#meanwhile my mum is in hospital because she got her other hip done. and she doesn't feel good.

[hurryupmerlin]

"Hey Chicken, how's the house buying going?" you ask, friendly.

I immediately throw up on your shoes and collaps into a sobbing heap.

[nuggets-and-french-fries]

Sunsets & Whiskey Kisses: Chapter Thirty Two.

For the cover photo, please picture a cast on his right arm.

(I hope it’s ok but I took this picture from @taronunwin I needed something hospital like with Taron and I knew I could rely on them for that. Sorry!)

You may want to grab the tissues for this chapter because trust me when I say that it will tug at your heart strings and most likely make you cry. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

Hope you enjoy!

===

"So remind me again why you have to help him with this?" Ryleigh whined as she sat at the table feeding Anna. "Because I told him I would." Jack replied as he rinsed out his coffee cup. Anna waved at him and accepted another spoonful of mashed banana and peaches. Jack walked over to his daughter and kissed her sticky cheek. "You look after mama today ok?" Jack asked.

 "Mama." Anna replied seriously as if she understood what her father was trying to say. "Good girl." He said as he kissed her cheek again causing her to giggle this time. "It's like she knows what you're saying." Ryleigh said and Jack chuckled. "Of course she knows what I'm saying." He whispered as he kissed Ryleigh's lips softly. "I love you so much baby. Please be careful ok." Ryleigh said once the kiss was broken. "I love you too my darling." Jack replied as he went to put his boots on. "I'll see you two later." He said before he walked out of the front door. Ryleigh smiled to herself as she continued to feed the baby.

Jack walked back through the door and laughed. "What?" Ryleigh asked as she wiped Anna's face off now that she was done her fruit. "I forgot my keys." He said as he walked over to his girls. He kissed Ryleigh deeply and then turned to Anna. He kissed both her cheeks and she giggled. "Don't worry about dinner. I'll pick something up on my home." Jack said and Ryleigh nodded. "I love you." Ryleigh said as they all walked to the front door. "I love you too." He called as Ryleigh and Anna watched him get into the truck. They waved to him when he drove away. "Shall we go for a walk?" Ryleigh asked as they stood in the open doorway. Anna nodded and Ryleigh smiled. "You really do know what we're saying don't you." Ryleigh said and Anna smiled cheekily at her mother. "Come on sweet pea, let's get dressed and we can head to the park or something." Ryleigh said as they walked upstairs.

Ryleigh got Anna dressed and when she was happy with how her daughter looked, she picked the baby up and went to get dressed herself.

(What Anna is dressed in)

The mother pulled on a pair of shorts and put on one of her husband's long sleeved shirts before tying her hair up in a high ponytail. "Ok sweet pea. Let's go." Ryleigh said as she placed Anna on her hip. They walked downstairs and Ryleigh grabbed some snacks and put them in the diaper bag and then put Anna in her stroller. They left for the park down the road. When they got there, Ryleigh picked Anna up and sat on a swing with the baby in her lap. Anna giggled every time they would swing forward a little. Ryleigh loved the sound so much that she got off the swing and placed Anna in a baby swing and stood in front of her so that she could see the happiness on the baby's face. "Hi." Ryleigh cooed when Anna swung forward. Anna laughed and so did Ryleigh. The mother did that with her daughter for a little longer before she decided that it was time to move on to feeding the ducks. Ryleigh had taken a small bag of bread crumbs with her for the very purpose of feeding the animals, since Anna had had taken a liking to ducks as they were frequent visitors at their house. 

They stopped at a park bench and Ryleigh sat down after grabbing the bread crumbs. Anna squealed in excitement when the ducks came closer to them. "Can you say duck?" Ryleigh asked as she tossed some bread on the ground. "Here." Ryleigh said as she opened the baby's hand and gave her some bread so Anna could feed the ducks. "Ok, now go like this." Ryleigh said as she guided Anna's hand and helped her toss the bread to the ducks. Anna gasped when the waddled toward her. She flapped her arms happily, making Ryleigh laugh. The birds squawked and Anna got frustrated that were leaving. "Stop flapping then." Ryleigh said through a chuckle. Anna kept flapping and making herself frustrated to the point that she made herself cry. "I think it's time for your nap." The mother said as she stood up and put the bread away and walked in the direction of home and by the time they got home, Anna was snoring quite loudly and her small head was lulled to the side. Her heart shaped sunglasses were tipped to the side and her soother was practically hanging out of her mouth. Ryleigh smiled and took a photo of her to show Jack when he got home. Ryleigh put her phone back in her pocket and picked the infant up slowly in the hopes that she would stay sleeping. Thankfully Anna was in deep sleep. Ryleigh managed to put the baby down for her nap successfully. 

