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.

'Do you think we can recapture that passion and make a go of things?' she asked.

'I honestly don't know,' he admitted. 'I'd like us to date properly. Dinner, movies, the works, to try a relationship on for size, to see if it's not too weird for close friends to become lovers.'

'We should do that,' said Erin.

'When you get better though,' stated Max. 'Your health comes first.'

3 weeks later...

At Adelaide and Harry's...

'I cannot get over how beautiful he is!' remarked Adelaide, cooing at 3 week old Kai in her arms.

'Yeah,' replied Harry, planting a small kiss on his wife's forehead.

'I just wish he wouldn't cry as much,' said Isla. 'He's an angel by day, devil by night.'

'He's not as bad as you were,' replied Adelaide. 'Although I was 16 and studying, so on balance you might have seemed that extra bit loud.'

'Exactly,' stated Isla. 'I was just a darling angel baby!'

'Carry on believing sweetheart,' said Harry, rolling his eyes.

'What would you know Dad?' asked Isla. 'You didn't live with us then!'

'I used to stay over with your uncle Mason, and I'd hear you screaming for the next room,' said Harry. 'And did you just call me Dad?'

'I guess I did,' she replied. 'Is that okay with you?'

'Of course it is,' he exclaimed, hugging her close. 'Is it okay with you?'

'Totally,' she replied. 'My dad was a git, I know that. He's never made any effort to contact me, he's never shown an interest. You have. You've been there for me even before you and Mum got together. And for the time you got together, I was 9, so that's 5 years of my life you've been my father figure. Face it Byrne, you're stuck with me!'

'Well Strachan,' he replied. 'Fancy changing your name?'

'Isla Nerissa Strachan, Isla Nerissa Byrne?' she pondered. 'Well, if mum's changing her name, and Kai's a Byrne, I should be a Byrne too. Wouldn't want to be the only Strachan under this roof, I'd feel left out.'

'We'll make the arrangements,' said Adelaide. 'Look at us, a proper little family.'

At the Hospital, Chris' Office...

Chris paced around his office, cordless phone in his hand, trying to make arrangements for the staff shortage on AAU.

'Listen, we need some temporary staff!' he exclaimed. 'Adelaide Byrne is on maternity leave and Erin Cullen is on medical leave. Jayden Griffin was going to cover for Adelaide, but in light of what's happened with Erin, he's borrowed money from his parents and swanned off to Ghana! Look, we need 2 locums! At the very least we need one! What do you mean that there's nothing you can do for me? Fine, I'll make alternative arrangements...'

Hanging up the phone, he dialled a different number and held his breath.

'Hello,' said Erin.

'Hi Erin, it's Chris,' he said calmly. 'I need a favour.'

'You need me to come back to work?' she asked.

'How did you know?' he replied.

'Fin's been complaining about the understaffing, and with Jay doing a runner, me being out and Adi being on leave, the ward is desperate,' she said.

'So will you do it?' he asked. 'I hate to ask because I know that you need time to recover, but we really are desperate. I've just got off the phone with HR, there's nothing they can do.'

'No sweat,' she replied. 'There's only so much daytime TV, particularly Jeremy Kyle and Bargain Hunt that I can watch before going insane!'

Chuckling, Chris said, 'Grace is the very same when she's on leave. Thank you so much for doing this Erin.'

'It's alright Chris,' she said. 'Bright and early tomorrow?'

'Bright and early tomorrow,' he repeated. 'Thanks again Erin.'

'No problem Chris,' she replied. 'Bye.'

'Bye,' he said, putting the phone down and breathing a sigh of relief.

Erin's...

Later that night, Erin was getting ready for her date with Max. She had been preparing for it all day, planning a nice, intimate meal at hers, where they could be free with their talking, and not worry about who they ran into. She had spent the whole day cleaning the flat, changing the bed sheets, making dinner. She'd decorated the table with flowers and candles, she'd dimmed the lights, and now she was in the final sprint of the drawn our preparation process.

Getting in the bath, she soaked for what seemed like a lifetime, washing and conditioning her hair, making sure that she was 100% ready for this date, their 3rd date.

It marvelled Erin how they'd managed to keep things between them a secret. She was meant to be focusing on her recovery, and trying to get over Jay. And she was doing that, being with Max seemed to intensify the process. She didn't feel that dull ache of missing Jay, she missed Max whenever he wasn't there, and in Max she'd found an equal, a gentleman, someone who supported her through everything. He attended AA meetings with her everyday, he kept her away from the alcohol, he made her eat healthily and not skip meals. But mostly, he kept her sane. She'd always be eternally grateful to him for that.

After she got out of the bath, she dried herself and rubbed her various lotions and potions over her body. Moving to her bedroom, she changed into her outfit, a fitted jade green strapless dress that complimented her eyes with a gold clutch belt.

Going back into the bathroom, she applied a little product to her hair to try and control her curls, wanting them to be natural tonight. And then she applied some make up, trying not to overdo it.

Just as she was applying her lipgloss, the doorbell rang.

'Maxwell David Valentine,' she said mock sternly. 'What have I told you about arriving so early for our...'

As she opened the door, she glimpsed her brother Fin's face. 'Dates,' she said, finishing her sentence.

'You look beautiful Eri,' said Fin, noticing the outfit. 'And you've got candle lit. Bad time?'

'Sort of,' she replied.

'Anyone I know?' he asked.

'Well,' she replied, interrupted by Max's entrance in the doorway, dressed in a smart shirt and trousers.

'Ah,' replied Fin, looking at both of them. 'Care to tell me what's going on?'

'Both of you, come in,' said Erin, shutting the door. 'Well Fin, you're the first to know. Max and I are together...'