Jump tp love!

[AndyCaroShazJim]

I found this fan fic on a site that is being closed! There were many people writing but they havent writen for two years! I was wondering if anyone would like to finish it?! I would finish it but I am scared that I will kill it! PLEASE SOMEONE FINISH IT! IT IS A GREAT STORY!

Andrea

When he left, I was hardly surprised. He'd had looked up at me, hesitantly, as if to say, "Is this it?" then left, draggin' his bag behind him.
When he did leave, it was like an A-Bomb had been dropped, only everything was real silent. I sat down slowly, by the bench, and thought about the past and tears came. Like long rivers they came and poured down until I could cry no more and outside the wind was blowing hard.
In the cabin, it was warm though. He'd had left his woodcutting tools on the benches and his gloves and his coat. But that didn't really matter.
I came out of the cabin and took the long walk back to my house. Everything he had ever owned had been removed and when I caught up to the mirror in the hall I saw my face and half-screamed.
I looked terrible. With the tears and distorted makeup and puffiness and my skin and my hair everywhere I broke down. I fell and hit my body hard as I landed. My back had fell upon the chest of drawers and it ached.
I cried again, for hours, until the phone rang from the kitchen. It sounded like a distant calling.

Caroline

I drummed my fingers on the table as the phone rang. And rang. And rang.
"COME ON!" I groaned to myself. The answering machine clicked on and I sighed as the message came over. "Andrea, I know you're home. Andrea! Andrea this is really important. Pleeeeeaaaaassee pick up Andrea!" I sighed. "Well, obviously for some reason you've decided not to pick up the phone. Anyway, when you finally manouver yourself towards the general direction of the phone could you please ring me? It's very important." I put the phone back on the hook and rested my chin in my hands, frowning slightly.
"Everything okay?" Frank asked, coming into the kitchen.
"Huh?" I said, broken from my reverie. "Ah, yeah. Everything's fine."
"It doesn't sound like that."
"Yeah, well, Andrea..." I started, but Frank stopped me by putting his fingers over my lips. He sipped his coffee and then quickly put it down and we gazed for a while.
Then we finished. Frank got up and looked at the calender. He had his body facing away from me and he was staring at it. I didn't know it then, but he was in shock.
"Caro...."
"What?" I said, turning around slowly. I too, got up and Frank motioned to the calender in front of us.
The date the 20th October was circled in big red pen. That date was today.
The date Peter came out of prison.
I let my head fall to the table. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I looked up at Frank. "No wonder she didn't answer the phone." I grabbed my keys from the counter. "I'm going over there."
Frank fished the keys out of my fingers. "I don't think so."
"Excuse me?"
"He might be there."
"First of all, he was in for hacking into a government computer. Second of all, I want to make sure Andrea's okay."
Frank and I stared each other off for a few moments before he dropped the keys into my outstretched palm. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."
"No objections," I answered, kissing him on the cheek. "Thankyou."
"For what?"
"For reminding me. And for understanding."
Frank smiled. "That's what I'm here for. Let's go!"
Myself and Frank took the highway to Andrea's house, fast, but we were too slow. The impact of Andrea seeing him again...would be...soo painful. I couldn't let it get worse. I thought I must go there and comfort her and take her hand and tell her everything's fine.
I was angry at myself, having forgotten about him. Ten years is a long time, for anyone.
The car winded up to the mansion, a 10-acre estate just south of Dublin. It was getting dark, around Sevenish.
We drove in quickly and came out quickly, storming the house for her. But she was nowhere to be found. She wasn't on the first floor, the second floor or the third either. By the end of it we were puffed and scared.
"Where could she have gone?" Frank said, nearly running into me as he found me around the corner.
"I don't know," I said. "We've checked everywhere...1st floor - 2nd floor - 3rd floor, even the attic. Where else?"
Frank threw his hands in the air, giving up, but an idea sprang my mind.
"The basement."
We ran down the stairs to the basement. So fast, I thought my legs would give way from underneath me. Sure enough, Andrea was down there, surrounded by washing. Mountains of it. Normally I would make a joke about her housekeeping skills, but now was not the time. She was methodically shoving the clothes into the washing machine and I glanced at Frank, who whispered that he'd go put the kettle on.
"Andy?" I said, making my way over to her.
Andrea turned around. I could tell she had been crying, but as soon as she saw me, her demeanour changed.
"Caroline! What are you doing here? I thought we were going shopping tomorrow. I didn't get the days mixed up did I?"
I raised an eyebrow at this unexpected behaviour. I had expected crying or yelling or something. Anything but happiness. After bearing witness to Andrea after all of her breakups, this was new and uncharted territory.
"Uh, no. It is tomorrow."
"Thought so. So, what are you and Frank doing here?" She wiggled her eyebrows. "I'm sure you've got much more important things to be doing."
"I know what today is."
As soon as I mentioned it, Andrea's face changed completely. She was smiling before, but when I mentioned what day it was, the smile was gone, and she just looked really lost and upset. I walked towards her and tried to put my arm around her, to comfort her, but as soon as my skin touched hers, she flinched and pulled away. I sighed and stepped back.
"Are you ok?" I waited a few moments, but she didnt respond. Instead she just went back to putting the washing in the machine. "I guess you don't want to talk about it. That's fine, but why don't you come on upstairs with me and we'll have some tea, Franks up there making it now...." I trailed off. She obviously wasn't listening to me, too upset probably. I could understand that. "I'll be right here if you need me ok? I'm just going upstairs for a minute.

I had barely got past the first step when the doorbell rang.
Frank
I heard the doorbell rang and Caroline came upstairs. "You want me to get it?" I asked.
She shook her head. "No. How's the tea going?"
I frowned slightly and pouring a cup and grabbing a packet of Tim Tams, headed downstairs to the basement.
"Andrea, you've been holding out on me!" I smiled, placing the cup down on a table.
"What?" she asked, not really understanding what I was talking about.
"You know how much I like Tim Tams, and here I find out that you have two packets in your cupboard." I handed the packet to her. "Want one?"
She smiled weakly. "No thanks." She picked up the tea and took a sip. "Who's at the door?"
"No idea. Caro went to answer it." I sat down on one of the chairs. "She's worried about you."
"She's babying me," Andrea replied. "She doesn't even know what happened!"
"What did happen?" I inquired, in my usual subtle manner.
Andrea stared at me for a moment and sighed. "He was here. And he left. For good."
I sighed. "I'm sorry, Andy."
Andrea nodded. "You're the first one I've told that to. How do you manage to worm your way into getting the answers to questions?"
I smiled. "Ah, well that all relates back to the first time I met Caroline. I walked up to her table and she was signing autographs for some people. She asked me what did I want signed. I said nothing that I wanted to take her out and perhaps marry her one day. Then she told me I was a cheeky bugger."
Andrea smirked. "You are a cheeky bugger."
"Frank!" came Caroline's voice from upstairs.
I rolled my eyes. "I'll be back."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Caroline
"Hurry up," I thought to myself, waiting for Frank to come upstairs.
I didn't recognise the man at the door, but he looked suspicious and I didn't want Andrea to be alarmed for no reason, so it was Frank I called to the door. When he saw who was at the door, Frank smiled.
"Hey Mate, how've you been?"
"Not too bad, yourself? Caroline looked a bit alarmed to see me," Frank turned to me.
"Don't you even recognise him? He hasn't changed that much in 10 years!" It was then that it clicked. Peter was at the door. I turned and went to go downstairs to fetch Andrea, but before I got too far, Peter spoke again.
"Don't bother getting Andrea, I've already seen her, I just want to collect the last of my stuff." I looked at him and then to Frank, stunned.
"Wha.. What?" I wasn't following at all.
"Don't worry about it Caroline.. sure Pete, go on in..."
"Shouldn't we ask Andrea first....?"
"As I said, she already knows what I'm doing, I'll be gone in a bit anyway." I was still very confused, but let him through anyway, assuming that they both knew what they were doing.
I watched wordlessly as Peter packed his things and left the door, all the while keeping a curious eye on Frank. Finally, Peter said goodbye to Frank and nodded in my direction. Good sister I am, I ignored him. Then I turned to Frank.
"Would you mind telling me what that was all about?"
"He's moved out."
"I gathered that. What I meant was, how come you just let him in like that?"
"Andrea told me that he moved out today."
I raised an eyebrow. "When did she tell you that?"
"Between when I offered her a Tim Tam and she called me a cheeky bugger." He smiled and handed me a cup of tea. "Why don't you go have a girly chat? If you take her up to her room or the living room, I promise to do the washing for her."
I smirked slightly. "And at our place?"
"What's with the bargaining idea? Get to it, sister!"
I rolled my eyes and headed downstairs."
When I got downstairs, Andrea was still working on the washing, walking mindlessly between the washing machine and the piles of clothes on the other side of the room. When she saw me, she just glanced up and kept working.
"Peter was here.."
"I know"
"Why didn't you..."
"I just didn't."
"You told Frank.."
"He has this way about him that makes u blurt out whats bothering you.. you know that." I sighed.
"I know.. Come on upstairs with me ok? Frank's going to do the washing, and we're going to have a cup of tea together ok?" She didn't say anything, but she stopped what she was doing and walked up the stairs, dragging her feet up every step.

