Too lazy to recap. Go and read the rest if you care. If not, you can probably catch up.

*~*~*

“Knock, knock,” Owen announced, pushing open the door to the ward. Chrissie was the only one in there, along with week-old Manda. They were due to go home that day.

“Hiya,” Chrissie replied, cheerfully. “I think Miss Manda’s just woken up, too.” She picked up the restless baby, and smiled. “Did you wake up for Daddy?”

“Of course she did,” Owen said. “You’re a little Daddy’s girl, aren’t you, Manda?”

Chrissie passed the baby over to Owen. “So, did you just come to see Manda?”

“I wanted to make sure that you were all prepared for going home,” Owen replied. “And… I wanted to give you this,” he added, shifting Manda over to his other arm so that he could reach into his pocket. He produced a long, thin box. “Open it.”

Chrissie eagerly did so. She took out a thin gold necklace, with a locket attached to it. “Oh, Owen, it’s beautiful.” Looking at the back of the locket, she looked up at him. “What’s CWANDOD?”

Owen smiled. “Well, you can look at it two ways. It’s either CW – Chrissie Williams – and OD – Owen Davis, or it’s Chrissie Williams, Amanda Niamh Davis, Owen Davis.”

Chrissie’s heart missed a beat. That was so romantic, so sweet. So… Owen. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“That’s okay,” he replied. “I wanted to do something for us as a family.”

A family, Chrissie heard. She blinked to stop the tears from flowing. She had a family – Owen and Amanda. She’d never realised what Amanda Niamh Davis spelt before. She wondered if Owen had known when he suggested it. Either way, it symbolised them perfectly. Manda was their link together – their anchor. And she knew that, although it might be a long road, they would manage it. They’d do it for Amanda’s sake.

*~*~*

“I’m getting fat,” Diane remarked, rather annoyed, as they walked into Holby City Hospital. It was the first day that Ric had allowed her to come back to work – he had insisted on making her rest for a week. Needless to say, Diane had not been pleased.

“You’re allowed to,” Ric told her. “You’re pregnant.”

“Oh, so that’s why I was up all night being sick?” she asked, sarcastically. She shook her head. “Sorry. Lack of sleep.”

“That’s alright,” Ric replied, holding the door to Keller ward open.

“Diane!” Kath called. “How are you?”

“Just as fine as I’ve been for the past week,” she replied, sending Ric a withering look. He simply smiled and held his hands up.

“I’ve just been taking good care of you.”

“Is he getting a little too protective?” Kath queried.

“He’s fine really,” replied Diane grudgingly, as Ric put his arms around her waist.

“Now, I’ve got to get to theatre early,” Ric told them.

“What about me?” Diane asked.

“Ah… you’ll be doing paperwork today,” Ric replied.

“I’ll be doing what?” she repeated, annoyed. Ric gestured vaguely towards a pile of paper on Kath’s desk, and retreated hastily. Kath sent Diane an apologetic look. “You have got to be kidding,” Diane said.

“I’m not going to defy Ric,” Kath replied. “Can you imagine what he’d do to me if I let you work?”

“Let me?” Diane repeated. “I’m totally independent, Kath.” She sighed. “Well, I suppose I’d better get on with this.” She took the pile of papers that Kath handed her, and sat down with a pen. Kath smiled, and all was calm again.

*~*~*

“Morning, Dad,” Josie muttered, as she stumbled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed. “Anita.”

Anita, who looked every bit as sleepy as Josie, simply nodded, but Tom stood up. “Breakfast, Jo?”

“Uh-uh,” she mumbled. “Coffee.” She poured herself a cup, and drank it in one. She blinked a few times. “That’s better.”

“Sleep well?” Tom queried.

“Yes thanks,” Josie replied. “You?”

“I did, certainly. I think Anita might still be sleeping,” he added jokingly, looking towards Anita, who had her eyes closed, and was resting her head on her folded arms.

“Nah… I’m not,” Anita said, sitting up. “Honest.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’m not a morning person.”

