Serena had no idea what time she went to sleep the previous evening, but the persistent sound of her phone ringing woke her up much too early for her liking. Groaning, she turned onto her side and reached out for the device, answering before she looked at the display to see who was calling her. "Hello?"
"Good morning, Serena!"
Jasmine sounded much too chipper that morning, especially since she was calling her, and she tried to keep in a groan as she sat up and reclined against the headboard, snaking her fingers through her hair as she drew in a deep breath. "Jasmine! How good to hear from you. Though I am surprised to have you call me out of the blue. Things were still tender between us when I left Holby."
"Yes, well, I understand why things happened the way they did. But you sound a lot better, and your pictures on Facebook are so beautiful. I'm kinda jealous that you get to walk out to the water every time that you want to," she said in a rush. "But pictures are actually why I'm calling you this morning. I couldn't help but notice that you liked Cam's picture of me and Morven, and I wanted to tell you the good news behind it! Especially since it's what you always wanted for me."
She let out a soft breath as she drew her knees up to her chest and stared at the baby monitor. It appeared that Ruth was still sleeping, which meant that she had a little more time to talk with Jasmine. "Oh, really? Well, don't keep me in suspense! What's your good news?"
Jasmine breathed in deeply, and Serena prepared herself for the next thing she said by pulling her mobile away from her ear. "I got a really great job opportunity at St Catherine's, in London! I wish that you were here for my going away party, but I know that you have your own life up there in Scotland. But, oh, I get to work on a really prestigious ward, and this will do wonders for my CV, and I really feel like you had a huge hand in shaping the doctor I'm becoming. Promise me, when you come back to Holby, that you and Bernie will take a day and come visit me at my new hospital?"
Serena's breath caught in her throat as she thought about her partner, and the impasse they were currently facing. Another jagged breath caught in her throat before she could stop it, and then she was trying to hold back tears as she answered Jasmine. "I don't know about Bernie, but I will be more than glad to come and visit."
There was a slight pause before Jasmine spoke once more, her voice soft and sweet. "Is everything all right between you and Bernie? She made a quick stop at Holby before she zoomed up to Scotland to see you, and it looked like she was a woman on the happiest of missions!"
The tenderness in the young woman's voice caused the first tears to start rolling down her cheeks, and she swiped them away harshly as she tried to find a way to answer Jasmine without completely breaking down. "I did something very foolish."
"Foolish enough to break your heart?"
Trust the young woman to be able to cut to the heart of the matter so succinctly, and Serena nodded a little before answering. "Yes. See, back in August, there was a terrible storm, and somehow I became the mother of a baby. She's been the best thing in the world for my recovery, and helped me to realise that despite everything that happened last year around this time, I still have my joy for Christmas. At first, I didn't want to think of Ruthie as mine, because I didn't want to get attached, but over the last four months? She's my daughter."
"And you never told Bernie about her, did you?"
"No. I mean, how do you explain to your partner that the sea gifted you with a child when you weren't expecting one, and that everyone you encounter is certain that she's actually a selkie in human form, and you are her sworn protector now."
"Practical Ms Campbell has a magical daughter? Will wonders never cease?" Jasmine teased, and Serena let out a choked laugh as she nodded. "That sounds so much better to hear. Have you tried calling her, to let her know you're sorry for shocking her? I mean, in the scheme of things, a baby is so much better than a beau!"
"Are you suddenly in your eighties?" she asked, listening to Jasmine giggle sweetly. "And there is no way I would ever step out on Bernie. I love her, she's the one."
"See? That is why I have no doubt that you'll be able to work things out, Serena. And as soon as you do, let me know, okay?"
"I will, I promise."
They spoke for a few more minutes, mostly Jasmine explaining what her new job would entail, and how she had already found a flat in a good part of the city, with access to the trains within a five minute walk, and how she couldn't wait to see a few shows and maybe meet some famous people at stage doors. "But if I happen to see anyone particularly famous, I might have to set my sights on them. I mean, wouldn't you like to be attached to someone famous?"
"Not really," she answered quickly, thinking about her Bernie. "I am quite content with my Army medic, thank you very much."
"Somehow I knew that you would say that, Serena. Now, I want you to hang up and text me all the pictures you've taken of Ruthie so far, because she sounds beautiful. And don't hold out on Bernie, either! Send her a few pics, let her see how much you love your selkie baby, and maybe she'll slink home to you. Morven knows her better, but I have this tiny inkling that she might have overreacted from her shock. I mean, I would be shocked, too. But give my love to her when you see her next, okay?"
"I will, Jasmine. And congratulations again. This is going to be such a good fit for you."
They said their goodbyes, and Serena hung up, letting out a deep sigh as she continued to watch the baby monitor. Ruth was still fast asleep, which allowed her to do as Jasmine had asked, quickly sending her a batch of pictures before scrolling through a little more slowly, trying to find the best pictures to send Bernie, to try and get her familiar with her daughter.
There were so many that she had taken, even though it had only been a few short months, and she sighed a little before her eyes landed on one that her neighbor, Mrs Mullins, had taken of them together. It was the perfect one to send to Bernie, to show her just how large a part of her life Ruth now was. They were on the beach, and Ruth was splashing her feet in the water as Serena smiled down at her in joy. It had been the last nice weekend in September, and the sun shone off the sea in a way that illuminated their faces, making them look almost beatific. Before she could chicken out, she pressed the send button, hoping that one picture would be enough to get Bernie to understand.
