Yvonne

At the end of that first day I remembered walking back to my car with the intention of going home to rest. I was due to be promoted from my previous status as DCI to Superintendent. It was going to be a massive step up not just professionally but also personally, as it meant I could finally put all my demons from the past to rest. It meant I could prove to all my doubters, of which I knew I had countless that I could do this and that I hadn't made a mistake, when I had chosen my career over everything else. Most of the younger officers who ranked under me often took me at face value and because of this there was a high possibility that they thought me an unemotional bitch. Of course they were always polite and respectful when talking to me, they wouldn't dream of being anything but. However I knew what they said behind my back. They thought I didn't have a life outside work, which if I was being truly honest with myself I really didn't. I would get home, put a readymade meal for one in the microwave, pull out a bottle of wine and go and collapsed with exhaustion on my old leather sofa.

However on that first day he caught up with me as I left the E.D and seemed somewhat reluctant to let me leave. I was intrigued to find out the reason for this, so I turned around and automatically started to thank him, ever the professional. The bloke he had helped me bring in was someone who had been our watch list for a while now, but he had always managed to avoid the cells. There had never been anything concrete that we could arrest him for. However that had just all changed, he had kidnapped his own critically ill child from a busy, understaffed hospital ward, and put his life at serious risk. By anyone's standards that was a crime, but I had a moral duty, to not just the boy, and those immediately involved with him, but also to everyone else in the hospital, staff and patients alike. I knew part of the reason I had done my job so well was in part because of the man stood in front of me. Nick Jordan.

I thanked him for his help and before I was even fully aware of what I had said next, I had casually suggested maybe going for a drink one day, by way of thanks of course. I was only saying it to be polite and didn't think for one minute that he thought I was serious. Then I remembered we didn't know each other, not really. All I was really aware of at that moment was that there was a part of me that for some inexplicable reason, wanted to get to know him. I also needed to work out why he had got under my skin so much and what the sources of my feelings actually were. I won't deny the attention was also more than nice as in my line of work, opportunities to meet blokes didn't present themselves all that often.

The directness of his next question still surprised me though and again I liked the way it made me feel. I also found the awkwardness with which he asked quite cute. Seeing him get all nervous and flustered gave me a warm feeling inside. What was this man doing to me? How had he made me feel almost like a teenager, all day?

'Listen that drink sounds quite nice, how about Saturday? '

A small smile appeared at the corners of my mouth and regardless of how much I tried to suppress it; the more I could feel it spread. I started to back away, knowing my face was becoming way too expressive; it always did when I liked somebody. I didn't want to come across too keen. Like I said always the professional.

'I said one day. Goodbye Nick Jordan, Clinical Lead'

As I turned away I couldn't help but take a cheeky glace back in his direction. When I did he was staring, almost as if transfixed back at me. He realised I had caught him and cleared his throat awkwardly, his cheeks even reddened slightly, making it clear that what I was feeling was obviously mutual. He then shouted after me, almost as if an afterthought.

'Goodbye DCI, soon to be Superintendent Rippon'

It wasn't until I heard the ever so slight undertone of impression that marred his voice that I woke up to the realization that that was exactly what I had wanted to do. I had wanted to impress him...

I hear Nick's voice talking in a whisper to my consultant. It's been ages, or feels like it anyway since we went to see what I have since nicknamed 'The Devils Automobile', otherwise known as my new wheelchair, when in reality it has only been a few hours. All of a sudden I am pulled away from my ever darkening thoughts, which I find are just becoming darker with every passing second, by the sound of my mobile going off. Just hearing it and a feeling of dread settles in my stomach. I don't even look at it. I already know who it is. It is my mother, who I haven't seen for the last ten years; not that I miss her, not at all. We didn't part on the best terms but then again that doesn't surprise me as nothing she does anymore shocks me. All of a sudden the voices on the side of the curtain cease and Nick comes back into my cubicle, his mouth set in a grim line, eyes downcast. Its bad news, I just know it.

'He said no. I'm so sorry love. You're just not strong enough yet. You need to at least look at yourself in a mirror before the hospital will let you go for walks and other things.' At Nick's words I try to hide my disappointment, but I can't. Seeing my expression Nick sits on the bed and looks at me. His expression tells me everything I need to know. He needs this escape just as much as me.

