Episode 6.1 – New Year's Eve
"Stay here, listen to what Fiona and Shane say, and be good for them, okay?" Said Kate to her two younger sisters. They both nodded, armed with their backpacks and sleeping bags. Fiona and Shane had offered to take the girls for New Year's Eve, so Kate and Lachie could head out to celebrate the New Year together. Lachie hugged Fiona, kissing her on the cheek.
"Thanks for doing this," he whispered. Fiona nodded to him.
"We've got all the kids tonight; Mikayla, Eli, Riley and James. Emily and Rachel will be easy in comparison," said Fiona, laughing. Shane came downstairs, Michelle with him.
"Oh. I thought you guys were James. Sorry," said Michelle.
"It's all good Michelle, we're just dropping Emily and Rachel over for the night. Lachie's taking me out." Kate was excited, but couldn't help feeling her father's situation was putting a dampener on the night. Lachie kissed her forehead, and crouched down to Rachel and Emily's level.
"You be good for Uncle Shane and Aunty Fiona, 'kay?" Emily nodded at him. She was still silent, saying something occasionally, but was otherwise non-verbal. Neither Kate nor her teachers had any idea as to why she was still silent, and as a result, was now attending therapy.
"Okay Uncle Lachie," said Rachel, wrapping her arms around him. He hugged her, then tickled her ribs. Kate touched him on the shoulder.
"Babe, we need to go. We'll be late otherwise," Kate said. Lachie stood up, smiled at his father and stepmother, and left with Kate in tow.
"So where are you taking me tonight?" She asked. The plans had mostly been kept a secret from her, no-one telling her anything. She had a feeling they all knew what was going on anyway. Lachie held her hand, as he drove.
"Don't worry. Tonight's all about you, spending time with you, and letting you have a little more adult time. Fiona and Shane can deal with Emily and Rachel, after all, Dad dealt with the three of us Gallagher's. That's no easy task," said Lachie, smiling. He pulled onto the highway, heading into Central Sydney. Kate watched as the buildings passed them, casting tall shadows over the warm evening. The night felt perfect for New Year's Eve, and she was grateful that Lachie had thought to spend the night just with her. In other year's, he'd spent New Year's with army friends, and once with Chase and Dean, although, after that night, he swore he would never do such a thing again. He pulled up in front of a restaurant, and a valet opened his door, his partner opening Kate's door and assisting her. Lachie came around and took her arm.
"What are we doing?" She asked, almost laughing.
"I booked us dinner here, and then we're going to Hyde Park to watch some bands, and wait to watch some fireworks. Is that okay by you?" He asked. Kate smiled at him, and leant her head on his arm.
"It sounds amazing."
"Jordan, hurry up! Honestly, you take more time to get ready than I do," said Heidi, tapping her foot impatiently in the living room. Jordan came out, dressed casually.
"That's what you were wearing this morning! What took you so long?" She asked.
"I had to find the right shirt," he said casually. Heidi shook her head.
"And you complain about how long I take in the bathroom. You're one to talk." He laughed at her, and they walked out the door. They weren't far away from the station, and they were heading into Sydney to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks. Heidi stumbled a little on the path, and Jordan grabbed her arm, pulling her back up.
"Watch yourself there Heidi." She smiled at him, and they walked down the road holding hands.
"What's your resolution?" She asked, swinging his arm.
"I think, my resolution, is to be the best husband I can be, and the coolest Dad around to our kid." He kissed her on the nose, and she laughed.
"What about you? What's yours?" He asked. She tilted her head to the side, feigning deep thought.
"I think… I resolve not to let my temper get the better of me. Especially if Chase is station co-ordinator. He's got so much more opportunity to mess with us now," said Heidi.
"I don't think he would though babe," said Jordan, paying for their train tickets.
"I know. I also resolve to be a better wife to you. I know this year hasn't been the best for us, and I don't want next year to be the same." Their train pulled up to the station, and they climbed in.
"I think part of that has been my fault you know Heidi-ho. Don't worry about it. We're here now," he said, kissing her again. She pulled back, and rested her forehead against his.
"I love you. Did you know that?"
"Okay Chase, my eyes are still closed. Where are we going?" She asked, laughing at him. He took off her blindfold with flourish.
