TITLE: DAYS Fairy Tale: Eric & Greta: Chapters 126-130
WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)
EMAIL: hferguso@niu.edu
WEBSITE: http://eric_greta.tripod.com (from when Jensen was on days)
Rating: If you can watch DAYS, you can read this. If there is a rating change, a link to the chap. will be provided.
Disclaimer: Days of Our Lives and all of their characters are property of Corday Productions and NBC.
My Rant: Okay, I'm finally putting this up on FanFiction.net. Mostly to free up my website space. This was started way back in Oct. of 1999, and I haven't decided if it's finished yet or not. Reviews are always welcome!
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Chapter 126
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Her mind was foggy, she was between asleep and awake, but she wasn't sure why. Something was waking her up, something pulling her from her dreams, from a place where she was happy, a place where this nightmare never happened. Her mind tried to reach out, tried to figure out what was trying to interrupt her dreams. It was a sound, a very soft, faint sound. Her head moved slightly, her ears trying to pick it up.
Greta slowly opened her eyes, to see the familiar view of the room around her. The machines making their constant humming, beeps, and clicks. But there was another sound, different, strange, yet very soft. She picked up her head and looked around, everything was the same, nothing was different, Eric was still laying in the bed, her hand in his, but then she saw it, and heard it.
She nearly jumped out of her chair, stood up quickly, and looked over him. His lips were moving, just a little, like he was trying to speak, but only a faint sound would come out. "Eric?" She said looking down at him, squeezing his hand harder. "Eric, can you hear me?" She moved closer to him, her other hand going to the side of his face, stroking it lightly. "Eric? Come on, wake up." She said softly, pleading with him.
His lips moved again, another soft sound coming from him, she moved her ear closer to him, trying to figure out what he was saying. But it was just to faint to hear. "That's it, come on Eric, wake up. Look at me." She asked him, "Just open your eyes and look at me. I'm right here." Greta felt like her heart was going to burst, and she had tears running down her face. She squeezed his hand again, and brought it to her chest, to her heart. "Come on, wake up. Please." She moved up, and sat on the edge of the bed, peering down at him, her other hand still on his face, moving the hair back. "Open your eyes, come on, you can do it, please, Eric, please." She was trying to coach him into it, she knew she couldn't stop now, she couldn't give up.
His lips parted again, and a crackling, raspy voice came out, soft, barely audible. "Gre...t..aaa..."
She barely heard it, but the tears flowed from her eyes, and a huge smile appeared on her face, "Yes, I'm right here Eric, I'm right here. Just open your eyes and look at me."
She could actually see him struggling, trying to do what she asked, it was like he was in a deep sleep, and couldn't get out of it. She cupped the side of his face with her hand, and lightly moved the tips of her fingers against his cheek. "Eric, come on, please, open your eyes, look at me. You can do it. Please." She was so happy and yet so nervous at the same time, she was actually shaking, she almost couldn't breathe.
Then she could see his eyelashes start to flutter, his eyes slowly opening, then shutting again, only to try and struggle open again. "Open your eyes, come on, please, let me see those beautiful eyes I love." She said, a smile on her face.
And then like a slow curtain being pulled up, his eye lids slowly opened, his eyes trying to focus, and then then were on her. His eyes were focused on her huge smile and tear streaked face. "Eric?" Her voice said, breaking slightly, as she almost threw herself at him, and at the last second, hugged him, very lightly, then she pulled away to look at him again.
"Gre..tt..aa" He said again, this time his voice a little louder, but still breaking and raspy.
She leaned in, and kissed him softly, "Shhhh," she said grabbing the small box beside the bed, and pushing the nurse calling button a few times. "Save your voice." She smiled at him, "Just stay awake." She squeezed his hand again, and ran her fingers through his hair.
A second later the nurse was walking through the door, "What's wrong??" She asked quickly, and then saw that he was awake. "I'll get the doctor." She said and left the room.
Greta never took her eyes off his. His eyes just looked at her, slightly confused. She shook her head at him, tears still running down her face, "You know you scared the hell out of me." She sniffed lightly, and ran her hand back down his face.
"Whh..aatt?" His voice cracked again, and she placed a finger over his lips.
"You were shot." She said softly, "Why the hell did you step in front of the bullet? What were you thinking?" She asked him, like he was insane, but also keeping her finger over his lips, not letting him answer. She shook her head at him, and then leaned down, and kissed him again. She could see him try and move, "Stay still, let the doctor look at you."
Just then, the nurse and the doctor came through the door. "So I hear, he's finally opened his eyes." He said as he walked over to the bed, Greta smiled at the doctor, he was the one she had met in the hallway outside of surgery. The one that had went back into surgery and told Eric that he was one lucky man to have a wife that loved him so much, and that he better not give up on life, because he had a heck of a good one to live for.
Greta stayed as the the doctor looked him over. "Gre..taaa." He said again, and she tried to shhh him again, "no." He said louder, and then a slight wince went over his face, but he continued. "Let.. meee... sppe..eak."
She knew she couldn't win, and besides, she wanted, needed to hear his voice. "Okay," She said lightly and then looked up to the doctor for his okay.
"He's getting better," He turned to Eric, "Don't speak to much, try and save your strength, and get some rest. But, if you need to say something, we can't stop you." He turned back to Greta, "I'll let everyone know he's awake."
"Thank you." She said as he left, and she turned back to Eric. She leaned back over him, and kissed him on the forehead, "I love you, so much." She said, a tear falling on his cheek, and she wiped it away gently.
"Loveee yo..u too..o" His voice said cracking slightly.
The nurse walked back in, "Sorry to interrupt, but the doctor said these may help, not to much, but might help his dry throat." She said giving Greta a cup of ice chips. Greta said thanks, and the nurse left. She offered one to him, and he took it.
Then he started again, "What... happened?"
She looked at him, trying to gauge exactly what she should tell him, and then decided to ask her own question. "What is the last thing you remember." She could then see his mind trying to think, trying to remember.
"It's... hazy." He said, and then she lightly felt his hand squeeze hers, and he smiled again.
"What do you last remember clearly?"
He stopped, his face showing he was trying to remember, "you yelling.... a gun... then you.... then... then it's... sounds, voicccc...es." His voice cracked, and she offered him another ice chip, he took it, and then closed his eyes, clenching them shut, trying to remember. "Voices of you, strangers, strange noises."
She knew he was trying to describe the time in the ambulance, the emergency room. *Oh God, he was partially awake during it.* Her mind didn't want to think about it.
"Okay," she said softly. "There was a gun, Haustenhour." She saw his eyes register the thought. "You, you stepped in front of me, taking us both to the ground, but you got hit." She shook her head, "Why Eric? Why did you have to do that?"
He looked at her confused, "Had to... pro..tect you." He said, his voice cracking again, but she could hear the absolute truth, and love in those words, making another tear fall from her eye.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but he caught her off guard, and spoke again, "Are... you.. okay? He didn't... hurt you... did he?"
She laid her head on his chest lightly, hugging him softly, and shook her head no. She couldn't believe that he was laying like this, here, and he could obviously see she was fine, but he was still asking. "I'm fine, just have been worried sick about you." She said into his ear, and then she felt it, his hand, at the back of her head, he was holding her. And she couldn't take it anymore, and the tears just started to come, a soft racking sob. She didn't know if it was from happiness that he was awake, or just all of the pain from the past few days just really catching up with her. But with her face in his neck, and his hand holding her to him, the safeness, comfort, and familiarity was just to much. All the emotion just broke out of her, and she cried, cried into his shoulder, her mouth mumbling into his ear how much she loved him.
After a little while, the tears stopped, and she slowly sat back up, slightly, to look into his eyes. His hand moved from the back of her head to the side of her face, and she pressed her cheek into it. "I thought I was going to lose you." She said softly.
