"Well I must be going. Oh! It's movie night at my house again tomorrow night, and I was wondering if you would like to come..." she turned around from the counter after grabbing her purse. Her eyes pleaded for him to say yes.
"Of course, cherie," he replied. "Would you like me to bring anything?"
She thought for a moment. "No, just your handsome self!"
She laughed and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "See ya tomorrow!"
O O O O O O O O O O O
The next day, however, Christine did not arrive to work on time. Erik grew worried; it wasn't like her to not call if she was even running late.
After an hour of sitting anxiously, Erik decided to stop by her home. Lightning flashed across the sky as he drove, and the wind was picking up. He knew a storm was approaching.
Christine's car pulled into her driveway just as he arrived.
"Christine!" he called, climbing out of his black mercedes.
She turned around and he could see her eyes were red and puffy; she had been crying.
"Christine," he ran towards her. "What's wrong, cherie?"
She collapsed upon him, her body wracking with sobs.
"Meg and her boyfriend were in an accident last night," she managed to get out.
"Oh my God, are they alright?" He began leading her inside.
She shook her head. "Meg has some broken bones and a concussion."
They sat down in the living room, Christine curling up in his lap.
"And her boyfriend?"
She let out another sob into his neck. "He's in a coma. They don't know if he'll ever wake up!"
"That's terrible," he whispered. Christine nodded.
He began to sing a french lullaby in an effort to calm her down. She was soon asleep and Erik carried her upstairs to her bedroom.
He laid her down on her comfy queen size bed. She looked so peaceful lying there, despite all that was happening around her.
Erik was about to walk downstairs when a small voice called his name. He looked back at Christine, who was reaching out to him, wide awake.
Lightning flashed as he approached the bed and the soft pitter-patter of rain hit the roof.
"Yes, cherie?" he asked, kissing her temple.
Christine's eyes shimmered in the darkness. "Stay with me?" she asked breathlessly.
He looked at her for a moment before deciding she needed someone to comfort her. He nodded and took off his shoes before crawling next to her.
Erik gathered her in his arms and she sighed as she snuggled closer. He was almost asleep when he heard it.
"Thank you, my love."
O O O O O O O O O O O
Christine and Erik had emerged several hours later well-rested. Christine had wanted to go back to the hospital to stay with Meg, but Erik insisted she eat something first. Christine agreed and wasted no time whipping up some sandwiches. As they sat down to eat, Christine realized it had been almost twenty-four hours since she had last had nourishment. She smiled gratefully at Erik; he was a good care-taker.
They arrived at the hospital around seven pm. Christine led the way, never letting go of Erik's hand. They reached the room and tears sprung to Christine's eyes as they walked in.
Meg didn't even look to be alive. Her head and legs were bandaged and there were various bruises and cuts scattered along her face. Her normally neat blonde hair was dirty and sprawled everywhere. Her eyes were closed; she appeared to be asleep.
Christine let out a small sob as she sat down in the chair closest to the bed.
Meg opened her eyes. "Christine?"
Christine met them. "Oh, Meg! How are you?"
Meg let out a cough. "I'm ok. They took me off morphine around lunch. My legs itch, and these stupid nurses won't give me anything to eat but ice chips! I mean, come on! Ice chips? How the hell am I supposed to get anything in my stomach when they're feeding me ice chips?"
She laughed weakly at her joke before coughing again. "Is that Erik?"
Erik approached the bed as Christine nodded. "Hello, Ms. Giry. I am glad to hear you are doing better."
"Have they told you when they think you will be able to leave?" Christine asked.
"No, as if they'd want me to be without my ice chips," she replied.
Christine laughed quietly. Meg's face took on a look of utter sadness as tears threatened to spill down her cheek.
"Christine? Have they told you anything about Patrick? Is he alright? They won't tell me anything. God, I don't even know if he's alive."
Christine looked up sadly at Erik, both contemplated telling Meg. Erik shook his head; there must have been some reason they hadn't already told her. Perhaps upsetting her with news would do her more harm than good.
Christine shook her head. "All I know is that he's alive, Meg. They won't tell me anything else."
Meg nodded briefly, her face still crestfallen. Christine felt horrible for lying to her best friend. If only she could tell her the truth.
"Well, at least he's alive. There's still hope then. Oh God, Christine. I don't know what I would do if he died. I love him," she said, a tear rolling down her bruised cheek.
Christine's eyes welled up with tears. "I know, Meg," she said.
Erik's heart was breaking at the scene before him. He had been in that position before.
"Meg," he said, putting a hand on Christine's shoulder. "We'll try and find out what's going on with Patrick. If we find anything, we'll tell you as soon as possible."
Meg bit her lip. "Thank you, both of you. You guys are amazing."
Christine kissed her cheek. "We'll leave you to get some rest. I'll come visit you in the morning, ok?"
Meg nodded. "See ya."
Christine smiled and they said their goodbyes before walking out and closing the door behind them. Erik pulled Christine into his arms briefly before noticing a nurse.
"Excuse me, could you tell me about the condition of a patient?"
The red-haired nurse shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sir, but our records are private. Unless you are a family member, I can't give you that information."
Christine turned and the nurse saw her tears.
"Please, he's like family to me. He's the boyfriend of my best friend, the woman in that room."
"Meg Giry?" she asked.
Christine nodded.
The nurse sighed. She had a soft spot for friendships like this. "Well, Meg's is a difficult situation. Alright, please follow me. And if anyone asks, you are his sister!"
Christine smiled her thanks and grabbed Erik's hand as they followed her over to the nurse's station. She typed on the computer for a few minutes.
"Patrick Davis, right?" she asked quietly. "He's now listed in stable condition. He woke up from a coma this morning. He has some broken bones, but he is doing well," she said with a smile.
Christine could have hugged her. "Thank you so much! That is such great news! May we see him?"
The nurse looked up. "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are almost over. And I believe he is moving into a new room."
Christine nodded. "Alright, well thank you so much, Miss-"
"Carlotta," she replied cooly.
"Carlotta," Christine said with a smile. "I definitely owe you."
She turned and found Erik smiling as well. He winked at her and the walked towards the elevator. It was time to go home.
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