Andrea
I didn't want to talk to Caroline about what had happened, I didn't want her pity. But she was concerned about me, worried even. I didn't want that, not after what she'd been through in the past, but talking to her just didnt feel right just then. I knew once I started explaining, the tears would come and I didnt think I could stop them.
Yet I went upstairs and sat at the kitchen table and let her pour me a cup of tea.
I sipped at the tea, feeling Caroline's eyes on me the entire time. Every time I looked up, she'd concentrate on drinking her tea. Everytime I looked down again, her eyes were back upon me.
"You want to talk?" Caroline asked finally.
"Not really," I replied. I caught her hurt look as she concentrated on her drink. It felt slightly ironic that I was about to comfort her. But then I remembered that I didn't want comforting right now. I took her hand in mine. "Don't be mad at me, Caro."
Her eyes shot up and she looked upset. "I'm not mad at you, Andy. Not at all. Don't think that."
"I wanted to tell you but...you said it yourself years ago. Frank's a cheeky bugger. It just came out."
She smiled wryly. "Yeah, he does have a way of just needling you till it comes out of your own accord." She sighed. "It's just..."
"You thought that because you were my sister that I'd tell you first," I guessed.
Caroline nodded.
I smiled. "I was going to but...Frank is just like an impartial part. He liked Peter before we found out he was hacking and he's not my sister." I shrugged. "It's hard to explain."
"I know what you mean.. I think. Frank just seems to have this way about him that makes you want to open up to him even though you didn't want to before. It happens to me all the time." Caroline half smiled. I nodded and looked down at my cup. "I won't push you, but I would like to know what happened, or why he left at least..." I looked up at her again.
"I'm not even sure I know why... he turned up at my house this afternoon, called out to me.. I couldn't believe it was him, it had been so long since I had seen him or heard him it was hard to believe he was there at all. I came rushing out to see him, went to give him a huge hug, and he flinched as I touched him. I pulled back... I've said too much, I can fee.." I stifled a sob and got up from the table, walking out of the room. I knew I shouldnt have tried to explain what happened, I knew it would get me upset, yet I did anyway. I went and flopped down on the double bed and the tears came again. Just poured and poured for what seemed like hours. It was only a few moments after I started crying histerically that Caroline was back beside me, stroking my hair and telling me it was ok.
It was getting dark. The afternoon was melting into the sky.
But I didn't notice that. By 5, my eyes were dry and my throat soaring from crying. I felt like I had shed another skin.
And so Caroline stayed the night, but still got no word from Sharon or Jim. That was fine, they were away somewhere in southern Europe for some awards night and I didn't want them around. I couldn't expose myself to too many people at once.
Caroline comes in with tea and talks to me and we reminiss about the old times. For a while, Peter was nearly forgotten of, but I know now that is close to impossible to achieve. His stuff is everywhere.
This house. The chairs and the furniture. I gave up my house to live here and now he's gone and he won't even take the house as his own. He's too good for that.
There came a rattle from the kitchen and Caroline and I stared, confused at each other. We got up to go in there, when Frank ran out.
"Don't!"
"Don't what?" I asked, folding my arms. "Don't go into my kitchen?"
"I'm cooking," Frank said. "Dinner. And well....your kitchen doesn't look so good right now. But it will be fine. Just...stay out for a while okay?"
Caroline and I glanced at each other again and she cracked a slight smile, taking me by the arm and back into the lounge room.
"You know, Caro, you don't have to be here," I told her. "You're a married woman now. I'm sure you and Frank have better things to do."
Caroline scoffed and curled up beside me on the couch, hugging me tight. "Are you kidding? You're my sister, Andy. I'll always be here for you. Frank knows that and he understands." She pressed a kiss on the top of my head. "Now stop saying silly things and decide what movie we should watch, okay baby?"
I smiled slightly. I had the greatest big sister in the world.
At 7, we had dinner. We brought out all the old silverware and bone china just for fun. But it wasn't fun for me.
I was too engrossed in playin' with my food.
In the middle of eating, the lights suddenly went out. We scrambled for candles and found only an old torch.
Sharon

Gavin and I landed at the Dublin airport, tired and achy after a long trip with at least two screaming babies on board. I had expected my sisters to be here, but they weren't.
"I'll get the bags," Gavin told me. "Can you try and get us a taxi?"
I nodded and quickly got one.

When we got home, Gavin automatically switched the answering machine on, in case he had any work messages. I immediately went to my beloved coffee machine and set it to work.
*Beep*
"Gavin, it's Jack. We need to work on a brief as soon as possible. Call me."
Gavin glanced at me and sighed.
*Beep*
"Sharon? It's Frank."
My ears pricked up at this.
"Um, I don't know if you've looked at your calendar, but there's a big red circle around a particular date. Everything's okay, he's gone and Caroline and I are with Andrea. I tried to get Jim, but his answering machine is broken again." There was a pause. "Oh, and I hope you had a good trip."
I raised an eyebrow and I walked over to my calendar. Sure enough, there was a nice big circle around the date, courtesy of Caroline. "Dammit!" I cursed to myself. "How could I forget!?" I immediately dialled Jim's number.
"Hello?" came a tired voice.
"Jim, it's Sharon. Have you checked your calendar?"
"Sharon, I left the airport after you. I've barely just gotten in. What' so important?"
"Check it," I ordered him.
There was a grumble and a funny noise as Jim fumbled around for his calendar. "There's a big red circle around today's date. So what? Caroline was defacing my calendar again."
"Think about it, Jim," I said, exasperated.
"Well, it's not anyone's birthday. Or anniversary...Oh hell."
I nodded to myself. It was all coming back to him now.
"Right, I'll head over there now and pummel him."
"He's gone," I informed him.
"What?"
"Frank rang me and left a message. He and Caroline are with her." I sighed, although I wanted to go myself. "You remember Mark James? The one you got mad at when he dumped Andrea?"
"Yeah, what about him?"
"Well, Andrea just wanted to be left alone. Maybe we should do that here."
There was silence on the other end and I heard Jim sigh.
"Fine. Fine. I'll ring her tomorrow."
"Good boy," I told him. We said goodbye and I hung up the phone.
Gavin came back into the room. "Everything okay?"
"I hope so," I replied, beginning to worry.

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Gavin lifted my face to look at mine.
"What's wrong? Something's troubling you.. The date on the calendar - whats so significant about it?" I sighed, moving to sit down on the sofa.
"Today is the day Peter, Andrea's husband got out of jail.." Gavin nodded and sat beside me, holding both of my hands in his.
"Do you want to call her?"
"No, Caroline's with her, she should be fine.. I'll call her tomorrow morning." Gavin nodded.
"Of course she'll be fine. Caroline looks after her the best out of us all." I knew he was right, and let him lead me off to the bedroom to sleep.
The next morning I awoke to the sound of the phone ringing. Seeing as I was still slightly worried about Andrea, I swung my legs quickly over the side of the bed and rushed for the phone.
"Hello?"
"Sharon? It's Caroline, Andre.."
"Caroline! How's Andrea? What happened with Peter? Are you both ok? How are you coping?"
"one question at a time! Andrea's gone. I can't find her anywhere. There was a blackout last night, so we both went to bed, nothing worth staying up for, but when I got up this morning and went to wake her up, she wasn't in her room! I checked the house and backyard, and she's nowhere. She hasn't gone there has she?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing to the extent that nothing I was hearing was sinking in.
"What?"
"Andrea.. is she there?"
"No, she hasn't been here.."

