The Greatest Loss
Chapter 1: Coping
They'd all tried. Every one of them had tried to help, to be there for him, to get him to talk.
He didn't want to talk. He didn't want help. He didn't want anyone.
He just wanted Jen.
They all told him they understood, they'd been there, they knew what it felt like.
And they weren't wrong. Mac lost Claire. Stella lost Frankie. Hawkes had lost countless patients. And Danny, well, he'd lost count of all the people he'd lost.
The only person who didn't offer up any input or advice was Lindsey.
She hung back, kept her distance, and just watched. It wasn't time yet. The others, they didn't get that, not like she did. But to be fair, they didn't have all the details, not like she did.
She followed his unbalanced movements with her knowing brown eyes. She knew his pain, she feels his anguish.
And while the others push, she simply waited.
Slowly, his anger dissipated. His eyes were dull, often rimmed in dark circles, occasionally tinged in red from a crying jaunt he'd tried his best to hold back.
His co-workers words of encouragement didn't even penetrate the wall he's put up.
Still she watched, waiting for him to be ready, waiting for him to look into her gaze…
The moment finally came.
And, as she'd expected, he found her.
She'd just picked up Lucy, now a happy, healthy 6 month old little girl, from daycare.
Once Lucy was secure in her stroller, Lindsay pushed her out of the lab and pointed the stroller towards Central Park.
It didn't take her long to figure out she was being followed. She knew his presence well enough. She carefully led him to a quiet part of the park, being careful not to give away the fact that she knew he was there.
She settled herself on a lone bench, turning the stroller to face her. Lucy had since fallen asleep, her face soft and peaceful, Lindsay smiled down at her.
"She's a beautiful baby."
Lindsay nodded in agreement.
"Can I sit?" He questioned.
"Go ahead."
He sat down next to her, never taking his gaze off Lucy. There was a longing in his gaze, an unmistakable sadness.
Tentatively, slowly, she reached her hand out and rested it on his shoulder.
He didn't move. He didn't flinch. He didn't breath.
"She was pregnant Linds." He choked out, before gulping in a big breath of air.
"I know."
OK, so should I leave it as a one-shot or go on?