A/N: I have already said this to some of you if you brought it up in a review but for the benefit of others, Danny isn't an adult. I wrote it deliberately to make it seem that maybe Emily was married to him so it would be more of a twist but hopefully (she says confidently) from now on he'll seem much more like a little boy.

Also, how could I forget the utter cock from s3 of the same name? But I got it in to my head when I was planning this story that Emily's son was called Danny and it stuck, so no he isn't based in any way on the stupid footballer.

I'm sure you'll appreciate an explanation early doors so that's what I've tried to do, but there are a few more twists to come.

Hope you like the direction this is going in and don't mind a few more angsty chapters but as ever let me know.

Apart from the first part I think this is mostly filler until the explosive Naomi finds out chapter.

Cook

"Bollocks!" I said as another piece of toast fell to the floor.

I was fucking sick of staring at the same four walls but I hadn't been brave enough to go out in over week, not since I'd been over to Katie and Emily's parent's house. Although to be fair calling it a house was a bit of a piss take, it was massive. Set in it's own grounds, swimming pool, tennis court, fifty million bedrooms...

I sighed, there was no way after what happened I could face Naoms and definitely not Effy. I was a shit liar at the best of times but even though Emily pleaded with me to keep it to myself I still felt awful. Naomi was my best mate, we'd stuck together through thick and thin and now here I was keeping something huge from her. I thought back, Jesus, talk about a shocker.

"Danny's my son."

I looked down at the boy gripping Emily's thighs, he stared back suspiciously.

I was relieved when Katie stepped in, "hey, how's my favourite nephew?"

Danny rolled his eyes "Auntie Katie, I'm your only nephew."

Katie ruffled his hair, "Which is why you're my favourite."

Emily smiled at him, "Grandma and Grandad are dying to hear about your holiday."

His face lit up, "Mummy, it was sooo cool, we saw dolphins and everything."

"Well sweetheart, why don't you go and tell them all about it?" Emily suggested.

He frowned, "Don't you want to hear?"

Emily reached down and stroked his cheek, "I promise you can tell me everything later but I need to speak to Cook first."

His frown deepened and he glared at me, "Ok, but you promised."

"Danny, I really want to hear all your news and later you'll have my undivided attention." Emily stated.

It seemed enough for the kid and his smile returned as he ran off "GRANDMAAAAA, I'm back."

Emily turned to me with a concerned face, "why don't we go somewhere a bit quieter?"

I nodded and followed her down a corridor until she opened a door before she motioned me through. Seriously? A full size fucking snooker table?

I glanced around before my gaze fell back to the nervous looking redhead, "Cook, I don't know where to start..."

"Beginning might help love." I said slightly sarcastically.

"You remember in the pub? When we played I've never ever and I confessed I'd slept with a friend of mine, JJ, as a favour for his sixteenth birthday?" she started.

I nodded.

"Well, it turns out I got a present in return. We were careful but something must have gone wrong with the condom because a few months later I found out I was pregnant." she half smiled weakly at me.

"No question of you getting rid of it?"

Jesus Cook, what a fucking horrible thing to ask. "Sorry, I didn't mean that, it's just a bit of a shock."

Emily shrugged, "How do you think I felt? It wasn't exactly in my plans to have a baby a few months after I turned 17, but no, there was never any question I would get an abortion."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "And what about the wedding ring? Are you married too?"

She grimaced slightly, "I was, when Danny was about a year old JJ started to get headaches but he put off going to the doctor because he thought it was just the stress of juggling having a small child with his A levels. By the time we realised it was serious it was already too late to save him. So we got married before he died to make things less complicated. His parents thought we were in a relationship, they didn't know I was gay and although it sounds stupid, it's been easier to keep up the pretence."

My eyes widened, "So they still think you and JJ were love's young dream?"

She nodded sheepishly, "They're good people Cook. I did love JJ, very much, but as a friend. They'd lost their only son, why pile on further misery by letting them know their grandson, the only link they had to JJ, was a mistake that arrived from a favour."

I shook my head, "Jesus, and they have no idea you're a muff muncher?"

Emily shrugged again, "maybe they do but they've never said anything, so whenever they're around I make sure I wear the ring and we all pretend that JJ and I would still be together if he were alive."

"And what about Danny? Does he understand anything? How old is he?" I questioned.

"He's nearly seven and yes I've sat him down and told him all about his Daddy and how he was my best friend and very special to me. But he also knows that Mummy likes kissing girls and Nana and Gramps don't know that. He's incredibly bright so he understands a lot more than people give him credit for sometimes." Emily explained patiently.

I exhaled deeply, "Jesus Christ. This is a total head fuck..."

