�oh Jim, is this why you told me to have a bath so you could plan this?�
�More or less� he smiled �Only you are not meant to be in your dressing gown, it doesn�t quite go with the situation, why don�t you go and slip into something sexy�
��Ok��she lent forward and kissed him ��I wont be long.��
He took her hand and looked into her eyes, took a deep breath ��June, you�ve made me so happy and I can�t imagine my life without you in it,��his hands began to tremble as he got down on one knee. ��Marry me, I love you so much, you complete me.��
She looked at him, noticing the seriousness on his face ��yes of course I will...��
He noticed the change in the tone of her voice ��But?��he sounded rejected
��I love you so much and getting married would make life perfect, but I have to tell you something first��she inhaled loudly ��you know I haven�t been feeling right for a while now and that I went to the doctors today��
He looked concerned, ��what�s wrong June?��
��Absolutely nothing��it was her turn to have shaking hands ��I�m pregnant��
He looked at her in amazement ��the other week when you were sick, you told me you had an upset stomach, did you know then?��
��I�ve known for a while but I didn�t do a test till last week, I was scared that I was going through the menopause, I wasn�t sick regularly, I didn�t want to say anything until I had confirmation from the doctor, You still want to marry me?��
Tears rolled down his face, ��This doesn�t change anything, I want to marry you, having a baby would just make everything perfect, oh I can�t believe this is happening.........I almost forgot.��He took a ring box from his pocket, opened it and showed her the diamond ring. ��I hope it fits, I took the ring you wear on your other hand to get a size.��He slipped it onto her finger.
��Perfect fit.��She said as she looked at her hand and they kissed passionately.
��This is the best day of my life.��He said as he sat down on the sofa next to her. ��So what are these tests on Tuesday then?��
��It�s just a scan to see how pregnant I am, not to sure of my dates, I�d missed a few periods and not thought anything of it as I have missed some in the past, but the longer it went on for I became concerned.��
��So how pregnant could you be?��
��4 months possibly.��
��This is fantastic.��
They got out of the car ��So how are we going to play this then?��she said
��Just see what happens, yeah?��
��Yeah I would love to stand on the table in the canteen and tell everyone that we are getting married.����Do it then.�
��You serious.� She nodded and smiled at him
��Then once we know that everything is going well with the baby you can tell them in any which way you want to.��
��Now that is the bit I will get the most pleasure out of... I love you so much.��
��I know and I love you too.��
They kissed, she went to pull away but he pulled her back, the kiss became deeper, more searching and passionate.
Nick, Gary and Tony walked towards them ��Don��t they ever stop.��Gary said.
��Leave them alone.��Tony said.
��Oi!��Shouted Gary ��Don�t you two get enough of that at home?��
Tony hit him ��Gary behave.��Jim and June turned round ��Sorry you two, you know what this pair are like if they have too many e-numbers.��
They laughed ��It��s ok mate.��Jim said, as Nick and Gary went.
��Actually, I�m glad we�ve caught you, we wanted to tell you first, before everyone else knew, June and I are getting married.��
��That�s fantastic, congratulations.��He hugged June and shook Jim�s hand. I�m so happy for you.��
June stood photocopying when Cathy came in. ��Sarge I�ve got those lists for you.��June put out her left hand to take the papers from her. ��Oh my god, Sarge does that diamond mean what I think it does?��
��Yep, afraid so.��
��Congratulations.��Jim came in ��I believe congratulations are in order Jim.
��Oh yeah, thanks Cathy.��
��That is a lovely ring, who chose it?��
He sat at his desk and Cathy at hers ��I did, she didn�t know a thing about it till last night, did you Sarge?��
She came over to him, stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. ��No didn�t have a clue until he pulled the ring from his pocket, then again I should have known that something was going on when I saw the romantic dinner he cooked.��
��You had no inkling.��
��None what so ever Cathy.��She kissed his head ��He can be quite a romantic when he wants to be, you should hear how he wants to announce it to the rest of the station.��
��How��s that then Jim?��Cathy asked curiously
��Well bearing in mind how June announced our relationship to the whole of the station, I intend to go one better and actually stand on a table in the canteen and tell everyone.��
��He is mad.��June said as she went to her desk to answer her ringing phone.
