Jules sat silently looking down at her hands sitting in her lap. She took some time to compose herself and raised her eyes looking directly into Jakes across the desk. 'Not a clue what you're talking about Jake.'

She watched him as he fought to hold back his emotions the anger all to prevalent in his behaviour. He spoke quietly as he watched her his eyes dark, his hands resting on the desk clenched so tightly together. She wasn't sure if he was going to shout at her or hit her right now he looked pretty unpredictable. 'Jules there are two things you should know about me. One is I never let anyone get away with trying to damage my business.' He stopped talking and watched her. She felt her composure beginning to waver his eyes had not left her face and the worrying feeling she had was washing over her entire body. She spoke quietly. 'And the second?'

'I'm glad you asked that, the second is I never let anyone do anything that places my family in danger. You have done something that placed my wife and unborn child in grave danger today.' She shook her head laughing nervously. 'Like I said no idea what you're talking about.'

She jumped as he banged his fist on the table her eyes jumping to his face. 'I should have mentioned a third. I really detest people who think I'm stupid. Do you think I'm stupid Jules?' She shook her head whispering. 'No of course not.'

He nodded and his body relaxed slightly. 'Okay so why don't you just tell me who and what so I can try and sort these vultures out.' She shook her head. 'Jake I, I really don't know what this is about.' Jake stood quickly turning his back and looking out over the garden. She watched him as his head dipped and heard a sigh before he turned back again. Leaning against the cabinet below the window he watched her not speaking. His long legs stretched out in front of him as he gazed at her. 'I'm tired of games Jules this has been a bad enough day as it is don't drag it out any longer than necessary. Just tell me the truth.'

'You're a fine one to mention truth in a sentence after everything you put Laura through.' He nodded thoughtfully and took his time before responding. 'I'm a man with many flaws I never said I was perfect but I love my wife and I am trying to fix what I did. Why don't you tell me what you did so we can fix it.' Jules didn't react or respond she darted a look over her shoulder should she just leave? She wasn't a prisoner here she could go home right now there was nothing more she wanted than to get out of here. She looked back at him he hadn't moved nor had he taken his eyes off her.

The door of the study swung open and Pete strode in. 'Jake the security team need to speak to you.' He stopped as he saw Jules and looked from one to the other realising the tension that was hanging in the air. 'Whats going on?' Jules never spoke just dropping her head again. He was going to go crazy she knew that.

Jake spoke first. 'Pete I'm sorry but my head of security just called me with the name of the person who leaked this to the press.' Pete sat down heavily on the sofa knowing instantly by the demeanour of both who it was. 'Jules?' She didn't move. 'Julia look at me now I'm not kidding I will walk out this door and keep walking if you don't.' She turned slowly tears starting to roll down her cheeks. Pete dropped his head into his hands. 'Jesus why would you do this to Laura she's your best friend. I told you to stay out of it didn't I?' She nodded as the tears kept falling. He stood up and walked across the room dropping to his knees in front of her his face pale and pleading. 'Right you need to tell us what you've done.' She nodded again and began speaking. 'I was so angry at you.' She looked at Jake through her tears. 'I just wanted them to give you a hard time you deserved it after everything you did to Laura.'

He didn't speak but gave a nod as she looked at him. She turned back towards Pete as he coaxed her to carry on speaking. 'I was coming out of the hotel about a month ago and there was a man outside looking around. Said he was writing a piece on country hotels so of course I gave him the tour and when we had finished he started asking questions about you.' She nodded towards Jake. 'I just said you were getting ready to move locally and about the baby and stuff. He asked some more questions and then left. About a week later he rang me with more questions this time they were about Laura and he said his editor had decided to have him write a piece on your love story. I thought it all sounded very romantic. He made it appear that way.'

Pete leaned back on his haunches and looked up at Jake. They appeared to have some sort of unspoken code she decided as Pete turned back to her again. 'Give me the name Jules of the journalist.'

'Its Dan King he works for The Daily.'

'Herald.' Jake finished the sentence moving towards the phone on his desk and punching in some numbers. He turned away from them both and spoke quietly giving the name to the person on the other end. She sat there numb looking at Pete. 'I told you a long time ago to stay out of other peoples business. This was too far Jules. I don't even know you right now.'

Jake hung up the phone and walked around the desk he sat on the edge his arms folded as he looked down at Jules. 'What else did you tell him?' She gave a pleading look to Pete but he had stood up and gone towards Jake talking quietly to him before turning back to Jules.

'He called me a few days ago Laura had gone to that cottage and I was so damn angry I wanted to hurt you Jake. You deserved it. You treated her like dirt and well you don't deserve her.' He stood watching not speaking. Pete flung his hands up in the air as he walked around the room. 'You've pulled some strokes in your time Jules but this, this is unacceptable. I just don't know what you were thinking. Laura could've been hurt do you know that?' She nodded miserably aware now of the impact of her actions. 'I'm sorry I never thought they'd follow her it was Jake they said they wanted. I thought they would follow you around a bit.' She broke down sobbing uncontrollably just as Laura walked into the room.

