A/N: I know it's been ages since I updated this, but I found this half written on my computer and thought I better finish it off. I'm gonna try and wrap this up in the next few chapters. In the meantime, let me know what you think.

Chapter 43

Three weeks after giving birth Sydney was in the midst of preparing to sit her final exams. Classes ended at the school and her Becky and Jesse were around almost everyday helping Sydney with her revision as the three girls attempted to condense everything they'd learnt throughout the year into a few short pages of notes. English was their first exam, followed by four more each before they were finally done with their high school education. On the morning of their first exam, a sleep deprived Sydney was escorted to the venue, Michael and baby Amelia in tow. Laura, who had gone to wish her students good luck, carefully picked her granddaughter up out of her pusher, holding the infant close to her chest, while Sydney attempted some last minute cramming. "How's she been?" Laura asked Michael.

"Good. Unfortunately she was up most of last night, so I don't think Syd ended up getting a lot of sleep."

"It's always hard in the beginning, but she'll get better."

"I know, it's just hard now 'cause Syd's got exams, we'll be alright once that's over."

"When are you going back to work?"

"Once Syd's finished her exams. And I've worked out everything for Summer, I'm working days so Syd can work mostly nights, I think she's gonna work some days though."

"We can look after Amelia if need be." Michael laughed,

"I think you'll have to get in line. Mum, Dad and Libby are coming down just before Christmas, and I'm pretty sure Dad wants to make up for lost time." Laura laughed in agreement. She knew she and Jack were lucky to get to see their granddaughter as much as they did, although she wasn't as sure about what was going to happen the following year. Michael was planning to start Uni in the New Year, and she was certain that Sydney and Amelia would follow him to Melbourne. Just before 9am the exam supervisors opened the doors, calling the students inside. Taking Amelia with her, Laura went over to the door, wishing each of her students good luck with their exam. Truthfully she was going to miss some of her students when they finally left, after all she'd taught most of them their whole high school careers, watching them grow and mature as she'd done her own daughter. Sydney was last in line. Kissing her baby daughter on the forehead and giving her mother a shaky smile, she entered the building, doors closing firmly behind her. "Are you going home?" Laura asked, turning back to face Michael.

"Nuh, I'm gonna wait around here for Sydney to come out."

"Do you wanna grab a coffee and come back?"

"Sure," he agreed, swivelling the empty pusher around while Laura continued to cradle her granddaughter.

Shortly after 11am Michael and Laura returned to the park where they had left Sydney only two hours earlier. Four of Sydney's classmates were sitting around the benches that sat to one side of the playground, talking in hushed tones. "How was it?" Laura asked approaching the small group. "Painless," one answered, fiddling with her pens on the table. Laura smiled, she remembered all to well what it was like to cram for days on end, trying to fit in that last morsel of information into an overcrowded brain. Michael also sympathised with what they were going through, only twelve months ago he was in their shoes, taking exams that would shape the rest of their lives. He envied Sydney and her classmates though, after spending the year with her, living a small town life, he couldn't help but be jealous of the lifestyle they shared, and the extra academic attention they received, he himself had attended one of the top private schools in Melbourne, Libby too was attending an elite private school and the attention that they received was nothing compared to what Sydney and her peers received at the much smaller P-12 College. Sydney emerged just before 12, her exhausted state clear in the way she dawdled from the hall, the extra weight from her pregnancy still evident around her middle, despite the trackpants and oversized t-shirt she wore. Michael wheeled the pusher over to his girlfriend, kissing her cheek softly and curling his arm around her waist. The new parents looked lovingly into the stroller at their daughter, sleeping peacefully, as they approached the larger group of students now gathered around the picnic table.

At precisely 12:15 the doors of the hall opened and the remaining students exited the building, stretching the aches from their bodies. The group of twenty students congregated near the slides, chatting animatedly as the girls cooed over baby Amelia. Laura spoke with everyone again briefly, before people started to disperse. Sydney, Michael and Jesse headed back off towards the block of flats where the teenagers were residing. "When's your next exam Jess?" Michael asked, attempting to make conversation. "Monday, got my first maths exam, then Wednesday for second, and Biology and lit after that. I'm looking forward to it all being over."

"What are you hoping to do next year?"

"I'm planning to do a double degree in Arts/Commerce, don't really care what uni I go to. What are you doing next year?"

"I deferred to come down here this year, but I've got a place in Melbourne studying Law."

"Are you going to go back down?"

"We haven't really discussed what's happening yet? Everything's just been so hectic with Amelia, but to be honest, I love it here and I'm not sure that I'm ready to go back to Melbourne yet."

"It is a beautiful place," Jesse agreed, "I wasn't sure I wanted to be here, but Sydney and everyone have been so amazing, it makes all the difference."

"Is your family staying down here when you leave?"

"I think so. They're happy and settled here, and it'll be nice to have somewhere to come back to."

"Definitely. We've been coming here for a few years, and I swear it gets more beautiful each time. And I'd love for Amelia to grow up in a place like this." Minutes later they arrived at their respective residences, Sydney saying a quick goodbye to her friend before unlocking the front door and pushing the pram containing her sleeping daughter into the flat. Stopping the pusher next to the table she unbuckled her child, lifting her from the pusher and taking her into the bedroom laying her down in the bassinet, tucking her in gently. Assured that the infant was slumbering peacefully she checked the baby monitor and walked out of the dark room, shutting the door quietly. Michael was in the kitchen making a sandwich when Sydney emerged from the bedroom. Watching her shuffle slowly across the floor, he took in her appearance. The teen looked exhausted, the recent birth of their child and the stress of studying for her final exams had taken its toll. Dark bags hung under her eyes and her skin looked deathly pale. Her stomach stuck out as though she was still expecting and her attempts to hide her excess weight only made it more obvious. "Syd, babe, get some rest. I'll look after Amelia," he told her, stepping towards her to press a kiss to the side of her head. She nodded tiredly, heading into their bedroom, collapsing on the bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.