A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews. There's a little more to come on this one, before we leave Robbie and Laura to enjoy their happy ever after. The final section is M-rated, so if that's not your thing, feel free to skip over it.

Walking back from her appointment with her obstetrician, Laura was considerably preoccupied. The problem with being a doctor, even if you weren't an obstetrician, you were still aware of all the potential risks that being pregnant in your mid-forties presented. Though, Laura mused, so far she had been very lucky. Her tests and monitoring had all been normal, and the pregnancy was progressing smoothly. Kate had chuckled at her at one recent appointment to discuss practicalities for labour and delivery. "Honestly, Laura," Kate had told her kindly "I know that you're 44, and that therefore this pregnancy might be considered high risk, but you and the babies are all doing well. They're growing well. So let's not catastrophise. I know you want to deliver vaginally if you can, and I'll support you in that, but you also know it might be best for you and the babies to have a caesarian. We'll cross that bridge, eh?" Doctors, Kate reminded her, seemed to go one of two ways. They either wanted all the painkillers, a very medicalised birth, or they shied away from it, wanting as little intervention as possible, keen to allow their body to do what it was designed to do. Laura leaned towards the latter. Goodness knows, if necessary, she'd take medicine or pain relief if she needed to, but Laura hoped she'd be able to give birth to the twins naturally. Kate privately thought that knowing how stubborn Laura could be, it was entirely likely she'd somehow manage a natural delivery. One of the babies kicked out and Laura smoothed a hand over her bump, smiling to herself. "Alright you," she murmured as the baby seemed to respond to her touch. She was nearly 30 weeks pregnant now, and had already seen out her last on call, much to her relief. "This bump barely fits into scrubs at all anymore, much less a scene suit," Laura had lamented to Robbie one night, and he'd smiled broadly, rubbing his hand over her bump. Laura laced her fingers into his, and they smiled at each other. But she still had another month left in the office before her maternity leave began. Laura knew perfectly well that the twins were almost certainly going to be delivered early and she was quite looking forward to winding down over the next month with a journal article to finish, a handful of court appearances, some students to supervise and data summaries to complete. The last time she'd found herself in court, Laura had been amused to note the defence barrister eye her up and down, note her considerable bump, swallow hard and then begin his cross examination. She all but lived in tunics and leggings these days, since little else accommodated her bump, and Laura hadn't seen her toes in weeks. As she approached the mortuary, one of the technicians began to stroll across the car park towards her.

"Hey up Doc," he said cheerfully and Laura smiled. All the technicians called her Doc, and had done for the duration of her career at Oxfordshire. They called all the pathologists Doc. It was just the way it ran. "Hi Malcolm," she replied and he held the door open for her. "Brew?" he enquired and Laura pushed her office door open, dropping her tote bag on the chair just inside the door and then shrugging her coat off. "Please, that'd be great," she said gratefully and Malcolm nodded. He strolled off down to the staff kitchen and Laura dug her thumbs into the small of her back, closing her eyes. It was no surprise her back ached really, but she still had a bit of work to do, so she sighed and then turned and walked down to the staff kitchen where she could hear Malcolm bustling about. The kettle boiled furiously and Malcolm gestured that Laura should sit. Laura did as she was told. Malcolm had been part of the mortuary team longer than she had, and they'd worked together many a year. She humoured his fussing over her out of a sense of shared history - he'd always been kind to her, from when she was a newly qualified medic, facing her first solo post mortem until now and Malcolm was a firm believer in the restorative powers of a cuppa. He was approaching retirement within the next year or two and Laura knew she'd be sad to see him go. The younger techs were very competent, but there was something reassuringly old school about Malcolm that no one could quite replace. Laura was disturbed from her musings, as Malcolm set down a mug of tea brewed exactly to her liking in front of her, along with the biscuit tin. "Eating for two, and all that," he observed awkwardly and Laura chuckled. She took the lid off and considered her options before selecting a chocolate hobnob and sitting back with satisfaction. Malcolm bustled back in and sat back down opposite Laura. "How are the grandchildren doing?" Laura enquired and Malcolm beamed. A family man, with five children of his own, he was prodigiously proud of his growing brood of grandchildren. He proceeded to regale Laura with tales of the latest exploits of his oldest grandson, his little name sake. "If you don't mind my asking, when's your little 'un arriving?" Malcolm enquired and Laura smiled. "Twins, Malcolm, and supposedly in January, but realistically, probably December," she replied and he grinned at her. "Oh, you must be delighted," he said warmly and Laura smiled as she sipped her tea. "It was a bit of a surprise," she owned "but I think now we're used to the idea, we're pretty excited." Malcolm nodded. "Our Louise has twins. Cracking little lads they are," he replied proudly. Laura took a sip of her tea. "Are you finding out, Doc? What you're having?" Malcolm enquired and Laura nodded, as Malcolm considered her hopefully. "One of each," Laura confirmed and Malcolm beamed. "Ooh, how lovely. A pigeon pair" he replied and Laura smiled. His enthusiasm about all things family life was always endearing. There was always an anecdote with Malcolm, always a story of some mischief and mayhem caused by an errant child of one generation or another amongst his brood. "And how's the Guvnor's little lad?" Malcolm enquired and Laura quietly determined that Malcolm meant Robbie's grandson. "He's very well, thanks, about to turn two" she replied. Robbie and Malcolm occasionally exchanged niceties over respective grandchildren. Both men had seen more that their fair share of post mortems, and Laura suspected, their fair share of post routine pints.

