How You Remind Me

[hayley]

awww! it brang a tear to my eye!

[Kim]

Awwww. Fab. More asap please.:)

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww bless,that was brilliant, more asap :D

[crazy_purple]

"I can't believe we've got a baby boy," Alfie said softly. He looked his son over, and his eyes widened. "Bloody hell," he said admiringly.

"That's the umbilical cord," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "Speaking of which-" She frowned, tensing up, and a few minutes later the midwife cut the cord and removed the afterbirth. Kat and the baby were now two separate people. It felt weird after so many months of living off the same air and food.

The midwife smiled at them. "If you're feeling alright, I'll leave you three alone for a bit."

Three? Kat thought. Then she remembered, and nearly laughed with pleasure. There were three of them now, three Moons. They had got their mini Moon.

After the midwife left, they were left in the room alone. Alfie was sitting on the chair next to the bed holding his son, who was wrapped up clean and warm in a white towel, and Kat was watching, her eyes on the baby. She wanted him back, but she knew Alfie wanted to hold him, as this was the first time he had ever met him. Kat felt like she had got to know the baby, even when he had just been a tiny group of cells that made her throw up in the mornings, right up to when he had been kicking around in her insides. Alfie hadn't had that chance.

But Alfie seemed to know what she was thinking. He looked at her and she saw with no particular surprise that there were tears rapidly drying on his cheeks.

"Here," he whispered. "Your mummy wants you." He went to pass the baby to Kat, but she smiled gently at him.

"Talk to him," she said. "Tell him who you are."

Alfie smiled and looked down at his baby son. Their eyes met, and both pairs of eyes were the exact same shade of blue. The baby opened his mouth slightly and stared at his father.

Kat grinned. "He's got that same gormless expression as you and all."

They both knew she didn't mean it though. To them, he was beautiful and perfect.

Alfie started to stand up, glancing at Kat to check it was okay, and moved towards the window. It was half past midnight, and the sky was black. Little pinpoints of light showed where the streetlights were in the distance. The moon hung in the sky, a white orb, greyish clouds snaking their way across it slowly.

"Hello," Alfie began. "I'm your daddy."

The baby gurgled at him, apparently fascinated with one of Alfie's eyebrows.

"I love you," Alfie said softly, in such a low voice that Kat had to strain to hear it. "You're a Moon... the first Moon baby for a long time..."

He stared out into the night, trying to think of what to say. But he discovered that he didn't really need to try. The words came to him. "Me and your mum both love you loads," he said. "You're perfect... and you didn't get that from me, that's for sure."

On the bed, Kat smiled, her cheeks turning slightly pink. Alfie seemed to be lost in his own world, however.

"Look," he said softly to the baby. He showed him the view out of the window. The moon shone down, and for a moment a strand of moonlight fell on them, giving the scene a whitish glow. "That's the moon. Now, whenever you see that, you'll know that there's a man in the moon who'll look after you. Eh?"

Kat's eyes started to fill up with happy tears again, but they went unheeded.

Alfie kissed the baby's forehead very gently. He had that nice newborn baby smell. Alfie carried his son back to the bed and gave him to his mum, then sat down. Kat smiled at Alfie.

"That was lovely," she said. "I didn't know you were so-"

"Soppy?" Alfie suggested.

"No," Kat said, smiling. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips suddenly, then pulled away and gave her attention to the baby. "We haven't said anything about names yet."

"No, we haven't," Alfie realised. Silence fell between the two of them. They hadn't really discussed names.

[*kalfie*moon*]

awwwww cute!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awww bless that was so cute! More asap :D

[crazy_purple]

The midwife came back into the room ten minutes later to check up on them. "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yes," Kat answered. "We can't decide on any names though."

The midwife smiled. "I'm sure you'll think of something nice."

"What's wrong with the name Alfie?" Kat asked her husband.

"No," Alfie said firmly. "We've already had two Alfie Moons in this family, and you have no idea how confusing it was. Besides, nobody's called that anymore."

"Hmph," Kat said. "Then we're still stuck."

"I brought you some nappies," the midwife said. "He might need one soon."

"Okay," said Kat. She grinned at Alfie. "Ah, you've yet to experience the joys of nappy-changing."

"So have you," Alfie said, and regretted saying it as soon as it was out of his mouth.

"I helped with Freddie a few times," Kat said defensively. "And I would have with Zoe if they'd let me near her-"

"Alright," Alfie said. "I'm sorry."

Kat sighed and looked at the midwife hopefully. "Do you know any good baby names?"

"Oh, I couldn't-" she said.

"No, please," Kat pressed.

The midwife looked thoughtful. "Um... Danny?"

"No," Kat said.

"Why not?" Alfie asked.

"Too ordinary."

Alfie groaned. "Oh, God, you're not planning on calling him Romeo or something, are you?"

"How about Josh?" the midwife suggested. Kat shook her head.

"Lee?"

Kat shook her head again. Alfie sighed and tried to make sense of the instructions on the nappy packet.

For a while after that, the midwife kept suggesting names and Kat kept rejecting them. Alfie managed to figure out the instructions and put a nappy on the baby, who was looking rather sleepy now.

Suddenly he heard Kat saying "Yes, that's it! That's a good name!" He turned to look at them both.

"What is?" he asked her.

"Sam," Kat said, her eyes shining. "Don't you think?"

Alfie considered. Then he smiled. "Yeah, I like that."

Kat smiled with pleasure and reached out for the baby. Alfie passed him to her and she held him lovingly.

"Hello there," she said to him. "We've got a name for you now. How'd you like to be Sam Moon?"

The baby yawned. He didn't seem very interested.

"Well, I'll take that as a yes," Kat said happily. She stroked the newly named Sam's cheek with a finger.

The midwife smiled at the scene. "Well, if you're alright now then I'd best be off on my rounds." She turned to go.

"Oh, wait - what's your name?" Kat asked her.

"Abigail," the midwife said. She waved goodbye to baby Sam and left the room.

Kat settled back on the bed, holding her baby happily. Everything was perfect.

"Oh, I just remembered - photos!" Alfie exclaimed. He dug the camera out of the bag. "Say cheese..."

Kat rolled her eyes and smiled at the camera. Alfie took a few photos of her and the baby, then he held Sam and Kat took the pictures. Ten minutes later and the baby drifted off to sleep, holding onto Kat's finger contentedly.

[Kim]

Awwww. Great. More soon please.

[hayley]

awwww that is so lovely!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwwww,so sweet! More asap :D

[crazy_purple]

A while later, Kat sent Alfie home to bed as he looked tired. Alfie parted sadly from her and the baby, and wouldn't leave without cuddling his son again and kissing Kat goodnight. He promised to come again in the morning as soon as he could.

"You better bring presents," Kat instructed him, grinning.

"Oh, I will," he replied. He kissed her forehead again and looked affectionately at Sam, who was fast asleep in a little cot thing next to the bed. "Say hello to him for me when he wakes up, won't you?"

"Yes, alright," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "Now go on."

Alfie left the room. She watched him disappear down the corridor and sighed. She looked over at Sam. It was amazing, really. Less than twenty-four hours ago he had just been a nameless, genderless bump that kicked her occasionally, but now he was a separate little person. Kat thought he was beautiful. She always would.

Kat drifted off to sleep for a while, exhausted, until she was woken by the baby crying about two hours later. She held him to her and fed him, surprised that she was able to look after him all by herself. It just came naturally, she supposed. It felt nice to hold him and feed him like this, knowing that she was keeping him well and happy. Afterwards he fell asleep again almost immediately in her arms. She cradled him there for a while, gazing at her baby son. His eyes moved underneath their eyelids, and she supposed he was dreaming. She wondered what about.

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww cute! More soon please :D

[crazy_purple]

The next day, Alfie came in at half past eight in the morning. Kat was sitting up in bed reading a magazine. She smiled when she saw him.

"How are you feeling?" Alfie asked her, sitting down next to the bed.

"Tired," Kat replied. "He woke up three times in the night."

"Oh... anything happened?"

"Ah, well I've changed one nappy," Kat said, grinning. "It wasn't very nice, I can tell you."

"You must be tired," Alfie said. He glanced at Sam in his cot, who was once again sleeping like a - well, like a baby.

"I'll be alright. He just sleeps a lot, and he only wakes up when he's hungry."

Alfie grinned. "Sounds like me."

"He is," Kat smiled. "He's gorgeous."

"Oh, alright then," Alfie laughed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kat said. "Now, where are these presents you said you were going to bring us?"

"Well, I've been at home, haven't I?" Alfie said guiltily. "I only got out of here at half one in the morning, it's not like many shops were open... sorry..."

Kat pouted. "You said you'd bring presents."

"I will," Alfie said. "I promise, I'll go and get you something today..."

"And something for Sam."

"A present for both of you, yes. Alright."

Kat's face cleared and she smiled at him. "Have you told them lot yet?"

"Charlie and the others, you mean? Yeah, he stopped me on my way out of the Vic this morning, I told him everything."

"Ooh," Kat said. "Will we be getting a visit then later?"

"Probably," Alfie replied. Kat had asked her question casually, but he knew she was feeling serious - she probably wanted to keep the baby to herself and Alfie, just for now at least. And there was that fear she had that someone would take him away from her. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Why should I mind?" Kat said. "He'll want to see his grandson..." She trailed off for a moment, staring into space. Alfie could guess what she was thinking about. Zoe.

Alfie leaned over and kissed her cheek suddenly. She turned to him and smiled with real pleasure. "I'm glad you're here," she said softly.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Nothing," Kat said, shaking her head. She put her hand on Alfie's cheek and kissed him full on the lips.

"Oi," Alfie said after she pulled away. "The nurses'll be telling us off."

"Let them," Kat said, grinning.

[hayley]

awww!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww they are so sweet! More asap :D

[Kim]

Awww. Superb. More soon please:D

[crazy_purple]

An hour later, Kat and Sam got some visitors. Alfie had gone out to get them some presents, and he returned half an hour later with the rest of the Slaters behind him.

"Hi," Kat said, surprised to see them. She sat up in bed quickly. "I wasn't expecting you so soon."

"You didn't think you'd get out of letting me see my great-grandson, did you?" Big Mo said.

