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Jac Naylor opened her eyes slowly. She had no idea what time it was but she could tell it was still dark outside; the room she had been sleeping in was only bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. As her eyes focused she could see the small figure of Harry Byrne asleep on the sofa across the room swaddled in blankets. She turned her head to the right to see Michael Spence had been replaced by Joseph Byrne. She smiled to herself as she took in his crumpled appearance, grateful he hadn't crumbled after all she had put him through yesterday.

His light blue eyes opened and he smiled seeing her awake. 'Hi' he spoke softly.

'Hi' she smiled back 'what time is it?'

Joseph yawned softly as he looked at his watch 'it's just gone five'.

'You should have taken Harry home Joseph' she scolded him softly.

'A night on a sofa won't do him any harm, besides he was insistent he wanted to see you, to make sure you were ok.' Joseph reached across and took Jac's hand in his 'he loves you'.

'What was Harry like with Jennifer, I mean…' she screwed her eyes up whist she tried think of the words for what she was trying ask.

'You mean was Jennifer maternal with him, did Harry also consider her like a mother?' Joseph managed to voice it for her. He watched as she nodded. 'I would more say they were friends, Jennifer was good with him and they got on well enough but it wasn't like it is with you. Harry never had that sort of bond with her.' Joseph kissed her hand lightly 'you love Harry, I saw it the moment you held him as an infant and he knows it.' He stood up and lent forward to wipe away the tear that ran down her cheek, whispering 'I love you' before softly kissing her lips.

'I'm sorry' she whispered softly.

'For what?' Joseph lent his forehead against hers.

'For all this' she reached up with her free hand so smooth his soft short dark hair 'for all I've put you through.'

He straightened himself back up so he could look her in the eye 'you couldn't help getting sick Jac' he spoke softly. 'I almost lost you' he took hold of both her hands in his 'I know weddings and marriage isn't your sort of thing but can we just agree that we want to spend the rest of our lives together? Just us two, against the rest of the world' he laughed softly as he added 'with Harry and Emma of course.'

'Sure' Jac laughed tenderly causing Josephs face to break into a grin. He let her hands go and hurried over to his Jacket he had slung over the back of the chair. He pulled out a black velvet ring box and rushed back to her side. 'My maternal grandmother gave me this ring just before she died, she told me to give it to the prettiest girl who stole my heart' he opened the box the reveal a generous sapphire ring surrounded by small diamonds.

'Joseph' Jac gasped softly.

'I always intended this ring for you' he spoke seriously 'when we first dated I used to carry this around in my pocket, just in case I'd find the courage to give it to the most beautiful woman to have ever captured my heart' he smiled softly 'I kept it all these years just for you.' He took the ring out of the box and picked up her left hand 'I want you to wear it, not as an engagement ring, but as my promise to you I'll never leave you' he slid the ring onto her fourth finger, smiling at the complete look of shock on her face. She stared intently at the ring for a moment.

'Ask me to marry you Joseph' she spoke softly.

'What?' he stuttered, confused.

'Just ask me to marry you' a mischievous smile played at her lips.

'Jac Naylor' Joseph began, smiling back at her 'I Joseph Byrne am insanely in love with you. Would you do me the great honour of allowing me to call you my wife?'

'Yes' she answered him simply and with perfect clarity as she looked him in the eye 'yes I'll marry you.' He laughed softly before stooping quickly to kiss her. 'Ouch' she winced as they broke apart, her hand flying to her abdomen.

'Sorry, I forgot' he his face dropped into a look of concern 'are you ok?'

'Its nothing, you just knocked my stitches that's all' she laughed at him. 'I love you' she whispered unable to hide her smile as he leaned in, slower this time, for another kiss. 'Can you do me a favour?' she asked as they broke apart.

'Anything' Joseph smiled at her.

'Can you check on Emma for me? I haven't had an update on her since I first came round from the anaesthetic.'

'Sure' Joseph kissed her cheek 'I'll go now and be back with an update before you know it'

'Can we keep the news of our engagement between us for now?' she spoke as looked at the ring on her left hand whilst Joseph put on his jacket.

'Absolutely' he smiled at her as he walked back to her taking hold of her left hand once more. He gently pulled the ring off her fourth finger and slid it onto her middle finger. 'There, now no one will know our secret' he kissed her hand gently watching her soft smile. He turned and walked towards the door before turning back to exchange grins with her once more before exiting it through it and walking down the corridor, past a sleeping Michael Spence and a loudly snoring Sacha Levy, his feet most definitely strolling on air.

Joseph smiled his thanks at the young male nurse for letting him into the NICU. 'Good morning Mr Byrne' he greeted him politely 'I take it you're here to see Emma, how is her Mum doing? I hear she kept Mr T on his toes last night.'