Laura grimaced as a rally of kicks began, and she flattened her hand over the offending area. Malcolm chuckled. "They makin' their presence felt?" he asked and Laura nodded wearily. "Oh yes," she replied. "I used to love feeling the kids kick, when our Marjorie was expecting'" he confessed and Laura smoothed her hand over her bump. "The novelty has somewhat worn off," she replied wearily and he chuckled again. "Right, well, I'd best be headed down to see what I need to sort before I clock off and I expect I'll be seeing you tomorrow?" Malcolm said decisively, standing up and holding his hand out for Laura's empty mug. He waved off her protests about washing up, before heading into the kitchen and stacking their mugs into the dishwasher. Laura shifted to the edge of her seat before easing herself up and making her way into her office. As she sat down at her desk, the phone on Laura' desk rang shrilly, and she glanced at it, frowning at the number. She picked up the handset, and leant back in her chair, cradling her bump as she did so. "Hobson," she replied and then grimaced as the case officer from the CPS introduced themselves. Cuts in the Ministry of Justice had increasingly lead to prolonged waits for cases to come to court and Laura was well aware of several high profile cases, on which she had been the lead practitioner and which she knew she would be called as a key prosecution witness, both locally in Oxford, another potentially in Birmingham and in at least one case at the Old Bailey in the next year. Maternity leave or not, she would be called. And sure enough, this phone call yielded the information that she would be required to attend court in two days time and could she please make the necessary arrangements. Before the call was over, Laura had the original files called up on her computer, retrieved the uploaded submission to the CPS and notified the centre administrator that she would need to be removed from the on call roster on the court dates specified. She finished the call, put the phone down and sighed heavily, resting her head back against the headrest and rubbing her hand over her bump. Over six months pregnant now, Laura was planning for her maternity leave in earnest now. She was mildly optimistic that she would get through it without too many interruptions but she wondered whether she was actually going to find herself giving evidence with a tiny baby cradled on her chest at some stage.

An hour later, just after she'd got off the phone with the CPS, there was a knock at her office down. "Come in," Laura called, pushing her glasses onto the top of her head and glancing up. The door opened and James stuck his head around it. He quirked an eyebrow at Laura and she smiled. "Hello Sergeant" she said warmly "what brings you to the depths of the mortuary?" James shut the door behind him and Laura gestured that he should sit. "DI Lewis has been assigned a new case," James began and Laura considered the policeman sat in front of her wearily. "It's a GP. A whistleblower has reported that drug records for a surgery in Jericho have been falsified, and in the same fortnight two families of patients have made complaints about his involvement with the death of their family member. So… well, here I am," James concluded and Laura arched an eyebrow. "Well," she replied thoughtfully "I won't be involved until a warrant is issued to exhume any bodies, and that may take some weeks, and I'm going on maternity leave in a month, James, so there is absolutely no guarantee it'll be me here to oversee it." James grimaced but Laura interjected before he could speak. "There is absolutely no chance I'd be in a position to hurry it up either," Laura pointed out "this ball is firmly in the court of the CPS." James' grimace deepened. "Bugger," he lamented and Laura laughed before grimacing as one of the twins kicked out. James looked perturbed, and Laura rubbed her hand over the top of her bump. "Does that happen a lot?" he asked warily and Laura nodded. "You get used to it," she replied. James shuddered and Laura smiled to herself.

