"Come and meet your new sister, Seb."

Robert led a doubtful-looking Seb into the hospital room, Aaron following behind them. Rebecca was sitting up in bed, looking exhausted but radiant. Joe sat at her bedside, holding a tiny infant.

"Hi, you guys!" Rebecca greeted them. Joe tore his eyes away from his new daughter to acknowledge Robert and Aaron, managing a genuine smile. Robert gave him the briefest of nods.

"How are you doing?" Robert asked, bending down to kiss Bex. Aaron led Seb over to where Joe was sitting with the baby. Joe ruffled Seb's hair, saying "Hello, mate."

"Knackered and sore," said Rebecca bluntly, reaching up to hug Aaron as well.

"And how's she doing?" said Aaron, looking down at the baby in Joe's arms.

"Mother and baby are both healthy," Joe announced.

Robert went to look at the newborn as well. She already had a tiny amount of blonde hair. "She's gorgeous, guys," Robert said sincerely.

"Do you want to hold her?" Joe asked.

"Can I?" Robert took the baby from Joe carefully. The little girl's blue eyes gazed back at him.

"We're going to call her Rachel, after Joe's mum," Rebecca told them. "Rachel Christine Tate."

Robert stilled. "That's nice," he said, handing the baby to Aaron, who gave him a reproachful look.

"We brought all the clothes you asked for," Robert said to Rebecca. "Is there anything else you need?"

"A cup of tea would be nice. I'd ask Joe, but he won't leave Rachel."

"We'll get it," Aaron said immediately, turning to Joe. "Do you mind watching Seb?"

"Of course," Joe nodded, taking Rachel back.

"Any tea for you?"

"Coffee, please. White, one sugar."

Robert rolled his eyes and pulled Aaron towards the door.

"That was nice and awkward," Joe said cheerfully, after the door had closed behind them.

Rebecca held out her arms for Rachel. "Thank you for behaving."

"Well, we're all one big messed-up family now." Joe bent down and brushed his lips against Rebecca's as he handed the baby over.

"I still don't like him," Robert told Aaron as they walked down the corridor.

"I know, but he's good with Seb, and he'll look after Rebecca."

"Yeah, apart from that time he called the police on her."

"Nobody's perfect, look how we started."

Back on the ward, Rebecca had dozed off after Joe had taken Rachel back in his arms. As Rachel's eyes finally fluttered closed, Joseph made a solemn vow to himself that the youngest Tate would never feel excluded or ignored by her family. She would never have to doubt her parents' love for her.

"Sleep tight, little one," he said aloud.