Ok, as promised Chap. 7, with Eric! I really enjoyed writing this chapter,
when he was at his smart, savvy best; Eric was probably my favorite
character on the show. I just couldn't stand the other Eric the writers
gave us, the dumb Eric, he got on my nerves. So as you might guess, I am
taking my artistic license to bear and the only Eric you'll see in the
pages of my story will be the smart, savvy one I love.
Lilmisswriter: Instead of addressing your concern like I normally do, I am going to leave you in the dark. Sorry, but if I address it, then that will ruin the suspence! Keep reading though, please, lol?
Blueangel: What a compliment!! Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to BMW
The phone in the apartment started ringing, and Eric being closest picked it up. "Hellllo? He listened for a few seconds, and then a look of concern spread over his face. "Sure, I'll be there as soon as I can. Everything is going to be fine, just hang on." Hanging up the phone, he turned to Jack, who had been sitting on the couch working on a paper for school. "That was Cory, he's at the hospital, with Lauren."
Jack looked up quickly, concern springing up in his eyes when he saw the look on Eric's face. "Is everything ok?"
"I don't know, he said he'd fill me in when I got there" Eric answered, reaching for his jacket and keys "He wants me to come drive Lauren home, he's afraid his car won't make it."
"Wasn't she supposed to catch the bus?"
"I thought so, but then I don't think they were planning a sight seeing trip to Philly General either. I'll fill you in as soon as I get back."
"Well, I hope everything is ok," Jack gave Eric a quick peck on the lips, and watched him hurry away. "Good luck Eric," he whispered under his breath as the door closed, "I have a bad feeling your going to need it".
All the way to the hospital, Eric tried to figure out what in the world could have happened. Cory had sounded really worried and a bit depressed on the phone, and though it didn't take much for him to get that way, Eric knew something was up or Cory would never have called him. His little brother was a very self-reliant person, and he only asked for help when he felt he had no other choice. "Besides, why did he call me and not Shawn?" Eric wondered, "That in and of itself is odd." Eric didn't know much about what had been going on the past few days between his and Jack's little brothers, they had purposely stayed out of it as much as possible. All he really knew was that Cory had chosen to be with Lauren and leave Topanga, and that Lauren was supposed to take the bus home that night. He had known nothing about the plans for the dinner date from hell, Shawn had not filled him or Jack in on that little development. So the reason why his brother was calling him from Philly General with a favor at 8:30 at night was a complete mystery to him. "I just hope everything is all right" Eric thought, "Finally!" he'd made it to the hospital, the 15 minute drive had seemed to take forever. Parking his car in the first available spot, he sprinted into the ER, where Cory had said he would be.
"Eric! Thank you so much for coming." Cory was so glad to see Eric walk through those double doors. He'd been pacing up and down the small ER waiting area ever since they'd taken Lauren back to look her over. On the way to the hospital Lauren had been getting very pale, and her wrist just kept swelling. Cory had no idea what to do for her, he had always been no good in these situations, and the guilt he was feeling was nearly paralyzing. To finally have someone there he could talk to, who might understand, lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.
"Did you ever think I wouldn't? Now tell me Cor, what the hell happened?" Eric gripped Cory's shoulder and led him over to a chair, where he made sure Cory got seated. "The poor kid looks about to drop." Eric thought, "This can't be good."
"Eric, I've been a complete fool! I really wanted Lauren to get to know my friends, so I asked Shawn if he'd come with Angela to San's for dinner with Lauren and me. Things went really badly, and it all ended up with Angela following Lauren to the bathroom and apparently shoving her into a wall. She hit it the wrong way I guess, and now I think her wrist is broken. This is all my fault! What in the world was I thinking, asking my ex- girlfriends best friend to double date with me and the girl I left her best- friend for? Maybe I should have never left Topanga, I mean, I really think I'm falling in love with Lauren, but is it worth it? In the past three days I've managed to alienate Topanga, cause Angela to do something I know that she's going to regret, and to tie it all up with a neat little bow, I've landed Lauren in the hospital! Shawn is the only one who seems to be doing ok, but I know him. As supportive as he's being, I'm sure this is tearing him up inside. See, I've even gone so far as to hurt my best friend in the whole wide world. When did the person I choose to love become such a big deal?" Cory opened his mouth to go on, but Eric slapped his hand firmly over it. He'd heard enough. It sounded like Cory had done some stupid things that weekend, but Eric knew that's not what he needed to hear. Cory needed some advice, and Eric felt he knew what to say.