“Coffee?” Josie offered.

Anita shuddered. “In the morning? Ugh.”

Tom laughed, and got up. “I’d better get off to work. I’ve got patients waiting.” He looked at Anita. “Do you want a lift?”

She shook her head. “I don’t have any appointments ’til two. And besides, I’m not dressed.”

“I’m not complaining,” Tom replied, kissing her.

Josie made an indistinct sound. “I think I might go back to bed.”

Tom pulled away, and Anita laughed, slumping back down onto the table. “I’ll go,” Tom said, sighing. “See you later, girls.” He left, and Anita sat back up.

“So, you and Dad…” Josie hinted to Anita. “You’re pretty serious. How long have you been seeing each other?”

Anita counted backwards in her mind. “Ah… two weeks.”

“Only two weeks?” Josie queried. “You practically live here!”

“We moved fast,” Anita replied, sheepishly. “We’ve known each other longer than that. Besides, we both feel the same way.”

“Do you love him?”

Anita looked down. “That’s a bit blunt.”

“Do you?” Josie persisted.

“Yeah,” she replied. “I’m head over heels in love with him, if you must know.”

Josie almost laughed at the expression on Anita’s face. “Congratulations. Does he know?”

“Nope.” She smiled. “I’m gonna tell him tonight.”

*~*~*

“Mrs… Carlisle?” Kath queried. The woman was about thirty-five, and was with her husband. “What’s the matter?”

“She’s got chest pains,” her husband replied. “Haven't you, Ree?”

“I – I’m fine,” Mrs Carlisle replied, breathing heavily. “John’s just a worrier,” she told Kath. “I’m fine.” She smiled weakly.

“Ree, you were gasping for breath,” her husband retorted. “Can she have some painkillers or something?”

“I’m afraid not,” Kath answered, sympathetically. “She’s nil by mouth until after the operation.”

Mr Carlisle sighed, impatiently. “Can’t you do anything, then?”

“I’ll get Mr Campbell-Gore,” Kath said. She rushed out of the ward, and picked up the phone.

“What’s so urgent?” Diane queried.

“Mrs Carlisle, Mr Campbell-Gore’s patient, she’s having chest pains.” Kath spoke both to Diane and down the phone. “Looks like she’s having a heart attack.”

“Sounds nasty,” Diane remarked, turning over a page. “Ow, paper cut,” she muttered, putting her finger into her mouth.

“Nurse! Doctor!” Mr Carlisle shouted, running up. “My wife – Ree –” By this time, Kath was already over by Mrs Carlisle, checking her over.

“Diane!” she called, panicked. “Come here! We need your help!”

Diane raced over. “Oh my…” she murmured, looking at Mrs Carlisle.

“What? Do something, please!” Mr Carlisle begged, as Sandy hustled him out of the cubicle. “She can’t die – we’ve got a little girl, little Darcy, don’t let her die…”

“Mr Carlisle, please,” Sandy said, trying to push him away. “We need you to wait somewhere so that they can work on your wife.”

“Mrs Carlisle?” Diane asked. “Can you hear me?” There was no answer, and she noticed blood appearing at the edge of her mouth. “Can we get her down to theatre? Someone page Ric, I’m going down there.”

“But Ric said…” Kath began.

“Look, Kath, this is life or death. I’m sure Ric won’t mind,” Diane replied.

But when, five minutes later, Ric arrived in theatre to find Diane fully scrubbed and in the middle of surgery, she found that she was wrong. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “I thought you were doing paper work.”

She sighed. “Look. This is work, and that –” pointing to the paper towels “– is paper. It’s not harming me, Ric. I’m absolutely fine. I like doing this, and it’s my job. So just let it be.”

“Fine.” He clearly wasn’t happy, though. “What are we doing here?”

“She’s Mr Campbell-Gore’s patient, but she arrested and I was the only one around. BP’s down, and she’s loosing a lot of blood.” Ric nodded, and Diane knew that she was forgiven.

