I wasn't going to post this until tomorrow but I got excited so I hope you enjoy it! For the person who asked, I generally try to update this one on a Sunday afternoon and my other one on a Tuesday afternoon. Thank you again, for your reviews it means a lot.


Negative. She had got it wrong, again. She could feel the lump forming in her throat and the tears were blurring her vision. She couldn't say she wasn't disappointed, it may have been way too much way too soon but deep down, it would've been right. The fact that she had now had two scares and they'd both come back negative despite herself being so sure scared her. What if she couldn't have children? What if she had left it just that little bit too late?

She held her head in her hands as the tears slipped down her cheeks. She couldn't help but feel as though it was some kind sign, like she wasn't meant to have children. That she didn't deserve to. And how was she going to tell Jack? She thought she was pregnant but she wasn't and now there's a chance that she might not be able to conceive? He'd be disappointed that's for sure. But knowing Jack he'd try his best to be okay with it but on the inside it'll break him and that was the last thing he would need right now.

Nikki shook her head, gripping onto her hair, she'd have to tell him after the wedding. He'd been so excited and so happy she couldn't bear to think of letting him down now. But would that be fair? To trap him in a marriage first only to later reveal that they might be able to have children? Of course there were other ways of going about things but was he prepared to do that? Were they both prepared to do that?

She closed her eyes, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, trying to calm the panic that was quickly rising up inside her. Standing back up, she wiped her tears away and left the bathroom stall. She placed the white stick in the bin and washed her hands before checking in the mirror that it wasn't too obvious she had been crying. Satisfied that she looked okay she headed back to her desk, sitting down and pulling out some paperwork to try and distract herself.

Sam looked out of her office. She had seen Nikki come in only to disappear for about ten minutes and return with a glum look on her face. It didn't take long for the penny to drop and she was walking out of her office ready to comfort her.

"Cup of tea?" Sam asked to which Nikki had simply nodded not quite finding her voice. Sam made her way to the kettle and set about making the two of them a drink each. She soon finished up and was setting the cup down on Nikki's desk. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Nikki glanced up at Sam, taking a sip of the drink, "What is there to say? I got it wrong, again," she snapped. She regretted it the moment the words fell from her mouth, she hadn't meant to be so blunt but she couldn't help it. She was annoyed with herself, although she didn't have much reason to be. If she couldn't have children then it wasn't something she could've controlled, she supposed that she hoped she found out sooner. "Sorry," she added.

Sam gave the smallest of smiles, resting her hand on top of Nikki's, "You've got nothing to be sorry for. I can't imagine how you're feeling right now," she breathed. "I assume you didn't mention anything to Jack when you met up with him earlier?"

Nikki shook her head, "It wasn't really the time and I know I'm going to have to tell him about this now but I don't know what to do," she spoke, the tears quickly falling again. "What if I can't have children? I can't trap him in a marriage with the hopes of having children one day when in reality there's going to be no chance of that. But this wedding is the only thing keeping him going at the moment with everything that's going on with his father. I just don't want to make things worse either way."

"You can't be sure about any of that," Sam reassured her. "For all you know it could've been a false negative, you have been getting some of the symptoms haven't you?"

Nikki shrugged, "It could just be stress, I am meant to be getting married next week after all. I haven't exactly had a peaceful couple of weeks," she pointed out. "But, I did only take one test so it is a possibility. Or, maybe it's just too soon?"

"Could be," Sam agreed. "Why don't you leave it another week. Wait until after the wedding and try again? And if you do that, don't just take the one test. Do a few, just to be sure."

"Thank you Sam," Nikki's lip twitched fondly. "It's been so nice having you around. When Clarissa left I wasn't sure of how I would cope without having another woman around here to keep me sane," she chuckled. "I was so used to just having Harry and Leo to keep me company, I didn't realise how much I needed it."

"And they're not exactly the best company to have," Sam winked, smirking.

"You know I always imagined that it would be Leo walking me down the aisle," Nikki sighed. "I don't think I ever wanted it to be my dad, it wouldn't feel right somehow. He was never there for me, unless it suited him. But Leo, as much as he didn't like me saying it, was the only father figure in my life. The only person I could really and truly rely on. When we lost him I thought my life was over, I didn't know how I was going to move on from that. And then I had to come back here and sort everything out and I couldn't help but feel this anger. I was angry at him, angry at him for leaving me to deal with everything. Angry with him for being so trusting and such a good person all the time."

