She awoke to a song; the soft croon of a lullaby in a language that she didn't quite understand. Lacey almost let the man's pleasant voice lull her back to sleep … would have done if it hadn't been for the sudden aching emptiness inside. Eyes still screwed shut she touched her stomach, missing the firm roundness of her pregnant belly. The baby was gone.

Her fault… all her fault.

There were moments of clarity; a voice calling her name as she was urged back to consciousness. Kind but clinical hands moving her onto a bed. Nurses fussing around, taking her blood pressure. A doctor, explaining that there had been complications.

And all the time a presence … A dark figure standing just outside her field of vision. Lacey remembered trying to turn her head to look but the movement made her dizzy.

Pain sliced across her gut. Fingers fumbling, Lacey lifted the hospital gown. There was a dressing on her stomach hiding the place where the baby had been ripped from her.

Tears started to dribble down her cheeks.

She hadn't wanted it at first. Finding out she was pregnant had been the worst day of her life and every instinct she possessed screamed at her to get rid of it. Somehow she'd never gotten around to making the appointment at the clinic and then suddenly it had been too late. She had a child in her belly. As new life blossomed within her, Lacey had slowly come to the realisation that it was something that she wanted more than any thing in the world. And then …

And then a nurse came bustling in and a soft bundle was placed in Lacey's arms.

'Here you go, dear, she's been missing her momma' the nurse said. 'Your husband just stepped out for a minute.'

'Husband?' Lacey asked her attention suddenly diverted from the wonder that was her daughter.

'Don't you worry he's been here the whole time. Kind of sweet actually. What you gonna call her?'

'Poppy,' Lacey said.

Poppy for a girl … Chip for a boy … She'd never been able to decide which she wanted more. It didn't matter now, not when she held this perfect tiny creature in her arms. Hesitantly, she stroked Poppy's cheek, marvelling at the softness of the baby skin.

'She's beautiful, ' Lacey whispered.

'Just like her momma.'

Lacey didn't feel beautiful. Her body still felt awkward and ugly, stained with the sweat of her labour. Her hair was a matted mess.

'And look … she's got her papa's eyes.'

The baby … Poppy … blinked sleepily up at her. Lacey found herself staring down into the most beautiful brown eyes that she had ever seen. It was love at first sight. Poppy opened her mouth and gave a little cry.

'Do you want to try feeding her?'

Lacey nodded, feeling slightly surreal as she let herself be instructed on the best way to suckle her baby. Little Poppy didn't seem to care too much about technique. She was making her displeasure known to all as she stopped grumbling and started crying in earnest. Lacey fumbled as she tried to hold the baby to her breast. Panic was making her awkward. It took the stranger but more experienced hands of the nurse to steady Poppy and persuade her to feed.

'There you go … she'll settle now.'

'Thank you.'

The tears pricked in her eyes again. Motherhood, what little she'd experienced of it, was overwhelming.

'Let me go and see if I can find that husband of yours,' the nurse said.

Lacey didn't protest. She was just glad to have a few moments to herself. The poor woman probably had her mixed up with someone else … And then she heard the tap of the cane.

'Here you go Mr. Gold. Little Poppy there's got quite the appetite. Just call if you need anything.'

He looked tired, Lacey realised … As if he really had been here all night. His suit was creased, his tie discarded. A light layer of stubble dusted his face.

'Poppy … it's a pretty name,' he said.

'Thank you.'

Even though his eyes were averted, Lacey still felt exposed. She wanted to pull the sheet up and hide herself but her arms were full of baby. Poppy started squirming. Struggling with the unfamiliar burden, Lacey wasn't quite sure what she should be doing. She felt the tears prick in her eyes.

'Uh … Mr. Gold … could you…?'

He hesitated. Lacey didn't know why she was asking. Yesterday she would never have considered letting him touch her child.

'I would be honoured, Miss French.'

Poppy didn't seem to mind being handed over. In fact she gurgled at Mr Gold and tried to grab his nose. Only then did he raise his head. Lacey couldn't fathom his expression. There was something else there apart from his discomfort. It almost seemed like … regret? He coughed to clear his throat.

'I think we can forget about the rent, Miss French.'

'I'm sorry?'

'I am aware that my behaviour yesterday might have precipitated this incident.'

Was he apologising? Was he calling her daughter an incident?

'Your medical bills will, of course, be paid in full.'

Gods … he expected her to sue him. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind.

'May I rely on your discretion, Ms. French?'

She nodded.

'You have my word,' she said.

Poppy spit up on him, leaving a milky trail on his spotless jacket.

'I'm sorry I…'

Lacey wanted to stand, to take the baby away from him, but she still hurt so much.

'It's just a suit,' Gold said.