Following the Stars

One Hundred and Thirty Seven

"As it's now been over a week Mrs Depp. We need to make some decisions."
"Excuse me?" Lexie had the phone balanced inbetween her ear and shoulder whilst feeding James in the private waiting room. The two elder children were visiting their father and Johnny's head lawyer had spent the majority of the day trying to get hold of her.
"Well, it seems that Mr Depp made you his next of kin officially, and professionally. You're power of attorney on most financial accounts and of the businesses.
"The business?? He told me that was just paperwork. I never thought I would need to do it."
"That's fine and to be honest, Christi as President of the USA corporation and Stephen the head of Europe can handle it, but if anything major comes up we may need your input. That being said, we will need to look at logistics if he doesn't gain consciousness soon."
"Like what?"
"Like finances. Properties. The children?"
"What about the children?"
"Well they are in your care are they not?"
"Yes. Vanessa and Johnny had an arrangement because she's gone on tour. They have an extended visit and stay with us."
"Exactly, the agreement was between Ms Paradis and Mr Depp. Not you."
"So? I've spoken with Vanessa most days, she wants to be up dated with his condition."
"Yes but if this goes on much longer. We will have to maybe get her back?"
"You know Johnny wouldn't want that. Her cutting the tour for him."
"The children need an official care giver. What if something were to happen to them? You don't have authority, you can't give the go ahead for medical related things, and you have no jurisdiction or absolute legal care over them."
"And James?"
"Well that goes without saying you are his biological mother."
"Biology or not, I love and care for Lily Rose and Jack as much as my youngest son. They are going through enough without the disruption of anything else. Speak to Vanessa directly if you want. She agrees with me, the children need to stay here, close to their father."
"Ok well I would appreciate it if you could keep me abreast of the situation."
"Oh yes of course, I'm only trying to keep three children alive, battle the press every time I leave the hospital or my house, answer police enquiries, ensure the well-being and recovery of my head of security, constantly being harassed and bullied by all those who support my husband's ex wife AND now consider the possibility you're going to take Lily and Jack from me, what is another thing to add to my god damn list??"
"I'll call you after the weekend Mrs Depp."

"That sounded like it went well" Stephen said sarcastically from the chair opposite. "How could you tell." It was then that Stephen looked at his best friend's wife. She had bags under her eyes. Her eyes were puffy from crying, her shoulders slumped like they had the weight of the world on them and she looked exhausted physically and mentally. "I just want him to wake up. Why won't he wake up?" Lexie said sadly to the man. "I don't know darling. I wish I had the answer." Lexie nodded before pulling off the muslin that was covering James whilst he fed. She put him against her shoulder and winded him. After a few moments he bought up some sick that went on her top. "Oh for the love of god." She said sighing. "It's ok I've got it." Stephen said rubbing her shoulder with a spare Muslim that was sat in the pram. "Thanks." She said smiling. "Come on pal... your Mumma needs a break. Can you keep that milk inside you? That way you'll grow big and strong." Stephen said whilst his finger tip stroked the baby's cheek. "I think he's teething. Nothing has come through. It's early but not uncommon." "God Johnny is missing so much." "I know." Lexie said with wide eyes.

Three days later...

"Mrs Depp... Lexie... can you tell us what the latest is with your husband? Will he survive? Will you share his fortune with his children should the worst happen?? Will you re marry??" Lexie rolled her eyes as she pushed the pram into the hospital. It was only 8am. How had the press got there so quickly again?? Travis and Mark helped her inside before they headed to the ward Johnny was on.

They finally got to his room, where there had been no change. Gina stood. "Hi darling... I wish I could tell you something but nothing. I spoke to him for nearly the whole night. Not one response. That's got to be a first. Normally he's always backchatting me." Lexie smiled. "Thanks G." "Not a problem my love. How are you doing?" "I'm ok... scared. It's been so long since I saw his eyes or heard his voice." "I know it's been the longest time." Lexie nodded trying to reassure herself. "He's got to be ok." She said quietly approaching Johnny. "He will be. You'll see." Gina said walking around and putting an arm around her. "Now can I have a cuddle with that charming son of yours?" She asked sweetly. "Help yourself. But be warned. Even he's grouchy. He slept for a total of three hours last night... and that was it." "Ha is somebody missing their Daddy?" Gina asked in a sickly sweet voice bending over the pram and picking James up. "He's not the only one. We had tears at breakfast again this morning. I'm running out of positive things to say to the kids. Especially when I don't believe the crap I'm coming out with myself." "Lexie he's a fighter. He will make it. He's just taking his sweet ass time about it. Don't worry though we will never let him forget the anguish and stress he's caused us all. I swear I've gone grey in the last week!" She said trying to make the woman giggle .