Author's note: all usual disclaimers apply.

Yes, I know what I said but after spending 6 hours on, or waiting for trains today I needed a 'distraction'.

This was inspired by theamack's Consequences (not my earlier story of the same name) when I started to ponder what they would be like as a couple if she were pregnant.

Tommy Lynley, the Eight Earl of Asherton, looked proudly down at his tiny son sleeping calmly in Barbara's arms. The boy seemed unaware, or untroubled, by the noise generated by the half of Nanrunnel that had gathered in the tiny chapel for his christening. Tommy's mother was fussing with the heirloom christening gown that six generations of Lynleys had used. "Don't wake him Mother please," Tommy hissed under his breath. He earnt a rebuking look from his mother and a sly smile from Barbara who had taken the whole Asherton christening tradition far better than he had dared hope. The next part, with the garden party might be more of a challenge for her.

They were called forward to the font. Tommy put his arm around Barbara and stood as close as he respectably could to his little family. The minister ran through the ritual prayers and readings then asked, "how do you name this child?"

This was the moment Tommy had dreaded. He and Barbara had agreed on what to call their son but despite allowing him to be named as father on the birth certificate and agreeing to this family tradition Barbara was still refusing to allow the boy to have his surname. "He's going to be raised by me," she had said repeatedly, "he should have my name."

Tommy had lost count of the number of times he had asked Barbara to marry him and take his name. He had asked romantically, logically, emotionally, angrily, beseechingly and desperately until a few months ago he had given up. He still wanted to marry her but he knew he had to prove he loved her. Barbara still believed he only wanted her because she was carrying his child and that any union was doomed to failure. Tommy had seen his lawyers who had assured him that if his name was on the birth certificate his son could be named as successor so he had adopted a new strategy of simply loving her as much as he could and waiting for her to realise he was not going anywhere.

He looked down anxiously at Barbara. She cleared her throat softly and he could tell she was nervous. "Matthew Thomas Havers," she said clearly, "Lynley."

"Matthew Thomas Havers Lynley, I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen."

"Amen," Tommy said with the congregation. He tightened his grip on her shoulders and kissed her head. Anyone looking would think that the tears welling in his eyes were the emotion of the moment but only Barbara and his family knew how much it meant to him. "Thank you Barbara, thank you. I love you both so much."

Howenstowe was festooned in flowers. A marquee had been set up on the front lawn and all of the guests, including the local farmers and townsfolk, were milling around enjoying the food and music while they sipped on champagne, or more likely were sampling one of the eight kegs of beer Tommy had ordered.

Barbara had circulated through the crowd for nearly two hours, far longer than Tommy had imagined she would endure. She found him by the fountain. "Matthew is tired. I'm going up to our room to put him down and have a nap." Tommy nodded and followed her. "You can stay with your guests."

"I'd rather come with you," he replied taking his son. "Come here little man." His son yawned at him.

Tommy remembered clearly the first time he had seen his son. He had insisted that in the last few weeks of her pregnancy Barbara stay with him so that he could get her to hospital promptly. Despite her early protestations about the national health system being perfectly adequate, when she had seen the facilities at the hospital Tommy preferred she had acquiesced. Being almost forty the obstetricians had monitored her health closely and had given her some worrying scenarios. "It's for the baby's sake," she had told Tommy, "not for me."

Tommy had been woken by the sound of the shower in his bathroom. He went in to see her standing naked under the warm water leaning against the wall. "Hiya", she had said sheepishly, "sorry to wake you but my waters broke. There's a little bit on the floor but I thought the shower was better."

In hindsight he could laugh at her practicality but at the time he had simply helped her into a big, fluffy bathrobe then grabbed the packed case by the end of the bed and guided her to his car. The hospital was only five minutes away but with a screaming, cursing woman beside you it can seem like an eternity.

Her labour had been faster than doctors had predicted. Tommy was helped into a green gown and over-slippers then held her hand and gently wiped away her sweat with a warm, wet towel. He remembered telling her how much he loved her. Between her heavy panting she had responded in a way that summed up why he loved her. "I know that! Just do your job and count for me!"

When the head crowned the doctor had asked Tommy to watch the birth. Matthew had demonstrated his lung capacity almost as soon as his head was free. One more push and he was born into the arms of his weeping father. Tommy had cut the cord and he had held Barbara as she nursed their son. He had never felt closer to anyone as he had to them both at that moment. He had looked at Barbara and for the only time since the night Matthew had been conceived she had told him she loved him.

