Grace Hamilton watched on as Izzy attempted to call Brian one more time. In the past few hours since arriving at her mother's, Izzy had made numerous calls to his phone, all of which he had just let go to voicemail. Grace prayed Brian was doing so just because he needed to cool off, because the change in her daughter since Brian had come into her life was one that Grace welcomed. She really wasn't sure what it would do to Izzy if it all ended now.

With a heavy sigh, Izzy placed her cell phone back in her purse, giving Grace a slightly defeated smile as she looked over at her.

"He's switched it off now," she stated sadly, curling up in the armchair.

"Honey, I'm sure he's just taking some time to calm down, like you have. He'll wake up tomorrow and will see things so much more clearly."

Izzy just nodded, picking up her mug of tea from the side table and sipping on it carefully. Grace knew that nod and silence, it was one she had witnessed many times before over the years, and Grace had always just let it pass. However, this time she wanted her daughter to stand up and fight for what Izzy no doubt saw slipping from her grasp. Grace was not about to stand by and allow Charles to come between Izzy and Brian, who was without question the best thing that had ever happened to her daughter.

"Izzy, don't you dare just sit there and let this slip away from you. Brian is a wonderful young man, he's brought a glow to your cheeks I've never seen before and a brand new outlook on life."

"But mum...."

"No Izzy," Grace warned sternly. "I have only had the pleasure of seeing the pair of you together once, but that one time spoke volumes. I looked at you both, and in you I saw a young couple who are falling in love, and it's a love that I believe Brian has never felt...and I know for certain you've never allowed yourself to experience."

Grace got up from her seat, kneeling in front of Izzy.

"Sweetie, I know that over the years I've always told you to go with what your heart feels is best, but I'm not sure I can sit back and watch you do that this time. If you can sit there and tell me that you don't love Brian, then that's fine, let him go..."

Izzy turned to look at her mother, her lips showing the slightest hint of a smile.

"I do, I really do," she whispered.

"Then you know what you need to do.....even if you give him a couple more days to calm down. Just don't give up, Izzy, you deserve to be happy, and Brian is the one that can bring you that happiness."

Izzy sniffed back the tears she'd fought to hold in all evening, the sound stabbing at Grace's heart a little. Izzy had been her world from the day she was born, and she would do anything to ensure her daughter was happy.

"Has anyone ever told you you're a marvellous woman Grace Hamilton?" Izzy asked, her smile a little more positive.

"Well, it has been mentioned from time to time," Grace replied, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"So which admirer did I prevent you from seeing tonight?" Izzy questioned, knowing full well her mother was meant to be out at some fancy restaurant that evening.

"Gerard, but that's ok, he's been making noises about meeting his family...and as we all know, that's a sure fire way to make Gracie run for the hills," Grace stated, shuddering at the mere thought of settling down again.

Izzy laughed, loving her mother's attitude towards life. It was a refreshing change from the woman she had been for most of Izzy's childhood. Izzy tried to stifle a yawn, failing miserably. Grace took the mug from her hand and placed it back on the table. Brushing a lock of shiny red hair away from her daughter's face, Grace smiled.

"Why don't you go to bed sweetie, and then in the morning we'll head out, a little bit of retail therapy, help us shake off the blues...how does that sound?"

"What have you got to be blue about?" Izzy asked.

"The fact that my credit card hasn't been used in a while....it's just crying out to be abused!"

Izzy laughed, sitting forward, wrapping her arms around her mother.

"Don't ever change mum," she murmured as Grace returned the hug.

Izzy yawned once more, kissing Grace on the cheek before standing up.

"Night mum...and thank you," Izzy whispered.

"Goodnight sweetie, and if you need me, I'll be right across the hall," Grace assured her, watching Izzy climb the stairs.

Grace walked over to the drinks cabinet, pouring herself a hefty vodka, mentally cursing Charles and his stubborness in refusing to grant Izzy the one thing she wanted. Throughout her childhood, he had constantly belittled her, made her feel as though she never truly belonged, had told her that she wasn't worthy of the title she had been born with. Yet he wouldn't let her go, constantly trying to find ways to make sure she never forgot who she was. Grace sighed, wishing there was something she could do to make Charles see sense and allow Izzy to live the life she craved.

As she sat back in her chair, she glanced at the telephone, wondering if it was worth a shot. She searched on the shelf underneath the small table, finding what she was looking for. Holding the well worn phonebook in her hands for a moment, Grace looked up at the wall clock, knowing that it wouldn't be too early to make a call. Her hands shaking slightly, Grace flicked through the well thumbed pages of the book, the number she needed easy to find. Taking a deep breath, Grace picked up the phone and began to dial, preparing herself to ask a favor of someone she hadn't laid eyes on in ten years.