Thanks for reading and for the reviews; they really do help me to keep writing :-)

Jac had driven Jasmine and Ava back to the flat after Michael, giving Jac many instructions she reminded him she didn't need, discharged the young woman. Granddad had been pleased at the arrangement of Jasmine staying in Bristol with Jac and Jonny and Jac suspected he was also a little relieved to be released from the responsibility of caring for Jasmine. They arranged for Jac to drive Jasmine to the bungalow to collect some of more of her belongings later in the week and Granddad promised that he would still visit with a 'you'll be sick of the sight of me.'

Jasmine had been enthralled at the sight of Ava's bedroom. 'Wow Jac! You've made her a proper little girls room! Her bedroom at the bungalow was tiny.' She watched as her daughter happily skipped about the room showing her mother everything.

'I hope you don't mind but we've also brought her some new clothes. She's growing away.' Jac smiled, pleased that her sister liked Ava's bedroom as much as she did.

'Of course I don't mind. Thank you.' Jasmine gave Jac a sad smile 'I kind of feel like I've neglected Ava's needs a little bit over the past couple of months.'

'Does she look to you like she's been badly affected?' Jac laughed as Ava clambered up onto the bed next to her mother 'you haven't neglected her.'

Jasmine hugged her little girl tightly. 'I think it's time for your nap now Ava' she said as she let her go

'But I'm not sleepy' Ava said grinning at her mother. She had been delighted when both her Auntie Jac and her Mummy had arrived at nursery to collect her early. Jac suspected they would have difficulty getting her to sleep tonight let alone for her normal afternoon nap.

'Come on Munchkin.' Jasmine said as she lay the little girl down. 'I'll lie here with you and tell you a story.'

'I'll go and put the kettle on' Jac whispered as she crept from the room whilst Jasmine started telling Ava a tale of her own invention.

After fifteen minutes Jasmine emerged from Ava's bedroom walking slightly stiffly, her stomach still sore from surgery. She found her sister changing the sheets on the bed in the master bedroom.

'Jonny and I thought you'd be comfortable in here' Jac smiled at her sister as she smoothed out the duvet with her hand.

'Oh Jac I couldn't take your bed!' Jasmine said embarrassed 'I'll sleep in the living room.'

'You'll do what you're told' Jac laughed 'besides don't forget Jonny works shift work and I can keep odd hours so unless you want us to be waking you up in the middle of the night I suggest you take us up on the offer.'

'I feel like I'm causing trouble for everyone' Jasmine said glumly.

'Of course you're not' Jac comforted her sister. 'How about a nice cup of tea?'

Jasmine nodded and followed her sister to the kitchen.

'You do know I appreciate everything you and Jonny are doing for Ava and I don't you?' Jasmine suddenly asked.

'Of course we do.' Jac answered her as she made the tea. 'you should just stop worrying and let us look after you.'

'Ava has looked much happier and more like Ava since she moved in with you and Jonny.' Jasmine continued 'I think the stress of my illness had gotten to her even though we've tried to hide it from her. I don't think moving to the small bungalow really benefited her either.'

'You've had to make some tough choices and you're living with cancer which is not easy' Jac placed a hand on her sister's arm 'but Ava is fine and you're a good Mum.'

Jasmine nodded but didn't smile. 'I feel like I owe you and apology' Jac spoke again 'for refusing to see you the first time we met.'

'You don't need to apologise for that' Jasmine shook her head 'what mum did to you was so hurtful I can imagine if it had been me in your place I wouldn't want anything to do with our crazy family ever again'.

'The thing is, and I know it is childish, I kept thinking why did she keep you when she was so willing to abandon me at every available opportunity.' Jacs words hung in air for a few seconds.

'I knew that was what you were thinking.' Jasmine said finally, picking up one of the mugs. They walked to the dining table and sat down together. 'There is no reason as to why she did what she did. She spun me a story as to how she was too young when she had you. But to be honest that isn't a valid reason and I can't buy into it. I can imagine how much it must hurt though to be rejected without an explanation'.

Jac nodded her head and swallowed down a lump of emotion. 'It still hurts if I'm honest. I pretend I don't care but it hurts that I wasn't good enough for her.'

