Please forgive my translation from English to Irish Gaelic, used a translator I found on the internet, but no to sure if it's totally correct though I do hope it works well enough. The verse is from a song called Sleepsong by Secret Garden, for anyone who wishes for the English translation of the verse please see the bottom of the chapter.
Chapter One
Slowly stirring from his drug induced sleep Greg for a moment wondered where he was however, as he took in the pale blue walls and sterile scent he quickly remembered where he was. Recalling the event which had put him in the hospital Greg couldn't fight the shudders which gripped him as he flashed back on the explosion, the memory burned in his mind. However, no soon had the shudders gripped him than he was willing them to stop as the flare of pain which spread through him from his back. Feeling his fingernails begin to bite into this skin Greg wished for anything to take the pain away as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.
"Loo-li, loo-li, Lai-Ley
Loo-li, loo-li, Lai-Ley
A leagan síos do cheann agus beidh mé ag canadh ar lullaby tú
Ar ais go dtí na blianta de loo-li, Ley Lai-
Agus beidh mé ag canadh tú a chodladh agus beidh mé ag canadh duit amárach
Beannaigh tú le grá don bhóthar a théann tú
Bealtaine leat seol fada leis na réimsí atá thall den fhortún
Le diamonds agus péarlaí ar do cheann agus do chosa
Féadfaidh Agus ort riamh áidh a banish
Féidir leat teacht ar cineáltas i ngach a chomhlíonann tú
D'fhéadfadh a bheith ann i gcónaí angels chun féachaint thar tú
Chun tú a threorú gach céim ar an mbealach
Chun garda tú agus tú a choinneáil slán ó dhochar
Loo-li, loo-li, Lai-Ley"
Despites being able to understand the words that were being sung to him Greg was surprised to find himself relaxing under the soothing melody, the panic and shudders that had moments ago taken hold quickly disappearing. Despites the language difference Greg found himself thinking back to when his mother or Papa Olaf used to sing him lullabies when he was child after he'd had a nightmare. Releasing that he'd never heard any of his friends speaking the language he'd heard Greg was about to attempt to see who it was that had been able to calm him so quickly when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder.
"I need you to keep relaxed ok, I was hoping to be finished up before you woke up. I'll be as quick as possible."
Trying to pin the accent he heard within the alluring voice behind him Greg had a moment to wonder what they meant before fighting back a hiss as he felt them apply the medical cream to his back. Although it had been a couple of days since the explosion the burns on his back were still painfully and the changing of the dressings was something he'd come to dread. However, for some reason the carefully actions of his unknown guest was causing the least pain he'd experienced yet.
"So Hojem that's a usual name, you mind me asking where it comes from."
"It's Norwegian, from my mum's side of the family."
"Let me guess duel heritage right, nice to meet someone else in the same situation."
"You could say that, my Papa and Nana Olaf made sure my mum and I remembered where our family came from"
"There are too many people who don't know where they come from, so for those who do it's important to remember. That's what my grandparents always told us."
"That definitely sounds like my Papa Olaf."
Hearing the laughter from behind him Greg couldn't help but like the sound, filled with a carefree quality that grabbed his attention.
"There we go, told you I'd be quick did I."
Hearing movement behind Greg slowly shifted himself, quickly settling back down before the pain came back. Seeing movement out of the corner of his eye silently watched as his strange guest came into view.
With a slim, yet athletic build that was only emphasised by the fitted dark jeans and purple t-shirt with its contrasting 'Paramore' slogan across the front. Estimating her height to be roughly 5ft 8" Greg was intrigued by the rich auburn/red hair with its numerous black streaks, while the black was definitely colour from a bottle the auburn/red was all natural which in its self was unusual. Usually one for either blondes or burettes Greg liked the thick curly hair, streaks and all, that framed in his opinion an extremely attractive face. However, the two features which immediately got his attention were the eyes and the smile; the strange mixture of grey and green making the eyes alone something to catch your attention however, adding that bewitching smile made it hard not to look.
