As he tore through the corridor, all he could hear were Lyn's words in his head.

Steph…

Baby…

Labour…

Pre-eclampsia…

He found her room and after taking a deep breath, walked in. Steph was dozing on the bed and reacted slightly to him when he kissed her forehead.

"She's doing good," came a voice and it was then that he realised there was a nurse present. "They did a c-section, she's recovering well."

"The baby?"

"Little over eight pounds. He's early but he's big."

"He?" Max grinned.

"Paeds are checking him over. He should be fine to be brought down when she wakes up."

"Thank you," Max said as the nurse left.

"No problem," she replied. "And congratulations."

"Thanks," he said. He kissed Steph's forehead and she stirred. "You done good, Steph," he whispered.

"I always do," she replied groggily. "The baby?"

"A boy. We have a son, Steph."

"Can I see him?"

"Soon, honey. Soon."


Max was sitting on the edge of the bed, rocking the baby while Steph looked on.

"This is stupid," she muttered.

"So you're a little sore," Max said. "It'll get better."

"God, he's perfect," she whispered.

"Yeah, he is."

"So… where were you today?"

"I, um… I've been checking out houses."

"Why?"

"So we could have enough room for all five of us. Somewhere this one can grow up."

"Max…"

"It's two streets over, nothing's done, nothing's signed. When you're feeling better we can check it out."

"Sounds good," she said, kissing his shoulder.

"Does life get any better than this?"

"Hmmm?"

"Marry me."

Steph laughed softly. "I'll have to get a divorce first."

"Would you?"

"To be with you?" she asked, running a finger down her son's cheek. She smiled as he grabbed it, gently wrapping his tiny fingers around it. "To be with my boys? Of course I would."

"Marry me then."

"There's something else we need to sort out."

"What?"

"We need to see if... I mean..."

"If he's mine?"

"To be blunt, yeah."

"OK," he said.

"I'll ask about tests."


Steph felt nervous as she stared at the front door. Was this a mistake? They had phones for a reason. She could go. She could...

"Steph!"

Damn. Too late. "Ian."

"You look... tired."

"Gee. Thanks."

"Sorry."

"It's OK."

Ian looked at her and smiled sadly. "I take it you've had the baby."

"Yeah. A boy."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"So...?"

"Can we talk?" she asked.

"Sure. Come in."

Steph stepped inside and had a quick glance around. The place hadn't changed one bit. There were still the same photos on the wall, same pictures. She was willing to bet that their wedding photo was still on his desk.

"I got something," Ian said. "You don't have to accept it."

He walked over to the desk. Yep, there was the wedding photo. To Steph it all seemed so false now. Ian opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a stuffed toy. A blue bunny.

"I... I bought it after you... we... Anyway, you don't have to take it."

"It's cute," she said. "Thank you."

"So... what can I?"

"I, um... I need to tell you something."

"What?"

"There's a chance... that... that the baby is yours."

"You said..."

"Yes, I know what I said."

"Right. And Max?"

"Ian..."

"No. Seriously."

"That's the other reason I came round. I want a divorce."

"And if the baby is mine?"

"Ian..."

"Will Max still want you."

"He loves me."

"So do I."

"I love him."

"But what if the baby is mine?"

"Then we'll deal with it."

"You know it won't matter to me. If the baby's his. We can still be a family."

"Ian... please..."

"Is this what you really want?"

"Yeah," she said. "It is."

"Right. So... what...?"

"I'll call," she said.


Steph couldn't imagine a more difficult situation. She had her two-week old son in her arms, sitting next to her was her lover, and across from them was her husband. No one was saying anything and the silence was most definitely awkward.

"Do you have a name?" Ian asked finally.

"What?" Steph asked.

"A name. For the baby."

"Oh. Yeah. Matthew."

"Nice."

"Matthew Joe."

Ian smiled.

A nurse came out and nodded at Steph. "Let's take the little one first."

Steph stood up and took Matthew into the side room. Left alone in the corridor, Ian and Max stared at each other.

"Look..." Max started.

"You think I'm going to have a go?" Ian asked.

"The thought had crossed my mind," Max said.

"And mine."

"So...?"

"What? You can't understand..."

"...why you're not fighting for her? No. I can't. If you loved her..."

"You think I don't love her?"

"You let her walk out."

"It was what she wanted, at the time. I may not have known who you were, but I know what you were to each other. Remind me, which one of us did she lean on for support when she needed it most?

He smiled. "Oh yes, that's right. Not you. Who did she marry? Not you." Ian leaned forward. "I love her, Max. She's the one and only for me - unlike you, still carrying around something for Claire. Steph has my whole heart, every bit of my soul. And I would do anything to make her happy. At the time, it was letting her go.

"But I promise you this, if that boy is mine, I will do everything in my power to get my family back." He sat back. "You've got kids, I'm sure you understand."

Before Max could reply the door opened and Steph came out with a grisly Matthew.

"Ian?" the nurse said.

Ian just smiled sweetly as Max and followed the nurse.

"You OK?" Steph asked Max.

"Yeah. Fine," he said.

"It'll be OK," she said. "I promise."

"I hope so," he said, putting an arm around her shoulder.


Steph placed the envelope on the kitchen table and just stared at it. This one was addressed to her. There was one for Max. Which meant Ian would have one too.

Max was at work.

Ian was in Sydney.

She'd be the first to know.

Matthew was sleeping, Summer was at school, Boyd was at Uni...

She wanted to grab it, run to the pub and open it with Max. But what if Ian was the father? Did she want to see the look on Max's face?

Sitting in front of the letter she turned the situation over in her head,

Max was the father. He had to be. He was a great father, He loved her. He loved Matthew. He was great with Matthew.

He had to be the father.

Unless Ian was the father.

Ian was from a big family, like herself. He had always wanted children; wanted them with her. She knew how good he'd be. He'd provide for Matthew. He'd love Matthew. Ian adored her.

In desperation, she tore open the envelope. Her eyes skimmed over the information until she found the result.

She got up, lifted the phone receiver and dialed.

"Hey, it's me... Yeah... He's... Matthew's yours."