'You are more than good enough Jac. Look at you! You save lives for goodness sake! I only managed to complete a term and a half at university and even then I was studying English literature. That was hardly going to change to world was it?' Jasmine laughed. Jac stared intently at her cup of tea as she willed herself not to cry. 'Its our mother who isn't good enough Jac. You need to remember that'. Jasmine put her hand on Jac's arm and gave her sister a couple of minutes to compose herself. 'You have a lovely home' Jasmine changed the subject.

'Thank you.' Jac took a sip of her tea 'we did have a house ready for when we had Amelia but I couldn't face living there after. I actually prefer the flat if I'm honest; a house just seemed too conventional.'

'You really are a modern woman huh?' Jasmine smiled at her sister. 'What about this whole marriage thing then? Do you think you and Jonny will actually get around to it?'

'I don't know. I want to but it won't actually change anything.' Jac played with the ring on her finger. 'Before Jonny I couldn't actually imagine being a wife to anyone. He's certainly changed that about me' Jac gave her sister a dry smile.

'Mummy I'm awake now' they heard Ava call as the little girl came running up to them.

'I thought that was too good to be true' Jasmine sighed 'five minutes nap usually means she'll be evil by tea time.'

'Come and play with me Mummy' Ava pulled on her mother's arm in her haste to see her mother to her feet.

'Hey slow down pumpkin' Jac placed her hand softly on her nieces head. 'Don't forget mummy still has a sore tummy.'

'Oh' Ava thought a moment. 'Can you still draw pictures Mummy?'

Jasmine laughed. 'Of course I can still draw pictures.' She stood stiffly to her feet. 'Come on let's go and get your paper and crayons.'

After a couple of hours entertaining Ava Jasmine had admitted defeat and gone for a lie down on her bed. She opened her laptop to check her emails and replied to the few responses she had received in regards to the search for her mother. An old school friend of hers had gotten, what she hoped would be, a more recent email address from an aid worker working in India and had suggestions of other organisations her mother might have gone on to work with. Jasmine sent her drafted email for her mother to the suggested email address. Her conversation with Jac had made her more determined to find her mother so she could tell her what she thought of her. She closed the lid of her laptop and shut her eyes. A five minute nap was all she needed she thought to herself.

Jac was sat with Ava on the sofa watching a DVD when her phone rang. The little girl had cuddled into her Auntie and Jac was enjoying spending this quiet time with her niece. Jac looked at the screen on her phone and saw it was Jonny.

'Hey you' she smiled as she answered the phone.

'I am having the day from hell!' Jonny's Scottish accent was always more prominent when he was angry. 'I don't know why we bother having permanent staff nurses when all they do is ring in sick!'

'Oh dear' Jac tried to sound sympathetic but if it was the particular nurse she was thinking of Jac would have dismissed her weeks ago for her poor time keeping and attendance. However Jac could tell a 'told you so' was unlikely to be helpful in this situation. 'Has Nurse Summerton called in sick before a night shift again?'

'Don't you dare say I told you so' Jac could hear Jonny grumpily moving paper work around. 'I'm going to have to stay on until I get an agency nurse in to cover. No one is going to say my ward is understaffed!'

'Would you mind not taking it out on the patient files though?' Jac asked sweetly. 'I would prefer it if they weren't all looking like they've been pulled through a hedge backwards'.

'I really wanted to be home for dinner seeing as it is Jasmines first night with us.'

'I'm sure she'll understand. You never know the agency might have gotten efficient in actually providing staff.'

'I called them an hour ago and the still haven't rung me back' Jonny huffed. 'Anyway enough about staffing problems what have you been doing?'

'Well Ava and I are watching a film and Jasmine is having a nap. Exciting stuff.' Jac said before adding 'I'm missing you.'

'Aww I miss you too.' Jac could tell Jonny was now smiling.

'Just get home when you can ok?'

'Sure. I love you Jac.'

'I love you too.' Jac hung up the phone and watched the end of the film with Ava. As the credits rolled Ava sat up so she facing her Auntie.

'I'm hungry' she informed her aunt 'please could I have beans on toast for tea?'

'Seeing as you asked so nicely I can't see why not' Jac smiled at her niece, relieved Ava had asked for something not even she could make inedible. Jac scooped up the child into her arms and walked with her to the kitchen. 'Come on, we better see if we have beans in the cupboard.'

Ava played with Jac's hair as she carried her. 'I love you Auntie Jac' the little girl said suddenly.

Jac didn't have to think before she said 'I love you too Ava.' Inside her heart was soaring.