Here is the last chapter. Thank you for all your lovely reviews for this story.
The alarm woke both Kate and Steve the next day. "Morning," Steve said through a yawn.
"Morning," Kate replied, stretching. This was the first time they had woken up together. "You made it through the night without leaving," she teased. "I'm impressed!".
Steve shot her a look. He was never going to live that mistake down, ever. "Sleep ok?" he asked, deciding to change topics before she could get another dig in.
"Yep," Kate said, smiling as Steve reached for her belly again. It was becoming a bit of a habit for him, not that she minded.
"No pain?" He enquired as he rubbed his thumb over the soft skin of her abdomen. Kate shook her head. "No bleeding?". Kate shook her head again.
"Good," said Steve satisfied. Everything was right in his world.
Kate gave him a kiss, loving his protectiveness. "You're going to be a good dad," she told him.
"And you're going to be a good mum,".
"Hope so," Kate replied as she cast her eyes down away from Steve.
"Why are you so down on yourself about that? I noticed it the other day. You said you were a shit mum. You aren't,".
"Mark, I suppose," Kate admitted. "Josh wasn't the easiest of babies. Always crying about something,".
"Babies tend to do that, don't they?" Steve interrupted.
Kate shrugged her shoulders. "Well Mark always made out it was my fault. I hadn't fed him enough. I hadn't dressed him up warm enough. I held him too tight. Whatever it was, it was my fault,".
"No one's perfect, Kate," Steve said.
"He's totally destroyed my confidence though. I just hope I don't let you down,".
"Kate," said Steve as he took her chin and tilted her head so she was looking into his eyes, "you've never let me down. And you never will," he told her, hoping it would sink in. "If anyone's going to be doing any letting down, it'll be me. But I'm really trying hard not to do that again. If we watch each others backs we'll be fine,".
Kate leant up and kissed him again. "You better get up or you're going to be late and piss the gaffer off before the day's really started," she warned.
"I know," Steve replied. "Wish I could stay here with you. You'll be ok?".
"We will be fine," Kate reassured him, as she rubbed her belly.
"Kate, I think I'm going to tell the gaffer our news," Steve admitted. "That alright with you?".
"You don't have to ask my permission, Steve," Kate replied. "He's not my boss anymore,".
"Would be nice if you two could be friends again,".
"We'll see," Kate said. "Now stop procrastinating and get in the bloody shower,".
Steve looked at the clock. "Shit!" He said as he jumped out of bed. He was going to be late now.
Ted had let Steve know his thoughts on Steve's love life in the past already. He was a bit old fashioned and much preferred sex done when in a serious relationship. Therefore, Steve was a bit nervous when he decided to let know the gaffer know Kate was pregnant after one night together, but he took the news better than Steve had imagined.
His parents were a bit shocked at the news, but once they discovered it was Kate who was pregnant they were much happier. They knew how close their son was to this woman and that their relationship had a real chance of working. They arranged a time when Steve's parents could finally meet Kate but unfortunately Steve's mum was just too excited to keep to the plan.
They arrived unannounced one week day when Steve was at work. Steve got the shock of his life when he called Kate at his usual time from his desk.
"What's that noise, mate?" Steve asked. "Is it the hoover?".
"Yes," Kate replied. "Your parents are here and your mum has decided to clean the flat,".
"Oh god," Steve said, highly embarrassed at his mother's antics. "What are they doing there? They're supposed to be coming at the weekend?".
"Your mum couldn't wait. She's been doing a load of cooking since you told her I was on bed rest. She's brought enough food to feed an army for a year,".
"Oh god," Steve repeated. "I'm sorry," he apologised. He knew how full on his mum could be.
"They're fine," Kate reassured him. "At least I've got company. We've got to know each other over a cup of tea and cake. She's shown me some of your baby photos,".
"Oh god," said Steve for the third time. This time mortified.
"You liked running around naked a lot as a child," Kate teased.
"I'm going to kill her!" Steve said, knowing exactly which photos his mum had shown Kate.
Whilst Steve was at work, Kate struggled with the boredom that her bedrest brought. Having nearly lost her baby though, she knew what was at stake so didn't complain and just got through it.
Her favourite days were escaping the prison that Steve's flat was starting to feel like, and visiting the obstetrician. At first the visits were once a week but as time progressed, they became less frequent.
Things are progressing well, Kate," the obstetrician informed her at one such visit about a month after her assault. "I think we can decrease your visits from twice a week to once a month,".
"Oh," Kate said despondently.
