Author's Note: I apologise for taking such a long break, it wasn't intentional, but I'm back now and I'm hoping to be able to update my TDBM fics more often! I hope you all enjoy this chapter :-)


The strong ache that coursed through her caused Jean to drop the knitting needle that she was holding and rest her hand on the large swell of her belly when she was curled up on the settee late one evening, her eyes falling closed as she sucked on her bottom lip and traced circles onto the proof of her unborn child to get it to remove its foot from where it was trapped in her ribs.

After a few uncomfortable minutes she felt her baby shift within her and released a sigh of relief when the pain began to dissipate. 'You know; if you had been born when you were supposed to be, we wouldn't still be having this issue.' She smiled with a shake of her head whilst running her hand back and forth across the expanse of her belly. 'You get your tardiness from your father.'

It had been a week since her due date and - even though she had been beyond thrilled when she had found out that she was pregnant again after so many years - she couldn't wait to give birth now. She was sick of suffering from backache and of her baby getting its feet caught in her ribs. She was also tired of not being able to get up alone and of Lucien fussing over her all day long.

She couldn't do anything without him fretting.

She doubted that he would ever realize that she was simply pregnant and not an invalid.

As she gazed down at the proof of their baby, however, she couldn't stop herself from smiling as she thought of her husband. She wouldn't deny that he could be a right pain in the backside on occasion, but there weren't words to describe how much she loved him. He had given her a baby and it was clear to her that he was just as impatient as she was to hold their baby close to him.

The sound of the front door opening and closing snapped her out of her thoughts after a couple of seconds and her smile grew as she heard the thump of his bag as he set it down, followed by the sound of rustling as he shrugged out of his coat and took off his hat. When he came to stand in the doorway to the sitting room she felt her heart race at the smile that he blessed her with.

'I still don't know how you manage to get more beautiful every time I see you.' He said to her.

She scoffed in response. 'You're an awful liar.'

Her remark caused him to chuckle as he began to walk over to her, a giggle of her own escaping her when their baby began to kick rather enthusiastically. 'Well, someone certainly knows that their father's home.' She took Lucien's hand in her own once he had lowered himself down to sit beside her on the settee and brought it to her belly, his eyes shining as he could feel the kicks.

'Does that not hurt?' His brow creased a little.

'A little.' She nodded. 'But it reminds me that she's alright and so it doesn't bother me too much.'

He lifted his hand off of her stomach and rested it on her cheek before leaning in to press a slow kiss onto her lips. 'Still adamant that it's a girl, are we?' He smirked once their kiss had ended.

'I am.' She smirked back. 'And nothing you say will make me think otherwise.'

He pressed his lips against her forehead before leaning back against the settee and winding one arm around her shoulders, Jean sighing in contentment as she shifted closer to him before she winced as she rested her head in the crook of his neck and her back protested. 'It won't be much longer now.' Lucien comforted against her hairline whilst massaging her lower back. 'I promise.'

'I hope you're right.' She whined. 'If I have to endure another week of this I'm going to go mad.'

Lucien rested his chin atop her head. 'If your waters haven't broken by Tuesday evening then I'll drive you to the hospital so that they can induce you if you would like.' Jean let out a soft sigh.

'I don't want to give birth in hospital.' She told him. 'I want to give birth here.'

'And you will.' He reassured her before she shifted in his arms until she was able to rest her head on his shoulder. 'Once you've been induced we'll come back here and get you settled. Then I'll telephone for one of the midwives once you're in more established labour.' He stroked her curls.

She offered him a tired smile. 'Alright. Thank you, Lucien.'

Lucien shifted somewhat so that he could brush her lips with his own. 'I know that you despise it when I fuss over you, my darling, but you really need to go upstairs and get some rest. You look worn out.' Jean rested her hand on his chest through his shirt before pecking his cheek lovingly.

'Just this once, I'll do as you say.' She laughed. 'I can't keep my eyes open.'

'Do you need some help getting up?' He asked after chuckling along with her.

'Yes please.' She nodded.

It wasn't long before they had both risen from the settee and were heading for the studio, one of Lucien's hands massaging the small of his wife's back whilst his free hand was grasping one of hers and her head was leaning against his shoulder. 'I love you, Lucien.' She whispered sleepily.

'I love you too, sweetheart.' He kissed her temple. 'So much.'


It was later that night when Lucien was lying in silence behind Jean whilst she snoozed with her back against his chest and one of her hands lying next to her head on her pillow, the tip of his nose buried in the dark curls at the back of her head as he had one arm wrapped around her and their hands were clasped on the proof of their baby. He adored them both more than anything.

As he held his wife close to him he couldn't help but smile into her hair at the feeling of the baby moving ever so slowly beneath his hand. Most evenings, he would lie awake for hours after his wife had fallen asleep and most nights he was able to feel their son or daughter wriggling within her. It's movements were so careful and slow, though. It was like it could tell she was sleeping.

He prayed that Jean went into labour in the next day-or-so. Not just because it hurt him to have to see her in such discomfort every day, but also because he was desperate to meet their little one. The thought of being able to count each of its fingers and toes after its birth made the love that he possessed for it strengthen and he couldn't wait to be able to watch Jean be a mother.

After shifting closer to his wife underneath the quilt he kissed warmly down the side of her neck before resting his chin on her shoulder, tightening his arm around her and settling down behind her. 'Goodnight, my darling,' He sighed into the darkness as his eyes fell shut. 'Pleasant dreams.'


Author's Note: I know that this one wasn't exactly Lynette based, but I wanted to write something about Jean being pregnant with her and so this is what I came up with! I hope you all liked it and I promise you that more Lynette content is coming! Please review if you have the time and I'll see you all next time :-)