Sorry I've not been on this for a while and also sorry to all my readers who I have kept waiting for the end of this story. Life just got in the way again. But I am back now and plan to write and post most days now I have graduated. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. As always please read and review. Thank you for your continued support.

Amber French Chambers

Nick

I had always had a way with women. I went through a Jack the lad stage. It wasn't my fault every women I wanted, wanted me back and who was I to refuse a pretty woman? The first woman I ever felt serious about was Zoe Hanna. It started as just another one night stand and slowly blossomed into an affair, until both of our feelings flamed into something much more. Before I knew it I was in love for the first time in my life and I liked the feeling.

I knew I wasn't getting any younger so after about three months of dating we decided to try for a family. We tried several times and nothing happened. One day Zoe fainted at work. By this point she told me she thought she might have been pregnant I remember being over the moon I couldn't wait to have someone to look after and pass my legacy onto. What I didn't realise was that Zoe was taking fertility drugs to improve our chances as she had suspicions that she was infertile. She knew if I found out I would be heartbroken so she hid it from me for several months letting me believe she had my baby growing inside her.

When I found out I was devastated. I even thought about firing her at one point. But she was a good Doctor and I couldn't afford to lose her just because we had let our personal and professional lives collide.

That was bad judgement on my part and I vowed to never let that happen again. My feelings for Zoe never really went away, they were always there burning in the background that would leave a burn on my heart every time I saw her bring a new conquest into the ED.

Then I met Yvonne and I never looked at Zoe in the same way again. Of course every friendship had an element of love to it but that's all Zoe and I were from that point on friends.

When Yvonne and I walk into the board room the first thing that catches my eye are the disturbing images of Chloe's earlier injuries. Yvonne closes her eyes unable to look, I touch her shoulder reassuringly. Five people sit around the table. At the head of it is Guy Self who stares at us, his eyes emotionless, his face portrays no expression, he is almost unreadable. It feels like being in front of your head teacher when at school. Yvonne wheels herself into the table and I pull out the chair next to her.

Yvonne grabs my hand underneath the table, her hands are shaking. It is in that moment that I am sure she wants this as much as I do. I love her for that.

'Well I think we know what we here to discuss. The case of Chloe Dillon and her possible adaption placement with Mr Jordan and Miss Rippon'

'Actually it's soon to be Mrs Jordan. We are planning to get married soon, so we believe we will be able to provide the perfect stable home environment for Chloe to grow up in.' I hear myself saying passionately. Yvonne squeezes my hand and nods for me to continue.

My voice is stronger, more confident when I speak again.

'About a month ago I never thought I'd see the love of my life open her eyes again. I thought I'd lost Yvonne forever. Just like that I thought all our plans and dreams had been lost with her. Then a miracle happened, she came back to me and it made me realise what is truly important in life. Life isn't just about the medicine; it is also about living life to the full and grabbing opportunities when they are presented to you. It's about having people around you who love and care for you and to get the same in return. This is Chloe's opportunity to have just that. I think for the first time in my life I truly understand that.'

'But you also have Yvonne to care for now, how are you going to cope with those responsibilities as well as an emotionally fragile child Mr Jordan, someone who will need a lot of care and attention?'

I begin to formulate an answer to the question, but as I open my mouth to speak Yvonne interjects, her voice very soft and small, like Chloe's.

'If I could say something please?'

When all the people around the table nod at her, Yvonne continues, her voice shaking.

'When I was about five my mother was a chronic alcoholic who couldn't function without that first drink inside her. I was petrified to go to school in the mornings as I knew what I would find when I got home. Sure enough every evening I would clean her up, put her to bed, only for it to happen it again the next day, and the day after that, in fact every day until I was seventeen. The moment I saw Chloe I connected with her. After seeing what a mess my mother made of it, I wasn't sure whether I ever wanted to be a mother myself, but then I met Nick and everything changed. Then we both met Chloe and parented instincts we both never knew we had have kicked in. We love her and would do anything to protect her. As far as Nick caring for me goes, we will be employing people to do that, so all of our attentions will be directed towards looking, caring and loving our little Angel.'

I look at Yvonne, a look of shock on my face. I can't believe she wants someone else to care for her. There is a knock at the door, all faces turn toward it. The door opens almost silently as Tess walks in carrying a very scared looking Chloe in her arms. Chloe is holding her 'blankie' and she is sucking her dummy furiously. She is as scared as we are. I have an overwhelming urge to reach out and hold her, but I can't. Not yet anyway.

The moment Chloe sees Yvonne though, she brightens and starts to giggle, holding her arms out for a 'snuggle'. The weeks Chloe has been in hospital Yvonne didn't really want to leave her, particularly after discovering the severity of her injuries. Yvonne has been cuddling and comforting her every day since the woman who still currently runs the children's home got arrested. Chloe has called her Mama on several occasions but Yvonne and I discourage this as much as possible, as we don't want to get too used to one another, even before I'd thought of adoption as an option. Seeing them together though made me realise I can't imagine my life without both of them in it.

Yvonne tries to ignore Chloe's outstretched arms at first, averting her gaze, keeps her eyes focussed on the people sat around us. Halfway through the meeting Chloe lets a loud wail muffled by Tess's clothes.

'Hey, hey what's up with you Missy, are you sleepy?'

We see Chloe nod against Tess and her fists rub her eyes tiredly.

'I want Mama' she says pointing to Yvonne. Yvonne and Tess both look at Guy for confirmation, when he nods grinning ever so slightly, Yvonne wheels away from the table and Tess places a very tired looking Chloe onto Yvonne's lap. Once there she instantly begins to snuggle into Yvonne's side and drift off into a deep sleep. Tess smiles as she leaves the room, mouthing a good luck in our direction. I look over at Chloe and love fills my heart all over again. I can't help it; my fingers brush lightly over Chloe's head, while Yvonne leans over to kiss her.

'Hello princess' I whisper, my eyes filling with tears.

Guy's voice interrupts our moment and when I look up, happy faces, all smiling great me.

'I think that answers all our questions, Congratulations. All you need to do is sign these papers and Chloe is yours. Now I know we said this was a first meeting but it is clear you are all very taken with each other and this is unusual but as we can't find an appropriate foster family for Chloe to go to until you get yourself organised we were wondering if you would consider-'

'We would be happy to take our daughter home now, yes. We wouldn't have it any other way, would we?' I say smiling down at Yvonne.

Guy comes over to shake our hands 'Congratulations again. She is beautiful. I'm sure you will make a perfect little family'

'We intend to' I turn around, lean in and kiss Yvonne fully on the lips, emotion still glittering in my eyes, our little princess still curled up, sound asleep in between us. Guy is right we will make the perfect family portrait one day...