Where have you been?

 Where have you been?

Several days later and Christian and Syed are at the hospital at one of Yasmin’s physio appointments.

“Can..t. Can’t.” Yasmin gasps as she holds on the frame which helps her to walk.

“You can do it sweetheart.” Christian encourages.

“A few more steps Yasmin and you’ll be there!” Dr Burrows, her physio-encourages.

Her whole body shaking, she falls into Christian’s open arms.

“You did it!” Syed exclaimed, hugging his daughter as both him and Christian sob.

“G..G..Go.Good.” Yasmin asks, tilting her head.

“You were better than good Yas’. You were incredible!” Syed corrected.

“Shall we get you back into your chair Yasmin? Then back to the ward. Dr Harmon wants to speak to your parents.” Dr Burrows announces as she brings the wheelchair round to where the group are.

With Syed’s help, Yasmin is settled back into her chair.

“Lovely to see you both again.” Dr Harmon smiles as he beckons the two men to sit down.

“Why are we here? Is something wrong with Yasmin?” Syed asks as he clutches Christian’s hand tightly.

“No, Yasmin is completely fine. It’s her mother, I think? A woman going by the name of Amira has requested to see Yasmin and to have her transferred to another hospital for further treatment. Since you are her legal father Syed, I have a duty to let you know.” Dr Harmon sighs as Syed gasps.

“I’m gathering this isn’t good news?” Dr Harmon says as he tries to gauge the two men’s reactions.

“You’re correct. Amira is Yasmin’s mother, my ex-wife. She gave Yasmin up when she was six months old and ever since then she’s been popping in and out of Yasmin’s life. When Amira arrives, she seems to bring trouble and chaos alongside her. It disrupts Yasmin massively. Last time she saw her mother she had panic attacks and nightmares for months afterwards.” Syed explains.

“I see. Has she terminated her rights?” Dr Harmon asks.

“No. She left Walford unexpectedly and left Yasmin with us. She’s always tried to take her away, saying how she can ‘provide a better life’.” Christian explained, seeing that Syed was too emotional to talk further.

“Okay. The only thing we can do is deny her access to Yasmin while she is in hospital. Does that sound suitable?” Dr Harmon asks, wanting verbal confirmation.

“That’d be great. Thank you.” Christian said gratefully.

“I’ll get that arranged for you as soon as I can.” Dr Harmon smiled as the two men stood up and left.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Syed yelled, seeing red. 

“I’m visiting MY daughter.” Amira sniped back.

“No you’re not! She doesn’t even remember you!” Syed yelled, pulling Amira away from Yasmin.

The three then left, not wanting to confuse or upset Yasmin further.

“You’re not having her. She’s settled here. Her doctor has said himself that she cannot be moved. It’d be too much of an upheaval for her. She knows us, she’s safe with us. She has a little sister who has just turned two who dotes on her. You’re not taking that away from her.” Syed snarled.

“You can’t stop me!” Amira screeched.

“Actually we can. You’ve not been in Yasmin’s life since she was six months old. Aside from that, the odd appearance here and there. We’re filing for full custody. And I’m getting Christian’s name on her birth certificate. You are nothing to her. You never have been, and never will be!” Syed yelled.

“You can’t do that! She’s mine! She loves me!” Amira yelled, stamping her foot as if she was a young child.

“Grow up Amira and go climb under whatever hovel you came from. Yasmin has no clue who you are and even before, she didn’t care for you. She hated your visits! She’d have panic attacks weeks before. You’ve completely uprooted her before when she was a baby, and like hell will I allow you to do it again.” Christian shouted.

With that, Amira flounced off.

“Hey Kiddo.” Syed smiled as he and Christian sat either side of her as she was dozing lightly.

“He...Hello.” Yasmin smiled.

Grabbing her IPad which had been given to her by Dr Harmon to further her speech, she wrote:

Who was that lady? Do I know her?

“That.. That was your mum Yas’.” Syed started to explain.

“Before the accident, she had never really been a mum to you before. She abandoned you when you were six months old and ever since then she’s been dipping in and out of your life, whenever she gets bored.” Syed finished.

Yasmin then wrote:

Good. I don’t like her anyways. She was stupid and-and thought buying things would make me.. like her.

“If you want to get to know her once your better, then we will respect that and help you.” Christian explained.

The girl thought for a few moments before shakily lifting her hand and typing 

I don’t like her. She’s too fast. She makes my head hurt.

Both men stifled a laugh at Yasmin’s wording. 

“And that’s okay. If you ever change your mind, then all you have to do is say and we will organise it.” Syed reassured.

Yasmin then yawned.

“You look exhausted. Get some rest munchkin, We’ll be here again later.” Christian soothed, as he got the attention of a nurse to help settle and get Yasmin comfy.

Once the nurse had laid Yasmin down safely, the men left, allowing her to get the much needed sleep she’d been denying.

“Dada!” Matilda exclaimed, running over into Christian’s arms.

“Hello my butterfly! Look at you! Did you play dress up again?” Christian asked.

Matilda was adorned with fairy wings, rainbow leggings, a yellow t-shirt and pink shoes. 

“Yes! It was fun!” Matilda replied as she dragged Christian over to her teepee while Shed stayed behind to pay Stacey.

“Wook!” Matilda screeched as she pointed to all her toys inside.

“Aww, you had a tea party!” 

“Party! Party!” Matilda exclaimed as she stamped her feet and clapped her hands.

“I think it’s bedtime, shall we get ready for bed?” Christian encouraged, as Matilda’s face dropped.

“No! No bed!” She cried out.

“It’s bedtime sweet girl, you’ve had dinner so it’s time for bed.” Christian explained as he started taking off her shoes and t-shirt for her.

“No!” Matilda said angrily, hitting Christian on the arm.

“No Matilda! That’s naughty!” He warned.

“NO NO CARE!” she screamed, resorting to then spitting at him.

“Right that’s it. Goodnight Matilda.” Christian said as he did up the buttons on her PJs before placing her in bed, night light on and leaving.

“Is she okay?” Syed asked once Christian returned to the living room.

“I think she’s just overtired.” Christian yawned. 

"Are you sure? I can hear her screaming.." Syed said unsurely.

"I'm sure. She tends to hit and spit when overtired. If she's still awake in 10 minutes then either me or you can deal with her then." Christian explained. 

"She's been through a lot of upheaval recently, so it's natural that she will lash out." Syed concluded. 

Eventually Matilda settled down for the night, her cries becoming no more than the occasional sniffle.

"She'll be okay." Syed said as he walked towards Christian who was standing outside of Matilda's room. 

"I know. We all will be. In time."