In front of Hayd and Lucas stood about ten other couples. The majority of the women Hayd identified as vultures. Even with being pregnant, most of them looked little compared to the roundness and curves of Hayd's body.

"Vultures." She hissed under her breath, but Lucas heard her. "Let's go back, Lucas. I saw a nice looking chippy up the street." Hayd did an about face. Her flowing dress twisted and twirled with her very pregnant belly.

Lucas placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her looking squarely into her eyes. "No. We decided. This is the class we are going to. You can't keep putting this off."

"Yes, but that was before all of them started staring. All of them are wondering what the hell you're doing with me. 90% of the women in here started salivating because of your mere presence. 50% of that are sizing you up as fall back material as we stand here."

"Are they?" He glanced over her head as if trying to figure out which ones they were.

"Right. Be a smug git then. I'm leaving."

Hayd tried again to walk around Lucas. But he was having none of it. In order to clear air and cement his position to Hayd to the vultures, Lucas pulled her gently to him kissing her slowly and soundly in front of everyone. His other hand traveled down to her bottom grabbing her skirt. Hayd's arms securely pinned under Lucas's. When Lucas finally let her up for air, Hayd was somewhere between grateful and fuming.

Looking around, Hayd saw that the majority of the women were turned back to their own partners who all breathed a sigh of relief. Under her breath, Hayd whispered. "I don't know whether to hug you or punch your bleedin' lights out."

"Well, you can decide after the class is over. Let's find a spot."

"There's a one by the back. Should be close to the back door. If I decide this is too much, we can slip out quietly. Head that way, please."

Lucas leaned over whispering in her ear, "Ah, my wife, always the Spook."

Closing in on Hayd's due date, Lucas became more and more nervous. But getting Hayd to start her leave was easier said than done. Over their morning tea, Lucas tried again.

"You should be on maternity leave already."

Hayd was ready for Lucas's argument though. "It's not supposed to kick in until the end of the week, and I enjoy what I do, love. Besides, who saved your exceptionally cute ass the other day by knowing our terrorist of the month was using American Morse code instead of International?"

"You did. But..."

"But, nothin'. The most important thing in the world is ensuring that you make it back to me and little madam. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Lucas."

"Does that include sewing tracking thread into my boxers?"

Hayd looked up from her tea – the picture of innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, the first baby is always late, and I would go mental in the house all day by myself worrying about you. Please. Just a few more days."

Lucas sighed already knowing he was defeated. "Alright. But just a few." He then thought a moment. "First baby? Does that mean you'd like to have more than one?" Lucas couldn't hide his smile at the thought of a second child.

Hayd stood up, walked over to Lucas, and slid into his lap. "Well, I never liked being an only child. I suppose we can have as many as you want to give me, Mr. North."

Lucas captured her lips with a passion just as intense as when they first met. "I intend to hold you to that, Mrs. North."

That day turned out to be more hectic than Lucas imagined. What was supposed to be a simple plant of tracking devices turned into a chase across half of London. But the support provided by Hayd made the difference in Lucas arriving safely back on the grid instead of dead in the gutter.

The stress of it all took its toll on Hayd though. She started feeling odd as Lucas was running for his life but hid it well from Harry who was focused on the opp. Ruth, however, only backed off after Hayd gave her a look of reassurance.

She only relaxed after Lucas cleared the doors to Thames House. But then, it didn't last long. Just as he cleared the last security doors, he saw Hayd grab her stomach and heard her suck in her breath.

"Lucas!"

Rushing to her, he brushed the hair out of her eyes. "Are you ok, love?"

Hayd shook her head and looked down. "No, I'm not. This is it. This is not a drill." She at last looked Lucas in the eyes as she whispered. "And, I think my water just broke – all over the grid. I am so flippin' embarrassed."

"Don't think about that now. We'll get you down to a car and over the birthing centre. I'll call the midwife."

Ruth spoke up her hand already on the receiver. "I'll call the midwife. Just get going."

Lucas nodded his thanks and took Hayd's hand. She walked slowly toward the security doors.

As Harry emerged from his office, he watched Lucas and Hayd leave. "Hold on, we haven't debriefed Lucas yet." He looked down at the puddle and then back up at Ruth with a puzzled expression on his face. "What's this on the floor?"

Lucas drove quickly but calmly to the birthing centre. Hayd's use of the breathing techniques learned from the natural birthing class helped tremendously. When they arrived, the midwife was waiting for them.

The birthing room was painted in soothing tones of muted lavenders and browns. As Hayd eased into the birthing pool, Lucas stayed with her and held her hand.

"I can't believe little madam is early."

"Well, she definitely has a mind of her own already. Just like her mother."

"And, her father. She'll get it honest from both of us." Hayd paused. "I just hate that we don't have the music. I hadn't planned to put the records in the car till the end of the week."

"Ah, about that." Lucas released her hand, fished around in his pocket, and pulled out his MP3 player. Standing up, he walked over to the dock and plugged it in. Sam Cooke started coming from the speakers. Kneeling back down to her, he whispered. "Technology isn't all bad."

She grinned as she took his hand again. "I knew there was a reason why I loved you."

"Just one?" Lucas grinned a crooked smile.

Hayd laughed until the next contraction came.

Lucas took his cue from the midwife to be quiet. Now he supported Hayd through the touch of his hands soothing her arms and wiping the sweat from her face with a soft cloth.

By the time their daughter finally greeted the world, both parents were crying tears of joy. When the little girl was placed on her mother's chest for the first time, both parents were amazed at the dark hair already on the baby's head. When she opened her eyes for the first time, Lucas's own steel blue colour was apparent and unmistakable.

"Catherine Hayden North." Lucas said it almost as a prayer.

Hayd sighed from the exhaustion. "Yes, alright then. But we're calling her Cathy."

Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me till the end. I wanted to write this novella quickly, keeping the style tight, and entertaining my readers. I think I accomplished these goals. I also wanted to end with birth so this is the last chapter. But I have a feeling I will come back to these characters soon. Maybe not with the same speed as before as classes are starting again, but hopefully with the same quality of story. I do not own any of the established characters only my plot, Haydence, and now Cathy North.