"Your favourite restaurant. Izzy went out with your brother for the evening, and Dad and Fiona were more than happy to take the kids for the night. They've got everyone tonight, including Emily and Rachel." Jess pulled Chase down, and kissed him.
"Only you would think about this. I've been wanting to come back here for weeks, and you've all been too busy to get here," said Jess, looking at her favourite Chinese restaurant. Usually when they went out with the team, they usually headed to an Italian restaurant, or even a Mexican restaurant; Heidi, Jordan, Vince and Kate all preferred it, and the Gallagher boys and Lara didn't usually care as long as they got to go out. Chase wheeled her up the ramp and inside to their usual table.
"Well, I thought that New Year would be perfect to revisit this place. So much has happened for us this year, and I remembered that you loved this restaurant. I thought it would be nice to come to the place where we had our first real date," said Chase, blushing a little.
"Chase! Are you blushing?" Said Jess playfully, shoving his arm.
"No! No, I'm not," he said defensively. She laid a gentle hand on his, giving it a light squeeze.
"It's okay Chase. I know what you're trying to say, and don't worry. I feel the same."
Andy walked into the already crowded pub, searching for her friend.
"Andrea! Over here!" She caught sight of Jillian, her flatmate, and made her way through the crowd to get to her.
"Hey, glad you finally got here! It seems like every time we want to go out for a drink, you're out and busy with work." Jillian was exuberant, overly exuberant.
"I'm off work, but we're all on call. You know what New Year's Eve is like," said Andy, accepting the cocktail that Jill had ordered her.
"Yeah, I'm on call as well. Sometimes it sucks being a nurse," commented Jill, throwing back her drink.
"So tell me, how's work been?" Asked Jillian.
"Oh, you know. We've had a reshuffle of people since I started working there," said Andy, sipping her drink.
"Oh?" Asked Jillian. Andy and Jill didn't usually get the chance to catch up; their work hours were too different, and they only usually caught up with each other for a few brief moments.
"Well, Vince Marchello had a stroke a few weeks ago, and he's still in the hospital. We had an accident almost six months ago, and Chase Gallagher was put out of commission after an impalement in his shoulder." Jill swallowed her drink quickly.
"I remember that! We were talking about it for ages at the nurses' station, because he was such a hottie, but in really bad shape. He can't work anymore?" Asked Jill.
"Well, he officially took over Vince Marchello's job a fortnight ago, and is now the station co-ordinator. Cam Jackson, along with Jess Turner, now manage the sta…" Jill cut her off.
"You mean, the Cam Jackson? He comes into therapy every week, and I could literally marry the guy next week. Isn't he the one who fell off the side of that building a few years ago? A part of that Queensland rescue group, LifeBlood?" Andy nodded her head.
"Yeah, and I'm pretty sure he's single Jill." Jill nearly upset her drink as her pager went off in her pocket. She pulled it out, and groaned.
"I'm so sorry And, I've got to go." Andy waved her down.
"Don't worry about it. I'll probably have a few more drinks, and then catch a train home," said Andy amicably. Jill hugged her.
"Thanks Andy. I'll catch you at home, yeah?" Andy nodded, and Jill skipped out the door. Andy sipped her drink, and felt her phone vibrate in her bag. She leant down to get it out of her bag, and felt somebody brush past her. She got up quickly, looking for who it was, but didn't see anyone. She finished her drink, and left the bar, heading for the train. She felt light-headed, the world blurring in front of her. She managed to get her ticket and get to the station, but that's all she remembered before the lights blacked out…
Fiona settled Mikayla into her crib. Eli and Riley were sharing tonight, and both were asleep peacefully, Riley's thumb firmly inside his mouth. Fiona smiled at him, admiring how cute he looked. She heard the door open, and turned around.
"Is Rachel up here?" Shane whispered. Fiona shook her head.
"No." She followed him outside the study, closing the door with a soft click. She had the baby monitor sitting on the kitchen bench so she could hear them crying.
"I can't find her," said Shane, a little louder now.
"Don't worry. She'll be around somewhere. We do own a massive house dear. Maybe she's with Michelle and James, or she's fallen asleep somewhere. Did you ask Emily?" Suggested Fiona.
