THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 49: HEARTSTRINGS

Chapter 49: HEARTSTRINGS

When doctor Leighton returned to Fay’s room, she found a rather odd arrangement.

Everyone was sleeping. Alice and Marilyn on a chair, while Fay and Sophie shared the bed.

She watched the little girl sleep, a whole lot of joy in her eyes.

There was no trace of nightmares. No mumbling in her sleep. No screams, and cries. She was just a peaceful child, sleeping.

Gently, she shut the door, giving them their privacy. As she turned around, she came face to face with Alexander.

Her heart skipped a beat, like it always did whenever she saw him. He was literal perfection in her eyes. From the day she met him as a kid, she knew she’d always adore him.

She had settled into the role of best friend, happily, in hopes that someday, he’d see her as more than that.

But as the days passed, the chances were getting even slimmer. When she saw the way he looked at Fay, her heart sank. She would give an arm for him to look at her that way.

With her back pressed against the door, and a tired limb weighing heavily on her, she sighed.

"Didn’t I just see you coming out of the theater?" He asked.

"Yep. Surgery successful. The head surgeon was amazing once again. Could only hope to hone half his skills someday."

"What are you talking about? You’re an excellent doctor. Everyone adores you."

"But do you?" She questioned in her mind.

"That’s about personality, Xan. It’s never about my skills."

"Hey, take it from me. You’re a great doctor."

"You’re just saying that because we’re friends." She rolled her eyes.

"Can you just take a compliment?" He laughed.

"Fine," she muttered, but smiled.

"Now that’s more like it."

Seconds later, she grew serious again. "You won’t believe who’s inside right now."

"Fay? Her husband?"

She noticed the way his voice rose when he called her husband. She hadn’t asked him yet how he met Fay for fear of his response. It’d be a bigger blow if he met her as a patient, and was already so whipped.

"Fay, yes, but Sophie too."

"Sophie?" He squinted trying to recall the name. His brow snapped when it finally clicked. "The little girl?"

"Yeah. She took to Ace Atticus, and then Fay. Can you believe that?"

"Ace? How’d she see him?"

"He was lost at the trauma ward. She was wandering around like she always does. It was a chance meeting. She’s actually talking, Xan. Even told me she remembered her parents, and everything about the accused."

"Wow," he said, because that was the only thing he could give Ace. It worried him how he couldn’t just put his jealousy aside, and actually heap praises on the man. But everyone already did that. From the news to media sites. Why’d he have to do it too? "That’s really nice, especially for you. I know how dear she is to your heart."

"And the Atticus now, it would seem.

"So how’s Fay?" He changed the topic. Every mention of Ace and its variants was like a prickle on his skin. He didn’t want to hear about it.

"She’s stable enough to be discharged tomorrow. Just need to speak with the chief about it."

"Tomorrow? Isn’t it too soon?" He asked in a voice that was a little too alarming.

Internally, Leighton sighed. She didn’t know how long she could keep pretending his interest in Fay didn’t bother her.

"Nope. I personally think she’d do well in a familiar environment. Why? You think otherwise?"

"I don’t know. I’d have to see her for myself."

"Well I personally think she’s okay, but she’s your patient, so you’d do what you have to do." She shrugged, and pulled out of the door.

"Hey, are you mad at me?" He asked, as she moved to leave.

"Why would I be?" She avoided his gaze.

"Nothing. It just seems like you are."

"I’m not mad, Xan. I’m just tired. I need to rest."

She slipped out of his gaze, and disappeared round the corner.

As he watched her leave, he couldn’t help but feel like he had done something wrong. Problem was, he had no idea what it was.

*****

Fay woke up to the sound of chirping birds, and streams of light shimmering on her face.

As she popped one eye open, she smiled.

Her smile waned when she turned her head and saw big almond eyes staring at her.

With a start, she popped open the second eye, and jerked up.

Sophie smiled. "Good morning Mrs Fay."

"Oh, Sophie. It’s just you." She held her thumping chest.

The door kicked open, revealing Marilyn, and Alice.

