The next day Ruth was allowed to go home, on the condition that she would spend a lot of time on bed rest, as she wasn't recovered fully yet. The MRI and CT scans had showed that she seemed to have no lasting damage from the gunshot, except her headaches, but they seemed to be getting less severe already. Ruth felt incredibly lucky as she got dressed into some clothes Harry had brought for her.

"Where's Lucy?" she asked quietly.

"Trying on her new school uniform," Harry said. "She wants to show you when you get home."

"Oh, I love that girl so much," Ruth said, putting her blouse on. Harry got rather an eye full as she buttoned it up and Ruth noticed with a smile. "Like what you see do you?" she said, straightening up.

"Mm, well its been a month since I've seen you naked," he grumbled. "I swore it'd never be that long ever since…"

"Yeah, I know," she said, knowing he was referring to the time when their relationship was in trouble years ago. "I didn't plan to be shot and hospitalised for two weeks. And I hated it when you were in Ireland too."

"Well then, we're going to have to make up in spectacular fashion then aren't we?" Harry said, a low purr. She blushed but didn't argue with him. After all, that sounded like a fun way to spend an evening. Her face was still warm when she signed her discharge papers and Harry laughed at her slightly as they made their way to the car.

Back in the house, Ruth felt delighted to see Lucy dancing around in her uniform. Thursday was her first day of school and Catherine had bought her uniform (with a little input from Ruth) as Lucy wasn't enamoured with going shopping since what had happened the last time.

"You look very smart," Ruth said, sitting down by the kitchen table and smiling at her.

"I'm so excited!" Lucy beamed. "I can't wait!"

"I know sweetheart," Harry said, kissing her head. "Why don't you get changed, so your uniform'll be all smart for Thursday."

"Okay!" She danced across the kitchen and then paused at the kitchen door. "Daddy? Am I getting a baby sister?"

"Er… no," Harry said quickly. He glanced at Ruth for reassurance and she shook her head.

"No sweetheart, you're not getting a baby sister, or brother for that matter." Ruth said gently. "Why did you think you were Lucy?"

"Catey was talking on the phone," Lucy said. "She was talking about buying a cot and decorating a nursery. I thought… I might be getting a sister." She looked very downcast but no one was paying her any attention as both Harry and Ruth were staring at Catherine who had turned bright red with embarrassment.

"You're pregnant?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yes," Catherine said. "I can't believe she was listening to me. She really is your daughter."

"You're…" Harry tailed off as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Please don't be mad," she said in a very small voice.

"Of course I'm not mad," he said, a broad smile filling his face. "Why would I be mad? This is wonderful!"

"Really?"

"I'm not a monster," he said indignantly. "My daughter's having a baby. Its great news." He hugged Catherine tightly and no one missed the look of relief on her face. "Oh, my first grandchild!"

"Maybe not," Catherine said before she could stop herself. Harry frowned in confusion. "Lydia's pregnant too," she added when the silence became unbearable.

Harry's grin looked like it might actually split his face in two. "I'm so happy," he said. Then he picked a bewildered Lucy up and twirled her around, making her giggle. "I would suggest opening a bottle of champagne, but since only one of us here actually likes it, or is able to drink it, maybe not the best idea."

Catherine smiled. "Maybe not," she agreed.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked, thoroughly confused.

"Lydia and Catherine are both going to have a baby," Ruth explained, lifting Lucy up to her lap and stroking her hair.

"Does that mean you're going to get fat?" Lucy asked loudly. Ruth was horrified but Catherine laughed.

"I guess so," she agreed. "I'll get very big."

"So I'm going to have a cousin?" Lucy asked wide eyed.

"Technically a niece or a nephew," Harry said stroking her hair. "But if you want to call these new additions cousins, I'm sure that's fine."

Lucy grinned happily at the same time Ruth stifled a yawn. "Go to bed," Harry said. "I know you're tired." Ruth didn't need much persuasion.

That night Ruth looked in the mirror and felt suitably depressed. She had about an inch square of hair missing on the back of her head where they had extracted the bullet in surgery. This was the first time she'd studied it critically and she didn't like it. It would grow back, she thought with a sigh. Another thing which irritated her was that she'd just noticed that her hair was turning grey. For the last year she'd been finding the odd grey strand but now, looking in the mirror she saw how obvious it was.

"You're beautiful," Harry said as he came into the bathroom.

"I don't feel it," she said accurately. "Did you call Graham?"

"Yes. I congratulated him, but don't change the subject," Harry said. "You are gorgeous."

"I'm going grey and you can see my head there so it looks like I'm going bald," Ruth said pointing to her bare head. Harry looked at her and then planted his lips on the naked patch of skin.

"I love you." She smiled as his arms went around her waist.

"Kiss me there again," she whispered. He happily obliged and she started to feel like she was melting with happiness.

"You knew didn't you," he said. "About Catherine and Lydia."

"I did," she said. "They were a little scared of telling you. Apparently I have a handle on you the way no one else can quite manage."

"Mm," he said. "I'm not arguing with that." He kissed her neck before speaking again. "I want to make love to you," he said in a low voice. "If you're feeling up to it?"

"Absolutely," she said with a smile. "Lucy asleep?"

"Yes." Ruth grinned, as experience had taught them that once Lucy was asleep, nothing would wake her.

"Come on then." She turned around and kissed him passionately, both looking forward to the night.

As LouBelle04 requested, there will be an M rated piece following on from this chapter. Just have to write it first! Hope this was enjoyed...