"Rubbish. You are suffering from bad boyfriend syndrome and we both know it." He stroked her cheek and then grasped her hand. "You have to eat, if only for the baby. You know you do. And if you want to spend the rest of your life eating hospital food you are going the right way about it."
"I don't believe he did all the stuff he told me about when he left Nigel. I think he was only saying it because he felt guilty for what Mike did to me." She gave him a wobbly smile.
"No. I mean yes, he does feel guilty and so he should but according to his brother, Morgan had this all in play as soon as he left here. It just took a while to get it sorted out."
"But he didn't even call me. Don't you think that means something. Hell, if it was me I would have been on the phone every day. He totally ignored me and I can't get over that."
The door opened and her mother walked in with a stranger behind her.
"Mum." Stacey tried to sit up and fell back down, her weakness winning out.
"Darling, just look at you." Her mother rushed over and took the seat Nigel vacated. "When Nigel called me I was so worried. Come over here Lois. Honey this is Lois Taylor, Morgan and Brandon's mother. She gave me a lift to see you."
She looked around the room and shook her head. "What do you mean she gave you a lift?"
Mrs Taylor stepped forward and stood at the end of the bed smiling serenely. "Brandon called me yesterday when he got home and filled me in on what happened Stacey. Imagine our horror. I am so sorry, really I am. To think one of our staff would stoop so low. Anyway, Brandon gave me Nigel's number so we could keep in touch and see how you were healing and I couldn't help myself." She blushed and looked away. "I had to come and see you. Another grandchild on the way and I didn't even know."
"Neither did I. Why didn't you tell me Stacey, I would have come out and seen you? Got you more help or even closed the pub and brought you home so I could spoil you."
"Slow down, both of you. Nigel, seriously did you think this was the wise thing to do?" He blushed under her accusing gaze.
"You weren't listening to anybody so I took the initiative, alright." He dipped his head and sighed. "Look, drastic times called for drastic measures and here they are." He opened his hands to encompass both of the visitors.
"I understand you are having issues with Morgan Stacey but that doesn't mean I can't get to know the mother of my grandchild. Nothing will stop that unless you forbid me to see you and I hope you don't."
"Stacey, honey," her mother butted in, "you need someone to look after you and we are here to do that. Lois is at a loose end for reasons she can explain and you know I have plenty of time on my hands."
"I'm sorry." She looked between the two women. "I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself and I can't seem to snap out of it. Sorry Nigel, I know you mean well."
"That's okay honey, not your fault. Now you are in safe hands I will get back to the pub and start on dinner. Lots of hungry men coming in soon." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Ciao."
When Nigel left the room Stacey looked at Morgan's mother. "Why are you really here? Is it to offer me money so I don't rock the boat?"
She laughed and walked to the other side of the bed, pulling a chair up closer.
"No. I hear my sons have already offered you everything except what you really want. I'm here to be a grandmother if you will let me. Just so you know, Brandon was very impressed with you. Not many people walk away from us without some sort of cash in their pockets. That is one of the reasons Morgan fell in love with you."
"Funny way of showing it." Stacey pouted and then suffered a quick pang of guilt.
"There you go honey, jumping to concussions. Why don't you let the poor boy have his say without getting the wrong idea?" Her mother patted her hand and smiled. "Give the boy another chance, he did save you after all."
"Mum. It was their fault in the first place. You don't know anything about this."
"I know more than you think. Lois and I had a good chat on the way here. All I'm saying is that you should just breath and give him a chance to have his say before you decide to go this alone. I'll respect your wishes but not if you don't listen before making your decision."
Stacey grabbed the sheet in her hands and twisted it, watching the blood leave her fingers. "I told him to get out."
"We know. He is sitting in the waiting room refusing to leave. Apparently Doc threatened to have bodily removed but must have felt sorry for him. He is still there." Her mother patted her hand. "Let him come in and talk to you, just for a minute. We can go and get a cup of tea."
Tears formed in Stacey's eyes and she nodded her head. Lois pushed a tissue into her hand and got up walking to the door.
"You are doing the right thing honey." Her mother kissed her hair and walked out, leaving her alone.
Minutes later she heard footsteps running her way and the door burst open.
"Stacey." Morgan stood at the door, his face drawn and haggard.
"Come in."
* * *
He hesitated and looked over his shoulder before letting go of the door waiting for it to close behind him.
"Our mothers have decided I was wrong and you need a chance
