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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 16:11:49 GMT -5
Chase had been near Riley's room, keeping an eye on things. Luckily, it wasn't a busy night and he was able to do this.
He didn't recognize Mathieu and Cara when they walked in, but he recognized Hayden for some reason, and he saw the way the other man was dealing with them. He was stalling them, and they both looked very shell shocked.
He turned on his heel, ducking into Riley's room without knocking. "All right, love birds. Roland... it looks like your parents are here."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 16:20:28 GMT -5
Roland released a breath, then leaned in to give Riley a quick kiss. "I think I'd better deal with them on my own first, love," he said to her. "I don't know how mad they're going to be, and I don't want them yelling at you right now, at least until we know the baby's OK. Do you mind if I go back to my own room for a bit?"
He glanced at Chase for a moment, then added, "Maybe Dr. Kelly can find a way to have us stay in the same room tonight? Since I'm his favorite patient and all...."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 16:42:32 GMT -5
Chase rolled his eyes as Riley nodded at Roland. No other patient made him roll his eyes as much as Roland did, that was for certain.
He glanced at the girl. It was obvious that she didn't want to let him go, but she wasn't going to say anything about it. Chase, however, thought it was rather a good idea that Roland dealt with the consequences on his own. Riley still needed rest.
"I'll see what I can do. But you better suck up to Dr. Kenyon a lot. I'll only do it at her okay."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 17:22:21 GMT -5
Roland gave her hand one last squeeze, then swung his legs over the side of the bed and pulled himself to his feet. Bending down to kiss her forehead, he smiled at her with a look he reserved only for her. "I'll be back soon, I promise," he told her.
He went to the door, but stopped and looked back at her once more. Merlin, she looked so beautiful and fragile lying there. It made him ache inside. He wanted to go back to her and just hold her, but he knew he had to see his parents. He'd been looking forward to it, actually... he just hated leaving her.
"I love you."
He let the words hang in the air a moment, then smiled once more and left the room with Chase.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jul 16, 2009 17:41:14 GMT -5
"I love you, too," Riley said, sighing and wishing he didn't have to go. But he was right, and she really didn't want to face the looks and the guilt of having lied to Cara and Mathieu... especially after that breakthrough she'd had with Mathieu.
"We'll be here," she said, now referring to herself as two people. Roland has a child to come back to now, after all. "And we'll be okay.'"
She looked at Chace and nodded. "And thank you... for whatever you can do."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 17:47:34 GMT -5
"Merlin, you two are cuter than me and my girlfriend. Let's go, Romeo," Chase said, though he was smiling. It was hard not to smile, watching the two of them together.
As they headed back towards Roland's room, Chase said, "You're a lucky guy, you know that? Whatever you have to put up with now, that girl's going to be behind you 100%. You can't ask for anything better. I'll let your family know that you're ready for them."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 18:09:34 GMT -5
Roland couldn't help the goofy grin that spread across his face as he followed Chase back to the room where he had been treated. "Thanks," he said. "I'm really not sure what I did to deserve her, but I definitely intend to make sure she knows how grateful I am to have her."
It was a strange thing, to now be among other people and to have his relationship with Riley out in the open. He never thought he would be the type for public displays of affection, but they had spent so much time alone that he had no inhibitions about touching or kissing her, even if other people were around. It felt natural. And while he had known how good they were together, it was nice to have other people see it, too.
Settling back onto the bed, he smiled at Chase. "Thanks again, doc. I know I'm not the easiest patient, but I do appreciate all of your help."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 18:17:33 GMT -5
Chase shrugged away Roland's thanks. "I can't imagine that you're going to have an easy time of things over the next few days, and my concern is with your health and comfort. I do what I can. And for some Godric forsaken reason, I like you."
He was stalling a bit, but Roland looked well, and the idea of his parents being outside didn't seem to worry him.
"You're feeling all right?" he asked, leaning in the doorway. "I can hold them off if you're not ready."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 18:23:57 GMT -5
Roland grinned. "I get that a lot," he replied.
He leaned back and flexed his injured arm very carefully. "Thanks for your concern. I really do appreciate it, even if it seems like I don't. But I'm fine, really. They're my parents, I think I can deal with them. Besides, I really want to see them. Even though I know they're probably going to be mad at me... I've missed them like crazy."
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 18:27:08 GMT -5
Chase nodded. "Then I'll go get them. You've got a friend out there keeping them at bay for the moment. I can see where you get that a lot." Chase smiled and nodded at his patient before he went back to the waiting room.
Putting a hand on Ted's shoulder, he gave Roland's parents a warm smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Ferrera?" he asked. "My name is Chase Kelly, I'm Roland's doctor. He had some minor injuries, but he's doing well, now. Would you like to see him?"
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 18:41:49 GMT -5
Mathieu wasn't even sure what to say to that. He was still utterly convinced that he was going to wake up at any second and this would all have been a dream. And Roland would still be dead. Still, he didn't usually dream of people he had never met before, and this was the first time he'd ever met Dr. Kelly.
