A/N: I liked Hugh Reid's character and the idea of that he and Foyle were old friends and so when he was written out of the series I happily continued to use him in my stories, creating a family for him that included his wife (Elaine) and two young daughters (Maggie and Grace) who see Andrew as a beloved older brother and have known both Foyles all their lives. I am very happy with the little universe I have created for the Reids. That said this story departs from that timeline and therefore will not fit with the other story that feature the Reids post-1941.

To be clear it is essential an AU to the AU I have already created but hopefully one that you will still enjoy :)

1941

After the girls had taken their dishes through to the kitchen and hurried upstairs to play Hugh reached across the table took Elaine's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Want to tell me what you've been fretting about all week love?"

His voice was gentle but Elaine still stiffened and Hugh rubbed his thumb soothingly over her knuckles as he waited for her to speak. "I should have known better than to think you wouldn't notice," she said at last with a weak smile and Hugh felt his heart rate jump.

He pushed his chair back and pulled lightly on her hand, "Come here love"

Elaine rose willingly and allowed Hugh to pull her across his lap, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the side of her head, "What is it love? I know the girls are fine and you had a letter from your parents the other day"

Elaine nodded, "I…oh it's probably nothing…"

"But it's worrying you so you ought to tell me" Hugh said softly, "You're one of the most sensible people I know Elaine and if it's been bothering you all week I don't think it's nothing."

She took a deep breath, "Hugh, I'm late"

He blinked at her for a minute and then she felt him stiffen when he realized exactly what she meant. "I'm sorry"

"No" his voice was hoarse and he cleared his throat, "No, don't apologize darling"

"But…"

Hugh shook his head, "It's a shock but that doesn't make it anyone's fault." He held her tightly, lips pressed to the side of her head, "When? I mean we've been so careful…"

"I think it must have been the weekend after that awful raid…"

Hugh nodded slowly, shivering slightly as he remembered the Friday night they had spent in the Anderson, the girls fretful with exhaustion, confusion and fear, only to have jerry drop a bomb two streets away. When they'd finally fallen into bed on Saturday they had both forgotten everything but how much they loved each other.

He took a deep breath and tried to think past his initial shock, "Have you seen White?" Elaine shook her head silently and Hugh kissed her temple again, "How late are you?" When they were first married any such question would have made them both blush but not after two children and over ten years of marriage.

"Nearly a week" Elaine's voice was just above a whisper and it had been years since Hugh had seen her look this unsure and it broke his heart; especially when this ought to be happy news.

"Oh love" he murmured, hating himself for not asking her what was wrong sooner, for letting her worry about this alone all week.

Elaine began to cry into his shoulder and Hugh rubbed her back gently, "At first I thought it was just stress, it's been irregular since the war started but it's never been this late"

He nodded, "I think we'd better go and see Dr. White then love, find out for sure"

"But if I am…oh Hugh I'm frightened"

He was too, terrified in a way he hadn't been, well since that dreadful raid that had led to all of this, "I know darling but let's try not to get ahead of ourselves you may not be"

Elaine looked up at him, tears still slipping down her cheeks, "The signs are there Hugh, I know my body" he nodded and reached up to gently wipe her tears away and she held his hand to her cheek. "I've been trying to attribute them to other things all week, trying to convince myself I'm not but I really think I am."

Hugh swallowed hard as panic spurted in his chest again. Elaine had hemorrhaged delivering Grace and Dr. White had told them in no uncertain terms that another pregnancy would not be wise, that the same thing could happen with even more devastating effects. Given that Elaine had very nearly died, they had never questioned his advice and had been careful ever since, until now.

The other option was illegal not to mention that it would break Elaine's heart and his as well, once he finally got his mind around this. He looked at his wife and tried desperately to think of something reassuring to say. "I love you" His voice was rough, his own eyes bright with tears, "I love you so very much Elaine"

"I love you too, but Hugh you know what Dr. White said…"

Hugh nodded, "I've never forgotten love but it was years ago, things may have changed, medicine improves all the time." He caught her hand in his, moving them both down to rest against her abdomen before kissing her tenderly and resting his forehead against hers.

