As 6.00 arrived on Sunday morning, John and Kayleigh were in separate parts of the hospital. Kayleigh was still in labour and John was recovering in the critical unit after his second trip to theatre.

"Any news on John?" Kayleigh asked Mandy.

"Not since last time I checked Kayleigh, Just that he's back in the critical ward."

"Can you check on him, please? I can't get through this if I don't know."

"Ok, I'll pop down and see him."

"Thanks Mandy."

Mandy took the trip to the other side of the hospital to see John.

Paul was sat with John half asleep, Mandy went to wake him up gently.

"Paul, Paul?"

"Hi ya Mand" Paul rubbed his eyes.

"How's he doing?"

"Seems stable, he's not come round yet though...How's Kayleigh getting on?"

"She's just worried about John...she's not fully dilated yet but glad she's at least resting a little bit."

"What a night? I tell ya, I am never celebrating another birthday!"

"Ah Paul...it will all come right...only these two can end up in hospital on the same night!"

"Yeah, John's not through choice though...I feel so helpless..." Paul sobbed every tear he had been keeping in to be strong for Kayleigh "When those machines beeped last time, I thought that was it you know?"

"I think we all did...but look he's still hanging in there."

"He's always been the most thoughtful bloke...more thoughtful than me, with Mum and Nan. Heck probably even to me own kids. But I'd do anything for him...I'd swap places with him if I could."

"I know...but you being here all night shows how much you care...it's clear as day and I know Kayleigh is grateful for all your support."

"Thanks...anyway, have you heard from your Steve?"

"Yeah, he'll be back later. He's going to see the kids this morning and take a few bits round for them. Mum will have them today...eh talking of Mum's whens yours getting back?"

"Not sure, sometime today. We need to let Nan know, she was expecting John today."

"How's your Claire?"

"In bits, worried about it all. She won't say anything to kids yet until we have definite news."

Mandy hugged Paul "I better go back see how Kayleigh's getting on."

"Keep me up to date."

"Yep and you do the same" Mandy said as she left the room.

Paul sighed and sat back looking at John teary eyed.

Mandy entered the room where Kayleigh was.

"How was he Mandy?"

"Still the same, seems stable though Paul said, so looking good."

"Are you just saying that to put me at ease?"

"No, I'm not. Honest...haven't you dilated enough yet?"

"5cm's. Contractions are getting closer though."

"We could be in for a long day" Mandy smiled.

At 8am Jan came into the room and startled Paul.

"Mum! I wasn't expecting you yet!" he gave her a long hug.

"I got up about 4 and drove, I couldn't rest knowing my boy was in here...tell me everything."

Paul updated Jan on John's condition and the events leading up to the incident. Jan was horrified but also proud her son was trying to protect someone.

"So where's Kayleigh?"

"Oh God, that's another story...after John had to go back into theatre her waters broke. She's in labour now."

"Oh my! That poor love."

"She's devastated Mum, I was holding it together for her as she was broken."

"I better go and see her...and you need to go home and get some rest, don't want both my boys laid up."

"I will in a bit...whose gonna tell Nan?"

"I'll do it later love."

"John was meant to be popping in later to see her."

"Don't worry about that. I'll sort it."

Jan touched John's hand and gave him a peck on the cheek "We all love you John" she whispered.

"Right..." she said as she composed herself "...I'll pop and see Kayleigh quick and then I come back here and you can go off and rest."

"Thanks Mum."

Jan made her way to the maternity unit.

"Jan!"

"Kayleigh love...hi ya Mandy" she gave Mandy a peck on the cheek and hugged Kayleigh. Both Jan and Kayleigh started crying.

"Have you seen John?"

"I have love."

"I can't believe it all Jan."

"I know, I know...but you have enough on your plate now, so I'm going to sit with John and you don't worry...that boy of mine will come through ok?"

"Yeah...I just want him here with me now."

"I know love...but he's going to be so proud of you."

"I hope so...he keeps me sane at times like this."

Jan smiled and left Kayleigh and Mandy. Paul went home to freshen up and Jan sat with John.

A few hours passed and lunchtime approached.

Steve and Paul were both back at the hospital. Paul got a few hours sleep but couldn't rest and wanted to get back to John's side and support his Mum.

John had not come round yet and they were getting worried. The Dr's explained there was nothing to be concerned about and all vital signs looked good.

Kayleigh's labour was also not going to plan she was only now at 7cm dilation and still anxious about John.

Jan had organised for a friend to take Nan to the bridge club and she would pop round later.

As Paul and Jan sat with John, he suddenly started murmuring and opened his eyes slowly.

"John...It's Mum...welcome to the land of the living!"

Paul got the Dr who checked John over and sat the bed up slightly, he was pleased with how John was doing.

"Is there anything else I can do for you John?" asked the Dr.

"Aye a brew will be nice" he chuckled "where's Kayleigh?"

Jan and Paul looked at each other.

"Paul, Mrs Redmond could I have a quick word outside?" the Dr summoned.

"Of course" replied Jan "Wont be a sec love" Jan said to John as she tapped his arm.

Paul and Jan went outside.

"What is it?" asked Jan.

"Its not bad news is it Dr?" added Paul.

"No, it's looking very positive, obviously still early days, that's why I have to ask we don't get him worked up...if you know what I mean?"

"You mean don't tell him Kayleigh's in labour?" guessed Paul.

"I think for the time being at least."

"We understand" said Jan as her and Paul re-entered the room.

"What were all that about?" asked John.

"Just the Dr saying how well you were doing..."

"You didn't answer me...where's Kayleigh?"

"She's resting love, Mandy's with her, but she had been here all night and needed rest as did the baby."

"When will she be back?"

"Not sure, hopefully later."

"Is she really resting? Because I saw how you two are looking at each other...she hates me because of that kiss doesn't she?"

"She doesn't John...she told you she didn't" reassured Paul.

"So she will be back soon?"

"Of course she will. But she has to think of that baby too and being up all night worrying about you isn't good for either of them" added Jan.

"Ok..." John closed his eyes, he still wasn't feeling great.

Over the next few hours John noticed his Mum kept popping out and coming back and shaking her head at Paul. He knew something was going on but just didn't have the energy to confront them. The police came and took a brief statement from him but he just couldn't focus on everything at all.

He kept reliving what happened, it had shaken him up and realising how close he came to not being here at all shook him to the core. As he lay there half drowsy, he kept thinking how much he needed Kayleigh and hoped to God that his Mum and Paul were telling him the truth about her resting. If she hates him then he thought he would rather he hadn't woken up.

Kayleigh was also struggling without John, every time Jan went to see Kayleigh, she would ask "how's John?" and the only reply she got was he is still resting. She also hoped to God that Jan was telling her the truth and something bad hadn't happened to John.

Jan and Mandy had agreed not to tell Kayleigh John was up and talking as they know she would want to see him and they needed to get her through this labour.

Fortunately, by 3pm, Kayleigh's labour was in full swing and everything was ready for baby Redmond to arrive.