He gave her a weak smile, "I'm not going anywhere." He said, and pulled her gently down to him and kissed her softly.
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Chapter 127
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The kiss was soft, and sweet, but ended when a soft laugh came from the door, and they turned slowly to look. Roman, John, and Marlena were standing in the door. John smiling, "Well, I think, he'll be okay."
Roman gave a smile, and so did Marlena through some tears of her own. The three stayed a little while, just to see that he was indeed awake and getting better, and then left, to let him get his rest.
His body had slowly been waking back up during their visit, and he was moving a little bit more, but moving his upper body was painful because of the gun shot wound. As the door shut, Greta turned back to him, "You need to rest." She said softly, and sat down in the chair next to him.
"Not with you there." He said softly.
She looked at him, a hurt look in her eyes, "You want me to leave?"
"Never." He said again, and then, he grimaced, and clenched his teeth tightly, as he moved.
"Eric, what are you doing?" She asked concerned as she watched him trying to move, "Eric.." She tried stopping him, but he wasn't listening, and soon, he had moved over slightly to the other side of the hospital bed. And then she understood.
She took off her shoes, and then softly climbed in next to him, laying on her side, and then moved carefully to lay her head back on the same shoulder she had slept on, the last few days. But this time, his arm was around her, her hand softly on his upper chest, avoiding the bandaging on his lower rib cage on the other side. "I need you here." He said softly, and closing his eyes.
"I need to be here." She said softly into his ear, closing her eyes as well. And soon they were both asleep, back in each other's arms, right where they belonged.
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Greta slowly opened her eyes, and found a pair of hazel ones looking back at her. A smile came across her face, "Hi." She said softly, almost not believing that he was actually awake, and looking at her.
"Hi," he responded with a small smile of his own.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" She asked him, trying to sit up, but his hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she rested back against him.
"You looked so peaceful, and... happy. I just wanted to look at you, have you here with me." Eric replied, and turning his head, placed a kiss on the top of hers.
She turned on her side a little more, and lightly hugged her to him, "It's so wonderful to have you back." She said looking back into his eyes, and trying not to cry.
He moved his arm, wincing a little, but still moved his hand up to put some hair behind her ear. "It's great to be back. Able to actually talk to you. I could hear you, you know." He said, stroking the side of her face.
"You did?" She looked shocked, she knew they said that sometimes the patients could hear people talking to them, that it was beneficial, but she didn't know they would remember it.
His smile grew wider, "I remember bits and pieces, it was sort of like through a haze though, not all of it to clear. But I do remember you yelling at me."
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, worried she had upset him, "I only wanted to get a reaction..."
He placed a finger over her lips, "I know. I'm not complaining." He cupped the side of her face in his hand and pulled her close to him, "I love you, so much." He said and kissed her. She kissed him back, still in disbelief that he was going to be okay, and that wonderful dream she had before could actually still happen.
They pulled apart when they heard someone clear their throat behind them, they turned to look, to see the doctor. "Hello. I'm afraid you will have to break apart for a little bit, while I check out my patient." Greta slowly got out of bed, and helped Eric move back into the middle. She winced mentally every time that he did. She then stood up, and the doctor looked over at her. "Why don't you go and get something to eat, and then bring him back a tray of food you know he likes." He looked back to Eric, "I think you might want some actual food."
Eric smiled, "Yeah, I'm actually starving."
Greta smiled. "I'll be back soon." She said kissing him on the forehead and then left the room.
The doctor looked back to Eric, shaking his head with a smile. Eric looked up at him, "What?"
"I'm just glad that I can see that you love her just as much as she loves you." Eric smiled, and the doctor moved closer, taking a look at him. "She wouldn't leave your side, she even snuck back into the surgery wing of the hospital to check on you." The doctor continued the check up, and Eric gave a slight grin and thought about what the doctor was telling him.
Soon the doctor was done, and Greta was walking through the door with a tray full of food. "I'm not eating all of that." He said as she walked over and put the tray on the table next to the bed.
She grinned, "No silly, I decided I'd eat with you. And I wasn't sure what you were in the mood for." He nodded, and moved to sit up further, to eat, a large grimace washed over his face."
"Take it easy." The doctor told him, "You are going to be sore for awhile, and need to take it easy. But the good news is that you are healing very well." He looked back to Greta, "Actually, we could possibly be able to let him leave tomorrow..."
"What? It's way to soon." Greta said looking at him in shock, "He just woke up yesterday..."
The doctor tried to calm her, "No, no. Of course he needs to stay in the hospital for awhile yet. But with the proper supervision, we may be able to send him on a plane back to Salem with you, and back to your hospital. That is, unless you would rather stay in Paris."
The two looked at each other, and then Eric spoke, "I want to go home." Greta smiled.
The doctor walked towards the door, "Okay then, I'll see what I can do, and hopefully tomorrow we can send you back."
Greta moved the table so that it came over the bed in front of Eric, and then she sat down on the bed next to him. "Everyone would love it if we could come home tomorrow." She said, as she opened the carton of chocolate milk that she got just for him.
He smiled, "Yeah, it would do us both some good to be back in Salem." She handed him the milk, and he took a drink. "Oh, that tastes good."
She smiled wide, "Just like a little kid, now do I need to feed you?" She asked him. He gave her a dirty look, "No, actually I was serious. I know it's a little difficult for you to move your right arm, because it stretches the area where you are hurt."
He brought his left hand up to the side of her face, and moved her down to him, and kissed her. "I can do it." She nodded, but he continued, "But, if you really want too..."
She giggled, "Okay, but I refuse to make any airplane sounds." And with that they both laughed, and Greta then just smiled at him. *He's back, we're back, everything is back.* She thought to herself, and she refused to let herself think about how close she had come to losing it all.
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Chapter 128
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The doctor was right, and Eric was good enough to be able to fly back to Salem. John arranged for the jet to come and get them all: him, Greta, Eric, Marlena, Roman, Belle, Sami, Brandon, and Brady. Them, along with a doctor flew back to Salem. And right after the plane landed, Eric was taken right to University Hospital, and Craig and Lexi were there waiting for him.
Lexi smiled as Eric was wheeled out of the elevator, and the bed moved into his waiting hospital room. "Well, I am so happy to see you. You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Lexi said moving into the room after him, Craig and Greta following. Marlena, John, and Roman waiting in the doorway.
Greta moved over to Lexi, and gave her a large hug, "I never got to thank you for everything that you did."
Lexi hugged her back, and tried to hold back the tears herself as she looked at Greta, seeing the water shine in them, also trying not to spill over. "No need, this..." She said motioning to Eric, "Is thanks enough." She walked over to Eric, and Craig next to her. Greta moved over to sit in the chair next to him.
"Okay, now let's make sure that you made it over on the plane okay, and then you need to get some rest. Jet lag can be bad enough on a healthy person." Craig told him, as he opened the chart that was sent over from Paris.
The three in the door, said their quick good-byes and said they would be back to visit soon, they then went home. Lexi and Craig then started to check him over, and soon they were telling them both that everything looked good and that he might be able to go home in a few days.
Once the door shut behind them, Eric turned to look at Greta, put out his hand, and she put hers in his. He then pulled slightly, and soon she was sitting next to him, her head resting on his shoulder, looking up at him. Eric let out a breath and a sigh, "Finally, didn't think they would ever leave."
Greta shook her head, "They were just making sure that you are going to be okay."
"Yeah, well I'm getting tired of being poked and prodded." She smiled, and understood what he meant, she remembered the last time she had been in the hospital, after the avalanche. She got sick and tired of people coming in and checking on her all the time too. "Besides," he said. "I want to be alone with you."
