Two's Company, Three's a Family
It had been on the cards since day one, at least in his mind anyway.
One minute they were arguing, going full guns blazing at one another. Her stamping her patent leather stilettos into the lino carpet tiles driving home her point about policy and procedures, him arguing the toss just for the sake of seeing her alabaster skin blossom and her hazel eyes fiery with annoyance. The next minute she was in his arms, the very lips that had been chastising him now claiming him as he swept his arm across his desk sending the same papers she had been harping on about fluttering to the floor.
His inner lion roared at finally having Alex Drake in his arms, finally able to paw and possess the shapely thigh now hooked around his waist keeping them entwined in their erotic embrace.
It was the fitting start of a passionate relationship for Fenchurch East's senior detectives. But while Gene had been adamant about keeping their private life just that, private, his own passionate and possessive nature fought against it. After some of the more vigilant members of CID, namely Shaz and Ray, spotted several hickeys on DI Drake's neck that concealer had failed to mask, as well as countless occasions of the pair springing apart when being walked in on in quiet corners, the game was up much to Gene's dismay.
After six weeks, Alex had given up her flat above Luigi's, took the plunge and moved in with Gene into his end terrace home. Prior to them living together, Gene had hated the place. The high-ceiling rooms were echoey and cold, it wasn't home, merely a place to rest his head from time to time. But with Alex there it felt right, they were making a real go of things.
That was nearly a year ago and approaching their first anniversary, the Hunt and Drake partnership was entering 1983 with a little more than London's finest criminals to contend with, but parenthood too.
Gene shouldn't have been surprised when Alex broke the news to him given that their rampant shagging had become something of a full-time role alongside their policing. But as he processed her words 'I'm pregnant' whilst staring at the positive pregnancy test in his palm, the realisation hit him like a speeding Quattro.
Alex was pregnant with his kid, their kid.
The joy that consumed him was more potent than the single malt tucked away that he kept reserved for special occasions, so much so that he thought his heart would burst through his chest. And for the first time since Tyler had died, Gene allowed his tears to fall into Alex's soft curls. For the rest of that night, his right hand never left her stomach, even though Alex gently reminded him she was only a few weeks along with barely a bump, he wanted their child to know their daddy was there and always would be.
From that moment on, the Manc Lion's possessive and protective instincts went into feral overdrive, bordering on the brink of unbearable for Alex. They wanted to keep their happy news between themselves for a little while, savouring for as long as possible before Alex was showing and it became common knowledge. But their secret barely remained under wraps for a fortnight when Gene's protective nature went too far and he snapped the wrist of a suspect during an interview when they had leant over the table to borrow a pen from Alex to sign their statement.
"Gene! That was completely uncalled for! Get Skip in here now, he needs a medic."
"Wasn't. He could've hurt you, I'm totally justified in my actions Bolly."
"He was borrowing a pen, not trying to take our baby! You're unbelievable!"
"So you've told me, just last night in fact…"
The resulting argument drowned out the sound of the suspect wailing for a medic and had most of Fenchurch East awash with shock and exchanging money at the development of the Guv and Drake's relationship.
After the 'pen incident,' Alex was immediately relegated to desk work only for the welfare of herself and the Hunt lion cub she was carrying.
While Gene was overbearing at work, away from the prying eyes of Fenchurch East, he was a different man. The Guv facade faded away, allowing Alex access to the real Gene Hunt. The man who without hesitation would comfort her while she sobbed because her favourite jeans no longer fitted her and she was scared he wouldn't want her anymore if she was fat. The man who would rustle up a midweek late-night roast dinner because her cravings demanded it and would then rub her swollen ankles while she devoured her plate of food like she was breaking a hunger strike.
Following Alex's wishes that she didn't want to know the sex of the baby until the birth, Gene politely declined the doctor's offer to know the gender at their 20-week scan. But just a week later he was awoken in the small hours of the morning by Alex sobbing that she couldn't feel the baby moving. Without hesitation, he threw his crumpled work shirt over his shoulders and stepped into his snakeskin boots and carried Alex down to the Quattro and broke every traffic law getting her to the hospital.
The sight of Gene with Alex in his arms powerfully striding through the hospital seeking medical attention, dressed as he was in just pyjama bottoms, rumpled shirt and cowboy boots was something to behold; they were soon in the capable hands of medical staff running tests and scans.
Alex was an emotional wreck, tearfully whimpering into the crook of Gene's neck that something was wrong as the doctor ran the ultrasound scan. Gene's hawk-sharp eyes fixed on the doctor, watching every flicker in his face and eyes, trying to read what was going on.
