Robbie knocked on his boss's door, and she beckoned him in. Jean Innocent frowned as he shut the door behind him, and considered him warily as he sat down in front of her. "What can I do for you?" She enquired lightly and Robbie handed her a folded piece of paper. "Just needed to give you this, Ma'am," he replied cordially and she looked straight at him. "You're not reneging on your contract, surely Robbie?" Jen asked before she opened the form. Robbie laughed. "Not at all Ma'am. Just alerting you to some forthcoming leave," he replied cheerily and Jean unfolded the paperwork, somewhat relieved. She scanned the form and then faltered as her gaze fell on the bottom section. "Paternity leave, Robbie?" she said incredulously and he looked over at her, clearly bemused. "Aye," he replied and she stared at him. "I don't... I don't know what to say Robbie. Are you pulling my leg?" She stuttered, pushing back from her desk. Then she fixed him with a stern look, and picked up her phone. "Hello? This is Innocent. Please could you ask Dr Hobson to step into my office? Now. Please. Thank you."
Jean fixed Robbie with a look and he laughed. "It's only a fortnight of leave," he protested and she glared at him. "This better not be one of your wind ups. We've already had your threatened retirement. Now this?" she warned him and Robbie held up his hands in mock protest. "Look, Laura'll be here soon and you can ask her yourself," he pointed out and Jean made an exasperated gesture at him. "You might want this too, Ma'am," Robbie suggested, amusement evident in his features as he handed over a card and she glared at him as she ripped open the envelope. "I need a drink," she muttered as she glanced over the contents, before walking over to her safe and pulling out two tumblers and a large bottle of Talisker. She poured two large measures into the glasses, and passed one to Robbie before downing hers.
A sharp tap on the door alerted them to Laura's presence and Jean gestured that she should enter. "Shut the door, Dr Hobson," Jean said acerbically and Laura exchanged a glance with Robbie as she did so. "I'd offer you a drink too Laura," Jean remarked "but in the circumstances..." she trailed off. Laura chewed her lip, and Jean suspected it was to hide a smirk as much as anything. "I hear congratulations are in order," she observed as Laura leant back against the closed door. Laura glanced at Robbie who quirked an eyebrow at her. Linking her hands behind her back, Laura's cardigan fell open, revealing the bump it had previously concealed and Jean gasped. "Oh my god, Laura!" She cried and Laura smiled happily. Robbie glanced over at her and she shot him a cheery look. "Evidently, Lewis, we've moved on from 'I quite like Laura,'" Jean observed as she walked over to Laura and kissed her affectionately on the cheek. Robbie looked slightly affronted. "Thank you," Laura said quietly, shooting a bemused look at Robbie, and Jean squeezed her arm before walking back to her desk.
"Coming to the wedding too then, Ma'am?" Laura enquired and Jean's face softened. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied warmly. "Glad to hear it," Laura said, moving to stand behind Robbie and resting her hands on his shoulders. "We're keeping it small, if you wouldn't mind, Ma'am" Robbie said "James'll be there, of course, but besides you two it's mostly family." Jean nodded. "Well, of all the things I expected you to come and tell me this morning, I can't say that this was high on the list," she owned and Laura chuckled, smoothing her hand over her stomach protectively. "Bloody hell you two. You don't hang around."
"Fancy a pint, Jim?" Hathaway looked up at Robbie and raised an eyebrow. "Come on lad," Robbie told him, and Hathaway shrugged his shoulders and stood up to follow Robbie. "Is the lovely Laura joining us?" Hathaway enquired and Robbie nodded. "As soon as she's done in the lab," he replied genially. It was a pleasant afternoon to be walking through Oxford and the men were shortly at their pub of choice. Laura was waiting for them in the garden, feet up on the bench she was sat on, and a drink in hand. "Ah, hello, you two," she greeted them cheerfully, standing up. "I'll get the drinks in," Hathaway offered before disappearing into the bar. Robbie kissed Laura, and allowed his hand to caress her stomach briefly. "Good day?" he asked, and she nodded. "Fine. Just hoping I don't get called out tonight" she replied, allowing her hand to rest over his on her bump. Suddenly her bump had become rather obvious, almost overnight, and she was quite self conscious about it. At almost halfway through her pregnancy she supposed it was only a matter of time before it became so. In the doorway, James stopped and stared. Seeing Laura sideways on, her condition was far more apparent and he hesitated for a moment. His stationary state attracted a curious glance from Laura, who realised that James had just about guessed and she raised her eyebrows at him. "Yes, James, observant though you are, I'll spare you your blushes. I'm pregnant." Laura told him as he set down two pints on the table, and a packet of crisps. James leant in towards Laura and kissed her cheek affectionately. "Congratulations," he said kindly and Laura flashed him a smile. "Baby girl, due in four months," Robbie continued, picking up his pint glass and raising it to James, who smirked slightly. "All this, and a wedding too," James remarked before taking a sip of his pint "If this is what happens when I leave the two of you alone together, I don't think Innocent is ever going to allow me on leave again," he quipped and Laura laughed. "Poor Jean," she mused. "I think she's more or less over the shock,"
