This Time, I Mean It

After taking their sandwiches up to Liz's bedroom and eating them ravenously as though they'd never seen food before, they lay together entwined, with crumbs surrounding them, their empty plates lying on the floor. They didn't need to talk right then but Liz knew they'd have to sooner or later, they'd have to discuss what was going to happen between them and she needed to tell him about his baby.

Now wasn't the right time, she'd let things settle and then tell him. She wondered if he'd every marry now, that bitch Sarah had probably put him off for life.

She wondered how it must have felt for him when he'd found out that his wife hadn't loved him after all and that she'd killed their baby. Poor Bob. No wonder he hadn't wanted to talk about his past because that meant thinking about his lost child.

How could she have done that to him?

She thought about Kitty then and wondered if she'd managed to get hold of Gerard and talk with him. They were meant to be together and she hoped that they got things sorted out, they deserved to be together, it was so obvious to everyone.

Then she heard gentle snoring, the familiar sound from Bob that made her just smile and she turned to him. He was asleep, settled at last. He looked content and she hoped he was, he'd been hurt in the past, she loved him so much she could never hurt him like that, she just wanted to be with him, be with him forever, grow old together and share so much and to her that meant marrying him.

But she doubted that would happen now.

**

They woke to the phone ringing. It was 10am and Liz knew that they hadn't slept for that long. Bob stirred then spoke. "Let it ring Liz, if its urgent, they'll call back." He mumbled from beneath the pillows.

"I can't just let it ring, I'll get it and talk somewhere else lazy bones." She said picking up the phone.

"Hello," she said into the phone but glaring at Bob's sleeping naked form on the bed, the butterfly dancing in her stomach once again at the sight of him.

"Hi Liz, I had to call you, knowing you'd be wondering what had happened with me," she said.

"I've been thinking about you Kitty, are you OK? You looked awful yesterday. Did you get hold of Gerard?" She said heading downstairs into the kitchen.

"I did," she said. "He's here, we've sorted things and we're back together. Its worked out finally Liz, I'm so happy and so's he. Also...I have to tell you, I...we...Gerard and I, we're going to have a baby. I've known for some time."

"Oh my god Kitty, thats wonderful and its about time you two came to your senses, please, don't put us through all that again." She said balancing the phone onto one shoulder as she filled the kettle with water.

"I know, we were idiots, all we needed to do was talk to each other. It would have been that simple," she said and Liz knew she was happy she could tell by the tone of her voice.

"I'm so happy for you. Congratulations, give my love to Gerard and see you soon, yeah?"

She put the phone down and smiled to herself. Those two, about time.

"Congratulations to who? Gerard and Kitty, please tell me they are back together," said Bob entering the kitchen, his tousled hair all over the place. The butterfly was back.

"Yes, finally, they've sorted things and...," she wasn't sure how to tell him after what he'd told her last night but she didn't want to keep it from him and he'd find out eventually, "they're having a baby. Kitty's known for some time, isn't that great for them," she said going to him and hugging him close.

"That guy will make a fantastic father," said Bob. His mouth was resting on her hair, and his breath sent shivers down her spine. She knew he was being sincere.

"They'll make good parents, my god, they're going to have such beautiful children." She said smiling up at him, watching his expression. "Are you OK?"

"Fine, I'm fine." He said but headed over to the kitchen cupboards and began opening them, looking for some mugs. She was sure he was thinking once more about his lost baby.

"Bob. You'd make a great father too you know that."

"I'd like to be one day." He said taking two matching mugs and placing them on the worksurface, unable to look at her. He was hurting again.

"Bob. That one day may come sooner than you think. I've been meaning to tell you. I'm telling you now, I'm having your baby."

His face said it all.

"Liz, oh my god," he said looking stunned.

She couldn't help but stare, just stare at him as he came towards her, her bear of a man that she loved so much, grabbed on to her and held her, his head resting on his usual place on her shoulder. She felt his tears as they fell onto her and knew he was happy. This made her happy but what would make her happier was if he'd ask to marry her but the bitch Sarah had spoilt it. He probably wouldn't want to marry her now, that would be her dream over. No white wedding or sharing their love in front of their family and friends.

But for now, just being with him, knowing he was happy with their child on its way would have to be enough.