"Oh my god," George gasps, shock having taken his voice away. "I can't believe it's the same person. How did that not click in my mind? I knew there was something dodgy about that fucker."

"Can I come in?" Stephanie asks. "I just want to see Levi; see how he's doing."

"Of course." George moves to the side, creating a wider gap in the doorway to allow Stephanie to enter. He turns his head in the direction of the living room. "Levi? There's somebody here who wants to see you." He closes the front door, before following behind his ex-partner as she arrives at the crowded room of guests.

"Levi?" she greets softly, the newspaper still in her hand. "Are you alright? After yesterday?"

"After yesterday?" Kieran pipes up, unsure of what Stephanie means by this. "What happened yesterday, Daddy?"

"Um." George hesitates in thinking of an answer which is child-friendly, but knows he has to conjure up some kind of idea. "Sh-She just means because we went on the London Eye yesterday, and Daddy is a bit scared of heights. Isn't that right, Daddy?" He glances to his husband, hoping Levi will go along with this explanation.

"Yes," Levi agrees. "But I still had a lot of fun with you guys. So yes, I'm fine, thank you Stephanie."

Stephanie smiles softly at the two children. "Is it alright if I borrow Daddy for one minute, kids? I just need to talk to him about grown-up things."

"Okay," Gemma responds, searching for a justification for what's going on in George's eyes. "What are they going to talk about, Daddy?"

"I'm ... not sure, darling." He watches as Stephanie leads Levi out of the room, before turning his attention back to his offspring. "Have you said a proper hello to Uncle Andy and Auntie Nancy yet? I'm sure they really want a cuddle from each of you."

"Of course we do!" Nancy beams, opening her arms to invite Kieran and Gemma in for a hug; they accept this invitation, jumping into her embrace. "So how have you guys been?"

"We've been good," Gemma replies. "Thank you."

"Good girl for using your manners, Gem," George praises.

"So what did you want to tell me?" Levi interrogates, as he and Stephanie make their way into the kitchen for some privacy. "Has something happened? How did you know about yesterday?"

"That's what I needed to tell you." She raises the newspaper up, to reveal the front cover. "I know the man who tried to kill you. That man is my ex-boyfriend — the guy I was dating before I got with George in the early eighties."

"Bloody hell," Levi murmurs. "It's a small world, isn't it? Is that the guy who abused you?"

"I don't like to talk about it much, but yes." She shrugs, as if trying to dismiss the years of trauma Mack inflicted upon her. "I knew he was a bad person, but I can't say I ever expected him to be a murderer."

"We'd been bumping into him a lot during our trip here," Levi explains. "George knew something was off, but I stupidly thought nothing of it. Did you know he was married with kids, then realised he was actually gay?"

"Jesus fucking Christ. How much more am I going to learn about this guy today?" Stephanie places her face into one hand, rubbing at her skin in contemplation. "That must have been someone he was seeing after he and I broke up. That poor, poor woman. And poor guy to anybody who he falls for."

Levi's eyes move to Stephanie's; his expression is very minimal, yet somehow gives away exactly what's on his mind. "Yeah. Poor guy."

Stephanie very-quickly reads the body language Levi is displaying, before widening her eyes. "Shit! You mean he fancied you?"

"He kissed me in his hotel room. I pushed him off, and he didn't like it. That's why he tried to kill me."

"Fuck," Stephanie frowns. "I guess that makes sense. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. The man really is a psychopath. But ... what about his kids? What are they doing with their lives now?"

"Mack said his ex-wife poisoned the kids against him — but now, in hindsight, it seems like it was probably their own decision after seeing what their father is really like. I bet they'd be so proud of what he's done to me."

Stephanie shakes her head slowly in sympathy, resting her hand upon his shoulder to provide some form of comfort. "At least the police got him. He can't come near you again, now. You're safe."

"I barely slept last night," Levi admits, his gaze fixed to the floor. "I hate to dedicate so much of my mind to this guy, but I'm really shaken up from it all."

"And that's totally understandable," she reassures him. "What you went through last night is absolutely horrific. You could have been killed. You have every right to feel the trauma of it."

