It was new years eve and everyone was at Helen and Paul's party.
Lucy was resting in the kitchen since the baby was due in a few days so she had to take it easy. Nick was by her side and they were chatting with Christian and Naomi.
Ben was dancing and having a laugh with the other boys while Heather sat on the sofa with Helen, trying not to look over at Ben. But she couldn't help herself.
Paul noticed this and took Ben aside. "Why don't you ask Heather to dance?" he suggested as a slow song came on.
Ben looked over and saw Heather sitting nearby. The song that was playing was 'Never Had A Dream Come True' which had been their first dance and also their wedding song. He slowly nodded. "OK,".
Paul waved the girls over. "Come on," Helen said, dragging Heather over to them.
Ben turned away, not knowing what to say. Paul elbowed him and made him face Heather.
"Want to dance?" Ben finally managed to say.
Heather was surprised. "Oh... OK,".
Ben sighed happily as he held Heather in his arms as they swayed to the song. He had missed being close to her.
They ended up dancing together for over an hour. "You know, it's stupid- us battling in court," Heather said later on as they got a drink from the kitchen. "I think we should be able to sort out our arrangements with Nicole by ourselves,".
"Let's scrap the court case then," Ben smiled.
Heather smiled back. "Well if you want to, then OK. So, shall we split the custody 50/50 between us?".
Ben put an arm around Heather. "Well I don't see why we don't get back together.
Heather's mouth dropped open in amazement. "Yes...".
They were interrupted by shouts coming from the other side of the room. Both of them looked around to see Lucy crying out in pain, with Nick by her side trying to calm her down.
"She's going into labour!" Nick shouted out. "Someone call an ambulance,".
"It would be quicker to drive her to hospital," Helen said, coming into the room with Paul. "But most of us have been drinking,".
"I'll take her, I've only had one drink so I'm OK," Ben jumped in.
Heather stood back and watched as Ben and Nick carried Lucy out to Ben's car. "Wait, I'll come with you," Heather called out. But it was too late, they'd already left.
Later that evening, Ben sat in the hospital waiting room, trying to concentrate on a magazine, but he couldn't. His mind was on Heather and Lucy.
He was delighted that he and Heather could well be on their way to getting back together, but he couldn't forget what had happened with Lucy. The baby she was giving birth to might be his and he wondered if Heather would want anything to do with him if she found out.
Ben's mobile rang, it was Nick. "The labour is over, you can come and see us if you like,".
"I'm on my way," Ben said, walking down the corridor to Lucy's room.
Nick let Ben in excitedly. "Look at our beautiful daughter," he smiled.
Ben looked in shock at Lucy, who was cradling a tiny little girl in her arms. The baby looked almost identical to Nicole when she had just been born. "It's mine," he said under his breath.
"I'm going for a coffee, I'll be back soon," Nick said before leaving the room.
When Nick had gone, Ben went over and sat next to Lucy. "She's mine, I'm certain. The likeness between her and Nicole is scary,".
Lucy looked back at him nervously. "You think so?" she said in a shaky voice. "Don't all babies look the same?".
"Trust me, she's mine,". He looked at the tiny baby and smiled. She was so pretty, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. "Can I hold her?" he asked.
"Of course," Lucy smiled, handing over their daughter to Ben. "Look, please don't say anything to Nick, it would ruin everything if he found out now,".
"I won't, don't worry," Ben promised, holding the baby tightly in his arms. "She's so beautiful,".
"I know," Lucy agreed with a grin. "I've already thought of a name, tell me what you think,".
"What?" Ben asked.
"Summer," Lucy answered. "Summer Elizabeth,".
"That's a pretty name," Ben nodded. "I like it. But it's winter time!".
Lucy laughed. "So what!".
At that moment, Heather walked in the door. She had been bored at the party so had come to see how Lucy was.
"Hi," Lucy said with an awkward smile. "Say hello to little Summer Elizabeth,".
Heather smiled as she looked at the baby Ben was holding. "Awwww, she looks just like our Nicole!".
Ben handed Summer back to Lucy and they stared at each other, not able to speak.
Heather noticed this. "What? What is it?".
"Well..." Lucy started.
"No, don't..." Ben said quickly.
Heather knew something fishy was going on. "Ben, tell me what's going on,".
Ben turned to Lucy and she nodded. "I think Heather deserves the truth," she said.
Ben sighed. "OK. Heather, sit down,".
Heather took a seat and looked back at Ben impatiently. "Well?".
"Summer might not be Nick's child," Ben said, looking at the ground. "She might be mine,".
Heather's mouth dropped open. "What!? You cheated on me? You had an affair too?!".
"No, it was only one night, Heather. One night,".
"You hypocrite!" Heather screamed, jumping up and slapping him around the face. "You chucked me out and kept my daughter away from me while all the time you were just as bad!".
"I'm so sorry," Ben cried, rubbing his sore cheek. "I felt so awful about it, it was the only time I'd ever been unfaithful. And the baby might not be mine, it could be Nick's or Mark's...".
"Mark? Which Mark?" Heather asked.
"Linda's ex, not Sarah's Mark," Lucy said, going red.
"You slut!" Heather shouted at Lucy, making Summer start crying. "Do you make a habit of sleeping with your friend's men?!".
"I'm sorry," Lucy said, trying not to cry. "But both were one offs after we'd been drinking. Anyway, you can talk. Remember your affair with Paul?".
Heather glared at Lucy. "Keep your hands off my men in future!" she spat.
"I think we'd better get out of here," Ben said. "Lucy, I'll be in touch soon,".
Heather turned her back on Ben. "I don't want anything to do with you any more," she shouted before running out of the room, angry tears filling her eyes.
Ben was almost crying too. "Come back!" he cried, running closely after her as fast as he could.
.