Once she was down, Ryleigh grabbed the baby monitor and walked to the kitchen to make herself some lunch. She threw together a salad consisting of the leftover veggies they had. She took her food and went to sit on the sofa while she watched wife swap. 

=

"Alright, I'll get the horses saddled up if you want to take a quick break." Chase said and Jack nodded. He ran over to the house. "Where's the fire?" Dakota laughed as Jack ran through the door. "I have to pee." He shouted and Dakota laughed louder. She turned attention back to the book she was reading. When Jack was done, he walked to the kitchen and chugged a couple glasses of water. "You keep doing that and you'll have to pee again." Dakota said, not looking up from her book. Jack rolled his eyes. "Well, we're going to check on the cattle and we'll probably gone for a while." He replied and Dakota nodded. "Be careful." Dakota warned. "I will. I love you." He said as he kissed her cheek. "Love you too." She replied with a warm smile. She heard the door shut and that's when her son called for her. She closed her book and went to get him up from his nap.

"Hello my sweet boy. Did you have a good nap?" She asked and Joshua nodded. "That's good. Let's go have lunch." Dakota replied and walked to the kitchen. She placed the boy in his booster seat and warmed up some spaghetti they had for dinner the previous night. Once it was heated, she brought it over and gave it to him. Joshua lapped it up and as he ate, he would close his eyes. Dakota chuckled every time he did that. He looked so cute when he did that. "Was that good?" The mother asked when the boy pushed his bowl further away from himself. "Ok." he said and Dakota nodded, taking note of how much food he had smeared on his tray, shirt and face. "Let's get you cleaned up and then we can play." Dakota said as she got up and cleaned up. When everything was all clean, Dakota and Joshua walked over to the playmat in the corner and sat down to play with the cars and building blocks the little boy had.

"Careful honey." Dakota said as the little boy threatened to knock her tower over. He pushed it with his index finger and he laughed at the crashing sound it made. "Hey, that was my tower mate." Dakota whined and the boy laughed even harder. Dakota joined in and together, they built a bigger one. They repeated the process of building a tower and Joshua knocking it over again. "You little beggar." Dakota laughed as Joshua catapulted himself on his mother. His arms wrapping around her neck. "I love you my sweet boy." She said as she kissed his blonde hair. "Love mama." He replied and Dakota smiled. 

Just as she stood up to put Joshua down for his second nap, her phone rang. She saw Chase's name on the screen and she grew nervous. "Hi babe." She said as cheerfully as she could but she knew that something was wrong. "Call mum or grace to watch Joshua. I've called an ambulance." He said firmly and she gulped. "What happened Chase?" She demanded. Chase took a deep breath. "It's Jack." He said simply and Dakota dropped the phone. She felt her heart drop to her stomach. He promised he'd be ok. He lied. Dakota picked up her phone and told Chase she would. They hung up and she frantically called Carol. 

"Dakota, what's wrong honey?" The woman asked when she heard Dakota choke out a sob. "I n-need you to watch Jo-Joshua p-please." Dakota stuttered through her tears. "I'll be right there. Hang tight sweetheart." Carol said as she hung up and grabbed her keys, rushing to the farm. When she got there, she saw an ambulance speed out of the driveway. She parked her car and hurried inside. She saw her son holding Joshua who was crying. "Honey what happened?' She asked as she took her grandson into her arms. Joshua cried into her shoulder. "Jack was helping me with the cattle and his horse got spooked and threw him to the ground. He smacked his head hard, knocking himself unconscious. They aren't sure if he's injured anything else." Chase explained as the guilt surfaced in the form of tears. "Dakota went with him?" Carol asked and Chase nodded. "It's not your fault son. He'll be ok." Carol said as she hugged her son with her free arm.

