Sick Day Chapter 4

So you guys have been asking and asking about the next chapter, so…Here it is! Enjoy!

Shane's POV

I hate to say it, but I really was starting to lose hope for Claire. It had been over two months now since I lost her to a coma, she kept drifting in and out of responsiveness. I couldn't take it. She was gone. My Claire….Gone. But then the impossible happened. She opened her eyes. I didn't believe it at first, I just stared as her eyelids lifted slowly. As soon as I saw her beautiful eyes that I'd missed so much, I snapped out of my trance and ran to her bedside.

"Claire." I said hurriedly, "Claire… Talk to me. Say something." The tears began to fall again, but this time it was different, they were tears of happiness.

"Shane…" She mumbled, clearing her throat. "Shane." Claire repeated, her tone more steady and sure.

"Oh God. Claire! You're back! You've come back to me!" Before she could reply I bent over her bed and hugged her hard. I could feel her tears on my shoulder and her little hiccupping breaths ruffling my hair. I felt her fragile arms slide around my shoulders and hug me back. When I pulled away, Michael and Eve were at the other side of her bed, smiling at her.

"Hey CB." Said Eve, who also had tears in her eyes.

"Hey." Claire squeaked.

Eve took her hand as Michael kissed her forehead and stroked her hair.

3rd Person

In the hours that Shane, Eve and Michael were sent home to rest, the nurses and doctors busied themselves with post-coma checks, and making sure she was ready to be discharged and sent home. They had just disconnected Claire from the numerous machines and tubes when there was a soft knock at her door. The clock read 9:47pm, and her friends had already been sent home, so who could it be?

"Come in." Claire said faintly. Her door swung open slowly and a man in a black suit and mirrored sunglasses stepped in, holding the door as Amelie, Oliver, Myrnin and Hannah stepped in. The suited man closed the door and stood in front of it without a word.

"Young one," Amelie began, "We're glad to have you back with us." Every one of Claire's guests shared the same, happy, sympathetic smile. All except Oliver. Who looked like he's rather be sun bathing on Copa Cabana beach, frying like an insect under a magnifying glass in the sun. He didn't look glad at all. Claire guessed Amelie or Myrnin had dragged him here against his will. Claire noticed the gifts they all held. Hannah had a silver and baby pink balloon in her hand that said 'Welcome Back!' on both sides. Amelie held a bunch of red and white roses. And Myrnin held a red velvet box that was about the size of a DVD case, which was tied with a white bow. As Amelie and Hannah put the balloon by her bedside and the roses in the vase, Myrnin approached, holding the box out to her.

"From all of us. You've earned it, Claire." He smiled that adorably crazy smile and handed her the box, and patted her shoulder.

Claire carefully untied the bow and opened the box. Inside was a small silver photo frame, with the word 'Survivors' engraved at the bottom.

"I thought it fit the occasion rather well." Myrnin grinned.

"Thank you, I love it." Claire beamed at them all.

"We shall leave you to rest, young Claire. We just couldn't turn down the opportunity to come and visit you now that you are with us once more." Amelie was the first to leave, the suited man holding the door for her. Myrnin nodded and followed the silent Oliver out of the door. Hannah, who had remained speechless throughout , hung behind to look at Claire for a moment with admiration.

"I always knew you were strong. You're a fighter Claire. We don't have many true fighters in this town. Seems that house has done you good after all." She left before Claire had time to reply, nodding to Amelie's guard. She thought her imagination was playing tricks on her, she thought she saw Amelie's guard nod slightly at her, as if acknowledging her existence for once.

A smile tugged at the edges of her mouth as she laid her head down, and drifted slowly to sleep.

The next day, Claire woke early to find Shane had come to pick her up. He'd brought her some clothes and shoes for her to go home in. He stroked her cheek and waited outside the bathroom door for her to change.

Once she was ready, with her gift and balloon in hand, he picked up the roses and lead Claire out of the hospital towards Eve's car. Claire thought it was strange that Shane had borrowed Eve's car to pick her up, and that Eve wasn't with him. It was a Tuesday so she was supposed to be at the UC coffee bar. She shook it out of her mind to enjoy the fresh early morning air and the ride home.

The front door was a sight for Claire's sore eyes, she'd missed the sight of her home and her friends. She stopped on the porch and frowned at Shane.

"What is it, Claire? What's wrong?" Shane asked, his voice calm, but with an edge of panic.

"You sang to me." She tilted her head to the side and Shane blushed. "I remember."

Shane pushed open the door, smiling secretly. As soon as Claire rounded the corner into the living room, the lights flicked on and Eve, Shane and Michael all jumped up and screamed; "WELCOME HOME, CLAIRE!"

She jumped back and blinked in surprise. Her friends had organised a surprise party to welcome her home. She felt like crying.

So there you go. I said I'd do it and I did. This chapter kind of sucked so I'm going to try and make the next one better. I hoped you liked it anyway Please R+R oxoxoxo