Manchester Re- United
Chapter 21
Daphne is with David in his hospital room. The doctor ran some tests on David to find out what was causing his headache, after running the tests; the doctor gave David something for the pain. Daphne has been trying to get a hold of Niles while waiting for the test results. She hasn't been able to reach him, she wonders if they are still at the opera and he has his phone off. She realizes she still needs to reach Frasier and Charlotte as well as Emily. Emily will probably be impossible to reach since she is with Jordan. Church is over by now but they probably went to lunch after church and will come to the hospital afterwards.
Daphne holds David's hand as he rests his eyes as it seems to keep his head from hurting so much. She is very worried and concerned for her son and can't wait to find out what's causing his headache.
Meanwhile...
Niles and Ashling have finished up their lunch and are each having a slice of cheesecake for dessert. They are talking, laughing and enjoying their cheesecake. Niles was very pleased with the restaurant Ashling chose, they definitely have the same taste in music and food. Ashling is certainly more like him than David or Emily and Niles couldn't be more pleased. He loves all his children and it was the happiest time in his life when his children were born, he loves being a dad, he was always worried that none of his kids would share his interests or be like him but here he is with his youngest daughter who is just like him. She looks just like her mother, which makes Niles even prouder because Daphne is the most beautiful woman in the world, and Ashling is going to grow up to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Ashling breaks Niles from his thoughts.
"Daddy, is there something wrong?" she asks, curious.
Niles looks down at his cheesecake and then back up at Ashling before answering.
He smiles.
"No, there's nothing wrong, sweetheart. I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life and how glad I am that you like the things I like. You look so much like your mother and I know you are going to grow up to be a beautiful woman just like her."
Ashling becomes shy and embarrassed as her face turns red. She puts down her fork as she looks down at her hands in her lap. She starts wringing her hands as she doesn't know what to say.
"Ashling, are you all right?"
She nods.
"Yes, I'm fine, daddy. You just embarrassed me, I don't know what to say to you after you told me how beautiful I am and how lucky you are that I'm your daughter."
Niles smiles as tears form in his eyes.
"Ashling, you have no reason to be embarrassed by what I said because it's all true. I thought you were beautiful the first moment I laid eyes on you after you were born. I was filled up with so much love for you, I thought I would explode. Don't you ever think that you aren't beautiful, special, smart, funny, talented and the most amazing person, because you are. Your mother and I love you so much and are so proud of you."
Ashling grins.
"Thank you, daddy."
Niles smiles and nods with tears in his eyes as he looks at his daughter.
They finish their dessert as Niles pays the bill. As they are leaving, Niles checks his cell phone and sees all the missed calls from Daphne. He realizes he forgot to turn the ringer back on after the opera. Niles is very concerned about why Daphne called so many times, so once they get outside the restaurant; Niles calls her.
Ashling gets in the car while Niles makes his call. Daphne finally picks up after the fifth ring.
"Niles, I'm so glad you called me. I've been trying to reach you for three hours!" Daphne cries.
"Daphne, I'm so sorry. I had the ringer off and forgot to turn it back on after the opera, so what's going on?" he asks, concerned.
"David and I were out on the patio at the hospital, talking and he suddenly got a very bad headache. The doctor is running some tests to find out what's causing the headache. I'm so worried about him, Niles." Daphne says as she starts to cry.
"Where is David now, sweetheart?" Niles asks as he tries to keep from crying.
"He's lying down in his room, resting. The doctor gave him something for his headache while we wait for the results."
"Ashling and I will be there as soon as we can, we are just now leaving the restaurant."
"Okay, Niles. I'll see you when you get here, and please hurry."
"We're on our way." Niles says as he hangs up.
He gets in the car and fills Ashling in on with what's going on with David as they head to the hospital.
Meanwhile...
Emily, Jordan and Jordan's family have just finished lunch and are headed to the hospital. Emily takes her cell phone out of her purse.
Jordan looks over at her.
"What's the matter, Emily?" he asks.
"I'm going to call my mom and let her know that I'm on my way. She's probably wondering what is taking me so long."
"Yeah, we did spend quite a long time at lunch because we were having such a good time together. "
"I always have a good time with you, Jordan but my family is very important to me; we are very close." Emily explains.
"Yes, I know because my family is the same way and I admire that you are being responsible enough to call your mom to let her know where you are."
Emily smiles and nods at Jordan as he kisses her cheek. She looks back down at her phone as she pulls up her mom's number and presses call.
The phone rings in her ear...over and over again until she hears a click and her mother's voice.
"Oh Emily, I'm so glad you called me. Your brother isn't doing to well and we need you here."
Emily becomes concerned.
"Oh my God, mum what's the matter with David?" she asks with an edge of worry and concern in her voice.
"I took him out on the patio of the hospital earlier so he could get some fresh air and his head started hurting him. I brought him back inside so the doctor could check him out to see what was wrong. He's currently running some tests while David rests. The doctor gave him something for the pain."
"Well, we're in the car and on our way to the hospital now. We will be there soon, mum."
"Okay, see you in a little while." Daphne says as she hangs up.
Emily takes the phone away from her ear and absentmindedly puts it back in her purse.
Jordan sees Emily's expression and becomes concerned.
"What's going on, Emily?" he asks as he puts his arm around her.
Emily looks up at Jordan with tears in her eyes.
"My brother isn't doing so well and I'm really worried about him. I can't wait to get to the hospital."
"I'm so sorry to hear that." Jordan replies as he puts his arm around her.
Emily lays her head against Jordan. Jordan fills his parents in to what's going on and then they continue the ride to the hospital in silence.
To be continued...