Sorry that this update has taken so long (I've been getting that frustrating 503 error every time I've tried to upload this weekend!). Thanks so much for still reading! I'm really enjoying writing this story, so I'm glad that you are enjoying reading it! Reviews are, as always, very much appreciated!

Izzie laid out on the doctor's bed, the white paper cover crinkling beneath the weight of her body. As she thought back to the first time they were here anxiety flooded her body, causing her feet to twitch at the end of the bed. She turned her head to look at Tom, his hands folded in his lap. Oblivious, he ran his thumbs over the backs of his hands as she watched him. His eyes flicked up to meet hers and he raised a questioning eyebrow. Izzie reached out for his hand, taking a sharp breath as the cold jelly of the ultrasound hit her skin. Tom shifted the chair closer to her, taking her hand in both of his. She took a deep breath and held it, only releasing when Tom squeezed her hand. Channeling his calm through their joined hands, he breathed evenly; encouraging her, without words, to do the same. The doctor turned to the couple, smiling. "Everything is looking good," Tom leaned closer, trying to peek at the image on the screen. "Are we finding out baby's gender today?" He asked, twisting on his stool to face Tom and Izzie.

Tom's heart sank. His thoughts turned to the previous weeks argument and how long it had taken him to beg and bribe his way back into Izzie's good books. Anything, he'd told himself, anything for her. She saw him physically slouch at the doctor's question, his heart breaking in front of her. Izzie's own heart breaking at the thought. This has been a long hard road, and it wasn't getting any easier. She imagined him telling their friends, their colleagues; that broad, handsome smile she'd fallen in love with years ago spread across his face. And she knew then what she really wanted.

"No," Tom's voice was firm.
"Yes," Izzie's shook, as her answer rolled over his. They looked at each other, and the beginnings of a smile played on Tom's lips. He placed his hand over hers, looking into her eyes. Izzie nodded at the doctor, confirming their decision. He continued to move the stick across her taught skin.
"Are you sure, Love?" Happiness threatened to spill over his insides, Izzie twisted slightly to face Tom. "I waited so long, before. I can wait a bit longer" he said, knowing he was no longer talking about the baby. She nodded, leaning her head into his chest, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. But as the Doctor turned the screen towards them, a fresh wave of anxiety flooded over Izzie.

"Tom," she called from her position on the sofa. Izzie had been sprawled out for most of the evening; finding a comfortable position becoming increasingly difficult as the baby grew. "Tom," she called again when he didn't respond, "I need your help." His head poked around the doorframe, damp tea towel draped over one shoulder. She looked up at him, the dull pain that brushed along her back showing in her eyes. He stepped fully into the room, bending to grab her outstretched hand. She pulled herself up to a standing position, simultaneously pulling Tom closer. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling a slight nudge from her abdomen against his hand.
"Someone's awake" he said, pulling back to look into Izzie's eyes. She brushed the hair from her face before reaching up to cup his cheek.
"Pistachio" she grinned at him, his eyebrows knitting themselves together in confusion.
"Pistachio?" he questioned.
"Yeah," she walked past him, and he turned to follow her.

He found her digging in the top drawer of the freezer. She stepped back, raising to her full height.
"Ice cream" he muttered under his breath "of course." Izzie turned back to face him, the right corner of her bottom lip tucked under her teeth.
"There isn't any pistachio!" She threw her arms up in frustration. Izzie had known there wouldn't be any, she'd never once even considered buying ice cream that wasn't rum and raisin. This knowledge did nothing to mellow her annoyance, and she banged a closed fist on the counter. Tom pulled the towel down from his shoulder and laid it over the back of a chair. He thought about arguing that it was late, that tomorrow he would buy all the pistachio ice cream she wanted. Months ago he had told her that she was no longer alone, and made a promise to himself years before that he would do anything to make Izzie Redpath happy. One look at her and he was reaching for his keys.

Tom returned from the supermarket thirty minutes later. Kicking the front door closed behind him, he strode into the kitchen. He placed the bag for life, containing the required pistachio ice cream and another tub of chocolate caramel for him and the girls, on the table. Tom took two bowls from the cupboard and scooped three spoons of bright green ice cream into one. Licking the spoon in between, he filled the other with chocolate caramel. Walking into the lounge he called Izzie's name, before turning the corner to see her laid on the sofa, eyes closed once again. She was on her side, one leg stretched out flat against the sofa, the other sticking out, toes stretching to reach the coffee table. She didn't look like she could possibly be comfortable, but he knew better than to mention comfort. He rolled his eyes, putting both bowls of ice cream down before gently shaking her shoulder. She awoke slowly, and stretched out to Tom. He held onto her and she began pulling herself to her feet. "Take me to bed, Tom Clarkson" she whispered in his ear, eyes still closed. She draped an arm around his neck, and he turned their bodies towards the door; leaving the ice cream to melt on the coffee table.

She dry heaved as the gloopy green liquid ran from the bowl, mixing with the warm water in the sink.
"Hey'" Chlo said, placing a hand on her mother's shoulder, "I'll do that." Chlo took the bowl from Izzie, who turned glaring at Tom.
He looked up from over the morning paper, "I don't know what you're making that face for. You loved it last night!"
Her stony look still solid, "pistachio?" She said as her brow knitted together, "I don't think I'd ever say such a thing."
Tom rolled his eyes behind the paper, not brave enough for Izzie to actually see. "You made me go out at half nine last night to get it, then ravished me when I got home!" It was Chlo's turn to dry heave, as she made eye contact with Tom across the kitchen.
"That sounds more like me," Izzie winked at Tom, a smile now spreading across her face.
"I think I'll make my own way to school this morning" Chlo said, bending to pick up her bag from in the doorway.
"Bye love," Izzie called down the hallway after her.
"Keep that up and they'll have both moved out by the time she's 16" Tom chuckled to himself. He folded his paper, reaching over the table to stroke Izzie's hand, "It was a joke, Iz" he said, seeing the tears pooling in her eyes, "I didn't mean it!"