Author's note: because you all want a happy ending...

"But's there's nothing beyond love Barbara. I love you and you love me. No amount of anger or disappointment can change that."

Barbara looked at him through tear-filled eyes. "Don't Tommy. Please."

"We can make it Barbara. Just trust our love."

He looked so sincere as he knelt in front of her; imperfect, flawed; the same man she had fallen in love with all those years ago and still loved desperately. To add insult he was always able to wind her around his finger with his deep voice and puppy-like eyes. She closed her eyes against the power of his smooth words. "Words are cheap. I gave you time to tell me this Tommy. I waited. It's too late to realise what you'd lost after I left."

Tommy pulled his phone from his pocket. "Ring your voicemail. I left messages for you before I knew you had resigned. Just listen then judge."

"How, it's not my phone?"

Tommy dialled then passed her the phone. "Just key in your phone number and PIN."

Barbara's hands were shaking as she took the phone. Her mailbox was full. She listened carefully as ninety-nine messages from Tommy were played. They started off with apologies and asking her to call and became increasingly frantic. Tommy was pleading with her, begging her to forgive him; telling her how much he loved her. Promising to drive back to London, offering for her to meet him anywhere. She watched him as she listened. She could see all his insecurities and fears etched into his face. It was hard not to fall into his arms but he was not getting off that lightly. He had to understand.

Two messages affected her deeply and her will vacillated.

I don't expect you to forgive me today, this week, maybe even this year but if we just focus on loving each other then we can survive. We need each other Barbara. We have since the day we met but more so now. I'm a terrible person at times but you make me a better man. You're my heart Barbara, without you I'm just a shell. I want...

The message cut off, sorry. I want us to be together always Barbara. I've thought through all my issues and I promise I will never leave your bed again. I will ask you properly when the time's right but I want us to get married.

Barbara handed back his phone and pushed him away. "I'm surprised you were sober."

Her words stung and Tommy scowled. "I deserve that but no, I was down here thinking, not wallowing in self-pity. I wanted to find a way to make sense of everything. It's something we should have done together."

"Yes. Yes it was." Barbara stood up and felt her legs sag. "Tom..."

"Barbara!" It was a reflex to catch her. He lowered her gently to the couch and raised her legs. "Barbara?"

By the time she came around Tommy kneeling in front of her. He was on the phone to Nanrunnel's doctor. "No, she's coming around now. Are you okay?"

Barbara nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"Yes George, thank you. No, no I'll wait with her." He hung up. "That was the local doctor. He'll be here in about ten minutes."

Barbara looked around. "What happened?"

"You passed out when you stood up. Has it happened before?"

"I've felt light-headed a few times but I haven't fainted before."

"I'll make some tea. Have you been eating properly?"

"I haven't been hungry. I can't really face food. I've had hot chocolate and macaroni and cheese mainly."

Tommy looked aghast. "No wonder you're weak. You have to look after yourself Barbara."

"It's your fault!"

Tommy took her hand and kissed it. "I know. I'm sorry I've done this to you. I had no idea it would hurt you like this and I would give anything to take it back."

"I know. You can't help being an insensitive, self-centred idiot."

For the first time there was affection in her tone and Tommy grinned at her. "I love you." He bent forward to kiss her. She turned her face so that he could only kiss her cheek but letting him touch her was a start.

"You promised me tea."

Barbara was sitting sipping her hot drink when the doctor arrived. He asked some questions and did a preliminary check. "I think it's probably nothing more than poor attention to your diet and stress but I'd like to examine you a bit more and take some blood samples; do a urine test."

"Of course George, give her a thorough check please. It's unusual for Barbara and I'm concerned." Tommy continued to sit in the chair.

"Perhaps Tommy if you waited outside?"

"Oh, sorry. Yes of course. I won't leave Barbara. I'll be right outside if you need me." Tommy backed his way to the door.

"So young lady, let's have a look at you."

Ten minutes later George let Tommy back in. He went and sat beside Barbara. She still looked pale. "Right," the doctor said, "well the blood test results should come through in a few days. As I said I don't think it is anything serious. Oh, I almost forgot."

The doctor unscrewed the yellow lid of the sample bottle and dipped in three test strips. Tommy saw Barbara's face flush with colour. "Don't be embarrassed," he whispered as he put his arm around her shoulder. He was pleased that she made no attempt to shrug him off. He just wished George would hurry up so he could start trying to repair their relationship.

"Good! No sugar, no blood, and...oh!" Barbara and Tommy looked at each other with alarm. "Well I think we have the problem solved. Congratulations Ms Havers, it seems you are pregnant."

Barbara fainted against Tommy's chest. George swung her around and elevated her legs. "Get some water Tommy. I think the news was a shock. I presume..."

"Yes, yes it's mine." Tommy rushed to the sink and brought back the water. Barbara began to groan as consciousness returned. She gulped the water down but was not able to look at either man.

"Ms Havers, I'm sorry. Most women have some inkling. But it explains the poor appetite, the fainting."

