TITLE: DAYS Fairy Tale: Eric & Greta: Chapters 166-170
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 166
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Greta screamed in terror as Daniel approached her. "No! Please, don't hurt me." She yelled at him as he came at her with a crazed look on his face.
"You can't have his baby! You just can't. It's the only way!" He yelled back at her.
She tried to move and crawl away from him, her side already hurting from being thrown to the floor. She saw his foot coming for her stomach and she rolled to the side, he back taking the impact and she screamed in pain. "Stop!" She yelled, but he wouldn't listen. He kept trying to kick at her, she kept trying to move away, tried to get up and run, but each time he was there and throwing her around.
She then kicked him in the groin, and he yelled in pain, "What is it with you and kicking me there!" He yelled at her, and then slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling back to the floor, blood trickling from the side of her mouth.
And then he started at her again, Greta screamed as his foot hit her side. She curled into a ball, trying to protect herself and the baby as best she could as she screamed for him to stop, tears streaming down her face, pain raging through her body.
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Eric heard the screams, and it felt like his heart dropped into his stomach. "Greta," he said and ran towards the screams, in no time he saw a building ahead and quickly made his way to the door. The screams continued and he raced inside. His eyes barely witnessed another kick landing on Greta's side. As he ran over and tackled Daniel to the floor.
Greta rolled to the side, curled in a ball, barely realizing that the physical pounding had stopped.
The men rolled around the room, each trying to get the upper hand, as fists were flying. Daniel turned to the side and threw Eric away from him, getting to his feet, but Eric was up in no time, and jumped him from behind trying to tackle him back down. Daniel threw his arm backwards and elbowed Eric in the stomach, allowing him to turn around and punch Eric. But he blocked it just in time, trying to send one of his own, which didn't connect as Daniel moved to the side.
Greta's mind finally registered that she wasn't being hit anymore, and the commotion around her. *Eric.* She thought as she opened her eyes and saw the two men hitting one another. While Eric easily took out Daniel a few years ago, this time it was a much more even match. He must have spent a lot of time at the prisons exercise room. She knew it was quite possible that Eric might not win this one. She looked across the room at the table and the gun sitting on top of it. Her body in pain, she started to try and pull herself along the floor to the table.
Eric's right punch threw Daniel back against the wall, and his left came and got him in the ribs. But he didn't count on Daniel using his own head to hit Eric's making him reel backwards and almost hit the floor. Daniel charged at him, and they struggled into the kitchen area.
Greta had managed to make her way to the table, her arm trying to reach for the gun but her fingers couldn't even reach the tables edge from the floor. Her stomach cramped as she tried to stand, making her double over in pain again. Her mind screaming at her, that she had to get up.
Daniel's fist hit his chin again, and blood flew out of Eric's mouth and hit the floor. But his own fist came up into his rib cage, causing Daniel to fall backwards hitting the kitchen counter. Eric came in to hit him again, but Daniel got some leverage off the counter and bringing his leg up, kicked him hard in the chest. Eric went flying across the kitchen.
Daniel quickly opened a drawer, taking out the hunting knife he knew was there, and turned towards Eric. Eric, turned and slowly started to get to his feet. He turned towards Daniel, his eyes barely seeing the glimpse of the metal of the knife heading towards him. And then a loud sound went off, and Daniel's plunge towards Eric halted in mid stride. The men both not registering what happened turned towards the sound, and found Greta standing by the table, the gun in her outstretched arm, pointed right at Daniel.
Eric's eyes widened, and he turned back to Daniel who's arm was now oozing with blood. His eyes turned back to Eric, now more determined, and tried to lung at him one more time.
Another shot rang out in the room, this time Daniel staggered backwards slightly as it hit him in the chest, but he refused to go down. He turned towards Greta, screamed and started for her, and another shot rang out, hitting him right between the eyes, and Daniel hit the floor.
Eric looked from the form laying in a pool of blood towards Greta. He saw as her body started to shake, she dropped the gun to the floor, and she immediately followed. Eric's shock wore off immediately, and he ran towards her. He pulled her up into his arms, and her eyes looked up at him. "Eric..." She trailed off, barely able to speak, her arms clasping her stomach, as another cramp hit her hard. "The baby..."
Eric picked her up and started to run out the door. If it wasn't for the situation he would have almost laughed as the cop cars were coming up the drive. He ran over to the one, the officer stopped, and opened the back door of the car as he saw Greta. Eric climbed in with her, as Roman ran over. "Eric... what's going on?"
Eric gave him a look that Roman knew should have killed him, "You were too slow." He turned to the officer, "Hospital, NOW!" He yelled. Roman nodded at him, and officer got into the car and turned it back onto the road. "Hurry!" He yelled. The officer drove back towards the main road, sirens and lights going.
Greta moaned in his arms, "Oh, Eric... it hurts... it hurts..."
"I know, I know." He said trying to soothe her.
"The baby." She said again.
"We're going to the hospital, we're going." He told her, then yelled at the officer, "Can't we go any faster?" He asked as they finally hit the main road. He felt the car move a little faster. His hands trailed over her, trying to figure out what all had happened, and then, his hand came across wetness. He pulled his hand back, it was covered in blood. *Oh, God* She was bleeding. "Call the hospital! Notify them that we are coming in. A pregnant woman, 4th month, and.... she's bleeding and cramping." Eric said his heart falling, his eyes catching a glimpse of the officers in the mirror. He could feel the car speed up considerably, and heard him call in.
He looked down at Greta, and she looked up at him, "I'm sorry." She said softly.
"For what?" He asked her, not understanding what she could possibly be sorry for.
"I tried to protect it, I couldn't get away, I tried..."
He stopped her in mid sentence, "It's not your fault, it's his." He said.
"Oh God Eric, what's happened?" She asked him, it was all to much at once really for either of them to comprehend. She clutched her stomach again and screamed. Eric held her to him, and prayed they would get to the hospital soon.
A little later they were there, doctors and nurses were around them. She was hurried onto a cart, and wheeled into the emergency room. Craig and Lexi already there and waiting as they got her into a room, one of the nurses holding Eric back. "She's my wife!" He screamed at her.
The nurse looked at him, "Yes, and the best thing you can do right now is stay out of the way." But in less than a minute they were wheeling her back out of the room and down the hall.
"What's going on?" He yelled to them. Craig continued and Lexi stayed and stopped Eric from going with them.
"Eric..." She started.
"What's going on?" He asked her, panic evident on his face.
"We are taking her in for emergency surgery."
"The baby?" Eric asked.
"That's what we are trying to save right now. She's cramping and bleeding, we are trying to prevent a miscarriage. But Eric..." She said looking at him sadly.
He closed his eyes, "Just say it."
"It doesn't look good, she got beaten up pretty bad. Also we don't know how much trauma the baby got. We just don't know, how bad..." Lexi didn't know what to say to him.
Eric nodded, tears starting to go down his face, "What about Greta, will she be okay?"
Lexi looked up at him, "She has a much better chance."
Eric's eyes widened, "What? Chance?" He really never thought that Greta was that much in danger, she was only beaten up, "Are you telling me, my wife could die?"
Lexi's hand came to his shoulder, "I'm not saying that, but..." She took a breath, "Eric, she has lost a lot of blood, and, well, we aren't sure if there are any internal injuries." She shook her head, "Listen, I need to get in there, I will get someone to tell you anything as soon as we know." She rubbed his shoulder and than ran down the hallway.
Eric watched her go, and he felt like the wind had been kicked out of him. He couldn't breath. He barely saw Sami rush up to his side, he couldn't hear her ask what had happened. He didn't feel her arms go around him and hug him. He didn't know how he had walked to a chair and sat down. He didn't see Sami leave to call family, when Brandon came over sitting next to him. His mind was swimming. His head hearing the loud shots, the sight of Daniel kicking her, the screams, the sight of the knife, the feel of her blood on his hands, those images running through his mind as things were happening around him.
He didn't notice Sami and the nurses taking him into an exam room. He didn't feel the doctors examine his bruises, stitch up his cuts, and check him for a concussion. Eric barely registered that he had changed his clothes, leaving the blooded ones behind. His mind was swimming, until a familiar figure appeared in front of him, asking him questions. His blood pounded in his head, his anger started to boil and he lashed out.
"How DARE you ask ME questions about what happened NOW! My WIFE and BABY are in there fighting for their LIVES! And you want to know what HAPPENED?" He yelled at Roman and Abe. "YOU were LATE! YOU didn't save HER! YOU allowed HIM to do this to HER!"
Roman tried to put his hand on his shoulder, "Son.... I know you're upset..."
Eric pulled away from his father, "YOU don't KNOW ANYTHING! Get AWAY FROM ME!" He screamed at him and stormed down the hall.
