Gordon pulled up on the drive, parking his car directly behind Jill's mini. He could see the upstairs bedroom windows of the house glowed slightly with the light from the landing, although it was barely noticeable as the sun began to set. Katie jumped out of the front passenger door as Tom fought with the right back door. Gordon too got out of the car and made his way to the boot.

'Tom, Katie come here a moment please' their father requested and they immediately turned to go to him 'Katie you can give Jill the flowers' he stated Gordon 'and Tom, you can give her the chocolates' The male handed the items over to the two of them, he were a little hand fisted but none the less eager to give them to their step-mum.

Gordon got a few others bags out and shut the boot. He walked leisurely around the left back door of the car and lifted a tired Jonathon out. Katie had already let herself and Tom into the house using Gordon's front door key. They could be heard shouting excitedly for Jill.

'Come on then little man; let's go and surprise mummy' without hesitation Gordon went inside the family home, shutting the front door quietly behind him.

'Look at these! Aren't I a lucky lady?' exclaimed Jill as the eldest two handed over the gifts. The female hugged her two children close and kissed them 'And here's the man behind it, I imagine' she sarcastically commented as Gordon walked into the living room with their young son.

'Nothing to do with me. It was all their idea' replied her husband

'We wanted to surprise you Jill' shouted Katie as she hung off her step-mothers arm

'Well it was very kind of you' Jill acknowledged as she glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. 'But now it's time for bed. I presume you've had tea?'

'Dad let us eat fish and chips on the beach. It was the best!' babbled Tom

'Wow, it sounds like you've all had fun. Now you both go and get ready for bed, then once I've put Jonathon down I'll come and tuck you in, deal?' she bargained

The tired children didn't take any persuasion as they raced each other up the stairs.

'Well I think that went rather smoothly' commented Gordon as he handed Jonathon over to his mum

'I dare say it did darling. You seem to have worn them out as well'

'I don't know about them, but I'm knackered!' he laughed as he plonked himself in his arm chair 'And what about you Mrs Ormerod? Have you enjoyed your day off?'

'Well it gave me chance to give the house a clean without any interruptions'

'Jill, you're meant to be taking it easy-'

'Gordon, I'm 7 months pregnant not dying' Jill didn't give her husband chance to reply as she took their young son up to bed.