"I have to say this is a pleasant surprise, you're normally a sleep when I come by."
Unable to hide the surprise from his face at hearing the statement from the woman before him Greg found he couldn't prevent his smile as he heard that carefree laughter again.
"No offense, but you don't exactly look like a nurse or doctor."
"Oh I'm not, I work in the labs here, but I volunteer for an hour or two after shifts, thought I'd give the nurses a hand and you Mr Sanders happen to be the lucky person who's had me for the last couple of evenings."
"Call me Greg; I can't remember the last time someone called me Mr Sanders."
"Then I insist you call me Grace."
"You a Paramore fan or are you just making a fashion statement."
"I can't help it if my excellent music taste also makes an excellent fashion statement. Now my turn Greg, do you even known who Paramore are or are you just after my charming company?"
Feeling the blush which immediately overcame him at the statement Grace had made Greg found that despites this reaction he exactly liked the humour she displayed, giving him the feeling that humour was part of her general attitude.
"I may have one or two albums amongst my collection, but I don't know if I'm the best company."
"Well let me be the judge of that, and since you're awake I intend to make the most of your company."
Returning the smile Grace if Greg failed to realise that this was the first time since the lab explosion that he hadn't thought of what had occurred only days ago, instead focusing on the person before him and the company she provided.
Days later
"Heard on the grape vine that someone's getting out of here."
Hearing the familiar Irish accented voice Greg found himself smiling even before he turned his head to acknowledge his newly acquired friend, having discovered that Grace's grandparents had emigrated from Ireland thus explaining the accent he'd heard the first time they met. Despites the more professional attire that she was wearing Greg found it took nothing away from her, her white lab coat framing black dress pants and a lilac button up shirt.
Ever since their first meeting Greg had made sure that he was awake for the next few evenings, finding he enjoyed the Irish-Americas woman's company. After the changing of his dressings Grace had taken to spending time with him, the two of them discussing anything and everything before she left him, giving him time to rest up before his friends came to visit. Since he'd learned that he would be discharged today Greg had been intending to visit the hospital lab once he was to see whether Grace was working to let her know. However, seeing her standing before him now Greg could surprised yet glad to see she'd been keeping tabs on him.
"Besides from the company I can honestly say I'll be glad to get home."
"Can't say I blame you, the food alone is enough to drive you mad."
Hearing the light laughter Grace gave Greg had to join her before carefully sliding of the hospital bed, feeling his back give small protests at the movement. However, the doctors had assured him that the burns would heal and the skin grafts that he had need were taking well.
"Do you have someone coming to pick you up?"
"Getting a taxi, my friend ended up pulling a double shift and it's too late notice to ask anyone else."
"If you're not in too much of a rush my shift finishes in half an hour, I can give you a lift."
"You don't have to do that; I wouldn't want to put you out, what about you're volunteering?"
"I'm sure the nurses wouldn't begrudge me a night off, besides you can pay me back with dinner, there's this new Mexican place that's open up and since you mentioned having a fondness for it we'll be hitting two birds with one stone. You get your first decent meal in days and I finally get someone who's willing to go with me. I'll be back in half an hour to pick you up."
For once in his life Greg was struck silent, unable to reply to what Grace had said as she gave him a quick smile before disappearing. Wondering what had just happened Greg had no what to make of it, yet despites his doubts he was actual glad that the red head had had left him no chance to argue. He'd soon come to realise not only did he enjoy Grace's company, but he also completely forgot the fears and nightmares which plagued him from the lab explosion, something not even his close friends had been to do.
Loo-li,loo-li,lai-ley, Loo-li,loo-li,lai-ley, Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby, Back to the years of loo-li,lai-ley, And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow, Bless you with love for the road that you go, May you sail far to the far fields of fortune, With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet, And may you need never to banish misfortune, May you find kindness in all that you meet, May there always be angels to watch over you, To guide you each step of the way, To guard you and keep you safe from all harm, Loo-li,loo-li,lai-ley
