Nikki walked into the lab which a huge grin on her face; lately she couldn't help but smile and today was no exception, it was the twelfth of January and tomorrow she would be getting married

"What are you so happy about?" he said glancing up as Nikki walked over to him

"Nothing" she said kissing him gently on the lips

He placed a hand on her stomach and smiled "Our little secret"

"I booked an appointment to see how far I am along" Nikki whispered and Harry nodded

"Nikki" a voice called and she looked up to see Leo poking his head out of the office "If I can drag your attention away for five minutes"

She gave Harry a loving look and followed Leo into his office and sat down on the chair he offered her

"I must say I'm very impressed you and Harry sorted this wedding out so quickly" he smiled warmly at her

"Well a lot of it is down to Erin; she's made the dress…"

Leo nodded "She finished it last night, she's bringing it round to yours this evening, are you still alright for picking her up after school; I don't think she knows the way from school to your place"

Nikki nodded and smiled as she remembered the plan; she would pick Erin up from school and take her back home and later that evening they would be joined by those invited to Nikki's hen do

"And are you looking forward to Harry's stag do as his best man?" Nikki asked recalling the thrill on Leo's face when Harry had asked him to be his best man

Leo chuckled "I think I'm too old for this"

Nikki shook her head "You're never too old, but promise me you'll make sure Harry comes back in one piece"

"I promise" he said as Nikki walked out of his office and back into the lab


Erin walked out of the school building on Friday along with Stella and Nate, her first week at school was over and she felt it had gone well. She had warmed to Stella a lot and the two of them helped each other in English; Erin didn't ever think she could warm to another female apart from Nikki but Stella seemed to understand her and had a sharp sense of humour that was usually thrown in Nate's direction. As for Nate, Erin and himself had formed a strong bond between themselves; he looked out for her whilst she was always there with a sympathetic ear and wise words of advice. Stella said her goodbyes as she took another path out of school leaving Nate and Erin together

"Thanks for looking after me this week" she smiled

He shrugged "What are friends for"

Erin gave him a warm smile which was returned by his usual lop sided grin. They got through the school gates and as Erin looked up she saw Nikki waiting for her on the corner

"I guess that's my ride" she smiled

"Hey" Nikki greeted the pair

"Nikki this is Nate" she said introducing the boy to Nikki "And Nate this is Nikki"

"Hi" Nate smiled as he glanced around "That's my ride" he rolled his eyes "I'd better go before mum throttles me"

"Bye" Erin

"See you tomorrow Erin and it was nice to meet you Nikki" he called as he dashed off to the car he had been looking for

"Are you ready?" Nikki asked Erin as they got into the car

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Erin grinned as Nikki pulled away from the school

Nikki smiled to herself, Erin seemed so much more confident and it was clear that being around people her own age was doing wonder for her

"Are you enjoying school then?" Nikki asked and Erin nodded enthusiastically "And that boy…"

"…Nate" Erin said quickly with a coy smile "Yeah, he's been showing me around this week. He's in a couple of my classes as well"
"I see" Nikki nodded

"It's not like that!" Erin squeaked registering where Nikki was going with the conversation

"Of course not" Nikki said trying to hide a smile "But a word of advice; don't live in denial forever"

Erin shook her head "It's nothing like that at all, we're just friends"

"Who said I was talking about Nate?" Nikki teased "You never know one day, it might be you preparing for your wedding"

Erin pulled a face "I am never getting married" she said wrinkling her nose at the idea which made Nikki laugh

"I'll remind you of that when you're older" she chuckled "Anyway; you know the plan for this weekend?"

Erin nodded, Leo had told her many times over "We're going to get my stuff and I'm staying over at your place tonight whilst you have your party and then I'm helping you get ready for the wedding tomorrow and we're going to meet Harry and Leo at the church"

Nikki nodded "That is correct, now I can't wait to see my dress"

Erin broke into a wide grin "You're going to love it"


"So what have you actually organised for my stag do?" Harry asked as him and Leo left the lab

"Harry it's hardly going to be a surprise if I tell you" Leo rolled his eyes

"I'm guessing Nikki gave you strict guidelines to adhere to?" Harry chuckled as Leo nodded

"She's holding me personally responsible if anything happens to you" Leo smiled as Harry sighed dramatically

"She's got me under the thumb already" he moaned but the grin on his face told Leo he was only joking


Nikki carefully opened the bag that held her wedding dress, as she peered inside she gasped as she cast an eye over the garment

"Erin, it's beautiful" she said hanging it up so it wouldn't get creased

"Do you think so?" Erin said beaming at Nikki's praise

"It's a hundred times better than the ones we looked at in the magazines" Nikki breathed not taking her eyes off the dress "It looks so professional"

"It's not perfect…" Erin said modestly

"I think it is" Nikki said giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze "Did you finish your bridesmaid dress?"