Just as the silence got too much, the doctor pressed a button and the rhythmic heartbeat of their child filled the air, the most beautiful sound.
"Y'hear that Bolly? Everything okay Doc?"
"Very much so, Mr Hunt. Fetal heart rate is nice and strong, no sign of distress, just one very happy and healthy little boy."
"Boy? It's a boy?" Gene pressed his lips to Alex's cheek, "we're 'aving a boy, Bolly…"
Although they had wanted to keep it as a surprise, in reality, Alex was relieved they would be having a son. The idea of a daughter worried her, as though in a strange way like she would be replacing Molly, though it couldn't be further from the truth.
Finally home, they lay entwined amongst the crimson bed covers, comforted by the soft sounds of one another's heartbeats and breathing while their son grew between them.
"Suppose we should start thinking of names, Bolly."
With his hand covering her bump, Gene smiled, feeling his son jostling and gently pummelling his palm.
"He's got a hell of a kick on 'im, we could call 'im Francis or Colin."
Alex slowly opened her eyes, a sharp quirk forming in her brows, "let me guess, they're something to do with Man City?"
"Well, I'm not going to name my boy after some United ponce am I?!"
"Of course not," Alex placated him with a gentle kiss on his forehead. She listened to the sound of his breathing, waiting until he calmed down before softly asking the question, "what about naming him after Sam or your brother?"
"No."
His reply was instantaneous and absolute, it caught Alex by surprise.
"He's our boy, our son. He needs his own identity, not the ghost of someone else." The furrow in his brow softened as did his tone, "'m sorry Bolls, didn't mean to snap at yer."
"I know my love."
She leaned forward and kissed him delicately before easing herself over to her side to settle down to sleep and as he usually did, Gene nestled up against the sweeping form of her back as the big spoon. Alex relaxed into his hold feeling his hands cradling her bump, tracing soothing patterns across her skin, a silent lullaby for both mother and child.
After a while, just as she approached the precipice of drifting off, Gene's voice gently drew her back to him.
"It weren't all bad, me childhood. S'just easier to remember the shitty times, y'know? They're more vivid, them memories, somehow."
Alex placed her hand over his and laced their fingers together, "focus on the good times, you and Stuart. Your mum?"
"Patience of a Saint and a heart of gold, that woman."
He snuggled in tighter against Alex, drawing strength from her to let himself speak freely of memories deeply repressed with time and overshadowed with bitterness.
"She never doubted me when I told 'er I wanted to be a copper, she just looked me in the eyes an' said 'yer will son, I know yer will.' She stayed up with me all night before me first shift cos I couldn't sleep, too much excitement an' nerves. She didn't complain once, Bolls, she just polished me epaulettes an' boots an' once dawn broke, she made us breakfast."
He chuckled softly into Alex's curls, letting the memories stir up his emotions.
"Best memory I 'ave of me mam. Even though she was knackered, she was still beamin' ear to ear. So bloody proud of me, I felt ten feet tall. An' she still 'ad dinner on the table for when I came home."
"She sounds lovely, Gene."
"She was Bolls. She would've loved you an' all. Always said I'd meet someone who could handle an' appreciate me. Just wish she was still around to see our little 'un."
Alex heard the quiver in his voice and her heart broke. She turned over to face him again, meeting those sapphire eyes now glassy with unshed tears.
She placed her palm across his chest, "She's always with you Gene."
He said nothing, not trusting his voice so brittle with emotion. He pressed his lips to Alex's forehead and listened to her breathing slow and once he knew she was asleep, he closed his eyes and a single tear trickled down his cheek as he too drifted off.
For weeks the topic of baby names was bandied out between the couple, each rebutting the other's suggestion, sometimes for genuine reasons, other times for something petty. On one memorable occasion whilst decorating the baby's room, Gene managed to paint the room blue both literally and physically while putting forth his suggestions. It had gotten to the point that Alex felt real concern that their son would simply be named "son" at the rate they were discarding names.
But two weeks before her due date, Alex went into labour. Initially, Gene thought she was having a reaction to Luigi's questionable culinary concoctions but with the very real sound of Alex wailing and the very real pain of her gripping his hand so tightly, he quickly detected that wasn't the case.
"Shit! Fuckin' hell, Bolly! Uhh, wha-what do I do?"
He felt like a fish out of water. All those years as a seasoned, unflappable detective taking flight straight out of the window. He truly didn't know his arse from his elbow and despite her pain, Alex couldn't help but take pity on him.
"Gene! Breathe and go and get my bag from the wardrobe."
