They were sent to the waiting room while they brought Lily back to run tests. Neither one of them dared to say anything, but Lindsey could feel Stevie's nervous energy and held her hand, gripping her tightly. He had been running on adrenaline for over a week now, and he was starting to feel the effects of no sleep and no food. Stevie was right, he needed to sleep. They needed him. Right now, though, his little girl could actually live. Nothing was going to get him away from the hospital.
The sun went down again, and they absently watched the TV in the waiting room, neither one of them even sure what was on. After his stomach growled for what must have been the 50th time, she jerked back and gave him a look. "Lindsey, go get food. Right now. I haven't seen you eat in days."
"But what it they..."
"There is a cafe right there. If they come, I'll wait for you. Eat something."
"I'm really okay. I don't want to leave you."
"Get the hell out of here and get a sandwich. You'll be gone 5 minutes. I'll be fine," she insisted.
He reluctantly stood, checking his pocket for his wallet. "Do you need anything?"
"Tea, please."
He nodded and shuffled out of the waiting room leaving her alone for the first time since she'd been admitted. Her family was still at home, probably wondering what was going on. She was so tired, and in a lot more pain than she wanted to admit to Lindsey right now. He had been incredible. Someone in the waiting room stopped and stared for a minute, clearly aware of who she was. She gave a half smile, silently pleading with him to keep his distance. She knew she looked about a good as she felt right now, and she didn't think she could be nice to him if she tried at this point. Only then did she realize that she'd been sitting in a public waiting room for... how many hours had it been now? A lot. No one had recognized her. The swelling, lack of make up and additional 40 lbs must have been pretty solid camouflage, which made her want to be seen even less.
She sunk into her chair, waiting for Lindsey to come back. After what seemed to be an eternity, she saw him politely trying to get rid of someone. Apparently they'd both forgotten they were famous. An irrational anger overtook her as she saw Lindsey struggle to avoid signing an autograph, and she stood, ready to rush to his aid. He saw her stand and shot her a look, and she halted.
"Listen, as great as hospital waiting rooms are, I'm not here to hang out. I really need to be going," he said. The woman looked somewhat mortified, and Stevie chuckled to herself. Whoever she was quickly disappeared and left Lindsey holding a bag of food and her tea. He shook his head as he approached her. "Was she..."
"I think people forget where they are sometimes," he said, handing her the cup of tea in his hand. "But maybe we shouldn't be quite so visible right now."
"I can't leave her," said Stevie, looking slightly panicked.
"Let's stay across the street at that Hilton. We can be here in seconds. You should be resting anyway." She hesitated, but knew he was right. He made the arrangements and they checked in, calling her family to bring their things over. They settled onto the bed and she leaned heavily against him.
"Nothing we do is ever simple, is it?"
"No, I guess not," he laughed, kissing her forehead. "How are you holding up? You haven't talked much."
"I'm terrified. Drugged. Sore. I have no idea what to do."
"There's nothing we can do right now. We wait. And try not to go crazy, I guess."
"Lindsey I nursed her. She knew me. We can't lose her."
"I know," he held her, not really sure what else to say. Her parents came with their things. They talked briefly, then exited, sensing that they were both barely tolerating company at that moment. They absently watched TV until the phone rang.