=

Meanwhile back at the lake house, Ryleigh was staring down at a positive pregnancy test. She held Anna close to her and laughed nervously. "You're going to have a brother or a sister." Ryleigh said as Anna stared at her. "You're going to be the best big sister." She continued as she kissed Anna's forehead. Anna gave her a cheesy smile. "We have to tell daddy when he comes home." Ryleigh said just as her phone rang. She didn't recognize the number. The mother put Anna on the bed in her and Jack's room and answered the phone.  "Hello?" Ryleigh asked and the person on the other line cleared their throat. "I'm looking for Ryleigh Mason?" The person questioned and Ryleigh rolled her eyes, thinking it was a spam call. "This is she. Can I ask what this is about?" She asked in reply. "This is the Jasper Matter Hospital. We have a patient here by the name of Jackson Mason." The person said and Ryleigh's knees gave out. She felt her heart plummet to her stomach and her stomach fall to her butt. Her breath left her body as the person explained what happened. Ryleigh thanked them before hanging up and cried her eyes out. Anna looked at her mother with confusion. Ryleigh picked Anna up and held her close. Anna squawked in protest but stopped when she realized that her mother wasn't going to let go. 

Eventually Ryleigh found the strength to stand and she raced downstairs with Anna and jumped into the car. She drove to her mother's house, thinking of everything that had taken place that day. Here she found out she was pregnant and now Jack was in a coma. She wasn't sure what she was going to tell her mother. She didn't really have time to think about it because she pulled into the driveway. Ryleigh took Anna out of the car and rushed to the front door. Ryleigh knocked frantically and Grace opened the door to see her daughter's tear stained face and confused granddaughter. "Honey what's wrong?" Grace asked and Ryleigh just handed Anna over. Ryleigh shook her head and rushed back to the car. "I'll explain later." Ryleigh managed to call out before speeding out of the driveway. Grace stood there just as confused as Anna. "What happened little lady?" Grace tried to ask but didn't get a response. She shrugged and walked inside. She turned the tv on to the kids channel and watched bear in the big blue house with Anna.

=

Ryleigh pulled up to the hospital and ran inside. "Jackson Mason?" She asked breathlessly. "I'm sorry, only family is allowed back there." The lady at the desk replied. "I'm his wife and his emergency contact. Please just tell me where my husband is." Ryleigh said shortly and the lady let her by. Ryleigh ran through the halls and finally found his room. She barged through the door scaring Dakota. "What the fuck happened?" Ryleigh shouted. Dakota looked at her. "What did they tell you on the phone?" Dakota asked. Ryleigh told her what they had said and Dakota nodded. "They won't know anything else until he wakes up and don't know if he will. he hit his head harder than they thought." Dakota explained and Ryleigh broke down crying. She fell to the ground as Dakota wrapped her arms around her. Dakota rocked Ryleigh back and forth as she cried and eventually Ryleigh calmed down.

"Do you want me to give you a minute? I could really use a coffee." Dakota asked and Ryleigh nodded. "Can you call mom and tell her what happened? I basically threw Anna at her and left with hardly any word." Ryleigh said Dakota smiled. "Of course. Call me if anything happens." She said and Ryleigh nodded. Dakota left the room and Ryleigh turned her attention to her husband. her eyes landing on all of the tubes and wires attached to him. His head split and stitched at his hairline. His right arm in a cast and a brace around his neck. Ryleigh felt her tears spill once more as she sat beside him and held on to his left hand. "You're an idiot." Ryleigh chuckled, hoping that he would open his eyes and tell her that she was right. He didn't. She just sat there rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb as she hummed a random tune in her head. "Baby, if you can hear me. Please squeeze my hand." She said as she waited for a couple seconds. He didn't move and Ryleigh's shoulders slump forward in defeat. "Please wake up." Ryleigh said as she sobbed again. She didn't know what else to do.

Ryleigh was there for a while running her fingers lightly through Jack's hair. She suddenly missed the way he would lean into her touch when she would do that and right now, she would give anything to feel that again. "Mama." Anna said as she and Grace stood in the doorway of Jack's room. Ryleigh smiled and the tears pooled in her eyes again as her mother embraced her. "Oh my darling. I'm so sorry." Grace said. "I'm pregnant." Ryleigh sobbed into her mother's shoulder. "My sweet girl." Grace said as she hugged her daughter as tight as she could. "I don't want to loose him mom. I can't raise two kids on my own." Ryleigh said and Grace nodded. "You won't loose him and if you did, you wouldn't be alone. Chase, Dakota and I are here for you and I know that there are others out there that would help." Grace replied and Ryleigh shook her head in disagreement. "Ryleigh, I had to do it until your father came along." Grace admitted and Ryleigh looked at her with surprise. "What?" She stuttered out. "It's a long story. One I can tell you one day but today is not the day." Grace said and Ryleigh nodded. "Promise you'll tell me." Ryleigh said and Grace nodded. 

