Chapter 9

a/n – set between series 5 & 6.

Joey stroked Martina's forehead. It was 1.30am and their second child had just made his entrance into the world.

"Here you are honey a nice brew, and one for you too sweetie." An orderly handed Martina and Joey a cup each.

"Thanks luv." Martina smiled

"Thanks," echoed Joey. "You ok?"

"Yeah"

"Not too disappointed?" Joey was tentative.

"No, course not. It'll be nice for them, they'll grow up together." She looked thoughtful. "But I would've liked a daughter," she added wistfully.

"Maybe next time, eh?" Joey tried to cheer her up.

Martina flashed him a sour look. "I'm not going for a football team Joey."

"I didn't mean that, just that we can keep our options open." Disconcerted by her expression Joey tried to be placating.

"Um, I guess. Not the best time to be discussing it though." She grimaced as she fidgeted around, trying to get comfortable.

Joey sat silent, lost for words.

"Here you are, one bouncing, bonny, baby boy, 9lb 2. Checked, cleaned and tagged. Don't know where you were hiding him. There was nothing to you." The nurse handed him to Martina. "Any preference for milk?"

"No, not really." Martina was entranced by their new baby, his eyes looking all around.

Joey looked down at them and his heart swelled, love overwhelming him.

"This one's been here before," smiled the nurse passing over a bottle.

"Do you want to do the honours Joey? Seeing as you did for Micky, treat them the same."

"If that's alright by you?" Joey wanted to check as Martina seemed far more fractious than she had been when Micky was born.

"I wouldn't have asked if it hadn't been would I?" She was short with him.

Joey grinned at her as he reached over to take his younger son.

"Can I get you anything to eat pet?" The nurse was back. "Some toast?"

"Thanks, that'd be nice." Martina was starving.

It hadn't been a particularly difficult birth, no stitches or anything, but she was feeling low, different to how she'd felt when Micky had been born. Whether it was the slight disappointment of a second boy she couldn't tell. More likely it was the knowledge that Joey had seen Roxy since Christmas. She watched him tenderly feeding and holding their child, and was pretty sure he wouldn't abandon his children. But her? That was a different matter. She cursed her impatience, if only she hadn't hassled him into making love on that particular day this would never have happened. When she'd gone for a check they'd reminded her about contraception, but by then it was too late, she was already pregnant.

If it had just been her and Micky she would have told Joey to go after Christmas. She could have managed, she was eligible to use the council crèche, so work wouldn't have been a problem. But two babies under a year, that was a different matter. It's not as though she had any family support. And the Boswells? As well as she got on with Nellie, and however disapproving Nellie was of Roxy, when it came to it Joey was her son, and blood was thicker than water. And she really did appreciate Nellie's help and support. Martina had been surprised by Jack, since his return he'd been great with Micky, had decorated the hall for her, fixed up a lot of jobs that needed doing, and done plenty of work at Hope Place. Martina thought he was a less chippy, gentler version of Joey, kind, considerate, and thoughtful under his bluster. She was aware he was the one who hadn't forgiven his father for the way he'd behaved with Lilo Lil and wondered if he knew, or suspected about Roxy.

"Martina?"

She jumped, lost in her own world she hadn't heard Joey talking to her.

"Sorry?"

"He's asleep, I've put him in the cot, and here's your toast." He handed it to her, looking at her speculatively.

"Ta." She sat up.

"Any ideas?" He indicated their baby.

"Edward," she mumbled through a mouthful of toast.

"Edward? Hmm, Eddie, Teddy, Ed, Ted, yeah sounds good. Have to be Teddy though, I've got a cousin Eddie."

He continued to look at her, she looked drawn and dispirited. He realised that giving birth wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but there was something not right. There hadn't been since Christmas. A slight withdrawing was the best he could describe it as. He didn't think it was anything to do with the invasion of Boswells, Martina had been amused by it all rather than annoyed and it had certainly cemented her place in the family, given his brothers a different view of her. Jack had certainly warmed to her since then, and he'd been the one who'd been the most standoffish about her.

,A sharp stab of guilt shot through him. Roxy. She'd been bringing her lad up to her mam's for the school holidays and Joey had seen her when she'd dropped him off and picked him up at half term. To Roxy's annoyance he wouldn't stay overnight, but he had met her each time, and.., he shook his head, no point going over what had happened. Although he hadn't set out with any intention of sleeping with her, when it came to it they'd not able to keep their hands off each other.