Caroline
"YOU LOST ANDREA!!!!" came Sharon's piercing voice through the phone
I held it away from my ear. I had hardly slept last night, and I could really do without Sharon getting cranky at me.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?" was the next thing to come through. "YOU KNOW SHE'S EMOTIONALLY VULNERABLE!!"
"Hey! Don't blame this all on me, okay!" I cried back. "I'm worried to, you know. Frank and I spent the entire night here."
"Sorry," Sharon apologised. "I guess I'm just worried. About what she will do and what..."
"Peter will do," I finished. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "You know she's asking him for a divorce?"
There was silence on the other end. "It'll kill Daddy."
"Don't you think it will kill her?" I asked. "He's so emotionally...unstable I guess. I don't trust him. Shouldn't you be more worried about her?"
"Right. You're right," Sharon replied. "I'll call Jim."
"I'm going to call Daddy. I don't want it to get out to the press that Andrea Corr is missing before he finds out."
"Be gentle," Sharon reminded me.
"I'm not stupid," I told her. I bit my lip. "Sorry. I think I'm just tired and stressed."
"It's okay," Sharon replied. "Love you, Caro."
I smiled. "Love you, Sharon."
I put down the phone and paused for a minute, thinking of what to say to daddy. Nothing smart or tactful came to me, but I had to tell him, it wouldn't be right otherwise. I took a deep breath and dialed the number.
"Hello?"
"Daddy? It's Caroline."
"Oh hi Caroline, hows things? I'm surprised you're up this early!"
"yes, well there's something I really should tell you."
"What is it?"
"Its Andrea, she's gone missing..."
"No..."
"I know, I don't know where she's gone.. I'm worried about her - Peter came back yesterday from prison, and left, taking most of his stuff with him.."
"Oh God... When did you notice she was missing?"
"About half an hour ago, she went to bed fine last night."
"I'm coming over there right now, you're at your place?"
"No, Andrea's, I stayed the night."
"ok, I'll be right over. You just look around to see if there's any sign of her ok?"
"Of course daddy. Sharon is on her way over here too, after contacting Jim."
"I shouldn't be more than half an hour. Keep an eye out for her..."
"I will, Don't get too worried, she's probably fine, gone off to clear her head or something."
"Can't be too careful, see you soon." He hung up. I sighed and tossed the phone onto the sofa, and then flopped down beside it. It was only a matter of seconds after getting comfortable that the phone rang again.
"Hello, Woods.. I mean Corr residence"
"Is Andrea there?" an obviously male voice said on the other end of the line.
"Uh, who's speaking?"
"It's Peter, I need to talk to her"
I frowned. "I don't really want to even hear your voice right now."
He sighed on the other end. "Caroline, I know you hate me at the moment and you should. I've been a bit of a bastard..."
"A bit!" I cried. "Because of you, my baby sister, who I've protected my entire life, is missing! And it's all your fault!"
I slammed the phone down in a rage, ready to kill something. However, my rage was soon taken over by sobs, and by a pair of familiar arms enfolding me.
"Shh," Frank soothed. "We'll find her. We'll find her."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Peter
I stared at the phone in my hand, not believing what I'd heard. Andrea was missing? I didn't quite understand how it could be my fault, its not like I took her or anything. She'd probably just gone to clear her head. She did that a lot when we were together and we had an argument. I sighed and sat down on a chair in my hotel room. I hadn't found anywhere to stay yet, but i wasn't sure I needed anywhere else. That's why I had to talk to Andrea. Yesterday I had been released from prison, and I'd made a rash decision. To leave her. I don't know why I did it, the whole time I was in jail all I could think about was her, and all that comforted me was thinking of her warm embrace and her beautiful voice. That's why I didn't understand why I'd left her. It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, I'd figured she'd got over me in 10 years of separation, but when I left, her face told a different story. It was that look that I could see in my mind when I thought of her now. A look of heartbreak. And thats exactly what I felt right now. Heartbreak. Seemed to be a lot of that going around. Caroline sounded heartbroken on the phone too.

There wasn't much point in calling back if Andrea wasn't at the house, Caroline would only hang up on me again. I guess it was fair enough if she blamed me for Andrea's disappearence. I didn't think she would have gone far though, well the Andrea I knew wouldn't have.

Andrea
What was this? Cruel punishment? Here I am, sitting in a bar, having a nice glass...or two...of red wine and they have to go and play one of the songs I wrote.
It's Runaway...kind of ironic at the moment. My voice echoes throughout the bar, Caroline's drums beating off the walls.
Caroline. I close my eyes briefly realising that she must be my home...no Peter's home...scared to death, wondering where I am. I take another drink. But that's it, isn't it?
She's got Frank. Bloody nauseating at times, those two. Sharon should be back now. With Gavin. In their home...that spare room there.
We all know what it's for. Jim. I smile wryly. The newspaper terms my brother the "shag monster". Oh how wrong they are. Poor Jim. He's in a relationship now.
Been going on for a long time. We were all happy for him. And they were all happy for me. But Caroline...she was so suspicious. She stood up beside me at the wedding,
played the role of maid of honour perfectly. But I saw that look in her eyes. She didn't trust him. Another drink. She thought he spent too much time on computers. But I dismissed it.
I just figured that since I was the baby sister, no one I fell in love with would be good enough for me. According to them.
But she turned out to be right! And I know she hated herself for it. Sometimes I hated her for it too, but not now. It wasn't her fault. It wasn't anyone's fault.
Another drink and Breathless starts. What is this? Bloody Corrs night? I glance at the DJ, who is wearing a Corrs shirt and grinning at me.
Another drink.
By this time I was a bit more than tipsy, and my common sense was telling me to go home, but my head was also telling me to forget about them and leave the world behind. Start a fresh.
Problem was, that the 2nd option was more than a little tempting. The thought of leaving the life I had, and starting a new one, somewhere where I was anonymous.. there had to be somewhere in the world where no-one had heard of me right? I was trying desperately to convince myself of that, but the familiar drone of my own voice singing a song that was only making me nautious - I Never Loved You Anyway and the hope was gone. Everyone knew me. There probably wasn't a single person in the entire world that hadn't at least heard of one of my songs. This was usually a comfort to me, but all I could think about was being anonymous. I got up and walked out of the pub, not really knowing where I was headed, just hoping to find someone somewhere someplace that I could turn to for the day.
I must have been walking for at least 10mins when someone took me in from the street and took me up to a hotel room.
Peter