Originally Barbara had insisted on staying in the spare room but on the first night of her 'arrest' as she had dubbed it, that changed. After dinner they had been discussing names when her back had become sore. Tommy had taken her to his room where there was still some natural light that he thought would be more relaxing than the glare of a lamp. He had become quite skilled at massage during her pregnancy and knew how to unknot the tension in her lower back while she crouched unceremoniously on all fours. The first time he had rubbed her back early in her second trimester she had been wary and had discreetly exposed only her lower back to him. Over time she had lost her inhibitions and at the end was comfortable stripping off her clothes.

That night, seeing her in his bed again after so many months, he had wanted to keep her there forever. When the pain had gone he had gathered her into his arms and continued to caress her until she slept. Later that night when she woke he had kissed her softly and told her he loved her. It was one of the nights she allowed him to make gentle love to her.

Over the months they had been intimate several times. Each time Barbara had an excuse to justify why they were anything other than two people in love. His favourite excuse was the 'strange hormonal surges' that had afflicted her for weeks.

They had developed a routine that worked for them but that Tommy recognised merely masked the fact that they both wanted to be together constantly. Barbara was obsessed with hiding behind them just being good friends. They would usually eat together at the pub where she would complain how unfair it was not being able to drink. He would escort her home and accept her offer of coffee or a nightcap. One night she had not offered a drink and led him straight to her room with a matter of fact statement about needing sex. At first he had resisted. "I am not a stud service you can just dial up Barbara," he had protested but after she had kissed him he had given in with a weak, "just this once." Of course once had become almost nightly over the next few months. He kept reminding her he was making love to her and she kept insisting it was just good sex.

And there lay their impasse. Barbara could not believe he loved her as anything other than the mother of his son and nothing he did or said would convince her. So like today he took what loving gestures she offered and waited patiently for her to realise they could be happy.

Tommy settled Matthew in his cot while Barbara had a quick shower. She returned in her oversized fluffy pyjamas and climbed into bed. They had continued to share a bed after mother and child had left hospital. Their years together as partners meant that they seamlessly fitted into a routine where all three thrived. Tommy had willingly helped with comforting his son and changing his nappy when he woke. He would walk up and down the corridors when he cried or had wind. Above all though he enjoyed bathing Matthew. He had developed a game that had his son gurgling with happiness. Barbara laughing hysterically and him normally covered in bathwater.

"Matthew's had a big day," he said as he stripped off his suit and hung it carefully over his dumb valet.

"We all have," she said as she yawned, "and it's only four o'clock."

"Time is irrelevant."

"Won't they expect you downstairs?"

"I'm where I should be, with my family." Barbara gave him such a loving smile that Tommy could not resist leaning down and kissing her. "Get some rest my love."

When Tommy came back from his shower he had expected her to be asleep but instead her pyjamas were folded neatly on the chair. Tommy frowned and she nodded. He slipped straight into bed and was rewarded by a loving embrace. Tommy stroked her back then tentatively kissed her. "Barbara?"

"Mmmm," she said as her hand went straight to his thigh.

"Are we allowed?"

"Mmm, the doctor said it was fine two weeks ago. Now that my stomach has shrunk we can go back to something a little more 'traditional'."

Tommy made love to her gently. Their bodies could not hide the affection and tenderness they felt for each other but he could tell it had not sated her. As they lay quietly her hands began to stimulate him in just the way she knew he could not resist. This time he knew she wanted something more physical. He obliged willingly for he knew the rewards. He was not disappointed as she gave herself over completely to him. It never ceased to amaze him how intoxicating it was to have her call his name and know he was the source of such joy for her.

"Oh Barbara, you're amazing," he panted as he tried to regain his breathing. Tommy was tempted to propose again but the last time he had done so after making love she had ridiculed him for thinking with his genitalia and not his head. Are you ever going to let me ask you?

"Even that first night we were remarkably compatible," she quipped.

As usual she was right. Years of repressed desire, at least on his part, had made that first night one he would never forget even if it had not led to Matthew. It had started innocently. He and Barbara had attended Winston's party. Tommy could not even remember what the party was celebrating but there were a lot of young people there playing loud reggae and hip hop music and Tommy was bored. He had drunk more than he had intended but he was far from drunk. He suggested they leave but Barbara insisted on staying another ten minutes so that they did not look rude. "Loosen up a bit Sir. Come on dance with me."

