?’ Robert asked ‘Excuse me’ Mac said ‘Just admit it’ ‘Okay he is’ Mac admitted ‘And you’re catching up with him now, someone who you had a fling with’ Robert said ‘I didn’t have a fling with him. It was a careless mistake’ Mac said ‘And now you want him back’ Robert said ‘How dare you speak to me like that’ Mac said ‘You accused me of the same thing’ Robert said ‘Well it isn’t half obvious, you’re the one late home from work every night and then I see you out with Danni today’ Mac yelled ‘I already explained that’ Robert yelled back ‘Yeah, like I’m going believe that. I know Danni okay. Angie told me that Pete and Danni broke up because she was seeing someone else. Was that someone you’ Mac yelled ‘Don’t be stupid Ellen. I love you’ Robert yelled back ‘Don’t stand here and lie to me Robert. I’ve had to deal with people who can lie a lot better then you so don’t treat me like I’m stupid’ Mac yelled twice as loud ‘Mommy, Daddy are you fighting?’ Alex said as she stood in the door ‘No, no were not darling’ Mac said calming down ‘Come on your supposed to be in bed’ ‘I’ll take her’ Robert said holding her hand and leading her upstairs. Mac sat down on the lounge flicking through the channels on the TV. Robert came back down the stairs ‘Coming to bed? Robert asked ‘Maybe it would be best if you stayed in the spare room tonight’ Mac said storming upstairs and slamming the bedroom door. ‘Mummy come and play football with me!’ Daniel said throwing his football to the ground and stomping his foot ‘Daniel, I’ll be there in a sec’ Mac said swinging Hannah and Alex on the swings. Mac had taken the kids to the park on Saturday afternoon, Robert was working or so he said ‘I’ll play with you’ A voice said from behind Mac ‘Pete’ Mac said spinning around ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘I was going for a walk when I saw that little Daniel here had no-one to play football with’ Pete said picking up the ball and throwing it to Daniel ‘How good can you kick?’ Pete asked Daniel. Mac smiled and turned around and began pushing the girls again. After that they sat down to lunch. After lunch Mac and Pete were cleaning up after the picnic they had. ‘Wow, when we were working together in undercover I never pictured you with three kids’ Pete said with a grin ‘Well I’ve changed’ Mac replied ‘No you haven’t, you’ve surprised me a tiny bit, but you haven’t changed a whole lot’ Pete said ‘Really’ Mac said smiling ‘Nope.’ Pete said ‘Anyway, Where’s Jeremy?’ Mac asked ‘It’s Danni’s weekend with him’ Pete said ‘You should bring him round to play with the kids. I’d love to meet him’ Mac said ‘What about Robert?’ Pete asked ‘I don’t care what he thinks’ Mac said ‘You need to talk to him Mac’ Pete said ‘I’ve tried’ Mac said. Pete looked around awkwardly then he spotted Alex playing football with her brother ‘She’s so beautiful’ Pete said. Mac softened and smiled at Pete ‘She looks like her daddy’ Mac said ‘Oh she’s got my eyes, but look at her smile she takes after you’ Pete said ‘Try living with her a week and you’ll see who she takes after, she’s very cheeky at times’ Mac said. But noticing Pete’s face she regretted what she said ‘Pete, I’m sorry’ ‘Wish I could live with her for a week’ Pete said ‘Maybe we should go’ Mac said picking up the basket and calling over the kids. As they were about to hop in the BMW Mac looked over her shoulder for no apparent reason. That was when she saw Robert and Danni walking through the park ‘That’s dad’ Alex said ‘Get them in the car Pete’ Mac said to distracted to look away. Danni pulled Robert in for a kiss. Mac couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She jumped in the car and sped away. ‘Danni don’t’ Robert said pushing Danni away not realizing that his wife had seen him ‘Robert, what are you doing?’ Danni asked ‘I can’t do this anymore. Last night I talked to Ellen, I love her too much I can’t lose her’ Robert said ‘But… But what about us’ Danni said ‘I gave up Peter for you’ ‘I’m sorry Danni, but I love Ellen too much’ Robert said walking away ‘Mac, there could be a perfectly logical reason for what happened’ Peter said ‘There isn’t Pete, he’s going to leave me for her and quite frankly I don’t care now. He obviously doesn’t love me’ Mac said ‘Don’t play that tough-girl act on me Mac. I know you’ Pete said ‘Can you watch the kids for awhile?’ Mac asked ‘Yeah sure, where are you going?’ Pete asked ‘I’ve got something to sort out’ Mac said grabbing her keys and walking out the door. Mac walked into her house after being at Pete’s and found Robert in the kitchen cooking ‘Hi beautiful. I’m going to take the kids next door and then you and I can have a romantic dinner for two’ Robert said as she walked into the kitchen. He tried to kiss her but Mac pulled away ‘What’s wrong?’ Robert asked seeing Mac’s angry but calm face ‘Oh, nice try Robert, just pretend that nothing has happened’ Mac yelled ‘Ellen, what the hell are you going on about?’ Robert asked. ‘I saw you in the park with Danni. Alex saw you with her and I don’t know what the twins saw’ Mac said ‘Where are the kids?’ Robert asked ‘They’re at Peter’s for now’ Mac explained ‘And your accusing me of having an affair’ Robert said ‘Pete told me that Danni left him for a doctor at the hospital. Would that doctor be you?’ Mac asked tauntingly ‘Alright, I’ll admit it we were having an affair, but I ended it today I love you too much’ Robert said trying to hug Mac ‘Get away from me, just get away. I loved you so much, I trusted you and you go and do this to me’ Mac said crying ‘Ellen, please I love you’ Robert said ‘Don’t, just don’t. Just leave Robert, I don’t want to see you. Actually, I think we need a trial separation’ Mac cried ‘Ellen, you’re being irrational’ Robert said ‘Please Robert, just leave me alone’ Mac said walking into her study and slamming the door. Twenty minuets later she heard the front door slam for the last time and Robert’s Mercedes speed off down the street. She picked up the phone ‘Pete, it’s Mac’ ‘Can you bring the kids over’ ‘Yep that’s it, just on the hill’ ‘Thanks Pete, see you then’ Mac hung up the phone and sat back into her chair letting the tears that she had kept locked up pour out. ‘Thanks for watching them for me Pete’ Mac said as Pete and the kids walked in the door ‘That’s fine. Sorry I’m late the kids were hungry so I took them out to get some Pizza. I didn’t think you’d mind’ Pete said ‘Thanks. Um, Kids why don’t you go out the back and play on your swings’ Mac suggested to them. They nodded and ran out the back. Mac and Pete walked into the living room of the house and sat down on the lounge ‘Do you want a drink?’ Mac asked ‘I’m fine. What happened?’ Pete asked ‘It’s over, I told Robert to get out’ Mac said ‘Mac, I’m sorry’ Pete said ‘Don’t be. I’m not’ Mac said trying to put on a brave face ‘Don’t play that tough girl act on me Mackenzie I know you’ Pete said ‘How could he do that to me Pete. I loved him and whenever my back was turned he was of sleeping with around’ Mac said starting cry ‘Sssh Mac it’s okay’ Pete said pulling her into his arms ‘I mean I thought he loved me. When we first met I was a single mother of a one year old and he still dated me and married me a year later. How could he have done this’ Mac cried ‘It’s going to be okay’ Pete said holding her tight ‘And, and Danni took away two of the three people that I have ever really loved’ Mac said crying even harder ‘You, you loved me’ Pete asked uncertainty ‘Yeah, yeah I did’ Mac said wiping away her tears. There was a short pause between them then Mac broke the silence ‘Thanks for being there for me Pete, I really appreciate it’ Mac said ‘You know that I’m always going to be here for you’ Pete said. Suddenly they were interrupted by the front door banging open. They jumped up from the seat ‘What was that?’ Mac asked ‘Oh so as soon as I leave your inviting your boyfriend over, is that it Ellen’ a drunk Robert said as he walked into the room ‘Robert, your drunk’ Mac pointed out but Robert ignored her ‘You tryin to edge in on my wife hey’ Robert said to Pete ‘I’m here comforting her after the way you treated her’ Pete said ‘Well she doesn’t need you, she’s got me back so piss off’ Robert yelled at Pete ‘Robert stop it. Please just leave we’ve already discussed it’ Mac demanded ‘Dad’ the kids said running into the room ‘Pete, take them upstairs’ Mac asked Pete nodded and led them up the stairs ‘I’m calling a taxi for you’ Mac said picking up the phone and doing so. ‘Let me see the kids’ Robert said after Mac had called for the taxi ‘Robert, your drunk and you’re in no state to see them’ Mac yelled ‘I want to see my kids now get the hell out of my way’ he said punching Mac across the face and sending her flying. Robert picked her up and pegged her up against the wall ‘let me see the kids or I’ll swear I’ll kill you’ he said choking her and continuously banging her head on the wall. Alex ran down the stairs with Pete right behind her ‘Leave mummy alone’ Alex screamed. Pete ran over to him and threw him on the ground ‘You stay the hell away from her because if you come near her again you’ll wish you hadn’t’ Pete said punching him in the face ‘Pete, just let him go’ Mac called out weakly. The taxi arrived and Pete took him outside to it. He walked back into the house to find Mac on the lounge with Alex in her lap ‘Mum are you alright?’ Alex asked ‘Yeah I’m fine sweetie’ Mac said ‘Why did dad hit you?’ Alex asked. Mac looked at Pete not sure what to say then looked down at Alex ‘Daddy wasn’t being himself, it was just a mistake. Why don’t you go and play with Hannah and Daniel’ Mac suggested. Alex kissed her mother on the cheek and ran upstairs ‘Mac, I’ll get you some ice for that it looks bad’ Pete said walking into the kitchen ‘Thanks’ Mac said when he brought it back out. ‘Mac, I’m calling the police. You need to get a restraining order out against him’ Pete said ‘Pete, he was just drunk. He isn’t usually like that’ Mac explained ‘I don’t care Mac he could have killed you, and he threatened too’ Pete persuaded. Mac nodded ‘Okay. Thanks again Pete I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here’ ‘I’m here for you, if you need anything just ask. I’m going to make that phone call’ Pete said. After he made the call he came back into the room with a hot cup of coffee ‘Thanks’ Mac said ‘Mac, I want to stay here for the night. I’m not going to let anything happen to you and those kids’ Pete said ‘Thanks Pete. That means a lot to me’ Mac replied ‘Mac… do you think it would be totally inappropriate if I was to kiss you now because, it’s tempting’ Pete asked leaning in ‘Maybe we should find out’ Mac said also leaning in. Their lips met and they both wrapped their arms around each other. Mac felt such passion that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Ofcourse she and Robert kissed but in the last few months their marriage had become stale. They had both gotten promotions, Mac the assistant commissioner and Robert, chief of staff at the hospital and they were both working too hard at work. But then thoughts began crossing her mind telling her that what she was doing was wrong ‘Pete, I think we should stop’ Mac said pulling away ‘What’s wrong?’ Pete asked staring into her eyes ‘It doesn’t feel right. I’m still married…’ Mac started saying ‘Mac, you’ve got to make a choice. Either you still want to be with him or you don’t. Do you want to be with him?’ Pete asked Mac shook her head ‘Do you want to be with me?’ Pete asked uncertainty. Mac pulled him close to her and kissed him again. This time all she could think about was how much she wanted to be with him. Mac walked into the shopping mall that afternoon hoping to pick up Christmas presents for the children. Angie was watching the kids for the afternoon so Mac could have some time to herself She was walking through the aisles of the Toy Store when she bumped into to Danni ‘Mac. How are you?’ Danni said ‘Don’t bother Danni. I don’t want to speak to you’ Mac said trying to push her trolley around Danni and her trolley but Danni blocked her way ‘We need to talk’ Danni asked ‘There’s nothing to say’ Mac said ‘Look, when I first got together with Robert I didn’t know that you were his wife. But when I found out I was in love with him and I didn’t want to let him go. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you’ Danni said ‘Don’t feed me that shit Danni. I don’t want to hear it’ Mac said pushing her way past her ‘What about you. You slept with Pete before we went to Sydney. I know that your eldest daughter is his’ Danni said ‘I’ll admit that. We made a mistake. At least I ended it and didn’t ruin your relationship’ Mac said storming away. Mac walked into the grounds of her children’s Primary School looking for them. It was 11 days to Christmas and Mac was planning on taking the kids to get their photos taken with Santa Clause. Mac was also trying to make this Christmas as special as she could for the kids since Robert wasn’t going to be there. She checked on their usual bus-line but they weren’t there and she couldn’t see them around anywhere she walked up to one of Alex’s best friends ‘Hi Hollie, so you know where Alex and the twins are?’ Mac asked ‘They’ve already gone’ Hollie said ‘Who did they go with?’ Mac asked ‘Some man, I don’t know who he was’ Hollie said ‘Excuse me can I help you?’ One of the teachers said to Mac ‘Yes, I’m Ellen Mackenzie I’m looking for my three children Alexandra Mackenzie and Hannah and Daniel Callaway’ Mac said ‘I haven’t seen them around’ the teacher said ‘Hollie here says that they’ve already gone but I was supposed to be picking them up’ Mac explained ‘Maybe you should call your husband, this could all be some sort of mistake. We look after the children here very well I’m sure nothing could have happened’ the teacher said ‘There is no way that my husband would have arranged for anyone to pick up the kids he isn’t supposed to see them’ Mac explained getting worried ‘I suggest you call him anyway this is probably some misunderstanding’ the teacher said. Mac nodded and called Robert ‘Robert it’s Ellen’ Mac said ‘Ellen, I’m so glad to hear from you. I miss you darling’ Robert said ‘No, Robert now isn’t the time. Did you send someone to the school to collect the kids?’ Mac asked ‘No, ofcourse not you know I can’t do that’ Robert said ‘Well where are they? I can’t find them’ Mac said getting really worried ‘Ellen, hold on I’m coming down there’ Robert said hanging up. Mac turned to face the teacher ‘He knows nothing about it’ ‘I’d better call the police’ the teacher said ‘Yeah I think you’d better’ Mac said. Ten minuets later the police arrived. Behind two detectives: Detective Kelly Matheson and Detective Luke Johnson there was Pete ‘Mac, what are you doing here?’ Pete asked rushing up to her ‘Someone has taken my kids’ Mac said as she began to cry. Pete pulled her in close comforting her ‘Assistant Commissioner Mackenzie, Can you explain to us what happened?’ they asked Mac nodded. After she finished explaining the story Robert arrived ‘Dr. Callaway where going to have to ask you as few questions’ Detective Johnson asked leading him away. ‘Did you know Church had a fling with the Assistant Commissioner’ Johnson said ‘How do you know?’ Matheson asked. She had been interviewing Mac ‘When I asked Callaway if the eldest was his daughter since she had a different last name he said that Peter Church was the father’ Johnson answered ‘Well I found out that Mackenzie and Callaway recently separated because Callaway was having an affair. An affair with Danni Church. Pete’s ex-wife’ Matheson said ‘Well isn’t that a bit of a love quadrangle, we might have to check out that’ Johnson said. ‘Pete we have to find them’ she said crying. Pete wrapped his arms around her ‘We’ll find them, don’t you worry. Come on I’m taking you home, you should stick near the phone’ Pete said ‘No, I’m not going home. I’ve got to find my kids’ Mac said. Pete usually had to deal with emotional parents like this all time. But this time it was different, for one reason he cared for Mac greatly and seeing her so upset affected him enormously and secondly it was also his daughter kidnapped too. Although he barely knew Alex and she had no clue that he was her father. Pete knew he was going to do everything to find her and her brother and sister. Pete pulled Mac into his arms letting her know that he was there for her. Suddenly a channel nine news van pulled up ‘Shit, how did they find out so soon?’ Pete said spotting them A news reporter jumped out of the van with her cameraman not far behind ‘Come on Mac I’m taking you home’ Pete said. He walked over to the detectives and explained what was happening. They nodded and he and Mac headed over to her car ‘Assistant Commissioner Mackenzie do you know who kidnapped your children? Can you tell us anything?’ Pete held onto Mac and got her through the crowd that had followed the reporter. He got her into her BMW and they drove off. ‘Thanks for that Pete, I just can’t deal with that now’ Mac said as Pete drove of down the street ‘How could this have happened? They were kidnapped from school for Christ-sakes’ Mac said ‘What did I tell you, we are going to find them do you hear me? I am not going to let anything happen to them’ Pete said. Mac nodded ‘Thanks’ Mac said as Pete began holding her hand while driving with the other. ‘Where is Jeremy’ Mac asked ‘Danni has him during the week so he’s fine’ Pete said. Mac nodded but only half paying attention. When they got home Mac checked the phone messages in case of any calls about the kids. They turned on the news and sat down on the lounge ‘We’ve just been alerted that three children one eight-year-old and two five-year-olds have been kidnapped from the grounds of their Primary School this afternoon. Alexandra Mackenzie and Hannah and Daniel Callaway are the children of Victoria’s Assistant Commissioner Ellen Mackenzie and Head Doctor at Melbourne hospital Robert Callaway. (Pictures of Alexandra, Hannah and Daniel came flashing across the screen’. If anyone has any information whatsoever on this kidnapping could they please contact the police. (Screen then flashes to the scene. It has Mac been lead away by Pete and then Robert appears on the screen.) Dr. Callaway, do you have anything you would like to say ‘I just want to say that whoever has my kids to just bring them back because my wife and I miss them very much and a reward will be given to anyone who helps the police find them’. The broadcast was then over and Pete turned of the TV ‘Oh God this is really happening’ Mac said crying ‘Pete, I can’t loose them, I just can’t’. Pete embraced her and began rocking her in his arms. The doorbell then rang and Mac leapt up running to answer it. Police officers were at the door and they began bringing in equipment and they began to set up near the phone. The two detectives Matheson and Johnson that were on the scene walked in the door also ‘Where’s my husband?’ Mac asked ‘He’s gone back to the hospital to collect a few things he needs’ Matheson replied. Mac nodded disapprovingly ‘Ofcourse he has’ Mac said walking back into the living room ‘Ellen. I thought I would come over and see if there was anything I could do? I’ve got the whole force on this’ The Commissioner asked coming through the front door ‘Thankyou. Actually I want to go and make a statement to the press’ Mac said ‘Mac, you don’t have to do that’ Pete said ‘He’s right Ellen, we can organize someone else to do that for you’ The Commissioner said ‘I, I want to do it’ Mac said firmly ‘Alright, we’ll head down to the station’ The Commissioner said going out and getting in his car. Mac and Pete followed and got in Mac’s car. ‘Robert, you have to take them back’ Danni said as she walked into the secret beach-house that Robert had ‘No-way. You know that if I would fight Ellen for custody she’d win. Especially after my drunkenness the other night’ Robert said ‘It’s wrong. She doesn’t deserve this’ Danni said ‘Look, it’s too late now. If I take them back I’ll go to Jail. I’ll loose all hope of seeing them’ Robert pleaded ‘You wont go to Jail’ Danni said ‘Come on, you’re a cop. If I take them back I’ll be in jail for obstruction of Justice and if I don’t go to jail Ellen will make sure that I never see them. Are you with me?’ Robert said ‘Alright’ Danni said. Robert pulled her in his arms and kissed her ‘Everything is going to be fine. We’ll just lay low for awhile then we’ll head for France or something’ Suddenly Danni’s attention was drawn to the TV ‘Were now crossing live to Victoria’s Assistant Commissioner Ellen Mackenzie, mother of the kidnapped children’ the reporter said ‘Please whoever has my children please bring them home. If they’re returned healthy then a deal may be made. And if anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of my children then please contact the police. A reward will be given to anyone with information leading to the return of the children. Please, Please don’t hurt my children’ Mac said breaking down. The TV went back to the reporter ‘That was Victoria’s Assistant Commissioner Ellen Mackenzie mother of the three kidnapped children. If anyone has any information please contact the police on the following the numbers’ Robert switched the TV off ‘Ellen wont be able to bother us after I’ve finished with her anyway’ Robert said laughing and walking into another room. Danni felt sick and decided she had too fix this Mac and Pete walked into Mac’s house that night. Mac collapsed on the lounge. All the police that were at the house had gone after tapping her phone. Pete sat on the lounge with her pulling her into his arms ‘Pete, what if something happens’ Mac said crying ‘They’re going to be fine do you hear me. I’m not going to let anything happen’ Pete said. Mac fell sleep in Pete’s arms exhausted. Two days later and the children had not yet been found there was an urgent knock on the door. Detective Matheson and Johnson burst through the door. Mac had been upstairs changing and Pete was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. He had been staying with her the past few days helping her get through it all ‘What’s happened?’ Mac said running down the stairs anxiously ‘Ellen did you know that your husband has a secret beach-house?’ Johnson asked ‘He has a Beach-house that’s where he was staying’ Mac asked puzzled ‘He has two beach-houses. We think he kidnapped the kids and have them hidden in the secret beach-house. He’s had this place for a year. Neighbors tell us that he would take different women there every different week up until two months ago there was only one woman. We showed them a picture and it was identified as Danniella Church. It was not used for a month until two days ago when Danni and Robert were back’ Matheson explained ‘Are you saying that you think Danni’s involved?’ Pete asked ‘Yes’ Johnson said ‘No way’ Pete said ‘What do you think Ellen?’ they asked ‘I don’t know what to think?’ Mac said pouring herself a glass of wine ‘It’s to early for that’ Pete said pulling it away from her. ‘Leave me alone’ Mac said sitting down at the dinner table ‘I miss my babies’ Mac said crying and Pete held her tight. The detectives mobile began to ring. A few minuets later they raced into the room ‘Alright we know were the kids are. Danni has had a sting set up and she has evidence pointing Robert to the kidnapping and putting a contract out on you’ Johnson said ‘What’ Mac asked shocked ‘Let’s go we know where they are’ Johnson said to Matheson as they walked out the door ‘I’m coming with you’ Mac said ‘Ellen, you and Peter should wait here’ they said ‘I’m coming. They are my kids’ she demanded ‘Alright’ they said running out to the car. That’s Robert’s car’ Mac said as they pulled up outside of the Beach-house. Her, Johnson, Matheson and Pete jumped out of the car. They all got out their guns and headed for the opening of the house. ‘Mac, I think you should wait here’ Pete whispered to her. Mac shook her head ‘I have to do this.’ The whole house was surrounded by police. Suddenly they all busted in followed by the detectives and Mac and Pete. Danni was sitting at a table where the kids were drawing pictures on. ‘Mummy’ the kids said as they ran over to her and jumped in her arms ‘I’m so glad that you’re alright’ Mac said crying. Suddenly something hit Pete, he realized that they had forgotten about Callaway ‘Where’s Callaway?’ Pete whispered. They turned just in time too see Robert sneak out from around a corner and point a gun at Mac’s head ‘Drop your gun’ Pete yelled pointing his gun at him. All the other police did the same including Danni ‘No, you drop your gun, all of you or I’ll shoot her’ Robert said ‘Robert, put the gun down the kids are watching’ Mac yelled ‘Don’t yell at me Ellen, I’m the one with the gun’ he said to Mac ‘Drop your gun’ he yelled to the police. They all did so. ‘Dad, what are you doing’ Alex said as the twins starting crying ‘Robert, stop it your frightening them’ Mac yelled. Mac looked at the kids ‘You go over there to that nice police lady okay sweeties’ ‘Mummy’ they cried ‘Go on do it for mummy’ Mac said. They slowly started to walk over to Detective Matheson who took them outside. ‘Drop the gun Callaway’ Pete called out ‘You, you bastard. You were the one cracking on to my wife so shut your mouth’ he yelled at Pete ‘Robert, please stop this. Think of the kids’ Mac said ‘Think of the kids. I am doing that. Do you think that if I went for custody I would have won? You always made me out to be the bad one Ellen. You never let me spend time with the kids’ Robert yelled ‘That’s all bullshit. I let you spend heaps of time with the kids you were either sleeping around or working. You made yourself the bad one when you started drinking and hitting me’ Mac accused ‘Well after you said you wanted the trial separation I had enough. I called Danni and told her that I wanted her back and we made up this plan. I was going to take of with Danni and the kids. Teach you a lesson, maybe then you would have realized how it must have felt to not be with the kids’ Robert said ‘But now I’ve got a better idea. It seems I’m stuffed now, I’m caught if I give up and I’m caught if I shoot you. I might as well see you suffer’ Robert laughed ‘You’ll be in prison for a long time if you shoot her’ Pete said ‘Shut up’ Robert said pointing the gun at him. Mac grabbed hold of the gun and tried wrestling it out of his hand. Robert and Mac were both fighting over the gun and the other police officer began running in to help. But they were too late, the gun went of and Mac fell to the ground blood pouring out everywhere ‘Mac, no’ Pete called rushing over to her ‘Stay with me do you hear me stay with me’ ‘Pete. Look after my babies’ Mac murmured ‘Mac, you’re going to be fine’ Pete said crying ‘I-I love you…’ Mac said collapsing ‘Shit, Mac hold on. I’m not going to let you die, you hear me hold on’ Pete said with tears in his eyes. The paramedics burst through loading Mac onto a stretcher and taking her out to the ambulance. Pete walked out of the house just behind Robert being led away by the police. Pete spotted Alex, Hannah and Daniel sitting in the Detectives car with Detective Matheson. The kids spotted Mac being put into the ambulance and Alex jumped out of the car ‘Mum’ she called out. Detective Matheson tried to get out of the car and go after her but her arms were full with Hannah and Daniel. Pete ran after her and got to her just before they closed the ambulance door. He walked over to her and took her hand and kneeled down to her height ‘What happened to my mum? Did she get shot?’ Alex asked. Pete didn’t know what to say. So he nodded ‘But you listen to me, your mummy is very tough and she’s going to fine you hear me’ Pete said trying to convince Alex and himself. He and Alex walked over to the D’s car where Hannah, Daniel and Detective Matheson were and they drove straight to the hospital. Pete sat down in the waiting room with Hannah tucked in his lap asleep and sitting next to him was Alex with Daniel asleep on her lap. They had been waiting there for hours, at first the twins had been restless, but they then fell asleep as it was late at night. ‘Peter, are you my real dad?’ Alex asked looking up at him with her big blue eyes. Pete was shocked by Alex’s forwardness. Whenever Pete was with Mac and the kids Alex had always referred to Robert as Daddy. ‘What makes you say that?’ Pete asked carefully ‘I have a different last name and when I asked mummy she told me that I had another daddy’ Alex explained. Pete looked at her realizing that this kid was smart and he was so proud to be her dad. ‘Yes. I’m your dad. I’m sorry that I’m only just meeting you now’ Pete explained. Alex nodded and snuggled in close to Pete ‘Pete, I am so sorry. Pete heard someone call out. He looked up instantly knowing it was Angie ‘Thanks Ange’ Pete whispered not wanting to wake the twins ‘Pete’s my daddy’ Alex said proudly. Angie raised her eyebrows and looked at Pete questioningly ‘Mr. Church’ Mac’s doctor said coming out of surgery ‘I’ll take her’ Angie said as Pete lifted up Hannah and put her in Angie’s arms. Pete walked over to the doctor ‘How is she?’ Pete asked ‘Is any of her immediate family here?’ the doctor asked ‘There are her kids but her husband is unavailable and her parents are trying to get here. Please, were very close is she alright?’ Pete asked ‘She’s a lot better then how we thought she would be. The bullet hit her in her left lung and we’ve had to do some work around there. She’s looking like she should make a full recovery, but she’s not out of the woods yet. She’s one strong woman’ the doctor explained ‘She sure is. Can I see her?’ Pete asked ‘We only let immediate family in, but I’ll make an exception’ the doctor said leading him into Mac’s room. When he got in there he sat down on the chair by her bed and picked up her hand ‘Hey Mac. You’ve got to pull through because you’ve got three beautiful kids out there who adore and need you. There such great kids, so well behaved and sweet. And Alex, she’s amazing. Oh Mac, you can’t die I love you so much and I can’t loose you. Do you hear me hold on, because I don’t want to live without you’ Pete said tears running freely down his face ‘Um, Pete’ Angie said with her head poked slightly around the door. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt you but I thought I could take the kids back to my place, it’s late and all three of them are really tired’ Angie said. Pete nodded ‘Hey, Mac’s going to be alright Pete. She’s tough’ ‘Thanks Ange. I’ll just come out and say goodbye’ Pete said walking out of the room ‘Hey guys. Angie here is going to take you to her place and you can stay there for tonight. She’ll bring you back in the morning and then you can come and see your mummy’ Pete explained. The twins nodded but Alex shook her head ‘I want to see mummy. Let me stay’ Alex said. Pete nodded and picked her up. ‘She’s right with me’ Pete said. Angie nodded and took the twins hands and led them outside. Pete carried Alex into Mac’s room and soon they were both asleep. Pete woke up with the sun shinning in his eyes and an aching neck. Mac looked like she hadn’t changed a bit since he stopped looking at her that night. Pete decided he needed a coffee so he woke Alex and they we walked out of the room, when he got to the waiting room he spotted a worn out Angie with Hannah and Daniel. He walked over to them and gave the kids a hug ‘How’s Mac?’ Angie asked ‘No change’ Pete said sitting down on the seat with Alex and the twins surrounding him ‘Can I go see her?’ Angie asked ‘Sure’ Pete said. He then saw Danni walking into the room ‘Hi Peter’ she said ‘Dan. Where’s Jeremy?’ he asked ‘At Joanne’s place’ she said referring to her best friend ‘Good work with the whole Robert thing Danni’ Pete said ‘I should have said something earlier. Maybe Mac would be alright. If I had’ Danni said ‘Don’t blame yourself’ Pete said ‘Look I have to go. I just came to see how she was and to say sorry. Call me when Mac’s better’ Danni said walking away. ‘Grandma, Grandad’ Alex called out to a couple that entered the room. Pete headed over there ‘I’m Peter Church I’m…’ Pete began to say ‘Your Alexandra’s father aren’t you. Christine, I mean Ellen told us about you’ Mac’s mother said ‘I’m pleased to meet you, although I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances’ Pete said ‘How is she? Mac’s father asked ‘She’s still unconscious’ Pete said ‘You can go see her if you like’. They nodded and walked into the room. Angie sat on the seat next to Pete. Alex, Daniel and Hannah began playing a few seats away ‘So, Alex is your kid is she?’ Angie asked ‘Yeah’ Pete said ‘How’d it happen?’ Angie asked ‘Angie’ Pete said ‘I’m just curious Pete’ Angie said ‘Mac and I had a one-night-stand before I left for Sydney eight years ago. By the time Mac found out she was pregnant I had already left so she never told me until we ran into each other not long ago. She told me what happened’ Pete said ‘She’s a sweet kid’ Angie said ‘Yeah’ Pete said ‘I’m back Mac’ Pete said as he walked into her room after her parents had been in there ‘Everyone’s here to see you. Don’t leave me Mac, I need you and those kids need you’ Pete said taking her hand and putting it to his face. ‘Pete…’ Mac said slowly as she began to stir ‘Mac, Mac’ Pete asked anxiously ‘My, my kids’ she said ‘They’re fine but thank God your alright’ Pete said with a big grin on his face ‘There’s three people out there who are dying to see you. I’ll just go get them’ Pete said running out of the room after kissing her on the head. Seconds later Pete came back with a very excited Alex, Hannah and Daniel ‘Mummy’ they called out. Mac held out her arms and they rushed into them. Tears began rolling down her face as she held on to them ‘Thankyou’ she mimed to Pete. On next day Danni walked into in Mac’s hospital room ‘Hi Mac’ Danni said cautiously ‘Hi Danni’ Mac replied ‘How are you?’ Danni asked ‘Oh I’ve had better days’ Mac said smiling ‘Mac, I just stopped by to see how you were and to tell you how sorry I am for everything that I did. Stealing your husband and the whole kidnapping thing’ Danni said ‘and well for preventing you and Pete getting together all those years ago’ ‘Danni, you don’t have too. Robert was always very charming. I can’t blame you for falling in love with him. And thankyou for calling the police and telling them about Robert and the kids’ Mac said ‘It was the least that I could have done’ Danni said ‘Well thankyou very much’ Mac said ‘Mac, good luck with Pete. Whatever you do don’t push him away. He’s always loved you and I know you love him’ Danni said leaving the room. A little over a week later on Christmas Day Mac was able to go home. Mac’s parents had gone back to Sydney a couple of days before. Pete had picked Mac up from the hospital and they were just about to walk in the door. ‘Thanks for everything Pete’ Mac said ‘You know I’m always here for you’ Pete said as he opened the door leading Mac in ‘Welcome Home’ Angie, Oscar, Alex, Hannah, Daniel and Pete’s son Jeremy called out Danni and Pete were sharing Jeremy for the day. The house had Christmas decorations everywhere and there were lot’s of presents under the tree ‘You guys you shouldn’t have’ Mac said as Hannah ran into her arms. ‘Yes we should have, you deserve it Mac’ Angie said smiling and giving Mac a quick hug ‘Alright Party hats for everyone’ Oscar said coming into the room with hats in his hand ‘I’ll pass’ Mac said laughing ‘Mummy can we open our presents’ Daniel asked as Hannah, Alex and Jeremy nodded eagerly. Pete had brought all Jeremy’s presents over for him to open. Everyone laughed ‘Ofcourse you can’ Mac said leading them over to the Christmas tree as they began ripping apart wrapping paper. Angie put on a CD of Christmas Carols. Oscar came over and put his arms around Angie as she did so and they began dancing. Mac and Pete exchanged glances and smiled at each other. After the kids had finished unwrapping their presents Pete took Mac’s kids outside to a cubby house that he had bought for them ‘Pete, you shouldn’t have’ Mac said ‘Yours is inside the house’ he said kissing her and leading her into the lounge room. He pulled a tiny box from under the tree. Mac opened it ‘Marry me Mac’ Pete said. Mac stood there shocked ‘Pete, don’t ruin what we have now’ Mac said giving him the ring ‘I’m making us a family Mac’ Pete said ‘I’m, I’m sorry it’s too soon’ she said trying to walk away. Angie and Oscar walked outside trying to pretend they didn’t see what happened ‘Mac’ Pete said grabbing hold of her hand lightly not wanting to hurt her ‘Pete, please just leave me alone’ Mac said ‘Mac, I love you so much and I don’t want to loose you ever again. I know this is really rushed, but we’ve known each other for years and years and years and I love you so much. Were both getting older and our kids deserve a good family’ Pete said ‘Oh Pete, like you said it’s so rushed. I’m not even divorced yet and…’ Mac said ‘Maybe this will make up your mind’ Pete said pulling Mac in for a kiss. He had her in close with his arms wrapped around her tightly. Mac’s hands were wrapped around his neck and they stood there kissing ‘Whoa sorry to interrupt’ Oscar said with a grin as Mac and Pete jumped apart guiltily. Oscar walked back outside to be with Angie and the kids ‘Mac, marry me. I love you and you love me, why wait’ Pete said ‘I do love you but I’m scared of getting hurt again’ Mac said ‘I would never hurt you. I love you too much’ Pete said ‘Oh Pete. Yes, yes I will’ Mac said wrapping her arms around Pete and kissing him passionately. Pete slid the ring on Mac’s hand and they then walked hand-in-hand outside ‘Guys we’ve got an announcement to make’ Mac said smiling ‘Mac and I are going to be married’ Pete said with his arms draped around Mac. Angie and Oscar began congratulating them both ‘Oh by the way, Alex knows that I’m her dad’ Pete whispered. Mac gave him a puzzled look ‘She is one smart kid. She asked me if I was her dad and what could I say?’ Mac smiled at him and kissed him again ‘Guys, get a room’ Oscar said ‘Oh you’re just jealous Oscar because I have a beautiful women in my arms and we’re about to marry’ Pete said laughing ‘Actually we have an announcement to make too. Angie and I have been seeing each other for awhile and Angie’s pregnant so we’re going to marry. So I also have a beautiful women in my arms’ Oscar said wrapping his arms around Angie ‘Congratulations’ Mac sad hugging Angie ‘Good on ya mate’ Pete said hitting Oscar on the back ‘Mummy. Can I be the flower girl’ Alex asked tugging at the hem of Mac’s dress ‘Ofcourse you can sweetie’ Mac said ‘Okay we need a family portrait of the new family’ Angie said pulling out a camera. Mac and Pete sat on the lounge next to each other. Hannah sat on Mac’s lap while Alex sat on Pete’s lap. Jeremy sat on the other side of Pete and Daniel on the other side of Mac. Angie and Oscar stood there hopping that their family-to-be would be just as happy.