She smiled at him, and his mind thought of a million things he would like to do with her alone, the only problem was that he knew that most of them would probably kill him, or hurt like hell. So he settled for the next best thing, just to feel her next to him, in his arms, and to kiss her. And that is what he did, his hand came to the back of her head and moved her in close and kissed her. "Now that, is the best medicine a man could ask for." She shook her head at him, but the huge smile told him that she also agreed with him. "Well, I wonder if Bella is still going to do a piece about the coronation."
Greta shook her head, "Have no idea, I haven't talked to Lucas since he left after you came out of surgery okay. I actually need to call and tell him we're back, but that I still need time off, hopefully he will let me."
Eric smiled, "You know, I used to really dislike..." He stopped, "Actually, no I really used to hate Lucas. But, he's changed a lot, and now I think I actually consider him a friend." Greta smiled, and she agreed. "I honestly don't think that he, or even Victor will be upset with you taking some time off, or me for that matter." He said with a wink.
"Well I should hope not, at least with you." She said with a smile. "But I really don't think they will still do a story about the Coronation. They might, but in the news section, not what we were going to write."
Eric then thought about the coronation, "Actually, you know, we weren't actually crowned. So does that mean, we can get out of the whole thing. I mean the money was still raised."
She laughed, "Sorry to tell you this, but basically the actual placing of the crowns don't matter, my Prince." She said, and kissed him on the cheek.
He groaned, and then decided to tease her as well. "Well, then Princess, were is your crown?"
She shook her head at him, "Funny."
He looked at her, "Actually, seriously, were are they stored?"
She thought about it for a minute, then remembered, "The vault, in the Von Amburg Castle, along with the rest of the family jewels and stuff."
Eric shook his head, "We don't have to wear them do we?"
She laughed, "Well since they are still in Europe, what do you think?"
"Good," He said with a sense of relief. He shifted slightly, and his hand immediately went to his side.
Greta noticed, she always did. "Do you want me to get Lexi to increase the pain dosage?"
"No, no it's fine. I'm fine." He said looking into her eyes, trying to make her realize, that he was okay. He knew she was still worrying, he could see it in her eyes, he could also see how much she had went through, the doctor told him a little, so did Sami, and Belle. He remembered what it was like for him, when she almost didn't make it, when they were in Colorado. God, he felt like he was going to die himself waiting for the news when she was surgery. But he had woken up to find that she was in there, and he didn't know how serious it had really been until after they came back out and told him that she would be okay.
He sighed slightly, and pulled her to him, holding her against his side, "I love you." He said simply, he didn't know what else to say.
"I love you too," she responded, and leaned into him, wrapping her arm around him, and hiding her face into his neck. He smiled, and just held onto her. He was worried about her. Oh, he knew she would be fine, she was very strong, but this experience, while tough on his body, was so much worse on her emotionally. He knew that, he could see how much she loved him, heck, he knew how much he loved her, and if she even felt half of what he did, he knew how bad it would have been to go through that. Let alone with the past that she had, how so many of the people that she loved had left or had died.
She moved and looked into his eyes, and he smiled at her, and she returned the smile. His hand stroked the side of her face, and he spoke, "Just so you know, I'm not ever going anywhere. You're stuck with me." Her smile grew, but a tear escaped, and slide down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb, and then she leaned in and kissed him, sealing the deal.
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Chapter 129
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In the next couple of days Eric was starting to move out of the bed and around the hospital. Greta hung around him constantly, not letting him out of her sight. They had just returned from a walk around the floor, and she was helping him back into bed. "Go slow," She said as she pulled back the sheets. "Careful." He closed his eyes, and sighed inwardly. "Not so fast." She said.
"Greta!" He snapped, "I can get into bed by myself." He looked at her as he sat down. But the look on her face made him wish that he hadn't.
She looked down, "I'm sorry." She said softly.
He sighed again, and pulled the sheets over him. "Greta..." He said softer. She looked at him, and his heart broke. He patted the side of the bed, and she came over and sat down. "I'm sorry, it's just that..." He tried to figure out how to explain it to her. "I love it that you are so protective of me, and worried about me. But, really, I'm okay." He tilted her face up to look at him. "Really."
"I know, it's just..." She sighed herself, "I can't help it Eric, I almost lost you..." her voice slightly cracked as she said it. He moved his hand up to her face, and lightly touched her cheek. "I just don't want to let you out of my sight, I'm just... worried."
He kissed her softly, "I know, I understand, completely. But do you remember the last time you were in the hospital?" He asked her, "And then also when you got home?" She smiled at him, she knew what he was talking about. "Remember how I was? Remember how after awhile, you told me to leave you alone, and just go to work?" She smiled again. "I'm not asking you to leave me alone, but you do need to get out of this hospital. You have been by my side since they would let you." He looked at her, smiling, "Not that I mind. I love having you with me. But, there is also a 'too much'. I'm fine, I'll be fine, go out, have some fun, go outside, go shopping, go home and sleep in our own bed. I'll be here when you come back, I promise."
"I guess I have been overdoing it, huh?" She said with a smile. He nodded yes. "I'm sorry, I didn't..."
He cut her off, "You don't need to be sorry. I just have so many people checking on me, watching me, it's getting, tiresome." He said as he leaned back in his bed.
"Okay, I can leave you alone... for a little while." They smiled at each other. "I guess I can go home, check on the house, get some groceries for when you come home."
Eric smiled, "And do something for yourself. Maybe take one of those bubble baths you love."
She grinned, "But they aren't the same without you." She said with a wink.
His grin turned slightly wicked and he pulled her against him, and kissed her. "I can't wait for another one of those with you. Even if I do smell like vanilla afterwards." She started giggling. "I love you." He told her, kissed the top of her head, "Now get out of here!"
She laughed, leaned up and kissed him, "Love you too." She stood up, and grabbed some of her stuff to take back to the house, and went for the door. "I'm leaving, but I will be back later today."
He smiled, "You better." Her smile grew, and then she was out the door, and on her way home.
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Greta made her way home, aired out the house, cleaned out the fridge, and put away their luggage. She also had to admit to herself that it did feel really good to be home, now once Eric got there, it would be perfect. She then headed to the grocery store and got enough stuff to fill the fridge back up, hoping that he would be home soon. Then she went back out, and decided to take some time at Salem place. Do some shopping, and walking around, outside.
She was walking out of the shoe store, when her name was called, stopping her in her tracks. She turned around to find Belle and Mimi running towards her. She got a huge hug from Belle, and a hi from Mimi. "How are you?" Belle asked letting go of her.
She smiled, "I'm fine, Eric shooed me out of the hospital, and ordered me to take some time for myself."
"Well you need it." She said.
"Yeah, well, I think Eric just wanted sometime alone for awhile."
Belle smiled, "Well, probably it was for both reasons. I know I would go nuts." She looked at the bag Greta was holding, "So are you out shopping, got more to do?"
"Just really looking around."
"Mind if we tag along?" Greta just smiled, and wrapped her arm around Belle. "Not at all sis, where first?" The three walked to the nearest store, and soon were looking at everything, and doing some major shopping and girl talk.
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Eric flipped through the channels on the tv, and heard the door open, he looked over at the clock. "Greta, it's only been two and half hours..." He said turning towards the door, but stopped when he saw who it was. "John, hi."
John smiled, "Wow, she's really not here?"
Eric shook his head, "I finally got her to take some time for herself. She wasn't too happy about it though."
John nodded, "She loves you."
"I know." He replied simply.
"Well, I came by to see how you were doing, and her. But, I guess I can talk to her later." He said as he walked over to Eric.
"Well, I'm doing fine, and if Lexi or Craig would just believe me, I can get out of here and go home."
"Feeling a little cooped up?"
"You have that right. Between the nurses, doctors, family, and... Greta."
"You want to pull your hair out."
Eric laughed, "I got shot, I'm fine now, getting much better, I'm not dying of a incurable illness."
John sat in the chair next to him. "True, and by how much better you look, I would say they should send you home soon. They just aren't taking any chances, and you know why." John said with a stern look.
