Shaking his head, he eats with his family, gets comfortable and then Jean-Pierre takes a deep breath. "As much as I love you all. As much as I'm happy you're here, it's time for me to get some sleep." "I think that's a good idea." Ann-Marie says. "We'll be at the hotel so if you need anything ..." "I'll call." Rene offers. "I'm not going anywhere." "Are you sure?" Ann-Renee brushes his shoulder. "He's safe now, Rene. We don't have to worry." "He's my son. I just want to be with him tonight. That's all." He shrugs. "Please, let me."Ann-Renee and the others head to the hotel, leaving Rene at the hospital. The nurse offershim a blanket and lets him know that the armchair in the room is a recliner and is probably goingto be more comfortable than the chair he'd pulled up. He thanks her, but doesn't even consider it. Instead, he walks over to the window and pulls out his clunky cellphone. It's nearing midnight, but he doesn't care. Celine deserves more than silence after what she's done for his family. It's touched his heart, warmed him when he thought it was impossible to feel anything except sadness. How can he just ignore that? How can he just accept it without even the smallest thanks passed along to her? He can't. He knows that. On the second ring, Celine picks up. "Hello?" "Thank you so much, my love." Rene breathes. He hears her take a slow breath. "How is everything? Is he doing well?" He is. He's going to be released from the hospital tomorrow, but I think I'm going to goback to Ann-Renee's house to make sure that I'm able to stay close to him while he recovers. I don't want her to have to take time off work while he's still recovering." "Of course." Celine agrees. "I'm glad it's nothing life threatening. It's a miracle." Rene smiles as she echoes his earlier thought. Again, they're on the same page. "I'm going to make this up to you, Celine. I promise. I'm not going to forget what you've done and you deserve more than a single date night. You deserve an entire weekend." Celine laughs softly. "I'm just glad he's doing well. Is there anything else I can do?" "You didn't have to leave. He would have loved to see you. You know how much he adore your music." "I think it's more important that you were there. Nothing speeds up healing like family." She says softly. "You know I love you. I'll wait. This is more important than a date." Rene wants to argue. That's his first instinct. There is little in the world that is more important to him than Celine. He'd give up his job, he'd give up everything to be with her for just an hour more. To make her smile and know that it is because of him. "I ..." A movement by the door snares his attention and he clears his throat. "I'll call you later." "It was Celine, wasn't it?" Ann-Renee asks softly. "She paid for the food and the room?" "Yes." Rene nods. "She did. She wanted to know if there's anything else she can do for us." "She's done more than enough." Ann-Renee whispers, then looks to her sleeping son. "Are you going to stay all night? I was coming back to get you.