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Chapter 167
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Eric's mind was still echoing from the words he yelled at his father, but he didn't care. He was angry, angry at him for not protecting Greta. He was angry at the police for not getting there sooner. He was angry at Daniel for hurting her. He as angry at the hospital for not telling him she would be okay. He was angry at himself because he didn't get there in time. He couldn't get there sooner, he couldn't protect her. He looked around, and was surprised to find that he had walked into the hospital chapel. He walked up to the front and collapsed to his knees.
"Oh God, please." He said closing his eyes and resting his head against his clasped hands. "I can't lose her, I can't." He felt horrible for what he was thinking. He wanted to save the baby too, the baby was very important to him, but foremost on his mind was her. She had to be okay. No matter how hard it would be, how horrible it would be to lose the baby, the most important thing was that she would be okay. He tried to think that they could have another baby, but that answer made him slightly sick to think about it like that. But then another thought went through his head. *If she will be able to have another one.* His head tilted down, *If she makes it through this to begin with.*
So many thoughts and feelings were running through him, and he didn't know what to think or feel. And then he felt another hand on his shoulder, his tear streaked face turned and looked over his shoulder. "Mom."
A very faint smile went across her face, and she took his hand and he moved to sit down on the bench with her. She just held out her arms, and he moved into them. She hugged her son to her, and just held onto him. "I can't loose her, I can't loose both of them."
She rubbed his back, trying to soothe him. She didn't say anything, she just listened to him. She didn't have anything to say, because she didn't want to get his hopes up, in truth she had no idea how it would turn out. All she could do was let him know that she was here for him, and so was everyone else. She wanted to tell him not to be angry at his father, that it wasn't his fault, but now was not the time or place. She knew they could deal with that after everything was sorted out. She had a ton of questions herself, but again, this wasn't the time.
Once she saw him slightly calm down, she pulled away slightly to look at him, "How about we go back out there, and see if there is any news?" Eric nodded and they stood and headed back into the waiting room. As they walked back in, he noticed John about to come over, but Marlena waving him away. "Anything?" He heard his mom ask Sami.
"Nothing yet." She told them and then sat back down next to Brandon.
Eric sat down heavily in a chair, and soon a cup of coffee was in front of him, he looked up to see Belle, and took the cup. "Thanks." He said lightly and took a sip, then sat it down on the side table next to him. He saw Abe walking over to him, and his anger started to rise up again. "Don't even start." He said to him quickly and staring at him. "You want to know what happened? Huh?" Eric said standing up and walking towards him. "I came up to the building, hearing her SCREAMING inside. I ran in, saw him KICKING and BEATING her. I pushed him off her. We fought around the room, POUNDING the CRAP out of each other. He kicked me across the room. I got up, and he had a KNIFE. He lunged at me. A shot went out and hit his arm. Yes, it was Greta, she SHOT Daniel. He didn't stop. He lunged for me again, she shot him again in the CHEST. He then turned on her, he went for her and she SHOT him again, he finally fell to the floor. She dropped the gun, and then she FELL to the FLOOR! Are you happy now? There is my DAMN STATEMENT. That's what the hell happened. NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" He looked around, shocked faces on everyone as he sat back down. He saw Abe and Roman talking, and then Abe pulling out his phone.
"Son... I"
Eric heard his father's voice next to him, "ROMAN," he said using his first name to make his point. "Don't even try." Marlena just shook her head to Roman, and mouthed, "not now."
A few minutes later, Lexi was walking out towards them. Eric stood up and rushed towards her. "Greta?" He asked her.
Lexi put out her hands, trying to calm everyone down, so she could talk. "Greta has many bruises, a concussion, and we repaired the internal bleeding that she had. Greta will be okay."
A large sense of relief washed though Eric. "The baby?" He could barely even ask the question.
"We aren't completely sure yet."
"Yet? Which means, the baby is still alive."
"Yes. We got the bleeding and the cramping to stop. We had to go in and reattach part of the umbilical cord. We are monitoring the baby very closely, the next 24 to 48 hours are crucial. We won't know all the damage for awhile yet. It's just a wait and see, we are by no means out of the woods. Eric... please... don't get a false sense of security here. If she starts cramping or anything again..."
"I know Lexi. I understand. But the main thing is, she's okay, right?"
"She will be fine. Eventurally, but she is in a lot of pain, we can give her a little bit for it but not much, because of the baby."
"Can I see her?" He asked, all he wanted to do was see her, touch her, know she was okay.
"Not yet, she's in recovery. I'll let you know when you can, she's asleep right now, and that is actually the best thing for both of them." She smiled at them and turned to go back and check on Greta.
Relieved looks were on everyone's faces, and Eric was one of them, partially. He was still worried about the baby. As Lexi said, anything could happen, they didn't know the full damage that had been caused. Now it was just waiting, more waiting. But at least she would be okay, he got at least some good news, he looked up at the ceiling, *Thank you,* he thought, then added, *Now can you give me one more miracle?* He asked as he went to sit back down, and wait.
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Chapter 168
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Waiting, that's what Eric did. Some of the family had already left to go back home, with requests to be notified on any news. John, Marlena, Belle, and Sami had stayed. Brandon had went back to work, and Roman left after must persistence by Marlena. She told him they could work things out with Eric and him after everything calmed down.
Eric almost jumped when Lexi said his name, he looked up at her, "We just moved her into her own room, you can come and see her if you want, she's still asleep though."
Eric stood up, and John moved over, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Tell her we're out here, and we love her." Eric nodded and followed Lexi through the double doors.
As they walked down the hallway, Lexi began to speak to him. "Okay, if she does wake up, try and get her not to move to much."
Eric nodded as they walked, he turned to her as she let out a sigh and noticed that she was trying to decide what to say. "Tell me Lexi, what?"
She stopped outside the door and turned to him, "Well, where she was hit, has bruised pretty bad, she looks... she looks a lot worse than it is. I guess, I just want to..."
Eric nodded, "You don't want me to go in there and panic and make it worse on her." Lexi nodded and gave a slight smile to the knowledge that he understood. She patted him on the shoulder, and told him he could stay as long as he wanted. She also told him if he needed anything just ask the nurses. Eric nodded and headed for the door. He slowly turned the knob and walked in, and was glad that Lexi had told him what to expect, but it still didn't stop his heart from falling into his stomach, and anger well up inside of him for what had happened to her.
She had two large bruises on her face from where Daniel had hit her. He walked closer to her, and could see purple marks all over her arms in the shape of fingers grabbing her hard. Only his imagination could see what the rest of her must of looked like as a tear slipped down his face. *I should have been there earlier, I should have stopped him.* He thought, as he sat down in the chair next to her. He leaned over and took her hand very gently, trying not to hurt her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Hi," he said very softly. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." He lightly rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Oh Greta... I love you." He said, his throat almost choking on the words, as another tear ran down his face. He tried to smile, and told her that the family was outside waiting, thinking of her, and said to tell her they loved her.
He wanted to just wrap her in his arms and hug her tightly to him, and never let her go, never let anyone near her, and just protect her and the baby for the rest of his life. But he was afraid to touch her, he didn't want to hurt her. So he settled for holding onto her hand and resting his head by her shoulder, looking at her. His other hand came up and very gently pushed some of her hair from her face. Then he placed that hand with his other, holding and caressing her fingertips.
Eric didn't want to wake her, so he just closed his eyes, and let himself drift off to sleep.
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His eyes slowly opened because there was a slight pressure to his fingertips. He opened his eyes and saw Greta looking at him. "Greta..." He said softly sitting up, holding her hand tighter.
She had a far off look in her eyes, "Eric... what... where?"
He could tell that she was having trouble remembering, she shook her head slightly, and then cringed with a look of pain. "Don't move too much." He told her.
She looked confused, and then her eyes opened wide, "Eric... the baby.. what?.."
He tried to calm her down, lightly placing her hand on her chest, lightly pressing her to stay still. "Calm down, just calm down. The baby," he sighed lightly trying to figure out what to say. "Is being monitored, but right now is okay."
She still looked panicked, "Monitored? Why? What's going on?" She asked, and then winced slightly from moving.
Eric closed his eyes, and decided to tell her everything, then he opened them again and looked straight at her. "They don't know if there is anything wrong or not, they are worried you could start cramping again, and everything. They'll know better in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours."
He saw the tears running down her face, and he knew her pain, he was going through it as well. He watched her hand move to her stomach, lightly rubbing it. "I'm so sorry." She said looking down at her stomach, and then back up at him. "I'm so sorry."
Eric looked at her like she was crazy, "What could you possibly be sorry for?"
