Chapter 18

As the cellar door flew open Freddie couldn't believe his eyes, Joe and Grace were lying on a blow up mattress sleeping next to one another, her head resting gently on his chest. Freddie was angry but he also smiled knowing that this was something he wanted to see, he could now finally pursue his chance with Lindsey without feeling so guilty. He needed to think of a way to trap Joe, if the affair with Lindsey ever came out Freddie would need to try and provide some evidence of the scene in front of him. He decided to take a picture, as sly as it sounded Freddie realised that it was the only thing he could do. He didn't want to hurt Lindsey by telling her about what he had just seen so he chose to keep it a secret.

Freddie left the club as quickly as possible, he wanted to find Lindsey and treat her to a romantic night, even though she hadn't seen Joe and Grace, he had and he thought he needed to make it up to her in some way. He quickly nipped to Price Slice buying a few sweet treats, he rushed home. It was slightly late, everyone had retreated to their rooms for the night. Freddie hoped that Lindsey was still awake, sometimes she would stay up quite late at night. Both her and Freddie often spoke about things in the early hours of the morning, the living room would be the usual place they would sit.

He quietly knocked on her bedroom door, the room she once shared with Joe.

"Who is it?" Lindsey quietly called

"It's me" Freddie said as he cleared his throat.

"Look Freddie, it's late. I don't wanna talk about earlier" she sighed.

He opened the door and made his way inside, holding up a bag of Lindsey's favourite bag of sweets. Instantly earning a smile from her.

"Just because you've bought me a bag of sweets doesn't make you fully forgiven but because they're my favourite, I will let you off just for tonight" Lindsey beamed as he walked into the room fully.

"So I made the right choice then?" he teased, Lindsey tried hard not to smile but she couldn't stay serious for very long as she allowed herself to laugh a little.

"Yes, you did. Fancy watching a movie?" she asked

"I don't see why not, what have you got in mind"he walked closer to the futon and sat beside her.

"You can choose, I'm just nipping to the loo" She got up and left the room leaving Freddie to choose the film. He quickly chose the film and waited for her return.

"Put the film on then Freddie" Lindsey said as she walked back into the room.

During the film, Lindsey cuddled up to Freddie. She asked his permission first just in case he wasn't okay with it, of course he didn't object and they were now a great way through the film. Lindsey had her head on his chest, he had an arm gently wrapped around her.

"Are you cold?" Freddie whispered as Lindsey suddenly shivered.

"Yeah I am a bit, bring that blanket over would you?" Lindsey asked.

"Yeah of course" Freddie got up and brought the blanket and positioned it around Lindsey making sure she was as warm as toast.

"Thank you Freddie" Lindsey whispered

"Not a problem" he said as he kissed her head.

By the end of the night both Freddie and Lindsey managed to get through 3 films, they were now sat downstairs having one of their usual late night conversations.

"I hope he's okay you know" Lindsey announced.

"I'm sure he is, You know how tough Joe is he'll be sorting them out" Freddie said with a smile, instantly feeling guilty for making an excuse up for him. He so badly wanted to tell her what he had seen and show her the picture but he knew how much it would hurt her, he was going to keep it from her for as long as possible.

"I'm sorry if I keep mentioning him, I still care about him" she said sadly.

"It's okay, I know you do. I don't expect you to instantly not care about him" Freddie kissed her head.

"I just feel that I'm constantly talking about him and it isn't fair on you" Lindsey sighed and tilted her back on the sofa.

"Don't worry Linds, I understand this is really hard for you, you can talk to me about anything and you know that" he said with a warm smile, he placed his hand over hers letting her know that he was there for her.

"What would I do without you Freddie" she said as she squeezed his hand.

"I'm sure you'd manage" he teased, Lindsey smiled and allowed her head to fall onto his shoulder.

Before they were able to show any more affection they were stopped in their tracks by Sandy coming down for a drink of water.

"Alright you two? You're both up a bit late aren't you" she enquired as she walked into the kitchen.

"Yeah thanks Sand, are you? Couldn't sleep so I thought I would come down here for a bit" Lindsey said.

"I'm good thanks mum, you're looking a bit peaky you feeling okay?" Freddie asked in a concerned tone.

"I'm not feeling so good so I came to get a glass of water" Sandy said with a smile, she really did look unwell to Freddie and he really was worried.

"Sit down mum I'll sort you a drink out" Freddie walked over to Sandy and guided her over to the sofa, as she sat down she passed out.

"Lindsey! Call an ambulance, it's mum she's passed out" Freddie shouted, Lindsey quickly made her way over to Sandy to check her over.

"Freddie her pulse is weak, it's best you phone them. I'll stay with her till help arrives" Lindsey said calmly, instantly falling into the role of Dr Butterfield.

Freddie rushed for the phone and made the call. Once the call was made Freddie rushed over to Sandy's side, he had visible tears in his eyes.

"She'll be okay Fred, don't worry" Lindsey soothed as she placed her hand gently on his shoulder.

"I'll go and wake everyone up, they have a right to know" Freddie said as he cleared his throat, quickly leaving the room.

Freddie really didn't want to be the barer of bad news, but he knew he didn't have a choice. He woke the twins up first and then Ziggy. They were all crippled with worry, as nothing like this had happened to Sandy before. As they all gathered at Sandy's side, the paramedics were there making her comfortable. She was now awake but still quite dazed.

"You alright mum?" Jason asked looking very upset.

