Touches on a touchy subject. Well, I consider it a touchy subject, but also one that hasn't been done before (to my knowledge ) and I thought it would be a good idea.
Please don't read if you think you'll get upset.
For this chapter: Ethan doesn't have the gene, Cal never had little Matilda and Matilda was their mum, instead of Emile.
I know I updated this Saturday night, but since I had this ready, I decided to update this again.
Adam: Is Ricky's older brother, who took revenge on Ricky by holding her hostage when he realised that she was falling in love with Brax.
Sergeant Emerson: A police officer from "Summer Bay "
Jamie: Adam's son, Ricky's nephew. Briefly mentioned.
Ricky doesn't have Casey.
The Secret Life Of Casualty.
Chapter 158.
"Maybe we should go and get you checked out, " Said Cal, concern in his voice as he put his hand against her forehead, Ricky had been in bed for the past few days, fighting what she had thought was a common cold, but she was burning up as well and even though he was a doctor, Cal realised he didn't want to see somebody he loved in pain.
"Cal, I'm fine " She told him, taking the glass of water off the table and taking a sip and then falling back on to the pillows. Cal stroked her hair back off her forehead.
Cal shook his head and climbed on the bed beside her, she was sweating.
But when he caught Ricky hurrying to the bathroom and bending down in front of the toilet, he had made his mind up. He headed down stairs and got the thermometer out of the medical bag that Ethan kept, for once he was grateful and he found what he was looking for.
Returning to their bedroom, Cal placed the thermometer under her arm and sat by her.
"Cal" Ricky moaned as Cal the thermometer out from underneath her arm and looked at the reading. "38. 8"
Cal started the car and concentrated on driving as Ricky rested her forehead against the cool glass.
When they reached the car park, Cal got out of his side and went to Ricky's side, he undid her belt and gave her his hand. She leant against him. Cal spotted Zoe. "Is there an empty cubicle?"
"Sure Cal " She responded, opening the curtains to the cubicle as Cal lay Ricky on the bed.
Noticing her arm was shaking Cal lay a hand on her arm.
Zoe walked in to the cubicle, tests results in her hands. "Your pregnant "
"Do you know how far I am?" She asked.
Zoe looked at the stick. "6 months "
She looked up, stunned.
"You should tell Cal, " Zoe gave her a piece of advice.
Ricky nodded. "I know "
Zoe stood up from the bed. "Congratulations " She told Ricky.
"Cheers" She replied, softly as she leaned up from the bed, getting her jacket and handbag and swinging her legs over the bed and left the cubicle.
As she started walking towards her car, she felt a presence behind her and increased her walking.
"It's Ricky, isn't it " Smiled a woman, winding the window down.
"Yes" She said, arching an eyebrow, wondering what the woman wanted with her.
The woman got out of the car and walked behind her, Ricky felt this uneasy feeling that something was going to go wrong.
"Let me go!" She pleaded, she heard a harsh laugh which sounded like a woman's, as she produced a clothe and tied it around her mouth.
Then, everything went black as Ricky had been hit on the head.
Taylor turned to her accomplice and smirked.
Muffled voices was all she heard when she come to. She appeared to be lying on a bed, handcuffed, with her feet bound too; she was completely immobile.
Even though her blindfold had been removed, she was still struggling to see as her eyes were unfocussed from the lack of light, she blinked a few times.
"Hello sis "
There was a voice Ricky thought she wouldn't be hearing again. What the hell was Adam doing out of prison?
He explained as he walked closer to her "I escaped "
Ricky felt sick, this man sitting beside her wasn't her brother, he was an imposter, her brother had died in a car crash.
Taylor held a bottle of water to her mouth and Ricky gulped it thirstily, but all too soon, Taylor snatched it away.
"We are ready " Taylor smiled a wicked smile as she walked back in to the room.
"What?" Ricky asked, there was fear in her voice, which her brother noticed, he smirked, as Taylor come in to the room. She sat down on the bed and ordered Adam to untie her.
"No. " Ricky whispered as she realised what Taylor was about to do.
"Where is she, Ethan?" Cal bombarded his brother with questions about where his partner might be. "Where is she?"
"I don't know, Cal" Ethan felt helpless as he watched Cal pace up and down the room, a frown on his face.
"Rick, pick up, please, I'm worried " Cal spoke in to the receiver.
"Cal, we'll find her, I promise " Ethan said.
Cal grabbed his coat and Ethan heard the door slam. He had an inkling he knew where his brother was going and went after him.
