Hiya. Me again and apologies for the length of times between updates! I really do hope to get them done a bit more regularly from now on. Also, I decided to do this next chapter in two parts because it was taking me so long to write but I don't think the ending is too false because of that. As ever, please review (60 is my next target and it'd be great to reach it with this chapter). Happy reading...
Friday morning, Jonny's flat
Jac woke to music and it took her a few moments to realise that it was Alicia Key's 'Brand New Me' she was hearing. She opened her eyes and was slightly disoriented when she did so, until the events of last night came back to her and she remembered where she was. She rolled over and saw Jonny watching her, a quizzical expression on his face. "Hello you," he said, smiling.
"Hi," she replied, smiling back at him.
"Now, not that I'm complai…" he began, before the calm of their situation was shattered by a, what seemed to Jac, ear-splittingly loud noise
"Oh god Jonny, turn it off!" Jac exclaimed, covering her ears with her hands, as he fumbled to press a button on the radio alarm by his bed. He finally managed to turn the alarm off, but it took a few moments for Jac to realise that the awful noise had stopped. "Jeez," she said, letting go of the breath she suddenly realised she'd been holding, "what kind of a wake-up call is that? It's enough to give someone a heart attack!"
"Yeah well normally I turn it off before it actually goes off," Jonny explained. "It's my 'just in case' alarm."
"Just in case what?" Jac demanded, "You've inexplicably lost 99% of your hearing overnight?"
"No!" Jonny exclaimed, "just in case my other alarms don't wake me up. But like I said I normally turn it off long before it ever goes off." 'Especially' he thought, but didn't say, 'since my internal Jac-watch alarm has been waking me up every morning regular as clockwork.'
"So what went wrong this morning?" Jac asked, still more than a little grumpy.
"Well," Jonny explained, "normally I leave at least 15 minutes between the alarms but last night I was so tired that I thought I'd give myself a wee lie-in so I set the first alarm to go off three minutes before that one. And then when I woke up and you were here it just threw me, and I forgot all about it. On which point, and like I said I'm really not complaining about it, in fact I couldn't be more delighted, but why are you here?"
"I couldn't sleep last night, so I went to the hospital to check on Jil and your flat is closer than mine." Jac explained.
"So you just dropped into my flat, using it like a hotel, because it's convenient for work?" Jonny asked, pretending to be affronted.
"Exactly!" Jac replied, although she knew, and suspected that he did too, that convenience was way down the list of reasons for her deciding to come to his. "Although, the service at this hotel hasn't impressed me yet," she continued pointedly, "I mean I haven't even been offered a cup of tea yet."
"Alright, alright, I get the message," Jonny said, "I'll go and put the kettle on, but" he continued, pushing the quilt back and climbing out of bed, "if you think you're going to get breakfast in bed you can think again…"
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Friday morning, Holby City Hospital
Jac and Jonny climbed up the stairs to Darwin in silence, broken only by the sound of Jonny's breathing which became increasingly laboured the closer they got to the sixth floor. "You obviously haven't been spending enough time on your cardio exercises in the gym." Jac observed suddenly, surprising him.
"Hey," he replied, "I'll have you know I do at least 40 minute's worth every time I go."
"Yeah, which is why you're out of breath after climbing a few stairs," Jac said, the disbelief evident in her voice.
"Hardly a few," Jonny countered, "and anyway I'm tired."
"So am I and yet I don't sound like a 98 year old asthmatic who smokes 40 a day."
"Ah yes," Jonny said, "but you're the woman who never blinks so of course stairs aren't going to cause you any bother. And I don't sound that bad anyway – I can still talk after all."
Yep…unfortunately." Jac, who had reached the top of the stairs, replied, shooting him one of her most superior smiles.
"Hey," he objected, as he climbed the last few stairs, pausing for a moment at the top to catch his breath before continuing, "that was uncalled for."