"I'll check Michelle and James; can you ask Emily?" Fiona nodded to him, and continued on down the stairs. Emily was sitting on the lounge, staring at the television blankly. The nine o'clock fireworks were just about finished on the channel she was watching. Fiona tapped her gently on the shoulder.
"Emily, have you seen Rachel?" Emily shook her head, and returned to watching TV. Fiona felt the fear start to grow in the put of her stomach. Shane came back downstairs, Michelle in tow.
"We haven't seen Rachel since eight, when we finished our movie upstairs. She was sitting with us, and I dozed off. James fell asleep at seven-thirty, and I haven't really seen her since then." Michelle glanced from Fiona to Shane, and back again.
"I hate to do this to them, but I think we need help finding her. I don't know what she's like, but she promised Lachie and Kate that she would behave." Shane nodded his agreement to Fiona.
"Ring Dean and Lara, and get Chase and Jess back here."
Lachie and Kate finished dinner early, and sauntered down to the stage. Kate hugged her man close, enjoying every minute with him.
"This is the perfect way to spend New Year's Eve," she said as they walked along the path.
"I wanted something for you. You're doing so much to help Rachel and Emily, I wanted you to have a night out, as an adult having fun, not having to look after her two younger sisters." Kate nodded.
"It's been hard. Sammy doesn't understand what's going on, and Dad's still in a coma, and Sam's confused. He's convinced he did something wrong, and that's why Dad won't come see him. Sandra's trying her hardest to work with him, but he's become really difficult. And then there's Emily. Her therapist says that she's not speaking because of the trauma that happened to her and Rachel when they were staying with Vanessa, and that it's just a coping mechanism. Her teacher's at school were concerned that she wasn't going to keep up with her class work if she wasn't talking, but she's actually excelling. They're talking about a scholarship into a private school, and skipping her ahead a grade." Lachie was impressed. They stopped at the entrance to the park.
"Looks crowded in there," said Kate, slightly hesitant.
"It will be crowded no matter where we go. Come on," said Lachie, dragging her into the mass of people. Drunk party-goers crowded the stage area, trying to get closer to the band that was playing. Kate was laughing hard by the time they got up near the stage, and the lead vocalist pulled her up on stage.
"Are you ready Australia?" Screamed the vocalist. The crowd cheered.
"Countdown into the New Year!" Came the cry. Lachie checked his watch. Less than a minute to go until midnight. The crowd started winding themselves up.
"10!"
"9!"
"8!"
"7!"
"6!"
"5!"
"4!"
"3! 2! 1!" The fireworks exploded, lighting the whole entire bay area, and the Harbour Bridge lit up like a Christmas tree. The New Year was brought in with style, and the band started to play again. Kate was swamped by other people as the band allowed members of the audience to come up on stage to dance.
"Lachie? What are you doing here?" Came a voice, cutting through the crowd. Heidi pulled Jordan forward, and stood in front of him.
"Brought Kate out for a night, left the girls with Dad and Fiona, and went to dinner together." Jordan sniggered.
"Lach, you're turning into a romantic mate," said Jordan, slapping him on the back. Heidi whacked Jordan on the shoulder.
"At least he's trying," she said. He tickled her in the ribs, and she squirmed. Lachie laughed with them, and then stopped, tilting his head to the side.
"Did you hear that?" He asked. Heidi and Jordan stopped.
"Hear what?" They asked in unison. An ominous creak sounded from the stage, and everything seemed to slow down as Lachie, Jordan and Heidi turned to face the stage. It creaked again, louder this time, before giving way under the weight of the many dancers. The stage crumpled like it was made of paper, collapsing inward, bodies toppling like children's blocks. Then time sped up, and people in the crowd started screaming hysterically. Lachie and Jordan charged through the crowd, trying to get to the unstable stage area. It was a mess, poles, boards, electrical wiring everywhere. Lachie could already hear sirens echoing through the city, and he hoped they were coming to them. Jordan turned to Heidi.
"Who's the unit on call tonight?" He asked.
"We were supposed to be, but Chase changed shifts with North Strathfield. I'm ringing Cam now, and we'll get them out here." Lachie started pulling off the rubble, and Jordan pulled him back.
