It was absolutely pouring with rain. A thoroughly miserably morning, even for early January. Robbie was perusing the crossword before work with a freshly brewed cup of tea when his mobile rang. He frowned, reaching for it absentmindedly. "Lewis," he said. "Robbie? It's Tim, you alright?" Robbie sat up straight. "Hiya Tim, is everything alright?" he asked, suddenly concerned. "Yeah, yeah, we're all good. Lynne wanted me to call you," Tim said and Robbie ran his hand over the back of his head. "She alright?" Robbie asked. "She's good, we all are. Little lad arrived in the wee small hours, and we thought we'd get some sleep before we rang you all," Tim said "I know she's dying to talk to you and send you some photos but they're just sorting out the little lad's discharge so we can take him home." Robbie inhaled sharply. A boy. A grandson. He grinned boyishly at the thought. "Oh, Tim. That's great news. Really great. Is Lynne alright? Did she have a reasonable time of it?" he asked anxiously and he could almost hear the smile on Tim's face down the phone line. "You'd have been dead proud Robbie, she was amazing," Tim said and Robbie grinned, standing up to consider the view from the window. "So you're headed home from the hospital?" Robbie asked. "Yeah, yeah, Lynne's desperate to be home," Tim confirmed. It sounded exactly like Lynne, Robbie mused. "Oh, hang on, here's Lynne, let me pass you over," Tim said, and there was a series of muffled noises as he transferred the phone to Lynne. "Dad!" Lynne said, and Robbie could detect the elation and exhaustion in her voice. "Hello love," he said happily and he swallowed the lump which suddenly appeared in his throat. "You alright?" he said, slightly huskily and Lynne smiled to hear him so. "We've got our wee boy Dad," she told him happily and Robbie beamed. "Oh, Lynne, I'm so pleased pet," he said "well done lass. You alright?" Lynne glanced at the baby in her arms and smiled happily. Tim squeezed her shoulder. "Yeah, you know, tired and a bit sore, but he's a gorgeous boy,' she replied. "I can't wait to see photos," Robbie said and Lynne chuckled. "Shall I send them to Laura?" she teased, knowing full well that her dad's technical abilities were, at best, quite basic. Robbie tutted. "Let me warn her!" he reproached and Lynne smiled. "We named him, Dad," she said and Robbie leant against the kitchen counter. "Oh?" he replied and Lynne smiled down at her baby boy. "John Robert," she said "for Tim's dad and for you. We thought you'd like that. We're going to call him Jack for short." Robbie swallowed hard, unexpected tears pricking at his eyes. "Blimey, Lynne," he said and he could hear her smiling. "Will you come at the weekend, Dad? Bring Laura too?" Lynne asked hopefully "promise I'll send you masses of photos before then." Robbie nodded, and then remembered he was on the phone. "Course I will, I'll speak to the Chief Super today, get the time," he assured her. "I better let you get to work," Lynne said and Robbie glanced at the clock. "Aye," he said, "email me some pictures at work, eh? I can't wait to see you, love, and meet the little man." Lynne smiled up at Tim, and then down at the baby. "I can't wait either Dad," she said "I promise I'll email, and maybe speak later." Robbie reached for his jacket "Love you Lynne," he said emotionally. "Love you too," Lynne said happily.
As Robbie pulled into the station car park, he glanced into his rear view mirror, realising that Laura was in the car behind him. He parked up, and Laura parked her car next to him. He turned the engine off, and got out of the car, hoping Laura would fall into step alongside him. "Morning," she said cheerfully and he smiled broadly at her. "I had a message from your lovely daughter," Laura said "so I'm very glad I ran into you. Because I've not opened it, and I'm dying to." Robbie considered her and she smiled at him before holding out her phone. She tapped open the message, carefully not looking and held it out to him, and he took the phone from her, leaning back against his car as he gazed at the photo Lynne had sent her. "Laura," he murmured and she smiled up at him. Robbie rubbed the back of his head, unsure of what he wanted to say but feeling somewhat choked. "Congratulations," Laura said softly and Robbie smiled at her before returning the phone so that she could see the photo. "Oh Robbie," she murmured "he's lovely." Robbie nodded as Laura studied the photo in front of her. "John Robert, they're calling him. Jack for everyday," Robbie told her and Laura looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. "Bless your Lynne," she said and he nodded, holding his hand out for her phone, wanting to look at his baby grandson again. Laura handed it over. "I'll email it to you, soon as I get into the office" she promised and he reached for her hand, squeezing her fingers. "I'm made up with this wee bairn," he said wistfully and Laura smiled. "You going up to see them?" she asked and Robbie nodded. "Aye, this weekend," he said and he allowed his hand to drift to her shoulder. "Will you come with me?" Robbie asked and Laura met his gaze. "I can't imagine going without you," he owned and Laura found herself welling up. "Let me check the roster," she said, her voice betraying the emotion she felt. Robbie sighed, glanced again at the photo and slid the phone shut. He passed it back to Laura and they smiled at each other. "Come on lass," he said and they turned towards the station. Robbie looped his arm around Laura's shoulders and she looked up at him curiously. "I know," he said "but I just don't care this morning." And Laura smiled.
