Thanks for the reviews. :)
Title: Burning the candle at both ends
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
An hour later Lou was surprised when Vanessa sought him out. She was smiling tearfully as she told him Lilette was starting to wake and that the CT scan was negative. Lou thanked her and she went back to where her daughter's room would be. Lou rested back against the hallway wall taking a moment to send off a prayer of thanks and to collect himself.
Lilette wasn't the only one exhausted. Between teaching, the play and the ongoing drama with his eldest son Lou was feeling frayed. Lou looked down the hall at Vanessa. He felt empathy for her despite what he thought of Lilette dealing with what she shouldn't have to. Being here Lou kept thinking of Gordy's car accident a few weeks ago. How lucky the boy had been. How lucky his family had been.
If the accident had happened on another road. If Gordy has been going faster. If the cars had hit at another angle...Lou shoved the what if's aside and focused on the positive. He hadn't been waiting here for Gordy that day and Hod wiling he never would be.
"Did the CTscan come back?"Tracey asked.
"Yes."Lou replied with a smile."Was negative and she's starting to wake up."
"Thank God."Tracey murmured.
"I'll tell Robbie and take him to visit."Lou offered."Tell the others but maybe have them wait till tomorrow to visit? Don't want to overwhelm Lilette."
Tracey nodded and stepped back into the waiting room. Lou got Robbie's attention and motioned him over. He saw Robbie brace himself emotionally and was grateful to have good news to tell. He tugged the quarterback a few steps away from the door and down the hall.
"Lilette's going to be alright."Lou said quietly."CT scan was negative. Her mother told me she's starting to wake up."
Robbie slumped back against the wall relief washing over his face. He covered his face briefly with his hands before clearing his throat.
"Can I see her?"Robbie asked.
"Yes."Lou replied placing an arm around the football star's shoulder's briefly."Let's find out what room she's in."
Lilette was groggy and still sort of out of it when Robbie finally got to see her. Between medical staff, Lilette's Mom and Simon it'd been a half hour since Mr. Mazzuchelli had told him Lilette was okay. As corny as it was all Robbie wanted was to have her look at him, to hear her voice. Finally Simon left and Robbie moved farther into the room. Her mother squeezed Lilette's hand and whispered something then walked out of the room.
"Hey."Robbie greeted with a smile as he sat down.
"Hi."Lilette replied quietly.
"You really okay?"Robbie inquired taking both her hands in his."You scared the hell out of me."
"Yes and sorry."Lilette said with a weak smile."Mom says whole cast is here...,didn't mean to worry everyone."
"You're one of the team."Robbie commented falling back to a football reference."We look out for each other."
Lilette smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Did the doctors say why you passed out?"Robbie asked worriedly.
"Exhaustion and the fact I missed dinner didn't help."Lilette explained with a sheepish smile then the smile disappeared. "Thought I was handling things okay."
"You are; you're amazing."Robbie stated as he reached up and brushed a stray hair away from her face. "You just reached your limit; that's all."
"I've picked up extra shifts next week."Lilette said quietly. "Have to find a way to sleep more and eat more."
Robbie hated seeing the stress etched on Lilette's face. He squeezed her right hand.
"I can stop by and we can work on homework on your breaks."Robbie offered.
"Thank you."Lilette replied softly. "I'd like that."
Robbie saw Lilette's eyes droop and then flutter open. He stood and let go of her hands.
"I should go and let you rest."Robbie said as he leaned in and kissed her.
"See you tomorrow?"Lilette asked.
"Count on it."Robbie replied with a smile as he left.