Fisher Hospital..Alex's Room..
Nick opens the door and quietly moves over to his brothers's bed.
Alex opens his eyes .
He looks tired and his face drawn.
"That went well." Nick quips.
...
A small smile crosses Alex's lips . "She's feisty."
"It's no time for games mate. She's had to deal with a lot and the poor little bugger can't take much more." Nick says.
Alex looks guilty and replies. "Yeah I know but it's kind of hard to chase her at the moment."
"You need to get her to want to be here with you not make her feel like you have today." Nick observes.
...
"You'll get more flies with honey than vinegar."Alex offers.
" She's hardly a fly." Nick grins.
" She's turned into a Butterfly." Alex states in all seriousness.
Nick smiles .
" Can you ask the nurses for some paper and a pen please Nick? I've got an idea." Alex ventures.
...
With her baby fed and asleep Stevie had tearfully sat trying to figure out why Alex had called Claire's name.
Wrongly she'd convinced herself it was because Claire meant more to him than she did.
How could she possibly stay married to him when he didn't love her as she thought he had.
She couldn't imagine a life without him in it but for now she'd have to stay as he needed her .
At least until he recovered .
He was her friend first and foremost.
...
A knock at her door startles her.
Quickly grabbing a tissue she wipes her face before opening the door.
"Nick!" She exclaims not expecting him to be here.
The sympathetic look on his face brings the return of her tears .
Stepping into the room he hugs her and pushes the door shut.
...
She takes comfort for a couple of minutes then stepping back says." I'm sorry Nick I'm a bit teary today."
" Baby blues?" He asks.
" No the Alex Ryan's." She quips trying to make light of the situation.
...
"He's feeling the same." Nick says.
" I doubt it." She retorts.
" He's had time to think Stevie and he realises what he was trying to say came out wrong. So he sent me over and asked me to give you this."Nick explains as he holds out a folded piece of paper.
She looks at it but hesitates.
"He said he'd chase you if he could."
She glances at him her eyes glassy again .
Swiping at the tears on her cheek she takes the note.
...
Sitting on the chair she unwraps the paper and begins to read.
Im not sure if you'll understand what I'm trying to explain as I'm not sure I understand it myself.
I think I called Claire's name because I was surprised and thrilled to see her.
She didn't look like I remembered her all bloodied and broken.
I never spoke to her other than calling her name but I clearly remember her telling me to go back as it wasn't my time.
It was a weird kind of dream because I saw you being ushered out of the room and everyone rushing around me.
I was telling you to come back but you didn't seem to be able to hear me and then everything went black.
I think maybe it's all the drugs that they are giving me for the pain because I've had some really odd dreams lately.
Nick thinks it was some kind of outer body experience .
I think he's been out in the sun for too long.
Maybe if I let myself believe that kind of thing is real then maybe you were upset because I said Claire told me to come back and you think that was the only reason I did.
I already felt your love pulling me back because we're tied at the heart.
I can't do this without you Cowgirl.
You're the Mother of my child
and the air that gives me life.
My truest friend of all..
my heart , my soul, my life.
Alex x
...
Stevie's tears flow freely as she drops the letter still in her hand onto her lap.
"Oh my god Nick!" She exclaims.
A knock at the door urges Nick to open it.
Tess, Grace and Marcus are standing there.
...
By the look on their faces he can tell something is terribly wrong.
"Is Alex alright?" Nick questions as he steps back allowing them entry.
Stevie stands already looking distraught.
" Yeah he is Nick. Bryce sent me. Sit down. I've got some bad news. It's about your Mum." Marcus states.
...
