Laurel and Pride followed behind the doctor till he couldn't take it any more and Pride reached forward and got hold of the doctors arm stopping him walking.
"Doctor is she okay, please just tell me she's okay" as he squeezed Laurels hand and looked the doctor square in the face.
"Agent Brody is in recovery now, she is asking for you both. I take it your Dwayne and Laurel?" As Pride finally let go of doctors arm and Laurel felt and saw his shoulders drop and his breathing became easier.
"Like I said follow me" as the doctor started to walk again.
They followed behind the doctor but there pace slowed a little , she was alive and talking so that was enough for now. He needed to see for his own eyes now. Finally they were lead through a door to a small room and in the corner sat up in a bed wearing a hospital gown looking very pale ,but very much alive was Meredith Brody. Pride nearly broke into a run to bridge the small distance between them. Coming to stop at the bed he looked down at the women he loved and he felt the tears at the corner of his eyes and he had no intention of trying to stop them. He slid his hand on to the bed toward her hand and she slid her hand in to his. No words were said as they locked eyes with each and they conveyed everything that needed to be said through there eyes. The fear, the love, the hope was all there and they both understood. Laurel stood and watched the exchange between them and was left speechless.
The doctor started to speak but Laurel wasn't even sure if either of them was listening. The doctor explained that there was some damage to Brody's spleen and it had ruptured causing internal bleeding. They had repaired the damage but she needed to be careful and she would be sore for a few days. She needed at least a couple of weeks off work but after that she should be fine. They had dressed and stitched the wound and if she was okay and the wound was not bleeding she could be discharged probably tomorrow as long as she had someone to look after her. All 3 people in the room thanked the doctor even though the 2 at the bed where still a little oblivious to their surroundings. The only people that matter to them at that moment in time was each other.
After Pride heard the door open and shut he looked round as if brought out a dream or trance. He looked at Laurel and then back at Brody who was also looking between Laurel and Pride.
"Merri" Pride said,his voice merely a whisper.
"Dwayne" Brody replied as she looked up at him.
"Where?"as he pointed at her chest.
Looking between him and Laurel she pointed to where the dressing sat on her chest.
"Let me see" as he sat on the bed and squeezed her hand.
Laurel understood her dads need to see how bad it was, it was who he was. Seeing was believing and he need to see for himself before he could let it sink in. Brody tried to reach up and undo the ties at her neck but gave up. Pride reached over and undid the ties and the gown dropped forward a little. Brody held the front of the gown forward giving enough room for Pride to look down and see the dressing on her chest just between her breasts that reached down to the edge of rib cage. He looked and closed his eyes as he say back. Brody let the gown drop and when he finally opened his eyes he reached back and tied it again so it sat right.
"Who's wants coffee?" Laurel asked seeing they need a few minutes alone.
Pride reached in his pocket and pulled some money out. As he passed it to Laurel he took her hand and squeezed her fingers before she left the room.
"I need to to hold you and I can't wait, any objections?" As he leant in and gently slid his arms round her back trying not to move her chest much.
She wrapped her arms around him as best as she could trying not to move but it still hurt a little. They both needed this, him more than her and it was only a little pain compared to how it was.
She felt his breathing becoming ragged as he fought for control and she knew how he felt. With his face buried in her neck he let the tears fall and he didn't attempted to stop them. He thought he had lost her and that was a pain he didn't want to feel. Now she was in his arms and she was holding him and the world had put itself right for now.
Laurel came back carrying the cups of coffee and as she approached the door she stopped. Looking through the window she saw her dad sitting on the bed with his arms round Merri. She could see that Merri was attempting to hold her dad but she was struggling. It was then she saw her dad was shaking, physically shaking. She rested her hand on the door to open it but stopped as she realised he was crying. Her dad did not cry, not her father. He was big tough special agent Dwayne Pride and he did not cry. She had never seen her dad cry ever. She removed her hand from the door and just stood there watching.
She knew he loved Merri but until now she hadn't realized how much. With her mom and dad it was always her dad in danger so she had never seen how something like this would affect him. At that moment she caught Merri's eye and they smiled at each other as Merri used her finger to call Laurel in. Laurel took a deep breath and opened the door. She expected her father to pull away and let go but he didn't, he stayed where he was as if letting go would break the spell.
Brody indicated for Laurel to join them on the bed on the opposite side to her dad which she did. As Merri removed one arm from Pride she wrapped it round Laurel who joined in by placing one arm round each of them on the bed causing Pride to look up a little.
"Baby girl, come here" as he followed and placed one of his arms round Laurel and kept one on Brody.
"I never want to lose either of my girls ever, you are my world and I need you both" as he placed a kiss to each of the women on the bed.
