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Post by Thatcher Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 15:57:28 GMT -5
Thatcher's eyes moved from Zachary to the girl. Really, she was making demands?
"My sister is in the emergency and intensive care ward of the hospital, Miss. I doubt you'll be in better hands. But... you can take it up with Tanya when she arrives."
The way he said it was meant to imply that there was room for argument.
"Until then, what can I have the house elves prepare for you?"
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 17, 2008 15:59:47 GMT -5
Susie did not feel much like eating. For Merlin's sake, who would be hungry in a situation like this? She wasn't sure she'd be able to keep anything down.
"I don't know," she said softly. "Just some... toast maybe? Something light."
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Post by Tanya Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 16:10:12 GMT -5
Tanya opened the bedroom door calmly, professionism etched on her features though she wasn't aware she had changed modes mentally. "She's awake I see. So what is the verdict?" She asked to the men in the room, ignoring the woman. She just wanted to get the test done and over with, but she was one of the better healers at the hospital despite the fact of her other skills.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 16:18:03 GMT -5
Zachary's jaw was set. He looked at Tanya seriously. "We will not be doing the test here. I am sorry to have sent you out to get your supplies, but Susie is not comfortable with the test being done here, and quite frankly, neither am I. I want her to have something to eat, and then we will go to St. Mungo's to do the test."
He left out the part about not wanting Tanya to do the test; he decided to let Susie decide that part on her own. But the truth was, he was never comfortable about doing the test here, and he was making the decision to stand up for himself.
"And before you say a word, Tanya, you should know my mind is made up. You wanted me to be a man and take responsibility, and that's what I'm doing."
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Post by Tanya Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 16:24:27 GMT -5
"As long as she gets the test I could care less where or by whom she gets it done." She left it at that, in the end she was glad, the test would actually be quicker at the hospital. Then she wouldn't have to waste her time doing tests that should never have needed to be done in the first place if Zachary had done the right thing to begin with. It was the result that mattered, she didn't really care the method.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 17, 2008 18:03:54 GMT -5
She was sick of them all talking about her instead of to her, but what could she say? She was, she supposed, an intruder here that they didn't want.
"I would rather someone unrelated did the test at the hospital," She said, her voice stronger, demanding that someone pay attention to her. "And I'll go whenever you'd require."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 18:53:00 GMT -5
Zachary nodded, glad it was decided. He had expected Tanya to fight him on the issue, and he was still sort of expecting Thatcher to put his foot down and insist the test be done immediately. But his mind was made up. Suzette had been through a lot in a very short time, and was being overwhelmed with people she barely knew. Right now, she needed to feel comfortable and she needed to take care of herself.
"Thatcher, can you have the house elf prepare some eggs and toast for her? And maybe a glass of pumpkin juice, in case her blood sugar is low."
He sat back down in the chair, not having remembered standing up. He took her hand in his. "Once you're feeling strong enough, Susie, we'll take you to the hospital."
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Post by Thatcher Scotts on Oct 17, 2008 18:58:05 GMT -5
Thatcher hesitated, unmoving for a minute. He wanted the test done as soon as possible, but Tanya had said the girl was undernurished anyway. If the baby was going to be healthy, the mother needed to be as well.
He half considered making Justin go tell the house elf, but shook his head instead. He would do it. Tanya was there to keep things in order.
"I'll be right back," he said, and left the room to get her some eggs and toast.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 17, 2008 22:36:10 GMT -5
Susie sighed, thankful that things seemed to be smoothing out and that there was less tension now. It was still there, and she still had a strong dislike for Tanya and Thatcher, but it was getting better.
Thatcher was back soon enough, a house elf behind him carrying a tray of eggs and toast, and goblet on top, and handed it to the girl in bed.
"Thank you," Suzie whispered to the elf, and then looked around. Did everyone have to watch her eat? "Can I... can I just talk with Zach for a while?" She was looking at Tanya and Thatcher... she wanted Justin to stay.
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Post by Thatcher Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 0:19:25 GMT -5
Thatcher would have said no but for that look in her eyes. He had no sympathy for her... but he could understand.
Finally, he nodded. "Zachary, come get us when she's ready." Even he saw her pleading look towards Justin and relented. "Come, Tanya. You and I should talk, anyway."
Without another word, he left the room, leaving the door open for Tanya to follow.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 0:28:58 GMT -5
Zachary watched them go silently. But Justin lingered, which annoyed him. What annoyed him even more was that she had silently asked him to. Why did she keep looking to him for support? Wasn't that supposed to be his job? Was it lack of trust in him, or some sort of connection between her and Justin?
