I was having a random look at traffic stats the other day and I was completely blown away to discover 'The Promise' has had over 35,000 views since I published the very first chapter. I'm simply amazed how many people have read, and continue to read, this story. Because I miss writing adorable little girl Ava so much I've written this one-off chapter.

'Eight…nine…ten' Jonny Naylor-Maconie counted loudly as he stood in the living room of their new house with his eyes closed 'here I come ready or not!' he was playing hide and seek with his four year old niece, mainly because he loved to hear her little giggle as the thrill of being sought became too much. 'Now where she could be?' Jonny spoke loudly as he moved around the house, listening intently for any sounds that would give Ava's position away. He loved the Wednesday afternoons he got to spend with Ava whilst Jac was working. He was really hoping he and Ava were starting to bond into a real father and daughter relationship. 'Nope not in there' Jonny commented loudly as he checked inside a big box he had recently unpacked on the upstairs landing. He was meant to unpacking the last of their belongings, the mess was finally starting to drive Jac mad, however he found Ava's playful nature just too hard to resist. He smiled as he heard the tell-tale sign of a little giggle coming from inside his and Jac's bedroom. 'I wonder if Ava is in the wardrobe?' he spoke as he walked into the room. He flung open the door and pretend to search it thoroughly 'no, no sign of my wee miss in here. Just where could she be?' he sighed dramatically. He grinned as he heard Ava giggle again, fully giving way her position from under the bed. He carefully sank to his knees, being as silent as he could, before quickly taking hold of the valance sheet and flicking it upward to reveal his little red hair niece lying underneath the wooden bed frame. 'Aha!' he cheered triumphantly, however he was unaware how unprepared Ava was for her reveal when she sat upright quickly, cracking her head on the bedframe. Unsurprisingly Ava instantly dissolved into tears, the sound of the crack to her head drowned out by her scream.

'Oh Ava, I'm so sorry' Jonny spoke, slightly panicked, as he quickly scrambled under the bed to reach his little girl. 'Come here, its alright'

'I'm bleeding ' Ava wailed as she showed her uncle the hand that a few seconds ago had been pressed against her head.

'I'm so sorry princess' Jonny tried to speak calmly as he gently pulled her out from the under the bed so he could take a better look. 'Let me just take a quick a look, and then we'll make it all better, I promise' there was a lot of blood, it was starting to trickle down Ava's forehead. Jonny carefully looked at the small yet significant gash on the child's head. 'Ok, I think we're going to have to go the hospital princess, its looks pretty nasty'

'It really hurts' Ava whimpered 'can't you just fix it?'

'No baby, I'm really sorry but we're going to need a bit of help with this one' Jonny hugged the child close to him, feeling wretched with his guilt. 'Right lets get it bandaged and then I'll drive to the hospital where a doctor will make it all better OK?'

'OK' Ava nodded as she sniffed. 'Auntie Jac will fix it won't she?'

'Well there are lots of doctors who can fix little bumps and cuts like this in a jiffy so you'll be all fixed up by the time Auntie Jac even gets to us' Jonny spoke reassuringly as he quickly carried Ava downstairs to the kitchen where he was sure saw he first aid kit a few days ago.

'Jonny?' Ric Griffin hurried towards the young man as he saw him lifting Ava out of her car seat, a large white bandage wrapped around her head. 'What happened?'

'Ava hit her head during a game of hide and seek ' Jonny explained quickly. 'I think its going to need stitches or something to help it close.'

'Right, ok, let's get her straight to AAU' Ric ordered 'you'll be hours in A&E.'

'But surely that would be jumping the queue?' Jonny queried.

'Don't worry about it, it'll only be a couple of stitches at most, it'll take me no time at all' Ric chuckled as he took Ava into his own arms, allowing Jonny to gather together Ava's belongings. 'So you've been in the wars then little lady?'

'My head is sore' Ava nodded before declaring in a very upset voice 'I want Auntie Jac.'

'Oh dear' Ric spoke sympathetically as they walked through the entrance. 'Why don't you run up to Darwin Jonny, quickly get Jac? Ava will be fine with me, won't you Ava?'

