Celine
Between her father and Rene speaking softly, in deep soothing tones, Celine was able to calm down. Her father stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "I have to make some phone calls, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead again. "I'm sure we'll have an update soon." An update? Celine didn't feel like she knew anything at all! One minute, Maman was fine, if a little tired, and then she was having open heart surgery? For it to be so urgent that they couldn't even stop to speak with Celine or anyone else before dragging her mother into surgery? That was too overwhelming. Celine took a staggering breath, wiped at her eyes and then held her face in her hands. The emotional whiplash of today left her shaking. Rene sat next to her, rubbing her back and her knee. "Your mother is strong, Celine. You know she'll come out of this and be ready to leave before the doctors approve it." Celine shook her head anyway. "I've never seen her so ... frail." "And right after she wakes up, she'll be demanding better food, ordering doctors around, and convincing them one conversation after another that medical school didn't teach them enough to deal with her." Celine met Rene's eyes, caught his smirk, then choked on a laugh. Her mom was a force of nature, something most people couldn't handle at all. She tucked her hair behind her ear and barked out another laugh. "I know you're right. The doctors are going to beg us to take her home."
