I'd completely forgotten about this story. It really has been a long time since I updated this – the next time I talk about writing a new fanfiction can someone remind me that I have others to finish? I'm so uncommitted;)

But I just found it and realised I'd kind of left some stuff unsaid between the characters, so if anyone still cares, here we go.

Chapter 4 | Conflicting Desire

"How are you feeling, love?" Gill asked when Orla stirred.

"Have you sat there all night? You said you'd go home. You look really tired, you–" her words got lost as she tried to sit up.

Gill plumped up her pillows and took her hand, "I'll go home when I'm sure you're okay."

The DCI wondered how much of their conversation yesterday Orla remembered. To be fair on the poor girl, she'd been half delirious; she probably didn't remember anything about the wedding, let alone something that her boyfriend's mother had said.

She looked pale, and a nice bruise had blossomed on her forehead through the night, but her eyes were bright and warm. They always were. Gill could see why Sammy loved her, and he really did; they had something special. Just the way they sat together at night after a curry, curled up watching Coronation Street, understanding each other without saying anything.

It made Gill want to cry with jealousy. She thought of the way Chris had stormed off yesterday, and then of the anger on Dave's face. It'll be the happiest day of your life. Yeah, pull the other one.

"Where's Sammy?"

"He'll be back in a bit."

Orla looked at her as though saying 'I'm not stupid'.

"He had to go to the station to answer some questions."

"But his dad was being–" her face clouded over momentarily. Was she worried about upsetting Gill by slagging off Dave? Gill was so far beyond that, she really was. She only cared about Sammy and Orla now. "It wasn't Sammy's fault."

"I know it wasn't. Everyone knows it wasn't. And I will do everything in my power to sort this out."

The girl nodded, and the sudden motion seemed to spark tears in her eyes. A single droplet ran down her cheek.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Gill asked. She heard her voice shaking. She never called anyone 'sweetheart' or 'love' except Sammy and Orla; the words sounded a bit hollow on her lips, but she genuinely meant them.

"I just feel bad. It ruined your wedding."

"Of course you didn't. This isn't anyone's fault except Dave's. And look, if that's how Chris feels, then quite frankly I shouldn't be marrying him."

Orla nodded. Her name meant 'golden princess'; Gill remembered looking it up once. And she was a princess, from rags to riches, a beautiful, sweet girl falling into the wrong place only to be rescued by Sammy.

"Is there something else?"

"You'll hate me."

"I won't. Come on," Gill squeezed her fingers tenderly.

"You know how you said you were like my mum now?"

"I didn't mean to upset you. I know your real mum will always be the one you remember, I just meant that I–"

"No, I like it. I like being your daughter. Being stuck with you isn't so bad," Orla smiled, then sniffed. She brought two fingers up and swiped at her cheeks impatiently. Gill wanted to find her a tissue, but couldn't move. "I haven't told Sammy. I couldn't, I can't."

"Do you want to tell me?"

"No, but– I wish it wasn't true, but it is."

Gill became aware that Orla's other hand, the one that wasn't locked in her own, rested on her stomach. She exhaled. "Oh."

"The doctor said it was okay. It hadn't been– hurt or anything. I didn't even know until a few days ago, I realised my period was late and I felt really sick and achy, so I did a test and– we didn't mean it to happen. I've been taking the pill, I don't know why it didn't work, I just–"

"Shh," Gill stroked her hair, "It's okay."

"You're not angry?"

"God, no, I'm not angry. I'm worried, but I'm not angry."

Orla's tears fell a little faster, "I'm scared. I think Sammy will want to get rid of it. I think he'll be scared too, but I tried, I thought about it, and I just don't think I can. It's inside of me. It's... please don't leave."

Gill slipped her arms into her coat, "I'll come back. I'm just going to ring Sammy; I won't tell him, but he needs to be here."

"What if he leaves me?"

Gill shook her head. She didn't want to consider that. She didn't think she could cope with frostiness between the two of them, with her trying to look after and support Orla when her son didn't want anything to do with her any more.

She didn't think it would happen, because Sammy adored Orla, and Orla adored Sammy, and they'd both be perfect parents, but God, he was going to be shocked. They were both so young, and their lives would be turned upside down. She didn't know what she could do to make it better.

"Don't hate me," Orla pleaded.

"I couldn't hate you if I wanted to, kiddo," Gill whispered, "It's going to be fine, okay, I promise, and I really do promise, it'll be okay. That little boy or girl will be the most loved kid in the world."

XxXxX