I've been writing this the old fashioned pen and paper way before I posted it, but I started thinking that I need to post it before the story airs (even though I'm not sure when that is). Based on certain spoilers that we've seen on the trailer, but just my own take on it. I'm basically writing this so that I can have a cute Ethan/Matilda scene.
Anyway, as usual I don't own anyone that you recognise, just like to borrow them.
Dr Ethan Hardy opened his eyes, glancing at the clock - 12.30am. He'd only been asleep for a hour, why on Earth was he awake again? The reason soon became apparant, however, as the wail of a baby broke the night's silence. Recognition slowly dawned on him. His baby niece, Matilda, as she had recently been named. She had been restless for most of the night, 'probably still getting used to us' Ethan thought as he dragged himself from his particularly comfortable spot. He threw on his dressing gown and padded into the living room, where he saw a fraught looking Cal pacing around, jiggling her up and down in order to soothe her.
"I've fed her, winded her, changed her - I don't know what else to do!" Cal cried desperately.
Ethan looked at his brother anxiously, "Have you had any sleep at all?" he asked.
Cal shook his head, "Not since yesterday..." he told him as he once more put the crying baby over his shoulder and began patting her back.
Ethan moved forward and held out his hands, "Here, give her to me. You've got the early shift tomorrow, erm today. I don't start my night shift until 7 - go and get some proper rest, you look exhausted. I'll see to her," he told his brother as he took her from him and brought her close to his chest. She began to quieten almost immediately, "You've got the magic touch Ethan, " Cal looked impressed.
"She might have picked up that you were stressed, which you are bound to be on so little sleep. Go...I'll look after her."
Cal leaned towards his daughter and kissed her cheek tenderly, "Don't you keep your Uncle Ethan awake all night little one," he told her as he smile gratefully at his younger brother, "Thanks Ethan, I owe you one."
"Perhaps tomorrow, if you get chance, you could have a word with Connie about maybe arranging some paternity leave..."
Cal strode towards the door, "We'll see..." was all he said because he knew that to be granted paternity leave, it would have to be proven that he was definitely Matilda's biological father. Taylor had said that she didn't know if he was or not, and if he was honest, he had already fallen in love with the little girl, so he didn't want to run the risk of being told that he wasn't.
Ethan sighed. He knew why Cal was stalling over the test. He had also fallen hook, line and sinker for the baby girl, but he needed to know so that he could prepare himself to be there for his brother if needed. But for now, he cast those thoughts away to concentrate on the more immediate task of getting the little lady to settle down to sleep.
Morning dawned far to soon for the young doctor, who was awoken from a far from restful slumber by his older brother who was up for his early shift. Cal padded into the living room, where Ethan had spent a rather uncomfortable night curled up in a chair, "Did you get much sleep?" Cal asked him softly.
Ethan tried to look rested, "I caught a bit here and there. She finally went down about a hour ago and has stayed asleep since then," he told him.
"Oh Ethan, I'm sorry..." Cal looked upsed.
"Why are you sorry? It wasn't your fault. She's probably trying to get used to the routine, just like the rest of us."
Cal nodded and went over to her, ready to pick her up, "Don't," his brother hissed, "She's not been asleep that long..."
Ethan didn't have to finish the sentence for Cal to understand the veiled threat.
"You look better," Ethan noticed.
Cal smiled, "Yeah, slept like a log thanks. I suppose it was because I knew she was safe with you...I could relax."
"Good," said Ethan, "You should be ready for your shift then."
Cal nodded as he made his way into the kitchen to make some tea - bringing a mug in for his brother, "Do you think we can do this Ethan? Look after a baby? I can barely look after myself, let alone another human being!"
"You're doing really well so far..." his brother told him, "Now go, or you'll be late," he told him as he almost shooed him out of the door, "I'll bring her to you when I start my shift."
Cal stopped as he went through the door, "Promise me you'll get some sleep," he hated leaving the younger man so tired.
"I will try, don't worry. See you later."
It was an exhausted young doctor who entered the hospital that evening. He set Matilda down on the floor in her car seat so that he could get changed. It didn't take long for word to spread that she was there, causing a steady stream of people wanting to see her. Thankfully, Ethan was already changed when they came in, so he watched in wonder at how one baby could be the cause of so much fuss and joy - everyone left the room with a smile on their face. Charlie stopped near Ethan, "You looked shattered. Are you alright?"
Ethan sighed, "She was very restless last night, so I stayed with her so that Cal could get some sleep as he was on the early shift. I'd banked on getting a few hours during the day, but it didn't quite pan out as expected. I'll be fine Charlie..." he tried to insist, but the fact that he was trying to stifle a yawn at the same time didn't do much to help his cause.
At that moment, Cal walked in - his face lightling up as soon as he saw the baby, "There she is - the only woman in my life. How's she been?" he asked, as he turned to his brother. His joyous expression disappeared when he saw how tired his younger brother looked, "She's still been a little fussy," Ethan tried to play it down, "But she's eaten and her nappy was changed about a hour ago."
"Did you get any sleep?" Cal asked with genuine concern.
Ethan smiled, "Sleep is for wimps!" he told his brother as he kissed his neice goodby, "See you in the morning, little one," he whispered. He then nodded to Cal and Charlie and left to start his shift.
Cal turned to Charlie, whose brow was furrowed, "He's exhausted. He's trying to hide it. He stayed up all night with her and it looks like he didn't get much respite during today either."
"Part and parcel of being a parent I'm afraid. At least you're sharing everything..."
Charlie laid a hand on the older man's shoulder, "I'm on shift tonight, so I'll keep my eye on him as much as I can," he told him.
"Thanks Charlie - appreciate that. Right then little miss, let's get you home. Goodnight Charlie."
"Goodnight - and goodnight to you to Princess," he said as he tickled her chest making her giggle.
Stifling a yawn for what seemed like the hundreth time that night, Ethan signed off on his latest discharged patient. He looked up at the clock, sadly realising that the was only a couple of hours into his twelve hour shift. He sighed deeply, jumping out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun round to see an apologetic looking Charlie, "Sorry Ethan, didn't mean to scare you. Look, it's quiet at the moment, why don't you grab a few minutes? I'll come and get you if we need you."
"Thanks Charlie, I think I will," he told the nurse, who then realised just how tired the young doctor must be to agree so readily to a break.
Ethan had just sat down with his coffee, when the door to the staff room was flung open to reveal an extrememly distressed looking older brother, who was clutching his daughter tightly, "Ethan, thank god - there's something wrong with Matilda!"
So there was chapter one. There is definitely going to be another chapter, but after that, I don't know. See you next time.