AN: Well I don't own anything...which I did though! Hope you enjoy this first chapter the next one will follow shortly. Feedback is always welcomed
Waiting. It was a word that Millicent Carter had not become accustomed to in her years. She lifted up one of her clasped hands and smoothed a loose strand of wispy hair which was well on its way to turning grey. Sitting perched on the end of an uncomfortable chair Millicent let her eyes wonder across the waiting room. Waiting room, somewhere Millicent hadn't been used to being in, after all her years of private immediate healthcare. She unfolded her legs and stood up promptly after seeing one of the nurses push through the doors. The nurse's worn out eyes fell presently on Millicent Carter then immediately called out a name which didn't sound familiar to Millicent's ears.
"Eric Wy-uh-Wyc," the nurse's hesitation over the long name was corrected by a small voice.
"Wyczenski, its Wyczenski," Millicent followed the sound of the voice and was surprised to see two children she had failed to notice in the forty-five minutes she had been perched on the seat. The older of the two jumped down from the seats and awkwardly lifted the little boy who didn't look more than four into her arms. She fussed over him when he started to whimper at being woken up from his sleeping demure. Millicent was taken aback by the apparent maturity of the young girl, who looked, she thought, about eight. Her small soft brown eyes glanced up at the nurse who was ushering the two children through to a private curtain.
"I think he has the flu, his temperature has been high the last few days," Millicent was also taken aback by the fact that an eight year-old could diagnose someone's condition. She thoughtfully lent back in her chair and watched through the glass as the nurse took a cranky Eric out of the girl's arms. She assumed they were brother and sister as their similar features confirmed this. The girl had long brown hair which rested lightly on her shoulders in small waves. The boy's similar colour of hair was in a desperate need of a trim as it lay thickly on top of his head. Millicent was out of ear-shot but through lip-reading she noted the fact that the nurse had asked where there parents were. The question prompted a shrug from the girl's slight shoulders.
"Mrs Carter," The loud apprehensive voice echoed through the waiting room causing Millicent to jump off her chair. She smoothed out her suit and smiled pleasantly at the doctor. Walking with a slight limp, as it was due to abad ankle strainshe was here in the hospital; Millicent followed the doctor through into a special room. She still expected the best care, wherever she went.
After being treated Millicent had gathered her things and prescription as presented by the doctor and walked out the main doors into a brisk Chicago late afternoon. She had phoned her chauffer whilst in the hospital and knew she wouldn't have to wait long…after all waiting was not something she was accustomed to. What met her outside was the two children she had watched so closely and their nurse. The lady who looked as if she was in her late thirties was bent down to the level of the girl.
"Abby are you sure your mother is on her way?" The nurse asked concerned. Abby nodded and grabbed a tighter hold of Eric's hand.
"Yeah she'll be here in a minute…you don't have to wait with us," Abby scuffed her sneakers along the icy pavement and forced a smile up at the nurse. The nurse stood up straight and folded her arms across her chest.
"I think I'll wait with you both until she arrives," The nurse's plan however was interrupted when an ambulance came blazing around the corner and into the bay. Two doctors ran out and yelled something at the nurse who was ordered to wheel in the gurney.
"Abby, stay here until she comes I'll be back out in a minute," the nurse's sentence was cut short by doctor's orders and they all disappeared into the hospital. Millicent watched as she saw Abby sigh in deeply and bend down to her little brother. She edged closer and watched as Abby zipped Eric's jacket up to his chin and pull a hood over his head.
"Yeah because she'll be here any minute," Abby muttered and grabbed hold of Eric's hand. The little boy was pulled along by his older sister as they disappeared around the corner.
"Wait!" Millicent heard the word before she'd even thought about saying it. She limped around the corner and saw a surprised Abby looking suspiciously at the lady. Eric was pulled closer to her body and a protective arm was placed on his shoulders. She approached the two children and saw Abby's lips chattering as her thin jacket was not battling well against the snowy conditions.
"Can I give you a lift?" Millicent knew that a strange lady offering a lift to children was inappropriate in any environment but something was propelling her to do so. Abby was slightly taken aback but shook her head and turned around.
"Where are you going?" Millicent stood alongside the two children and rested a hand on her hip.
"It's okay really," Abby ushered Eric away from her and they carried on along the street. Millicent opened her mouth to speak again when her limo pulled up and a chauffeur jumped out of the front. Eric's big eyes followed the limo and he gaped in amazement.
"My name's Millicent," she smiled and cautiously approached them once again.
"I'm Eric," the little boy pronounced his name carefully; however it was hard to hear through his stuffed nose and scratchy voice.
"It's nice to meet you Eric," Millicent looked at the reluctant little girl who was eyeing her up cautiously. The chauffer was stood patiently to her left with the door open.
"I won't bite," she promised and edged towards the door tilting her head. Eric looked up at his sister and tugged on her jacket.
"Please Abby," Abby puffed out her lips, defeated and walked towards the open door with Eric on her heel.
"Thank you," she half-smiled at the chauffer remembering her manners. Millicent smiled at her successful attempt and whispered into the chauffeur's ear.
"She's a stubborn little thing," her statement prompted a smile from the man's dishevelled complexion. He waited until they were all in and then closed the door and returned to his drivers seat.
AN: I love feedback or suggestions...Carter will be appearing in the next chapters!