Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, it's really encouraging to know what you all think! :-D Here's the next part, hope you enjoy, and as always any comments are appreciated. :)

*

Abby moved herself in the bed, trying to find a comfortable position. Which was pretty much impossible. As soon as she thought she was lying in a way such that she would be able to sleep the baby would start up its kicking again, or shift position, and she would be forced to start her search for the perfect position all over again. "Come on baby," she mumbled. "Just let Mummy sleep." Thump. Thump. More kicking. She would probably have to get up to go to the toilet in a moment. This totally sucked. "Do you want to be born today? That would be really good for me." She placed a hand over her stomach, sighing loudly. A week late already. Why her? She knew most babies were late, but she was sick and tired of this whole pregnancy thing.

As the baby shifted position once more she decided this whole thing of trying to sleep was futile. She pulled herself out of bed, and made her way towards the bathroom. After using the toilet, she would have a nice relaxing bath, and then sit in front of the TV watching early morning NewsRadio reruns or something similar. Where she would stay until the morning, when some terrible chat show came on, and she would have to sift through her video collection for something she hadn't seen a million times already in the last few weeks. Then, sometime in the afternoon Susan would come round, and tell her all sorts of exciting stories about work. They'd eat dinner together, then Susan would go home and the whole cycle would start again. Abby sighed. Such fun.

***

Abby lay staring at the wall, sleep completely evading her tonight. It wasn't exactly a surprise, considering the constant kicking of the baby. She couldn't help smiling at the thought of her child. The feel of Carter's arms wrapped around her, a hand resting protectively on her stomach, only increased the size of the smile. Life was good. Even if she was a week late, and getting no sleep. She wouldn't have it any other way. She shifted position slightly, and Carter's arms tightened around her, a reflex response. She sighed happily, leaning her head back against his chest.

"What are you thinking about?" he mumbled, kissing her hair.

"How did you know I'm awake?"

"You always are. And anyway, you're running your hand up and down my arm. You never do that when you're asleep."

"Sorry."

"I wasn't complaining." She could tell he was grinning, in his half awake state.

"Did I wake you up?"

"It doesn't matter," he said, rubbing her belly protectively. "It's just more time to be with you two. My two favourite girls."

"You've got to get over this girl thing," she laughed. "Otherwise you're going to be really disappointed when I give birth to a gorgeous baby boy."

"I have complete faith in my judgement." A comfortable silence fell over them, as they enjoyed being in the company of each other. After a while, Carter spoke up again. "You still didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"I asked you what you were thinking about."

"Oh. Well, I was just thinking that it would be nice to get a good night's sleep."

"It'll be a long time till we have one of them again," he laughed.

"Yeah." She couldn't help smiling, despite her desire for sleep. "And I was thinking how lucky I am. To have you, and our baby." She sighed happily, placing her hand over his on her stomach. "I just wish baby would decide to be born soon."

***

After having a bath Abby felt a little better. Baths always seemed to relax her at the moment, and she was glad there was one thing that did that. At least it was a start on the way to making herself more comfortable. Although as soon as she sat down on the sofa she would be permanently uncomfortable again. She hauled herself out of the bath, groaning angrily at her extra heavy weight. As she was beginning to dry herself off, she felt a trickle run down her leg.

She froze on the spot. What was that? Had her waters just broken? She couldn't help laughing. She'd dreamt up all sorts of awkward places that her waters could break, and it had happened in her own bathroom. At least something was going good.

After drying herself off, she went back into the bedroom and changed into some clothes. When she was ready, she gave her stomach a friendly pat. "Here goes baby."

***

"John," Abby mumbled, half awake. She was amazed that she'd managed to get to sleep at all, but now she'd been woken up suddenly. "John!" She nudged him in the stomach with her elbow.

"Hmm?" he groaned, not really awake.

"John, I think my waters broke."

"That's nice," he mumbled his reply, and she could tell he hadn't even opened his eyes yet.

"Do you think we should go to the hospital or something?" she asked, slightly amused by his lack of interest.

"Hospital? What?" Suddenly he was awake and alert. "Did something happen? Is there something wrong with the baby?"

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" she laughed. "My waters broke." He was up like a flash, grabbing the bag that they'd prepared to take to the hospital, and begin to pull some clothes out of the drawer for himself. "John, calm down. We've got plenty of time. I'm not planning on rushing around anyway." She slowly pulled herself out of bed, and turned around to see him stood by the dresser, t-shirts hanging out of it. "What on earth are you doing?"

