Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the characters (Except Dean, Linda, Lyndsaie, Lisa, Lenore, Lowden, and Lorianne); I'm not using this for money, yatsa, yatsa, and yatsa.
Prologue:
Lucy Knight's family is coming for a visit from Palm Beach, Florida. She's been really nervous – and surprised when her mother said they were coming a week earlier.
Also: I wrote this prior to Lucy's death. This is AU to any of the episodes about Lucy's death & her mother's visit to the ER.
Lucy's family:
Dean Xander Knight, age 48 – Lucy's father – brown hair, brown eyes, 6' 3", 204 Lbs.
Linda Joan Knight, age 47 – Lucy's mother – blonde hair, blue eyes, 5' 8", 152 Lbs.
(Lucy Avea Knight, age 23 – eldest knight child)
Lyndsaie Ruse Knight, age 16 – golden-brown hair, hazel-blue eyes, 5' 0", 110 Lbs.
Lisa Kloe Knight, age 11 – sandy blonde hair, brown eyes, 4' 6", 87 Lbs.
Lenore Mery Knight, age 7 – dark brown hair, blue eyes, 3' 10", 73 Lbs.
Lois Bobi Knight, age 5 ½ - dark brown hair, brown eyes, 3' 2", 46 Lbs.
Lowden Jett Knight, age 3 – sandy blonde hair, hazel-blue eyes, 2' 10", 32 Lbs.
Lorianne Juli Knight, age 11 mon. – reddish-brown hair, hazel-green eyes, 1' 11", 20 ¾ Lbs.
***
To see Lucy
Part One
***
Wednesday Night – 9:56 pm
"So when do we get to meet the wonderful Knight family?" Dr. John Carter teased, taking another bite of his pizza.
23 yr. old, 3rd year med student, Lucy Avea Knight looked up at her superior, "For the sixth time, you get to meet my mom, my sisters, and Lowden on Friday. My dad will be here Sunday."
"A bit anxious, Lucy?" Dr. Kerry Weaver asked.
Lucy looked at the people assembled at the ER desk. Since it was a relatively slow night, Jerry had ordered pizza and calzones from the place down the street. After it had arrived, everyone took a slice and gathered around to hear stories of Lucy's family.
John looked at Kerry; "Actually, this is the calmest she's been since Linda called to say they were coming two days early."
Lucy grabbed another slice of pizza and peeled the cheese off, while glaring at John.
"That's the fourth piece you've had tonight." Dr. Douglas Ross pointed out, as Lucy took a bite of the de-cheesed pizza.
"I know. Once my mother gets here, She'll be making me eat tofu and broccoli again. I have to eat as much junk food as possible before then." She said, before taking another bite.
"So you were one of those no broccoli kids." Nurse Carol Hathaway said, looking at Lucy.
"Yes. Same as Lyndsaie."
Dr. Mark Greene turned around, "We've got seven people on their way in. Only the teenage driver was restrained. ETA is five minutes."
"Okay, let's go!" Kerry yelled, and the team scattered.
Wednesday Night – 10:11 pm
The doctors had reassembled at the ambulance bay door after assignments were handed out.
Lucy looked at John, "So there's six people – six female, one male – aged forty-seven through one year on their way here. And we have the male, right?"
"Lucy." Mark said, making his way through the throng of people, "I need to talk to you – Now."
Before Mark could continue, the EMTs rushed in to the ER with the first victim.
"16 year old female, restrained driver."
Lucy looked at the girl, "Lyndsaie?"
"Lucy!" Lyndsaie Rose Knight cried as she was ushered into a room.
"Lyndsaie!" Lucy yelled as Mark grabbed her.
"Lucy, listen to me! Your mother was bringing your sisters and Lowden early – to surprise you. The van was hit head-on and Lyndsaie was the only one wearing a seatbelt." Mark said, holding on to Lucy's shoulders.
Lucy wriggled out of Mark's grip and ran over to the gurney that had just arrived, "Lisa. Lisa Kloe, look at me." She said, holding back tears.
Lisa rolled her eyes, and tried to focus on Lucy, "Ucy?" she mumbled.
"Yeah, Lis. It's Lucy Avea." She managed a smile. Lucy looked at the next person who was being brought in. She kissed Lisa, and then latched on to the next gurney, "Lowden."
The three year old smiled at Lucy, "Lu-Lu."
"Hi, Denny." Lucy heard the doors fly open again – another had arrived, "Denny, I'll be right back, kay?"
Lowden nodded and watched as Lucy stopped running to catch the next victim.
Lucy looked at the baby, "Lorianne." Lucy looked at the EMT and listened to him closely.
"Possible brain damage. No pupil reaction."
"You aren't going to get any reaction – She's blind!" She said, looking at Doug.
Lucy heard yelling and looked back at the door.
"I want to talk to my daughter! Her name is Lucy Knight! Get her!"
Lucy grabbed her mother's arm, "Mama."