When she got down to her office, Laura set her laptop on her desk and fired it up before hanging her coat on the coat hook on the back of her door and setting her briefcase down. She picked up her phone, opening the message from Lynne and beginning to reply as she unwound her scarf. Congratulations Lynne and Tim! He is a beauty. Well done. Hope you had a reasonable time of it. Are you home now? L x Laura set her phone down on the desk, and then began to log into her laptop. Her phone buzzed again and she glanced at it. Just headed home with the little man now. Fairly straightforward labour. Glad to be taking him home with us. Can't wait to introduce him to you and Dad xxx Laura smiled wistfully. It felt so strange to be having this conversation with Lynne, who she'd known for years now. It felt no time at all since she'd been sat in Robbie and Val's kitchen revising A-Level Chemistry with Lynne, and here she was, all grown up with a little one of her own. Laura felt a funny sort of pride at the thought. But there was another emotion in there, one she couldn't quite place. Her phone buzzed and she read the message eagerly. Will you come this weekend with Dad? Please come. It'd be lovely for you to be there too. Laura's eyes filled with tears and she inhaled deeply, trying to calm her emotions. Lynne's acceptance of her relationship with Robbie still made her feel quite emotional, and she was very fond of Lynne. Laura refused point blank to refer to Lynne and Pat as her step-children. It seemed ridiculous to her. Whatever meaningful role she might play in Robbie's life, she wasn't trying to be a mother to his children. They had a mother, and Laura felt it would have been grossly insensitive for her to even hint at taking Val's place. But today, on a day when Val's absence was surely very keenly felt, Laura felt very privileged to have been so willingly accepted into the Lewis clan. Laura flicked through her calendar and considered the roster. She wasn't scheduled to be on call this weekend, and it looked as though she'd be able to get away for the weekend. Laura picked up her office phone and dialled the number for Dispatch. "Morning," she said cheerfully "It's Dr. Hobson here. I'm not scheduled to be on call this weekend, but I was wondering if you could swap the prioritisation for back up around for me so that I'm the bottom of the list? I've got a family commitment this weekend and I'm going to be out of county. Great. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. Cheers." There was a rap at the door and she glanced up. "Come in," she called and Hugh, one of the lab assistants stuck his head around the door. "Kettle's on Doc. Fancy a brew?" he enquired and Laura nodded. "Thanks Hugh. I'll come and grab a coffee in a minute," she replied and he nodded before retreating back to the staffroom. Laura glanced at the door and then picked up her phone again. "Robbie? It's me. I'm clear this weekend, okay? Dispatch have shunted me to the bottom of the list," Laura said, cradling the phone and smiling broadly. "That's good to hear," Robbie replied, leaning back in his chair, considering how natural it felt to be considering Laura as part of the family. God, he loved her. "Train or drive?" he asked and Laura considered this for a moment. "Let's drive," she said "head up on Friday. Take them some food and do whatever we can to help with the little man. Want me to find a hotel?" Robbie thought about it. "There's a Travelodge about a mile from theirs," he said "then we can be nearby, but not in the way." Laura nodded and then smiled. "I better crack on," she mused and he sighed. "I'll get it sorted. See you tonight love," Robbie said softly. "See you later," Laura replied quietly before hanging up.
That Friday evening Laura found herself sat on Lynne's sofa in Manchester, cradling the newest addition to the Lewis clan. "So this, wee man," Lynne said affectionately "is your Nanna Laura," as she gently eased her baby son into Laura's arms. Laura glanced down at the baby in her arms and she swore her heart lurched slightly. Robbie tightened his grip around her shoulder and Laura smiled down at the baby. "He's a little darling Lynne," she said warmly and Robbie grinned. Seeing Laura with a baby in her arms sent a peculiar sensation through him, and she looked up at him, her gaze soft. The baby stirred, yawning and then settling back in Laura's arms. "Those Lewis genes run strong, eh?" she observed "I can see your Dad in this little fella." Robbie beamed, full of pride. "Poor lad," Lynne observed wryly and she and Laura exchanged a wry glance. Laura looked down at the little boy in her arms, considering his tiny features. It suddenly dawned on Laura that in another life, in another time, this could have been her child and the very thought made her feel a bit funny. The prospect of children had been such a distant dream for Laura, something she'd set aside as an option not open to her and she'd parked those thoughts for so long. Now, here and holding little Jack, it suddenly occurred to her that it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility.
Later in their hotel room, Laura curled up in the armchair in a pretence at reading her book, but it lay open on her lap, and with her hand resting on her chin, she began to try and process her thoughts. Realistically, she wondered, was it even worth considering? The prospect of parenthood was something Laura had always kept at the back of her mind. Both Ellen and Ligeia, for example, had been adamant that neither had any wish to become parents. Ellen had stuck to that religiously, and although Laura loved her friend dearly, she couldn't imagine her with kids. Ligeia had gone on to have children, but she'd made it clear that childrearing seriously messed with her career and she gave Laura the impression she resented how motherhood had taken over her life. Laura had never ruled it out thought. But the opportunity had never really presented itself. She'd had a few relationships, two or three which one might term serious, but since Robbie had come back from the BVI, she'd really only had eyes for him and yes, she'd had dates in that time, but nothing had ever come of any of them. And now she and Robbie had been together for over a year. But would he really want to even consider this? He had children, after all. And they were quite grown up! For goodness sake, the man had just become a grandfather and here she was, wondering if he'd consider starting a family with her. Laura inhaled sharply at the thought and Robbie glanced at her, unbeknownst to her. Laura was clearly miles away and he smiled to himself. It wasn't a conversation for today, Laura mused, but, sometime, she thought, sometime, she was at the very least going to have to ask the question. And if the answer was no, well, then, the answer was no, but Laura wasn't sure she could go through life wondering and not knowing.