He was breathless when he returned to Alex's side and grasped her hands. Her contractions were growing in strength and intensity with every passing minute, it wouldn't be long before their son would be here.
He helped her outside and into the passenger seat of the Quattro, even though he was still mildly panicking, he still managed to crack a cheeky whip at Alex's breathy moans.
"Last time yer were pantin' like that, Bolly, was on the backseat with legs in the air…"
"So not the time, Gene." She grimaced.
"Sorry, Bols."
Thanks to Gene's exuberant driving style and lack of acknowledgement of traffic laws, they made it to the hospital in record time and with some gentle persuasion and smooth-talking, Gene bagged them a private birthing room along with the best nurses and midwife the hospital had to offer.
Alex barely had time to get herself settled and as comfortable as she could within the suite before she was gripping Gene's hand as though her life depended on it and their son was entering the world. Gene had been torn between wanting to be traditional and to give Alex privacy but knowing she was a modern woman and in all actuality, it was half his fault she was in this predicament.
It was the longest fifteen minutes of his life knowing there was nothing he could do to take away the pain, Alex was already too far gone for any epidural. He stayed by her side, not wanting to stray to the business end of things, instead letting her grip and crush his fingers as she bore down and turned the air blue with her pained curses.
There was a horrid sinking feeling in the moments that followed when their son didn't cry, the seconds eeked out for an eternity until finally, his hearty wails rent the air and Alex collapsed back onto the bed gasping in relief, bathed in sweat and exhausted both physically and emotionally.
The baby was cleaned up and placed against her chest for the all-important skin-on-skin contact and all the pain of the past few hours melted away seeing their creation for the first time.
"He's perfect, Gene." Alex sobbed.
Gene gently cupped the boy's tiny head in his large work-worn hand, letting his thumb brush the sprinkling of fine blond hair on his crown, "Course 'e is, Bolls, we made 'im. Our little lad."
At that moment Alex had never looked more beautiful and all he could do was lean in and kiss her softly, letting his actions speak.
.o0O0o.
The new family bonded while the nursing staff worked quietly around them. Alex fought back a pang of fear when it came time for the baby to be weighed, luckily Gene was on hand to reassure her that their boy was merely on the other side of the room and would be back in a minute or two.
"Sorry, I know I'm being silly," Alex cried, wiping the tears from her eyes, "it's just he's my little boy."
"It's not silly at all Mrs Hunt," said the nurse as she gently handed over the boy, "here's baby, seven pounds eleven ounces. Congratulations again."
Neither Gene nor Alex felt the need to correct the nurses' assumption on them being married, but both felt the shift in the tide, it was only a matter of time before they were.
"We still 'aven't picked a name for him, Bolly."
Their son was barely an hour old but already his father's genetics had established themselves as the prominent ones. Alex smiled down at the babe in her arms nestled in the pale blue blanket with the most adorable pout adorning his lips and only one name would do.
"Eugene."
Gene's blue eyes lit up as did a bubble of guilt that she had given way to his constant pestering wanting to name the boy Gene Jr.
"Bolly, yer don't 'ave to…"
"No I know I don't, but look at him Gene," she tilted her arms up to give him a clearer view of their son now clenching his tiny fists still wearing his pout, "he's you! He's all you! It would be ridiculous to name him anything else."
"Yer sure?"
"Absolutely. Here, hold your son."
Alex carefully transferred little Eugene into his father's awaiting arms and watched with tears in her eyes as the two of them bonded as father and son. Nestled safely in the crook of his arm, Gene could only stare down at his son in utter wonderment and then his boy opened up his startling eyes and Gene let the tears fall.
He was a dad, a father to the little mite gripping tightly onto his pinky finger and the realisation hit him like a speeding Quattro. He bowed his head and pressed his lips to the unblemished skin on the boy's forehead, whispering an earnest vow to be a good dad.
"He still needs a middle name, Gene."
"Sam." He replied without hesitation, "Samuel. Tyler never 'ad any kids so…"
"You don't have to explain Gene, it's perfect. Welcome to the world Eugene Samuel Hunt."
.o0O0o.
Little Eugene wasn't just like his father in his name and looks, but also in his fiery vocal outbursts. He would go from being such a sweet and contented little man to a wailing banshee within a split second and would take hours to settle down. One night it had taken Gene a fuel tank of petrol, hoping the motion of driving around the city streets would get his son to go to sleep.
