'Y'know Blake,' Chief Superintendant Lawson sighed, 'I worry about Alice and Jean sometimes.'

They were sitting in Lucien and Jean's living room, their respective partners having gone to Melbourne for the day.

'Why?' Lucien trusted Jean and knew she had Alice's best interests at heart. 'They've only gone shopping, baby things, I believe.'

'Suppose so, it just seemed so... secret, somehow,' his friend mused.

Bloody hell! Matthew,' Lucien laughed, 'you didn't want to go too, did you? I got the distinct impression from Jean we weren't wanted.'

'Yeah, me too,' he rubbed his knee.

'Your knee bothering you?'

'A bit, but...' Matthew took a breath, 'Blake, I'm not the best advert for a father, am I? Y'know, dodgy knee, not exactly good for playing footie with him, or running round the park.'

'What about cricket? You used to bowl,' Lucien suggested, 'you don't have to run about for that, well, not with a little one.'

'Still need to move,' Matthew huffed.

'Matthew,' Lucien sighed, 'it might be a girl, it might be a boy, all you have to do is love the child, and Alice, whether you can kick a ball or bowl one is immaterial, for the first two years at least. By then he, or she'll, be used to you waving your stick, they'll know what their dad can do; maybe Alice can play football with him.'

Matthew looked at him wide eyed, then burst out laughing at the thought of Alice kicking a ball round the garden.

'Stranger thing have happened.'

'Indeed, indeed,' Matthew murmured, thinking back to two weeks previous...

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'I now pronounce you man and wife,' the Registrar intoned, 'you may kiss the bride.'

'Bit late for that,' thought Matthew, 'we've gone a bit further than kissing,' but they did anyway.

Sneaking off to Melbourne for the weekend with Dr and Mrs Blake as witnesses was his and Alice's way of having a very quiet wedding.

'All it means, sweetheart,' he had whispered, after a long discussion about whether or not they should marry, 'is you will wear a ring, and this,' his lay his hand on her belly, 'will not be bullied at school. You don't need to change your name, you can still be Dr Harvey. It won't change us, I don't expect you to be at my beck and call, mend my shirts and sit knitting of an evening.'

And so they had decided they would become husband and wife, but to them and the Blake's they were just Matthew and Alice, the dearest of friends and colleagues.

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'This is very good of you, Jean,' Alice handed her ticket to the guard, 'I really wouldn't have the first idea where to start.'

'It's my pleasure,' Jean smiled, 'I had second hand, so to shop for a new pram and bassinet is a bit of a treat for me, but,' she insisted, 'we choose what you want, not me.'

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up memories,' Alice reddened.

'Don't worry, it was just how it was,' Jean touched her hand, 'I didn't expect anything else, and it was fine. Now, we browse first, then shop, yes?'

'Yes, that would seem the best way to go about it,' Alice leaned back and rubbed her belly.

'Active?'

'Very,' she grinned.

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With stops for tea and food, and bathroom breaks for Alice, it took the two ladies all day to select a pram, baby bath and bassinet, order nappies and gowns, blankets and linen until Alice remarked Matthew would have to do some overtime. Jean enjoyed her day, and she made sure Alice did not find it too overpowering or tiring.

'What about a cot, for when he's outgrown the bassinet?' Jean asked.

'Can't he go into a bed?' Alice looked surprised the baby would need further furniture.

'Not the best idea, but let's have a look, shall we,' Jean linked her arm through Alice's, 'he would roll out of a bed, he needs the sides.'

'Of course, I never thought...'

'Don't worry, it's just something you learn, when you need to learn it,' Jean smiled, 'now, how about in here?'

They found a pretty cot, painted white with a teddy transfer on the end, something for him to look at when he woke, Jean noted.

'So, you can order now, or wait until he's here. The bassinet will last at least two months, maybe three, depending on how fast he grows,' Jean watched Alice run her finger over the edge of the cot, trying to imagine a baby lying there.

'I think, as we're here,' Alice inhaled, 'it might be a good idea to place the order today.'

They discussed it with the vendor and he agreed that would be perfectly acceptable and they gave a date for it to be delivered. Everything, was to be delivered to the Blake's house over the course of the next month, by which time Alice would be eight and a half months pregnant.

