Chapter 1 - Alfendi

"Isn't he just beautiful, Hershel?" Lucille cooed as she cradled him in her arms. "There's something about little Alfendi that reminds me of you when you were little..." She planted a kiss on his little head as she handed him back to Emmy.

"He's perfect, son. You couldn't ask for anything better; a gorgeous wife and daughter and and a perfect son." Roland beamed and tussled the little tuft of hair on Alfendi's head.

"Thank you," Emmy smiled, blushing. "He is beautiful. And he has Uncle Leon's big nose," she laughed, pressing her finger against it. "Beep."

They all laughed. Roland checked his pocket watch. "Come on, Lucille, Flora - let's get a few cups of tea and give them a bit of space." He took Lucille's hand and the three of them left the room.

The professor sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his arms around Emmy. "I'm so proud of you, Emmy," he murmured, kissing her hairline.

Emmy held Alfendi closer and beamed. "I know. Me too. I'm so happy now he's here... Is everything ready at home?"

"Flora and I got the cot together eventually," the professor sighed. "Quite ironic, really - you were doing so well with it until your waters broke..."

"Well, I was the only one reading the instruction manual," Emmy laughed. "And what about all his teddies and clothes and-"

"Everything has been taken care of, my dear. We put another coat of gloss on the paintwork and Flora arranged everything beautifully. All we need is a baby to live in that room and we're done."

Emmy laughed again. She kissed him, then she kissed Alfendi. "Everything is just perfect..." she kissed him again.

The professor smiled and looked into her eyes. He saw that they were strained. "My dear, you must be exhausted after your ordeal. Why don't you have a sleep? I'll take Alfendi."

Emmy closed her eyes and nodded, handing Alfendi over to Layton. The professor smiled and cradled the baby in his arms as Emmy laid back, her eyes shut. The professor leaned over her and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well, my dear."

Emmy smiled and turned as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

All was quiet on the ward that night. There wasn't a sound to be heard as all slept soundly in their beds. The night-nurse was stuck in the bathroom after 'accidentally' ingesting an incredibly strong dose of laxatives.

All was going to plan.

"Bed three..."

Andrea's father silently pulled back the curtain to reveal Emmy's sleeping form. And, in the cot next to her, his prize.

He looked down at the child, who was starting to stir. He froze.

"I can't do this, this is cruel..."

Yet another voice spoke in his head. "But you must. This is the only way she can get closure... We'll make sure no harm comes to the boy..."

He nodded to himself. "If I protect him from her, then Layton will get him back eventually... Then I can keep trying to bring her back to her senses..." He gently leaned over the edge of the cot and picked up the baby. Luckily for him, Alfendi didn't make a sound. He held him up against his shoulder as he swiftly but silently left the ward.

Emmy awoke groggily to find two nurses hovering around Alfendi's cot. They were whispering frantically.

"Where the hell were you?!"

"I was in the toilet, it wasn't my fault!"

"Well then where is he?!"

Emmy's eyes shot open and she jumped out of the bed. The two nurses stood back, shocked. Emmy shoved them out of the way and stared at the cot. It was empty. She turned back to the nurse.

"Please tell me that you know where he is?"

The night-nurse was shaking, nearly in tears. The day-nurse shook her head.

"Where is he?!" Emmy demanded.

"I-I d-don't-"

"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY?!"