Laura woke on day 6 of her honeymoon. Jake was still sleeping beside her his arm thrown possessively over her body as he held her close. As she tried to move his fingers dug into her hips to hold her still. She flicked her hair out of her face to look across the pillows but he was not showing any signs of waking up. She gently manoeuvred herself from out of his grip and crept towards the bathroom.

'Get back to bed I'm not done with you.'

'Jake give me a break.' Laura turned towards him laughing. 'I need the loo, I need a shower and most importantly I need some food. Its like being a hostage up here.'

She watched as he leapt out of bed walking towards her a mischevious smile creeping over his face. 'Now a shower thats a good idea.'

'Jake, no oh my God what are you doing?' In one swoop Jake had grabbed her hoisting her onto his hip as he charged towards their bathroom. He ducked into the shower and hit the switch dropping her underneath the water. Pushing her hair away he held her face still as he began kissing her, deepening the kiss as she giggled.

She put her hands up in defeat. 'You give in Laura?' She nodded laughing as his lips found hers again…..

Breakfast was on the terrace overlooking the lake. With no morning sickness Laura filled her plate and sat down smiling as Jake raised an eyebrow at the mountain of food. 'What?'

He threw his hands up. 'Nothing, I never said a word I know you're eating for two now.'

Laura pushed her empty plate away and smiled as she sat back in her chair gazing across the lake. 'I could stay here forever ya know, its just amazing. What a place to live.'

'Ah well its funny you say that as I wanted to talk to you about here and well home and erm some other stuff. Stay there I want to show you something.'

Laura sat staring after him as he ran into the house. She could hear Rosa calling to him but he obviously didn't stop as she could be heading tutting. What did he want to talk about? Granted they hadn't really discussed what life would be like back in England. She had assumed they would live in her house so Charlie could be close to his school, he had taken over half the wardrobe the last couple of weeks. Although the house felt very cramped she was sure they could make it work.

Jake arrived back with a folder and set it down on the table as he cleared plates. Rosa arrived and began scolding him for something he grinned as he pulled his chair next to Laura. 'What have you done now?'

'Nothing really she says one day I will slip on the marble and kill myself and she won't help me. No running in the house apparently, new rules.' I think she is getting ready for Charlie's arrival.' He looked up as Rosa walked into the house still not happy. Charlie arrived tomorrow and Laura felt a pang for him she had loved this time on their own but she missed Charlie and knew he was going to love it here. A pool in the garden, boats in a boathouse beneath the house and rooms upon rooms to play in. What was not to like. It was every little boys dream. 'Hmmm she's got a point about running we need to tell him tomorrow.' He put his hand over her's. 'Laura he's a kid let him have his fun. If he fall's over he will get back up.' She bit her lip he was right of course she was over protective she knew that. Shaking the thoughts of something happening to Charlie out of her head, she leaned over the papers Jake was pulling out of the folder.

'Right so the way I see it, your house is too small for us now, if Ellie is staying.'

'What do you mean if?'

'Okay Ellie with us and a baby makes five and as a family we need more space. Now we cant extend on your house to give us what we need so.' He took a breath and bit his lip as he pushed a booklet in front of her. 'I found this house. Don't say no until you see it. We can see it next week anytime and.'

'Stop Jake just stop.' She looked at him her eyes glittering with tears. 'You had me at family okay.'

'Really? You aren't mad at me? I swear I just want to do the right thing and we don't have to rush a decision. But, we do need to think about somewhere bigger don't we?' He looked at her solemnly his eyes searching hers.

She reached for the booklet and scanned the picture, turning to him. 'It looks like the hotel.'

He nodded. 'Yep its the same man who designed both. Its about 20 minutes from the hotel so Charlie could still attend the same school. It needs some renovating but I figure we could be in part of it before the baby is born and.'

Laura placed her finger over his lips. 'Take a breath okay.' He nodded smiling at her. 'Sorry I just, well I want it to be perfect for us. A proper family home for our family. You, me, Charlie and the baby.'

'Its amazing Jake to be honest I hadn't thought that far ahead but I'm impressed you found this. I love the hotel its such a beautiful building and the grounds are stunning.'

'We can have the same at Netherfield. Its just as stunning Laura the first time I saw it I knew.' He stopped talking. 'You've seen it already?' Laura gave him a quizzical look as he nodded. 'Yeah I had a quick look last week. I didn't want to mention it with the wedding and everything plus you were not feeling well with the morning sickness. I didn't want you traipsing around it. Its got no heating right now and the electrics leave something to be desired.'