"I swear to God, Andrea. You're entire bloody family is out looking for you, and you're spending your time getting drunk at a karaoke bar? What's gotten into you?"
"Leave me alone, Peter," she mumbled. "You're the last person I want to see right now."
I smiled wryly. "That's what Caroline said."
That seemed to jerk her out of her state. "Caroline? Where?"
"She's probably out looking for you. If I knew her mobile number, I'd call her...but last time I did she changed the number. Your sister doesn't like me very much."
"Don't blame her," she murmured.
"True," I nodded. "I'll try your house. Maybe one of them is there." I turned around to see she had fallen asleep. Typical Andrea. I dialled the familiar number.
"Hello?" came Gerry Corr's worried voice.
Damn. Gerry. Not exactly who I was looking for. "Uh, Gerry. It's Peter..."
"Where's Andrea? What have you done with her!?"
"I didn't do anything," I replied. "I found her coming out of a bar, blind drunk. I took her upstairs to my hotel room and she's asleep."
There was silence for a moment and whispering in the background. Probably about me. Probably not good.
"Give me the address of the hotel," Gerry said. "Caroline and Jim are coming around to get her."
Great, I thought. All I needed was Caroline and her fiery temper...and Jim and his mad right hook.
I had to give them the address, if I didn't they would be even more annoyed with me than they already were. I just had to try and talk to Andrea before they got to the hotel, explain my feelings, and my mistake. Hopefully she'd understand, or at least let me explain what I meant. I looked down at her laying beside me on the sofa and sighed. She looked so peaceful, not nearly as drunk and upset as she had been when she had fallen asleep, and I liked her like she was. She was stirring now, luckily, it wouldn't be more than 10mins until Caroline and Jim got here.
"Andrea, I have to talk to you.."
"hmm?"
"Can you just listen to me?" She sat up, a bit dazed, but not objectionably. "I made a mistake yesterday, leaving you like I did."
"Yeah, right"
"No really, I have no idea what I was thinking. You're the only one I've thought about the entire time I've been in prison."
"Not like there's anything else to think about"
"That's not the point.. Andrea I missed you, and..."
BANG! The door slammed open, and Caroline & Jim were standing together in the doorway.
Caroline
Jim walked over to help Andrea up and I glared at Peter.
"Nice to see you again, Caroline," he said, trying to be polite.
It didn't work.
"I have had a really bad couple of days," I informed him. "What with you turning up, then leaving again, my sister being upset, my other sister not being on the same continent, neither was my brother. I did not sleep last night, in fact, I don't think I've slept for a couple of nights. I don't like seeing my sister upset and then...to top it all off, she goes missing, I have to call my FATHER and tell him and then somehow...you end up back in the picture again." I folded her arms. "I am not happy with you."
"I probably helped her..."
"You were the one who made her like this anyway!" Ithrew her hands up in the air. "I should have trusted my instincts! Instead, I let you marry her and then disappear for ten years." I walked up to him, until he was backed up against a wall, and pointed a finger at him. "You...stay away from my family. Got it?"
He gulped. Peter and I had butted heads before...both times I had won.
"Fine," he replied.
Jim had half gotten Andrea out the door when we heard him yell out that he loved her.
"Let him go, Andy," I told my little sister, glaring back at him. "He's not good enough for you."
I thought that Andrea would listen to me, but I was mistaken. Andrea, in her drunken state, turned around and pushed me away when she heard Peter's words "I Love you Andy!" I couldn't believe it.
"Andrea!" I tried to make a grab at her, but I missed, and before I knew it she was in his arms again, kissing him. "Andrea! You're making a huge mistake!" I cried out to her, and ran towards them, wanting to rip them out of each others arms, but Jim caught my arm.
"Leave them, they'll sort themselves out. Andrea's a big girl now"
"I'm so glad I heard you say that Pete, I was so worried that you'd forgotten your love for me. But, I can't be with you. Not after 10 years of separation. We need to get a divorce." Andrea was saying to him. I couldn't believe my ears and my jaw dropped to the floor.
In fact, I think that both Jim and I were stunned. Peter looked like he'd been expecting it. I had been so afraid for a moment, that I was losing my baby sister to someone who didn't deserve her....
"You what?"
"I want a divorce."
"After everything I said..."
"And what you didn't say," I muttered.
Andrea glanced at Jim and I.
"Could you guys wait in another room for a moment?"
I was tempted to stay, but Jim dragged me off.
"Someone should stay with her."
"Let them be, Caroline," Jim told me.
"Aren't you upset? At all?" I asked him, surprised at his lack of emtion.
"Of course I am! I wanted to kill him! But I can't do that. Because whether we like it or not, he is Andrea's husband. Nothing we can do will ever change that."
"Sounds like Andrea is doing something now," I told him.
Jim nodded. "That may be so. But we have to let her do it on her own."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Andrea

It was breaking my heart, watching Peter's face as I told him what I wanted. I just couldn't be with him anymore, I knew that even in the state I was in. No matter how many nice words he said, he couldnt take back what he'd done to me. And I wasn't going to forgive him that easily. I knew that Caroline and Jim were probably listening against the door trying to hear what was going on, so I was speaking as softly as I could.
"Pete, I can't go on like this, not after everything that's gone between us. Not after what you did over the last few days."
"I was crazy Andrea, completely out of my head! I don't know why I did it, what I do know is that I love you and I don't want to let you go, no matter what." I sighed, and started pacing around the room.
"If its the house you're worried about, take it, I don't particularly need it anyway."
"Its not the house, its you! I want you, I need you"
"Oh baby oh baby? Come on Pete, you know I can't let you stay after all of this."
"Why not?"
"You know why not. I have to go, if you need anything dont hesitate to call, but I'm not going to get back with you. I'll get the divorce papers over the next few days." I stopped talking then, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't I called to Caroline and Jim and we left together.
My head hurt. It just kept throbbing and aching. I had finally gotten rid of Sharon, Gavin, Jim and Daddy after lots of protesting and apologising. Frank and Caroline remained...it was actually almost a comfort to have them here.
The thought of what I would have to go through over the next few months, possibly even years, made my head throb even more. I hated getting headaches and this entire situation was enough to give any sane person a migraine. Damn it all.
I suppose, however, the headache could also be attributed to the amount I drank...although remembering that doesn't do good for the stomach, let alone the head.
I had been in bed almost an hour. I could hear Caroline and Frank downstairs, talking softly to each other. Why couldn't I have what they had? Why did my life have to be so complicated?
The next day I was the first one to wake, but I just lay there in bed for what seemed like at least an hour with a splitting headache, and too many thoughts on my mind. I also didn't want to get up and face Caroline and Frank again right then. I knew they had a thousand and one questions they wanted to ask me, but they would have to wait for an answer, I didn't know any of the answers myself yet. I started to dose again... but was woken by the sound of Caroline's cell phone ringing. I wasn't going to answer it, but I was curious about who it was. I heard a groan from Caroline's room and a thump as she got out of bed. A few moments later I heard a groggy
"Hello?... yes.... no... oh I don't think we could do that today sorry.. why?... ok I'll ask and get back to you.. bye" I had a sinking feeling that whoever it was, they wanted something from me, and I was right. A few minutes later Caroline entered my room.
"Andy? That was John Hughes, he wants us to do an interview for Hello magazine today. You up to it?"
"Sure why not?" I groaned. "Just let me get some pain killers for my head!"
"We can postpone it, Andy. It's not important. Hello can wait. You're more important."
I smiled slightly at her caring nature. I shrugged. "Hey, if we don't do it now, we'll just have to do it later and who knows what could happen!"
Caroline nodded. "If you're sure." She turned around to leave the room when I stopped her.
"Hey, Caro?"
"Mhm?"
"No questions about you know who and that kind of thing okay?"
Caroline smiled. "Not a problem."
"And Caro?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." I wanted her to know how much I appreciated having her around.
She grinned. "Anytime, Andy."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Caroline

I was surprised Andy wanted to go and be interviewed by Hello. After what had happened with Peter and the interesting night she had spent by herself, I was surprised she was up to it. I knew that I certainly didn't feel up to it.
I hadn't been feeling well for the past couple of days. Frank said it was probably stress and I agreed with him. And I certainly knew that Hello wasn't going to ease that stress.

When Andy and I arrived at the restaurant, Sharon and Jim were already there. Both looked extremely jetlagged.
"Hello always picks the really rotten times, don't they?" Sharon groaned, glancing with worry at Andy.
Andrea shrugged. "It's a diversion."
"I'll kill him anytime you want. Just say the word," Jim reminded her.
Andrea cracked a slight smile. "I'll remember that."
The representative from Hello arrived. "How are we all today?"
"Fine thankyou," Sharon said politely.
I was very grateful to my older sister. She took charge of the interview right then and I let her. I knew Andrea wasn't really in the mood to chat and frankly, something smelt funny to me.
"I'll be right back," I said, racing to the bathroom.
I rushed dramatically to the bathroom. The door was right at the end of the hallway but the hallway seemed so huge and long to me. I felt like I could never get there and the vommit was creeping up my throat.
I ran and ran and ran and it felt like a lifetime.
Finally, I reached the end of the corridor and ripped the door practically off its hinges. I knew, just knew it was the men's toilet but I didn't care - this was an emergency!
Then, I spewed into one of the toilets.
"Caroline?"
I groaned. No. No, no, no. Not only was I feeling terrible and in the MEN'S toilets but...HE had to be here, didn't he.
I saw a hand reach over and offer some tissues. I sighed and accepted them, then turned around.
"Are you stalking her now?"
Peter smiled wryly at me. "I'm actually rather interested as to why you are in the men's toilets. Is there something you've never shared?"
I glared at him. "Don't be cute. I'm not very well."
"I can see that," Peter nodded. "What are you doing here anyway?"
I splashed some water on my face. "Hello wanted an interview." I sighed. "I don't even know why I'm talking to you."
He frowned slightly. "You're very pale."
"Thankyou," I replied huffily.
"How long have you been feeling like this?"
"Like what?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Hating you?"
He sighed. "No. Nausea."
I shrugged. "A while. It's just stress." I poked him in the chest. "I'm not one of your patients, Peter."
"What are the other symptoms?"
I frowned at him. "What other symptoms?"
"Caroline, you're not going to be throwing up for no reason."
I groaned. "Fine. I've had some cramps, feeling sick and I hate the smell of peanut butter and pork. Can I go now?"
"Certainly," Peter answered, grinning slightly. "Congratulate Frank on becoming a parent for me."
I stopped stock still in my tracks. "What did you say?"
"You're pregnant."
I spun around and watched him for a moment. "I can't be."
Peter smiled wryly. "Well, I'd have to do a test to make sure, but by what you described..."
"No. Now isn't a good time. Andrea..."
"Is going to be delighted. Congratulations."
I felt sick again.
That would be typical. The one hotel in this entire bloody place that Hello picks would be occupied by him.
I wandered out to the restaurant, where thankfully, they had started the interview.
"Welcome back, Caroline," the Hello representative smiled. "I hope you're feeling okay."
"Just a little food poisoning," I said weakly and took my seat beside Andrea.
She looked concerned and took my hand, squeezing it slightly. "You okay?" she whispered, as Sharon resumed the interview.
I nodded. "Fine."
Sharon

