When Assumpta Fitzgerald awoke she had no recollection as to what had happened and why she was lying in a hospital bed. Her head felt like it had been on a three week bender and her ribs were in agony. Everything else was numb. She called out for Peter and then for Niamh but no one replied.

"What happened?" She finally was able to ask while the nurse checked her over.

"You were in a crash earlier today, you've suffered bruising to your ribs and you have a minor head injury. You were lucky; we thought the trauma was worse than it turned out to be."

"What about the baby? I'm pregnant, you see." Assumpta asked, feeling her heart race into oblivion.

"I'll go and get Doctor Cavanaugh." The young blonde nurse said.

"I lost it didn't I?"

The nurse stood there, she knew Assumpta had to hear it from the doctor but she understood the pain the woman before her was in.

"Please you can tell me."

"I'm sorry." She whispered before leaving the room.

Peter practically burst through the door to be at Assumpta's bedside.

"Assumpta" he cried.

"Oh Peter." She whispered, gesturing for a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault" he said stroking her hair.

"I lost our baby."

"It just wasn't meant to be," he sighed. "How are you feeling?"

"Half of me is numb and half of is in pain. Peter, you aren't being punished." Assumpta could read him like a book.

"Then why do I feel as if I am? You know I never even got around to telling Father Mac."

"Peter you are grieving that's all. It'll be okay we will get through this."

I can't help but think that this is a sign that we aren't meant to be."

"Oh you honestly don't believe in that mumbo jumbo do you?" Assumpta scoffed.

"You know I do. Assumpta I can't lose anyone else I love. I can't take that heartache." He felt vulnerable; he was rather like Assumpta in the fact that he wasn't one to show his feelings.

"I get that Peter, I really do. Don't you think that has left me in bits but we need to accept that this has occurred and we need to find a way of moving on. Whether that is together or apart."

"Apart?"

"You need to deal this in your way and I need to in mine. All I am saying is that perhaps we should go along our separate paths for a while and clear our heads. Ballyk still needs you a little while longer."

"And what about you, do you need me?"

Assumpta shrugged: "I'm not sure right now. I need to sleep."

Peter nodded and shuffled out of the private room. "I love you Assumpta, don't forget that."

"I won't, she nodded. "Peter I love-" she couldn't finish her sentence as the door swung shut behind the deflated Englishman.