��Well,��said Jim ��they all thought our relationship was a joke at the beginning, so I will take great pleasure to tell them we are getting married.��
��Well you enjoy it.��
Jim, June and Cathy walked into the canteen ��Go on then Jim.��Cathy said. ��You�ve got a prime audience here.��
��Why not, you ok with it June?��
��Yeah, go one then.��
Jim stood on the table, wolf whistled and everyone looked at him. ��Sorry to interrupt your break, but I got an announcement to make, June and I are getting married.��
Cheers broke out across the room
��Nice one Jim.��said Gary ��Congratulations Sarge.��
��Thanks Gary.��
Polly and Kerry came over to June ��Congratulations,��they said in unison.
Jim gripped June��s hand tightly as the image of the baby appeared on the screen, both hand tears in their eyes.
��By the look of the scan,��said the obstetrician. ��I would say that you are about 18 weeks pregnant, 4 � months, we can carry out an amniocentesis if you want but I have to warn you that there is risk of miscarriage with it.��
��No it�s fine, want to go ahead with the pregnancy without knowing about any abnormalities.��She said.
��Ok, I�ll leave you two alone for a few minutes.��
��Thank you.��He left the room and June looked at Jim. ��You ok?��
��Yeah I just can��t believe it.��
��Can I have a word ma�am?��June said as she shut Gina�s office door.
��Sit down, has this anything to do with Jim�s announcement yesterday, congratulations by the way. Cathy Bradford was harping on about the diamond on your finger all afternoon.��
��Thanks, but this wasn�t what I came to see you about, I would appreciate it if this went no further.��
��Certainly, what�s up?��
��I�m 4 � months pregnant.��
��Blimey, congratulations.��
��I know it doesn�t really affect much of my day to day work but I thought I would inform you.��
��No I understand, your secret is safe with me, how��s Jim with the prospect of being a dad?��
��Getting used to it, I only told him two days ago.��
June was trying to work at her computer, she took her glasses off and stretched out
��You ok?��Jim asked as he walked over to her ��You look tired.��He looked around to check no one was watching them and he put his hand on her stomach. ��Take it easy, you�ve been warned to take it easy by the doctor.��
She smiled, put her hand on top of his. ��I�m fine, I�m just doing paperwork. Promise I will go home if I become over tired.��
��Good, I�m only worrying as you are doubly precious to me now and I love you very much.��
��I know, I love you too, look I�ve told Gina Gold about the baby, I had to but she promised to keep it quiet.��
��Can I have a word mate?��
��Yeah sure.��Tony walked over to where Jim was sat, ��what�s up?��
��Nothing, June and I have decided to have a quiet wedding without telling anyone about it, I, well, we would love it if you would be best man.��
��I would be honoured mate.��
��You and Polly are going to be the only guests, 10th October 11o�clock.��
��Ok I will book it off.��
��There is something else too June�s pregnant.��
June looked in the mirror and smoothed her hand over her pregnant bump as Polly came into the bedroom
��You look fantastic,��said Polly as she stood and looked at June. ��It�s a good job that you are telling everyone today, the bump is getting harder for you to hide, I�m surprised that no-one has guessed about it, it�s pretty obvious looking at you from this angle.��
��I am five months pregnant Pol, but it is easy to hide if I am wearing the right clothes.��
��I��m surprised that Cathy and Brandon and the others in CSU haven�t realised though.��
��Jim and I were together for a long time without them realising that we a an item, so I�m not surprised that they haven�t noticed this bump, anyway, thank you so much for doing this Polly, both Jim and I really appreciate this.��
��I would not miss this for the world, both you and Jim are my best friends, I couldn�t believe it when I first heard that you two were together, I�ve never known you two to be so happy and you both deserve it, you�ve been so much, you wait until the baby is born it will just make things so perfect for you.��
��We�ve decided on a name for the baby already, well Jim had his heart set on the name and I thought that there could only be one possible name for a middle one.��
��Oh yeah what have you decided on?��
��Lucy Michelle.��
��Oh that��s lovely��Polly looked at the clock on the bedside table. ��Come on June it is time to go, you ready?��
��Yep as ready as I will ever be.��
Cathy and Brandon were in CSU talking as they were busy working
��It��s a bit odd don��t you think.��
��What is?��Asked Brandon glancing up at Cathy who was looking in the direction of the empty desks.
