Alone Again (Naturally)

I've Been Waiting For You

" Penelope..."

" Petite Rose?"

" Pens..."

" Penny?"

" Nellie..."

" DI Murphy?"

" Lo..."

" Charlotte..."

" I'm sorry darling what was that?" Asked a new voice,

" Charlotte..." Penny uttered almost unconsciously.

" Is that your name sweetheart?" The nurse questioned, " Your husband said it was Penelope."

" I don't have a husband..." The brunette disagreed drowsily as she laid in the hospital bed,

" Fiancé then?" She inquired,

" No. Just boyfriend..." The bed-bound girl replied, " What am I doing here? Why does everything hurt..."

" That morphine really must of knocked you out huh sweetie?" The kind face smiled, making her way over to Penny. " She's beautiful isn't she?"

" Sorry?" Penny answered, before coming to the realisation. " Where's my baby?"

" She's here sweetheart. Would you like her?" The nurse assured,

" I missed the birth? It's a girl! " Penny cried, still confused.

" Darling you blacked out... We nearly lost you." She informed, bringing the new born over to her.

" I remember..." The brunette spoke, trying to fix herself into a comfortable position as she was handed her new born.

Penelope's heart raced as she held the tiny human; she was beautiful, each part of her as perfect. The new born's face slightly crumpled as she slept, outlining small creases on her face, a tuft of Copper brown hair .

" She's absolutely perfect..." Penny whispered as tears ran down her face," Where's Da- My boyfriend?"

" I'll go get him sweetie."

.

.

.

Dave hadn't been out by himself for a while, let alone out shopping; as he drove home he felt an overwhelming rush of excitement fill his chest, within in a few weeks he'd be a father... To an actual child...

Penny and himself often babysat each others nieces and nephews so it wasn't exactly an alien task, but it would different. This was their own child.

In retrospect he knew that he would be a good father, he knew that he'd do anything for the unborn child already. His only concern was how Penny would cope, he didn't know what she'd be like as a mother, after all she grew up without one.

He drove onto the driveway carefully expecting his brothers car to be there, furrowing his eyebrows he approached the front door; only to find it was unlocked.

" Lo?"

The silence filled his gut with terror as he made his way up to their bedroom.

The door was ajar, opening it further he stepped inside; the lush carpet beside Rosanna's mirror sodden.

" Shit!" He cried, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

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.

.

Penelope's newfound perfect world of her and her daughter was interrupted as a figure entered the room,

" Ray?" She questioned, confused.

" Pens..." He breathed, making his way over to her and the sleeping baby cradled in her arms.

" Where's Dave?" Penny pressed, concern laced through her.

" He went to the shops remember? To sort some final bits out for the baby. Penny we had to rush, you were in agony." Ray explained.

" Does he even know?" She gasped,

" I don't know Pens, it was sudden... One minute you were fine- The next- Fuck..." He sighed, " I thought I'd lost you."

" I want him..." Penny stuttered, tears coming to her eyes; " This couldn't of gone any worse."

" Hey you've got this little one huh?" He comforted, " He'll be here soon, I promise you."

" Can you look for him?" She pleaded.

" I shouldn't leave you-" The eldest disagreed,

" I'm not bloody sporadic." Penny chuckled through her tears, the familiar phrase leaving her lips.

" I'll try." He nodded before taking one last look at her, smiling at the sight.

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.

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" Ray!" Called a voice from down the hall,

" Dave?" Ray replied, running towards his brother.

The staff looked at the pair as they hugged, the smaller of the two looked like he'd aged at least a decade with worry whilst the other looked traumatised by whatever recent events he'd been through.

" Where is she?" Dave demanded, his eyes scanning the rooms around.

" 26-" Ray began before his brother dashed off, " Da-"

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.

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" Lo?" Asked a new voice breathless as he looked towards her, sighing in relief.

" Dave..." Penny whispered, full of relief.

" Lo..." He breathed as he sat in the chair beside her, looking at the newborn. " Bloody hell..."

" Sudden Hm?" She hummed, looking down at the baby.

" Very." The green-eyed man gasped, taking in the sight of his new born daughter; " How did we do this?"

" You know how we did it David." Penny chuckled, resting her head on his shoulder; her stomach flipping.

" Well yeah, but she's perfect; neither of us are perfect and well she is." He began, " But you're pretty damn perfect."

" She? We need to agree on a name." The brunette suggested, stroking the small tuft of bronze coloured hair.

" Well Charlotte obvisiously." He stated.

" Charlotte Alexandra Rosanna Davies..."

" Perfect."