'She's looking better, wonderful in fact' Joseph beamed 'she's a little anxious about Emma, would it be possible for more regular updates to be sent up to Holby Care for her? Just until she's able to get down here to see her daughter herself?'

'Absolutely' the young nurse nodded, professional concern etched across his face 'I'm sorry it's just we assumed Emma's father would have kept you informed' he walked Joseph over to Emma's cot 'I can assure you Emma is still doing well, no significant changes in condition.'

'Where is Jonny?' Joseph questioned aloud 'he promised Jac he wouldn't leave Emma on her own.'

'Apologises that is my fault, I bullied him into getting some sleep in our on call room about an hour ago, I wasn't aware Mum was so anxious' he smiled apologetically as he began to take Emma's obs 'I can assure you she hasn't been lonely though, she's the little star of the unit aren't you Emma?' He addressed the sedated infant 'all the staff stop for a chat don't we?' he finished writing in Emma's file and then picked up a small note book and handed it to Joseph 'we do this for all mum's who can't get here to see their babies. It's just a little diary we add to each time we see Emma, how's she's doing, any little quirks we've noticed her developing, that sort of thing. Why don't you take this back to Ms Naylor? I'll even take a polaroid to go with it if you'd like.'

'Yes thank you' Joseph smiled as he flicked through the book 'she'd appreciate that'

'I'll go and get the camera' the nurse spoke kindly as he walked away.

'Well hello Baby' Joseph spoke softly as he looked down at Emma. He put his hand into the cot and touched her tiny foot with his fingers. 'Mummy is very sorry she can't come to see you, I'm afraid she gave us all quite a fright last night. But she's ok now because she is so much like you, a fighter.' He gently stroked her soft cheek as he spoke to her 'now you must do all you can to get strong and well for your mummy, just like she's doing for you. She loves you more than words can say and bringing you home will make her so happy.' Joseph smiled at the sedated baby before deciding to divulge his secret. 'Now you mustn't tell anyone but your mummy has made me the happiest man alive, she's agreed to marry me.' He chuckled a little to himself, revelling in his own joy.

'Congratulations Mr Byrne' the young smiling male nurse was back, camera in hand.

'Oh I...well thank you' Joseph stuttered flustered he'd been overheard 'we were hoping to keep it to ourselves for the moment...' He let his voice trail off.

'Say no more!' the nurse grinned at him 'mums the word' as he took the photographs of baby Emma Naylor he wondered just how much breakfast this titbit of knowledge would buy him at the post night shift meet up in the canteen.

'You must find our situation strange' Joseph spoke hesitantly 'Jac and I were together before, years ago, and now we've found each other again...'

'You don't need to explain to me Mr Byrne, I see all sorts of different family set ups' the nurse spoke kindly as he waited for the photographs to develop. 'The way I see it Emma is a lucky girl to have so many people who love her and care for her and mum and dad seem to be amiable' he smiled as handed the polaroid's to Joseph 'why don't you get these up to your fiancée, help ease her anxiety a bit.'

'Thank you' Joseph smiled gratefully before saying a quick goodbye to Emma and heading back to his son and wife to be.

Joseph smiled as he watched through the open doorway to Jac's room Harry sitting on the end of Jac's bed talking with Colette Sheward. The director of nursing smiled at Joseph as she realised he was watching from the doorway. Jac turned her head in the direction Colette was looking and her face lit up as she smiled at Joseph.

'Hi' Joseph greeted them as he stepped into the room and headed to Jac's side, taking hold of her hand.

'Good morning Joseph' Colette smiled as her heart warmed witnessing the easy love that flowed between the couple for herself 'I've just been telling Jac and Harry Bonnie Wallace will not be returning to this hospital. She claim's it was a simple misunderstanding but if I can't trust a nurse I don't want her on my wards'

'Thank you, that's reassuring to hear' Joseph smiled appreciatively as Harry interrupted him excitedly

'Dad, Mummy says I don't have to go to school today!' Harry grinned looking extremely tired but exceptionally happy.

'Really?' Joseph raised his eyebrow at Jac although he was smiling at the ease at which Harry now referred to Jac as his mother and her acceptance of it.

'Its been a long and strange twenty four hours Joseph' Jac rolled her eyes at him 'you can hardly expect an exhausted four year old to last all day at preschool'

'You know I could call the nursery for you, see if they could squeeze Harry in for a couple of hours today?' Colette offered helpfully.

'Would that be the nursery pretty much all the staff use and has recently been awarded outstanding by Ofsted?' Jac spoke in a mock innocent voice whilst giving Joseph a meaningful look, knowing he knew her disapproval of demanding pre-schooling.