"Yeah maybe," Jac replied before turning away from him and heading towards the doors which would allow them access to Darwin. And Jonny noticed the momentary hesitation before she pushed them open and became even more convinced that his explanation as to why they had taken the back stairs up to the ward was right. He had suspected that she had been uncomfortable in the Pulses queue when first Michael and then Serena had approached them to ask after Jil and to say how they were sure everything would go well today, and then when Nurse Lane had done the same thing in the foyer he could actually see Jac's tension levels rise in the way the grip on her coffee tightened as the conversation went on. It was after that exchange that Jac had said, even though the lift was coming down and was already at the second floor, 'I can't be bothered to wait for this – let's take the stairs' and had led him towards the back stairs. He knew that Jac hated pity and that she wasn't big on sympathy either so had guessed, he was now convinced rightly, that she was trying to avoid people so she didn't have to endure any more of it than she'd already got. And then he remembered how she'd stayed sitting in his car after he'd got out for so long, that in the end he'd gone round to open her door for her, at which point she'd shaken her head as if to rid herself of whatever she'd been thinking about and slowly climbed out of the car. And it became clear to him that she was not only trying to avoid sympathy but also to somehow delay the inevitable – as if putting off her arrival on the ward she could somehow slow down what was to come. And he realised, yet again, just how much this day, and what was to happen during it, meant to Jac, and just how much she was going to need him throughout it. And then Jac opened the doors and he was filled with pride at how brave she was being, 'at how brave she is' he corrected himself, as he followed her onto Darwin.
xxxxxx
"Sacha? What are you doing here?" Jac called out as she approached the nurse's station.
"I've just finished my night shift, and wanted to, you know, wish Jil well," he explained. "And make sure you were OK too," he added.
"Yeah well I'm fine, so you can go home to sleep now," Jac replied as she reached the desk. "Go on," she continued, "you're making my ward look untidy."
"Alright, alright I get the message" Sacha said, standing up from the chair he had been sprawling on, "and if I'm honest" he continued, "I really need my bed – we had a crazy shift on AAU. But" he said, pausing in front of Jac, "if there's anything I can do, or you need me for anything, anything at all, you just phone me do you hear?"
"Yes."
"I mean it Naylor," replied Sacha who wasn't convinced by her assent, before pulling her into one of his trademark hugs. "Now I'm not going to let you go till you make me believe that you meant what you just said."
"Ok, ok," Jac said, smiling, "if there's anything you can do I'll phone you, I promise! Will that do?"
"Mmm, I suppose so." Sacha replied.
"Right, so let me go then" Jac demanded.
"If you insist" Sacha said, before whispering. "I'm sure everything will be fine" before releasing his hold on her.
And Jac smiled gratefully at him and, giving his hand a quick squeeze, said "Thank you."
"My pleasure" he said, before he turned to leave, watched by both Jac and Jonny who had been a silent observer of everything that had just passed between the two of them. He was pleased that Jac had somebody as solid as Sacha to rely on, and despite the, he knew, wholly irrational stab of jealously he had felt yet again when he'd seen her in his arms, he was also pleased that there was someone else she would allow, and who could be depended on, to give her physical comfort if she needed it. Jac watched Sacha till he reached the ward doors, whereupon he briefly turned back and raised his hand to wave, an action Jac mirrored before he pushed open the swing doors and was gone.
Jac stood looking at the place he had been for a few seconds more, seemingly lost in thought, before she briefly shook her head and turned back to Jonny asking, "Where is everybody?"
"Erm…" he answered before, looking at his watch, the answer came to him, "handover most probably," he said looking towards the nurses office. "Yep," he confirmed, "but I shouldn't think they'll be much longer. Gwen will want to be getting home soon, apart from anything else."
xxxxxx
A couple of minutes later Jonny's hunch was proved correct when first Gwen and then Louisa, Stephen and Jenna emerged from the office and made their way over to the nurse's station. Jac, who had gone to the locker room to put her bag away, joined them and was greeted by Gwen who said, "Maternity phoned about that Doppler just after seven. I told them you'd be in later and that I'd be sure to pass the message on when I saw you."
"Thanks," Jac said. "I'll make sure it gets back down there as soon as Daniel's heard the heartbeat. Speaking of which I'd have thought they'd have been here by now," she continued, glancing up at the ward clock. "Do you think I should phone them?" she asked, addressing Jonny.
"Well, I don't know, maybe…if it'd make you feel better," he answered.
"No, maybe you're right. They'll have enough to deal with this morning without me phoning to hassle them about where they are." Jac said, before, turning her attention back to Gwen she continued. "How is Jil this morning?"
"Well, she was still asleep when I did her obs before handover and they've been normal all night. Erm, Kate did her last set of obs though, and I think she's in with Mrs Gilligan now," she continued, looking towards Bay 2. "I can go and ask her if you like."
