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Jac rocked Ava in the rocking chair smoothing the little girls hair. The child had fallen asleep against her chest over twenty minutes ago but Jac still rocked her gaining comfort from the child's dead weight and sound of her gentle and even breathing. Jac's heart felt heavy and she found herself constantly battling against tears that she would only let fall with Jonny. Jasmine had become increasingly weak over the last couple of days and spent the majority of her time sleeping. Jac knew they were entering the last few days and hours of Jasmine's life. If it hadn't been for her younger sister's insistence that Jac maintain as normal home routine for Ava as possible Jac probably wouldn't have left her bedside. In the end Michael Spence had persuaded her to return home with the promise that he would be working the night shift and would call Jac at any slight change in Jasmines condition.

'Don't you think our wee miss should be sleeping in her bed?' Jonny's whisper brought Jac out of her thoughts.

'Possibly' Jac gave him a guilty smile 'I can't seem to want to let her go this evening.'

Jonny gently tucked Jac's hair behind her ear. 'She seems so content with you' he whispered 'when I brought her home earlier she was a bit anxious, kept asking when you would be home.'

'Poor Ava' Jac sighed 'it must be so confusing for her. She got a bit upset because Jasmine kept falling asleep this morning when she wanted her to read to her. In the end Granddad took her out and tried to explain again to her.'

'I think she wants us to give a definite date as to when her Mummy will pass' Jonny watched Jac concentrating on Ava 'she kept asking me the same questions over and over again. I tried to explain that we can't tell when Jasmine will die but it is likely to be soon. I don't think I did it very well' he shrugged sadly 'I don't think Ava has much confidence in me.'

'Don't be stupid' Jac looked up and gazed into the eyes of her husband 'Ava loves you and she trusts you.'

'Don't get me wrong, I know I'm good at the fun stuff' Jonny shook his head 'it's just with the serious stuff I feel as though I'm struggling somehow. She's different with you, as though she trusts what you say more.'

'Well believe me I feel as though I'm flying off the cuff constantly with the serious stuff. I feel no more confident than you do' Jac carefully moved the sleeping child more securely in her arms and stood slowly to her feet 'help me put her bed' she smiled at Jonny as they walked the short distance to the child's double bed. Jonny pulled down the duvet cover and Jac gently laid the child down on the mattress. She positioned Mr Bear next to the child and Jonny carefully covered Ava over with bed covers. The couple stood together and watched the child sleeping.

'I can't believe how much I've fallen in love with Ava' Jonny put his arm around Jac's waist 'after Amelia I didn't think I'd feel that strong paternal love again but…' Jonny let his voice trial off as Jac lent against him.

'What on earth did I do to deserve you Jonny?' Jac asked she reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

'Come on, we'll wake her up if we're not careful' Jonny whispered, smiling to himself as he led Jac out of the room. He led her over to the sofa and sat down pulling her with him. Jac lent against him, curling her legs up the couch. She looked at the tree lights twinkling on the Christmas tree and smiled to herself as she remembered the evening they had brought the tree home and decorated it. Jasmine had proven to be rather bossy and particular when it came to tree dressing. It was hard to believe that was a mere eleven days ago. A lot had changed in that time.

'Its new year's eve tomorrow' she spoke as Jonny smoothed her long hair.

'I know' Jonny answered her softly.

'Maybe Jasmine will get to see the New Year in' Jac's eyes began to close as she relaxed against her husband.

'Maybe' Jonny agreed with her, watching as her face began to relax into sleep. Jonny wasn't surprised, she was running herself ragged wanting to tend to Jasmine's every need , comforting Ava and barely eating anything at all over the past few days. He carefully reached out for the TV remote, trying not to disturb her from her much needed sleep. He turned the TV on to a sports channel and lowered the volume so it was barely audible as he pondered over the miraculous position he found himself in being the protector of a wife and child.

Jac awoke at six the following morning. She slipped out of the bed as silently as she could, so as not to wake her husband, and wrapped Jonny's soft thick dressing gown around herself. She walked slowly to the kitchen and turned on the kettle as she checked her phone for messages. There were none so instead she decided to call Michael Spence for an update on Jasmine.

'Hey Naylor' Michael answered his phone tiredly after a couple of rings.

'How's Jasmine?' Jac got straight to the point as she fetched her mug out of the cupboard and began making herself a coffee.

'Sleeping' Michael yawned 'she had a comfortable night which is good'

'You sound like you want to add a but in there somewhere' Jac lent against the counter

'I think we're talking hours now Jac' Michael answered her 'but she seems to be holding on for something, I don't know what but she's lasted out longer than I thought she would.'

'Ok.' Jac spoke softly 'I'll get dressed then I'll be in'

'Ok, I'll see you soon Naylor' Michael spoke before he hung up the phone.

'Was that Michael?' Jonny asked her sleepily as he came into the kitchen dressed in his pyjama's.

Jac nodded her head 'It looks like it might be today' she spoke as a tear escaped her and rolled slowly down her cheek.

Jonny pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. He held onto his wife wishing with all his heart he could spare her the pain she was going through.