Emily stared at me, "I know it's a lot to take in, which is why I need to be the one to tell Naomi."

I shook my head, "Oh no, you can't expect me to keep something like this from her."

"Please Cook, I know it's a massive favour but she can't find out from anyone else, she'd never forgive me. All I'm asking is for a bit more time, please." the redhead pleaded.

I stared at her as she looked back beseechingly, she was right Naoms would go ape if she found out second hand about this but she was my best mate, how could I not tell her?

"I'm not saying yes, but how much time?" I asked cautiously.

"A couple of days at most, I promise." Emily said in relief.

We stood in silence for a while as I contemplated my options.

I shook my head again, "Fine against my better judgement I'll agree to keep it a secret, but you have to tell her soon."

Emily smiled gratefully, "Thank you so much Cook, this means the world, honestly."

I mumbled something in response and hoped I wouldn't live to regret this.

I was brought out of my recollection by a succession of loud bangs on the front door. "Cook, open the fucking door."

Shit, it was Effy. I crouched down as low as I could and hoped she'd go away.

"Cook, I know you're in there, I saw you trying to hide. Let me in you stupid prick." she continued.

I panicked, if she'd seen me she wouldn't go anywhere but I couldn't face her, "I'm not well, very contagious."

She paused, "Why? What have you got?"

"Errr, the flu, been really sick with it all week," I croaked in what I hoped was a convincing manner.

The letterbox opened, "Really? I thought it might have been an STD you caught off that skank Katie Fitch."

Oh bollocks, so she knew I'd been banging the twin, but it was better she thought that was why I was avoiding her, "Dunno what you mean."

Even through the door I sensed her sceptical look, "Cook, I know you've been shagging Katie, so stop being a fuckwit and open the God damn door before I kick it in."

Reluctantly I got up and opened it, Effy strode in and peered at me carefully, "Flu my fucking arse. You didn't come round on Friday so I knew you were avoiding me for a reason."

I shrugged, "Guilty as charged, I didn't think you'd be too happy."

"I'm not over the moon about it but that's no excuse to stop seeing me. Naomi and I have been worried, that's all." she said more gently.

I averted my gaze and hoped she hadn't seen me flinch slightly when blondie was mentioned, "Yeah, well, you know me. Always thinking with my dick. So do you want a beer or something?"

Effy paused and I felt her eyes boring into me, "There's something else isn't there? Something you're not telling me."

I glanced up quickly and snorted, "Don't be stupid, what else would I be hiding?"

Her eyebrow raised, "James..."

Shit, now I was in trouble, why couldn't I just shut the fuck up?

"Tell me what you know." she demanded.

I laughed nervously, "Honestly Eff, I don't know anything."

She walked over and stood in front of me, "Is it something to do with Naomi?"

I flinched again.

"Aha, I saw that. Is it something to do with the Fitch gathering last weekend?" she questioned.

My head flew up, "How the fuck..."

Effy smiled wryly, "I knew exactly where you were as soon as Naomi said you weren't coming for Sunday lunch. So it's got something to do with Emily too."

I desperately tried to avoid catching her eye but I knew I was only delaying the inevitable, I was already close to breaking point.

Effy stared at me and a look of understanding passed across her face, "Oh my God, you know what Emily's secret is don't you, the thing she hasn't told Naomi yet?"

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head, "Seriously Effy? You knew? Thank Christ I'm not the only one keeping stuff from Naomi. Emily begged me to let her tell Naoms about Danny, but she still hasn't come clean."

Effy looked puzzled, "Who's Danny?"

I stared at her, "Emily's kid, the big secret?"

"Emily's got a CHILD?" Effy said.

"You said you knew..." I stated indignantly.

Effy shook her head, "I knew she was keeping something from Naoms, but I didn't know what it was. I can't believe you agreed not to tell her, this is huge Cook."

"I can't believe you tricked me." I accused as I pointed my finger at her.

Effy snorted, "Don't be such a tit, you were on the verge of breaking anyway. So that's the real reason you disappeared off the face of the earth?"

I nodded, "I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret and I said to Emily I'd give her time to confess everything."

The brunette frowned, "Naomi's been working really hard so I'm not sure how much they've seen each other. It's not exactly something you want to send in a text is it? 'Hi Naomi, see you at 8, oh by the way did I forget to mention I have a son? Love you. Emily."

I shrugged, "Suppose not but she's already had over a week and now we both know I'm not sure how much longer we can keep it from Naomi."

"Right, first off get me that beer and tell me everything." Effy ordered.

I nodded, "And then what?"

Effy sighed, "And then, I think I need to pay Emily a visit, don't you?"