Eying Justin warily, Zach moved closer to her bed. What he really wanted to do was kiss her and remind her of how things had been when they were together. But with Justin standing right there, how was he to do that?
"Susie," he began slowly, as if unsure of what to say, "either way, we have to decide what we're going to do. Whether the baby is mine or not... I still want you. But what do you want?"
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 18, 2008 0:36:33 GMT -5
"I just want this mess to be cleaned up," She said. "The baby will make the decision for us, Zach. If it's Taylor's... I'll have to be married to him, and we both know that. There's a little more leeway if it's yours."
She glanced at Justin and sighed. "No, I suppose I should take that back. But it's more complicated if it's yours."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 0:47:17 GMT -5
Zachary was getting annoyed. Why did she keep looking at Justin? "Maybe you wish it was Justin's," he snapped. "Perhaps that would make the whole 'mess' a little easier to deal with, would it? Susie, I am willing to marry you, and that is honestly the first time, I've ever said that to anyone. I wanted to marry you in California..." He'd even picked out a ring, but had lost it in the bet to Taylor. "What do I have to do to earn your forgiveness?"
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 18, 2008 0:52:16 GMT -5
"You can start by not saying such idiotic things! As it happens, Justin is the only one in your family I trust right now, and Merlin forbid I should have that!"
He had made the wrong move by snapping at her, and anything else he said went right out the window. She set the tray to the side and got off the bed.
"Take me to the hospital. Now."
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 1:43:23 GMT -5
The way he was feeling right about then, he was only too happy to oblige her. Maybe the child would turn out not to be his, and he could just kiss this whole mess goodbye. He could get back to his normal self, single and free. A few nights at the local gaming tables, and he'd be back in business. Maybe he'd head to Asia next. Thailand was supposedly beautiful, and somehow he'd never been there.
"Fine with me," he snapped. "I'd help you out of bed, but apparently you'd rather have Justin do that." He strode to the door, pushing past Justin rudely.
Couldn't she see that it was driving him crazy to see her looking at Justin like he was supposed to protect her from him? Yes, he'd messed up. He'd hurt her. But he loved her. Couldn't she see that? His jaw twitched furiously as he waited for her.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 18, 2008 3:11:15 GMT -5
What she didn't understand was that she had glanced at Justin because he reminded her that the family wouldn't make things easy if it was Zach's. That seemed obvious to her, and she didn't quite realize all the other times she had looked at him.
Her jaw dropped at his words slightly, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. Then, she caught up to him and pushed past him, rushing down the stairs.
"Forget it. I'm sure I can find it on my own," she called over her shoulder.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 9:19:43 GMT -5
"Oh, hell no," Zachary said when she rushed past him. He moved faster, and with less effort, covering the stairs two at a time. Before she could make it to the door, he seized her from behind and pulled her into his arms. "You're not going anywhere without me," he said.
Turning her around to face him, he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. It was a fierce, passionate kiss that seemed to speak of all the pain and frustration he'd felt since leaving her.
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 18, 2008 11:53:19 GMT -5
"Let go of me!" she yelled, hitting his arms when he grabbed her. She didn't know what she had been thinking coming her, but now she wished she hadn't. It had been a foolish reach for something that was gone.
But his kiss silenced these thoughts, and memories flooded back of a time when they were stealing kisses and sneaking time together... a time when she was happy, at least, and her body took over and kissed him back.
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Post by Zachary Scotts on Oct 18, 2008 17:01:37 GMT -5
The kiss was rough at first, but as she began to kiss him back, he became more gentle. He held her close to him, allowing his hand to move up and cradle the back of her neck. Merlin, how he had missed this... missed her.
"I'm sorry," he said against her lips. "I was jealous... I had no right to be. Please... let me take you to the hospital. If we go now, maybe we can sneak out and leave my brother and sister behind."
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Post by Suzette Rousseau on Oct 18, 2008 20:10:10 GMT -5
It was when the kiss broke that she was brought back to reality and the here and now, and she opened her eyes, sighing at the situation.
She wished she had made up the baby so that she could tell him she was lying, and see if what he said was true... if he still would want her. Afterall, Taylor, if that were true, seemed to have run him off easily enough. She wasn't worth staying and fighting for.
And then, there was Taylor. She didn't love him, but he treated her well enough, and he did love her, in his own way. She should have felt terrible for having an affair with another... She should have, but she didn't. He scared her so much when he was angry.
"Let's go," she said softly, pulling away from him.
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