Author's Note: So ok I've run into a bit of writer's block with there's always a choice, I'm about halfway through the next chapter and I need to re-write some bits. Part of the reason I think was because this was going round in my head so I thought I'd start a new story. I'm not sure how long it will be or how quickly I will update it as I really want to finish there's always a choice.
It's set a few years after there's always a choice but you don't need to have read it before you read this.
Emily and Naomi are happily settled until tragedy strikes that changes their lives forever.
Please let me know what you think, good or bad.
Emily sat at her desk, she was surfing the internet trying to find what she needed. It was Naomi's birthday, and she wanted it to be special. A couple of months ago she had seen the perfect gift, she had wanted to buy it but it was always out of stock, there was a phone number so she called it.
"Hello, I was looking at your website. Do you have the limited edition diamond necklace in stock?"
"Yes madam, it is in stock but it is very popular and we only have one left."
"Perfect. I know it's popular, I've been trying to track it down for months, can you keep it for me? I can be in today at about one?"
"Of course, can I take your name?"
"Yes, it's Emily Campbell-Fitch, and I'll be in later to collect it."
"No problem, Mrs Campbell-Fitch, it will be here."
Naomi sat staring at the computer as the phone rang, she picked it up.
"Short & Milner, Naomi Campbell-Fitch speaking."
"Naomi love it's me, Josh and Ben have been fighting again."
Naomi sighed, "Hi Mum, can you put Josh on the phone." She waited, and then there was a silence until a quiet voice said, "Mummy, Grandma said you wanted to speak to me?"
Naomi smiled, "Yes I did. Have you been arguing with your brother again?"
Silence for a minute, "A little bit, but he's horrible and mean."
Naomi shook her head, "Joshua Robert, what do I keep telling you?"
"That I am a big strong boy and I need to rise above it," he replied. "Mummy?"
"Yes baby boy?" Naomi replied.
"I don't know what that means."
Naomi sighed, Emily had spent so much time working out her feelings for her that she forgot that sometimes it was hard especially if you were a three and a half year old boy.
"Joshy, it means that Ben looks up to you, he wants to be like you."
"But he said I was stupid." The young boy replied.
Naomi smiled, "Josh, he calls me stupid mummy all the time. He's only just started to speak properly and stupid is his favourite word at the moment for some reason. I need you to be a big boy about this and help him, ok?"
"Ok Mummy, I'll look after him." Her son replied.
Naomi smiled, "Good boy, I'll see you tonight ok? I love you."
"I love you too Mummy bye."
Naomi put the phone down and it immediately rang again, she looked at the extension number and a grin broke out on her face. "Hey sweetheart, how's work?"
Emily sighed, "A bit boring, I wish we were back on holiday with the boys, it was so nice."
"I know baby, but unfortunately we need to work to be able to afford holidays." Naomi replied.
"Anyway, I can't meet you for lunch as I've got to pop out."
Naomi smiled, "this wouldn't have anything to do with my birthday present would it?"
"Might be, but Naomi I've told you to stop fishing. I want your present to be a surprise."
The blonde looked around her to make sure no one was in earshot, "Does it involve you and very little clothing?"
Emily laughed, "Definitely at some point but I'm getting you a gift too."
"Ems, you know I hate surprises, can't you give me just a little clue?" Naomi whined.
"No, I can't tell you anything otherwise you'll just guess. You'll like it though."
Naomi smiled, "I'll always like anything you pick for me. So I suppose I'll be meeting Effy alone for lunch then. By the way Mum called, the boys have been fighting again, apparently Ben called Josh stupid."
Emily sighed, "When I find out who was responsible for teaching him that word I'm going to kill them. Although I suspect it was Auntie Katie, Cook or Uncle James so I might need a rethink. Anyway I'll see you later, I thought we might go early tonight as it's our first day back?"
"Good idea, I'll see you about 4.30, I love you Mrs Campbell-Fitch."
Emily smiled, she'd never tire of being called that, "I love you too baby."
Just as she was putting the phone down Effy came up to her, "Hey Em, glad to be back?"
Emily shook her head, "Not really, the holiday was fantastic. The boys loved the sea and beach and having our own pool was brilliant."
Effy smiled, "I'm guessing that the boys didn't love the pool as much as you and Naomi did?"
Emily blushed, "It was like our first holiday again, I couldn't keep her off me. Not that I'm complaining. It's strange, I always thought once we settled down everything would get boring and into a routine but I can honestly say I don't think I've ever loved her more."
"So are we still on for a catch up over lunch?" Effy asked.