*~*~*

Owen caught Mubbs as he passed. “Mubbs?”

“Yeah?”

“I want to take Chrissie home,” Owen replied. “Can I count on you to take control for the next hour or so?”

“You mean you don’t want Rosie to?” Mubbs queried, chuckling. Rosie and Owen had argued a few times, and were definitely not the best of friends.

“No, I’m asking you.” Owen smiled, and went into Chrissie’s room. “Ready to go, Mrs Davis?”

She stood up. “Yeah. Can’t wait to get out of here.” She picked up baby Manda. “C’mon, Manda. You’re going to see your bedroom, and your cot. Are you looking forward to it?” Manda yawned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Owen fastened Manda into her baby seat, and carried his daughter down to the car park. He fastened the seat into the back, and opened the door for Chrissie to get into the front. “Well… we’re driving away from the hospital.”

“Amanda’s going to see her house,” Chrissie replied, excitedly. “Well, her Nana Tricia’s house, anyway.” Owen simply smiled.

Nearly ten minutes later, Chrissie spoke again. “Owen? You’re going the wrong way. You should’ve turned left.”

“I’m not going the wrong way,” Owen replied, pulling into his own driveway. “I said I’d take my wife and daughter home. I have done, Chrissie.” He stepped out of the car, and picked Manda up. “Tricia helped me to bring all your stuff here yesterday. Welcome home.”

He turned the key in the lock, and pushed the door open. Katie ran down the stairs. “Can I see the baby?” she squealed. “I can’t believe I have a sister!”

Owen smiled. “Sure. Be quiet, though. She’s asleep.”

“What’s her name?” Katie asked, eagerly.

“Amanda Niamh,” Chrissie replied. “Manda.”

“She’s tiny!” Katie whispered. “She’s so cute.”

Owen looked at his daughters and his wife. Although Chrissie and Katie had their differences, they both looked happy enough. He knew that his life was perfect now. He had Chrissie, Katie, and Amanda. His three beautiful girls.

*~*~*

Ric and Diane were still operating on Mrs Carlisle nearly an hour later. “I don’t think it’s her liver she should be worrying about,” Ric commented, pointing to something. “Look at that blood clot on the right lung.”

“No wonder she was having chest pains,” Diane remarked. “Are you going to remove it?”

“If it’s possible, yes.” After a few minutes, he spoke again. “I think we have successfully stolen Tom Campbell-Gore’s patient.”

“If we’d waited for him, she’d have died,” Diane insisted. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Pity,” Ric replied, causing Diane to shoot him a look.

*~*~*

Tom sighed as he walked along. His first operation had been taken over by Ric Griffin. According to Kath, it had meant life or death to the patient, so he didn’t mind. He was slightly annoyed that Diane was assisting Ric, though, and for two reasons. Firstly, she was Ric’s girlfriend. And secondly, she’d been away for a week, ill. But he couldn’t dwell on that. He had to get to a patient.

The man in the bed looked about Tom’s age. “Kevin Peters,” he introduced himself, smiling.

“I’m Mr Campbell-Gore, the consultant,” Tom replied. “Do you have any questions about the operation?”

“No… I don’t care what you do as long as you make me better,” Kevin answered.

“Well, we’ll certainly do our best, Mr Peters. I’ll see you in theatre.” Tom left, smiling. He liked patients like Kevin – they were always easy to deal with. The hard ones were the ones who had researched their illness and treatment, and thought that they knew best. He’d had one like that recently. She had spent almost an hour telling him how they treated it in America.

As he walked along, someone ran into him. He pushed her away gently, and, when he saw who it was, began to laugh. “Anita.”

“Tom! Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” She trailed off, laughing.

“We do this a lot, don’t we?” Tom queried.

“Well, at least we see each other,” Anita replied. “Oh, that reminds me. Do you want to go out tonight?”

“Certainly,” Tom agreed. “What about Josie, though?”