Erin nodded and handed the second bag to Nikki who carefully took out the contents "Oh this is going to look perfect on you" Nikki smiled as she held it up against Erin "You're so good with your hands to make all of this"

"I don't know where I get it from" Erin sighed "I don't think either of my parents were at all creative…"

"Well that's good" Nikki nodded firmly "Because this is a talent you can credit all to yourself" Erin smiled at Nikki's words "Now come on" Nikki grinned "Come and help me set up"


Harry and Leo were sat in the pub, engaging in a drinking session. Harry was glad it was just him and Leo there, after all Nikki and Harry had only wanted a small intimate wedding and they only wanted the people who mattered to them most to be there

"Are you nervous?" Leo asked Harry as he took a sip of his pint

Harry nodded "I just want to make the day perfect for Nikki"

"And you will" Leo assured him

"I think your Erin helped a lot with that one" Harry smiled

Leo nodded "Her talents seem endless and it was nice to see her bond with Nikki"

"Nikki, will make a great mum" Harry smiled

"Harry…" Leo said suddenly "You've got that look in your eye"

"Which one?" He asked innocently

"The one where you've clearly got a secret but want to tell it to the world"

"I don't know what you mean" Harry said looking down into his pint

"Is Nikki…" Leo asked carefully "Is she pregnant?"

Harry spluttered into his drink "How did you get to that conclusion?"

"Harry I do have a medical degree you know" he sighed "And I've seen the way you keep staring at her stomach…so unless this is some weird type of obsession you have…"

"Don't let on you know" Harry said earnestly "We're waiting until our first scan to let it out officially"

"I won't" Leo assured him "But Harry that's fantastic news" he grinned as he slapped the younger man on the back

"You don't think we're rushing things?" Harry said amazed at Leo's reaction

Leo shook his head "Not at all, I think you'll make the perfect family. Everyone can see how madly you both are in love with one another"

Harry smiled at Leo's praise "What about you and Janet?"

This time it was Leo's turn to nearly choke on his pint "What about me and Janet?" he said weakly

"Have there been any developments" Harry probed

Leo shook his head "I've met up with her for drinks and dinner a couple of times but I have to think of Erin in all of this"

"I thought she got on alright with Janet?"

"She does" Leo answered "But she's going through another big change with starting a new school and settling in. I just want to give her time to adjust before I throw other obstacles in her path. She's a big part of my life and I just want to make her feel safe and happy"

"You're a good father to her" Harry nodded and Leo looked up suddenly "What? Harry questioned

"I never thought of myself as that to her?" Leo said pondering what Harry had said

"A parent?" Leo nodded "Did the phrase 'foster parent' not give it away for you?" Harry teased

Leo rolled his eyes "It doesn't seem all that long ago I found her dripping wet in the car park"

"Let me off the bus if it's going down memory lane" Harry teased and Leo chuckled "Leo in all seriousness which I may not be able to hold for much longer since I'm getting steadily drunk here. I think you're the best thing that has happened to Erin and you are the best foster parent for here, no arguments about that" harry slurred as the alcohol started to take affect

"Nikki is going to have my guts for garters tomorrow" Leo sighed as he watched the alcohol take its effects "We're going to have a tough job sobering you up tomorrow morning" he sighed as Harry started to drunkenly laugh


The doorbell rang and Nikki went to answer it "Hi Nikki" Janet greeted Nikki as she entered the room

Like Harry, Nikki wanted to keep her party small with only the people she cared about most with her

"I'm so glad you could make it Janet" Nikki grinned

"Hello Erin" Janet greeted the young girl who mumbled her greeting shyly, their relationship was still quite new and Erin was still a little shy around Erin

"Did you finish the question?" Nikki asked Erin who had a folder sprawled across her lap

"Just about" Erin said pencilling the answer in

"Biology homework" Nikki explained to Janet who pulled a face "Come and see my dress" she said pulling Janet to see the garment

"Nikki!" Janet gasped "It's beautiful, who's the designer?"

"They're a very unique brand and only do one off designs" Nikki told Janet "They're professionals and are only known in the inner circles; they don't make dresses just for anyone" Nikki said as she caught Erin's eyes

Erin started to giggle "Am I missing something?" Janet said as she turned to Erin and back to Nikki who had joined in the laughter

"Erin made it for me" Nikki said after she had composed herself

"Erin made this?" Janet gasped and Nikki nodded "But it looks so professional and so…so…"

"….Perfect" Nikki finished for her and Janet nodded "Right let's get my hen party started" she said pulling Erin to her feet as the pair started to giggle once more. Nikki had a fixed grin on her face for the rest of that night as herself, Janet and Erin had a mini celebration. Janet was also smiling too but not for the same reason; she was smiling at the relationship between Erin and Nikki, it was going stronger by the day and Janet was amazed at her confident Erin was in Nikki's presence and how caring Nikki was around the girl, always talking to her and making sure she was alright. Janet sensed there was something more to Erin's story than she had been told but she knew not to push it tonight. Tonight it was Nikki's celebration and nothing was going to ruin it.

Author's note: Next chapter is the wedding!