Chapter 21

…

Kate held the stethoscope to Agent Barfield's chest as she noted down on her chart some numbers. Agent Barfield watched Kate closely as she paid close attention to the steady rhythm of his heart.

"So doc, my heart okay?"

"You appear to be in perfect health, how are you getting on with the other double o's?"

"Not bad, I don't think I'll ever match Bond but what can you do."

"It's a dangerous job, James will tell you that. Don't let this job consume you Agent Barfield, believe me when I say there's more to life than this job."

Agent Barfield could only nod his head in agreement as Kate put her equipment away.

"Right dearie, all done."

"Thanks doc."

"Good luck with your mission, stay safe…and come back alive."

"Sure thing doc, see ya'."

Kate gave a quick nod as she watched the Agent walk away; she turned back to her desk, taking a seat. She closed her eyes briefly before a knock at her door brought her back to reality.

"Yes…"

"Kate, sorry to bother you."

"Eve, it's alright dearie, what can I do for you?"

"I just wondered if you'd be home for dinner tonight, I was thinking of cooking my famous chilli."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful. Yes I'll be there, Eve?"

"Yeah." She replied, turning back.

"Look I'm sorry for staying longer than I intended dearie, I was thinking about perhaps finding another apartment in the next few weeks, give you your home back."

"Oh…Kate you don't have to rush off. I've enjoyed your company; it's been nice having someone to come home too."

"That's nice of you to say it's just that, well I'm not entirely sure Sharon and I will be getting back together."

"She hasn't called?"

"No but I can't blame her really. I did keep my relationship with her mother a secret, it was always going to backfire on me at some point I suppose."

"But you still love her yes?"

"Of course I do, but I was a fool to think I'd ever be able to make things work with her. The secrets, my age…it was always going to be an issue."

"Kate listen to me, Sharon loves you. She's hurt and confused right now; you just need to give her some time."

"It's been six weeks Eve, its over. I should get back to work, as should you dearie."

"Will you be okay?"

"You know me, tough as old boots. I'll be fine dearie, I promise."

Kate watched as Eve gave her a warm smile before walking away, tears threatening to spill from Kate's eyes.

…

8 ½ Months

…

Mallory was in the kitchen making some tea when he heard the front door, looking up at the clock, it had just gone seven.

"Gareth?" James called out.

"In the kitchen."

Mallory smiled to himself as he placed the kettle back on the counter, closing his eyes as he took a few steady breaths. James came in to the room, coming up behind Mallory, his arms coming around his waist.

"Sorry I'm late."

"Not to worry, please don't tell me you've been buying more things for Maddie?"

"No, it would have been Olivia's birthday today; I took some flowers to her grave."

Mallory turned around in James arms, as James looked up at him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"No reason why you should have, don't worry about it."

"You've been there all this time?"

"Well I don't get down there as often as I'd like so I thought as it was her birthday I'd spend an extra few hours with her."

"You still miss her?"

"Everyday, I sometimes wonder what would have happened had she lived."

"I wonder that sometimes, would we be where we are now if she hadn't died."

"I'd like to think we would have."

"Yes, I do too."

James watched in concern as Mallory tensed in his arms, his head lowered as he breathed deeply.

"Hey, you okay…what is it?"

"Mmmmm, I'm okay."

James hands went to the sides of Mallory's arms, steadying him as the older man relaxed, looking in to James eyes.

"Don't pretend with me, is it the baby….silly question, I can see as much."

"It's nothing James I…"

"Hey, it's okay. How long have you been having contractions?"

"They started about three."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"They're really not that bad, it's probably just a false alarm. I still have a couple of more weeks left."

"Babies have been known to arrive early."

"But your first, I always thought they were late."

"Well, we're not exactly known for being normal expectant parents are we?"

Mallory's hand immediately went to their daughter when a stronger contraction ran through him, making him lean in on James.

"It's okay; I got you….just breath through it okay."

"That one felt different."

"Okay look, I think we better get you to the hospital."

"NO…James I already told you, I don't want to do this in a hospital."

"Wait, you were serious about that. You mentioned it once in passing; I didn't think you meant it."

"I want to have her here at home, just you, me, Sharon and Kate…no one else. I don't want to be on display for everyone to see. This whole situation's complicated enough."

"Gareth I…"

"James, please. I've done everything you've all asked throughout this pregnancy; I just want this one thing."

"But what if something goes wrong, complications?"

"I'm sure Sharon will have thought of all that, James please."

James closed his eyes and let out a long sigh before looking back to Mallory."

"Okay fine, you win…but if anything, anything at all goes wrong, you're going to hospital, no arguments."

"That's fine."

"I'll go and call Sharon and Kate, let them know what's happening."

"Thank you." Mallory smiled, kissing James before removing himself from James arms.

"Where are you going?"

"I feel like a bath."

"A bath…now?"

"Yes now, James I'm alright."

…

Sharon was just packing up for the evening when her phone vibrated on her desk, she sat down her jacket and picked it up, noticing James name on the screen.

"James, hi…what can I do for you?"

"Sharon I'm sorry to bother you so late but it's Gareth, looks like it's time."

"It's, what he's having contractions."

"Since this afternoon, though he didn't think to inform me about it until now."

"Alright James, get him in the car and get him here imme…"

"Hang on, we have a problem there. He won't come to the hospital; he wants to have her at home."

"He wants to what? That was never discussed, is he crazy?"

"Look, he's had no complications with this pregnancy; he's done all we've ever asked of him. All he's asking for now is to have Maddie in the comfort of his own home, with the four people he trusts most in this world. Surely we can give him that."

"Alright fine, I'm arrange for an ambulance to be on standby in case it's needed and I'll be there as soon as I can. How's he doing so far?"

"Yeah he seems to be handling the contractions really well so far, he's having a bath right now."

"Good, that'll help with the pain. Okay I'm on my way."

"Great, will you pick up Kate on the way?"

"Kate?"

"Well yes, you are both going to be delivering Maddie remember?"

"Right, yes of course."

"Everything's okay isn't it?"

"Of course, don't worry. I'll pick up Kate and we'll be there soon. Keep him comfortable, help him though his contractions like you've both practiced and we'll be there as quickly as we can."

"Great, thanks Sharon."

"We'll be there soon."

Sharon hung up the phone, closing her eyes briefly before grabbing her stuff and running out the room.

…

To Be Continued…