Monday -Tuesday

Natalie hugged the young girl as Sarah looked on. Lucy Brooks had not taken the news well. She was as terrified as her father but was doing a worse job of hiding it. Natalie kissed the twelve year old's hair.

"Now, you listen to me." She held her at arms length. "I am going to be fine."

Lucy nodded. "I googled it. Ovarian Cancer and Radical Hyster, his-tee-ectomy."

"Ok, so you know I don't need what they are taking away. I'm too old for any more babies and me and your dad are happy with the four of you we have between us. I'll never replace your mum. And I'll never try to; but I do love you, you, Sarah and Louisa."

"I know." Lucy hugged her tightly as Ronnie entered the room, standing in the doorway he watched as the young girl composed herself. He knew the news had hit the kids hard. Sarah had been in shock while Natalie's own boys; Daniel and Michael had been quiet, upset that she hadn't told them earlier. Ronnie had held her hand the entire time she had told them. It was possibly the most difficult conversation she had ever had. Then there had been the phone call to her boss. The Chief Superintendent had been understandably sympathetic but she still hated it. Seeing Angie and the boys stare at her in disbelief as she had told them the news.

"I'll be ok." Natalie hugged her stepdaughter. "Trust the doctors and nurses. I do."

"Yeah." Lucy hugged her before turning to see Ronnie staring at his feet. "Dad?"

"Go on." He spoke calmly. "Bed. I need you to look after everyone tomorrow when me and Nat are at the hospital. Ok?"

"Ok." She hugged him. "Nat?"

"Yes luv?"

"Love you too." She slipped out of the living room as Ronnie sighed.

"Trust her to look it up on Google." Ronnie shrugged. "Kids."

"She's bright and inquisitive." Ronnie nodded. "Of course she was going to go online." He stepped towards her.

"She's like her mother. She's got to have the facts in minute detail." Ronnie smiled slightly as Natalie sat on the bed.

"This time tomorrow the nightmare will be over. The op will be done and we can concentrate on getting back to normal." She sighed heavily. "I can get back to being me."

Ronnie sat next to her as she ran her hand through her short black hair. "Never know, I might end up not having to shave all this off." Ronnie took her hand, bringing it to his lips.

"Nat."

She looked him directly in the eye as she took a deep breath. "I'm going to say this once and only once Ronnie Brooks."

"Nat."

"If I die tomorrow, or the cancer does me in look after the kids and Matty. You're the closest thing that boy has ever had to having a dad. A proper one anyway. And." She paused as tears filled his eyes. "None of that. And if you start on the booze again and I swear to God Almighty I'll haunt you."

Ronnie nodded, swallowing hard. "Ok."

"Ronnie?"

"Sorry." He wiped a hand over his face. "It's late and. Er. Well."

"What?"

"To be honest with you. I'm bloody terrified."

Natalie kissed him as he pulled her into Joe arms. Breaking for air she gently cupped his face in one hand. "Don't say you given me the chance to walk away because that ain't never been an option luv."

Natalie nodded before kissing him gently on the lips. He tightened his hold on her, kissing her back with every emotion he had. She slipped her hand under his shirt; resting her hand over his heart.

"I'm scared too, Ron." Her voice broke as he gently gently laid back with her in his arms.

"I know, Luv. I know."

Xxxxxx

Matt crossed himself as he looked up at the crucifix in front of him. The Catholic Church had been something he had avoided since he and Pete had joined the police force. He glanced over towards the Confessional wondering if he would actually bore the Priest to death if he stepped inside. He was 36, he had almost twenty years of confessing to catch up on. He made a secret promise to himself that Cameron and the new baby would never be made to feel guilty for being themselves. He would never send them to a catholic school.

"Matthew?" He turned to see a man around his age wearing a dog collar. "Matthew Devlin? Kathryn's big brother?"

"Yeah." He frowned. "Declan Saunders."

"Aye." The other man smiled. "Father Declan now. I thought you were a lapsed catholic."

"You know what they say, you can take yourself out of the church but." He shrugged suddenly self conscious. "I just needed to do something." He nodded towards the candles on the alter.

"Ah." Declan nodded. "You need a chat, you know where I am. I'll leave you and the Boss in peace." The priest disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Matt sighed. Seeing an old school friend of his little sister had not been in his plans. He lit a candle, deep in thought. He said a silent prayer for his friend- praying that Natalie would be ok and that he could look after Ronnie if she wasn't.

Xxxxxx