Chapter two

I have never broken so many road rules at once before but I knew that a fever this high was dangerous. Robin called doctor Whale on the ride over and he was waiting at the front door when we pulled up. Robin carried Grace inside and I followed him. Everyone cleared out of our way as the three of us ran to one of the small rooms. Robin set her down on the bed and Whale took over. Two nurses came in to assist him. I planted myself next to Grace and refused to budge. Finally they stopped arguing with me and allowed me to stay but Robin was sent out of the room. I clung to Grace's hand. Someone brought me a chair and I sat and watched them running around. Time meant nothing to me, while I held Grace's hand. The only thought that crossed my mind was the constant pleading for her to be safe.

After what felt like forever Whale came to me and said "Her fever has fallen but it still hasn't broken. She had several bight marks on her legs, which I think are what's causing this fever." I just nodded.

"They may have been infected but we cleaned them up so that shouldn't be a problem now." I didn't think about what he was saying. I couldn't.

"Is she going to be okay?" I had to know, it was all I wanted to know. Whale shook his head.

"I don't know Regina. She's in pretty bad shape."

"Can Robin come back in now?"

"Yes but I was going to ask if we could contact her parents? They really should be the ones here with her." Rage washed over me.

"She doesn't have any parents!" Whale looked concerned at my change in attitude. "Oh." "Robin is probably as close to family as you are going to get. She lived with him for several years and helped him raise Roland." Whale just nodded and waved for Robin to enter. The moment he did he rushed to Grace, slipping his hand into her's.

"Is she alright?" I looked to Whale.

"We won't know for a while. We brought her fever down but I really want to see it break. She needs to rest for now and I will be back to check on her later." I nodded looking at the sleeping Grace. I just wanted Whale to leave us alone. He did finally after rambling on about some medical nonsense.

Robin said "Regina are you alright?" I looked up.

"I heard you get angry with Whale just before I came in." He gave me a questioning look. I nodded.

"I'm fine." I didn't want him to know I was falling apart on the inside with worry.

"What got you upset?" He was so gentle with his question.

"Whale wanted her parents to be here with her and not us." A feeling of hurt ran through me. I could care about people.

"Why was that a problem? Didn't you tell him that she doesn't have any family?"

"Yes I did. It was just the way he said it, like I wasn't allowed to care about her." Robin sighed.

"Your past just can't leave you alone can it?" I shook my head. I felt his hand touch my cheek, and I looked at him.

"We are going to stay right here until we know that Grace is going to be okay. She needs someone to take care of her for once." I couldn't help but smile. He always knew how to make me feel better. A nurse brought Robin a chair and he sat on the other side of Grace. The hours ticked by one after another. Whale came back around seven in the morning to check on her, but her fever still hadn't broken. He looked worried but didn't say anything. Around eight Robin said "Regina I need to go get Roland and tell him what's going on and see if Will can watch him for us."

"Oh no, I totally forgot about Roland! Poor thing, he's probably worried about us." Robin smiled. He loved how attached I was to Roland.

"I think he will be fine. He might still be sleeping."

"I hope he is. I don't want to worry him." Robin leaned down and kissed Grace's forehead and whispered "Wake up soon beautiful." Then he walked to me and scooped me up in his arms. I held on tight and buried my face into his shirt. He loosened his grip and kissed me. I kissed him back.

"I'll be back soon." I watched him walk across the room to the glass door. "I love you." He whispered those last words just before disappearing out of my sight. I sunk back in my chair and stroked Grace's cheek. I ran my fingers over her scar and images of that day flashed in my head. I could almost feel her little hand in mine when I took her to my tree. I slipped my hand back into the grown Grace's hand.

"I wish you would wake up dear. I miss you." It was all I could think to say right now. A tear slipped down my face, and I brushed it away quickly. Why was I so attached to Grace. I had only met her once. Robin should be the one who was worrying about her more than me. He lived with her for some time and she helped him raise Roland. I didn't know the answer to my own question. Maybe it was because no one believed I could be good. I know they didn't treat me as badly anymore now that I had worked so hard to change, but you could still see the resentment lying under the surface of most conversations. Maybe I wanted to prove to them that I could love and be good. Or maybe I felt attached to her because of how she made me feel that day in my garden, when she hugged me? Whatever it was, there was a reason. I felt her cheek, it was still so warm. I wished I could help her, but I couldn't do anything. I was completely powerless and I hated that feeling!

Robin walked through the glass door with Roland following behind him. "That was quick." I smiled. Roland ran to me and I pulled him up into my lap.

"How is Grace," he asked while hugging me?

"She is hanging in the sweetheart." He looked up at me with those big brown eyes that were now full of worry. He was searching my face, looking for the truth. He turned to Grace and climbed from my chair to the bed.

"Roland I don't think-" but before I could finish my sentence he had curled up next to Grace and snuggled close to her. I looked to Robin, but he just shrugged.

"Maybe he will help her feel safe," he offered. I nodded and watch the little boy caress Grace's arm. I looked to Robin.

"I thought you were taking Roland to Will." He smiled.

"Roland wanted to come see Grace first. He insisted on seeing her. Will is coming to get him in a bit." I smiled at the little boy. He was so sincere and caring, just like his father.

Robin walked to my side of the bed and placed his hands on my shoulders. I closed my eyes as he rubbed my stiff muscles. Then he knelt next to me and whispered "Regina why don't you go home and get some rest? I will stay with Grace. She will be fine." I shook my head. "I'm not leaving her. I can't Robin." He looked at me intensely, trying to read my thoughts. He didn't protest like I thought he would. He simply asked "Will you rest here?" He pointed to the bed Grace was sleeping on. I shook my head.

"I can't sleep Robin, not until I know she is okay." He sighed and I turned my attention back to Grace. I gasped when I felt my body being lifted from the chair I had been sitting in for hours. I looked at Robin who was now holding me in his arms and smirking. "If you won't rest at home or on the bed then I will just have to force you to rest here." He sat in my chair and pulled me close. I didn't fight him. Instead I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes. I was desperately fighting sleep, but sleep was winning. If Will hadn't opened the door a little too hard I would have lost the fight.

My eyes flashed open and Robin let out another sigh. Will gave us a sheepish look. "Sorry, I'm still not use to everything here." Robin nodded.

"I see that." He glanced down at me with a frustrated look. I gave him a small smile.

"Are you ready to go buddy?" Will bounced on his toes while he waited for Roland. It was clear he was embarrassed. Roland climbed out of Grace's arms and slid down the bed. He headed towards Will but turned around and ran to Robin and me, jumping into our laps and hugged us both.

"Take care of Grace while I'm gone." His voice sounded desperate which surprised me. Until I remembered that Grace was his mother, or at least his big sister, for a long time, a time when he really needed her.

"We promise buddy," Robin whispered. I kissed his cheek just before he slid off our laps, and rejoined Will. They left the bleak room hand in hand. And this time Will was more cautious with the door. I rested my head back against Robin's chest but I didn't find sleep.