Steve didn't know how long he remained on the sofa after Kate had left. How had that gone so badly so quickly? He knew he was completely to blame after that classy comment about accusing her of sleeping around. If their friendship hadn't been finished before this evening, it definitely was now.

Without thinking he retrieved his phone and dialled her number. He had to try and apologise. He wanted to ask if they could have a do over and have the conversation again now that he had got his head around the news. There was so much that he wanted to say that he simply couldn't let that be their last conversation. He waited and waited but Kate didn't pick up and eventually it rang out. He hung up sadly and headed to bed. His stomach no longer wanting food and for once his mind occupied with something other than his back pain. Sleep was hard to come by, but when he eventually did succumb, his brain hadn't been medicated with alcohol and pain killers so for the first time in a long time he dreamt.


He found himself in an unfamiliar bedroom yet he felt strangely at home and that he belonged there. He was in bed spooning Kate and she seemed to be happy with this arrangement . He glanced at the alarm. Twenty minutes before it would normally go off. Reaching for Kate's left hand that was resting on her leg, Steve rubbed one of his fingers over the two rings that had pride of place on her ring finger, whilst he closed his eyes and relaxed until it was time to get up. He still couldn't believe his luck that they were married. Kate made a contented noise at his actions, letting him know she was awake as well.

From outside their bedroom came the sound of thundering little footsteps which stopped outside the room. Steve heard the bedroom door flung open before it banged into a nearby wall.

"Daddy!" He heard his three year old daughter shout from the doorway, in an urgent tone that sounded as if her world was about to end. "I've lost Snowy bear!".

Steve stayed where he was. "Someone has switched her on far too early this morning," Steve mumbled to his wife. He loved his daughter more than words could say but she had far too much energy most of the time and way too much for this time of the morning.

"Daddy! It's 'mergency," she informed her father again just as urgently, trying to rouse him from his bed. Having two police officers for parents, her small vocabulary was littered with words she often heard them using when talking together. "I'm sorting what toys to take to Papa Ted and I can't find Snowy,".

"Coming," Steve replied to his daughter's satisfaction. Her little footsteps could be heard retreating back to her bedroom. Steve remained where he was, intent on not getting out of bed until the alarm went.

"Daddy, you comin'?" his daughter shouted impatiently from her bedroom.

"Just filing a MISPER report for Snowy," Steve shouted back. He knew his three year old wouldn't have a clue what he was talking about but it might buy him a couple of extra minutes in bed.

"Stop winding her up and go and look for that damn teddy," Kate advised. She was now wide awake with all the shouting that was going on.

"Kaaaaaaate," whined Steve.

"Oh no! I'm not getting up," Kate responded, knowing full well what Steve wanted. "She quite clearly was after your help,".

"For cry sake, Steve!" Was heard from their daughter's bedroom, sounding exactly like Kate when she was exasperated or annoyed with her husband. Although not quite the right words, it was very obvious that their daughter had heard it enough to repeat it and understand that it usually prompted Steve to do as he was asked.

Kate started laughing at their daughter's comment. "Wonderful!" Steve said as he rolled on his back preparing to get up, recognising he had lost the fight to stay in bed. "Our daughter has learned how to swear at three years old and I think judging from that comment it's all your fault!" He teased as he sat up and searched for a pair of boxer shorts to put on before helping his daughter.

"Once you've found Snowy, can you get her dressed?" Asked Kate as she stretched, preparing to get out of bed herself. "I'll have a quick shower and then get her breakfast,".

"Sure," replied Steve through a yawn. He headed to his daughters room where he found her in her pink pyjamas, arms crossed, clearly annoyed he had kept her waiting. She looked exactly like a mini replica of Kate except for longer hair and his brown eyes. "Who we looking for again?" He asked as he rubbed his eyes surveying the large number of stuffed toys in the room. She had far too many, Steve decided.

"Snowy,".

"Which one's Snowy? White I'm guessing,".