"For not protecting the baby better, for get caught by Daniel," she paused, and her voice quivered, "For ever getting to know Daniel in the first place. If I would..."
"Greta... Don't, don't even blame yourself for this. Don't blame yourself for anything that he's done. Just try and forget about him. We don't have to worry about him ever again."
More tears ran down her face, "I know..." Her hand went to her face, covering her eyes, "I killed him Eric, I killed him. I actually, killed someone." She said her voice very quite.
He couldn't bare to see her like this. He carefully stood up, and very lightly sat on the bed next to her, she slightly rolled into his arms, and he just held onto her. "You did what you had to do, Greta. You tried, you did try to just stop him, he just wouldn't. If you didn't do what you HAD to do, he would have probably killed all three of us." He said, his one hand resting on hers that she had left on her stomach.
Greta knew he was right, but it still didn't make her feel any better. She could barely move from the pain she felt coursing through her body. She was beyond worry about the baby, thinking how close she was to losing it, that she still possibly could. And, besides all that, she also had to deal with the fact that she was now a murderer.
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Chapter 169
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Eric stayed with Greta all night long, but it wasn't restful for either of them. Either she was having a hard time sleeping because of the pain, or once she finally did get to sleep nightmares would come. The nurses and doctors were also coming in and out at regular intervals checking the monitors and giving medication. By the time morning came, the two were finally found peacefully asleep. Eric having completely given up the chair, and moving into the hospital bed with her.
Craig walked into the room, followed by Lexi, and stopped and looked at the two. *What a pair.* He thought to himself. Eric was barely in the bed, he almost looked like he could fall out of it any second, but his arms were around Greta, protectively, but gently. Her head resting on his shoulder. One of each of their hands resting softly on her slightly protruding stomach. It would have been an absolutely beautiful sight if it wasn't marred with all the tubes, cords, and monitors. As well as the scrapes, bruises, and black eyes on the two in front of him.
He turned to Lexi, with a small smile on his face, "They love each other so much."
Lexi smiled, "Yeah, lets hope they don't have to go through anymore hell." Craig nodded, and quietly walked over to the end of the bed, and took a look at Greta's chart, with Lexi looking over his shoulder.
Eric's eyes slowly opened, he had heard voices, and he looked at Greta immediately, she was still asleep and he sighed in relief, he then caught the eyes of Craig and Lexi at the foot of the bed. He brought his finger to his lips softly, and they nodded.
Eric looked at them, and mouthed out silently, "Any news?"
Craig shook his head no, and mouthed back, "Same." He then gave a soft smile, and very quietly said, "But, that's still good news."
Eric nodded in understanding, and laid his head back down on the pillow and closed his eyes once again. He needed to get more sleep, and for some reason, Greta was still asleep. The nightmares had stopped, they stopped sometime after dawn actually. The sunlight was probably a calming effect on her. He let himself relax as he felt the sunlight on his face, and how it seemed to warm the blankets and her next to him. Yeah, it was much more relaxing, and comforting than the dark night.
He barely heard Craig and Lexi leave the room, as he finally drifted off, but it seemed like only a few minutes later the door was opening again, and a nurse was coming in with a tray of food. Eric was about ready to curse at Craig for not having told the nurses to forget about breakfast, but was stopped when she talked.
"Sorry, to wake you two up, but Lexi said that Greta really needs to get in some Lunch." Eric almost did a double take. He looked at the clock in the room. It was after twelve thirty already. He felt Greta next to him, waking up from the commotion in the room.
Eric nodded at the nurse, "Okay, I'll see what I can do." He said, and soon she left. He looked down at Greta and her eyes were opening slowly. "Good Afternoon." He told her and lightly kissed her forehead.
She smiled slightly, and then looked more serious, "How's the baby? Anything?"
He caressed the back of her head, lightly stroking her hair, "Nothing has changed, which can be considered good." She nodded. He put out his arm and pulled over the stand with the tray of food. "Now, do you think you can eat anything?"
She looked at the tray, "Maybe, what do they have?"
He smiled, "Well, if you can eat, which they really want you too, if you don't like anything here, I'm sure I can go and get you whatever your heart desires."
He told her what was on the tray. She drank the milk without a second thought, and ate the package of crackers. But the beef broth, apple sauce, and what might be considered a sandwich didn't pass inspection. Eric smiled, "Let me go ask at the nurses desk, if there is anything you can't have, and then I'll be back for your order." He said with a smile, and started to disentangle himself from her.
She held onto his arm. "I love you." She said softy.
He smiled back down at her, as he got to his feet. "I love you too, so much." He said, gently running his fingers over her face, and kissed her lightly. "I'll be right back." He said, and then walked outside.
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A few minutes later he was walking back inside the room, "See, I'm back. And, I got someone you might like to see."
Greta looked over his shoulder, and smiled. "Dad."
John smiled at her, and looked at Eric quickly. Eric knew exactly what went through John's mind in that look. If John could have gotten his hands on Daniel.... well it didn't matter anymore, *Daniel is long gone.* They both walked over to her, and John gave her a big, but very delicate hug. "Hey sweetheart. Guess who's going be talking to you while Eric goes gets lunch for you."
Greta smiled, "And himself!" She said looking at Eric sternly
"And myself." He rolled his eyes.
"Unless, you two want me to go get stuff for you. No offense Eric, but you don't look like your in the best of shape either."
Eric's hand went to his ribs at the thought, then to his jaw. "Yeah, I know, I look like hell. But I'll heal. Besides, you guys can talk, and at least I can get out of the room for a while." He said with slight amusement, to Greta. And it had the desired effect to make her smile, and then give that fake pout.
"Yeah, and I get to stay here." She said, but she knew better, as she laid her head back down, she was so sore, she couldn't move out of the bed if she tried.
Eric took out a pen and a pad of paper out of the stand next to the bed. "Okay, the nurse said you can have anything that you want, but she thought it would probably good to stay away from anything to spicy, more out of just comfort." John laughed slightly at that.
"Hmmmm," Greta thought. "Anything?" She said sounding like a little kid.
"Ohhh boy, let me guess Greta has already started the food cravings."
Eric rolled her eyes, "As soon as the morning sickness ended."
John laughed, "Just wait till 3 am, when they want ice cream, or watermelon in the middle of winter."
Eric smiled, and Greta just shook her head. "Hey, if we have to have the kids, the least you men can do is get us food." She thought for a little bit more. "Oh, Eric that little restaurant right around the corner." Eric already smiled, it was one of her favorites. "Get some of their cheese biscuits things, a bowl of one of their soups, you know the kinds I like, mmmm, a roast beef sandwich, and some of those white chocolate macadamia..."
"Nut cookies, and let me guess, their carrot orange fruit drink." She smiled at him.
John shook his head, "Interesting combination."
"Hey, at least she has her appetite." He walked over to her, gave her a quick kiss, "I'll be back."
He was about out the door, when Greta called out. "Eric.."
"Yeah?"
"Bring back some of those Deli pickles and a bag of potato chips for later while you are there too." He nodded okay with a slight laugh. "Oh and Eric..." He looked at her again, holding up the pen to write down more as he was laughing. "Love you."
His smile widened even more, "I love you too." He said, and walked out the door, to get the stuff on the list, and also figure out what he wanted. Because now he was starving as well.
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John and Greta were talking as Eric came back into the room. His hands were full with bags, and he set them down on the table next to the bed. "So, whatcha been talking about?"
Greta smiled, "Well, for one Lexi was back in while you were gone." Eric looked at her worried, and she went on before he could ask. "The baby's heart rate is doing well, and the vital signs are improving slightly. Some of the other tests have come back in, and they are normal too. So..."
John continued for her, when she couldn't keep speaking, her eyes were watering, but a large smile was on her face. Eric looked back and forth between them, not completely understanding. "Sooo, as long as she keeps relaxing, taking it easy, thus meaning no complications from cramping or anything else, the baby should be okay." Eric smiled, and wrapped his arms around her at the good news. He buried his face in her neck, and just held her to him. John smiled at the two and stood up and moved to the end of the bed. "Now, they are going to obviously keep her here for awhile still, and then if everything is okay, after that, she will be able to go home. But, they are going to want to watch this one for the rest of the pregnancy."
Greta pulled away, "Yeah, tons of restrictions."
Eric smiled at her, "And you will follow each and every single one of them." He said and then kissed the tip of her nose to make his point.
John nodded, "Well, I'm going to go tell Doc the news, and let the two of you finally get something to eat. I'll drop by later." They said their good-byes, and John left.
Eric sat down in the chair next to her, and started opening the bags. He handed her, her soup. "Broccoli Cheese."
