Letters to Juliet

Chapter 27

Candy had insisted on spending the night with Albert. Terry, worried about her health and that of their future baby, had objected, but she had remained deaf to his protests and had firmly maintained her decision.

- I want to be by his side when he wakes up and you won't change my mind!

- What a stubborn person you are! The doctor said you need to rest! In your condition, you have to take care of yourself!

- My condition, as you say, is not an illness! I'm going to have a camp bed set up and I'll be able to lie down and rest as much as I want.

- I'm going to spend the night worrying knowing you're alone here... - he said sheepishly to coax her.

The head doctor had agreed that Candy should stay in the hospital, but had asked that the other members of the family return to their home. Terry therefore had to leave with Georges for the Ardlay house which was on the other side of the city, in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Chicago. Georges, who hadn't changed for two days, couldn't wait to get home!

- You have no reason to worry - she replied, adamant - I am safe here, surrounded by doctors and nurses...

Terry shook his head with a dubious grimace, regretting not being able to dispute the evidence of this argument.

- So... But don't hesitate to call me if you have the slightest problem!

- There won't be any... But I will do it if the case arises... - she said slightly annoyed.

Seeing his brow furrow in annoyance, she kissed his cheek while gently, but gradually pushing him towards the door.

- I'm counting on you to reassure Annie and Archie when they arrive, and also to remind Annie that she needs to take care of herself. In her state, she must be careful...

- I will point out to you that I gave you the same advice just two minutes ago and that you brushed it aside!I

- t's not the same thing, Come on! - she replied, leaving him speechless in amazement.

Aware of her bad faith, she definitely pushed him out of the room, not without affectionately wishing him a good evening. The latter was about to reopen the door when he met the desperate look of Georges who was impatiently waiting for him in the corridor, and dropped, with a sigh, the fist he had raised.

-------------------

Awakened by the first rays of morning filtering through the window curtains, Candy opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep while she was still sitting next to Albert and had not had time to lie down on the makeshift bed that had been brought to her. She placed her hands on her back and stretched, groaning, her body aching from the bad position of the night. Her gaze fell on the patient and she met his, who was observing her with a curious look. A shiver of fear ran through her at the memory of an amnesiac Albert looking at her in the same way, and she was paralyzed for a few seconds.

- Candy, my dear child, what are you doing here? - she then heard him say, and she let out a cry of relief.

- Ho, Albert! - she cried, rushing towards him - you're awake, finally! Oh, if you knew, I was so scared for you!!!

Her eyes clouded with tears, she caressed his cheeks, caressed his hands, as if to reassure herself that it was not a dream.

- Calm down, my little one, I'm very fine, you see...

- I was so scared for you! I was so afraid of losing you! - she gasped.

- Losing me? What a crazy idea? - he said, trying to stand up, then he put his hand to his head, grimacing in pain.