'I've been doing this for twenty six years and one thing I know is we can plan all we like but on the day baby will do what baby wants to do. These tricky births just happen sometimes; there's no rhyme or reason. I can't accept there's a reason for something's; what, when, reason and blame.' Soothed Jean the midwife at Jac's bedside- the surgeon lost in a world of unknown; her eyes echoed numbness. 'In the end all that matters is that we loved our children even if they weren't ours for very long' Any other day Ms Naylor would have question the meaning of the woman's words but today, in that very moment, she couldn't have cared less. In fact, the words helped a small bit to comfort the pained consultant.

Jac sat still for several moments; holding the place which her daughter had occupied less than an hour ago. Deep down something told her it was all over but she refused to give up hope on the one thing she loved in this world. As she looked up there were words she wanted to say to Jean, words that were blocked by a ball of emotion in her throat. For the first time in her life Jac wanted to be comforted. She wanted to be held and reassured.

The quiet atmosphere was shattered by the clattering of doors as a familiar figure burst into the bay. Jonny's eyes spoke words of pure excitement.

'SHE'S ALIVE!' he bellowed, desperate to share the news with the mother of his daughter 'She's alive and Jac she is so tiny and er so beautiful' he explained as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. The red-heads face lit up, her face broke into a smile and Jonny leant forward and held her neck whilst he kissed her forehead. The two of them completely absorbed. Past that very second nothing else mattered there and then. They were parents.

Jonny entered Jac's side room accompanied by Elliot and Mo who clearly couldn't hide their smiles.

'Congratulations, both of you' chattered Mr. Hope hugging Jonny lightly and then making his way over to Jac's bed. 'I'm incredibly proud of you Jac' he uttered into her ear before holding her close. He then backed away to the end of the bed and let Mo kiss her colleague on the cheek 'I knew you could do it Naylor!'

Mo then joined Elliot at the foot of the bed watching the pair sit at ease with each other. The pain in Jac's eyes now more visible than ever. She'd had her moment of happiness and now her mind reverted back to worry as their child's life hung in the balance.

'Come on Jonny Mac. Tell us all about her!' urged his best friend trying to lighten the mood a little.

Jonny's smile widened at the thought of his daughter who was being worked on in NICU 'She's so tiny but beautiful. She's got Jac's er nose-nose and lips, thank goodness. And er she's got this er like wee bit of auburn hair' he described their baby to the other three. Jac stared into her lap, picturing her in her mind.

'Ginger' the proud mother butted in, recognising the description was so similar to her own hair colour.

'Ey! And her wee hands are all open' he continued, opening his hands to show what he meant 'And- and er she's sedated but you can tell that she can see the lamp light. And I'm gonna put that wee piggy Ralph in with her as soon as-as soon as he's been sterilised.' Earlier that day Jac had snapped at the thought of such a trivial item being so important, now she was pleased Jonny had bothered to buy the toy and think ahead 'You know what ever odds or numbers or chances we've got flying around in our heads we've got to stop that. Cos she's gonna do all that she can and-and the team at NICU are donna do all that they can'

'I know' agreed Jac knowing the NICU team were highly qualified.

'The great unknown. That's all there is' Maconie pointed out, smiling up at Jac. His ex-partner realised he was right. Their daughter's future was out of their control. The surgeon who was normally so in control could do nothing more for her baby girl.

Seeing the pain bite back again Mo broke the ice 'Hey, do you want some water?' as she approached the bedside table. Jac's reply was a simple 'yeah' as she fought to keep her emotions inside.

'Shall we open some of these cards?' asked Elliot pulling out some cards.

'Yeah! Let's see who's sent us what' he replied eagerly taking hold of the cards and starting to open the envelopes. The first one was decorated with balloons and a banner saying 'CONGRATULATIONS! IT'S A GIRL!'

'This one's off Guy and Serena' the nurse said, showing the card to a dazed Jac 'That was nice of them, wasn't it?'

'Yeah' Jac pulled open another envelope and slid the card out 'This ones from Sacha'

Inside was a little poem in Sacha's recognisable handwriting.

'A new little girl,
To love beyond measure,
To add to your life,
More joys and more pleasure.
And may each new day
Hold for baby and you,
The joyus fulfilment,
Of dream that comes true!

Congratulations both.
Lots of love Uncle Sacha and Daniel
xxx'

The four of them made small talk as the cards and gifts were opened; things off Mo and Elliot. But all Jac really wanted was to see her daughter properly for the first time. Instead she had to make do with an image Jonny had planted in her head.

Elliot, a man of very few words, clapped his hands several times to get the attention of the rest of team Darwin.

'Can I have your attention for just a few moments please' Mo stood beside him 'As some of you may know Ms Naylor went into labour earlier on today. After a tricky labour she and Nurse Maconie delivered a baby girl who is now being worked on in NICU. Both Ms Effanga and I ask that your respect their privacy at this incredibly difficult time. I can tell you though that she has the Naylor trademark red-locks' he looked around briefly and then turned to walk away to his office with Ms Effanga following him.

Once the door had been closed and the two were in the privacy of the four walls they talked openly.

'What do you reckon her chances are Elliot?'

'It's hard to say. In fact it's impossible but if she's got any of her mother's determination then I hold out a great deal of hope.' He paused before carrying on 'You know, I remember when I first met Jac. She was rude, arrogant, sarcastic-'

'Sounds about right' smiled Mo

'But what struck me was her dedication to her job. She grew on me and ever since I've viewed her as my daughter. To say I'm incredibly proud of her would be an understatement'

'It's weird how things work out. I thought Jac would be my worst enemy but actually she's the strongest woman I have ever met. And I know that baby is the luckiest child to have a mother like Naylor' laughed Mo, imagining the child running Jac ragged in later years.

Mr. Hope handed Ms Effanga a small glass of champagne.

'To Jac, Jonny and Baby Naylor' he muttered holding his glass up and clinking it with Mo's

'Baby Naylor!' she echoed before downing the liquid after a particularly stressful day.