Erica had finally escaped. She couldn't stand that hospital bed a moment longer. They had finally removed the drip from her arm this morning and that afternoon Erica snuck out of the hospital, first making sure that Griffin Castillo wasn't around to stop her.
She knew Jack and the girls would be mad at her, but she had too much to do. This weekend was too important. The dress for the premier may have been organised but what about the clothes she would need for the television interviews; something smart but sexy, maybe a suit or a jacket over one of her floaty summer dresses.
Erica's head was already scouring her closets when she entered her apartment. Then she froze. The place had been devastated. Most of her furniture was gone. Her first thought was that she had been robbed, but then she began to notice other things, a hideous brown fur throw on her beautiful Italian sofa and if she wasn't mistaken there was a used diaper sitting on her $20.000 designer coffee table.
The scene was disturbed by a peel of childish giggles as a half-naked toddler came careering into the lounge followed by her mother.
"Come here you little monster." cried the woman, "You need to put some pants on!"
The child stopped at the sight of Erica in the door way. The woman stopped too.
"Erica Kane!" she gasped.
Erica just narrowed her eyes.
"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my home!"
The woman frantically wiped her palms on her pant legs before reaching out to shake hands.
"I'm Camilla, Camilla Russell." she said nervously
Erica made no move to take her hand.
"I'm… um… Reggie's girlfriend." she stammered. "Jackson said it would be alright…"
Erica stared back at her by her face softened as a vague recollection came back to her of Jack asking about a place for Reggie to stay. Erica couldn't recall a mention of a girlfriend however or a child.
"Well you've certainly made yourself at home." said Erica sharply.
"We can put it all back. We just didn't want Ayesha breaking anything expensive. We put it all in your room… Oh god!"
Camilla had noticed Ayesha's dirty diaper still sitting on the coffee table.
"I'm so sorry." gasped Camilla as she picked up the diaper and fled from the room.
This left Erica alone with a half-dressed toddler.
Ayesha starred at Erica and Erica starred back.
"Hello." said Erica after a moment. The girl still starred.
"Are you a princess?" the child asked. "You have a pretty dress like a princess."
Erica looked down at her summer dress. It was the one she had worn back from Paris during her last trip with Jackson. Kendal had brought it over for something to wear on the plane to New York.
Erica smiled at the compliment.
"Why thank you. I think this is a pretty dress too."
The toddler smiled.
"I have a pretty princess dress." said Ayesha, holding her hand out for Erica to take. "Do you wanna see?"
…
Camilla hurried back into the lounge with a damp cloth and some disinfectant spray, ready to face the wrath of Erica Kane. Instead she found something else entirely.
"Momma." said Ayesha. "I'm going to show the princess lady, my pretty dress, 'kay?"
Camilla looked at her all time idol who was now holding the hand of her daughter and smiling. It was quite a transformation from the angry woman who had confronted her just moments ago.
"Okay." Camilla managed to stammer.
"We will talk when I get back." said Erica her tone much friendly as she followed the toddler to the stairs. "We can then try and work out a more amicable arrangement for your stay."
"Okay." Camilla stammered again.
Did that just happened?
…
Ten minutes later Camilla found herself sitting on the couch besides Erica Kane. They were drinking coffee and chatting like normal people, although deep down a voice in Camilla's head was saying 'I can't believe this is happening'.
Ayesha was equally star struck. She now had on her Sleeping Beauty princess gown on and was wandering around the room singing loudly to herself, returning every few minutes to give Erica presents she thought she might like. Erica had a mounted quite a pile of toys and magazines on the couch beside her but was still graciously accepting each gift, which delighted the little girl.
Camilla was busy explaining the problems they were having finding a place they could afford. The trouble with Pine Valley was there weren't a lot of homes within their price bracket, especially as Camilla was still looking for a job.
At that point the door bell rang.
"That will be for me." said Erica getting up to answer the door.
Reggie's father was standing on the door step and he did not look pleased.
"I thought I'd find you here." he said, his voice sounding very weary. "Erica, you promised."
"I discharged myself." said Erica.
"No you snuck out of the hospital without a word to anyone, because you knew they'd try and stop you! It's not the same thing!"
"Jack, please don't be angry with me." begged Erica, "It only a few days earlier than I said. I was going crazy in that bed – do you have any idea how long it's been since I've stepped foot outside a hospital – nine months. Nine months of my life gone. How can you begrudge me two days."
"I'm not angry." said Jackson. "I was worried. Anything could have happened to you."
"But look at me I'm fine." said Erica doing a little pirouette. "I'm off of the Orpheus treatment; they have found me alternative painkillers. I'm feeling fine and healthy"
"But what is something happens. You need someone to take care of you!" said Jackson taking her hand.
Erica turned to Camilla who was ducking down on the sofa, trying not to intrude on their argument.
"Well thanks to you." said Erica, still addressing Jackson. "I have a live in carer. Her employment starts immediately; we just need to discuss her wage."
Camilla couldn't keep the shock off of her face. 'Did Erica Kane just offer her a job?'
Jackson obviously noted Camilla's surprise.
"Is that fine with you?" he asked.
Camilla still in her star-struck haze mumbled,
"That is so much better than fine."
"So you see." said Erica, giving Jackson a brilliant smile. "You have nothing to worry about!"
…