�Mam.�
�Siobhan pet��
�You love him, don�t you?� There was a deep stone within Siobhan, she wanted the answer to be no, but knew it would not be so. Her mother nodded, unable to speak for a moment. �Are you sure� it�s not just the attack� are you leaving dad for him?� She had to know the worst, if her mother even knew that. Sheelagh sighed.
�I�ve been trying to stop myself dear, I didn�t want this to happen, I didn�t want to ruin the family, but�� She paused for words.
�but now it�s different?� Siobhan was understanding, if shocked and upset.
�Yes, it is. I think that� yesterday taught me that. I can�t live a lie Siobhan, and I can�t let the rest of my life go by me. I nearly lost it; I don�t want to lose the rest.� She watched her daughter nod, taking it in that this was now reality, not just a fear.
�When�when are you going to tell Da? and� what about��
�You and the boys?� Siobhan nodded. �Given your father agrees, you all can chose. Of course I�d want to keep you, but tis me in the wrong here, not him. I�m going to tell him soon, tonight; if they don�t put me on more of this stuff.�
�Are you going to marry him?� That question Sheelagh had not expected.
�Love, I hardly know! I just know that I can�t be the wife and carer to your father anymore, I need to be me.� Siobhan nodded, understanding. Her father drove her nuts now and again with his childlike character, she could see how that annoyed her mum; sure, it annoyed her and she was hardly in the house now!
�He seems a good man, this Des. I like what I�ve seen of him. He is a man.� Sheelagh nodded, suddenly tired; drained. As her head sank back to her pillow, Patrick walked in with Declan.
�Mam!� the worry on the wee lad�s face was heart breaking.
�Son.� She smiled fondly as he tried to hug her gently.
�I�ve been so worried mam! An� they wouldn�t let me come here till now!�
�It was for the best son�� Sheelagh broke off as she and Patrick went to say the line. She blushed.
Awhile later, Siobhan left the room to find Des Taviner. She sat down beside him.
�You�ve changed?� His clothes were no longer blood spattered.
�Yeah. Went back home and had a shower. Reckoned I had the time. She� your mam didn�t want me did she? How is she?�
�She�s ok� My brother Declan and our da are there at the moment. No, she� she told me Des. That she�s leaving me da.� Des looked blown away. �She knew I had sensed something was up with you two. I think she�s telling da later. It kinda drained her to tell me.� Des nodded numbly. he hadn�t ever expected this to happen, not in his wildest dreams.
�I�m�sorry to�be�� He paused, not knowing how to say it.
��taking me mam?� Siobhan was philosophical about it. �She�ll be happier with you. But listen Des�� her tone changed �if you ever hurt her � in any way � you�ll have me to deal with. Got that?�
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