Ronan: To the Moon and Back

43. "Paris?"

AN: Certain events in this chapter are 100000% inspired by real life, living in a children's hospital for two and 1/2 months, events. ( That I have personally witnessed and have been a part of) Which goes to say there are general hospital related warnings in this chapter.  Trigger Warnings.

Rae wakes up to the sound of obnoxious buzzing. For a several moments she's confused, wonders why her neck is a little stiff. Blinking her eyes opens, she suddenly remembers her date with Louis, and falling asleep on the couch. When she reaches for her phone, she spots a yellow sticky note with his handwriting.

Sorry love. Had to leave, meetings in the morning. You're cute when you're sleeping. -L

Then she answers her phone, her smile slipping off her face when she hears the tears in her mothers voice. Rae's off the couch in a flash, racing upstairs to grab her phone charger and keys, before rushing out the door. Not even noticing she's in the same outfit as the night before; not as if she'd care about that at the moment.

When Rae arrives at the Hospice, she parks haphazardly, having to squeeze herself between her door and the car next to her. She barely greets the nurse at the lobby desk in her rush to get to the lifts. Which seem to take their sweet, agonizing time. Once she's in the lift, she jams her finger on the fifth floor button, then repeatedly stabs at the 'close doors' button. Mumbling curses under her breathe when it still takes it's time. 

It's strange, having to go to a new floor and not the normal terminally ill one. Different having to actually wait outside the doors and call in to the ward to be buzzed in. She reaches the new room, after following the signs down the long hallway. She has to mentally calm herself, inhales deeply, counting backwards in her head. Then she quietly opens the door.

Her mother is sitting in an armchair next to Ronan's bed, a book in her lap. She isn't reading though, Rae notices. Her eyes are staring blankly at the page in front of her. She looks up when she hears Rae, and offers a small smile.

"Is he-?" Rae begins to ask, but her mum nods.

"He's stable. Had a bit of a scare. Had no choice but to move him to ICU." MaryAnn informs her, closing the book and setting it on the bedside table. "Mainly for precautions."

"I don't understand. What happened?"

Her mother sighs, long and weary, it sounds like years of exhaustion and fear. "He just..collapsed. On the way to the playroom, he said his leg was hurting and just fell down. They're monitoring his vitals constantly now, he's been running a low fever since last night, and his heart rate is above normal."

"Do you think he could have another seizure?" Rae questions anxiously, pressing her hand to her chest. She pulls it away when she notices her mother eye the same hand.

"Not sure. They're watching him closely though. He did have a chemo session today, but they're holding off for a few more hours."

Rae nods, and makes sure she avoids looking at her brother too hard. Instead she gives her mother a long hug. "Go home, mum. Get some sleep. I can stay here."

"Are you sure, darling? I don't mind." Her mum smiles, pulling back and brushing her fingers through Rae's messy hair.

"I'll be fine, mum." Rae assures her.

"Alright then. How was your date?" MaryAnn questions, quietly gathering her things.

Rae bites back a genuine smile. "It was great...and wet. Since it rained most of the time. He's so lovely, mum."

MaryAnn smiles again and Rae can see how exhausted she is. Her clothes from the night before are wrinkled in places and her makeup is smeared around her eyes. Her eyelids are a little swollen from previously shed tears.