'Sure ok, that'll probably be better than calling her' Jonny nodded. He kissed Ava's cheek 'be good for Ric won't you princess?'

'I'm always good' Ava sniffled .

'Hmm if only that were true' Jonny gently stroked Ava's cheek 'I'll be as quick as I can.' He kissed her cheek again before hurry up the stairs to find his wife.

'Right then Miss Naylor-Maconie, let's see what we can do make you better' Ric spoke calmly as he pushed open the door to the AAU ward. He was thankful today was proving to be quiet meaning he would be less likely to get into trouble for treating Ava when A&E should have done.

'Mr Griffin, why have you got Ms Naylors child in your arms?' Serena Campbell narrowed her eyes at her colleague 'and why is she injured?'

'How shrewdly observant of you' Ric answered her sarcastically as he sat Ava down on a bed in an empty cubical. 'This child is indeed injured and in need of medical assistance. Forgive me but I believe we are, in fact, doctors in a fully equipped hospital?'

'You are too soft hearted for you own good' Serena grumbled before changing her demeanour to address Ava. 'Hullo Ava, what has happened here?'

'I hit my head' Ava sniffled 'we were playing hide and seek and…' whatever was Ava was going to say next was drowned out by the arrival of her aunt.

'Right how bad is it?' Jac pushed Ric aside in her rush to get to her child. Upon seeing her auntie Ava abruptly dissolved into fresh tears.

'Jac, I told you she's fine, just needs a couple of stitches that's all' Jonny spoke quickly, a little out of breath as he caught up with his wife.

'Well she doesn't look fine to me' Jac glowered at her husband as she gathered Ava up into her arms. 'Shh, it's alright Pumpkin, I'm here now.'

'Och, Jac she's a little scared that's all, you know she doesn't like the sight of blood' Jonny sighed 'you're over reacting.'

'She has a head injury' Jac glowered at her husband.

'Oh and I suppose that's all my fault isn't it?' Jonny glared back.

'Oh dear, I don't think playing the blame game is really…' Serena spoke calmly trying to defuse the situation

'She was in your care' Jac hissed as she gently rubbed Ava's back.

'Oh right, so she's never fallen over or taken a knock when she's with you?' Jonny retorted. 'Kids have accidents all the time whilst playing, it's part of growing up. Ask Ava how it happened, because we were just larking around.'

Jac ignored her husband and continued to try to sooth Ava. 'Hey, there's no need for all those tears Pumpkin, nothing is ever a bad as all that.'

'Uncle Jonny was just being silly Auntie Jac, he didn't mean to hurt my head' Ava spoke thickly through her tears, her face burrowed against her aunts shoulder.

'Jac, it wasn't like that…' Jonny started to explain as Jac looked accusingly at him.

'Just get out' Jac spoke fiercely, turning away from her husband.

'Jac, for god's sake' Jonny protested 'you're over reacting.'

'Didn't you hear me?' Jac spoke firmly.

'Yes I did, but you know what? That little girl is just as much mine as she is yours so I'm staying put!' Jonny spoke with a forcefulness neither Ric or Serena had ever heard him use before. The exchanged looks, both of the experienced doctors knowing this little family tiff was escalating far faster than they could stop it.

'I don't want you to be cross Auntie Jac' Ava sobbed more forcibly.

'I'm not cross Ava' Jac changed her tone once again to be soothing

'Yes you are!' Ava shouted 'I want Granddad!'

'Right lets calm things down a little' Serena decided now was the time to step in. 'Jonny, why don't you go and give George a call, hmm?'

'Fine' Jonny huffed before stalking away to do as he was asked.

'Right now then Ava, why don't you let me take a quick look at your head and then we decide how best to help you?' Serena spoke to the child next.

Jac attempted to remove Ava from her shoulder to set on her the bed but the child let out a determined sequel and clung tighter. 'I think we can take that as a firm no' Jac spoke with a slight edge of exasperation in her voice. She knew her panic was what had worked Ava up into this strop and Jonny was also cross with her for making him feel as though this whole incident was his fault. The fact was she couldn't explain to Jonny the level of responsibility she felt since adopting Ava. Everything had to be perfect, Ava's life had to be perfect. The little girl had already suffered the biggest loss possible when her mother died, she didn't need any more hurt or sadness.

