The high-pitched wails of their newborn child woke Jonny from his light sleep. Besides him lay Jac, oblivious to their daughter's distress; her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. Smiling to himself briefly the Scottish male gently climbed out of bed, slipping his feet into the suede slippers lying besides the bed and pulling his black dressing gown around his chequered pyjama bottoms and white t-shirt.

Padding his way out of their bedroom and onto the landing he made sure to shut the door behind him so as not to wake up his exhausted wife. Finding his way in the darkened house he pushed open the door to reveal his screaming daughter. On approaching the cot he lifted the small infant out and cradled her in the crook of his arm. Instantly she quietened down, and her wails turned to whimpers as she clung to her dad's dressing gown.

Placing himself into the rocking chair in the corner, Maconie whispered words of love 'Hey, what's all the noise about? Daddy's here now, everything's alright...' whilst rocking Flick gently. He had spent half an hour not long before giving her a night feed 'That's it. Time to go to sleepy byes- just like Mummy' As his daughter started to drift back off to sleep Jonny absorbed every detail of her tiny body, mesmerised by the fact that the tiny human was actually theirs.

Jac slapped her alarm clock with her hand within seconds of it going off at 5:30am. She let out a long and heavy sigh before heaving her body out of bed and wrapping herself in her fluffy dressing gown. After staring at her husband for several minutes, to no avail, she decided there was nothing else for it.

'Jonny, it's five thirty!..JONNY!' she shouted to which he did nothing but roll over from his stomach to his side. The surgeon picked up her top pillow and slammed it onto the back of his head.

'What?' he mumbled

'It's five thirty. Come on. We're not going to be late again like yesterday. You can jump in the shower while I get Felicity dressed and fed, then I'll get ready' not giving him chance to argue Naylor exited the room and made a point the pull the door shut loudly.

Her mood instantly changed as she picked her wriggly daughter up and watched her interact to her mother's facial expressions 'Good morning darling' the red-head exclaimed after kissing Flick's small head 'Did my baby girl sleep okay? Your father's being lazy so I'm going to get you fed and dressed then we can go and sort him out'

Two hours later and the Maconie household were up and ready to face the day; albeit a little tired on Jonny's part.

'Same as usual Lydia; bottles are in the fridge, any problems just give me a bell otherwise we'll be back around six' instructed Jonny holding his daughter before handing the tot over to the woman. 'Bye bye Flick. Daddy loves you sweetheart' Maconie waved his large hands in front of her face. Jac then proceeded to kiss her daughter goodbye then eventually dragging herself out of the front door she paused for several seconds whilst Jonny climbed into his orange BMW. His wife joined him in the passenger seat, placing her extensive collection of work bags on the back seat.

'I've got a meeting with the transplant team at half eight' announced Jonny as they set off on their journey to work 'We've got a tricky patient booked in for tomorrow but more problems have arisen'

'I heard. Elliot was giving me the basics yesterday. He wants me involved on the heart procedure' she explained whilst going through her work diary on her phone 'That's if it goes ahead'

Changing the subject swiftly before Jac could give her sharp personal opinion on the matter, the nurse chatted away happily 'So you didn't hear Flick in the night then? I was up three times with her, the little monkey'

'It's an improvement on the night before. How come she always seems to sleep better when it's your turn to get up with her?'

'She's a daddy's girl, that's why' he grinned 'I thought we could head out at the weekend, just the two of us'

'And what about Felicity?'

'I'm sure Elliott would love to spend the day with his granddaughter. And failing that there's always Mo. I was going to sound Mr Hope out this morning. The rest is a surprise!' he insisted

'You and your surprises Maconie!'

'Good morning Ms Naylor' Greeted Elliott as the married couple walked onto Darwin

'Morning' she forced herself to reply as she swiftly headed to her office, along with a highly caffeinated drink

'Ah Elliott!' smiled Jonny, his eyes glittering

'Why do I feel you want my time for something, Jonathon?'

'You hit the nail on the head Mr. Hope!' he uttered, pulling the older male out of earshot from his wife 'I was hoping you would look after Flick for us this weekend. I've booked a weekend at a hotel for Jac. Ya' know- country walks, romantic meals, eight hours of sleep-'

'Of course I'd be more than happy to look at the young lady. And from what I can tell, Jac looks as if she could do with a rest'

'Brilliant! Thank you Mr Hope. I think we're both a little tired; Jac more so than me. I'll drop her around at yours about seven ish on Friday?'

