Chapter 3 – a visit from family
Post episode s9e15
Mac is back at the hospital after his conversation with DB in his Office. Christine is done with giving Lovato her statement and she is asleep. Dr. Hunter is in her room.
"Hello, Dr," Mac says.
"Hello, Mac." Dr. Hunter says.
"how is she?" Mac asks.
"she is physically okay, but mental we can't say yet. She has some minor wounds on her body and she is a bit dehydrated and also, she hasn't got a lot of food the past few days so we would like to keep her here at least until tomorrow to make sure the numbers go back to normal. But I am optimistic." Aubrey says.
"thank you, dr.," Aubrey is about to leave the room. "Hey, Aubrey. Do you think it is possible I can stay with her tonight?" Mac asks.
"sure. I didn't know she had protection details?"
"she doesn't. she is my… girlfriend. I would like to stay with her."
Aubrey smiles. "she is a lucky woman. I'll make sure you get something to sleep on, Mac." Dr. Hunter leaves the room and Mac walks over and gently kisses Christine's forehead before he takes a seat next to her bed. shortly after a couch is moved into the room and placed in the corner som Mac can move it closer to Christine's bed when it is time for them to sleep. After about a half an hour Christine starts to wake up.
"morning sleeping beauty," Mac says.
Christine just looks over at Mac with a smile. She reaches her hand out to hold his. He takes her hand and she pulls his hand with hers under the blanket to keep her hand war. She is still cold after being in that cold factory for almost 24 hours.
"are you still cold?" Mac asks.
"a little." She answers.
"you want some coffee. I can go get you some coffee." Mac is about to stand up.
"no. I just want you to be here with me."
She says with a smile. She moves to the side of the bed a bit. He sits on the side of her bed. she reaches her hand up to gently pull him down to her and kisses him.
"when can I go in, daddy?" Lucy's voice is heard from the doorway. She sounds impatient. Lucy is standing in the door with her favorite doll in her arms and behind her is the entire team.
"you can come in Lucy," Christine says. Lucy walks in and walks over to Christine and Mac. She stands next to Mac. Christine's reaches her hand out to Lucy. Lucy sees the bandage on Christine's wrist and takes a step back. She sits down on the floor with her doll. Everyone is surprised by Lucy's behavior.
"Hey Christine, how are you?" Hawkes asks.
"I'm fine. Tired, but fine." Christine says. "I'm alive."
"Yeah we got your message," Hawkes says.
"it didn't matter. They moved me from there."
"it did matter." Jo says. "every little clue matters. And the clue you gave us not just the symbol but also the fingerprint was a big clue."
"the fingerprint?" Christine look confused at jo.
"you left your own fingerprint when you drew the symbol on his leg," Jo explains.
"how did you get my fingerprint? Don't you need a sample of my fingerprint to confirm it is mine?"
"you gave your fingerprints to the system when you got your liquor license," Hawkes explains.
"right I forgot that. So, I guess the symbol wasn't as useless as I thought." Christine says.
"you did great. You helped us a lot with finding you." Mac says and gives her a kiss.
"Mac I got the backpack you asked for," Don says and hands Mac a black backpack.
"thanks, flack:" Mac places the backpack on the floor next to Christine's bed.
"why do you need a backpack?" Christine asks,
"I don't. You do." Christine look confused at Mac. "your clothing was collected for evidence. Usually, the detective who processes a victim of a crime informs a loved one of the victim to bring in some clothing. But nobody informed did that regarding you." Mac says and looks at Jo with a blaming expression combined with a hint of a smile.
"When I was home yesterday I collected a set of clothing and some toiletries for you. I left the bag in my office and forgot it when I headed back here tonight." Mac explains.
"you were at my place yesterday?" Christine asks.
"no mine. You have some things at my place. I just collected a set of the clothing you have at my place."
Christine nods in understanding.
"okay." Christine reaches out and takes Mac's hand.
"Mommy?" Lucy is sitting on the floor with her doll. "mommy can I play on your phone?" Lucy asks.
"Lucy all the way in the car you talked about something you wanted to do in here. What about that?" Danny asks.
"I don't want to. Mommy can I play on your phone?" Lucy says.
"Lucy why don't you want to. The first thing you asked when we picked you up from school was when you could go see Christine and Mac, and now you are just sitting with your doll." Lindsay is confused about her daughter's behavior. Mac sits down on the floor next to Lucy and he wraps his arm around Lucy.
"Hey Lucy, how is your doll today?" Mac asks. Everyone else is just looking at them.
"fine. See she is wearing her nice dress."
"I'm sure Christine would love to see it, but she can't see it down here."
Lucy looks down at her doll. "I don't want to hurt her. Lucy says almost whispering and tears start forming in her eyes.
"Lucy why would you think that?" Mac asks.
"because her hands are hurt," Lucy says.
