Last Chapter readers, thank you all so much for the reviews, favouites etc. You've been great xxx
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Chapter 23
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James had finally managed to calm Mallory down a little, Mallory deciding he'd be more comfortable on the bed. James helped his dry off before helping him on with one of his over sized t shirts he wore to bed. Mallory sat on the bed, James standing over him as he ran a warm hand over the older mans back in the midst of another contraction. James heard the small whimper from him as Mallory grabbed on to James hip a little tighter than he intended as his head rested against James chest.
"You're okay Gareth, steady breathes, I've got you."
"How the hell do women do this time and time again?" He cried.
James knelt down in front of Mallory as his body relaxed, Mallory looking in to his eyes. James brought his hand up to the side of Mallory's face before leaning in and kissing him.
"I love you so much Gareth and if I could do this for you, I would. There's nothing worse than seeing you in so much pain and not being able to do anything about it, but it won't be for much longer, just a little more and we'll have our daughter."
Mallory gave a small smile before the pain showed in his eyes again, James taking Mallory's face in his hands again, forcing him to look at him.
"Gareth come on, focus on me…you can do this."
"James I, aaaaarrrgghh, god damn it."
James watched the way Mallory's posture changed, his eyes closing tightly, bracing his hands behind him as he began to bare down.
"Gareth what are you doing, you can't be pu…"
"I can't stop it James, I…"
James got to his feet quickly, helping Mallory lie back against the headboard as the older man continued to push through each contraction.
"Gareth I can't deliver this baby."
"Well you'll have to because they're not here yet, I'm doing enough at my end and I…."
Mallory let out a loud cry of pain as he continued to push, his hands grabbing at the bed sheets, his knuckles white.
…
James heard the front door, relief washing over him as Mallory fell back on to the pillows after his last contraction.
"Tell me that's them James."
"It will be, I'll be right back."
"Oh god not again, you better hurry then."
Mallory let out another low groan as he began to push again as another contraction ran through him. James ran down the stairs, opening the door to see Sharon and Kate.
"Oh thank god you're both here. What took you so long?"
"Sorry dearie, the traffic was terrible." Kate smiled as she walked in.
Sharon came in behind her, removing her jacket as James closed the door behind them.
"How's he doing James?"
"He's, well he's in agony and he's pushing."
"He's pushing, already?" Kate asked.
"This kid's not waiting, she's gonna be just like her father, never late for anything." James said.
"Let's get up there, is he still in the bath?" Sharon asked.
"No, he's on the bed. The water wasn't doing much to help really."
Sharon walked in to the bedroom to see Mallory in the middle of a contraction, fear on his face as he cried out in pain. Sharon rushed over to him as Kate got the covers out of the bag, along with Sharon's medical equipment.
"Gareth, Gareth look at me…you need to try and relax okay, everything's going to be just fine."
"Fine, it hurts like hell."
"I know honey, I need to check you now okay…see how far along you are."
"He's been pushing for quite a bit." James said.
Sharon moved to check on the progress of the baby while James sat on the edge of the bed beside Mallory, the older man leaning in to James.
"You'll be okay, both of you." James whispered.
"I love you."
"Love you too."
James leaned down, kissing the top of Mallory's head as the man closed his eyes briefly.
…
Kate went in to the bathroom, a few minutes later returning with a bowl of cold water and a cloth, setting it down on the night stand.
"Cool him down a little dearie, might make him feel a little better."
"Thanks Kate."
Kate joined Sharon, her hand coming to the younger woman's back.
"How's he doing dearie."
"The baby's crowning, I can juts make out the head."
"An epidural's out of the question then?"
"Too late for that, he's going to have to do it all natural."
"Nothing about this is natural sweetie." She said quietly.
"You ready for this."
"I'm not the one giving birth am I?"
Kate and Sharon were interrupted by the loud cry from Mallory as he got ready to push again."
"Okay, this is is Kate. Gareth I need you to try and relax for me, I want you to take a few steady breathes and then push okay?"
"I can't I need to push now."
"Gareth please, do as Sharon says dearie, you can do this."
Gareth looked at James who took tight hold of his hand and got Mallory to copy his breathing, the two men breathing in and out before Sharon gave the okay for Mallory to push. The older man had James hand in a vice and he pushed on Sharon's instructions, Kate smiling as she watched the baby's head edging closer. Mallory could feel the pressure and the sudden burning sensation as he continued to push, the pain becoming overbearing.
"I can't." He cried out as he stopped.
Kate looked up to see the fear in his eyes as he leaned in to James. She moved from her spot beside Sharon and sat on the opposite side of the bed, taking his other hand.
