HH - EMma

Hello gorgeous how is daddy's little girl today then?" Robin cooed through the glass to his awakened daughter, her blue eyes sparkling, so innocent and pure. Her eyes wide and bright, her small cheeky smile on her lips resembling his own, he reached his hand through the tiny hole and managed to let her squeeze his finger. Although only five days old and not completely developed she resembled a strong child, so determined to live. The doctors said she was making good progress and at this rate could be out in a few weeks. It did kill him not to be able to hold her or kiss her forehead, or rock her when she cried, but as long as she was healthy he was fine. He gazed down at her for a few moments before kissing the small glass case and waving at her with his index finger.

"Not long now before me and mum get to take you home" he smiled, fighting the lump in his throat.

He made his way down the hall to Marian's room, pink tulips in hand, he seemed to have a small skip in his step, that came with knowing his girlfriend and baby were okay, and knowing he was now a dad, it was strange to think of himself as a father. He felt another lump in his throat. It was amazing.

He peeked his head around the door of her room and saw her placing some of her things into her bag. Although she was dead not but a few days ago, she looked more radiant than ever, omitting a certain glow that only came with motherhood, or just her. He looked at her up and down. Even though only in a white dressing gown and a pair of white socks she was enough to take his breath away. Her brown chestnut locks swaying in curls over her shoulders and down her back, her peachy skin now glowing and vibrant again.

"Alright Gorgeous" he smiled, stepping into the room, her face immediately lit up.

"Robin! I thought you weren't coming in til 3?" she asked packing up the last of her stuff. Robin smiled and made his way to her, withdrawing the flowers from behind his back, a smile plastered itself across her face.

"ROBIN! They're beautiful!" she beamed, "My favourite!" Robin smiled as he watched her dote upon the flowers. She walked slowly over to her bag, she was still a extremely sore from the birth, and the surgeries after. They had to do several transfusions and now she was deemed healthy, she was just to rest and keep up her energy. And she would be sore for a while now.

She pottered around by her bag before zipping it up, "How's Evie today?" she asked with a smile.

"She's doing great, the docs said she could be out in a few weeks, a week if she does well"

Marian smiled from ear to ear. "That's amazing, I wish we didn't have to leave her though"

Robin saw her face drop as she sat on the bed, he walked over and sat next to her, gently wrapping his arm around her and letting her rest her head on his shoulder.

"Hey…she'll be home in no time…lets just get you better"

"Im fine!" she scoffed.

"Fine? Marian you had a baby 2 months premature, and died after giving birth! I think you should rest, just a wee bit!" he teased, although it broke his heart to think about it.

"Alright I get your point" she smiled getting off the bed, she hissed and leaned over a little, Robin placing his hands on her shoulder to keep her steady.

"Marian, babe, you alright?" he asked.

"Yea, im fine just snagged a stitch that's all" she smiled. Leaning up to kiss him sweetly on the lips.

"Come on, we'll go see Evie before we leave" Robin said throwing her bag over her shoulder and slinking his arm around her waist, guiding her down the hall to the intensive care unit.

Robin wanted to give Marian a moment with her. She spotted the small glass bubble and walked slowly and shakily towards it. She grinned from ear to ear when she saw her awake.

"Hey there baby girl…..remember me" she whispered, leaning over the cot, slinking her fingers through the whole and holding her tiny hand. She watched her daughter open her eyes and grin cutely at her. She couldn't help but feel the tears well up in her eyes. She watched her tiny chest rise and fall, her tiny feet kicking the air, her tiny fingers reaching for her own.

"I'm sorry I didn't look after you" she whispered, tears falling down her cheeks. "But I promise when you get out of here I wont let those pretty feet touch the floor" Robin saw her crying and moved behind her.

"Shhh, don't worry, she'll be fine…she's got good genes" he smiled in her ear and she laughed, trying to force the tears back,

"You're right….I'm just being silly, hormones I guess" she laughed dryly. Robin new that wasn't it, he smiled and they gazed at their daughter once more and he helped Marian back down the corridor.