"Mmmm." She said taking it from him, and taking off the lid, she looked for a spoon, and smiled when she saw him already holding it up for her. "You are too good to me."
"Nah." He said looking in the bags, and putting the rest of her stuff in front of her, and then took out his stuff.
"What did you get?" She said eyeing the bags, "Why? Want some?"
"No, no, I've got plenty, just curious."
He pulled out a large sub sandwich, and a package of french fries, "Steak and Cheese." he said already biting into it. She smiled, and they enjoyed their lunch together. Greta rested her left hand on her stomach, she knew it would probably be there for another 5 months approximately, a constant reminder to take care of herself, and the baby. Now that it seemed like God had given them a second change with this little bundle, she was going to do everything in her power to make sure it stayed safe and healthy.
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Chapter 170
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Greta was able to leave the hospital a couple days later, with strict restrictions for bed rest and no lifting or strenuous activity. Which was okay for her for the first couple of days, she didn't feel like moving anyway. But after that, she got antsy, and Eric made sure that someone was around her all the time while he was at work so that she would follow Craig's orders. After a few weeks, Lexi told her that she could start going back to work part time, but try and do as much as she could from home.
More time passed, and the doctor visits were lessened, but still almost every week. They found out the sex of the baby almost a month ago, and were still trying to figure out a name. Greta sat next to Eric, her hand on her stomach rubbing it. Bo and Hope were setting across from them. "What about a family name?" Hope asked them, as they were waiting for their food to come.
"Yeah we thought about that," Eric said moving his arm up and over the booth, to put it around Greta and she leaned into him.
"Erica," she said smiling at Eric and he grinned, "and then Gina." She said with a slightly sad look on her face. She shook her head, then smiled, "Sorry, all the hormones."
Hope grinned, "Tell me about it!" They all laughed at that.
"Yeah, Eric, aren't those little things absolutely wonderful?" Bo asked with a wink.
Eric smiled at him and then to Greta, "I don't know what you mean?" He said trying to sound innocent. Greta lightly smacked his shoulder.
"Really, you guys, you have to get on this name thing, you only have, what...?" Hope asked.
"Two and a half months to go." Eric said, his hand coming over and rubbing Greta's stomach. All three smiling at him, as he leaned down and kissed Greta's belly. "And I can't wait."
Greta laughed, and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, for more than one reason."
Eric looked up at her, "I have no idea to what you are referring!" He said with a wink, "I just want to see the face of my beautiful baby girl."
She stuck her tongue in the side of her cheek, and nodded, "Uh huh, okay." She rolled her eyes, and then looked back over the table to find the other couple looking at them strangely.
Eric sat back up and just about laughed at the look of confusion on their faces. Caroline came back over, and filled up Bo's and Eric's coffee. "The chowder will be ready in about five more minutes." She told them.
"Thanks mom," Bo said, and then looked at Eric, "Just enough time for a game of darts."
"Oh kay," he said standing up, and following Bo over to the dart board by the bar.
Greta smiled, "Why do I think that was a way to talk to him alone?"
Hope laughed, "Because it was. Which is good, cause now I can talk to you." Hope scooted closer to the table. "Soooo... what did you mean by all that?"
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Bo grabbed the darts handing them to Eric, and then he leaned against the bar as Eric started to take his shot. "So what was all that about?"
Eric grinned, "Get me alone and start grilling me, huh?"
"Yep, thought it would be easier to talk alone. So come on, tell me."
Eric sighed, threw a dart, and then looked over at him. "Well..." He sighed, not knowing how to say this. "Do you have any idea how many times in our relationship, that either me or Greta has had to have restrictions or what we can do.... physically." Bo smiled at the last word. "And how many times if it wasn't that, that something else happened to make it so that we have to wait to be together. It's.... very.... frustrating." He threw the last two darts, went over to the board, and pulled them out, and then handed them to Bo.
"You know she.."
Eric cut him off, "Oh no, I'm not upset with Greta at all, it's not like it's her fault. It's all these damn outside forces. I think she's as frustrated with it as I am, well, mostly, even though she teases me about it, like just now."
"So, I take it, because of what happened, sex..." he said the last word softly, "Is completely out of the question."
Eric sighed, and nodded affirmatively, "Yeah."
Bo looked over his shoulder at the two women talking, and then back to Eric, "But she looks absolutely fine and healthy."
"Yeah she does, but..." He sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. "Remember around a month ago, when the Salem PD was wrapping up all the paperwork with Daniel and everything, and they had to question her one last time...."
Bo nodded and sighed, he was there for the questioning, and remembered how harsh some of the questions were. How the lawyer kept hounding her about her shooting him three times. It ended only when they basically had to rush Greta into the hospital, because she got so stressed and emotional that she was starting to have contractions.
Eric looked at him, "I could have killed that guy, there was no reason to question her like that." Bo had to agree. He sighed again, "At least they got everything under control again, but after that, we just knew we had to be careful, and not take any chances."
Bo nodded, "Completely understandable," he threw another dart. "Even though frustrating."
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"So that's what it was all about." Greta said as she had just told Hope the reason for her comments and why. "I guess I should consider myself lucky though."
"Why is that?" Hope asked questioning.
"Well, you hear all the time that husbands stop wanting to be with their wives while they are pregnant." She smiled, "That's at least not the case with Eric, I see the way he looks at me sometimes, and then I feel absolutely horrible."
"Why do you feel horrible?"
"Because, I mean, we can't do anything. Well... I mean.. I could always...." Greta blushed, and Hope just laughed, "But he wouldn't even hear of it. He said it was completely unfair for me to do that for him and for me to not be able to get anything in return."
"Awh." Hope said, then laughed. "That's sweet in a very strange way."
Greta nodded with a smile of her own. "You know, at least it's good for us in a way. We know that we still love being around each other, spending time together, and can think of things to do without being... physical."
Hope nodded, "Just think, after the baby is born, and then... well, after those 6 weeks." Greta rolled her eyes again at the next length of time. "You'll hand the baby over to one of your lovely family members for the weekend, and then..."
Greta smiled, she knew exactly what that weekend would be like, her and Eric had many of them in the past. She looked down and rubbed her stomach, "I love this little thing like crazy, but I just can't wait to get it out of me." She looked up at Hope, "Just wish there was an easier way of doing that, one not so painful."
Hope reached over and grabbed Greta's hand, "Oh sweetie, I'm not going to lie to you. It will hurt like hell. But, once you hear that baby cry, and then they hand you that sweet baby to hold, you don't feel anything but pure happiness and joy."
Greta grinned, "Yeah, Marlena and Sami told me the same thing."
Caroline walked over with a tray and four large bowls. "Come on guys, lunch is now served." Bo and Eric walked back over and slid into the seats, as she sat the bowls down in front of them. "Still talking about names?" She asked.
"Yeah, still thinking." Eric told her as he picked up his spoon.
"Marie and Elizabeth are pretty," Caroline told them, "And also traditional."
"Thanks Grandma." Eric said, as she patted him on the shoulder and then went back to the bar.
Hope looked at them, "Or are you looking for something not traditional, something newer? Like Johanna or Kali?"
"Or something more spiritual, and related to how resilient this little one is, like Hope's name?" He said turning to her, and she leaned into him with a smile. "Like Faith or something."
Greta smiled, "They are all wonderful names, and that's the problem. We can't pick just one."
"Yeah at the the rate we are going, the baby's going to have like ten names." Eric said. The four laughed, and then continued with their lunch. On the way home, Eric turned towards Greta, "So, what are we going to name this little girl?" He asked, his one hand moving from the steering wheel to pat her stomach a few times.
She looked over at him, closed her eyes and sighed, "I have no idea at all. But at least we have some more time to figure it out."
"Yeah," He said as they pulled into the driveway. Greta was about to get out of the car and Eric stopped her. "Greta?" he said softly.
She looked back at him, "Yeah?"
He stopped, and tried to think of how to say what he wanted too. "About earlier..."
"Eric, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up with them there, it was none of their business. I'm sorry..."
"No, no, it's okay. I just.. I just want you to realize, that, ... well you know... you know I don't blame you or anything, right? That I don't hold it against you, or anything like that, right?" She nodded yes. "Good. Because, even though I want you like crazy..."
She smiled at him, and interrupted him, "You know I want you too, right?" She said reaching out, and running her hand over his cheek.
He closed his eyes at the touch, and reached up with his own hand placing it over hers. "I know." He then pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, and continued. "As I was saying, even though I want you like crazy, I want what is best for the baby, and you. And if that means waiting another 3 months, I can do that." He laughed slightly, "It's not like we haven't waited long times before."
She grinned, "Very true. Which reminds me, Hope volunteered to take care of the baby in about 3 months from now." She said with a wink. Eric laughed, and leaned over and kissed her.
