July 2021

It was a fantastic party, it had to be said. Home Farm at its best.

Joe had invited everyone to celebrate the impending birth of the third member of the family. Only one question remained. Boy or girl?

Rebecca had refused to clarify the gender and it was a secret she shared only with Joe, who was very much looking forward to showing off the newest member when they arrived.

The summer had been hot, bright and scorching during the day and pleasantly balmy at night, allowing Joe to take advantage and set up the party on the terrace.

To those outside, they could have been abroad. A Mediterranean buffet stood by the open doors, with a steaming hog and barbecue.

Everyone was in attendance, it seemed, all scattered around, on picnic blankets on the grass, or at tastefully blue and white themed tables. The atmosphere lent itself toward that of a festival. Joe had even drafted in a local band to play Spanish guitar as the guests enjoyed their meals.

"This must be one of the best nights of my life." Rebecca leaned against his shoulder as they sat on the chair swing, rocking slowly.

"I'm glad. Because everything I do, I do it for you."

"You're not going to sing again, are you?" Rebecca teased.

"Hey, cheek. I'm actually quite good, if I say so myself."

"Hmm, well, this one thinks so too." She rolled her palm over her belly, smiling softly.

"Good, because they're going to hear a lot more." Joe grinned, looking across at Seb, who was dancing with his sister.

Rebecca leaned in.

"You don't regret this, do you? I know you wanted to try—"

"Hey, I regret nothing." He paused. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No, not really. I'm just worried, you know? What if I can't cope?"

"Well, you've got me and Graham, wherever he is." Joe gave a quick scan of the surroundings, but there was no sign of his trusted right hand man.

"He must be sweltering in that suit," Rebecca remarked.

"He's changed. I told him to. It's too warm."

"He should try being pregnant!" Rebecca blurted out. "Did I just say that?" She winced.

"You did," Joe told her, nodding.

"I didn't mean to say that. Crazy brain, again."

Joe kissed her head.

"I love your crazy brain and don't worry, Graham didn't hear you."

"What's that?" Someone in the crowd pointed at a bright light, a beam streaming across the grounds.

Joe stood up.

"What the—"

The rumbling sound and whirring settled in the distance as a faint silhouette of a craft made a graceful landing.

A familiar figure alighted and to Joe's astonishment, he heard his right hand man's familiar voice carry across the estate.

"Kim?"

"Graham?"

"Mum?" Jamie stepped out of the crowd.

"Oh my God." Joe kissed Rebecca's head. "Wait here, yeah?"

The guests quickly adjusted their chairs for Kim to pass, reading from her expression that she was not the sort of woman who would tolerate obstruction. Joe, meanwhile, wove through the tables to reach the helicopter and came to stand at the side, waiting for acknowledgment.

"Graham." He cleared his throat.

"Joe, this is—"

"I know who this is." Joe turned to her as she brushed her dress down grandly.

"No introduction required, thank you, Graham," Kim replied cheerfully. "Well, Joseph, I heard you were having a party."

"What are you doing here?" Joe asked.

"Oh, I thought I'd stop by, meet my great-grandchildren."

"They don't need anything from you."

"I wasn't offering," Kim scoffed. "You might be a bit kinder to me, Joseph, after all I did to help your Auntie Zoe."

"You didn't do anything for her!" Joe snapped. "You just played games."

"Now, Joseph, let's not make a spectacle. I know how fond you are of dramatics."

Joe scowled.

"Please see her off the premises, Graham," he instructed, whilst Graham looked uncomfortable.

Over at the makeshift bar area, Pete and Ross sat side by side on stools.

"Another one, mate?" Pete asked.

"Yeah, put another in there." Ross gestured at his glass.

"Good party, innit?" Pete continued, however his forced smile was unconvincing.

"If you say so." Ross gulped back his beer and slid off the seat, wandering to Rebecca.

"What about you, mate?" Pete queried of the tall man next to him, who was dressed casually in a smart shirt and trousers, his hazel eyes troubled.

"What about me?" Jamie returned.

"She's your mother, in't she?" Pete nodded in Kim's direction. Joe was walking away from her as she continued to argue with Graham.

"She's nothing to do with me," said Jamie bitterly. "I'm just here to celebrate the impending arrival of my great-niece or nephew."

As he spoke, the young expectant mother glided through the guests, determined to introduce herself to the late arrival.

Jamie scanned the array of guests for a glimpse of the person he was most hoping to see, but there was no sign of her. Feeling despondent, he finally spotted Amy in the crowd, looking like Cinderella in a red dress. As she danced, she caught sight of Jamie and smiled.

Jamie's heart swelled with hope, so delighted to see her that he almost crashed into a couple of bins.

