After a quick diversion to NICU to check on the small infant that had taken on the role of becoming his first granddaughter, Elliot made his way up to Darwin. At half past five on a Friday morning the hospital was seemingly quiet, the corridors yet to be lit up by the overhead ceiling lights. On approaching his office he could make out a glimmer of light through the translucent glass built into the door. Strange he thought- the grey-haired man was almost certain he had turned it off before leaving the evening before. Keying in the code for the shared office the surgeon opened the door and then, after entering, shut it behind him.

'Jac!' he exclaimed, recognising the figure sat at her desk 'What in heaven's name are you doing here?'

'Working' was her blunt reply, not even bothering to look up from the file she was going through

Elliot walked over to his desk, placing his bags on the chair and then turned to face his colleague. 'But you gave birth a matter of days over'

'And? The birth of a baby doesn't bring Darwin to a halt. There's still plenty that needs doing' she stated the facts sharply 'Mr Barlow in bed six needs a valve replacement today. You're backed up with patients and I've got nothing to do. I'm a surgeon Elliot, it's what I do!'

'How is she, your daughter?' he questioned, trying not to sound intrusive or critical

'She was fine when I saw her yesterday. They're just trying to keep her stats stable so she can have surgery on Monday '

'Would you like me to come with you to see her today?' Mr. Hope enquired 'I just popped in to check on her. Everything's looks okay'

'I don't think I'll have time today; the ward is the main priority'

The male could barely believe what he was hearing but it was entirely typical of Jac. She liked to be in complete control; she could control her work but not her daughter's health. Unlike others he refused to argue with her, instead he wanted to support her as much as he could.

'Okay. That's absolutely fine. I'm sure they'll let know if there's any developments' he reasoned, getting out his wallet 'I'm heading to the coffee bar. Can I get you anything?'

'Black coffee...please'

Top of Elliot's list was not the coffee bar, but instead to find Jonny and alert of his Jac's whereabouts. He was no doubt oblivious to her motives otherwise an argument would have erupted far earlier, with Jonny refusing to accept she was ready to be back at work.

Letting himself onto the maternity unit using his NHS card the male made his way to the side room where Jac had spent the past few days hiding. He opened the door to find Jonny slumped in the green armchair as usual, fast asleep. He'd rejected the idea of going home to sleep, arguing that he needed to be with Jac and their child- not on the other side of town.

'Jonny...' he whispered, nudging the young man 'Jonathon' the male stirred in his chair, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

'Elliot... what are you doing here?' he queried peering at his watch 'And where's Jac?'

'Well, that's why I'm here. I've just been up to Darwin and I found Jac at her desk working. She's insisting that she'll be performing a valve replacement today' the concerned gentleman laid the information bare. Jonny instantly stood up, anger in his eyes. The Consultant placed a hand on his shoulder to stop the Nurse from moving 'Now I know your first instinct is to go barging in demanding she see sense but I fear that won't help matters. Jac won't admit it but I can see she's helpless and at a loss of what to do. For her, working makes her feel as if she's being useful- something she's good at'

'And she doesn't think our daughter needs her? She doesn't think that a tiny baby fighting for her life needs her mum?' he exclaimed 'I don't know what to do but I'm still here. I haven't gone back to work and dismissed the fact I'm now a parent Elliot!'

'Jac needs someone to reason with her not argue or fight against her. She's loves that baby more than we'll ever know. She told me herself when she was in labour.' He paused wondering whether he should speak the words Jac had told him 'She told me she couldn't imagine life without her now'

'She told you that?' Jonny sat back down in the armchair. 'I know it's hard to bond with a baby that's locked away in an incubator hooked up to machines. I want to hold her more than anything'

'I can't even imagine how difficult it is for the two of you. A new life and being able to do nothing but sit and watch' bargained Mr. Hope sitting on the bed 'A ridiculous statement I know but Jac needs us more than your daughter...at the moment at least. Baby Maconie had a whole team working on her, Jac feels more alone than ever- I can see it in her eyes Jonny'

'Elliot!' called Mo as she entered the office half an hour after Mr Hope had left to get coffee, failing to return 'Ah, Jac? What are you doing here?'

'Working Maureen!' was the red-heads response once again. 'Or at least I'm trying to'

'But your daughters fighting for her life in NICU' Ms Effanga got straight to the point, not thinking of sparing Jac's feelings 'And you gave birth three days ago'

'Thank you for pointing out the obvious' snapped Jac 'Mr Barlow in bed six needs a valve replacement and I'm the only one available'

'Are you scared Jac?'

'Scared of what exactly?' was her response 'I'm a grown woman, the best surgeon for miles and I have a powerful job...do I really need to remind you of the facts?'

'Of what's going on around you! Your baby has CDH!' exclaimed Mo, failing to keep her temper in check 'And you're hardly in any position to be performing major surgery on a dangerously ill man!'

'I'll be the judge of that'

'Have you even been to see her today?' an awkward silence followed. The dark haired woman walked over to Jac and stood besides the desk 'A baby knows when it's been rejected Jac...remember you said those very words to me after William was born'

Ms Naylor briefly thought back to that day, fighting to keep her emotions in tack 'She's not being rejected! Darwin needs me, she doesn't. That's all there is to it'

'Whether you like it or not we're all behind you- all three of you. And dare I say it, we're as scared as you are.' Reassured the visibly larger woman. 'It's okay to be scared of the unknown. But she needs you Jac- just as much as you need her!'

'I get it Jac!' bellowed Jonny barging into Jac's office which was only occupied by her 'I get it!'

'I'm sorry?' she probed

'I'm just as scared as you are. I'm scared of getting attached to our daughter in case she plays no part in our future. I'm scared each time my phone rings that something has happened to her. I'm scared because I don't know what the future holds' he declared to his ex-partner 'And I wish there was something I could do for her...but there isn't!'

'Who said I was scared?' the surgeon fought back

'It's written all over you Jac. I can see the fear in your eyes' he asserted 'And I know you can't imagine life without her now...and er you know what, neither can I'

'Elliot, I should have guessed!' She sarcastically replied guessing the professor has repeated what she had said to him 'If our daughter's that important to you, why aren't you with her now?'

'Because-because believe it or not you're important to me as well. I know this isn't an ideal situation, us not being together but I care about you Jac' explained Maconie 'I care about what you're going through. I know you want to work. I get that, I get that it's what you're good at. But at least come with me down to NICU later and spend some time with her. She's changing a little bit every day'

'Maybe'

The devoted father sat next to his daughter's incubator, watching her chest rise and fall with each ventilated breath. Somehow she looked bigger than she had when she was born. He was sure she had grown, even if it was just a little. In the other NICU wing several incubators were surrounded by family relatives trying to spend as much time as they could with their seriously ill newborns. He was the only parent to be alone with no mother present.

'I've been to see your mummy today' he whispered, holding onto the baby's hand 'And Granddad Elliot was asking after you.. And Aunty Mo'

The bang of the door behind him disturbed the moment. Turning around he noted Jac had entered the wing and was heading towards the pair of them 'Hey look, mummy's here' added Jonny. Jac paused several feet away from the incubator.

'I can't do this Jonny...' she muttered, a tear falling down her cheek before struggling out of the room again and leaving the ward.

'JAC!' Jonny shouted after her, torn between the mother of his daughter and his poorly baby.