She paused, gathering herself. It wasn't often that she spoke about Leo, it still hurt her, even now. "If I hadn't had Jack or Clarissa by my side then I don't know what I would've done," she continued. "They were my rocks. Jack would go out of his way just to make sure that I was eating and that I wasn't pushing myself too hard. I wouldn't have survived that period in my life if it wasn't for the two of them."

"Well in answer to your other question I think the two of you will be just fine, whatever happens," Sam let out. "Jack loves you, a lot. And I really don't think that something like this is going to come between you. Just get through the wedding and then talk to him about it, I'm sure you'll both be okay in the end."

"Thank you, again," Nikki reiterated. "It means a lot to me that you are here for me right now."

"I'm here any time," Sam smiled. "And if I can be there for you in any way that Leo was then I've done the right thing. Now drink up your tea and concentrate on how exactly you're going to walk down that aisle."


It was Sunday morning. The day of their wedding. Neither of them had gotten that much sleep, the pair too excited for the day ahead of them. They had spent most of the night talking to each other. Although Nikki hadn't found the right moment to bring up what she had wanted to. She'd been so desperate to talk through it with him, he had the right to know after all but she wanted to wait until after the wedding. She wasn't sure of how he would react and she would much rather he walked away from her afterwards than before, to save the embarrassment of being left at the altar.

However this was Jack she was dealing with and he wasn't like most men, at least that's what she hoped. He did have his moments now and again. But one of the things she had learnt in the seven years that she had known him, he was more in touch with his feelings. Even if he did block some of them out or fought his way through them. She just had to trust that she knew him enough that he wouldn't walk away from her over something like this.

Sam's words had reassured her on top of everything. She had been right after all and she would have an outsider's perspective on things so surely she could rely on her opinion. Nikki looked over to Jack who was just staring at her. Reaching out she ran her finger along his cheek adoringly, a smile gracing his face at her touch.

"Just a couple of hours to go," he grinned. The smile dropped as the colour on Nikki's face drained and she was springing up out of bed and darted straight to the bathroom. Worrying about her, he instantly followed behind her. She had left the door open and he was met with her head hanging over the toilet bowl. Edging closer, he knelt down next to her, scooping her hair back out of her way with one hand. The other rubbing her back softly.

He winced but the retching soon stopped and she was wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and leaning herself up against the wall.

"You alright?" he asked. Nikki shrugged, her throat too sore to speak for the moment. "You haven't been right all week, are you sure there isn't something you want to tell me?"

Her eyes were blurring, "Can we talk about it after the wedding?" eventually escaped from her mouth.

"Sure," Jack nodded, not wanting to push it for the moment. He had other things on his mind. "But don't think that you're getting away with it that easily, I will get it out of you Dr Alexander," he winked at her, standing up. "Do you want some water?"

Nikki nodded, pushing herself up off the floor, "You won't be able to call me that anymore after today," she pointed out.

"I know that's why I'm getting as much use out of it while I can," he chuckled. "I will still be able to call you it at work though."

Nikki rolled her eyes, ignoring him and walking back into the bedroom. She headed over to her wardrobe, opening it up to reveal the dress she had chosen. She had taken Jack's advice in getting the floral dress and the moment that she had seen it she had fallen in love with it and she couldn't leave it behind.

She pulled it out and laid it out on the bed, admiring it. Her heart started racing as she gazed down at it, her nerves had been acting up for the whole week for so many different reasons and it was hard to pinpoint what was worrying her the most. She'd been replaying Sam's words over and over again in her head over the week. Given that she was still getting symptoms probably meant that the first test had been wrong, or it was something different entirely and that worried her more.

She ran her hand along the dress, taking a deep breath to calm herself and she was soon heading back to the bathroom to have a shower and get ready for the big day. She was just glad that both her and Jack had settled on throwing out the traditional wedding values and that he was there with her right now. She was stressed out enough as it was but it was reassuring to know that they would be in this together and for the whole way.

Jack on the other hand set about making the two of them some breakfast. He knew that Nikki would probably take the longest to get ready so he was quite happy to take a step back and take his time.

He buttered the toast, he didn't want to have something heavy, especially with Nikki being the way that she was at the moment. He had been worried about her, even if most of his time had been occupied by his dad. That was most likely the reason why she hadn't said anything about what was going on. And as much as he appreciated that she didn't want to pile everything on top of him at the moment, he just wished that she had talked to him about it. She'd promised to talk to him after the wedding but it was going to be on his mind all day now. He shrugged, he would just have to trust her and he absolutely did.