Anna was tired of being held and being ignored. She grunted in annoyance as she reached for her mother. Ryleigh took her and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry sweet pea." Ryleigh said as she went to go sit down again. The mother leaned back in her chair and sat Anna in her lap. Anna tilted her head back and looked up at her mother. "Dada." Anna said with a curious tone. "Dada is, Dada is sleeping." Ryleigh said as she sighed sadly. Grace smiled sadly at her daughter. Anna leaned forward and tried to climb on to the bed. "No baby. Let daddy sleep." Ryleigh more harsher than she wanted. Anna frowned at her and tried again. This time she succeeded. She laid her head on Jack's blanket covered belly and pat him. "Can you give me a minute." Ryleigh said quickly as she stood up and left the room. Grace went over to where Ryleigh was incase Anna fell. 

Ryleigh slid down the nearest wall and cried again. The scene of Anna laying her head on her father and patting him pulling at her heart strings. Her whole body ached as thought of not waking up to him played in her head. "Ryleigh?" Dakota asked when she walked toward the woman. Ryleigh looked up at her and wiped her tears away. Before Ryleigh could say anything, an alarm went off in his room. Both woman jumped up as they knew what that meant. Nurses came running in and ushered Grace and Anna out of the room. Ryleigh tried to fight to get in there but they wouldn't let her. "Please." She screamed but the male nurse wasn't having it. "You have to wait out there." He said firmly and Ryleigh fell to the ground as she hyperventilated. Dakota and Grace watched the scene through their tears. "Dada." Anna said and grace rubbed her back. 

Ryleigh couldn't stand it anymore and she ran out of the building. When she got outside she sat on the stairs and cried into her hands. The feelings of loosing her father returned. "Daddy, if you can hear me, please send him back to me. Anna needs him. I need him." Ryleigh said as her body was wracked with sobs. "Please, please don't take him." Ryleigh begged over and over until Dakota walked out to her. Ryleigh looked at her and when she saw the look on the woman's face, her heart fell. "Please tell me that I still have a husband." Ryleigh said softly and Dakota sat beside her. "It's not looking good Ryleigh." She said and Ryleigh laid her head on Dakota's shoulder. "I talked to Chase about postponing the wedding and we both agreed to wait." Dakota admitted and Ryleigh shook her head. "He wouldn't want that." Ryleigh replied when her tears stopped coming so quickly. "I want him to walk me down the aisle." Dakota said and Ryleigh smiled. "I know he'd love that." Ryleigh said. The women talked for a few more minutes before they walked back inside.

"I think I'm going to take this one home." Grace said as she motioned to her granddaughter who was sound asleep while resting her head on her father's chest. Ryleigh tried not to cry as she nodded. "I'll keep her as long as you need. I can even stay at your place so that she can sleep in her own bed." Grace offered and Ryleigh hugged her. Ryleigh broke the hug and went to kiss her daughter's head. "They really look like each other." Ryleigh whispered to her mother and sister-in-law. "Oh they definitely. There is no mistaking who her daddy is." Dakota said as she smiled. As much as it pained her, Ryleigh took a picture at how cute it was to see just how attached Anna was to her daddy. Ryleigh picked the baby up and handed her to Grace. All of them saying their goodbyes. Ryleigh watched them leave before she sat back down and took her husband's left hand in hers.  "Visiting hours are over." A nurse said as she shook Ryleigh awake. "Please don't make me leave." Ryleigh whispered as she felt the tears well up again. The lady smiled and allowed Ryleigh to stay. Ryleigh thanked her and turned back to her husband.   

=

A week had passed and still Jack had not woken up. Ryleigh hadn't left his side. She tried to hold it together but as the days passed, it proved to be difficult. It was time to decide what would happen next. Ryleigh didn't want to admit that she didn't want to put through anymore pain. She knew she had to let him go and that thought scared her. She didn't want to live life without him. She wanted him to be here to meet their new baby, to help her raise him or her. She wanted him to walk Dakota down the aisle and do the same for Anna on her wedding day. There was so much she wanted to do but she knew now that it was just not going to happen. 

The day they were going to pull the plug, Ryleigh had asked Grace if she could have time with Anna and Jack so that both her and Anna could say goodbye to him. Ryleigh laid Anna on his chest and played their wedding song. Ryleigh let her tears fall as she laid hr head on Jack's shoulder and ran her thumb over Anna's small cheek. Anna's little lip jutted out and she started to cry. She knew what was happening. She could sense the seriousness of the situation. "It's ok sweet pea. Daddy's not going to hurt anymore. We'll be ok." Ryleigh said softly as she tried to convince herself that everything would be ok. Anna hid he face in Jack's chest and Ryleigh couldn't blame her. Jack was their world and life without him would never be the same. Ryleigh lifted her head and kissed as close to his mouth as she could. "I love you so much baby." She said through her tears. "You can let go now." She said as she laid her head back on his shoulder. She kissed the mole on his neck and buried her face in his chest and breathed him in one last time. All of their memories flooding her mind.