"No. Black with the yellow boots," replied the little girl in a tone which suggested she thought her father was rather stupid.

It took a while, but Steve eventually prevailed in finding the missing toy. Over night it had fallen off the bed and was now wedged between it and the wall. "Found him!" He said victoriously, holding the bear aloft, before handing it to his daughter who accepted it gladly.

Steve realised she was about to scamper off somewhere else and was quick enough to pick her up whilst she was still in arms reach. "Err, not so fast, Lily," Steve said as he lifted her in his arms so she was now facing him. "What do you say?".

"Thank you, Daddy," Lily replied as her little arms reached around Steve's neck to give him a hug.

You're welcome sweetheart," Steve replied as he gave her a little kiss on the cheek. Keeping his daughter happy meant everything to Steve. He had promised her he would as soon as she had been placed in his arms for his first hold after she was born. She had him wrapped around her little finger ever since. "Mummy wants me to get you dressed. What do you want to wear today?" He asked as he headed to her wardrobe and opened the doors. A large number of mainly pink clothes met his eyes.

"Something pink,".

"Doesn't really narrow it down, Lily,".

When Kate arrived in the room a bit later she found Lily in a pair of denim dungarees with a pink t-shirt on underneath. Steve handed Lily over to Kate who took over parenting duties whilst Steve showered. He didn't take long and was soon walking down stairs with his suit jacket in his hands.

He found Kate and Lily in the kitchen. Lily in her chair making a mess of eating her toast. Kate had made him some as well as a coffee. He quickly finished them before giving Lily a kiss on the top of her head, avoiding her outstretched hands. He had learnt from experience that jam covered fingers made a right mess of his waistcoats. Heading over to Kate he received a more thorough kiss to send him on his way. "See you two later," he said as he went to the door.

Work went by quickly. It was a desk day which he didn't mind. As a proud husband and father, his once bare desk now had lots of photos on display of Lily and Kate that were his pride and joy. Many of his colleagues often commented on them. His phone bleeped distracting him from his report typing. Picking it up he saw he had a message from Kate. Going to be late. Can u pick Lily up from Ted's?. Sure. New case? Steve texted back. Kate hadn't mentioned anything about being late that morning. No. Will tell u later xx.

Five o'clock arrived and Steve was on his way to Ted Hasting's house. He had known Lily since she was born and was an honorary grandfather. He had retired from the police now and helped Steve and Kate out by looking after Lily once a week. He didn't have grandchildren of his own and liked spending time with the little girl, although once a week was enough. She kept him on his toes as much as her parents had in the early days of their partnership.

"Steve! Come in," greeted Ted. "We were expecting Kate,".

"She texted to say she was going to be late so you've got me instead,".

"Daddy!" Greeted Lily as she ran towards her father for a cuddle.

"Hey you," Steve replied as he picked her up. "Have you been a good girl for Papa Ted?".

"Uh huh," Lily answered.

Steve looked down and saw a few of her toys on chairs sat at tables. "What's going on here?" He asked.

"We playing Polices," Lily explained. "That's Papa Ted," she went on pointing to Snowy bear who was now sat behind a makeshift table. "That's Mummy and that's you," she pointed out two bears standing in front of the big bear. "Papa Ted is telling you off Daddy, cause you been naughty,".

Steve looked at Ted who looked a little embarrassed at what Lily had said. Steve didn't want to think about what else he might have told his daughter.

"Umm I think Mummy was naughty sometimes as well," Steve informed his daughter.

"Really?" Lily asked surprised.

"Absolutely. Sometimes she was even the ringleader," Steve confirmed. If he was going down, he was taking Kate with him. "Anyway it's probably time we packed up your stuff and let Papa Ted have some time to himself," he instructed Lily before together they collected up all her belongings. "Thank Papa Ted for looking after you," he prompted once they were done and her stuff was packed in the car and they were ready to go.

"Thank you for playin' wiv me ," Lily said to Ted.

"You're welcome, darlin'" Ted said as he gathered her in for a hug.