Cal walked up to the desk. "I'd like to report a missing person "
"Sorry, sir" Sergeant Emerson said. "We can't do anything as Miss Sharpe hasn't been missing for 48 hours"
"Dam it " Cal declared, as Ethan put a hand on his arm, but Cal shrugged him off.
"Hi, this is Ricky, sorry I can't take your call right now "
Cal sighed, shutting his phone.
Ethan took his brothers phone and decided to leave a message.
"Ricky, it's Ethan. Stop messing my brother about, he doesn't deserve it!"
Cal stared at Ethan, it wasn't often that the usually mild doc lost his temper.
Taylor picked up Ricky's phone and accessed her messages.
"Cal's desperate " She said, once she'd listened to the messages.
"Hi Cal " She whispered, twisting a strand of hair around her finger.
"Taylor" Cal spat from the other side of the line.
"Cal-" Ricky's terrified scream was cut shut by a hand being clapped over her mouth.
Cal turned to Ethan in shock "She's alive "
Ethan nodded at Cal.
Now, all Cal had to do was find her. He grabbed his car keys and jogged from the house.
Taylor cleaned the instruments that she would need as she walked in to the room.
"Taylor, please don't do this!" Ricky shouted, she was feeling weak and extremely dehydrated.
Taylor cut in to Ricky's stomach and pulled the baby out.
Ricky looked at the baby, it had brown eyes, like Cal's, it had a brown layer of fat on it, but to Ricky, she looked perfect.
"Mummy's here" Taylor whispered, picking the baby up.
"She's not yours " Ricky said quietly.
"Adam, please don't take her " She pleaded, tears falling down her cheeks, her baby needed her, Adam wrapped the baby up in a blanket that Taylor handed him.
Adam scoffed. "You don't deserve to be a mum, Ricky "
"And what about Jamie?" Ricky retaliated. Adam's face darkened, she knew not to mention his son. He slapped her across the face.
Watching Adam and Taylor, leave with her baby, broke her heart, but she knew that she had to try and get help. Getting off the bed, her body filled with pain as she walked over to the window, blood dripped on to the floor.
"Help!" Ricky screamed, fiddling with the windows, managing to catch her wrists on the latch.
Ethan was on his way home, when he heard a woman screaming, he looked around, and seen no one in the dark, but then he looked up, caught sight of a woman's reflection through a window. He walked towards the open door and cautiously walked inside.
"Ricky?" Ethan said.
"Help me" she begged, as she almost fell in to his arms, Ethan struggled to take her weight.
"What... happened?" Ethan asked.
"I don't know " She felt sick to her stomach as she lied, but she knew briefly of Cal's relationship with Taylor, she had conned the brothers out of all their cash.
Ethan rang for an ambulance and sat by her as he looked around; the room looked like a war zone there was blood, medical instruments.
He tapped her face in a bid to keep her in consciousness. "Stay with me, Rick " He fumbled in his pocket for his phone and rang an ambulance.
"Ambulance service " A man shouted, and Ethan was relieved to realise it was Jeff.
"Up here, Jeff " Ethan replied.
"What happened here, mate?" Jeff asked, as he unzipped his medical kit and got out an oxygen mask, putting it over her face. Dixie went to get the spinal board.
"She was bleeding "
Jeff nodded as Dixie come back with the spinal board and slipped it under her back, putting a head collar on her and putting a blanket over her.
The two paramedics lifted the spinal board up and carried it out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the house, putting her in to the ambulance.
Dixie pushed the double doors open.
"This is Erica Sharpe, 27, found in a distressed state, KOE'D, BP 60/ 90. GSC 2, SAT's are 97% " Said Dixie as she wheeled the stretcher in to the ED.
"RESUS" Said Zoe as she walked alongside the trolley.
"On 3 please " Zoe announced as she picked up a side of the spinal board and moved it across on to the bed.
"Cal, you know you can't treat her, " Zoe said, as she looked up to see Cal.
Cal didn't care. "I'm staying. " He told Zoe firmly, taking her hand.
"She needs a blood transfusion, " Zoe stated as there was more blood staining the sheets.
"I'll donate " Said Cal.
"Cal, you need to be tested, " Said Zoe.
Cal nodded, but Ethan tried to talk him out of it, but Cal stayed firm saying that he would do the same if it was him.
Cal walked in to the staff room.
"Thank you, " Cal said, sincerely.
"What for?" Ethan asked, taking a sip of his drink.
"You saved her life. "
Ethan blushed. "Anyone would have done the same "
But Cal shook his head. "No, they wouldn't "
"The police will want to interview Ricky " Zoe informed Cal as she headed in to the cubicle, she was waiting for a bed to transfer Ricky up to a ward so that she could get some rest.
