Becker watched the rise and fall of Jess' chest as she slept, his hand resting lightly just above her heart. He could feel the quiet murmur as it beat below the surface, and imagined the beat of his child's heart in sync with the rhythm of its mother's. He smiled lovingly at her, this beautiful young woman who had changed before his eyes over the past few months. Suddenly she was so much wiser, so much older, and yet every now and again he would see that tiny glint in her eye which reminded him of the Jess he first fell in love with – the one who wore ridiculous heels and rambled on about absolutely nothing. In some ways, she had changed so much, but in other ways she hadn't changed at all.

'You're staring,' she mumbled quietly, one eye opening partially so she could see his face. Somehow, he looked at his most beautiful when he first woke up – his hair tousled and his eyes bright with early morning sunlight.

'Do you want me to stop?' he asked, propping himself up on his elbow.

She shook her head, glossy strands falling loosely across her face as she did so. He gently pushed them off her face, and kissed her forehead.

'I'll go and make breakfast. What do you fancy?'

She rolled over, stretching her arms above her head, and smiled sweetly at him. 'I wouldn't mind another watermelon?'

He sighed, nodded, and went to put some clothes on. The cravings had most definitely kicked in, and it had become a routine for Becker to go down to the local shop to buy her a watermelon each morning. The shopkeeper now knew Becker personally, and even knew what date the baby was due!

'Don't forget the pineapple juice!' she called as he pulled on his boots. 'Oh, and crackers. Don't forget crackers!'

He laughed quietly to himself before slipping silently out the door. Outside, the early morning commuters were emerging from their flats, looking half-dead as they trudged to work. Compared to them, Becker looked positively alert, however he felt exhausted. Jess had been pacing all last night, though she wouldn't say why, and he hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep for worry. He knew she would tell him all the important things, but somehow he felt like she was keeping something from him, and it was driving him insane.

'Ah, Becker – I've just put the fresh fruit out,' Mr. Derry said as Becker entered, the bell jangling above his head.

'Thanks Clive,' Becker replied, going straight towards the back of the shop where he found the basket of watermelons. In the four months since Jess had found out she was pregnant, Becker had become the shop's best customer.

'Would Jessica like the pineapple or tomato juice this morning?'

Becker came back with two ripe watermelons, and gestured towards the pineapple juice. 'Where do you keep the crackers?' he asked, placing the fruit down on the counter.

'Over by the biscuits. She must be hungry this morning. My wife was the same with Adam - didn't stop eating for the whole nine months!'

Becker smiled. Well that's something to look forward to, he thought wryly, imagining another five months of waking up at half-four to get Jess her breakfast.

'That'll be £6.43,' Clive said and Becker gave him a ten pound note before taking the brown paper bag off the counter.

'Well, give her my best wishes.'

'Thanks, I will,' came Becker's usual reply. Every morning they had the same conversation, and every morning Becker would relay it back to Jess in minute detail – she loved hearing about the kind shopkeeper who seemed to know her so well even though they had never met.

'Oh, Becker, hang on! I have something for you,' Clive shouted just as Becker was closing the door. The older man ran through the back before returning with a small package. 'My wife wanted to be the first to give you both something for the baby. She thought yellow would be a safe option.'

It was a knitted pair of boots and mittens.

'They're tiny,' Becker whispered, fingering the soft, comforting material. Strangely, he had never properly imagined how small the baby would be, but this was certainly a wake-up call. 'Thank you, Clive. And say thank you to your wife as well. From both of us.'

Clive nodded with a warm smile, and watched as the young father-to-be left his shop, knowing exactly what was in store for him.

xxx

'They're so tiny,' Jess exclaimed, a boot and mitten on each finger.

'That's what I said,' Becker replied, currently cradling Jess on his lap as she gazed at the baby's clothes.

'It feels more real now, doesn't it?' she said quietly, her head resting against Becker's shoulder. She felt him nod, and tucked herself into the crook of his arm. She wanted to be as close as possible to him, suddenly feeling very over-whelmed and out of her depth.

'Don't worry. We'll muddle through, whatever happens,' he murmured into her hair, the odd strand tickling his nose as he breathed in her sweet, familiar scent.

She gripped his t-shirt, desperate to pull him closer. 'Do you mean that? Whatever happens?'

'Of course. You don't doubt me, do you?' he asked, suddenly wondering if this was why she had been acting so strange. Was she worried he wouldn't be cut out for fatherhood?

