Extreme Takeover, Holby Edition

Their parents ran the hospital during their life, and now that they're older, it's their turn.

Pairings are Jac/Joseph, Maddy/Linden, Connie/Sam, Diane/Ric and Chrissie/Olly.

'And the baby?' asked Maddy.

'I've been told,' replied Erin. 'But I can't feel distraught for something I didn't know was there, that I can't remember conceiving, that I can't remember losing. It's sad, but it's just the way things go.'

'My baby's growing up,' said Maddy gently.

'It's been a long time coming,' replied Erin.

Smiling, Linden said, 'Is it okay if we go back to Connie and Sam's to let everyone know you're alright? They'll be tearing their hair out by now.'

'Sure,' said Erin.

'I can stay,' said Fin. 'Cassie won't mind.'

'No, Fin, go,' begged Erin. 'Go and be with her.'

'Wait, does she know?' asked Maddy.

'Nope,' said Erin. 'Clueless.'

'Cassie's pregnant,' said Fin quietly.

'And you thought that it would cause me pain to know?' asked Erin.

Fin nodded in silence. 'It's not fair what happened to you Eri. I feel guilty that we're having our baby and you won't get to have yours.'

'It's ok,' said Erin quietly. 'I'm happy for you, honestly. I wasn't ready to be a Mum. I needed to grow up.'

'And now?' asked Maddy.

'I need to stop drinking, start eating, spend more time with my family, and find the ominous Holy Grail that is Mr Right. It took something this severe to get me to grow up, in a way I'm grateful that this happened,' said Erin.

'Very mature,' said Linden. 'I sense you becoming a born again Christian.'

'Maybe,' replied Erin. 'Maybe Dad. Don't get your hopes up though.'

'I'll try not to,' said Linden with a chuckle. 'I guess that we'll be off now, you rest.'

'I will do,' replied Erin, hugging Fin, Maddy and Linden as one. 'When I get moved up to a ward, get everyone to come and visit me. I miss everyone. We can pull some strings at letting everyone visit, can't we? All of us, I can't keep count, but about 20-30?'

'Sounds about right,' said Fin. 'Call it a huge extended family. Bye sis.'

'Bye bro,' said Erin as everyone left the room.

Lying back down, she wiped a tear from her eye, because even though she felt happiness for her brother and sister in law, and although she knew deep down she wasn't ready for motherhood, she knew with everything that she was that she would've changed for her baby, and loved he or she unconditionally. And that sorrow filled her heart.

What also hurt was that she didn't know who she made the baby with, her memory having deserted her on that one. She was determined to find out who it was, and decided that once she was better, she would start her investigations.

At Connie and Sam's...

Knocking back on the door, Fin, Maddy and Linden took a deep breath as Connie opened the door.

'Hi guys,' said Connie. 'Come in, come in.'

All of them sat down and were in silence until Cassie said to Fin, 'How's Erin?'

'She's awake,' said Fin with a smile.

'That's great!' said everyone.

'Yeah,' said Linden.

'And Jay?' asked Diane.

'Don't get them started,' said Maddy. 'He wasn't exactly on his best behaviour. I think that he and Erin are over. He said some really awful things.'

'He doesn't mean them,' said Diane softly.

'We know,' said Maddy. 'But the things he said, they can't be taken back. Hopefully he and Eri can be friends again, but I don't think that it'll go further than that.'

'So, what's Erin up to now?' asked Juliet.

'Trying to hold everything in,' said Fin. 'I know her too well. She tried to be happy, but she's struggling to cope. The situation wasn't as cut and dry as we originally thought.'

'What does that mean?' asked Grace.

'It wasn't just alcohol poisoning,' said Maddy quietly. 'She was pregnant, and she miscarried. When she woke up, she couldn't remember the last five months at all.'

'Oh God,' said Max. 'So she doesn't remember getting pregnant?'

'Nope,' said Linden. 'And from the dates, it seems that Jay wasn't the father.'

'But please don't blame Erin for this,' pleaded Fin to Diane and Ric.

'We don't,' said Diane and Ric in unison.

'I'm sure that Jay played an equal role,' said Ric. 'If he wasn't away so often...'

'Erin wouldn't have been so sad and lonely,' said Diane, finishing his sentence. 'I can understand why she did it.'

'Do they think that the amnesia will subside?' asked Serena.

'They hope so,' said Linden. 'But they're doubtful.'

'We'll have to go and see her,' said Cassie.

Chuckling, Fin said, 'She mentioned it. She was asking for everyone to pull some strings so that she can have a lot of visitors.'

'That'll be down to me I guess,' said Chris. 'I'll pull the CEO card, and we'll all go and see her.'

'That's sorted then,' said Maddy. 'But please be sensitive about the whole pregnancy thing, it's still a little raw for her.'

'Of course,' said the others.