Kat smiled slightly and glanced at Sam. She was holding him as he had just finished feeding. She twitched her hospital gown over so it covered her up more, embarrassed. Sam snuffled and his eyes started to drift closed again.

"What's his name, then?" Big Mo asked.

"Sam," Kat replied, pleased at being able to say his name out loud.

"Can I hold him?" Stacey asked, interested.

Kat frowned. "Well, he's going to sleep now, look..."

"Lazy beggar," Big Mo commented.

Alfie produced a carrier bag from behind his back and brought out a bouquet of flowers. Kat smiled at them.

"Pour vous," Alfie said, his eyes twinkling.

"Since when have you been French?" Stacey asked.

"Since I heard some on the telly this morning." He turned to Kat. "I found these lot wandering about in the corridor."

"We couldn't find the room," Charlie said.

"You'd lose your own head if it wasn't screwed on." Kat leaned over carefully and laid Sam back in his little cot thing. He fell asleep again, and she watched his little chest rise and fall as he breathed.

[Kim]

Awwww. Please do more asap:).

[crazy_purple]

The Slaters clustered around Sam's cot, trying to get a look at him. Kat tried to ignore the stab of fright she felt. It was probably just the hormones.

"Where's Little Mo?" Kat asked, noticing her sister's absence for the first time. Should she feel guilty about that....?

"Oh, she said she didn't want to intrude," Charlie said awkwardly. "I think she's spending some time with Billy, anyway."

"Oh," Kat said. In a way she was relieved.

"Aww, he's gorgeous," Stacey said, looking at Sam.

Kat smiled. "Yeah, he is."

"Did it hurt?" Stacey asked.

"Did it hurt!" Kat laughed. "You have no idea..." She glanced at her son and smiled. "It was worth it, though."

Charlie remembered something suddenly. "Oh, we brought you some things.."

He passed Kat a card and a soft teddy bear for Sam. She smiled. "Thanks."

"I got you a card too," Alfie said.

"Where is it?"

"Um... I'll, um, give it you in a bit," Alfie said, looking at the others.

Stacey sighed. "It's probably really soppy or something."

"Awww," Kat said fondly. "I don't mind."

"And a present, too," Alfie said hopefully.

Kat grinned. "It's like Christmas."

Just then Sam woke up and cried a little bit, quietly. Alfie looked at him and then picked him up carefully. "Shhh..." He walked him around the room a bit, talking in a low voice to the baby. In a few minutes, Sam stopped crying and stared up at his dad reflectively.

"We didn't wake him up, did we?" Charlie asked anxiously.

"He's alright," said Alfie. "He just wanted a cuddle. Didn't you, Sam?"

"Ooh, hark at him," Big Mo said. She had never quite forgiven Alfie for his mistreatment of her grandaughters.

"What? He's a good dad," Kat said happily, watching Alfie with their son.

[hayley]

awww! they are sooooo sweet!!
please do more soon! :)

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww brilliant :D More asap :)

[crazy_purple]

After Big Mo, Stacey and Charlie had gone, Kat and Alfie were left in the room alone. Except they weren't alone, of course; there was Sam, sleeping contentedly.

Kat looked innocently at Alfie. "So, where's my present then?"

Alfie smiled shyly and gave her a card. She opened it and smiled. It was one of the grey bear ones, with a picture of two bears looking at a miniature bear wrapped in a blanket.

"Awww," Kat said. "Thank you, darlin'."

"You haven't opened it yet," Alfie said.

Kat opened the card up and read the writing inside. It said 'to Kat on the birth of our baby son Sam, he's perfect. I love the two of you loads 'n' loads. Love Alfie'.

"Awww," Kat said again, grinning. "You big softy."

He turned slightly pink. "I went over the top a bit, didn't I?"

"No," Kat said. She kissed him suddenly. "You're just an old romantic at heart, aren't you? And I love you for it."

Alfie sighed. "You'll laugh at me even more when you see the present."

"Why, what is it?"

Alfie showed her a little jewellery box, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry," he said. "I'm an idiot. I just thought you might like it."

Kat frowned curiously, and went to open the box. There were two rings in it.

"They're, erm, eternity rings," Alfie said, embarrassed.

Kat picked the smaller one of the pair up and gazed at it. "Oh, Alfie! It's beautiful..."

"Here, let me put it on you..." Alfie took her ring and was about to put it on her finger, but then paused. "Hey, we could have a kind of second wedding service!"

Kat raised her eyebrows. "I don't think we've got a vicar around here, Alfie."

"No, I mean just by ourselves... we could make it up as we go along... our own promises and stuff..." he trailed off, seeing the look on her face. "Forget it..."

"No, it sounds lovely," Kat said. She picked Alfie's eternity ring up out of the box and held it, about to put it on his finger.

"Alright then." He cleared his throat. "Um, I promise to love you and look after you forever and ever."

Kat smiled. "I promise to love you and look after you forever and ever, then, too."

"And we promise not to keep any bad secrets from each other."

"Yeah," Kat agreed. "I promise."

"And I will always look after Sam," Alfie added. They both looked over at the baby, who was sleeping peacefully. As they watched, he snuffled in his sleep.

"And anyone else who might come along."

"Yep. And you-" he grinned suddenly. "You'll never steal my toast again."

"What?" Kat said. Then she laughed. "Oh, no, I'd forgotten about that..."

"We made a bet," Alfie said, smiling, "That a year from when we had made the bet, we would have a mini Moon. The stakes were that you would never steal my toast again."

"Oh," Kat said. "Well, it looks like you won, then..."

"Yep," Alfie said proudly. They both looked at Sam for a minute. "I'm glad I did, too."

Kat smiled. "Alright then. All those things we just said." They put the eternity rings onto each other's fingers. At that moment the world seemed to stop, just for them. Kat thought about what had made her kiss Alfie, nearly ten months before this, in the hospital when his Nana had been dying. She had been thinking about fate. That was what this was. Fate. She had never used to believe in soulmates before, but she did now. She was prepared to believe in anything. The man in the moon... well, now she had her very own man in the moon, who had rescued her from everything bad, and made her so happy. And they had their own baby Moon.

"I love you," she said to Alfie, looking directly into his eyes. She put her hand on the side of his face. "You're the man in the moon..."

Alfie smiled at this and she kissed him again. "It was you all along," she continued. "Me and you... we were supposed to get together... I know that now."

"Shhh," Alfie said. Kat's eyes were drifting closed, and he saw she was falling asleep. She yawned tiredly. He let her go back to lying down on the bed. She snuggled into the bedcovers sleepily.

"I believe in the man in the moon," she said drowsily. "I'm married to him."

Alfie smiled. "I love you, Kat."

"Love you." Kat's eyes fell completely closed and she fell asleep a few minutes later. Alfie watched her sleeping for a while. She was beautiful. She wasn't wearing any makeup, but he thought that made her even more beautiful. he looked over at Sam. Both mother and son were fast asleep.

[*kalfie*moon*]

awwwww soooo sweet! please do more

[Kim]

Awwww. Fab. Please do more asap:)

[crazy_purple]

The next day, Kat and Sam were allowed to go home. Alfie had been busy trying to get the baby's room ready, despite Kat saying that Sam wouldn't know or care what it looked like.

Kat smiled as she walked through the door into the pub. The customers all turned round and started offering their congratulations, and saying how cute the baby was. Kat was very pleased by this.

"I nearly didn't get it all painted in time," Alfie said. "But then I had some helpers..."

"For heaven's sake, Alfie, he's not going to be able to tell what colour the walls are," Kat said.

"Maybe not, but we need the house to look nice, don't we? For visitors." Alfie had a strange twinkle in his eye.

"What are you on about? We never have visitors."

Alfie merely smiled mysteriously and led her upstairs. Kat entered the living room, intending to feed Sam then put him to bed for a bit, and conk out on the sofa herself. But she wasn't prepared for what was waiting for her.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed. Zoe was sitting on the sofa, flicking through the TV channels.

Zoe jumped up. "Mum!" She ran towards Kat to hug her, but couldn't because of the baby. She stared at this little bundle that Kat was carrying, and squealed in excitement. "Oh wow I can't believe you guys finally got a baby!"

Kat was amazed. "What - what on earth are you doing here?"

"Alfie phoned me to yesterday to tell me you'd had the baby so I booked a flight!" Zoe was bouncing up and down in excitement.

"You didn't have to do that..." Kat said, baffled.

"I did! I wanted to see my little brother, didn't I? Oh, can I hold him?"

Kat passed Sam to Zoe, still in surprise that her daughter was actually here. Zoe cradled Sam in her arms and cooed at him, smiling happily. It suddenly hit Kat that she now had two children, and it was a strange thought.

Sam stared at Zoe. She spoke in baby-talk to him, and he responded by producing a rather nasty smell.

"Ew," Zoe said, pulling a face. "Um, you can have him back now, I think."

Alfie took Sam and went off to change his nappy. Zoe grinned. "Ooh, quite a husband you got there."

"He is," Kat replied, smiling. She brushed a bit of hair off her face. "How long are you here for?"

"Just today and tomorrow," Zoe answered. "I won't be getting in the way, will I?"

"No, course not," Kat answered quickly. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you-" She hugged her daughter suddenly.

"I missed you," Zoe said. "It's been a bit boring in Spain, to tell you the truth."

"How can it get boring with a swimming pool?" Kat asked, amazed.

"It does... sometimes I wish I was still here with you guys..." she looked wistful for a moment. "But then I remember how thin these walls in here are, and you two would never stop doing it all the time-"

"Hey!" Kat said, grinning. "We did stop sometimes."

"Only when you were asleep."

"Well, we've got a baby now," Kat said. "It's different."

"Yeah," Zoe said. "Ooh, he's lovely and all! Apart from when he..."

"He does that a lot," Kat said.

"Oh." Zoe frowned. "I suppose he would. Just eat, sleep and poo, really."

"Yep," Kat said. She smiled. "I love him like mad though."

[Kim]

Awww. Fab more asap please:).

[hayley]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! its soooooooo good!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww cute! More soon please :D

[crazy_purple]

The next day, Zoe had gone back home to Spain after hugging Kat and holding Sam a million times. Now Kat and Alfie were sitting on the sofa watching TV.

"So when are you going to get those photos developed?" Kat asked Alfie.