"Lachie, we've got to wait for North to get here. You make that anymore unstable, we won't be able to get anybody out." Lachie fought Jordan for a few more moments, and then ceased. He looked around for Heidi, and then looked at Jordan.
"Where's Heidi?" He asked suspiciously. Jordan cast his eyes around, but couldn't see her.
"She was here a moment ago, I swear! Heidi?" Jordan released his grip on Lachie for a second, and Lachie leapt forward onto the debris. He was desperate to find Kate, make sure she was okay, reassure himself.
"Kate! KATE!"
Dean and Lara were curled up on the couch together, watching a movie together. When Shane and Fiona had been asked by Chase to take Eli and Riley, they'd offered to take Mikayla for the night as well. Dean had jumped at the chance, eager to be able to spend the night with Lara. He didn't even know what they were watching, but he was just happy to be here with her. Any other year, it would have been a station party, or he would have gone to Shane and Fiona's. The phone started to ring in the kitchen, and he shifted Lara off his chest. She woke up a little. It was well and truly after midnight, and Dean wondered who could be ringing this late.
"Hello?"
"Dean, we can't find Rachel. We need your help," said Shane frantically. Dean's call waiting beeped in his ear.
"Hang on a second Dad, I've got another call." Dean changed lines. Lara came out into the kitchen, and wrapped her arms around Dean.
"Hello?"
"It's Lachie. We need you guys out here near the harbour bridge, we've had a stage collapse," Lachie said breathlessly into the phone.
"Lachie, North Strathfield is on call, not us," said Dean wearily. He covered the receiver.
"Go and get dressed; we've got to head over to Dad's." Lara nodded and padded out of the kitchen.
"Dean, Kate is in there, and…" Dean cut him off.
"Lachie, I'm between a rock and a hard place here." Dean sighed, and rubbed his temples.
"Look, I want to come and help you Lachie, I really do, but I need to go and help Dad. I'm sorry Lachie. I'll ring North and tell them to hurry up." Dean hung up, and returned to Shane's line.
"Dad, Lara and I are on our way. We'll be there in five minutes." Dean hung up as Lara came back.
"What's going on?" She asked. He tossed her his phone, and headed towards the bedroom, Lara in tow.
"Rachel's gone missing from Dad's place, and Lachie rang to say that he wanted our help. A stage has collapsed at the harbour party." He reached inside the wardrobe and pulled on a t-shirt, grabbing his shorts.
"Isn't Strathfield on call?" Dean nodded.
"Yeah. Can you ring them, tell them to hurry up? I've told Lachie we're not going, and it'll be logged as theirs." Lara dialled as Dean ducked into the bathroom, pulling on his shorts. She spoke to them quickly, and then hung up. Dean flew past her, and they both ran out to Dean's four-wheel drive.
"How does a seven-year old go missing?" Asked Lara, holding onto the side of the door.
"I don't know, but I imagine that we're going to find out," said Dean, focussing on the road. Drunks wandered the streets, still celebrating. He pulled up in front of Shane's, and noted Chase's car out the front.
"Dad's called Chase as well," he commented, stepping up the driveway. Fiona opened the door, and ushered them inside.
"Dean, thank god you're here," said Shane, thundering down the stairs.
"How long has she been missing?" Asked Dean.
"We didn't notice she was gone until after nine, and then it's taken us three hours to actually check the house, make sure she's not hiding in another room or anything. I just don't know where to look anymore," answered Fiona, feeling a little stressed. Jess was over with Emily. Em was whispering into Jess's ear.
"Have you checked the creek behind the house?" Shane shook his head.
"Right. Lara, I want you to drive over to Kate's house, check there. Chase, can you walk up the street, see if she's out there somewhere? Dad and I will check the creek at the back. We need to find her."
Heidi locked herself into the cubicle in the bathrooms. She had felt this coming, had desperately willed it away, but it happened again. She felt her emotions go into overdrive as she started sobbing. She'd lost her baby again. Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Where are you? It was Jordan. She had no idea how to break this to him, and decided to just come out and tell him. She dialled him, her hands shaking. He picked up on the first ring.
"Heidi, where are you?" He asked. She felt her voice catch in her throat.
"I'm… I'm in the bathrooms. Jordan, please, don't be angry," she said, trying to hold back the tears.
