It had been a tough time for The Ormerod family. Whilst their premature baby daughter had been transferred to another hospital Jill had been left to fight for survival after giving birth. Dr Banner had been unable to stop the haemorrhaging and with Jill too unstable to transfer they had to operate themselves. After several hours of skilled work they managed to save Jill. Gordon's face said it all, complete relief. At that moment in time he harshly wasn't bothered about their sick child but extremely anxious about his wife's wellbeing.
He walked in to the side ward and sat beside Jill who was still unconscious from the anaesthetic, within a matter of hours she'd gone from being a pregnant but healthy Doctor to a patient left fighting for her life in her own hospital.
'Jill love; you're alright, everything's going to be alright I promise' Gordon clutched his wife's hand and stroked it lovingly. 'I thought I'd lost you for a moment there. What would I do without you hey? Gordon stared at his wife longing for her to say something. He'd been here before when Caroline had died but he'd never felt this. Back then it had felt like a relief but now he'd do anything to swap places with Jill. Without her he couldn't see how he'd carry on.
'Doctor?' Sister Bridget stepped into the room 'Matron just telephoned, she said the baby...well the baby's still holding on but she thinks it'd be best if you went over to Ashfordly. You know, just in case...'
Gordon stared at Jill 'No no, Jill needs me here. I'll go over as soon as I know Jill's going to be alright but not before. Is that clear?' He questioned the innocent women with frustration in his voice.
'Yes, okay' Sister Bridget walked off, disheartened to see Gordon so confused.
'Don't hate me Jill but it's just a baby, I'm no use to it but I promise you she isn't going to die.' It was the first time Gordon had referred to the baby as 'she.' He felt he couldn't form a bond with their daughter, not until Jill woke up.
Several hours later
'G-gordon' Jill croaked her husband's name, trying to gage where she was
'Jill!'...' Gordon sat upright in the chair 'You're in hospital darling, you collapsed. Do you remember?' He explained
'Collapsed? The baby?' She placed her hand on her stomach where her baby should have been, forgetting she'd given birth
'You gave birth first love and then lost a lot of blood. We had to operate to save you but you're okay now, everything's going to be okay'
'I remember, I think. The baby, can I see it?'
'They took it to Ashfordly. I mean, they took our daughter to Ashfordly, I was meant to go with her but I couldn't leave you here.'
'Gordon, she needed you. How is she? Has anyone said anything? When can I go and be with her?'
'She's so small Jill, it was touch and go but she'll be fine I promise. You've got to rest; your no good to her if you're poorly yourself are you darling? She'll be back with us as soon as she's well enough.'
Jill clung onto Gordon as he looked her in the eyes and stroked her hair. Whilst all Gordon really cared about was the health of his wife, Jill couldn't stop thinking about their daughter. She was all alone at a time when she should have still been safely inside of Jill, or surrounded by the love and safety of her parent's. Jill couldn't help but blame herself up, if only she'd of taken things more carefully and looked after herself.