For at least the next 2 weeks hormonal Laura was around, she had Robbie worn out, evident when he was in work, looking tired. James liked to tease him about this, which in turn had Robbie a grumpy git. He was only short of having a bag of frozen peas on his lap.
James went off to get some coffee as jean was passing by.
"Morning ma'am",
"Morning James, is Robbie around"? Asking as if looking for a shadow.
"Inside", as he pointed to the office.
"Thank you", as she walked into the office.
"Morning ma'am", looking worse for wear.
"Morning Robbie, god you look worn out, is everything alright"? Hoping he will give her an answer.
"I do hope you are not putting Laura under any stress with the baby".
"Oh no chance me putting her under stress, other was around, hormonal horny woman on me hands", is all he said, she could not help but laugh.
"What", he asked.
"sorry for laughing, just so funny, enjoy it Robbie because after the baby you won't get as much sex, oh this has made my day, will I get you a bag of frozen peas", she could not help but laugh, just as James came back in handing Robbie his coffee.
"Boy wonder, if you think of joining her in laughter, you can go home", looking disappointed at James. He could not help but ash why jean was laughing, "pregnant woman", they both started laughing.
Robbie got up and walked out of the office. He would see how his lovely daughter was and have a chat with her.
He sat in his car talking to Lyn for at least 10 mins telling her what happened.
"Listen dad, get used to it, maybe mum was not like that when expecting us, but enjoy it", she could not help but laugh.
"Thanks a lot not you too, bye, will chat again soon", he said hearing the laughter in her voice.
"Bye dad".
He went back inside, finished up some paperwork. Trying to ignore James who laughed every time Robbie looked at him.
Robbie was heading home and went down to see if Laura was finished. She had a few things to finish up. He was sitting in the chair, she noticed him looking worn out and felt sorry for him.
She finished up grabbed her things and put her arm around him, "all set to go honey, I am wrecked", oh he thought great I can sleep tonight.
On the way home she asked, "What's up you look so grumpy", he told her of James, jean and Lyn laughing at him for having a hormonal pregnant woman on his hands. All she could do was laugh, "come on Robbie, it is funny", she rested her hand on his arm.
"Not you as well ganging up on me", he wouldn't look at her just drove home.
Once inside the house, he made dinner while Laura rested her feet. She was checking out baby things on line, they would collect them the next day. Over dinner they talked about hormones, that she thought the sex part had hone off her, he was happy he didn't have to keep shagging, not that he didn't enjoy it.
After dinner she showed him the items they were buying the next day, car seat, crib and baby monitor, Lyn couldn't part with those items she was still using them.
Laura lay on the sofa with her legs up on Robbie, resting his hand on her belly. Feeling his little footballer moving around. He laughed every time the baby moved. Laura rested her hand over his. He leaned down to kiss her. He noticed she was looking sleepy and took her up to bed.
The next day they went shopping for their baby stuff, Laura seemed happy but something else felt odd. Nearing the end of the pregnancy with 4 weeks to go was feeling like a beach whale, but Robbie still loved her. As she looked at baby clothes she was amazed how small some things could be. He was picking up a few items because he liked them, she thought he was like a kid in a toy store. "God help when the baby is born, if you are shopping like that now", saying to Robbie as he put each item in the trolley.
They paid for their purchases and went for a bite to eat. When they got back to the car, no one noticed a red Skoda parked alone watching Laura and Robbie. They put their things in the car, Laura went to put the trolley back and Robbie reversed out of the parking space.
Laura heard bang and car alarms, she turned to see someone run from the Skoda, then noticed it had hit their car, Robbie was still in the car.
Other people came to their attention now.
She ran to him, the air bag had gone off, he cut his head, seemed dazed. She called him, he called out to her, but she could not get close to him to check he was alright.
She ran to the far side of the car, an off duty PC stopped her, she was frantic with worry. It took a few minutes the PC recognised Robbie then made the connection to Laura.
PC Harte called it in with mention of Robbie and Laura a pregnant woman.
PC Harte got close to check on Robbie, Laura asked for her phone from the car, he handed it to her, and Robbie was alert, possible whiplash and broken ribs.
Fire brigade and Police arrived, they managed to get the other car moved so they could get to Robbie. PC Harte stayed to assist with Robbie and PC Lockhart approached Laura. An ambulance was on scene, they checked Laura who was frantic at this point, and she was crying for Robbie, her blood pressure was starting to rise causing concern for paramedics. They wanted to take her in but she wanted to know Robbie was ok.
PC Lockhart sat with her, she was given oxygen, she spoke to her about the baby to keep her mind calm, it was helping until she was getting cramps, she cried with the pain.
They managed to free Robbie, whiplash, broken ribs and broken wrist. As he was wheeled to the ambulance he called for her. There was a tear in his eye looking at how upset she was.