��The Sarge and Jim both having today off, I know it is the party tonight but, they have been pretty secretive recently, I�ve even seen June deep in conversation with Gina Gold and you have to admit it is pretty strange, they can�t stand each other usually.��
��You always have to look to deep into things don��t you, they have just moved house recently maybe they have still got things to sort out.��
��Maybe.��Cathy got up and walked over to June�s desk and began to look through her diary��What are you up to, you can�t do that Cathy!��
��Just watch me, it�s not like they are here to catch me is it.��She began to leaf through it.
��Ahh, think I have found something, 34 Canley high street, 11 am, what�s there then?��
��34?��asked Brandon. ��You sure about that?��
��Yep, why what is it?��
��It�s the registry office, you don�t think they are getting married on the sly do you?��
��Blimey they could be it would explain some of the secrecy.��
��Wonder why they have.��Questioned Brandon.
��This might explain things, I never have thought that she was����
��What Cathy, what have you found?��
��The Sarge is pregnant and judging by this she is pretty far gone.��
��I suppose that explains a lot of things, would give them a reason to get married on the sly.��
��Wonder why they have kept it so quiet then, oh god!��Cathy looked at Brandon in horror. ��It�s like finding out that your parents are still having sex, a very scary thought.��
��Don�t say that Cathy, I think it is lovely.��
��Will you stop it��Tony said as Jim paced up and down for the 50th time since they had arrived five minutes ago.
��Sorry mate, I m just nervous.��
��Tell me about it you have not stopped shaking since we got here, in fact you�ve been shaking ever since you got up this morning.��
��I just can�t believe that this is happening, two years ago this is all I could dream about when we first got together but now I am marrying the woman that I have loved for over twenty years and she is having our baby.��
��You are a lucky man, I��m glad you are so happy.��
Tony looked towards the door just as June and Polly came in. ��It�s too late to runaway now.��
��You look fantastic.��Jim said as took hold of June�s hand and kissed her on the cheek, I am the luckiest man on this planet.��
��I love you so much.��
��I love you too�� and the bump.��
June smiled at him, squeezed his hand. ��Come on, let�s do this.��
They came out of the registry office; he looked at her and kissed her softly on the lips.
��I�m so happy for you two,��Tony said. ��I know we have had our problems but we have overcome them, you are the best friends anyone can have, you deserve this happiness.��
��Thanks Tone��June kissed him on the cheek ��I�m glad we did, it wouldn�t have been the same without you, without both of you, thank you.�
Polly hugged June ��I would not have missed this for anything.��
June rubbed her stomach
��You ok love?��asked Jim.
��Yeah, our daughter is just using me as a kick bag.��
He placed out his hand on top of hers. ��I�m so lucky to have you June, I love you so much Mrs Carver.����I love you too�� you soppy bugger.��
��Sorry guys��said Polly apologetically, knowing her words were going to spoil the mood of things. ��I�m going to have to go, before someone notices that something is going on, especially with you three being off as well.��
Polly sat down at her desk and sighed. ��Your looking very smart Pol��commented Cathy. ��You been somewhere important this morning?��
��It�s none of your business Cathy where I have been today.��
��Just wondering if it had anything to do with anyone from CSU, what with Jim and the Sarge being away.��
��Cathy.........��said Brandon, trying to change the subject.
��It�s just...��
��Cathy shut up.��Brandon glared at Cathy, who got up and walked out.
��What��s up with her?��
��Nothing.��
June sat down on the sofa, put her fit up and sighed heavily.
��You ok babe, you look knackered?��
She smiled lovingly at her husband who was sat on the sofa opposite her.
��Yeah I�m fine, just a little bit tired, it has been one heck of a day, a bloody fantastic one.��
��I know��he got up. ��Shift up will you.��She moved forward and he sat down next to her, she lent back against him. ��Today has been the best day of my life, you are the best thing which has every happen to me.��He wrapped his arm her and kissed her head. ��I can�t wait to tell everyone tonight.��
Polly came over to June who was stood at the bar. ��You look tired.��
��I�m fine thanks.��She smiled at her, ��how did work go this afternoon?��
��Ok, Cathy was acting a bit strange though.��
��What more than usual? She can be a funny one sometimes, she came over earlier and said something cryptic to me.��
��Do you want a drink?��
��I would love an alcoholic one but thanks to a certain someone it will have to be an orange juice.��
��It�s not just Jim�s fault is it, I still can�t believe that you are married...��
��Sshh Pol, we don�t want to let the secret out do we.��
Tony took the microphone from the DJ. ��Sorry to stop the music but June and Jim have asked me to say a few words about why they have got you all here tonight.��
��We know why,��shouted Gary.