'I'll be waiting her arrival. Give her a kiss from me until then though' As always the ageing Doctor was thrilled at the prospect of spending more time with Felicity. Since her birth he had decorated one of his spare rooms especially for her. He, more than anyone, was delighted to be such a big part of the baby's life.

'I hear you and Nurse Maconie are escaping the busy lives of parenthood for the weekend and leaving me to hold the baby!'

'He asked you then? Look if it's a problem Elliott then I'm sure we can re-arrange' muttered the Consultant whilst looking through the tricky transplant file, again.

'No-no. You know me Jac, more than happy to do my bit!'

'Good...good'

'So why is it you're not yourself?'

'Sorry?'

'Jac, I've known you long enough. I'd like to think of myself as a father figure in your life. You can talk to me Jac.' Reassured the male, as he leant forwards in his chair to look at Jac

Placing the file on her desk she looked down at her lap before explaining. 'It's Felicity. I'll admit I have never loved anyone as much as I love her. Before she was born people would go on, saying you don't know what love is until you've had a child and they're right Elliott'

'I know. My two were, and still are, the centre of my world'

'And for that very reason I feel guilty when I leave her each morning'

'But you don't know how it would work any other way?'

The red-haired female nodded 'How could I possibly stay at home every single day looking after a small child? I'm a surgeon Elliott. I always have been, and always have been. Everything I have done in life is to succeed at what I love'

'Nobody expects you to Jac. But it's about finding a balance of work and home life. Give it time and I think you will realise that what you're doing will benefit all three of you'

'You really think so?'

'Absolutely. You and Jonny are fantastic parents, and that little girl is going to grow into a fine woman with the both of you to guide her. The two of you are still adjusting to having a small baby in your lives'

'Right' she finished before quickly changing the subject as if she had never mentioned a thing. 'So, the transplant patient? I think we could carry out the op if the transplant team are ready'

'Stats are looking positive but we're waiting for a psych assessment then we'll know where we stand'

'Psych? For goodness sake! Either she's ready to go under the knife, or she's not. There's no in between' Argued the woman, the fight once again lit up her eyes. Mr Hope let his hands hit his knees, a sigh leaving his body, knowing exactly where the fierce Consultant stood on the matter.

'Hey, well done today Jac' added Jonny, briefly kissing her cheek before climbing out of the car and shutting the door- to which Jac did the same 'You had balls to fight '

'It's all part of the job Jonny. The facts were plain to see; she needed the procedure and as far as I was concerned we were able to perform it'

'And thanks to you another person can look forward to many more years with their family' Maconie slipped his key into the lock of their front door, twisted it and pushed it open. The married couple were greeted by the wails of their daughter 'What's going on in here then? Sounds like world war three has commenced!'

Jac was quick to dump her work bags in the hall and trace the sound to the living room where Lydia was trying desperately to comfort the infant. 'Ms Naylor!' the young woman welcomed, a little taken a back. Gently the baby was placed in her mother's arms where she instantly quietened down and looked into Jac's eyes.

'Has she been like this all day?' questioned the powerful female

'No-no...good as gold just been a little unsettled during the last half hour'

'She probably just wanted her mummy' reassured Jonny as he stroked his daughters head

'Anyway, I'll be off. See you tomorrow morning' the "nanny" dashed out the room, collected her bags and made an escape for the front door.

'Hello darling' cooed Jac, in a voice she reserved only for her daughter. Sitting in the corner or the sofa, and reclining her legs, she cradled the baby near 'Who's a good girl, hey?'

'I'll sort out dinner then' muttered Jonny scuttling out of the room, barely wanting to break up the special moment.

'Yes, mummy missed her beautiful girl' continued Jac in between her daughter's recognisable gurgles to her mother's voice, followed then by placing a longed for kiss of her cheek.

The Scotsman watched his daughter for several moments before creeping out of the room; each step carefully planned so as not to wake her. As he closed the door Jonny uttered words of love 'Night Princess.' They meant nothing to his daughter, but to him they meant everything.

After negotiating the stairs down to the living room he pushed the door open to find Jac asleep on the sofa; worn out from her busy day. Maconie squeezed himself up against her, and let Naylor cosy up to his warm body. Right there and then he made a promise to his sleeping wife that he would do the night feed, again.

'I love you Jac Naylor' he whispered into her hair 'I love you so much'