Not edited. I don't want this story to end :( but the finish line isn't that far away.

Nappy - diaper

Biscuit - cookie

Jones walked through the door and found himself immediately swamped. The grin on his face was reflective of the love he felt when he looked at the baby he held. Brenton. His cousins child.

"OOOOOH a baby!" Keiran raced across the room and started pulling faces at the little guy and squealed as Brenton reached out for him and was instantly swept away to be the centre of attention at the table.

Adam followed Jones through the door and placed the nappy bag on the counter.

"I swear you got the easy part of this arrangement Jones."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, thanks to that hand of yours being bandaged up it makes it near impossible for you to change the kid. Plenty of volunteers here."

Jones grinned.

"I got a good deal here don't I?"

Adam chuckled and looked to the table where Keiran, Tara and Jace were all making the baby squeal.

"Wonder if they'll be so helpful changing a dirty nappy?"

Keiran turned quickly to the side and frowned at Adam.

"Excuse me? I'll have you know I've changed lots of nappies in my time."

The others in the room all laughed while Keiran turned back to the baby again feigning indignancy.

"I think you've been put in your place" Jones said to Adam with a smirking grin.

"Could be right. I've got some stuff to do. Just give me a yell when you need a lift back."

"Thanks man. I don't know how long Donna will be but you'll be the first to know."

"No worries. Hey kids" he taunted the teens "play nice with the baby now. Remember to share your toys."

He quickly grabbed the flying biscuit that was thrown at him and shoved the whole thing in his mouth before giving a muffled laugh and walking out the door.

Jones shook his head and went to sit at the table. Keiran tried to shoo him away as Brenton got excited and held his hands out.

Sitting next to Tara with the Brenton Jones explained that his mum had an appointment. A squirning child wasn't easy to hold with one hand and Tara quickly took the opportunity to hold Brenton. The little boy looked up at her in awe and held the material of her shirt in two tiny little fists. He jumped as Keiran's phone started to ring and the shock had him starting to cry.

Awwwing faces watched him as Tara cuddled him close. She rubbed her hand over his back in small circles and spoke low whispers in his ear. Keiran ran from the room with the offending phone and Jace following.

"You're good at that" Jones nodded towards Brenton with a smile.

"Babies are easier to talk to that adults" Tara replied with a grin.

"Sure as heck can't argue with that."

Lucas walked into the kitchen. He watched as Tara gently calmed the baby down and felt his insides grip tightly around his heart.

Would they ever have that?

Seeing her with the baby was a complete kick in the guts as memories of their first days of marriage slapped him in the face. The words he said... what he did... he did it all to become a father and God help him but he wanted that feeling.

He wanted to know that waiting for him at the end of the day was the love of his life and their baby... maybe two... or more? He wanted to hear little footsteps running through the house and screaming out Daddy as he walked through the door. He wanted to hear the frantic musings of a child telling him about their day.

He wanted to hold a baby close to his chest and know that he or she belonged to him and Tara; to know that their love could make someone so very special.

God, he really wanted that!

He sat in the chair beside his wife and could hear her whispers and realised they carried a slight tune as she said the words. Words that spoke of all the wonders of the world. Words that spoke of dreams the baby was yet to have and words that promised that someone was in this world to love only him.

She'd be a perfect mother!

His heart melted and he couldn't resist resting his chin on her shoulder and looking down at the baby. Tiny eyes that stopped fighting the urge to open stay shut and a little mouth that slightly pouted with the bottom lip slightly sucked in.

At a distance the three looked like a family. The world would surely be forgiven for believing that in different circumstances.

"You're wonderful." Lucas said softly beside her ear.

"Me or the baby?" she asked quietly with a grin.

Jones stood up and moved to grab a coffee. He wasn't one to allow a child to be used but in this circumstance if it helped Tara look forward to the future then he could be forgiven for letting it happen.

"The baby of course... but you're not too bad yourself."

"Why thankyou Lucas." Tara replied with mock annoyance.

"Tara" Lucas started nervously "do... well... do you want children? I mean really want children and not because you think you have to."

Tara stopped her slight rocking and hissed in a quiet breath before answering.

"I always wanted to have children one day but when things started going... with my Dad..." she swallowed "I do want one... maybe two... but not yet" she quickly rushed out the last three words.

"But you do want them?" His nervousness was evident in his voice. He loved Tara more than he'd ever loved anyone but the thought of never having his own children... he had to be sure they wanted the same dream. He could and would willingly wait until she was ready without bringing it up again if he knew for certain.

"I do Lucas. One day... yes. I want to have a baby."

Lucas grinned.

"I want a little girl. A little princess. She'll be just like her mum and..."

"And the rest of us will be chaining her up!" Jones sat back at the table with his mug.

Tara giggled as softly as she could.

"God Jones. I can just imagine her going on her first date!"

"What date?" Lucas playfully growled.

"Yeh Tara... what date? You think we'll let any guys near our future princess? Please! Keep dreaming." Jones rolled his eyes in indignation.

"Exactly baby. Our princess won't be dating till she's at least forty and even then she'll be going with a full crew!"

"Crew?" she wasn't sure if she liked the sound of that.

"Yep. A full crew. At least... what.. ten Jones?" Lucas looked at his friend.

"Better make it twelve boss" Jones' face was mockingly stern.

"Good thinking Jones. Better safe than sorry" Lucas approved with a nod "Twelve bodyguards. Yep. That works for me."

"And when she wants to get married?" Tara couldn't resist asking.

"She'll be eighty. The guy won't be able to get it up. She'll be fine then." Lucas' face looked completely serious.

Tara wanted so very desperately to laugh out loud but holding a sleeping baby made that a little impossible.

Keiran walked back into the kitchen and again awed at Brenton.

"Hey sis... how about I take him and..."

"You'll do no such thing young man." Maggie stood behind Keiran with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'll take him Tara. I already have a bed set up to put him in. Jones" she looked at him as she lent down to gently pick up Brenton "you come too in case he wakes up. You're a familiar face in case he wakes up."

Jones immediately stood and followed Maggie out the door as Keiran whined after to let him hold the baby.

" God I love you Tara Porter" Lucas spoke suddenly and put a hand on her stomach and slowly rubbed "I hope... I hope we don't have to wait too long baby because I think when this is swollen and our baby's kicking my hand that we'll be the luckiest parents in the whole damn world."