Sophie's recovery in the countryside did her a world of good. She returns to the city the following weekend with Josh, her energy replenished and looking forward to the final month or two of her pregnancy. Forced to rest all week, she's been learning to knit and crochet, with limited success in a week, and forced to accept countless gifts from friends of the moans at the amount of extra stuff he has to pack for the return trip but he's delighted to have her back home.

When he first arrived at her parents' place, on Friday night, he had been overjoyed to see her rushing out of the house to greet him with a lively glow in her cheeks and a smile. She fell into his open arms and they kissed, his hand on her belly.

Josh; "You look wonderful ! I love you gorgeous !"
And he produced a bouquet of irises. ( her favourite colour is blue, remember she chose a sapphire engagement ring……. Oh that's right, what happened to the wedding ? )

Back in the city they go for their final ultrasound and check –up. All is well, the baby has grown a lot and looks strong and healthy. Josh is looking at the ultra-sound in fascination, he can't see any deformities, but;

Josh; "Hey ! what's that thing there ?" ( worried ) " I didn't see that last time…."

Doctor; "Well, no…. it depends on the baby's position…..what you might see…"

Sophie; " Oh Josh ! you've wrecked the surprise ! Oh !" she says in frustration and amusement.

Josh; "Hey ? OH ! It's a boy !"

Doctor; "Yes it is "

Josh; "Oh Wow ! a big strong, healthy boy ! " Josh is over the moon. Sophie is peeved that the surprise is gone, but also delighted that Josh is so stoked.

Josh goes to work the next day with the biggest grin on his face.

Lawson; "watch out Dom, your position on the team is under threat !"

Lawson and Dom watch Josh in amazement as he walks in to the changeroom.

Lawson; "Well ? What's this about ?"
Josh; "Went for the ultrasound yesterday ! Gonna be a boy !" and he high fives them.

Smiles all around.

LATER

Sophie; "Josh, while I was recovering at my parent's, I was thinking about this wedding.......
Josh; "Uh-huh, me too"
Sophie; "People are asking our parents you know, is it really going to happen ?"
Josh; "of course ! but with you being sick and then the house moving...well it just hasn't happened has it !"
Josh has been busy packing boxes while she was away and looking at rental properties.
He looks at her belly.
Josh; "Guess you don't feel like wedding photos anymore !"
Sophie; "Well.........no ! nor organising it all ! It'll have to wait."
Josh; "No Sophie." ( firmly ). "My family isn't very strict, but they are Catholic and we'd better get this sorted out. How about we have a very quiet, small registry wedding now, then a proper wedding later with all our friends ?"
Sophie; "So, the photos will be later on then ?" ( laughing )
Josh; "Sure.........."
Sophie; "With little Joshie in the photos !"
Josh; "Little Joshie ? Is that his name ?"
Sophie; "Oh no, but just for now maybe ?"
Josh; "so many things to organise........ I was thinking about calling him Gavin, maybe his second name ?"
Sophie; "Oh........." ( she doesn't look pleased )
Josh notices her reaction.
Josh; "Righto then, well, I'll call my parents about this wedding and organise a celebrant. Where are we going to do it ?"

Two weeks later they have a very quiet wedding with their families and Lawson and Lisa in attendance. They keep it a secret beforehand, no fancy cars, dresses, celebrations. A quiet lunch together afterwards. Josh can't believe how easy it was. Afterwards they tell everyone to expect a decent party sometime within the next 6 months. Josh has a private discussion with his mother about naming the baby after Gavin, and she's adamant that she doesn't want it and his father wouldn't like it, "let Gavin rest", she tells Josh, so that is the end of that idea.

At home that night

Sophie; "My husband !" pulling him towards her.
Josh kisses her; "My gorgeous wife !"
She giggles. The apartment is full of boxes and mess. Josh has found another security apartment with a small enclosed garden. It doesn't have a view but it's sunny and private. They are about to move in and put Josh's apartment up for sale. They have bought a cot, change table and pram.
Sophie; "Lisa and Lawson are great together !"
Josh; "yes, and it has changed him so much at work, he's not such a grumpy old so and so"
Sophie; "oh, I'm sure he was never that bad ! It's hilarious, you know usually the bestman and bridesmaid are supposed to hook up after the wedding !"
Josh; " True, but hey, doesn't the baby come after too ?"
She pushes him in jest.
Sophie; "Well, thanks to some quick moves, it'll still come after the wedding !"
Josh; "So, what about this boy's name ?"
Sophie; "What do you want ? traditional ? religious ? sporty ? unusual ?"
Josh laughs; "Nothing too weird or wishy-washy ! You know, my family has a pretty strong Irish background......... my great grandfather was Irish, I like his name....... Ryan."
Sophie; " Ryan......hey that's nice...let's look up some names."
They go on the internet and search Irish boy's names. They find a site with a list of names and their meanings.
Josh; "Hey look, there's dad's name, Colin, I didn't realise it was Irish ! Just thought it was some common old name. "
They scroll down.
Sophie; "Ryan...... it means 'little King' in Gaelic. Oh Josh that's a cool meaning ! I love it !"
Josh; "Well it's sorted then ! Easy !"
Sophie; "Hey look Brendan is here too, it means Prince ! Wow, that connects with Ryan !"
Josh; "It's all good then, although of course I am Josh now, and you'd better remember it !"
He cheekily grabs her and kisses her. Then pats her belly.
Josh; "Hello there little Ryan !"

