"Foyle"

"Christopher, thank goodness"

Foyle stiffened instantly hand tightening on the telephone receiver, "Elaine, what's wrong? You alright?"

Elaine sighed, "Yes, well…"

Foyle was on his feet, their current efforts to track down black marketers forgotten "Is it the baby? Where are you?"

"I'm home, oh Christopher I think it's time and I rang Hugh but…"

"He's meeting with the Chief Superintendent" Foyle finished, "Sam and I will come and get you and I'll send Milner and a constable for Hugh"

"But the girls…"

"I'll take care of it, go and sit down; we'll be there soon." He replaced the receiver, grabbed his hat and stepped into the hall.

As usual Sam immediately got up, smiling eagerly, "Going out on a call Sir?"

"Yes, in a manner of speaking, Elaine Reid just called"

"Oh is she alright Sir?"

Foyle tilted his head, "Well, seems the baby may have decided to put in an appearance"

Sam's eyes widened, "Oh and Mr. Reid is off at that meeting!"

"Yup, bring the car around please Sam, I need to speak to Milner before we go." Sam nodded and hurried away while Foyle strode towards Milner's office.

10 minutes later they were speeding towards the Reids', Foyle chewing hard on his cheek; "Err Sam, I'm afraid I've a rather large favour to ask."

Sam glanced over briefly before returning her attention to the road, "Yes Sir?"

"Well given the circumstances I was wondering if you'd be willing to stay with Maggie and Grace? I realize you may have plans this evening and…"

"Not at all Sir. I'm happy to help. They're jolly girls, I'm sure we'll get along splendidly"

Foyle smiled, "Suspect you're right. Thank you Sam. It will be a huge relief to Hugh and Elaine to know you're with them."

Sam smiled and pulled the car to a stop in front of the Reids' "Shall I come up Sir?"

Foyle paused, one foot on the pavement and turned back to look at her. "If you don't mind Sam. Elaine might err need a hand"

Sam bit back a smile at seeing her usually stoic boss look so uncomfortable, "Yes Sir"

Foyle didn't bother knocking just tried the door handle and when it opened easily stepped across the threshold calling "Elaine?"

"In here Christopher" was the prompt reply and he hurried into the lounge where Elaine was sitting on the settee, immediately crossing to crouch in front of her, hat in hand.

"You alright?"

She smiled at Sam before answering, "Yes, it's the early stages if it's anything at all."

"Right, well best get you to hospital and let White determine that." He got back to his feet, eyes sweeping the room, "Need anything?"

Elaine nodded, "I have a bag in the bedroom…"

Foyle nodded and pivoted towards the doorway, "Sam, would you mind?"

"Not at all Sir" She vanished up the stairs and Foyle turned back to Elaine, "Sam's going to drive us and then come back so someone's here when the girls get home. If that's alright with you of course"

"It's more than alright but is she sure? It will probably be hours and I can ask Mrs. Ambleside from next door…"

Foyle shook his head, "I did check and she says she's happy too. Besides if it gets too late I can always come by. Now, do you want to go for the car?"

Elaine nodded and with his help got slowly to her feet. Foyle immediately slipped an arm around her waist, "Just lean on me. We can take it as slowly as you like."

They had made it nearly to the door before Elaine sucked in a sharp breath, her grip tightening on his forearm. Foyle adjusted his stance slightly, taking as much of her weight as he could, "Alright, steady"

The contraction eased a moment later and Elaine took a deep breath letting it out slowly. Foyle waited patiently and then raised one eyebrow in question, "Alright?"

Elaine nodded, "Yes, they're still very short and irregular, it may be a false alarm"

He gave her a skeptical look, "I may be a man with only one son but I don't think there was anything 'false' about that. Now mind your step." By the time they reached the car Sam had it running so as soon as Foyle settled Elaine in the backseat and went around to join her they were off.

Elaine shifted uncomfortably and Foyle offered her his hand, which she took with a grateful smile. "Hugh's bound to be on his way back by now. Doubt they'll let him in but you know he'll be there."

"I know. I hate to ask when you've already done so much Christopher but…"

Foyle gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "Wouldn't dream of making him wait alone"

Elaine opened her mouth to reply only to groan softly as her grip on his hand tightened. The contraction was over a moment later and she closed her eyes, breathing deeply for a minute before offering him a weak smile. "I'm alright Christopher"

Foyle nodded, "Of course you are, you're one of the strongest people I know and I know you'll do wonderfully. Hugh on the other hand might need a sedative."

Elaine laughed lightly but Foyle could see the worry in her eyes and squeezed her hand lightly again, "He'll be fine Elaine, there was no way he wasn't going to worry but I'll make sure he doesn't do anything foolish."

"We're here Sir" Sam called out as she pulled the car to a stop outside Hastings General, "I'll go and find a nurse" and with that she trotted off up the steps leaving Foyle to fetch Elaine's bag and help her carefully out of the car.

Sam was back in a moment a nurse and an orderly with a wheelchair in tow and in short order they were heading into the hospital; Foyle keeping pace with the wheelchair, fully aware that as soon as they reached the ward he would be summarily banished.

As he expected when they reached the double doors the nurse turned to him, "I'm sorry Sir you can't come any further. You can ask the nurse at the desk where you can wait."

Foyle nodded and looked at Elaine, "Don't worry about Hugh and the girls, Sam and I will see to them" he hesitated and then, knowing that despite her brave face she must be frightened, he brushed a kiss to her cheek murmuring, "You'll do wonderfully Elaine and everything will be fine"

Elaine smiled gratefully if a little tearfully, giving his hand a quick squeeze before the nurse cleared her throat and Foyle obediently stepped back, waiting until the doors had swung closed behind them before turning and going to find Sam.

