I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR THE CHARACTERS BLAR BLAR BLAR...IT'S ALL THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

Thanks for the reviews. It's not the end, this story will have 24 Chapters.

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Continues from last chapter...

Donna was disoriented. She looked about her, everything was upside down, the car had landed on its roof as it had rolled down the verge. And the water was cold because she could feel her hair was getting wet.

April was screaming in the back still strapped in.

Donna looked around, "April darling...are you okay? April?"

"Mummmmy...I don't like it...", she quivered.

Donna felt the pain in her head, she had knocked it on the steering wheel when the car was rolling over.

"Everything's going to be fine sweetheart, I promise you"

She tried to unhook the seat belt, but for some unknown reason, it didn't want to unclip. Suddenly the knock on the window made her jolt.

"Hey, are you alright in there? Is there anyone hurt?"

It was a stranger's voice, but obviously someone had stopped to help.

Donna turned, "I've knocked my head, that's all...can you get my daughter out please, she's only 5"

The stranger, a man, went to the rear window, she could hear the sound of running water as he moved, "I'm gonna see if I can open this door"

"Mummyyy"

"It's okay Darling...", said Donna looking at her daughter through the rearview, "...the kind man is going to help get you out"

The man managed to open the rear door and squeezed in and unstrapped April, he then pulled her out and set up onto the river bank.

"Now you be a good little girl and you sit there all quiet, I'm going to see if I can free your Mummy"

The man went to the driver's side and he peered in, "can you open the door from your side, love?"

Donna tried the handle and it sprang and opened, the man forced it open and Donna turned her head, "the belts stuck..."

"you'll have to excuse me...but I'll have to see if I can...", he then leaned in, so her chin was on his back, "something hit me...was it another car, I didn't have chance to see..."

"It was a tractor...the poor old man in it is dead...looks like he must have had a heart attack or something at the wheel and lost control, I'm Dan by the way"

"Donna...my little girl's called April, is she okay"

"Yes love, she's safe on the bank", he managed to free her and he helped her climb out.

Donna leaned on him awkwardly, "I'm feeling a bit dizzy now"

The man was on his phone, "I'm phoning for an ambulance..."

Donna sat next to April and pulled her into a cuddle.

"Is there anyone you want me to call for you Donna?", asked Dan as he was on the phone.

Donna looked up and nodded, "yes...Bob Hope...I give you the number..."

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Bob was in a panic when he learned that Donna had been involved in some kind of accident., He rushed up to Brenda in the café, it was nearly closing time anyway, "Everyone is going to have to go...Donna's been in an accident, we have to get to the hospital"

Pearl flapped her neck scarf on the way out of the door, "I do open it's not serious, that little girl of hers is an absolute angel..."

Bob closed the door on her and ripped off the apron, "Come on Brenda we have to go, now..."

"Coming..."

XXX

Bob was on the phone to Marlon as he and Brenda jumped into the car, "Marlon...I don't want to worry you unnecessarily, mate...but it's Donna..."

XXX

Donna was on the trolley in the accident and emergency department at Hotten General. She was so worried about April, because the little girl had been whisked off to get checked over. She was so relieved to see Bob and Brenda come flying in through the double doors.

"Donna love! Thank god you are all right...where's April?"

Donna took his hand, "They took her away Bob, please go and find her for me...she's over that way somewhere"

Bob collared a nurse and was soon following her in the direction of where April was at.

Brenda stood by the trolley looking at her, "What happened? How did all this happen?"

Donna sighed, "some poor man on a tractor...he died and lost control by all accounts...It could have been so much worse I can't bear to even think about it"

Bob was at their side again with a reassuring smile, "April's fine...she won't even have to stay in"

Donna sighed with relief.

Brenda clutched her hand, "see...everythings going to been fine"

Marlon was then coming through the double doors with Laurel in toe, "where is she...where's April". he panicked.

Bob placed a hand on Marlon's chest to stop him having a go at the staff, "April's fine...she can go home very soon"

Marlon nearly collapsed in sheer relief, "Ohhhhh thank god! When you called, I was thinking all sorts"

Laurel came to Donna's side, "How are you...were you injured?"

"Just a bump on the head...but the doctors are organising a scan for the baby"

Laurel tried to be reassuring, "Ohhhh I'm sure it will be fine, it'll be routine...they just have to be cautious that's all, int that right Marlon?"

"What's that"

"Donna's baby...they want to do a scan to see what's what"

Marlon took Donna's hand, "I'll go with you if you want..."

Donna frowned at him, eyeing Laurel as she replied, "but what about April...who's going to be here when the doctors have finished with her"

Marlon laughed and nodded towards Bob and Laurel, "They will be, April will be fine...lets get you fine too, shall we"

Laurel glanced at the linked hands between the two of them, then turned to see the medics ready to take Donna to antenatal.

Marlon tried to look brave, "Looks like we've got the off..."

XXX

Laurel watched Donna get wheeled away. Her hands were together. Bob came to her side, "Looks like they are finished with April, Laurel love"

Laurel nodded and forced on a smile. All sorts of things were going on through her mind now. Marlon was quick to be at Donna's side. Then again, Donna's baby was going to be a brother or sister to April, so maybe that's why he was quick to act.

She just knew Marlon...and he always got closer than he should do.

She nodded at Bob and both went to be at April's side behind the curtain.

XXX

Donna laid back on the bed and the midwife was doing the scan. Both Donna and Marlon looked up to the monitor. It was so tense at first. Donna wanted to hold back her breath waiting to hear the worst.

But then there was the heart beat and the midwife turned and smiled, "there's baby..all save and well"

Donna sighed in relief, tears were in her eyes. Marlon squeezed her hand.

"Does Mum and Dad want another print?"

Donna laid back and closed her eyes so relieved the baby was okay, Marlon spoke up, he knew that Donna was so relieved to hear what she said, "Yeah...another picture would be great"

Donna opened her eyes, "I'm so tired"

The midwife printed off the picture and handed it to Marlon, "you will be, this accident has taken alot out of you...that and the worry...now you can hopefully relax...the both of you"

XXX

Outside in the corridor, Marlon came out and went to Bob, "So..."

"Donna and the baby are doing fine", replied Marlon with some relief.

Bob pointed to the print in the chef's hand, "Is that a picture of the little one then?"

Laurel stuck her tongue in her check as Marlon handed over the print to Bob, the older man smiled, "Awwwww...Donna would have been devastated if anything happened to it"

Laurel took the print and looked at it, she smiled, then handed it back to Bob, "So...should...you know...someone get in touch with Ross..."

Marlon frowned at her, "What for?"

Laurel was quite blatant, "Well HE is the father...he should be here, shouldn't he?"

Marlon nodded, "No he shouldn't be...the last thing Donna needs is for that scumbag to be floating about spoiling for a fight...besides...this baby is April's brother or sister...I'll love it the same as her"

Laurel was about to argue the point but Marlon went to fuss over April.

"It's like I've just suddenly ceased to exist", she muttered to herself.

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FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS GREAT.

The next couple of chapters will see Marlon get too involved with Donna and the baby.