Returning

Chapter One

I'm back.

I park my beloved Audi in the car park near the Wyvern wing, and take a moment to breathe. The hospital still looks the same, although I'm not going back to the ED. I'm going to the Acute Assessment Unit-aka AAU, headed up by Serena Campbell.

I loved America, but it really wasn't for me. The opportunity of a lifetime it may be, but I missed my friends terribly. Rita, Dylan, even Connie. I missed the beach-America has a few lovely beaches, but none of them compare to Holby Bay.

The person whom I missed most was Max. My other half, the cheeky porter who asked for a light on his first day. My husband.

He's the reason why I came back to Holby. I was daft to think that I could ever leave him properly. We're each other's person, we're the best of friends. I'm in love with him, and I'm going to shed my "train wreck" status. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make our marriage work. My wedding ring is in my handbag, along with my favourite purple stethoscope.

There's another item in my bag-ginger tea. It helps with morning sickness. I found out that I was pregnant in late July-it's early August now. If all goes well with Max, I can't wait to see his face when I tell him that he's going to be a Dad.

A baby is something that I've wanted for so long-I was overjoyed when I found out. I had a scan after I took the test and it confirmed that I'm 14 weeks pregnant. I have a very small bump, in America I wore quite loose tops and things so Nick didn't notice, mainly. It would break his heart to know that Max and I conceived a child.

"Come on then, Peanut." I smile, resting a hand on my tummy. "It's time to face the music."

A baby is something that I've wanted for so long-I was overjoyed when I found out. I had a scan after I took the test and it confirmed that I'm 12 weeks pregnant. I have a very small bump, in America I wore quite loose tops and things so Nick didn't notice, mainly. It would break his heart to know that Max and I conceived a child.

"Come on then, Peanut." I smile, resting a hand on my tummy. "It's time to face the music."

Today I'm wearing my favourite purple shift dress, it's quite loose fitting so no one will notice that I'm expecting. I've also got a new white blazer on- America might not be the place for me but its's shops are fantastic!

I make my way into the hospital, my heart beating a little faster with nerves. I eye the sign which points you towards AAU and the ED. I take a deep breath and make my way down the corridors to the Acute Assessment Unit.

I wait at the entrance to the ward, gathering my thoughts.

"Zoe! What are you doing here?" Says a familiar voice.

I turn to see Fletch, and smile at him. "Hello, stranger! It's a long story."

He gives me a hug. "Are you joining AAU? What about the beautiful ED? And that husband of yours?"

"It's complicated, I don't want to say too much if that's okay." I reply as we make our way onto the ward.

"That's fine." My old friend smiles as a lady I recognise as Serena Campbell makes her way up to us.

"Ah, Doctor Hanna. I'll introduce you to everyone else in a minute, we just need a word in my office to sort out a few things."

"Okay." I smile, following her.

"Keep in her good books and you'll be just fine." Says Fletch.

"Thank you for the advice." I smile, and follow Serena.

After a quick word with my new boss, I'm told to go and get changed into scrubs as after I've been introduced to the rest of the staff on AAU, I'm going to be in theatre. My skills are a bit rusty to be honest, but I love operating- I have a feeling that once I've stepped into theatre it'll all come flooding back.

Serena introduces me to the rest of the staff-, including Morven Shreve and Raf Di Lucca, an F1 and surgeon respectively.

"Morven's a bit, well weird. When she gets nervous she can quote Shakespeare by heart." Raf says to me. "She's alright underneath though." He continues, and shakes my hand. "Welcome to AAU, I've heard a lot about you from Raf. All good, don't worry."

"Thank you." I reply.

"I know that you'd have my guts for garters if it if it wasn't." Fletch laughs.

"That's true!" I chuckle.

A while later...

"So what's your story?" Serena asks when we're theatre. I'm just observing today as my skills are a little rusty.

"Pardon?" I ask, passing her a scalpel. I've missed theatre- it's so peaceful, you're in your own little bubble, wrapped up in saving or helping to improve the life on the operating table in front of you.

"I've heard a lot about you, Zoe. You were quite the tearaway, I hear. Then you got married to a porter and took off to America without him. You don't have to tell me, I'm just curious."

"Ah." I smile. I'd forgotten how quickly news travels in this hospital.

"I won't tell anyone else, I promise." Serena promises.

My eyes meet hers. "Well, I've come back for my husband. I left because I didn't want to hurt him... I love him, Ms Campbell." I explain, deciding to keep Peanut a secret for now.

"True love, is it? And Serena, please."

"Definitely." I nod.

"See, I'm happily single at the moment. I thought that I loved someone but it wasn't meant to be." She informs me.

"You'll find someone, Serena."

"One day, perhaps." She decides.

"One day." I agree.