After the row between her and Lindsey, Mercedes had decided on keeping herself to herself and not even bothering trying to help her friend out because of course, that was all she was doing. Flicking on the TV, she sighed and took a sip of her tea, glancing back and forth at her phone. She was anxiously waiting for her friend to atleast contact her and then she could've apologized but it just wasn't happening. She jumped slightly as she heard a loud knock at the door, groaning quietly and placing her cup on the side and getting up, answering the door to see Freddie stood there.

"What d'ya want?" Merceds said sarkily, stepping out of the way to let him in.

"Look, I know you and Lindsey aren't on the best of terms right now but I could really do with some help from a girl." Freddie replied, stepping in and shoving his hands in his pocket.

"What are you thinking?" She raised an eyebrow, closing the door firmly and slumping back into her seat on the sofa.

"You're her best friend, you'll know what kind of ring Lindsey would like, right?" He took a seat beside her on the sofa, looking over at her with the hope of her being able to help.

"No way, are you planning what I think you're planning?!" She exclaimed, sitting up straighter and placing her cup on the table.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with her and our kids, I want to make it official that we're in this forever and I know that I'll completely screw up the ring choices if I don't have a girl's opinion!"

"Hell yes I'll help! I'll grab my coat and we get going!" She said excitedly, jumping up from her seat and putting on her faux fur coat.

"What, right now?"

"Yes, get off your seat and get a move on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him up, running out of the McQueen household.

"You are growing so much little lady, where's the time going?" Lindsey cooed, smiling down at Daisy in her swing who was just about managing to pull a smile, JJ wandering over and poking his baby sister. "No poking!" She added, moving JJ's hand away and lifting him up into her arms. The door knocked, Lindsey getting up with JJ in her arms and answering it.

"Zig! What are you doing here?" Lindsey asked, letting him and closing the door behind them both. "Go and make yourself at home!"

"Just wanted to see how you all were, you know, after everything with Joe. I'm sorry to hear all of that by the way." Ziggy replied, stepping into the living room and taking a seat on the sofa, smiling down at Daisy before looking back up.

"It's fine, I just can't believe he stooped so low as to taking him away from us." She sighed, placing JJ on the floor and sitting beside Ziggy.

"Neither can I, I never knew Joe could do such a thin but I won't drag that up for you to relive, just glad JJ is safe and back where he should be. How are you and Fred? Speaking of who, where's he gone?"

"Oh, he said he was going out to pick up some nappies but he's been gone for ages, god knows why! But yeah, we're great. We've had a lot going on lately but we have made a big decision."

"So, what is it then? Are you getting married? Or having another kid because I don't know how the hell you're going to cope if you do!" Ziggy babbled, Lindsey trying not to laugh.

"No, be quiet!" She said jokingly, chuckling. "Fred's adopting JJ as his own and um, becoming his official father. After everything with Joe, everything he did, I just felt like this was the right time and he deserves better than Joe as his dad."

"Oh Linds, that's great news! I'm not taking sides because Joe's my brother and all but what he did was really wrong and I know that Fred'll make a great father to JJ."

"Thanks, Zig. It's so great to see you again!" Lindsey beamed, hugging him gently.

"So what, we didn't get the ring today. But that doesn't mean we can't plan the rest of that surprise of yours!" Mercedes said, strutting through the village in her stiletto heels.

"I just want to make it special for her, for us. You're up for going to Liverpool though, right? Look around those shops for a ring?" Freddie asked, walking alongside her.

"Of course, we'll go there next week and find the perfect thing, there's no chance I'm letting you pick out my best friends engagement ring on your own!" She scoffed, coming to halt outside the block of flats. "I'll go home, check out a few places for decorations and all that and you do the same but keep it discreet. We'll make it perfect, I promise."

"Thanks Merc, this whole proposal malarkey is harder than I thought." He mumbled shoving his hands in his pocket as Mercedes giggled.

"See you later!" She leant up and hugged him before strutting off back home.