As Jac gently rocked Ava and made hushing noises Ric searched in the backpack Jonny had left for the well-loved toy he knew Ava would calm for. 'Well Ava' Ric spoke loudly 'I don't think Mr Bear likes all that noise you're making. I think your tears are making him very sad.'

Miraculously Ava stopped her wailing and lifted her head off her aunties shoulder. She hiccupped as she watched Ric make the little bear wave hello. She giggled and held out her hands for her favourite toy. 'Thank you' Jac mouthed to Ric in relief as she sat the little girl on the bed.

'Right then' Serena took control again 'I'm just going to take of this bandage and take a look, ok?'

'Ok' Ava sniffled holding tight to her bear. She closed her eyes and winced as Serena carefully looked at the cut on her head but bravely did not make a sound.

'Hmm, you know what? I think we'll get away with gluing this one' Serena spoke as she examined the gash on Ava's forehead. 'Be one heck of a bruise though.'

'That's good' Jac breathed a sigh of relief, not relishing the idea of having to hold Ava down during stitches.

'I'll go and tell Jonny the good news' Ric smiled at Jac reassuringly as he left the cubicle.

'I was over reacting wasn't I?' Jac quietly asked Serena.

'I'd be more concerned if you hadn't' Serena answered kindly. 'Jonny will understand, if you explain it to him. He may be just a man but I'm pretty sure he'll get it.'

Jac lay next to Ava gently stroking her hair as the child lay sleeping in her own bed at home. She hadn't wanted to leave the child alone, whilst the injury had been small the possibly of Ava being seriously hurt had frightened Jac and she didn't want to let the little girl out of her sight.

'I'm going to take George home' Jonny whispered as he stepped into the child's bedroom. 'He said not to come down to say bye, he'll see you tomorrow to go view that flat like you planned.'

'Ok' Jac nodded before adding 'I'm sorry, for how I was at the hospital.'

'It's ok' Jonny shook his head 'I deserved it. I felt so bad, I mean it was my fault she hit her head.'

'You weren't to know' Jac spoke softly. 'You're a good Dad to her Jonny, she loves playing with you.'

'And you're a good Mum' Jonny tip toed up to his wife and kissed her gently on the forehead. 'You need to stop worrying so much.'

'I just want everything to be perfect' Jac spoke honestly.

'It is perfect' Jonny smiled at her wife as he sat himself on the edge of the bed. 'There is so much love in this family, that's what makes it perfect.' He gently kissed his wife, whispering 'I love you' as their lips parted.

'I love you too' Jac laughed softly. 'We're doing ok, aren't we?'

'We're doing more than ok' Jonny agreed with her as he looked down at Ava's peaceful sleeping face. 'We're doing great, you, me and Ava. And you know what I've been thinking? We've got the cute kid, we've just moved into the picture perfect house, all we need now is…'

'Nope, no dogs' Jac spoke firmly.

'I wouldn't mind having a puppy to play with' Ava spoke sleepily as the sound of her parents voices woke her from her sleep.

'Hush now' Jac spoke softly 'its sleep time Ava.'

'Can't you just think about a puppy?' Ava yawned.

'Auntie Jac absolutely promises to think about a puppy if you promise to go to sleep, don't you Auntie Jac?' Jonny grinned at his wife.

'Ok, fine, we can think about the possibility of getting a dog' Jac huffed 'but don't go getting your hopes up.'

'Ok then' Ava shared a cute knowing smile with her uncle, guessing they were probably going to win this one eventually.

'Right, so close your eyes then Pumpkin' Jac stifled a laugh, she knew full well she would give in the puppy idea for Ava's cute smiles alone. 'it's far too late for little girls to be awake.'

'I love you Auntie Jac' Ava spoke sleepily 'and I love you uncle Jonny'

'Night night, princess' Jonny spoke softly to his little niece as he gently stroked her hair. 'You have lots of lovely sweet puppy filled dreams.'

'Or just normal dreams, whatever takes your fancy' Jac whispered, pinching her husband's arm hard.

As Jonny stifled a laugh his heart sored as he thought how wonderful this life was, this wonderfully normal life, full of its wonderful simple joys.