"Yeah, Greta..."
"No, it has nothing to do with her." John looked at him seriously, "Do you really know how close you came?" Eric looked down, he knew, he knew quite well, he just didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to think about how many times he nearly did just let go, how much easier it would have been. How much easier it would have been to leave the pain and struggle behind and just float away. But he couldn't, he could hear her voice in his head, telling him to hang on, telling him how much she loved him. Her voice reminded him just how much he had to live for. John watched him, and knew that Eric did know. "I never got to thank you."
Eric's head shot up, "Thank me? For what?"
"For saving my daughter's life." Eric was going to protest, but John held up his hand. "I know, I know and understand completely why you did it. I would have done the same thing. But it was meant for her, and so I thank you anyway." Eric just accepted it, and didn't say anything. "Well it looks like Greta actually left to give you some piece and quiet, and I should leave so you can actually have some before she gets back here. Because I'm sure it won't be long, and she will be back." Eric smiled and agreed. They said their good-byes, and Eric was alone once again. His mind left to think about everything John had said.
A couple hours later, Greta did come through the door, and found him asleep. She smiled, and moved closer, she moved some hair from his forehead gently, and kissed the top of his head. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, and pulled her into a hug. "So what did you go and do?" He asked her, a little sleep still in his voice. She told him everything she did at home, and then running into Belle at Salem Place. He smiled as she told him about all the shopping the three had done together, and how many bags she had in the car to put away.
When she was done with her story, she noticed another yawn from him, and also realized how tired she was. "Now, I know you said I should go home to sleep in our bed...." She trailed off.
He could hear the but, a mile away, "But..." He said.
"But... it's just not our bed... without you in it."
He kissed her again, and moved over, which produced a large smile. She kicked off her shoes, and made herself comfortable next to him. "Better?" He asked.
"Much." She said laying her head on his shoulder. He hugged her to him, and he had to admit to himself, that he was going to sleep better with her next to him, then if she wasn't. They said their goodnights and soon both were asleep.
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Chapter 130
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Eric was released from the hospital a day and half later, with strict orders for bed rest, and absolutely no strenuous activity. He was to come back to hospital in a week for another check up, and also if he had any problems what so ever. Sami had come to the hospital to help Greta get Eric home, and all settled in. He kept trying to help them, and they kept making him get back in bed, scolding him. Greta saw him try and get out of bed again, as she and Sami were moving some of the furniture in the room, "Don't even think about it." She said, and saw him lay back down and sigh.
"What are you guys doing anyway?"
Sami looked at him and smiled, "Well since you are going to be in here for the next few days.." She saw him about to object, "Don't even disagree!" She shook her head, and they sat down the dresser so it was directly across from the bed. "We thought we would move the TV in here, and some other things, so you have stuff to do, and don't have to move around to much."
Greta smiled, she was glad Sami was there, Eric was starting to be a handful. She knew he was feeling cooped up, but still, he was also being a little kid. *Men.* She said to herself, and smiled. "Okay, we are going to get the TV, now you STAY PUT!" She said, and they went down stairs and got the TV. They slowly made their way back up the stairs with it, and were surprised when they found him still in bed.
"I stayed put." He said, holding up a magazine he was reading. They then set up the TV. Greta then went and got her lap top, and hooked it up to the phone line so he could get online if he wanted too. She sat it on the night stand next to him, then looked around. "Okay, you got magazines, books, tv, internet, stuff to drink and snacks. What else do you want?" She asked him.
Eric looked at her, a slight wicked smile on his face, looking her up and down, then sighed. "Nothing I can have until Lexi takes these stupid limitations off me."
Greta blushed and Sami just smiled and shook her head. "And I think that's my cue to leave." She said and came over, gave Greta a hug, and then one to Eric. She then stood back up, and pointed her finger at him, "Now be good! And stay put!"
"Sami, I'm not a dog." She smiled at him, and gave him a stern look. "I know, I know! Okay, I'll be good. Geez." The girls laughed at him, and Greta went and walked Sami out of the house, and then came back upstairs. She went over, and laid down on her side of the bed. Eric put down the magazine and turned towards her. "This babying is getting really old."
She smiled at him. "I know. I'm trying not too, but these are doctor's orders." She moved closer to him, and laid her head on his chest. "So how about we just watch some TV, and try and make the best of our time together?" She looked up at him, "At least now we are back in our own big queen size bed."
He smiled down at her, "You're right," he said with a sigh. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him. "I just wish we could do more in this bed."
She patted his chest, and then moved her head back up to look at him. She smiled, "You know what Lexi said. No strenuous activity, and as little movement as possible for just a little longer."
The corners of his mouth turned into a smile looking at her, "Well, 'I' wouldn't have to move." He told her.
She smiled and sat up, and moved over him, lightly straddling his waste and then leaned back down, and kissed him. Her hands went through his hair, and his arms came up to move around her, and pull her closer to him. Their breathing and heart rates becoming faster, and then she pulled away. He stared up at her breathless, "And this is exactly why we can't," she said then lightly kissed him, and moved off him. He groaned at her. "Because even if I am, on top," she said with a wink, "You're heart rate is going to skyrocket, and I know you don't and won't keep still."
He knew she was right, but he didn't want to admit it, and then he smiled at her, "Just you wait."
She looked at him, "For what?"
"Once I get that clean bill of health..." His eyes lingered over her, "Let's just say, you should get your sleep now."
Her smile widened, her hand lightly traveled over his chest, "No, I think you are the one that needs to save your strength, cause I've been 'missing' you too." She said, and leaned in, and kissed him hard. She then pulled away. "Okay, what do you want to watch on TV?" She asked as she turned it on with the remote, and laid her head back on his shoulder.
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Two days later, Greta was running around the bedroom, and Eric was sitting on the bed, trying not to laugh at her, as she then started to crawl under the bed. "Just wear the red ones." He told her.
"The red ones..." She said with a grunt, trying to reach further under the bed, "Don't match my outfit."
"Then one of the other millions of ones you have, why does it 'have' to be that pair of shoes?" He asked her, as she came back out from under the bed. She walked back towards the closet, straightening out her skirt as she went, she then grabbed her white silk shirt from the hanger, and started to pull it on. Eric frowned, "You don't have to cover up."
She shook her head at him, "I can't go back to work in my bra." She told him as she buttoned the last button. Then she looked around the room, "Where the hell is that other shoe???"
He almost laughed as he heard her swear, it was rare, and he knew that when she did, she was not to be messed with. He started to get out of bed, "Let me help you look."
She quickly walked over to him, and pushed him back onto the bed, "What do you think you are doing?"
"Helping you look."
"Oh no you aren't." She said and moved back to the closet and just took out a different pair of shoes. "I'll wear these, they aren't my favorites, but they'll do." She walked back over to him, and sat down on the edge of the bed, and then put on the shoes. "Okay, I'll be at work. You have my number, my e-mail, my pager number. If you need anything, you can get me, Sami, your mom, or Belle when she is out of classes."
"I'm fine, I can take care of myself."
"Now, you stay in bed."
He smiled at her, "Don't worry I'll be here when you get back."
She shook her head, "I know, I'll leave and you'll be all over this house, and then get back into bed when I should get home." He smiled at her, she had him, that was exactly what he was going to do. "I may come home unexpectedly. So don't try it. And if I do find that you have been bad..." She gave him an amused smiled, but there was a slight glint in her eye, "I may just have to handcuff you to the bed next time."
His eyebrows shot up, and then he pulled her in for a kiss. "Remind me to be 'bad' when I feel better"
She shook her head and stood up, lightly hitting his shoulder, "You're horrible."
"You love it."
She smiled, "I love you." She then looked at the clock, "Oh God, I have to go. I'm going to be so late." With that she gave him a quick kiss and hurried out the door.