"come here, Lucy. Mac says he stands up and lift Lucy up on his arm. They walk over to Christine.
"Christine Lucy is a little concerned about you being in any pain," Mac explains.
"I'm not in any pain Lucy."
"but your hands. They have… that."
Lucy points to Christine's wrist that has a bandage on them.
"it doesn't hurt Lucy," Christine reassures Lucy.
"Does it hurt anywhere else?" Lucy asks.
"no. but I am glad that you are asking Lucy." Christine says.
"will it hurt you if I give you a hug?" Lucy asks.
That makes Christine and everyone else smile. "no, it won't hurt me, Lucy." The first thing Lucy had said when she heard from Danny and Lindsay that Christine was safe in the hospital was that she wanted to give Christine a hug when she saw her. Mac places Lucy down n the floor and Lucy tries to reach up to Christine in the bed but the ed is too high for Lucy to reach Christine. Lucy looks frustrated up at Mac, who is standing next to her.
"but Mac I can't give her a hug when she is in the bed. the bed is too big."
"hmmm… how about?" mac asks and lifts Lucy up in his arms, so she is laying on her stomach on his arms.
"a flying hug." Mac lower Lucy down so she can reach Christine without full body contact. Lucy is giggling as she hugs Christine, without any worry of hurting Christine. After the hug, Mac places Lucy back on her feet. "silly Maggi." Lucy says looking at Mac with a big smile. "Silly. Who is silly?" Mac asks. Lucy sits down on the chair Mac was sitting on earlier and starts to talk with Christine about her doll, but the bed it too high so Christine can't really see what Lucy is talking about.
"Lucy?" Mac says. "if you take off your shoes you can lay down next to Christine if you want to then it is easier for Christine to see what you are doing." Mac says. Lucy takes off her shoes and Mac helps Lucy up in the bed and she lays down next to Christine. Mac is just looking at the 2 favorite people in his life. The rest of the team stands around them. Danny walks over and places a hand on macs shoulder. "it is good to have you back pal." Danny says. Referring to that Mac hasn't been himself over the past few days. But as soon as Mac is with Lucy and Christine anything else in the world disappear and his more childish side comes out.
At around 9 pm it is time for the team to leave the hospital. Lucy is about to fall asleep next to Christine and everyone including Christine is exhausted. Danny walks over and lifts Lucy up from Christine's bed.
Danny places her on the chair and puts on her shoes and her jacket.
"Lucy sweetie remembers your doll," Lindsay says.
"no mommy," Lucy says. The doll is still in Christine's bed.
"why not Lucy?"
"because Dolly needs to stay here with Christine."
"why Lucy?" Lindsay asks.
"because Christine is sick, so Dolly needs to take care of her, just like Dolly does to me when I am sick and she took care of you when you were in the hospital mommy. Remember?"
Lindsay can't help but smile at her daughter's thoughtfulness and concern for Christine.
"Lucy that is very sweet of you but I know that Christine already has someone to protect her."
"who Mommy?"
"I'm sure, Mac is the best protection Christine will ever need."
"don't worry Lucy. I am staying here with Christine at the hospital all night."
"Mac, you should go home and get some rest too," Christine says. Mac stands up and looks at Christine with a serious look.
"that couch right there…" Mac points at the couch. "is going to be my best friend until you get out of here and that is not up for discussion." Mac says in a very determined tone. Lucy starts giggling which immediately removes the serious look on Mac's face. Lucy giggle always makes Mac smile.
"what is so funny Lucy?" Lindsay asks.
"Mac you can't be best friends with a couch that is not possible," Lucy says while giggling. Everyone else starts smiling at Lucy.
After Danny is done getting Lucy ready to go Lucy stands up.
"Maggi, can you help me give Christine a flying goodnight hug?" Lucy asks with a pleading smile to Mac.
"sure," Mac says. Mac has never been able to resist Lucy's request when she looks at him with her sparkling big eyes. "anything for my favorite two girls." Mac takes Lucy and lifts her up so she can give Christine a good night hug. Then Mac hands Lucy over to Danny. Lindsay grabs Lucy's doll and they all say their goodbyes and head out. once the team has left Christine gets up to brush her teeth and get ready for a good night sleep. When she comes back into the room, she sees Mac has laid down on the couch. He doesn't seem to be very comfortable. Christine smiles thinking about Mac is willing to sleep so uncomfortable to make her feel safer. Christine gets into the hospital bed and gets comfortable. Then she reaches out and takes Mac's hand.
"Mac you know you don't have to stay right. You would be more comfortable in your own bed."
"yes If you were there. You are not. You are here so I am here." He says while he is moving around to find a comfortable position on the couch that is too short for him.
The light gets turned off in the room.
"I love you mac." Is the last thing Christine says before she falls asleep while holding Mac's hand.