Bound to You

Chapter 34: Scars

(I would like to dedicate this chapter to Red Robin’s lack of Wifi which left me no other option BUT to write for 3 hours.)

“Second floor is oncology, third floor is designated for infants and toddlers, fourth floor is cardiac, and the fifth floor is neurology. ICU is on the sixth floor along with any other department not big enough to have it’s own floor.” The gray-haired nurse turned to look at the group of teenagers in front of her. “Do you want to stay together or split up and each take a floor?”

Darcy pulled at the low-cut neckline of her blouse. Yet another ‘gift’ from Sean. She was visiting a pediatric hospital with Ross and the rest of the Austin & Ally cast; was this really the appropriate place to be showing so much cleavage?

She felt Ross tug gently on her hand. “Darcy and I will take oncology.” 

Darcy felt a familiar rush of emotions shoot through her. She’d had her fair amount of experience with pediatric cancer wards in the past; she didn’t care to revisit. 

“Um…can we pick another floor?” she asked quietly.

Ross gave her a puzzled look. “Yeah sure. Cardiac okay?”

Darcy nodded. “That’s fine. Sorry, it’s just- It’s a long story.”

The nurse smiled kindly at her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s difficult seeing children so sick and helpless sometimes.”

Darcy smiled thankfully in return. She was grateful nobody had pushed the subject; it was a long and heartbreaking story, and not one she wanted to get into with people she barely knew. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to get into it with Ross, at least not anytime soon. 

“Alright well we only have an hour to visit, so let’s get going.” Ross said. He tugged at Darcy’s hand once again, leading her off in the direction of the elevators. 

It was a silent ride to the fourth floor for which, again, Darcy was grateful. It gave her a few moments to collect her thoughts. 

“And here we are.” Ross stepped out of the elevator into the brightly lit hallway. He turned back to look at Darcy as the doors closed behind them. “Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’m fine. It’s a long story.”

Ross nodded as well. Darcy could tell that he sensed she didn’t want to talk about it, whatever it was.

They stopped in front of a heavy wooden door with cutout flowers and hearts taped across it in a random pattern. The nameplate off to the side had two names written in neat handwriting. Crowe, Megan ; Irvine, Kate

Ross knocked twice loudly. 

“Come in.” A female voice called from inside.

Darcy stepped hesitantly into the room behind Ross. She was never sure what to say to people when they were in the hospital. Somehow ‘Get well soon.’ just didn’t seem sufficient.

The room was brightly lit, yet slightly more dim than the fluorescent lighting in the hallway. Pink curtains surrounded both beds, matching the pink curtain draped across the window. One was completely closed, hiding whoever was residing behind it. The other was pulled back halfway. Darcy caught a glimpse of a young girl sitting upright in the bed. She appeared to be around the age of nine, maybe ten at the oldest. She had long, light blonde hair braided into two pigtails. Her face immediately lit up into a smile as she caught a glimpse of Ross. 

“I know you!” she said brightly. 

Ross smiled as he flopped down into the chair beside the bed. Darcy moved to stand behind him. She didn’t want to get in the way. This wasn’t the time or place for playing up ‘Rarcy’. She wasn’t even sure why Sean instructed that she tag along anyways.