Thank you so much to the reviewers, favers and alerts of the last chapter, it was just wow. I never expected to get such a big response or for people to love this fic like they seemed to. I was going to write out everyone's names who reviewed here, but I think I'll use this space to answer a few of your questions instead. I've been asked how many chapters this'll be and I think it will be probably around 15, but if I feel it's getting old/stale I might finish it sooner than that. I'm going to keep it pretty light and because it's an AU I've re-wrote history a little in this timeline, there are little hints of that in this chapter. I'm also trying to get the right balance between humour and plot. At the minute I think Ste/Brendan have a mutual respect/growing attraction, but I'm not going to have them jumping into each others arms any time soon ;) I think Brendan is really going to have to work to get Ste in this timeline. Any way I hope you all enjoy this next chapter, it ended up having to be cut in half due to how big it would have ended up being. Thank you again so much to everyone who is reading/faving/reviewing and alerting! Enjoy!

Ste walked along with a goofy smile on his face, Leah on his left and Lucas on his right. He knew it was silly, but he was quite looking forward to his afternoon with Aunt May and Brendan. Aunt May seemed to be the first person of that older age group who just liked him for who he was. Someone who didn't look at him as if he was about to nick their purse. Then there was Brendan, the mysterious Brendan Brady who had often had featured in a few of his fantasies over the years. The man was gorgeous and as much as he hated to admit it; he'd often left the house early in the morning so that their paths would cross.

But that was all just wishful thinking and Ste knew at the end of Aunt May's visit they would go back to being strangers again. He wouldn't get his heart broken, not again. But that didn't mean he wasn't enjoying keeping Brendan on his toes, it allowed him to pretend that the man actually had an interest in him outside of his Aunt. And that kiss, the kiss had made him feel a glimmer of something he wasn't even sure he was capable of feeling any more. He'd decided that he was in this mess until the bitter end, because for the first time he felt part of a proper family outside his kids.

'Daddy?' asked Leah, looking up at her father. 'Is that your special friend and his aunt?'

'Yes darling.' said Ste. He hadn't realised they were at the park already. Aunt May was standing there waving at them, while Brendan couldn't have looked any stranger in his leather jacket stood in the middle of a children's playground.

'She's very old.' whispered Leah. 'I don't think I've never seen anyone that old before Daddy.'

'Leah, you be nice to Aunt May,' said Ste simply, aware of how they may be in hearing distance.

Aunt May's smile deepened as they reached her. 'Don't you dare tell that child to hold her tongue around me. I'd rather hear what she honestly has to say, rather than forced politeness.'

'You look and sound like a witch.' said Leah simply.

'Maybe I am one.' Aunt May fixed her with her cold blue eyes. 'What would you do if I was?'

Both Leah and Lucas disappeared behind Ste's legs and Aunt May let out an evil cackle.

'You never lost your knack for scaring children, have ye Aunt May?' said Brendan, he sounded anything but amused.

'I'm a sweet old lady with a walking stick.' said Aunt May. 'What is there to be scared of?'

'Children have a sixth sense for evil.'

Ste rolled his eyes at the two of them. 'How about you two go play on the slide?'

'I think I'm a little too old for that laddie and I don't think Brendan would fit down it.' said Aunt May.

Leah let out a childish giggle from behind Ste. 'He meant me and Lucas.'

'So he did.' said Aunt May, smiling warmly at Leah. 'How about you, your brother go and play, I think our Brendan will push you on the swings if you ask him nicely.' she glared at Brendan who was still stood staring at her. 'Go on then!'

Ste stepped forward to follow them.

'Not you. I think it's time you and I had a chat.' Aunt May's eyes were glinting.

Ste's eyes met Brendan's and for a second the two of them had a private conversation. Ste slowly shook his head to Brendan's silent question of if he needed him to stay. He followed Aunt May's lead and sat down on the bench next to her.

'Did you get dressed in the dark after work today?'

Ste automatically glanced down at his outfit, trying to straighten out any creases. 'Is there something wrong with my clothes?'

'That jumper of yours looks like it came from a charity shop.' she grabbed a stray strand of material. 'Badly made too.'

Ste felt his cheeks turning red. 'I didn't buy it; Doug got me it for Christmas.'

'I'd hate to see what he buys for people he doesn't like.'

Ste shifted awkwardly in his seat. 'Doug's alright really, he's just a little upset that I'm going out with Brendan.'

Aunt May glanced up towards Brendan who seemed to be deep in conversation with Leah. 'I don't know why that friend of yours is surprised; given the choice most people would take a juicy steak over a greasy hamburger.'

Brendan glanced up at that moment and caught Ste staring at him; the two shared a warm smile.

'Tell me lad, how do you feel about marriage?'

Ste shifted uncomfortably on the bench. 'It's alright.'

'Only alright?' Aunt May for a moment looked troubled. 'Don't tell me you're one of those who don't believe in marriage and drops their trousers for a cup of coffee and a biscuit.'

'What would it matter if I was? Asked Ste, feeling slightly annoyed. 'From what you've just said, it's obvious you don't think I'm good enough for your Brendan.' He stood up.

'Sit back down laddie.' she grabbed his wrist and yanked him back down with incredible strength. 'Last thing I need is Brendan coming over here like a bear with a sore head, he's bad enough as it is.'

