Majority vote wins. :)
When they landed, Mackenzie was still slightly out of it. Will knew that she was going to be staying in a hotel, so he had arranged to have a separate room at the same hotel.
Their relationship was in a good place - the best of friends, but not really ready to cross that line into a relationship. They had the talk a million times, but still always coming to the conclusion that Will wasn't ready to forgive. So they stayed where they were - somewhere on the line of friends but wanting more. Will and Mackenzie knew each other better than they knew anyone else. Which is why it was still a shock to everyone that they hadn't gotten together. But they were comfortable.
Mackenzie had spent the majority of her day in the hospital. Trying to recover from the jet lag, time difference and the sleeping pill was more difficult that she anticipated. She kept her body fueled with cheap coffee and a candy bar from the vending machine. It wasn't until visiting hours were over and they were forced to leave that she finally checked her phone.
Text message from Will: Let me know when you are ready to come back, I will send a car to pick you up.
She waited outside until the black town car pulled up. Part of her hoped that Will would be inside the car. She needed someone to understand her. To explain the words to her in a more relatable tone and not as medical jargon spewed from a textbook.
Being in close quarters with her parents and her brother was trying and it forced her to deal with constant frustration and annoyance. She couldn't understand why, right now, today, things were much more difficult to deal with.
The thing about sleeping pills is that they worked too well on Mackenzie. Exhaustion hit her in waves, the new stress was a riptide, emotions drained out of her like a storm tearing through the center of the ocean. Her eyes burned when she closed them, they burned even more to keep them opened. She needed more sleep. But the grumbled and pain in her stomach demanded otherwise.
When she climbed into the car, disappointed that she was alone, she glanced at her watch. It was close to 9 pm, meaning it was really 3 am in New York. She hadn't eaten more than the candy bar in over 36 hours. Which also meant she hadn't slept in even more hours than that.
Now that she confirmed her father was breathing and had a beating heart, her own body began to shut down. She felt like she had been drinking; she moved slower, vision blurred, and all her muscles screamed in protest to any small movement she carried out.
She instinctively dialed the only number that she knew by heart, hoping he wasn't already sleeping.
"Hey," his voice was quiet, content, but it filled her ears with joy. "You almost back?"
"Yup."
"You sound tired."
"I just want to eat and sleep. I can't remember the last time I was awake for this long or had gone this long without food."
"The emotional stress isn't helping." Will stated. He knew that she was a strong woman, the strongest that he's ever known. But he could tell by her tone that she was close to giving up.
"Yeah." Mackenzie was trying her best to stay awake until she had something to eat. But the car ride was slowly rocking her into a slumber. "Will?"
"Yeah, Mac?"
"Where can I get a cheeseburger and fries?"
Will laughed. "Why don't you come up to my room when you get here? I'll order something or get Lonney to go pick stuff up for us."
"I have to check into my room,"
"This might be pushing the friendship, but why don't you stay in my room? I got the suite, you can eat and sleep. I'll go to your room once you've eaten and have fallen asleep."
"You have the fluffy pillows?"
"Yes Mac, I've got the fluffy pillows." He smiled.
"Okay." She yawned. "I'm just down the street. What room?"
"613. See you soon." Will hangs up before she can change her mind. Explains to Lonney that they need food and sends him on his way.
By the time Mackenzie had gotten to the 6th floor with her suitcase in tow, she had zero energy left. In fact, she was surprised to find any energy at all. She knocked lightly on his door and waited.
"Hey you,"
"Hi." She whispered. And that's when it all fell apart. Any last ounce of strength she had was pulled right from her. Her emotions cut loose, opening the dam of waterworks she kept at bay all day. Will quickly pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her small frame. Her head nestled into his shoulder and neck,resting heavily on his chest. Her tears fell slowly at first. They both assumed it was due to exhaustion.
"C'mon inside." He ushered her in, taking her bag from her. Once inside the dimly lit hotel room, she opened her bag and rummaged through it. She started to frantically search, digging as deep as the clothes would allow. She stopped and closed her eyes, standing up straight to fill her lungs completely.
"I hate to ask..." She started to say. Eyes closed still.
"What do you need?" He came up behind her with his hand finding the small of her back.
"I forgot pajamas." Her voice wavered holding back more tears.
"It's okay." Will said. "You can borrow something of mine. I have a couple extra shirts and my hoodie."
Mackenzie only nodded. He pulled the items from his bag and handed them to her.
He didn't like this version of Mackenzie. There was absolutely no fight in her at all. He had only seen her like this a couple of times and it was never good.
Lonney knocked on the door with the food while Mackenzie was in the bathroom. When she came out, she could smell the food.
"Sorry but McDonalds was the only thing open." He hoped it was okay.
"Smells good." She sat on the corner of the bed, wearing his boxers, shirt and hoodie.
They ate in silence and they ate quickly. Will turned on the news on the TV. He was propped up against the headboard while he ate and watched the reports. When Mackenzie finished eating she crawled up and slid under the covers. She then laid her head in his lap. This movement shocked him. He wasn't sure what to do. He was certain Mackenzie wasn't in her right mind now an so all her actions must be excused. But as confused as Will was, he also was ecstatic. His hand instinctively moved to her head, sliding his fingers into her hair to gently massage her scalp. One of her hands found its way to his free hand and interlocked their fingers together.
"Stay here." She whispered.
"Whatever you need," he smiled down. "I'm here for you Kenzie."