Don't drink the water – expansion
Chapter 4
Half done, half to go. Mycroft somehow manage to stay alive for twenty-four hours now, to everyone else, it seemed like days, weeks and months. The doctors were surprised that he only had one heart attack so far, it was clear they expected more. To be fair, they expected him to be dead by now. In the morgue with a little white sheet over him. This was a welcome surprise to everyone. John and Sherlock tried to tell him that this was good, that the worse is over, but it is not. It would be over when he wakes up, no sooner, no later. When those pale eyelids with the dark auburn lashes flutter open, that's when Greg would dare to hope. One sister said the signs look good and Greg was tempted to ask what signs but didn't.
Because of London still in some lock down it was difficult for his parents to come back. Heathrow had cancelled all flights until further notice. The murderer may be caught, but the Secret Service was still on high alert and preparing for a possible retaliation or any other attack, since it was weak.
Just like before Greg was forced to eat by Anthea or John or whoever was in the room with him at the time. He didn't even try to put up a fuss as it would be on no use. Ever since Sherlock gave him the rings he hasn't talked to anyone, so to put up a fuss would require talking which he wasn't going to do. At all.
What must he say? Gee thanks for telling me Mycroft was going to propose and now instead of choosing a suit to get married in, I might have to choose a suit to bury him with? Oh wow, thanks the shiny golden rings are going to look so shiny against the pale bed sheets.
Instead he sat there, the rings around his pinkie finger, his other hand holding Mycroft's John came and went and was currently with Sherlock sitting outside, they would come in every hour or so for a few minutes before leaving again.
Anthea was silent, busy on her phone making arrangements, saving London and trying to find a way to get Mycroft's parents here sooner. So far no luck. Greg glanced at the rings before looking at Anthea again, he wondered what the plans were for Mycroft to propose, were they going to have dinner, a walk in the park, he was curious but if he wanted to know, he needed to talk.
He cleared his throat.
"Anthea?" His voice was raw from exhaustion, crying and the lack of use. She put her phone down and gave him her attention.
"Uh..mm... The rings...Sherlock said Mycroft had plans..."
"Yes. He has been planning it a few weeks now."
"What were they?" He stumbled out his eyes were so red and bloodshot.
"He made plans for the both of you; you would've left London last night after the convention, the destination Edinburgh. He planned for the both of you to spend today in the city, sightseeing and visiting some old pubs and museums until this afternoon where he was going to propose on top of the Carlton Hill this late afternoon, he was going for the romantic sunset look." Greg listened his mind providing him with images of them walking down the street, hand in hand, the rings in Mycroft's inner pocket, he could see them clearly standing on that hill, the town around them, the sunset in the distance, he could see the wind in Mycroft's hair, the unruly curl he hated but Greg loved. He could see the hesitation in his stormy blue eyes as he takes the rings out. It was so clear, so vivid so not happening right now as it should and he fell forward, his head on the bed, his shoulders shaking with his tears. Anthea closed her eyes, she could feel the pain radiating of Greg and it was breaking her heart. She looked at Mycroft, oblivious to the real world as he was fighting for his life in some world they couldn't go to. She willed him to wake up, to be strong to get through this, because it was clear to see that his life is not the only one hanging in balance. She stood up and made her way to the door, Greg needed some time alone. Stepping outside she looked into Sherlock's and John's eyes, they overheard her, and they felt with her the pain that was so strong in that room.
"How about coffee?" She asked. They nodded and followed her down the hallway to the nearest shop.
When Greg finally lifted his head, he was officially out of tears; he cradled Mycroft's hand kissing the knuckles.
"You planned this wonderful anniversary and I was upset, I thought you forgot, I was an idiot, you would never forget something like that, you know everything. I wanted a memorable anniversary; this is not what I had in mind. I never, not once thought it would be the day I might lose you. I can't lose you, you can't go, not today, not tomorrow, not for a long time, not when you planned this." He lifted his left hand where the two rings were. He looked at back at Mycroft's hand then to his face. He stood up and reaches over to his left hand. He took one ring from his finger and slipped it on Mycroft's hand, he has lost so much weight in these past few hours that the ring was a size to big. Still, it looked good; it looked like his hand was made for that ring. Regardless of the pale nearly translucent skin, or the brightness of the gold. It was perfect. Greg looked out the window, it was late afternoon. Instead of overlooking a Scotland Hill, he was looking at London, instead of a sunset with smiles and tears of joy, it was tears of grief. Time can really be cruel sometimes. Greg kissed Mycroft's hand and put it back down; sitting back he pulled the ring from his pinkie and slides it on his ring finger. He took Mycroft's right back in his, making sure that Mycroft's fingers are between his.
