I posted this on tumblr a few days ago, but I wanted tp upload it here as well. I'm thinking about creating a series of episode fillers, just short pieces like this that fill in some of the blanks in the episodes. Thoughts? Let me know in the reviews.
"Her prognosis is excellent."
Henry can't process anything after that. His arm is already around Elizabeth, whatever semblance of composure he had crumbling quickly. He no longer cares that they are fighting or in a public space. All that matters is the Stevie is safe.
Elizabeth's arms wrap around him, and for the first time since he got the call, he feels almost okay. Tears of relief spill into her blouse. He squeezes her, the mother of his beloved daughter, tighter and sends a silent thank you to heaven.
"She's waking up now," a voice says. "Whenever you're ready to see her, she's in the first door down on the right."
"Thank you," he hears Elizabeth respond.
"Are you ready to go in?" she asks. Henry keeps his head buried in her neck, but he takes a deep breath and makes a genuine effort to regulate his tears.
"No, but I also can't wait." They walk hand in hand down the hall, and finally, after hours of uncertainty, they lay eyes on their precious babygirl. Elizabeth is right: Stevie is gorgeous.
While his wife goes to the cabinet to find extra pillows, Henry sits on the edge of the bed with an arm around their daughter. They're fussing over her, much like they did over a decade ago when she had to get her tonsils removed after a bad case of strep throat.
It's a happy reunion until Stevie asks, "How is June?"
"I'm so sorry Stevie... she didn't make it."
"Oh." Her voice is quiet and breaking. Henry glaces at Elizabeth, and he sees a tortured expression on her face that unsoundly matches his own.
For a moment, it's quiet, and it seems like Stevie succeeds in keeping her tears in. It lasts all of five seconds, when the dam suddenly and violent breaks. Henry instinctively pulls her into a hug and wishes he could take all of her pain, physical and emotional, from her. Elizabeth does the same, but it still takes Stevie a good half hour to cry herself out.
When she's finished, her eyes are glazed over and red rimmed. She's curled up on her side, awkwardly crammed between her parents, but none of them care. Henry whispers softly to her, words of comfort and love.
Elizabeth's phone buzzes, and she answers it in a soft voice. "Hello? Okay. Thanks, Jay." She hangs up.
"You're leaving?" Stevie tried to sound neutral, but both parents could detect the panic that was underneath.
"Not if you don't want me to."
"You should go. It's important." It sounds as if she's trying to convince her mother as much as herself.
"Nothing is more important that you," and Henry knows that Elizabeth's words are true. From the day that she was born, Stevie was came above and before all else in their lives, including each other.
Stevie looks guilty and then bashful before she asks, "Can you stay until I fall asleep?"
"Of course, baby. I'll be right here."
They readjust so that Stevie is reclining comfortably between the two of them, supported by numerous pillows. With a tenderness only a mother could possess, Elizabeth strokes her hair in a soothing pattern that lulls Stevie to sleep within minutes. Years of practiced precision allows them to transfer her weight from her mother's shoulder to her father's without waking her.
"I have to go back in. I'll be back as soon as I can," Elizabeth promises and collects her things to head out the door.
"Babe, about today—" Henry is cut off by her lips covering his.
"Later. We'll figure things out. Stevie is okay, and that's what matters."
Don't forget to let me know what you think in the reviews!