Emily sighed, "Sorry, it'll have to be you and Naoms. I'm going to get her birthday present."
"Ooooh, spill the details. I love presents." Effy asked eagerly.
Emily called up the website on her computer and showed Effy the necklace. "I figured I'd spoil her with a bit of bling. I got the fancy engagement ring so I thought Naomi deserved a big diamond of her own."
Effy whistled, "It's beautiful, she's going to love it." The brunette stopped as she saw the price, "Fuck me Emily, how much?"
Emily shrugged, "She's worth it. Keep this to yourself though, I don't want to find out you've cracked over lunch and told her ok?"
Effy nodded, "You have my word, no matter how hard Naomi tries or how dirty her tactics are, my lips are sealed."
Emily entered the jewellers at precisely one o'clock, she wanted to make sure she got that necklace. The bell rang and she walked up to the counter, and the assistant turned to her with a smile, "Hello, can I help you?"
"I hope so, my name is Emily Campbell-Fitch. I rang earlier and spoke to someone about keeping a diamond necklace to one side for me."
The assistant's smile grew, "Ah yes, Mrs Campbell-Fitch, I'm the person you spoke to." She held out her hand, "Natalie Jones at your service."
Emily shook her hand and smiled, "Nice to meet you and thank you so much for putting aside for me, I've been trying to track it down for ages."
"It is a popular necklace, helped of course by the fact it's very exclusive. Shall I go and get it for you now?" Natalie asked.
"Please, I'm quite excited." Emily replied.
Natalie walked out through the back of the shop. This is going to be one hell of a commission, she thought to herself, although I assumed she'd be older. She sighed, maybe one day someone would think she was worth spending all of that money on. She picked up the box and went back through to the shop.
"Here we are, I made a point of hiding it as I didn't want it to be sold by mistake." She placed the box on the counter and removed the necklace. "It's IGI certified 0.5 carat diamond, set in a platinum casing. The diamond is very high quality, G/VS1 which is probably about as good as it gets without going to a specialist sale and is conflict free. You can see the way the light goes through it that there are very few imperfections. Coincidentally, it's called the Emily. Is it for you? I know I always make sure I pick out a present for myself from my boyfriend, God knows what I'd end up with otherwise."
Emily picked it up, mesmerised by the way the light was sparkling through it. "Sorry, it's just so beautiful. No it's not for me, it's a birthday present for my wife. I wanted to get her something special and I couldn't believe they actually made a range called the Emily. She's going to love it, especially as it's conflict free."
Wow, I didn't see that one coming, I just thought she'd be maxing out the old man's credit card, Natalie thought. She smiled, "Your wife is a very lucky woman indeed."
Emily shook her head, "Actually, I'm the lucky one. I'll take it but I also need something smaller, and definitely not as expensive, to go with it. It's a present from our children, who would actually give her a Dora the explorer pencil if they had their way. Can you recommend something else?"
Natalie responded, "Of course, how many children do you have, if you don't mind me asking?"
Emily laughed, "I don't mind at all, I'm afraid I'm one of those really annoying parents who loves any opportunity to pull out the family snaps." She reached into her bag and pulled out her purse, she opened it to reveal a picture nestled inside. "That's me, Naomi and our two boys. Josh is three and a half and Ben is 20 months." She smiled proudly.
"You make a lovely family." Natalie said genuinely, "The necklace comes with a white gold chain why don't you buy a platinum one from your boys?"
Emily nodded, "That's a great idea, then it can be from all of us. Thank you Natalie."
Natalie carefully put the necklace back in its box and pulled out a platinum chain, "How about this one, it almost matches the one that comes with it."
"That's perfect, I'll take it. Now for the moment of truth, and I warn you Natalie, I may faint when you tell me how much this all costs." Emily said
Natalie smiled warmly, "Don't worry I'm used to it although it's usually men and engagement rings. Would you like them gift wrapped?"
"Please, I'll probably only make a pig's ear of it and spoil the effect." Emily replied.
The assistant quickly cut the paper and expertly wrapped the two boxes, finishing them off with ribbons and a bow. "Here you go, and this envelope contains the certificate of authenticity and a valuation for your insurers."
Emily picked up the boxes and envelope and put them inside her bag, "Thank you they look beautiful." She handed her card over to the assistant, "I'm doing this now so you don't have to prise it out of my hand later."
Natalie laughed, "Ok, so are you ready?" Emily nodded, "in total that comes to £3,800."
Emily let out a gasp, "That's fine, I knew how much it was, but when you say it out loud it seems a scarily large amount of money."
"Shall I process the payment?" Natalie asked.