"Heidi, what are you going on about?" He moved away from the rescue in progress. Lachie glared at him, and continued attending the patient he was with.
"Jordan, I lost the baby." He glanced around for the bathrooms, and after spotting them, sprinted towards them.
"Heidi, I'm coming to you. Meet me outside," he said, ending the call. He skidded to a halt outside the restrooms, and she came out, mascara running down her cheeks, eyes red. Right then he didn't care if there was a rescue was on. All he cared about was Heidi, and he wrapped his strong arms around her as she shook with tears.
"Jordan, I'm so sorry."
Lachie left his patient with an ambulance officer, darting back amongst the injured patrons.
"Kate!" He yelled. He was becoming more certain now that he wouldn't find her alive under all the debris. He worked with another RSO officer, Kevin, plucking patients out, treating them and moving them out. He was desperate to find her, make sure she was okay. Kevin pulled a blonde girl out from where she was trapped, and Lachie started towards her, before realising that it wasn't Kate. He shook his head as he thought about Jordan leaving them. Heidi was a grown woman; she probably had to go to the bathroom, or was helping someone else.
"Lachie mate. There's a girl pinned over here, I need your help getting her assessed and then out of here." Lachie nodded, picking his way over the broken stage. He looked down at their patient.
"Kate!"
Lachie jumped down, and glanced at Kevin.
"What's her status?" He asked.
"Pretty good. No broken bones, just a possible concussion." Kate smiled weakly at Lachie.
"I'm so sor…" He cut her off.
"It's not your fault. You didn't make the stage collapse," said Lachie, jesting with her. He looked over at the collapsed stage, and directed Kevin as to where to put the supports. Kevin lifted up the debris, and Lachie slid Kate out carefully. She wrapped her arms around him, and he held her close.
"I thought I wasn't going to find you tonight," he whispered into her hair. She nodded.
"Do you mind if we just go home?" She asked quietly. Lachie helped her out of the collapsed stage, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her forward. Kate wanted to burst into tears. A night out with Lachie had been ruined. She looked up at him, and he seemed distracted.
"What?" She asked.
"Jordan and Heidi were here earlier, and when the stage collapsed, Heidi disappeared. Jordan went looking for her I think." Kate glanced up.
"Is that Heidi and Jordan over there?" She asked, pointing towards the bathrooms. Lachie nodded and grabbed Kate's hand, pulling her over to where Heidi and Jordan were standing. As they neared them, Kate noticed Heidi's tears, and slowed down.
"What's wrong?" Asked Lachie, matching her speed.
"Heidi's upset. Maybe… maybe we shouldn't go over there." Jordan saw them, and waved them away.
"See?" Said Kate. Lachie nodded, and they went around them. Lachie kissed the top of Kate's head.
"You're very observant. Remind me to watch what I say around you," he joked. Kate poked him in the ribs.
"Don't be like that," she said, leaning into his side. She realised how tired she actually was, and was glad that Lachie was with her.
"Let's go home."
Heidi felt shattered. She finally stopped crying into Jordan's shoulder, and pulled out a tissue from her handbag. He rubbed her back gently, and kissed her forehead.
"Babe, I'm so sorry," said Jordan, wrapping an arm around her. Heidi hiccupped.
"I wanted this so badly, and I thought it was actually going to happen this time." Heidi tried to hold back the tears again. Jordan wanted to be able to take her pain away, make things easier for her.
"I need Michelle," she said quietly.
"Okay, we'll go to her now," said Jordan, pulling out his phone. He messaged Michelle.
Urgent problem, need your help. He flagged down a cab, not wanting to take Heidi on the train. She slid across the seat, and Jordan climbed in next to her. He put an arm out, and she leant back against his chest. Her heart felt shattered, a million pieces fallen. He gave the address to the driver, and pulled out his phone as it vibrated with Michelle's response.
Bring her here, but we're going to send you out to find Rachel. Heidi will be fine with Fiona and I. Jordan felt like he had missed something.
What happened to Rachel? He responded. Heidi sniffled into his shirt as their driver struggled to deal with the difficult task of navigating the revellers.