A nurse came in and smiled sadly at the sight before her. Anna and Ryleigh clinging on to Jack for dear life. She walked over to the machines to get them ready to be turned off. Jack picked that moment to open his eyes. The nurse smiled and carefully removed the breathing tube without disturbing the women. Jack smiled at her after she was done and she assured him that she would be back to take care of things. "I love you too." Jack rasped out and both girls snapped their heads up. Ryleigh kissed him deeply and hugged him. "Dada." Anna shouted as a smile pulled at her lips. "Hi sweet pea." He crocked once Ryleigh reluctantly broke the kiss. Anna giggled and hid her face in his chest. "I fucking hate you Jackson." Ryleigh said with a warm smile. "I'm sorry baby." He whispered as he let his tears fall. "It's not your fault. I'm just glad you're awake. I was afraid we were going to loose you." She replied and he shook his head as best he could. "Never. I love you too much to put you through that." He said and Ryleigh smiled sadly. "You almost did Jack." She said as she kissed him again. The three, almost four, of them cuddling and enjoying the time they were together.

=

A few hours later, Jack and Anna were asleep and Chase, Dakota, Joshua, Grace, both sets of Dakota and grandparents and Carol were at the hospital to say goodbye or so they thought. When they walked into the room, they saw Jack holding Anna securely with his left arm and Ryleigh smiled at them. "When the hell did he wake up?" Richard asked with shock. "A few hours ago. We just wanted to be with him." Ryleigh replied and everyone nodded in understanding. "How is he?" Dakota asked. "The doctor said that he'll have to be in here for a few more weeks but other than that, he's in good spirits." She explained and Jack stirred. He slowly opened his eyes and thought it'd be funny to prank them all. "Who are you?" He asked with confusion and Ryleigh looked at him and saw the cheeky glint in his eyes. She played along. "What do you mean who are we? You were fine a few hours ago." Ryleigh said as she made herself cry. Anna woke up and looked up at him. She smiled at him and he didn't respond. It broke his heart not to respond but he knew if he reacted to it, it would blow his cover. He gave his daughter a look she had never seen before but her little heart broke. The tears grew in her eyes and her chin wobbled as her lip jutted out. She closed her eyes and let out a sob. Jack couldn't do it anymore and wrapped his arm back around her little body that was now shaking as she cried. "It's ok. Daddy's ok." He said as he tried to calm her down but she cried harder. "You're such a prick." Dakota said as the tears grew in her eyes as well. She walked out of the room with Joshua in her arms. 

Jack pulling that, really broke Dakota's heart. She really though that something happened to him and she really didn't need that. Chase joined her in the hall. He saw her crying and Joshua looking confused. He took his son and fiancé into his arms and hugged them tightly. "It's ok my darling." He said as he tried to comfort them. Dakota cried into his chest and Joshua pat the top of her head as he tried to help as well. "How could he do that to me? I thought I lost him just like my parents and he pulls that on me." Dakota said and Chase nodded. "Yay ok?" Joshua asked and Dakota nodded as she wiped her tears away. The three of them walking back into the room. "I'm sorry Dakota." Jack said and she smiled shortly. She was still mad at him and rightfully so. "Can I have a minute with Dakota?" Jack asked and everyone left but he refused to let go of Anna. The little girl laid her head on his chest and fell back to sleep. 

" What do you want?" She snapped at him. "I'm sorry Dakota. I didn't mean to upset you." He said and she looked at him. "I wasn't the only you made cry with your stupid joke." Dakota snapped and he nodded. "I know and I'm sorry. I didn't think it through." He said and she angrily wiped her tears away. "Come here." He said and Dakota sat next to him before hiding her face in his neck and continuing to cry. He let her cry because he could tell that she needed to. "I thought I lost you like we lost mom and dad." Dakota admitted as her tears stilled. "I'm still here care bear." He replied and she nodded. "You pulling that really hurt me you know." She said as she sat up and wiped the remaining tears away. "I'm sorry." He whispered and she smiled genuinely this time. "Chase and I are postponing the wedding till you are better and can travel." She said and he shook his head. "Dakota, don't do that." He replied and she smiled wider. "I want you to walk me down the aisle." She said and he looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Of course I'll walk you down the aisle." He replied proudly. "I love you bumble bee." She said as she kissed his cheek. "I love you too care bear." He said before his eyes started growing heavy. "Want me to get Ryleigh?" She asked and Jack nodded. "Please just tell everyone they can come back later or tomorrow. I just want to be with my girls." Jack said and Dakota nodded.