Anita rolled her eyes. “Firstly, it was Josie’s idea. And secondly, she’s twenty years old. She doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“Yes. Well, I’d love to see you tonight,” Tom replied. “I’ll meet you back at mine? I’ve got to go to theatre now… gall bladder removal.”

Anita winced. “How you can do that is beyond me. I never have to see the insides of people, doing what I do.” She kissed him quickly. “See ya tonight, then,” she added, walking off.

Ed passed by just in time to see this. “Ooh,” he said, smiling. “Got yourself a girlfriend, Tom?”

“We haven’t got time to waste,” Tom replied. “Mr Peters is being prepped as we speak.” But, as the two of them entered surgery, he added, “But Anita and I have become very… close, recently.”

“Well, lucky you,” Ed said, slightly bitterly. “My love-life is a disaster. Chrissie gave birth last week. A little girl. Amanda Niamh.”

“Well, congratulations,” Tom offered.

“No. Because I’m not Amanda’s father, Owen is,” Ed replied. “And I’ve seen Amanda. She looks like Owen. I can’t deny it.” He paused as he cleansed his hands. “I wanted Chrissie to have an abortion when I found out she was pregnant, but now… well, I can’t help wishing that Amanda was mine.”

“You’ll get your chance,” Tom reassured him.

“Coming from the man who got a girlfriend and a daughter in two weeks,” Ed retorted.

“I’m lucky, I know.” Tom led the way over to the patient. “Now, let’s get started, shall we?”

*~*~*

Chrissie sat comfortably on the rocking chair next to Manda’s cot. The baby was asleep in her arms, but Chrissie couldn’t bear to put her down. She was alone in the house, as Owen had taken Katie back to Laura’s.

“I love you so much, little girl,” she whispered, so as not to wake the tiny child. “I’m going to be the best mummy ever. I’ll read to you at night, and I’ll watch you in all your school plays, I’ll take you shopping, I’ll play with you, I’ll do everything with you, Manda. I’ll never be angry with you. And if Daddy ever gets angry with you, you just come to me, and I’ll handle him. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. You’ve changed my life – and I love you for it.”

*~*~*

“I think we’re done,” Ric announced, as he put the final stitch in place. He turned to Diane. “Are you okay?”

“Never been better.” In actuality, she felt a little bit nauseous… but not enough to tell Ric about. He would only fuss.

“Are you continuing to operate today?” he asked.

“Of course. Ric, it’s no big deal,” she replied. “I’m pregnant, not sick. Trust me, I did fine there, didn’t I?”

He sighed, grudgingly. “You did perfectly.”

“Thank you.” She looked down at her stomach. “Look.”

“What am I looking at?” he queried.

“This,” she replied. “There’s something there.” She placed her hand on her stomach. “I think I’m getting fat.”

“Pregnant, not fat,” Ric corrected her.

“Both. Surely I’m not meant to get fat so quickly?”

Ric considered. “Well, how quickly is it? How far along are you?”

“Uh…” She counted quickly. “Seven… eight, nine, ten. I think about eleven weeks.”

“That’s nearly three months,” he commented.

“I know that. I can do sums just as well as you,” she retorted.

“Well, probably not just as well,” he replied. “Men are well-known to be better at maths than women.”

“That’s just stereotyping,” Diane said. “I’m exceptional.”

Ric chuckled. “Yes, but so am I. So I’m still better.”

“Seven nines,” she challenged him.

“Sixty-three,” he replied quickly, walking out. She followed him.

“Eight sixes.”

“Diane, what are you trying to prove?” he demanded.

“Nothing.” She paused for a moment, and then spoke again. “Eight sevens.”

“What?”

“Well, you obviously don’t know what eight sixes are,” she replied. “It’s forty-eight, by the way.”

They entered AAU and saw Jess. “Hi, Dad, Diane.”

“Quiz her,” Ric told Diane, slipping away quickly. She stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.

“What’s that all about?” Jess queried. She stopped. “You know what? I probably don’t want to know.”

