Ethan watched as Alicia practically ran around the supermarket, dashing from aisle to aisle without really stopping to talk to him or even take a breath.

'Anyone would think you're happy!' Ethan's voice faltered, happiness there for sure, but a little contrived.

'I am. I've always wanted a girl.'

'Yes. She'll be spoiled.' Ethan nodded, his lips thinly stretched in what he only could hope would appear a smile. Alicia, in true Alicia style, was oblivious to everyone and everything around her. It was like she had one focus, and it was to arm herself (and Ethan) with as many tiny pink items as possible. He'd turn his back for one second, and she'd reappear with armfuls of blankets and accessories.

'Uh, might you want to pace yourself darling? We have quite a few months left yet.' He advised, as he watched her practically clear the rails.

She just smiled at him, and turned the corner, grabbing yet another pack of pink vests.

'Alicia, enough now!' He gave a startled laugh as he saw the piles and piles of things in the trolley.

'We've practically raided Asda. There will be more times.'

'Oh, I'm not done yet. Come on, this is exciting, Ethan!'

'How about we move on to toiletries instead?' He suggested weakly, if only to buy himself some more time to think about a distraction while they walked over.

'See! Good idea.' She grinned, believing he was getting into it.

'Yes.' He rested a hand on her back lightly, trying to ignore the stares they were receiving from other customers. He swallowed, uncomfortable.

'See, we're there. Maybe we could pick up a car seat while we're at it?' He suggested.

'Oh bless you. We're doctors, but we're not made of money though!' Alicia gave him a funny look, followed by a smile.

Ethan raised his eyebrows, with a nod. He then eyed up the trolley again, and muttered 'you don't say' to himself.

-x-

'Still can't believe that was over two hundred, and you picked the bill up. I feel so bad...' She gushed, on the way to the car.

'Don't be silly, I wanted to.' He replied, unlocking the car with his keys. Technically, it was on Cal. Would Cal have minded? It was a bit of a waste of money, but all the same, probably not. He would have and did do anything for Ethan, right until the bitter end.

'Even so, we should've gone halves.'

'You're happy, right?' He forced a smile.

'Yeah. Yeah I am.' Alicia stretched over to kiss his cheek.

'Anything for my girls.' He said, slightly too monotonous to sound genuine.

'Oh, you're so sweet.' Alicia climbed into the car, the picture of happiness. He knew he could still get away with much, for he was "grieving" as far as she was concerned and so she unwittingly made allowances, for each and every second of their interaction. He realised she'd stopped even noticing the flatness in his voice and felt guilty. Either she'd chosen to ignore it, or that was simply his voice and she had become accustomised to it. 'Missing Cal?' She whispered when they both were buckled in. Her voice infiltrated Ethan's thoughts.

Yes. More than ever. He swallowed the lump in his throat. 'A bit, yeah. Sorry if I'm being miserable.' His hand found hers.

'No...' Alicia shook her head. 'Don't feel bad. I know I'm having this baby, but it doesn't mean you've got to be singing and dancing Ethan. I don't expect anything of you, and I know healing takes time. I am still here for you.'

For once, Ethan found himself surprised by her. She deserved the credit - she had actually managed to afford him some degree of understanding. Just when he thought she was wrapped up in all things baby. He glanced up and met her eyes. They were comforting, yet concern swum in them.

'I've got you.' The words barely left her lips.

He swallowed the lump in his throat that had managed to lodge itself there once more, and screwed the keys into the ignition without even looking. He set his eyes upon the road and they drove, watching the sky melt into the trees in the distance. An amalgamation of colour; orange, yellow, red, purple. Truly beautiful. And, it had been a good day. He dared to believe it. The falling day was so beautiful, so breathtaking. Endings, Ethan thought, could be beautiful too in their own right.

Alicia had been quiet, thoughtful almost. He could sense it, and more than anything, he didn't want her to think he was boring. Sure, they were past the stage of trying to impress one another, but it still mattered to him that he made an effort for her. She deserved it.

'So, what names are you thinking?' He asked.

'I don't know. I like vintage ones, they've got a nice feel to them.'

Ethan didn't miss a beat. 'Like Patricia, Mary?'

There was a short silence. 'Uh, well I was thinking more like-' She was interrupted by Ethan's chuckling.

'Thank God. Don't joke like that!' She said, smiling all the same.

'Baby Patricia Hardy. Ring to it, that.' He nodded.

She pulled a face of outrage, and he glanced at her. Smiling, he fixed his eyes back on the road.

'You're going to have to explain what you mean, or there could be some awful miscommunication that results in a baby Margaret.'

'Like, I quite like Nancy.'

He screwed his nose up. 'Bit pompous.'

'Cute though.'

'You can't name our child - your child - something you think is "a bit cute". What about when they're thirty and they want to be taken seriously?'

'Like Elizabeth, or Violet, or... Sadie.' Alicia nodded.

'Mm.' Ethan said, not really reacting either way.

'Adelaide, Beatrice, Florence, Nora, Elsie...' She continued, counting them on her fingers.

'Nothing too pretentious.' He said.

'They're not pretentious, are they?' She replied, looking a bit offended.

'They just seem a bit stuffy. Adelaide is quite nice though.' He said.

'I like that one. Lot of nicknames, too.'

'Yeah. We can sleep on it though, I suppose there's no real rush.' Ethan said, watching the road.

'Course. I'm just so happy,' She smiled. 'So happy. We need to celebrate. Obviously, no drink. What about a takeaway?'

'Not the healthiest...'

'Cravings...' She moaned.

He rolled his eyes slightly. 'Where am I driving?'

She smiled, smugly. 'The best Indian in Holby.'

'Mother India it is - it's only round the corner.'

'You're so good to me.' She smiled lovingly.

'When do you not get what you want?'

'Um, it's not what I want. This is all little...' Alicia moved her hand to her stomach.

'Patricia.'

She laughed, loudly, which made Ethan smile. 'Don't call her that! It'll stick. Honestly, we best decide on an actual name soon. Your daddy is a numpty.'

'Daddy knows a good name when he... thinks of one.' Ethan smirked.

She tutted. 'Take no notice, my darling. Mummy's going to get you a nice bhuna.'

His forehead crinkled, bemused. 'What if little Patricia doesn't want a bhuna? She might be more of a madras kind of girl.'

'You're not, are you? You like what mummy likes. Lots and lots of naan bread.' She rubbed her stomach, almost protectively.

Ethan laughed then, at her, but affectionately. 'You have got a unique way with your unborn child.'

Alicia laughed back then, and then a smile rested on her face. 'Haven't heard you laugh like that in ages.'

'I'm happy.' He said, honestly enough. 'You make me happy, Alicia.'

She tilted her head slightly to look at him, a smile appearing on her lips. They pulled up outside the shop. 'Let's go get curry.'

'Let's. It's important to get a balanced diet, especially in the second trimester, so I'm doing home cooking from tomorrow.'

'My last edible meal in months.' She pulled a sad face as they walked inside. He went to tickle her, and she skipped away, laughing.

'Go on, go choose. For Patricia's sake, nothing too spicy. Don't want to blow her new little socks off before they're even on her feet.'

'Her feet haven't even formed, I don't think.'

'Exactly!'

As Alicia speculated over the array of choices, Ethan wondered if it took something so simple as a new life to fix an already broken one.