��Actually Gary, there are only four people in this room who know why... at 11 am today Sergeant Ackland and PC Carver became Mr and Mrs Carver.��
Shocked gasps and applause broke out across the room. ��So if you will all raise your glasses, June and Jim.��
��June and Jim��echoed around the room.��Anyway, enough from me, Jim would like to say a few words.��
Tony handed Jim the microphone.
��Actually��said Jim ��I have another announcement to make, this one is going to surprise you more than the last one did, the day June agreed to be my wife was the day all my dreams came true in more ways than one, by telling me that she was pregnant.��
The room fell silent and Jim laughed. ��Thought you would react like that, I��m glad that everyone now knows, it was getting harder for June to hide her bump, she is five months gone.��
Jim looked at June who smiled at him.
��I promised my wife, oh god that sounds strange.��Everyone laughed. ��Anyway I promised her that I would not say anything at all soppy which would embarrass her, but what the hell this is one of those rare times that she cannot pull rank on me so I am going to do it... June has made me the happiest man in the world, she has been there for me for as long as I can remember, she was the first person I met on my first day... god I fancied her then, almost as much as I do now, it��s just a shame that it took us nineteen years to get together. She has been there for me through some very hard times, she has helped me overcome my alcohol problem, for which I will be eternally grateful for. The past two years have been the best in my life, I have never been so happy... June, I love you so much it hurts, you are my life, you complete me and I do not deserve you at all, I love you babe and thank you for everything.��He looked into her eyes and noticed they were filling up with tears. ��Blimey, who would believe it, I have made my wife cry.��
Jim gave the microphone back to the DJ and walked over to June and hugged her as a chorus of ahh�s and clapping broke out.
Bob Cryer shook hands with Jim. ��Congratulations you two, I�m very happy for you, the second announcement was a bit of a shocker.��
��Tell me about it��laughed Jim ��I ask her to marry me and she tells me that she�s pregnant.��
��I�m glad, you both deserve the happiness, I thought Robbie was winding me up when she first told me that you two were an item.��
��It shocked us too.��Replied June
��When is the baby due?��
��February 11th, I��m finishing work at Christmas, using my holidays up before hand with Jim, so that we can spend sometime together, before this one is born.��She rubbed her bump affectionately.
��Do you know what you are having?��
��A girl��said Jim, putting his hand on top of June�s.
��To be honest Bob I�m surprised that no-one noticed how big I�ve been getting. It�s bloody obvious in this outfit, now that I have removed my jacket.��
��I think the bump suits you.��
��Thanks Bob.��
��See��said Jim ��I said it suited you and you didn�t believe me did you.��
��I did but you are bias Jim.��
June and Jim were dancing, he kissed her forehead. ��Today has been wonderful, I keep expecting to wake up, discover that this is nothing but a dream.��She kissed his lips ��You are not dreaming, this is all real and nothing could be more perfect.��
June sighed and sat down in her chair as Brandon looked at her and laughed.
��It��s a good job you finish today, you only just fit into that chair��
��Thanks a lot Brandon, I�m still your senior officer for the next 6 hours, so a bit less of your cheek thank you very much TDC Kane��
Jim came into the office whistling and he laughed as he noticed the slightly peeved expression on June�s face ��How are you doing fatty?��
��I don�t suppose Jim is going to get into trouble for being cheeky to a senior officer��
��What are you on about Brandon?��
��It�s just I commented on the fact that your wife is beginning to fill out her chair, that�s all and she took offence��
��Just think yourself lucky you don�t have to share a bed with this beached whale��
��Oi, do you mind��said June ��will you stop picking on me please��
��Pick on you?��smiled Jim ��I was just telling the truth, she does not sleep at night, she just tosses and turns all night, it�s a bloody nightmare��
��You wait until the sprog is born, you will not get one single minutes sleep��
��TDC Kane, when you and my husband have finished, Cathy is waiting for you to interview that suspect��
�I��m on my way Sarge��Brandon walked away as Jim sat there laughing.