'No. No, it's not that. I was just wondering what you would do if... something wasn't right. You know, with the baby.'

His heart sunk, and suddenly everything made sense. 'Has the doctor said something to you, Jessica?'

She looked away from him, and that was all the answer he needed. 'I'll love our child no matter what. You hear me, Jess? No. Matter. What.'

'I know, Becker. And so will I. I just wanted to make sure...'

A tense silence enveloped them, and Becker felt the need to go for a very long walk by himself. Medical jargon and conditions swirled round inside his head, and although he would never admit it to Jess, he was terrified.

'I'm tired. I think I'll go lie down,' she said quietly, though the words didn't even remotely relieve any of the tension.

'OK. I'm just going to... check in at the ARC. Make sure everything's all right there.'

She didn't even acknowledge, and he sighed deeply. He had no idea what had just happened, but all he did know was that he felt she had just given him an important test, and he'd failed.

xxx

Jess pulled her watch from the bedside table and frowned – 22:10. He should have been back by now, she though to herself, and felt a knot of worry coil inside her. Jess knew she had been unfair, especially considering she had absolutely no proof that there was anything wrong with Bella apart from what Matt had said, but at the time, all she had wanted was a little comfort and security, and yet when he gave her exactly that, it just hadn't been enough to quell her fears.

And now she was deeply regretting saying anything at all. It had been desperation which made her blurt out the question, and desperation which made her want to take it back, erase it, anything for them to go back to the way they were before.

But how could Jess tell him that when he had disappeared? She needed him, here, now, and this empty flat - most of their stuff having been packed up for their move – just seemed to emphasise how truly alone she was.

Another roll of thunder boomed outside, and Jess shuffled over to the window, resting her forehead against the cool glass pane as she watched the raindrops fall like tears. She wanted to feel Becker's arms around her, his lips against her skin, and in the absence of his love and warmth she felt freezing.

'I miss you,' she whispered, her breath misting the window. She drew a heart in the clouded glass with her index finger, and felt a lump form in her throat. Why did she always have to say the wrong thing?

Without any warning, the door suddenly clicked open and she whirled round to see a drenched Becker standing in the doorway. His t-shirt was soaked through, and his hair had turned the colour of oil. But it was his eyes, bloodshot and red from crying, that shocked Jess the most. She had seen him cry only once before, in the future, but it didn't make it any easier to see.

He opened his mouth to speak but she saw his lips tremble and knew he wasn't going to make it. Instead he stepped forwards cautiously, never taking his eyes from her face, and in one hurried movement, she ran towards him, burying her face into his damp chest once she finally reached him.

'Oh God, I'm sorry, Jess. I'm sorry. I love you... I love you so much,' he said, words toppling over themselves as he rushed to say them all at once.

She kissed the wet fabric of his t-shirt, wrapping her arms around his waist to steady him. He needed her, and she needed him, and that was all that mattered.

'Forgive me,' she said desperately, looking up at him for the answer she needed.

He stroked her check with a dripping hand and smiled through the tears. 'There's nothing to forgive.'

As he pulled her back into his strong arms, he knew there was one last thing he needed to ask her before he finally gave himself to her completely. Just one last question.

'Jessica Parker, I can't spend even one second without you, and I doubt that will ever change. So, without sounding overly sentimental, I want you to know that I am giving my heart, body and soul to you entirely. I love, and always will love you, and I will love our child just as much.' He pulled the velvet box from his pocket, having been preparing for this moment even before he found out she was pregnant, and knelt down in front of her.

'Oh my God,' she breathed, her eyes shimmering with tears.

'Jess... my Jess, will you marry me?' he asked, one hand hidden behind his back as he crossed his fingers. He had never been superstitious, but all his beliefs, all his certainty had gone out the window as soon as he fell in love with this cookie girl.

She gave a relieved, glorious laugh before kneeling down as well so that they were face-to-face. She held out her left hand and he carefully took the sparkling diamond ring from the box and slipped it onto her delicate finger. It was beautiful, he thought, but not as beautiful as her.

'Is that a yes, then?' he asked nervously, still shaking uncontrollably.

'Yes, Becker. I will marry you,' she replied, before kissing him sweetly on the lips, her tears slowly mixing with the fresh rain trickling down his skin and into their mouths.

This was never supposed to happen, I would like to point out, in the way it eventually did. It was also never supposed to be this long, but hell, I think it was worth every extra second! Please review, especially for this chapter, because I spent absolutely ages on it! Thanks again for all the encouragement and I hope you enjoyed :)