The question left Ryan shocked, he really was the last person she should be asking for advice because it wasn't like he was even in control of his own feelings and life, let alone trying to help others. Feeling a little awkward he reached forward and grabbed his mum's hand. Using a little bit of recycled advice that most of the adults in his life had told him at some point he smiled at his mum.

"I think you should do what you feel is right mum"

It was all he could think of and he felt it was a bit of a copout but he didn't have any other opinions or suggestions suitable for mention. Michelle looked as if she was about to cry but Ryan knew it was only because he had said something grown up and kind and it had touched her heart. They sat for a moment as she nodded her head and took a deep breath before trying her best to smile through the pain.

From the bedroom Steve had stirred and sleepily rolled over to find Michelle missing. Rolling his eyes and sighing he knew that she had done the usual middle of the night disappearing act that he had gotten used to. Assuming he'd find her as he had usually lately asleep curled up on the sofa he struggled out from under the duvet and padded across the dark bedroom to the door when he stopped and listened upon hearing voices and an exchange that sounded very much like a conversation. Eavesdropping he waited listening to try and pick out some of its content and was just in time to hear Ryan's advice to his mum. Then he waited again his brow knitting in frustration as he waited for Michelle to give some sort of answer.

"Do you think I should tell Steve?" she asked Ryan.

Taking a deep breath in and then blowing out Ryan didn't know what to say to that. It was a matter of conscious. If she could live with the lie until she decided what she actually wanted to do with the baby then he guessed it was something she had to decide on her own. Avoiding eye contact with her because of the awkwardness Ryan squeezed her hand and mumbled his answer about if she felt that it was the right decision then she should but Michelle still was unsure. That is when Steve appeared. He had crept out of the bedroom upon hearing his name and now stood just shy of the sofa edge. Coughing he made his presence known. Michelle's head flew up as did Ryan's round and they both stared at him.

"Should you tell me what?" he asked Michelle in a sarcastic tone he usually used when he knew he was just the topic of conversation and was being kept in the dark about something.

"Errr Ryan could you give us a minute" snipped Steve as he folded his arms and stared at Michelle.

Ryan turned back to his mum, he wanted to make sure she wanted to be left with Steve before fulfilling his request. No exchange was needed, the look Ryan gave her was enough for Michelle to nod and let him know what he needed to. It was time to face the music, just be honest with Steve, after all he was thrilled about having a baby. What scared her was that he was going to be annoyed that she lied and had been behaving so strangely lately. Ryan slipped away as Steve came and sat down where he had been opposite Michelle. At first she couldn't look at him and there was a silence as she worked out exactly how she wanted to say this to him. Impatient though Steve asked her again what it was she wanted to tell him, which instantly set her off crying.

"I'm so sorry Steve. It was really all too much and then there was the pressure, the engagement, a baby all at once and well the truth is, well I was scared Steve" She blurted out quickly but in a muffled, low and not well understood tone.

"It's ok to be scared" said Steve.

"No, no it's not. I was scared and because of that I wasn't fair with you" Michelle owned up.

"What are you saying Michelle?" quizzed Steve with a clipped tone in his voice as he sat back, keeping distance from her and awaiting some sort of clarification.

"The baby" she whispered.

"You lost the baby Michelle, that isn't your fault." Steve tried to comfort her knowing there was no point in being annoyed with her for things beyond her control but Michelle started shaking her head and he instantly felt as if he should be prepared to hear that it was her decision and she purposely aborted their child.

"What are you saying Michelle?" he asked with a knitted brow.

She looked up, Michelle couldn't not face him to tell him that she had lied, and he at least deserved to hear it face to face. Wiping away at her continuing tears she took a few deep breaths and tried to stop herself from shaking.

"I haven't lost the baby Steve, I lied" She whimpered.

Speechless Steve's jaw dropped and he just stuttered. He hadn't a clue how to respond because he was in shock, this was good news but at the same time it was in a way bad. Michelle had lied and that meant that maybe what they were building on was all lies but one look at her sat in front of him blubbering away and an emotional wreck he understood that just couldn't possibly be true. They loved each other enough and he was sure now if he stuck with her they could sort this out, why not he thought. Usually the pessimist he would have been annoyed but something inside Steve told him he would have to be the positive thinker for a while this time. When it had come to Michelle though and a relationship with her Steve had always been more than keen to stay in her good books and settle down with her, this was his chance to prove that and that despite his childish and immature nature at times he could be her rock when times were tough.

Michelle was panicking though, Steve had gone quiet and seemed to be in his own little world. He hadn't said anything. She stared at him, trying to make her tears dry up and go away as she frantically smudged them across her cheeks as they still continued to fall.

"Do you hate me?" she asked, she had to know. Michelle didn't want him resenting her for what she had done.

Steve smiled and knew that she needed the clarification. He had the urge to reach forward and hug her but didn't want to take her by surprise so reached forward and took her hand.

"I am ecstatic Michelle! I couldn't be happier. That is of course if you are?" he exclaimed and then quickly added on the end not wanting her to feel pressured into keeping the baby if she really didn't want to because she was clearly having doubts. He was so pleased to see her then give a small chuckle, she too was relieved that he wasn't moody, angry or upset by it all and let out a deep breath as she smiled.

"So we're having a baby then" Stated Steve, his words shocking them both with how weird they sounded. Michelle nodded by way of confirmation. She guessed they were, getting married and having a baby and the realisation of that sort of scared her and she could feel herself starting to freak out again. Steve was so happy though and she didn't want to ruin it for him so with a false smile she looked at him and confirmed.

"Yep, a baby"