Naomi

I yawned loudly, I was absolutely knackered. Mandy's big project was in phase two and that meant stupidly long hours at the office for me. I wouldn't care so much if she actually made the same effort, but oh no Mandy still found time to socialise and go on another 'research trip' with Selina. When I moaned about it Mandy rolled her eyes and simply explained that the reason I had to work 10 times harder than her was because she was the boss and I was the useless dogsbody. How the hell I stopped myself from slapping her and telling her to stick her job I don't know.

Well actually that was a lie, I knew exactly why I didn't do it. I needed the job if I wanted to spoil Emily and treating the redhead like she was a Goddess had become my new raison d'être. I tried to see her as often as I could, which admittedly had been a lot less than I'd have liked over the past week or so and each time I liked to do something romantic. It didn't have to be anything big, a flower I'd picked or some other silly thing that made me think of her, but I never turned up empty handed. Emily teased me saying that she'd loved the way I was always attentive but she should have let me get into her knickers much sooner if she'd known it would make me that much more thoughtful, but it wasn't just about sex. Ever since we'd slept together I'd felt our connection deepen, and I knew Emily felt it too, no matter how much she teased me otherwise, it was like adding another dimension to an already amazing thing.

Before you reach for the sick bucket let's get something quite clear. It wasn't just about the fact we were shagging now, but my God that helped a lot. Seriously, the woman was insatiable and I for one wasn't complaining that Emily Fitch couldn't seem to get enough of me. The only problem I had was because I'd been working longer hours all we'd managed since last weekend were snatched moments with just enough time for a quickie. I wanted to spend far more time luxuriating in the redhead but it was still a hell of a lot better than nothing.

Take yesterday for example, I hadn't seen Emily over the weekend so I made sure I took a proper lunch break to spend time with her. I knew the shop might be busy but I went along with the intention of giving her a helping hand. As soon as I saw the look she gave me when I walked in I knew a helping hand of an entirely different kind was all she was thinking about. Luckily Katie was there so Emily told her she'd be half an hour before she whisked me upstairs. I definitely went back to work with a spring in my step after that and it pissed Mandy off all day that I was in such a good mood. It wasn't even dented in the slightest when she handed me a massive pile of photocopying and told me she'd need me to stay until 10. I smiled sweetly and said it'd be no problem.

But even getting 30 minutes together was quite rare at the moment and so I was really looking forward to the fact we had a proper date arranged for tonight. We talked about going out for dinner but in the end Emily said she'd cook for us, the weird thing was she wanted to come over to my place. When I'd questioned her she said it was because we got more privacy there, which I supposed was true but as I'd only been to hers once it still puzzled me a bit. But to be honest I didn't care where we were as long as we got some time together.

I smiled to myself, something that didn't go unnoticed by Mandy, "What is the matter with you these days? Aren't I working you hard enough?"

I had to play this carefully, I didn't want her to pile anything else on me which might mean I had to cancel with Emily, "I was just thinking how interesting the work is these days, lots of variety."

She looked at me strangely, "Hmmm, right I need you to run an errand. Go and pick up my dry cleaning."

A fucking please once in a while wouldn't go amiss but inside I was grinning, because it meant I could pop in and see Emily, "Where's the ticket?"

Mandy threw it at me dismissively, "Hurry up back as there are some notes I need typing urgently and you'll have to give them to me before I leave. You did remember I said I was going out tonight?"

What am I your wife? "It's my job to remember Mandy."

She clapped her hands together, "Chop, chop then Naomi."

I waited until I left the building before I allowed myself to smile and quickly made my way to the shop, I pushed open the door, good it was quiet. Emily was facing away from me busily wiping down the work surface and was humming quietly to herself. I tiptoed over to the counter.

"Who do I have to screw around here to get a cup of coffee?" I asked cheekily.

Emily turned slowly and smiled, "Err, that would be me."

I paused, "Nah, you're not really my type. Have you got a sister?"

She walked over to the counter with her eyebrow raised, "I have actually but we're identical, although I'm much better at knowing exactly what women want."

I pulled her into a long sensual kiss, "Is that right? Well, I guess you'll have to do then."

"What are you doing here? Oh no, you don't have to work late do you? Because I've been looking forward to tonight all week." Emily said with a frown.

I shook my head, "Don't panic babe, we're still very much on. I just wanted to warn you I might be a little bit late as Bob has just given me a load of notes to type up."

Emily sighed, "Good because I really need to talk to you about something."

My brow furrowed, this wasn't the first time Emily had mentioned needing to talk to me but we hadn't had much time to discuss anything, oh alright, we could have made time I suppose but there always seemed something better to do.