"That's what George said." He heaves a saddened sigh, as he continues to talk. "And what would have happened if Mack had have killed me, hey? George would have lost two of the most important people in his life. He'd have had to raise the kids by himself. He would have nobody up in Goring other than Mum and Daniel. Even the thought of it makes me feel sick to my stomach."

"So try not to think about all the what-ifs. None of that has happened. I'm not telling you to be thankful for the fact you're here, because it's hard to feel any kind of fortune for the concept of nearly dying ... but now, you know he can't hurt you. He's been arrested."

"I know, I know." Levi forces a weak laugh, in a bid to try and change the subject at last. "I suppose we better get back in there with the crazy bunch. George and the kids will probably be wondering where we are."

"Alright." Stephanie leads the way, but halts for a moment and turns back around to face him one last time. "You know you can talk to me if ever you need a different listening ear. I know you probably trust George with everything in the world ... but sometimes it helps to have a new person with a new perspective to hear you out. I tell Harrison everything, but sometimes telling a friend or a different family member can be refreshing in a sense. I even tell Alex stuff from time to time."

"How is Alex doing?" Levi questions. "Is he okay?"

Stephanie nods. "He's doing fine. He misses seeing you, George and the kids though. So does Drew."

"Between you and me, George got a little upset a few weeks back over Alex," Levi confesses. "He isn't hurt or upset with you ... it's just, sometimes he still wishes Alex was his son. Watching him grow up into such a wonderful man has kind of got him wishing he could take credit as the father, if you get what I mean."

"Bless his heart." Stephanie glances down at the ground in shame; even so many years later, she feels immense remorse for leading George to believe he was the father of her son. "I can't tell you how much I regret what I did. It's a miracle that he even forgave me."

"Well, you were a good friend even in spite of the relationship not working out. I'm just thankful that he at least gets to be godfather to him."

"Every cloud, I suppose." Stephanie offers an empathetic smile, knowing that it won't really make up for the damage that she did decades back.

The pair decide the conversation is best put to rest, in favour of re-entering the living room where everyone else awaits them.

• • •

"It's really been great to see you again, Andy." George brings his best friend into a tight hug, not quite wanting to let him go. "I think I needed it, to be honest with you."

"I think we needed it too," Andrew answers, patting George on the back. Upon withdrawal from the embrace, he looks to him. "Please try and come down to London more often. I think it does you some good to be around the people you love."

"I suppose," George acknowledges. "It's just hard when there's one less person here to visit."

"I know, Yog. I know." Andrew's eyebrows contort in pity. "You know that all of us are always here for you, right?"

"I know." George nods subtly, although he knows deep down that he struggles to talk openly about his real feelings on his mother's passing. "Thank you."

"Any time. Have a safe journey back to Goring, won't you? Make sure you call me when you're back so I know you're safe."

"Yes, Dad," George agrees sarcastically. "I promise."

"Forgive me for caring about your safety, mate." Andrew chuckles softly, slapping his buddy on the back playfully. "See you soon, Yog."

"See you." George watches as Andrew and Nancy head back to their car, already missing their presence. Andrew is entirely correct — being back in London does bring a certain sense of comfort, in that he is around all those he loves. However, by the same token, it also brings great pain as it serves as a reminder of what he has lost. His amber eyes follow the vehicle as it drives off down the road; his daydreaming is interrupted by the voice of his husband.

"I think it's about time we started making tracks, too. The kids have school tomorrow, and we still need to get home, make dinner, and give them baths before bedtime."

"You're right." George gathers his belongings, politely gesturing to his children for them to collect their possessions, too. "Kieran, Gem — come on. We need to start heading home, now."

"But it's so early!" Gemma protests, gripping onto her grandfather's arm. "I want to stay here for longer with Granddad."

"You have school tomorrow, Little Madam," George reminds her. "And we have lots to do once we get home. Come on, now."

"But we don't want to go to school!" Kieran groans, not moving from his seated position on the sofa by George's father.

"Don't argue with Daddy, kids," Levi scolds gently. "He has said that we have things we need to do when we get home. We've had a lovely weekend down in London, and you've both been so well-behaved. Don't spoil it in the last few minutes, please."

"Daddy, please!" Kieran cries. "I don't want to go home!"

