Authors notes: Thanks to all that have reviewed the last 2 chapters. And thanks to Lou for her comments.Will try and update soon. Please read and review.

Chapter 9

Neil opens his eyes to the early morning sunlight that's streaming through Andrea's bedroom window. Last nights downpour has now ended. In his arms, Andrea is still asleep and Neil smiles to himself thinking how beautiful she is.

Andrea had definitely surprised him last night. The last thing he'd expected was for her to start kissing him, all this time he'd thought she was trying to back away from anything happening between them again.

Andrea murmurs something in her sleep and snuggles closer to Neil. He reaches out to move a stray strand of hair out of her eyes, whilst continuing to smile down at her. This is want his wanted for over a year now, to have Andrea back in his arms. He'd been devastated when she'd just disappeared after having been exposed as a journalist at Sunhill. If it wasn't for Annabelle he might never have found her again.

He loves Annabelle just as he loves the woman lying in his arms. The day before they spent together along with Jake had been like a dream come true for Neil, because now all he wants is for them all to be family.

Andrea has made him feel things he's never felt before. In the past two years of knowing her, he's never been happier. And he'll do anything to make sure he doesn't lose her again.

Andrea eyes flutter open, squinting against the morning sun. She is greeted by a kiss to her forehead which causes her to look up slightly to where Neil is gently smiling down at her.

"Good morning" He says still smiling.

Andrea is expressionless, memories of the night before slowly coming back to her.

"Err… Hi." She says uncertainly before turning round to glance at the small clock sitting on her bedside table. It's 7 o'clock.

"You okay?" Neil asks, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

"Yeah. I need to get up." She says sitting up.

Causing a frown to appear on Neil's face. "You don't regret …?" He starts to ask worried by the way she's reacting.

"No." She says, shaking her head, "No I don't, it's just … look can we talk about this later, I need to get up, and get Annabelle sorted, I've got to go to work today."

"Okay, I've got to get going as well; Phillipa wants me to have Jake."

Andrea looks at him, "I'm surprised you're still allowed to see him"

Neil smirks. "Well, so I am. It's only because she missed working yesterday."

"I need to go and feed Bella." She says before pointing Neil in the direction of the bathroom.

Having dropped Annabelle off at the nursery. Andrea is now on her way to work. Neil had offered to give them a lift, before he went to collect Jake. They're sitting in a traffic queue waiting for a traffic light to go green.

"Jake's going to drive me mad today." Neil remarks, trying to start a conversation going. Andrea has been extremely quiet and off towards him all morning.

"Why?" She replies quietly gazing out the car's window.

"It's going to be Annabelle this and Annabelle that. And when can I see Annabelle again Daddy."

Andrea smiles, "It's probably a good thing it's you he's spending the morning with, not Phillipa."

Neil laughs, "You should have seen the evil glares I was getting yesterday."

Andrea grins, "Poor Jake."

"What about me?" Neil asks.

Causing Andrea to smirk. "You can look after yourself." She replies teasingly.

Neil pulls a face, glad that Andrea seems to have relaxed a bit.

"It's over there." She says pointing over to where she works.

"Drop you here?"

"Yeah that's fine." She says picking up her bag, her hand reaching to open the door.

"Bye then." Neil says.

"Bye." Andrea replies, pausing for a moment before leaning over to Neil to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks for the lift."

"I'll give you a ring later?" Neil asks.

"Yeah, that's fine. About six, yeah. I'll be home by then."

"Okay." Neil says watching her get out and make her way over to the building where she now worked.

Its lunchtime, before Andrea finally gets sometime to herself. She still can't believe what happened the night before. She has no idea why she suddenly decided to kiss Neil but the good thing was it had ended his questions about what she had said to Phillipa.

It isn't that she not pleased about what happened last night, it had been wonderful being back in Neil's arms, she just wants to take things slowly. She'd made enough mistakes the last time she'd been with Neil and the last thing she wants is to head for more heartache. Especially not now she's got Annabelle to think of. There's also Jake to consider and Neil is still currently married to Phillipa. Any relationship between her and Neil would be just as complicated as before.

If anyone found out that Neil had a child with her, Andrea Dunbar the undercover journalist, then his job would surely be at risk. There's also the fact she now lives half an hour away, to consider. Asking Neil to be a part of Annabelle's life had not involved them getting back together again and judging by the way Neil was that morning, she can see that's exactly what he had in mind.

And all Andrea wants is to avoid getting her heart broken. And the last thing she wants is Annabelle to get hurt.

Andrea leans back in her chair, lifting a cup of coffee to her lips. She sighs, knowing that choices are going to have to be made.