Josh comes home to their new ( rented ) apartment which is still in a disorganised state.
J; "Hey Sophe" and he kisses her hello, puts down his bag and gets a beer. He sits down on the lounge in front of the t.v. and puts his feet up.
S: "Any major dramas today ?"
J; "Nuh, a quiet day in the city"
S; "Well, I've got some news"
Josh looks up expectantly.
S; "Mum and dad are coming for a few days"
Josh moans; "But the place is a mess !" He gestures with his arm at the half-opened boxes. "And the spare room is full of unopened boxes !"
S; "I know, I know, but it's ok. They knew that, so they have booked a hotel"
Josh breathes a sigh of relief; "Why are they coming ?"
S; "Phil's coming home."
Josh raises his eyebrows; "Oh, well that's nice, come to see his little sister hey ?"
Josh and Phil haven't seen each other since high school when they knew each other but weren't close friends.
S: "Yeah ! He can't believe he's going to be an uncle !"
Josh just smiles and thinks; and I can't believe that we're going to be parents any day now !

At the airport.
Sophie and her parents are waiting for Phil. Josh is at work.
Phil arrives. His mother hugs him, crying, then he turns around and looks at Sophie, his little sister.
P; "Geez ! Look at you !" He hugs her.
Sophie smiles proudly.
P; "So, I missed out on your quickie wedding hey ?"
Their mum Elizabeth; "Phil !"
S; "Yes, you missed out, but at this rate you'll see the baby, any day now !"
P; "And where's this husband of your's ?"
S; "Working of course"

They drive to Josh and Sophie's place for lunch. She's made it respectable enough for visitors. Phil checks out (or rather, is shown with no choice but to look ! ) the baby things and nursery. He looks around amazed to see his little sister, ( the disorganised Uni. student who has always lived in share houses full of secondhand furniture ) now all set - up with new furniture and a husband.

Sophie's brother Phil has come home from London to see his newly married sister.

He has lunch with Sophie and their parents at her place, then they go to the hotel to leave his bags. They are going to have dinner with Josh later.

Before dinner

Josh arrives home, has a beer and tries to relax. He had a stressful day, a tense situation, but the end result was good and no-one was hurt.

J; "So how's Phil ?"
S; "Good, looks a lot thinner !"
J; "Well, how long is it since I saw him ? more than 10 years !"
S; "I know"

J; "Does he remember me ? "

S; "Sure, he said – Brendan Joshua, that big footy player, hey ?"
Josh pulls a face. He hates these family things.

They get ready and meet the others at a bar near the restaurant.

Phil sees Josh walk in first. What he sees is a tall, confident but stern looking man dressed well with his arm protectively wrapped around his little sister's shoulder. Phil is pleased for Sophie. She looks radiant, glowing with happiness.

Phil and Josh shake hands and Phil buys Josh a beer. They start chatting about school, old friends they haven't seen for years. They get on well. Phil manages to bring out a talkative side to Josh ! ( well, talkative by Josh standards ! ).

Phil quizzes them about the baby. No-one had thought to tell him that they are having a boy.

P; "So, do you know if it's a boy or girl ?"

S; "Oh mum, didn't you tell him ?"

E; "Oh dear, I forgot, you know these long-distance phone-calls, you forget things !"
P; "Well I didn't ask either. So you know obviously !"
S; "Yes, well it was meant to be a surprise but Josh noticed his little willy on the ultrasound !"
P; "No way !"
J; ( embarrassed ) "Ah yes, he's let his presence be known already !"
Everyone laughs at Josh's rather witty comment.

P; "So, a little footy player hey ? Glad I came back from London again, don't have to worry about dolls and tea parties ! Better go get him a Hawthorn teddy bear !"
J; "Well I don't know about that !"
They start discussing football.

The rest of the night goes smoothly. Josh offers to help Phil out with getting settled back in Melbourne.

Josh and Sophie keep the baby's name a secret in case anyone tries to influence them ! But Josh tells Lawson in strict confidence.