“He thinks that he’s better at maths than me,” Diane replied.

“He is good at maths,” Jess commented. Off Diane’s look, she corrected herself. “You’re probably good at maths too. I wouldn’t know.” She paused. “Do you want to sit down?”

“No,” Diane replied, confused. “Why?”

“Because… you know…” Jess nodded towards Diane’s stomach.

“Oh. Because I’m pregnant? Thanks, but I’m fine.” She looked at Jess. “Can you tell that I’m pregnant? Do I look fat?”

Jess glanced critically at Diane’s stomach. “A little bit. Not fat, just – there’s something there.”

“I thought so. Ric told me that there wasn’t.”

Jess laughed. “And you believed him? He’d only have been able to tell if you put on about three stone, Diane.”

“You’re probably right about that.” At that point, Alex Adams walked past. Diane lowered her voice. “Have you said anything to him?”

Jess shook her head. “Not yet… haven’t seen him recently. Do you want to do it now?”

“Me?” Diane exclaimed. “He won’t like that, Jess. He loathes me.”

“Why? Because you’re pregnant?” Jess asked. “He’s even stupider than I thought.”

“No, it’s because – he asked me out, and I said yes, and then I cancelled on him, and spent the night with Ric,” Diane replied. “Apparently he doesn’t like it if you do that. Can’t imagine why,” she added, mock-innocently.

“He can’t hold a grudge about that forever,” Jess decided. “Come on – we have to speak to him, before it happens again.”

Diane nodded. “Fine.” They chased after Alex.

“Alex!” Jess called. He whirled around.

“What do you want?” he demanded.

“Alex,” Diane began. “I heard about what happened… with that patient.”

“And which patient would this be?”

“Jennifer Whitten,” Jess replied. “You know? Mr Campbell-Gore’s ex-girlfriend? The one who DIED?” Alex winced painfully. “Remember now?” she added, viciously.

“Alex, you told me that you would never put a patient’s life in danger,” Diane put in.

“I wouldn’t!” he protested.

“But you let Mrs Whitten die,” Jess told him.

“Alex, you have to stop now,” Diane pleaded. “Please! Let Mrs Whitten be the only one who has to die because of you. Don’t let anyone else.”

“What happened to confidentiality?” Alex demanded of Diane. “Your friend Hope knew in confidence about – this. Suddenly you knew. And now, miraculously, Jess knows. Can none of you keep secrets?”

“Alex, Ethan didn’t tell me anything,” Diane replied. “He never would! I figured it out.”

“So how come Jess knows?”

“I… ah, I told her,” Diane confessed, slowly.

“The brilliant Miss Lloyd betrayed a confidence, tut-tut,” Alex mocked. “What would Ric say if he knew that his precious Diane was telling people’s secrets? Oh wait, he probably does. I can’t imagine that you kept it secret from him for long. It was probably what got you into his bed and pregnant with his child.”

Diane blushed. “I never told Ric! I only told Jess so that she could help you, Alex. Besides, Ric isn’t the father of my child.”

“And you have no right to say things like that about Dad and Diane!” Jess added.

“Well, if she’s having someone else’s child, I think I have quite a bit of a right,” Alex replied. “Does Ric know that he isn’t the daddy? And does the father know?”

Diane looked uncomfortable, so Jess answered for her. “Of course he knows. Both of them know.”

“Look, Alex, don’t try and change the subject,” Diane said, suddenly. “You killed Mrs Whitten. You can’t hide it anymore. Ed Keating saw you. One day, someone will find out. Isn’t it better for you to resign now and keep your dignity, than to get kicked out after killing another patient?”

“Resign?” Alex repeated.

“Alex, if you don’t resign, then I will have no choice but to tell someone,” Diane replied. “I’m sorry. I have to.”

“You’re not alone,” Jess told him.

“Yes, because I have my extensive circle of friends and family,” he snapped, sarcastically. “My work is my life. If I give it up, I will have no life.”

“If you don’t, then nor will your patients,” Diane remarked. “Alex, you know that it’s the right thing to do.”