"Ryleigh, he's asking for you." Dakota said as she walked back to the group of people. "He also asked that we come back later as he wants to be with his girls." Dakota continued. They all left the hospital as Ryleigh walked back into his room. "Hello handsome." She greeted softly as she sat down next to him. "Hello beautiful." He replied as he blinked at her sleepily. She smiled at him. "You wanna know a secret?" Ryleigh asked and he nodded. Ryleigh pulled the positive test out of pocket and handed it to Jack. He looked up at her with tired but wide eyes. "Are you serious?" He asked with hope. "I found out just before you arrived here." Ryleigh explained and Jack smiled. He looked down at Anna. "She going to be the best big sister." Jack said and Ryleigh nodded. "Yes she will." Ryleigh replied as she kissed him deeply, making sure to cop a feel of his tongue with hers. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up." Ryleigh said after she broke the kiss. Jack shook his head. "Make out with me." He said cheekily. Ryleigh chuckled but made out with him, just like he wanted. Both of them savouring the feel of each other. Vowing to never again take anything for granted.

Tag List: @mairyleo @sarahegerton96 @dogmom2014 @rocknrollmadden @jobanan23 @softeggsy @eggsyobsessed @aberystwythboy @superthiccthighssavelives @hauntedflamingo​

[chuffyfan87]

An Offer I Can't Refuse. Part 5a

Cowritten with @fairheads.

-x-

After a surprisingly good night with only two wake ups Charlie and Duffy were awoken the next morning by a loud knocking on the door which started Peter crying.

"Urgh, it's probably the postman. Can you get Peter and bring him down?" Duffy yawned.

“Sure, I’ll be right down.” Charlie confirmed, watching Duffy as she tried to scramble for her clothes as the door bell rang again.

Letting out a sigh she gave up and settled for throwing on a vest top and shorts before heading to the door. Pulling open the door she was shocked to see her mum stood on the doorstep.

"Mum! I... Erm... I didn't think you were back til tomorrow..!"

“I came back early. You’d think you have something to hide!” Kate raised her eyebrows at her daughter.

"Um, not at all!" Duffy giggled awkwardly, trying to hide herself behind the door without it seeming too obvious what she was doing.

“What are you doing!? You could help me with my bags!”

"Oh... Yeh... Sure..." Duffy stammered as she moved to grab the bags and turn around as fast as she could.

Kate was looking at her, trying to figure out what was different... “Where’s my lovely grandson?”

"He's..." Duffy's words were cut off as Charlie appeared at the top of the stairs, clad in just his boxers, holding Peter who was giggling and wriggling.

Kate turned from Duffy to Charlie and back again. “Would you care to tell me what is going on?”

"He... Erm... Charlie needed a place to crash last night. He's... Um... He's having work done at his place..." Duffy babbled in a panic, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to hide her swollen belly.

“Building work? At this time of year? Do you think I’m an idiot Lisa?” Kate responded.

Charlie had decided it best he take Peter and get some clothes on before venturing downstairs!

"I... Erm... I should probably get dressed... Then we can have a cuppa..."

Just as Duffy started to walk away, Kate noticed her tummy. “Lisa Duffin, you turn back round now.”

Duffy sighed and turned around.

“Your tummy!” Kate was genuinely shocked. “Please in God’s name, tell me you’re not pregnant again...”

"I... Er..." Duffy stuttered.

Charlie decided it was the perfect moment to enter the conversation. He wrapped his arms around Duffy’s shoulders, “We're having a baby, Kate.”

Duffy pulled away awkwardly. "I... Er... I need to get dressed!" She turned and dashed up the stairs.

Charlie was left downstairs with Kate. Unsure what to say and still holding Peter.

"I thought I could trust you around my daughter!"

“Oh you can Mrs Duffin, I care for your daughter greatly.”

"Clearly not enough to be a bit more careful." Kate retorted.

“I will support her and the baby and Peter.”

"I suppose that's a step up from the last idiot she got pregnant by."

Charlie was lost for words. He was wondering where Duffy had got to.

Kate reached out to take Peter from Charlie. "I think you should probably be leaving now."