"Cory, stop, just stop right there! Now let me see if I've got this straight. You broke it off with Topanga for Lauren, I knew that, then you asked Shawn to come on a dinner double date. Over the course of this date Angela shoved Lauren, and she may have broken her wrist. Does that sound about right?"
Cory could only nod; Eric had chosen not to take his hand off his brother's mouth till he'd said his peace.
"Ok, then let me say this. If you love Lauren and not Topanga then that's who you should be with. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or how they react. You can't control anyone's actions but your own, and if you don't follow your heart because your afraid of what others will think, then you're the one in the wrong. As for Topanga, you really can't expect not to have alienated her right now; you most likely took her totally by surprise when you left her. As I can recall, there were not a lot of warning signs. Tonight, well, I won't lie and say that the dinner date was a great idea. Still, what Angela did she did of her own free will. If she wanted to pick a fight with Lauren she would have found a way to do it, one way or another. What happened between those two is nothing you could have controlled. Besides, it sounds like Angela really didn't mean to be breaking anyone's bones. That I'm guessing was an accident. Finally, if Shawn says he supports you, don't question it. Just be glad that he does." Eric finished his speech and removed his hand from Cory's mouth.
"Thank you, I really needed to hear that. How can you be so sure though? You make it sound like there's no doubt that your right."
"Cory, I had to tell all my family and friends that I was gay and in love with Shawn's big brother, remember? That wasn't easy. I admit, neither of us landed in the hospital because of it, but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing either."
This comment took Cory by surprise "But I thought that all of us were very supportive of you two, weren't we?"
"Yes, my family and friends were. But Jack's, that was another story."
"Jack's family didn't support your relationship? You never told me that!"
"We didn't tell any of you, we figured you had enough to deal with just finding out the truth. No, Jack's step-dad was not to happy when he found out he'd raised a gay stepson. He blamed me for everything at first in fact; he refused to even consider that Jack could make this alternate lifestyle choice on his own. It all worked out, but it took time. That's what you've got to give this situation Cory, time."
"Do you really think time will make it all better? It just seems like everything is set in stone. What's time going to do? How can it change people's opinions or work on their hearts?"
"I don't know how it works, I just know it does. Cory, your friends care about you, and I'm sure, no I'm positive that they'll come around. It's only been three days! Really it's not even been that long. All of this is still really new. You've got to give everyone time to get used to you and Topanga not being a couple. Let Topanga heal emotionally and Lauren heal physically. Let Angela work through her issues, and Shawn, just let Shawn do what he's doing, and if it turns out he really is just putting up a front, then be there to comfort him when his walls finally fall. Can you do that little bro?"
Cory smiled a wan smile, and nodded his head. "Thanks Eric, I feel a lot better now. Hey, your pretty smart and relationship savvy. Who knew?"
"All in a day's work, now buck up buster, you've got to be prepared to comfort the women you love when she comes out that door. She's going to need you, so you better be ready."
It was another hour before Lauren emerged from the ER treatment area; a pretty new cast adorning her right wrist. She looked around for a second and then spotted Cory and Eric talking quietly in the corner. "Ok Cory, I'm all done, who's this?" she indicated Eric with her good hand, this was the first time they had met.
"Hi Lauren, I'm Eric, Cory's big brother and your chuffer for this evening. Cory called me and asked if I'd come drive you home, he's afraid that old jalopy of his won't make it all the way there. Don't worry, he's coming with us, and I promise I don't bite."
Lauren smiled and gladly accepted the hug Eric got up to give her. "Thanks a lot Eric, this really means a lot to me."
"So, what did the doctor say, I'm guessing by that cast it wasn't good news." Cory stated, getting up and putting his arm protectively around Lauren's shoulder.
"Well, he did say that it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it is broken. 6-8 weeks in this beautiful cast, some physical therapy, and he says I should be as good as new. He also gave me this prescription to get filled that should help with the pain. Cory, I'm really sorry this happened, we were having such a great time!"
"Were having? We are having a great time, I love sitting in ER waiting areas for hours talking to my big bro." Cory matched Lauren's semi-joking tone, he realized she wanted to make light of the whole situation, and he was more than glad to go along with it. "Now darling, let's get you home so you can rest. When I see you next, I expect you to be turning cartwheels!"
"Oh shut up!" Lauren and Cory laughed together, and Eric smiled to himself. He recognized the look on both their faces; it was the look he saw in Jack's eyes every time they kissed. "This is love!" he thought, "I really didn't believe it, but this is love!"
The three of them left the ER together, Eric followed Cory and Lauren back to Amy and Alan's house so he could drop off his car, then they piled into Eric's vehicle and proceeded to take Lauren home.
