Okay had a little time on my hands so I figured I'd get this update out. Thank you so so much lipamo and Bookworm! Also so glad to hear you're doing better Laura/EpicStelena! Hope you like this chapter, I know I liked writing it. More to come soon. :)
Once reaching the end of the hallway, Brody and Quinn saw Carrie perched on the edge of a chair, arms resting on her knees as she drummed her fingers, looked around impatiently.
"Carrie, what-"
"I couldn't even get in there to see him! The exam's still going on and the doctor won't let me in the goddamn door!"
"Well you want to go down to the cafeteria to wait?", Brody suggested, kneeling next to her chair. "I can get us some tea or something."
"I doubt they have your Yorkshire Gold.", Carrie muttered.
"Something hot to drink to settle you down?"
"I don't need to settle down!", she snapped. "I just need to see Saul. I should be seeing him. I...shit."
Standing up she ran both hands through her hair. Feeling completely on edge what with lack of routine and seemingly every stressful thing out there targeting her today.
"Hey...hey."
Getting to his feet Brody came up behind, rested his hands on her shoulders.
"It's okay, just relax."
"Brody..."
When he started kneading his thumbs on her shoulder blades, massaged there and the back of her neck, her head dipped forward before she leaned back, more into his touch.
"Holy fuck..", she breathed. "When did you learn how to do this?"
"It's one of my little known talents.", he teased. Kissing the side of her head right as Mira stepped out of Saul's room.
"Mira?", Carrie called, approaching her. "How is-"
"He's still being examined. And they kicked me out so they'd have more space to work."
"But you're his wife!", she sputtered. "Jesus. You have a right to know what the fuck is going on!"
"You don't think I tried telling them that? But it didn't do any good. They just told me to wait, be patient."
Seeing Carrie on the verge of detonating again and Mira looking just as distraught, Brody cleared his throat, figured he could try to be a calming force here.
"Mira, look, we were just gonna walk down to the cafeteria. Get some air, maybe something to drink. You're more than welcome to join us if they aren't letting you in to see him right away."
"No, Brody. I'd love to but I'd rather stay close if something happens.", Mira sighed.
"But please, you and Quinn and Carrie go ahead. Don't let me stop you."
"Okay. You have my number though so text if you want us to bring you back something."
"I will. Thanks." Shaking her head, looking stunned and exhausted, she sat down in the chair Carrie had been in earlier. Put her head in her hands as Quinn crossed his arms, moved closer.
"Look, you guys go ahead. I'll stay here.", he said, not wanting the older woman left alone. "Really, go on. I ate earlier."
Nodding, grateful that Quinn had opted to stay with Mira, Brody's arm came to rest at the small of Carrie's back as they walked back to the elevator.
"I'm not hungry at all, Brody."
"I know. Neither am I. But the cafeteria's technically the only place we're supposed to use these.", he said, pulling out his phone.
"Wait..."
"I texted Maggie. Farrah's still up."
Eagerly taking it from him, Carrie grinned, dialed before kissing Brody on the lips.
"Hello?"
"Farrah?"
"Carrie!", the girl shrieked, so loudly Carrie had to move the phone away from her ear. Lightly laughing, Brody went to investigate what tea they had available while she took a seat at one of the tables.
"I miss you!"
"I know, honey. I miss you too. But I've got some time to talk. How was your day?"
"Okay. Damon stay with me and J.J."
"Brody's friend from the community center?"
"Yes. He come after Nick leave.", Farrah said before chewing her lip. Still confused and upset over everything that had happened today and why Brody and everyone had been so tense and nervous.
"Is Nick..."
"Is he what, Farrah?"
"Is he okay? He seem scared."
"He was earlier honey, but it doesn't matter why. It's taken care of and he's fine now."
"You are sure?"
"Yes.", Carrie promised. "Tomorrow he'll get you at Maggie's and everything will go back to normal. You have my word."
"But J.J...he scared too. He afraid, bad man try to hurt him again."
"Did he tell you that?"
"Yes.", Farrah sniffled.
"Farrah, listen. The next time you see J.J I want you to tell him that that bad man...he's never going to come near him again. He's gone, sweetheart. I promise."
"Yes?"
"Yeah. Look I know things felt off and a little scary today but everything's taken care of now. Everything's okay."
"You okay too?"
"Of course I am. I'm talking to you, right?", Carrie smiled.
"How is brother?", Farrah asked eagerly.
"Farrah I don't know yet if the baby is a boy or a girl."
"But I want brother.", the girl whined.
"I know. So Claire can keep her clothes, I know."
"And I have name for him!"
"You do?"
"Yes. Nemo."
"Nemo?", Carrie laughed. "Farrah, I don't know if...look, we'll talk about that more when I come home, okay?"
"I wish you home now.", Farrah said softly.
"Yeah. Me too. But there's not that much time left. You've been keeping track on your calendar, right?"
"Yes. Are you?"
