Chapter 19

…

3 weeks later

…

Mallory had just packed the last box, standing up and looking around the empty room. He heard the footsteps and James arms suddenly coming around to rest on their daughter.

"That the last one?" James asked.

"Mmmm, all done."

"Hey, you okay."

James looked concerned as Mallory turned in his arms, leaning in to kiss him.

"I'm fine; it's just strange to see the place so empty. I've been in this flat ever since I moved to London and seeing it so bare is just…"

"It's the end of an era."

"It is…does that sound foolish?"

"Of course it's not; it's natural to feel sentimental about your flat."

"Were you sentimental when you left yours to move in here?"

"No, but I'm not you. I never really spent that much time in mine. I was always away on missions. My flat was just a place to sleep, not to live, not like yours. I had no effects, furniture that meant anything to me. I barely furnished the place in the ten years I was even there."

"I hate to think that you lived like that, so alone…only your job to fill your life."

"Yeah well, it's just as well I met you then…isn't it."

"This is what you want, isn't it?"

"How can you even ask me that, you've given me more than I ever thought I'd ever have? I never imagined I'd ever have the opportunity to be a father, let alone fall in love. You made me happy; you've given me a life, something to hold on too, to look forward too…a future."

"I love you so much you know; sorry…I think this daughter of ours is messing with my emotions."

"Don't ever doubt that I love either of you, I do…more than you'll ever know. You have no idea how happy you made me that night when you text me and told me you'd decided to go ahead and have our baby…this is all I've ever wanted."

James smiled at Mallory before leaning in and kissing him.

"We should go, that van's waiting to take the last of our stuff over."

"Okay, just give me a minute."

"I'll wait outside."

Mallory waited for James to leave before walking through the flat one last time, finally coming to stand by the front door.

"Well Maddie…this is it little one, time to start our new life with your father, you ready?"

Mallory smiled when he ran a hand over his abdomen and felt their daughter give a small kick. He placed the key on the side table before walking out, closing the door behind him.

…

Kate walked in to the bedroom to see Sharon placing her phone down beside her, letting out a sigh.

"Sharon, is everything alright dearie?"

"Mmmm…oh yeah. That was my mother, I've invited her to dinner next week, and I've explained that we've moved in together."

"Oh, and what did she say to that?" Kate asked, taking a seat on the bed beside her.

"She was surprised, very surprised. She knows you're around her age too by the way, I thought it best to get it out of the way."

"She wasn't impressed?"

"I honestly don't know how she feels to be honest, she didn't say very much; just that she'd see us next week."

"Look dearie, I don't want to come between you and your mother, you only get one and if this is going to make things difficult bwteeen you then maybe I should just…"

"Kate don't you dare, don't say maybe we should end things. That's not going to happen."

"But your mother…"

"She will just have to get on board with it, Kate I love you…nothing and no one, not even my mother can come between us. I've never been in a relationship that has made me this happy before, you make me feel safe and I…"

"Safe?"

"Well you do."

"Just because I can handle a gun."

"Not just that but, yes it is a part of it. I don't know, you just…you've experience a lot in your life and you stand up and take control of situations and when I'm with you, well you make me feel safe. It might sound corny but that's how I feel. I love you no matter what, okay?"

"I love you too dearie."

"You hungry?"

"A little."

"Why don't I order us some Chinese, I'll open a bottle of red and we can relax."

"Sounds wonderful."

"Great, well you get changed and I'll phone in."

Sharon got up, kissing Kate before leaving the older woman to change.

…

With the help of Eve, Bill and Q…James and Mallory had most of their furniture in the appropriate places. Eve took off her jacket, going in to the kitchen to find Mallory pouring a glass of wine for her and three beers for James, Bill and Q.

"Sir…we'd wondered where you'd got too."

"I thought I'd get you all some refreshments, the least I could do. I don't feel like I've done very much to help out today."

"Well you are supposed to be taking things easy, I think Kate and Sharon would kill you if you did anything to harm yourself."

"Kate especially."

"How are Sharon and Kate getting on, I haven't seen much of Kate lately."

"Very well, they've moved in together."

"Wow, so it's serious."

"It would seem so, it's nice to see Kate happy, well both of them really."

"You and James too, you deserve to be happy."

"He's grown up a lot, more than I ever imagined he would."

"Well he loves you, there's nothing he wouldn't do for you and the baby."

"Maddie?"

"Sorry."

"The baby, it's a girl and we've names her Madison…Maddie for short."

"Madison Mallory, I like it."

"Actually, it's Madison Bond."

"Really."

"We haven't announced anything yet but he asked me to marry him."

"Oh my god…sir congratulations."

Eve immediately hugged Mallory, the man relaxing in her arms as his arms came around her waist. She gasped when she felt movement when she was pressed against Mallory.

"Was that…did she kick."

"It would seem so; she's been doing that a lot lately."

"Can I…would it be okay if…"

"Oh Eve, you don't have to ask…of course."

Mallory took her hand, placing it on the side of his abdomen, her eyes going wide when Maddie gave a hard kick where Eve's hand lay.

"Oh my god, that's amazing."

"It is, I don't think I'll ever get used to it."

"Are you happy?"

"I am."

"He really does love you, he was in such a panic when he found out you were pregnant, afraid you wouldn't have her."

"Well I'm glad I changed my mind, as terrified as I was about the whole situation, I wouldn't have missed any of this for the world."

"Just remember, we're all here for you, no matter what. You only have to ask. We're not just your colleagues; we're your friends too okay."

"Thank you Eve."

"Hey, the party's out here." James said, appearing behind them.

"I was just getting everyone some drinks." Mallory smiled.

"I'll take them out, give you two a minute."

Eve smiled to James as she walked out; Mallory leaned against the counter as James walked over to him, bringing his arms around the older man.

"Everything okay?"

"It's fine."

"You feel alright."

"James I'm fine."

"You're not too tired."

"Stop fussing Bond."

"Wow…I haven't heard that tone in a while….I've missed it."

"You're impossible."

"But that's why you love me, seriously though…if you need to rest just say."

"I've barely done anything all day, except tell people where to put things."

"You have a good reason."

"I told Eve it's a girl, it came up in conversation."

"It's fine."

"I also told her that you asked me to marry you."

"Hey, I thought we were telling them all together."

"I'm sorry, we just started talking about us, and the baby and…it just came out, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, she can act surprised when we announce it officially."

James hand moved, running over Mallory's abdomen as Maddie kicked again.

"She's really active today?"

"Mmmm, tell me about it. I think I'll miss it when she's born."

"You nervous."

"A little, it's not something I've ever experienced before…I'm bloody terrified."

"I'll be right there with you, I won't leave your side."

"I know, thank you."

"Well come on, let's finish these drinks and then we'll send everyone home, I think we need some sleep."

"Sounds good."

"Come on, not long now."

James kept his hand on Mallory's back as they joined the others to celebrate their new home.

…

To Be Continued…