The smile graced his face as she walked downstairs, a towel wrapped around her head and one of his jumpers grazing her knees.

"You know," he started, pushing a plate in her direction as she sat down at the breakfast bar. "If you walked down the aisle like that I would still marry you."

"Good," she grinned.

Jack leaned down, his lips capturing hers.

After they finished their food, both of them headed back upstairs with Jack going in the shower whilst Nikki returned to the bedroom to make a start on her makeup. She didn't want something over the top, it wasn't her at the end of the day and as much of a strange day this was going to be she'd have to try and treat it like a normal day so as not to let her nerves get in the way.

It wasn't long before she felt satisfied with how she looked and she was stepping into her dress and luckily Jack was walking into the room at the right time as she was struggling to reach the zip at the back.

"Can you help me?" She asked, her eyes soft.

Jack stepped closer to her, gently taking hold of the zip and pulling it upwards. The dress tightening against her slender frame. He couldn't control the shaking in his hands. Placing his hands on her shoulders before running them down her arms, smoothing down the fabric. His arms were soon wrapping around her waist, bringing her flush against him. He tucked his face into her neck, pressing kisses into her flesh.

Nikki closed her eyes, breathing slowly as the goosebumps erupted across her skin.

"Are you sure about today?" He whispered into her neck. "If you want to change your mind, that's okay I'd understand."

Nikki quickly turned around in his arms, feeling her heart drop, "Of course I don't want to change my mind."

Jack's hands travelled to the back of her neck, his thumb moving in circles into her skin. He shrugged, "You just don't seem right. Not yourself somehow. I know you said you wanted to talk about it later but I can't help but feel as though this is something that can't wait until later. You're worrying me Niks."

Nikki exhaled, all she wanted to do was get through the day and not be stuck in her own head for hours on end. She'd wanted to talk about it later but if she didn't talk about it now then she might end up in an even worse position than she was already. She just had to hope that this didn't end up in an argument or even with them cancelling the day. She knew that that wouldn't happen but there was still that slither of doubt.

She fought back the tears, closing her eyes to steady herself before finally opening her mouth to speak, "I took a test," fell from her lips.

Jack felt his stomach drop but he didn't move, "What?"

"It was negative," Nikki wrapped her hands around Jack's wrist. "And I was so sure that it wouldn't be. I feel so different from the last time and I honestly thought that I was pregnant."

"Oh Niks," Jack's arms were quickly wrapping around her body, engulfing her as the tears slipped down her cheeks. Nikki gripped onto his skin, the sobs wracking through her. "Why didn't you just tell me? I could've been there for you, we're in this together now. You don't have to keep things bottled up all the time."

Nikki pulled back from him slightly, "I'm sorry," she breathed.

"What have you got to be sorry about?" his lips twitched, his hands returning to her neck, his thumbs wiping the tears away. Leaning down he planted a kiss on her forehead, his lips travelling down her face before connecting with hers. They soon parted. "Whatever happens, I'm still going to love you. I've loved you long enough, nothing is going to change that."

She couldn't help the smile that was quickly growing across her face, "I've still got that feeling though."

"What feeling?"

"That I'm pregnant," she stated. "I'm still getting the symptoms which, granted, could be something else entirely. But tests can get it wrong sometimes and I don't know," she shook her head.

"Well it's your body so chances are you know what's going on inside it," he spoke softly. "When did you take the test?"

"Last week."

"How about we take a test tomorrow, just to be sure," he offered. "And I'm going to be there this time so you won't be on your own."

Nikki nodded, her eyes welling up again, "I'd like that." Reaching up, her lips captured his briefly before pulling away. "I better go and sort my face out otherwise everyone else will start to worry."

Jack chuckled at that, dropping his hands so she could head back towards the mirror, sitting down on the stool that sat in front of it. "Like I said earlier, I'd still marry you."

She rolled her eyes, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew deep down that she had absolutely no reason to worry but sometimes she couldn't help but let her worries get the better of her. Maybe it was the better thing to tell him before the wedding, at least she'd be able to get through the day a lot easier and with less to overthink about.

Nikki fixed her makeup, eyeing up Jack in the reflection of the mirror as he fixed his tie. He very rarely ever got dressed up, unless the occasion called for it of course. She was only ever used to seeing him in jeans and t-shirts so it was quite a treat to see him in a suit. It suited him but she did definitely prefer him in usual outfits, it was more him.