"Feel that love? That is your ring on my finger, now wake up so I can say yes."
Greg must have fallen asleep as it was already dark when he woke up, there was a smell of coffee in the air and he lifted his head. John was sitting on the chair opposite him, drinking a coffee. John eyed him and lifted at one of those mugs flask things.
"Thought you might like warm coffee instead of cold one, those travel mugs are amazing." Greg took the mug from John.
"Thanks." He opened the mug and took a sip. It was good. John look down to the ring on Mycroft's finger and on Greg's, he knew what Greg did, with some things you don't need to be a Holmes, he is however not going to say anything, most certainly not 'congrats'. He will wait 'till Mycroft wakes up and the danger has passed.
"Where are Sherlock and Anthea?" Greg asked, his coffee nearly finish, he was quite thirsty apparently.
"To pick up Mycroft's parents."
"I thought Heathrow were closed?"
"Anthea." John replied as if it that solved everything and by the smile on Greg's face, it did.
"Plus, I was thinking that maybe I can keep watch and you can go and have a quick shower before they get here?" John didn't mention that as an order but they both knew it will give Greg some time to get his composure right and some sense of control back. Greg sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." As Greg passed the bed he put his hand on John's shoulder.
"John." John smiled at him.
"I know, and you're welcome." Greg went to the bathroom to shower; he must at least try to look presentable. He wonders if they are going to say anything about the engagement. The shower was a very good idea, he almost felt like a new person when he got out there, he shaved as well, as he was really sporting some impressive hair on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror, the ring on his hand, he never thought he would get a chance to wear a ring on his finger again, but he definitely knows this ring would not part with his finger until the day he die.
Walking back to Mycroft's room he couldn't help but feeling more positive, whether it was the shower, the coffee or what, he was just more optimistic. Mycroft has been alive for thirty-five hours now and has thirteen to go. He beat odds at one hour, tip the scales at twelve, bedazzled the doctors at twenty-four and now with the last stretch he will allow the smallest inklings of hope to form, a small tea light candle under a paper cup against the storm.
John was exactly where he said he will be when Greg came back in the room, he looked at Greg.
"You look so much better."
"I feel better. Any change?"
He looked at Mycroft to see that there was no longer a tube in his throat, just the oxygen cannula.
"Yes, the doctor was here, Mycroft started to breath on his own so they removed the tube. Also his heartbeat has improved, it is stronger now, and he passed urine for the first time and about five minutes ago." Greg eyed the bag and where it was empty; there was a dark brown liquid.
"Why is it so dark?"
"His kidneys are struggling more to function, a little bleeding is to be expected, the fact that it is working is very good." Greg breathed in and out as he tried to keep from screaming, crying or anything. The tea light candle just became a small globe. John's phone rang.
"It's Sherlock, they are probably here, I'm going to meet them and tell them."
"Yeah yeah go." Greg waved him away, sitting down on his seat, cradling Mycroft's hand.
"Love? John says there's a small change, you keep fighting you hear, it is still our anniversary."
The twitch was small Mycroft's index finger twirled around Greg's ring finger. Greg eyed his hand, his breath caught in his throat. He stood up, to lean in Mycroft's space.
"Love?"
This time his eyes moved under the lids. It hasn't' moved since this started. Greg stared at him, biting his lip.
"Come on Love. Please." The lids slowly opened and closed again, he did it a few times before opening for real. Greg was crying he didn't know he still had tears left.
"My?" He softly asked and the blue eyes focused on his. He could feel his hand being squeezed.
"Oh, it is so good to see you." Greg choked out between tears. He wiped them away, smiling at Mycroft. Mycroft eyes frowned as his index finger felt something strange. He opened his mouth to say something but no sound came out. Greg looked down and lifted his hands, Mycroft's still in his. Mycroft's eyes widen as he saw the ring before his eyes filled with tears. Greg picked up his left hand.
"Anthea told me everything, Sherlock gave me this, and I didn't want to lose them so I put them where they belong. Happy anniversary Love." Mycroft tried squeezing but his energy was drained, he looked at Greg, as two tears slid down his eyes. Greg could see the emotions in them; he knew what Mycroft was thinking and kissed him. Greg wiped the tears with his thumb. He mouthed the words 'I love you'
"I love you too, now get some sleep, and get better. I will be here."
Mycroft head moved slightly as if to nod before his eyes close again. Greg sat back, smiling and for the first time since the whole incident he was crying for joy.