Emily thought of the look on Naomi's face when she opened the box, "Absolutely, she's worth every penny."
Natalie watched her walk out of the shop and thought what a lovely woman, and how lucky is her wife? She knew the commission would be good but she wasn't bothered. Emily had been so happy and she just hoped the necklace would make Naomi as happy when she received it.
Emily walked down the road and checked her watch, "Shit, I've been in there longer than I thought, I'm going to be late back to work." She pulled her work blackberry from her bag and quickly typed an email to Effy.
Eff, it took me longer in the jewellers than I meant. I'm on my way back now but cover for me just in case.
She had just pressed send when she started to cross the road. She glanced down to check that the message had gone, which is why she didn't notice the van come hurtling around the corner. She heard the squeal of brakes but it was too late. She was flung into the air and her bag and blackberry crashed to the ground. A picture of Naomi, Josh and Ben flashed through her mind before everything went black.
While Emily was at the jewellers Naomi had met Effy for lunch as planned, they'd also been joined by Katie.
"So then sister in law dearest, how was your holiday and how are my two favourite boys?" Katie asked.
Naomi grinned, "Hey Katie, the holiday was amazing. It was like our honeymoon but even better because Josh and Ben were there. They loved it, making sandcastles and bobbing up and down in the sea all day. Luckily that meant they were knackered by the evening so Emily and I could get some time to ourselves."
Effy smiled her trademark enigmatic smile, "Plenty of naked swimming in the pool I expect?"
Naomi looked surprised, "Actually yes. How do you do it Eff?"
Effy decided to come clean, "Actually for once this isn't down to the famous Stonem sixth sense. Emily told me you were all over her earlier."
"Was she complaining?" Naomi asked.
Effy shook her head, "Far from it, in fact she told me she'd never loved you more."
Naomi smiled, "Even so I shall be having words with my wife later on, I mean she can't just go around revealing private details to all and sundry."
Katie snorted, "She normally doesn't need to as you two pretty much let us see a live show most of the time."
Naomi grinned, "Look I can't help it if your twin sister is so hot that I find it hard to keep my hands off her."
Effy noticed her blackberry flash, she read the email. "Speak of the devil, she's going to be late back from picking up your present, which you will love by the way."
Katie clapped her hands together, "Oh the present, I can wait to see it. Effy's right, you will love it, but if you don't can I have it?"
Naomi stared at the two of them, "So you both know what I'm getting and neither of you will tell me?"
They both shook their heads, "Sorry Naomi, my lips are sealed and I'm not going to incur Emily's wrath by letting the cat out of the bag." Effy stated
Naomi pouted, "But you're my best friend."
Effy shook her head again, "Don't care, I'm not going to spoil Emily's surprise."
Naomi turned to Katie but the twin just laughed, "She's my sister, there's no way I'm going to be on your side."
For the next twenty minutes Naomi tried in vain to get even the smallest clue out of them but they refused. They finished their lunch and made their way back up to the office, "Come on Eff, I thought you were supposed to be covering for Emily in case she was late. She'll have been back ages ago at this rate."
As they approached the corporate division where Emily and Effy worked they were greeted by Mr Stevens, the vice president of recruitment and HR, and a policeman in the corridor. "Naomi, I've been looking for you, can you come into my office please."
Naomi stood rooted to the spot, "No, no please God don't let anything have happened to Emily or the boys." She ran up to Mr Stevens, "Tell me now, what has happened?"
The older man looked at her kindly, "Naomi I think it would be best if you came into the office, we're already starting to attract a crowd."
"FUCKING TELL ME NOW." Naomi screamed at him.
Mr Stevens sighed before relenting, "Emily has been involved in an accident, she was hit by a van. She's alive but badly hurt and she's been taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary. This police officer is here to escort you there."
Naomi looked around wildly until she focused on the policeman, "Please take me there now, I need to get there as soon as possible."
Katie looked through the crowd, "Cook, you need to let my Mum, Dad and James know and Gina and the boys. Meet us at the hospital as soon as you can." She took Naomi's hand, "I'm coming with you."
Naomi nodded as Effy came up to her and gave her a hug, "It'll be ok, she's strong. I'll get your stuff and meet you there. Now GO, Emily needs you."
The policeman motioned for the blonde and Katie to follow him, "Don't worry madam, we will get you there in no time."
In the car, with the sirens blazing Naomi sat and stared out of the window. Katie had her hand in a vice like grip and they were both locked away in their own thoughts but each of them was bargaining.
Not my Emily, nothing can happen to her. Please God, I will do anything, anything at all if she's ok.