"That's a good thing," the obstetrician said, confused as to why Kate didn't seem happy at the good news.
"I know and I'm glad, but I like the appointments. It gives me an opportunity to get out and see people,".
"We might be able to clear you for a bit of light work,".
"Really? That would be great," Kate said brightly before thinking of something else that she wanted to ask. "What about sex?" she asked slightly embarrassed. Steve and her were going well as a couple and reconnecting in an intimate way was something they both wanted.
"I think you can try if you want to," the obstetrician replied. "Hormones running wild are they? They usually do at your stage of pregnancy,".
"Yeah," Kate replied. "It's all I can think about at the moment. It's like being a teenager again,".
The obstetrician smiled. "Any bleeding though and you'll have to stop,".
Steve found her in their bedroom in her bra and undone trousers when he got back from work later that day. The bed covered in a whole heap of her work clothes. "What are you doing?" He asked perplexed as he leant on the door frame.
"Trying to find something I can wear to work but nothing fits anymore. My belly has just popped since I last wore any of these and I think I need some maternity bras. These are just too uncomfortable," she complained, pointing at the bra she was wearing.
"Why are you looking for work clothes?" Steve asked as he admired her lush, rounded body.
"Doctor was happy with how things are going and has cleared me for a bit of light work," Kate informed Steve as she tried once again to do up the zip of the trousers she was wearing before failing. "Aaaarrrghh!" She cried getting mad.
"You sure you're up to it?".
"Yes, but I've got nothing to wear," Kate said, frustrated. She felt fat.
"So we'll go shopping," Steve said, trying to sooth Kate's mood. "It'll be fun getting to see you naked for most of the day. I think the bra shopping will be my favourite,".
"Pervert," Kate teased before kissing him, loving how he was trying his best to cheer her up.
The kiss got a bit out of hand and soon she was putting a hand down the front of Steve's pants. "Kate, what are you doing?" Steve asked as he pushed her away, slightly concerned at her wild mood.
"Work wasn't the only thing I was cleared for," Kate replied coyly and Steve was suddenly interested at pursuing things.
"Really?" He asked as he pulled her back close to him.
"Yes, but any bleeding and we have to stop," she warned.
"And the baby will be ok?".
"She'll be fine," Kate reassured Steve. Their eighteen week scan had indeed confirmed they would be having a girl.
"Ok, so how do we do this?" Steve asked and Kate looked at him weirdly.
"Have you forgotten?" she teased.
"No," Steve retorted. "I just haven't had sex with a pregnant woman before,".
"It's just the same," Kate informed him patiently as she led Steve to bed, "except I'll be on top,".
A little while later and Steve was semi reclining on the bed, propped up by pillows as Kate lowered herself on to him. Both groaned in satisfaction at being joined again. It was the first time since they had conceived and this time they went slow.
From his vantage point, Steve admired the changes in Kate's body as she ground her hips against his. Her breasts were fuller and the nipples had become darker and more prominent. Her belly was swollen with their daughter and he couldn't help but put his hands on it as Kate rode them both to their peak.
"I think we've woken her up," Kate said, still sat on Steve's lap as she recovered from her physical activity. She had just received a sharp kick in her side. Kate moved Steve's hands to where she had felt the movement. He still had to feel their daughter move and she hoped it wouldn't be long before he did. She didn't have to wait long before she felt another kick as their baby moved inside her. Steve's face lit up at the same time. "You felt that?" She said.
"Yeah," said Steve in awe, laughing again as he felt another kick. "Hey," he said, talking softly to Kate's belly. "Settle down," he instructed his daughter, and Kate smiled at him. "Sorry about that but we're finished now, although I'm afraid you might have to get used to it," he warned her with a smile.
Feeling suddenly tired. Kate moved to lie down beside Steve. With her bump, they had taken to spooning most nights as that was the position they could be closest. Steve's hands came to rest on her abdomen again, protectively. His words seemed to have done the trick as he didn't feel any kicks again. "Kate?" He whispered, suddenly overcome with the most content and happiest feeling he had felt in his life.
"Yeah?" Kate replied, sleepily. She wasn't far from falling asleep.
"Marry me?" he asked. No fuss. He'd just shown her how much he loved her, far better than words could.
"Ok," she replied, just as simply.
"Good," Steve said, before kissing her bare shoulder and following Kate to sleep.
Their wedding was just as fuss free. At six months pregnant, Kate didn't want the stress of arranging anything too extravagant. They invited their closest family and friends to witness their union and it was the perfect day.
