The time passed quickly.  Kirsty had been out of hospital for a week now, and was already waiting to have her first counselling session with Flynn.  She didn't know if she could function properly, let alone be understood.  She couldn't even think about babies without crying, or look at the scan photos without breaking down.  She was feeling much like a ghost now, a shadow of her former self.  So much had changed in the space of seven months; their relationship had been pushed to the extremes.  It was unreal. 

Flynn had invited Kirsty and Kane to his own home, to make them feel a bit more relaxed.  He hadn't approved of the relationship from the start, but now, after recent events, he realised life was too short.  They obviously had something strong, which many people couldn't understand. 

"Are you going to be okay at school Sal?" asked Flynn.  "They might feel more open with just the three of us."

"Works for me, " said Sally.  "I'll see you later."  She kissed her husband on the cheek."  As Sally opened the door, she was shocked to see Kirsty and Kane nervously standing outside.

"Gidday."  Sally smiled compassionately.  "How are you?"

"You know, " replied Kirsty.  "A bit all over the place."

"Well I hope you and Flynn can work things out."  Sally left, leaving Kane feeling slightly awkward.   He hoped Flynn wouldn't judge him.  

"Sit down, make yourselves at home, " said Flynn.  "Can I get you anything, a cup of tea or coffee?"

"Just water."  Kirsty sat down on the larger sofa, Kane followed.  They instinctively locked hands.  She wasn't sure if the counselling would make her feel better, but she'd give it her best shot.

Flynn returned with a jug of water.  "Now I understand what you must be going through, and I expect you to still be in a state of shock after what's happened.  I hope through this session, and through any other sessions we might have, we can talk through your feelings and fears and anxieties.  I'm not promising instant results, but I hope we can work through this experience.  How are you feeling Kane?" 

"Pretty lousy."  Kane took a deep breath.  He found it hard to open up, but he knew he needed to.  "I just feel like everything is all my fault, if I hadn't got so angry and crashed, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"None of this is your fault Kane, you know that, " began Kirsty.  "I don't blame you."

"I know you don't, but I still do.  I feel like I always mess things up.  With Dani, with you, with our baby.  All my life I've messed things up." 

"That's like me Kane!  Before I met you I'd taken drugs, quit school not to mention turned into a monster.  I've always messed things up."

Flynn stayed silent.   The conversation didn't need him; finally he'd given Kirsty and Kane an outlet to talk. 

"The one thing we haven't messed up is our relationship.  This wasn't our fault."

"If I hadn't assaulted Dani, then Josh wouldn't have hated me so much and got his revenge, " said Kane.  This was one of the first times he'd openly admitted what he'd done.  It felt wrong to say the words, but at least he was finally being honest with himself. 

"The whole world is full of what ifs.  What's done is done; we have to live with it.  It's not your fault, I just hope you can realise that."

"How do you feel about your family Kirsty?"  Flynn entered the conversation again.

"I really don't know.  I still love them but feel like they wanted this to happen.  Like they can finally rest because they've got what they wanted, and I'm not carrying his child."

"I'm sure they don't think that way."

"I can't help how I feel.  They never wanted me to have a baby, and they never wanted me to be with Kane."  Kirsty was almost crying.  Did she even believe what she was saying, or was she just angry?  Perhaps she just needed someone to lash out against.

"I don't deny that they didn't approve of the relationship, but I know they're hurting just as much as you are."

"I don't feel that.  I just feel like now I've lost the reason to be with Kane, they'll try and talk me out of seeing him again, and that just won't happen."  Tears streamed down Kirsty's face.  "I'm sorry, I just really wanted the baby.  It cemented us, you know, made us stronger.  I even had a name.  Brooke."

"Really?" Kane was surprised.  He'd always liked the name Brooke.  It was the name of his mother, who died years ago.

"Yes, " sobbed Kirsty.  "I found out it was a girl."

"We could always carry on another time, if it's too much for you now, " said Flynn.  "I was also wondering if we could invite your family along, a mediation to talk about how you all really feel about each other.  I think you'll be surprised."

"I think that's a good idea, " said Kane.

"Me too, " sobbed Kirsty.