Author's Note: This chapter took longer than the others did. I wrote it. Then I rewrote it twice. I didn't want to post it until I was satisfied. I think I am now. I hope it meets with approval.
Disclaimer: I promise to put them back where I found them. And I don't make any money from this. So Mr. Wolf, I'd be ever so grateful if you won't sue me.
Title: Keeping It Together
By: Marion
Chapter: 3
When they got inside Alex noticed that Bobby was shivering. They went straight to the cafeteria where she helped him take off his coat. Then she ushered him into a chair. Feeling a little forward (but deciding it didn't matter under the circumstances), she began to rub his arms vigorously to get the blood flowing into his extremities.
After a moment she said "I'm going to go get you some hot chocolate or something."
Bobby nodded in thanks and Alex headed off to procure the warmth giving liquid.
Soon she returned with two steaming cups of whip cream topped cocoa. Bobby was leaning on his elbows on the table, his big palms pressed over his eyes. She set the cocoa down and squeezed his shoulder gently. "How are you doing?" she asked.
He lifted his head to look at her. He looked haggard. "I'm okay, I guess," he said softly. "Thank you for the cocoa."
"No problem," she said. "You need anything else?"
Bobby shook his head and took a big warming drink of his hot cocoa. "How is your family?" he asked.
"Good. Everyone was there this morning. A full house, my mom calls it. My niece Cassie said to tell you hi. She asks about you a lot. She was quite taken with you at the fourth of July barbeque," said Eames.
Bobby smiled a little at the memory of the seven year old who had demanded he attend her tea party under the apple tree in Johnny Eames' back yard.
"Caleb won't eat my mom's homemade cranberry sauce, but he loves the canned kind. I went to five stores this morning trying to find canned cranberry sauce. I got the last can and I thought the other woman on the aisle was going to kill me."
Bobby was smiling now. "I'm sure you could have taken her," he said.
"Probably," she said, blowing on her cocoa.
"Did you cook?" he asked, smirking slightly.
"You know very well my mother cooks enough to feed an army. But I made the green been casserole, I'll have you know," she said with more pride than the dish really deserved.
Bobby held up his hands in mock surrender.
"But then some jerk cut me off on the way to my parents' house this morning and the casserole splattered all over my car," she added.
Bobby chuckled softly. "Sounds like you had a busy morning," he said.
"Something like that," she said with a smile. She took a drink of her cocoa and ended up with whip cream on her nose.
"That's a good look for you," said Bobby, handing her his handkerchief. Alex rolled her eyes but took the proffered cloth.
They sat in companionable silence as they finished their cocoa.
"Do you want me to go with you to make arrangements for your mom? Or do you just want me to wait here for you?" Alex asked after a few minutes.
Bobby looked contemplative. "If you would wait for me, that would be great," he said. "I don't think it will take very long. Mom and I did some preplanning."
"Take as long as you need, Bobby. I'll be here," she said, patting his hand.
He smiled sadly at her. "Just knowing you're here makes me stronger," he said.
Alex bit her lip, overcome with emotion. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me," she said softly. She reached out and ruffled his graying curls affectionately.
"Its true," said Bobby.
She took another long sip of her cocoa, not knowing how to respond. After a moment she said "I'll call the Captain and let him know about your mom," she said. "While you make the arrangements."
"Thank you."
"Is there anyone else you want me to call?"
"Um…" Bobby thought for a minute. "Lewis, I guess. I'll call my mom's best friend tomorrow. There really isn't anyone else."
"What about your brother?" Alex asked, almost timidly. She knew this would not be a fun subject.
Bobby's expression hardened. "I don't think he'll care."
"He should be told, don't you think?"
"Alex, to be honest, I'm not sure I know how to get in touch with him," he said wearily.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be. I'm going to go talk to my mom's doctors. I'll be back." With that he left her sitting alone in the cafeteria. She watched him walk away with a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Author's note: The next chapter will probably be mostly a transitional chapter. I hope to finish the first draft by tonight. As always, reviews are appreciated. You all have made me so happy with the reviews for this story so far. Thank you.