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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 166
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Greta screamed in terror as Daniel approached her. "No! Please, don't hurt me." She yelled at him as he came at her with a crazed look on his face.
"You can't have his baby! You just can't. It's the only way!" He yelled back at her.
She tried to move and crawl away from him, her side already hurting from being thrown to the floor. She saw his foot coming for her stomach and she rolled to the side, he back taking the impact and she screamed in pain. "Stop!" She yelled, but he wouldn't listen. He kept trying to kick at her, she kept trying to move away, tried to get up and run, but each time he was there and throwing her around.
She then kicked him in the groin, and he yelled in pain, "What is it with you and kicking me there!" He yelled at her, and then slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling back to the floor, blood trickling from the side of her mouth.
And then he started at her again, Greta screamed as his foot hit her side. She curled into a ball, trying to protect herself and the baby as best she could as she screamed for him to stop, tears streaming down her face, pain raging through her body.
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Eric heard the screams, and it felt like his heart dropped into his stomach. "Greta," he said and ran towards the screams, in no time he saw a building ahead and quickly made his way to the door. The screams continued and he raced inside. His eyes barely witnessed another kick landing on Greta's side. As he ran over and tackled Daniel to the floor.
Greta rolled to the side, curled in a ball, barely realizing that the physical pounding had stopped.
The men rolled around the room, each trying to get the upper hand, as fists were flying. Daniel turned to the side and threw Eric away from him, getting to his feet, but Eric was up in no time, and jumped him from behind trying to tackle him back down. Daniel threw his arm backwards and elbowed Eric in the stomach, allowing him to turn around and punch Eric. But he blocked it just in time, trying to send one of his own, which didn't connect as Daniel moved to the side.
Greta's mind finally registered that she wasn't being hit anymore, and the commotion around her. *Eric.* She thought as she opened her eyes and saw the two men hitting one another. While Eric easily took out Daniel a few years ago, this time it was a much more even match. He must have spent a lot of time at the prisons exercise room. She knew it was quite possible that Eric might not win this one. She looked across the room at the table and the gun sitting on top of it. Her body in pain, she started to try and pull herself along the floor to the table.
Eric's right punch threw Daniel back against the wall, and his left came and got him in the ribs. But he didn't count on Daniel using his own head to hit Eric's making him reel backwards and almost hit the floor. Daniel charged at him, and they struggled into the kitchen area.
Greta had managed to make her way to the table, her arm trying to reach for the gun but her fingers couldn't even reach the tables edge from the floor. Her stomach cramped as she tried to stand, making her double over in pain again. Her mind screaming at her, that she had to get up.
Daniel's fist hit his chin again, and blood flew out of Eric's mouth and hit the floor. But his own fist came up into his rib cage, causing Daniel to fall backwards hitting the kitchen counter. Eric came in to hit him again, but Daniel got some leverage off the counter and bringing his leg up, kicked him hard in the chest. Eric went flying across the kitchen.
Daniel quickly opened a drawer, taking out the hunting knife he knew was there, and turned towards Eric. Eric, turned and slowly started to get to his feet. He turned towards Daniel, his eyes barely seeing the glimpse of the metal of the knife heading towards him. And then a loud sound went off, and Daniel's plunge towards Eric halted in mid stride. The men both not registering what happened turned towards the sound, and found Greta standing by the table, the gun in her outstretched arm, pointed right at Daniel.
Eric's eyes widened, and he turned back to Daniel who's arm was now oozing with blood. His eyes turned back to Eric, now more determined, and tried to lung at him one more time.
Another shot rang out in the room, this time Daniel staggered backwards slightly as it hit him in the chest, but he refused to go down. He turned towards Greta, screamed and started for her, and another shot rang out, hitting him right between the eyes, and Daniel hit the floor.
Eric looked from the form laying in a pool of blood towards Greta. He saw as her body started to shake, she dropped the gun to the floor, and she immediately followed. Eric's shock wore off immediately, and he ran towards her. He pulled her up into his arms, and her eyes looked up at him. "Eric..." She trailed off, barely able to speak, her arms clasping her stomach, as another cramp hit her hard. "The baby..."
Eric picked her up and started to run out the door. If it wasn't for the situation he would have almost laughed as the cop cars were coming up the drive. He ran over to the one, the officer stopped, and opened the back door of the car as he saw Greta. Eric climbed in with her, as Roman ran over. "Eric... what's going on?"
Eric gave him a look that Roman knew should have killed him, "You were too slow." He turned to the officer, "Hospital, NOW!" He yelled. Roman nodded at him, and officer got into the car and turned it back onto the road. "Hurry!" He yelled. The officer drove back towards the main road, sirens and lights going.
Greta moaned in his arms, "Oh, Eric... it hurts... it hurts..."
"I know, I know." He said trying to soothe her.
"The baby." She said again.
"We're going to the hospital, we're going." He told her, then yelled at the officer, "Can't we go any faster?" He asked as they finally hit the main road. He felt the car move a little faster. His hands trailed over her, trying to figure out what all had happened, and then, his hand came across wetness. He pulled his hand back, it was covered in blood. *Oh, God* She was bleeding. "Call the hospital! Notify them that we are coming in. A pregnant woman, 4th month, and.... she's bleeding and cramping." Eric said his heart falling, his eyes catching a glimpse of the officers in the mirror. He could feel the car speed up considerably, and heard him call in.
He looked down at Greta, and she looked up at him, "I'm sorry." She said softly.
"For what?" He asked her, not understanding what she could possibly be sorry for.
"I tried to protect it, I couldn't get away, I tried..."
He stopped her in mid sentence, "It's not your fault, it's his." He said.
"Oh God Eric, what's happened?" She asked him, it was all to much at once really for either of them to comprehend. She clutched her stomach again and screamed. Eric held her to him, and prayed they would get to the hospital soon.
A little later they were there, doctors and nurses were around them. She was hurried onto a cart, and wheeled into the emergency room. Craig and Lexi already there and waiting as they got her into a room, one of the nurses holding Eric back. "She's my wife!" He screamed at her.
The nurse looked at him, "Yes, and the best thing you can do right now is stay out of the way." But in less than a minute they were wheeling her back out of the room and down the hall.
"What's going on?" He yelled to them. Craig continued and Lexi stayed and stopped Eric from going with them.
"Eric..." She started.
"What's going on?" He asked her, panic evident on his face.
"We are taking her in for emergency surgery."
"The baby?" Eric asked.
"That's what we are trying to save right now. She's cramping and bleeding, we are trying to prevent a miscarriage. But Eric..." She said looking at him sadly.
He closed his eyes, "Just say it."
"It doesn't look good, she got beaten up pretty bad. Also we don't know how much trauma the baby got. We just don't know, how bad..." Lexi didn't know what to say to him.
Eric nodded, tears starting to go down his face, "What about Greta, will she be okay?"
Lexi looked up at him, "She has a much better chance."
Eric's eyes widened, "What? Chance?" He really never thought that Greta was that much in danger, she was only beaten up, "Are you telling me, my wife could die?"
Lexi's hand came to his shoulder, "I'm not saying that, but..." She took a breath, "Eric, she has lost a lot of blood, and, well, we aren't sure if there are any internal injuries." She shook her head, "Listen, I need to get in there, I will get someone to tell you anything as soon as we know." She rubbed his shoulder and than ran down the hallway.
Eric watched her go, and he felt like the wind had been kicked out of him. He couldn't breath. He barely saw Sami rush up to his side, he couldn't hear her ask what had happened. He didn't feel her arms go around him and hug him. He didn't know how he had walked to a chair and sat down. He didn't see Sami leave to call family, when Brandon came over sitting next to him. His mind was swimming. His head hearing the loud shots, the sight of Daniel kicking her, the screams, the sight of the knife, the feel of her blood on his hands, those images running through his mind as things were happening around him.
He didn't notice Sami and the nurses taking him into an exam room. He didn't feel the doctors examine his bruises, stitch up his cuts, and check him for a concussion. Eric barely registered that he had changed his clothes, leaving the blooded ones behind. His mind was swimming, until a familiar figure appeared in front of him, asking him questions. His blood pounded in his head, his anger started to boil and he lashed out.
"How DARE you ask ME questions about what happened NOW! My WIFE and BABY are in there fighting for their LIVES! And you want to know what HAPPENED?" He yelled at Roman and Abe. "YOU were LATE! YOU didn't save HER! YOU allowed HIM to do this to HER!"
Roman tried to put his hand on his shoulder, "Son.... I know you're upset..."
Eric pulled away from his father, "YOU don't KNOW ANYTHING! Get AWAY FROM ME!" He screamed at him and stormed down the hall.
