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Jac watched Jonny as he played happily with Ava in the relative's room. The little girl had been reluctant to leave her mother to rest but the discovery of some play dough in the toy box had provided a good distraction. Having exhausted Jac's ability to mould various animals they had moved onto a giant jigsaw puzzle instead. The three of them looked up from their task at the sudden sound of raised voices coming from the ward.

'I'll go and see what's happening.' Jac said softly getting up off the floor and stretching. Jac looked over her shoulder as she exited the room and smiled at the sight of her fiancé and niece bonding over the location of large puzzle pieces.

'…and don't you think after all this family have put her through we owed her some privacy?!' An angry male voice was coming from Jasmine's side room. Jac immediately guessed at what was occurring. 'Of all the selfish things you could have done…' the voice continued.

'Er…Ms Naylor…I'm not sure now is good time to visit Jasmine' Dr Digby stammered as he spotted the consultant heading towards the side room.

'It's alright Dr Digby. I think I know how to defuse this situation rather than escalate it.' Jac pushed past the young doctor and entered the small room. Jasmine was looking ashen faced and Jac could see Mr Malick was also in the room failing to get control of the situation. The old man doing the shouting has his back to her and was so engrossed in his dressing down speech he hadn't noticed the red haired woman enter the room. He must have been so intent at speaking his mind he hadn't even removed his light jacket and hat Jac mused as she took in his appearance. She cleared her throat and said loudly 'Hello Granddad.'

The gentleman stopped in his tracks and turned slowly around. 'Oh…er...' he spluttered completely scuppered by the sudden appearance of his eldest Granddaughter.

'That's some pretty impressive shouting you've been doing. I don't ever remember you shouting at me like that.' Jac's face was stern 'Unfortunately I don't particularly appreciate my dirty laundry being aired around my place of work. So if you wouldn't mind lowering your voice perhaps we could have a quiet chat instead?'

'Oh Jac' the old man's face crumbled 'I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry' he placed his hands over his face as he openly wept.

Jac immediately felt guilty however she also didn't know what to do with this sudden change in situation. 'That's alright Granddad. Please don't cry…I didn't mean to sound so… stern' she says hopelessly as she gently pats the old man on the arm. Unfortunately this only resulted in Granddad emitting another loud sob. Jac looked helplessly at Antoine Malick and her sister. Both of her comrades in the room shrugged sharing in her helplessness. Eventually the registrar regained enough common sense to at least offer the old man a tissue.

'Here Mr Burrows' he spoke kindly to the gentleman offering him the box.

'Thanks son' George Borrows eventually regained control over his emotions and mopped at his face. 'I don't know what came over me. It's been a bit stressful in the past few months, hasn't it Jasmine?' he addresses his youngest granddaughter laid out on the bed. 'I'm sorry love' he says patting her foot lightly 'I just panicked when I saw you'd gone. Anything could have happened.'

'It's ok Granddad' Jasmine responded to his apology 'I'm sorry too.'

'If you want, the office is empty so you could use it to have a chat with your granddad whilst Jasmine has a bit more rest' Malick offers Jac.

'I think we need a good long chat, don't you Jac?' George smiles at Jac who nods her head in response.

'Ok then. Mr Burrows if you'd like to follow me' Malick led the elderly gentleman out of the room and Jac followed wearily behind. 'Would you like a cup of tea Mr Borrows?' Malick politely asked as he showed him into the office.

'Oh yes please' George accepted the offer gratefully.

'I'll help you Malick' Jac said quickly and she followed the registrar to the kitchen.

'Malick can you do me a favour?' She asked as soon as they were out of George's ear shot.

'Depends what it is.' He said as he put the kettle on and began making the tea.

'Can you watch Ava so Jonny can join me with Granddad?'

'I dunno Jac. I'm not great with kids'

'You're a father!' Jac exclaims.

'To a teenager. I skipped the whole toddler phase' Malick defended himself.

'Well it's really easy. Just raid the toy box. Are you any good with play dough?' Jac gave him a pleading look. 'Please?'

'Why?'

'Because I don't want to talk to my Granddad on my own.' Jac explained in a hiss.

'He's your Grandfather' Malick gave her a questioning look

'It's complicated' Jacs face was getting increasingly grumpy and Malick knew he was heading toward dangerous grounds. 'There are questions he going to ask and things I don't want to hear.' She let her voice trial off 'And I'm exhausted from talking to Jasmine all morning'.

'Ok fine' Malick takes pity on the red head 'you take in his tea and I'll send Jonny in'

'Thank you.' Jac breathes a sigh of relief and takes the mug of hot liquid into the office.

'Oh thank you Jac' her grandfather smiled at her as she handed him the mug. They sat in silence whilst he stared at his Granddaughter. 'I'm sorry. I'm staring' he looks down at the mug in his hands. 'I just can't believe it's you. You've grown up into a fine young woman Jac. Beautiful and successful.' Jac continued to sit in silence. There was a light knock on the door and Jonny walked into the room hesitantly.

'Hi' Jac gave him a relived smile. 'Jonny this is my Granddad. Granddad this is my fiancée Jonny.' The two men exchanged greetings and the room the returned to its awkward silence

'I'm sorry for what Paula did to you' George finally broke the silence. 'If I'd have known…'

'It wasn't your fault' Jac interrupted him 'you didn't know what she was up to.'

'But I'm so ashamed'. George stared intently at his cup of tea. 'She is my daughter and the things she has done…' George let his voice trail off. 'I'm so proud of you though Jac and everything you've achieved.'

