Sandra and Gerry stood at the door lightly laughing as they watched one of the younger nurses trying to talk to Alexis.

"What?" Alexis asked the nurse yet again, the nurse was clearly getting more and more frustrated.

"What would you like for dinner? Chicken, sausages or three bean curry?" The nurse told her through gritted teeth. Alexis went to ask what she was being told again, Gerry thought it nicer to interrupt.

"She's asking you if you want chicken, sausages or three bean curry sweetie."

"Oh, chicken please." Alexis told the nurse sweetly.

"What would you like with it? Mash, chips or rice?" The nurse tried but looked straight at Sandra. As did Alexis.

"Do you want mash, chips or rice with it darling?" Sandra asked.

"Mash please." The nurse wrote it down and walked out the room as more nurses walked in. Sandra laid her head on Gerry's shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

They still stood at the door as the nurses checked blood pressure, pulse and did another ECG.

"You do realise you're going to have to learn to cook Sandra, don't you?" Gerry asked her.

"Yeah but it can't to hard can it? You manage it." Sandra retorted.

"Oi cheeky, you do realise shoving something from a packet in the microwave or oven isn't cooking?"

"Yeah yeah." They stood in silence for a while, all the while Sandra was thinking. What if the same happened with Alexis that happened with her mum? She couldn't let that happen. What if she couldn't commit to Gerry even though they were engaged? Most of all though, what if she let Alexis down? She really couldn't let that happen and she promised herself it wouldn't.

"Gerry?" She asked looking up at him.

"Yes babe?"

"You know we're engaged?" She pulled away from and stood facing him instead; he nodded and then leaned forward and kissed her. Alexis smiled as she looked over to see her parents kissing, but neither noticed. "I want to get married as soon as possible." She told him as she pulled away.

"Sandra I thought you were scared of commitment?"

"I am, well I was. This is different, I really love you."

"And I love you and of course I want to marry you as soon as possible."

"Don't let this turn out like any of your other marriages please."

"Of course I won't Sandra. This is different; I've never felt like this before." Gerry told her as he pulled her into a hug.

"Good because if you even think about cheating it'll be the last thing you do." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear the rest. "As I'll kill you and make sure no one ever finds your body." She pulled back.

"Don't worry, I won't Sandra."

"Good, now go and sit with Alexis, I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?" he asked her.

"Don't be so nosy." Sandra told him before walking out the door.

She walked out of the children's ward and then out of the hospital. It was now dark and the weather was very bitter. She scrolled through her phone before finding the number she needed and pressing the call button.

"Sandra?" Grace asked worriedly, Sandra never rang her and when she did it was never this late at night.

"Mum, I need to talk to you."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine. Can you come down to the hospital as I said I need to talk to you?"

"The hospital?! Sandra are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes I'm fine mum, there's someone I want you to meet."

"In hospital?" Grace questioned.

"Yes, you'll see when you get here. Now do you want me to come and pick you up or can you get here yourself?"

"I can get there myself, just give me 20 minutes."

"Okay, ring me when you're here and I'll meet you in reception."

Sandra walked back into the hospital as she buried her phone back down in her bag, she walked back to the children's ward via the shop.

"Here you go angel." Sandra said as she handed Alexis two magazines and a puzzle book. She sat down next to Gerry before speaking to him. "Don't think I'd forgotten you. Here you are." Sandra said as she handed him a newspaper.

"Thanks babe." Gerry said as he and Alexis shared a look, something which Sandra clocked.

"What's going on?" Sandra asked

"Don't be so nosy." Gerry told her, repeating her earlier answer. Little did she know, Gerry had also been making secret calls.

Hope it's okay, it was longer but my computer deleted it so I had to start again. Reviews welcome and I'd like to say a massive thanks to anyone who's read or reviewed. The support has blown my mind.

I'd also like to say a massive thanks to my friends Geezworld234, Team_NewTricks, Sdbubbles and kkayyeiiggh because they never fail to brighten my day or cheer me up.

Beth xxx