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Chapter 167
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Eric's mind was still echoing from the words he yelled at his father, but he didn't care. He was angry, angry at him for not protecting Greta. He was angry at the police for not getting there sooner. He was angry at Daniel for hurting her. He as angry at the hospital for not telling him she would be okay. He was angry at himself because he didn't get there in time. He couldn't get there sooner, he couldn't protect her. He looked around, and was surprised to find that he had walked into the hospital chapel. He walked up to the front and collapsed to his knees.
"Oh God, please." He said closing his eyes and resting his head against his clasped hands. "I can't lose her, I can't." He felt horrible for what he was thinking. He wanted to save the baby too, the baby was very important to him, but foremost on his mind was her. She had to be okay. No matter how hard it would be, how horrible it would be to lose the baby, the most important thing was that she would be okay. He tried to think that they could have another baby, but that answer made him slightly sick to think about it like that. But then another thought went through his head. *If she will be able to have another one.* His head tilted down, *If she makes it through this to begin with.*
So many thoughts and feelings were running through him, and he didn't know what to think or feel. And then he felt another hand on his shoulder, his tear streaked face turned and looked over his shoulder. "Mom."
A very faint smile went across her face, and she took his hand and he moved to sit down on the bench with her. She just held out her arms, and he moved into them. She hugged her son to her, and just held onto him. "I can't loose her, I can't loose both of them."
She rubbed his back, trying to soothe him. She didn't say anything, she just listened to him. She didn't have anything to say, because she didn't want to get his hopes up, in truth she had no idea how it would turn out. All she could do was let him know that she was here for him, and so was everyone else. She wanted to tell him not to be angry at his father, that it wasn't his fault, but now was not the time or place. She knew they could deal with that after everything was sorted out. She had a ton of questions herself, but again, this wasn't the time.
Once she saw him slightly calm down, she pulled away slightly to look at him, "How about we go back out there, and see if there is any news?" Eric nodded and they stood and headed back into the waiting room. As they walked back in, he noticed John about to come over, but Marlena waving him away. "Anything?" He heard his mom ask Sami.
"Nothing yet." She told them and then sat back down next to Brandon.
Eric sat down heavily in a chair, and soon a cup of coffee was in front of him, he looked up to see Belle, and took the cup. "Thanks." He said lightly and took a sip, then sat it down on the side table next to him. He saw Abe walking over to him, and his anger started to rise up again. "Don't even start." He said to him quickly and staring at him. "You want to know what happened? Huh?" Eric said standing up and walking towards him. "I came up to the building, hearing her SCREAMING inside. I ran in, saw him KICKING and BEATING her. I pushed him off her. We fought around the room, POUNDING the CRAP out of each other. He kicked me across the room. I got up, and he had a KNIFE. He lunged at me. A shot went out and hit his arm. Yes, it was Greta, she SHOT Daniel. He didn't stop. He lunged for me again, she shot him again in the CHEST. He then turned on her, he went for her and she SHOT him again, he finally fell to the floor. She dropped the gun, and then she FELL to the FLOOR! Are you happy now? There is my DAMN STATEMENT. That's what the hell happened. NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" He looked around, shocked faces on everyone as he sat back down. He saw Abe and Roman talking, and then Abe pulling out his phone.
"Son... I"
Eric heard his father's voice next to him, "ROMAN," he said using his first name to make his point. "Don't even try." Marlena just shook her head to Roman, and mouthed, "not now."
A few minutes later, Lexi was walking out towards them. Eric stood up and rushed towards her. "Greta?" He asked her.
Lexi put out her hands, trying to calm everyone down, so she could talk. "Greta has many bruises, a concussion, and we repaired the internal bleeding that she had. Greta will be okay."
A large sense of relief washed though Eric. "The baby?" He could barely even ask the question.
"We aren't completely sure yet."
"Yet? Which means, the baby is still alive."
"Yes. We got the bleeding and the cramping to stop. We had to go in and reattach part of the umbilical cord. We are monitoring the baby very closely, the next 24 to 48 hours are crucial. We won't know all the damage for awhile yet. It's just a wait and see, we are by no means out of the woods. Eric... please... don't get a false sense of security here. If she starts cramping or anything again..."
"I know Lexi. I understand. But the main thing is, she's okay, right?"
"She will be fine. Eventurally, but she is in a lot of pain, we can give her a little bit for it but not much, because of the baby."
"Can I see her?" He asked, all he wanted to do was see her, touch her, know she was okay.
"Not yet, she's in recovery. I'll let you know when you can, she's asleep right now, and that is actually the best thing for both of them." She smiled at them and turned to go back and check on Greta.
Relieved looks were on everyone's faces, and Eric was one of them, partially. He was still worried about the baby. As Lexi said, anything could happen, they didn't know the full damage that had been caused. Now it was just waiting, more waiting. But at least she would be okay, he got at least some good news, he looked up at the ceiling, *Thank you,* he thought, then added, *Now can you give me one more miracle?* He asked as he went to sit back down, and wait.
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Chapter 168
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Waiting, that's what Eric did. Some of the family had already left to go back home, with requests to be notified on any news. John, Marlena, Belle, and Sami had stayed. Brandon had went back to work, and Roman left after must persistence by Marlena. She told him they could work things out with Eric and him after everything calmed down.
Eric almost jumped when Lexi said his name, he looked up at her, "We just moved her into her own room, you can come and see her if you want, she's still asleep though."
Eric stood up, and John moved over, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Tell her we're out here, and we love her." Eric nodded and followed Lexi through the double doors.
As they walked down the hallway, Lexi began to speak to him. "Okay, if she does wake up, try and get her not to move to much."
Eric nodded as they walked, he turned to her as she let out a sigh and noticed that she was trying to decide what to say. "Tell me Lexi, what?"
She stopped outside the door and turned to him, "Well, where she was hit, has bruised pretty bad, she looks... she looks a lot worse than it is. I guess, I just want to..."
Eric nodded, "You don't want me to go in there and panic and make it worse on her." Lexi nodded and gave a slight smile to the knowledge that he understood. She patted him on the shoulder, and told him he could stay as long as he wanted. She also told him if he needed anything just ask the nurses. Eric nodded and headed for the door. He slowly turned the knob and walked in, and was glad that Lexi had told him what to expect, but it still didn't stop his heart from falling into his stomach, and anger well up inside of him for what had happened to her.
She had two large bruises on her face from where Daniel had hit her. He walked closer to her, and could see purple marks all over her arms in the shape of fingers grabbing her hard. Only his imagination could see what the rest of her must of looked like as a tear slipped down his face. *I should have been there earlier, I should have stopped him.* He thought, as he sat down in the chair next to her. He leaned over and took her hand very gently, trying not to hurt her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Hi," he said very softly. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." He lightly rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Oh Greta... I love you." He said, his throat almost choking on the words, as another tear ran down his face. He tried to smile, and told her that the family was outside waiting, thinking of her, and said to tell her they loved her.
He wanted to just wrap her in his arms and hug her tightly to him, and never let her go, never let anyone near her, and just protect her and the baby for the rest of his life. But he was afraid to touch her, he didn't want to hurt her. So he settled for holding onto her hand and resting his head by her shoulder, looking at her. His other hand came up and very gently pushed some of her hair from her face. Then he placed that hand with his other, holding and caressing her fingertips.
Eric didn't want to wake her, so he just closed his eyes, and let himself drift off to sleep.
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His eyes slowly opened because there was a slight pressure to his fingertips. He opened his eyes and saw Greta looking at him. "Greta..." He said softly sitting up, holding her hand tighter.
She had a far off look in her eyes, "Eric... what... where?"
He could tell that she was having trouble remembering, she shook her head slightly, and then cringed with a look of pain. "Don't move too much." He told her.
She looked confused, and then her eyes opened wide, "Eric... the baby.. what?.."
He tried to calm her down, lightly placing her hand on her chest, lightly pressing her to stay still. "Calm down, just calm down. The baby," he sighed lightly trying to figure out what to say. "Is being monitored, but right now is okay."
She still looked panicked, "Monitored? Why? What's going on?" She asked, and then winced slightly from moving.
Eric closed his eyes, and decided to tell her everything, then he opened them again and looked straight at her. "They don't know if there is anything wrong or not, they are worried you could start cramping again, and everything. They'll know better in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours."
He saw the tears running down her face, and he knew her pain, he was going through it as well. He watched her hand move to her stomach, lightly rubbing it. "I'm so sorry." She said looking down at her stomach, and then back up at him. "I'm so sorry."
Eric looked at her like she was crazy, "What could you possibly be sorry for?"