"Lucy. Where are your sisters? Where's Lowden?"
"They're here, Mom. Everyone but Lonnie and Lois - they'll be here soon though."
"Okay." Linda relaxed, allowing Mark to take her into a room.
Finally, a moment of silence fell upon Lucy. She thought about each of her siblings in that moment. Lyndsaie's first word, Lowden's first steps, Lois' first dance recital.
And then the ER doors flew open again, and the last two of the Knight children entered Cook County General Hospital.
Thursday Morning – 2:09 am
"Geez, Lucy. You look horrendous, and since when do you take your coffee black?" John asked, walking into the lounge.
"Thanks a lot and since last night." Lucy said, drinking more of the coffee, "This is the first time since I can remember that anything like this has happened. None of them have had more then a broken leg or a sprained ankle. How am I going to explain to my mother that Lisa and Lowden may never walk again or that Lonnie might never leave here?" Lucy said, sniffling, as tears slipped down her face.
John sat down next to her; "We are doing everything possible to stop that from happening. Lonnie will go back to school, Lisa will go back to helping Lorianne learn to walk, and Lowden will go back to chasing his sisters around the house."
Lucy just tiredly laid her head on John's shoulder, "I still haven't called my father."
"Come on." John stood up and took Lucy's hand, "I'll help you."
Lucy followed John the few steps to the phone, hesitated, but picked up the handset from the cradle. She cautiously dialed the number and looked at John as she held it to her ear.
John waited a minute before asking, "Did he pick up yet?"
Lucy sighed, "Just the answering machine. It picks up after two rings." She waited for the beep, Then began, "Dad, It's Lucy Avea. I'm at the hospital, and Mom would've wanted me to…Daddy!"
"What is it?" John asked impatiently.
She covered the mouthpiece and looked at John, "He picked up."
John nodded, and watched as she uncovered the phone.
"Daddy, could you listen to a friend of mine for a minute?" She paused, and then handed the phone to John.
He took it, took a deep breath, and then began, "Mr. Knight, I'm sorry to wake you. This is Dr. Carter." Lucy heard muffled speaking and a smile spread across John's face, "Yes, I'm the doctor Lucy's been training under in the ER. Mr. Knight," More muffled speaking, "Okay, Dean. There's been an accident involving your wife and children." John paused to listen to Dean, "I will tell Lucy, but it would be best if you came. Your wife did ask one of our doctors to call you." He paused again, "Lyndsaie was driving and was the only one wearing a seatbelt. They were hit head-on and three of the children – Lisa, Lenore, and Lorianne – were thrown through the windshield, because they were in the passenger seat. Lowden and Linda were in the back seats, and when the van was thrown backward by the impact, it hit a telephone pole. Lowden and Lisa have shown signs of spinal cord damage. Lorianne and Lenore are unresponsive right now. Lois, Lowden, and Lyndsaie are the only two that are talking and reacting as of now." John looked at Lucy. She was crying softly, so her father wouldn't hear, but John knew she was about to go hysterical, "Dean, I have to go." He paused again, "Thank You." John hung up.
He turned to Lucy, who was now bawling her eyes out. He wrapped her in his arms and hoped he could bring her some comfort, "It's okay, Lucy. It's okay."
Thursday Morning – 7:33 am
Lucy wandered over to the ER desk, coffee cup in hand.
"You really should get some sleep, Lucy. You have been up since early yesterday." Doug said, watching her sip the coffee again.
"Actually, I just woke up. I was sleeping in the lounge."
"Did you call your father yet?" He asked, seriously.
"Yeah. Carter talked to him. He's gonna jump the next flight to Chicago from Palm Beach."
"Have you gone to see any of them yet?"
"No. I have no clue who to see first or how to tell my mom about Lori or Denny or Lonnie or Lis." Lucy sipped her coffee again.
"Why don't you just go talk to Lyndsaie? She, Lowden, and Lois are sharing a room, so you can see the three of them at the same time. Besides, aren't you just a little curious why Lyndsaie was driving?"
Lucy smiled and frowned at the same time, "I have an idea why. I'll be back in a little while."
Thursday morning – 7:41 am
Lucy knocked on the door, "Good Morning."
Lyndsaie, Lowden, and Lois looked away from what they were doing, "It's about time!" They said in unison.
"You three were always good at that."
Lyndsaie smiled, "Dr. Ross said he'd be directing you this way." Lyndsaie pushed herself up further.
Lucy sat down on Lowden's bed, " That's a nice picture, Denny. Who's the angel for?"
"Lisa and Lori and Lonnie." He said, writing the three girl's names at the bottom of the paper in pink.
"You know what? I think that was a good idea. I bet they'll love it when they wake up."
Lowden smiled, "I think so too."
Lucy looked at her sixteen-year old sister, "So are you going to tell me why you were driving?"
