Authors notes: OK, I know Emma is five in the last chapter but I've factored in the time for the last few months of pregnancy and also the fact that in the previous chapter Emma is five years and so many months, so I decided that 6 years earlier for the start of Andrea's flashbacks/reminiscing, made more sense. Also I refered to her as Andrea Dunbar in the previous chapter despite the fact I wanted her to be Neil's wife/widow in this fic so lets just say she went back to her maiden name after Neil died.

6 years earlier

Neil Manson wearily made his way to the press office, making a beeline for the desk in the corner. He was supposed to be completing paper work, tying up the loose ends on this case but it had been a difficult one, emotionally more than anything else, and he desperately needs to see her, to unburden himself to Andrea and take comfort from her. They are in the habit of doing this, even at work some days work comes second. When they feel under pressure, are finding work tough or even just need to bitch about their colleagues Neil and Andrea immediately seek each other out regardless of what else is going on or what they should be doing, and go to each other to let off steam, even just to simply have the comfort of holding each other. It works for them, it helps keep them sane in a job where almost every day they are confronted with horrific crimes that are heart breaking beyond comprehension. Today has been one of those days for Neil where the case has really deeply affected him and he needs Andrea. Even knowing that in a matter of minutes he will be in her embrace begins to relieve some of the strain. Seeing Andrea dozing peacefully at her desk, one hand subconsciously resting on her bump goes even further towards lifting the burdens of a case fraught with emotion, and he begins to smile fondly at the image. Gently caressing her cheek, Neil slowly brings Andrea back to the land of the living before kissing her sweetly.

"Mmm how long was I asleep for?" Andrea mumbles, the effects of sleep still evident in her voice.

"Don't know," Neil replies gently still smiling lovingly at her "I only just got here, needed some comfort," he states softly.

Andrea stands from her chair and wraps her arms around Neil, as he mimics her actions and pulls her close, gently pressing kisses to the side of her head as he does so.

"Tough day?" Andrea whispers as she soothingly strokes his hair and gazes into his tired eyes so full of raw emotion, her own full of love and understanding.

"Its this case, child abuse it just really gets to me, and this is so severe…" Neil trails off, hesitant to explain the full extent of what is on his mind.

"Hey, its ok," Andrea soothes still holding Neil's gaze and cupping his cheek with her hand "I know it's a cliché but you really wouldn't be human if something like this didn't affect you sweetheart. You don't have to be the strong one all the time you know, just because everyone else expects you to hold the investigation together, be pragmatic and only focus on the practical elements, that doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to become emotionally invested in the case too."

Neil smiles at Andrea's words, she knows him so well that without him even having to utter a word she has already managed to identify one of the main issues that had been getting at him about this case. All his colleagues ever see when they look at him is this toughened exterior of a man completely unaffected by anything, so they never expect a case to get to him and even when it does Neil is generally left out of the support network they provide for each other. It makes the job so lonely and isolating, and before he had Andrea there was no one to open up to, to turn to for comfort and indeed no one to provide comfort for when they needed it. For those reasons amongst many others he is eternally grateful to have Andrea in his life.

"I know that my love," Neil speaks softly reveling in being in Andrea's comforting embrace, "but it's not just that. This job scares me so much some times, when I see what people are capable of doing to other human beings, to children especially, it makes me feel sick. It reminds me how fallible I am, how no matter how hard I try I'm not capable of completely protecting you from harm, or Jake who is so naïve and trusting no matter how many times I try to explain how dangerous the world is and how careful he needs to be." As Neil pours out his fears to the woman he loves he begins to feel the burdens of the day drifting away.

"And then there's this little one," Neil states referring to their unborn daughter, his tone full of adoration as he gently places a hand over Andrea's burgeoning bump. Andrea covers that hand with one of her own, fleetingly glancing down at their joined hands before returning her eyes to Neil's.

"She'll be fine darling," Andrea reassures smiling.

"It's just that she is so vulnerable, even more so than you or Jake and I just wish I could keep us all in this safe little bubble, in our own world where I can protect you, Jake and our baby girl and know that nobody can harm you. It terrifies me that I can't completely protect the three people I love most and who are most important to me, and it breaks my heart to think of anybody ever hurting you or Jake, or our baby girl." As Neil expresses his concerns and conveys the depth of his fears to Andrea, she pulls him close to her again, whispering comforting words to him, reminding him that he has only ever done the right thing by her and Jake, and that he has always protected them. It will be no different for their little girl, she knows this and encourages Neil to remember his abilities as a father to Jake and their baby and a husband to her, that his instincts have always enabled him to care for them better than anyone else possibly could. Neil knows Andrea is right and he takes comfort from her encouragement and her absolute faith in him. Having unburdened himself to Andrea, he definitely feels the weight lift from his shoulders.

"How have you been today anyway?" Neil enquires continuing to hold Andrea's body to his.

"Not too bad, just a little bit tired," Andrea replies, her slightly stifled yawn betraying the fact that this is an understatement. "This one kept me up half the night," Andrea smirks as she places her hand on her swollen stomach again.

"Have you been keeping your mummy awake again sweetheart?" Neil beams, directing his question towards the bump. "You know she's probably practicing for when she actually arrives don't you, keeping you up all night for months on end," Neil teases.

"Hmm, well in that case she can find some way of practicing keeping you awake too because unless I'm mistaken we're in this together Neil Manson," Andrea continues their affectionate teasing. "All I want to do is go home and curl up with you on the sofa tonight, and forget about press releases and housework."

"Then why don't we? It's my turn to cook tonight anyway, or we could even pick something up on the way home from the ante-natal class and just relax in front of the television, or I could run us a bath and we could have an early night." Now the roles are reversed, Andrea needs Neil to offer her support and she is grateful for his thoughtfulness, snuggling closer to him.

"Sounds perfect," she states simply as Neil kisses her forehead softly.

"I love you Andrea Manson," he affirms with a radiant smile whilst delicately stroking her face.

"Love you too," comes Andrea's contented reply as she allows Neil to guide her out of the office and take her home.