"For not protecting the baby better, for get caught by Daniel," she paused, and her voice quivered, "For ever getting to know Daniel in the first place. If I would..."
"Greta... Don't, don't even blame yourself for this. Don't blame yourself for anything that he's done. Just try and forget about him. We don't have to worry about him ever again."
More tears ran down her face, "I know..." Her hand went to her face, covering her eyes, "I killed him Eric, I killed him. I actually, killed someone." She said her voice very quite.
He couldn't bare to see her like this. He carefully stood up, and very lightly sat on the bed next to her, she slightly rolled into his arms, and he just held onto her. "You did what you had to do, Greta. You tried, you did try to just stop him, he just wouldn't. If you didn't do what you HAD to do, he would have probably killed all three of us." He said, his one hand resting on hers that she had left on her stomach.
Greta knew he was right, but it still didn't make her feel any better. She could barely move from the pain she felt coursing through her body. She was beyond worry about the baby, thinking how close she was to losing it, that she still possibly could. And, besides all that, she also had to deal with the fact that she was now a murderer.
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Chapter 169
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Eric stayed with Greta all night long, but it wasn't restful for either of them. Either she was having a hard time sleeping because of the pain, or once she finally did get to sleep nightmares would come. The nurses and doctors were also coming in and out at regular intervals checking the monitors and giving medication. By the time morning came, the two were finally found peacefully asleep. Eric having completely given up the chair, and moving into the hospital bed with her.
Craig walked into the room, followed by Lexi, and stopped and looked at the two. *What a pair.* He thought to himself. Eric was barely in the bed, he almost looked like he could fall out of it any second, but his arms were around Greta, protectively, but gently. Her head resting on his shoulder. One of each of their hands resting softly on her slightly protruding stomach. It would have been an absolutely beautiful sight if it wasn't marred with all the tubes, cords, and monitors. As well as the scrapes, bruises, and black eyes on the two in front of him.
He turned to Lexi, with a small smile on his face, "They love each other so much."
Lexi smiled, "Yeah, lets hope they don't have to go through anymore hell." Craig nodded, and quietly walked over to the end of the bed, and took a look at Greta's chart, with Lexi looking over his shoulder.
Eric's eyes slowly opened, he had heard voices, and he looked at Greta immediately, she was still asleep and he sighed in relief, he then caught the eyes of Craig and Lexi at the foot of the bed. He brought his finger to his lips softly, and they nodded.
Eric looked at them, and mouthed out silently, "Any news?"
Craig shook his head no, and mouthed back, "Same." He then gave a soft smile, and very quietly said, "But, that's still good news."
Eric nodded in understanding, and laid his head back down on the pillow and closed his eyes once again. He needed to get more sleep, and for some reason, Greta was still asleep. The nightmares had stopped, they stopped sometime after dawn actually. The sunlight was probably a calming effect on her. He let himself relax as he felt the sunlight on his face, and how it seemed to warm the blankets and her next to him. Yeah, it was much more relaxing, and comforting than the dark night.
He barely heard Craig and Lexi leave the room, as he finally drifted off, but it seemed like only a few minutes later the door was opening again, and a nurse was coming in with a tray of food. Eric was about ready to curse at Craig for not having told the nurses to forget about breakfast, but was stopped when she talked.
"Sorry, to wake you two up, but Lexi said that Greta really needs to get in some Lunch." Eric almost did a double take. He looked at the clock in the room. It was after twelve thirty already. He felt Greta next to him, waking up from the commotion in the room.
Eric nodded at the nurse, "Okay, I'll see what I can do." He said, and soon she left. He looked down at Greta and her eyes were opening slowly. "Good Afternoon." He told her and lightly kissed her forehead.
She smiled slightly, and then looked more serious, "How's the baby? Anything?"
He caressed the back of her head, lightly stroking her hair, "Nothing has changed, which can be considered good." She nodded. He put out his arm and pulled over the stand with the tray of food. "Now, do you think you can eat anything?"
She looked at the tray, "Maybe, what do they have?"
He smiled, "Well, if you can eat, which they really want you too, if you don't like anything here, I'm sure I can go and get you whatever your heart desires."
He told her what was on the tray. She drank the milk without a second thought, and ate the package of crackers. But the beef broth, apple sauce, and what might be considered a sandwich didn't pass inspection. Eric smiled, "Let me go ask at the nurses desk, if there is anything you can't have, and then I'll be back for your order." He said with a smile, and started to disentangle himself from her.
She held onto his arm. "I love you." She said softy.
He smiled back down at her, as he got to his feet. "I love you too, so much." He said, gently running his fingers over her face, and kissed her lightly. "I'll be right back." He said, and then walked outside.
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A few minutes later he was walking back inside the room, "See, I'm back. And, I got someone you might like to see."
Greta looked over his shoulder, and smiled. "Dad."
John smiled at her, and looked at Eric quickly. Eric knew exactly what went through John's mind in that look. If John could have gotten his hands on Daniel.... well it didn't matter anymore, *Daniel is long gone.* They both walked over to her, and John gave her a big, but very delicate hug. "Hey sweetheart. Guess who's going be talking to you while Eric goes gets lunch for you."
Greta smiled, "And himself!" She said looking at Eric sternly
"And myself." He rolled his eyes.
"Unless, you two want me to go get stuff for you. No offense Eric, but you don't look like your in the best of shape either."
Eric's hand went to his ribs at the thought, then to his jaw. "Yeah, I know, I look like hell. But I'll heal. Besides, you guys can talk, and at least I can get out of the room for a while." He said with slight amusement, to Greta. And it had the desired effect to make her smile, and then give that fake pout.
"Yeah, and I get to stay here." She said, but she knew better, as she laid her head back down, she was so sore, she couldn't move out of the bed if she tried.
Eric took out a pen and a pad of paper out of the stand next to the bed. "Okay, the nurse said you can have anything that you want, but she thought it would probably good to stay away from anything to spicy, more out of just comfort." John laughed slightly at that.
"Hmmmm," Greta thought. "Anything?" She said sounding like a little kid.
"Ohhh boy, let me guess Greta has already started the food cravings."
Eric rolled her eyes, "As soon as the morning sickness ended."
John laughed, "Just wait till 3 am, when they want ice cream, or watermelon in the middle of winter."
Eric smiled, and Greta just shook her head. "Hey, if we have to have the kids, the least you men can do is get us food." She thought for a little bit more. "Oh, Eric that little restaurant right around the corner." Eric already smiled, it was one of her favorites. "Get some of their cheese biscuits things, a bowl of one of their soups, you know the kinds I like, mmmm, a roast beef sandwich, and some of those white chocolate macadamia..."
"Nut cookies, and let me guess, their carrot orange fruit drink." She smiled at him.
John shook his head, "Interesting combination."
"Hey, at least she has her appetite." He walked over to her, gave her a quick kiss, "I'll be back."
He was about out the door, when Greta called out. "Eric.."
"Yeah?"
"Bring back some of those Deli pickles and a bag of potato chips for later while you are there too." He nodded okay with a slight laugh. "Oh and Eric..." He looked at her again, holding up the pen to write down more as he was laughing. "Love you."
His smile widened even more, "I love you too." He said, and walked out the door, to get the stuff on the list, and also figure out what he wanted. Because now he was starving as well.
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John and Greta were talking as Eric came back into the room. His hands were full with bags, and he set them down on the table next to the bed. "So, whatcha been talking about?"
Greta smiled, "Well, for one Lexi was back in while you were gone." Eric looked at her worried, and she went on before he could ask. "The baby's heart rate is doing well, and the vital signs are improving slightly. Some of the other tests have come back in, and they are normal too. So..."
John continued for her, when she couldn't keep speaking, her eyes were watering, but a large smile was on her face. Eric looked back and forth between them, not completely understanding. "Sooo, as long as she keeps relaxing, taking it easy, thus meaning no complications from cramping or anything else, the baby should be okay." Eric smiled, and wrapped his arms around her at the good news. He buried his face in her neck, and just held her to him. John smiled at the two and stood up and moved to the end of the bed. "Now, they are going to obviously keep her here for awhile still, and then if everything is okay, after that, she will be able to go home. But, they are going to want to watch this one for the rest of the pregnancy."
Greta pulled away, "Yeah, tons of restrictions."
Eric smiled at her, "And you will follow each and every single one of them." He said and then kissed the tip of her nose to make his point.
John nodded, "Well, I'm going to go tell Doc the news, and let the two of you finally get something to eat. I'll drop by later." They said their good-byes, and John left.
Eric sat down in the chair next to her, and started opening the bags. He handed her, her soup. "Broccoli Cheese."
"Mmmm." She said taking it from him, and taking off the lid, she looked for a spoon, and smiled when she saw him already holding it up for her. "You are too good to me."
