I had intended this to be a one shot piece however I had so many positive reviews I began formulating a plot and so the story continues! If I'm honest I'm not a hundred percent happy with this chapter but the chapter I'm currently writing is shaping up nicely so I'm persevering with it. Please review to let me know your thoughts :-)

Jac shifted around uncomfortably in her office chair whilst she waited for Joseph to collect her to drive her home. He was in a meeting with the new CEO Guy Self, talking over the possibility of Joseph returning back to work at the hospital. Despite her initial insistence they take things slowly both Joseph and Harry had won her over and now she found herself sharing her flat with the two Byrne gentlemen making their arrangements to live in Bristol with her. She stood up and stretched out her back, an action which didn't go unnoticed by fellow consultant Elliot Hope.

'Is your back aching?' he spoke sympathetically, watching as Jac nodded her head. 'Only a couple of weeks to go now though' he tried to smile confidently at Jac knowing she was dreading the date set by her gynaecologist to deliver her baby girl. Jac gave him a nervous smile in return as she slowly paced the office, trying to ease some of her aches and pains.

'Would it be so unreasonable for her to just stay in here for ever?' She smiled wryly at her old friend and mentor as she stroked the vast bump of her stomach.

'I'm doubtful you'll last out a couple more weeks let alone a life time in your current condition' Elliot chuckled 'you just have to trust Mr T and the paediatric team Jac, they want to give her the best chance just as much as you do.'

Their conversation was interrupted by a sharp knock at the office door. Jac opened it to find Joseph outside.

'How'd it go?' she asked him warmly as she stepped back into the room, allowing him to enter it.

'He said he could let me start back as a registrar, mainly to help ease the load whilst you're on maternity leave and then to see how it goes'. He watched as Jac rubbed the base of her spine with her hand. Over the past week her back ache was becoming increasingly intolerable for her. 'Talking of which, don't you think you should consider starting your maternity leave?' he spoke concernedly for his partner 'you've only a couple of weeks to go'

'Joseph, we've discussed this already' she sighed exasperatedly at him, having told him numerous times keeping busy was stopping her from having a complete mental breakdown. 'It's good news you can start back here though, even if it is just as an registrar' she touched his arm lightly with her hand, offering him a small smile of gratitude for his willingness to uproot his life to be with her.

'Probably best to ease yourself back in Joseph' Elliot smiled kindly at the couple 'I have to say I for one will be pleased to see you back'. Their old friend had been surprised but delighted the couple were going to give their relationship another go, in spite of all the challenges and difficulties they were likely to face on the way.

There was another knock at the door before Nurse Jonny Maconie stepped into the room. 'Oh sorry' he stuttered as he realised Elliot Hope wasn't alone 'I didn't realise you were in a meeting' he spoke before he'd fully took in his pregnant ex-girlfriends hand affectionately placed on the arm of the man he didn't recognise.

Feeling Jac stiffen slightly beside him Joseph guessed this man must be the father of her unborn child. Deciding a civil introduction might help to the ease the tension in the room Joseph smiled as he held his hand out to this man and spoke 'you must be Jonny, I'm Joseph Byrne. It's good to finally meet you.'

Jonny looked at this man with clear disgust on his face. 'I'll come back later Prof, it wasn't urgent' he spoke as he turned and left the room rudely leaving Josephs hand un-shook.

'Well that went well' Joseph struggled to hide an amused grin as the door shut with force behind the nurse. Jac tuted as she glared at him for finding humour in this awkward situation.

'Hmm, I think I might have to have a man to man chat with Nurse Maconie, after all you all have to work together' Elliot spoke 'whatever he thinks in private is his business but he will have to be civil on the ward.'

'Yes because that worked so well last week' Jac rolled her eyes as she remembered telling Jonny about Joseph in the most diplomatic way she could muster only to have him yell, so the whole ward could benefit from his words, 'Are you sleeping with him?' As her blush had given him the answer he hadn't wanted he followed this up with a blustering 'you pregnant whore' and 'what kind of man would want sex with a woman heavily pregnant with another man's child?' Upon hearing these words a horrified Mo had stepped in sternly commanding her friend and employee to keep his voice down and reminding him just how many women he had slept with since impregnating Jac, so who was he to judge. At this point a tearful Jac was on route to hide in her office, passing an upset and confused Bonnie on the way. Jac had become increasingly sorry for this poor woman Jonny was currently choosing to sow his wild oats with. She hadn't spoken with the father of her unborn daughter since then, his words having stung her more than they ordinarily would have done.