They stayed like that till Brody felt herself falling asleep. She shuffled a little and groaned as the pain hit her. Both Laurel and Pride moved away from her a little and saw the blood on the front of her gown. Pride literally jumped off the bed and shot to the door as he yelled for a nurse.
Laurel helped Brody sit back and pulled the curtains round as they waited for her dad and a nurse to come in. Both a nurse and Pride appeared a minute later with the nurse carrying a tray with clean dressings and stuff on. The nurse approached the bed and looked at both Pride and Laurel then Brody. Pride made it obvious he was staying when he took Brody's hand and refused to let go. Laurel took her fathers hand and the nurse just shrugged and lowered the bed.
"Ready?" The nurse asked.
Brody looked up at Pride then Laurel then nodded her head as she brought her gaze back to Pride and Locked eyes with him. The nurse undid the gown and slowly removed it exposing Brody's full chest. Brody wasn't sure who turned the funniest shade of green between Pride or Laurel. She could understand Laurel as she had only seen a brief glimpse of her injuries. Pride had seen up until she went to surgery but now you added the dressing on she must look bad. She watched the chain reaction of hand squeezing from Laurel to her dad to her as the full extent of her injuries were on show. She even caught the tear that escaped Laurels eye and she had to smile at Laurel to let her know she was okay. Laurel nodded and smiled back as Pride just stood still and watched as the nurse pulled away the old dressing and cleaned the incision site and then redressed it.
How he didn't break anyone's fingers or hands was a miracle with the force he was holding on with. He tried his best to keep eye contact and not look at the new addition to her injuries but he couldn't help it, more so once the dressing came off. His eyes took in he brushing he knew of then his eyes followed the new mark that would become a scar down the centre of her chest. How she was still alive was beyond him. He had caught glimpses of the odd scar she already had from previous battles but this had to be here worst yet. He was sure she had at least 2 bullet scars compared to his 4 but hers just looked wrong on her. She should not be put through this. He watched as the nurse cleaned and re dressed the incision site. How she could move was beyond him.
"All turn, no damage so your lucky this time. No moving around or you will tear the stitches and that will be major" the nurse told her as she took of the old gown and started to put a new one on.
"I'll do that" as Pride stepped forward and took the gown from the nurse who looked at him then Brody.
Brody nodded so the nurse gathered the things up and left the room. Pride stepped forward and helped her slot her arms in one at a time then he slide the gown under the sheets. He reached behind her neck and tied it as best as he could then stepped back and looked her over. Once the gown was on he sat down in the chair and raised the bed slowly bring it back to a sitting position.
"You okay? Bed not to high?" He asked as he slotted his hand back over hers.
"It's fine thanks. Laurel you okay? You look ill" as Brody reached her hand out to Laurel.
Laurel came round the bed and stood where the nurse had just been standing. She pulled a chair over and sat down before she looked at Brody and then took her hand in hers.
"It should be me asking you that not the other way round. My god, dad has been in some states but you beat him hands down any day. Even the bruises look better than any dad ever sported. Now I see why mom always worried when he left the house, I never understood till now just how bad it could get out there" as he looked between Brody and her dad.
Pride reached his other hand across the bed and Laurel took it.
"Now you see why your mom and I split, this was the side she was never good at dealing with. She did try but it became too much and I understand that. Yet here I am now and I finally understand how she felt. I owe your mother an apology and a big one at that. I swear when you come back to work I will glue you to my side when we are out in the field" as he squeezed her hand.
They sat talking for a little while before Brody yawned and her eyes started to drift shut.
"You need sleep and I am sure I have a job to do somewhere. Laurel you want a lift back with me or I can drop you where you need to be" as Pride nodded to the door.
"Sure dad, can I come back with you. I am here for at least a few days maybe more. Can I crash with you dad?" Laurel asked her dad.
"Laurel get my spare keys off your dad and stop at mine in the guest room it's the least I can do" as Brody yawned again.
"Thanks Merri that would be great, saves playing pick a couch" Laurel laughed.
"Right we will go and be back later, I will call at yours and get some of your stuff for you since I take it your clothes were scissored when you came in so you need more even if it's just to come home in. You need anything else bringing?" As he stepped up to her and rested his hand on her cheek.
"You and coffee, that's all I need" as she leaned into his hand closing her eyes.
"I can do them both, now sleep" placing a finally kiss to her head as he stepped away.
Laurel looked between her dad and Merri before taking her dads hand and leading him to the door.
"She will still be here when you come back, let her sleep" as Laurel opened the door and lead her dad out the room turning to shut the door.
Pride stood at the window for about a minute just looking in as he watched her sleeping. He knew he had a job to do but looking at Merri lying there in the bed he didn't want to leave her. Laurel gave her dads hand a tug and looked to her then back at Merri.
