Beau signed off on the time sheet. He took a big breath, dropped the pen and rested his head against his linked hands with relish.

Charlie Toms chuckled and jerked his chin. "So that's it, Hawkins. No more community service for you."

"Thank fuck for that. Now I can get on with my life."

Charlie laughed again. "You have a life?"

"Believe it or not, Charlie. I do. One that's been put on hold for this shit but... do the crime do the time." Beau smirked and stood. " I've got a woman to set things right with."

"She'd have to be crazy to hook up with you."

Beau shrugged. "I'm not saying it'll work out in my favour but I've learned the hard way that if you don't try it won't happen."

Charlie grinned and held his hand out. "I hope it works out, Beau. My advice is if it doesn't work, don't fake your death because I don't want to put up with you again."

Beau took his hand and shook it. "I love you too, Charlie."

"Do you have to go?"

"I'm sorry, Mum, I do." Beau shoved the last of his clothes into the duffle bag. "I love this girl. I hope she's forgiven me or will after I talk to her." He looked his mother in the eyes. "Truth is, I wasn't intending to stay this long but I didn't want to go back with any kind of baggage around my neck."

Patricia stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You'll ring us when you get there won't you?"

"Course I will." Beau drew the bag shut.

"And you'll keep in touch often."

"Yes, Mum." Beau chuckled because his father rolled his eyes behind his mother's back.

"I'll see you in a couple of months anyway. The back room will be built by then and you can stay at my place for as long as you want."

Patricia put her arm around his waist as she walked him out through the house and into the yard. "If it doesn't work out with this girl, what will you do?"

"Truth is, I haven't thought about that." Beau stopped walking and turned to face his mother. "The fact is I don't want to think about it."

She kissed him again. "I hope it works. We're so proud of you. You know that don't you, Beau?"

"Yeah, Mum. I know it." Beau squeezed his mother in a tight bear hug. She squealed so he laughed and put her on her feet. "Dad." He took his father's hand. "Thanks for everything."

Richard hugged his son, and a lump formed in his throat. "We'll see you in a couple of months. After Lydia's had the baby."

At the sound of his sister's name, Beau faced her. She was crying. Beau grinned and held out his palms to her. "Hey, come on, you big sook. Give your brother a break. If it's a boy I want to hear you've at least given him Beau as a middle name."

"Yeah." Lydia snuffled and hugged him. "We will."

"You tell Taylor I said goodbye."

Lydia nodded and gasped back another sob. Beau kissed her cheek and then crouched in front of his niece. Tears streamed down her face. "Not you too, little one?"

She wailed and clung to him. Beau stood and held her tight. "You're just like your mother, aren't you?"

"I don't want you to go!"

"I gotta little one. I gotta go and get my girl."

"But I'm your girl."

"One of my girls. Uncle Beau's got four girls now. Nana, Mummy, Suzie and Fin."

"I don't like her."

Beau chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Not yet but you will. When you visit me with Nana and Poppy, you'll meet her and love her just like I do. Then you'll understand why I had to go get her." Beau handed her over to his father. "Don't be sad, Sooz. I love you."

He took a breath. This was harder than he thought. Beau faced his brother. They didn't speak but stared into each other's eyes. He put his arms around him. "I love you more than you'll ever know, J. I always have. You're the rock. The one who has always known where he was headed."

Josh fought to hold back tears. "Don't doubt yourself, Beau. You know where you're headed."

"Yeah." Beau smiled. Bells rang. "I do now."

Well. We're getting close to the end. Do you think Fin will have him back?

Thank you so much for sticking with Bell Ringer. I'd love you to vote or comment so I know you have enjoyed Beau and Fin's story. xoxo