She insisted on travelling with him and PC Lockhart accompanied her to keep her calm. Before she got in she rang James, "hi James", her voice was all over the place. "Laura, what's wrong, is the baby ok", panicking ready to get in the car.
"It's Robbie, car hit him in the car park", is all she could get out before winced in pain.
"Where are you Laura", she didn't answer but could he could make out the phone being passed over.
"Sgt Hathaway, it's PC Lockhart, a car hit DI Lewis' car, he is on the way to hospital and I think Laura is going into labour from the stress", she was calm enough telling James the story.
"Thank you Julie, I am on the way", he was in the car en route to the hospital.
At the hospital, Robbie was taken one way, Laura was taken another way. "Robbie", she kept calling, he could not answer.
Laura was put on a monitor and checked over, she was definitely going into labour due to the stress of the accident, and it was taking a while to calm her down.
She kept asking for Robbie. "I want him here, I want Robbie", almost crying as she said it.
The nursed looked to Julie who told her Robbie was brought into A&E after an accident. She offered to check for Laura how Robbie was doing.
In the meantime James had got to the hospital, he managed to get into see Robbie.
"Are you skiving off for a few days, the lengths some go to", James said to Robbie.
"Hay there, don't make me laugh", he said back.
"How is Laura, she tried ringing me but Julie told me what happened", looking at Robbie who was half phased by this. He had heard Laura crying but he thought it was just because of the accident.
James offered to check on Laura for Robbie, off he went and missing Julie who was in one lift and he was in the other. He rang Lyn to say that Robbie and Laura were in hospital but no update yet.
As James got off the lift and walked the corridor, in the distance he could make out Laura's voice, "I want Robbie here", as James approached the disk, he asked about Laura, when a nurse appeared looking agitated because of Laura's demands.
"This way she is looking for you, she is nearly ready to give birth but is looking for you", James confused, just followed the nurse, he went to Laura's side who took his hand and cried.
She was in pain and wanted to push. As Doctors and Nurses got prepared, one said to James, "now hold your partner's hand", looking at James who obeyed. She turned to Laura, "let's get this footballer out", as if she was catching a baseball.
Laura squeezed James' hand, "don't you ever have kids, let this be a reminder", as she screamed in pain.
James could feel the life leaving his hand with nail marks included. She squeezed his hand at least another 2 times before Matthew Robert Lewis made an appearance.
James let go of Laura's hand, looked pale and fainted, all Laura could say was, "leave him", one nurse came to his aid, the other nurse had wrapped baby and handed him to Laura who was all goo goo gag a at the baby.
The nurse that helped James, sat him on a chair, "would you like to hold your baby". Laura looked at the nurse, "he is not my partner, he is a friend", the nurse looked from one to the other, and James answered, "No sorry, her partner is down in A&E, she wanted him here", now the nurse understood. "Oh I see, I apologise for the confusion", both smiled at her.
The baby was taken to be checked and Laura turned to James, "is Robbie ok, why did he not come up", she asked as sad sounding voice.
James told Laura what happened, they were keeping an eye on him. She was said he was not with her but she wanted to go to him.
Half an hour later she asked the nurse to bring her down to Robbie. Baby was left with James to feed. She got upset seeing him rigged up to wires, he was awake and alert.
He was so happy to see her, such a sight for sore eyes. They held hands.
"How are you pet", he managed to say before she broke down that he was alive and also because he was not there for the birth of their son.
She couldn't answer him just kept crying, the nurse could see she was upset and starting to get agitated so was bringing her upstairs to rest.
Before she left they said to one another, "I love you".
Robbie rested but was upset at how emotional Laura was.
Laura was settled into her room, James was finished feeding the baby who was now asleep. Laura was still upset as she was settled, he took the baby to the nursery, Laura was given a sleeping tablet to help her relax and sleep.
James went back down to Robbie to see how he was, he asked after Laura, he told him she was asleep. Robbie told James how she was.
"Robbie, she was emotional and upset since she came in, even on the ward, look I have the scars to prove it", showing him the marks where Laura squeezed his hand.
"No wait, nail marks, bruised hand, oh man she didn't, and I wasn't there", looking at James upset.
"Yes, Robbie, Matthew Robert Lewis is upstairs asleep", as he touched Robbie's shoulder, tears starting to roll down his cheeks.
He was hurting that he could not be there for her but also because of broken ribs. He needed surgery on his wrist to set it back. He was taken off for that and they would bind his ribs.
James left the hospital to go and get Robbie's car sorted, see if what they bought could be salvaged. Also to get clothes for Robbie, Laura and the baby.
The following morning James had a call from Lyn to say they were en route to Oxford. They were going to stay a few days, so it was arranged James would stay with Robbie and Laura help them out and Lyn could stay at James' place. He waited till they arrived, got settled and went to the hospital.