The policeman was true to his word and they arrived at the entrance to A&E in record time. They rushed in to the reception, "Excuse me, my wife has been brought in, Emily Campbell-Fitch? Can you tell me if she's ok?"
The receptionist took an age looking at her computer screen, "Oh yeah, road traffic accident. Take a seat and I'll get her doctor to come and see you as soon as she can."
Naomi narrowed her eyes, "Listen you stupid bitch, do you understand what I've just said? My wife is in here and I don't even know if she's alive or dead, so no I won't FUCKING SIT DOWN AND WAIT. I WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY NOW."
The receptionist recoiled, "I have a right to work free from abuse."
Katie pulled Naomi back just in time, "Naomi, NAOMI, punching her is not the answer and it's not helping Emily. Let's sit down and wait."
They had been sat down for 15 minutes or so when Cook and Effy came into the A&E closely followed by Emily and Katie's parents and their brother James. Finally Naomi's Mum walked in with Josh and Ben. They all rushed over to where the two were sitting, "We got here as fast as we could. How is she?"
Naomi stared blankly, "I don't know, because NO ONE HAS TOLD ME WHAT IS GOING ON," she shouted towards the reception. Suddenly a petite blond woman came into view, "Mrs Campbell-Fitch? I'm Dr Robbins, if you'd all like to come through there's a room you can wait in."
When they reached the room Naomi turned to the doctor. "Please I need to know how she is. What's happening?"
Dr Robbins looked directly at her "Emily was hit by a van when she was crossing the road, eye witness accounts say that she was tossed in the air and she landed heavily."
Jenna interjected, "I'm her Mum, please tell me my baby is going to be ok."
Dr Robbins turned to her, "I won't lie to you, Emily has sustained a number of serious injuries and is currently in theatre being operated on. We are doing everything we can to save her."
Naomi looked bereft, "So what do we do in the mean time?"
"The only thing you can, you wait and if you believe in God, you pray. I'll let you know as soon as she's out of the operation."
They all sat in the room for hours, Naomi paced up and down like a caged animal. Freddie, Panda and Thomo had come to join them as soon as they heard the news.
"Why aren't they telling us anything?" Naomi asked for the 1,000th time.
"I don't know love, but they will as soon as there's news to report." Gina replied, it was killing her to see her daughter like this. She looked over at Jenna and gave her a weak smile, imagining the hell she was going through.
Naomi looked down as a small hand took hers, "Is Mummy going to be ok?" Josh asked.
Naomi sat down and pulled her son onto her lap, Ben was asleep in Katie's arms, and Naomi thought he was lucky that he didn't really understand this. She looked at Josh, his face was screwed up with hurt and confusion. "I don't know Josh, she's been badly hurt but the doctors will do their very best."
"Would it help if I gave Mummy Mr Froggy, he helped me when I hurt my knee." The little boy said.
Naomi smiled a faint smile at him, "Mr Froggy might help, it's worth a try eh?"
They all looked up as the door opened and Dr Robbins walked in. Naomi handed Josh to Gina and took a deep breath. "How is she? Did the operation go ok?"
Dr Robbins looked around the room, "Emily suffered a number of injuries as a result of the accident and there were a few complications in surgery. But we managed to stem the internal bleeding and fix her up. She's in recovery now."
Naomi burst into tears, "Oh thank God, she's going to be ok."
Dr Robbins paused, "As I said she's in recovery, but the next 24 hours are crucial, she's not 100% out of the woods yet."
The blonde surgeon was surprised as she was lifted off her feet by Rob Fitch, "Thank you so much, I don't think we can ever repay you for saving our baby girl."
The whole room gave a collective sigh of relief and several people were crying and hugging each other. Dr Robbins turned to Naomi, "Would you like to see your wife?"
Naomi nodded, "Please, I need to see her." She turned to her son, "Joshy, I'm going to see Mummy now, she's not better yet but hopefully she will be soon."
The young boy looked up at her and handed her his stuffed frog, "Don't forget to take Mr Froggy."
Jenna and Katie turned to the surgeon, "Can we see her too?"
Dr Robbins shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can only let Mrs Campbell-Fitch in right now."
Naomi hugged Jenna and Katie, "Sorry I know it seems unfair, but I'll give her your love, all of you." She followed the surgeon out of the room.
"You need to prepare yourself, she looks very sick because she is." The doctor told Naomi.
Naomi nodded, "It's ok I understand, but I need to see her."