'Jules what on earth is going on?' She hurried across the room to her friend and tried to hug her. Giving the two men watching a stern look. Jules shrugged her away and stood up. 'Im not sorry for what I did you deserved it Jake. But I am sorry for what they did to Laura I didn't know that would happen.' She turned quickly and left the room Pete looked at both Jake and Laura before hurrying after her. He stopped at the door. 'Jake we'll go if the press hound us at home well we bloody deserve it after this.' Jake nodded slowly and spoke quietly. 'I think it might be best to go for all our sakes.' Pete nodded and left the room.

Laura turned towards Jake. 'It was Jules?' He nodded a grim look on his face. 'I'm really sorry seems it was a way to get back at me Lord knows I deserve it but you. God if anything had happened to you I'd never forgive myself.' He looked down at the carpet a shudder ran through his body at the thought of what if. Laura walked over to him her arms winding around his waist as she leaned against him. 'I'm fine Jake we're all fine. She made a mistake we all make them eh?' His arms dropped to his sides before he reached out and pulled her closer. His head came down and his lips brushed over hers he pulled back speaking quietly. 'I will never let anyone hurt you, you know that don't you?' She nodded. 'We're all fine Jake; Anna, Charlie you and me. Oh and this little one too.' He smiled down at her his body relaxing as she spoke softly to him. 'I'm going to find Jules and end this. I don't want you getting upset anymore it's not worth it Jake. Lets focus on us, Charlie and our baby now.'

She reached up to stroke his face. 'Jake?' His mind was whirring but he stopped and looked down at her. 'Yeah ok I understand.'

'Whats happened has happened okay?' She reached for his hand squeezing it gently. 'Its time to let it all go Jake the secrets, the fears, the anger. I want a fresh start for all of us.' Jake pulled her back as she went to walk away his lips touching hers again. 'I don't deserve you.'

She gave a throaty laugh as she settled back into his arms. 'No you don't don't ever forget it okay especially around my birthday, christmas.' The rest of her sentence was quashed as Jake pulled her tight into his body and his lips sought hers again…

Pete was climbing into the car as Laura appeared at the steps of the house waving to get his attention. She came down towards them stopping at the passenger side where Jules was sitting. She tapped on the window and Jules hit the button to open it.

'Come back inside Jules please.' Laura's face was soft and kind as she leaned in towards her best friend. 'I cant Laura I'm so ashamed will you ever forgive me?' Jules turned and gazed into Laura's face. 'Come inside please I don't want you guys going home I'd feel better if you all stayed here until Jake sorts everything.' She looked across the car at Pete who was leaning in from the driver side.

'Jules?' Laura's voice was pleading as she spoke. Jules nodded slowly and reached for the door handle. Pete called the boys to get back out and they hot footed it up the steps bewilderment on their faces at the scene being played out. Laura placed an arm around Jules waist as they walked slowly up the steps together. Jake was inside the hallway with Anna who was gazing at everyone with a quizzical look.

'Anna, Jules and I are going to prepare some food and then we are all going to eat together. Care to help?' Anna quickly scurried after Laura. 'Of course dear.' She had no idea what had happened but was not about to ask anyone anything.

Jake said nothing as the women walked towards the kitchen staring after them as they disappeared from view. Pete appeared at his side and slapped his back. 'Lets get a drink Jake I don't know about you but I'm about ready for one.' Jake nodded and gave a wry smile. 'Good plan you head in and pour I just need to do something.' He ran upstairs to Charlie's room lurking outside hearing the three boys chattering to each other as they played some xbox game. Ellie obviously taking the role of referee as she called out instructions. He headed back downstairs to the study and found Pete lounging on a sofa with a tumbler in his hand. He sat opposite and picked up the glass poured out for him. He gave a nod of the glass towards Pete. 'Saluti.' Pete smiled and tipped his glass. 'Good health.'

They sat in silence for several minutes until Pete spoke. 'So what happens now?' Jake gave a sigh as he spoke. 'My people will handle it we know this guy well he's always digging for dirt. I will issue a statement Monday to the press if they want it its there. But we'll stay put they cant get in and we have plenty of security around the grounds etc.' Pete nodded. 'And Jules what happens to her?' Jake raised his eyes and leaned forward. 'Nothing Pete its done we've all made some stupid mistakes. If I had approached this differently well we probably wouldn't be sitting here now. She's been the closest thing to family for Laura so we move on focus on the future.'

Pete closed his eyes leaning back on the sofa. 'Well, then top up the glasses mate seems like we have something to celebrate.' Jake reached for the bottle and poured. 'Not sure there is much to celebrate with half the English press camped down the road.' Pete gave a smile before speaking again. 'Oh Jake you've not been married as long as me take this as a celebration its quiet no kids, no women just you me and a bottle of whiskey. That my friend is a good result.' He took a long swig from his glass settled back on the sofa and gave Jake a thumbs up. Laughing Jake adopted the same position and sank back into the sofa.

