The night dragged out as they waited for any news about Lucas.
Gustave and Henry went to get some coffee from the hospital cafeteria for all of them. Grace and Helen declined, not being able to stomach anything down.
Grace was sitting on a chair in the waiting room, wrapped in Lillian's embrace, her head resting on her sister's shoulder.
She felt numb. She felt like time stopped. Her mind was blank. Her tears stopped some time ago, her eyes felt heavy and hot, but sleep evaded her.
The night began so beautifully that she couldn't believe in what nightmare it turned into.
She had no idea who the man who attacked Lucas was. She just wished that she could have taken the knife away from him. Then Lucas would not be hurt.
Who was that man anyway?! Did someone hire him and if yes, who was it? And why? Was Balfour behind this?
When she left Lucas' room Lillian took her to the bathroom so she could refresh a bit, wash her face and hands. She scrubbed her hands, watching through tears as Lucas' blood washed away from her fingers. Her tears came again as she realized how close she came to lose him. He wasn't out of the woods yet, but he was alive.
She splashed some water on her face. It cooled her eyes and cheeks that were red from crying. As she automatically closed the faucet Lillian stepped closer, enveloping her in a hug, gently taking her back to the waiting room.
Some time later Bill showed up, his face grave. They caught the culprit and spent long hours questioning him until they managed to get the answers from him. Now they knew who was behind the attack.
It wasn't surprise to hear Balfour's name. But, the second name sent Grace's head spinning.
She felt sick.
This cannot be.
Martin crease his eyebrows at Bill.
"Who is that John Matthews?! And why did he want to kill my son?!", Martin asked angrily.
Bill took a deep breath in.
"Matthews is an influential businessman, although he hardly plays by the rule book. Quite ruthless and corrupted. It seems that Balfour kept him covered for all the years of his mandate. However, recently Lucas got him exposed and endangered his dodgy plans", explained Bill.
Martin shook his head.
"So, this is a business matter? That Matthews guy is worried that Lucas will throw him out of a job and make sure he ends up in jail?, asked Martin, trying to connect all the dots.
Bill paused for a moment before carefully adding:
"It was also a personal matter. Lucas made sure Matthew' son pays for what he did and put him behind the bars. Rightfully so. This was a personal vendetta for Matthews as much as a business matter. Hence, Matthews asked Balfour to do something about Lucas and Balfour now tried to finish what he had started earlier - to get rid of Lucas. So, they teamed up and found a man to do their dirty job", Bill ended silently.
Helen' lips let out a silent sob as she leaned heavily on her husband's shoulder, remembering her talk with Lucas over the phone when he told her about that first attack. She panicked, wanted to get to go and see him, but Lucas assured her that he was alright and not hurt.
"Wait", Martin's voice was heard "Why was Matthews' son arrested?"
But before Bill could answer Grace shivered violently, her breath coming out in choked sobs.
"It's my fault", she mumbled, tears choking her "My God, this is all my fault", she couldn't take a breath in, panic, fear and guilt collided inside her, sending her down to her knees.
"Grace!!", Lillian yelped, her and Martin catching Grace before she collapsed on the floor.
Helen sprung into action at seeing the young woman's panicked struggle for breath.
"Grace. Grace, look at me", Helen gently said, cupping young woman's cheek. She waited until Grace looked up "That's it. Look at me. Now, breathe. Slowly. Inhale through your nose. Hold it. Let go. That's right. One more time", Helen led her through breathing exercise three more times before Grace calmed down a bit.
"Helen, you don't understand", whispered Grace. Fighting her tears she relayed a story about Patrick, how Lucas managed to get a restraining order and how Henry helped Lucas to bring Patrick's Father John to justice.
She told Helen how Lucas saw her coming back to the orphanage after an encounter with Patrick at the market and saw how upset she was and would not give up until she confided in him.
Helen's heart broke for this amazing young woman. She listened patiently as Grace told her everything.
Wiping tears from Grace's cheeks, Helen whispered, her own eyes misted with tears.
"And how is any of this your fault, dear heart? From what I can tell, this is not just about Patrick. This is about corruption, dirty business and even dirtier politics…", Helen tried to comfort her, but Grace interrupted her, mumbling through tears:
"But, if I didn't give in and told him about it, he wouldn't be hurt", she squeezed her eyes shut, fighting to catch a breath in her crying.
Helen pulled her in a warm hug, shaking her head. Holding Grace in her embrace, she spoke again:
"And you really think that he would give up until he hears what made you so upset? You really think that he would turn his back to you who saved his life twice?, she gently caressed Grace's hair "Not my Lucas", pulling away slightly, she looked at Grace, holding her palms in her hands "Do you really think that I don't see how much you helped him? He was so broken, I was afraid that he will never recover", Helen's tears became too heavy and they rolled down her cheeks "And then I saw him with you, laughing his heart out, being relaxed…", she gave Grace a wobbling smile "Don't you realize what you've done for him?"
Grace bit her lower lip, looking down at the ground, not knowing what to say.
Helen watched her for a few moments, before she gently caressed Grace's left cheek.
"Now I understand why my son cares about you so much", Helen gently said and watched as Grace's eyes shot back at her, disbelief and surprise etched in them.
Without adding another word, Helen pulled Grace in one more hug, thanking God for sending this angel in her son's life.
—--
A clock on the wall ticked away, sending another day to rest. Helen, Martin and Gustave went to visit Lucas, leaving Grace and Lillian alone.
Henry and Bill went home to change and get some food, promising that they will be back with nourishment for everybody.
It was around seven o'clock in the evening the next day when Lillian tried once again to talk Grace into going home and get some rest. Grace just shook he head, staring in front of herself.
Lillian tried to reason with her saying that she should at least have a change of clothes seeing that her dress was torn and bloodied.