"The sooner you leave the sooner you can get back" as Laurel gave her dads hand a finally pull and got him to walk down the corridor.
Getting in the car Pride called LaSalle and updated him before telling him he was dropping Laurel at Brody's house then coming in. LaSalle said he would look after things till he got back and see him soon. As they drove to Brody's house they both sat in silence not knowing what to say not that anything needed to be said. They were too much like each other to express what they felt or thought. After driving for what seemed like forever they finally arrived at Brody's house. Pride got out first followed by Laurel and they walked side by side until the path. As he pulled the keys out his pocket he wasn't sure if he could go in. When they left that morning he had stood just the other side of that door and kissed her and held her and now here he was going to get her stuff for the hospital as he had nearly lost her.
Taking a few deep breaths he put the key in the lock and turned it. The door swung open and her smell hit him and he had to hold the door jam to stop himself from dropping to his knees.
"Dad she's going to be fine, we just left and we saw her. Let's get her things and we can get you back to work" as Laurel stepped past her dad and into the hallway.
Looking round Laurel spotted a bag on the floor behind the door and picked it up. Looking at the stairs she took the bag and went up but stopped at the top to see if her dad was behind her. Seeing him still standing at the foot of the stairs she shouted down. He finally got his senses back and followed her up in to the bedroom he had woke in that morning and he had hoped he would wake in everyday. Seeing his clothes on the floor alongside some of hers he couldn't help smile at the memory of waking with her in his arms.
He was so lost in memory's he didn't hear Laurel talk to him.
"Some help would be nice dad. Any idea where I need to look for her stuff?" As Laurel looked at her dad and the silly smile he had on his face.
"No idea. I only woke up here once so just look around. I will go to the bathroom and get her stuff from there" as he smiled and left the room.
Laurel just looked around and surveyed the mess. There was clothes everywhere which by the look belonged to both Merri and her dad. Shaking her head at how messy they could be she set about hunting through draws and the wardrobe to find what she needed. When she had finally found what she needed and packed the bag before her dad finally came back in carrying all Merri's wash stuff. He brought it over and dropped it on the bed next to the bag for Laurel to pack which she did.
"Let's clean up before we go. At least she can come back to a clean house as long as you keep it clean later" as she started to pick up some of the clothes on the floor.
"What makes you say I will be back here later?" As he picked a few bits off the floor.
"Dad You will be asleep right there later and don't say you won't" as Laurels head inclined to the bed.
If Merri said yes then he would be but he would ask her first since he had no real right to sleep there even though they loved each he needed to check. When the floor was cleared Laurel started to make the bed and her dad helped. Finally when the room was clean Pride picked the bag up off the bed and set of out the bedroom and downstairs. Laurel followed behind giving the room a quick one over to make sure it was clean. When she got to the foot of the stairs she found her dad was standing waiting at the front door.
She went out and waited for him to lock up before following him to the car. Getting in the car she decided it was time to talk to him about that conversation she had had that morning with Merri. She told him the questions she had asked and the answered Merri had given her. The whole time she spoke she saw the smile her dad had on his face. He was obviously impressed she got so much information out of her when he considered it took him till yesterday to be this close to her.
As he parked the car he looked across at Laurel and he couldn't help but smile again. She had also found a way to get Merri to open up and talk to her. It must be a Pride thing as they seemed to be the only 2 people who could get her to talk. Getting out the car he tried to switch off the part of his brain that would keep going back to Merri and how sick she was. He needed to focus on the case they had and then he could hopefully get back to being with her. On entering the office he found Christopher deep in thought at his desk. He could see by the amount of files out that he had been working away.
Laurel came in and went straight to Merri's desk and gathered up her things before saving her work and shutting everything down. Her dad watch her out the corner of his eye as he walked up to LaSalle's desk. After getting Merri's stuff she got her own bag and laptop before putting the stuffing in her dads car ready to leave. She hadn't seen many of her dads clothes when she tidied up so leaving her dad and Chris to work she went and packed a bag for her dad as well knowing when Merri finally got discharged he would not be leaving her side.
She decided that since her dad was working she would take the family car and take the bags over to Merri's house. Getting the keys off her dad she left them to interrogate the suspect and actually do some work before she came back or meet him at the hospital. She would text him and find out later what he wanted to do.
After going over the things Christopher had learnt from the files he had they went and saw the suspect they had. It was normally Brody and him who did this and he found it weird watching Christopher ask the questions and not see the way she could lure the suspect to cough up any information he had. At least when she did interrogations the suspect left in one piece with at worst a drawing on his hand unlike before she arrived when a suspect actually left with a fracture to his cheekbone which is the main reason she had been sent.