Robbie was engrossed in emails when James returned from the mortuary. "Hobson says it's in the hands of the CPS and she reckons she'll be on maternity leave before it comes through," he reported, clearly irritated and Robbie laughed. "Aye," he replied "yeah, I suppose she will." James scoffed. "As if you didn't have those dates impressed upon you already," he rebuked and Robbie shrugged. "It's a moveable feast, Hathaway. I know when Laura's supposed to start her maternity leave, I'm not a total dunce. But I also know that she could go into labour, or have to be induced at any point from now, for the next seven weeks. Seems little point fixing on a specific date." James frowned. This reality hadn't exactly occurred to him. "Does Innocent know that?" he asked, perplexed and Robbie shrugged. "She knows I might need to take paternity leave at quite short notice. We agreed she'd put me on a few non-time sensitive jobs from next week, for the next couple of months, which was kind of her. She doesn't have to make allowances, so I appreciate it." James considered this. It was odd in a way, having to reframe Lewis as the father of newborns. It was clearly going to have more of an impact on his life too, or at least his work life. "How long will Laura take for maternity leave?" he enquired and Robbie stopped typing. "She's entitled to a year, but she says she'll see. She has to keep her CPD intact, and there's at least a handful of cases where she's obliged to give evidence, so I dunno. It's Laura's call," he said thoughtfully and James nodded. "Laura reckons she'll be giving evidence at the Old Bailey with a tiny baby in her arms," Robbie went on and James grimaced. "Sounds grim," he replied and Robbie shrugged. "If anyone can handle it, my wife can," he replied confidently and James smiled. One of the things he found most cheering about Robbie and Laura was their complete backing of each other. They bickered and argued like most couples on occasion, but at the end of the day, they always had the other's support.

An hour later, with both Lewis and Hathaway engrossed in paperwork, both startled slightly when the phone on Lewis' desk rang shrilly. He picked up the receiver, saying promptly "Lewis." Followed by "Hello pet, how's your afternoon?" Hathaway returned his attention to the final pages in front of him. If Lewis was calling Laura 'pet' this was domestics, and not work so he could relax. His attention was drawn again a few moments later when Lewis mentioned his name and James glanced up. "Pub?" Lewis mouthed at him and James glanced at his watch and nodded. "Meet Laura at the entrance in fifteen?" he proposed and Lewis relayed the information to Laura. Confirming the arrangements, he concluded the call and set the receiver back down on the hook. "Which pub?" Lewis mused and James glanced through CID to see what the weather was doing. "How about the Kings' Arms? Or the White Horse?" James proposed, and Lewis smirked. The White Horse still made him smile. He'd never forget Laura kissing him in the bar there in front of Hathaway and Innocent earlier in the year, the exhilaration of kissing her back and not caring two hoots who knew they were together, of knowing that she was his. "Either sounds fine. Let's see what Laura has to say on the matter," he replied, still smiling and James nodded, before returning his attention to his work, in order to finish it in the allotted time.

Later that evening, happily ensconced in the pub, against the early November weather, with James at the bar, collecting his round, Robbie laced his fingers into Laura's and considered his wife. "You look tired, pet," he murmured and she smiled wearily. "Think I'll need to call it a night after this," she replied and he smiled in return. "They wearing you out?" he said and Laura smoothed her free hand over her bump. "Them, the Home Office and Simon Rawbones, yes," she replied emphatically and Robbie smirked. "Rawbones up to his usual tricks?" he enquired and Laura sighed. "Something like that," she said and Robbie squeezed her hand. He glanced up at the bar, and seeing that James was still some way off being served, brought her hand into both of his. "How was your appointment with Kate?" he enquired and Laura nodded. "Straightforward," she said "I need to write a list setting out how I'd like to proceed in labour, and then she and I can go through it. And I have a date for induction, so at least now, we have a bit more of a timeframe to work towards." She considered her husband's face. He looked relaxed, content and it made her smile. "Babies before Christmas then?" he enquired and Laura nodded. "One way or another," she said and Robbie smiled broadly. "Hopefully my birthday present won't be an induction," Laura continued and a grimace flickered through Robbie's features. "I imagine you'll try and do everything in your power to bring on labour before the hospital do," Robbie mused and Laura laughed. "You'll be sick to death of curry and pineapple," she pointed out and Robbie chuckled. "I've heard of other ways too," he reminded her and Laura snorted in amusement. as James set their drinks down on the table next to them. She looked sideways at Robbie, bemused. "How's your weekend looking, Jim?" she enquired as he sat down opposite her, easing back in her seat and cradling her bump in an attempt to get comfortable. James sipped his pint , before glancing at the clock behind the bar. "I've got band practice at eight, and then mostly a quiet one, a bit of reading maybe. Might go to the gym on Sunday morning, then probably Mass in the evening," he replied genially. "What about you two?" Robbie and Laura exchanged a glance. "Dr Hobson is supposed to be putting her feet up," Robbie remarked and Laura rolled her eyes before taking a sip of her drink. "No plans for us. I think I'll do a roast on Sunday if you fancy coming over? I'll probably catch up with some peer review I want to do before these little ones put in an appearance," she said and James smiled. "Domestic bliss," James muted and Laura smiled back.