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To Be Continued
WRITTEN BY: Heather Ferguson (fergus80)
EMAIL: hferguso@niu.edu
WEBSITE: http://eric_greta.tripod.com (from when Jensen was on days)
Rating: If you can watch DAYS, you can read this. If there is a rating change, a link to the chap. will be provided.
Disclaimer: Days of Our Lives and all of their characters are property of Corday Productions and NBC.
My Rant: Okay, I'm finally putting this up on FanFiction.net. Mostly to free up my website space. This was started way back in Oct. of 1999, and I haven't decided if it's finished yet or not. Reviews are always welcome!
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Chapter 126
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Her mind was foggy, she was between asleep and awake, but she wasn't sure why. Something was waking her up, something pulling her from her dreams, from a place where she was happy, a place where this nightmare never happened. Her mind tried to reach out, tried to figure out what was trying to interrupt her dreams. It was a sound, a very soft, faint sound. Her head moved slightly, her ears trying to pick it up.
Greta slowly opened her eyes, to see the familiar view of the room around her. The machines making their constant humming, beeps, and clicks. But there was another sound, different, strange, yet very soft. She picked up her head and looked around, everything was the same, nothing was different, Eric was still laying in the bed, her hand in his, but then she saw it, and heard it.
She nearly jumped out of her chair, stood up quickly, and looked over him. His lips were moving, just a little, like he was trying to speak, but only a faint sound would come out. "Eric?" She said looking down at him, squeezing his hand harder. "Eric, can you hear me?" She moved closer to him, her other hand going to the side of his face, stroking it lightly. "Eric? Come on, wake up." She said softly, pleading with him.
His lips moved again, another soft sound coming from him, she moved her ear closer to him, trying to figure out what he was saying. But it was just to faint to hear. "That's it, come on Eric, wake up. Look at me." She asked him, "Just open your eyes and look at me. I'm right here." Greta felt like her heart was going to burst, and she had tears running down her face. She squeezed his hand again, and brought it to her chest, to her heart. "Come on, wake up. Please." She moved up, and sat on the edge of the bed, peering down at him, her other hand still on his face, moving the hair back. "Open your eyes, come on, you can do it, please, Eric, please." She was trying to coach him into it, she knew she couldn't stop now, she couldn't give up.
His lips parted again, and a crackling, raspy voice came out, soft, barely audible. "Gre...t..aaa..."
She barely heard it, but the tears flowed from her eyes, and a huge smile appeared on her face, "Yes, I'm right here Eric, I'm right here. Just open your eyes and look at me."
She could actually see him struggling, trying to do what she asked, it was like he was in a deep sleep, and couldn't get out of it. She cupped the side of his face with her hand, and lightly moved the tips of her fingers against his cheek. "Eric, come on, please, open your eyes, look at me. You can do it. Please." She was so happy and yet so nervous at the same time, she was actually shaking, she almost couldn't breathe.
Then she could see his eyelashes start to flutter, his eyes slowly opening, then shutting again, only to try and struggle open again. "Open your eyes, come on, please, let me see those beautiful eyes I love." She said, a smile on her face.
And then like a slow curtain being pulled up, his eye lids slowly opened, his eyes trying to focus, and then then were on her. His eyes were focused on her huge smile and tear streaked face. "Eric?" Her voice said, breaking slightly, as she almost threw herself at him, and at the last second, hugged him, very lightly, then she pulled away to look at him again.
"Gre..tt..aa" He said again, this time his voice a little louder, but still breaking and raspy.
She leaned in, and kissed him softly, "Shhhh," she said grabbing the small box beside the bed, and pushing the nurse calling button a few times. "Save your voice." She smiled at him, "Just stay awake." She squeezed his hand again, and ran her fingers through his hair.
A second later the nurse was walking through the door, "What's wrong??" She asked quickly, and then saw that he was awake. "I'll get the doctor." She said and left the room.
Greta never took her eyes off his. His eyes just looked at her, slightly confused. She shook her head at him, tears still running down her face, "You know you scared the hell out of me." She sniffed lightly, and ran her hand back down his face.
"Whh..aatt?" His voice cracked again, and she placed a finger over his lips.
"You were shot." She said softly, "Why the hell did you step in front of the bullet? What were you thinking?" She asked him, like he was insane, but also keeping her finger over his lips, not letting him answer. She shook her head at him, and then leaned down, and kissed him again. She could see him try and move, "Stay still, let the doctor look at you."
Just then, the nurse and the doctor came through the door. "So I hear, he's finally opened his eyes." He said as he walked over to the bed, Greta smiled at the doctor, he was the one she had met in the hallway outside of surgery. The one that had went back into surgery and told Eric that he was one lucky man to have a wife that loved him so much, and that he better not give up on life, because he had a heck of a good one to live for.
Greta stayed as the the doctor looked him over. "Gre..taaa." He said again, and she tried to shhh him again, "no." He said louder, and then a slight wince went over his face, but he continued. "Let.. meee... sppe..eak."
She knew she couldn't win, and besides, she wanted, needed to hear his voice. "Okay," She said lightly and then looked up to the doctor for his okay.
"He's getting better," He turned to Eric, "Don't speak to much, try and save your strength, and get some rest. But, if you need to say something, we can't stop you." He turned back to Greta, "I'll let everyone know he's awake."
"Thank you." She said as he left, and she turned back to Eric. She leaned back over him, and kissed him on the forehead, "I love you, so much." She said, a tear falling on his cheek, and she wiped it away gently.
"Loveee yo..u too..o" His voice said cracking slightly.
The nurse walked back in, "Sorry to interrupt, but the doctor said these may help, not to much, but might help his dry throat." She said giving Greta a cup of ice chips. Greta said thanks, and the nurse left. She offered one to him, and he took it.
Then he started again, "What... happened?"
She looked at him, trying to gauge exactly what she should tell him, and then decided to ask her own question. "What is the last thing you remember." She could then see his mind trying to think, trying to remember.
"It's... hazy." He said, and then she lightly felt his hand squeeze hers, and he smiled again.
"What do you last remember clearly?"
He stopped, his face showing he was trying to remember, "you yelling.... a gun... then you.... then... then it's... sounds, voicccc...es." His voice cracked, and she offered him another ice chip, he took it, and then closed his eyes, clenching them shut, trying to remember. "Voices of you, strangers, strange noises."
She knew he was trying to describe the time in the ambulance, the emergency room. *Oh God, he was partially awake during it.* Her mind didn't want to think about it.
"Okay," she said softly. "There was a gun, Haustenhour." She saw his eyes register the thought. "You, you stepped in front of me, taking us both to the ground, but you got hit." She shook her head, "Why Eric? Why did you have to do that?"
He looked at her confused, "Had to... pro..tect you." He said, his voice cracking again, but she could hear the absolute truth, and love in those words, making another tear fall from her eye.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but he caught her off guard, and spoke again, "Are... you.. okay? He didn't... hurt you... did he?"
She laid her head on his chest lightly, hugging him softly, and shook her head no. She couldn't believe that he was laying like this, here, and he could obviously see she was fine, but he was still asking. "I'm fine, just have been worried sick about you." She said into his ear, and then she felt it, his hand, at the back of her head, he was holding her. And she couldn't take it anymore, and the tears just started to come, a soft racking sob. She didn't know if it was from happiness that he was awake, or just all of the pain from the past few days just really catching up with her. But with her face in his neck, and his hand holding her to him, the safeness, comfort, and familiarity was just to much. All the emotion just broke out of her, and she cried, cried into his shoulder, her mouth mumbling into his ear how much she loved him.
After a little while, the tears stopped, and she slowly sat back up, slightly, to look into his eyes. His hand moved from the back of her head to the side of her face, and she pressed her cheek into it. "I thought I was going to lose you." She said softly.