Wish I could tell you. She just disappeared. Jordan debated whether to go to Michelle or not, but Heidi had asked for her. He stuck with his decision, and settled back into his seat, stroking Heidi's hair. She was settling a little more now, but Jordan knew it would be a while before she was back to her old fiery self. He watched as they made their way through back streets, finally stopping at Shane and Fiona's house. He helped Heidi out, and paid the cab driver extra. He put his arm around her waist, and walked her up the driveway. Michelle was waiting at the door, light dressing gown on. She wordlessly put her arms out to Heidi, and Heidi fell into them, the tears falling freer. Michelle rubbed her back, and then led her inside, Jordan following awkwardly. She sat Heidi down on the lounge, and motioned for Jordan to come into the kitchen.
"What happened?" She asked in a whisper.
"She lost the baby." Michelle's face echoed his sadness.
"Jordan, I'm sorry…" He held up a hand to silence her.
"Don't. Worry about Heidi at the moment. Where do you want me to go?"
"Lara's gone over to check Kate's house, Chase is wandering the street, and Dean and Shane have gone down to check the creek. I haven't heard from any of them yet." Michelle's phone beeped, and she glanced at the message.
"Scratch that; she's not at Kate's house. Join Chase while he's checking the street. Last check in he was about halfway up on this side." Jordan nodded, and headed out of the house. Michelle made tea, and took the tray over to Heidi. She gave a motherly glance at her. Heidi was her strong-willed team member, and it took a lot to shake her. Michelle knew how much this baby would have meant to Heidi.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Asked Michelle, sipping her tea.
"I just… I wanted this baby so much. Jordan was finally ready to be a father, I was ready to become a mum. It felt like everything was falling into place, like it was meant to be… And then tonight happened. It's not fair," said Heidi, breaking down again. Michelle was quiet, rubbing Heidi's back.
"I know it isn't fair Heidi. I'm so sorry for you, and I wish there was something I could do for you." Heidi gulped and nodded, and stared down at her mug. She desperately wanted to go home, take a shower, and sleep the rest of this day away. She glanced around, looking for Jordan.
"Where's Jordan?" She asked, confused.
"He's helping the others look for Rachel. She went missing earlier tonight, and we couldn't find her. I asked Jordan if he could help Chase canvas the houses in the street, see if they can find her. Fiona's upstairs with the twins and Mikky, and Jess is asleep in the study on one of the guest beds." Heidi nodded, quiet with her own inner turmoil.
"It'll be okay Heidi." Chase burst through the door, Jordan behind him, Rachel limp in his arms.
"We found her!" Jordan set Rachel down on the lounge, Heidi and Michelle jumping out of the way. Her knees were scraped up, and she looked pale. Jordan checked over all her vitals.
"She's breathing, her pulse is a bit thready," he said, feeling her wrist.
"Where did you find her?" Asked Michelle, stroking back Rachel's damp hair.
"She was in the bushes down the road," said Chase, standing back. He glanced over at Heidi.
"Hey, what's…?" Michelle cut him off.
"Can you go and get Dean and your Dad? They're still down at the creek." Heidi threw a grateful glance at Michelle. She didn't want to deal with questions just yet, though she knew she would have to eventually. Chase left the house, slightly confused.
"Has anyone rung Kate yet?" Asked Jordan.
"I'll ring them now," said Michelle. She dialled Lachie's number, and pressed the phone to her ear.
"Lachie Gallagher speaking," he answered.
"Lachie, it's Michelle. Can you bring Kate over? We've had a bit of an incident with Rachel, and we might need her here." Lachie inhaled sharply.
"We'll be there in ten minutes." He hung up, and Michelle returned her phone to the counter.
"They're coming over now." Rachel started seizing on the couch, and Jordan loosened her clothing.
"Did she hit her head?" Asked Michelle, concerned. Jordan shrugged his shoulders.
"I have no idea." Michelle heard a knock on the door, and opened it up. Kate and Lachie stepped inside.
"What's going on?" Asked Kate, leaving Lachie's side. She rushed around to where Jordan was crouching next to Rachel. She noted the scrapes on her knees.
"What happened?" Asked Kate, supporting her sister as her seizure ended.
"We're not sure. She just disappeared around eight, and we only just found her," said Michelle quickly. Kate slapped the couch in frustration.
"Vanessa!" Everyone in the room looked at her.
"What?" Asked Heidi. Jordan had moved away from Rachel, and was standing with Heidi now.