"If our love has given us another child I don't think I can regret that Elaine, not as long as you're safe and I swear I shall do everything in my power to ensure you are."

Elaine nodded but before she could answer Grace called for her from upstairs and the moment was broken. She made to stand but Hugh held her fast, "Are you alright?"

She nodded, "Yes, are you?"

"Still a bit shocked but yes, I'm fine darling"

"Mummy! Maggie won't share!"

They both sighed and Elaine gave him a quick chaste kiss, "I'd better go love, can you see to the washing up?"

Hugh nodded, "Of course, promise me you'll be careful on the stairs?"

Elaine rolled her eyes, "Not this again, honestly Hugh!"

"You said you feel the same way you did with the girls" Hugh said seriously, "We both know you had more than a few dizzy spells, especially early on"

Elaine signed, "I'll hold onto the banister if it will make you feel better but I won't have you hovering for the next 9 months Hugh." He opened his mouth to protest and Elaine kissed him again, "We'll talk about it later, now I have to go and see which doll our daughters are using as a tug of war rope."

Hugh chuckled and watched her walk away before forcing himself to gather their dishes and take them through to the kitchen. He made it through their usual evening routine on autopilot and despite the long day he'd had and how early they went to bed, he got very little sleep.

Elaine fell asleep almost instantly and even though it was another sign that pointed to them being parents again Hugh was grateful for it. She could always read him so well and he didn't want her worrying about him.

The morning was the usual organized chaos of getting the girls off to school but he managed to steal a moment in the kitchen before he left, making Elaine promise that she would call him at the station when she knew what time her appointment was. "I can't promise anything love but I'd like to be there if I can."

Elaine leaned up to kiss him, "Thank you Hugh, you should go or you'll be late"

Hugh frowned, "You'll be alright?"

"I'll be fine I promise, now go before they send a search party"

There was no search party but when he passed Foyle in the hall his friend took one look and gestured him into his office, "Rough night?"

Reid forced a smile, "Something like that, do you have a case at the moment?"

Foyle shook his head, "No, not at present."

"Right, would you mind covering me for an hour or so?"

"Not at all" Foyle cocked his head to one side, "Everything alright Hugh?"

Hugh sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Not really sure" he sighed again, "Sorry Christopher, I really can't say."

"R-right, you'll tell me if there's anything I can do?" Reid nodded and forced a smile, which Foyle returned, "Good, just send a constable to tell me when you've headed out."

Reid nodded again and two hours later he arrived at Dr. White's practice and immediately crossed to his wife, "Hello love"

Elaine smiled but the way she gripped his hand told him how nervous she really was and after a quick glance showed that no one was paying any attention to them Hugh brushed a kiss to her knuckles, smiling softly when it still made her blush after all these years.

It wasn't long before Dr. White ushered them back, his expression becoming grave as soon as he heard the reason for their visit. "And you say the other symptoms line up with what you experienced before?"

Elaine nodded, "Yes, I've certainly been more tired and emotional than usual" She paused and squeezed Hugh's hand giving him an almost apologetic look, "Light-headed once or twice but no where close to fainting"

White nodded, "I see. I know you said this wasn't planned but there is a risk, a higher one than I like given what happened with Grace's delivery."

Hugh swallowed hard, "What are our options?"

White took a deep breath, "Well, assuming the blood work comes back positive, I'd want Elaine monitored more closely than usual just to make sure everything was progressing well."

Hugh and Elaine nodded and he continued, "And you'd have to give birth in hospital, I'd insist upon that. Given what happened with Grace a caesarean section might actually be the best thing."

"And, if we took those precautions, you think they would be alright? Elaine and the baby?"

White sighed, "I can't make any promises Hugh, you know that, but I give you my word I'll do everything in my power to ensure they are. Elaine's healthy and with the exception of Grace's delivery there were no issues with either pregnancy, that does count for something."

Hugh nodded and Elaine squeezed his hand before asking, "How soon until you'll have the test result back?"