The following morning dawned bright and sunny and Laura stirred sleepily, Robbie's arm wrapped over the top of her bump. She glanced at the clock and shifted onto her back, considering the sleeping form of her husband. He looked contented in his sleep and she gently brushed the hair off his forehead. He didn't stir, and she eased herself out of his grip, and sat up on the edge of the bed before getting up and making her way to the bathroom. When she came back a few minutes later, Robbie had stirred and he smiled at her as she got back into bed. "Good morning, Mrs Lewis," he murmured, drawing her in for a kiss and Laura smiled against his lips. She was only ever Mrs Lewis when it was the two of them, and rarely ever outside the privacy of their home. "Good morning," she replied in the same soft tones, kissing him back slowly and sensuously, leaving him in no doubt to her intentions. They kissed leisurely, enjoying the opportunity to savour being together, without the risk of interruption, hands beginning to wander. Robbie eased Laura's vest top up and over her head, his hands drawn to her breasts and she drew in a breath as he rubbed her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. Pressing kisses down the side of her neck, Robbie continued his attentions to her skin until he could take her nipple into his mouth, suckling gently at it, savouring the density of it under his caress. He laved his tongue around it, murmuring his appreciation of her figure. Laura ran her fingers into his hair, enjoying the sensations he was evoking in her, sighing as he broke away to moisten his fingers and slide them between her legs, seeking her most intimate spot. He moved his attentions to her other breast and Laura sighed happily. As he continued to touch her, Laura couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. As he slipped his fingers inside her, his thumb skirting her clitoris, Laura moaned again and Robbie kissed his way up from her breast to her cheek, stopping to nuzzle the sensitive spot under her ear. "I want you," he murmured against her ear and Laura kissed him deeply in response. "Will you go on top?" he asked hopefully and Laura arched her neck in pleasure as he slid another finger inside her, before nodding. "God, yes, please," she murmured and he helped her move so that she straddled his lap. He gazed at her lustfully, holding himself so that she could slide down onto him. He groaned loudly as she held herself over him, the tip of him just at her entrance and her eyes sparkled. "Laura," he urged and she smiled wickedly, holding herself there and watching his expression. "God, the things you do to me, woman," he muttered and Laura quirked an eyebrow at him, reaching for her breasts and cupping them in her hands, fondling them and watching his response. She allowed herself to sink a little more onto him and he hissed her name, sinking back against the pillows and gripping the bedsheets. "You're killing me Laura," he urged, wondering how the hell she was managing to torment him like this and he arched his back in pleasure as she slid down onto him fully, enveloping him in velvety heat. When he opened his eyes, she was watching him still and they smiled at each other.

"Want to watch?" she asked, hands still at her breasts and he nodded eagerly, his hands falling to the side of her thighs. Laura leant in for a long, slow kiss and then sat back, squeezing him within her, causing him to groan her name. She closed her eyes, still toying with her breasts and tweaking the nipples, rocking her hips. Pregnancy had made her breasts even more sensitive than before and she sighed at the sensations. She felt Robbie caress her skin softly and she smiled, slipping her hands over her bump and down to her nub. Robbie captured her hand and brought her thumb to his lips, kissing it and then taking it into his mouth and moistening it. Laura met his gaze as she began to touch herself and his eyes darkened with lust. As she began to move her hips in response to the sensations, Robbie's grip on her thighs tightened. A shudder of pleasure ran through her, and she sank more deeply onto him. Robbie threw his head back in pleasure and Laura murmured to herself, stroking herself as she moved on him and Robbie cried out. She could feel she was close to the edge now and she widened her legs so that she could sink onto him more deeply. Moistening her fingers again, she cried out again as she touched herself, her orgasm beginning to course through her and Robbie swore under his breath. "Laura," he groaned "Laura, yes, darlin', like that, oh god." He thrust up into her and Laura cried out as she came, Robbie following suit, keening her name as he spilled himself into her, heat shooting through him as he came. He interlaced their fingers as she tumbled onto the bed next to him and drew her into his arms, cradling her against him and pressing a kiss into her hair. "You are utterly beautiful," he murmured, holding her close and Laura smiled against his skin. "I love you so much," she said softly and he squeezed her against him, bringing his free hand to caress her bump. "I love you too" Robbie told her and Laura smiled, feeling one of the twins wriggle in response to their father's touch. They lay contentedly together, enjoying each other's proximity, talking in low tones in anticipation of their weekend together.