Chapter 18

…

6 months

…

James walked though the door just after six to see Mallory asleep on the couch, the fire burning as soft music played in the background. He walked over, kneeling down beside the older man as his hand found its way to their daughter. Mallory shifted when he felt the warm touch, opening his eyes to see James smiling at him.

"Hey…I didn't mean to wake you." James said, leaning over to kiss him.

"I wasn't really sleeping, just resting my eyes."

"That's what they all say, when did you get in?"

"Around three….Eve kept pestering me until I left."

"I knew I liked her for a reason."

"Mmmm."

"So you've just been resting?"

"Relaxing and introducing our daughter to some good music."

"Really?"

"It's never too early to introduce them to Chopin."

"If you say so."

"And what would you have her listen too?" He asked, sitting up as James took a seat beside him.

"Oh I don't know, The Beatles, Def Lepperd, Guns and Roses…good music."

"Really."

"Hey, don't knock it…its good stuff." He said, his arm coming around Mallory's shoulders.

"I may give it a try….one day."

"You won't regret it…so listen; I had a call from Mrs Chase today and she…"

"Who…"

"The estate agent."

"Oh sorry."

"It's okay, I can collect the keys on Monday and we are free to move in whenever we want."

"Really?"

"As soon as you are, we don't have to rush. I know the sale for this place hasn't gone through yet but I though I could start moving some bits over, less to do later and I can make a start on this ones nursery."

"I'll call Ella tomorrow and ask her to get our buyers moving forward, the sooner we move in to the house the better. I'd prefer everything done before our daughter arrives."

"Are you happy?" James asked, looking down at him.

"How could ask me that, I've never been happier. I'm with the man I love and in another three months we'll have our daughter and new home. I couldn't be happier."

"Love you."

"Love you too." Mallory smiled, leaning up to kiss James.

…

"KATE…RED OR WHITE?"

Kate came through from the kitchen, the spatula in her hand as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"What are you yelling at?"

"Sorry, do you want red or white wine with dinner."

"Oh, white I think."

"Right."

Sharon grabbed the bottle before walking over to Kate, pressing a kiss to her lips before walking in to the kitchen. Kate followed her and took the fish from the oven and poured the cream sauce she'd made over it before placing it on the plates. Sharon poured them both a glass of wine and took a seat beside Kate as they ate dinner. Sharon remained quiet throughout dinner, Kate watching her closely as she began to worry a little. When they were sitting on the couch earlier in the evening, Kate sat down her glass and turned to see Sharon smiling at her.

"Dearie can I ask what's bothering you?"

"Nothing's bothering me."

"You've been very quiet all evening, has something happened?"

"No, nothing like that. I've just been thinking about something, that's all."

"Care to share it."

Sharon turned to face her as she took a drink from her glass before leaning in and kissing Kate.

"I know it's probably a little soon but, I've been thinking a lot lately about us and my feelings for you and…move in with me."

"What?"

"You heard me; I want you to move in with me. I love you Kate, there's nothing I don't know about you and you me and I want this…I want us. You're here most of the time anyway and I hate when you have to leave every night."

"You want me to move in."

"Yes, I do. Think of how much money we'll save with only one flat to pay for, we could go on holiday together, somewhere nice. After Gareth has the baby obviously, I think he'd kill us if we abandoned him now."

"Moving in…it's a big step."

"You don't want too?"

The disappointment in Sharon's voice scared Kate a little, quickly kissing the younger woman to reassure her.

"I'd love too; I just want you to be absolutely sure. It's a big step and I know you've always loved your privacy."

"That's true, but then I met you and we spent time together and I realized that I'm happier in my life, with you. Move in with me, please."

Kate nodded her head in agreement which gained a smile from Sharon as the younger woman kissed Kate.

"I love you so much Kate."

"I love you too, you know…if we're to move in together don't you think I might be time that I met your mother?"

"My…oh yes, I suppose that would make sense."

"I would seem like the appropriate step. She does know about me doesn't she?"

"She does."

"How old I am."

"No she doesn't but don't worry about that."

"Dearie she…"

"It'll be fine and even if she does have a problem with it, it has nothing to do with her."

"I want her to at least like me Sharon."

"And she will, I won't lie…it probably won't go well the first time but she will come around."

"This is you preparing me is it?"

"I think it's only fair."

"Go and call her, set up a dinner."

"What now, I thought we were having a nice evening."

"First thing tomorrow then?"

"I will, I promise."

…

James came out of the bathroom, turning off the big light as he got in to bed beside Mallory who was in the middle of reading. He moved closer to the older man, wrapping an arm around him as he leaned in to the touch.

"What are you reading?"

"Promise me you won't laugh?"

"Why would I laugh?"

Mallory lifted the book so that James could see the cover, a smile appearing on his face.

"You said you wouldn't laugh."

"I'm not, just smiling. So….baby names, have you found any you like yet?"

"Well, I like Charlotte, Amelia, Madison, Addison, Hannah…too many to count actually."

"I like Madison."

"You do."

"Yeah, Madison Mallory has quite a nice ring to it don't you think."

Mallory smiled as he looked in to James eyes before kissing him, taking his hand and pressing it to where their daughter lay before he spoke.

"Bond." He said softly.

James looked up at him, confusion on his face as he saw the way Mallory was looking at him.

"What?"

"It's not Madison Mallory; she's our daughter James, yours and mine. It's only right that she take your name. Madison Bond."

"Maddie."

"Maddie Bond, I like it."

"Marry me."

Mallory stopped what he was about to say when James blurted out those two little words, James hand coming to the side of his face.

"James I…"

"I love you, both of you…more than anything. You want her to have my surname then I think it's only right you both should. Let's not confuse the kid."

"James are you serious?"

"I've never been more serious of anything, I love you both very much and I was planning on asking you at some point. I figured we'd get the pregnancy out of the way first but seeing as its come up, yes…I'm being very serious here Gareth, will you marry me?"

Mallory smiled when James hand returned to his abdomen before Mallory placed his own hand over James.

"Yes…I'll marry you." He smiled, as their daughter gave a gentle kick.

…

To Be Continued…