She nodded absorbing the information. He could feel himself sweating and it had nothing to do with the heat. He reached for her hands taking them in his as he spoke. 'I know this is all fast and I probably should have talked to you before I went off house hunting. I guess I have a lot to learn about this two people in a marriage deal.'

Laura reached up and pushed his hair off his forehead, her fingers lingering on his face as she traced the contours. He felt his breath quicken as she gazed at him a slight flush creeping up towards her cheeks from her neck. 'I'm blown away.' She spoke huskily. 'No one has ever done anything like this for me, it's overwhelming but, I like it. The place looks way too big but, seeing how you live, here and in London maybe I'm begging to understand life is going to be very different now.'

He let out a sigh of relief. He had been worried about broaching the living subject for over a week. Terrified she would let rip so he was now totally taken aback by her agreement with his plan. He had almost put in an offer the day he visited but, had stopped himself and told the agent he would bring his wife back for the next visit.

'Seeing as we're talking about reality how do you feel about scaling back your work at the hotel?' He felt her begin to pull away maybe he shouldn't have brought this up but, too late now. 'What I mean is its obvious we don't need the money and it would give you the chance to get ready for the baby, moving etc.'

Laura stood up walking away from him. He could see her shoulders slump as she walked towards the waters edge. He pushed his chair back following her. She was sat on the grass and he dropped down next to her. 'Too much?'

Her head was down as she spoke quietly. 'Little bit, I hadn't thought I wouldn't be able to work. We should have discussed this eh?' She looked at him and he could see her eyes brimming.' He slung an arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head on his shoulder. 'Its not that I want to work everyday, I would love to be at home more for Charlie and obviously when the baby comes I want to be at home. But, I don't want to be one of those women who loses their identity because its all about the husband and the children.'

'Laura it wont ever be like that we have done things the wrong way I get that but, well, I, I love you.' Her eyes raised to his as she studied his face. 'I know, Charlie told me and I heard you the other night. I felt awful you said something like that and I tell you I like you. It just caught me off guard I care for you I just, well, you know its a lot.'

'Charlie I swore him to secrecy the cheeky brat.'

She laughed softly and he leaned down grazing her lips with his. 'Love will come Laura I'm sure of it so don't feel bad. I have enough for both of us until your ready.'

Rosa looked out the window watching Jake and Laura at the bottom of the garden. She didn't think she had ever seen two people so in love. But, there was something concerning her, something unspoken between them and it was going to be a problem. She had tried to get it out of Jake but he had clammed up. He was so much like his father in that respect it was infuriating. She liked Laura very much, she had been very shy when they arrived. Self conscious, embarrassed even that her husband was keeping her in bed on her honeymoon. Rosa was happy Jake had found someone to love and who loved him. She hoped that whatever was troubling her would disappear. She stepped back and carried on walking through the house leaving Jake and Laura sitting in the garden.

The next day Rosa was outside to meet the new arrivals. One look at Charlie was enough for her to realise who he was and she spoke quickly in Italian to Jake asking for confirmation. His eyes narrowed as he replied and quickly told her to mind her own business. She had known there was something but never did she think she would see a son of Will's appear. It had been like seeing a ghost and she knew she had gasped causing Laura to stop and turn as she was hurrying Charlie into the house. Rosa had taken her leave quickly and disappeared for the afternoon leaving food for the family. She had remained in the house she and Stefano shared on the estate stunned, upset at Jake's behaviour. The fact Charlie was calling Laura Auntie had shaken her and she had gazed across at Laura confused and unable to comprehend what was happening.

Jake had avoided her for two days and when he did finally speak to her he had confirmed that Charlie was Will's son but Laura knew nothing and Rosa was to say nothing until he had resolved everything. Rosa knew better than to argue with him whilst she might have known the Harrison family a long time she was still an employee and didn't want to scupper her nice life. So she had kept her distance until they left. Using the excuse of them being a new family and having time to themselves when Laura had called into the kitchen one day.

On the day they had left Jake had spoken to her quietly as the car was being loaded by Stefano. He assured her he would sort everything out and that the next time they came it would all be okay and she could rejoice in the fact that Will had left a son. She had nodded and smiled relieved to see them all go. Keeping hold of Jake's secret was not something she agreed with and she let him know that before he left.

As Laura hugged her before climbing into the car she had felt a wave of dread wash over her this was not going to go well. She just knew it…

xxxxxxxxxx

Laura rubbed her itchy belly and turned to look across at Jules who was lying on the sun bed next to her with her eyes closed.