Laura shushed the group seated around the table as she raised her glass of water. 'Everyone in this room is family we have our good days and we have our bad. The past is done we look to the future now. So lets raise a toast to tomorrow a fresh start for all of us.' As she looked around the table at Ellie, Pete the boys, Jules, Anna she was grateful to have these people in her life. People who loved her and supported her and maybe they weren't perfect but who was? Her eyes settled on her husband they had been through so much but she loved him and he loved her that was enough right now. Jake jumped up from his chair and came to kneel beside her whispering into her ear. 'I love you and I like you.' She giggled and touched his cheek. 'Ditto.'

They were going to be okay she just knew it….

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'She's perfect Laura just perfect I can't believe how big she's getting.' Jules leaned over the cot before coming back to the sofa and sitting down. 'Where's Jake?' Jules cast a glance towards the door. Her relationship with Jake was healing slowly she'd realised getting involved in other peoples business had consequences and had learnt her lesson. Pete had forgiven her but it'd taken a lot of work and Fifty shades of Grey had helped enormously.

Laura stretched and yawned. 'Oh he had to go into town to the office. He'll be back tonight. Don't tell him but its kinda nice to have some peace.' Jules gave a surprised look. 'Oh I don't mean it like that, he's amazing changing nappies, getting up in the night seriously he cant leave her alone. She is going to be one spoilt child, already got Daddy running rings around her.'

Jules laughed loudly. 'Oh boy wait until she's 18.' Laura smiled back at her friend glad to see the recent tension dissipating. 'He's been fantastic though really I couldn't ask for more.' The door opened and a young girl appeared with a tray. Laura beckoned her forward. 'Thanks Kate.' She pointed to the table and the tray was duly placed there before the girl disappeared again.

Jules had met her when she arrived and had vaguely recognised her. 'Where do I know her from?' Laura responded with a giggle. 'Well, don't tell Brian but she was one of the girls that used to come in for big events and help out. I always liked her and Jake said we had to have some help so I thought she'd be perfect. She's turned out to be a real treasure.'

'And where is the wicked mother in law?' Laura gave her Jules a playful nudge as she spoke. 'Anna was here until this morning she went back with Jake. She has been a godsend Charlie loves her around so its been great.' Jules gave a snort as she poured the tea. 'Words I bet you never thought you'd say eh?' Laura laughed. 'Ha for sure but she is okay well okay in small doses I guess.'

'What a year eh?' Jules rolled her eyes as she smiled at her friend. 'I know right you couldn't make this up.'

Jake drove through the gates and gave a wave to the security guard inside. Since the press incident he had kept security 24/7 on the grounds. No way would anyone ever get near Laura again. He parked in front of the house looking upwards at the starry sky as he walked up the steps. Delighted to be home although feeling worn out he took the stairs two at a time once inside. He walked quickly to a bedroom and peeked inside Charlie was fast asleep one leg hanging out of the bed just as Will used to sleep. He closed the door softly and walked along the corridor stepping into the bedroom of his daughter. As if she had been waiting for him her brown eyes opened wide looking up at him from her cot. 'Hello Emma you been waiting for Daddy?' A gurgled response was given as he reached in and picked her up sitting down in the rocker watching her fall asleep.

He walked quietly through the house and found Laura asleep in their bed not wanting to wake her he headed into the bathroom taking a quick shower. He crawled into the bed beside her exhaustion washing over him it'd been a long day. Coming home to his family made the time away worth it. A hand flitted over his stomach coming to rest on his hip as Laura rolled across the bed towards him. 'Hey.' He reached for her warm body and drew her towards him. 'Hey yourself.' She moulded herself around him and he sighed his body relaxing as he felt her close. 'So is it done?' He nodded in the soft light. 'It's all done.'

'Wow so what do you do now then Mr part-timer?' He laughed softly as his lips found the hollow at her neck. 'Oh I don't know any suggestions?'

'Hmmmm I've got a few but I'm just wondering if you know what date it is today.' He pulled back to gaze into her face. 'Date have I forgotten something? Your birthday no thats not it did we have something happening today?'

Laura touched the side of his face and let her fingers trail down her eyes shining in the soft light. 'Oh Jake its six weeks so we can….'

'Oh that date.' He moved across the bed to cover her body pining her down. 'How could I forget that?' His lips found hers his hands skimming across her body caressing her soft skin. A moan escaping from him as he felt her body react to his touch.

'You should've called me I would've left the office much sooner.' He smiled down at her the light from the lamp catching the gold flecks in his eyes. She pulled his head down towards hers smiling as their lips met. 'All good things come to those who wait.'

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Well, my dears we are nearly there. Epilogue will conclude this story very soon.

Thanks so much for staying with me on this.

I have appreciated all the feedback and lovely comments you are all fantastic!