Grace shook her head once again.
"Gustave gave me his jacket. I'm alright", Grace whispered causing Lillian to sigh.
"I wish you would at least eat someth…", but before Lillian could finish her sentence, ecstatic Gustave ran down the hallway, hurrying toward them.
"He woke up!", Gustave laughed through his tears, causing both Grace and Lillian to jump up from their chairs.
"He woke up?", Grace whispered in a small voice, not daring to hope.
Gustave nodded, his face transformed with a huge smile.
"Doctor is with him. He is going to be fine. Have to wear a sling and take it easy on his left hand, but other than that he is going to be fine", his grin grew impossible big "Well, until I kill him for scaring me like this, of course!", he quipped, feeling a huge wave of relief washing over him.
Grace felt joy bubbling inside her and she jumped up, hugging Lillian, then Gustave, then Lillian again, then hugging both of them at the same time.
Shaking with relief, she asked impatiently:
"Can I see him?"
But, before Gustave could reply, Helen's voice was heard:
"Go on", Grace let go of Lillian and Gustave and looked at Lucas' parents as they crossed the hallway.
Helen reached her and took her palm in both her hands, gently whispering:
"He's asking for you", Lucas' Mother gave her a wobbling smile before silently adding "Don't keep my son waiting".
Grace smiled widely and in the next moment she started to run across the hallway. She slowed down a bit only when a nurse warned her not to make such a rumpus while running in heels.
Lillian' eyes widened as she saw her sister taking off her shoes and continuing to run down the hallway toward Lucas' room. She shook her head and smiled gently.
Everything is going to be alright.
—--
"We would like to keep you up for one more night, just to be sure. To avoid possible infection. If everything goes alright, you will be able to leave tomorrow", Dr. Harrison said.
Lucas nodded.
"Thank you, doctor", he said with a small smile.
"Get some rest", doctor said and went toward the doors and opening them, he went out.
Lucas exhaled and leaned on his pillow.
He felt so tired.
Suddenly, he heard some commotion outside and his curiosity peeked.
The doors opened a bit, then stopped and Lucas saw only fingers on the doorknob and heard slightly annoyed voice:
"Don't run in those heels, don't walk barefoot…what's wrong with these people?!"
His lips curled in a smile.
Oh, she is adorable!
He would recognize that angelic voice anywhere.
"Don't make me laugh", he called out silently, trying not to give in a chuckle.
At his words, the doors opened and the most beautiful sight showed up in front of his eyes.
His Grace.
His lovely, beautiful girl.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry", she mumbled, finally coming in "I won't. I'll just shut up".
Lucas looked up at the ceiling, closed his eyes for a moment, taking a few breaths in.
His saviour.
His own angel.
His salvation.
His love.
He swallowed, then licked his dry lips with a tip of his tongue.
In next second, he heard her come closer and he felt wet cloth on his lips.
Her fingers dabbed wet cloth on his lips, and she gently squeezed the cloth releasing much appreciated water drops to his parched mouth.
He opened his eyes and his eyes met hers.
He saw that her eyes were red from crying. He noticed that she still wore the same dress she wore last night. He noticed dried blood on her dress. His blood.
He noticed her fingers shivering and he knew.
His eyes softened as he realized how scared she must have been.
"I'm okay, Grace", he whispered.
Her smile wobbled.
"You scared me", she whispered.
Lucas' eyes watched her warmly. His fingers moved to the edge of the bed and he took her hand.
"I will be fine… thanks to you", he whispered "My guardian angel".
Grace swallowed, few tears escaping her eyes. She quickly wiped them.
She felt his fingers gently squeeze her palm and she squeezed back, watching as his eyelids grew heavy.
"You should get some sleep", she whispered.
As he didn't reply, Grace waited for a minute or two to be sure that he was asleep.
As she noticed his breathing growing deeper, she slowly let go of his hand and just watched his darling, handsome face as he drifted off to sleep.
Unable to hold back, Grace leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead.
Pulling away, she saw that his eyes were still closed.
Slowly, as to not disturb his rest, Grace tiptoed to the doors and left the room.
The moment he heard the doors close, Lucas slowly opened his eyes.
"I love you too, my angel".
—--
There's a new wind blowing like I've never known,
I'm breathing deeper than I've ever done,
And it sure feels good, to finally feel the way I do,
And I wanna love somebody,
Love somebody like you.
And I'm letting go of all my lonely yesterdays,
I've forgiven myself for the mistakes I've made,
Now there's just one thing,
The only thing I wanna do, mm, mm.
I wanna love somebody,
Love somebody like you.
Yeah, I wanna feel the sunshine
Shining down on me and you,
When you put your arms around me
You let me know there's nothing in this world I can't do.
I used to run in circles going nowhere fast,
I'd take one step forward and two steps back,
Couldn't walk a straight line even if I wanted to.
I wanna love somebody,
Love somebody like you.
Whoa! Here we go now!
Hey, I wanna love ya baby.
Yeah, I wanna feel the sunshine
Shining down on me and you,
When you put your arms around me
Well, baby there ain't nothing in this world I can't do.
Sometimes it's hard for me to understand,
But you're teaching me to be a better man,
I don't wanna take this life
For granted like I used to do, no, no.
I wanna love somebody,
Love somebody like you.
I'm ready to love somebody,
Love somebody like you, ooh.
And I wanna love somebody
Love somebody like you, yeah.
Oh yeah
Hey, I wanna love ya baby
Oh, oh, yeah
Oh, I wanna be the man in the middle of the night
Shining like it's true,
I wanna be the man that you run to whenever I call on you,
When everything that loved someone finally found its way,
Wanna be a better man
I see it in you yeah
Hey, I wanna be that.
(Keith Urban - "Somebody like you")