This one is a little short and sweet. I cut the original chapter in half. Hopefully you'll still enjoy it :)

Chapter 18

Paul popped his head round the nursery door and smiled, wandering in as Stephanie finished getting Jake dressed. "Hey. So, have you got any plans for the day?" he asked. "I was thinking as I was driving home that we could start organising Jake's birthday party. It's only three weeks away now."

Stephanie nodded as she picked her son up and adjusted him in her arms. "You're right. We should make a start, I suppose." She held out Jake towards Paul. "Could you take him for a minute? I just want to fix his cot."

"Of course I can." Paul smiled taking the baby and began to twirl him round the room. Jake giggled as Paul supported his head. "I can't believe my little man is going to be one. You're growing up way too fast Jake."

Stephanie smiled as she sorted the covers. "I know. It's scary."

"Hey, wasn't Ellie walking by this time?"

She nodded. "Yeah, she was walking by ten months. But our son isn't interested in walking especially not when he's got a daddy that will carry him everywhere."

Paul made a face at her before turning his attention back to his son. "You'll figure it soon enough, won't you buddy?"

Jake grinned before opening his mouth to speak. "Da-da."

A father's proud grin spread from ear to ear as Paul turned round to Stephanie. "Did you hear that?"

"I did." Stephanie grinned as she walked across and touched her son's face tenderly. "You're a clever boy, Jake. Did you just shout on Daddy, huh?"

"Da-da." Jake said once again before burying his face in Paul's shoulder. He cuddled him closer as he rocked him back and forth.

"I don't believe it. His first word was daddy."

Stephanie could hear the emotion in her husband's voice as she rubbed her son's back affectionately. "It figures. He is Daddy's little boy after all." She walked across to the cot wearing a mischievous smirk. "Although technically it was num-num. He's been saying that for weeks now."

She heard Paul snort indignantly behind her.

"Don't be ridiculous. Num-num isn't a word." He shook his head as she turned round to laugh at him. "Don't try and rain on my parade, Steph. You're just jealous."

"What? Just like you were jealous when Ellie said mommy first?"

Paul shrugged his left shoulder and pretended to act non-chalant. "Well, it was only fair that Jake said daddy then. Now, we're even."

"I guess we are." Stephanie chuckled as she picked up Jake's pyjamas and began to fold them. But her smile faded as she thought about Mark. She was reluctant to bring up the subject but knew she had to do it now before Jane or anyone else called to find out where she was. She let out a calming breath as she briefly closed her eyes and blurted out the words. "Before we make a start to the party arrangements, I've decided I'm going over to Mark's."

She slowly lifted her head to see Paul's hazel eyes watching her intently as he rocked Jake from side to side.

"You are huh? Why the sudden rush?"

Stephanie swallowed thickly as she walked towards him and tried to ignore the panicked beating in her chest. "I just want to get it over with before he turns up at the doorstep or calls here."

"Well just don't answer him then."

"Oh yeah. That's very mature Paul."

Stephanie sighed as she touched his arm. She could feel the warmth of his skin and squeezed the firm muscle gently, silently pleading with him to understand.

"Look, I have to do this face to face. I can't just ignore him and hope he gets the message."

"Why not?" Paul shot back.

Stephanie gave him a look of disdain and he sighed in resignation.

"Okay, I get the fact that you've got to see him. Just make it quick, okay? The thought of you being near him makes my blood cold."

Stephanie reached up to graze his cheek with her thumb. "I'll be back before you know it. I promise."

She kissed him softly before raising her hand in a wave. Paul watched her as she walked out of the room and he frowned as he cuddled his son. He tried to ignore the uneasy feeling that settled in his gut. He didn't know why he felt that way. After all Stephanie had agreed she had to keep her distance. Mark was a responsibility this family didn't need. He'd just be glad once their conversation was over and his wife was back at home. His wife that looked suspiciously like Mark's estranged wife. Christ. Every time he thought about that it freaked him out. The sooner the creep across the road was out of their lives for good the better. For now he had to just try and be patient and wait.

Stephanie sat beside Mark as he sobbed, cradling Jamie's favourite cuddly dog to his chest. She rubbed his back soothingly feeling his pain. When she arrived he had been hysterical. Mark had gotten up this morning and decided that maybe now the funeral was over, he should sort out Jamie's clothes and belongings. But it was only once he had started, that he realised how hard it would be. Every toy reminded him of his daughter. Every familiar smell brought back memories that at the moment were far too painful to remember. He had rushed into it far too soon and needed to give himself more time to grieve.

Mark sniffed after a few more moments had passed managing to finally calm himself down. He turned to Stephanie and offered her a sad smile.

"This was her favourite cuddly toy, you know. She called him Scruffy." He brought up his hand to wipe at his wet face. "This was the last gift her mother bought her. I guess that's why she loved it so much."

Stephanie smiled as she rested her hand on his back. "It's understandable. She must have missed her mother terribly."

"She did. I tried my best you know, after Debbie left. But you can only do so much on your own. Especially when you still have to work to pay the bills and you try to juggle that the best you can with your commitments at home."

"And you've done a great job, Mark. You really have. God knows how I'd cope in the same situation."

Mark shrugged. "You just do, I guess. You take it day by day and do all you can to get through it." He looked back down at the dog and sighed. "I just can't help blaming myself though. If I'd been watching Jamie more closely, maybe I could have stopped her before she ran out into that road."

Stephanie shook her head and grabbed his arm to turn him round to look at her. Her blue eyes glared at him sharply. "Don't you dare think that way! What happened wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. It was a horrible accident and there was nothing you could have done, Mark. Nothing at all. So please, don't torture yourself with thoughts like that."

Mark swallowed hard and nodded. He stroked the cuddly dog once more before holding it out and offering it to Stephanie. "Here. I want you to take this for Ellie. Jamie would have wanted her to have it."

Stephanie shook her head quickly. "Oh no, Mark. I couldn't."

"Please, Stephanie. For me. For Jamie."

His grey eyes pleaded with her. She reluctantly accepted the soft toy from him. "Thank you. Ellie will like having something to remember her by."

Mark nodded and let out a shaky breath. "I know I've said this so many times the past week but thank you." He reached out to take her hand in his. His skin was cold like ice as he squeezed her fingers affectionately. "I honestly wouldn't have gotten through any of this without you. You've been my rock."

Stephanie shook her head. "That's not true. And besides, it's like you said earlier, you just take it day by day and do your best to make it through."

Mark looked at her solemnly. "But I'm only able to try and do that because of your support. You're an amazing friend, Stephie. I'm so lucky to have you. I know that."

Stephanie smiled at him but inside she felt like screaming. She honestly had every intention of ending their friendship but it was going to be so much harder than she thought. This man was on a rollercoaster of emotions right now. One wrong word and he could tip over the edge and if something happened, she'd never be able to forgive herself. She needed to give him time. Maybe in a few days he'd be in a better state of mind and she could sit him down and explain the situation to him. He was too fragile right now to even think about saying something. How could she take away the only stability he seemed to have right now. She just prayed Paul would understand when she told him.

Just then Jane appeared in the doorway and she smiled as they looked up at her. "I've made some coffee. Why don't you come down and have a cup?"

Stephanie stood up holding the cuddly toy. "Actually, I really should be getting back home."

Mark looked over towards Stephanie and touched her arm. "Please. Just stay for one cup of coffee."

Stephanie saw his sad eyes desperately searching hers and reluctantly nodded her head. She tried not to think about her husband who would be waiting impatiently at home. Paul would understand. He'd have to. Right now Mark needed her and the truth was she just couldn't find it in her heart to turn him away.