"Don't look so worried baby, it's nothing bad." she said soothingly as I chewed my lip.

I nodded, "Ok, so I should be finished by seven, where should I pick you up?"

"Well I should easily be finished with my ex by then so why don't I text you?" Emily said cautiously.

My eyes narrowed, "Oh yeah I almost forgot, you're going for a drink with the 'sexually adventurous ex' tonight aren't you?"

Emily looked warningly at me, "Naomi, don't start. We've already discussed this and if I have to have a quick drink with her to stop her pestering me then that's what I'll do. There's nothing for you to be jealous about."

"You're not going to have sex with her are you?" I asked with a pout.

"Naomi! For fuck's sake, I met her a couple of times after we'd split up for a shag. It was way before you came on the scene." Emily said exasperatedly.

I frowned, "I know, but she doesn't know that it's just a drink. What if she hits on you?"

Emily gently stroked my cheek, "Then I'll very clearly explain that I'm with someone else now, someone whom I love very much and who caters superbly for any sexual needs I might have."

"I suppose that's ok." I said sulkily, "but sex with her was still all exciting and stuff."

Emily tipped my chin and stared directly at me, "Firstly, you know yesterday lunchtime?"

I couldn't help smiling, "The quickie?"

Emily nodded, "miles better than any sex I ever had with her."

Now I was actively grinning, "Really?"

"Yeah, and I'm very much looking forward to taking a lot longer tonight to see if we can't get that coveted top spot in the bag." she whispered huskily as she kissed me.

My eyes closed and I moaned softly, "Hmmm."

"Secondly, I don't know how many more times I can say this, but you are the most gorgeous, sexy woman in the world I've ever met and not just now, but ever."

I smiled, "Go on to the third."

She stared at me, "who says there was a third?"

I looked at her, "There's always a third. Not that the first two weren't good enough on their own."

She stared at me with a knowing twinkle, "Thirdly, I'm more than happy to discuss ways for us to be more adventurous anytime you want."

I gulped as my mouth dried up, "Well I suppose that's the rest of my working day taken care of then."

Like I said, it wasn't all about the shagging, buy boy it really helped in so many ways.

Effy

I walked round the corner and immediately ducked out of sight as I saw Naomi positively bound out of the shop. She paused and muttered something to herself before sending a text. I guessed from the broad grin that appeared on her face when the reply arrived it was from Emily. I sighed loudly and felt even more awful.

I'd known Naomi such a long time and I'd never seen her as happy as she was at the moment. Normally I was fiercely protective of both my best friends and woe betide anyone who threatened to hurt them in any way. But the fact I knew there was a massive skeleton in Emily's closet which could potentially ruin things with Naomi didn't make me angry, it made me incredibly sad. I know Cook felt the same way which is why he was prepared to keep Danny's presence a secret until the redhead had the opportunity to tell Naomi herself.

I made sure Naomi was nowhere to be seen and walked quickly over to the shop. I took a deep breath and pushed the door.

"Sorry we're closed, oh hi Effy. You've just missed Naomi." Emily said brightly.

I nodded, "I waited until she left, it wasn't her I wanted to speak to..."

"You wanted to speak to me?" she paused and a look of realisation dawned on her face, "Oh..."

I stared at her, "Oh indeed..."

She looked sheepish, "So you've spoken to Cook?"

I nodded again, "Don't be mad at him, he did his best to keep out of our way. It just got a bit harder as the 'couple of days' turned into over a week."

Emily blushed, "I'm not angry at him at all. I realise what I asked of him was a huge favour, especially as he doesn't really know me from Adam."

"Only now you've put both of us in a very difficult position, Naomi is our best mate, she'd die if she knew we'd kept something like this from her. In her mind it would be a betrayal of the worst kind." I replied sternly.

The redhead's shoulders sagged, "I really am sorry, I never meant for any of this to happen and I am going to tell Naomi tonight. I promise she won't find out from me either you or Cook knew anything."

I shrugged, "I'm not sure a promise from you counts for anything, you haven't exactly been great at keeping them so far."

Emily looked at me with a sad expression, "I know, you must really hate me."

I sighed and sat down, "I don't hate you, I don't like the predicament you've put me in, but honestly I think you and Naomi are great together. She's never been this happy."

The redhead smiled wanly, "Neither have I. Do you fancy a coffee?"

I nodded, "Milk, two sugars."

Emily made the coffees and sat opposite me. We sipped them, both unsure where to start.