Jack sat on the edge of the bed watching as Nikki did the finishing touches to her hair. She had gone for a style that was more elegant but still remained a sense of her. She had scooped most of it back, leaving two pieces in the front to frame her face. She'd slowly started to dye it back to blonde, getting bored of the brown. So now the colour was more like a dark blonde. And it suited her, but Jack thought that everything suited her so it made no odds to him.

He glanced down to the watch that sat on his wrist. One hour to go. One hour to go until he was going to be married and she was going to be sharing a last name with him. It had all gone so fast but he wouldn't have changed it for the world. And if Nikki was pregnant well that would just be the cherry on top of the cake. They'd agreed to give it at least a year but now there was a chance that she could be. Well, it wasn't something that he was going to get off his mind that easily.

Of course if she wasn't or if it was going to be something they'd need to put that little bit more effort into then he would be perfectly okay with that as well. He had meant what he'd said when he told her that he loved her. He'd meant it every time. He didn't think that he could love anyone more and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, through thick and thin. And today was just paramount to that.

He beamed as he caught her eye in the mirror and she was quickly turning in her chair to face him, her eyes lighting up.

"I'm ready," she grinned.

"Good," he replied, standing up and smoothing down his trousers. "I thought for a moment there that we'd miss our own wedding."

"Oh shut up," she laughed, standing up herself and tapping him on the arm as they made their way out of the bedroom.

Nikki waited by the stairs as Jack ran into the kitchen to pick up the keys for the car. Joining her back in the hallway and not a moment too soon. He was taking hold of her hand in his, squeezing it gently as he led the way out of the house.

He opened the car door, letting her in before walking round to his side and starting the car. They made their way to his dad's apartment. As Jack pulled up in the car park, Nikki insisted on staying in the car whilst Jack went up to go and get his dad. It would give him a moment to be alone with him.

Jack held his breath as he watched the numbers change on the panel. His palms were getting sweaty and his heart was beating so fast he thought he was going to pass out. He let go of that breath as the elevator stopped and he was on the right floor.

Leaving the elevator he walked round to his dad's flat and knocked heavily on the door. He had found himself being unable to stand still as he moved from one foot to the other. Eventually his dad opened his door and was wearing a suit not too dissimilar from his own. He looked paler than usual but the smile that was on his face made up for that. Jack knew that his dad was trying his best to remain strong for today and he couldn't appreciate that anymore than he already did.

"Are you ready?" Conor asked.

"I think so," Jack bit his lip in anticipation. "I hope so."

Conor reached out, patting his son on the shoulder, "You've got this. Don't worry. Let's make a move shall we?"

"After you," he spoke, gesturing his hand for his father to take the lead.

They were soon coming out of the elevator and heading back to the car. It was a half an hour car ride to the registry office now but they had plenty of time, they'd just have to hope that the traffic wasn't too bad. But given that it was a Sunday afternoon they'd probably be just fine.

Jack had spent most of the journey with his hand on Nikki's thigh. He'd put it there initially because her leg wouldn't stop shaking and he was trying his best to calm her. It stayed there when she put her own hand on top. Not much had been said, all three of the people in the car were full of excitement and nervousness and none of them quite knew what to say.

After what felt like forever they were finally pulling up in the car park. Everyone else was already there and were patiently waiting outside for the couple to arrive. Thankfully the weather report had been wrong about the rain and was seemingly holding off as the sun shone brightly in the sky. Nikki couldn't help but take it as a sign that things were going to go well and that this was the right thing to do.

Jack squeezed her thigh quickly before opening up the car door, walking around and opening the doors for both Nikki and his dad. As soon as they got out, he locked the car giving them a quick smile before making his way over to their guests.

"How are you feeling?" Clarissa chirped up, smirking.

"Fine," he answered, pausing; not quite believing his own voice. "I think. I'm more excited than nervous though."

"Well that's always a good sign," Sam smiled. She flicked her wrist to look at her watch. "We've still got twenty minutes to go."

"I'm sure they'd let us in now," Max offered.

"Let's go in then," Jack headed through the entrance, Max and Clarissa following behind.

Sam stayed back, eyeing Nikki before making her way over to her.

"You look…" she started. "Amazing."

"Thank you," Nikki blushed, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

Picking up that the two women wanted a moment to themselves, Conor backed off walking towards the building that everyone had disappeared into.