They walked through three sets of double doors before Naomi was shown into a room, she gasped as she saw Emily. She was covered in bandages and virtually every part of her that wasn't had a machine linked to it. She was on a ventilator and she looked so small and vulnerable. Naomi stopped as her heart contracted in her chest and tears spilled down her cheeks. She was motioned into the room by a dark haired woman, who pulled up a chair for her.
"Mrs Campbell-Fitch, I'm Dr Torres, I was one of the surgeons who operated on your wife. I know it's hard to see it now, but she is a very lucky woman, we almost lost her a couple of times."
Naomi looked at her gratefully as she sat down, "Thank you. Can I touch her? I mean take her hand?"
Dr Torres nodded, "Of course, we'll leave you alone."
"Can she hear me? If I talk to her?" Naomi asked tentatively.
The doctor smiled, "I'm not sure, but it can only help right?"
She walked over to where Dr Robbins stood and took her hand, "Oh God Arizona, I don't know how I'd cope if that was you." She whispered.
"Let's hope we never find out, Calliope." The blonde surgeon replied. As they left the room they could hear Naomi talking.
"Oh Emily, I thought I'd lost you. I was so scared, I don't know how I'd manage without you. You're my world."
Naomi woke suddenly, she'd only drifted off for a minute but she didn't want to fall asleep in case Emily came round. She was still holding the redhead's hand and she felt a squeeze, that's what woke her up, Emily had squeezed her hand.
She looked up expectantly and saw the beautiful brown eyes of her wife staring at her, she smiled and said "Hey you," before bursting into tears.
Emily had been taken off the ventilator just a little while ago because she had been trying to breathe on her own. She opened her mouth to speak but only a croak came out. Naomi looked around the room and found some water and poured Emily some. She held the cup to the redhead's mouth and gently tipped it so she could drink.
Finally Emily managed a weak smile and said very quietly in a raspy voice, "Hey you back."
"How are you feeling? Sorry stupid question." The blonde asked
Emily smiled again, "I've been better. What happened? The last thing I remember was emailing Effy to say I'd be late."
"You got hit by a van while you were crossing the road, you nearly died and they spent hours operating yesterday." Naomi replied. "Oh Ems, I nearly lost you, the pain was unbearable. Don't ever scare me like that again ok?"
The redhead squeezed her hand again, "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere, I couldn't leave you alone."
Naomi leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips, "Too right, the deal was that we'd get old together remember?"
Emily smiled, "I know. How are the boys? Are they with your Mum?"
"They're down the hall in a waiting room along with my Mum, your Mum, Dad, Katie and James. Oh and Effy, Freds, Cook, Panda and Thomo are there too."
Emily blinked, "That's half of Short & Milner's hot shots, I hope they didn't mind."
Naomi smiled, "Tough if they did, you're more important than some stupid job."
The blonde flinched as Emily gripped her hand tightly, "Ouch, that hurt. Getting your strength back already eh?"
Emily stared at her, "Naomi, please look after the boys, don't let any harm come to them."
"Of course I will, we both will." Naomi replied.
"I mean it, promise me." The redhead said.
Naomi nodded, "Ok I promise to look after the boys."
Emily smiled weakly and gripped her hand again, "You're the most precious thing in the world to me, always remember that I love you Naomi."
"Baby, I know you love me. And I love you Emily, more than life itself."
She felt the grip on her hand ease off and watched as Emily's eyes slowly closed. Suddenly the machines started beeping and flashing. She stood motionless as the room was flooded with people.
"Her BP is dropping fast, quickly get the crash cart. And get her wife out of here." Arizona Robbins shouted.
Naomi felt someone trying to move her, "Mrs Campbell-Fitch you need to leave now."
She shook her head, "I'm not leaving her again."
This time she was more forcibly moved and as she left through the door she screamed, "EMILY!"
She was led back to the waiting room where all of the anxious eyes were on her. The tears started to fall as she repeated over and over again, "But she was awake, she was talking to me. I don't understand."
Back in the hospital room Dr Robbins felt someone grip her shoulders and she heard her girlfriend say, "Arizona, you've done all you can.
She stared ahead and said, "Charging to 320, and clear." She placed the paddles onto the redhead's chest and shocked her again. The machine showed a flat line.
"Arizona, you need to call it." Said the dark haired woman.
She turned around, "No Callie, I don't. You saw them together, I'm not giving up. I wouldn't want anyone to give up on you." There were tears spilling down her cheeks. Slowly Callie reached over and took the paddles from her hand.
Arizona Robbins looked at the clock, "Time of death, 6.05am."
That short statement created an Emily Campbell-Fitch shaped hole in the universe, as everything she was and could have been was suddenly extinguished.