Ste decided to stay quiet.

'I just wanted to know your intentions towards Brendan.' she gazed at him with a laser like intensity.

'Intentions?' echoed Ste.

'Maureen at my bridge clubs son is gay, he's getting married soon. She hasn't stopped crowing about it since he announced it. Imagine how the smile would be wiped off her face if both our Cheryl and Brendan were getting married. I think she'd turn green with envy, although adding that big soppy lump of Cheryl's to the family isn't something I like bragging about.'

Ste's mouth hung open. 'You want me and Brendan to get married so you can boast about it at some chess club?'

'Bridge club dear, do get it right the two things are completely different. I'm not asking you to jump into marriage; I'm just asking you to consider it. If it does happen though, just make sure you don't sit me anywhere near their father at the reception.' Aunt May looked awkward for a second. 'There was an unfortunate occasion where I threatened to kill him and I think Seamus still holds a grudge about it.'

'You threatened to kill him?' asked Ste, his eyes widened in shock.

Aunt May shrugged. 'It sounds so much more dramatic than it actually was. I don't know how Seamus could still hold a grudge about it really; he only ended up with a broken arm and a few stitches.'

'You broke his arm?' Ste glanced at the tiny lady, who didn't even reach his shoulder.

'It would have given me a lot more satisfaction if it had been his neck instead.' she smiled serenely, as if no other thought could make her happier.

Ste shifted again on the bench, he was beginning to wonder if the Brady family were not as perfect as they had always seemed. Not many families had a murderous eighty year old aunt.

'Daddy! Come and push me on the swings!' shouted Lucas.

Ste shot up like a rocket. 'I better go push him.'

Aunt May smiled at him. 'Funny, that's the exact same thing I said to myself when Seamus was standing at the top of them stairs.'

Ste laughed half-heartedly, before stumbling his way over to where Leah and Lucas were sat on the swings. Brendan was already pushing Leah.

'What's she said to you?' asked Brendan. 'You've gone as white as a sheet.'

'Did your Aunt really throw someone down the stairs?' Ste whispered as he pulled back Lucas's swing.

Brendan let out a laugh. 'Is that what she told you?'

Ste simply nodded.

'She's winding you up; can't you see from her expression over there? She looks delighted, you made it so easy for her.'

'Why would anyone joke about something like that?' asked Ste.

'Because she's the devil and the devil has a wicked sense of humour.' Brendan puffed out his chest. 'But if you're afraid of that little eighty year old lady over there, I'm sure for the right price I could protect you.'

Ste pushed him playfully. 'I can look after myself thanks. Besides you're just as terrified of her as I am. If she has her way you and I will be down the aisle soon.'

'Are you getting married Daddy?' asked Leah from her position on the swing.

'No sweetheart.'

'Why not Stephen? I could imagine you in one of those big white fluffy dresses.' smirked Brendan.

Ste scowled at them both. 'Why's everyone ganging up on me today?'

'We're not ganging up Daddy.' said Leah. 'I just want to be a bridesmaid and I like your new special friend a lot more than I did Daddy Noah.'

There was an awkward silence and the smile disappeared from Ste's face in an instant. Brendan glanced up at the boy who was now staring intensely at the ground and had stopped pushing Lucas's swing completely. He awkwardly reached out his arm to touch the boy; he couldn't stand to see him looking so upset.

'Are you two deaf?' asked Aunt May's angry voice from the side. She walked towards them clutching her walking stick.

'It's called selective hearing.' said Brendan, dropping his hand that a moment previously had been reaching out for Ste. 'I selectively choose not to hear ye.'

Aunt May scowled at him. 'I may choose to selectively write you out my will when I get home.'

'All ye leaving me is that ugly stuffed cat of yours. You're just saving me a trip to the tip.' Brendan glanced over at Ste and noticed he was now helping Lucas off the swing. His face showed no sign of the sadness that had been there only a moment before.

'How about we go to the pub in the village? I'm starving. You're invited too Ste and your kiddies, Brendan's paying of course.' Aunt May eyeballed Brendan, as if she was waiting for him to argue back.

'I think Cheryl might be cooking you something.' said Brendan.

'Your sister couldn't even cook beans on toast without burning it. It's no wonder I always go home several stone lighter whenever I visit her. I don't know why they have all those diet programs on TV; people could go and stay with Cheryl instead.'

Brendan ignored her and looked over at Ste. 'Are you coming for a meal with us then?'

Ste looked down at his two children. 'Do you two want to get dinner with Brendan and Aunt May?'

'Yes.' chorused both Leah and Lucas at the same time.

'That settles that then.' said Ste smiling.

'Get on the phone and give our Cheryl a ring Brendan. Make sure she brings that Nick with her too.'

'His name is Nate Aunt May.' said Brendan through gritted teeth.

'I don't care if his name is Santa Claus, he can come too. The lad'll thank me in the long run, someone's got to teach him to toughen up or our Cheryl will get used to taking liberties.'

Ste shot Brendan a sympathetic smile.

'And you,' she said turning on Ste. 'Come and take my arm, you can help back to the village. I think its awful how everyone seems to forget I'm a frail old lady who needs taking care of.'

'You need taking care of alright.' muttered Brendan.

Aunt May shot him a glare. 'I heard that!'