To have and to Hold

Accusations and recriminations

Adam could feel Rachel trembling in his hold, as she found herself clinging to him.

He had just come out of the room and witnessed her breaking free from Darren's hold,

He glared at his step brother, who was still busy trying to recover from the pain and shock of Rachel kneeing him between the legs.

Darren finally managed to straighten up, only to receive the full benefit of the glowering Adam standing in front of him, which made him pale slightly.

"Now hang on Adam, there is no need for you to blow a fuse, no harm done.. Christmas and all that, I just wanted to give my new sister in law a friendly little peck on the cheek. It's not my fault she misread my intentions" he then tried backtracking weakly, making it sound light-hearted

"Somehow I don't think so," Adam replied icily, he was not fooled for a moment

At that point Adam's father had also joined them. After hearing the raised voices, he had wanted to discover what was happening

"What is going on?" he then enquired as he seen the thunderous look on Adam's face, and also the way Rachel was clutching him, looking a little shaken. His eyes now turned on Darren, who seem to sober up suddenly.

"It's nothing, just a misunderstanding," Darren hurriedly put in

"What kind of misunderstanding?" Robert Maxwell asked sharply.

"Misunderstanding my eye!" Adam exclaimed angrily, "He was manhandling Rachel, she had to use force to get away from him, I saw it!"

"Is this true?" Robert Maxwell then asked grimly, his eyes rested on Darren again, who was suddenly looking uncomfortable, He did not like the way it was all turning on him now he was caught out, and he became defensive

"She totally over reacted, she is a crazy woman, I was just trying to be friendly!" he insisted

It was at this moment, Sandra and Lynn also arrived on the scene

"What is happening?" Sandra asked seeing the way all the attention was on her Darren

"You just tell your damned husband to keep his bloody hands off my wife, or he will be a sorry man!" Adam snarled warningly, "He might have got of with it the first time around, with you. But he better not push his luck, or my patience any further"

"What are you suggesting?" Sandra demanded indignantly, incensed by Adam's attack, "Why would Darren be interested in your little wife? If anything did happened, I wouldn't be surprised if encouraged him in the first place," she threw back accusingly

Rachel felt Adam tense, and found herself clutching him tighter in an attempt to hold him back. Suddenly she was afraid he would physically go for Sandra or Darren.

Thinking how all this was doing Robert Maxwell no favours, and not wanting any more trouble, she pulled at his arm

"Adam, I think we should just go; please" she pleaded

"Yes! You can run off now you have caused all this trouble, we all know your sort," Sandra drawled scathingly

"Shut up Sandra!" It was Robert Maxwell who barked the order, startling his daughter-in- law into silence. He had never raised his voice to her before. but the look he gave her, made her seem shrivel slightly in front of him.

His expression softened slightly as he turned to Adam, "I think it would be best if you do take Rachel home now, I am just sorry tonight has ended like this," he said regretfully,

Then turning to Darren, he frowned, "And as for you, I think you need to go off and sober up, but first I think you owe Rachel here an apology for your behaviour tonight"