The weeks were flying by it was hard to believe that she was seven months pregnant but looking at her ever growing bump there was no getting away from it. She couldn't even see her toes now much to her disgust. Jake had laughed this morning when she had complained at her lack of mobility, lack of being able to see her toes and her weak bladder. He had hugged her and kissed her until she was breathless. Sometimes she couldn't believe how happy they were it seemed too perfect.

Jules sat up turning to Laura with a sleepy look. 'Blimey I fell asleep, thats what happens when my partner in crime abandons me. I work extra hours and fall asleep in the middle of the day'

'Well, I'm weeks away from giving birth ya know. I do have a good excuse.'

'Hmmm well so do I. I'm bloody knackered your husband has got me over at Netherfield overseeing curtain hanging, sofa positioning, the list is endless.'

'I offered but he wont let me near the place since I got so huge. Says its too dangerous and I'm not allowed there on my own. What he thinks is going to happen I just don't know. There are so many workmen around I'm sure one of them would catch me if I tripped or something.'

'He's just being protective I never saw a bloke prepare for the arrival of a baby like Jake has. He should write a book or something. You know today he's got me….'

Laura swung her head as Jules stopped talking. 'Got you doing what?'

'Can't say, sworn to secrecy. More than my jobs worth an all that.'

'Oh come on just tell me.'

Jules shook her head. 'Nope not allowed.'

'Laura closed her eyes and laid back on the bed. 'Oh whatever you people are driving me crazy. So many secrets.'

Jules chuckled and stood up stretching as she headed into the house arriving back a few minutes later with a tray of drinks for them. She set them down on the table and took up her position on the sun bed again stretching out as she kicked off her shoes.

'I cant believe you move out of here next week.'

Laura opened her eyes and cast a sad look around the garden. 'I know I'm sad but, of course excited too. I know we don't have the whole house finished but I mean how many rooms do we really need? I cant wait to see it not been there for nearly two weeks now. He just says let it be a surprise. Even Charlie's not letting on what is happening there. He really is turning into Jake with his secrets too.'

Jules sat up concern on her face. 'What do you mean secrets? Whats going on that you aren't telling me?'

Puzzled Laura gazed at Jules. 'I just meant about the house not letting me near it. What are you referring to?'

Jules shook her head. 'Nothing I'm not referring to anything just well, I don't know how to broach it really. Its something thats been bugging me for a while now.'

'Just say it whatever it is you've got me worried now.' Jules took a breath and gave her friend an ernest look as she spoke.

'Okay have you ever looked at Jake and Charlie together. I mean really looked at them? They are so similar they could be father and son. I just, well I think it's a strange coincidence sometimes.'

Laura reached across to pat Jules arm and spoke quietly assuredly. 'I know and I love the way Charlie has copied Jake he looks to him as though he is his Dad. I mean its amazing incredible. I never thought I would find someone who loved Charlie the way I love him. Jake does that and after all that Charlie has been through its wonderful he has someone like Jake around. And a lot of people have brown wavy hair Jules. Don't worry over nothing okay.'

Jules nodded and took a sip of her tea, smiling over the top of the cup at Laura. 'Yes, you're right of course you know me and my Miss Marple hat.'

Laura laughed quietly and nodded. 'I'm lucky to have a friend like you looking out for me I'm just lucky all round eh?'

'Yeah don't you forget it. Now I had better power on or else Jake will be ringing me to see where I am. If I stay too long he might ban me saying I'm tiring you out.'

Laura tried to raise herself off the bed to see Jules out but gave up and laid back down. 'Lock the door Jules I'm just going to stay here like a beached whale.'

Jules leaned down to give her a peck on the cheek. 'Well, you definitely look like a beached whale but it's a cute one.'

As Jules drove towards Netherfield she couldn't help the feelings of angst that drifted over her when she saw Jake and Charlie together. She just knew there was something not right. There was no denying Jake loved Laura. He couldn't keep his hands off her and seemed to be doing all the right things. The man had uprooted his life in London and moved to this sleepy part of Kent. He had bought the biggest house he could find, spent an absolute fortune she had seen the invoices. He was totally besotted with Charlie and Jules knew she should be happy for Laura. Wasn't this the stuff of fairytales? But she just couldn't shake this feeling of worry.

There was much more to this and whilst Laura might be blind to it but she wasn't….

I jumped a few months after the honeymoon. Figure the first few months will have been bliss!

Thanx as always for the lovely comments and feedback. I hope its worth the wait next chapter things start to fall apart….