He gave her a weak smile, "I'm not going anywhere." He said, and pulled her gently down to him and kissed her softly.
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Chapter 127
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The kiss was soft, and sweet, but ended when a soft laugh came from the door, and they turned slowly to look. Roman, John, and Marlena were standing in the door. John smiling, "Well, I think, he'll be okay."
Roman gave a smile, and so did Marlena through some tears of her own. The three stayed a little while, just to see that he was indeed awake and getting better, and then left, to let him get his rest.
His body had slowly been waking back up during their visit, and he was moving a little bit more, but moving his upper body was painful because of the gun shot wound. As the door shut, Greta turned back to him, "You need to rest." She said softly, and sat down in the chair next to him.
"Not with you there." He said softly.
She looked at him, a hurt look in her eyes, "You want me to leave?"
"Never." He said again, and then, he grimaced, and clenched his teeth tightly, as he moved.
"Eric, what are you doing?" She asked concerned as she watched him trying to move, "Eric.." She tried stopping him, but he wasn't listening, and soon, he had moved over slightly to the other side of the hospital bed. And then she understood.
She took off her shoes, and then softly climbed in next to him, laying on her side, and then moved carefully to lay her head back on the same shoulder she had slept on, the last few days. But this time, his arm was around her, her hand softly on his upper chest, avoiding the bandaging on his lower rib cage on the other side. "I need you here." He said softly, and closing his eyes.
"I need to be here." She said softly into his ear, closing her eyes as well. And soon they were both asleep, back in each other's arms, right where they belonged.
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Greta slowly opened her eyes, and found a pair of hazel ones looking back at her. A smile came across her face, "Hi." She said softly, almost not believing that he was actually awake, and looking at her.
"Hi," he responded with a small smile of his own.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" She asked him, trying to sit up, but his hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she rested back against him.
"You looked so peaceful, and... happy. I just wanted to look at you, have you here with me." Eric replied, and turning his head, placed a kiss on the top of hers.
She turned on her side a little more, and lightly hugged her to him, "It's so wonderful to have you back." She said looking back into his eyes, and trying not to cry.
He moved his arm, wincing a little, but still moved his hand up to put some hair behind her ear. "It's great to be back. Able to actually talk to you. I could hear you, you know." He said, stroking the side of her face.
"You did?" She looked shocked, she knew they said that sometimes the patients could hear people talking to them, that it was beneficial, but she didn't know they would remember it.
His smile grew wider, "I remember bits and pieces, it was sort of like through a haze though, not all of it to clear. But I do remember you yelling at me."
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, worried she had upset him, "I only wanted to get a reaction..."
He placed a finger over her lips, "I know. I'm not complaining." He cupped the side of her face in his hand and pulled her close to him, "I love you, so much." He said and kissed her. She kissed him back, still in disbelief that he was going to be okay, and that wonderful dream she had before could actually still happen.
They pulled apart when they heard someone clear their throat behind them, they turned to look, to see the doctor. "Hello. I'm afraid you will have to break apart for a little bit, while I check out my patient." Greta slowly got out of bed, and helped Eric move back into the middle. She winced mentally every time that he did. She then stood up, and the doctor looked over at her. "Why don't you go and get something to eat, and then bring him back a tray of food you know he likes." He looked back to Eric, "I think you might want some actual food."
Eric smiled, "Yeah, I'm actually starving."
Greta smiled. "I'll be back soon." She said kissing him on the forehead and then left the room.
The doctor looked back to Eric, shaking his head with a smile. Eric looked up at him, "What?"
"I'm just glad that I can see that you love her just as much as she loves you." Eric smiled, and the doctor moved closer, taking a look at him. "She wouldn't leave your side, she even snuck back into the surgery wing of the hospital to check on you." The doctor continued the check up, and Eric gave a slight grin and thought about what the doctor was telling him.
Soon the doctor was done, and Greta was walking through the door with a tray full of food. "I'm not eating all of that." He said as she walked over and put the tray on the table next to the bed.
She grinned, "No silly, I decided I'd eat with you. And I wasn't sure what you were in the mood for." He nodded, and moved to sit up further, to eat, a large grimace washed over his face."
"Take it easy." The doctor told him, "You are going to be sore for awhile, and need to take it easy. But the good news is that you are healing very well." He looked back to Greta, "Actually, we could possibly be able to let him leave tomorrow..."
"What? It's way to soon." Greta said looking at him in shock, "He just woke up yesterday..."
The doctor tried to calm her, "No, no. Of course he needs to stay in the hospital for awhile yet. But with the proper supervision, we may be able to send him on a plane back to Salem with you, and back to your hospital. That is, unless you would rather stay in Paris."
The two looked at each other, and then Eric spoke, "I want to go home." Greta smiled.
The doctor walked towards the door, "Okay then, I'll see what I can do, and hopefully tomorrow we can send you back."
Greta moved the table so that it came over the bed in front of Eric, and then she sat down on the bed next to him. "Everyone would love it if we could come home tomorrow." She said, as she opened the carton of chocolate milk that she got just for him.
He smiled, "Yeah, it would do us both some good to be back in Salem." She handed him the milk, and he took a drink. "Oh, that tastes good."
She smiled wide, "Just like a little kid, now do I need to feed you?" She asked him. He gave her a dirty look, "No, actually I was serious. I know it's a little difficult for you to move your right arm, because it stretches the area where you are hurt."
He brought his left hand up to the side of her face, and moved her down to him, and kissed her. "I can do it." She nodded, but he continued, "But, if you really want too..."
She giggled, "Okay, but I refuse to make any airplane sounds." And with that they both laughed, and Greta then just smiled at him. *He's back, we're back, everything is back.* She thought to herself, and she refused to let herself think about how close she had come to losing it all.
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Chapter 128
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The doctor was right, and Eric was good enough to be able to fly back to Salem. John arranged for the jet to come and get them all: him, Greta, Eric, Marlena, Roman, Belle, Sami, Brandon, and Brady. Them, along with a doctor flew back to Salem. And right after the plane landed, Eric was taken right to University Hospital, and Craig and Lexi were there waiting for him.
Lexi smiled as Eric was wheeled out of the elevator, and the bed moved into his waiting hospital room. "Well, I am so happy to see you. You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Lexi said moving into the room after him, Craig and Greta following. Marlena, John, and Roman waiting in the doorway.
Greta moved over to Lexi, and gave her a large hug, "I never got to thank you for everything that you did."
Lexi hugged her back, and tried to hold back the tears herself as she looked at Greta, seeing the water shine in them, also trying not to spill over. "No need, this..." She said motioning to Eric, "Is thanks enough." She walked over to Eric, and Craig next to her. Greta moved over to sit in the chair next to him.
"Okay, now let's make sure that you made it over on the plane okay, and then you need to get some rest. Jet lag can be bad enough on a healthy person." Craig told him, as he opened the chart that was sent over from Paris.
The three in the door, said their quick good-byes and said they would be back to visit soon, they then went home. Lexi and Craig then started to check him over, and soon they were telling them both that everything looked good and that he might be able to go home in a few days.
Once the door shut behind them, Eric turned to look at Greta, put out his hand, and she put hers in his. He then pulled slightly, and soon she was sitting next to him, her head resting on his shoulder, looking up at him. Eric let out a breath and a sigh, "Finally, didn't think they would ever leave."
Greta shook her head, "They were just making sure that you are going to be okay."
"Yeah, well I'm getting tired of being poked and prodded." She smiled, and understood what he meant, she remembered the last time she had been in the hospital, after the avalanche. She got sick and tired of people coming in and checking on her all the time too. "Besides," he said. "I want to be alone with you."
