Kate sat on the bed. She rested her head in her hands. She groaned with frustration. The dress she had been attempting to put on was dumped on the floor in a crumpled heap. She had been desperately trying to do the dress up over her baby bump. Ethan stood in the doorway wearing only his black suit trousers. He smiled as he saw his wife. 'Come on darling stop beating yourself up' Ethan soothed.
'It's just that was my last dress that fits, I have nothing to wear' Kate whispered.
Ethan sat down beside her and wrapped an arm tenderly around her shoulder. He drew her close to his warm body and held her tightly. He kissed her head gently. 'You just wait right here and close your eyes' he instructed as he stood up. He quickly left the room and returned a moment later carrying a small box. He handed the box to his wife. 'Open your eyes' he murmured, threading an arm around her waist and kissing her collarbone.
Kate opened the box. Laid on a piece of white tissue paper was a midnight blue dress. It was ruched at the top but flowed out into a long skirt at the waist. 'So do you like it?' Ethan asked hopefully.
'Yes, I love it thank you so much! I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful husband' Kate said throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him tenderly. Ethan placed a hand on Kate's bump. He felt a tiny kick. 'Someone think their mummy should get dressed before Cal gets here!' He whispered.
She took it out of the box and began putting it on. Ethan shrugged on a shirt and began buttoning it up. As soon as he finished he began buttoning up Kate's dress. The buttons stopped half way up her back showing off her tanned skin. Kate helped Ethan tie his bow tie before helping him with his blazer.
Cal was waiting downstairs in the hall for the couple to come down. They were headed to an Army Officer's ball with Kate. He was beginning to get impatient when suddenly the couple appeared at the top of the stairs. Ethan looked dapper in his suit. His blonde hair smoothed down and slightly spiked at the front. Cal smiled when he saw the gorgeous woman on his brother's arm. Kate was glowing. She had her long brown hair pulled into an elegant chignon which was slight to the left. The dress captured her trim figure and highlighted her bump subtly.
They stood at the bottom of the stairs exchanging greetings. Cal hugged his little brother before kissing Kate's cheek. He placed a hand gently on her bump. 'Hello baby, its uncle Cal, I thought I should tell you how beautiful your mummy and daddy look tonight. I'll make sure I show you some pictures when you are older!' He smiled.
They climbed into the waiting taxi. After a fifteen minute drive they pulled up outside the hall. Everyone was heading towards the door. Ethan climbed out of the car and rushed round to open the door for his wife. He extended his hand for her and she took it. 'Ooh' she breathed as she stood up.
'Everything okay?' Cal asked worriedly. Ethan had a look of fear etched on his face. Kate too his hand and placed it on her bump.
'I don't think the baby likes long car journeys' she smiled. Ethan visibly relaxed as he felt the tiny nudges against his pal. He kissed her bump gently. 'Daddy will make sure we don't go on anymore long car journeys then' he soothed.
He led Kate and Cal inside. As they approached the entrance Kate paused. 'You see that guy over there?' She said pointing at a man in a wheelchair that couldn't have been much older than Ethan. 'He's the guy who was injured on our tour. He had been hit with an RPG. We all thought he was a goner' Kate explained, a look of sheer sadness and empathy washed over her. Ethan put an arm around her.
Kate wandered over to the young man. 'Thomas? Thomas Manning?' She asked.
'Yeah, what's up?' the young man asked without looking up.
'I thought it was you, how are you doing?' She asked softly. He looked up.
'I'm so sorry ma'am. Yes I am doing a lot better thanks to you, I owe you everything' he spoke, his voice shaking with joy and shock at seeing the woman stood in front of him.
'I'm so glad. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. My husband and I are both doctors and we are willing to help' she exclaimed gesturing for Ethan to come over.
'Let me introduce my husband and his brother, Doctors Ethan Hardy and Caleb Knight they both work at Holby City Hospital's emergency department' she stated.
'Pleased to meet you. Captain Robinson here literally risked her life to save me. We very nearly got shot down whilst in the helicopter headed back to Bastion. She did everything possible to make sure we got their safely' he told the brothers.
