Chapter 6

The next day Porthos spent the day at the hospital, but before that Robert and David arrived to see Athos. They didn't stay very long saying they didn't want to get in the way.

While she felt guilty about it, Sylvie couldn't help feeling a bit relieved when they had left. Robert's method of coping was to ask a lot of questions and Sylvie neither had the energy, nor the desire to relive the previous evening. Not to mention the fact Athos seemed more agitated with their presence.

She had spoken with her mother earlier on the phone having to endure questions from her. She couldn't do it anymore. Except she suspected she was going to have to answer questions to some police eventually.

A light knock on the doorway alerted Sylvie to a new arrival. Looking over her shoulder she first saw Porthos and then Elodie.

"I'm on shift today," Elodie said approaching Sylvie first giving her a hug.

"What's this?" Sylvie asked pointing at the bag in Elodie's hand.

"Constance gave this to us to bring to you," Elodie said.

Sylvie accepted the bag looking inside and breathing a sigh of relief.

"If you like, I'll be here," Porthos said. "And you can change."

Sylvie looked at Athos' sleeping form. She watched for a few moments as Elodie checked his vitals. "Alright, I'll just be a few minutes." She turned and went to find the ladies' room.

TM

When Sylvie returned to the ICU Elodie was gone. Porthos was quietly talking to Athos, although she wasn't sure he was awake. She put the bag that now held her dress and shoes on the counter with the rest of her things. Porthos' jacket was draped over one the chairs in the room.

"Thanks for the use of your jacket last night," she said handing it to Porthos.

"No trouble if you still need it," Porthos said. "It can get pretty nippy in here."

"That's alright, Constance provided well for me," she said tugging at the sweater she wore. "How's he doing?"

"In and out," Porthos said. "Doesn't say much." Porthos looked at her. "How're you doing?"

Sylvie shrugged. "If I have to relive that night one more time." She clenched her jaw.

"Come 'ere." Porthos held out one arm.

Sylvie looked at it for a second briefly confused before she realized what he was offering. She shook her head, she was exhausted. Moving closer to his side, Sylvie leaned in resting her head on Porthos' shoulder. It was a warm and comforting place to be.

"Sylvie," Athos' worn voice drew her attention. She stepped away from Porthos to get closer to the side of the bed. "Love, how're you feeling?"

"Tired," he said. "Sweetheart, go home."

"Athos, I'm not leaving your side," Sylvie said. She could think of doing nothing else.

"The children," Athos said.

Sylvie frowned. That was playing dirty. She did miss their children. She was so torn. She also had work to figure out for the week. What was she supposed to do being pulled in so many directions?

"Porthos," Athos' voice slurred by his friend understood him. "Take her home."

"Can I make a suggestion?" Porthos asked.

Sylvie looked at him hopeful and grateful. She nodded.

"Sylvie goes home when Elodie's shift ends at four and goes with her to pick up the kids at daycare and comes to our house with the kids for the night. Aramis will be here tonight and Sylvie can come back in the morning." Porthos looked between Sylvie and Athos.

"Alright," Sylvie said. "Athos?"

"Alright," Athos said.

Soon Athos had fallen back asleep. Sylvie sat back down next to Porthos. "Thank you."

Porthos shrugged while Sylvie rested her head back on his shoulder.

TM

It was a good thing Porthos and Elodie had a good sized SUV with the du Vallon's two children, Marie and Jasmine and the de La Fere children, Olivia and Raoul.

Porthos cooked dinner that evening and everyone decided to call it a night fairly early. Olivia however was a tough sell on going to bed early. She asked about her papa several times. And Sylvie didn't know what to say.

"Uncle Porthos." Sylvie looked over her shoulder when her daughter spoke.

"Liv, you given your maman a hard time?" Porthos asked.

"Uh-uh." She shook her head.

"Olivia," he said.

Olivia pouted.

"Time for bed, now," Porthos said.

Finally they got Olivia settled. Sylvie checked Raoul one more time before following Porthos out of the room. "You are a life saver."

Porthos dipped his head embarrassed.

"I see my husband has worked his magic again." Elodie smiled meeting them in the middle of the hall wrapping her arm around Porthos' waist.

"Thank you, both of you," Sylvie said.

Elodie let go of Porthos and walked over to Sylvie pulling her friend into a hug. They parted and said their goodnights.

Sylvie prepared for bed putting on some borrowed pajamas from Elodie. She put her phone on the charger placing it on the nightstand and climbed into bed falling asleep moments after her head hit the pillow.

Later-she didn't know when-something woke Sylvie. It took some time to clear her head when she realized her phone was ringing. Sylvie, finally awake grabbed her phone looking at the caller ID. Her stomach felt like it dropped.

Aramis' name read on the screen. She answered finally. "What's wrong?"

"Sylvie, you should get back to the hospital."

TBC