For the first time, he turned his gaze to Cara. Merlin, he missed her. He hadn't really realized it until that moment. He still wasn't sure how to say it, but it was true. Quietly he nodded his response to Dr. Kelly's question. Even if this was just a dream, he wanted to see his son again.
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Post by Chase Kelly on Jul 16, 2009 18:56:52 GMT -5
Chase nodded and smiled encouragingly at Mathieu. "All right," he said, and didn't let Cara's silence bother him. He knew she would want to see her son as well.
He tilted his head down the hall. "Follow me," he said, and turned, assuming that they would follow. He still checked over his shoulder just in case. Hayden and Ted stayed behind, and he took a deep breath, leading them further down the hall.
When he reached Roland's room, he opened the door, allowing them in, while he stayed outside. "I'll give you a few moments," he told them, and closed the door behind him. Now it was just up to Roland.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 20:40:27 GMT -5
When the door opened, Roland sat up a little straighter in bed. He was leaning back with his head propped up against a pillow, and his legs were crossed at his ankles. If not for the hospital-issued shirt, he would have looked completely at ease, as if nothing was wrong.
He took in their appearances, and his smile slipped slightly. They both looked... terrible. His father didn't even look like he had shaved or showered recently, and his mother was pale and drawn. He felt a strong pang of guilt seeing them this way and knowing that he was the cause of it. Still, he believed that simply coming back was going to be enough to fix what was wrong.
He quirked his lip up in a sheepish smile. "Hey, Mum, Dad," he said.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:00:58 GMT -5
Cara stood by the door for a moment, taking in Roland's appearance, everything from the way he was sitting there to that damned crooked smile. And yet, she still couldn't believe it.
She came forward, anger in her eyes and in her expression. "Who are you?" she asked, breaking her silence for the first time since Hayden arrived at her door. She stood at the foot of his bed. "Do you think this is funny? Get a hold of a little Polyjuice potion and decide to torment his family? Who the hell do you think you are?"
It was some sort of sick, cruel joke, and she wasn't going to let him get away with it.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:11:23 GMT -5
He let out a breath. Of all the reactions he'd expected from her... this was not one of them. He should have expected it, though. He'd been gone for so long... they'd had a funeral for him... it had to be confusing at best.
Reaching out to her with his good arm, he tried to take her hand. "No, mum. This isn't a trick, and I'm not laughing. It's really me. I'm really here... I didn't die. Look at me... look in my eyes. You know it's me."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:15:57 GMT -5
Cara pulled her arm away from him, not letting him take her hand. Even if it was Roland, she didn't want his comfort right now. Her eyes narrowed slightly and she assessed him. She remembered that grin... no one could imitate that grin. And the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. And Riley pregnant... she'd been sick at the funeral, and... and this was just the sort of thing Roland would think was a good idea.
Her eyes lost the squint and her face hardened. Yes, it was Roland in front of her. And she hated him for a moment. Without thinking, she reached out and slapped him. Hard. The sound of it rang through the room, but she felt no remorse for it. She didn't even say anything, that hard look yet to leave her eyes.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:26:44 GMT -5
Honestly, he had expected the slap. He knew his mother well enough to know it was probably coming. However, he had expected it to come after she hugged him, not before. But he took it, wincing only slightly as he put his hand to his face. Funny how he could have a fight to the death with his uncle, but a simple slap to the face from his mother left his face burning. Still, he deserved it, and he knew it.
"I think you left a handprint," he said wryly.
He sighed and shifted position so that he was facing her better. "I know this doesn't magically make things better, but I'm sorry. And I missed you."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:29:55 GMT -5
"I'll leave another," Cara commented, just as wryly.
But then he said he missed her, and her resolve and anger just melted. Her face softened, her shoulders dropped, and came forward, pulling Roland into her arms. Her eldest was back. He was alive, and she hadn't failed him. And she missed his so terribly it made her ache. How could she be anything but happy that he came back to them?
"Roland," she whispered, her arms tight around him. "I missed you so much. So much. I'm so glad you're back. You were away so long."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 21:41:38 GMT -5
One thing he'd always been good at was saying just the right thing to keep his mother from getting angry with him. It was how he got out of trouble many times as a child, and he'd never lost his touch with her. The instant she crumbled, he broke into a smile and hugged her back with both arms, ignoring his elbow injury. Even though Roland had never really cared much for hugs, this moment was an exception. He clung to her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder. For just a brief moment, he felt like a ten-year old boy getting comfort from his mother.
"I know, Mum. I'm so sorry... I've missed you like crazy. I kept wishing I could talk to you. I promise, I'll never go away again. Ever."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Jul 16, 2009 22:44:34 GMT -5
Cara pulled back. For as focused as she was on Roland, Mathieu may as well have just not been there at all.
"Where have you been? Are you okay? Have you been at least eating? How hurt are you?" Cara turned into a mother again suddenly, and Roland couldn't have stopped the onslaught of questions if she tried. "What happened? Is Riley okay?"
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