Chapter 9

Thanks for the reviews! I'm so glad that people are enjoying this fic, I've got quite a lot pre-written now and I'll try to regularly update... I'm just starting to get assignments for my first year at uni, so I'll see how it goes as to keeping up with this! Thanks :) x

Rita and Iain had been together for six months now and Iain hardly spent any time at home now. "So Zoe's wedding is next week and I was wandering if you were coming?" Rita was in the bathroom talking to Iain who was still lying in bed. He had thought about going of course, but he hadn't thought about them going together. "We don't have to together I mean, but I didn't know if you were planning on going."

Rita came out of the bathroom and faced Iain who had sat up in the bed. "Come here." He moved over and made a space for her to sit. She was wearing one of his old t-shirts and some shorts. "Now, why would I not want to go with you to Max and Zoe's wedding?" She turned to look at him as he moved forward and kissed her. She pulled back and put her hands around his shoulders. "You know you have work in an hour and Dixie will fry you if you're late-" "What if I've got better things on my mind." He smiled as he leant in and kissed her again lying her down on the bed.

Zoe was pacing around Connie's office waiting for her to get in. She could hear talking outside the door before she came in. "Oh, sorry Zoe I didn't realise you were in here. Aren't you supposed to be at the dress shop for final fittings today?" Connie closed the door behind her and put her bags down by her desk. "Earth to Zoe?" She looked up before smiling. "What's happened?"

They sat down on the sofa before they spoke again. "You're not having second thoughts are you-" "No! I guess it's just nerves… I mean I haven't even sorted out bridesmaids for the wedding Connie. Max has run about doing everything and left me with a few things which I haven't done. The wedding's next week!" Connie shook her head "You're mad, you know that right. So who do you want? I guess Robyn and Tess will be your bridesmaids?" Zoe shrugged "I was kind of hoping you'd say yes? I mean I'd understand if you didn't because let's face it, we've not exactly seen eye-to-eye all the time-" "Zoe, stop for breath. Of course I'll do it for you if that's what you want."

Max walked into the staffroom to see Cal and Lofty sitting in there. "So then best men, have we got anything planned for this weekend? And if so, please no strippers… You both might be available but I'm taken now." Cal laughed as Lofty replied "We've sorted a stag night yeah-" "And for your information, Lofty's the only available one!" Both men looked towards Cal questioningly but received no explanation.

Zoe walked through the department looking for Robyn. "Ah Nurse Miller-" "Have I done something wrong?" Zoe shook her head ushering her almost sister-in-law away from cubicles. "I just wanted to ask you something. Would you be my bridesmaid next week?" Robyn couldn't contain her excitement. "Yes! Oh my god Zoe, I'm so happy you asked me, wait isn't it a bit late?" Zoe nodded, "I've got an appointment this afternoon, Connie's given you the afternoon off so you can come then."

It was lunch time and Connie was sitting on the sofa in her office. There was a small knock at the door before Cal appeared from behind the door. "Hey, you busy?" She smiled "No, I'm clinical lead of an Emergency Department and have nothing to do." He laughed sarcastically before coming in and settling down next to her. She laughed when he dropped himself down onto the couch. She moved to rest her legs across his lap as she began speaking. "Oh, has Dylan got in yet?" Cal nodded "Think so, why?"

Cal looked at her smiling. "Look at that, best man and bridesmaid for the wedding… When did she ask?" Connie explained Zoe's last minute decisions before there was a knock at the door. Connie sat up just as they walked in. "Hey you ready to go?" Zoe smiled as Connie nodded "I'll be out in two minutes." Zoe left and walked outside with Robyn as Connie stood up. "I'll see you later? You'll probably be finished by the time I get back so I'll meet you outside?" Cal nodded giving her a kiss before she grabbed her bag and walked out.

Rita was finishing her shift for the day before walking round to the ambulance bay and seeing Dixie. "Hello stranger, how's everything going?" She nodded towards Iain who was sitting in the office. Rita laughed before replying to her friend, "It's going well. I really like him you know, as annoying as he is." Dixie laughed before moving closer "If it's any consolation, he's crazy about you." She moved backwards winking as Iain walked out and noticed Rita.

"Hey I didn't realise you finished so early today-" "Yeah, there's something I've got to sort out so Connie let me go early." Iain walked over as Dixie returned to the ambulance. There had been something playing on her mind for a few weeks and it had taken her that time to sort something out. "Is everything okay?" She was looking off into the distance daydreaming when Iain spoke again. "Hey, have I done something to upset you?"

Rita looked back around "Sorry, no of course you haven't I've just had a stressful day…" "Come on mate we've got a call out!" Dixie poked her head out from the ambulance before returning. "Go, you're needed." Iain smiled but was resistant "Go on, I'm fine I promise… I'll talk to you tonight, I'll cook? Love you." He leant in and kissed her before jumping into the ambulance and driving off.

Zoe, Connie and Robyn were in the dress shop looking around. "So what's your colours for the wedding-" "Ah this I do know! We decided on purple, kind of like that colour." She pointed over towards a section which held several light coloured dresses. "Okay that's a start… What sort of thing do you want us in?" Zoe shrugged "I want you both to pick them out, I mean you have to wear them not me."

After a few hours they had settled on dresses and were leaving the shop. At the same time as the girls were finishing Rita was sitting in a small room. There weren't many people around and she was beginning to regret coming but she had waited long enough, she needed to be here. It seemed like hours before she heard her name called. "Rita Freeman?" She stood up and smiled walking towards the younger lady. "Hi, my name's Jessica do you want to come through?" She indicated to the room behind her and Rita slowly walked in.

Connie was waiting in the car park when she noticed Cal walk out. He stood and had a cigarette with Max and watched as everyone left, beginning to walk home. A few minutes later he walked over to the car and got in. "Hey..." He smiled as Connie looked over to him. "Remind me to never let Zoe plan anything important!" He laughed as they headed home for a quiet night before the busy week ahead of them.