Jonny rested his forehead against Jac's as they both panted, waiting for her breathing to slow back to normal before whispering 'I love you'. She responded with a smile and a brief kiss on his lips causing him grin goofily as he rolled off her. She followed his movement, pressing herself against him as they lay side by side. He wrapped one arm around her waist and then gently traced the features of her face with his other hand. 'How'd end up with someone as beautiful as you?' She ignored him, closing her eyes. 'I know it was good when you lose the power to rebuke me.' Jonny chuckled, kissing her forehead.
'Shut up Maconie' Jac smiled against his neck.
'My beautiful wonderful wife' Jonny chuckled teasingly.
'You wouldn't be free for a trip to London in April would you?' Jac asked.
'I can make myself free' Jonny kissed her before asking 'what did you have in mind?'
'A trip to Buckingham Palace to pick up my MBE' Jac spoke bluntly .
'To pick up your what?' Jonny spoke in surprise. He sat up and snapped on the bedside light.
'Urgh Jonny! That's too bright!' Jac complained shutting her eyes tightly against the offending light.
'You cannot just sneak into bed with me, demand sex and then just casually remark that you're getting an MBE' Jonny laughed incredulously.
Jac opened her eyes to glower at her husband. 'Firstly I didn't sneak, I was trying not to wake you and secondly I didn't demand, you gave willingly.'
'Well when a woman who looks like you do makes advances it would be impolite to say no' Jonny teased. 'An MBE huh? Pretty impressive stuff Jacqueline Naylor.' He grinned at his wife 'I'm so proud of you.'
'Thanks' Jac gave him a genuine smile.
'Can I wear a kilt to the investiture?' he asked hopefully as he turned off the light.
'No you cannot' Jac rolled over onto her other side and closed her eyes.
'Spoilsport' Jonny laughingly spoke into her ear before wrapping his arms around her.
'Jonny?'
'Hmmm'
'You really are proud aren't you?'
'Of course I am. Always have been, always will be. You're simply amazing and I wouldn't have it any other way.'
...
'Mo would you be available to keep an eye on the girls over the first weekend in April?' Jac asked as she looked at rail fares to London on her PC in the office she shared with Mo.
'Sure' Mo nodded as she looked up from her paperwork. She had been itching all day to say something about the MBE but knew she had to wait for Jac to mention it first. 'So where are you heading? Dirty weekend in Paris?' she teased.
'I'd rather it was Paris' Jac smiled wryly 'but its actually London.'
'London huh? Got any specific plans?' Mo tried to act casual.
'You know don't you?' Jac sighed.
'Know what?' Mo feigned innocence.
'You know what' Jac huffed. 'Jonny never can keep a secret.'
'He's just proud that's all' Mo spoke softly.
'I just don't want any fuss' Jac grumbled.
'Well he's only told me' Mo shrugged.
'And you've probably only told Sacha who'll probably only tell Spence' Jac glowered.
'Starting to see your point' Mo leaned back in her chair, considering Jac for a moment. 'What's the big deal with keeping it secret anyway? Surely you must want to celebrate such a huge achievement?'
'It feels odd' Jac shrugged before getting to her feet.
'Its only odd if you let it be odd' Mo gave Jac an understanding smile.
'Well thank you for that sage advice' Jac rolled her eyes before picking up her stethoscope.
'I do get it you know' Mo looked back down at her paperwork. 'This could be a memorial to her rather than a painful reminder.'
'Every child I treat is like a painful reminder' Jac confessed softly before walking out of the room. She closed the door behind her rather than letting it slam, something which Mo took to be a mark of respect for both of them being grieving mothers.
...
'Come in' Mo called out in answer to the soft knock on the office door.
'Mrs Levy' Henrick nodded in greeting. 'We need to talk about Ms Naylor.'
'What's she done now?' Mo frowned.
'Nothing bad' Henrick failed to hide his amused smile. 'I'm assuming you've heard her achievements are to be honoured with an MBE?'
'Jonny told me' Mo nodded.
'The board think this could be a good publicity opportunity' Henrick spoke matter of factually.
'They nominated her didn't they?' Mo suddenly scowled 'Trying to cash in!'
'Not at all' Henrick spoke quickly 'it was I who nominated Jac. I thought she deserved some recognition, I didn't intend for it to be some sort of PR stunt.'
'She's tying herself up in knots over the Amelia device. Not that she would ever admit it' Mo looked at Henrik, willing him to understand. 'I'm not going to ask her to play nice with the board and pose for the press. I know how it feels to lose a child, how your grief can be stirred up by the smallest thing. I don't know how she does what she does; operating on those tiny babies. Giving them the chance Amelia never got to have. I think what Jac deserves more is to accept recognition of how extraordinary she is in her own way, in privacy, with just the people she chooses to congratulate her.'
'I understand' Henrick nodded.
'It was a nice thing you did, to nominate her' Mo added with a soft smile.
'Please don't tell her it was me' Henrick smiled ruefully back. 'Sometimes I get the impression it is only her fear of me that keeps her in check.'
'Its her love of the nhs that does that' Mo chuckled.
'Yes.' Henrick thought for a moment. 'Yes its true. Jac Naylor would do anything for the trust. Thank you Mrs Levy' he turned to leave. 'I hope Jac realises what a true friend she has in you.'
Mo watched him walk out of the room and sighed. She knew Hanson wouldn't ask her to persuade Jac to show off for the press but she very much doubted the MBE would be allowed to go by without being mentioned. It was the good publicity story the hospital board had been longing for. Mo wished with all her heart that she would be able to protect Jac from the worst of it.