"Soon," he said. "We've got to use the film up first though..."

"Zoe wanted us to send her some photos of him."

"We will," Alfie said. He put his arm around Kat's shoulders.

"Oi, you," Kat said, smiling. "I've just had a baby."

"What?" Alfie said innocently. "I wasn't doing anything."

"If you say so," said Kat. She leant her head against his chest and he stroked her flame-red hair fondly.

"The roots aren't coming through yet, are they?" Kat asked, sounding worried. For a minute Alfie had no idea what she was on about.

"Oh... no, they're alright." He grinned. "You're still obsessed with how you look."

"Well, I've got to take care of myself," Kat said primly. She patted her stomach, which was still noticeably large, and sighed. "I ought to go on a diet."

"You've just given birth. You're not going to shrink back to normal straight away, are you?"

"Nah, I s'pose not." Kat poked her stomach. "I've got manky stretch marks, though."

"I don't care," Alfie said. He kissed her on the forehead. "Love you."

"Love you t-"

Just then, they heard Sam start crying on the baby monitor. Kat sighed and went to get him. She brought him back into the living room and sat back on the sofa, wanting to spend time with Alfie.

Alfie glanced at Kat and Sam a few times as Kat fed the baby. "You're still a perv," she grinned.

"I'm not," Alfie said, hurt. "Just curious, that's all."

"Oh, I'll let you off then," Kat said, smiling. She hadn't meant it, anyway. If she had really thought he was having thoughts about her while she was looking after Sam, she would have kicked him where it hurts. Hard.

Alfie stared off into space, thinking. "We ought to get him christened."

Kat frowned. "We'd have to promise to raise him Christian then. I'm not just doing it because it's fashionable and - and cute, or whatever."

"Yeah, I know," Alfie said. "It'd be nice if he had something to believe in, anyway."

"He can believe in the man in the moon," Kat said, smiling.

"Ah, yes," Alfie said. "He could."

[Kim]

Super. Please do more asap.

[crazy_purple]

It was a month or so later, and Kat had returned to work a few shifts downstairs in the bar. They had a baby monitor on top of the bar so they could hear if Sam wanted anything, but Kat was still constantly going upstairs to check on him, and cuddle him.

The noise of Sam crying drifted out through the baby monitor. Kat went to go upstairs, but Alfie got there first. "I'll go," he said. "He'll just want changing, probably."

"Ooh, I wish Billy was like that," Little Mo said, who was nearby. "He won't go within five feet of Freddie when he needs changing."

"Well, I'm lucky to have him," Kat said. Little Mo wasn't sure whether that comment was a swipe at her or not, so she ignored it.

The two of them talked for a bit. The relationship between the two sisters had kind of settled down again now - they weren't at each other's throats all the time - but there was still a certain amount of tension in the air.

Eventually Kat glanced at the ceiling. "He's been up there ages..." She frowned. "I'd better go and check they're alright."

Little Mo sighed. "They'll be fine." Kat went upstairs anyway.

[Chloe-Elise]

Fab,more asap :D

[hayley]

awwww! hope they're both alright

[crazy_purple]

Kat went into Sam's little room to find Alfie still trying to change his nappy. "How long's it take for you to change one nappy?" Kat asked, sighing.

Alfie looked at her. "Well, I took the dirty one off and I'd just got him all cleaned up but then he peed and it went everywhere so I had to clean him up again, and then guess what!" He was practically bouncing up and down.

"What?" Kat asked, mystified as to how changing a nappy could make him so happy.

"He smiled! I was annoyed 'cause he'd got pee everywhere and I was frowning but he just gave me this huge smile! His first ever smile!" Alfie fastened the clean nappy in place and looked fondly at his son. "He smiled at me!"

"Hasn't he smiled before?"

"No, that was just wind..."

Kat laughed and looked at Sam. He was watching his daddy and kicking his legs about on the changing mat.

"Awww...." Alfie started dressing Sam again, looking at him proudly. "I can't believe he actually smiled at me..."

"You were annoyed because he made a mess so he started grinning his head off? The cheeky beggar," Kat said, smiling.

Alfie finished dressing Sam and picked him up gently. "Yes, you are, aren't you? You cheeky little monkey."

"So I missed his first smile," Kat said, feeling a bit left out.

"Ah, I'm sure he'll do it again," Alfie said. "Come on, Sam, a smile for Mummy, eh?"

Sam gazed at his daddy angelically, but didn't smile.

"Please?" Alfie asked. Sam yawned.

Kat looked disappointed. "Well, maybe he only likes you."

"Don't be silly," Alfie said. "I'm sure he'll do it another time..."

"Yeah..." Kat said. "I'm off back downstairs, then. They'll be busy."

She left the room. Alfie looked at Sam and sighed. "Come on, Sam... Sammy? Eh? Won't you give Mummy a nice big cheeky grin?"

Alfie demonstrated with a smile at Sam. Sam gazed at him for a few moments, and then attempted to copy him. The corners of the baby's mouth twitched upwards in a sweet smile.

"That's it," Alfie said happily. "Just, next time, make sure you do it to Mummy, yeah?" His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Because then if Mummy's happy, then she might make Daddy happy too, if you know what I mean?"

Sam yawned again, and stretched his little arms out. Alfie sighed and put the baby back in his cot. He watched him for a while as Sam's eyelids slid closed slowly. He couldn't help feeling proud of the fact that he had smiled at him, Alfie, first. He felt special. It was nice.

[Kim]

Awww. More asap please:D.

[crazy_purple]

Alfie went back downstairs to work in the bar. Kat was being a bit off with him. He supposed she was upset about the first smile thing. Well, it wasn't his fault. He wandered around behind the bar, humming happily to himself.

"Kat," he said, suddenly having an idea, "Can I take Sam out to the park later? We could feed the ducks..."

Kat glanced at him. "Didn't we take him there two weeks ago?"

"Ah, he'll have forgotten, though."

"Isn't he asleep?" Kat reached up to get a glass from the top shelf above the bar, but couldn't quite reach. Alfie got it for her, and she frowned at it.

"He'll wake up later..." Alfie followed Kat as she walked over to another part of the bar to take an order. "Please? It's getting to winter now, soon the ducks'll be gone..."

"Fine," Kat said shortly. "Take him if you want."

"Yay," Alfie said happily. He didn't really notice Kat's bad mood. He was too excited about taking his son out. The smile Sam had given him had brightened his day up no end, and he felt like the father-son bond thing had strengthened. That was probably ridiculous, of course. Sam had just felt like smiling, so he had. But still, Alfie felt special.

When Sam woke up a while later, Alfie wrapped him up warm and took him down the stairs to put in his pram. Kat was just getting a bag of crisps from under the stairs and she saw them. "You're off out now?"

"Yeah," Alfie said. "I think he'll be warm enough, he's -"

"And what were you planning on feeding him?" Kat said. She sounded irritated. "He'll be hungry in - oh, in about ten minutes."

"Well, you could... you know... express some..." He trailed off, uncertain of her mood. "... in a bottle?"

Kat's frown went even deeper. "So, I'll just take some time off work to express milk for my son so you can take him off to the park without me, is that what you wanted?"

"Um-"

Alfie paused too long and Kat got angry. "Or would you prefer to just take my chest and you can be on your way?"

"What is wrong with you?" Alfie exclaimed. "Is this just because of that smile thing?"

Kat frowned furiously, ignoring him.

"It is, isn't it? God, Kat! You can't seriously be getting so worked up over a little thing like that."

"A little thing-!" Kat glared at him. "It's not fair," she said stubbornly.

"What, that I happened to be the one who saw his first smile? Grow up, Kat."

Kat's angry face dissolved and she looked upset suddenly. Her lip trembled. "I don't care about that, not really... I just..."

"What?" Alfie asked.

Kat sighed. "When Zoe was a baby, I kept trying to get her to smile at me, but she wouldn't... only at Mum and Dad. It made me so upset..."

Alfie's face fell. "Oh... I didn't know."

"And they kept telling me it didn't matter, but it did..." Kat looked at her son, who was lying in his pram. "They kept excluding me from everything..."

Alfie held his arms out for her, and she accepted the hug. "It's alright," he reassured her. "I'm not trying to take him off you... I just want to spend time with him."

"I know." Kat looked up at him, sniffling. Then she smiled. "God, look at me, eh? Over-reacting or what!"

Alfie brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. "It's alright," he said. "Do you want to come to the park with us?"

"Nah, I'd better get back to work," Kat replied. She wiped tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry about this... it's just the hormones, they're all over the place."

Alfie smiled. "I know."

Kat pulled out of the hug and leaned over Sam's pram. "Bye bye, darling," she said softly. "You be good for Daddy, yeah?"

To her amazement, the baby's mouth suddenly opened in a wide, toothless smile. She gasped, emotion filling her. She knew what Alfie felt like now.

"Aww, you're gorgeous," Kat said to Sam. "I love you."

Alfie smiled behind her, thinking 'yes!' She turned to him. "I'll see you later then."

"Umm... I thought he needed feeding..."

Kat smiled. "Oh, yeah. Hang on, I've got a bottle in the fridge."

Alfie's mouth fell open. Kat went to get the bottle and came back downstairs, handing it to him. "What?" she asked.

"You - you - oh, never mind." Alfie started to push the pram out of the door, but Kat stopped him.

"Wait. You forgot something." She reached up and kissed him. They kissed for a minute slowly. Unknown to them, as they had their eyes closed, in the pram Sam lifted up his arms to them, feeling left out by their cuddling. Eventually they stopped and Alfie left, Kat waving goodbye after him.

"See you tonight..." she called after him, a mischevious gleam in her eye.

Alfie looked at Sam. "Kid, you are amazing, you know that?"

[Kim]

Awww. More asap please:D.

[crazy_purple]

Alfie got to the park with Sam and sat down on a bench near the pond. He rocked Sam's pram backwards and forwards with his foot, looking out at the pond. The ducks were nowhere to be seen. He sighed, disappointed.

In the pram, Sam stirred and made a noise. Alfie picked him up and held him carefully. "I suppose you want feeding, don't you?"

He got the bottle of milk out of the bag and tried to sort out how to hold them both. "This is a lot easier for your mum, you know?" He finally got the bottle angled right and Sam accepted it and started sucking contentedly.

