This is my first attempt at something different so please bear with me... I'm hoping it will turn into something worth reading and be a multi-chapter... Thanks for taking the time to have a look xx
Elizabeth Adams was pacing the floors of her small apartment, her baby girl cradled in her arms... It was 3am and Alison had been relentlessly screaming for hours with no sign of letting up any time soon.
"OK baby... let's go to the ER." She said softly, grabbing her things and heading out the door. Her head was pounding through a combination of exhaustion and worry... she had no clue how she had made it to the hospital as she couldn't recall the journey... yet made it they had. She scooped up Allison from the baby seat and hurried inside
"Excuse me... I really need to see someone... My little girl has been screaming for hours and I'm so worried." Elizabeth was usually one of the most calm and collected people in existence, but when it came to her daughter, that all went out the window.
"Fill this out and take a seat... Someone will be with you shortly." the clerk said, handing her a clipboard
"How can I fill it out? I can't put her down, she's screaming blue murder and I only have one pair of hands... " She was starting to lose any composure she still had left and tears were pricking at her eyes "I just need someone to see her... please" She was aware that her voice was now wavering but she had no control
"Please can you get someone to look at her... can't the forms wait?"
She felt the slightest of touches to her elbow and looked over to her right to see what it was.
"I'm sorry to intrude, but I can see you're upset and wanted to offer my help... "
She stood, staring at this person who had just appeared from nowhere. He was tall, muscular and had rather striking features... And the kindest eyes she thought she'd ever seen. She couldn't remember if she'd managed to speak, but before she could work it out, he'd taken the clipboard and was gently ushering her towards the hideous plastic chairs.
"You take care of your daughter, and if you tell me the information, I'll fill the form in for you... is that ok?" He had the sweetest voice that was somehow managing to calm her a little
"What?" Was all that came out when she went to speak
"I'll fill out the form for you if you give me the information." He was smiling at her as he offered again
"Yes... Please... i mean, that would be very helpful, thank you." She was still pacing, desperately trying to sooth her little girl as the very kind, and yes, rather handsome stranger filled out the form with the relevant information and handed it in at the desk.
"It's nice to meet you Elizabeth Adams... I'm Henry McCord." He held his hand out and she quickly shook it, before gripping her daughter once more
"Thank you for your help."
At that moment, Allison decided to projectile vomit all down Elizabeth
"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" she sighed, looking upwards in the vain hope of some Devine intervention. Her shirt was soaked through and the smell was actually making her gag a little
"Here... take this..." He said, pulling his sweatshirt up over his head "You can't stay like that." And he held it out for her to take
"I'm sorry... I can't remember your name" She was looking at him with a mixture of confusion and scepticism
"It's Henry...Henry McCord... And please, take it."
Her instincts were telling her to distance herself from this guy... But her discomfort was overriding it and she took the sweatshirt
"That's very kind... Thank you... We'll be right back."
She headed off to the restroom to get both herself and Allison changed. Who is this guy, she thought to herself, and what is he after. She placed Allison on the changing station and hurriedly got herself out of the vomit covered clothes and dragged the sweatshirt over her head 'United States Marine Corp'... Well that explains the physique
When she returned to the waiting room, there was a nurse already waiting to take her through
"I... um... Henry is it?... Thank you for your help" she said, approaching Henry "How will I get your shirt back to you?"
"Keep it... It looks far better on your anyway... I hope your little one is better soon." He smiled again as she followed the nurse and he was out of sight.
Dr Murray had checked Allison over thoroughly and concluded that it was a severe ear infection. Antibiotics had been prescribed and she was actually starting to calm down a little after the shot he'd given her.
"It was a good thing you brought her in when you did... Her eardrum was close to perforating... I want you to see her paediatrician in a week to check how she's doing."
"I will, thank you doctor." Elizabeth took the script from him and she placed a kiss on her daughters head "There we go baby... you'll soon be better."
She strapped Allison into the car seat and headed home, just as the sun was rising. She turned her key in the lock and entered her apartment, the dim hue of the first morning rays hitting the walls and lighting the way just enough for her to find Allison's room. She placed her sleeping daughter in her crib and wearily shuffled to the kitchen to make herself a desperately needed coffee. As she clicked on the machine, her mind started to wander
Who was that guy at the hospital and what were his motives. She hadn't even asked him why he was there... Maybe he was a doctor? She had no idea and that bugged her. She looked down at the sweatshirt... no, he was a marine... or was he? She bunched the fabric up in her fingers and held it up to her nose... Wow... is that what he smells like?
The smell of coffee filled the room and snapped her back from her thoughts. She poured herself a large mug full and went back into Allison's room to settle herself into the rocking chair.
As she rocked back and forth, her arms wrapped around the soothing warmth of the coffee mug, her eyes now heavy and brain tired... her thoughts once again returned to the mysterious stranger
"Who are you Henry McCord."