'We've decided which bedroom to use and it just needs fresh paper and paint. Matthew has found someone to do that for us,' Alice remarked over another tea and bathroom break. 'We think it will be neutral colours, something that he can grow with.'

Jean smiled, 'I see you refer to the baby as 'he',' she murmured.

'Well, 'it', seems somewhat impersonal,' Alice nodded, 'and he kicks like a footballer, though we don't refer to that sport.'

'Oh, Matthew worried?'

'A bit,' she admitted, 'that he's too old, and with his knee... I'm sure it won't matter.'

'All he needs to do is love him,' Jean reached over and touched her hand, 'that's all they need, well feeding, changing, bathing... but love, that's all.'

'Jean, on the subject,' Alice went pink, 'I know there are classes, baby-care and whatnot, but, I'm... well...'

Jean laughed, '...a doctor and should know what you're doing? Honestly Alice, what are we going to do with you? Alright, when you stop work, I'll give you lessons, nappies, bathing... er...' this was going to be a personal question, 'are you feeding yourself, or bottles?'

'Now that is a question I can answer,' Alice sat back, 'myself, of course. As a doctor I see the benefit to both mother and child, as a working woman I see the benefit to my bank account!' She smiled.

'Good, well, when he's born the midwife will help you at first,' Jean smiled, she remembered the feeling of holding a baby to her breast, the bond it made and the peace while she sat there with one of the boys sucking contentedly, 'then, when you're at home you can get into your own routine.'

'Jean, I really don't know how to thank you, but, will you be his godmother?' Alice had discussed this with Matthew and they had agreed that they would like to offer, at least, this small token. 'I'm Anglican, so it won't be a catholic baptism, Matthew doesn't practice his faith these days...'

'Alice, you don't have to, but, I'd be delighted, honoured, even,' Jean smiled, surprised they would think of a baptism, it didn't seem to be something they would bother with.

'Thank you, I at least know that he will have the best guidance,' she smiled back.

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Alice dozed off on the train and Jean smiled as she watched her newest friend sleeping. There was a peace, a gentleness about her face in repose, she didn't know how lovely she looked like this. Matthew was a lucky man.

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'Got everything?' Matthew asked as they met them at the station.

'I think so,' his wife smiled, a little tired now, 'most of it will be delivered to the Blake's, we have some of the linen, just in case.'

'Ri i i ght,' Matthew mused.

'It's alright, Matthew,' Lucien butted in, 'she's not going to have it right now, just being prepared.'

'Precisely, dear,' Jean grinned, 'now did you remember to turn the oven on for the roast?'

'Indeed I did, my love,' he started the car, 'it should be just as you want it.'

'Right, let's get home, shall we,' she sighed, 'it's been a long day.'

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Alice could honestly say she was glad when she stopped working, but the only person she told was Jean.

'I find standing for a long time, over the table in the morgue, very tiring,' she admitted over tea one afternoon.

'What has Lucien said?' Jean smiled, knowing full well she hadn't told him.

'That I'm fine, everything is going as it should,' she sighed, 'my blood pressure is fine, slightly high but nothing to worry about, and the head is engaged.'

'So, have you packed your hospital bag?'

'Yes, Jean, I've done everything you told me' she smiled, 'thank you for all your help. I'll be glad when I no longer look like a beached whale.'

'You're definitely ready,' Jean laughed, 'I felt like that with mine too. It's the waiting and wondering what it will be, who it will take after.'

'I think I'll be happy that he's alright,' Alice sighed, 'at my age...'

'Everything will be fine, you are healthy, you've had an easy pregnancy, believe me,' Jean reached over and squeezed her hand, 'don't worry... it'll put your blood pressure up.'

Alice smiled and sipped her tea. Afternoons with Jean were relaxing, she had shown her how to bath a baby, using a doll the midwives used for mother and baby lessons; Lucien had 'borrowed' it, but they had another; she had shown her how to fold and put nappies on but had reminded her that a baby in the bath was a bit like catching a bar of soap, and they tended to wriggle when you wanted them to stay still to dress them.

'Don't worry, we won't leave you on your own,' Alice had looked increasingly worried at the prospect of caring for the baby, 'you only have to ask, and I'll help you ... if you want me to.'

'I would like that, Jean,' Alice had been relieved, 'the midwives looked quite fierce, when I went to look round the maternity unit.'

'Well, of course,' Jean laughed, 'they're all single women, they know everything!'

