Jenny thought tonight would be the perfect time. It was windy and cold, but the sky was clear. Their favourite sort of night. Sometimes after dinner they would rug up and go outside to look up at the stars and talk about all manner of things. It was during one of those discussions that Jenny had realised that though they appeared quite different, they were so similar.

It was settled. Tonight, she would make his favourite dinner, put on some jazz, light some candles. She would let him talk shop as much as he wanted, and when he ran out of steam, she would tell him her news.

…

After going shopping, Jenny had gone home and cooked, then slipped into her favourite dress and put on some soft jazz, her stomach awash with nervousness. They had made an agreement a few weeks before that she wouldn't argue with him about being home late if he would just call to let her know it might be a possibility, but she was thankful the phone remained quiet. He would be home any minute now! Jenny smiled to herself and wriggled in her seat, nervousness and excitement making it hard to sit still.

But then the blasted phone rang. She knew straight away who it was and what they would say. "Dennis?"

"Aye." Came a sigh. "I'm sorry."

"How late?"

"I'm not sure. It could be a late one, we have a missing couple on the moors." In his office, Dennis rubbed his temple. After Jenny had called him at lunch time, he was sure she had had something special planned.

Disappointment flowed over Jenny, but she reminded herself that at least he had called. At least she wouldn't be the one who had to trample the moors all night. "Can I do anything to help?"

"I don't think so. I'll let you know."

"Ok. Well, try and keep warm and don't do anything stupid. And don't forget to have something to eat!"

Dennis smiled. "Yes, Mrs Merton. I'll see you when I see you."

"I love you, Dennis."

His hand that had been about to hang up stilled at this. It wasn't something they often said to one another. An I love you, a quiet dinner- Something was wrong. "..I love you, too, Jen."

…

When Dennis got home very late that night, almost the next morning in fact, he tried to climb gently into bed so as not to wake his wife.

"Did you find them?" She asked sleepily.

"Aye we did." The scot said softly. He watched her for a long time before he went to sleep.

…

This would be the perfect place. It was sunny, the sky clear and blue, and the green was quiet for once. Jenny had set up the lunch on the bench, all Dennis' favourites, and when he arrived she would wait for him to get his shop talk out of the way and then she would tell him.

Ten minutes later she saw with dismay not a green car, but a police car. Alf Ventress. He got out and ambled over with a smile. "Sorry, Jenny love, he's been delayed. Oh! Scotch eggs."

"Help yourself." Jenny sighed.

..

Three days. Three bloody days Jenny had tried to talk to her husband, and for three days her attempts had been thwarted by what felt like just about everyone in the village.

Jenny banged a glass medicine container down on the counter, and jumped when a voice spoke in the waiting room that she had thought was empty.

"All alone young lady?"

Jenny gave a small smile and glanced up. "For now. There'll probably be half the village through that door any second."

"Well, I won't hang around then. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go out for a bite to eat tonight. I know you've-"

The door flew open, and Jenny gave Dennis an apologetic smile before rushing to help the older lady into the doctor's office.

"..been trying to talk to me about something." Dennis finished with a sigh. He scribbled a note down and then left.

…

As part of his investigation that day, Dennis found himself at The Royal, and as he was leaving one of the doctors rushed after him. "Would you be able to pass this on to Jenny? She asked for some information." The brochure that was handed to him had job listings, among other things. It made Dennis' heart sink. It was hard enough trying to find time together as it was, but if she had to commute so far for work..if she commuted.

..

When Dennis got back to the station that evening, he was exhausted. It would be too late to take Jenny out anywhere, and by now she would probably be in bed anyway, annoyed with him for not calling.

"Sarge. Message from Jenny. She's gone to visit her parents for a few days."

"She what?" Dennis asked with dismay before he marched to his office. This week was getting worse and worse. Too late to call her there, as well. Had she left because she angry with him, was someone unwell, was -

"Sarge?"

"What?!"

Alf frowned. "Call for you."

With a sigh and an almost apologetic look, Dennis picked up the phone. "Merton."

"It's me."

The tension on his shoulders began to ease when she didn't sound annoyed. "Hello, you. Are you ok?"

"I just needed some time away from..the whole village. I can't seem to get a second to myself. Or a second with you."

"Aye, I know. I'm sorry." Dennis sighed.

"It's not your fault." Jenny replied, adding "this time."

Dennis smiled at this. "Thank you. Maybe I could take a couple of days off and come down to your parents…"

"I'm not there. I was going to, but then..well, Steve is there so there was no guarantee of any quiet."

"Where are you, then?" Dennis frowned. He didn't like not knowing where she was.

"Scarborough. I've got a hotel room by the beach. Dennis, what I've been trying to tell you is-"

"Sh." He interrupted. "Not over the phone. I'll come down. Now. Or in the morning."

Jenny toyed with the telephone cord. "..you know what I want to tell you, don't you."

"Maybe. But I want to hear you say it. Face to face."

After Jenny gave him the address of the hotel and bid him a quiet goodnight, Dennis hung up and let out a long breath.

Jenny was going to leave him.

…

"This feels naughty." Dennis offered quietly as he slipped off his hat while entering the hotel room early the next morning.

Jenny shushed him with a smile, closing the door behind him before she rushed back to the warmth of the bed. "I can't believe this is what it takes to get time alone together.."

"It will pass. It has before." Dennis offered hopefully as he sat on the edge of the bed before taking his wife's hand. He needed to hear her say it. "Don't keep me in suspense any longer, please."

Jenny gave a small smile, looking down at their hands. "..I'm pregnant."

Dennis stared at her wide eyes, and then a smile slowly began pulling at his lips. "You're what?!"

Jenny gave a hesitant return smile. "Is that what you thought?"

"Not at all! I thought you wanted to take that job at The Royal! The doctor gave me a brochure she thought you might like, and it was all job listings."

"Well, maybe you need to work on your detective skills, Dennis Merton. The first page is, the others are about their specialised wards. Like the maternity ward."

Dennis leaned down to kiss his wife once, then again and again with a growing grin on his face. "I'm going to be a father!"