Lyndie smiled, and leaned over the bed to her bag of clothes on the floor. She pulled out her mangled, bloodied jeans, and then put her hand in to her back jeans pocket, "I spent sixty dollars on these jeans two days ago – I wonder if I could weasel that money out of Mom." She pulled her hand back out from the pocket, her thin wallet in her hand. She opened it, and pulled out a laminated card, "I got my learner's just after thanksgiving vacation. John took my picture eight times before he decided he liked this one best."
Lucy took the card, and looked at the picture. Lyndsaie's golden-brown hair was still in the little braids she'd gotten in Cancun, her usually hazel-blue eyes were crystal blue, and her skin was a rich tan, "I remember getting my learner's. John's father, Joel, took my picture. I was lucky though – Joel only took mine five times." Lucy handed it back to her.
Lyndie looked at her sister, "So, has anyone asked about the short stuff's somewhat unusual name?" she asked, as Lowden stuck his tongue out at her. She looked at Lois, who snickered.
"I just told them it was a parent thing, and no asked."
Lyndie snickered, "What about the unusual spelling of my name?"
"I came up with it, so they were teasing me for a day about how strange I must've been at seven. They did enjoy the different spellings of our middle names. Especially mine and Lois'."
Lois smiled, "Everyone likes my middle name."
"So, are any of you hungry?" Lucy asked, as John came in. Putting his finger to his lips, He snuck up behind the eldest Knight child.
"Boo."
Lucy jumped and let out a scream, "Carter! Why are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"I figured it'd be fun."
Lyndsaie looked at the two adults, "So this is John Carter."
"Lyndsaie…" Lucy warned.
"I'm not saying a word." The teen yawned.
Lucy looked at John and then back at the children, "Well, since you guys are so obviously tired, we'll leave." Lucy grabbed John's hand and pulled him out of the room.
"G'night, Luce."
"Night, Lyndie."
Thursday – 8:02 am
"So how's the family?" Doug asked, as Lucy sat down at the desk to write something on a piece of paper.
Lucy looked at the doctor, "Lyndsaie, Lois, and Lowden are pretty much okay. I talked to my mother after my siblings and she's okay." Lucy frowned, "I haven't worked up the courage to see my sisters."
"Take your time with the other three, Lucy. They aren't exactly going to look like normal."
"I know." Lucy sighed. She looked at the clock – it was 8:05 and she still had to go see them. She looked at her shoes as she remembered how the entire house was up and ready for work or school by eight o' five. Lyndsaie would check her e-mail, while the younger ones would eat breakfast and Lucy would still be getting dressed – except when she was here in Chicago, which meant that at eight o' five, Lyndsaie would call long distance to check on the med student. Lucy smiled at the thought of the last phone call she'd gotten from her sister.
"Lucy. Earth to Lucy." A familiar voice snapped Lucy out of her thoughts – Lyndsaie.
"Lyndsaie! What are you doing down here?" Lucy panicked.
Lyndie laughed at her sister, "Checking on my zoned-out sister. You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. However, if Carter catches you and I talking here, we'll both be dead meat. Come on." Lucy got up to take her sister back to her room, but Lyndsaie wouldn't move. "Come on, Lyndie."
Lyndie shook her head, "I want to see our sisters, Lucy. I want to see Lorianne, Lenore, and Lisa. I don't care what they look like right now and I don't care of they won't know we're there. I just want to see them."
Lucy looked at her sixteen-year old sister, "Are you sure?"
Lyndie nodded her head, "Yes."
Lucy nodded her head, and the two walked over to the elevator.
Thursday – 8:12 am
Lyndsaie pushed open the door to the hospital room. Lowden's angel picture had been taped to the door, so Lucy and Lyndsaie knew they were at the right room – unfortunately.
Lucy cringed at the sight before her. Two cribs and a bed were lined up neatly in the room, wired and tubes flowing from the sides to the machines. Lisa was barely recognizable underneath all the bandages, as was Lenore. Lorianne was the only one whose face wasn't wrapped up, but her usually chubby body appeared thin to the two people and her currently emerald-green eyes, though sightless, seemed to pierce their souls.
Lyndsaie put her finger in the baby's hand and smiled at the infant. Lori smirked and closed her eyes – she knew who was there now.
Lucy smiled at her sisters, and walked over to Lisa. The eleven-year old seemed to disappear beneath the medical equipment. The older Knight looked at her sister, afraid to move any of the equipment that was Lisa's lifeline right now. Lucy looked lovingly at her sister, sighed, and walked over to Lonnie.
Lonnie was either sleeping or in a drug induced coma – Lucy didn't know. But that didn't matter as she looked at the child. Lonnie had always been bubbling over with energy and love. Now she seemed the frailest of the people in the room, which brought tears to the older child's eyes. "Lonnie." Lucy said, as she leaned as close to the seven-year old's ear, "I'm here, Lon. I'm here and I'm not going to leave you."
Dani Charlie
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Correction
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