"I got pregnant the only time I slept with a guy, most people think it's stupidity on someone's part but it isn't always the case. I had a good future ahead of me, I was lined up to go to university and I know that isn't the be all and end all but I could have had a career. Instead I had a baby and Danny became my biggest priority. That's when I started the business, it meant I could work but still be there for him. Then JJ was diagnosed with a brain tumour and we all knew he wasn't going to make it. I worried constantly about how I was going to tell Danny that his Dad wouldn't be around. To be honest it broke my heart, JJ was such a good person, someone Danny could have learnt a lot from, you know?" Emily stated.

"It must have been hard." I stated.

Emily shrugged, "Yeah, in some ways it was. But it was pretty good in others, and I'd never change anything, well maybe JJ still being alive but not the rest of it. I've got Danny and sometimes I can't believe I'm responsible for bringing such a wonderful little boy into the world, every day he surprises me."

I smiled, "So how come you are so reticent to tell Naomi?"

Emily paused and I was worried I'd offended her.

"When I met Naomi, I don't know, I felt an instant connection" she started falteringly, "the more I got to know her the more I liked her. In the past it's caused problems when I've told girlfriends I'm a Mum, some of them just didn't want kids as part of the package, others didn't like the fact that there was someone else who was going to be the focus of my attention and sometimes they just viewed me differently afterwards. I wasn't sexy Emily who they wanted to fuck, I was mumsy Emily who they could only cuddle. I suppose I didn't want Naomi to stop seeing me as someone she lusted after and if I'm totally honest it feels good just to be plain old Emily again, not Danny's Mum."

I raised my eyebrow, "Oh come on, you're a milf,"

She laughed.

"Well I don't necessarily want to, but I know Naomi would ever describe you as plain old anything, she's crazy about you. Emily, I'm not sure how she'll react to you having a kid, maybe she might be a bit jealous there's someone else important in your life, who knows? But I'm damn sure of one thing, she'll be deeply upset you haven't been honest with her." I said gently.

She sighed, "I know she will. Look I know it's stupid, but I suppose part of me hoped I could put it off for as long as possible."

I snorted, "Seriously? What were you planning to do, wheel Danny out on his 18th Birthday and shout surprise!"

"Not exactly..." she stopped and smiled ruefully, "maybe I just wanted to wait until the honeymoon period was over. The sex is fucking spectacular."

I smirked, "Yeah, so I'm told."

She blushed, "Honestly Effy, I'm not inexperienced by a long chalk but I've never felt the way I do with Naomi, the minute she walks in the room I want to rip her clothes off and do unspeakably dirty things to her."

"There is such a thing as too much information you know?" I respond with a smile.

"Sorry, I figured she'd talk to you about these things." Emily said shyly.

I rolled my eyes, "She does, frankly it's causing me to be quite envious. But we're digressing."

"Yeah, I know. Like I said I'll tell her about Danny tonight." she checked her watch, "But first I have an uncomfortable meeting with an ex to deal with."

My lips quirked, "Oh is this the sexually adventurous one? Naomi's been stressing about it."

Emily shook her head, "Hope it's not too much information, but honestly, Naomi has absolutely nothing to worry about. Mandy was open minded for sure, but sex with her wasn't a patch on what I have with Naomi."

I got up, "Right, I'll let you get on and I'm glad we talked. I'll just be happy when the truth is out in the open and I promise I'll do everything I can to help if, sorry when, Naomi freaks."

She smiled gratefully, "Thanks I'd really appreciate that."

Emily showed me to the door and I gave her a hug, I wasn't always that demonstrative but I really liked the redhead especially because of the effect she had on Naomi.

"I'm sure it'll all be fine." I stated as I left.

She sighed, "I love Naomi a lot and I don't want to lose her."

"She loves you too and I think she might be a bit surprised about Danny but she'll get over it. I'll see you soon yeah?" I replied with a smile.

Emily nodded, "I hope so, bye Effy."

I walked away feeling a lot more positive than when I arrived, maybe everything would be ok. I made my way to the bus stop and got my phone out of my bag to send a text. One missed call and an answer phone message. I went to voicemail.

You have one new message...

Hi Eff, it's me. Did you catch up with Cook? I'm not worried exactly, but he has been behaving strangely. Anyway, give me a quick ring or text back when you get this. I can't believe Mandy has got me working late. As usual she's fucking off out, meeting up with an ex girlfriend or something and she wants me to bring the minutes of the meeting we've just had with some clients to the bloody bar. Hopefully, I'll still be alert enough to spend time with Emily. Got to go, speak to you later.

Something clicked and I shook my head, surely it was too much of a coincidence? I mean the chances of it being the same Mandy were remote right? Jesus, I sodding well hoped so, otherwise tonight might be explosive in more ways than one.