'What happened last week?' Joseph asked, his voice full of concern that Jac might be having a hard time of it in her place of sanctuary.

'It doesn't matter' Jac smiled unconvincingly at him 'come on we'd better go and fetch a certain young man from his first day at pre-school. See if he's still on board with the whole moving to a city thing.' She took hold of his hand and led him out of the room, calling a goodbye to Elliot over her shoulder as she went. Even though he knew she was probably lying Joseph let the matter drop, knowing she would tell him in her own good time.

Joseph Byrne smiled as he walked into Jac's bedroom to find her sat naked on the end of the bed rubbing coco butter into her vast bump. She had gone back to her usual confidence with her body around him now, perfectly willing for him to see her nakedness. The couple had just shared a bath together, marvelling each time the baby pushed a tiny foot or fist to stretch the taught skin of her mothers abdomen .

'So beautiful' he murmured as he placed a kiss on her cheek, causing her to blush slightly.

'Is Harry still asleep?' she asked him as she put the lid back on the jar of moisturiser. Joseph had been correct when he'd said Harry would take to Jac instantly just like he had when he was infant and Jac had found herself easily falling back in love with the little boy. Harry was so much like his father not only with his dark haired and blue eyed good looks but at the mere age of four Harry was the perfect little gentleman. Jac had put the little boy to bed in her spare room an hour ago, delighting in the way Harry snuggled against her telling her all about his day and informing her he could quite get used to city life living here with her. She had read him a story, watching as his eyes grew heavy, and eventually the child was lulled into a deep slumber.

'Oh yes' Joseph smiled as he kissed her forehead 'it would seem you have a hidden talent in sending children to sleep' he tucked a strand of her red hair that had fallen lose from her hair tie behind her ear as he spoke 'we still need discuss house hunting for a bigger property.'

'A discussion that will surely lead to a terrific row' Jac sighed dramatically knowing Joseph's taste would be a classic home and garden complete with white picket fence whereas her own were completely modern. She caught the edge of the towel wrapped around Joseph's waist as he made to move away from her to get ready for bed.

'Jac!' Joseph laughed as the towel fell away from him.

She caught hold of his hand and pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around him when he was near enough and kissing him passionately. She let herself fall slowly backwards onto the bed pulling him with her as she did so, trusting him not to let himself fall directly on top of her and her unborn child. 'Isn't this more fun than discussing property prices?' she breathed heavily as their lips parted, letting her hands caress his body as she spoke.

'Indeed' Joseph smiled kissing her now with soft short kisses. 'Are you sure you want to?' he asked her seriously 'I thought you'd be too tired…' he trailed kisses down her neck.

'I'm sure' she murmured in pleasure 'don't stop'. She smiled to herself at Josephs caring and considerate nature, a rarity she'd found to exist in her experience of men. 'Besides we should make the most of this whilst we can' she whispered to him 'I don't think this sort of activity will be on the cards for a while once the baby has been delivered'.

He stopped kissing her, suddenly becoming serious as he cupped her face with both his hands 'Jac you know I'm not worried about this aspect of our relationship don't you? I'll willingly wait for you to be ready, however long it takes'.

'I know' she smiled reassuringly at him 'it's one of the reasons I first fell in love with you, you always were and always will be the perfect gentleman.'

He smiled as he lent forward and kissed her lips softly 'as great as this is, and I hope you agree it's pretty amazing, sex isn't the be all and end all to our relationship' he kissed her again before adding 'I love you so much'

'I know' Jac reached up and softly stroked his cheek with her finger tips. 'The reason it's always been so amazing between us, Joseph, is because it was never just about sex, it's always been about love.' They looked at each other seriously for a moment, both of them surprised by the accuracy of her words. 'Kiss me' she smiled at him seductively breaking the silence and then responding passionately as he obeyed her command. She loved Joseph Byrne with all her heart and she knew how unbelievably lucky she was this good man was willing to share his life with her however difficult it might be.