Ok, next time, John Adams High, I promise! I keep starting to get there and then get sidetracked. Anyway, R&R!
Lilmisswriter: Instead of addressing your concern like I normally do, I am going to leave you in the dark. Sorry, but if I address it, then that will ruin the suspence! Keep reading though, please, lol?
Blueangel: What a compliment!! Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I own nothing relating to BMW
The phone in the apartment started ringing, and Eric being closest picked it up. "Hellllo? He listened for a few seconds, and then a look of concern spread over his face. "Sure, I'll be there as soon as I can. Everything is going to be fine, just hang on." Hanging up the phone, he turned to Jack, who had been sitting on the couch working on a paper for school. "That was Cory, he's at the hospital, with Lauren."
Jack looked up quickly, concern springing up in his eyes when he saw the look on Eric's face. "Is everything ok?"
"I don't know, he said he'd fill me in when I got there" Eric answered, reaching for his jacket and keys "He wants me to come drive Lauren home, he's afraid his car won't make it."
"Wasn't she supposed to catch the bus?"
"I thought so, but then I don't think they were planning a sight seeing trip to Philly General either. I'll fill you in as soon as I get back."
"Well, I hope everything is ok," Jack gave Eric a quick peck on the lips, and watched him hurry away. "Good luck Eric," he whispered under his breath as the door closed, "I have a bad feeling your going to need it".
All the way to the hospital, Eric tried to figure out what in the world could have happened. Cory had sounded really worried and a bit depressed on the phone, and though it didn't take much for him to get that way, Eric knew something was up or Cory would never have called him. His little brother was a very self-reliant person, and he only asked for help when he felt he had no other choice. "Besides, why did he call me and not Shawn?" Eric wondered, "That in and of itself is odd." Eric didn't know much about what had been going on the past few days between his and Jack's little brothers, they had purposely stayed out of it as much as possible. All he really knew was that Cory had chosen to be with Lauren and leave Topanga, and that Lauren was supposed to take the bus home that night. He had known nothing about the plans for the dinner date from hell, Shawn had not filled him or Jack in on that little development. So the reason why his brother was calling him from Philly General with a favor at 8:30 at night was a complete mystery to him. "I just hope everything is all right" Eric thought, "Finally!" he'd made it to the hospital, the 15 minute drive had seemed to take forever. Parking his car in the first available spot, he sprinted into the ER, where Cory had said he would be.
"Eric! Thank you so much for coming." Cory was so glad to see Eric walk through those double doors. He'd been pacing up and down the small ER waiting area ever since they'd taken Lauren back to look her over. On the way to the hospital Lauren had been getting very pale, and her wrist just kept swelling. Cory had no idea what to do for her, he had always been no good in these situations, and the guilt he was feeling was nearly paralyzing. To finally have someone there he could talk to, who might understand, lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.
"Did you ever think I wouldn't? Now tell me Cor, what the hell happened?" Eric gripped Cory's shoulder and led him over to a chair, where he made sure Cory got seated. "The poor kid looks about to drop." Eric thought, "This can't be good."
"Eric, I've been a complete fool! I really wanted Lauren to get to know my friends, so I asked Shawn if he'd come with Angela to San's for dinner with Lauren and me. Things went really badly, and it all ended up with Angela following Lauren to the bathroom and apparently shoving her into a wall. She hit it the wrong way I guess, and now I think her wrist is broken. This is all my fault! What in the world was I thinking, asking my ex- girlfriends best friend to double date with me and the girl I left her best- friend for? Maybe I should have never left Topanga, I mean, I really think I'm falling in love with Lauren, but is it worth it? In the past three days I've managed to alienate Topanga, cause Angela to do something I know that she's going to regret, and to tie it all up with a neat little bow, I've landed Lauren in the hospital! Shawn is the only one who seems to be doing ok, but I know him. As supportive as he's being, I'm sure this is tearing him up inside. See, I've even gone so far as to hurt my best friend in the whole wide world. When did the person I choose to love become such a big deal?" Cory opened his mouth to go on, but Eric slapped his hand firmly over it. He'd heard enough. It sounded like Cory had done some stupid things that weekend, but Eric knew that's not what he needed to hear. Cory needed some advice, and Eric felt he knew what to say.
"Cory, stop, just stop right there! Now let me see if I've got this straight. You broke it off with Topanga for Lauren, I knew that, then you asked Shawn to come on a dinner double date. Over the course of this date Angela shoved Lauren, and she may have broken her wrist. Does that sound about right?"