Alex was perhaps a little naive in thinking that because she wasn't a first-time mother, having Eugene would be a little easier, especially as she had Gene by her side. But she couldn't quite believe how difficult her son was. With Molly, it had been a walk in the park in comparison despite being a single mother. From the off Molly had slept through the night but as yet, little Eugene hadn't quite managed that feat. She knew she shouldn't compare her children but it was difficult not to. Gene was a new father so she was drawing on her own personal experience of motherhood hoping that it wouldn't be much longer before Eugene slept for more than two hours a night.
Gene had taken to fatherhood like a duck to water. His own father had never earned the right to be called a dad. His brand of affection was shown with his fists and with belts. He could close his eyes and remember the towering figure standing above him with either his fist or belt drawn, ready to strike and the abject fear that brewed up in his five-year-old self.
The moment he had held his son in his arms and laid his eyes on him, he felt nothing but pure love and devotion. He had never known real love, not until he met Alex Drake. She had shown him another side to himself, a man capable of being loved as well as showing love. But now with his son, he had someone he would lay down his life for without hesitation, just as he would with Alex. Instantly the boy had him wrapped around his little pinky finger. He adored his son with every fibre of his being. He promised at that moment his son would never feel fear, he would never harm a hair on his head, the boy would only know love and know that his father would never let anything happen to him.
As for sleep deprivation, Gene had spent the last twenty-five years running on little sleep, working long long hours, so a baby crying throughout the night was the detective equivalent of late-night surveillance.
Fatherhood was hard work, real hard work but he wouldn't change one second of it.
For the first two weeks of Eugene's life, it had just been about the three of them bonding and being together as a family savouring every moment. Of course, the phone hadn't stopped ringing with daily calls, well wishes from CID and Luigi wanting to finally meet the Guv's cub.
Deciding they couldn't hold them off much longer, they agreed to meet with the A-Team at Luigi's to introduce Eugene and Gene could share a drink with them to wet the baby's head.
The team had gone all out with gifts for both parents and baby, as well as enough flowers to make their front room resemble the Chelsea Flower Show. Luigi too had spared no expense for his favourite customers, putting on a hearty spread of food, letting the drinks flow, eager to meet the little one.
The Quattro could be heard approaching and as the excitable Italian bustled around making sure all the balloons and banners were in place, Ray finally caught hold of him just as the car doors closed and Gene and Alex made their way inside.
"Congratulazioni! Congratulazioni!"
"Alright Luigi, he's not the second comin' so calm down will yer?"
Alex rolled her eyes at Gene but gratefully accepted his well wishes, "Thank you, Luigi. Thank you all of you, this is wonderful."
"'Ere Bols, hand the boy over and go and get yourself a seat and some food. I'm just gonna introduce 'im to the lads."
Alex gently passed over little Eugene into his father's hold, watching as Gene's usually furrowed brow morphed into a beaming proud smile. He carefully adjusted Eugene so he was able to show off the boy whilst still supporting him and made his way over to his team.
"Right, listen up you lot. This here is Eugene Samuel Hunt, the future of British policing."
"Ahem, Gene? He's two weeks old, let's not decide his future career prospects just yet."
"Never too early to start Bolly."
Gene was proud as a peacock showing off his son, graciously accepting the well wishes and hearty pats on the shoulder from his junior officers. Once the initial excitement died down a little, Ray was able to talk to his Guv and offer his congratulations.
"He's a Bonny lad, Guv." Said Ray, lifting his pint as a small toast, "nice little nod to Tyler, he'd appreciate that."
"Yeah, seemed right. Mrs Woman over there let me choose 'is middle name."
"Surely she'll be Mrs Hunt soon, 'ey Guv?"
"I 'ope so Ray, I bloody 'ope so."
.o0O0o.
Gene handed Eugene back over to Alex so he could enjoy a pint or two with the team to wet the baby's head.
Feeling much more human after a generous meal despite the sleep deprivation, Alex was joined by Shaz and Chris who couldn't help fawning over the new addition.
"Here, would you like to hold him Shaz?"
"Fab! If you're sure, Ma'am?"
Shaz moved around to sit next to Alex on the booth seat. As soon as the boy was transferred into Shaz's hold, his little fists clenched and his pout was firmly in place.
"Oh Ma'am, he's lovely. Looks just like the Guv."
"Doesn't he just?" Alex smiled, stroking her finger gently over Eugene's pout, "He's all Hunt this one."
"That's uncalled for Boss- I mean, Ma'am, no need to call the little fella that."
"Chris," said Shaz with an eye-roll, "sorry Ma'am."
.o0O0o.
As the evening wore on, Gene could see Alex fighting the overwhelming urge to sleep with their boy already in the land of nod in his car seat. Feeling guilty he hadn't noticed sooner, he drained the last of his second pint and made his way over to Alex's table.