"Listen, young man," George begins sternly, knowing it's the only effective way for his son to listen. "You are a seven-year-old little boy, and you are my son. I am your father. It is not the other way around. You don't tell me what to do — I tell you. Are we clear on that?" When Kieran nods, he continues. "Right. That's settled then, isn't it? You've both been good for the whole trip. Like Daddy said, don't spoil it now that we're going home, okay? Otherwise we will have to instil some discipline — and you both know I don't want to do that."

"Your father is right," Jack intervenes encouragingly. "You both need to get home and get ready for school again tomorrow. There's no law to say that you can't come back and see me again soon."

"Okay ... " the kids respond in unison, still unconvinced. Regardless, they locate all the belongings they brought with them; and they place their coats and shoes on in preparation for leaving.

"Thanks for having us, Dad." He waits for his father to stand up, before kissing both cheeks one by one. "It's been lovely. Hopefully we will see you again soon."

"All being well," Jack replies. "Take care of yourself."

George rests a hand on his dear father's arm, a sincere expression upon his face. "And you too, Dad. Please look after yourself. I hate to leave you by yourself."

"I have Melanie and Yioda here in London if I need them," Jack reminds him. "I'm in good hands. I promise you. Just be well, and be as happy as you can be, my boy."

"Bye, Granddad," Gemma runs up to give her grandfather a farewell hug. "Love you!"

"I love you too. Both of you." He gives each child a warm smile, planting a loving kiss on their foreheads in turn.

The family wave goodbye one final time, before heading back to the car.

• • •

Later on in the evening, Levi finds himself at a loose end while George gives the children their baths before they go to bed. He aimlessly heads towards the bedroom he shares with George, his goal unknown even to himself. As he takes a seat at the edge of the bed, he hears the faint sound of his kids giggling away in the next room as they splash one another with water and suds. It's a lovely thing to listen to; to the point of moving him to tears — twenty-four hours ago, there was the smallest chance that he may never have heard those gleeful noises ever again. In contemplation, he averts his gaze around the room — until he spots George's diary sat on the bedside table. He picks it up, passing it from hand to hand as he quickly evaluates whether to do what he's considering doing. He grabs a pen from the bedside drawer, then proceeds to unlock the little book with the key George keeps hidden with the pen. His intention is only to tear a single page out of the diary so that he can vent about his feelings on the weekend that has just occurred; however, he comes cross George's most recent entries ... the ones written in the last few weeks following Lesley's death.

Dear Diary,

I don't tend to use this silly book anymore, but none of this is getting any easier. It feels as though the whole world is speeding past, and yet I'm stuck functioning in slow motion. Each day ticks by, it comes and goes ... and yet nothing ever changes. I woke up this morning with arguably the worst hangover I've ever experienced, because I evidently couldn't handle my emotions yesterday (or, apparently, the alcohol). I can sense that the kids are worried about me, even though I'm trying my best not to show my emotions in front of them.

I've not hurt this much since the days I was closeted, and I never expected to go back to that dark place again. What I wish to do is not viable, as I have children to be here for. Although, with how low I feel ... I think, if it weren't for Levi and the kids, I'd be gone. My mother was my rock, and my best friend. Nothing feels the same without her.

I want to feel human again. Good god, I want to feel like me. I hope this storm passes sooner rather than later. Someone, somewhere, if by some miracle you can read this ...

Give me something to believe in ... I am frightened for my soul.

A very pained Yog x

Reading this short entry brings a flood of anxiety to poor Levi's chest; he knew that Lesley's death was having a bad effect on his beloved husband — but he never knew that it was enough to make George feel suicidal. However, he has absolutely no time to reflect on what he has just read, as he hears George's voice outside the door.

"Go and get dried off now, guys. I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes, and then I'll read you a bedtime story before sleep. Okay?"

"Okay Daddy," he hears his children respond in unison.

Levi tries to scramble to replace the diary back where he found it; but alas, he is too slow in his attempt. George enters the room, immediately spotting that Levi is holding the book open at the page of one of the entries.

"What are you doing with my diary?" he demands, his demeanour and expression drastically changing to that of frustration.

• • •

Chapter sixteen! I hope you're still enjoying the story. xx