��I don�t know why you are laughing PC Carver, I haven�t finished with you yet��
��Yes Sarge what can I do for you?��
��Any chance you could get me a bacon sandwich, I haven�t got the energy to walk back downstairs��
��For you babe anything, would you like ketchup?��
June nodded ��Actually can you make it two sandwiches and a bag of crisps��
��Two bacon sandwiches covered in ketchup please Sue, June�s got the munchies again��
��No problem, will she becoming down later we�ve got some presents for the baby��
��That��s really nice of you, she will be down at some point, the girls are plotting some surprise for her at lunchtime��
��Oh good, you must be getting excited now��
��Yeah only two months to go now, we started decorating the nursery last weekend, it�s getting very real now��
June came over to Jim��s desk ��Where we going for lunch then?��
He rubbed her bump as she kissed her head ��I thought we could go to a pub down by the river, you know the one with the raging log fire, is that ok� he stood up and put his hand in his pocket ��Damn I must have left my wallet in the canteen, come on we�ll get it on the way��
��Ok, can we call into B&Q on the way back��
��Anything you want to do babe��
They walked into the canteen and she noticed that everyone was gathered in there ��What is going on�� you knew about this didn�t you?��
��Guilty as charged, I�m afraid, have fun, I��m going out with Brandon and Des, I will be back later��
A few weeks later
Jim was in the kitchen when June came in and sat down at the table
��I thought you would be still be in bed, you haven�t got to go to work now��
��I would have liked to but our daughter is kicking my bladder... you off to work?��
��Yeah��he kissed her ��You promise me that you will take things easy, you will leave those boxes until I come home ok?��
��Yeah I promise, have a good day��
Jim came into CSU, hung his coat up and went over to where Polly and Cathy were.
��Is the Sarge still bored��asked Cathy
��Yeah, she was up a ladder when I got home last night, so god knows what she will get up to today��
��We will have to call in and see her later��
��She will like that Pol��
June was dusting and she looked at the boxes that were stacked in the nursery, she put her duster down and picked up one of the boxes and went towards the stairs. June began to walk down the stairs when the bottom of the box fell through, sending the contents of the box down the stairs,
June lost her footing on the stairs and slipped, sending herself plunging towards the bottom of the stairs.
She hit her head on the small table at the bottom of the stairs and led there motionless..........
Polly rung the doorbell as Cathy looked though the window
��Well the TV is on Pol, maybe she is round the back��
��Come on lets go look��
They went through the side gate and went in through the open back door
��June��Polly called out
��Maybe she is in the bath or something��said Cathy as she opened the door to the hall way, she noticed June at the bottom of the stairs ��Oh my god, Polly quickly, get an ambulance.��Cathy knelt down next to June�s lifeless body
��Sierra Oscar from 469...��
��Go ahead Polly...��Kerry��s voice came over the radio
��We need an urgent ambulance at Sgt Carver�s house, June is unconscious at the bottom of the stairs, it looks like she has had a fall, can someone get Jim to meet us at St Hughs��
��Ok ��replied Kerry
��June��said Cathy stroking her hair ��it�s ok we are, everything is going to be ok, Jim is on his way��
��How does it look?��
��I don�t know Pol, not to good until that ambulance arrives.��
Gina came into CSU and came over to Jim
��Jim, don�t panic but we have just had a call from Polly and Cathy, they went to see June, they found her at the bottom of the stairs, she has had a fall��
��Oh my god, how is she?��
��They are not sure, an ambulance is on its way, June is unconscious��
Gina noticed the tears welling up in Jim��s eyes ��Tony and Gary will take you to the hospital, they are waiting in the yard in the area car��
��Thanks Ma�am��
Jim picked his coat from the coat rack and ran out of CSU, nearly knocking into DCI Meadows who was just coming in
��What�s going on? Jim Carver nearly had me over��
��It�s June, she has had a nasty accident at home, Polly and Cathy found her, they don�t know how long she had been there and it does not look good��
��Oh god, keep me informed what happens, I�ll see if CID can deal with this case��
Jim came crashing into A&E, followed by Tony and Gary