"Rachel's medical alert bracelet is missing, and I didn't think anything of it. Rachel's an epileptic, and sometimes takes herself off when she's going to have a seizure. I didn't even think to tell you guys, because she hasn't had one in a while, but the fireworks probably set her off." Rachel's eyes fluttered, and Kate stroked her hair back.
"Hey Rach," she said softly. Rachel stared at Kate, and burst into tears. Kate bundled her up, pulling her close. She looked up at Lachie.
"Can you get Emily? I think we'll take them home." Lachie nodded, and walked upstairs to where Emily was asleep. Fiona met him at the door.
"Did they find her?" He nodded.
"Good. Is she alright?"
"I think so. Kate wants to take them both home, so she asked me to come up and get Em and their backpacks." Fiona nodded, and handed him the two bags, and led him into the guest room. Emily was asleep on the bed, peaceful. Lachie scooped her up, pulling her close to him, and then walked down the stairs carefully with her. Chase followed him out to his car, and opened the door for him. Lachie smiled at his baby brother as he slid Emily onto the back seat, and buckled her up. She continued sleeping, undisturbed.
"Thanks Chase," said Lachie, giving his brother a friendly slap on the back. Kate came out, struggling a little with Rachel. Lachie rushed up to her, and took the dozing Rachel off Kate, and motioned for her to open the door. She did so quietly, and Lachie put Rachel on the back seat.
"Are you sure she's okay?" Asked Lachie. Kate nodded, looking at her half-sister.
"She'll be fine. She'll sleep well tonight though." Kate wrapped her arms around Lachie, and buried her face in his chest.
"How did I ever get lucky enough to have you?"
Jordan and Heidi left soon after Lachie, Kate and the girls did. Heidi still felt fragile, like the lightest wind would blow her over. Chase drove them home, the trip quiet, the silence almost unbearable. He dropped them outside their door, and pulled away quickly. Jordan fumbled for the keys, and unlocked the house. Heidi dropped her bag inside the front door and headed straight to the bedroom. She picked up her pyjama's and things, and then locked herself in the bathroom. She turned on the hot water and stood under the pounding spray. Life didn't feel fair anymore. She wanted this baby so badly that it hurt, and now it had been snatched away. The scalding spray burned her, but didn't hurt as much as her heart did right then. She sat on the shower floor, leant against the wall, and cried. Jordan heard her from the bedroom, her cries echoing his own pain. He wanted this baby too, but nowhere near as much as Heidi did. She was in so much pain now, and Jordan didn't know what to do to help her. An hour later, she finally came out of the bathroom, eyes red, hair fluffy. He held out his arms wordlessly, and Heidi fell onto the bed, lying on his chest. He stroked her hair, pulling the sheet up, just being with her. She fell asleep to the sound of Jordan's heartbeat, and Jordan just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Everyone else who he had ever seen trying to have kids seemed to have it so easy, and yet Heidi had miscarried three times. One he didn't know about, once after they'd talked about having kids and he'd said no, and now. He kissed her forehead, wishing that there was some way he could make it easier for her. He had wanted this so badly for her, and it seemed too easily snatched away from her. He lay there for another hour before finally drifting off…
You'll never be a mother, never be good enough to have kids, never be worth it. Stop and take a look at yourself… Heidi woke up screaming. Jordan woke up too, and pulled her close as she started sobbing.
"Shh… It's alright."
Andy woke up in the bushes, confused. She couldn't remember how she got there, or why she was there. She got up, and dusted herself down. Her mouth felt gritty, and she had a killer headache. Her phone rang in her pocket, and she was surprised it was still there. She answered it.
"Andy? Where the hell are you? I thought you would be back by now!" Demanded Jill. Andy held the phone away from her ear, Jill's voice piercing her sore head. Andy wanted to burst into tears.
"I don't know where I am," said Andy, a little frightened. Her voice cracked as she spoke.
"What do you mean? Andy, what's going on?" Asked Jill, concerned now.
"I don't even know what time it is," said Andy tearfully. She wandered out into the street, looking for a street sign, anything.
"Andy, what did you do?" Asked Jill, grabbing her keys.