"Look at me dearie. Gareth look at me."
Gareth turned his head towards Kate, who gave him a reassuring smile.
"I know you're in a lot of pain sweetie, and I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. I've never had the experience myself but I've seen others and their faces when they meet their baby for the first time. I know it hurts like hell but just a few more pushes and little Maddie will be here, it'll be over before you know it. You can do this, you're strong. You've helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life and I promised you that I'd be here for you and I intend to fulfill my commitment to you. We're all here for you, we're not going anywhere."
"Listen to her Gareth, the woman makes sense." James smiled towards Kate.
Gareth nodded his head, sitting up a little as he breathed through the contractions with Kate and James, fighting the urge to push. He felt the burning sensation searing through him, causing him to scream out before it suddenly disappeared.
"Okay, that's good Gareth, her heads out…you're doing really well."
Kate left Gareth's side to join Sharon, smiling as she watched Sharon hold Maddie's head in her hands. Gareth's sudden relief was short lived when he felt another contraction approaching.
"Not again." Gareth groaned as sat up with James help. "Sharon I can't take much more of this."
"It's nearly over…one more big push for me, can you do that."
Gareth nodded his head as he took a tight hold of James hand and pushed as hard as he could. He thought the pain was never going to end, crying out before he felt Maddie leave his body and in to waiting hands.
"She's here gentlemen, she's here." Sharon smiled as Kate passed her scissors. Sharon passed the baby to Kate, allowing the older woman to clean the baby up, the little girl crying out when the water hit her.
"It's okay sweetie, you'll be with your father in a few moments."
Kate quickly dried her off and brought her over to Mallory and James, placing her in Mallory's arms.
"Congratulations dearie, I'm very proud of you…both of you."
"Please, Gareth did all the work."
…
An hour later, James and Mallory were wrapped up together under the covers with their new daughter, Mallory never taking his eyes of her.
"I can't believe how perfect she is James."
"She really is, we created such a perfect little girl."
"I'm glad you talked me around, when we found out about her."
"You never would have terminated your pregnancy."
"How do you know that for sure?"
"I know you, no matter how scared you get, you face your fears, your problems head on. You always make the right decision, that's why you're M."
Maddie wriggled around in Mallory's arms, James running a finger down her cheek.
"I love you so much James."
"I love you too, both of you." James smiled, leaning in to kiss him.
Kate walked in to the front room to find Sharon sitting on the window sill, looking out at the darkened streets, rain falling. Kate came up behind her, her hand coming to rest on her shoulder.
"Oh hey, how are they?"
"All three are settled in bed, looks like they'll be there for the remainder of the night."
"Oh good."
Kate took a seat beside Sharon, as the younger woman moved herself closer to Kate, laying her head on her shoulder.
"You did an amazing job in there tonight, I'm very proud of you dearie."
"You didn't do so bad yourself, you kept him calm. You seem to have that effect on people."
"Not everyone."
"Do you miss him, Reddington?"
"I think about him occasionally, it sounds strange but there are times when I miss the work I did with him."
"Would you go back…if you could?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"If I hadn't met you then perhaps but no, my life is here now and I'm happy."
"Would you ever consider kids, you and me?"
"Oh, well no offense dearie but I'm a little passed getting pregnant don't you think." She smiled.
"I meant in general, if we were serious about it. Would you consider children with me?"
"You're serious?"
"You're not that old to raise a child, I'm not saying you carry the child, obviously I would. I just want to know if you'd be prepared to have a family with me."
"If I said no, would that change things between us?"
"Children have never really been in my plan but then I hadn't met the right person I wanted to spend my life with before, but then I met you. It's not set in stone Kate, if kids aren't something you want for us then it's fine. I'm more than happy with you, if I had to choose; I'd choose you every time."
"And I you dearie. Why don't we just see how things go? You never know what might happen somewhere down the line."
"Of course, did you tell them we're staying the night?"
"No, I'll go and let them know and then we can sleep."
"Great, Kate?"
"Yes."
"I do love you, so much. Never doubt that." Sharon said, getting to her feet and kissing the older woman.
"I love you too dearie, I'm glad we found each other."
…
Epilogue
1 year later.
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The sun was shining brightly as James and Mallory stood in front of their family and friends in the garden of one of the most exquisite hotels in London. Kate and Sharon had spent months finding the perfect place for James and Mallory to finally get married. Their plans for the previous date they'd arranged had been put on the back burner due to some issues within MI6, causing Mallory to go back earlier than expected. Eve stood at the front with Kate, Sharon, Bill and Q as they watched James and Mallory exchange vows that they'd written for one another. Maddie was securely in Kate's arms, the young girl had quickly found a special place in Kate's heart, Kate and Sharon regularly offering to baby-sit for Gareth and James.