'They did look a bit scandalized when I said I would be working afterwards, not immediately, but that I would return to work,' Alice mused. 'Do you think I'm wrong, not to want to spend all my time at home, with him?'

'No, you are you, and I think you will be the better mother for working,' Jean was sympathetic, 'it's your life, Alice, your family and no one can tell you how to live it or manage it.'

Alice was glad she had Jean's support because she thought Jean would be the one person she would find it hardest to convince. But Jean had worked when the boys were babies, she had to, the farm didn't run itself and Christopher couldn't do everything on his own.

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'Well,' Matthew dusted his hands off, 'that ok for you?'

He and Lucien had put the cot in the baby's room; Alice didn't refer to it as a nursery, that sounded as if she was going to have hoards of children; a nursing chair, a gift from Jean and Lucien, stood near it and the baby bath stood on its stand in the corner.

She turned round from putting the clothes and linen in the chest of drawers, 'yes, I think so,' she nodded. 'I'll make it up when we need to use it.'

The room was bright; they had had the wood panelling at the bottom of the walls painted cream and the upper half had wallpaper with small birds and animals randomly printed over a cream background. She and Jean had found some plain lemon material that Jean had generously made into curtains for the window and a matching cushion for the chair.

The bassinet had been set up in her and Matthew's bedroom, tucked against the wall for now. Alice took a bundle of linen for it and stood for a moment, wondering if she should make it up, she was a week away from her due date, perhaps it would be wise. Matthew would forget while she was in hospital and Jean had told her she had to be prepared from now on.

Mindful of Alice's need to be organised, to have things happen at certain times she had encouraged her to set out a plan of things to do on the days leading up to the birth, but, she did remind her you couldn't rely on a baby to appear on the day it was supposed to .

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Lucien patted his friend on the back and slipped quietly out of the house, to give them some time together, he could see Alice was a little overwhelmed.

'Alice,' Matthew went up behind her and put his arm round her, nibbling at her earlobe, 'are you alright?'

'Hm..?' she hummed, 'yes, I think so,' she stepped so he could see the bassinet, complete with its white linen ready to receive the new member of the family, 'it's all a bit ... strange. Standing here, looking at a bassinet for a baby I never thought I'd have.'

'Or me,' he pulled her to sit on the bed, 'things are going to be so different to what I thought my life would be.'

'And what would that be, Matthew?' she put her head on his shoulder.

'Lonely, grumpy old bachelor,' he mused, 'then you came along and suddenly things seemed a lot better.'

'I've never been told I made things better for someone,' she blinked the tears back.

'Well, ' he winked, 'let's see if I can show you how you make things better.'

'Not my cooking then?' she smirked as he gently lay her down on the bed, on her side.

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Matthew pulled the covers over her sleeping form. At first, she had been reluctant to let him see her naked and pregnant. He had slowly and gently shown her that even pregnant, she was beautiful to him, he would stroke the bump and smile as his offspring kicked his hand, kiss the place and try to identify whether it was a foot, a hand or an elbow. He liked smoothing her body lotion into the skin of her belly, rubbing her tired feet and massaging her aching legs. Anyone who knew Matthew Lawson would be very surprised to see such a tender and sensitive man.

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There was a dull ache in her back and a sudden tightening over her belly. She gasped and waited for it to pass, then continued drying the dishes. She'd had Braxton Hicks contractions over the past few days, but she was now a week overdue so it was only to be expected. She put the dishes in the cupboard and then thought about the other few chores she had to do, before she went down to Lucien's for a check up. She would then spend the rest of the day with Jean before Matthew joined them for dinner. They had finally got round to buying a car he could drive and he felt a lot more comfortable knowing he could take her wherever she needed to go, especially if she went into labour in the middle of the night.

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The walk down to Lucien's was pleasant, the cool, air was refreshing, she was glad he would be a spring baby, she would spend less time inside the house after he was born.

'Alice, morning,' Jean greeted her cheerfully, 'how are you today?'

'Honestly? A bit tired of being pregnant, ready to give birth now,' Alice smiled back.

'Well, you know what I told you...' she smirked, 'they do say it can hasten things.'

'Tried it, several times,' Alice blushed, 'and I walked here,' she added trying to cover her embarrassment.