I looked with concern at my two younger sisters. Caroline was pale and I didn't buy her food poisoning story. Andrea just looked exhausted. I tried to move the interview along a bit, talking at a breakneck pace, thankful that the representative was recording it and not scribbling furiously on a pad.
After Hello had finished, we all collectively heaved sighs of relief.
"Was it just me, or was that interview the longest we've ever had?" Jim asked.
"It certainly felt like it," I replied. I glanced oddly at Caroline. "What was all that about earlier?"
"What?" she inquired.
"The whole you running out of here like you were about to throw up."
"I was about to throw up."
"Why?"
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "What are all these questions for?"."I'm just concerned," I told her.
"We all are," Jim nodded. "It's not like you to be sick."
"Well I am, okay!" she said defensively. "It's been really stressful the last few days and I'm tired and I don't feel well." She sighed and grabbed her bag. "I'm going home." Caroline stopped for a moment and turned to Andrea. "Whose home am I going to?"
"Go back to yours," Andrea suggested. "I'll be fine and you'll probably feel better in your own bed."
Caroline nodded. "If you're sure." And then she disappeared.
I looked at Jim. "What was all that about?"
"You're asking me to interpret my sisters actions?" he asked.
I nodded. "True." I turned to Andrea. "What about you?"
She shrugged. "She seemed fine until she went to the bathroom. She has looked a little tired though."
I pursed my lips. "Hmm. I might go have a chat with Frank."
Jim rolled his eyes and I looked at him crossly. "What?"
"You're always sticking your nose in. Leave her alone. Maybe that's what she wants."
"What if it's not?"
Jim sighed. "Just be careful, okay." He grabbed his jacket. "You want a lift, Andy?"
Andrea shook her head. "No, I'll wait with Sharon."
He smirked. "Might be safer if she has someone with her."
"Go!" I told him and he chuckled, heading off
It was a while before Frank came to pick up Caroline, so long that I was starting to wonder if he was going to show at all, but after a good 15mins I saw him heading through the door.
"Hi Sharon, Andrea.. where's Caz?"
"She left a while ago by herself, must have forgotten you were coming to pick her up."
"Oh right, so why are you two still here?"
"Looking for you actually, have you noticed any strange behaviour from.. ouch!" Andrea stomped on my foot, and I gave her a sharp look, gesturing for her to leave me alone for a few minutes, which she surprisingly did. "Anyway, have you noticed Caroline doing anything out of character lately? Any sicknesses coming on for no reason?"
"Uh.. a bit, over the past few days she's been a bit snappy, and sick in the mornings... I put it down to PMS though, why?" Frank looked at me, his head cocked to the side questioningly.
"She ran out in the middle of the interview to throw up today, and said she had food poisoning. I don't buy it, Andrea and her have had the same food, and Andrea's fine.. aren't you Andrea?" Andrea turned around and nodded in our general direction. "See?"
"I don't know what it could be Shaz, she hasn't told me anything about it, just says shes really stressed at the moment... do you want me to talk to her tonight?" I nodded.
"That would be good, I'm quite worried about her!"
"Okay I'll try talking to her tonight. I think there's more to it than stress. I better go and see her, she'd be home by now wouldn't she?"
"Probably, and if she's not, she'd be almost there."
"Ok, talk to you later Sharon, thanks for telling me about your concerns!"
Frank

I unlocked the door to the house and walked in. Considering the house was clothed in darkness, I figured Caroline musn't have got home yet. Switching the light on in the lounge I started as I saw her sitting on the couch, feet under her chin.
"Geez, Caro. You almost scared me to death!" I said.
"Sorry," she murmured.
Noting her red rimmed eyes, I assumed she'd been crying and I dropped my keys and enveloped her in my arms.
"Caro, what's the matter? You haven't been yourself lately."
"Everything's just so...screwed up at the moment," she told me, snuggling closer.
"Talk to me," I urged. "That's one of the reasons I'm here."
She sighed. "As if this whole stupid situation with Peter isn't enough, I had a bit of a row with Sharon today."
I nodded. "I know."
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"
"I went to pick you up," I explained.
She groaned and buried her head against my shoulder. "I'm sorry! I was so cranky I totally forgot!" She sighed again. "And then when I went to the bathroom, guess who was in there?"
"Uh...Robbie Williams?"
She smiled slightly. "No. Peter."
"Ah." I stopped for a moment. "Peter was in the women's bathroom?"
Caroline blushed. "Ah, not exactly."
I moved her away slightly and looked her in the eye. "Caroline? What do you mean about not exactly?"
The blush overtook her entire face. "Ah...I was in the men's bathroom."
I held my laughter in. "Caro, is there something you're not telling me?"
"I couldn't help it! I was feeling so awful that I just went into the nearest bathroom."
"And it happened to be the men's bathroom?"
"I thought you were supposed to be comforting me."
"Right, sorry," I replied, and hugged her again. "Continue"
"I don't know. It's just, with Peter and Andrea, having a fight with Sharon, doing the new album...I just feel so stressed out and terrible all the time."
"It's not like you to be sick."
She looked downwards. "I don't know if I'm sick."
I put a finger under her chin and forced her to look at me. "What do you mean?"
"I think I might be pregnant," she answered, almost inaudible.
My eyes widened. "Pregnant?"
Her eyes hit the ground. "I know we hadn't really expected it but..."
I hugged her tight, almost squeezing the life out of her.
"Frank!" she protested.
I kissed her. "Sorry! It's just...this is amazing! This is wonderful!"
"This is really bad timing," Caroline reminded me.
"Caroline, who cares about timing? This is about you and me and the baby. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks." I hugged her again. "Wow. We're going to have a baby!"
She smiled slightly and looked at her tummy. "Wow."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Andrea

I yawned as I opened the door. Sharon had insisted on taking me out to dinner, even though I had insisted that I did possess food at home, as well as a pretty nifty stove.
"So, do you want to watch some TV or play a game or something?" Sharon asked, following me in.
I turned around and raised an eyebrow at her. "Sharon, won't Gavin be wondering where you are?"
She folded her arms. "He can look after himself." She sighed. "Besides, I rang him earlier."
"I don't need a babysitter," I told her.
"I'm not babysitting," she retorted. "I'm spending time with my little sister."
I sighed and pointed to the TV. "Fine, let's just watch a movie or something, okay?"
It was a few hours until Sharon left, I think she was worried about me being alone. I really didn't understand that, I'd been alone in this house for 10 years and nothing had happened, why would that change now?
I settled down to sleep at around 11, 11:30, but I couldn't sleep. My mind was spinning with a million and one thoughts, about Caroline, about Peter... mainly about Caroline though, she'd been acting very strange today. Almost as if she was... no she couldn't be.. could she? I'd seen it in my friend even before she knew she was, the signs were there, and the same signs were there with Caroline today.. but I'm sure she would have told me, unless she doesn't know yet like my friend? I decided that tomorrow I'd tell her about my theory and see how she reacted.