I take a deep breath, before turning back to Nick, offering him a weak smile as I do so. No time better time than the present, is there? I know I'm scared, but it can't be that bad, can it?

'Can you go and find Doctor Earl for me please love I need to speak to him'

At my expression and request darkness crosses over Nick's eyes as he contemplates it. I can read that dark look; he is filled with worry and doesn't know what to do. Nick is so used to being in control that he seems lost right in this moment. When he next looks I can see his eyes are filling with tears and when he speaks his voice is choked with held in emotions.

'Why? Are you in pain? Is there anything else I can do for you?'

'No... No, just go get the Doctor for me... Please'

'Okay babe I will be right back'

He bends down and gives me a swift kiss on the top of my head before hurrying off to find my doctor. As soon as he gone I lean to reach my suitcase to find my compact mirror. As I search my fingers brush across something that I don't expect. It takes me off guard and intrigued I pull the square object form the case and am in a little shock when I discover it is a ring box. I don't have enough time for the information to sink in however as just at that moment Nick rushes back in to my cubical, with my consultant right behind him. Nick comes to sit by my side and takes my hand that still clutches the case and looks at my worryingly.

'What were you looking for love?'

Embarrassed that he has caught me rummaging in the bag my cheeks redden and I feel my eyes begin to fill once more.

'I was just trying to find my compact mirror, I'm sure it's in here somewhere!'

I push the bag with considerable force, it crashes to the floor and the contents scatters everywhere and I finally let my emotions out, covering my face with my hands, as big fat tears start to leak uncontrollably. Next thing I know Nick is beside me, my head is cradles into his chest as he soothes me with words of comfort and love. All the while Doctor Earl watches the scene in front of him, with a neutral expression on his face. He must see this every day.

'I just tho-ught... well you know... if I could at least look at myself... then maybe-'

'You're just not ready and that's okay remember we're in this together. I love you, just have faith yeah? All those things that I love about you, your confidence, sense of humour, and ability you have that says just from a single look that you aren't prepared to take any crap from anyone will all come back in time. Just give it time. We have forever because I don't plan on going anywhere. It's just you and me noe'

Nick gives me a soft kiss and is about to tell Doctor Earl we don't need him, when my ringing phone interrupts him. Nick takes the phone, looks at it briefly, glances down at me, and then hands it to me. Automatically I switch the phone off when I see the name that flashes across the screen. Diana, my mother.

'You can't ignore her forever you know'

'I can try'

Doctor Earl interrupts our whispered conversation 'Yvonne you do know we need to contact your next of kin, don't you?'

'Why?'

'Because if anything was to happen to you they would need to be informed, we have a duty I'm sorry'

'But Nick's my family now, I told you all this when I came round. If anything happens to me I want every decision to go through Nick. Good or bad, sensible or stupid. He's the only one I would trust. Please Doctor Earl, he is everything to me, I couldn't imagine my life without him in it.'

Doctor Earl gives me a sympathetic smile, which I find almost patronizing, but at that moment Nick takes my hand softly in his and squeezes it in reassurance. Everything is going to be okay. I need to take life altering action to change my circumstances and I need to do it now, before the choice is taken out of my hands, before they call her. I turn to Nick, my voice shakes as I find myself asking the one question I never thought I would ask anyone.

'Nick Jordan, will you make me the happiest woman alive and marry me?'

No... I mean yes... I mean you can't ask me I was going to ask-'

'I know so is that a yes or no?'

I realise Nick is crying and so attempt to wipe away his tears to no avail. Nick bends over to pick something up which has slipped under the bed. It Is only then I see it is the ring box from earlier.

'Of course it's a yes Mrs Jordan, here we go'

With that Nick slips on the beautiful ring. It's a perfect fit. We dissolve into a kiss that seems everlasting, never-ending and beautiful. When we eventually break we are in shock to discover Doctor Earl has left us, we smile at each other in contentment, happy to be in each others, now and forever.

'Hello Mr Jordan' I say in hushed tones

'Hello soon to be Mrs Jordan' he replies, his voice full of emotion

We get lost in each other again, lost in a word of our own. All we need is one another now.

That is all that matters.