"Oh no, don't bother. I'll go and check myself. You should get yourself home."
"Mm, yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting in to my bed today." Gwen said smiling, "and if I don't see you before I leave, I really hope everything goes well today. Oh, and," she added, turning back as she headed towards the locker room, "can you tell Jil I'll see her tomorrow afternoon."
"Will do," Jac called after her retreating back. "Right," she continued, "I'm just going to check on Jil. Will you be here when I get back?"
"Yep, here or hereabouts." Jonny replied
"Great" Jac replied, before turning round and heading off towards the side room.
xxxxxx
She returned a few minutes later, "Still asleep, all obs normal," she said in answer to the questioning look on Jonny's face. "Any sign of the others yet?" she asked, taking her phone out of her pocket.
"No, not yet," Jonny replied. "Actually scratch that," he continued, indicating, with a nod of his head, the ward entrance. Jac followed his glance and saw the Santini's and Daniel just coming through the swing doors.
She watched them approach before saying as they got closer. "Thank goodness. I was starting to wonder if I should be worried."
"She hasn't gone in has she?" Rosa asked worriedly.
"Oh no, no," Jac rushed to reassure her, "she's still asleep would you believe."
"What at this time?" Daniel asked, looking at his watch. "That's not like her – she is alright?" he continued, a note of worry creeping into his voice
"Yes, I've just checked and all her obs her normal. No I think it's more to do with the fact that she didn't get to sleep till two this morning. Ooh, you did see my note didn't you?"
"Of course we did," Rob replied, "you left it by the kettle!"
"You didn't end up sleeping here did you?" Rosa asked, disapproval evident in her voice, "because you know Jil won't be happy if you did."
"No, I went back to Jonny's," Jac replied. "His place is nearer to the hospital," she continued by way of explanation.
"Oh that's alright then," Rosa said, "and I hope you looked after her?" she said to Jonny, looking directly at him.
"Oh, yep, yep got her a cup of tea in bed and everything," he quickly answered, wondering why he suddenly felt like a school boy who had been asked about his homework again.
"Do you think anyone would mind if I go and sit with her," Daniel asked Jac.
"I don't think it'll be a problem, she won't be having breakfast" Jac replied, "ooh and as soon as she wakes up she'll have something to show you" she continued smiling. "Come on then, you might as well all come I suppose – I don't think anyone will complain about Jil having a few more visitors than normal this morning, especially not if I'm there." And so saying she led them towards the side room, calling back to Jonny "if maternity call again, just tell them I'm using the Doppler and they'll have it back as soon as I've finished."
"Ok, will do," Jonny answered, and watched her disappear from view in to the side room before standing up and heading to the locker room to put his things away.
xxxxxx
Fifteen minutes or so later he was nursing a cup of tea and chatting to Jenna when Jac came over to join them holding the foetal Doppler. "Have either of you seen a porter?" she asked them, "This needs to go back to maternity."
"Erm, I think Arthur's around somewhere," Jenna replied. "Do you want me to see if I can find him," she continued, holding her hand out.
"If you don't mind," Jac answered, handing the Doppler over to her, "that'd be great. Thanks."
"No problem," Jenna said, heading down the corridor.
"So, operation heartbeat has been completed successfully then?" Jonny asked.
"Yep, very successfully. You should have seen their faces" Jac replied smiling, before, as Jonny watched, her smile slowly faded.
"Hey, hey," he said, putting his arm round here and drawing her closer to him, "she's going to have the best people working flat out for her today."
"I know, I know." Jac replied, relaxing into his hold slightly. "Talking of which have you seen Elliott yet this morning?"
"No, no I haven't."
"Oh," she said, standing up and looking round the ward, "I'd have thought he'd have been here by now."
"He'll be here" Jonny tried to reassure her, "he's not going to let you dow…you see," he continued, gently directing Jac's gaze "there he is." And Jac saw Elliott and Mr Hanssen deep in conversation, closely followed by Dr Rose, Professor Zeller and Mr Thompson.
"Ah Miss Naylor there you are, "we've just been having one final case conference to make sure everything's in order." Mr Hanssen explained
"And is it?" Jac asked anxiously
"Of course" he replied. "Professor Hope has everything under control as far as the operation is concerned and all the necessary preparations have been made for any and all eventualities. We have an ITU bed available and there's a space in the PICU being held if that is needed too. Yes, I think I can definitely say that everything is in order" he concluded, bestowing one of his rare smiles on Jac. "And," he continued, "I don't think I need to tell you Miss Naylor that I am sure everybody will give a 100% today, as they do every day," he added.