'One of nurses on NICU gave me this to give to you' Joseph smiled sweetly as he handed Jac the photographs of her baby, neatly side stepping an argument. 'She's still doing well' Joseph planted a soft kiss on her cheek as she took the photographs from him becoming instantly absorbed.

'Are those pictures of Emma?' Colette inquired politely. Jac nodded as she held out one off the photographs to her. 'She's beautiful Jac, congratulations. Isn't your little sister gorgeous Harry?' Colette cooed as she showed Harry the picture.

Jac and Joseph both watched Harry intently as he studied the photograph 'She's ok I guess' Harry shrugged his shoulders noncommittal 'why is she covered in all those wires?'

'Remember we spoke about how the baby was poorly?' Joseph spoke carefully to his son watching as the little boy nodded 'well all those wires and tubes are helping her to breathe and to let the doctors know how she's doing.'

'Will she always be poorly?' Harry asked as he peered again at the photograph

Joseph looked down at Jac to see her intently biting her bottom lip trying desperately not to cry. The sight of her so vulnerable and uncertain brought a lump to his own throat. There was a moment's silence before Colette answered 'it's a wait and see thing Harry, hopefully Emma will have an operation and then she'll be as right as rain. Now how do you like the sound of going to play at nursery today?' she sought to distract the child as she handed the photographs to Jac who smiled gratefully as she took them back.

'Do they make you learn French?' Harry inquired.

'I don't think so Harry' Colette smiled at the child.

'What about Latin?' Harry asked next.

'Er I really hope not Harry' Colette looked down at the child bemusedly.

'Good because I really dislike both of those' Harry pulled a disgusted face which earnt Joseph another I told you so look from Jac.

'Ok so his new preschool may be a bit intense' Joseph sighed dejectedly 'I'll look into some other's'

'He was happy at his playschool in Cornwall and there's a perfectly good one on site right here I don't see why you have to start schooling him so early...' Jac let her sentence trail off as she caught the unamused look on Joseph's face.

'Maybe this is a conversation for another time' Colette spoke softly but firmly 'does Harry have a change of clothes?' she indicated to the fact the little boy was dressed in his pyjama's.

'I gave Elliot an overnight bag for him, it's probably still in the office on Darwin' Joseph rubbed his tried eyes, realising just how exhausted he was to be unable to think practically for his son.

There was a sharp knock on the open door as Mr T entered the room 'Good Morning all' he smiled cheerfully despite the fact he too had had an uncomfortable night sleeping in the on call room. 'I wanted to give Jac a quick check up and remove the catheter.'

'Oh right' Joseph spoke 'I guess I'd better take Harry out to wait in the hall'

Colette just managed to catch the look of vulnerable loneliness that passed across Jac's face before it was replaced by a mask of capability. 'Why don't I watch Harry for you?' she offered quickly 'I'll take him for some breakfast, that way you can stay with Jac.'

Joseph felt Jac quickly grasp his hand, telling him she needed him here. 'Thank you, that is very kind of you' he gently pulled his hand out of Jac's before helping Harry down of the bed and finding his dressing gown and slippers for him.

'Thank you Colette' Jac smiled gratefully.

'It's not a bother' Colette waved aside her thanks 'Harry's a sweet boy'

'Could you do me one other favour?' Jac asked shyly 'could you get Sacha Levy to stop his snoring out there? It's driving me insane.'

'I'll see what I can do' Colette laughed as she took hold of Harry's hand now he was ready to go. Mr T nodded his thanks to her as she left the room, pleased he would be able to speak frankly to Jac and her partner without the child in the room.

'Wait here a moment Harry' Colette asked the child as she shut the door. She fetched a water jug conveniently placed on a food trolley just a few paces up the corridor and walked to the chairs where Sacha Levy was stretched out snoring and still reeking of stale alcohol. Without a word Colette emptied the contents of the jug over Sacha's head.

'What…huh?!...Urgh!?' Sacha exclaimed in shock as the cold water had its desired effect.

'Go and have a shower, get into clean clothes and brush your teeth!' Colette barked at the registrar as Michael Spence burst out laughing having woken up in the commotion from his sleeping spot on the chairs opposite Sacha. 'You're a disgrace!' Colette walked briskly to the nurses station, fetched a wet floor sign and slammed it down on the floor in front of Sacha.

'Oww, my head!' Sacha moaned holding it with his hands.

'I'm sure your partner in crime over there can sort you out with pain relief' Colette snapped unsympathetically as she walked back up to an astonished Harry.

'Hey, his behaviour is nothing to with me' Michael spoke still laughing 'I was nowhere near the pub last night, I was behaving responsibly looking after Naylor'

'Whatever' Colette spoke over her shoulder as she walked away hand in hand with Harry 'just get that mess cleaned up.'

'Well she is something else' Michael spoke admiringly as he watched Colette exit round the corner now talking sweetly with Harry.