"Err..." he looked at the mess he'd just made, and shrugged. "You're right, I should calm down. I'm just kind of excited."

"I can tell." She rolled her eyes. "You haven't got to push a baby out of you though."

"Aren't you even a tiny bit excited?" he queried as he rearranged the t-shirts, and selected one to wear.

"Of course I am. We're having a baby." She grinned happily. "But can I just get dressed first, please? Otherwise we're going to get to the hospital and realise we drove there in our pyjamas!"

***

"Oh Abby, he's gorgeous!" Susan practically squealed. "Congratulations."

"Thanks." She smiled shyly as she looked between Susan and her son.

"So, does he have a name?" Susan asked, sitting down in the chair next to the bed where Abby sat holding the baby in her arms.

"Daniel Avery Lockhart."

"Aww, cutie pie! Hello little Daniel," she said to the baby, before turning back to Abby. "Can I hold him?"

Abby couldn't help laughing at the excited look on her best friend's face. "You're like a little kid in a candy store!" She carefully passed her son to Susan, who seemed to have a permanent grin on her face.

"Hey Danny." She brushed the baby's soft cheek with her finger, sighing happily. "Aren't you completely perfect?" Daniel's eyes fluttered open, staring up at her. "He's looking at me!" she informed Abby, not taking her eyes off the baby for a second.

"I know," Abby laughed slightly. "He's amazing."

"Do you know what, little Danny?" She continued talking to him. "I think you look just like your Daddy."

"Susan..." For practically the first time since she'd entered the room, Susan looked up at Abby.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly, smiling apologetically. "I just think he really does look like Carter."

"We don't talk about Carter Susan, you know that." It was the first time he'd been mentioned in conversation for a few months. "He may be Danny's biological father, but that doesn't make him his Dad." She looked at her baby, smiling sadly. "We're fine just the two of us, aren't we gorgeous?"

***

As Abby woke up, all she could see were the grubby tiles of the hospital ceiling. She blinked momentarily, before grinning to herself. Baby. It was strange to think that the last time she'd woken up lying on a bed like this, looking at a ceiling like this one, she had thought she'd lost her baby. And now she had a beautiful baby girl.

She turned her head to the side, to see Carter in the chair next to the bed, fast asleep, with their daughter asleep on his chest. He had a hand on her back, supporting her gently against him. Already the perfect father. She'd never seen him looking as proud as he had since her birth. His little angel. Abby could already tell she was going to be a Daddy's girl. Watching them together, she wouldn't have it any other way. She could tell life was going to be just perfect.

The first moment she'd seen her daughter, she knew she was in love for life. One of those stupid little cliqués that she'd always told herself she would never be. Except now it seemed so right and perfect. Seeing her daughter, it didn't matter anymore that John was going to call her muppet. It suddenly seemed cute and adorable. And it didn't matter that she wasn't sure about the name. Vanessa. She'd tried it out so many times while she was pregnant. Vanessa Carter. Ever since John had suggested it she had been sceptical. But now the name seemed perfect. She couldn't imagine her daughter being called anything else. Vanessa Eve Carter.

Just then Vanessa started to stir. She pulled herself into a more upright position, preparing herself to take her daughter as soon as she started to fuss, so Carter wasn't woken up. But the second she made a movement, he tightened his grip on her slightly, and his eyelids slowly opened, blinking at the harsh light of the room. So instinctive. She smiled happily, watching him pat Vanessa's back in an attempt to lull her back to sleep before she started fussing.

"Okay Nessa," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Time to go back to sleep I think, my little muppet." As if ignoring her father, Vanessa began to fuss more, and within a few seconds she was wailing impatiently. He looked up at Abby, and grinned. She found herself returning the smile, which made her laugh slightly. They had a baby. And that baby crying was a reminder of what an amazing thing they had.

"Let me take her," she said, reaching out for Vanessa. As much as she loved watching John being a Dad, and looking after their little girl, she wanted a chance to be a Mummy too.

"Okay, see if you'll be quiet for Mummy," he said, carefully passing her over.

"Hey darling. What's the matter?" She rocked her gently, but Vanessa didn't seem to quieten down. She turned her head angrily towards her mother's chest, and Abby grinned, before looking up at Carter. "She's hungry." She looked back to her daughter again, unhooking her nightshirt. "I can't get over how amazing she is."

***