Jean closed the door behind her and composed herself before telling Alice to head on through to the surgery, Lucien was waiting.

'I'll have some tea ready when you're done,' Jean headed to the kitchen and giggled to herself at the audacity she had to suggest to Alice that making love might be a way to stimulate her body into giving birth; or as she had so delightfully put it, 'Sex, Alice, lots of it.'

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'Alice,' Lucien stood up and smiled, 'how are you?'

'Fat!' she huffed.

'Alright, fed up?'

'A bit, sorry Lucien, I didn't mean to be huffy,' she sighed.

'It's quite alright, my dear,' he indicated she get onto the couch, 'let's have a look at you.'

He examined her, listened to her heart and that of the baby, nodded wisely, which he knew irritated her no end, and finally took her blood pressure.

'Lovely, I can't see you going beyond the end of this week, Alice,' he helped her down, 'if you don't start by then I'll take you in and give him a little bit of a nudge.'

'Induce me, you mean?' she hummed.

'Afraid so,' he placed his hand on his shoulder, 'best for you both.'

'Of course,' Alice sighed, 'perhaps I should do some more walking?'

'You could try, but not on your own,' he agreed, 'now, I expect Jean has put the kettle on, and I could do with a cuppa, how about you?'

'That would be lovely,' they headed to the kitchen. 'I've been having practise contractions,' she told him, 'I should have told you.'

'Glad you did,' he smiled, 'sure they're Braxton Hicks?'

'Yes,' she sat on the chair he pulled out for her, 'they're not regular, one or two, and then that's it. They do hurt but...'

'Right, well...' he sat down, 'keep an eye on them, but that's good.'

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Matthew drove her back from the Blake's, full of Jean's casserole and relaxed from the evening with friends.

'Come on, love,' he held out his hand, 'how about a warm bath, I might even rub your back for you.'

'That sounds lovely,' she smiled, tiredly.

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The warm bath, Matthew's gentle stroking of her back and they wrapping her in a thick, fluffy towel relaxed her even more. He guided her back to the bedroom and helped her into her nightdress, settling her into the bed where she fell asleep almost immediately.

After he had emptied the bath and tidied the bathroom he joined her in the bed and lay behind her, his arm over the rounded cocoon of his child.

She woke twice in the night and stumbled to the bathroom, then back to the bed and into deep slumber.

When he awoke he slipped out of the bed and went to make tea for her. It was early, but not too early for tea and kisses before he got ready for work.

He had learnt that if he made the tea in mugs, and carried them in one hand by the handles he could get upstairs without spilling it all over the carpet. It meant that Alice didn't have to stagger out of bed and drag herself downstairs, now her pregnancy was so advanced.

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She stirred and opened an eye.

'Morning, sweetheart,' he whispered, placing the mug on the cabinet and kissing her forehead. 'Did you get much sleep?'

'Yes, apart from two trips to the bathroom,' she smiled, 'another one needed. 'She rolled out of bed and rubbed her back, groaning at the stiffness. 'I'm too old for this.'

'Never, Alice, never,' he watched her move slowly to the bathroom, and slipped back into his side of the bed.

After cuddling and kissing and sipping tea he asked if she wanted him to stay home for the day.

'No, I'll be fine,' she smiled, 'I'll wander down to Jean later, you can pick me up from there.'

'Sure?'

'Sure,' she leant over and kissed him.

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He left her still in bed, but before he went he asked her again if she wanted him to stay.

'Matthew, I'll be fine,' she smiled, squeezing his hand, 'I have the phone should I need it, I have no signs of being in labour,' she shooed him out of the room, 'now go and apprehend the miscreants of Ballarat.'

'Just...'

'Go!' she threw a pillow at him.

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The bed made, the bathroom cleaned, Alice headed downstairs for some breakfast. She should have eaten earlier but got sidetracked cleaning, not something she was ever going to admit to, and now she was famished. Matthew had left the kitchen tidy so she decided to do some toast, then maybe... she looked in the fridge, bacon; a bacon sandwich would fill the gap that was her stomach. While the bacon grilled she took the milk out for her tea and spotted the eggs... why not? a bacon and egg sandwich, the very thought made her mouth water.