Alfie frowned at the bottle, its content quickly disappearing. "You know, I can't believe that came out of your mum. She never used to be able to do that." He grinned to himself.

A group of young girls wandered past on the path. They looked at the baby as they passed, saying "awww" and "isn't that cute?"

Alfie smiled. "He isn't so cute when you've got to change nappies every few hours."

"Aww, I want one," one of the girls said, gazing at Sam. Alfie was quite disturbed by this - she could only have been twelve or thirteen. The girls passed out of view and Sam finished the bottle.

"I suppose you'll want burping now," Alfie said. "I'll just have to get baby sick all over my shoulder then, won't I?"

Sam looked innocently up at him. Alfie sighed and held the baby to his shoulder, patting him on the back a bit, praying he wouldn't throw up too much.

Alfie was distracted by a woman sitting down next to him. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked. "There's no empty seats anywhere."

"No, it's fine," Alfie said.

The woman looked at Alfie strangely. "Um, would you like a tissue? I'm afraid he's just been sick on you..."

Alfie groaned. "He always does that with bottles. I think it's because he gets more air swallowed."

He accepted a tissue off the woman and wiped the stuff off him. "I wish he wouldn't do that in public."

"Are you a single parent?" the woman asked with interest.

"What? Um... no, I'm married," Alfie answered.

"Oh," the woman said. "Umm, what's his name?"

"Sam," Alfie replied. "Sam Moon."

The woman frowned slightly. "Moon? I.. I'm sure I know that name from somewhere..."

"Not from Alfie Moon, is it?" Alfie asked, feeling a little strange.

"Yes!" the woman said. "That's it - I knew I'd heard it - are you him?"

"Yeah," Alfie replied. "That's me."

"You own the Queen Vic?"

Alfie laughed. "Own it? I wish. No, I manage it. Me and my wife."

"Oh," she said. "I've been in there a few times. Never noticed you, though."

"Hmm," Alfie said. He was now feeling slightly uncomfortable. He wondered if she was flirting with him. Or was he imagining it?

"I'm Jude," the woman said. "Judith Notman." She went to shake his hand, but his arms were full with Sam, so she dropped her outstretched hand awkwardly. "Did you come to the park to admire the view, or..?"

"No," Alfie said. "We came to feed the ducks. But I think we picked the wrong day."

Jude smiled. "I used to come here and feed the ducks with my dad." She looked out on the water wistfully. "But only until I was nine."

"Why, what happened?" Alfie asked. Despite himself, he was interested.

"He died," Jude said. "Car crash."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Alfie said. He meant it, too. For obvious reasons.

She looked at him, surprised. "You really are, and all... With most people, they just say they're sorry but they're not really..."

Alfie smiled awkwardly. "I suppose it's a gift."

Sam started wriggling about in his arms, bored. Alfie glanced down at him. "I think he wants to go home..."

"To his mum," Jude said.

"Yeah." Alfie put Sam back in his pram and stood up. "Well, it's been nice meeting you..."

"You too," Jude said, smiling. "See you around."

"Bye," Alfie said. He wandered off down the path, pushing the pram. Jude gazed after him, watching his shape get smaller and smaller until he disappeared.

[Kim]

Fab. More soon please:p

[crazy_purple]

more tomorrow after school (about 4'o'clock time) :)

[Skits]

can't wait.

[crazy_purple]

Alfie went back to the Vic and played with Sam in the living room for a while. Well, he couldn't exactly play games with him, but he had found that Sam was very good at copying things - if Alfie stuck his tongue out, Sam would do the same. He played peekaboo for a bit with him; Sam watched his daddy appear and disappear, as he thought, with wide eyes, not quite understanding where he had gone, but liking the game all the same.

Kat came upstairs a while later and, seeing what they were doing, came up behind Alfie and put her hands over his eyes. "Guess who," she said. Her breath was warm in his ear.

"Oh, I wonder who that could be," Alfie said jokily. Kat took her hands away from his eyes and he turned round to look at her, smiling. Kat leaned against him, sighing, and cuddled up to him. This surprised Alfie slightly but he didn't say anything. Apart from that kiss earlier, they hadn't really been very close romantically since a few months before Sam was born.

"Did you have fun?" Kat asked, leaning her head on his chest.

"Yeah... well, there weren't any ducks... and he threw up on me..."

Kat smiled. "I wondered what that smell was."

"And my hands are freezing," Alfie said. "I should really get some gloves. I mean, even Sam's got some baby mittens."

"Aww," Kat said sympathetically. "Do you want me to warm them up for you?" She took his hands gently and rubbed them with her own, and gradually some warmth returned to them. He stared at her.

"Kat?" Alfie asked.

Kat nodded towards Sam. "He's asleep."

"Oh... must have tired him out..."

"What I meant was... he won't wake up for a few hours..." Kat looked at Alfie meaningfully.

Alfie swallowed. "Umm..."

"What? Don't you fancy me anymore?" Kat looked hurt.

"Course I do..." It was true too. He could feel the warmth of her body as she cuddled up to him, and he liked it.

"Well, why the long pause?"

"Uh... well, you've only just had a baby..."

Kat looked confused. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"I don't want to... hurt you," Alfie finished lamely.

Kat sighed. "You won't. Don't be stupid."

"I mean..." In truth he didn't know what he meant. He had seen that agony she had been in while in labour, and he was loath to put her through that sort of pain ever again. That was silly, of course.

"So you don't want to?" Kat asked, looking at him. "Because there's something poking me in the thigh that's kind of telling me otherwise."

Alfie turned pink. "Sorry."

"Oh, shut up," Kat said, with amusement. "You obviously do fancy me, then..."

"Yes, but-"

Kat didn't let him finish; she reached up and kissed him. After a moment he kissed her back and she put her hand on the back of his head. His black hair felt rough and springy under her fingers. But suddenly, a thin crying broke through their moment and they broke apart. Kat jumped up to look after Sam. Alfie sighed.

[Kim]

Great. More soon please.

[crazy_purple]

The next day, Alfie was doing his shift in the pub when he heard a voice say "Hello". He knew the voice from somewhere - he glanced up and recognised that woman he had met in the park the other day.

"Um... hi," Alfie said uncertainly.

"We met yesterday," she said. "In the park."

"Yeah," Alfie answered. He glanced up to the other end of the bar. Kat was chatting to a customer.

"I was in the area, so I thought I'd drop by..." the woman smiled at him.

Alfie was feeling vaguely unsettled. Again, he wasn't sure if she was flirting with him or not. He felt strangely as if he was doing something wrong by talking to her.

"So, do you live in the Square?" the woman asked.

"No, we've got a flat upstairs." Alfie remembered that her name was Jude. Why was she asking him all these questions?

"Oh, that must make it easier to - yeah." Jude smiled. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit ditzy today."

"That's okay," Alfie said automatically, and then wondered why he had said it. She was drawing him into the conversation, wasn't she? He felt a sudden urge to point out Kat to her, so he did. "That's my wife..."

"Oh," Jude said. She clearly wasn't interested in Kat. In fact, she was looking at her with disdain. "She's very - er, pretty."

"Yes, she is," Alfie said firmly, with a burst of sudden irritation towards this woman. Despite himself, he found her quite attractive, and the lack of intimacy with Kat over the last few months didn't help. He tried not to look at Jude for too long. She was wearing a rather revealing top, and he couldn't help thinking that hers wouldn't have a baby attached to them most of the time. He shook himself mentally. He was angry with himself for thinking anything about this woman. He shouldn't be. He shouldn't be disloyal to Kat, not even in his head.

"Could I have a orange juice then please?" Jude asked. Alfie gave a small smile and got her the drink. She paid for it and he was careful to hold his hand out for the money to be tipped into it, rather than having to touch her hand. He moved away suddenly, disgusted at himself, and went over to Kat.

"How are you?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her middle from behind.

"Don't, Alfie. I'm really busy. And my chest is killing me."

"Oh," Alfie said. "What do you want me to do? I'll-"

"Nothing," Kat said irritably. "You know how cows are always mooing like mad when they haven't been milked for ages? Well, now I know how they feel."

"Cheers for that," Alfie mumbled, moving away from her. "Lovely thought, that was, Kat."

Jude was still sitting at the bar. She smiled at Alfie and sipped some orange juice. Alfie went over to talk to her....

[Kim]

Fab. More soon please:D.

[hayley]

Alfie dont you even think about it!
more soon please!

[Chloe-Elise]

Great,more asap :D

[crazy_purple]

A few days later, and there had been no more attempts at intimacy between Alfie and Kat. Kat went straight to sleep at night. Alfie wasn't complaining; he knew she had been doing a lot and it was hard work looking after a baby. He had suggested that she take time of work, but she had declined. She said that he needed some help behind the bar.

"But there's plenty of spare bar staff..." Alfie said.

Kat ignored him. He got the feeling she knew very well there were enough barmaids, but one of them was Little Mo and she was still uncomfortable about the idea of leaving him alone with her sister. He couldn't blame her, really.

As a treat (a rubbish one at that, Alfie thought glumly) he had taken her out to a restaurant outside of Walford which overlooked a - well, the ad for the restaurant had said it was in a 'scenic area' but there wasn't much you could call 'scenic' about a couple of trees and a little weed-filled pond. They had got a seat next to the window. Sam was in his pram next to the table.

"Well, this is, um, nice..." Kat said, unconvincingly.

Alfie threw the greasy menu down on the table. "It isn't. I'm sorry I brought you here, it's rubbish..."

"It's not that bad," Kat said. Unfortunately, she chose that moment to glance at the cutlery in her place setting, and saw that the knife was coated in a smear of something she'd rather not think about. She grimaced.

"Come on, let's get out of here," Alfie said, standing up.

"No, it's alright. Sit down," Kat said to Alfie. She didn't want to cause a scene; the chef looked rather intimidating.

"Come on," Alfie repeated stubbornly. Kat sighed and stood up. He had been in a weird mood lately, like he was upset with himself or something. She couldn't work him out. Maybe it was because she wasn't sleeping with him. She frowned. Well, it wasn't that she didn't want to, she was just so tired lately. Maybe she would give him a treat tonight. She smiled slightly, pleased. That would cheer him up.

They got out of the restaurant and were halfway down the path when Sam started crying. Kat leant over his pram. "What's the matter?" she asked.