"It can wait, Zoe, she's been through enough " Cal whispered as he stroked her hair.
"Cal, it's fine " Ricky whispered as Zoe left them both to it.
Cal tutted, making it clear that he wasn't happy with her choice, but he helped her off the bed and wrapped her dressing gown around her as he helped her out of the cubicle, she had refused to go in a wheelchair.
Sergeant Emerson was waiting for her in Zoe's office. "Take a seat, Miss Sharpe " Ricky sat down. "What's this crime, you'd like to report "
"An abduction " She replied.
Emerson nodded, turning to a fresh page in his book.
"I was about to tell Cal, I was pregnant when a car pulled up and asked me my name, next thing I know was, I was being thrown in to the back of a car. "
"Thank you for your time " Emerson told her.
Ricky nodded, and made her way out of the office.
Ricky was asleep, the only sound was the beeping go the heart monitor. Cal picked up her hand and squeezed it tight. Seeing her eyes drift shut, Cal ran his fingers through her hair.
"Here" Cal looked up to see Ethan holding out a plastic cup.
"Thanks bro, " Cal said as he stretched and took the cup, taking a sip.
"No!"
Cal stared as he heard a shout and then he realised that Ricky was shouting in distress. He sat on the bed beside her, opening his arms. "Shh, it's ok, baby "
Ricky buried her face in his chest as Cal stroked her hair.
Zoe walked in to the room the next morning to find Cal sleeping on the chair. Ricky was sat on the bed, cross legged, having just woken up, the baby who didn't have a name, was in a crib. It was the first time Cal had seen the child, both mum and baby were being kept in for observation.
"She needs a name" Cal said.
"Yeah" She replied, reaching for the jug of water and trying to pour it in to the glass, but her hands were shaking. Cal noticed and put their daughter in the plastic crib, before pouring the water in the glass and helping her take small sips.
"What about Amelia?" Cal suggested.
"Fine " Ricky replied.
Cal grinned. "Welcome to the world, Amelia Knight!"
Zoe walked back in to the room, with a concerned look on her face. Cal looked at her.
"Your CT's come back with bruising on the brain, Ricky. We'll monitor you for a while. "
All, Ricky wanted to do was go home.
"How are you feeling?" Cal asked as he walked in to the kitchen, the day after she had been discharged.
Ricky pushed him away from her as she felt a pair of arms sneak around her waist.
She showed Cal the letter, he unfolded it and began to read:
Dear Miss Erica Sharpe,
I am writing to inform you a date for the trial has been set for the 24th of April.
Your sincerely,
David Robson,
Solicitor.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the letter, she didn't want to face Taylor or Adam again.
"Hey," Cal grabbed her hands and squeezed them tight. "It's going to be fine, baby, "
"I'm just nervous Cal " Ricky whispered.
Cal nodded in understanding as he opened his arms, Ricky sunk in them in relief.
When the day of the trial came round, Cal realised that Ricky wasn't in bed, he bent in to the cot and lifted his daughter up, one of Ricky's neighbor, Marilyn had agreed to come and mind the baby, Ricky didn't tell her what she needed her for. Marylin had arrived and cooed over their daughter.
The drive to the court was silent and Cal knew that Ricky was scared.
"I now call Miss Erica Sharpe to the stand. " Announced the judge.
Cal looked at Ethan and gulped as Ricky stood and walked towards the witness stand, her legs felt like jelly.
She was told to place her hand on the bible and repeat what the scribe told her.
"I swear the evidence, I shall give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth " Ricky stated as she took her hand off the bible and prepared herself for the questions that were coming her way.
"Can you tell the court what happened, please, Miss Sharpe?"
Ricky nodded, collecting her thoughts together. "I was about to tell Caleb that I was pregnant. I headed out in to the car - park and to my car when I heard a woman pull up beside me, she asked me my name and then forced me in to the car "
Ricky returned to her seat, next to Cal, who squeezed her hand supportively. "Well done, I'm proud of you "
While they waited, for the verdict to be announced Cal got Ethan and Ricky a coffee. Ethan looked at Ricky in concern as she seemed to be staring in to space.
All, too soon, they were informed that they had to return to the room.
"Have you reached a verdict on which you all agree on?" Asked the judge
"We have your honour " Said the main person, standing up.
"Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?" The judge asked.
"Guilty "
Ricky wept with relief.
"Adam Sharpe you have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Taylor, you have been sentenced to a high security prison" Said the judge.
Cal wiped away her tears, murmuring:
"Rick, it's over, you don't have to worry anymore "
Ricky managed a weak smile for him. "Thank you "
"What for?" Cal asked.