Kate worked until she was eight months pregnant. She could just about manage sitting at a desk for a couple of hours before her back began hurting. Running after criminals was out of the question now and walking with a waddle was about as much as she could do. Jo was happy that Kate hadn't miscarried and the whole of MIT were looking after her at work, making sure she was as comfortable as possible.
"Kate can you pop over to AC-12 later before our doctors appointment?" Steve asked Kate on her last day at work before her maternity leave started. "Everyone at AC-12 wants to see you and I think they have a little something for the baby," Steve said.
"Everyone?" Kate asked. She wasn't sure Ted would be all that happy to see her. They still hadn't spoken since she had left AC-12.
"I wish you two could sort things out," Steve replied. They were the two most important people to him and he wanted them all to be friends again.
Kate caught sight of Ted lurking in his office when she popped in to AC-12 later that day. "Give me a moment," she whispered to Steve before the little party really began. Steve watcher her approach the gaffer's office.
The door was open and Kate popped her head in. "I'd really like it if you could join us, sir," Kate said.
"I wasn't sure you wanted me so i thought it best to keep out of the way,".
"Well with all due respect, you thought wrong, sir," Kate said. "Steve wants us to be friends again and I actually think he's right about this, although don't tell him I said so,".
"Aye, your secret is safe with me. Don't want him being any more of a wee gobshite than usual," Ted said with a smile on his face. If there was one thing that the pair of them could bond over, it was keeping Steve in line.
"Come here," Kate said, and gave the gaffer a hug. It wasn't protocol to be so hands on with a senior officer, but Kate didn't care. Unfortunately, their daughter had other ideas and gave Ted a bit of a kick. "Sorry, sir," Kate apologised. "She doesn't like being squashed,".
"I'll remember that," Ted said. "I was going to offer my babysitting services but er, maybe not if she doesn't like me".
"She does," Kate informed him as they made their way over to the gathering of police officers. "She can't wait to meet Papa Ted. Steve said you'd have a bit of free time now you're retiring,".
Four weeks later...
"Aaarrrgghh!" Kate groaned as yet another contraction ripped through her body. Chin to her chest she put all her efforts into pushing her child out of her body. Although she was in pain at the moment she was so grateful that she had managed to get to term without any further complications.
"C' mon Kate," Steve urged his wife as he gripped her hand, offering as much support as he could. She had been in labour for six hours and had progressed really well. She was now fully dilated and had been pushing for nearly an hour. Hopefully the end was nearly in sight.
The contraction passed and Kate flopped back on to the bed. "I don't think I can do this, Steve," she admitted, defeated.
"Yes you can," he encouraged her.
"I'm so tired," she admitted as a few tears gathered in her eyes. Steve's heart swelled. He knew she was exhausted. "Can you do it for me?".
"You know I would if I could," Steve replied as he kissed the top of her head.
"Can't you just cut this baby out of me?" Kate begged the midwife who was at the bottom of the bed.
"Afraid not," the nurse replied. "You're so nearly there. Couple more pushes and you'll have your baby,".
"Hear that?" Steve joined in, encouraged by that piece of news.
"You promise?" Kate asked the midwife. "Because I will have you arrested if you're lying!" she threatened as she felt her next contraction approach.
"She doesn't mean it," Steve informed the midwife unnecessarily. She had been threatened with far worse by many women during labour but once their baby was born it was all forgotten.
"Yes I do!" Kate forced out her retort as she tried once again to push her child out.
"Pant for me, Kate," the midwife instructed half way through the contraction and Kate did as she was told. "Well done! That's the head delivered," she informed Steve and Kate. "One more push and she'll be here,".
"End's in sight, mate" Steve excitedly said to Kate.
"Last contraction coming," Kate informed the midwife and once again prepared to push. With one last huge effort she felt her child leave her body and was soon placed into her arms. A tiny little pink bundle that had a very strong set of lungs as she let her parents know she had arrived safely but was very unhappy about something.
Kate's mothering instincts kicked in and she quickly lifted her gown up and placed her newborn daughter against her skin for warmth before asking Steve to place a towel over the top of her. Hearing her mothers familiar heartbeat and soothing voice as Kate tried to calm her by stroking her cheek, the little girl soon quietened down until she was dozing peacefully on her mother.
"A natural," the midwife commented from her position as she was finishing up with the delivery and cleaning Kate up.
"I told you," Steve whispered to Kate. Steve was trying his best to build her confidence at being a mother back up again but she kept brushing off his compliments, telling him he was biased. Hearing them from somebody else would hopefully prove he was right.