“Can I just go and see her?” Charlie asked, passing Peter over to Kate.

"Two minutes."

“Thanks.” Charlie raced up the stairs and found Duffy in her bedroom.

"Let me guess, she's thrown you out?" Duffy sighed from where she sat in the middle of the bed.

She looked tiny, sitting in the middle of the bed, her legs pulled up to her chest. Charlie nodded. “But I’ll be back!” He tried to remain positive. She looked so sad.

"The appointment is at 1.30pm. Might be easier to just meet you there. She'll just get worse if you come back here." Duffy sighed.

Charlie sat down next to Duffy and reached for her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers. “I just need to show her she can trust me. I’ll leave now, but I hope you know I’m not going anywhere. I’ll see you just before 1:30.”

"I'll sit her down and explain the situation." Duffy replied softly as she stared at their intertwined hands.

“Okay.” Charlie stood up to leave, their fingers still connected until the last minute. He couldn’t get over how vulnerable she looked. “It’ll be okay.” He reassured her, bending down to kiss her tenderly.

She wanted to pull away but she found herself in need of his comfort.

“I’ve got to go...” He tried to pull away.

"I know... I'll see you later." She attempted a smile to reassure him.

“I l... I’ll see you later,” Charlie had almost whispered the words I love you, but settled for the see you later at last minute. It almost physically hurt leaving her. Something seemed to be shifting between them, was she finally letting him in?

A few minutes after Charlie had left Duffy trudged back downstairs to face her mum.

Kate had put Peter in his high chair and was busy washing up the remnants of the previous night. She heard Duffy enter the kitchen but refused to turn around.

"Look at you messy pup!" Duffy chuckled at her son who seemed to be wearing most of his breakfast!

Peter smiled at his mother, reaching to touch her with his grubby fingers. Kate continued to ignore her.

Duffy scooped some of the cereal onto the spoon Peter had discarded in favour of his hands. "Mummy help you?"

Peter let his mother feed him the remainder of the cereal, babbling softly. Kate finished the washing up and turned around. “I can’t believe you’ve been so stupid Lisa.”

"I can explain..." Duffy began.

“I’m listening,” Her mother replied, crossing her arms and leaning back against the sink.

"Me and Charlie... We're just friends..."

“Friends don’t need to have children together.”

"We got talking and it just kind of happened. It seemed like the perfect solution. Charlie would get to be a dad and Peter wouldn't be stuck as an only child."

Kate was exasperated and started ranting at Duffy. “What kind of fantasy land do you live in Lisa? Do you honestly expect Charlie to be interested in being a father when he’s down the pub with young, attractive girls throwing themselves at him? He’s a handsome chap, he’ll soon get bored with nights looking after two children. You’re deluded Lisa, you’ve agreed to be surrogate for someone who isn’t even interested in you or a baby. How stupid can you be? You’re really gone and done it this time, haven’t you - you’ll be a single parent to two babies.” Her voice was getting more and more irate as she went on.

"He's a good man..!" Duffy argued.

“We’ll see about that won’t we!?” Kate sneered.

"We both knew what we were getting into from the start mum. We are friends, best friends, and we will raise this baby between us."

“You make it sounds so simple! Let’s see if he still wants to be best friends when reality hits!”

"What do you mean by that?" Duffy ran one hand through her hair whilst attempting to clean Peter up with a wipe in the other.

“We’ll see if he’s here when the baby is screaming, when you’re tired and trying to juggle two under two shall we? Let’s hope he’s not shagging some other girl when it’s late and you’re struggling. I hope your ‘best friendship’ stands up to this test.” Kate snapped viciously.

"You haven't seen how great he is with Peter. He'll be a wonderful dad."

“Because he only sees him for five minutes, anyone is wonderful with him for that amount of time. You’re in denial if you think that makes him a wonderful father.”

"Its not just that. He's already started buying things for the baby and is coming along to the scan later." Duffy retorted, folding her arms across her chest.

“Good luck to you, I have nothing else to say on the matter.” Kate abruptly ended the conversation and walked out of the room.

Duffy picked up Peter from his highchair and followed her mum, balancing the tot on her hip.

Kate was back to ignoring Duffy, she was struggling to carry her cases up the stairs.

"Look mum... Oh for goodness sake, let me do that! You take Peter."

“It’s fine!” Kate was her mother after all and had her daughter’s stubbornness!

"You're going to hurt your back again mum." Duffy sighed.

“Well you shouldn’t be lifting in your condition either should you?” Kate said pointedly.