Sam cried louder, waving his arms about. Kat picked him up, trying to comfort him, but he wouldn't stop crying. "What's up, baby?" she asked, bouncing around a bit soothingly to try and calm him down. Suddenly she remembered. "His teddy!"

They had left Sam's soft cuddly toy in the restaurant. Kat put Sam back in the pram and started pushing it back up the path. "I'll be back in a minute..."

Alfie found a nearby bench and sat down on it. He looked at the wet gravel path and sighed, feeling downcast for no reason he could name.

"Hey!" a voice said. Alfie knew who it was before he even saw her.

[hayley]

Jude please GO AWAY!!!!!

[Kim]

Great:). More soom please:). What is it with that woman?

[Kim]

Jude please GO AWAY!!!!!

We'll have to start an anti Jude gang at this rate.

[crazy_purple]

:D When I typed "weed-filled pond" earlier, I missed the 'd' out first :lol: I only just noticed it in time and all, you would have wondered if I was feeling alright...
-----------

Jude sat down next to him on the bench and smiled. "We should really stop meeting like this," she said, a funny little gleam in her eye.

"Are you stalking me or something?!" Alfie exclaimed. He felt a surge of anger towards her, because she had made him think things he shouldn't. He loved Kat. No way was he going to jeopardise their love for some random woman who fancied him.

She pretended to be hurt. "Now, now, Alfie. You shouldn't insinuate things like that."

"Just - go away! Please!" Alfie said. He didn't know how to deal with this.

Jude cocked her head to one side and gazed at him. Her eyes were black and bright, beady like a sparrow's. "You do know you're only uncomfortable about seeing me because you fancy me?"

Alfie's mouth fell open. "No - that's ridiculous!"

"I took a Psychology class in college," Jude said.

"Well, whoopie-doo! Please will you just leave me alone? I don't fancy you! To tell the truth I - I don't even like you!"

Jude's face kept the same expression, but it seemed to set on her face, like concrete. "You're not telling yourself the truth, Alfie," she said stubbornly.

"I am-" Alfie went to stand up, to get away from this madwoman, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. He was so surprised by this that he sat back down on the bench with a bump.

Jude suddenly pressed her lips against his. Alfie jerked backwards as though he had been burnt and leapt upwards off the bench. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he shouted.

"Wait-" Jude said, but Alfie turned to go, stunned by what had just happened.

He stopped with a jolt when he saw Kat standing in front of him on the path. She had been watching them.

[Kim]

Fab, More asap. Someone please kill Jude.

[crazy_purple]

We'll have to start an anti Jude gang at this rate.

To go with the anti-rice pudding gang :p

[crazy_purple]

Kat grabbed the handle of Sam's pram and started pushing it off down the path, almost violently. She wouldn't look at Alfie.

"Kat!" Alfie said brokenly. He knew what was going to happen next, all right. She wouldn't forgive him this time. Not after Little Mo. She would leave him and take Sam away and he would never get to see his son again. And it wasn't even his fault this time.

He started to panic and ran after Kat. "No - you've got the wrong end of the stick - Kat, please-"

Kat ignored him and pushed the pram angrily onwards. He grabbed the handle, trying to stop her leaving, and it jolted to a stop.

"Listen!" he said urgently. "I don't know what - you don't understand, I don't even know this woman, she just fancies me or something, I don't know..."

"She seemed to know you pretty well when she said your name." Kat stopped in the middle of the path, glaring furiously at her husband.

"We met in the park, she started talking to me and -"

"Oh, story of a lifetime!" Kat said, with a bitter laugh. "You take your son out for a walk and you just can't come back home again without chatting up a bird!"

"No!" Alfie exclaimed. "I don't know how she did it, she just managed to get me chatting and then she found out my name-" he stopped. "She was bluffing! She just said that stuff about having heard the Moon name before so I'd tell her my first name!"

Kat rolled her eyes. "Oh, brilliant, Alfie. You gonna be Sherlock Holmes, or Watson?"

"I'm telling you the truth!" Alfie's voice rose in a panic. "She's stalking me or something! I swear! And she's got this sick idea that I fancy her-"

"I wonder where from," Kat said dangerously.

"No! I never led her on or anything! And she tracked me down to here and then she just -" he paused, looking revolted, "She kissed me."

He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth angrily, as if trying to get rid of the memory.

"Well, that was convenient," Kat said bitterly.

Alfie didn't know what to do. He looked back up the path. Jude was still sitting on the bench, looking at them. She was out of earshot, however.

"I swear on my life I am telling you the truth," Alfie said levelly.

Kat sniffed angrily and looked away. Alfie tried to move towards her, but she wouldn't let him touch her. His face fell. "Kat..."

"Shut up," Kat said, still staring out into the horizon. She had a strange look on her face. Alfie began to feel a cold sense of dread.

[hayley]

please let them stay together!

[Kim]

Brill. Please do more asap:D.

[*kalfie*moon*]

i hate the Jude woman! Kat and Alfie have to stay together!!

[crazy_purple]

"Please... please talk to me," Alfie begged, his voice wavering.

Kat looked at him, her eyes strangely opaque. "You just don't get it, do you?"

Alfie took a step forward. "Please don't leave, I'm terrified of losing you and Sam.. I love you..."

Kat sniffed. "I know."

"You - what?" Alfie stopped.

"I saw everything, Alfie." Kat looked into his eyes. "I heard you telling her to get lost and - and - I saw her kiss you... But I saw you pull away."

Alfie stared at her, confused. "But - so... you know I didn't want to - I didn't lead her on or anything...."

"I know you didn't," Kat said. She looked back up the path at the woman sitting on the bench, and her eyes narrowed. "But I got so angry...."

"Why - why did you say all that then?" Alfie exclaimed. "I thought you were gonna leave me!"

Kat shook her head fervently. "I got really angry..." she repeated.

"At her?" Alfie asked softly.

"Yes," Kat said. She breathed out. "I had to get out of there before I smacked that mad b*tch..."

Alfie tried to smile. His lips were trembling with the shock of a disaster narrowly averted. "I don't know where she got the idea from that I liked her, we only met in the park... I didn't want to talk but it seemed rude to ignore her - and then the next day she tracked me down to the Vic - and now this..." He looked miserably at Kat.

"It's - it's alright," Kat said numbly.

'It isn't. I thought I'd lost you." He hesitated. "Hang on, if you knew the truth, why did you go off on one at me?"

Kat looked away. "I was angry. And frightened. Scared, more than angry... I was scared I'd lose you... like I did before."

"Me too!" Alfie said anxiously. "Oh, Kat, I was terrified you'd leave me and I'd never see Sam again..."

"Don't be stupid," Kat said. She managed a small smile. She moved towards him, as though to hug him, but paused. "Hang on. There's something I want to do first."

"What?" Alfie asked. Kat started moving back up the path, and he groaned. "No, Kat, don't - she's weird-"

Kat ignored him. She was on a mission.

[hayley]

yay they didnt split up!
wonder what kat's up to??

[Chloe-Elise]

Yay! :D Goodbye Jude, more soon please :D

[Kim]

Go Kat! This is great, more asap please:D.

[crazy_purple]

Kat marched up the path to where Jude was sitting. The woman had been slouching on the bench, her brown hair falling in waves over her face. She looked up when she heard Kat approach. Her eyes looked distant.

"You," Kat said, just managing to keep her voice under control, "Keep your dirty hands off my husband."

Jude smiled angelically at her and said nothing.

Kat was filled with a sudden anger. "Did you hear me! You can keep away from him, because he's mine!"

Alfie blinked.

"You own him, do you?" Jude asked, her voice low and insinuating.

Kat narrowed her eyes. "More than you ever will, you psycho."

"What did you just call me?" Jude rose up off the bench. Kat made a sudden movement forward, as if to attack her. Alfie jumped forward to restrain her.

Kat shook Alfie off and took another step forward towards Jude. "I called you a psycho. You've been doing nothing but stalking my husband and you've got this sick idea that he fancies you too. You're obviously unbalanced or something-"

Jude didn't move but her hands were curling into fists at her sides and she was trembling with rage. "An idea? He does fancy me, he-"

Kat whirled round to Alfie. "Do you?" she demanded.

"No!" Alfie said quickly.

"See!" Kat glared at Jude. "You're wrong."

"Well, who could blame him if he did fancy me?" Jude said suddenly. "I mean, look what he's got to put up with."

"What exactly do you mean?" Kat asked dangerously. She took a step closer. "Come on. I'd really like to know."

Jude stared obstinately into Kat's eyes. "Oh, I don't mean anything at all, darling."

Alfie could sense the tension in the air, and wanted to get Kat and Sam out of there. But he knew Kat wouldn't leave until she'd made her point.

"...Except that when I first saw you, I thought you were still pregnant." Jude said clearly.

Kat hit her - or at least, her hand flew upwards in a curve towards Jude's face. But Alfie leapt forward and grabbed her. He pulled her back a bit. "Don't," he hissed in her ear.

"Let go," Kat said, her face a mask of fury towards Jude.

"See? He's defending me," Jude said with deluded pleasure.

Kat attempted to rush forward, but Alfie stopped her. "Kat, it won't help - she's unbalanced, just leave it, okay?"

Kat stared menacingly at Jude for a few moments, ignoring Alfie, but then she relented. "You'd better be glad he's here," she said. "Otherwise you'd be laughing on the other side of your face, you little w**re-"

"Kat, come on,' Alfie said. "Let's go home, yeah?"

Jude smirked at them both, but then Alfie turned to her. "I don't know where you got your ideas from," he said slowly. "But they're completely wrong, okay? I love my wife."

"Yeah," Kat added pointedly.

"Still don't believe you," Jude said, but she seemed uncertain.

Alfie sighed. "Well, it's true. I'd never be interested in you, not in a million years. And I think you should get some help. No offence."

Jude's face fell suddenly into a deep frown. "P**s off." she said sulkily.

"Fine," Alfie said. He and Kat turned to go. Kat put her hand on Alfie's backside, meaning for Jude to see as they walked off. Alfie had left Sam's pram a few feet away and they pushed it down the path and back to the bus stop, when they went home. It was over.