"Jill, I think I'm in Bankstown somewhere. How did I get here?" Asked Andy, fearing a little for her own safety. In the distance, she heard fireworks still going off, revellers still enjoying their evening.
"Andy, stay on the phone, I'm coming to you now. What can you see around you?" Jill connected her phone to her Bluetooth, and sped out of her driveway, taking the M5 to Bankstown.
"I'm near the airport here, I can see the sign just down the road." Jill hit the accelerator.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes Andy." Andy was quiet, fear holding her back. She just wanted to feel safe again, to know how she got so far away from where she started. She desperately wished for a shower, her own bed, and to forget tonight had ever happened. She waited nervously, and ran her hands across her face. She winced as she reached tender flesh, and wished she had a mirror to look at her face. Twenty minutes later, Jill pulled up in her silver Honda, and climbed out. She gasped when she saw Andy.
"What happened?" She asked. Andy shook her head, and burst into tears. Jill wrapped her arms around her, and bundled her into the car. She sped out of the suburb, radio on low for background noise.
"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" Asked Jill.
"Why?" Asked Andy, lifting her head from the window.
"And, you look like you've been pretty badly beaten. You've split your lip, your eye is black, your neck has bruises on it, and I wouldn't mind betting that you're hurting elsewhere, but haven't realised yet." As Andy took stock of her own body, she realised just how much she ached. She shook her head at Jill.
"No, please, I don't want to go to the hospital. You're a nurse, you know what to look for. Please. I just want to go home." Jill debated with herself internally for a few moments, and then decided to let Andy just go home.
"I'll get you home," said Jill quietly. Andy rested her head against the window, and wished she could disappear.
Kate checked on Rachel for the third time that night. She was sleeping peacefully, uninterrupted. Lachie appeared behind her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"You should be resting," he said quietly.
"I know, I just wanted to check on her, make sure she was okay." He nodded, resting his head on hers.
"How long has she had epilepsy?" He asked softly. She moved away from Rachel's room, closing her door quietly.
"Ever since she was little. Dad had a medic alert bracelet made for her as soon as she was old enough, and after they split up, she had a fit of rage, and tossed out everything Dad ever gave us. I thought that the bracelet was in one of Rachel's drawers, but I haven't been able to find it, not since she was about six. She seems to subconsciously know when she's going to have a seizure, and usually takes off somewhere quiet. Usually lights set her off, and it didn't last year, so I assumed she was okay. Obviously not," said Kate, walking into her bedroom. Lachie followed her, and both climbed into bed next to each other. Kate snuggled down next to Lachie, grateful for his strong presence. He kissed the top of her head, pulling her close.
"I love you Kate," he whispered.
Chase crept into bed next to Jess, pulling the blankets over them both. She stirred.
"Chase? Did you find Rachel?" She asked sleepily. He kissed her forehead, tucking the blankets around her.
"Yeah, we found her. She's okay, Kate and Lachie took them both home," he said softly. She nodded.
"Do you mind staying here tonight?" She asked. Chase laughed a little, pulling her closer to himself.
"Of course not. It seems silly to go home now when you're already here in bed, and the boys are asleep." Jess giggled, and kissed Chase's chest. She was a little more awake now.
"Is this how you planned New Year's Eve?" She asked. Chase shook his head.
"Nothing like it. I'll make it up to you, I promise." Jess kissed him on the lips.
"Chase, don't ever feel like you have to make it up to me. I have you, and that's well and truly too much for me."
Dean and Lara unlocked the front door, childless for a change. They'd left Mikayla and James at Shane and Fiona's, and headed home alone. It had been a long night, and both just wanted to sleep.
"Something happened to Heidi tonight," commented Dean.
"What do you mean?" Asked Lara.
"She looked like she'd been crying by the time I got back to the house, and Michelle had the table set for tea for two. She's only ever done that when someone needs to talk, like you or Heidi." Lara looked thoughtful as she changed into her pyjama's. Dean pulled back the blankets, and waited for Lara.
"I haven't heard anything. I hope she's alright," Lara said thoughtfully, cuddling into Dean. He kissed her softly.
"She'll be okay. Jordan will look out for her. He'll let us know what's going on," said Dean. Lara looked at him.
"Dean," she started.
"Hmm?" He said, half asleep. She kissed him, and smiled.
"Happy New Year."