'When she came back she tried to say that by abandoning me she had helped me become who I am' Jac let the tears fall down her face 'She claimed she did it to make me independent. To make me find my own two feet.' Jac felt Jonny take hold of one her hands.

'That woman would say anything if she felt it would elevate any blame on her part.' George tuts. 'You were a twelve year old little girl. Don't believe in anything she ever told you Jac' He looked his granddaughter in eye. 'You've achieved all of this because of you. I only regret I wasn't able to witness it. Maybe we should have done more, forced her to leave you with us when you were small.'

Jac wiped away her tears and shook her head. 'You did what you could. No one could have forced that woman to do anything.'

'You know why Jasmine came here?' George asks and Jac nods her head. 'She's dying Jac and I'm so afraid for that little girl of hers.' His voice was overcome with emotion once more. 'I love the pair of them more than I can say but I've never felt so burdened and alone' he confessed as he wiped his tears away.

'We'll help you'. Jonny suddenly speaks. 'We'll do what we can.'

George nods his head. 'Thank you' he says softly. He looked at the couple sitting opposite him. He could tell they were obviously very much in love. 'Why don't you fill in the time whilst Jasmine's sleeping and tell me all about yourselves?'

'What do you want to know?' Jac asks a tired smile on her lips.

'Everything' George laughs.

The three of them talked for a long time. George really did want to know everything and Jonny answered all his questions as best he could. The couple spoke about Amelia and George admired photographs of the great granddaughter he'd never get to meet. George told them all about the new bungalow he now lived in with Jasmine and Ava. He told them about his life with his friends and neighbours. Eventually they realised the afternoon was quickly shortening and George had better spend some time with Jasmine before he had to catch his train.

'We'd better rescue Ava from Malick as well' Jac pointed out to Jonny. They headed towards the relatives room and as Jac quietly opened the door they heard Malick reading the little girl a story in a high pitched voice. Upon realising his audience had increased in size Malick gave a cough and proceeded to finish the story in a deepened version of his own voice.

'So anyway. The hunter comes and saves the day and little red riding hood gets home safe and sound. The end.' The registrar concludes and shuts the book. 'Well I'll catch you later Ava' he says standing. 'Cute kid' he mutters to Jac as he escaped the room walking with an exaggerated swagger.

'Mr Malick wasn't very good at reading stories was he Auntie Jac?' Ava says seriously.

'No he was not' Jac agrees with the little girl matching her seriousness. She digs Jonny the ribs to force him to recover himself from his laughing fit. 'You'll never guess who has come to see you and your Mummy'.

'Who?' Ava asks excitedly.

'Come and see' Jac said as she held out her hand to the child. The little girl grabbed hold and the three of them walked across the ward to Jasmines room.

'Granddad!' Ava squealed with delight. She let go of Jacs hand and ran to jump up on her great grandfather's lap.

'Hello little one' George said as he cuddled the child 'Have you been having a grand adventure today?'

'Yes.' Ava answers him.

'Ok there are far too many people in this room'. Michael Spence suddenly appeared in the doorway his arms crossed across his chest.

'Jonny and I will leave you to it.' Jac says slipping her hand into Jonny's.

'You'll come back though won't you?' Jasmine asked a hint of worry in her voice.

'Of course' Jac smiled at her sister.

'Come on Naylor. Sacha's in the office waiting for a progress report.' Michael said, leading the couple away.

'Oy-yoy-yoy Jac! You look exhausted!' Sacha exclaimed as he took in Jacs appearance.

'Thanks Sacha. You yourself are looking as fabulous as always.' Jac responded sarcastically as she collapsed onto the sofa next to her friend.

'So how'd it go?' he asks putting his arm around his weary friend.

'It was exhausting but good' Jac says as she uncharacteristically lent into Sacha. 'It feels strange to say it but now I have family.' She smiled at her friend.

'Well that's us made redundant then.' Michael joked as he takes his seat as his desk.

'No I'll always need you two' Jac stifled a yawn. 'You're like my big brothers.'

'Why don't you head off home?' Michael said 'come back tomorrow when you're refreshed'.

'What will happen to Ava?' Jac asked, trying not to fall asleep on Sacha. 'Where is she spending tonight?'

'She can stay here for a while.' Michael says studying his friend. 'I'm sure the night staff won't mind seeing as she is as good as gold and better'.

'That's good then' Jac stifled another yawn.

'I will order you home if I have to Naylor' Michael said sternly.

'Ok' Jac said wearily but didn't move from the sofa.

'I'll go and tell George and Jasmine we're heading home.' Jonny speaks as he leaves the room. 'Hot bath and some food and you'll be as good as new.'

'You are one lucky girl Naylor. You know that don't you?' Michael said to Jac as the office door closed.

'I know' she smiled.

….

'Jac and I are going to head home' Jonny said as he poked his head into the side room. 'Its been a long day.'

'Oh ok' Jasmine looked a bit disappointed.

'She'll be back to visit tomorrow though' Jonny reassures the young woman.

'And you Jonny? I still need to get to know you.' Jasmine smiled, a bit brighter now.

'Of course. I'll be working but I can pop down in my breaks.' He smiled back. 'Did you want a lift to the station George?' He asks the old man.

'I'm going to stay on for a bit a longer' George smiled at Jonny 'Thanks for the offer but the buses are regular from here to the train.'

'If you're sure?' Jonny checked and George nodded his head. 'Well ok then. I'll see you tomorrow' Jonny turns about to walk away when George calls him back.

'Jonny?'

'Yes George?' Jonny turned back into the room.

'You will take good care of my Granddaughter won't you?'

'Of course I will' Jonny smiled. 'She's my whole world.'