Jac stood lent against the nurses station watching through the windows of the side room as Jasmine talked and laughed with Ava. The young woman had requested sometime alone with her daughter and so Jonny and Granddad had gone for morning tea whilst Jac anxiously waited on the ward in case Jasmine needed her. Jac guessed Jasmine was saying goodbye to her child and admired her sisters bravery.

'I've made you a cup of tea Jac' Serena Campbell spoke softly to her.

Jac shook her head 'no thank you'.

'I wasn't asking, I was telling' Serena spoke sternly this time 'you're going to come with me to the staff room and drink the tea. Continue as you are with your limited fluid and food intake and you'll make yourself ill and then what use will you be?' she placed her hand lightly on Jac's arm 'come on, we're going to the staffroom.'

Jac followed the woman silently and sat down the chair Serena directed her to. A mug of hot tea sat in front of her and the biscuit tin was placed next to it. Jac pushed away the tin but wrapped her hands around the warm mug. 'How can she do it? Say goodbye to Ava like that?'

'She's a mother' Serena answered her as she sat down opposite 'you find yourself able to do the most imposable things for your child. You know that Jac.' Serena considered the frail looking woman sat opposite her. Her usually glossy red hair was scraped back off her face, her skin was pallid with dark circles forming under her eyes. Jac had always been skinny but now her appearance could easily be described as skeletal. She resisted the urge to pull the woman into a hug knowing to Jac this physical offer of comfort would be seen as an insult on her ability to cope. Instead she reminded her that the tea had to be drunk. She made small talk with her, forcing her to stay in the staffroom with her for as long as possible. Eventually the tea was finished and Serena felt satisfied that at the very least she'd gotten some fluids into the young woman.

Jonny entered the room and smiled gratefully at Serena for the effort she had obviously taken to get Jac to take a break from Jasmine. He sat down in the seat next to Jac and took one her hands in his as Serena stood up to leave the room to give the couple some privacy. She squeezed Jonny's shoulder as she passed him to let the young man know they were there for him also.

'Jasmine has asked me to take Ava and Granddad home. She's said her goodbyes' Jonny spoke to his wife softly. 'I could drop Ava at Sacha's with Granddad George and then come back to be with you here?' he offered.

Jac shook her head 'You should be with Ava, she'll need you. That's what Jasmine would want.'

'What do you want?' Jonny asked Jac softy.

'For this to stop.' She looked Jonny in the eye 'I want this heartache to stop'

He leaned forward and kissed Jac on the forehead and then pulled her into his arms holding her as tight as he could.

After persistent nagging from Ric and Elliot Jac had agreed to take a late afternoon nap in the on call room whilst Jasmine was sleeping. Team Naylor were out in force looking after their charge even if her stubborn attitude made the task difficult. Jac awoke and was surprised to find she'd slept for a full two hours. She got up, made herself presentable and the headed over to Jasmines side room. She found her sister awake and playing with Jac's tablet.

'Hi' Jac smiled at Jasmine as she pulled chair up as close to the bed as she could. 'What are you doing?'

'Looking at the photographs Granddad put on here' Jasmine held the tablet up so Jac could see. 'You look just like Grandma Naylor 'she grinned as she studied the photograph of Granddad George's wedding day. She reached out her hand and gently touch Jac's cheek bone with her finger tips 'you're bit skinny, but you have the exact same features as her' Jasmine smiled at her 'my beautiful big sister.'

'okay, I think you're a little bit morphine drunk' Jac spoke seriously to her sister, gently taking hold of the young woman's hand with her own and removing it from her face.

Jasmine shook her head as she studied the image again and then looked back at Jac. 'you need to learn how to take compliments' She looked up as Michael Spence walked into the room 'don't you think Jac looks like our Grandmother Michael?' she asked him holding out the tablet to him.

Michael set the mug of tea he was carrying down on the bedside cabinet 'for you to drink' he nodded at Jac before taking the tablet from Jasmine and studying the image. 'So this is the famous Grandma Naylor huh?' he spoke as he smiled at image 'definitely more than just a resemblance.'

'See?' Jasmine looked triumphantly at Jac 'isn't Jac just as beautiful Michael?'

Michael laughed as he handed the tablet back to Jasmine 'Jac has always been beautiful, she just won't believe it' he grinned as Jac blushed from the unwanted attention 'Drink that cup of tea Naylor' he place his hand on her shoulder briefly before he left 'else there will be trouble.'

Jasmine flicked her fingers across the touch screen 'promise me you'll take care of yourself Jac' she spoke softly as she found the photographs of Jac and Jonny's wedding day.

'I am taking care of myself' Jac rolled her eyes as she picked up the tea 'see?' she took a sip of the hot liquid.

'I don't just mean now, I mean always' Jasmine looked into her sisters green eyes 'you have this terrible habit of putting the lives of others before your own.' Jac could see the seriousness in Jasmine's brown eyes as she spoke 'Ava needs her aunt to be healthy and strong so promise me you'll take care of yourself once I'm gone?'

Jac stood up from her chair 'budge up' she commanded her sister.