[Kim]

Great:D. Please do more asap:)

[squillyfer]

That was great do more soon

[crazy_purple]

When Kat and Alfie got home later, they went straight upstairs into the living room. Kat sat down and sighed, relieved, but Alfie still looked uncomfortable.

"What's up?" Kat asked eventually.

Alfie looked at her seriously. "Are we okay? Honestly?"

Kat smiled, bemused. "Course we are. Why wouldn't we be?"

"Well..."

"Some crazy woman made a move on you, you told her where to shove it. She's gone - if she comes near us again I'll call the police. Simple." Kat smiled. "Well, simple when compared to some of the stuff we've had to deal with before."

"Yeah," Alfie said, relieved. He sat down on the sofa next to her and kissed her on the cheek, anxious to make up for earlier. Soon they were snogging and cuddling up again on the sofa.

Kat broke away from the kiss and smiled. "See? You don't want anyone else, do you?" She posed the question playfully, but Alfie recognised the real question behind it.

"Course not," Alfie said. He kissed the end of her nose, making her giggle. "Why would I?"

"You might," Kat said, between kisses.

"I never have, and I never will."

"Mmmm," Kat said, smiling. "That's what I like to hear-"

Just then Sam started crying. Kat stopped and glanced at him.

"You look after him," Alfie said. He had just remembered something. "Stay here..."

"Alright..." Kat said, amused. "Why, what are you going to do?"

Alfie tapped the side of his nose conspiratorially. "You'll see in a bit, won't you?" He left the room.

Kat rolled her eyes, smiling, and picked up Sam. His crying died down when she cuddled him and she fed him and changed his nappy. He liked kicking his legs about while she changed him, but unfortunately he also seemed to like peeing when he didn't have a nappy on. It made him smile that big sunny, innocent smile of his, even when she was annoyed with him. But she could never stay annoyed with him for long.

She wondered what Alfie was up to. Maybe he was planning something. A surprise? Hmm.

[Kim]

What's he planning? Please do more asap:)

[squillyfer]

ooh whats he up to ?

[crazy_purple]

Sam's eyes were drifting closed. Kat kissed his forehead and took him into his little room, where she put him to sleep in his cot. He yawned a tiny baby yawn, and Kat smiled fondly at him. She watched him for a minute while he drifted off to sleep. Then she heard a noise from her and Alfie's bedroom.

"What are you up to, then?" she asked, entering their bedroom.

Alfie turned around, looking guilty. "Well, I was trying to make it look nice..." He was holding a length of fairy lights in his hand and apparently trying to pin them up on the wall above the headboard of their bed.

Kat laughed, bemused. "But... why?"

"I just thought it needed redecorating, that's all," Alfie said, embarrassed.

"Don't lie, you're trying to make it all romantic, aren't you?" Kat grinned. "You soppy old thing."

"Maybe," Alfie said mysteriously.

"What's this?" Kat picked up a music tape from the bedside table.

"It's a, um, tape of all our songs," Alfie mumbled.

Kat's smile spread further over her face. "Oh, really? What's brought all this on? You've got candles too, I see..."

"I thought we could... spend some time together?" Alfie said in a small voice.

"Hmm, spending time together..." Kat grinned mischeviously. "Is that with or without clothes?"

Alfie turned pink. "Whichever you like."

"I like you," Kat declared, moving closer to him. "In fact, I love you, you plonker."

"Is... er, is Sam asleep?"

"Sleeping like a -" Kat smiled- "-like a baby."

"Alright then," Alfie said. They snogged for a while slowly.

"Hang on, you haven't turned your fairy lights on," Kat said.

Alfie sighed and flicked the switch - the lights came on. They glowed in a mellow kind of way.

"Mmm, they're pretty," Kat said. Alfie tried to kiss her again. "Wait - candles and all."

"Do we have to?" Alfie asked.

"Yes," Kat said sweetly.

Alfie lit the candles, turned the room lights off and turned back to Kat, but she still wasn't satisfied. "Nope - need the music too."

Alfie pushed the tape into the stereo and pressed play urgently. "Right?"

One of their songs - a slow, love one - started playing softly. Kat smiled. "Right. This is nice." They kissed again, and then Kat broke away again.

"What now?!" Afie asked.

Kat looked serious suddenly, her eyes wide like a little girl's. "You won't hurt me, will you?"

It was then that Alfie remembered it had been just about a month since she had had the baby, and since she had been in that agonising pain. He couldn't blame her for being a bit wary of men. He stroked her flame-red hair gently. "I'll never hurt you."

Kat said something, but it was too quiet for him to hear. It might have been "good". She smiled, and he saw the real Kat, the gentle, insecure one, who depended on him and needed love. Not the brassy, confident one. That one was just a mask. They started snogging again.

Outside, high up in the sky, it was full moon. The silvery white orb hung in the grey sky of just after dusk. The moon's glow fell on a building in a suburban area, inside which slept a tiny baby who carried the name of Moon and had its whole future ahead. Good things, bad things. Everything that would come to pass. The light from the moon also slanted into a window, where two more carriers of that name were locked together in harmony. The moon watched this impassively. It was infinity; the number 8 rocked over onto its side. These people would fade to dust eventually, but the moonlight would never fade...

-------
I don't know why I added that weird ending. I'm going to skip ahead a few months next time :)

[squillyfer]

that was lovely and the end bit wasnt wierd it was nice do more asap

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwwww, great ending :D More asap :)

[Kim]

Cool:)

[crazy_purple]

The months passed surprisingly quickly, and Sam was now five months old. Alfie and Kat couldn't get over how much he'd grown and how different he was - he now had soft black hair like his dad and a cheeky grin most of the time.

"Oi, I thought I told you not to steal my toast," Alfie said, laughing, to Kat.

"You nicked the last slice!" Kat exclaimed. "Eurgh, you've put Marmite on it." She dropped it back on his plate with a look of disgust.

"What's wrong with you? It's gorgeous," Alfie said, taking a bite out of it.

"Well, you better brush your teeth before trying to snog me," Kat said. Suddenly a spoonful of babyfood flew through the air and splatted on her cheek. She turned and looked at Sam, who was giggling and holding his plastic spoon.

"You little beggar," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "Can you at least try and get a little bit in your mouth?"

Sam laughed and rubbed a handful of his breakfast onto the top of his highchair. Kat sighed. She could never get angry with him, not really. His laughter was kind of contagious. "Come here. Right... the plane flies over England, over France, then onto the runway..." She pretended to fly the spoon into his mouth and he accepted it, gazing at her.

"You're really good with him," Alfie said, watching them.

"Course I am," Kat smiled. "I'm his mum, aren't I?" She wiped a dribble of babyfood off Sam's chin. "He looks just like you, you know."

"Yeah..." Alfie looked at his son. "I'm just as messy at eating as he is."

Kat laughed. "You can say that again."

Sam took the plastic spoon off Kat and tried to feed himself. This time he managed to get most of the spoonful of babyfood into his mouth and Kat smiled with pleasure. "Good boy." She ruffled his hair fondly. "We're off to see Grandad today, what do you think of that?"

Sam cooed to himself and examined the remains of his breakfast intensely. He poked his hand into the bowl and studied the food stuck to his fingers.

"I'm sure he's very excited," Alfie said, grinning.

Sam saw them both smiling at him and he laughed, putting the food-covered hand to his face. Kat sighed. "I'll have to get him cleaned up before we go."

"He's only five months, he's bound to make a mess." Alfie finished his toast and went to kiss Kat. She ducked - she hated Marmite. "Where did you put the cards?" It was Charlie's birthday and he had wanted all the family to be there.

"In the drawer-" Kat helped Sam eat some more breakfast, and then cleaned him up. They were only going across the Square, but she wanted him to look nice. For some reason that even she didn't really understand, she still wanted the rest of the Slaters to know that she was a good mum.

[Kim]

Fab. Please do more soon:)

[crazy_purple]

Kat, Alfie and Sam went round to the Slaters' house later. The Slaters were having an impromptu birthday party for Charlie - any excuse, Kat thought in amusement.

"Hi," Little Mo said. She was sitting on the sofa with Billy, who had his arm around her.

"How have you been feeling?" Kat asked her sister.

"Morning sickness has gone, I think." Little Mo replied. "At least, I hope so." She had announced a few months ago that she and Billy were expecting a baby.

Kat sat down next to her, picking Sam up out of his pram and sitting him on her knee. He leaned against her - he couldn't quite sit up yet without support.

Charlie came over. "Hello, little lad." Sam looked up at him. "Well, the family's getting bigger, no doubt about that."

Sam blew a bubble and giggled when it popped on his lips. Little Mo looked at him and smiled. "He's very cheerful, isn't he?"

"Course he is," Kat said. He tousled Sam's black hair affectionately. "He's gorgeous and all."

Little Mo's son, Freddie, wandered in. He was 2 years old now and had mousey brown hair. "Mummy," he said, and tugged at the bottom of her skirt.

"What is it?"

"Baby," Freddie said, pointing at Sam. He stared at him for a few seconds.

"He's your cousin," Little Mo said. "You've met Sam before, haven't you?" She picked the toddler up and held him on her lap so he could look at Sam. Freddie looked at the baby and Sam gazed back at him.

"Hello," Freddie said curiously.

Sam started making nonsensical babbling noises to himself and then inspected his fingers. He eventually put his thumb in his mouth and sucked it reflectively.

"Baby can't talk?" Freddie asked.

"Not yet," Kat said. She smiled. "I remember when you were this little, Freds. I'm your Auntie Kat, remember?"

Freddie nodded. He climbed onto Billy's knee and settled down contentedly. "Daddy, it's Grandad's birthday?"

"Yep," Billy answered. He still found it surprising that Freddie called him Daddy. He loved the kid now, of course, like he was his own. He just wondered if Little Mo was ever planning on telling him the truth.

"Do we get cake?" Freddie asked innocently. They all laughed.

"I hope so," Kat said.

Big Mo stirred uncomfortably. "Um, well..."

Kat looked shocked. "You didn't get a cake?!"

"I forgot," Big Mo said guiltily. "And I was going to make one, but I forgot that too..."

Charlie sighed. "It doesn't matter.Just as long as I've got all you lot here."

