The ambulance had arrived quickly enough, but that wasn't enough to soothe her nerves. She wasn't allowed to ride in the back with him as she wasn't technically family. However, she also suspected that the severity of the issue would've kept them from allowing her to ride along anyway.

Being able to choose the hospital was something of a comfort because she could tell them to take him to the nearest one. She arrived after them and signed in, sitting in the waiting room.

The hours seemed to tick by rather slowly. She was updated twice, but those updates only consisted of the knowledge that he was awake and that they were going to be running some tests on him. She inquired once herself, only to be told that tests were still being ran. She didn't inquire further because she felt guilty for bothering them.

She went between pacing and sitting, restless and unable to settle in one position for very long. How could she in this situation?

Was this her fault? She'd always known that he was a bit older than her, but she'd never really stopped to think about this sort of thing before. Could she really handle the knowledge that his health would become more delicate as he got older? She wasn't sure. She'd already lost her papa. She couldn't lose someone else. Not when they meant so much to her.

Yet at the same time, breaking up with Erik was something she considered unthinkable. Especially when he was in such a delicate state already. She'd hate to do something to worsen things for him.

She could feel the glare of the old lady behind her burning into her back as she hoped up and continued her rounds up and down the walkway. She didn't care though. That woman could take her bad attitude and shove it where the sun didn't shine as far as she cared.

Perhaps Erik had rubbed off on her more than she realized. But she didn't care. At least she would have something that could be a reminder of him if things took a turn for the worst. Even if it was something as small as personality traits.

Her torture was finally ended when a doctor approached her, calling her name softly. She stopped in her tracks and hurried over to the man in the white coat.

"Yes?" Christine murmured, her tone more desperate than she really expected for it to sound. The doctor looked grim and it caused her heart to skip a couple beats. She crossed her fingers, hoping against hope that they hadn't lost him.

"I have good news and bad news. What would you like first?" The doctor asked gently, guiding her towards the back so everyone else wouldn't be able to listen in on their conversation.

"Good." Christine decided rather quickly, though she regretted it almost immediately as she knew the bad news would probably ruin the relief. However, it was too late to take that back.

"Erik is awake, but we're detecting some damage and strain to his heart. A lot of things are going to need to change." The doctor opted to leave it at that so as to not overwhelm her just yet.

Christine's stomach dropped, but she clung to the little hope that she found in those words. The doctor said changes had to be made. He wasn't talking like this was critical just yet. This could be slowed, if not improved entirely.

"Can I see him?" Christine asked hopefully, peering over at the doctor.

The doctor nodded and gestured for her to follow him around the corner. "Of course you can, I'm taking you to him right now. However, he's a little lethargic right now so he might drift in and out of sleep." He warned lightly.

Christine nodded in understanding and the doctor opened the door for her, letting her go in. She scurried in with a small thank you and the doctor shut the door behind her.

She ventured over to one of the chairs by the bed and perched on the edge. She was halfway scared to touch him with everything that was currently connected to him. Even so, she slowly reached out and covered his hand with her own.

Had this been what he was hiding from her? If so she felt even worse for causing the scene that she had. Unfortunately, there was absolutely no way she could've known for sure. Because he hadn't said anything about it.

Honestly, there was some anger and hurt feelings simmering below her worry. But that could be saved for later. Hopefully they could handle it like the mature adults they were supposed to be.

"...Christine? You're still here?" Erik rasped questioningly, breaking her out of her thoughts. Clearly he'd expected her to leave after being filled in. She couldn't blame him seeing as their last conversation consisted of her tossing out accusation after accusation at him.

Hell, she'd crossed a line that she should've never crossed and told him she hated him. Well, she shouldn't have crossed it without solid proof anyway. She simply offered a strained smile and leaned over to press a kiss against his knuckles.

"Of course I am.. I, this whole situation is messy but we can talk about that later. Right now, I'm more concerned about you. How are you feeling?" She rambles slightly.

He doesn't respond right away, but the feeling of him lacing his fingers through hers slowly is oddly comforting. He gave it the smallest of squeezes before brushing his thumb across the back of her knuckles. She could tell that he was searching for a sugarcoated answer. It was all over his face.

"Mm.. I'm sore in places I didn't even realize I could be sore. But other than that I'm as good as one can expect." Erik assured, attempting to make a joke out of the situation. She didn't find it funny, but she forced a small giggle anyway.

His amber eyes began to slide shut and she let them. For now she wanted to revel in his breathing and the continued beeping.