"No, no I know" Jac said.
"Well, if there's nothing else?" Mr Hanssen said, addressing the group, continuing, when nobody answered, "I must be getting on. I look forward to hearing about the successful outcome," he said, before bending down slightly he said quietly to Jac. "Have courage Miss Naylor." And then standing up straight, and nodding his head slightly to the assembled group said, "Gentlemen, Miss Naylor," before turning away from them and heading off down the corridor towards the exit.
They all watched him go and it was only when the swing doors had closed that Elliott broke the silence saying to Dr Rose, "Right, well Paul I expect you'll want to do your pre-op checks won't you, and Isaac" he said addressing Professor Zeller, "you can probably get to your clinic now. Hopefully we won't see you again today, but we'll page you if we need to."
"Of course, and I'll be able to come straight away," Professor Zeller replied, "I wasn't meant to be in today so Dr Jamieson and my registrars were all prepared to run the clinic anyway. And as you said, let's hope my services aren't required" and with a slight bow he turned and began to walk down the corridor.
"He's a strange one," Mr Thompson observed.
"Yes," Elliott agreed, "but then geniuses often are."
"Mmm, and don't we" Jac said indicating the ward, and smiling affectionately over at him, "know it."
"And, he's definitely one of those," Elliott continued, seemingly determined to ignore Jac's interruption, although the colour rising in his cheeks indicated that it had affected him. "His results with 24 weekers are just…well just extraordinary, survival rates here are 14% above the national average, and that's only been true since he arrived. Yes, you can say what you like about Jayne Grayson but she really struck gold when she appointed him. Now Derwood," he continued, addressing Mr Thompson.
"Mr T, please"
"Oh yes sorry, Mr T, I'm not sure if you need to do any final checks of the baby before we begin?"
"It's got a strong heart beat" Jac commented, elaborating further when she saw the questioning look on all but Jonny's face. "I borrowed a foetal Doppler from maternity last night to let Jil hear it, and then we had a little performance this morning too for everyone else."
"Oh, so that's what Kayleigh was talking about," Mr T said. "She collared me just before I came up and told me to make sure I got the Doppler back."
"Well, it should be down there now," Jac assured him.
"Oh good, that's one less thing for me to worry about then" he said, "but in answer to your question," he continued turning to look at Elliott, "I do need to check the baby's vital signs myself and I'll need to talk Jil and her husband…"
"Daniel," Jac supplied.
"Yes Daniel, I'll need to talk Jil and Daniel through what will happen if there are any obstetric complications in theatre again. I've already been over it once with them but I always like to do it again just to make sure they don't have any other questions."
"Right," Elliott said, "well, if you do that now with Paul. I'll just put all this" indicating his bag and the large pile of paperwork he was holding,"in my office, get changed and then join you. Yes?"
"Sounds like a plan" Paul Rose said. "Is Jil still in the side room?" And when Jac nodded he set off towards it, closely followed by Mr T.
"Right, ok then," Elliott said "to work," and turned and walked away from Jac and Jonny towards his office.
"Jonny, can you look after them" Jac said, pointing at the side room, "if they come out please? Get them some hot drinks and show them where the relative's room is or something. I just need to…" she tailed off and looked after Elliott who had just gone through the door of the office.
"Of course, go on," Jonny replied and watched her as she followed Elliott into the office they shared.
xxxxxx
"Jac," Elliott said, smiling across at her as he carefully placed the paperwork he had been carrying on top of one of the piles on his desk. "What can I do for you?"
"Elliott," Jac said, an audible catch in her voice, "you do remember what I said about Jil the first time you met her, don't you?"
"Of course I do," he replied, that one word having played on his mind on many occasions over the past couple of days. "Jac," he said, walking across the office until he was standing directly in front of you, "I promise I will do my absolute best for Jil today. For Jil and you, OK."
And Jac nodded, blinking away the tears that had threatened to fall, and managed somehow to say "yes, thank you." And with that Elliott gently touched her arm, smiling kindly at her as he did so, before turning away from her and heading out of the door. And Jac stood for a few moments more in their now silent office, before she too, after taking a deep breath, headed back on to the ward.