"They look so happy." Eve smiled.
"I can't believe it, if you'd told me a year and a half ago that James and M would be married with a baby, I never would have believed it." Bill replied.
"It just goes to show that you can find happiness, if you're willing to look for it." Q smiled.
"Something you want to tell us Q."
"Well as it happens I have been seeing a certain computer programmer who's been helping out MI6 lately."
"Greg? You and Greg?" Eve smiled.
"It's early days but….yeah, I like him."
"I'm so glad I'm already married, I'm too old to be going through all of this again." Bill added.
"You're never too old; look as Kate and Sharon, how happy they are."
"You've still got time then." Bill joked.
"Cheeky."
Everyone went quiet as James and Mallory exchanged rings before closing the ceremony with a kiss, Maddie squealing when everyone began clapping.
The reception was in full swing, people already up on the dance floor. James had dragged Mallory up with the others, his arm securely around his waist as they danced. Kate and Sharon were sitting enjoying the music as Maddie played with one of the plastic flower arrangements on the table.
"Careful sweetie." Kate smiled down to the child.
"She really loves you." Sharon added.
"I love her too, she's turned in to quite a beautiful child."
"Takes after both parents then."
Sharon's phone began ringing as Maddie moved in Kate's arms, bringing her small arms around Kate's neck.
"Nana…"
"Oh dearie, I'm not your Nana."
"As good as." James said as he and Mallory joined them.
Maddie held out her hands as Mallory leaned down, taking her in his arms.
"You two have been a godsend today and this wedding, thank you for all you did."
"We were happy to do it dearie."
"You've both done so much for us, ever since Gareth found out he was pregnant with Maddie, we couldn't have done any of this without you."
"James, just give it to her."
"Give me what?"
"It's not much, it's just a thank you to you and Sharon for sticking by us."
As Sharon spoke on the phone, Kate opened the envelope and found two first class tickets to Italy, her mouth falling open.
"Gareth…James, you don't need to do this for…"
"Yes we do, it's time you ladies had a break. God knows you deserve it."
"What do we deserve?" Sharon asked, putting her phone away.
"This, two first class tickets to Italy for us…a gift."
"The hotel and the flights are paid for." Gareth smiled.
"We can't accept such a generous gift." Kate said.
"Actually yes we can."
"Sweetie."
"I think we should go, get the break while we can."
"What's that supposed to mean."
"Okay well, seeing as we're more or less family anyway, I don't suppose it would hurt to fill James and Gareth in.
"Fill us in on what?"
"Sharon? Dearie what's going on?"
"That was my doctor on the phone, it took?"
Kate sat shocked for a moment before Sharon's hand on her own brought her back to reality.
"It worked?"
"It worked."
"Oh sweetie." Kate leaned in and kissed Sharon as James and Gareth looked on, confused.
"What's going on exactly?" James asked.
"I'm pregnant."
"You're kidding, really."
"Kate and I discussed the possibility of a child together and we've been checked over and I was the viable choice to carry and we got inseminated…and it took."
"Oh…Sharon, we're really happy for you both. Really, congratulations."
"So, Mr Kaplan's gonna be a mum."
"Watch your mouth dearie, I can still shoot." She warned James.
"Sorry, you know I'm joking with you. Seriously, congratulations to both of you."
"Thank you dearie."
"Nana…"
Maddie squirmed to be put back in to Kate's arms, Mallory handing her over.
"You really need to get her out of the habit of calling me that."
"Why, you are. My parents are dead, Gareth's are dead. She's gonna need you two to help her out with all the girly stuff when she's older. You are her Nana's, like it or not."
"He has a point."
"Nana…"
"Yes sweetie, Nana's right here." Kate smiled as she kissed the top of Maddie's head.
Come on you, one last dance."
"Oh James, do we have too?"
"Yes, come on."
Sharon moved closer to Kate, her hand coming to her shoulder.
"Are you happy?"
"Of course I'm happy dearie, I just hope the child won't mind having an older mother."
"It won't, she's have the two coolest mums ever. I love you." She said, kissing Kate's cheek.
"I love you too dearie."
Mallory leaned in, kissing James as the music played.
"You happy?" James asked.
"I've never been happier; this has been a very intense year and a half."
"But worth it."
"Definitely worth it."
"For once, bring reckless paid off."
Mallory was about to respond but was cut off when James found his lips in a passionate kiss, the rest of the world cut off around them. The moment was theirs.
…
-Fin