Eight months later.
"No," Ruth said firmly. She was lying in bed and totally refused to move.
"Come on, Ruth," Harry said as he was doing up his tie. "What am I possibly going to do on the grid without you?"
"Well that's too bad," Ruth said sharply. "I'm sure you'll manage. You managed without me before didn't you?"
"Not well," Harry said honestly. "And I don't like to remember the two years that I had to live without you."
"Guilting me into it won't work either," Ruth said, trying to forget about her exile.
"Hard woman," Harry grumbled.
"In my defence, you knew what I was like before you married me," Ruth said smiling.
"Well that's true," Harry said raising his eyebrows making Ruth laugh. Harry leant over her and kissed her for a long minute. Then he protectively put his hand over her swollen stomach. As he did so he felt the baby kicking lightly. Ruth smiled at him brightly as they enjoyed this private moment between the two of them. Between the three of them.
"The doctor told me to take it easy," Ruth reminded him. "You know I won't be doing that if I'm in Thames House."
"Yeah I know," Harry said. "Take care of her while I'm gone," he added quietly, kissing her again. Ruth smiled as she watched her husband leave their house. She put both her hands over her stomach and felt happier than she thought she had any right to be.