Amy giggled, her cheeks flushing pink and coyly turned away, shaking her head.

Jamie took a few steps backward, not wanting to seem like a stalker. Over a year had passed since his arrival in the village and he still hadn't managed to gather enough confidence to ask her out.

"Where have you been?" Rebecca greeted Joe, as he wrapped his arms around her, feeling the protrusion of her stomach against his body, and held her tighter.

"I've just been, busy," Joe gabbled. "Where are the kids?"

"Seb is over there with Rachel, they're with Vic," she explained, noticing his pained expression. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Is that..." Rebecca looked in the direction of the helicopter, remembering her own arrival at Home Farm five years ago.

"Kim." Joe nodded. "Don't worry, Graham's got her in hand." He grimaced.

"Oh, are she and Graham..." Rebecca realised, getting the measure of the situation.

"Sort of, yeah. Great party though, don't you think?"

"I do." She nuzzled his neck. "I love you, Joseph Tate."

"I love you, Rebecca Tate." He kissed her back. As the song playing came to an end, Joe took Rebecca's hand and led her up to the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please."

A hush descended.

"I would like to thank you all for joining us here tonight, to celebrate our good news and to welcome the next member of the Tate family, when they eventually arrive." He smiled at Rebecca.

"Joe." Rebecca squeezed his hand, as she felt a sharp jab.

"As I was saying, I'm delighted to see you all here and I know you'll be as thrilled as I am to raise a glass to my beautiful wife, a wonderful mother—"

"Joe," Rebecca hissed, clutching her stomach. "I think—"

"Er..." Joe paused. "One moment, please."

He escorted Rebecca offstage as she began to pant heavily.

"But it's not— it's not due—"

"It'll be fine. Come on, let's get you sat down," a husky yet warm voice instructed over Joe's shoulder and he turned to see Kim.

"No, not you, get out."

"Joe, please," Rebecca begged.

To Joe's astonishment, Kim moved the crowd away and settled Rebecca comfortably in one of the marquees.

"I don't think this one is going to wait, by the looks of things," she advised Rebecca with a sincere smile.

"Why would you help me?" Rebecca asked.

"Good question," Joe snapped.

"Because I'm a mother and while you and Joe may not like me very much, I can't see that you have much choice."

She glanced back at Joe.

"This baby is coming now."

"Alright." Joe stepped back. "Come on, Bex, you can do this!" He crouched down beside her.

"Close the marquee, Graham, set off some fireworks, just distract them, this isn't for public eyes," Kim ordered.

Graham looked at Joe, seeing the concern on his face and shut the marquee folds.

"You can do this. I know you can." Joe squeezed Rebecca's hand as she let out another wail of agony.

"Never again, Joseph Tate!" She grit her teeth, digging her nails into his hand.

"What can I do, just tell me?" Joe insisted, stroking her sweaty head.

"Nothing. It's coming." Kim's eyes softened as she helped to deliver the baby, who appeared, crying, kicking his little feet about urgently.

"I'm so proud of you." Joe kissed his wife's head as she took a few more deep breaths, regulating her breathing to normal. They had known what the baby would be, but seeing Kim holding him, just as she would have once held James, told Joe that they had to forget the past and look to the future.

"A very healthy baby boy," Kim confirmed, as Dr Cavanagh arrived to assist.

"Well, what a surprise!" Dr Cavanagh gasped. "How are you feeling, Rebecca?"

"Never better," she advised with a bright smile, eyes filling with tears.

"A boy," Kim told Dr Cavanagh, standing up. "Well, I don't suppose you'll be needing me."

Rebecca nudged Joe.

"Kim," Joe remarked.

"Yes, Joseph?" Kim asked innocently.

"Thanks."

Kim nodded, with a smile and ducked out of the marquee, looking for Jamie.

Joe beheld his new son, tiny and blue eyed, just like Rachel.

"He's perfect. I'm so proud of you." Joe kissed Rebecca and she held the bundle close. "Now it's just choosing a name."

"Always the difficult part," Rebecca agreed, "but what do you think of Frankie?"

"I was thinking, actually, Lucas?"

"Lucas Tate?" Rebecca tested it.

"Lucas Lawrence Christopher Tate," Joe reeled off proudly.

"Do you know, I really like that." She looked down at the newborn. "Lucas Tate."

"Balancing the old and the new."

"Mentioning Daddy and your Dad." A tear ran down Rebecca's cheek. "I love it, Joe."

"Then, welcome to the family, Lucas Tate." Joe gently stroked his son's head.

Graham appeared again.

"Everything is settled," he informed Joe and Rebecca. "New member of the family doing well, I hope?"

"Yes." Rebecca held out the bundle and Joe carried him to Graham. "This is Lucas."