So this is it., the final instalment of Secrets and Lies. I have loved writing it and hope you all enjoyed reading it too.

Hugs, choccies, a case of bolly and House Rubbish to Emma S, couldn't do this without your help, guidance and encouragement hun. Xxx

I've a few fic ideas so hope I'll get writing a new one soon.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing… Except my box sets.

So on we go,

Epilogue.

Opening the front door to his house, Gene hung his coat over the banister and walked through to the kitchen, stopping as he took in the sight before him. There was his fiancée trying, unsuccessfully, to coax their 11 month old son to say 'Mama'.

This had been proving difficult as young Anthony Eugene Hunt was certainly a daddy's boy and ever since he had said his first word 'dada', Alex had been determined that it would be her turn next, much to Gene's amusement. All Gene had to do was walk into the room and his son would start giggling.

Gene smiled as he looked at his son bouncing in his chair and Alex tickling him. Anthony looked towards the door and spotted his daddy, giving him a wide gummy grin and held out his hands to Gene to lift him up.

"Ey up mate. Is mummy annoying yer? Don't worry you'll get used to it eventually".

Alex sent him a mock glare and kissed his cheek. This was what she loved most about her days, being at home with her family.

"Can you stop trying to influence our son please? It's me that has to get up with him every night while you snore away to your heart's content! But does he remember that? Of course he doesn't. You can get up with him tonight. Oh and by the way, it's your turn to give his lordship a bath".

Gene laughed and carried his son upstairs, as Alex began to make a start on dinner. As she was doing this, she thought back to how she and Gene had got back together and how settled they were in their lives now after everything that had happened.

Flashback

Gene walked back into the hospital room and smiled at the sight before him. God she was beautiful. Alex however had only eyes for the tiny bundle of blue blankets in her arms. Gene sat down beside her and smiled as she turned to him.

"Shaz and Chris are on their way. Shaz seems pretty excited about meeting the little fella. How is he anyway? Doc give 'im the ok?"

Alex nodded and looked up from her son and smiled at Gene.

"Yeah, he's a little small but they seem happy enough with him. They're going to keep us in for another night at least and check him again in the morning. Thanks for phoning Shaz."

Gene leant into Alex as he glanced at the little boy currently fast asleep in her arms. They needed to talk and now seemed like a good time. He just hoped she'd agree. Just as he was about to speak, as if reading his thoughts, Alex held the baby towards him.

"Can you put him in the cot please? I think we have to talk about what's been happening if that's ok?"

Gene looked surprised but stood up and held out his hands. Looking down at the child that was now in his arms, Gene felt a surge of love for the child and vowed that he'd be there for Alex and his possible child at all costs. Little tufts of blonde hair peaked out from the blanket as the baby shifted but continued to sleep soundly. Gene sighed as he wondered whether he really could be the dad to Alex's baby. He carefully placed him into the cot and sat down cautiously on the bed beside Alex.

"He looks amazing Alex. I'm proud of yer. He's gonna be a right little charmer when he grows up. He'll wrap everyone round his little finger."

Taking a deep breath, Gene continued.

"Look, I didn't mean what I said to yer Bolls. What I said was horrible and stupid and I think you're gonna be an incredible mum to this little fella. I'm so sorry and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but I'm begging yer to. I'm gonna be here for you and 'im. I love yer Alex and I always will".

Alex sighed and took hold of his hand. This was what she had been waiting for 8 months to hear but she needed more. What he had said to her about Mack but especially Molly was unforgivable and she needed him to know that.

"Gene, if your apologising then that's it. I don't want 'Him' brought up every time that we have a row or disagree about something. I'm not going to live like that. I can't. I went through it with Pete when Molly was in the room and I remember how upset she was about the rows. If you're serious about this, about us, then that's it, 'His' name is never mentioned again. Not to me, or you, the baby or anyone else. I'm serious Gene!"

Gene took a deep breath and smiled at Alex.

"I won't let you down. I want us to be together. We're a family now. I promise yer if I so much as annoy yer, you have me full permission to punch my lights out. I won't let you down, Gene Genie promise."

Alex giggled and squeezed his hand as she thought about what to say next. Over the last few months she had been thinking about what to tell him about her not seeing Molly. Molly wasn't here and as much as she hated to say it, she never would be. In the other world, she was being looked after by Evan and she knew he would take care of her always, she was safe and happy. She took a deep breath and got ready to explain to Gene about Molly. This, she vowed, would be the last lie she would tell him but it was how it had to be.

"The reason why Molly isn't with me is because she died two years ago. It was a car accident and her dad blamed me for her death. It was a stupid accident and I couldn't have done anything to stop it. That's the reason I haven't mentioned her or there's was no photos of her in the flat. It's too raw and it still hurts and always will. You don't know how much you hurt me when you accused me of abandoning her Gene, because I didn't and never would."

Tears rolled down Alex's cheek as she fought the overwhelming sense of guilt clawing at her but this was how it had to be.

"Oh Bolls, I'm so sorry. I've been a complete twat. I don't deserve yer. I swear I'll make it up to you and our son. I'll take 'I'm on, whether he's mine or not. I don't care about that; I'll be beside you every step of the way forever."

Alex threw her arms around Gene and kissed his cheek. Smiling broadly, they both looked towards the cot and Alex decided that they should settle whatever doubts they might have about his paternity so she decided she would ask the doctor to do a DNA test when he visited them later. Gene was right, they were a family now.

End flashback

Alex smiled as she heard the squeals of laughter from their son. No doubt he was making a mess, egged on by his daddy and she heard Gene laugh as another 'splash' was heard, louder this time. Anthony really brought out a different side to Gene, a childish side. He laughed a lot more and whatever happened during the day, as soon as he walked through the front door and picked his son up, he forgot whatever had been bothering him.

When they had got the DNA results, she remembered Gene's reassuring but nervous glance as he took the letter and opened it. After a few minutes of silence, he had handed it back to her his face not revealing anything. Looking at the bold print, she grinned and looked back at Gene to find him looking down at their son, stroking his hand.

"Ello mate, I'm yer daddy."

Later that evening, Gene poured them both a glass of wine as Alex returned to their sitting room after putting Anthony to bed.

"Ant go off alright luv?"

"He is out like a light. I'm serious though, if he wakes up during the night you are getting up with him. After all he is a daddy's boy!"

Gene laughed as he pulled Alex towards him and leant in to kiss her. He'd been dying to do this all day. Drinks were forgotten as Gene pulled Alex up off the couch, her laughter soon turned to a loud moan as Gene guided her upstairs, shushing her so she wouldn't wake Anthony.

Life couldn't get better than this. He had his Bolly, his little boy and they both had successful careers, now working in Scotland Yard. Alex had returned to work in the murder squad after her maternity leave and Gene had been accepted and promoted to Superintendent in Scotland Yard and he had left Fenchurch behind and he hadn't looked back. Gene had whisked Alex away to a swanky hotel and surprised Alex by popping the question and the wedding was booked for next month, the day before their sons first birthday.

Although Chris and Shaz were a permanent fixture in their son's life as godparents, Gene or Alex hadn't spoken to Ray since they found out the lies that he had spread about their relationship and that business with Mack. He had tried to apologise but neither were interested. Instead, they made the most of being a family.

After all that had been said and everything that had been done, and the secrets and lies that had been kept, the past was firmly behind them and Gene and Alex drifted into sleep knowing their future lay together. They were a family. They were unbreakable.

Aww and they all lived happily ever after.

Little tribute to a certain Mr Antstead included ;-).

Thanks once again and hope you enjoyed.

R and R.