"Papa, was mummy really naughty?" Lily asked, wanting to check what her father had said was right. To her, her mother could do no wrong.

"Maybe, but never as much as your daddy," Ted told her.

"It wasn't being naughty, it was finding out the truth at all costs, actually," Steve found himself defending his reputation. Ted smiled. "Come on Lil," Steve continued as he took his daughter and strapped her in to her car seat. Steve then got in and started the car. "Wave good bye," Steve said as he backed the car down the drive. Lily did as she was told and Ted waved them off before heading inside.

"I knew mummy wasn't naughty," Lily informed Steve once they were on the road. "I didn't bubble up the Lagan,".

Steve looked at his daughter in the rear view mirror as she watched the world go by outside the car. It obviously wasn't just things that Kate said that she was picking up, he was going to have to put up with Tedism's as well by the sound of it.

"Daddy?" Lily asked. "Are you cooking tea?".

"Hopefully mummy will be home by the time we get there so she's probably already started," Steve said, hoping he was right or Lily was going to be having beans on toast for dinner.

"Good, cause I'm hungy," Lily announced. "I've had a very busy day,".

"Is that right?" Steve smiled.

"Yep so suck diesel, Daddy,".

Kate was home by the time they got back and as predicted by Steve had almost got Lily's dinner ready. By the time they'd taken Lily's toys upstairs it was served up. Kate sat at the table with Lily to keep an eye on her as she ate her food. Steve soon joined them.

"Glass of wine?" He asked as he got one for himself.

"I'm good thanks," Kate replied.

"So what was the thing keeping you back tonight?" Steve asked as he sat down with his girls.

"I'll tell you later once we get Lil in bed," Kate replied. "This one didn't wear Ted out too much did she?".

"Did you know they re-enact AC-12 with Lily's toys?" Steve asked. "I interrupted myself getting told off by the Gaffer when I called to pick her up,".

"Daddy was bein' naughty," Lily said with a mouthful of dinner.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Kate instructed her daughter as she wiped up a little spillage.

"And it's not just you she's copying either," Steve told his wife. "I've had a few of the old man's sayings said to me in the car this evening. Not quite word for word but I think I actually understand them more when Lily says them,". Kate smiled. Her and Steve had got used to Ted's sayings during their time in AC-12 but after he'd gone they would ask each other what he had been talking about.

"Maybe we'll finally get what that sprat and mackerel thing was all about," Kate teased.

By the time Lily had finished her dinner, most of if was on her rather than in her so both Kate and Steve took her for a bath. They enjoyed spending time as a family and Lily loved having the attention of both her parents.

After a quick story, they both kissed her good night and left her to sleep amongst her toys with her night light casting a soft glow around the room.

As they made their way out of Lily's room, Kate took Steve's hand and led him to their room.

"Aren't we going to eat?" Steve asked. It was their usual routine to eat after Lily had gone to bed.

"Later," Kate said as she sat him on their bed and straddled him. Steve thought he might be getting lucky. "We need to talk,".

"Oh, I thought you had something else planned," Steve replied, disappointed that sex wasn't on Kate's mind.

"I'm late," Kate said. "And you know I'm usually like clockwork so I went shopping after work,".

"This why you couldn't pick up Lily?". Kate nodded. "And?".

"How do you feel about being a family of four? Five if you count Josh,". He still lived with Mark but was a frequent visitor to the house. Lily idolised him.

"You're …..?".

"Uh huh," Kate said as she showed him the positive test she had done as soon as she'd got home. She looked at Steve to see what his reaction was going to be. They hadn't actively been trying to have another child, but then they weren't taking any precautions either.

"It better be a boy or I am going to be really outnumbered in this household," Steve said which made Kate laugh. He was ok with it. Life was good.

The familiar sound of his morning alarm cut through the kiss that followed. It became more and more persistent until eventually Steve opened his eyes. Kate, Lily and the house were gone and he was back to being alone.