June 1995
"Come on Rachel, you're almost there," urged Kathy.
"I can't," sobbed Rachel.
"The head's out," the midwife informed her, looking up from her position. "Just one more push."
"I'm so tired," Rachel wailed.
"You can do it, Rachel," said Kathy, taking the younger woman's hand. Rachel gripped Kathy's hand tightly, making Kathy wince, then roared as she pushed. The next sound that filled the room was a baby crying as the midwife lifted him, carefully cleaning him and wrapping him in a towel.
"You've done it, Rachel." There were tears on Kathy's face, and she realised they were tears of joy.
"Is it—" Rachel choked. "Are they—"
"It's a boy," the midwife told her, placing the baby in Rachel's arms. "And a healthy one, judging by that racket."
The baby continued to scream as Rachel looked down at his tiny face, his mouth wide open.
"He's beautiful, Rachel," said Kathy, looking at the perfect features, at the wide blue eyes. Chris's eyes. She tore her gaze away, wondering when Frank and Chris would be arriving.
"I can't believe Chris missed it," said Rachel, touching her son's face, awestruck. "I'm glad you were here, though..."
"Believe it or not, so am I." Kathy met Rachel's eyes and knew in that moment that she had forgiven Rachel completely for the affair with Chris, and that they would be friends for life.
"I wish Joe could have seen him." Rachel started to cry again. "And Mark..." Kathy reached out to comfort her.
"Could you give us a moment?" asked the midwife. "I just need to check them both over."
"Of course. I'll be just outside, Rachel."
"Thank you, Kathy."
Kathy nodded and stepped out into the corridor. Frank was running towards the ward, pushing Chris in his wheelchair, Chris's expression questioning.
"It's a boy, Chris," Kathy called, holding the door open for them.
"Well done, son!" Frank clapped Chris on the shoulder. Kathy watched as Frank wheeled Chris into the ward, the door swaying shut behind them. She was clearly no longer needed. She sighed and headed for the lift to take her downstairs to the exit.
...
"Rachel?" Chris wheeled himself up to the hospital bed.
"Chris..." Rachel reached out for her boyfriend.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here," Chris told her, kissing her forehead. Frank came to stand next to his son as they both gazed, spellbound, at the newborn baby.
"Meet your son," Rachel told Chris.
"He's..." Chris was lost for words, for once. "Is he OK?"
"For a premature baby, he's fine," the midwife assured him.
"My grandson," Frank beamed. "He looks just like you when you were born," he told Chris.
"Can I..." Chris reached out and Rachel placed the baby in his arms.
"Chris," she choked. "Joe's dead..."
"I know. I'm so sorry." Chris kissed her again. Frank bowed his head. Although he and Joe Sugden had often nearly come to blows, he knew how close Rachel had been to her stepfather.
"I still can't believe it." Rachel started to cry again.
"Focus on the positive," said Frank, sounding like one of his business speeches. "You've got a perfect son."
"I know. I just wish Joe could have seen him..." Rachel looked around. "Where's Kathy?"
"I think she just left," said Chris, looking over his shoulder at the door.
"She stayed with me the whole time. I couldn't have done it without her."
"We'll be sure to thank her," said Frank. "Now, can I have a hold?"
...
A week later, Kim rubbed her head as baby Joseph continued to scream. She was still furious with Frank for inviting Chris and Rachel to stay with the baby at Home Farm. As good a friend as Joe Sugden had been to her, his namesake was getting on her nerves.
"There, there, Joseph," Frank soothed his grandson as he carried him into the lounge. Rachel was sleeping upstairs and Chris had gone "for a walk" as he still called it, around the grounds.
"Hello?" Zoe stuck her head around the door.
"Shouldn't you be at the surgery?" Frank asked.
"Oh, the animals can do without me for one afternoon. I wanted to come and see my nephew." Zoe smiled as Frank passed the baby to her. She jiggled him for a minute and his cries ceased.
"Thank god for that," said Kim.
"You shouldn't neglect the practice, you know," Frank told Zoe. "I didn't build up a business by taking afternoons off..."
"Thanks, Dad." Zoe rolled her eyes. "Some things are more important than work. Joseph won't be a baby forever, and it's not like I'll be having any of my own..." Frank looked away awkwardly; he hadn't quite come to terms with his daughter's lesbianism.
"How's my son?" asked Chris as he wheeled back in.
"He's gorgeous, Chris," said Zoe happily.
"Takes after his father," smiled Chris.
"Let's hope not," Kim muttered.
"Ignore Granny Kim," said Chris. Kim glared at him.
"I'd better go and check on Rachel." Chris turned, heading for the stairlift. Zoe followed him, still holding Joseph.
"We could always try for another, you know," Frank said quietly to Kim when they were alone. She looked at him, shocked.
"I told you after the miscarriage. I couldn't go through that again."
"It might not be like that this time. If Chris can have a child in his condition..."
"You really want to be a father again? You're a grandfather now."
"Yes, and seeing Joseph makes me realise how much I missed, when Chris and Zoe were babies. Zoe's right, there's more to life than work."
"I'll think about it, Frank." Kim turned the page of her magazine. Chris and Rachel's brat had started screaming again. She wished he would shut up.