She wiped the last bit of egg yolk off the plate with the last of the bread and sighed,

'That's better,' she hummed to herself, then pushed herself off the chair and set about washing the pots and wondering what else she could do before she went down to Jean. She'd vacuum the living room, it could do with a quick going over and the cushions were a bit flat. Somebody, probably Jean, said that 'nesting' was a sure sign she was near her time, so she felt a little more positive that soon she would be holding her child in her arms.

She put the hoover away then headed upstairs to the bathroom and to tidy herself before going out. It was a fifteen minute walk to Jean and Lucien's even in this state so she reckoned she would be there for lunch, as Jean had suggested the previous day.

Halfway up the stairs she was gripped by a pain, far more intense than those she had previously had. Instinctively she looked at her watch, ready to note the interval, if there was another one. She stood, gasping a little and waited until she felt able to move again.

'Phew!' she slowly carried on up to the bathroom, now more urgent than before. She had used the lavatory, brushed her hair and made sure her make-up was acceptable before the next pain came. She gripped the dressing table and checked her watch again, twelve minutes. If another one came in a similar time then she knew she was in labour. She sat on the bed and took some deep breaths to calm herself, and looked over into the corner where her bag stood waiting. If another pain came, she told herself, she would go downstairs with the bag and ring Lucien. It would not be sensible to attempt to walk down to them, she was unlikely to make the journey between contractions.

She tried to think about what Jean had told her, about the best way to handle the first part of labour. Technically she knew exactly what to do, but that was as a doctor facing a patient, this time she was the patient and while part of her could help herself until Lucien or Jean or Matthew were alerted, the other, larger part of her was not as confident. Jean had said to walk around, to speed things up. Gravity, she said, that was the idea, it sounded good, and Jean had not been wrong, so far.

Downstairs, after another contraction, eleven minutes after the last one, she put her bag by the door and went to make the phone calls: Lucien first, as her doctor, then Matthew, but only after Lucien had examined her and given her an idea how long she was going to be.

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'Dr Blake's surgery,' Jean pulled the diary towards her, thinking it was a patient making an appointment, 'Alice?' She listened, 'right, I'll send him up.' She listened again, 'oh, ok, of course I'll come with him, see you shortly. Keep calm... and breathe.'

She put the receiver on its cradle, 'Lucien! Lucien!'

'You called, Jean,' he appeared in the kitchen, 'problem?'

'Alice is in labour, wants us to go over,' she looked round the kitchen to check everything was turned off, then went to lock the back door.

'Right, I'll get my bag then,' he went to the surgery and they met again at the front door. 'Ready?'

'Ready,' she smiled.

'How far apart are her contractions, did she say?' he asked as he got in the car.

'Ten minutes,' Jean smiled back, 'so she's not imminent, is she?'

'This is Alice, love...' he smirked.

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Alice had a feeling she wasn't going to make the hospital, perhaps they hadn't been Braxton Hicks, after all, but a stop-start labour. She'd always had a high pain threshold and so far was coping even if each contraction stopped her in her tracks. She decided to take her bag back upstairs, give her a reason to be on her feet, so after the next pain she picked it up and headed back up the stairs and placed it by the bassinet. Another pain had her check her watch, eight minutes, they were getting closer. She headed to the bathroom in anticipation of her waters breaking, the floor was easier to clean, and perhaps some towels for the bed. Thinking more like a doctor than an expectant mother made everything seem more acceptable, normal, and for once she was calm.

'Alice!' Jean's voice floated up the stairs, 'Alice!'

'Upstairs!' she called back, Lucien would need to examine her, she'd better get undressed.

'Alice?' Jean was in the doorway, 'are you alright?'

'Strangely, yes,' she turned and smiled, 'I thought I'd better change, perhaps a nightdress, I don't...' she paused and gasped, rubbing her belly with one hand and gripping the towel rail with the other, '... think we're going to make the hospital.'

'I'll get it, bedroom?'

'Back of the door, with my robe,' she nodded.

Lucien had heard everything and, after placing his bag just inside the bedroom, nipped downstairs to boil the kettle to sterilise any instruments he would need, and phone Matthew.

'Matthew, nothing to worry about, but you should come home,' he smiled down the receiver.

'Don't panic, it's just she doesn't think she'll make it to hospital so a home birth. That means you get to hold her hand,' he smirked.

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In the bathroom, Alice had just removed her underwear when her waters went,

'Only you could be that lucky,' Jean laughed, 'I'll clean that up later,' she held out the night gown for her, 'come on, pass me those towels and we'll get you into the bedroom.'