"Rise and shine Mrs Fay!" They sang happily.

"What’s the excitement about?" Her smile returned, as her thumping heart calmed.

"It’s just a really beautiful morning, and you look dashing too. How would you say you’re feeling today?"

"Really better than I’ve felt for days, thank you."

"You heard that, Alice? Really better. What does that tell you?"

"That she’s going to eat a lot, today?"

"You read my mind so well, my dear friend."

They all laughed, as Fay turned to Sophie. "Hey, how’d you sleep?" She asked the little girl.

"I didn’t have any nightmares."

"You usually do?" She asked with a concerned voice.

"Yeah. It’s usually so bad, I scream the ward down. But I’m fine."

"I’m glad you are. What’d you say? Would you like to take a shower?"

She suddenly grew pale, and withdrew. "What is it? Did I upset you?"

"No. I’m just scared," she said in a small voice, and began to shiver.

"Why? Scared of what, Sophie?" Fay guided her gently.

Her face took a haunting look as she stared into space. For her, it was like time had frozen, and she was thrown back to that scary moment . "The car crashed on the bridge. There was a lot of water around. Some people were flung into the water. I don’t like water." She shook her head, and began to cry.

"Oh baby," Fay dragged her into her body, hugging and comforting her. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that was what happened. I would never have mentioned it."

"It’s not your fault. It’s the stupid driver that drove into a lane that’s not his. It’s all his fault," she cried.

Fay joined in, feeling terribly sorry. Even Marilyn and Alice couldn’t stop the tears.

"Hey, do you want to hear something?" She asked, pulling her away for a second.

"What?"

"The reason why I’m in the hospital?"

"Okay."

"I almost drowned in the tub. Was I hella scared of water for a while? Very much so. Little secret," she pushed her mouth into the crying girl’s ears. "Marilyn and Alice didn’t know that’s why I didn’t want to shower before."

Through her tears, she giggled, and Fay pulled away.

"Really? Why’d you almost drown in a tub? Did you fall asleep inside of it."

Fay’s face fell. "It’s a pretty complicated story that will be shared another day. Now, do you think you can take the brave step, and shower?"

Her little hands dried her tears, as she looked at Fay. "Promise it won’t be traumatic?"

The way she pronounced the world broke Fay’s heart. Every syllable was stressed, and there was fear in her eyes.

"Do you want me to bathe you?" She suggested.

"Would you?"

"I definitely would. Princess and fairy right?"

"Right," she laughed.

"Common, let’s go take that shower. When we return, we’ll eat, and you’ll see how much better you’ll feel."

"Okay!" She jumped off the bed, and landed on the ground with both feet. "Look at how cool I landed, Fay!"

Fay gave her a thumbs up. "Well that’s because you’re simply the coolest."

"You too!"

Fay chuckled. As she rose to her feet too, her eyes went to the electronic device she was fairly certain wasn’t there last night. "Is that new?" She pointed at the refrigerator.

"Yeah. They brought it in last night, when we were all fast asleep," Marilyn answered.

"So our ice cream was preserved?"

"It was. But absolutely no ice cream until you both eat something."

They pouted at the same time. "Unfair, right?" Fay said to Sophie.

"Very. But mum said we should always listen to the adults. Fay, they’re adults to you right?"

Her heart squeezed affectionately. The girl was too precious to be real. Little by little, she was already breaking down her walls. Beneath the scared child was the smartest kid she had ever seen.

"They are. They definitely are," she turned to both women. "Do you think we could get a new dress for Sophie?"

"I’ll handle it," Marilyn said, already turning around.

"I’ll keep this aside until you’re both done with your shower." Alice raised the flask of food in her hand.

"Everything’s set then. Are you ready, my princess?"

"Are we going to blow bubbles?" Her precious eyes sparkled.

"What’s a bath without bubbles?" She smiled.

Her eyes widened as she dashed forward, and hugged her legs.

"Thank you, Fay."

"For what, princess?" A sting of tears formed in her eyes, as her hands encircled her.

She didn’t answer, but only hugged her a little bit more.