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'I regret not being able to do things like this with you when you were small' George Burrows said to his eldest granddaughter as they slowly walked along shore line of the beach. Despite it being October Jasmine had insisted she wanted to help Ava build her very first sandcastle and so a day trip to the beach had been planned with warm coats and wellington boots.

'Well we both know that wasn't your fault' Jac shivered, despite being wrapped up in a coat and scarf, as they watched Jasmine and Ava building a sandcastle with the help of Jonny, Michael and Mo.

'I know' George said as he stooped to pick up a pebble. 'I still regret it though' He skimmed the stone into the sea and they watched as it bounced four times on the water before being swallowed by a wave.

Jonny and Mo went searching for shells to decorate the nearly finished sand sculpture and Michael took his opportunity to ask 'How's the search for your mother going?'

'Not brilliantly' Jasmine smiled wistfully 'I've had suggestions of email addresses which I've tried and places that she might of worked which I've sent letters to but so far no response.'

'Maybe that's for the best' Michael smiled kindly.

'Maybe' Jasmine said as she helped Ava to dig out the moat. 'if she suddenly appears after I'm gone then you'll have to do the speaking of my mind for me though.' She grinned guilty.

'Hey I didn't sign up for that' Michael laughed. He had agreed right away to be Ava's godfather, pleased that it meant he would officially be part of Jac's family; he missed his own family back in his home country.

Jonny and Mo returned with a small plastic bucket filled with seashells. 'Come and help us put these on Ava' Mo called to the little girl.

Jac and her grandfather perched on a rock as they watched the group of sandcastle builders. 'I'm not sure I can bear this Jac' George suddenly spoke 'to lose Jasmine like this. She's too young.' He wiped tears away with one of his gloved hands.

'Some days I feel the same.' Jac agreed with him 'but then I see Jasmine, picking herself up getting on with things and I know that if she can do it than I have to too'

'And of course there's Ava' George fished in his pocket for his handkerchief as they watched the red haired child running towards them. 'I guess we all keep going for Ava'

'She certainly keeps me going' Jac laughed 'she had me up at five thirty this morning because she was so excited about this trip'.

'Granddad we've finished the castle now' Ava shouted as neared them 'Mummy says you've got to take our picture.' She reached her auntie and grandfather and saw Granddad had been crying.

'Are you sad Granddad?' She asked.

'A little bit' George answered, having taken on board the instructions from Peter not to hide emotion away from Ava 'but I'm ok now'

'Sometimes I feel sad too' the little girl hugged her Granddad. 'it's ok to feel sad, isn't it Auntie Jac?'

'Of course it is' Jac confirmed for the child, having had many conversations like this with Ava in the past week. 'Come on lets go and see this sandcastle' she held out her hand to the child and Ava grabbed hold and started pulling her auntie up the beach.

George laughed as he followed behind them. He took out his camera from his camera bag and got the merry group of builders to stand around their creation. Jonny had been surprised to learn George's profession had been photography and had even been more shocked to discover George had kept up with the digital age, teaching himself to use a computer to do so.

'Oh these are lovely' George said as he showed the pictures to Jac on the small screen on the camera.

'Jac you're shivering' Jonny suddenly noticed and he pulled her into his arms, his face full of concern.

'I'm cold that's all' her voice was muffled against his chest. Jonny released his grip slightly and Jac used the opportunity to give him a quick kiss, mistakenly thinking everyone else was occupied looking at the sandcastle.

'Urgh!' their party groaned and George chuckled as he looked at picture he had managed to snap of the pair in their embrace, the beach behind them providing a beautiful backdrop.

'Wow George!' Mo exclaimed looking over his shoulder 'that looks like something you see on the front of a valentine's day card!'

'Or wedding invites' Jasmine suggested with a grin as she looked at the photograph.

Jac gave Jasmine an evil glare. 'Ok time we went back to the cars' George intervened before an argument could break out between the sisters. 'I'm getting too cold and we've got a big day tomorrow as well.' He linked his arm with Jasmines. 'You need to stop with all this wedding stuff' he spoke quietly to his youngest granddaughter as they followed behind the others. 'Jac and Jonny need to do this in their own time'

'Don't you want Jac to get married?' Jasmine asked sulkily

'Of course I do but it's about Jac and Jonny and no one else. That's what marriage is. Its not all about the wedding you know'

They reached the flat late that afternoon to find Peter sat in his car in the street outside.