---------
sorry that was boring, I'll make it better next time :p

[Chloe-Elise]

Fab :D More asap

[Kim]

Awww. Freddie's cute. More soon please:D

[crazy_purple]

By the time Sam was nine months old, he had turned into an adorable little boy who looked just like a baby version of his dad, with black hair and blue eyes. Kat and Alfie were always joking about this. He was beginning to talk now - Kat felt like she had fallen in love with her baby all over again the first time he had said "ma ma" to her. He could understand what his own name meant, and smiled whenever he heard the word "Sam". Over the past nine months, Kat and Alfie had found out a lot about themselves and their son.

"I'm off to work," Alfie said in a businesslike way.

Kat grinned. "Downstairs, you mean?" She jiggled Sam about, who was sitting in her lap playing with a soft squeaky toy. He squeezed it and it squeaked, and he blinked in surprise.

"Yeah," Alfie said. "It's no good, this. I'm not getting any exercise."

"I can give you plenty of exercise," Kat said slyly.

"I bet you can," Alfie said. He leaned down and kissed her. "I'll come back up when I get a break."

"Yeah, you better," Kat said mischeviously. "I miss you like crazy when you're not here..." She pulled him towards her again and kissed him. Sam looked outraged, and pulled on Kat's hair, wanting attention.

"Ow," she said. "Alright, alright." She grinned at Alfie. "See you later, gorgeous."

"Bye bye, Sam," Alfie said, waving at him. Sam raised his hand and waved back slowly, then got bored annd dropped his hand. Alfie went downstairs.

"What's up with you then?" Kat asked Sam. "Come here." She cuddled him suddenly. He wriggled about, frowning.

"Don't you take that face with me," Kat said, pretending to be stern. "I invented that face."

Sam stopped frowning and looked at her innocently. She brushed at his hair fondly. "You're such a cheeky little monster, you know that?"

[Kim]

Awwww:). Please do more asap:D.

[*kalfie*moon*]

cute! please do more!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awww sweet, more asap please :D

[crazy_purple]

3 years later...

By the time Sam was 3, he had grown even more adorable. He had thick black hair like his dad, but his eyes had a greenish tint that he must have got from Kat. He had been going to a playgroup and had made some good friends, including a little boy called Jeff - the pair of them were inseparable and always getting up to mischief. Alfie and Kat were amused to see that he was just as cheeky as a toddler as he had been as a tiny baby.

"Mum," Sam said, hurrying up to Kat as she was waiting at the playgroup door, "Look what I made." He held up a painting.

"That's very good," Kat said, smiling. "Shall we stick it on the wall at home?"

"Yeah!" Sam said happily.

"Have you got your gloves?" It was the 6th of December and it was freezing. The grass was white with frost.

They got the bus back to Walford, Sam sitting looking out the window. After a few minutes had passed he turned to Kat. "Mummy?"

"Yep?"

"Jeff got a baby brother."

"Oh, that's nice," Kat replied. "What's he called?"

Sam's forehead wrinkled. "I forgot." He looked at his mum for a moment. "Can I have a brother for Christmas?"

Kat was surprised, but then grinned in amusement. "I don't know, darling. We'll have to see, won't we?"

Sam nodded his head solemnly and Kat ruffled his hair fondly. "What're you like, eh?"

"Mummy!" Sam looked embarrassed, and Kat smiled. She looked out the window, watching the houses and trees pass by continually. Now that he had mentioned it, it was on her mind. Why shouldn't she and Alfie have another baby? They had always wanted loads, anyway. Maybe she could ask him what he thought. Sam was getting older now, and he could do with someone else to play with at home. She smiled to herself. That would be nice.

[Kim]

Awww. Please do more asap:D.

[crazy_purple]

As it turned out Kat didn't need to ask Alfie. A few days later she became aware that something was unusual but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. A few more days passed, and it occured to her that she was at least a week late. She wasn't sure whether to tell Alfie yet or not, so she went to the doctor's, where her suspicions were confirmed... she was pregnant.

She found it surprising, but not entirely - she had got used to weird things happening when she least expected it. It was as though someone had planned their future for them. But she was sure she and Alfie had been careful - no, that was wrong. They hadn't really. It was as though both of them had been expecting something... and now they were, literally. Well, this meant they wouldn't have to go through all that waiting they had when trying to make Sam.

At first she didn't tell Alfie. She liked having a tiny secret growing inside her. It felt personal, like it was just her and the baby. The baby. God, she should have got used to this feeling by now... But she hadn't. It still felt amazing.

"What?" Alfie asked, seeing how she was looking at him.

"Nothing," Kat said, twiddling her thumbs surreptitiously. She smiled secretly to herself. "But I've kind of got some news..."

"Yeah?" Alfie was trying to pour a pint, and she didn't think it'd be very kind to tell him right now. She waited till he had stopped.

"Alfie," she said. She took one of his hands and slipped it slightly underneath her top onto her stomach. He looked at her, confused, but she smiled gently back at him and he realised.

"You're..." His eyes widened.

"We're having another one," Kat said, giggling. Alfie hugged her proudly.

"That's brilliant," he said, stroking her hair. "I love you."

"Love you." Kat leaned up and kissed him. "Um... aren't you forgetting something?"

Alfie looked around and saw a customer waiting for his drink. "Oh - yeah."

Kat smiled and watched him serving the customer. He was still the same old Alfie, really.

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww yay another baby :D Fab, more soon please

[Jessie Wallace]

aww that's so sweet.

[Kim]

Awww. Please do more asap:D.

[hayley]

just caught up! brill cant wait for more!

[crazy_purple]

It's randomly going backwards in time again, to when Kat lost her and Anthony's baby

Alfie was serving customers in the bar when he spotted that little teddy, that Kat had bought in the morning, on top of the bar. He grinned. She had pretended that it wasn't for any special reason - "It's like a little mascot," she had said huffily when he had asked her about it - but he knew she was starting to feel all maternal. No-one else except Anthony and himself even knew that she was pregnant. He didn't know why, but that fact made him feel strangely special. After all, it had been him who had held her hand and hugged her when she first found out about it, wasn't it? And she had been planning on getting an abortion, but he had known that wasn't what she really wanted. He had convinced her to keep it - not that she had really needed much convincing. And now she was really happy, wandering around with a huge smile on her face.

For some reason, he found himself acting all protective over her. That was silly. As though it was his baby, or something. But he couldn't stop himself from looking at her all the time, and hugging her whenever there was an excuse to. Now that was just plain weird, he thought. But he shrugged it off as just feeling like he had to look after her, because she was so vulnerable. They were just mates, after all. It was too early for him to understand that his feelings for her were developing.

Where was she, anyway? He glanced at his watch. She had popped to the loo ten minutes ago and been upstairs ever since. He rolled his eyes. Sometimes she was just lazy. But he didn't mind... he could never really get angry at her. He looked around and saw that the bar was fairly quiet for now, and decided to go and see what on earth she was doing. Watching TV, probably. It wasn't that he needed her in the bar right now - just that he kind of missed her.

"Kat?" he called, going upstairs. "What's up, have you fallen down the toilet?"

He was about to wander past the bathroom, expecting her to be sat on the sofa with her feet up, watching TV, and for her to turn to him with an innocent expression and a "What? I need my rest now, don't I?"

But he stopped in his tracks as a sudden sobbing noise came from the bathroom. He froze and moved towards the bathroom door.

"Kat?" he asked uncertainly. "Are you alright?"

He heard her sniffle and she said something. It sounded like "I'm fine," but she obviously wasn't.

"What's wrong?" he asked, getting more concerned. "Open the door..."

There was silence for a few minutes, and just as he was about to speak again, the door creaked open.

[squillyfer]

more please :)

[crazy_purple]

Kat looked like she was in anguish. Her face was streaked with tears. She tried to speak but couldn't, and took several hitching breaths before she could talk. "It hurts," she wept. Alfie noticed her hands were pressed against her stomach.

"Oh, no..." he said, startled, guessing what was wrong. "The baby...?"

Mentioning that word was a mistake - she started sobbing anew. Her face was white. Alfie pulled her towards him without a second thought, trying to comfort her, and she leaned against him desperately, crying into his shoulder. He put his hand on her hair.

"It's alright," he said helplessly, not knowing what to do. "Come on, sit down-"

He led her into the living room and sat her down on the sofa. He sat down next to her and she leant against him again, crying helplessly. After a few minutes she seemed to get it under control and breathed thickly, sniffling occasionally. She wouldn't let go of him, however.

"Kat," Alfie said. He could feel her breathing, warm against his skin. "I'm sorry.." He didn't know what else to say. What were you supposed to say? He shouldn't be doing this. She needed another woman to look after her now really, not some stupid bloke... Then for the first time he realised that she didn't have any real girl friends - only him. Why was that? There was Zoe and the rest of her family, of course, but they didn't really count... he was her best friend... he had no choice but to look after her now.

"What should I do?" he asked her, feeling useless.

She sniffled. "Nothing." She raised her head and looked him in the eyes for the first time. "My baby," she uttered, to no-one in particular.

"I-"

"I'm losing my baby," Kat carried on, her face grief-stricken. He could practically see her heart breaking in two inside her. She was staring off into the distance.

Alfie went to put his hand on her shoulder, but she flinched away from the touch. Then she glanced around at him, and on the instant their eyes met, she dissolved into tears again.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't-"

He was moved by pity - and love, too, but he didn't recognize that until much later - for her. "Don't be," he said compassionately. He picked up both of her hands in his and held them.

Kat winced and pressed her hand against her stomach again, inadvertedly dragging his along with it. They looked at each other for a moment, and then Kat looked at the floor, her face empty of everything but sadness.

"Do you-" Alfie cleared his throat, "Do you, erm, need anything? To... um... you know." He studied a tear in his jeans, embarrassed.

Something in Kat's face flickered. "I suppose I will," she said dully.

"Do you want me to go to the shop and-"

At the mention of him leaving, Kat looked alarmed. "Stay with me," she begged.

"I'll just be a minute," Alfie reassured her. "And then we'll go to the hospital-"

Kat jumped. "What? No, I-"

"I'm taking you to the hospital," Alfie said firmly.

She relented. "Alright," she said, in a whisper.

Alfie stood up to leave. She wouldn't let go of his hand at first. He leant down and, for no reason he could fathom, kissed her on the forehead. She didn't complain. In fact, she looked relieved at the touch.