She walked slow, each step pain filled and stinging, Robin eased most of it, there was no doubt about that, but still it hurt. He helped her hop into the car and she smiled as she leaned back. Robin took a detour to avoid the traffic and congestion, it would take them an hour to drive back, and she was soon asleep. Robin gazed over at her quickly as he drove down the derelict road, she looked so peaceful when she was asleep, angel like even.

A few hours later and they were nicely settled in at home, Marian was on the couch reading a boo, her favourite, Naughts and Crosses, she was about halfway through when Robin came through with some food. Marian smiled and set the book down, holding her hands out for the plate,

"Have I told you how much I love you?" she grinned, realising it was her spicy chicken wraps she loved.

"Not in the last ten seconds" he grinned kissing her lightly and sitting back

"How you feeling?" he asked, rubbing her legs with his hands as she tucked into the wrap, moaning at the delicious taste.

"Much better. A little sore but….better" she grinned. Robin smiled as he massaged her legs once more.

"Good." he heard the letterbox chime and got up to see a large pile of envelopes on the matt. He grinned as he opened them seeing many congratulations embroidered across them, pictures of cribs and storks on them.

"That's good" Marian mumbled through the chicken. Robin grinned, after the cards there were a few bills and then something caught his eye.

"Marian…"

"Yes?"

She raised her head and saw him walking into the room, letter in hand, she knew instantly what it was, and knew instantly this would result in an argument.

"Marian…what is this?" he showed her the envelope.

The white paper stamped with the words private, a code which was obviously a pay slip and the crest of the shop Alldays on it. Marian knew she was caught. She placed the plate on the table and pivoted so her feet were on the floor. She looked up at Robin who was waiting for an explanation.

"Marian" he said again,

"Look, its no big deal alright" she stood with a moan and grabbed the envelop from his hands, limping towards the kitchen. Robin didn't now what to feel, he followed her, leaning against the door frame until she turned to face him.

"Marian!" he said again.

"Alright! Okay, so what I got a job! We needed income Robin! I told you what the social worker said." she breathed.

"How long?" he sighed.

"Three months now" she whispered.

"THREE MONTHS!" he snapped "So you were pregnant when you were working!" he shook his head.

"Robin, did you want Evie to be taken from us! We needed a stable income! And I didn't want you to have to take a job whilst you were dong your night classes at the college!" she reasoned.

"Marian….I told you I would sort it! I told you I would take care of you and the baby! You didn't need that! You didn't need the stress adding to…"

"To what? Robin…please do not tell me that you think that me getting a job contributed to the complications? She snapped. Seeing the small waver in his eyes she felt her heart stop.

"You shouldn't have went behind my back like that!" he changed the subject.

"You do don't you!" she said with hurt, Robin moved towards her.

"No honey of course not, but it cant have helped can it!" he bit

"No…you think its my fault!" she moved back a little screaming as she stared at him. "Go on! tell me that i nearly killed our baby!"

Robin couldn't help it, his anger got the better of him.

"Fine! You stressing yourself out contributed to it! If you hadn't got a job then…"

"Then what? The baby wouldn't have come early!"

"YES! YES okay! You worked yourself too hard and look what happened!"

Marian couldn't believe it, she felt her anger bubble inside her, she felt hot tears sting her eyes, she felt her chest heave. She reached for anything, her hand connected with a plate, she launched it at him, missing him by a good bit and smashing against the wall. Robin suddenly realised what he had done, not for one moment did he think it was her fault, but the way she was yelling at him made him snap. He saw her, so full of pain and hurt, he felt disgusted with himself.

"Marian…honey…"

"Don't you dare "honey" me…" she sobbed, her hand falling to her stomach which ached in pain. "Thanks for telling me the truth Robin" she sniffed, she stormed past him and grabbed her car keys.

"Marian! Where do you think you are going!"

"For a drive!" she sobbed "I need to clear my head" she walked out the door, slamming It hard, Robin took a deep breath and ran after her, only to find the car pulling out of the driveway, he ran to it, putting his hands through the open window, trying to stop her.

"Marian, stop! Please just come back inside!" he begged.

"Robin…" she took off the handbrake with a click " Fuck off!" and with that she pulled out and drove slowly down the street until she vanished without a trace. Robin swore, mainly at himself, how could he have said such a thing? Why did he push her away to numb his own pain. He went back inside and tried calling her mobile, but it was switched off.