"Bolly, let's call it a night, yeah?"
"But Gene, it's lovely what they've done for us, another hour and then we'll go."
He squatted in front of her and took her hands, "Bols, you're already dozing off. C'mon, Junior is asleep and you should be too, so shift that delectable arse there's a good girl."
Alex knew she was beat, too exhausted to even argue back. She let Gene ease her up from the seat, keeping hold of her hand just in case she slumped down. They said their thank yous and bid everyone goodnight and with the help of Chris, Ray and Shaz they were soon in the Quattro along with their gifts heading home.
Once home, Alex headed upstairs with Eugene who had started to fuss in the car wanting his night feed, leaving Gene to bring in the gifts and lock up for the night. He put the flowers into a couple of vases knowing Alex would appreciate it and poured a large glass of water to take to bed with him. Once he reached the top of the stairs just the glow of the bedside lamp emanating from the bedroom was all he could see. He pushed the door open only to be met by the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Alex laid out on the bed propped up by pillows with Eugene nestled against her bare chest, both of them fast asleep bathed in the soft glow from the lamp.
Gene didn't have the heart to disturb either of them, instead, he merely undressed for bed, pulled the duvet up and curled himself around Alex laying his hand securely over Eugene's back and within minutes he too was asleep.
Several hours later the sound of his son stirring, gearing himself up to a disgruntled pitiful cry woke Gene instantly. His eyes fell onto the infant pawing and nuzzling at Alex's chest, trying to find a breast to feed from.
"'Ere you go lad," Gene whispered, carefully guiding Eugene to the right spot which quickly latched on and greedily drank all that was available, "never 'ad an issue findin' these meself son."
"Hm, you are rather obsessed," Alex murmured, now very much awake.
"Not obsessed, just appreciative of the work of the divine potter Bols. He's not 'urting you is he?"
"Far from it, don't worry he won't damage your pottery, Gene." She stroked her hand across the downy hair of their son, "thank you for tonight, Gene. It was lovely to see everyone and to show off our handsome little man."
"Yeah it was alright I 'spose."
Just the sound of Eugene suckling could be heard in the stillness of the night and for Gene, it was a moment of clarity. Everything he could ever possibly want and need was right there. Alex and Eugene, his family.
Now, the moment was now.
He reached into the bedside cabinet and retrieved the worn velvet ring box that had been nestled in there a week after he and Alex got together, patiently waiting for the right time. Watching her nurse their child so effortlessly whilst looking so flawless and radiant, there would never be a more perfect moment.
"Marry me, Bols."
The sapphire nestled in a clasp of diamonds bore a striking resemblance to the soft blue of his eyes. Timeless and elegant, it was the style of ring she would've picked out herself.
"You don't just want to marry me because of him, do you?"
She was scared, he didn't blame her, he was terrified too. He didn't want to rock the boat or spoil things seemingly because of a repressed urge to do the right thing. He wanted to marry her because he adored her, he wanted them to be a family in the eyes of the law. To share the same name, the Hunts, Mr and Mrs Hunt.
"'Course not yer daft mare. Alex. I've wanted to do this for a long time before he was even a sparkle in yer eye. I want to marry yer because you're the whisky chaser to my pint of bitter and I love yer. You've given me a family, our little lad. We're a team in CID and we're a team at home, the Hunts."
Her tears were falling in huge glassy drops listening to Gene's proposal. Never in her wildest dreams when she woke up in the 80's dystopia did she imagine falling in love and starting a family. But she had never counted on meeting Gene Hunt. He didn't fit the mold for the typical man; he didn't do things in half measures and certainly not when it came to love.
Once it became clear that this was her new reality, that her life with Molly was over, she threw herself fully in with Gene and never looked back. In truth, it was the easiest decision to make.
"Gene Hunt, I would love to marry you."
With the broadest grin she had ever seen adorn his face, he slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her deeply, words swallowed up by the torrent of emotion surging within his chest.
"Whatever yer want Bols, big white weddin' with bells on top, jus' name it."
He meant it, anything to make her happy just to try and pay her back for all the happiness she'd given him.
"You wonderful man," she whispered against his soft lips, "I just need you two, my handsome boys."
Two months later in Fenchurch registry office, Gene and Alex exchanged vows in front of their son along with their nearest dearest from CID and Luigi. It was perfect, intimate and unique to them. Their cake was a family-sized portion of Luigi's tiramisu and once they got home, they shared their first dance to Herb Alpert in their living room as man and wife.
And instead of ending the night packing to go away on their honeymoon, they fed and bathed their son before retiring for an early night, exhausted but blissfully happy.
