"Thanks once again Michael" Jac was pumped up with morphine from the hospital and sitting happily in her chair as Michael pushed her into his back garden. She was to stay at Michael's for a few months, until she was able to manage without her chair, then she was going home and Posy was to live with her. "Just as long as you're comfortable Naylor." Michael replied, smiling and readjusting the blanket, which covered her knee. "Just don't crash on me again ok?" Jac grinned "Oh I'd never be so stupid twice!"
Later that week Jac sat in the same spot watching Michael's girls run around the garden. So carefree and angelic, Jac envied their peace of mind, their innocent. She wanted to be like them, loved, cherished. The more she looked at them the more she thought of her childhood, how she'd been forced to grow up so quickly. The oldest girl must have been around her age when she was compelled to realise she wasn't loved and never again would be. As thought about this she vowed to never let her own daughter experience life the way she had. She would never leave her without saying goodbye. The more she considered her daughter a few salty tears started rolling down her cheeks. Unfortunately this caught the attention of Michael's eldest daughter "Jac, are you ok? What's the matter?" "Nothing, just remembering." Jac forced a smile to her face "Don't you worry about it" Then pulling herself together and wiping her eyes, she drew another fake radiant smile and said loudly; so to get the attention of the other girls "Now who wants to go and get an ice-cream, I think I just heard the tune!" Hearing the delighted screams from the other girls, she dug out her purse and handed them a ten pound note. "Go and choose yourselves all something from the van." She said as she shooed them out the garden, into the direction of the tinkling sound. As the children disappeared Michael walked into the garden talking furiously to Annalese; who had come to pick the children up from their brief stay at their fathers. Spotting Jac sitting in the corner they rapidly stopped the furious whisper. "Oh, hello Jac how you doing?" Annalese spoke first stretching out her hand, Jac took it gratefully. She'd noticed how differently people now treated her with her injuries. "Hi Annalese. Much better thanks; just a few aches!" "Oh, of course, well I hope you feel your old self soon!" Annalese said, then dropping the niceties she got to business "So where are my girls?" Sensing rivalry Jac replied causally "I sent them to get an ice cream, they were hot and I heard the van." "Well" Said Annalese in a bored voice "I suppose I can wait, however they have a party which we simply must get back too." "Oh."Jac replied then winced suddenly, clutching her side. "Jac?" Michael leant over her "its ok, it's gone now." She reassured him "But, umm, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to go back to bed now, give the girls my love." "Of course" Michael steered her inside, turning to Annalese he said "Your see to the girls yeah?" "Hmm" She responded "Of course."
Lying in her bed Jac considered Posy. She really wanted to see her, but the few times she'd suggested it Michael had jumped to a swift and certain no. He'd firmly stated Jac needed all the help and rest she could get, and having a baby around would not help. After his decision Jac had felt self-consciously rude and ungrateful, making a mental note not to suggest it for a while. However, the thought kept coming back to her, nagging her, clawing away at her heart, until she buckled. "Michael..." "Yeah Naylor?" "Umm, it's just... well" "Spit it out Naylor." "It's, well, shouldn't I, I mean, don't you think I should be spending some time with my daughter?" Michael looked pained, he knew really she should, but he enjoyed having her around too much to let her go. "Yes, but you are still very weak, maybe after you've started walking again?" "But, but she's my daughter, my daughter." "I'm sorry Jac; I think it's best to wait a while."Then seeing Jac close to tears Michael spoke again "well, I suppose I could talk to Joseph..." Gratefully Jac smiled up at him "Thanks Michael"
