The Other Branning ~ Eastenders

Rupert's Miracle

Roxy cradled Rupert, she had been given the all clear to take him down to meet Grace for the first time. Joey was in court, it was Lee's sentencing day. Roxy made her way into Grace's hospital room, Grace was lying solemnly on the bed. She hadn't spoken to anyone, except from Denise, since she escaped from the cellar.

Grace glanced over to see Roxy walking into her room. She saw the baby in her arms. An itch formed inside her body to hold the baby. She missed Aria. She missed having her newborn inside her. Roxy places Rupert on the bed next to his Mum.

"It's okay, Grace. He's okay. This is your son, and he is perfect." Roxy reassured her. "Joey's in court for Lee's sentencing today. Johnny had Aria. It's just me, you and baby Roo. Pick him up, Grace." Roxy urged her step daughter.

Grace took a deep breath, letting Rupert curl his hand around her little finger. Roxy was right. Rupert was her baby. She held his head, gently placing him on her chest.

"Is he sick?" Grace stuttered to Roxy.

"He is. Definitely not as sick as he was when he was born. He doesn't have an infection anymore, so he's on the mend. He's going to be okay, there's hardly any chance of death." Roxy reassured her. "See, look, he just needed his Mummy."

"Has Joey been with him?"

"Joey spends his days scuttling between you and Rups. He takes Aria to see him some days. When Johnny says it's okay to bring her in." Roxy told her.

Grace started to worry. "Am I going to lose Ari?"

"Why would you think that?"

A tear ran down Grace's face, "I haven't been looking after her like I should have. I haven't been looking after either of my babies. Aria or Rupert. Johnny might want to try and take full custody of Aria. Joey might want to take full custody of Rupert, he's not gonna want me anymore. I'm mad. I'm a mess. I can't even hold my baby boy without crying!" She sobbed to Roxy.

Roxy stroked her step daughters face, trying to calm her down. "There's no need to worry. Joey loves you so much, he's been here every day. He'll be here after court. He doesn't want to take Rupert, he just wants you to bond with him too. And Johnny is looking after Aria and mine and Jack's. He doesn't want her around his family, he says they're too toxic. His parents raised Lee after all. So she will be at home whenever we're able to take you home."

"I love him already. Look at his tiny little nose and ears. Gets that from Joey." Grace chuckled a little.

"It's good to hear you laugh." Roxy said. "Haven't heard that in a few weeks. If you start talking to Joey, and your Dad and everyone else, they'll let you come home. The Doctors estimate that it should only be about three more weeks until you can take Rupert home. Joey calls him his little bear cub. He's so cute with him. Reminds me of when JJ was newborn and how Jack was with him."

"You sound broody!" Grace teased her. "Will I be hearing the pitter patter of another little brother or sister?"

Roxy shook her head, "no, there's no chance of that. With you, Amy, Ricky and JJ in the house as well as Joey, Johnny, Aria and soon to be Rupert, there's just no space. Even when your own little family moves out, we still have to remember that Penny will come and stay at points, sometimes for long periods at a time. When she's there, it leaves Jack no time for Amy, Ricky and JJ. It's just not practical."

"I guess that's true. I hope Joey and me stay together for, well, basically forever. I know he's not Aria's Dad. But I want to have all the rest of my babies with him. Rupert proves that, even though we're technically cousins, there's nothing wrong with children we may have. Nothing that comes from genetics anyway, we could have a million more babies." Grace thought aloud, hopefully. "From what you say, Joey seems to be besotted with Rupert. And he's so good with Aria. He's the perfect husband and Dad."

"It's true what they say, the first guy you marry isn't usually the one. Lee was a bit of a blip for you. But at least he isn't Aria's Dad. Johnny bloody loves Aria, don't forget that." Roxy reminded her.

"Of course, I wouldn't dream of cutting Johnny out of Aria's life, he's already done so much for and me. I know he loves her."

Just as the two women were in the middle of their conversation, the door burst open. Joey, Jack and Johnny came rushing in. "Lee's been sent down for 7 years! No possibility of parole! He won't be able to hurt you anymore!" Joey cheered to Grace.

"That's brilliant!" Grace responded, as Joey clocked eyes on her holding Rupert.

He was overcome with emotion, "babe! You're talking? And you've got Rups...this is amazing!"

"He is my baby," Grace smiled at Joey, "Come give us a cuddle." Joey didn't need to be asked twice. Still in his suit, he hopped up onto the bed, taking Grace in his arms. "I missed you." Grace whispered in his ear.

Jack was proud to see how far Roxy had gotten Grace to come. "I always knew you two were close, but I didn't think you'd be able to do this, Rox. Even me and Joey couldn't get her to talk after everything she's been through."

"Wasn't me. All I did was bring Rupert down to see her. She's a good Mum, that's all that she needed." Roxy kissed Jack lightly.

"Seeing as this is finally happening, I'm gonna go and pick Aria up from Stacey's house. She's been asking after you." Johnny slipped out the door. Grace mouthed a thank you at him as he left.

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Hey guys! Hope you're still enjoying this!

Would any of you be able to go and check out my new project? It's not a fan fiction, there's only one part but I'd be grateful!