Home Is Where The Heart Is

chapter 4

A horrendous cramp startled Link awake. He was nestled under a sheet and had apparently fallen asleep, bent out of shape, on a sofa. He slowly straightened himself out while his eyes took in the sight before him. Lando looked so frail laying on his hospital bed. Antibiotics slowly dripping through tubes into his tiny arm. Christy seems to have woken up sometime during the night. She lay in the bed next Lando, holding him while he seemed to be burrowing into her sides for comfort.

Link took his phone out to text Rhett. He had to check up on Lily and Lincoln. His phone clock read 9:30 am. Less than a few hours prior they had rushed to the hospital holding Lando and praying he would be okay. Just thinking about the second he thought he could lose Lando made bile rise up into his mouth.   He sat up, fidgeting with his phone and realised his mind kept drifting to one person, Caren. A series of seemingly innocuous incidents brought this complete stranger into the Neal household and thinking about how rude and obnoxious he was to her initially ,made Link cringe all over. He wanted to apologize or say thanks or well just do something to convey how he felt but he was at a loss for words.

Right about then Link heard a soft knock. It was her. Caren made her way into the room carrying take out bags which she placed on a side table. Link was surprised to see her but happy nonetheless. They spoke about Lando's progress while she unpacked some food and served up pancakes for Link. He said the usual array of courtesy phrases... no you shouldn't have.. you've done too much already ..but as Link watched Caren carefully and gently nudge Christy awake, he realised how glad he was to have met her, even if in the most unusual of circumstance. As if on autopilot he got up and walked over to Caren and gave her a slight tap on her shoulder. She turned around and before she knew it she was wrapped in one of the most tightest hugs to have ever existed. Link put all his love into that hug that the only words he could muster were a whispered... Thank you.

As they separated, they both had awkward grins plastered on their faces but the genuine warmth of their interaction was very evident. Before Caren could say anything, her phone that she left on the side table began to ring. Link read screen which showed the number to the mythical offices. Caren quietly excused herself to take the call.

Stevie was calling to reschedule since Rhett and Link would be unable to make it for her follow-up interview that day. As she made her way back into the hospital room, she saw Christy awake and biting at an apple. She looked adorable with her hair in a mess and cheeks flushed from sleep.

" Was that Stevie?" Link asked. Caren nodded her head and explained about the change in plans. As soon as she finished speaking her last word, Link was up from his chair and aggressively typing onto his phone. Caren and Christy shared confused glances but were too hesitant to interrupt. A few minutes later , with a steady resolve Link put his phone down and said" it's done. You're now a graphic designer at Mythical entertainment."

" What?! Wait. No no. You don't even know if I'm any good. " Blurted out Caren, now staring at Link and Christy holding hands by Lando's bed." Is this nepotism? I think it is."