Chapter 13

Lying on her marital bed, Rosie flicked idly through 'Pride and Prejudice', amazed at some of the things people had grabbed when fleeing for their lives. Many had grabbed books they were halfway through reading, meaning they had a small library. Even though she had read this 4 times it got better and better.
For the third time in the last 5 minutes Rosie felt a finger softly poke her belly. Lifting her book up she saw Creedy's face concentrating. He had been lying with his legs entwined in hers for an hour or so now, not saying a word, just looking at her stomach. At 7 months pregnant it was impossible to hide.
Creedy reached over again and poked softly.
"Darling? I've read this sentence about 6 times, each time interrupted by a prying finger."
Creedy grinned, "Sorry."
"Might one ask why one is prodding me?", Rosie lay her book on the floor and outstretched her arms. Creedy pulled himself up and hugged her tightly.
"I'm trying to wake Luke up. I wanted to play football."
"Dave, we are not calling her Luke."
"Who says it is a girl? And I've told all the children he will be a Luke, so when I'm old and grey he can play my parts. My legacy shall live on!" Creedy raised his arm and swept it across the air. As Rosie laughed she felt a kick from her unborn child.
"Well thank you Dave, you've woken her."
Creedy's face lit up, and he slid back down the bed. Lifting her top, so he could stroke her bump. Rosie smiled, his hands were rough but his heart was warm. Gazing down at the bump she knew would grow up with such love, she felt tears pricking her eyes.
"Now, my wee boy", Creedy ignored Rosie and spoke to her stomach, "there..." he placed his finger softy on one spot and waited.
A few minutes later Rosie felt a kick on the opposite side to Creedy's finger. Creedy groaned, "No boy," he growled, "you kick my finger, honestly. We need to train you more."
A smile spread over his face as he spread his hands across the bump and waited for the next kick. "Don't you be getting lazy on me. I'm only allowed to visit now and then, your mother would rather me be out working than sat here bonding with you. A cols woman she is." Creedy laughed as Rosie gasped at a particularly hard kick.
"Don't you be turning my own against me you..."
Creedy leant down and kissed the bump. "Be nice to your mother, together we shall plot when you're out, for now you have to keep her sweet."
Pulling Rosie's top back down he slid back up and kissed Rosie's cheek, keeping one hand on her stomach.
"I think I've overstayed my lunch break don't you?"
Rosie turned and kissed him on the nose. "I think you have. 2 hours is a long break."
"I like staying with you; Though Quinn will kill me so I had better be going.".
Creedy jumped off the bed and pulled his boots back on.
"You!" he pointed at the bump. "Look after your mother! And you!" he pointed at Rosie's head. "Look after my child, Daddy will be home soon!"
Rosie blew him a kiss as he left and returned to Mr Darcy.

Tina held her child close to her in the kitchen. Watching Ma peel the sack full of spuds Creedy had harvested and brought in.
"God Ma, I can't believe Creedy will be a dad. It is crazy to think about. He will barely hold this little feller for fear of breaking him."
"I know, I am so happy for him and Rosie. I think he will make a brilliant father."
"That he will", agreed Tina. "He is practically a father to these two anyway." Tina gestured to the twins sitting at her feet, their faces screwed up and concentrating on the books Tina had found in the library.
At this the twins looked up. Tom was the first to speak. "I like Creedy, he is a superhero. He told me."
At this Ma and Tina threw their heads back and roared with laughter.
Ma laughed the hardest. "Oh he would be flattered if he heard you say that."
Lucy looked confused. "So he isn't a superhero? He told us he had a cape and he flew around fighting dragons, he said if it weren't for him Quinn would have still been wandering around looking for a pub!"
"I'll be having words with him!" Everyone jumped as Quinn strode in smiling, "Wandering around indeed."
The twins jumped to their feet and ran over to hug Quinn.
"Uncle Quinn!" Tom spoke, "Creedy said you are a sidekick - is that as good as a hero?"
"Right!" shouted Quinn. "Come with me children, I came in here to get Creedy and myself a drink but now I've decided to give him a soaking!"
He filled 2 mugs with water and handed one to each twin, while filling the biggest bowl he could find for himself.
"Now listen up my little helpers..."

Outside Creedy was leaning against a pile of rubble, waiting for Quinn to return and thinking about Rosie.
Behind him he heard rubble fall, like somebody was climbing up the pile. The unmistakable giggles of Tom and Lucy floated over.
Without warning he felt a cold liquid fall over his back, then a hard thud as something hit his head. Spinning round he saw Tom holding his mug, pleased as punch.
Lucy was bright red, "Sorry Creedy, I didn't mean to throw the mug, it slipped."
Creedy rubbed his head and laughed. "Come here you little brats!"
The twins screamed as a soaked Creedy jumped up the rubble and gave chase.
Once he reached the top of the pile his blood froze.
"Now Quinn calm down, you don't know what your doing!"
Quinn advanced toward him holding his water. Behind him stood Ma and Tina laughing like madwomen.
"Quinn man, think of the consequences - I'm warning you, don't you dare."
With that Creedy ran in the other direction. Quinn gave chase and finally caught up.
Creedy then changed his mind and turned around running towards Quinn, taking him by surprise.
Ma and Tina closed their eyes as they collided. Then slowly opened them, only to burst out laughing again.
Creedy and Quinn lay together in a heap of limbs, both suitably soaked and stunned.
"Ow..." came a groan from the pile.
Ma took the twins hands. "See children, men can be hero's in different ways. These two are just idiots. Never confuse them with superheroes!"

December settled in and Creedy and Rosie grew impatient.
"I think it is lazy. You hear me little one, you're lazy!"
The baby was 2 days late. Everyone was sat around waiting for dinner to be served.
"My mum said I was an early birth" laughed Rosie. "If this one's lazy, it is your influence!"
"Sounds like Creedy," laughed Quinn. "Leave the poor thing be, it is probably sick of you bump watching all the time!"
"I am taking a healthy interest in the growth of my child. Plus it annoys Rosie, so it's fun!"
Creedy hugged Rosie close and kissed her temple. Looking down he saw her go a grey colour.
"Are you alright?" he whispered.
Rosie gripped his hand. "I think my water's just broke!"
"Darling, that's gross, use the loo like everyone else...oooh you mean... oh God!"
"Here comes our child!" Rosie smiled meekly and clung to Creedy.