She smiled at him, and his mind thought of a million things he would like to do with her alone, the only problem was that he knew that most of them would probably kill him, or hurt like hell. So he settled for the next best thing, just to feel her next to him, in his arms, and to kiss her. And that is what he did, his hand came to the back of her head and moved her in close and kissed her. "Now that, is the best medicine a man could ask for." She shook her head at him, but the huge smile told him that she also agreed with him. "Well, I wonder if Bella is still going to do a piece about the coronation."
Greta shook her head, "Have no idea, I haven't talked to Lucas since he left after you came out of surgery okay. I actually need to call and tell him we're back, but that I still need time off, hopefully he will let me."
Eric smiled, "You know, I used to really dislike..." He stopped, "Actually, no I really used to hate Lucas. But, he's changed a lot, and now I think I actually consider him a friend." Greta smiled, and she agreed. "I honestly don't think that he, or even Victor will be upset with you taking some time off, or me for that matter." He said with a wink.
"Well I should hope not, at least with you." She said with a smile. "But I really don't think they will still do a story about the Coronation. They might, but in the news section, not what we were going to write."
Eric then thought about the coronation, "Actually, you know, we weren't actually crowned. So does that mean, we can get out of the whole thing. I mean the money was still raised."
She laughed, "Sorry to tell you this, but basically the actual placing of the crowns don't matter, my Prince." She said, and kissed him on the cheek.
He groaned, and then decided to tease her as well. "Well, then Princess, were is your crown?"
She shook her head at him, "Funny."
He looked at her, "Actually, seriously, were are they stored?"
She thought about it for a minute, then remembered, "The vault, in the Von Amburg Castle, along with the rest of the family jewels and stuff."
Eric shook his head, "We don't have to wear them do we?"
She laughed, "Well since they are still in Europe, what do you think?"
"Good," He said with a sense of relief. He shifted slightly, and his hand immediately went to his side.
Greta noticed, she always did. "Do you want me to get Lexi to increase the pain dosage?"
"No, no it's fine. I'm fine." He said looking into her eyes, trying to make her realize, that he was okay. He knew she was still worrying, he could see it in her eyes, he could also see how much she had went through, the doctor told him a little, so did Sami, and Belle. He remembered what it was like for him, when she almost didn't make it, when they were in Colorado. God, he felt like he was going to die himself waiting for the news when she was surgery. But he had woken up to find that she was in there, and he didn't know how serious it had really been until after they came back out and told him that she would be okay.
He sighed slightly, and pulled her to him, holding her against his side, "I love you." He said simply, he didn't know what else to say.
"I love you too," she responded, and leaned into him, wrapping her arm around him, and hiding her face into his neck. He smiled, and just held onto her. He was worried about her. Oh, he knew she would be fine, she was very strong, but this experience, while tough on his body, was so much worse on her emotionally. He knew that, he could see how much she loved him, heck, he knew how much he loved her, and if she even felt half of what he did, he knew how bad it would have been to go through that. Let alone with the past that she had, how so many of the people that she loved had left or had died.
She moved and looked into his eyes, and he smiled at her, and she returned the smile. His hand stroked the side of her face, and he spoke, "Just so you know, I'm not ever going anywhere. You're stuck with me." Her smile grew, but a tear escaped, and slide down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb, and then she leaned in and kissed him, sealing the deal.
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Chapter 129
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In the next couple of days Eric was starting to move out of the bed and around the hospital. Greta hung around him constantly, not letting him out of her sight. They had just returned from a walk around the floor, and she was helping him back into bed. "Go slow," She said as she pulled back the sheets. "Careful." He closed his eyes, and sighed inwardly. "Not so fast." She said.
"Greta!" He snapped, "I can get into bed by myself." He looked at her as he sat down. But the look on her face made him wish that he hadn't.
She looked down, "I'm sorry." She said softly.
He sighed again, and pulled the sheets over him. "Greta..." He said softer. She looked at him, and his heart broke. He patted the side of the bed, and she came over and sat down. "I'm sorry, it's just that..." He tried to figure out how to explain it to her. "I love it that you are so protective of me, and worried about me. But, really, I'm okay." He tilted her face up to look at him. "Really."
"I know, it's just..." She sighed herself, "I can't help it Eric, I almost lost you..." her voice slightly cracked as she said it. He moved his hand up to her face, and lightly touched her cheek. "I just don't want to let you out of my sight, I'm just... worried."
He kissed her softly, "I know, I understand, completely. But do you remember the last time you were in the hospital?" He asked her, "And then also when you got home?" She smiled at him, she knew what he was talking about. "Remember how I was? Remember how after awhile, you told me to leave you alone, and just go to work?" She smiled again. "I'm not asking you to leave me alone, but you do need to get out of this hospital. You have been by my side since they would let you." He looked at her, smiling, "Not that I mind. I love having you with me. But, there is also a 'too much'. I'm fine, I'll be fine, go out, have some fun, go outside, go shopping, go home and sleep in our own bed. I'll be here when you come back, I promise."
"I guess I have been overdoing it, huh?" She said with a smile. He nodded yes. "I'm sorry, I didn't..."
He cut her off, "You don't need to be sorry. I just have so many people checking on me, watching me, it's getting, tiresome." He said as he leaned back in his bed.
"Okay, I can leave you alone... for a little while." They smiled at each other. "I guess I can go home, check on the house, get some groceries for when you come home."
Eric smiled, "And do something for yourself. Maybe take one of those bubble baths you love."
She grinned, "But they aren't the same without you." She said with a wink.
His grin turned slightly wicked and he pulled her against him, and kissed her. "I can't wait for another one of those with you. Even if I do smell like vanilla afterwards." She started giggling. "I love you." He told her, kissed the top of her head, "Now get out of here!"
She laughed, leaned up and kissed him, "Love you too." She stood up, and grabbed some of her stuff to take back to the house, and went for the door. "I'm leaving, but I will be back later today."
He smiled, "You better." Her smile grew, and then she was out the door, and on her way home.
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Greta made her way home, aired out the house, cleaned out the fridge, and put away their luggage. She also had to admit to herself that it did feel really good to be home, now once Eric got there, it would be perfect. She then headed to the grocery store and got enough stuff to fill the fridge back up, hoping that he would be home soon. Then she went back out, and decided to take some time at Salem place. Do some shopping, and walking around, outside.
She was walking out of the shoe store, when her name was called, stopping her in her tracks. She turned around to find Belle and Mimi running towards her. She got a huge hug from Belle, and a hi from Mimi. "How are you?" Belle asked letting go of her.
She smiled, "I'm fine, Eric shooed me out of the hospital, and ordered me to take some time for myself."
"Well you need it." She said.
"Yeah, well, I think Eric just wanted sometime alone for awhile."
Belle smiled, "Well, probably it was for both reasons. I know I would go nuts." She looked at the bag Greta was holding, "So are you out shopping, got more to do?"
"Just really looking around."
"Mind if we tag along?" Greta just smiled, and wrapped her arm around Belle. "Not at all sis, where first?" The three walked to the nearest store, and soon were looking at everything, and doing some major shopping and girl talk.
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Eric flipped through the channels on the tv, and heard the door open, he looked over at the clock. "Greta, it's only been two and half hours..." He said turning towards the door, but stopped when he saw who it was. "John, hi."
John smiled, "Wow, she's really not here?"
Eric shook his head, "I finally got her to take some time for herself. She wasn't too happy about it though."
John nodded, "She loves you."
"I know." He replied simply.
"Well, I came by to see how you were doing, and her. But, I guess I can talk to her later." He said as he walked over to Eric.
"Well, I'm doing fine, and if Lexi or Craig would just believe me, I can get out of here and go home."
"Feeling a little cooped up?"
"You have that right. Between the nurses, doctors, family, and... Greta."
"You want to pull your hair out."
Eric laughed, "I got shot, I'm fine now, getting much better, I'm not dying of a incurable illness."
John sat in the chair next to him. "True, and by how much better you look, I would say they should send you home soon. They just aren't taking any chances, and you know why." John said with a stern look.