Pride stayed in the background like he did when she was here asking the questions and only jumped in when he got a feeling they were being lead a song and a dance. After talking for forty five minutes they had some information but they both knew there was more to gain so they left the suspect again to see if any of the information he had provided was useful. After running checks on the names he gave they went and picked up another suspect who was a lot more cooperative when question and sung like a canary. They still had to prove the information the second suspect provided but it looked like they did have the man needed already.
Laurel had arrived at Merri's house and had brought hers and her dads stuff in and had put her dads bag in Merri's bedroom and hers in the guest bedroom. She unpacked her stuff as she had she had a feeling she would be here awhile now. After hanging it all up and then doing the same with her dads she came downstairs and did the same as her dad had down that morning and hunted for edible food. She came up with the same nothing her dad had come up with. Time to go grocery shopping. The joy of having her dads car was she knew he had a wallet in the glove box that he kept money in just in case. Driving to the store she grabbed the money out the glove box and set about finding food to last as long as possible but didn't take too much effect to cook.
She knew her dad would want stuff to cook with but he could deal with that either later or tomorrow. She bought stuff she knew she could cook like pastas and fresh fruit and vegetables along with sauce to go with the pasta. Her dad would not be happy as they were store bought sauces but it was food and she didn't have a lot of time now. Paying for the groceries she dumped the bags on the back seat and drove off back to Merri's house.
Arriving at the house she texted her dad before she got out the car then after putting her phone in her bag she grabbed the shopping and went in the house. She had just got the shopping put away when her dad came through the kitchen doorway.
"Hey dad. You finished already? I would have thought you would still be catching bad guys or you that good you already got them" Laurel asked as she filled the coffee machine and switched it on.
"We got the bad guy, we just got to prove it now. He is not going anywhere but a cell for the night so he will keep. You and Merri on the other won't. Life is to short to mess about with so if I can I will spend as much time with you both as I can" as he sat at the kitchen counter and rubbed his face.
"Go get washed and changed and I will make us something quick to eat then we can drop Merri her things off and you can stop jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof" as she watched her dad smile.
"I take it you're not cooking cooking so it will be safe since you do did not inherited my cooking skills" as he stood up laughing.
"Dad I got your music what more do you want? I had to get something from mom, it's just a shame it was her cooking skills or lack of them" as Laurel joined in laughing.
"You are the only people I know who can burn toast, wait I know 3 people who can burn toast" as his mind drifted to seeing Merri trying to cook.
How come all the women in his life both past and present couldn't cook to save their lives? Never mind he could cook and he loved it. Leaving Laurel in charge of cooking something was probably a bad idea but she managed when she was studying so she had to be able to cook something at least. He had no idea what he would get but he would find out soon enough.
Going upstairs he went in the bedroom and saw a bag on the bed which he knew was his but he hadn't brought it over. What was even stranger was it was empty.
"Laurel did" but that was all he got to say.
"Wardrobe and top drawer dad" knowing what the was going to ask.
"Thank you" he shouted back down as he opened the door to the wardrobe and was meet with the site of his shirts and pants hanging next to Merri's tops and jeans.
Taking out a clean shirt and some pants he went to the top draw and pulled out underwear before heading to the bathroom. As he entered the bathroom he heard Laurel shout up telling him 20 minutes till dinner time. He shouted down okay and went back to turning the shower on. After a top speed shower he was out, dried, ready and back down in 20 minutes. He could have done quicker but didn't want to seem in too much of a hurry.
He wanted her back, back here with him. He had filled in paperwork for them both to take time off and it was all ready signed and authorised. His was holiday and her's was sick days. They were both off a week with hers up for review after that. He knew she would be back as soon as she could but he would find a way to keep off till she was ready so if he had his way at least 2 weeks. He would tie things over by letting her sit in and help as long as she never moved much from her desk.
"For Someone in a hurry you're not eating fast or at all come to think of it. The quicker you eat then the soon we can get back to her" as Laurel continued to eat.
Laurel was right of course, he wanted to get back to her and sitting looking at his dinner was not getting him there any quicker. Picking his fork up he started to eat and was surprise to find the food wasn't that bad.
"Not bad, at least you can cook something" as he laughed at the thought of Laurel actually cooking something from scratch like he did.
"Thanks again for bringing more stuff over for me. I wouldn't have thought of it until I needed it" as he finished eating and stood to clear away his plate.
"Least I could do. Now come on and let's put you out your misery. Merri's bag in the family car and I got the keys so let's go" as Laurel stood and cleared away her plate and cup and followed her dad out to the car.
Locking up she got in the car and looked at her dad. How come she had never seen this side of him? The side that's showed he was more than special agent Dwayne Pride, more than just her dad. She would have to spend more time to get to know him now she had free time, she wanted to know the man underneath the tough guy. She wanted to see the man her father was and she had a feeling as she started to drive the car to the hospital she would be seeing a lot more of this side of him.