"Hopefully in a week but it rather depends on the Germans I'm afraid, the raids do disrupt things." He smiled, "In the meantime don't hesitate to call if you have concerns, otherwise carry on as normal but expect to be more tired than normal and do try and get as much rest as possible; not always easy these days I know"

Hugh rose, offering Elaine his arm before holding out his hand to White, "Thank you doctor, I'll be sure she rests"

Elaine sighed, "Could you please remind my husband that being pregnant, if I am, is not that same thing as being ill?"

White chuckled and clapped Reid on the shoulder, "I understand why your worried Hugh but your wife's right, best thing you can do is try and do as she says."

Reid nodded reluctantly, "Do my best, come on love let's get you home."

Hugh was good to his word and did his best not to hover when he was home, unfortunately that meant he was a bit short tempered at work. Foyle gave him three days and then caught up to him in the hall, "Come over for a drink later"

"Thank you Christopher but…"

Foyle shook his head, "Wasn't actually a suggestion Hugh, I've even got some Glenlivet right now." Reid nodded obediently and they carried on with the day, Foyle quietly smoothing the feathers that Reid uncharacteristically continued to ruffle.

That evening Foyle gave him a quarter of an hour of fidgeting and brooding silence before pinning him with a look, "You going to tell me what wrong Hugh or just continue to yell at constables who don't wipe their feet on the mat?"

Reid winced and took a bracing swallow of scotch; "I'm sorry Christopher I realize I've been a bit of bear this week."

Foyle titled his head, lips twitching up at the corner, both acknowledging and dismissing the charge. "The girls seemed fine at church on Sunday, Elaine too"

A flicker of emotion crossed Reid's face at the mention of his wife and Foyle stiffened, brow furrowing, "Hugh?"

Reid sighed and set his tumbler of scotch down, running both hands through his hair, "You can't tell anyone, we're still waiting to hear but…" He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "We think Elaine's expecting Christopher."

Foyle blinked in surprise, of all the possibilities he had considered to explain Reid's recent behaviour that had not even occurred to him; Hugh having told him shortly after Grace was born that White had cautioned them against having more children.

Now he studied his friend and saw the myriad emotions that he was trying so desperately to hide. "R-right. You happy about that Hugh?"

"Bloody terrified mostly but…" he broke off eyes suddenly bright with wonder, "Another child Christopher," He shook his head slowly, "I can't believe it. I mean the girls are more than I could have hoped for already, how can I not be happy?"

Foyle smiled, "Well in that case congratulations. When do you expect to hear?"

"Any day, we saw White on Monday. We haven't told anyone else." He hesitated, expression darkening as he took another sip of scotch, "There are risks Christopher"

"Always are Hugh"

"Higher risks than I like, White wasn't happy." Reid swallowed hard, "He thinks he can keep Elaine and the baby safe but…"

There was no mistaking the fear in his eyes and Foyle sighed, "Never a guarantee Hugh, even without what happened with Grace, and very few things are certain today. How's Elaine doing?"

"Better than I am" He ran a hand through his hair again, "We never expected this Christopher and I've never been so nervous but if anyone can manage this it's Elaine"

Foyle nodded, "Can't disagree with you there. I'm sure the girls will be excited, Andrew too for that matter."

Hugh smiled, "I'll let you break the news once we have it" he sighed again, "It's the waiting I can't stand; Elaine didn't tell me about the girls until she'd seen White, so even though I suspected with Gracie I didn't know."

"But Elaine seems certain?"

Hugh nodded, "She says she feels the same way she did with the girls"

Foyle nodded, "Well I wouldn't argue with that. I really am happy for you Hugh, both of you"

Hugh grinned, "Thank you Christopher. It's been a tremendous shock but Elaine always wanted more children so she's thrilled. I wouldn't have chosen this given the risks but now that it seems to have already happened I can't help but be happy about it."

Foyle smiled softly "Glad to hear it" they lapsed back into silence but a comfortable one, both happily contemplating this unexpected turn of events.