Cory could only nod; Eric had chosen not to take his hand off his brother's mouth till he'd said his peace.
"Ok, then let me say this. If you love Lauren and not Topanga then that's who you should be with. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks or how they react. You can't control anyone's actions but your own, and if you don't follow your heart because your afraid of what others will think, then you're the one in the wrong. As for Topanga, you really can't expect not to have alienated her right now; you most likely took her totally by surprise when you left her. As I can recall, there were not a lot of warning signs. Tonight, well, I won't lie and say that the dinner date was a great idea. Still, what Angela did she did of her own free will. If she wanted to pick a fight with Lauren she would have found a way to do it, one way or another. What happened between those two is nothing you could have controlled. Besides, it sounds like Angela really didn't mean to be breaking anyone's bones. That I'm guessing was an accident. Finally, if Shawn says he supports you, don't question it. Just be glad that he does." Eric finished his speech and removed his hand from Cory's mouth.
"Thank you, I really needed to hear that. How can you be so sure though? You make it sound like there's no doubt that your right."
"Cory, I had to tell all my family and friends that I was gay and in love with Shawn's big brother, remember? That wasn't easy. I admit, neither of us landed in the hospital because of it, but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing either."
This comment took Cory by surprise "But I thought that all of us were very supportive of you two, weren't we?"
"Yes, my family and friends were. But Jack's, that was another story."
"Jack's family didn't support your relationship? You never told me that!"
"We didn't tell any of you, we figured you had enough to deal with just finding out the truth. No, Jack's step-dad was not to happy when he found out he'd raised a gay stepson. He blamed me for everything at first in fact; he refused to even consider that Jack could make this alternate lifestyle choice on his own. It all worked out, but it took time. That's what you've got to give this situation Cory, time."
"Do you really think time will make it all better? It just seems like everything is set in stone. What's time going to do? How can it change people's opinions or work on their hearts?"
"I don't know how it works, I just know it does. Cory, your friends care about you, and I'm sure, no I'm positive that they'll come around. It's only been three days! Really it's not even been that long. All of this is still really new. You've got to give everyone time to get used to you and Topanga not being a couple. Let Topanga heal emotionally and Lauren heal physically. Let Angela work through her issues, and Shawn, just let Shawn do what he's doing, and if it turns out he really is just putting up a front, then be there to comfort him when his walls finally fall. Can you do that little bro?"
Cory smiled a wan smile, and nodded his head. "Thanks Eric, I feel a lot better now. Hey, your pretty smart and relationship savvy. Who knew?"
"All in a day's work, now buck up buster, you've got to be prepared to comfort the women you love when she comes out that door. She's going to need you, so you better be ready."
It was another hour before Lauren emerged from the ER treatment area; a pretty new cast adorning her right wrist. She looked around for a second and then spotted Cory and Eric talking quietly in the corner. "Ok Cory, I'm all done, who's this?" she indicated Eric with her good hand, this was the first time they had met.
"Hi Lauren, I'm Eric, Cory's big brother and your chuffer for this evening. Cory called me and asked if I'd come drive you home, he's afraid that old jalopy of his won't make it all the way there. Don't worry, he's coming with us, and I promise I don't bite."
Lauren smiled and gladly accepted the hug Eric got up to give her. "Thanks a lot Eric, this really means a lot to me."
"So, what did the doctor say, I'm guessing by that cast it wasn't good news." Cory stated, getting up and putting his arm protectively around Lauren's shoulder.
"Well, he did say that it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it is broken. 6-8 weeks in this beautiful cast, some physical therapy, and he says I should be as good as new. He also gave me this prescription to get filled that should help with the pain. Cory, I'm really sorry this happened, we were having such a great time!"
"Were having? We are having a great time, I love sitting in ER waiting areas for hours talking to my big bro." Cory matched Lauren's semi-joking tone, he realized she wanted to make light of the whole situation, and he was more than glad to go along with it. "Now darling, let's get you home so you can rest. When I see you next, I expect you to be turning cartwheels!"
"Oh shut up!" Lauren and Cory laughed together, and Eric smiled to himself. He recognized the look on both their faces; it was the look he saw in Jack's eyes every time they kissed. "This is love!" he thought, "I really didn't believe it, but this is love!"
The three of them left the ER together, Eric followed Cory and Lauren back to Amy and Alan's house so he could drop off his car, then they piled into Eric's vehicle and proceeded to take Lauren home.
Ok, next time, John Adams High, I promise! I keep starting to get there and then get sidetracked. Anyway, R&R!