"Yeah, Greta..."
"No, it has nothing to do with her." John looked at him seriously, "Do you really know how close you came?" Eric looked down, he knew, he knew quite well, he just didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to think about how many times he nearly did just let go, how much easier it would have been. How much easier it would have been to leave the pain and struggle behind and just float away. But he couldn't, he could hear her voice in his head, telling him to hang on, telling him how much she loved him. Her voice reminded him just how much he had to live for. John watched him, and knew that Eric did know. "I never got to thank you."
Eric's head shot up, "Thank me? For what?"
"For saving my daughter's life." Eric was going to protest, but John held up his hand. "I know, I know and understand completely why you did it. I would have done the same thing. But it was meant for her, and so I thank you anyway." Eric just accepted it, and didn't say anything. "Well it looks like Greta actually left to give you some piece and quiet, and I should leave so you can actually have some before she gets back here. Because I'm sure it won't be long, and she will be back." Eric smiled and agreed. They said their good-byes, and Eric was alone once again. His mind left to think about everything John had said.
A couple hours later, Greta did come through the door, and found him asleep. She smiled, and moved closer, she moved some hair from his forehead gently, and kissed the top of his head. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, and pulled her into a hug. "So what did you go and do?" He asked her, a little sleep still in his voice. She told him everything she did at home, and then running into Belle at Salem Place. He smiled as she told him about all the shopping the three had done together, and how many bags she had in the car to put away.
When she was done with her story, she noticed another yawn from him, and also realized how tired she was. "Now, I know you said I should go home to sleep in our bed...." She trailed off.
He could hear the but, a mile away, "But..." He said.
"But... it's just not our bed... without you in it."
He kissed her again, and moved over, which produced a large smile. She kicked off her shoes, and made herself comfortable next to him. "Better?" He asked.
"Much." She said laying her head on his shoulder. He hugged her to him, and he had to admit to himself, that he was going to sleep better with her next to him, then if she wasn't. They said their goodnights and soon both were asleep.
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Chapter 130
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Eric was released from the hospital a day and half later, with strict orders for bed rest, and absolutely no strenuous activity. He was to come back to hospital in a week for another check up, and also if he had any problems what so ever. Sami had come to the hospital to help Greta get Eric home, and all settled in. He kept trying to help them, and they kept making him get back in bed, scolding him. Greta saw him try and get out of bed again, as she and Sami were moving some of the furniture in the room, "Don't even think about it." She said, and saw him lay back down and sigh.
"What are you guys doing anyway?"
Sami looked at him and smiled, "Well since you are going to be in here for the next few days.." She saw him about to object, "Don't even disagree!" She shook her head, and they sat down the dresser so it was directly across from the bed. "We thought we would move the TV in here, and some other things, so you have stuff to do, and don't have to move around to much."
Greta smiled, she was glad Sami was there, Eric was starting to be a handful. She knew he was feeling cooped up, but still, he was also being a little kid. *Men.* She said to herself, and smiled. "Okay, we are going to get the TV, now you STAY PUT!" She said, and they went down stairs and got the TV. They slowly made their way back up the stairs with it, and were surprised when they found him still in bed.
"I stayed put." He said, holding up a magazine he was reading. They then set up the TV. Greta then went and got her lap top, and hooked it up to the phone line so he could get online if he wanted too. She sat it on the night stand next to him, then looked around. "Okay, you got magazines, books, tv, internet, stuff to drink and snacks. What else do you want?" She asked him.
Eric looked at her, a slight wicked smile on his face, looking her up and down, then sighed. "Nothing I can have until Lexi takes these stupid limitations off me."
Greta blushed and Sami just smiled and shook her head. "And I think that's my cue to leave." She said and came over, gave Greta a hug, and then one to Eric. She then stood back up, and pointed her finger at him, "Now be good! And stay put!"
"Sami, I'm not a dog." She smiled at him, and gave him a stern look. "I know, I know! Okay, I'll be good. Geez." The girls laughed at him, and Greta went and walked Sami out of the house, and then came back upstairs. She went over, and laid down on her side of the bed. Eric put down the magazine and turned towards her. "This babying is getting really old."
She smiled at him. "I know. I'm trying not too, but these are doctor's orders." She moved closer to him, and laid her head on his chest. "So how about we just watch some TV, and try and make the best of our time together?" She looked up at him, "At least now we are back in our own big queen size bed."
He smiled down at her, "You're right," he said with a sigh. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him. "I just wish we could do more in this bed."
She patted his chest, and then moved her head back up to look at him. She smiled, "You know what Lexi said. No strenuous activity, and as little movement as possible for just a little longer."
The corners of his mouth turned into a smile looking at her, "Well, 'I' wouldn't have to move." He told her.
She smiled and sat up, and moved over him, lightly straddling his waste and then leaned back down, and kissed him. Her hands went through his hair, and his arms came up to move around her, and pull her closer to him. Their breathing and heart rates becoming faster, and then she pulled away. He stared up at her breathless, "And this is exactly why we can't," she said then lightly kissed him, and moved off him. He groaned at her. "Because even if I am, on top," she said with a wink, "You're heart rate is going to skyrocket, and I know you don't and won't keep still."
He knew she was right, but he didn't want to admit it, and then he smiled at her, "Just you wait."
She looked at him, "For what?"
"Once I get that clean bill of health..." His eyes lingered over her, "Let's just say, you should get your sleep now."
Her smile widened, her hand lightly traveled over his chest, "No, I think you are the one that needs to save your strength, cause I've been 'missing' you too." She said, and leaned in, and kissed him hard. She then pulled away. "Okay, what do you want to watch on TV?" She asked as she turned it on with the remote, and laid her head back on his shoulder.
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Two days later, Greta was running around the bedroom, and Eric was sitting on the bed, trying not to laugh at her, as she then started to crawl under the bed. "Just wear the red ones." He told her.
"The red ones..." She said with a grunt, trying to reach further under the bed, "Don't match my outfit."
"Then one of the other millions of ones you have, why does it 'have' to be that pair of shoes?" He asked her, as she came back out from under the bed. She walked back towards the closet, straightening out her skirt as she went, she then grabbed her white silk shirt from the hanger, and started to pull it on. Eric frowned, "You don't have to cover up."
She shook her head at him, "I can't go back to work in my bra." She told him as she buttoned the last button. Then she looked around the room, "Where the hell is that other shoe???"
He almost laughed as he heard her swear, it was rare, and he knew that when she did, she was not to be messed with. He started to get out of bed, "Let me help you look."
She quickly walked over to him, and pushed him back onto the bed, "What do you think you are doing?"
"Helping you look."
"Oh no you aren't." She said and moved back to the closet and just took out a different pair of shoes. "I'll wear these, they aren't my favorites, but they'll do." She walked back over to him, and sat down on the edge of the bed, and then put on the shoes. "Okay, I'll be at work. You have my number, my e-mail, my pager number. If you need anything, you can get me, Sami, your mom, or Belle when she is out of classes."
"I'm fine, I can take care of myself."
"Now, you stay in bed."
He smiled at her, "Don't worry I'll be here when you get back."
She shook her head, "I know, I'll leave and you'll be all over this house, and then get back into bed when I should get home." He smiled at her, she had him, that was exactly what he was going to do. "I may come home unexpectedly. So don't try it. And if I do find that you have been bad..." She gave him an amused smiled, but there was a slight glint in her eye, "I may just have to handcuff you to the bed next time."
His eyebrows shot up, and then he pulled her in for a kiss. "Remind me to be 'bad' when I feel better"
She shook her head and stood up, lightly hitting his shoulder, "You're horrible."
"You love it."
She smiled, "I love you." She then looked at the clock, "Oh God, I have to go. I'm going to be so late." With that she gave him a quick kiss and hurried out the door.
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To Be Continued