Happy her daughter was finally content, Kate turned her gaze to her husband and smiled happily at him. He was staring at their baby totally entranced until he became aware that Kate was watching him. Unable to find any words to describe his feelings for the woman who had just made him a father, he leant forward and kissed her gently. "Love you so much," he whispered as they pulled apart. "Both of you," he added as he stroked his daughter's cheek as well.
His actions woke her up and she started making unhappy little noises. "I think she's hungry," Kate announced, recognising that she was rooting for a feed.
"Do you want to try feeding her?" The midwife asked.
"Yes please,".
The midwife came over and helped position the baby at Kate's breast. It took a few attempts but finally the little girl understood what she had to do and latched on. She even opened her eyes for the first time to look at her parents.
"I'll leave you three to get to know one another whilst I have a cup of tea," the midwife said before leaving them alone. "I'll be back in a bit but there's a call button if you need me," she instructed before leaving the new family alone. True to her word she was back after a short break and found the baby girl still feeding although she was at the other breast. "Is it ok if I check her over?" She asked Kate.
"Yeah. She's not feeding," Kate informed her. "She's fast asleep,".
"Perfect," the midwife said as she carefully plucked the baby from Kate. The moment she no longer had a nipple in her mouth, the little girl woke up and decided to let her displeasure at not being in her mothers arms known to the whole delivery suite with very loud cries. She even decided to pee all over the midwife responsible for her unhappiness as she performed all her checks and weighed her.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Kate apologised, mortified at her daughter's bad behaviour. She could tell that her and Steve were definitely going to have their work cut out with her and she wasn't even an hour old.
"Don't worry. I'm used to it," the midwife assured the little girl's parents. "At least we know your waterworks are working eh?" she said to the baby who was still red faced and crying. To prevent any further accidents the midwife placed a tiny nappy on her as well as dressed her in a onesie with a matching hat.
She was soon back in her mothers arms and quietening down. "I've just got to put her ID bracelets on," the midwife said. "Have we got a name?".
"Lily," replied Steve. It had been an easy choice after Steve had told Kate about his dream.
"Hello Lily Arnott," the midwife said as she placed the bracelets around the baby's ankles.
A little while later Lily was in her fathers arms as he sat in the reclining chair beside Kate's bed. Kate was taking a well earned nap and Steve was happy to take over tending to their daughter whilst Kate was resting. Lily was is a similar state of consciousness to her mother following another feed and Steve was hoping it stayed that way for a little while.
His phone however had other ideas and started chirping away. As quickly as he could which proved quite difficult with a sleeping baby in his arms, Steve retrieved it and answered it before it could wake either of his girls.
"Hi mum," he said quietly. He had been expecting this call ever since he had sent photos of her new granddaughter a little earlier.
"Hi darling," she squealed down the phone. "Your father told me to wait before I called, but I couldn't wait any longer. She is absolutely gorgeous, darling. I can't wait to meet her. Is it ok if we visit tomorrow?".
"Of course it is," Steve replied, smiling at how happy his mum was.
"How's Kate?".
"She's good. She's resting at the moment. In fact they both are. Can I call you back later? I don't want to wake them,".
"Of course. Sorry. I just wanted to say congratulations," his mum said. "Speak later," she said before hanging up. Steve put his phone down and looked down to see that despite his best intentions, Lily was now awake and staring up at him. "Sorry," he whispered to his daughter. "That was grandma. She's quite excited about meeting you," he told her.
Father and daughter continued staring at each other in silence for a while. "Whilst it's just the two of us," Steve eventually said, checking that Kate was still sleeping, "there's something I need to say. I want to thank you for helping me finally get mummy. Without you, I don't think I would have succeeded. I've been trying by myself for a long time without any success so thank you. You've made me very happy," he continued. "I promise that I'm going to do everything I can to make you as happy as you've made me, ok?" he asked as he saw one of Lily's hands trying to escape from the blanket she was wrapped in. "Deal?" he asked as he stroked the palm of her tiny hand with one of his fingers and Lily's fingers clasped it tightly in response as if shaking on the promise. He smiled in wonder at the tight grasp she had, despite being so tiny.
He continued, looking at his daughter. He could see both himself and Kate in her, just like that dream he had had. Something still rankled him about that fantasy and this was the perfect opportunity to address it. "One other thing," Steve whispered conspiratorially to Lily . "Whatever Papa Ted might tell you in the future, I never was naughty. Got it?" he asked. Lily just continued to stare at him as if she didn't believe a word and Steve chuckled before giving his daughter a loving kiss to her forehead.