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Caroline

I lifted the blanket for a moment and glanced down at myself. I raised an eyebrow and then poked my tummy. Wow. There was a baby in there. In there. In me. Wow. This was all very peculiar. Not the whole, how it got there idea...I'd learnt that a few years ago after a very funny talk after I'd caught Jim making out with a girlfriend. What was peculiar was...it had finally happened. Sure, Frank and I had always talked about having children...but now...it was real. There was one right there. I poked myself again. Hmm.
Making sure not to wake Frank, I got up and stood in front of the mirror. I leant back, sticking my stomach out, peering at myself. So that's what I'd look like in a few months...
"Caro? What are you doing?" came a sleepy voice.
I turned to the bed, slightly embarrassed to be caught. "Uh, nothing. I couldn't sleep."
Frank chuckled. "Why were you sticking your stomach out at the mirror?"
I frowned and slid back between the covers. "Don't tease."
"Sorry," he replied, pulling me close.
I grinned as I felt a hand sit protectively on my tummy. This was definitely going to be interesting.
The next day at around 6:30am the phone was ringing.
"ugh.. who could be ringing at this time?" Frank muttered, and nudged me. I looked at him half asleep, and decided I'd get the phone.
"hello?"
"Caz?"
"Is that Andrea? Do you know what time it is?"
"6:30.. I just couldn't wait any longer, I've been thinking about this all night!"
"What is it?"
"Caro, this is going to sound really strange, but I think you're pregnant!"
"Wha... oh I knew that."
"You did?" Andrea sounded surprised. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Peter only told me yesterday, it only sunk in last night.. I think I am too. I'm getting myself checked today."
"Oh my god! I'm so happy for you!" Andrea shrieked and I held the phone away from my ear. "I'm going to be an aunt!"
"And I'll be a mother! I can't believe that yet! I knew it would happen eventually, but now? I didn't expect it!"
I rolled over and prodded my husband. "She's happy."
"Good," Frank replied, his eyes still closed.
"I asked her to come to the doctors with me. Is that okay?"
"Mhm."
I frowned. "You don't sound very enthusiastic."
An eye opened and he peered at me. "Just be careful."
I looked at him strangely. "Be careful about what?"
"Caroline, think about it. Andrea has just broken up with Peter, right?"
I nodded.
"And you three girls had always talked that when you were married you wanted to have children, right?"
It dawned on me. "Oh."
"Yes, oh," he replied, shutting his eye again.
I prodded him again. "Frank?"
"Mhm?"
"Now I'm worried."
He nodded and pulled me into his arms. "I know, Caro. But life goes on. Everyone's life will go on. Andrea will move on from Peter. Jim will continue dating that girl he is dating. You and I are going to have a baby and Sharon and Gavin will probably want to compete."
I smiled at the last comment. "I don't want to upset her."
"I know. How about we get some more sleep, hmm? It's good for the baby and for you. When it's a decent hour, I can be more helpful."
I grinned. "Okay."
"Are you sure you don't mind being here?" I asked Andrea, as we sat in the doctor's office awaiting my results.
"Mind? Caroline, this is great! I'm going to be an Auntie Andrea."
I smiled slightly. "If I'm pregnant."
Andrea nodded. "I'm sure you are." She looked earnestly at me. "Caro, do you think I would have been a good mother?"
I looked at her oddly. "Of course! And you still could be. Just because of what happened between you and Peter doesn't mean that you'll never have a baby." I nudged her. "Besides, I want to be an Auntie Caro."
Her smile was back. "I'll see what I can do about it."
The doctor came back in and we both sat up expectantly.
"Well?" Andrea asked eagerly.
The doctor grinned at Andrea, who was like a little kid. "Congratulations Caroline. You and Frank are going to be parents."
The next few weeks were hell.
Myself and Frank decided to move house to make room for the baby. I was a little sad, half because I would miss this old house and half because things were changing rapidly. At first, Frank got a fab deal on building a new house, seeing he was a property developer and all, but it was a little far out from my family. We knew we would need the family with the birth of our first child so Frank kept looking.
He came across a quaint cottage, close to the city but not the traffic and that made me happy I guess. But it would be another 2 months before we could move in fully, so Andrea offered for us to stay in her "mansion" until we could move in. It worked out because she loved the company and I needed it.

----

The night we - that is myself and Frank - moved in the phone rang. Andrea was out, apparently "buying dinner" but we knew better. When I answered the phone I heard a voice and at first I had no idea who it was.

"Hello?" the voice repeated.
"Hi," I said. "Um, can I help you?"
"Caro! It's me!" There was silence for a moment. "Why are you at Andrea's?"
"Uh, she's letting us stay here...who is this?"
"Caroline...it's Jim!"
I frowned. It didn't sound like him. It sounded like a drunk, sad man.
"Caro, you still there?"
I blinked. "Yeah, I'm here. Jim...are you alright?"
There was a clink and a snuffle. "Saiorse left me. She was only with me because I'm famous."
I sighed. "Jim, I'm so sorry."
He sniffled again. "Yeah."
"You're probably better of without her, Jim. It's her loss."
I was slightly worried, wondering how much my brother had been drinking. I knew that he had been extremely keen on his girlfriend and I realised that with me being pregnant and happy in my relationship, it was probably a kick in the guts to talk to me.
There was a bang.
"Damn right! How dare she treat me like that!"
I was starting to get even more worried now.
He was blabbering...he was drunk.
"She...she was the light 'o my life, she was. Eh, yeah!"
I said, "Errr...you said she left you because you are famous?"
"Moi?" Jim said, giggly like a little school girl. "Moi famous? I, I, don't think so matee. I think a good reason..." He trailed off. I heard a sipping noise. He was drinking, all right. "I think a good reason is that she, she might be preggers Andrea. She just might be..."
I was getting confused. Jim must be thinking that he was talking to Andrea...but who was he talking about being pregnant? He knew I was pregnant, but was he talking about Saiorse?
"Jim, who do you mean is pregnant?"
"Saiorse of course." He burst out laughing. "That rhymes!"
"Very clever," I said, trying to calm him down. "Jim, you think Saiorse might be pregnant?"
"That's what I just said, Andrea! Don't mimic me!"
I sighed. "Jim, it's Caroline, not Andrea."
"Caroline!? What did you do with Andrea? Where did she go? I was just talking to her!"
"Jim, you've been talking to me the entire time, remember?" I hit the speaker phone button and motioned for Frank to be quiet. "Jim, how much have you been drinking?"
"Just a teensy, eensy bit, Andrea."
"It's Caroline."
"Caroline! What have you done with Andrea! I'm coming over there right now! Evil woman!"
There was a click that indicated the phoneline had been disconnected. I turned to Frank.
"He's drunk out of his mind. I've never seen him this bad before." I put a hand on my stomach. "I don't know what kind of state he's in."
"We better find Andrea," Frank nodded

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Jim

Boy I love this pub. Always have. I remember the first time I walked in, I was a wee age. Mammy lead me in and holding my hand, asked the bartender if I could use the 'bathroom'. While she was talking to the bartender I remember holding the sand in my hand and running it through my fingers. (In those days, they used sand and put them in ash trays.) I thought the place was lovely, it had a real homey feel to it and coming back to it now reminds me just how much I want a family - and Saiorse doesn't!
But Caroline. What has she done with Andrea? I stumble outside and hail a cab, mumbling Andrea's address. I am determined to get to the bottom of this.

Andrea

I can't stand sitting here and doing nothing. Caroline said she tried Jim's again, but the phone rang out. She's sitting on my couch now, looking worried. Her hand is on her tummy, she says the baby is moving.
Probably can guess how tense we are.
Frank is standing by the window, just watching outside. I'm kind of glad he's here, as we don't know what state Jim is going to be in when he turns up. If he turns up.
I rang Sharon a little while ago. I let her know about Saiorse and Jim's state. She told me that she'd only seen Jim roaring drunk once before...and it wasn't pretty. I think she's coming too. Hopefully she'll bring Gavin. Jim's a strong boy.
I go and sit beside Caroline. "Is the baby moving?"
She nods. "Yeah. Just a little." She moves her hand slightly and I place mine there.
It feels strange. I thought my life had ended and screwed up since Peter left and then arrived back. But then Caroline was pregnant, and life became much better for awhile. Now I'm wondering if it's going to go downhill again. Ups and downs, just like Mammy told us.
Suddenly, a knock at the door.
I left Caroline on the couch and went to the door. Jim came stumbling through, drunk as ever.
"Jim what happened?" I demanded, but he ignored me and instead went to the kitchen to get a beer. Myself and Caroline heard his ramblings coming from inside the kitchen...but not the exact words. I went to Caroline and put my hand on her shoulder.
"Well what have we here?!" Jim hollered as he came into the living room. "Me sis...me ex...both pregnant! hahahaha"
"Jim," I said. "You're drunk!"
Jim looked at me angrily. "I'm NOT DRUNK!" and he started waving around the bottle of beer he had in his hand. Caroline stood up and confronted the drunk guy, who I could have sworn was a stranger.
"Put it down!" she shouted at him.
"No!" he shouted angrily.
"I won't ask again!" Jim kept waving around the bottle and giggle at the same time. Suddenly, he waved it and it smashed into the coffee table, and the broken bottle, into Caroline's ribs.
ran to my sister immediately, who had fallen to the floor in pain. I barely even registered Frank sending a swift punch Jim's way.
I didn't even notice that Sharon and Gavin had arrived, until I heard Gavin pull Frank and Jim apart and Sharon slid to the floor next to me.
"What the hell happened?" Sharon asked, seeing me rocking Caroline in my arms.
"Call an ambulance," I told her, trying to soothe my sister, who was crying.