'Hello Peter' Jac called as she got out of her car 'A visit on a Saturday, to what do we owe this pleasure?'

She could tell Jonny was pulling faces as he unpacked the boot.

'I got into work this morning and found this had been put on my desk late last night' Peter stepped out of his own vehicle and held up a brown A4 envelope.

'What is it?' Jasmine asked as she got out of Michael Spence's car.

'It's the completed paperwork for the legal guardianship of Ava Burrows' he smiled warmly 'I was right. It didn't need to go to court'.

'Oh wow!' Jasmine scooped her daughter up into her arms. 'You hear that Ava? Its official, Auntie Jac and Uncle Jonny are your guardians!'

'What does that mean?' Ava looked confused.

'It means that as well as having Mummy you also have two other people who look after you all the time.' Peter tried to explain for the child.

'But uncle Jonny and Auntie Jac already look after me all time' Ava looked even more confused now.

Jasmine laughed 'it's nothing to worry about darling. It just means all the important people like Peter or teachers or doctors and nurses will know Auntie Jac and Uncle Jonny look after you'.

'Oh' Ava said. She looked thoughtful. 'Does that mean I have three mummy's now?' Ava looked cross as all the adults around her burst into giggles.

'No pumpkin' Jac answered her 'you have Mummy as your mummy and Uncle Jonny and I are like extra parents. Nothing's changed, its just been written down on paper'

Ava still looked cross. 'She looks so much like Jac with that face on' Michael giggled to Mo who nodded in agreement.

'Right well. I'd best be on my way' Peter smiled handing the envelope to Jac 'I just thought you'd want to know'

'Thanks Peter' Jac smiled as Peter got back into his car.

'Thanks Peter' Jonny mocked as Peter drove away.

'Do you not like Peter Jonny?' Jasmine asked confused

'I don't dislike his help, I just dislike the way he is lusting after my fiancée' Jonny said as he unlocked the door.

'Don't be so ridiculous.' Jasmine rolled her eyes at Jonny as she entered the flat 'he's a married man for a start.'

'The fact he's a married man won't stop him from lusting' Michael smirked from behind Jac.

'Well you should know' Jac muttered turning to glare at him. 'I agree with Jasmine' she declared 'you are being ridiculous Jonny; Peter is not attracted to me'

'You have no idea how beautiful you are huh?' Michael chuckled.

Jac turned and glared at him once more with the same cross look displayed by Ava.

The following morning was dry and crisp. Ava was bouncing around in her pyjamas with the excitement of today being her christening day.

'Can I put my dress on yet?' she asked for the umpteenth time that morning.

'No!' Jac and Jasmine both answered her this time. The dress was, in keeping with tradition, pure white and both Jasmine and Jac intended for it to still be that way when they got to the church. As a result Ava was only going to be dressed a minute before they had to leave the house.

'Come on Ava, lets you and me go read a story' Jonny suggested feeling the tension coming from the two red headed woman as they tried to get themselves ready. Despite Jac's atheism she had put a lot of effort into organising this day with Jasmine. She wanted it to be special for her sister and hopefully it would be a day for Ava to remember.

Finally it was time for the family to leave for the church. Ava was helped into her dress by her mother and her auntie fussed with her curls making sure they were knot free and neatly arranged.

'You look beautiful' Jonny whispered in his fiancée's ear as she locked the door behind them. She was dressed in dark purple dress and her fiery hair has twisted up into a French pleat. Jac kissed him lightly on the cheek.

'You know you could almost pass for that handsome scot you keep telling be about' she smiled as she straightened his tie. 'You should wear a suit more often.'

'Come on you two' Jasmine complained from the car 'we need to be at church for ten'. Jasmine was dressed in light green and her hair had been curled by her sister so it hung softly around her face. Ironically this was the healthiest Jac and Jonny had seen her look.

