Scott was standing in the lounge checking his reflection in the mirror.

"You're sure I look alright?" he asked, looking over his shoulder to his father who was standing behind him. Stuart and Marion had cut their holiday short the moment they heard about the incident in New York. They had kindly agreed to watch Holly for the evening.

"You look fine." Stuart said.

Scott pulled at the collar of his polo shirt and then dismissed his fussing.

"I'm just nervous. I don't know what to expect at Oak Haven. I hope it's not too much like prison."

"It's a hospital." said Marion, looking up from the couch where she sat with baby Holly in her arms. "It's a good place to be if you need to be there. They are going to be taking good care of Madison, you'll see."

"Of course… of course." Scott said. He had forgotten Marion had spent time in the Old Oak Haven before the fire. She knew first-hand what those places could be like.

"I guess I'm more worried about seeing her." Scott confessed. "They said Madison was responding well to her medication. I just don't know what that will mean. Will she be herself again or will she still be… sick."

"Son, that doesn't it matter?" insisted Stuart. "Surely you just want to be there for her!"

Scott nodded and turned his attention away from his reflection. He grinned down at his daughter who was nestled in Marion's arms.

"Daddy's off to see mommy now, so you be good for your Aunty Marion and Grand-pops and I will bring mommy your love… I love you little baby-face!"

He gave his baby girl one last kissed, straightened up and headed for the door.

"Wish me luck." he called.

"You won't need it." insisted Stuart.

…

Scott met Dr Stanhope outside the hospital. He shook Scott smartly by the hand and led him into a waiting room.

The doctor directed him to a chair. He sat down opposite and leant forward.

"I think before I take you through we need to talk about Madison's treatment."

Scott nodded, at the edge of his seat.

"She's on very strong anti-psychotics." said the doctor. "We are going to have to manage this condition rigorously until she's stable. Eventually she'll be discharged into your care but she'll be no medication for a while yet."

Scott nodded his head slowly.

"Will she be alright around Holly?" Scott asked.

"She'll need monitoring." said Dr Stanhope. "And this condition can last months, maybe even a few years."

Scott pulled his hands through his hair stuck by the thought of all the stress that was to come.

"There are help groups specifically geared to help sufferers of Post-Natal Psychosis and their families." said the doctor, handing over a few sheets of printed paper "And I found a community online, who have a good support network."

"Thank you." said Scott. He'd found a few forums on-line himself whilst researching the condition and had already made contact with a guy in Kentucky whose wife was a four months into the condition. "Can I see her?"

"Of course. But be aware she is heavily sedated right now. She may want to know about Holly, but keep your news brief and don't let her draw you into conversation about what happened in New York."

"Is she still that bad?" Scott asked.

"I just want you to be ready."

…

Scott was surprised by the interior of the hospital. He'd had images of concrete walls and harsh strip lights, just like prison. Instead he found himself in a wood lined common room and Dr Stanhope came in through another door with Madison beside him.

Madison didn't look like herself at all. She seemed deflated and dull, even her hair was limp.

"Hey Madison!" exclaimed Scott, stepping forward with a smile.

It took her a moment to focus on him, and then even longer to recognise him.

"Hi." she said eventually, her smile a little fractured and it didn't touch her lifeless eyes.

He walked up and gave her an awkward hug which she leant into but didn't return.

"Have they been looking after you well?" he asked

Madison nodded.

"Is… is Holly..?" she stammered.

"She's fine. Randi is watching her. She misses her mommy though."

"I'm sorry." said Madison, her words were sad but her expression didn't match then.

"We'll soon get you home." said Dr Stanhope putting a hand on her back.

"And she has developed a new trick though which you must see." said Scott, looking for a way to cheer Madison up. He pulled his phone from his pocket and looked to the Dr Stanhope that it okay. The doctor nodded.

"She's rolling over." said Scott, finding the video before handing Madison his phone. "It's just the cutest thing."

Madison watched the three minute home movie but her blank expression didn't change.

"I'm going to need a few more lessons in fatherhood though." said Scott still trying desperately to fill the void of silence and get some kind of response from his girlfriend. "I rushed Holly to hospital this morning simply because she had wind."

Still nothing.

"Everyone has been very supportive though. We couldn't have better friends, we really couldn't!" he said, trying to be jolly in the face of Madison's dead stare.

Madison stood staring at Scott a moment longer and then turned back to the doctor.

"Can I go back to my room now?" she asked flatly.

Dr Stanhope looked to Scott in apology.

"Of course, Madison. You can do whatever you want."

Madison turned and walked out of the room without even a goodbye.

Scott watched her go, and a little bit of his heart with her.

"Is that it?" Scott asked.

"As I explained she's still heavily sedated. In a few weeks we'll reduce her meds and she'll be more herself. But we have to treat this in stages. It's not something that can be rushed."

"But I miss her." said Scott.

"Trust me, she misses you too. But this is a long hard road there are no short cuts. I'm afraid, young man, patience will need to be your watchword from now on. Patience and understanding."

…