They continued to mingle amongst the scores of service men and women many of whom had served alongside Kate. There was a stage at one end of the room and a dance floor just in front of it. They were talking to an elderly couple who were visiting because their grandson was serving when someone appeared on stage. It was Kate's commanding officer. He stood in front of the microphone and gestured for the crowd to quieten down.
'Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to thank you all for coming this evening. As you are all aware Corporal Thomas Manning was injured on tour in Afghanistan almost two years ago. He was badly injured after an RPG hit the vehicle he was commanding. He has been in hospital since he was injured and was only released two days ago. He wanted to come here tonight to talk to you all about his experience. So over to Corporal Manning...' He spoke boldly.
Thomas was assisted onto stage. He sat on a chair in front of the now lowered microphone. 'I was asked a few days ago to talk to you lot about my time on tour, many of you have experienced what I have so I'm not going to bore you all with another war story. Earlier this evening I bumped into someone who I didn't think would be here this evening. Someone who is so modest and never was recognised for her efforts when it came to saving my life. She came here this evening with her husband and brother in law whilst heavily pregnant and pulled me to the side just to make sure I was okay and to offer her support. Captain Robinson put her life of on the line for me and several other wounded personnel on our tour and for that I am eternally grateful. Without her expertise and efforts I would not be standing here right now. This is not some kind of sob story where I am going to burst into tears and beg for your sympathy, it's the hard core truth. Thank you so much for giving me my life and I wish you all the best. Now please raise your glass for Captain Kate Robinson, my hero' he said raising his glass. Kate smiled modestly and blushed bright red as the scores of people cheered for her.
Kate stood outside the door getting some fresh air. She was deep in thought and hardly noticed the figure stood beside her. 'Are you alright baby?' The voice asked her.
'Oh, yeah I'm fine it's a bit chilly this evening and I'm a bit tired' she whispered. Ethan took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. Kate smiled at him.
Ethan kissed her cheek and pulled her into a hug. 'Why don't I go and fetch Cal and then I'll get us a taxi' he offered. Kate nodded. A few minutes after Ethan dashed inside he returned with Cal. Ethan dashed down the path to flag down a taxi. There was no sign of any cabs. Cal was stood with Kate leaning slightly on her as a result of the numerous drinks he had already consumed that evening.
Ethan disappeared from sight. They were stood by the road waiting for Ethan to return when a group of young men came past. One was carrying a glass bottle. He pushed between Kate and Cal causing Kate to fall over. 'Oi! What is wrong with you, can't you see she's pregnant!' Cal screamed at them as he ducked down beside Kate.
The young man smashed the bottle over his head knocking him out immediately. Ethan rushed over hearing the commotion and saw his wife on the floor. He saw his brother passed out next to her with a small pool of blood forming behind his head. 'Kate? What happened?' He asked.
'There was a group of guys, they pushed me over and Cal had a go, they hit him over the back of his head with a bottle' she told him tears running down her face.
Ethan gasped with shock. 'We need to stop this bleeding right now, can you get me some ice and some towels from inside' she ordered. Ethan ran off to fetch the things she needed.
'Can I do anything to help?' A voice asked. Thomas was sat in his wheelchair watching the events unfolding before him. 'You don't happen to have a handkerchief or something?' She asked.
Thomas shook his head. He pulled his jacket off and tore off the sleeve of his shirt. 'Use this' he said handing it to her.
'But-' she started.
'Don't worry about it, I can't exactly reattach it and besides I have four identical shirts at home' he told her. He slide from the wheelchair and crouched beside Kate. He held the sleeve behind Cal's head tightly to stop the blood flow.
'What about you, how are you doing?' He asked Kate.
'I'm fine, more worried about him. If I don't look after him he will only whine and complain' Kate explained.
Ethan returned with the ice and the towels. A small crowd had gathered around the scene. 'Here darling, what's the ice for?' He asked realising that it wasn't a great idea to put ice on Cal's head.
'You see his wrist, it's going purple. He landed awkwardly on it as he fell, I think he sprained it' Kate told him. She put the ice on his wrist gently. Cal began coming round.
'Kate?' He asked panic setting in.
'I'm here, just keep still for me. Can you remember what happened?' She asked him.
'Yeah, I've been hit with a bottle. What about you, are you alright?' He asked.