"I've told him," Nikki sighed, getting straight to the point.

"And?"

"Everything's okay," Nikki's lips twitched. "We're going to take another test tomorrow to make sure that it was the right result. And if that comes back negative as well then I really think we are going to work through it however way we're going to work through it."

"I'm glad," Sam nodded. "And how are you feeling today?"

"Nervous," Nikki's hand subconsciously rested on her stomach. "Scared, excited, every emotion humanly possible at the moment."

Sam chuckled, noticing where Nikki's hand had travelled, "You're feeling perfectly normal then."

They both snapped their head towards the building as Conor was making their way towards them quickly, announcing that they were ready to get started now if everyone else was. Sam and Nikki shared a look before Sam was leaving just her and Conor.

"Uh I wanted a word with you before we went in," Conor began. Nikki's face dropping at his tone, not quite sure of it but she remained silent. "I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for my son. He really loves you Nikki and I've never seen him like this before. I hope that he makes you as happy as you've made him. I wish that I could be around for longer to see you make your family but I am sure that the two of you will be just fine."

Nikki knew that it was going to be an emotional day and she wasn't sure where the tears would end but sure enough her eyes were welling up again. She took hold of Conor's arm, "Thank you. It's reassuring to know that I've got your blessing."

"You were always going to get my blessing," he smiled. "I knew from the first time that I met you that you were going to be the one to make my son the happiest man on the planet. I'm just glad I get to see at least a moment of that."

"I better get in there before Jack thinks I've run off," she laughed softly, dabbing at her eyes slowly so as not to smudge her makeup.

Conor's face mirrored hers as she looped her arm around his and they made their way through the entrance. In the rush of everything they hadn't got round to settling on any music to play but they were quite enjoying the silence, it was far from uncomfortable. She leaned slightly into Conor, her arm tightening around his and the tears were slipping down her cheeks the moment her eyes connected with Jacks. She had spent all morning with him so she didn't have a clue where this wave of emotion was coming from.

Despite there being other people with them in the room Jack felt it was only him and Nikki. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He'd been staring at her the whole morning but she looked so beautiful in that moment. He really was the luckiest person in the world and there was the slightest chance that she could be carrying his baby right now. It almost felt too good to be true, but maybe now was their time to be happy. They'd earned it enough with everything they had been through over the past couple of years.

Nikki was soon stopping in front of him and he couldn't control himself as his hand brushed hers, the slightest contact causing the tears he was trying hold back dropping.

Not wanting to further complicate things they stuck to keeping the traditional vows. Although Jack was starting to wonder how he was able to get his words out. His voice had wobbled in ways he never thought that it could and he had been so lost in the moment he wasn't even fully aware of what he was saying. He meant every word he said but he felt as though he was on cloud nine and as much as he was trying to capture everything in his mind he was struggling.

Nikki was in pretty much the same state as him. She was surprised that the two of them were actually sounding coherent and she just hoped that everyone else was paying attention because at least they would have documented it in their heads somehow.

It wasn't until the words "You may now kiss the bride" were spoken that it really sank in just what was going on. Nikki felt her heart flutter as Jack pecked her on the lips whilst everyone around them clapped. She smiled at Jack's unwillingness to put on very public displays of affection. He'd been fine about it in front of his dad so she wasn't sure of what was making a difference now.

Not that she particularly cared right now as she laced her hand through his and looked around the room at all of their friends. They still had all the legal stuff to sign which didn't take them too long and before they knew it they were all making their way to the pub.

Wanting to give the couple some space, Conor shared the car with Sam. Jack looked over to Nikki as he parked up. There was going to be no chance of anything wiping the smile off his face at the moment. And he just wondered how long this feeling was going to last. He couldn't quite describe it but he felt as though there was a chemical reaction going on in his body and he was going to explode at any moment from all the excitement. That feeling only increased when his eyes connected with hers.

"So, Mrs Hodgson," he started. Nikki felt her heart dropping at the sound of the words coming out of his mouth. He'd teased her before but now that it was official it felt different and it couldn't make her happier. "What do you want your first drink to be as a married woman?"

"Well, Mr Hodgson," she grinned. "I think I will play it safe and stick to the orange juice."

"Probably the best call," he winked.

Nikki took Jack's hand in hers, bringing it rest on her stomach. Her eyes were blurring and her skin was tingling at the thought that maybe the test had been wrong. She hoped it was wrong anyway. She leaned over the threshold, her lips connecting with his.