"I'll just be a few minutes," he said softly. She nodded, staring at the carpet once more.

[crazy_purple]

Alfie and Kat went to the hospital in a cab, where she and Alfie were left waiting in A&E for a while. Kat was sitting on a plastic seat next to him, staring down at her hands. She had barely said a word, and had let Alfie do all the talking at the front desk. She had blinked once, her face twisting with pain, when Alfie had told the receptionist in a low voice that she was having a miscarriage.

"Kathleen Slater," a voice came on over the tannoy, and told her which room to go to. She looked up, blinking, as though she had been woken out of a deep sleep.

"Come with me," she said to Alfie, and her eyes held a pleading expression.

"I - I can't," Alfie said. "They'll want to examine you, and everything..."

Kat stood up, a hand on her aching stomach. "Wait for me, then."

"Course. I'm not leaving you," Alfie replied. Something strange flickered between them, and then it was gone. Kat wandered off into a doctor's room, and Alfie watched her disappear.

In the doctor's room was a man name Dr. Taylor, or Tyler or somethng. She didn't know, and was past caring. He examined her, after asking if she would prefer a female doctor, but she had shook her head, her lips pressed together tightly. Then he had told her what she had already knew - she was losing her baby and there was nothing anyone could do about it. He told her it would just feel like a heavy period, and asked if she would like to speak to anyone. A shrink, she assumed. She thought she was going to cry again, but she didn't. Her eyes had turned dry.

She met Alfie in the waiting room. He stood up as she approached, and she smiled thinly at him. It felt pasted on to her lips.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

She shook her head shortly. "I'll be fine. Can we go now?"

[squillyfer]

aww do more soon I really love this script you're such a great writer

[*kalfie*moon*]

aww poor Kat..more soon!

[Chloe-Elise]

Awwww poor kat :( Great writing though :) more soon please

[hayley]

great writing!
please do more soon!

[crazy_purple]

After that, Alfie had taken Kat back to the Vic. He thought it would be cruel to send her back home, to the rabble of Slaters, so he asked if she'd like to stay over.

She blinked in surprise, and he flushed, thinking she'd mistaken what he meant. "I meant I'd sleep on the sofa, you could have my bed, just for the night, if you don't feel up to going home-" He was babbling and he knew it.

Kat nodded slowly. "Okay. Thanks." Her eyes stayed on his for a few seconds. "You don't have to do this, you know."

Alfie murmured something, embarrassed for no reason he could see. He didn't have to, that was true. They were just friends, after all. It had been Anthony's baby, not his. But did that matter? He loved her just the same. Even if he didn't know it yet.

So Kat curled up in Alfie's double bed, looking oddly small and lost in the middle of the dark bedcovers. She scrunched the covers up to beneath her chin and lay her head on his pillow, still absorbed in her grief. Alfie waited until she was settled down and bid her an awkward "goodnight". As he left the room, gathering up a spare duvet from the closet to roll up on the sofa with, he couldn't help thinking that she was actually in his bed. She had looked pretty too. Her tousled black hair falling over the pillow and framing her tear-streaked face. He shook his head and tried to get to sleep on the makeshift bed.

[Kim]

Great. Poor Kat. Please so more asap.

[Skits]

poor kat. post more soon.

[hayley]

please do more soon!!!

[Chloe-Elise]

Poor Kat,more asap :)

[crazy_purple]

The next day, Kat had woken up and not known where she was. She looked over her shoulder cautiously, expecting to see some bloke there, who had seemed like her perfect partner the night before, while the effects of booze blurred her vision and mind, but was now just a stranger. She had had that experience all too many times before.

But there was no man sleeping beside her, stranger or friend. She was alone in a strange bed. This disturbed her for a moment, until the events of the previous night came flooding back in a dark wave that threatened to engulf her. She put her hand on her head and closed her eyes. She had been so happy... so proud of her unborn baby that she had been sheltering inside her, her own sweet little secret.

But it had been ripped away from her. So cruelly taken from her, all the future that she had been planning for her and her child. And what was worse, there wasn't even a reason for it to have happened. The doctor had said "it's just one of those things, unfortunately..." It wasn't just one of those things. It was a baby. Well, it had been. Now it was just a period pain. And she had nothing and no-one to blame it on, except herself. She felt cheated.

Since Kat could think of nothing better to do, she got out of bed. She would go and 'put her face on', as usual. Make-up, of course, that was what it meant. If she had been more prone to insights like this, she might have realised that the word 'mask' was closer to the truth. Every morning she got up and put on a mask. Crimson lipstick. The colour of blood. Strange, if you thought about it. But Kat didn't think about it. She just got dressed and tarted up, because it was what people had come to expect of her. But she was tired... so tired of all this rubbish.

[Chloe-Elise]

Awww poor Kat,more asap :)

[*kalfie*moon*]

awww please do more

[hayley]

very good
please do more a.s.a.p

[crazy_purple]

Alfie heard Kat leave his bedroom and listened to the bathroom door close and lock. He had had a restless night - for some reason he couldn't stop thinking about Kat. He had wanted to go and check on her several times in the night, but he had resisted the urge. She would probably think he was being weird, perving on her or something. But he wouldn't be. Once he heard her muffled crying, and it felt like his heart was breaking in two.

He got up from the sofa and yawned involuntarily, then looked around guiltily, as though he had no right to be yawning at a time like this. He stood near the bathroom door, fidgeting anxiously. Eventually he spoke up.

"Kat?"

It was a long time before she replied. "Yeah?"

"Um... are you okay?" It sounded stupid, but he found it was a question that he really needed to ask.

"I'm fine," Kat answered shortly. He heard her move about in there. The sound of her makeup bag being zipped shut. Somehow, that small sound made him want to cry.

"Do you want anything?"

"Like what?" She sounded like she was getting into a bad mood. But he wouldn't let it rest.

"Coffee," he suggested.

There was silence for a few moments, and then she spoke in a subdued tone. "Yes please."

"White, two sugars?" Alfie added. There was no need to say that; he knew how she liked coffee almost off by heart.

"Yeah," Kat replied. Her voice sounded warmer now. "Thanks Alf."

She waited until his footsteps had moved away, into the kitchen, and sighed. She shouldn't take it out on him. He had been so kind, and understanding. Well, maybe he didn't understand, but he acted like he did. He was always so nice to her, even when she was screaming and throwing a tantrum at him. Why was that, she wondered. Maybe he liked her.

She found herself liking that idea, for no reason she could name. It was a ridiculous suggestion. On a few occasions she had even wondered if he was on the other bus, so to speak. But the idea of Alfie liking her made her feel kind of nice. He was sweet, but she had never really considered him as anything more than a friend.

[Kim]

Awwww. Please do more asap:).

[squillyfer]

yeah please more this whole script is amazing and sooo sweet

[hayley]

please do more soon!!!
its brill!!!

[Chloe-Elise]

Its great, more soon please :)

[crazy_purple]

All through that day, Kat carried on work in the bar as normal. It broke Alfie's heart to see her, chatting to customers like nothing was wrong. Several times he tried to get her to talk about it, but she turned him down angrily. It was like trying to have a conversation with a brick wall.

"Kat, you can't just pretend nothing's happened," he said to her quietly, after yet another failed attempt.

"Nothing has happened," Kat said brutally. She grabbed a bottle from the shelf and slammed it down so hard on the counter it nearly broke. He started forward involuntarily, and she glared at him. "Will you just leave me alone?!"

"Not until you accept what hap-"

"How many times?! Nothing happened!" Kat exclaimed. She ran her hand violently through her black hair. He saw she was close to tears - a breakdown, more like - and tried to comfort her.

"Look - come on, it's okay," he said in a reassuring voice. "You can deal with it however you want."

"There's nothing to deal wi-" Her voice broke in the middle of the word and her face crumpled. She glanced around, mortified, seeing the customers nursing their drinks. Anyone might see.

Alfie touched her arm and she jerked away from the touch. "Get lost!" she shouted at him. A couple of people glanced up at them and turned back to their precious alcohol, disinterested. Kat took to her heels and ran out the Vic.

It was getting dark outside and biting insects swarmed around in the twilight. She shivered in the cold, hardly feeling the tears run down her face. She didn't hold them back - couldn't, even if she tried. She heard the pub door open and swing shut again, and knew it was Alfie. She would have batted him away, told him where to go, apart from that was just an act. Another mask. She craved the comfort and warmth that he provided. She felt his hand touch her shoulder gingerly.

"I-" Suddenly it was like she couldn't breathe, her chest was hitching for breath, and the sobs all ran together. Everything spilled out - all the raw emotion that she had been bottling up. "It's not fair, I wanted it, I wanted the baby-"

Alfie was in front of her and he was looking at her compassionately. Some of his face was bathed in moonlight. The moon. "It's alright, I know."

"I could see her, Alfie," Kat said urgently. It felt like she had to say this, she had to get it all out before the words dried up. "In my arms... I'd love her and she'd love me back..." She gasped suddenly. "It might have been a he, but I was sure it was a she... so sure..."

She had been able to see the baby, too. She had imagined being in the hospital, holding her newborn baby close, feeling its warmth. Anthony would be next to her, and he'd be so enthralled by the birth of his daughter - something his medical books had taught him about, but he had still not been prepared for emotionally. She and Anthony would not have been together, but they would be friends. Good friends. Good enough to bring up their baby together. And her daughter - she was sure it was a girl, although it was only the size of a pea at the time - would be nestling in Kat's arms, she would be beautiful. Kat could practically see the baby's soft brown skin, the same as Anthony's, and its little eyes, gazing up at her, so warm and trusting.

But that was all gone - the baby was dead.

Alfie gathered Kat into his arms and she cried on his shoulder, for the second time in only two days. He held her to him protectively and smoothed down her hair. "It's alright," he whispered.

"What'll I do?" Kat cried. "I've got nothing - nothing left."

...And it had been then that Alfie had suggested she have a break. He had a mate, he explained, who needed some help in a bar in Lanzarote. Nothing too hard. But it would get her away from things. Kat had agreed, she had left...

...And he had missed her.

[Skits]

brill. keep up the good work.

[*kalfie*moon*]

please do more!

[Chloe-Elise]

Fab,more asap please.

[Kim]

Awww. Fab, please do more soon:D.