"Oh for goodness sakes, not you as well!" Duffy rolled her eyes and huffed.

Kate ignored her and hauled the cases up the stairs. Duffy looked on incredulously.

"Fine! Be that way!" Duffy called up the stairs after her mum before taking Peter through to the lounge to play on the rug.

It took most of the morning but Duffy finally convinced her mum to watch Peter whilst she attended her scan. Her mother was still barely speaking to her so by the time she arrived at the hospital she was stressed and anxious.

Charlie was waiting outside the building for her, he noticed she looked stressed as she walked from her car.

"Don't ask." She sighed as she reached him, running a hand through her hair.

“Would you like a hug?” Charlie offered, he always seemed to know what she needed.

She smiled sadly and nodded.

“Come here you,” He enveloped her in his strong arms and just held her.

After a few moments she pulled back. "Apparently I'm a deluded idiot." She sighed.

“Well we both know that’s not true. Was it awful?”

"I had to beg her to look after Peter this afternoon and she says I can whistle if I think she's gunna look after both of them once the baby's here."

“That good hey?” He looked at her, she looked so tired and drawn. “We’ll prove her wrong.”

Duffy sighed. "Maybe she's right..."

“Look at me kid,” He pulled her chin up. “I’m not going anywhere, we’re in this together.”

"So you're not going to get bored of being a dad when a pretty girl takes your fancy?"

“There’s only one pretty girl I’ve got my eye on,” He winked at her.

"Oh ha ha!" She rolled her eyes but couldn't help giggling. "Come on, before we're late."

“Hey I’m serious!” He pretended to rugby tackle her into a hug, before she could move away. They both laughed. “Come on then, let’s go see this little one!” He said, walking with his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you determined to set the rumour mill on fire?"

“Yes!” He said laughing.

"You are terrible, you know that?"

He nodded and grinned at her.

They arrived at the reception of the clinic, and Duffy went to check in. Charlie meanwhile sat, looking a little nervous, waiting for her to return.

Charlie was starting to think she'd gotten lost when she finally rejoined him.

"Sorry, they had to wait for my blood pressure to come back down." She grumbled.

He turned to her, with concern in his eyes and desperately tried not to worry.

"Not a massive shock after I spent the morning arguing with my mother."

That made sense, he thought and hoped she was right. “What else did you have to do? Is the scan in a separate room?”

"Yeh, they'll call us through shortly. I hope it's soon coz I'm bursting for the toilet!"

“Uncomfortable?” He grimaced in sympathy.

She nodded. "Next time will be worse."

They waited for what seemed like ages, Duffy shifted uncomfortably in the chair next to him and Charlie trying hard not to hold her hand. Finally they called her name.

"I bet the whole hospital knows we're here by now." She muttered as she strode over to the scanning room.

“Probably! Am I that bad to be seen with?” He joked, following her into the room.

She made a big show of pondering his question as she attempted to make herself comfortable on the bed.

Charlie looked at her, expecting a reply. He sat in the chair next to the bed.

"Hmm... I think I've been seen out with worse..!"

“Hey!” He took mock offence. The sonographer soon interrupted their banter.

She explained the procedure and then waited for Duffy to tuck some tissue into her slightly lowered leggings and lift her top up out the way. Duffy gasped slightly even though she knew that the gel would be cold.

“Made you jump!” Charlie was leaning close to her, watching her every move.

"Its cold!" She pouted at him.

Charlie resisted saying anything about warming her up and instead, placed his hands right next to hers, leaning into her. He didn’t know if she would want him to hold her hand, but he wanted to be close.

It took a few moments but then the screen crackled into life.

Charlie and Duffy held their breath, they were used to working a scanner in the ED, but it was very different when it was their own child on the screen.

Duffy smiled as the screen settled, her trained eye quickly assessing the image.

Charlie nervously linked his fingers with hers.

Duffy giggled as the baby moved its arm. "I think he or she is trying to wave hello."

Charlie was choked up, he hadn’t expected the rush of emotion he experienced seeing their child on the screen. He couldn’t speak, just waved back with his free hand.

"You realise the baby can't see you right?" She giggled softly.

“Is everything okay? Are they okay?” He covered his mouth with his hand, tears springing - the emotion palpable.

The sonographer had been busy studying the scan and nodded. "All is as it should be for twelve weeks. All limbs are growing well, head is a good size and developing on track, placenta is working well and the baby has a good strong heartbeat."

Charlie let out a large sigh of relief. “That’s good Duffy, that’s good!”