Unexpected

Part 15: Rise

Getting back to the room from the cafeteria, Helen finds the girls and Max watching Sesame Street in bed. They seem so calm and collected- which is nice because the last two weeks the girls have been anything but.

"Hey...sorry I'm late. I ran into someone who needed to chat." She says and he just sweetly smile.

"That's okay. They just got up a moment ago anyhow." He quietly states and she brings the tray over to the bed side table. He watches her closely and can tell something is off with her. "You alright?"

"Oh...yeah. I'm fine." She lies and smiles.

"You sure? You can talk to me." He reaches over and takes her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of it.

"Maybe later. When the Count isn't counting bats." She says and he laughs slightly, but stops because it hurts his left lung to do so. "Feeling any better?"

"A bit. Still feel like a Mack truck hit me. But that's to be expected."

"Yeah..." She looks at their hands- loving the feel of them together. When he sees this- he feels awkward and goes to let go.

"Sorry..." Helen looks up at him and then back at his hand leaving hers.

"No, Max- don't..." She takes his hand in hers again and gently squeezes it. "I'm sorry, I'm just lost in my head right now."

"Oh..." His smile slowly comes back to his face and Daphne looks up from the end of the bed.

"Auntie?"

"Yes, Pearl?" She focuses on the child, who smiles softly at her.

"Will Max get to go home tonight?"

"Unfortunately, no. He has another week before he can return home for more rest." Helen says and Max groans- then leading Daphne to groan and Luna to grunt even though she doesn't know why she's doing it. "Well! I'm sorry to disappoint all of you, but those are the rules. Now, who's hungry for chicken tenders applesauce and fries. If you eat nicely- I have dessert as well."

"Is it the green jello?" Max asks. She smiles, knowing that's his favorite.

"Yes."

"You know...they say you should eat your dessert first...never know when..."

"Alright!" She cuts him off and hands him the green jello containers from in her brown paper bag. "Before you say something nobody needs to think about."

His face pales slightly.

Shit. Maybe I shouldn't joke about dying when it nearly happened.

"Sorry...I think I'll just have a tender for right now." He changes his mind and puts the jello on the table.

Damn...I'm messing this up with him. That's twice now he's apologized for nothing.

"Oh...you don't need too apologize—I just..." Feeling her emotions getting the best of her, Helen tries to keep her tears at bay for his sake.

I need to stop crying. He probably thinks he's making me feel bad. He's not! I just...every time I think about him not making it- it eats at me.

"Helen..." He forces himself to sit up and he reaches for her. Going to him without hesitation, she sits sideways facing him and wraps her arms around him and pushes her face into his neck. "It's okay...hey...don't cry."

Rubbing her back, he wishes he didn't make her cry so much.

"Shh...I'm here. I have you. Shh....it's okay."