"Nah." He said looking in the bags, and putting the rest of her stuff in front of her, and then took out his stuff.
"What did you get?" She said eyeing the bags, "Why? Want some?"
"No, no, I've got plenty, just curious."
He pulled out a large sub sandwich, and a package of french fries, "Steak and Cheese." he said already biting into it. She smiled, and they enjoyed their lunch together. Greta rested her left hand on her stomach, she knew it would probably be there for another 5 months approximately, a constant reminder to take care of herself, and the baby. Now that it seemed like God had given them a second change with this little bundle, she was going to do everything in her power to make sure it stayed safe and healthy.
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Chapter 170
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Greta was able to leave the hospital a couple days later, with strict restrictions for bed rest and no lifting or strenuous activity. Which was okay for her for the first couple of days, she didn't feel like moving anyway. But after that, she got antsy, and Eric made sure that someone was around her all the time while he was at work so that she would follow Craig's orders. After a few weeks, Lexi told her that she could start going back to work part time, but try and do as much as she could from home.
More time passed, and the doctor visits were lessened, but still almost every week. They found out the sex of the baby almost a month ago, and were still trying to figure out a name. Greta sat next to Eric, her hand on her stomach rubbing it. Bo and Hope were setting across from them. "What about a family name?" Hope asked them, as they were waiting for their food to come.
"Yeah we thought about that," Eric said moving his arm up and over the booth, to put it around Greta and she leaned into him.
"Erica," she said smiling at Eric and he grinned, "and then Gina." She said with a slightly sad look on her face. She shook her head, then smiled, "Sorry, all the hormones."
Hope grinned, "Tell me about it!" They all laughed at that.
"Yeah, Eric, aren't those little things absolutely wonderful?" Bo asked with a wink.
Eric smiled at him and then to Greta, "I don't know what you mean?" He said trying to sound innocent. Greta lightly smacked his shoulder.
"Really, you guys, you have to get on this name thing, you only have, what...?" Hope asked.
"Two and a half months to go." Eric said, his hand coming over and rubbing Greta's stomach. All three smiling at him, as he leaned down and kissed Greta's belly. "And I can't wait."
Greta laughed, and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, for more than one reason."
Eric looked up at her, "I have no idea to what you are referring!" He said with a wink, "I just want to see the face of my beautiful baby girl."
She stuck her tongue in the side of her cheek, and nodded, "Uh huh, okay." She rolled her eyes, and then looked back over the table to find the other couple looking at them strangely.
Eric sat back up and just about laughed at the look of confusion on their faces. Caroline came back over, and filled up Bo's and Eric's coffee. "The chowder will be ready in about five more minutes." She told them.
"Thanks mom," Bo said, and then looked at Eric, "Just enough time for a game of darts."
"Oh kay," he said standing up, and following Bo over to the dart board by the bar.
Greta smiled, "Why do I think that was a way to talk to him alone?"
Hope laughed, "Because it was. Which is good, cause now I can talk to you." Hope scooted closer to the table. "Soooo... what did you mean by all that?"
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Bo grabbed the darts handing them to Eric, and then he leaned against the bar as Eric started to take his shot. "So what was all that about?"
Eric grinned, "Get me alone and start grilling me, huh?"
"Yep, thought it would be easier to talk alone. So come on, tell me."
Eric sighed, threw a dart, and then looked over at him. "Well..." He sighed, not knowing how to say this. "Do you have any idea how many times in our relationship, that either me or Greta has had to have restrictions or what we can do.... physically." Bo smiled at the last word. "And how many times if it wasn't that, that something else happened to make it so that we have to wait to be together. It's.... very.... frustrating." He threw the last two darts, went over to the board, and pulled them out, and then handed them to Bo.
"You know she.."
Eric cut him off, "Oh no, I'm not upset with Greta at all, it's not like it's her fault. It's all these damn outside forces. I think she's as frustrated with it as I am, well, mostly, even though she teases me about it, like just now."
"So, I take it, because of what happened, sex..." he said the last word softly, "Is completely out of the question."
Eric sighed, and nodded affirmatively, "Yeah."
Bo looked over his shoulder at the two women talking, and then back to Eric, "But she looks absolutely fine and healthy."
"Yeah she does, but..." He sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. "Remember around a month ago, when the Salem PD was wrapping up all the paperwork with Daniel and everything, and they had to question her one last time...."
Bo nodded and sighed, he was there for the questioning, and remembered how harsh some of the questions were. How the lawyer kept hounding her about her shooting him three times. It ended only when they basically had to rush Greta into the hospital, because she got so stressed and emotional that she was starting to have contractions.
Eric looked at him, "I could have killed that guy, there was no reason to question her like that." Bo had to agree. He sighed again, "At least they got everything under control again, but after that, we just knew we had to be careful, and not take any chances."
Bo nodded, "Completely understandable," he threw another dart. "Even though frustrating."
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"So that's what it was all about." Greta said as she had just told Hope the reason for her comments and why. "I guess I should consider myself lucky though."
"Why is that?" Hope asked questioning.
"Well, you hear all the time that husbands stop wanting to be with their wives while they are pregnant." She smiled, "That's at least not the case with Eric, I see the way he looks at me sometimes, and then I feel absolutely horrible."
"Why do you feel horrible?"
"Because, I mean, we can't do anything. Well... I mean.. I could always...." Greta blushed, and Hope just laughed, "But he wouldn't even hear of it. He said it was completely unfair for me to do that for him and for me to not be able to get anything in return."
"Awh." Hope said, then laughed. "That's sweet in a very strange way."
Greta nodded with a smile of her own. "You know, at least it's good for us in a way. We know that we still love being around each other, spending time together, and can think of things to do without being... physical."
Hope nodded, "Just think, after the baby is born, and then... well, after those 6 weeks." Greta rolled her eyes again at the next length of time. "You'll hand the baby over to one of your lovely family members for the weekend, and then..."
Greta smiled, she knew exactly what that weekend would be like, her and Eric had many of them in the past. She looked down and rubbed her stomach, "I love this little thing like crazy, but I just can't wait to get it out of me." She looked up at Hope, "Just wish there was an easier way of doing that, one not so painful."
Hope reached over and grabbed Greta's hand, "Oh sweetie, I'm not going to lie to you. It will hurt like hell. But, once you hear that baby cry, and then they hand you that sweet baby to hold, you don't feel anything but pure happiness and joy."
Greta grinned, "Yeah, Marlena and Sami told me the same thing."
Caroline walked over with a tray and four large bowls. "Come on guys, lunch is now served." Bo and Eric walked back over and slid into the seats, as she sat the bowls down in front of them. "Still talking about names?" She asked.
"Yeah, still thinking." Eric told her as he picked up his spoon.
"Marie and Elizabeth are pretty," Caroline told them, "And also traditional."
"Thanks Grandma." Eric said, as she patted him on the shoulder and then went back to the bar.
Hope looked at them, "Or are you looking for something not traditional, something newer? Like Johanna or Kali?"
"Or something more spiritual, and related to how resilient this little one is, like Hope's name?" He said turning to her, and she leaned into him with a smile. "Like Faith or something."
Greta smiled, "They are all wonderful names, and that's the problem. We can't pick just one."
"Yeah at the the rate we are going, the baby's going to have like ten names." Eric said. The four laughed, and then continued with their lunch. On the way home, Eric turned towards Greta, "So, what are we going to name this little girl?" He asked, his one hand moving from the steering wheel to pat her stomach a few times.
She looked over at him, closed her eyes and sighed, "I have no idea at all. But at least we have some more time to figure it out."
"Yeah," He said as they pulled into the driveway. Greta was about to get out of the car and Eric stopped her. "Greta?" he said softly.
She looked back at him, "Yeah?"
He stopped, and tried to think of how to say what he wanted too. "About earlier..."
"Eric, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up with them there, it was none of their business. I'm sorry..."
"No, no, it's okay. I just.. I just want you to realize, that, ... well you know... you know I don't blame you or anything, right? That I don't hold it against you, or anything like that, right?" She nodded yes. "Good. Because, even though I want you like crazy..."
She smiled at him, and interrupted him, "You know I want you too, right?" She said reaching out, and running her hand over his cheek.
He closed his eyes at the touch, and reached up with his own hand placing it over hers. "I know." He then pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, and continued. "As I was saying, even though I want you like crazy, I want what is best for the baby, and you. And if that means waiting another 3 months, I can do that." He laughed slightly, "It's not like we haven't waited long times before."
She grinned, "Very true. Which reminds me, Hope volunteered to take care of the baby in about 3 months from now." She said with a wink. Eric laughed, and leaned over and kissed her.
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To Be Continued