I'm sorry it's been a whole for those reading this.

…

Chapter 11

…

Julie was sitting on the sofa a few nights later, looking through a book of baby names when she heard the front door and Kevin walked in carrying carrier bag after carrier bag.

"Bloody hell Kevin, what did you do…buy the whole store."

"Yeah I got a little carried away."

"What is all this?"

"Well, I have the weekend off so I thought I'd make a start on the baby's room, what do you think."

"What did you get?"

"Paint and I got stencils for the wall, I would have bought wallpaper but I'm shit at wallpapering."

"Paint will be fine, Kevin come and sit down for a minute."

"I was gonna make dinner."

"I can do it."

"No, I will."

"Okay but, would you sit down for a minute so that I can talk to you."

Kevin noted the seriousness in her voice and took a seat beside her, worry suddenly filling him.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Mmmm, I'm fine."

"What's going on?"

"There's something I need to tell you, something that happened at work the other day."

"Go on."

"It concerns DS Clarke."

"Oh that prick, what great thing and he done now."

Julie couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips before the seriousness returned to her.

"There was an incident at work the other day, something I wasn't expecting."

"Incident?"

"Okay I'm just gonna say this…he kissed me."

"HE WHAT…"

"Kevin, calm down."

"Calm down? The son of a bitch kissed you, what the hell does he think he's playing at…he knows we're together."

"It was a one time thing and I handled it."

"Handled it how?"

"I transferred him after it happened, Gill was there with me."

"To another station?"

"Yeah, he said he had feelings for me and had since we began working together. I explained our situation, that we were together and that what he had done was inappropriate."

"Damn right it was."

"If it makes any of this any easier, Gill was ready to string him up."

"She should have."

"Kevin I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

"Don't be angry."

"It's hard not too when he kissed the woman I love."

A smile appeared on Julie's face before she brought her hand up to cup Kevin's face, forcing him to turn towards her as she kissed him.

"I know this isn't exactly how either of us planned our lives but I'm glad it worked out this way, I know I was apprehensive about us…about the baby but, I wouldn't change any of it, not now."

"Me either, I love you."

"I love you too, give me your hand."

"Huh…"

"Just do it will you."

Julie took tight hold of Kevin's hand before lifting her blouse and placing his hand to her abdomen, Kevin's eyes went wide when he felt the strong kick to his palm.

"Oh wow, she's kicking."

"She's been doing it for a few days now."

"And you're only just telling me now."

"Well it's not a constant kick, you're really convinced we're having a girl aren't you."

"Absolutely, next scan you'll see."

"Care to make it interesting."

"Really, you wanna make a bet on your own baby."

"Why not, afraid you'll lose."

"No way, fine…how much?"

"Fifty."

"Deal, you better get the money ready."

"Are you making me dinner or what?"

"Coming up…Ma'am."

"Cheeky sod."

…

Rachel had just carried the last box from the car in to Gill's house, leaving it at the bottom of the stairs as Gill came through from the kitchen.

"Right, that the last of them." Gill asked.

"Yeah I think so, you sure Sammy's okay with this."

Gill came over, wrapping her arms around Rachel's waist as she smiled up at her.

"As long as you make me happy, he's happy."

"He's one understanding son."

"Mmmm, you wouldn't think he was Dave's would you."

Rachel laughed before leaning down to kiss Gill's lips.

"I can't believe it; I'm shacking up with the boss."

"Watch it kid, come on…we need wine."

Rachel followed Gill through to the kitchen and took a seat at the counter as Gill poured some red wine and passed one to Rachel.

"Oh I meant to tell you, Julie asked me to be godmother."

"Oh yeah, that's really great."

"Yeah, oh I'm happy for her. I never thought she'd ever settle down."

"Even if it is with Kev?"

"Well he seems to make her happy, these last five months he's grown up a hell of a lot."

"He's even making a pretty good police officer these days."

"So it all worked out for the best then."

"I think so, he won't hurt her you know…he really does love her."

"He talks to you about this stuff does he?"

"Some, he's serious about Julie…very serious."

Gill noticed the small glint in Rachel's eyes as she looked up at her.

"Okay Sherlock, what's going on?"

"What…"

"Don't what me, you know something I don't."

"No I don't."

"Rachel, do you want your first night in this house to be sleeping on the couch?"

"You wouldn't."

"Try me kid."

"Shit…okay, don't tell him I told you but…he's planning on asking her to marry him."

"He's gonna propose to Julie?"

"Mmmm, he's been out every lunchtime trying to find the right ring for her. She will say yes won't she?"

"I don't know Rachel…it's, a little quick."

"Yeah but, they're having a baby."

"You don't have to get married just because you're having a baby you know. It's all still pretty new to Julie, but if he is set on asking her to marry him then all we can do is wait and see what happens."

"Yeah but, we don't want either of then getting hurt do we."

"Rachel, they're both adults. Julie's my best friend, I love her and would do anything in the world for her and I do mean anything, but this…this is nothing to do with any of us, just them. It's time we left them to get on with things."

"Yeah, yeah I guess you're right."

Gill came around to Rachel, leaning in and whispering in her ear.

"Now DC Bailey, are you ready to come and christen your new room."

"You bet I am."

Rachel allowed Gill to take hold of her hand before guiding her up stairs to the bedroom.

…

Julie and Kevin were lying in bed, Julie staring up at the ceiling as Kevin read a book on his tablet.

"Kevin."

"Mmmm."

"I forgot to tell you, I asked Gill the other day if she'd be godmother."

Kevin put his tablet down before turning to look down at her.

"Oh…right."

Julie got herself sitting up with help from Kevin before looking at him.

"You don't mind do you, I know I probably should have discussed it with you first, it's just…Gill's my best friend and there's nobody I would trust more if anything were ever to happen to us."

"Julie it's fine, it's actually the perfect choice."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, the last few months I've seen first hand just how close you both are, I never really paid that much attention until we were together, I can see how much she loves you."

"I honestly don't know what I'd have done without her over the years."

"Or the other way around, I know you've been around a lot for her too, especially with all the trouble with her ex."

"Mmmm, probably the worst mistake she ever made was marrying Dave, Sammy was the only good thing to come out of that mess."

"Then you're both lucky to have each other."

"You know Rachel's moved in with her, don't you."

"Yeah, it was a shock finding out about those two I tell ya'."

"But they're happy, and that's the main thing."

"A bit like us I guess."

"A bit."

"I guess we should get some sleep."

"Absolutely, and just think…next week I'll be fifty pounds better off."

"Keep dreaming lady."

"Night Kevin."

"Night."

He leaned down and kissed her goodnight before placing a kiss to her bump.

"Night night daddy's girl."

Julie smiled as she ran her hand through Kevin's hair before he moved back to bring his arm around her and fell asleep.

…

To Be Continued…