***********************

I sat in the hospital, hugging my arms around myself. Sharon and Gavin were dealing with Jim. I had no idea what they were doing. I had ridden in the ambulance with Frank and Caro. The doctors had disappeared with her and now I sat here...alone. Again.
A few minutes later, Frank appeared, his lip a little swollen from where Jim had hit him, but not too bad. I jumped up from my seat.
"The baby? Caroline?"
Frank hugged me. "She's going to be fine. She's sore and tired, but the doctors say she's fine. We were just lucky that he didn't get her any lower."
All of a sudden I burst into tears. Whether it was from relief, pain, or being scared, I didn't know. Frank pulled me close and hugged me, telling me everything was okay.

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Caroline

I had only just woken up when I had rung Andrea. I was worried about her, particularly about her and Peter being alone together. Although it was hard to forget the pain he had caused all of us, especially her, I had started to realise how much he loved her.

Although Frank had never done anything terrible to me, I could see where Andrea was coming from. You love someone so much and so deeply, that if they murdered someone, you'd try and understand but you'd still love them.

"Andrea, if you want to come over, you can."
"I know."
"But if you're happy there, stay."
I could almost feel the silence on the other end of the phone. Andrea probably thought I was going insane. For that matter, I thought I was going insane. Perhaps it was pregnant hormones.
"Caroline, are you okay?"
"Pregnancy is destroying my brain cells and I can't believe I just said that!" I cried, sitting down in a huff.
"Bed would be good for you methinks," Andrea said. "Where's Frank?"
"Don't you start being overprotective too, I couldn't stand it. I need to go and see Daddy."
"And you think Daddy wouldn't be being overprotective?" Came the reply from the other end. I sighed.
"I know, you're right. I just wish everyone could be completely happy, and there weren't any of these problems going on. The whole world would be a better place." Andrea said nothing. "Andrea?"
"Caroline, what are we going to do about you and Jim? I don't want that to be left hanging too long." I sighed.
"Things between Jim and I are really complicated. I dont quite know how to deal with him anymore."
"Just call him ok?" Andrea said, the seriousness showing in her voice.
"Ok, I'll do that now." I didn't mean it.
I stared at the phone for a few minutes after I had finished with Andrea. I felt Frank come in and his hands slowly massaged my shoulders. My eyes closed.
"She wants me to talk to Jim."
"But you don't want to?"
"There's just so much going on right now. The baby, Daddy, Andrea and Jim."
"Leaving it longer isn't going to make it any easier, Caroline."
"Whose side are you on?" I asked, turning around to face him.

[AndyCaroShazJim]

"You shouldn't have to ask that," he replied quietly.
All of a sudden I felt ashamed, and kissed him gently. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just..."
"It's hard. I know it is and if I could, I would fix everything for you. But I can't. This is one thing I can't help you with."
I nodded. "Thanks anyway."
"I may not be able to help you, but I'll support you," he smiled.
I hugged him. "Thankyou."
Frank passed me the phone. "Here's the deal. The massage continues...if you ring Jim."
I eyed him, then looked down at the phone.
"Ok, ok.. I don't think I can survive without that massage!" I turned to look at him again teasinly, then dialled the number. But as soon as I heard it ringing, I hung up. Frank stopped massaging at once.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't do it."
"Sure you can. It's just Jim, what's he going to do?"
"Nothing. That's just it. And neither will I. What is it I'm supposed to say? Isn't it him that hurt me?"
"Yes, but do you know the reason for it?" I shook my head. "That's what you need to find out. you need to find out what's going on with him." he grabbed the phone off me, hit redial, and handed me the phone. I sighed, and put the phone to my ear.
"hello?" it was a female voice, and it took me by surprise.
"Uh, hi, is Jim there?"
"Who's calling?"
"It's Caroline."
"Caroline who?!"
"just give him the phone please. He knows who I am." I said, exasperated. She mumbled something I couldn't hear, then went to get him. I waited for 5mins for him to come, but he didn't.
"Hello?" the female voice was back again"
"Yes I'm still here. Is Jim coming?"
"He doesn't want to talk to you. He said that he doesn't want to talk to any of you, whoever you are. Sorry." and she hung up. I looked at the phone in my hand, surprised.
"What?" Frank asked me.
"Some woman answered and said that Jim doesn't want to talk to me or any of us."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "That's strange. He was all for reconciling a while ago."
I put the phone beside the bed and lay down, waiting for Frank to finish my massage. "That's it then. He can be like that."
The massaging didn't come and I sat up again. Frank was sitting there, watching me.
"What?"
"You can't just leave it at that."
I frowned at him. "What's gotten into you? It was Jim that started this mess and now it's Jim that doesn't want to talk to me, or any of us for that matter. And here you are pushing for me to find out what's going on!"
Frank sighed and placed a hand on my tummy. "I want our baby to have a full set of relatives. And Jim is one of those. Now if he's not going to make the effort, you have to."
I flopped back on the bed, faking exhaustion.
"Oooh... I'm so tired though Frank! I don't think I have the energy.. I'm too... pregnant!" I placed my arm across my forhead dramatically and closed my eyes. Frank gave me an impatient look.
"Come on Caroline.."
"No. Not today anyway. Tomorrow I'll call Andy and Sharon and see what they can make of it, then maybe we'll approach him directly or something. I'm not going to get anywhere tonight." Frank sighed.
"Oh, ok then. Make sure you do though. This baby deserves a full family."
"So, how about that massage eh?"
"Begging doesn't become you, Caroline," he grinned.
I pouted. "You'd deny me, the mother of your child, the woman who will love you forever, the one who braved the crowds to get you a SIGNED..."
"Alright, alright," Frank said, putting his hands up. "I give in."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

Sharon

I yawned and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Sleeping was useless. I glanced at Gavin, who was sound asleep. I put a robe on and went downstairs. My family was in tatters. My father was in hospital, my sister was pregnant and my brother had hit her. My other sister was reeling from a bad breakup...or get back together...or whatever was going on with her and Peter. And the worst part about it was that I didn't know what I could do to make it better.
Gavin noticed me moving, and turned over to face me.
"What time is it?" he murmered. I glanced at the clock.
"6am..."
"And you're awake?"
"I can't sleep. Everything is such a mess." Gavin sighed.
"I know, I know.. but it'll work itself out. You'll see."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Its the way it always is."
"I can't stop thinking about what is going on between Caroline & Jim. Everything is so awkward between them. But I don't know what to do about it."
"Why dont you call them? It can't hurt." I thought for a minute. Gavin was right. Calling Jim was exactly what I should do. Maybe being the middle sibling between them, I could have some sort of influence over him? I picked up the phone and dialled the number.

"Hello?" it was a female voice.
"Uh, hello is Jim there?"
"Who is this?!"
"It's Sharon, his sister."
"You're wasting your time. I've already explained it to one of you. I expect you to pass the message on. Jim doesnt want anything to do with you. Not now, not Ever. Can you just leave him alone? Please?! He has me, he'll be fine. Just forget about him." I couldnt believe my ears.
"Who is this?!" I demanded. But she'd hung up. I looked at the phone in surprise and anger.
"That's it," I said, slamming the phone down. "I'm getting Caroline and Andrea, and we're going over there to see who this person thinks she is!"
"Is that a good idea?" Gavin asked.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"Maybe this woman is telling the truth. Maybe Jim doesn't want to talk to you guys."
"He can't just cut us off, Gavin! We're his family! And now...when Daddy's sick, Caroline almost lost her baby and Andrea is having serious problems, it's really important that we stay together."
"Maybe he needs space?"
"Space! Bloody hell Gavin, don't you think we've had enough space! Look at what's happened to our family! It's falling apart!" I got up. "I won't let this happen. I won't."
"Sharon..."
"No. I'm sick and tired of my family being like this. Dammit, Gavin. I'm scared!"