Robbie was awake, alert and happy to see them, jack was happy to see his grandad, when he saw his arm in plaster he just sat on the side of the bed. The twins were getting big now 3 months old. Jack asked Robbie, "when are you coming home grandad", "hopefully tomorrow jack", he told him. Next he asked, "Where is Nanny Laura", Robbie looked at Lyn. "Oh pet she is in hospital also, she is not well but not hurt like me", he sighed to this, "can I go see her now", looking to Lyn now.
Meanwhile upstairs Laura was relaxed but still upset, finding it hard to adjust to Robbie not being well. She didn't really want visitors, James came in with her clothes, took up the baby, she was afraid to hold him. He told her Lyn was downstairs, "I don't want to see them, I just want to see Robbie", looking out the window.
"Ok I will tell her", he put the baby back in his cot, gave her a hug and went downstairs.
Jack saw James, "can I go see Nanny Laura now", James looked from Robbie to Lyn to jack, "she is very tired, she is having a sleep now", jack looking upset.
He called Lyn aside.
"Laura saw your dad last night after having the baby, she was upset, they gave her a sedative, she won't hold the baby, just wants to see your dad", Lyn was shocked at this and upset, "leave it to me, I will go up to her, leave your phone with dad", calling Tim over, "you two take the kids for a walk", pushing them along.
Giving Robbie the phone, "answer this when I ring ok, I am going up to see Laura", giving him a hug.
Lyn went upstairs to Laura, she was lying on the bed. She walked into the room, picked up the baby and went all gooey eyed. Laura turned, "I don't want visitors", until she saw who it was Lyn. She spoke to the baby, "I think someone wants to say hello to daddy don't they and so does mammy want to talk to daddy", walking over the sit on the bed beside Laura.
She took out her phone, rang James phone for a video chat. There on the screen was her dad. "Hay there, this little guy wants to say hello to his daddy", putting the phone in front of the baby. She could see tears in Robbie's eyes.
"Hay little man", the baby yawned. "I can see a little of jack in him, little terror", Lyn said laughing.
Lyn handed the phone to Laura and put the baby down.
"Hi pet, how you are feeling now my footballer has kicked his way out", laughing at her. Between crying and laughing, "alright, can't wait to get into my own bed, I miss you", blowing kisses to the screen.
He spoke first, "I hope to be going home tomorrow", she looked upset, "oh god I am not sure when they are letting me out, blood pressure is up a bit", and he felt for her.
They spoke a few minutes more before hanging up.
Robbie was brought up to see her later, to her he was looking better. He got emotional looking at his baby and the mother of his baby the woman he loved.
A priest walked into the room with 2 nurses. All she said, "Fuck sake, I'm not dying", they laughed and Robbie took her hand, "we are getting married", she was stunned and shocked and kissed him and let out a laugh.
In the privacy of the hospital room a wedding took place, so when they registered the baby he could be Matthew Robert Lewis to parents Robert and Laura Lewis. Unfortunately they could not spend the night in the same room.
Both got out of hospital the next day, relief to be home. Tim and Lyn brought the kids over. Jack gave his grandad a hug, when he went to Laura, she was holding the baby, he looked at her, "give the baby to my mammy, I want to hug you", Lyn took the bundle and Laura gave jack a hug. He sat on her lap for a while. He looked confused, "did my mammy leave my sister with you", he asked, "no, why", awaiting his reply. "Cause you were holding a baby and you don't own any", Laura gave him a hug, "I thought I was your baby", she put him on the chair beside her, she took the baby from Lyn.
"remember the way your mammy's belly got big because your sisters were in there, this little guy was inside my belly, I was not feeling well when your sister's were born so I stayed at home when grandad went to visit", he looked content with the answer.
"When he gets bigger can he play football with me", he asked. Robbie answered, "of course he can little buddy".
A few days later, Lyn, Tim. and the kids went home, they would be back down for Christmas.
James stayed to give Laura and Robbie a hand. Robbie had his cast replaced with a softer one, his ribs were healing nicely.
He was feeling up to sleeping beside Laura again, she was afraid she would turn and hurt him at night. As they lay in bed arms around one another, "finally a night beside my wife", kissing her on the lips, "strange being called a wife", she was teasing him now. "What would you prefer, love of my life", "no wife is ok but I like love of your life also", kissing him back.
They slept that night, Laura woke to the baby crying but it was distant, she sat up and looked around and the baby was not in his cot. She got up to follow the cries. She found James in the kitchen feeding the baby.
"Now little man, mammy and daddy need plenty of sleep, let's have breakfast and watch telly", he did not hear Laura, "you can borrow him anytime you want to attract a girl", he turned to look at her. "Didn't hear you come down", he said.
"I could just kiss you", he blushed, "you have been so good and helpful with Matthew", she said to him.
"Now, now Mrs Lewis, don't want Mr Lewis to get jealous do we", raising an eyebrow. "How did you know about that, were you earwigging again James", as she kissed him on the cheek. "I am a detective Laura, besides the door was open as I was going to the bathroom could not help but hear you", giving her a cheeky grin.