"For being there for me" Ricky replied.
Cal shook his head. "Anytime"
He took her home and Cal paid Marilyn, Ricky tried to relax by having a bath, but her mind was working overtime and she couldn't find a way to switch off. She climbed out of the bath and went in to the bedroom, putting on one of Cal's tee - shirts.
Cal was lying on the couch when she got downstairs, Amelia was resting on Cal's chest, Ricky stood in the doorway and looked over at them, he seemed to be so good with her.
"I can't Cal " She cried, once she had sat down, Cal had passed her Amelia and she had held the baby at arms length.
"Listen to me" Cal took a seat on the couch, next to her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It'll take time "
"I know " She replied, placing Amelia in her mosses basket.
The next morning, Ricky woke up alone, Cal had gone to play a game of pool with Max on his day off while Ethan had gone to the library to research more in to a paper he was writing for Zoe.
Guessing that Cal had purposely left them alone, she knew that she would have to tend to her wailing child. She reached over and rocked her in her arms, she quietened down.
"Shh" She murmured, rocking her.
Cal sat down next to her.
"Where have you been?" Ricky questioned.
"I went the pub after playing pool "
"Cal " Sighed Ricky, she could do with his support.
Ricky decided to go and visit Adam in prison to put her mind at rest.
"Where are you going?" Cal asked.
"I'm going to see Adam" She stated, she needed him to see that she wasn't scared of him.
"Erica Sharpe, " She told the guard. The guard found her name, ticked it off and then searched her, she opened her handbag to see that she wasn't carrying anything that she didn't need to have.
"I shouldn't have used you the way I did, I know that " Adam told her.
"Words don't mean much to me Adam " She knew that Adam was now out of her life and she was relieved about that.
When the visit come to an end, Ricky walked out, feeling a sense of relief wash over. She unlocked her car and got in, driving away.
"How was it?" Cal asked, handing her, her mug and she curled her legs underneath her.
"It was fine," She admitted slowly, taking a sip of her drink.
"Want to talk?" Cal asked.
"No " Ricky whispered as she reached for a magazine on the table and flicked through it. Cal bit his lip and walked in to the kitchen.
"How's Ricky?" Ethan asked, standing in the kitchen.
Cal sighed. "She doesn't want to talk "
"Neither did you when mum was dying " Ethan reasoned.
"That was different " Cal said.
"Um?" Ethan nodded as Cal picked up the baby monitor and headed up the stairs to see his daughter.
"Hello, you " Cal cooed as he lifted her up along with her teddy and blanket and took her downstairs to let Ricky have a cuddle with their daughter.
As he placed their daughter gently in to her arms, Ricky stared at him with wide eyes. Cal stroked her arm reassuringly.
Baby Amelia whimpered for a while before giving a yawn and settling in to her mothers arms.
"See?" Cal said, quietly. "She likes you "
Ricky shook her head and punched him lightly on the arm.
"Ow " Cal looked hurt as he rubbed his elbow.
Ricky laughed. She placed their daughter in to her crib and put her blanket over her as she looked at Cal, resting her head on his lap, he stroked her hair and she sighed blissfully, Adam and Taylor couldn't hurt her or Cal anymore and she was relieved, now she had Amelia and Cal.
Cal suddenly had an idea, quickly making something up about going to see Ethan about their late mothers will, he was out the door. He text Ethan, who met him, in town.
"Your not thinking of proposing, are you?" Ethan asked quietly.
Cal shook his head. "No. But I want her to know that she can trust me"
Ethan nodded as they entered the shop. Cal wanted something that Ricky could treasure for ever.
After looking for a while, and listening to the advice, an assistant had offered him and Ethan, Cal took his time and checked the amount of money he had in his wallet, he then found it, it was perfect. Ethan drove them home.
Cal walked through the house, in to the living room where he found Ricky sitting on the couch, reading a book. She smiled at Cal as he walked in, and then got down on one knee. There was only one reason a man got down on one knee and Ricky didn't think she was ready for it. She watched as Cal got a small black box out of the bag, and opened it.
"Cal" Ricky's eyes widened, she wasn't ready for marriage.
"It's not what you think, Rick " Cal quickly said.
It was a Pandora ring, as July was her birth month, in the middle was a green stone, Cal slid it on her finger.
Wrapping her arms around her partner Ricky kissed him, she knew he was the real deal. He would protect her and Amelia and that's all she wanted, was for their daughter to have a happy and healthy upbringing.
Next chapter: Feeling unable to deal with his diagnose, Cal encourages Ethan to sign up to one of Holby's dating websites, but who will Ethan encounter?