"Of course. You know what other big day is coming up though.", Carrie hinted as Farrah frowned.
"No. What is..."
"Your birthday, remember!"
"Yes! Yes. I remember."
"Did you remember to make a list of what you want?"
"I finish it."
"Well, okay then.", Carrie laughed. "Seeing as your finished with that though, I have another project I want you to do. I want you to make a new drawing, for Saul."
"Bear?"
"Yes. Can you do that?"
"Yes. I do it. After I sleep."
"Okay, good." Seeing Brody out of the corner of her eye motioning for her to follow him, Carrie stood up, started walking towards the double doors.
"Honey, look. I have to go but remember what I said, okay?"
"Okay.", Farrah yawned.
"Get a good night's sleep, okay. I'll call you again as soon as I can."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too, Farrah. Sleep well, alright?"
Hanging up, tears sprang to her eyes that she quickly wiped away. Reminding herself she'd only ended the call with her daughter so she could see one of her closest friends.
Taking her by the hand Brody walked back with her to, then into the elevator.
"At least we got the route down by now.", he snorted but didn't get so much as a smirk.
"Carrie..."
"I've got so much I need to say to him. So much shit to sort out.", she sighed.
"I wouldn't tell him any of the big stuff right away, Carrie."
"I'm not planning to. But so much has happened since he...I don't even know where to start!"
"When the time is right you'll be able to tell him everything, love. Just focus on the fact that he's awake and doing better."
Nodding, once the doors opened, after reaching the room she turned around, wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"What's this for?", he teased.
"Making sure I could talk to Farrah. I really needed to hear her voice. It helped a lot."
"I figured it would.", Brody said truthfully, hugging her just as tight.
"You should go on in. Somehow I doubt he'll want to see me though."
"You're probably right.", Carrie nodded, even though she still hadn't left his arms.
"Keep hugging?"
"Just for a few more seconds.", she said softly as he obliged, stayed put.
Eventually pulling away Carrie turned, peered in the window then went to turn the door handle. Right as Quinn exited, blocked her from entering the room.
"What the..."
"Carrie, just hold on for a second."
"Hold on for what?! You were just in there!", she exclaimed, trying to get past him but Quinn held his ground.
"What the fuck are you doing, Quinn?"
"I'd like to know myself.", Brody said curiously.
"Look, I know I'm just the goddamn messenger but hear me out. Saul literally just woke up. He's not thinking clearly. I don't think now is the right time to-"
"To what? Look I'm not going to bombard him with everything that's happened since he got shot. All I want to do is say hello, let him know that I'm here!"
"Carrie..."
Looking pained Quinn sighed, shook his head.
"Saul didn't recognize me. He didn't know who the fuck I even was."
"And you assume what? That he won't know me?!", Carrie snapped as Brody frowned, moved closer to her.
"I'm just saying you should be prepared. He might not-"
"Look Quinn. You've known Saul less than four years. I've known him for fourteen. If he can't identify me right away I can deal with that. What I can't deal with is him thinking I've stopped giving a shit or that I'm intentionally avoiding him! So let me fucking pass, please."
Looking to Brody, seeing him nodding in agreement with her Quinn sighed, shook his head.
"I'm not trying to be a goddamn bad guy."
"We know, Quinn.", Brody said. "But if Carrie wants to see him its for her to decide. It's good you gave us a heads up though.", he acknowledged.
"Did he really not..."
"He was looking at me like I was a complete stranger. It was tough to watch and the man's not even my goddamn mentor."
"Listen, Carrie..." Taking hold of her shoulders Brody turned her towards him.
"If you're not...I mean I know you want to see-"
"Damn it, will you two just..." Backing up she frowned at them both.
"Look, I appreciate your concern but it's unnecessary. I've dealt with worse shit than one of my closest friends possibly not recognizing me. Besides, it's not like I haven't suffered short term amnesia too.", she reminded.
Swallowing hard, Brody stepped aside before Carrie brushed past Quinn inside the room. Once seeing her Mira nervously smiled, went to stand.
"No, it's okay, I-"
"Carrie it's fine. Please. Take a seat."
Moving to the other side of the bed, Mira smiled, rubbed her husband's shoulder.
"Saul? It looks like you have another visitor.", she said softly. Smiling at Carrie as she nervously sat down, spoke up.
"Hi Saul."
Looking sleepily at her, frowning, Saul tensed up, tightened his grip on his wife's hand.
"Saul?", Carrie asked, fighting to keep her voice from cracking.
Remembering though how patient he had been with her after her first round of ECT, how it had taken almost a half hour afterward for his name to finally register with her, that he hadn't left her side even to get a cup of coffee, she composed herself. Forcing a brave smile on her face she cleared her throat, hoping the next words out of her mouth would help jog his memory.
"Mr. Berenson?"
Seeing a spark of recognition in his eyes, Carrie's forced smile turned genuine. Moreso when Saul reached over, slowly covered her hand with his own before softly smiling back.