Shattered Hearts

Chapter 49

"Oh Lottie, I can't believe it," Darlene whispered as she looked at the baby cradled in Charlotte's arms. "He's absolutely adorable."

Charlotte smiled softly. "Sorry but I'm not letting go of him."

"I wouldn't expect you to." She watched as Charlotte kept tight hold of her baby, her eyes barely leaving him. "Relax, I was where you are not so long ago, I'm not gonna swan in here demanding cuddles."

Charlotte looked at her self-consciously. "Sorry, I just can't help feeling overprotective. Or maybe possessive is more the right word?"

"It's normal, and I don't think the nurses would like you playing pass the parcel with him anyway. However, once you take baby Andrew home he's fair game."

Charlotte winced and she snuggled the baby more closely into her chest. "Please give me a bit of time to settle in. I mean I've waited so long to have him, and if everyone turns up wanting to take over-"

"Lottie I was joking!" She guessed now was not the time to tease her. "No one is going to take over but don't make things hard for yourself by trying to do it all."

"No, I won't but I do worry my mom and Louis's might..." She paused as the door to her room was opened. "Oh hi Ros, come on in."

Darlene's mouth turned dry as Rosalind tentatively took a step forward. Her heart pounded and she felt bile rising in her throat, but one look at Ros's ashen face and she began to calm down.

"Oh my god...I...I'm sorry, I didn't realise you'd be here." Rosalind quickly stepped back, stumbling.

"No, it's okay," Darlene said finding her voice. "I've been here a while, I'll leave."

"No, I should go. Visisting time only started ten minutes ago, I'll come back tomorrow."

Darlene took a couple of deep calming breaths, aware Charlotte's eyes were on her. "Stay. This isn't about us, we've both come to see the baby. And Lottie, obviously." She tried to laugh, the sound shrill.

"Okay, I won't stay long though," Ros said taking the chair opposite her and perching on the edge of it. 

"It's fine, I won't bite."

Rosalind laughed nervously. "I'm glad to hear it." She looked over at the baby and made the appropriate cooing noises while Charlotte engaged her in small talk.

Watching Ros from the corner of her eye, Darlene was satisfied that she appeared more unnerved by their encounter than she was. Good, she deserved to feel uncomfortable.

"So how long will they keep you in here?" Rosalind asked keeping her eyes firmly on the baby.

"Just a few more days," Charlotte said with a yawn. "If I hadn't had to have a transfusion I'd be out by now."

"But it's a chance for you to rest up."

"I guess." She tried to stifle another yawn. "Sorry, all this laying around makes me tired."

"We won't keep you much longer," Darlene said speaking for both of them as if they were still friends. "I mean, I'll get going soon."

"Me too," Ros said getting to her feet. "I just wanted to see that you were okay. We'll catch up properly once you're home and rested." She gave the baby a lingering look. "I'm so happy for you."

Charlotte smiled. "You'll be next."

"Maybe." She cleared her throat, glancing towards Darlene. "Actually, I think we'll probably wait until we've sold up, a baby and moving house all at the same time might be a bit much."