'Jac! Answer the question!' Jasmine spoke crossly as she did as Jac requested and moved her emaciated frame over to the side of the bed. Jac sat down on the bed beside her sister, the pair of them fitting comfortably on the single hospital bed.

'I promise I will do my upmost to take care of myself' Jac rolled her eyes at her sister as she put her arm around her frail frame and the young woman rested against her.

'Sounds like a posh way of saying I'll try' Jasmine grumbled deciding to let the issue drop as she held up the tablet so they could both see it. They both studied the image of Jasmine cuddling Ava, both of them laughing into the lens as Granddad George and made them laugh from behind the camera.

'See, you're much more beautiful' Jac kissed the top of the Jasmine's head.

'I think it owes more to the talent of the photographer than natural beauty' Jasmine laughed as she scrolled though a few more images until she found one of Ava on her own. The child obviously didn't know her photograph was being taken as she was sat at one the reception tables her head propped up by one hand as she looked into the distance lost deep in thought. 'I thing I can't figure out is how Ava ended up looking so much like you' Jasmine mused 'she looks more like you than me.'

'Don't be ridiculous' Jac laughed 'you look like me so of course Ava will have some similar features'

'Well her father's eyes and mine are brown, how come she ended up with green one's?' Jasmine asked.

'Because they run in our family' Jac rolled her eyes at Jasmine 'she could just have easily turned out to be blonde and blue eyed taking on Granddad's colouring'.

'Yes but she didn't did she?' Jasmine smiled to herself 'she has your eyes, your skin tone and our fiery red hair. Do you want to know what I think?'

'I'm sure you're about to tell me' Jac sighed wondering what elaborate theory Jasmine's imagination had cooked up.

'I think the reason I was here was to have Ava for you, like as though Ava was intended to be yours'

'Don't be ridiculous' Jac muttered again although Jasmine felt her stiffen beside her.

'You don't have to believe it if you don't want to but I believe Ava was always intended to have two mothers. Her role has been to reunite us and mine has been to give her to you' Jasmine placed one of her hands over her sisters 'everyone has a destiny Jac, a purpose or role to live out, and I'm sure mine has been to give you a child you otherwise would have been without.' She looked up as she felt a wet splash hit her forehead. She placed the tablet down on the bed and sat up slightly. 'Don't cry Jac, I wasn't trying to make you cry' she worriedly wiped away her sisters tears with her fingers 'Don't be sad, please, don't be sad' she whispered urgently, wishing her sister to stop her tears. Jac was struck by how childlike Jasmine suddenly sounded.

'I cherish Ava, you know that don't you?' Jac whispered eventually.

Jasmine nodded her head 'the fact you and Jonny love her like your own is more than I hoped for'

'But I also love you' Jac cupped the side of Jasmine's face with her hand 'I wish I could keep you both, because I don't want my little sister to leave me.' Tears spilled down both the sisters cheeks as Jasmine let her body fall against Jac's chest. Jac wrapped her arms around Jasmine as they lay together crying quietly, neither of them having the energy for sobbing. After a while Jasmine sat up slowly and picked the tablet back up. She laid herself back down against the warm body of her elder sister.

'It really was the most magical day wasn't it?' Jasmine spoke as she resumed flicking through the pictures of the wedding.

Michael watched through the glass as the two sisters lay snuggled up together talking and laughing as they looked through the photographs of the many memorable days they had had together.

'Jac?' Jasmine nudged her sister awake.

'Are you ok?' Jac opened her eyes with a start.

'It's almost midnight, we nearly slept through the New Year' Jasmine's weak voice informed her. 'I've made it into the new year' she smiled happily but weakly.

'Is that what you're holding on for?' Jac asked her sister tenderly smoothing the young woman's soft red hair 'to see in the new year?'

Jasmine shook her head as they listened to many voices counting down to the new year. A loud cheer went up as the clock struck midnight, fireworks could be heard and in the distance ships horns sounded. The sisters smiled at each other as a rousing out of tune chorus of Auld Lang Syne could be heard spilling out of many of hospital wards.

'Happy new year Jac' Jasmine smiled weakly to her sister.

'Happy new year' Jac smiled back.

'I need to know you'll be happy' Jasmine spoke seriously as they listened to the chaos of new year celebrations continuing around them. She reached up and touched Jac's cheek softly 'I know it wouldn't be easy for you to be happy all the time, you've suffered so much.' Jasmine paused, allowing herself a brief rest before she continued. 'I need to know you'll let yourself be happy. You are a good person Jac Naylor. I am proud of you. You deserve to be happy.' She spoke in short sentences taking in a deep breath of oxygen through her nose between each one.

'You've made me happy' Jac smiled at her sister 'you've brought me my family. I can't promise that demons don't come to get me because they do and always will but with Jonny and Ava and Granddad it makes it a little easier to bear'

'You have more people than Jonny, Ava and Granddad in your corner Jac' Jasmine closed her eyes, a smile on her lips 'if only you looked a bit harder.'

'I love you Jasmine Burrows' Jac whispered to her sister, kissing the top of her head.

'I'll always love you Jac' Jasmine spoke sleepily, closing her eyes 'my big sister.'