Tommy would never know if it was deliberate on Winston's part but as they danced the music changed to something far slower. Tommy had moved closer to Barbara. Even now he was not sure why. He had bent down to suggest leaving but instead of whispering in her ear he had kissed her cheek. He could feel the heat rise beneath his lips. Before he realised his hands were on her hips and he was slowly tracing kisses across her face. When their lips pressed together softly it was as if a match had been thrown into petrol. "We have to leave now," he had insisted.

They made excuses and left the flat. Neither of them spoke or looked at each other. Tommy's car was parked a block away which seemed like a mile. They sat in the car both looking straight ahead. He could hear her breathing was heavy and irregular. His heart was pounding in his chest. Slowly he turned to look at her just as she turned to him. Within seconds they were kissing feverishly. Tommy could not remember the drive to his house but he did remember her hand resting on his thigh. They raced inside shedding coats and shoes in the hall and tore up his stairs two at a time. They discarded their clothes quickly as they kissed. The rest he remembered perfectly. They had indulged each other all night. He suspects they had moments of sleep but by the morning they had made love four times. It had been unlike sex with any other woman. He and Barbara seemed to understand each other perfectly. They had melded together in body, mind and soul.

He was leaving the next afternoon for Peter's wedding in Spain and had begged her to accompany him. She had refused, "it'd be too obvious to Winston, Hillier and your family."

Tommy had reluctantly gone. He had missed her terribly as if he had left his right arm in London. He had spoken to her every day but it was not enough then two days before he was due to return she had stopped taking his calls. He had not worried unduly and as soon as he was off the plane he had headed for the office. The ring was in his pocket and he intended to whisk her away somewhere quiet and on bended knee ask her to marry him. He had made a list of all her possible objections and had, what he considered, convincing counter arguments.

Her desk was empty. "Where's Havers?" he had asked Winston.

"She phoned in sick Sir. She was unwell yesterday. I took her to a pharmacy."

Tommy was concerned. "What's wrong with her?"

"She said indigestion but that's not the aisle she went into Sir." Winston was coy but clearly trying to give him a message.

The penny dropped and Tommy could not help but grin foolishly at Winston. "Do you think she's...?"

"I'm sure she thought it was a possibility."

Tommy had raced to Barbara's flat. She had let him in but had not seem pleased to see him. "Winston said you were unwell."

"Tummy upset," she replied coolly. She was dressed in an old dressing gown, the same one she had worn that night years ago when he had come to her flat. He really had loved her a long time.

"That's a shame. I was hoping you were pregnant."

Barbara had burst into tears. He had embraced her but she struggled in his arms. "I never thought...it wasn't deliberate. What the hell do I do?"

Tommy knew now that his exuberant reaction had frightened her. He had picked her up and spun her around. "Marry me of course! We are going to have a baby!" he had declared smothering her in kisses.

"Don't you don't have to marry me. It wasn't a trap."

"I know. We were both there. I could have been...more responsible...but I didn't want anything between us that night or ever."

"I thought it'd be fine."

Tommy had held her while she cried but he feared the worst. "Do you want our baby Barbara?"

"Yes, I'd never...harm it."

He sighed his relief. He placed his hand over her tummy and grinned then he kissed her. "Then marry me."

She had kissed him and they had ended up in her bed tenderly making love. Tommy had been ecstatic thinking everything was perfect but the next morning she had insisted it had been a mistake. She had no intention of marrying him but she would never deny him access to his child unless he tried to fight her for custody.

Nothing he said over the next few months changed her mind. On the surface their relationship had developed well. He had proudly acknowledged he was the father of Barbara's child even when Hillier had urged him to at least have a paternity test to ensure he was not stuck with a child with Havers' temperament. He had attended the doctors' appointments and had held her hand excitedly as they saw their baby for the first time during the scans. He had taken her to birthing classes and helped her shop for all the baby essentials. At least she had let him pay half as it was 'half his child' but still she refused to marry him. He had to be content with what he had.

Matthew began to mewl softly bringing Tommy out of his reverie. He hopped out of bed and brought the boy over for his feed. He handed him to Barbara then, as he often did, he nestled her into his shoulder as she fed their son. "Ow! He's nippy today," she complained.

Tommy squeezed her shoulder. He was happy; truly happy. "I love you both so much. We are a family. Don't you think it's time we formalised it? Marry me Barbara."