"I promise to be careful on the road. I went under the speed limit and everything." Celine whimpers. "Oh, honey. I know." He mother rubs her back. Her father takes over, petting her hair and whispering sweet things to Celine while her mother makes tea and starts making dinner. Putting up a brave face, Celine finds, is exhausting. If it weren't for her parents right here and now, she's sure she would be fast asleep on the couch, unable to even make it to her bed. "Rene might call." She murmurs as her father sits her at the table to have some cookies. "If I'm asleep ..." "We'll tell him you're here and safe." Her father promises while patting her head. "Eat.
Rene
How are you? How do you feel?" Rene asks Jean-Pierre as his eyes open. He chuckles softly. "Like I just got hit by a truck!" Rene laughs but Ann-Renee whimpers softly. Jean-Pierre takes her hand and squeezes it. "I'm okay. I'm not going anywhere, Mom. I think that the nurses would be mad if I got up and messed up their wires." After a little more talking, Rene starts to feel better. Somehow, his son managed not to break a single bone. His wrist is sprained, he hit his head against the window, he has plenty of cuts from the glass, and he has a badly bruised knee and rib, but nothing broken. It's a miracle. He promises not to leave Jean-Pierre's side, no matter what, that he'll happily take careof him through everything at the hospital and he'll never have to be alone. Rather than just take it, or make a joke, Jean-Pierre's eyes water and he nods, squeezing his father's hand. Rene can't believe how close of a call this was. He was just about to leave for a wonderful day and night with Celine, but this his son surviving with minor injuries when it's an accident that could have taken his life is a gift. It's all he needs to make this New year's special.After an hour of pleasantries, Rene can't deny the hunger anymore. Just in time, the nursereturns. "Does anyone need anything? A little food, something to drink?" "That would be nice." Ann-Renee says. "I think we're all a little hungry." Everyone orders from the kitchen and Rene looks to the nurse. "I expect the bill." "It's ... It's already been paid for, sir." The nurse says. Rene looks around but everyone looks just as confused as he feels. He clears his throat. "No one paid for us." "I'm sorry, sir. But it was taken care of by a woman. She left a bit ago, but wanted me to tell you that she left plenty of money for food and booked you all a room at the hotel just across the road and to the east. She got it all taken care of." The nurse flashes a smile, then hurries to get them their order. Ann-Renee met Rene's eyes knowingly. As happy as he is about it, he can't believe he forgot about her in the hall. She came all the way out here to make sure Jean-Pierre is okay and he just left her there, without a word or the promise of coming back. What kind of horrible man does that?