'Jean, I...'

'...will be busy.'

Alice blushed but let Jean lead her into the bedroom and settle her on the bed.

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Lucien looked at her, so calm, Jean arranging a sheet over her loosely, ready for him to examine her. He supposed it was Jean that kept her calm, talking to her, saying that if she wanted she would stay with her, hold her hand.

'I'd like that, Jean,' she nodded, 'and, if my doctor will allow it, and he gets here in time, I'd like Matthew to be here, too.'

'That is your prerogative,' he advanced towards the bed, 'he's on his way. But first, may I examine you, I'd like to see how dilated you are.'

'Of course,' she winced, 'but after that, may I wander round the room again, I feel more comfortable that way?'

'Whatever makes you happy, Alice,' he agreed.

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Matthew burst through the front door and hobbled as fast as he could up the stairs, ignoring the pain from his knee.

'Alice! Alice!' he arrived at the bedroom door just as Lucien replaced the sheet over Alice, and declared her just about fully dilated.

'Hello, Matthew,' she tried to smile as another contraction hit her, 'seems I can't do anything normal.'

'Bugger that, I was born at home,' he gasped, 'are you alright?'

'Well, that's a question of what constitutes 'alright' just at the moment. Dr Blake says everything is progressing normally,' she held out her hand, 'now help me up, I want to wander round the room,' she saw the puzzled look on his face, 'come on, Lucien is happy about it, and it seems to be working.'

'Take your jacket off, Matthew,' Jean suggested, 'those buttons won't be comfortable for her to lean on.'

He turned, he hadn't registered her presence, then did as asked.

'Jean,' Lucien helped steady his friend against her husband, 'could you drop the instruments in the boiling water and bring the bowl up, please. Then, there is a gown in my bag, if you wouldn't mind putting it on, I'd like you to assist.'

'Yes, doctor,' she headed downstairs with a small smile on her lips.

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Alice swayed against a rather perplexed Matthew, he thought women had to lie in bed to give birth, but Lucien assured him that in other countries they stood, or squatted it was only the so called 'civilised world', that made women lie down, and strapped their legs up, Alice was doing what her body told her to do.

Matthew felt her finger tips dig into his shoulders as another wave of pain swept round her middle, and she groaned.

'Alice?' he looked down, trying to see her face.

'It's fine, Matthew,' she murmured, 'not long now,' she knew it hadn't been a long labour, she was lucky, she supposed, but it was still tiring.

Another contraction and she felt the overwhelming urge to push, 'Lucien...' she gasped.

'Bed or standing?' was all he asked, holding her shoulders.

'Bed, my legs are tired.'

He and Matthew helped her onto the bed with Matthew sitting behind her, her hands holding his across her chest. Jean stood ready to pass the doctor whatever he needed.

'Right, Alice,' he smiled, 'whenever you're ready, but I'd suggest on the next contraction.'

'You've done so well, up to now,' Jean smiled, gently, 'squeeze Matthew's hands, it helps.'

A contraction, she pushed, squeezing Matthew's hands so he grunted at the force, she panted and lay her head back on his chest.

'Well done, I can see the crown,' Lucien turned to see Jean holding the bowl, and nodded to the corner of the bed, 'a towel, for the baby, Jean,' he whispered.

She stood ready as Alice pushed again, the head was born, Jean noticed that, at least, looked perfect.

'Another push,' Lucien rotated the shoulders, 'and he'll be here.'

Alice smirked, it would serve them all right if it was a girl, though they did not have a name for a girl. She grunted, took a deep breath and pushed for all her might, a cry rent the air and Matthew and Alice became parents, at last.

'A boy, you have a son,' Lucien's eyes twinkle with tears as he offered the honour of cutting the cord to his oldest friend.

Jean smiled as he passed the baby to her, to be wrapped in the warm towel and have his face wiped. She mused on the idea the it wasn't a parent that had the first hold of a new baby, but the midwife.

'He's beautiful, a good size, too,' she took him to the bathroom for a quick wipe down, before returning and passing him to his mother, 'well done, Alice, and, congratulations.'

Matthew just stared, open mouthed, at the bundle in Alice's arms, 'Bloody hell,' he finally breathed.

'Language, Matthew,' Alice teased.

