When Nick opened his eyes he knew immediately that he was in a hospital bed. He thought that maybe the whole past night was a dream. That he hadn't had an episode in court that he would have to explain. He would have to tell the people where he worked. How was he going to keep it from Lulu though? Maybe if he just told them at the courthouse and then…
"Nick." A voice from the left asked
When he was turned he was very angry that it was Lulu there. He wasn't in the mood to see her at all. He had a drumming headache and he just wanted this nightmare to be over
"Nick I was here earlier but you were out of it, how do you feel?"
"I'm fine, better, I would say that I'm better. I should be back to work in a few days."
"That's why I'm here." She sighed.
He took in her appearance and he couldn't help but feel angry. Here he was thinking maybe Lulu a woman that just a few months ago he knew he was in love with. He bought a house, and they were going to be a family, and he thought that hear she was afraid that something had happened. Maybe she was concerned that their son or daughter wouldn't have him, but instead here was his boss about to reprimand him.
"Nick, I was talking to your dad, and well after he told me the state you were in when you brought in, I think that maybe you shouldn't be working right now.''
'What?" he asked in disbelief.
"I'm concerned about you and I think that you should just take all the time that you need to get the help that you need."
'I have to be there, it's a part of my probation. You can't just fire me Lulu.
"I'm just so tired of this Nick. It's like you can't help yourself. I don't even know if you realize the harm that you're doing to yourself. It was one thing when it poured into your personal life, but showing up at court like that. Do you realize what it does to the credibility of program? I don't know what is going on with you, and I want you to know that I'm only doing this for your well-being?" she sighed reaching for his hand.
"What are you doing exactly?" he asked not liking where this conversation was going.
"I think that if you told your parole officer you were going to check yourself into some kind of program then that they would let your hours sly. Now that's what I'm telling you in the professional capacity. Now as someone who cares about you, and who is going to be raising a child with you I feel that until you show me you care about yourself we should cut ties with each other."
"You can't do that!"
He couldn't believe that she came in there with that, he didn't need this now. His head hurt, and he was beginning to see spots. Now she thought that she could take their child from him. He didn't need this right now.
*Gracia*
At this very moment Gracia was cursing herself. She had come back that night and she had stayed with him the whole time. He needed her, she was looking around for other oncologist in her field, and because there was no way that she could see Nick through this and not be there for him. She knew that it wasn't polite to eavesdrop but what was going on in that hospital room was so uncalled for, and it wasn't good for Nick. She knew that in the end she might anger him for this, but it was time someone was in nick's corner.
"I'm sorry Nicky. I tried to make it back before you woke up." Gracia announced as she entered the room.
The first thing she noticed was the demeanor of Lulu. She sat up straighter, and eyed her. She wanted to know who she was, and what she was doing there. She didn't know why but a part of her liked that.
"What are you doing here?" Nick eyed her. She didn't know what she was playing at.
"Where else would I be? Now I've been calling around and we're going to get the best neurologist on the case." She told him eyeing Lulu.
"Neurologist?" Lulu shrieked.
Nick took that moment to look at her. She looked terrified. Did she still care? He didn't want her pity, but he didn't appreciate her coming in and assuming the worst of him even though he told her he was trying to change.
"Yes. There were some problems with a test that Nicky was giving when he came in, and it showed, well I'm not at liberty of telling you what it showed, but I'm very worried about him and well the two of you dated so I'm sure you're worried as well."
"I'm sorry, who are you exactly?" Lulu asked her ignoring the man on the bed.
"Oh I'm Nicky's girlfriend.
"You're Lulu right. His ex, the two of you are going to have a baby right? I think that's fantastic news, Nicky will make a fantastic father. I think it's time for you to go now he needs your rest and your presence is agitating him." She told her as she rose from her seat.
"Nick?" Lulu asked in disbelief.
"I think you've said all that needs to be said.
He turned away from but she and Gracia, right now he didn't know which he was more upset with.
Gracia felt good about herself. She had removed his problem from the room and maybe she could talk him into telling her. She didn't want to be so rude but she had no right to come in there and say such things. She told her off without revealing who she was or any of Nick's secrets.
"There now that she's gone, how about you tell me how your feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"You can't be angry that I did that?" she asked in disbelief.
"You had no right to tell her anything about neurologist."
"I could see if I came in and told her that you could be dying. I think that something that you as the father of her child should do, but I'm bind by the law not to. You should do it as a decent human being, I couldn't just stand out there and let her say those things about you. She was saying that you were nothing but a junkie, and you weren't good for your job, or your family. As the woman that loves you I couldn't stand for it.'
"I need to be alone right now." He told her closing his eyes
"Nick." She pleaded.
"Dr. Evelette, I think I need to rest, this conversation is not good for me right now."
She sighed. He was trying to close up on her again. Didn't he know that she knew him like a book? She would leave for now, let him think that he one. There was another stop she needed to make anyways.