��Polly��
��Jim��
He noticed the tears streaming done Cathy and Polly�s faces
��Oh my god it�s bad isn�t it?��
��We don�t know, they would not tell us anything��replied Cathy ��I will see if I can find the doctor��
Cathy came back with the doctor ��Mr Carver��
��Yes��Jim said, his voice shaking ��How is she?��
��We have transferred your wife to ITU, we are concerned about the swelling to her brain, we have sedated her and are monitoring her and the baby extremely closely, the next few hours are critical, we need to stabilise her before we make any decisions��
��And the baby��
��As far as we know the baby is fine at the moment, but depending on June�s condition we may have to deliver the baby by emergency caesarean section��
��Will the baby be ok? June��s only 8 months pregnant��
��It is only a possibility that we may have to deliver the baby, but at 36 weeks there is a very high survival rate which far out weigh the risks��
��Thank you, can I see her��
��Certainly, I will find someone to take you ��
��Thank you so much doctor��
��Well?��asked Tony as the doctor walked away and walked back over to them
��They have transferred her to ITU, she has been sedated, they said the next few hours are critical��
��Oh Jim, what about the baby?��asked Gary
��Um, at the moment everything is ok they think, but they may have to perform an emergency section if June�s condition gets worse��
Jim took June�s hand in his and kissed it softly ��Oh June don�t leave me, you have to wake up, you have to be alright for my sake, for Lucy�s sake, I love you so much, I�m nothing without you, please just wake up and be ok��Gina shut the office door behind Tony ��They have sedated her ma�am, she is ITU on monitors, they think the baby is ok but they wont know for sure for a while��
��Thanks Tony, how is Jim doing��
��Still in shock I think, Polly and Cathy are rather shaken up too��
��Yeah I have sent them home, look why don�t you go back to St Hugh�s give Jim some support, I�ve cleared it for you, let Jim Know that we are all thinking about him��
��Thanks Ma�am��
The sound of alarms rang out from June�s bed, Jim jumped and stood back as doctors and nurses surrounded the bed
��Her oxygen saturations are down to 82, her heart rate is dropping, BP is 67 over 11'said a nurse who was looking up at the monitor ��foetal heart rate is rising, its 198'
��What�s happening��Jim said ��Please someone, what is happening to my wife��
��We are going to have to get June to theatre, the pressure in her brain is rising, it�s caused her blood pressure to drop and is limiting the oxygen supply to her brain, we need to operate and release the pressure��replied the doctor ��The baby is becoming distressed as well so we need to deliver the baby as well, I�m sorry Mr Carver��
��Do what ever is needed to save them both, please don�t let them die��
��We will do everything that we can��
Jim watched as June��s bed was wheeled away.
��What�s happening Jim��asked Tony as he past June�s bed on the way out
��The alarms just went off, the pressure has increased, they have to operate and deliver the baby��
��Oh mate��Tony put his arms around his best friend as Jim dissolved into tears.
Gina and Jack Meadows came into the canteen, the whole station had gathered to discover what had occurred, their was an eerie silence, neither of them had ever seen it so full and quiet at the same time, they looked at each other and then back at the faces that were sat in front of them.
The morning shift had not yet gone home they had been hanging around waiting for news, CID were also there, many had only just heard the news along with the afternoon shift. Cathy and Polly had come back in; they had been unable to sit at home and had busied themselves in CSU.
��Thank you everyone I know many of you have found the past few hours very difficult and that there are still some difficult hours yet to be faced, I�m sure Jim will be touched by your concern��said Jack
��We promised that we would give you any information that we were given, Inspector Gold has just spoken with Tony��
��They discovered a blood clot which caused June�s blood pressure to drop and have operated to remove it, they needed to deliver the baby at the same time��
Gina looked at the faces of some of the relief, many were close to tears, both Jim and June were popular members of staff, the younger members looked up to them as role models, were as those such as Tony and Reg they were like family to as they had known each other for so long.