'I'm a lucky man Ava' Jonny spoke to the little girl as he got in the driver's seat.

'Why?' Ava asked from her car seat in the back.

'Because I get to escort the three prettiest women in whole of Holby to church this morning'.

'Just shut up and drive' Jac rolled her eyes at him as she did up her seat belt but Jonny could see her beautiful smile.

Jac had felt proud of how well Ava had behaved during the church service. She had been really well behaved when the priest anointed her with holy water and patient whilst she listened to the prayers and promises read by her god parents. As they stood on the steps of the church for photographs Jac marvelled at her pretty little girl in her, still pristine, white dress and couldn't believe her luck that she was in her life.

They had arranged to have a buffet lunch at Albies after the service and Jac was amazed at how many people had turned up. She met many friends of Jasmine and Granddad from their life in bath and felt exhausted by the endless questions she faced.

'You look particularly pretty today Jac' Sacha said as he recused her from yet another one of her grandfathers neighbours who had a health problem that evidently couldn't await a visit to their own GP on Monday.

'Whatever' Jac rolled her eyes as they sat a free table at the back of the bar. 'How are things going between you and Mo?'

'They're good' Sacha grinned at his best friend 'really good. In fact last night we…'

'oh god spare me the details please!' Jac interrupted her friend as she pulled a disgusted face.

'Naylor has anyone told you how gorgeous you are looking today?' Michael Spence's American drawl mercifully recused Jac from her current conversation.

'Yes several people' she rolled her eyes once more 'its starting to creep me out'

Jac felt a small hand take hold of hers. 'Hey pumpkin' Jac said as she pulled the little girl onto her lap. 'Are you OK?' Ava nodded her head. Jac could tell the little girl was starting to get tired. 'There's a lot of people here huh?' Ava nodded again and leaned against her Auntie.

'I'm guessing someone is falling asleep after her big day' Michael said as he rubbed the little girls back. 'Would like me to get you drink?' he asked Jac 'you could be sat here for a while' he smiled as Ava fell into a deep sleep cuddled into her Auntie.

'I could murder a cup of tea actually' Jac spoke softly.

'Sure thing' Michael smiled as got up to get his friend her much needed brew.

Jac watched as Sacha's eyes followed Mo around the room. 'Sacha if you want to talk to Mo just go and talk to her' she said exasperated by the couple's love sick teenager routine.

'Do you think I should?' he asked still not taking his eyes off Mo.

'Well if you two bumped uglies last night, I don't think a bit of talking is going to harm your relationship' Jac whispered.

'You're right I'm being ridiculous' Sacha sighed. 'its just that I don't want to crowd her you know? I get the feeling Mo is an independent sprit'.

'yes she is' Jac agreed 'but she's also an old fashioned mushy romantic so just go over there and talk to her.'

'Your right' Sacha got to his feet. 'How come you're always so right about this stuff?'

'It's a natural gift' Jac smirked.

Michael reappeared with Jac's tea and a plate of sandwiches. 'Well Sacha and Mo seem to have finally gotten their act together' he said as he sat down.

'Finally' Jac agreed and took a sip of her tea. They watched as the couple laughed easily together.

'There you are' Jonny suddenly appeared 'I've been looking for you for ages.' He sat down next to Jac and lightly kissed her cheek. 'It seems somebody has worn herself out hey' he commented on Ava's sleeping form.

'Oh I should probably warn you' Michael spoke to couple 'Jasmine has been polling people on their opinions as to what sort of wedding you two should have.'

'She's not giving up on that one is she?' Jac sighed.

'Well I don't care how or when we do it so long as I eventually get to call you my wife' Jonny spoke up.

'Don't you start' Jac glowered 'don't you think we've got enough on at the moment?'

'Like I said I don't care if it's in three months or three years,' he kissed Jac's cheek again 'but it'd be nice to start talking about it.'

'You know I keep expecting you two to just turn up at work one day hitched' Michael spoke 'no fuss just having made it official on your own.'

'I hope you told Jasmine that' Jac said still a bit grumpy.

'I told her you wouldn't be into the whole white wedding thing, but she didn't listen.' Michael laughed 'so I wished her luck'.