bronny9: Thank you for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the update, I really like caring Cal as well.

This chapter was prompted by guest with the prompt: Cal finds out baby Matilda isn't his, Ethan comforts him.

This chapter follows on from when Cal receives Matilda's DNA results.


The Secret Life Of Casualty.

Chapter 275.

As him and Ethan sat in the room, on the Pediatric ward, listening to baby Matilda babble to herself, Cal remembered the small pile of post that Jacob and Lofty had brought to him. It was mainly birthday cards for Ethan, but there was an official looking envelope addressed to him. He opened it and slowly pulled the paper out of the envelope, unfolding it, his eyes scanned the paper, words blurring in to one, until he come to a few words, which could change his life forever:

"I'm not Matilda's father " Cal said in a trembling voice as he stared at the letter in his hands, his plans for the little girl were ruined.

"Oh, Cal. " Ethan whispered back. He walked over to his brother and wrapped his arms around his brother. In that moment, he forgot that it was his birthday and just concentrated on rubbing his back. The little girl gurgled, bringing both brothers, whose faces were wet with tears, out of their loving embrace.

"Hey Toad, " Ethan said quietly, realising she probably wanted some attention. Cal picked her up and held her close to him, aware that it would be the last time. He placed her back in to the cot, she cried for a for minutes before there was a knocking at the door, both boys looked up.

"What's the matter?" Asked Charlie, shocked by the brothers tear stained faces.

"Matilda isn't mine, " Said Cal, with a pang in his heart. Deep down, he knew there was a chance, she wouldn't be, but he had hoped that this time Taylor wasn't lying and that he could change his act for this little girl who could be the making of him, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

"I'm sorry Cal. " Charlie told him. He knew, like Ethan that Cal had hoped that Matilda was his. Charlie knew what he was going to say next would break both brothers hearts.

"Social services will have to be told. "

It was Ethan who looked at Charlie, his eyes wide, about to beg Charlie for a few more minutes with his niece when he realised she wasn't really his niece at all, but a baby, who had no blood relation to him or Cal.

Cal let out a sob as he realised that he'd been dumped by Taylor, she was just using and abusing him.

Ethan guided Cal to the car and opened the door for him, he was still crying.

Cal held out a card to Ethan, but in light in what had happened, Ethan didn't feel like celebrating, but Cal kept holding it out. So Ethan took the envelope and opened it up and slid the card out.

To Nibbles,

Happy birthday.

Love Cal.

Ethan stood up and put his arms around Cal again as they both grieved for the little girl they had lost.

"Thank you, " Cal whispered, quietly.

Ethan pulled back slightly as he kissed his brothers head. "What for?" Ethan asked, as he wiped the tears from Cal's cheeks.

"For being there. "

"Cal, I'll always be here for you. " Ethan smiled as he made them both a drink, and they sat there in silence, as Matilda's Moses basket lay in the corner of the room, her blanket folded neatly at the end, with the teddy that Cal brought her laying on top of it.

A woman knocked on the door. Ethan stood up and answered it.

"Hello?" He asked.

"I'm Mary, I'm from social services, "

Ethan nodded and let her in.

Ethan bounced Matilda gently on his knee as he spoke. "Toad, Cal and I will always love you, " He whispered as he handed the baby over to Mary.

Ethan stroked Cal's head as Mary took Matilda away, securing her in to the car seat, as Mary handed her the teddy, Cal was touched to realise that it was the bear that he'd brought her, it was dressed in a little pinker jumper with the words: "Daddy's girl. "

"Bye Matilda " Cal whispered as he glanced at the picture of her in Ethan's arms, and then put it next to the photo of his mum. She may be gone, but she'd always be Cal's baby girl.


Short chapter, but thank you for reading, as it was my second update today, and the previous one was quite long, I think it needed it.

Next chapter: Cal gets builied at work, by Connie and Dylan. Prompted by C.