��June is now out of theatre��Gina continued ��they believe that the operation was successful, but they wont know till they wake her up this afternoon��
A large sigh of relief broke out across the room
��June and Jim are know the proud parents of a 3lb 3oz baby girl, which has been named Lucy Michelle. As you can imagine Lucy is very small and is currently in the Special Care Baby Unit at St Hugh��s but the doctors are extremely hopeful that both mother and daughter will make a full recovery��
Jim looked down at the tiny baby in the incubator in front of him; he placed his hand in and stroked the tiny-bonneted head of his daughter
��Hello Lucy, you have to be strong, your mummy wants to meet you, you are so beautiful��he wiped the tears from his eyes ��I love you so much, please be strong Lucy��
��Mr Carver?��asked the Nurse who was now standing by his side
��Yes��
��Hi I�m Jen, I�m looking after your daughter, have you given her name��
��Yes, Lucy, Lucy Michelle��
��That�s pretty, how is your wife��
��She��s still sedated, they believe that everything went well, but it is just wait and see��
��That�s hopeful, feel free to come and go as you please, I will be around till 9:15 so if you have any questions please ask��
��Thanks a lot Jen��Jim smiled as Jen walked away, he looked back at Lucy
��Just wait until your mum wakes up and finds you have a nurse looking after you who has bright red spiky hair, that will make her laugh��
Jim watched as the doctors brought June round from her sedation, she began to cough as they removed the ET tube from her mouth, she coughed a few more times before calling out Jim�s name he took hold of her hand
��I�m here June, I�m here��
��The baby?��she asked
��It�s ok she�s fine��Jim stroked her face ��Lucy is in special care��
��I want to see her��
��As soon as possible I promise��
��Nice to see you are better Mrs Carver��Jen said as she opened Lucy�s incubator ��Lucy has been waiting to have a cuddle with her mummy and daddy��
��She�s not the only one��replied June
��You ready to do this��
��Defiantly��
June took Lucy from her incubator and handed her to June ��I�ll leave you got get to know each other��
��Thanks Jen��
Jim kissed June��s head as she cradled Lucy ��I thought I was going to lose you both, don��t ever scare me like that again��
��I promise I will never do anything like that again��
June and Jim walked into the special care baby unit, this had been there routine for the past weeks so that they could visit Lucy. Jim would drop June at the hospital on his way to work, would spend sometime with Lucy then go to work, he would then return at lunchtime, then once again when he had finished work for the day he would go back to the hospital and spend hours there with June before they both, with great reluctance, would go home for the evening, it was breaking their hearts to leave there little girl.
June was now back in good health after her fall and operation she did get some occasional pain from her section site, but she was prepared for this, it was the pain in her heart that was causing her the most trouble, the feeling that it was her fault that Lucy was in here, that her actions had caused her daughters first few weeks of life to be so traumatic for all of them. These feelings had got worse after Lucy�s health took a turn for the worse; she developed a chest infection which had taken her a while to recover from. Jim had told her thousands of times that it was not her fault but until Lucy was at home with them she could not stop herself from feeling like this.
They turned the room where Lucy�s incubator was into a nursery; they froze in horror when they noticed that the incubator was missing
��June, Jim I�ve been trying to call you��They turned round recognising the voice from behind them ��I wanted you to know before you came in��continued the nurse
��What�s happened Jen?��asked June
��Where�s Lucy��Jim asked
��She�s fine, she is where she always is��Jen said smiling
��No she�s not her incubator is missing��
��Yes the incubator has gone, but Lucy hasn�t��
��You mean....��June smiled back realising what they had failed to notice
��Yep, for a pair of coppers it took you long enough, Lucy was taken out of her incubator overnight, she was maintaining her own temperature, they turned the incubator of and transferred her into a cot, I�ve been trying to ring for the past 3 hours��
��Yeah we had things to organise for this afternoon, we would have been here straight away usually��Jim said wiping tears from his eyes
��I did ring Gary to see if he had seen you, but you had already been and gone��
��Yeah we were there early, I think everything is ready just about��June said as she picked Lucy from her cot
��That�s good, Gary is so excited about the absailing, he would not stop talking about it in the pub��
��You still coming aren�t you��
��Would not miss it for the world, I will leave you to some quality time��Jen said walking away
June was sat holding Lucy, watching her pulling faces, June smiled as she noticed that the expressions Lucy was making were similar to ones that Jim often pulled
��That�s the biggest smile I�ve seen on your face ever since Lucy was born��
Jen sat down next to her
