It was early November and Alex was leaving the clinic for the first time. Liz picked Alex up alone. Alex kind of expected it. Sabina was not talking to him. Being nuts was bad enough but to admit to being bisexual seemed to be beyond the pale for his ex-girlfriend. Liz thought Alex was a very mature and self possessed. She talked to him about choices and not being pressurised to conform. It was OK to be Alex, not to listen to other peoples prejudices or expectations.

Alex's family day was to be spent in Oakland to do some shopping and for lunch. Alex got to pick and he desperately wanted a burger and fries in a proper diner. Edward was busy researching a new book. Alex did not ask what about, not after the last two books had crossed over into operations. Ignorance was bliss.

Liz parked and they wandered around Old Oakland. Liz as ever migrated to the vintage stores to browse and Alex was happy to follow. The store had a fine line in men's clothing and Liz kept pulling out items to view them against Alex. "You'd think being a bit of a fairy I'd like shopping more".

"No Alex, you are just like Ed, you just put on any old crap."

"Not quite. I've been a bit off lately. I used to like what Jack bought. We were like crazy twins. She knew me better than anyone. She always picked things no matter how eclectic or weird and they were just me. I miss that. The same with her cooking. Jack hated to cook but what she did was great. I don't get fancy food or anything that takes ages to prepare. God, toasted sandwiches were gourmet to Jack." Alex then had a closer look at the velvet jacket Liz had in her hand. Alex put it on and looked in the mirror. Alex then went over to the ladies section and picked up a paisley scarf. "What do you think?"

"It goes in a crazy Dr. Who type way." Liz stated, she had started her career in the wardrobe department at the BBC.

"I need some distressed jeans. God, my old 501's would have been perfect." Alex moaned.

"I'll look at the jeans. You pick out some shirts. I think we have a theme going."

Liz had thoroughly enjoyed shopping with Alex. Alex had mixed different styles of clothes and added accessories to be completely individual. Liz had suggested a hair cut but Alex insisted he was growing his hair, preferably to shoulder length. Alex was reaffirming his personality. The strong independent boy she had first met eighteen months ago was coming back as a young man mature beyond his years.

"Enjoy your day with queer-boy?" was the first comment out of Sabina's mouth when Liz arrived home to find her daughter sat in the den reading.

Liz joined her on the sofa and then decided to drop her bombshell. "If your baby brother or sister grows up to be gay I'll be more than happy, but such jealousy is something you are going to have to get over."

"What! You're pregnant!" shouted the completely shocked teenager.

"Yes five months. All tests and scans show a normal, healthy baby. I have not asked about gender. I want to be surprised." Liz then told Sabina of their long term plans "We will be visiting London at Christmas after that I'll be too fat to travel." Liz had been surprised when Alex had looked at her strangely at lunch today today and asked if she was 'up the duff'. Sabina who she spent far more time with was completely self absorbed and had no clue.

"You don't show at all" stated the girl.

"Right cut and style of clothes works wonders." Liz sat back on the sofa and kicked off her shoes and put her slightly swollen feet on the coffee table. Not show. Liz was definitely showing now. "I've had seven miscarriages Sabina, three before you were born. I wanted a large family when I first married your father. A very large family. You have been cherished and spoiled as an only child. I thought, the only child I would have. You still might be my only child, but God willing in early March I will have a much hoped and prayed for son or daughter." Maybe she could get Sabina to realise her snit with Alex had cost her a good friend. "Your father and I invited Alex to join us to get you used to the idea of a sibling as we were planning to adopt. Sabina, we always knew Alex was damaged and we still are happy to call him our son, no matter if only for a short time. I know its been hard to accept but Alex is part of the family, but I think we will continue to foster."

"What do you mean for a short time?"

"Alex wants to go back to England. He does not plan to return to California in the New Year. He is going to go to boarding school and seek emancipation in the summer. I have to say he's mature enough to live on his own." Liz had even made enquiries at a few more liberal and unorthodox schools to find Alex a place. Ian's estate had finally been placed in trust for Alex and would cover expences until Alex gained his GCSE's and A levels.

"He's a fruit loop!"

Liz wondered if Sabina would ever learn to think before she spoke. "Alex is coping and is well on the way to being a day patient. The last three weeks have worked wonders for him. He wants to go surfing next weekend. I think we should all go. Not that I will be surfing, I think it'll be a picnic on the beach, well wrapped up for me. I've always loved winter picnics."

Sabina looked at her mother. She had just received a lot of information to process. A brother or sister. Sabina was meant to be leaving home next October and the closer she got to college the more she wanted her mum and dad all to herself. Alex had taken so much of attention that used to be just for her. She had been acting like a complete brat. She had originally expected her tentative relationship with Alex to evolve into full dating but the boy who came to live with them in July had been a complete stranger. Alex was never one to tow the line, he had always been his own person. She'd liked him for that, now she wanted normal in all areas of her life. Sabina realised she had thrown away a great friendship for stupid reasons and she only had two months to patch things up before Alex left. Maybe if she worked really hard Alex would stay.