He found her waiting in the entrance way, one eye on the hallway and one on the car. He glanced at the clock above the admissions desk and then back at his driver, "Sam, how long do you think it will take Milner and Reid to get here?"

Sam looked at the clock as well, forehead furrowed in thought, "Another thirty minutes at least Sir, even if they speed."

Foyle nodded, "Good, that will give us time to collect the girls from school. Maggie is bound to have questions, takes after Hugh that way."

Sam nodded, a small smile playing at her lips at the fondness in Foyle's voice when he talked about the Reid girls; it wasn't the same as when he mentioned Andrew but it was clear he cared about them a great deal.

They pulled up outside of Hastings Primary just before the bell rang and Foyle climbed out to wait for Maggie and Grace to appear. Grace saw him first and came running over, satchel nearly slipping off one shoulder. "Mr. Foyle! Why are you here?"

Foyle smiled, "Hello Grace, Sam and I have come to give you a lift home"

The little girl beamed, "In a police car? Oh how exciting! Is Daddy here too?"

"No he's in a meeting. Have you seen Maggie?"

Grace nodded, "Yes, I'll go fetch her." She took two steps and then turned back to him, "Can I…I mean may I leave my satchel with you Mr. Foyle? I can run faster without it"

Foyle's lips pulled down into a smile as he held out a hand to take the bag, "Of course"

"Thank you" and with that she dashed off again, leaving Foyle holding her satchel and contemplating how many years it had been since Andrew had been this age. That train of thought naturally led him to where his son was now and he felt the familiar surge of worry spurt in his chest at the knowledge that Andrew could be in the air even now.

Before he could dwell any longer on the worry that had resulted in more than a few sleepless nights, Grace was back tugging Maggie impatiently by the hand. Maggie looked worried, more worried than a little girl of 8 should look, and Foyle found himself cursing the Nazis all over again for depriving another generation of children of their childhoods.

"See, I told you Mr. Foyle was here and we're going to ride in a police car!" Grace's excited exclamation broke through his thoughts and Foyle smiled down at them.

"Hello Maggie, good day?"

Maggie nodded, brow still furrowed, "Yes. Is something wrong Mr. Foyle? Mummy didn't say you'd be picking us up."

Foyle smiled reassuringly, "Nothing's wrong, just a change of plans. Come on I'll explain in the car." Maggie nodded and Grace took her satchel back before slipping her hand into his and skipping along beside him chattering happily about her day.

Sam was waiting when they reached the car and smiled cheerfully at the girls, "Hello!"

"Hello Sam! Mr. Foyle says you're going to drive us home!"

Grace's excitement was contagious and Sam couldn't help grinning back, "That's right! Now hop in the back and we'll be off"

Grace complied eagerly and to Sam's surprise Foyle joined the girls in the back of the car instead of taking his customary seat beside her. Once they had pulled away from the school Foyle took a deep breath and looked at the girls, "The reason Sam and I came to get you is that the baby's coming"

Maggie's eyes went wide, "Is Mummy alright?"

Foyle smiled reassuringly, "Yes, she'll be fine. Sam and I drove her to the hospital and Dr. White and the nurses are looking after her."

"Is Daddy there?" Grace asked, her expression making it clear that she was confident nothing bad could possibly happen if Hugh were present.

"He will be soon, he had to go to a very important meeting but Sgt. Milner went to get him."

Both girls seemed satisfied by this so Foyle carried on, "Now because babies sometimes take a long time to come and your Dad needs to be at the hospital Sam is going to stay with you."

Grace beamed but Maggie frowned, "But doesn't Sam need to drive you so you can catch bad men Mr. Foyle? I can look after Grace and I help Mummy make tea all the time."

Foyle smiled gently, "I know you do Maggie but I'm not going to be catching any more bad men today, Sgt. Milner will do that for me. I'm going to keep your Dad company at the hospital while we wait for your new brother or sister to be born."

Maggie nodded seriously, while Grace, seemingly happy with this turn of events bounced eagerly on the seat, "Sam, can we play pirates after tea?"

"I don't see why not!" Sam replied, looking just as eager as Grace and Foyle looked down to hide his smile.

They pulled up outside the hospital a few minutes later and Foyle gave the girls another smile, "I'm going to get out here to wait for your Dad. I want you to listen to Sam like you would for me or Andrew alright?"

They both nodded, "Yes Mr. Foyle."

Foyle smiled, "Good, I'll see you soon"

He went to climb out but before he could open the door Grace had flung her arms around his neck. He froze, holding her a little awkwardly until she pulled back and explained, "That's a hug for Mummy and this is one for Daddy"

She squeezed his neck and then drew back and looked at him expectantly. Foyle cleared his throat, "Thank you Grace, I'll be sure to tell them"

Grace frowned, "No, you need to hug them Mr. Foyle, that's how they make them feel better"

Foyle adjusted his tie a little awkwardly "Err right…"

"Mr. Foyle? Will you ask Daddy to call and tell us when the baby comes?"

Foyle nodded, "I will but I suspect he'll come home and tell you himself once he's seen your Mum and the baby." Maggie nodded but still looked worried and Foyle gave her his most comforting smile, "Don't worry Maggie, your Mum and the baby will be fine."

She didn't look particularly convinced but she nodded bravely so with a final smile and a reminder for Sam to call the hospital and have them page him if there were any issues at all, he got out and went to find out if Hugh had arrived yet.

Thankfully he hadn't so after confirming that there was no update on Elaine he took the opportunity to call the station and make sure everything was in order before positioning himself at the door where he was bound to see Hugh as soon as he arrived.