Capturing Ella

Chapter 51 - Joe

Four days later, mid-afternoon

I waited by the front door of the Plymouth hospital, waiting for Jason to arrive. Ella had just been given the doctors all clear to head back up to Guildford and back to Maui to continue treatment but she could finally be discharged from hospital care. The doctors had realised she wasn't resting and was constantly tense and when they questioned me why I simply said she hated hospitals due to a childhood trauma and they got their asses in gear and signed the referral sheets. They said Ella was well enough to remain at home but would have to head to base, accompanied by me, for more observations and testing's. Not only that, we phone up the nearest maternity ward in the Royal Berkshire hospital to book in an ultrasound for the baby, and that was in just over a week's time. More good news followed – the people in charge with living arrangements had heard about Ella and I being together had managed to bring forward the lease on my flat and included her as well in the tenants agreement, meaning we would be moving into our own flat on the third floor in a quiet park in just over three days. Not only that we had read the small print on Maui's paperwork and highlighted an article stating if a couple who both work at Maui are expecting a child they can upgrade to a house but would have to show a medical statement showing the child is healthy and we'd have to run it past Susan too –but that was to come. We were more than happy to have a temporary stay at the flat.

But it meant as Ella was getting discharged now, but the flat wasn't ready for another few days, we would be floating around for a while. I was more than happy to rent a hotel room for us both for those empty days but my parent's had different ideas. They refused to let us stay in a "skanky hotel" on our first night together (clearly, they had no idea what happened at the party and even what happened in Cornwall. I think they would both, as devout Christians, we absolutely mortified with the things Ella and I got up to in that time) and had somehow agreed to let Ella stay with us for a while. Michael offered too but said he wanted us to stay in separate rooms, before Ella had yet another go at him for being childish. Mum however agreed to let us both stay in my room.

Michael wasn't too fussed about us being together. I think he had started to realise that neither of us were really messing around (well...) but it was slightly awkward when Ella had first woke up without remembering anything then we both fell asleep in each other's embrace and he walked in about ten minutes later. But it was then he realised how happy Ella must have been, and how comfortable too, that she was actually sleeping and sleeping on me. But he still had to get Ella to confirm we were Soulfinders, and we loved each other, and we didn't plan on leaving each other any time soon. And then cue the older brother talk again. But he was slowly coming around on the idea and seemed to be alright with me – but neither of us knew how he would react when we told him Ella was pregnant.

The whole pregnancy was very secret from everyone. It was a great, big dirty secret but Ella said she would rather make sure the baby was completely fine and healthy before telling anyone and I completely agreed. I knew some would be more supporting than others but we were too scared to tell our families so we settled for the next best thing. We needed a test rat to tell, so who better than Jason.

We called him yesterday night as we both sat on Ella's hospital bed, us sharing the surprisingly good hospital food they catered for us (with massive portion sizes). We were watching Don't Tell The Bride, possible one of the more funnier reality shows as we both eye rolled at the atrocious dress the groom had picked out for his bride.

The phone rang four times before he picked up.

'We need to speak about your timings, Joseph, I told you to call me back after Ella's tests were done. Not call me back when Ella's tests were done and then two days later,' He instructed and Ella pulled an approving face.