In Good Hands
Genre: Family; Friendship; Drama; FUTURE FIC
Pairings: Rosie and Julian
Main characters: Greg, Julian, Rosie and Ennie mentioned
Greg concluded the call from Larkspur Lane with a deep, sad sigh. He lowered his forehead into his hand, bracing himself, then tightened his fingers upon his temples.
How to tell Rosie. Hell it was hard enough news to take himself, but to have to tell Rosie…
Well, he knew, there was really only one place to go first, one person with the wisdom, the only one to ask how to proceed…
"I've absolutely no clue what to say, Julian," he said, a mere half hour later at the Yard. Greg perched himself on the edge of the young Detective Sergeant's desk and gazed down at him, shaking his head helplessly.
"You know Rosa as well as any of us, Sir," Julian said sadly, but wisely, "especially when it comes to her Ennie. Indeed, any of the horses you and she have ridden at the stables. She'll take the news hard but… from YOU, she'll take it. I know you're just as heartbroken and afraid as she will be, but there is really nobody else with the understanding of the situation, or her heart when it comes to these matters." Greg gazed at Julian intently, knowing the lad was right. Of course he was right. Nobody knew Rosie Bailey better than her husband did.
"Yes," Greg finally conceded. "I'm just not sure how to even begin. Ennie wasn't… ISN'T damnit… she isn't just a horse, Julian. She was a part of your wedding day, she was Rosie's girl before and after your vows. Rosie rode her as your bride, countless times afterwards, then our first time back to the stables after Riley was born…" he trailed off.
"Yes, Mr. Greg. Ennie has never been JUST a horse. Even I recognized that. None of the horses she's ridden over the years with you have been JUST horses. Pepper, Goldie… She rode Misty a time or two after my first go, she even tells of riding your Detective Chief Inspector now and then... what's he called for short?" Julian asked rhetorically, "Chief?" Julian paused, taking a deep breath, letting it out carefully. "Is it… well is the news… I mean… IS Ennie…?" Julian trailed off.
"It's touch and go," Greg said, simply. "It's not looking good, I'm afraid. The injury may not be repairable… if it is she still may never carry a rider again. If she survives, the vet said there's hope that she may still carry her foal to term, she's not that far from her due date, really. The decision is… well it will be sometime today, if it's not been made already. It's the vet's call at this point as to what's…" he trailed off, squeezing his eyes shut.
"What's humane. I understand, Uncle. "Horses are so strong, so powerful… but still so delicate, so fragile. They are an irony, Sir. Just as Rosa is. If Ennie is half the stubborn fighter that my wife is, I think she'll pull through."
"Indeed. Just as Rosie is. Well then," he said with resolve. "The news will be what it will be, grim as it is. Thank you, Julian. I think I know what to say, now."
Julian smiled sadly, then advanced towards the older man. He opened his arms, knowing that his mentor needed reassurance and comforting.
Greg took a deep breath, then welcomed the embrace. "I'll keep you posted, Laddie," he said simply. "Though be warned there may yet be a trip out to the stables tonight for Rosie to say goodbye."
"Of course, Uncle," Julian responded. "Rosa will be in good hands if it comes to that, just REMEMBER, for yourself as well… a slim chance is still a chance, it may not necessarily be to say goodbye. You haven't heard anything yet, so no news is good news… where there's life, there's hope, Uncle, and I happen to know Ennie is in very good hands… so don't be surprised if Rosa decides to keep vigil. Pack a few things just to be prepared… And in either case, she'll also be in good hands when you return, I promise you that."
Greg nodded at the younger man, grateful for his strength and wisdom. "Yes. Yes, she will be," he simply said.