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked. “Go up to Tom Campbell-Gore and tell him that I killed a patient?”

“No,” Jess replied. “Tell him that you’ve developed an illness, that you have Parkinson’s. There’s no need to say anything about Mrs Whitten.”

“Go now,” Diane insisted. Alex seemed to be weakening.

“I’m about to finish my career,” he said, softly. “What am I going to do, Jess? Diane?”

“Do – do you want me to come with you?” Jess offered.

“Would you?”

“Of course,” Jess replied.

Diane smiled. “Good luck, Alex. We’ll miss you.”

He nodded, uncomfortably. “Thank you. And, ah, I’m sorry – about what I said. About Ric. And the baby.”

“That’s fine,” Diane replied. “And, ah, the baby’s Steve’s, if you want to know.”

“Steve?” Alex repeated. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you two were…”

“We weren’t.” She walked off abruptly, not wanting to talk about Steve, and not wanting to see Alex go.

*~*~*

“Hey,” Anita greeted Tom. “You’re late.”

“It’s always worrying when I get let into my own house by the woman who I’m having a date with,” Tom commented.

“Josie let me in,” Anita explained.

“Where is she?” Tom queried.

“Gone to bed early… well, it’s not that early, is it? Eleven.” She pushed open the door to the kitchen, where the table was set, complete with candles and wineglasses of water. “I cooked.”

“Didn’t know you could cook,” Tom replied, taking off his jacket.

“Well, Josie and I cooked,” conceded Anita. “I’m not that hot at cooking.” She sat down. “Hungry?”

“Famished.”

“Good, because Josie worked really hard at this,” she said, giggling.

“What did you do, then?” he asked.

“I got the plates out,” she replied, as they picked up their knives and forks. “Wait… before you start. I want to say something.”

“Go ahead,” Tom nodded.

“I… I’ve really enjoyed these two weeks,” she said, haltingly. “I’ve never known anyone like you. And… well, what I’m trying to say is, ah… I’m in love with you, Tom.”

Tom, who had been looking anxious at the start of Anita’s speech, relaxed. “I… thank you.” He stood up, and went to her. He pulled her out of her chair so that she was level with him, and whispered to her. “I love you, too.” Then he kissed her.

Neither of them cared that their dinner went cold while they were occupying themselves in other ways.

*~*~*

“Well, that’s it,” Jess said, as Diane let her into her flat that evening. “Alex is gone.”

“How did it go?” Diane asked, anxiously.

“They got your friend Ethan down there, and he confirmed it,” Jess replied. “Campbell-Gore said that there was no need for Alex to work out his notice – he’s gone.”

“Who’s there?” Ric called, lazily.

Jess started. “Oh… I didn’t disturb anything, did I?”

“We’re watching TV with the cat,” Diane replied. “It’s a thrilling evening.” She led Jess into the living area, and they sat down.

“Don’t tell me you’ve come here to ask for money,” Ric sighed.

“No. I came to tell Diane… something.”

“Something you’d care to share with the group at large?” Ric queried.

“Alex Adams quit,” Jess answered. Ric, who had been reclining lazily, sat up suddenly. Mitsy, rudely awakened, went to Diane for comfort.

“He quit? Why?”

Diane spoke softly. “He’s got Parkinson’s.”

“Parkinson’s?” Ric repeated.

“Yeah,” Jess replied. “He handed in his resignation today.” She paused. “And I know that you won’t exactly be happy about it, Dad, but he asked me out, and I said yes.”

“I’m not happy,” Ric agreed. “But it’s your life. I can’t stop you seeing him.”

“Congratulations,” Diane chimed in. “I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah, so’m I,” Jess said, leaning back in her chair.

“We’re not going to get rid of her now,” Ric whispered to Diane. “Once she sits like that in front of the TV, she’s there for keeps.”

Diane laughed. “Never mind. If you can put up with my child – and Mitsy – then surely I can put up with Jess.”