'I'm fine. I think you might have sprained your wrist, you've got a nasty cut on the back of your head, but you'll be fine so just keep calm' she whispered.
'He was right about you being so selfless. Ugh can you do something about this banging headache I've got, seriously it feels like I'm already hungover' Cal winced.
'Just hang on a second, the ambulance is on its way. Don't worry about me, I'm staying here with you' she whispered.
A pain rippled down her back. She grimaced slightly trying desperately not to draw attention to her pain. 'Captain, what's wrong, are you okay?' The young corporal asked.
'Never better' Kate smiled at him.
'Will you stop doing that, if something is wrong say something, you don't need to pretend' Cal told her.
'I've pulled a muscle in my back, it hurts a bit when I move but I'll be fine' she lied.
'Kate sweetheart, are you sure, you have fallen over after all' Ethan murmured stroking her back lovingly.
'I didn't pull a muscle but its fine, the pain isn't too bad, I'm more worried about this big baby here' she joked, grimacing as the pain came back worse.
'Alright darling, I'm going to lie you down next to Cal and have a look at your stomach' Ethan said as he put a hand around the back of her neck and lowered her onto the floor. He grabbed one of the towels and placed it behind her head. He used another towel to cover her bottom half whilst he lifted her dress exposing her large round baby bump. Thomas stayed by her head holding her hand as she had done for him only a while back.
Ethan placed his cold hand on her stomach. 'Geez Eth, your hands are freezing' Kate muttered.
'Sorry baby, it's because of the ice. Right I'm going to press on your tummy slightly to make sure that everything is as it should be' he explained. He checked her over. 'I can't guarantee anything but the baby seems to be alright. When was the last time you felt it kick?' He asked.
'About two minutes before I fell' she stated worriedly.
'Don't worry it could be that they baby is being lazy, after all he is related to this big oaf, we'll get you checked out in the ED just to be safe' he whispered jokingly before kissing her forehead. 'For now, I want you to rest' he ordered. The ambulance arrived on scene a few seconds later. They lifted Cal onto a stretcher after Ethan managed to rule out any neck and spinal injuries. Kate sat beside him with Ethan. He had his arm protectively around his wife.
They pulled up outside the hospital and Cal was taken to a cubicle. Kate insisted on walking alongside Ethan with his arm wrapped around her waist for support. 'I can't lose the baby' she whispered worriedly.
'I know darling, we'll know more once we get to the cubicle' he whispered steering her towards the cubicle beside Cal. He took her legs and lifted her bridal style before laying her on the bed gently. Tess appeared a moment later with the ultrasound machine.
'Right this might be a bit cold but it shouldn't be for too long. I'm going to take a quick look and then we'll be able to see if your baby is okay' she explained to the nervous couple.
She purposely turned the screen away from their line of sight. Ethan sat beside Kate holding her hand in his. The steady thrumming of a heart beat filled the air. 'Is that?' Kate asked.
'Yep, that's your little baby, it looks healthy, I'll print off some images for you' Tess said.
Ethan had tears streaming down his cheeks. 'Do you want to know the gender?' Tess asked.
Ethan shook his head. They had agreed to keep it a surprise so that it would be more exciting.
Cal was in the cubicle next door. Jacob, Charlie and Lofty were checking him over and removing fragments of the glass bottle from his head. Lofty stitched the wound closed whilst Charlie injected Cal with some morphine to dull the now pounding headache which consumed him. His wrist was mildly sprained and he had to wear a support on it for a couple of weeks. Once he was sorted Ethan and Kate were permitted to take him home so long as they stayed with him to make sure he was okay.
Cal slept in the spare room that night. Ethan and Kate took it in turns watching over him as he slept. At one moment Cal was unable to sleep. Kate took his hand and placed it on her bump, he could feel a serious of gentle nudges against his hand rhythmically. It brought a smile to his face as he snuggled down into the bed and fell asleep. Ethan came in to check on the pair who were now both fast asleep curled up on the bed with Cal's hand still rested on Kate's bump. Kate's hand rested on top of his. Ethan kissed her bump. 'I can tell that your uncle Cal loves you' he whispered to unborn child. He kissed his brother's head gently before pulling the covers over them and silently closing the door behind him.