The Other Branning ~ Eastenders

Mark

Grace rocked a sleeping Aria in her arms, they were still in hospital - had been for four days. The Doctors wanted to make sure both Grace and Aria were fully well before they let them leave, as Aria had been born a few weeks premature.

"How's the patient?" Johnny popped his head around the door. "Wondered if I could take my little Aria for a walk, because there's someone who would like to have a chat with you." Lee hung his head low and followed Johnny through. "Just talk, ok? For me and Ari at least." Grace sighed, before nodding and handing Aria over to her Daddy.

Johnny started talking baby to Aria as he left. "He, er, really loves her." Lee commented.

"Yeah," Grace smiled, watching them go down the corridor, "it's cute, Aria's going to be such a little Daddy's girl. He's really stepped up to be a good Dad, no a brilliant Daddy for Aria."

"No need to rub it in." Lee grumbled, huffing.

Grace chuckled to herself, "trust me, I wasn't. I'm just so glad that Aria doesn't have a shitty Father like you. She's got got the real deal, the best of the best." Grace told the truth, and proudly.

"I came here today to try and put things right." Lee bent down, took Grace's hand in his. She quickly snatched it away. "I want us to get past this. You're my wife and no matter what I'll always love you, Gracie. Aria I can accept as my niece and not my daughter now, I'll love her all the same. We both cheated, just give us another chance. I got the divorce papers through this morning, we can't go through with it, it's not us." Lee pleaded with her.

Grace was more than shocked by Lee's guts to actually ask for another chance. "If you'd have said that a week ago, even five days ago, I would've thought about it at least."

"Why can't you now?" Lee stared at her pleadingly. "I need my wife back, I can't go on without you. You were everything to me, I need you back. There's no point to my life without you, Grace." Lee stood up, running his fingers through his hair, something he always did when he was guilty or frustrated.

"It's hard to explain. You don't want to hear this, Lee." Grace told him, wishing he would leave her in peace - and that Johnny would bring Aria back to her soon.

"Just tell me." Lee insisted.

"When I was giving birth, my birthing partner turned out to be Mark of all people. It wasn't what I expected. But when I looked at Mark when Aria was being born, all I saw was how scared he was. He was shocked at the whole thing, but he cared so much. He cut Aria's umbilical cord. This guy I've only known for a week. It seems fast and stupid, and like something the old me would do - but I really care about Mark. And I think I really like him. I don't want to get back with you, I want to see where things lead with Mark." Grace explained to her husband.

"You mean that?" Marks head was stuck around the door. "I didn't want to interrupt...Johnny said you had company when I passed him and Ari. You're more than right, Grace, ion care about you. And Aria - I saw her be born! How couldn't I? Besides, even giving birth you still looked fine as hell." He winked flirtatiously.

"You're welcome to each other." Lee spat, storming out of the hospital room.

"Nice pyjamas." Mark complimented her.

"Shut up and kiss me." Grace beckoned him over as Mark leaned in to snog her. "By the way, your face might've been cute when I was giving birth, but you looked like you'd just jumped off a cliff and we're heading for death," Grace chuckled at him.

"So you didn't mean what you said to your ex?" Mark was confused, pulling away from Grace.

Grace smiled at him, he was gullible, "I did. I meant every single word. It's just a joke - I really do like you, Mark Fowler, Mitchell, whatever you are. Whether you may or may not almost had a weird incestual fling with your sister."

"I did not know Court was my sister. The thought makes me shudder now." Mark grimaced, sitting down next to Grace on the hospital bed. "I'm all about one girl right now."

Johnny entered the room, Aria now wide awake and staring up at her Daddy in awe, "hey, I saw Lee stomping out and I should probably go after him. But I will be back to see my little princess in a few hours," he kissed his daughters head, handing her back to her Mother, "be good for Mummy, Ari-bear." Johnny gave her a little wave before leaving the room. "And Grace, whatever happened with Lee, he might be my brother. But she's my daughter, and I don't want anything to stop me and you being the best parents to her, so I don't care what happened, I just care about Aria."

"Thanks Johnny, we love you." Grace smiled back at her daughters father as he was leaving.

"Love you too." Johnny closed the door behind him.

"I'm glad he's gay, I don't want anyone hitting on you." Mark grinned, "right, give us a cuddle." He picked up Aria from the bed. "She's so cute, I can't believe I helped bring her into the world, even though I just held your hand, buts she's so awesome." Mark was in awe of the baby. "I never wanted kids, but looking at her I couldn't imagine never having my own."

"You should be her godfather." Grace blurted out. "Who would be better? I'll have to talk to Johnny about it."

"It would be my honour." Mark grinned. "So me and you, eh?"

"Take it slow, Mark. I'm not even divorced yet...and I've only just had my baby girl. Nothing serious, just lets date and see where it takes us." Grace suggested, she didn't want anything heavy after Lee. He'd hurt her and she knew she was going to have a hard time trusting Mark.

"It's cool be me." Mark agreed, kissing Grace's forehead.