No, there was no way she could have known about Roxy. He put the timing down to a coincidence. Still he needed to get to the bottom of it.

"Do you want to go and get some sleep Joey?" Martina didn't particularly want him around her right at the moment. She'd worked out the school holiday pattern and as the Easter break was about to begin, reckoned he was due a Roxy tryst.

"No sweetheart, I'm assuming you'll be out after breakfast so wouldn't it make more sense for me to stay?" Joey was puzzled.

"It's up to you, I just thought you might want to get a few hours in bed before you have to come and get us. I don't know how soon after breakfast I'll be able to go, I imagine I'll still have to see a doctor to be discharged." She was offhand.

"What about you?"

"I can doze while he's sleeping, then ring you when I'm ready."

"Well, if you're sure." He kissed her tenderly and blew a kiss at the baby before quietly leaving.

Martina watched him go, sighing deeply as she tried to get comfortable and a least a bit of rest.

Joey woke to the ringing of his phone.

"Martina?" He groped for his shirt.

There was a pause. "It's Roxy," her voice was icy.

"Oh." He dropped his shirt, and lay back down.

"I'm up today taking the kid to me mam's and I'm going back tomorrow, so will I see you tonight? I'm booked at The Adelphi as usual."

"Er no, not this weekend Roxy. Me baby was born this morning, I'm waiting for a call to pick them up."

There was a hiss, then a clunk as the phone was disconnected.

Joey exhaled deeply and screwed up his eyes. He wished Roxy would just disappear from his life. He glanced at his watch, a few minutes after 9. He thought he'd shower and get ready to go to the hospital. He rang his mam first to give her the news and check that Micky was sound.

"Mam?"

"Joey? Is everything alright?" Nellie was anxious.

"Everything's great mam. You've got another grandson, born at 1.30 this morning."

"Oh Joey, that's wonderful. How much did he weigh?"

"9lb 2."

"That's great news Joey. Let me know when I can visit and bring Micky to see his brother."

"Will do mam. Is he ok?"

"Of course he is Joey. Jack's taken him out to get the papers."

"Right then mam I'll be in touch. See you later."

He wondered about letting Martina's mam know. He didn't have a home phone number for her, only her work and he assumed that she'd not be there on a Saturday. He tried it anyway, but there was no answer. He shrugged and made for the shower, taking his phone with him. He was just tying his laces when the expected call came.

"Ok sweetheart be with you in a minute."

Joey put the carry-cot on the stand, then settled Martina on the sofa. He was prepared this time, bottles sterilised, plenty of microwave ready meals, and he was determined to make sure Martina got plenty of rest. He took her shoes off, covered her with a quilt and adjusted the pillows he'd put ready.

"Thanks. You out tonight Joey?" She tried to sound as though it were a casual enquiry.

"No of course not." He looked genuinely puzzled. "Why on earth would I be out tonight with a day old baby and you having just given birth?"

"Oh ok." She was still off hand.

Joey continued to study her. Why would she even consider that he might be out tonight? A pang of guilt again. She couldn't possibly know about Roxy, he'd told no one. Apart from his dad no one else would have approved so he'd kept quiet. He was acutely aware that Jack would give him a hard time, and as for Nellie, they'd be scraping bits of him off the floor if she knew. So he'd kept quiet, been discreet, made sure there was no chance of anyone suspecting anything.

"Can I get you anything sweetheart?"

"No thanks Joey, I'm fine." The same dismissive tone.

He knelt down beside her and put his arms around her, squeezing her gently.

"Martina, how do you feel now about getting married?"

She looked at him, scarcely able to believe her ears.

"No." Her voice was flat.

"No? Definitely?" Joey tried being beguiling.

"Definitely no."

She looked at him curiously. What on earth was his game? He was seeing Roxy on the quiet, most likely already had assignations lined up for the next couple of weeks, and then was expecting her to marry him. The conceit of the man was unbelievable.

She shook her head, and fought hard to keep back the tears that were pushing against her eyelids. Still, she'd known what she was getting herself into being with him, she'd made her bed now she'd have to lie in it. And when all was said and done she did have two beautiful and adorable sons, who wouldn't be dependent forever.