Billy Maddison sat on the floor of his living room, playing with his young son. Kai giggled loudly as Billy spun him round, his bright blue eyes glowing with glee, reflecting those of his father's.
"I can't believe this time next week it'll be his first birthday", he said to, Gemma, as she sat on the sofa behind him, watching Eastenders.
"I know, it's gone so quick", she whispered, tilting her head to the side and smiling at the pair of them, feeling her heart filling with pride.
Billy turned and looked into Gemma's eyes, smiling. "It's been the best year of my life, though," he told her, flopping down on the sofa next to his wife and pulling her body close to his and wrapping his arm around her. "I love you".
"I love you, too," Gemma whispered, resting a hand on his chest, breathing in his scent and smiling, feeling safe, warm and secure; just how marriage should feel. Just how true love should feel.
Just at that moment, a loud knock echoed through the house, startling the both of them. Billy narrowed his eyes, wondering who could be calling at this hour.
"I'll get it," he said, kissing the side of Gemma's head as she took Kai from him.
Billy opened the front door, and saw two uniformed men stood at the door.
"Billy Maddison?"
"Er... Yeah, what do you want?" he replied.
"Mr Maddison, you're under arrest for the murder of Krista Briskett".
Billy started to laugh. "I'm what? You're having a laugh aren't ya?"
"I don't find murder a funny subject," one of the officers said, coldly. "If you don't mind coming with us".
"If you're gonna arrest me, at least do it properly. Go on, get the cuffs out at least".
"If I was you, I'd cut out the lip," the policeman said. Regardless, he pulled out a set of handcuffs and his colleague pushed Billy roughly up against the door to pull his arms back.
Gemma came walking slowly out of the living room, carrying Kai, still in a lot of pain.
"What are you doing?!" she demanded.
"I'm afraid your husband is being arrested for Miss Brisket's murder".
"No, you can't do that! Based on what evidence? He didn't do it!"
"Mrs Maddison, we wouldn't be here if there was no evidence".
"He couldn't have done it, he was with me!" she shouted at the police officers.
"Unless you would like to be in the cell next to him for perverting the course of justice, I'd suggest you remain quiet", the older of the two officers said, abruptly. Gemma began to nod, as if to tell him to try, but he continued talking. "And I don't think that would end up to well for your little baby, do you?" a sneer playing on his lips.
Billy groaned slightly as the other officer twisted his arm back further.
"You're hurting him!" Gemma screamed, hobbling over to the officers, intent on getting them away from Billy.
"Gem! Don't," Billy whispered. "Stay here with the kids, okay. I'll be back soon, I promise".
One of the officers laughed, coldly.
"I don't think you will mate. Did you not hear us? You're being arrested. For murder. That's, what, 30 years?"
"Yeah, I heard you. How could I not, you don't stop fucking talking," Billy moaned.
Gemma put her arm around Billy's neck, hugging him before giving him a kiss.
"Billy, I'm really scared," she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. "I can't do this by myself".
"I swear, I'll be out soon. They'll find out I didn't do anything. They've got nothing on me, babe. Look after the kids for me, okay? I love you", he said softly, kissing Gemma again, then Kai's head.
"I love you, too" Gemma said, before the police pulled Billy away from the wall, and the house. Gemma looked on, helpless as she watched them drag away the man she loved, as she watched him stare back at the life he was being forced to leave behind, as she watched the life they'd worked so hard to build crumble down around her. As Billy's head was forced down into the car and the police sped away, Gemma collapsed to the floor, crying, inconsolable. She could physically feel the pain of Billy's absence and screamed as the tears fell around Kai, a child blissfully unaware that his life would never be the same.
Edited by user 21 October 2009 06:10:43(UTC)
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