��I�m just so happy, my little girl is getting better and it�s a step closer to going home, I�ve been feeling so bad about all this, but Jim was right, once things got better I would feel better about things����It�s a common thing, you don�t expect that when you have a baby things end like this, it�s hard being separated from your baby��
��I suppose you don�t, we were so shocked to discover I was pregnant, we realised how lucky we were, but then we came so close to losing her...Jim has been so good, so supportive, he doesn�t have to say anything to help he knows that a hug can say more than words ever can��
��You are one lucky woman, some Dad�s are completely useless, don�t know what to do or say��
��He is one in a million, I don�t know what I would do without him, I was watching Lucy and she was pulling faces that Jim often pulls, I think they are going to be a bit of a pair where she gets older��June laughed
��Could be trouble for you then, he was a bit reluctant to leave when he went��
��Yeah, no doubt everyone at Sun Hill knows that Lucy is now in a cot��
��Yep, apparently, according to Gary, Jim announced it over the radios to everyone��
��That sounds about right, talking about Gary, how are things going between you��
Jen smiled ��Yeah it�s good, he�s very sweet, very doting��
��That�s Gary, not the sharpest tool in the box, but his heart is in the right place, well he proved this by organising this fundraiser today, but I think he might have been trying to impress someone��June raised her eyebrows
��Maybe, Is Jim coming back for you?��
��I said I would ring him��
��I can take you if you want, once my shift finishes, surprise Jim��
��That would be good, I can�t wait to get the all clear to drive again��
��The downside of having a section...look I have spoken to the registrar, we usually allow parents to take their child out for a walk when they are out of incubators, She has spoken with the consultant and they are happy for you to take Lucy to the do this afternoon, as I am going to be there if there are any problems, that is if you want to take her?��
��That would be fantastic...but I have not car seat or pram or anything��
��Don�t worry we have all that, we can borrow them and you have nappies and stuff here and as long as we take some blankets and stuff it will be ok... Jim will be shocked��
��Indeed, how about that Lucy lets go and visit Daddy��
Jim was looking out of the window in CSU when he noticed June getting out of Jen�s car, he looked again as Jen took a pram from her car boot as June opened the back door of the car. Tears pricked his eyes as he realised that June was holding their daughter in her arms.
He ran out of the office and down the stairs, into reception, just as June came into the building
��What�s going on?��
��Well we thought Lucy might want to see where Mummy and Daddy work��
��Why didn�t you say anything when you rang earlier��
June laughed and she ran her hand down his cheek��What and miss this look on your face...It�s all thanks to Jen, it was her idea��
Jim smiled at Jen ��Thank you so much��
��No problem, we could not have the guest of honour missing this��
Jen and Gary were stood talking with Kerry, Tony, Nick and Des as they watched Sheelagh and Gina absail down the building
��It�s a good job we had all visited Lucy or we would have thought Gary was making you up��said Tony
��Thanks Tony, I�m not quite sure what you are saying but thanks mate��replied Gary as the others laughed
��We know what Gary sees in you, but what do you see in him��asked Des
��You wouldn�t understand Des, we ask you the same about Sheelagh, at least Gary is absailing, what is your excuse��
��Nice one��said Kerry as the others laughed as Des had gone rather quiet
��It looks easy enough��said Jim as he and June stood watching Gary and Jen begin their descent
��It would do from down here, no doubt it looks completely different from up there��
��That sounds like some sort of challenge June?��
��Don�t be daft Jim��
��I�m not... that�s it I�m going to do it, wish me luck��he kissed June and Lucy
��Your Daddy is one crazy man, but we love him for that��
June watched as Jim climbed the stairs of the fire escape and onto the roof
Jim tapped against the bin in the yard to get everyone�s attention
��Look, I would like to thank everyone for the things they have done to raise money for SCBU at St Hughs. June and I are so grateful for everything that the staff have done for Lucy, everything they did that has made her better so that she is with us today. We would like to thank you guys for all the support and love you have given us over the past few months, that and all the kind words of friendship have helped us through some difficult times. I know I speak for June as well as myself when I say that we would have not got through those times without you lot behind us, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You will be pleased to know that at the last count we have raised �9,035and 25p��Cheers rang around the yard
��That money I know will go to great use, thanks to your efforts other people will be able to experience the same feelings of joy that June and I have watching our daughter getting better��
A few weeks later Lucy was allowed to go home, making June and Jim�s life perfect