'Now, Alice,' Lucien smiled, 'I just need to check everything's ok, then Jean will help you tidy up and wash.'

Matthew sat in the nursing chair terrified he would hold the baby too tight, and staring in awe and him. This had to be a dream, didn't it?

'Matthew, Matthew...' Jean touched his shoulder, 'go and sit with Alice while I wash him and have him weighed, then I'll bring him back through.'

'Uh, yeah, sure,' he looked at her smiling gently at him and let her take the baby off him.

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'Seven and a half pounds,' Jean noted on the forms, 'a good weight.'

'And perfect,' Lucien added, 'everything he should have and nothing he shouldn't.'

Jean took him and washed him properly in the baby bath, before dressing him in a nappy and baby gown. She wrapped him in a blanket and carried him back to his parents.

'Here you are Alice,' Jean lay her in the mother's arms, 'seven and a half pounds, and looking for his first meal.'

The baby had instinctively turned to Jean's breast as she carried him in, 'I'll leave you to have a go first, call me if you want me, I'll be tidying the bathroom.'

Jean left and Alice undid the few buttons on her nightdress, baby Lawson knew exactly what he was doing, Alice smiled, 'just like his father,' she murmured, finding it an unusual but not unpleasant sensation.

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The bathroom cleaned and no call for her assistance Jean went down to the kitchen to find Lucien had put away his instruments, and was making tea. Jean took off her gown and put her arms round him.

'Alright, love?' he asked, wondering more and more over the last few months if Jean was feeling a little disappointed they hadn't produced their own child. They had asked about adoption but their ages were against them. Fostering had been suggested, but Jean wasn't sure she could hand a child back, so, for now, they didn't talk about it.

'Yes, why shouldn't I be?' she smiled and tiptoed up to kiss him.

'I just thought, maybe,' he didn't quite know how to phrase it without upsetting her.

'That I would be thinking it should have been me?' Jean was not jealous of Alice, in fact she was very pleased for her, 'it would be nice, but we've both had a go at being parents, whether or not we were any good is beside the point, it's their turn.'

He had often remarked to himself that she was a very generous woman, and this proved it, but deep down... a child that was part him and part her, would be a wonderful thing.

'We can still have fun trying, though,' he kissed her thoroughly.

'I'll hold you to that,' she smirked, 'now, weren't you making tea? I expect Alice would love a cup, and Matthew.'

I suppose my new midwife would like one too,' he smiled and kissed her forehead. 'In fact, how do you feel about helping with home births I get called to?'

'Really?'

'Yes, really,' he set the teapot down, 'everything was calm. you knew exactly what to do, you kept Alice relaxed, you used common sense and personal knowledge to ensure everything went smoothly. I expected to have to put my foot down with her, order her about, but, no, and it was all down to you, her trust in you.'

Jean blushed, she hadn't really given it much thought. There was no use panicking, she had both her boys at home, she just did what had to be done.

'Well, if you think I can do it, I suppose we could try it.'

'Good, now, the celebratory cuppa is ready so...' he nodded towards the stairs, 'do you think Alice will let me take him out to wet the baby's head one evening?'

'You and the rest of the force,' Jean knocked on the bedroom door and waited to be admitted, 'you can ask her.'

'Oh, lovely, I'm parched,' Alice smiled, she was still cradling her son but he appeared to be satisfied, for now.

'Alice, do you have a name for him,' Jean poured the tea.

'Matthew Peter, though we'll call him Peter,' she passed him to his father and took the tea, 'two Matthews could be confusing, don't you think?'

'Indeed, and that sounds lovely, Matthew Peter Lawson,' Jean repeated the name.

'Harvey-Lawson,' Matthew corrected her, 'he has his mother's name too, she did all the hard work.'

'A proud name,' Lucien nodded, 'and just right, too.'

Jean took Peter and placed him in the bassinet so Matthew could have his tea. He said he was going to take a week's leave, help Alice where he could, cooking and such like.

'Would you like me to show you how to do his nappies, Matthew?' Jean asked, with an innocent look on her face.

'Er...'

'What a good idea, Jean,' Alice laughed, 'now, why didn't I think of that?'

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We'll leave the Lawson family there, I expect young Peter will have an interesting upbringing but will be loved.

Reviews and comments more than welcome. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to read this story and to those who have kindly left reviews.