The Forgotten Blossom | A Riverdale Story

Chapter 10: Home At Last

Cheryl and Toni arrived at the hospital. "Claire Blossom" Cheryl said to a nearby nurse.

"Right through there" she pointed to a set of doors across the room.

"Thank you" Toni said gripping Cheryl's hand and following her in. They pushed through the double doors letting them swing behind.

"Cheryl!" Claire exclaimed as she saw the familiar faces. 

"Hi Clairy, how you feeling?"  Cheryl asked sitting by her bed. Toni pulled a second chair round to join the pair.

"I'm fine" Claire grinned.

"We'll leave you guys alone, see you soon toots." Alice and Fp stood up, picking up their jackets on the way out.

"So, this probably isn't the best time but Mom told me she wants to see us before Christmas, for dinner." Cheryl, crinkled her nose anticipating her little sister's reaction. Claire sighed.

"I guess we should go then" 

"Are you sure you want to?" Cheryl asked.

"Cheryl, it's only one dinner. How bad could it be?" She patted her sister's hand. Cheryl smiled thankfully. A doctor pushed through the doors. 

"Hi Claire. Oh, where's Mrs Lodge?" he asked.

"She had to leave, she'll be back soon I'm sure." Claire reassured him.

"Ok, we got the results of your x-ray back and, as expected, your leg is broken so we will get a cast on that and you are free to go home!" Doctor White nodded. Claire sighed.

"I'm not surprised." She sniffed. 

As Hermione waited in suspense for her husband to arrive home, sitting on the edge of the bed, she regretted pushing Fred away. She jumped, the sudden sound of Hiram bursting through the door.

"I'm home, mi amor!" He exclaimed. Hermione stood up, straightened out her dress and wiped her face for any stray tears.

"Welcome back, Hiram" she said grudgingly as she kissed his cheek. Her phone began to ring. She checked it and realised it was Alice "Excuse me a minute" she walked through to the other room and answered it.

"Hermione? Where did you go?" she heard her best friends voice speak down the phone. 

"I'm sorry Al, I realised that Hiram is coming home today" Hermione explained.

"Well, the hospital phoned and Claire is getting out. Are you coming to get her?" Alice asked.

"Oh God, Claire of course! That's what I forgot! She can't come back here Alice, not with Hiram home" she panicked.

"Okay, she can come home with me and Fp" Alice decided.

"Thank you Alice, tell her I love her and that I will see her soon" Hermione asked.

"Okay, bye hon" Alice said hanging up. Cheryl and Toni had went home and now Alice was back to get Claire. "Okay sweetie, looks like you're coming home with me" she told Claire.

"Why? What's wrong with Hermione?" the girl asked as she packed her bag.

"Well, I'm not going to lie to you babe, Hiram is back from New York and she doesn't feel it's safe for you to be around him." Alice explained.

"Okay, I understand" Claire said, packing the last of her belongings and throwing the bag straps over her shoulders. She reached for the crutches but they were too far and she nearly fell. Alice laughed as she handed the girl the crutches and helped her out of the room to meet Fp at the car outside. They were both glad to see the last of that dreadful room.