"Give them some space Jase" Lindsey softly said and pulled him into a hug.

Robbie was unusually quiet, he was sat on the opposite sofa watching the paramedics like a hawk.

"Come on then Sandy, let's get you checked out at the hospital. Don't worry about anything you're in good hands" a female paramedic reassured her as they assisted her onto a trolley.

Freddie offered to travel with her in the ambulance while Lindsey drove the others to the hospital.

"Why haven't they told us anything" Freddie fumed as the time ticked on, he was now pacing the corridor. Robbie and Jason had somehow fallen asleep on the plastic waiting room chairs. Ziggy had gone to get a coffee and something to eat in the canteen as he was bored of waiting.

"They're probably allowing her to rest before they prod and poke about with her" Lindsey said.

"Yeah you're probably right there, you couldn't go in and check for us could you?" he asked.

"I'm off duty Freddie, but I'll try my best. I can't promise anything though" Lindsey said, making her way to Sandy's side room to have a word with the doctor who was examining her.

Freddie waited for Lindsey to return, she wasn't gone very long but to him it felt like ages. All he had to look at was the white wall and water dispenser close by him.

Lindsey eventually came out, she looked as though she had been crying. She also had a smile on her face, Freddie walked over to her.

"What's wrong Linds" he panicked

"This might come as a shock to you actually" Lindsey said with a smile.

"What will?" Freddie said seeming very puzzled.

"She's 6 months pregnant Freddie" Lindsey announced with a smile on her face.

"Really? Does she know who the father is?" Freddie asked he seemed quite happy about the news.

"She doesn't know who the father is, she asked me to care for the baby once it's born. She wants me to adopt him/her and bring them up as my own" Lindsey said, Lindsey was honoured that Sandy had asked her to take on this role.

"How serious did she sound? It really isn't like mum to give up one of her own just like that, there has to be more to this!" Freddie retorted, not aiming it at Lindsey, she understood that he was obviously slightly mad.

"She sounded pretty serious to me, She might change her mind once the baby is born though" Lindsey said with empathy.

"How would you cope on your own with a baby Lindsey?" Freddie asked, Lindsey was strongly taken a back by this.

"Excuse me Freddie I am a grown woman, Sandy said it would be best for me to take care of the baby because she feels she is too old to be a mum again, after all she hasn't looked after a baby full time since Robbie and Jason" Lindsey said sternly. Deep down Freddie knew she was right.

"Let's hope she changes her mind once she has the baby then, I don't want to see mum upset years down the line regretting giving the baby up" Freddie said with a serious tone.

"You can't force her Fred, if she wants to do this then there's nothing you can do to stop her" Lindsey placed a hand on his shoulder, before Freddie had the chance to say anything Ziggy walked back in.

"Can't force who to do what?" Ziggy enquired looking slightly confused

"Mum's got herself knocked up and has asked Lindsey to be the sole carer of the baby once it's born" Freddie announced, shaking his head and walking off.

"Oi don't talk about mum like that" Ziggy retorted, what Freddie had said was rude.

"Don't get yourself worked up over him Zig, he's just upset" Lindsey said softly.

"You're right, thanks Linds. I'm gunna go find him and talk to him" he said warmly.

"Okay Zig, I'll see you later" Lindsey said with a smile.

Ziggy walked off to find Freddie.

Half an hour later they both came back in, Freddie looked a lot happier than he once did.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you Linds" Freddie said, pulling her into a hug.

"It's okay. I understand that all this was a big shock for you" she held him tightly, he quickly kissed her head and slackened his grip.

"I've decided that I'm going to support mum's wishes, it's going to be tough at first but we're a family and families stick together" Freddie added.

"Well I'm excited to meet my sort of niece or nephew" Ziggy said with a smile.

"If she has another boy then he'll be your broneph and if she has a girl then she'll be your sisniece" Lindsey laughed as she made those phrases up in her head.

Freddie laughed and so did Ziggy.

"Good one" Ziggy said once he had finished laughing.

"Trust you to think of that you joker" Freddie added in quite a loud voice.

"Freddie shh, this is a hospital you know" Lindsey whispered with a big smile plastered on her face.

"I'm going to head home, get some rest. I'll see you later" Freddie said.

"Okay, I'll phone you if I hear anything" Lindsey informed him.

"See ya later mate" Ziggy added.

Freddie couldn't get out of the place quick enough, he needed to find Fraser to see if all of this was true, Freddie knew that he had to have something to do with this. Was Sandy really pregnant? Was Fraser the father? Freddie didn't know the answers, but he was going to fight tooth and nail to find out. When it came to the prospect of his family hurting because of this he brought it upon himself that he would get to the bottom of it and try his hardest to keep the family together for Sandy's sake and for the baby's. He wasn't sure what the real outcome would be but he was going to support Sandy all the way through no matter what had gone on.

Freddie also realised how much Lindsey wanted to be a mum, since she and Joe lost their baby all that time ago Freddie knew how much she wanted it. If push came to shove Freddie understood that he would support Lindsey in bringing up the baby, he really felt bad for patronising her in the way that he did, he knew that she would make an amazing mum. As Freddie contacted Fraser to meet up with him his blood boiled, all that man had done was upset the family and this was one big mess which could potentially start a new life for he and Lindsey, part of him wished that it was true and that it would go to plan. This was the ammunition he needed for him to be able to start a new life with Lindsey. Another part of him was feeling upset at the thought of possibly bringing up his mums child and taking him/her away from their real mum and siblings.