"I thought...I thought it was just stress," she stammered, "sometimes if I'm stressed I run late. I never thought..."

George turned to Tommy and raised his eyebrows. "Seems you never thought either at some stage if this is such a shock. I'll leave now. Bring Barbara in to my office next week and we'll go through everything. In the meantime I think you two have things to discuss."

Tommy saw George to the door then returned and knelt by Barbara. "Do you want to talk about it now?" he asked softly. Barbara shook her head savagely. "I think you should get some rest. Come on."

Tommy guided her to the bedroom ensuring he had his arm around her in case she fainted again. The bed was made and as he pulled back the covers he doubted she had slept in it. It squeaked as she sat and he grinned at her. Her face reddened and he knew their thoughts were aligned. He slipped off her shoes and socks and she lay back. "Jeans?"

She nodded and undid the zipper allowing him to pull them off. He folded them and stacked them neatly on the dresser making sure that he did not look above her knees. He pulled up the cover. "You'll get too hot in this," he said pulling off her jumper. "Oh sorry." It was only as he pulled it up that he realised she had nothing on beneath it. He hurriedly tried to pull it back down.

Barbara started to laugh then pushed the jumper over her head and pulled up the quilt. "I think the damage is already done don't you?" It felt good to have him with her being so gentlemanly and caring.

Tommy kicked off his shoes and sat on the bed beside her. "It's not damage," he said tenderly. "We have always been better together and now we have passed on a piece of ourselves and created someone who embodies that union. How can anyone conceived in a moment of such openness and love ever be considered damage?"

Barbara began to cry in deep wracking sobs that tore at Tommy's heart. He understood it was about everything that had happened not just the baby. He wanted to tell her not to cry but he knew she needed it. He swung his legs up on the bed, pulled her into a bearhug and buried his face in her hair. The tears that soaked his shirt burnt like acid knowing he had caused her such pain. "I'm sorry Barbara."

"Bastard!" she yelled as she hit him with her fist, angered that he could make her need him again so easily. Strong arms held her steady and slowly the rage inside her ebbed. Her hair felt damp and she knew he was crying too. Finally he seemed to understand. She exhaled slowly. "Don't you ever leave me again."

"I won't I promise."

Barbara looked up at him. "Was it real? Can we really love each other like that?"

"Hmm, we do," he crooned as he stroked her face, "now just relax and sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

When they finally stirred it was dark. Tommy glanced at his watch and noticed they had been sleep for several hours. He thought they should eat but he could not be bothered moving. Barbra shifted in his arms and yawned. "Oh, you are still here," she said sarcastically. Tommy knew he was not yet completely forgiven and he was pleased. It would give him a chance to prove himself.

"Yes, I'm here." He kissed her forehead.

"Good."

Tommy smiled then tenderly kissed her face slowly working a path to her lips. "Let me show you how real this is Barbara." She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.

It was three days before they ventured outside the cottage. Barbara had phoned Stuart and Winston and let them know she was safe and with Tommy. "No Stuart I didn't. It was tempting but I rather like his anatomy arranged the way it is...Stuart!"

Tommy had spoken to his mother but they had decided to wait before they mentioned the baby. Much to Barbara's amusement she had sent up a bag of clothes and toiletries with a rather embarrassed housemaid that included a large packets of condoms. "I don't think she will take the news well," she mused.

"Oh I think she'll be delighted...after she comes to." Tommy cuddled Barbara from behind and began nibbling on her ear.

"What if I'm a lousy mother? I don't know anything about posh kids."

"I think you'll find most babies are unaware of their socio-economic status at birth. Besides you're great with kids, you'll be a wonderful mother. It's their father they have to worry about."

"They?"

"Hmm, I'm thinking four at least."

She wriggled around to face him. She could see they concern beneath his smile. "You will be a wonderful father Tommy," she assured him as she reached up and pushed a lock of hair from his forehead.

"I will, with you to keep me in line before I ruin..." Barbara silenced him with a passionate kiss.

An hour later Tommy was waiting for her at the door. "Come on Barbara hurry up. We need to find out all about your nutritional needs, and what tests we have to have done. Of course we will have to transfer you onto my medical benefits and take out appropriate insurance and..."

"Tommy! Enough. Stop fussing. I'm only pregnant, not embarking on a three year trip to Pluto."

"It would take longer than that but point taken. I'm sorry but I'm excited and worried and you've been so tired."

"Any wonder? I'm surprised I got any sleep at all with you."

Tommy grinned at her. "You enjoyed every minute."

"Yeah, I did."

"So have you forgiven me?"

"Enough to execute your formal agreement if you like."

Tommy frowned knowing he had to correctly guess which of his six ideas she favoured. "Right..." he said slowly, buying time. He watched the eyes sparkle and the corners of her mouth twitch as she tried to keep a straight face. "Marriage! You're saying yes!"

Barbara nodded, "on one condition."

Tommy already had her in his arms. "Hmm."

"We are not calling him Algernon if it's a boy."

His ploy had worked. "What about Augustus?" he said before he kissed her. "Or Octavius?"