Gavin put his arm around me.
"I'm sure there's a logical explanation for all of this..."
"if there is, I sure as hell would like to know what it is!" I said angrily, pushing his arm away. I'm going to confront him. Right now!" I stormed out of the house, and grabbed my coat and mobile phone on the way.
As soon as I was on the road, I rang Andrea. She sounded a little distant when she answered the phone, like she had been busy when she answered the phone. but when I explained what was going on, she was in it 100%. Next was Caroline.
"Caroline! I'm on my way over to Jim's place right now to confront him. Some girl answered the phone when I rang, and said.."
"That he didnt want to hear from us again? she said that to me last night too. Did you say you were going over there? Can I come? I'd like to give them both a piece of my mind!"
"Thats what I was calling to do. Andrea's on her way and we're meeting out the front of his place in 10mins. Are you in?"
"Of course."
Sharon tapped her foot as Andrea ran up beside her.
"I'm here!"
"Where's Caroline?"
"Here," Caroline groaned, with Frank walking beside her.
"Not that it's not appreciated, but what are you doing here?" Sharon asked Frank.
"He's become a bloody bodyguard," Caroline growled, staring at her husband, who folded his arms and stared back at her.
"They're so cute," Andrea chuckled. "Just like an old married couple."
"Who's still got their key to Jim's house?" Caroline said, quickly changing the subject.
Sharon held hers up. "Let's go."
They walked up the front stairs. Caroline wavered at the front door.
"Caro?" Andrea asked. "Are you okay?"
"Give us a minute, okay guys?" Frank asked, taking Caroline's hand.
Caroline

"What is it?" Frank asked me, as we moved away from the others.
"I can't."
"Can't what?"
"I know that Sharon wants everything to be wonderful in our family and I want it to be that way too but...I

[AndyCaroShazJim]

almost lost our baby, Frank. And I'm just so scared of going in there and..."
"Nothing's going to happen to you," he said, taking my hands. "I'm not going to let it."
After a few minutes, I had managed to compose myself and stood beside my sisters as Sharon knocked on the door. The door was flung open and a blonde stared at us.
"What?"
"Saiorse, I should have known," Sharon said, folding her arms. "We want to see Jim."
"He doesn't want to see you."
"We'd like him to tell us that personally."
"Stay here," Saiorse said, heading into the house and closing the door.
"Not bloody likely," Andrea murmured. She unlocked the door and wandered in. "Obviously Jim hasn't been cleaning lately."
"Hey! I thought I told you to stay outside!" Saiorse cried, coming over. She glanced at me for a moment. "I hear you're pregnant."
I looked down at my stomach. "Yeah, small miracle."
"Well that attitude is not going to help if you want to see Jim," Saiorse said, folding her arms.
"He's my brother," I replied, frowning.
"And he's my boyfriend."
Andrea narrowed her eyes. "I thought you two had broken up?"
"Yeah, didn't you leave him?" Sharon asked.
I decided to leave them talking and go and find my brother. Saiorse was so engrossed with arguing with Sharon and Andrea that the only person who noticed I was missing was Frank.
I tried his bedroom first. Sure enough, Jim Corr was in bed, reading a magazine.
"I'm surprised at you. Usually you fight your own battles."
His eyes widened with shock and he pulled the covers up. "Geez Caroline! I'm naked here!"
"I've seen it all before," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Unfortunately."
"What are you doing here? Is Frank here?"
I nodded. "Frank, Andrea and Sharon are out arguing with Saiorse." I moved closer to the bed. "Sharon's very upset."
Jim looked down at his hands. "She has a right to be. I almost ruined something very special."
I looked at him. Gone were all traces of that man who had almost taken my child from me. Those were now replaced by someone who was so miserable, that it made me want to forgive him.
I looked down at my feet.
"You feel so bad about that don't you?" He nodded, sighing and picking up his magazine again, holding it up to hide his face. I sat down on the side of the bed. "The baby is fine, I'm fine, we're all going to be fine." Jim didnt respond, he only turned the page in his magazine. I grabbed the top of the magazine and pulled it down. "Jim!" I exclaimed. "Just listen to me ok? You did something wrong, no-ones disputing that, but don't let it come between us! No-one's upset with you about that anymore, we were upset because you were blocking us out of your life! or Saiorse was forcing you to, we weren't sure. But.."
"I don't want to be around you, any of you! I don't want to do you anymore damage than I already have. I'm a menace! I shouldn't be around yours or Sharon's children!" He paused, realising what he'd said, before continuing. "Just leave me be." he said quietly. I glanced at him, then at the door, then back to him.
"Sharon's children?" Jim said nothing. "Jim, what did you mean by that?"
"...nothing..."

[AndyCaroShazJim]

"Jim!"
At that moment the others burst into the room, with Saiorse right behind them, screaming for them to leave him alone.
I stared at Sharon as she walked in. "Are you pregnant?"
"Okay, I know we were a while getting in here, but what's going on?" Andrea asked.
"Sharon knows," I answered.
"This is not the time or the place," Sharon replied. She turned to Jim. "Why did you refuse to see us?"
"Sharon," I said. "Are you pregnant?"
Sharon looked down, embarrassed. Then she put on a shocked face, and said "What?! NO!" I gave her a look.
"What are you talking about me for anyway? Isn't it Jim we're supposed to be worrying about?" she said, turning to Jim. "Why won't you see us?!" Now it was Jim's turn to look away with embarrassment.
"...I'm dangerous. I shouldn't be around you girls while your..."
"Jim, what happened was an accident. You were drunk, you weren't yourself! And I'm fine. Nothing happened."
"It could happen again...."
"And what would be the likelyhood of that? It seems to me you've learnt your lesson, and your forgiven." Jim sighed, and got up off the bed.
"I know, but I don't trust myself. I'll keep in touch." and with that, he guided his sisters and I towards the door. "I'll call."
Andrea

I think that was the first time I had actually been grateful for Jim's scatterbrained mind. He had mixed me up with Sharon...goodness knows how, considering she's about four years older than I am.
I waved goodbye to Caroline and Frank. My sister looked exhausted, which she had every right to be. Sharon watched me for a few moments and I almost winced under her gaze.
"What was Jim talking about Andrea?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked innocently.
She folded her arms. "Jim obviously thinks one of us is pregnant."
"Yeah, Caroline," I said, in one of my withering tones.
"You know he wasn't talking about Caroline. Now, I know for a fact that I'm not pregnant. So give it up."
I sighed.
"Are.. are you sure Sharon?" I asked. Sharon gave me a stern look, and I sighed again. "Yes.. I'm pregnant." I said, looking down. "I don't know who to... but the fact is, I'm having a baby." Sharon raised her eyebrows and her mouth was open in shock.
"I can't believe this. How could this happen? How long have you known?" Sharon asked, the questions just spilling out one after the other.
"I don't know. I don't remember being intimate with anyone in a long time! I only found out a few days ago, and I told Jim to see if it would help him to be with us again.. it didn't work." Sharon sighed.
"Are you going to keep the baby?" I looked at her in shock.
"Of Course I'm going to keep it! Why wouldn't I?" I cried.
"You do know who the father is, don't you?!" Sharon said accusingly. "Who is it?"
"I DON'T KNOW! Why won't you believe me?" I yelled walking off in a huff. I didn't want to tell Sharon what had happened. It was way too embarrassing, and I could hardly comprehend it myself, let alone be able to tell anyone else about what had happened.
I probably wasn't ready to admit what had happened to myself yet. All I knew was that I loved this baby already...and despite my best efforts, I felt an enormous amount of love to its father. I wanted to tell Caroline that I was pregnant. I loved watching her be pregnant. She had a glow about her and was absolutely gorgeous. Frank was so cute as the overprotective husband and father.

With a pang, I realised unless that I admitted to myself who the father was...I wasn't going to have the amazing relationship that Frank and Caroline had. Or even if I did, would that relationship eventuate?

The pregnant hormones began to kick in. I began to cry.
I knew Caroline would find out who the father was because she always could with me. i mean i was her baby she knew everything about me and it would break her heart if she found i was hiding something from her especially something like this, But she would be so disappointed in me and she was my best friend and so i hated her to be disappointed in me. Then there was Sharon i could tell caroline and not her so she would have to know too!!! this was beginning to turn into a nightmare
Gavin

Sharon came into the house in a huff. "What's wrong honey?" I asked, as I walked up to her and tried soothing her. "Why does everything have to happen all at once? It's like my family is being punished." I sat her down at our couch and made her a cup of coffee, coffee usually calms her down. "Tell me what happened over at Jim's." Sharon took a sip of her coffee, placed her cup on the coffee table and looked at me straight in the eye. "Gavin, my sister's pregnant." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What? Who's the father?" I don't usually meddle with sibling affairs but I've grown attached to Andrea, not to mention Caroline and Jim too. Sharon stood up and paced the living room, "She told me she didn't know who the father is, but I know she's lying.

Thanks, Andy!