Chapter 6
“Stand down. “
“That’s Claire.”
“Not right now. Now she’s a patient! MY patient!” “you’re my best friend! You’re not gonna bench me on this”
“You’re too close on this.”
Lucas hadn’t slept well the night before. He tossed and turned, dreaming about the day Claire died. He woke up in a sweat remembering how he’d lost two best friends that day. He’d been more concerned for Sully’s loss and didn’t even have time to process his own grief over losing Claire.
He’d loved spending time with both of them. Claire cooked the best pot roast he’d ever tasted and he loved going there for dinner every chance he got, much to his ex-wives dismay. They had hated Eva on site and she’d felt the same. Him hanging out with Sully had resulted in him spending several nights on the couch, his and the Sullivan’s.
He’d felt more at home in his best friends house than his own. Claire made the house warm and welcoming. He’d go there even when Robert was working and just hang out with Claire and their two big Great Danes, appropriately named Samson and Delilah.
Sully had given the dogs to a shelter after Claire’s death. Lucas wanted to take them but Eva was allergic and after the divorce, the dogs were long gone and rehomed. They had got on with Vanessa, his first wife too, even though they were already starting divorce proceedings when they met her. luckily, he and Vanessa had remained friends and she stayed friends with Claire. Ness was equally devastated at Claire’s death. He groaned thinking of all the people he’d have to tell about Claire being alive.
Lucas had climbed out of bed, glad that Vic wasn’t there in case he’d disturbed her but also wishing she was so he could lose himself in her. He’d looked at the picture of them on the beside table, looking happy. Claire would love Vic.
He’d walked into the kitchen and poured himself a generous glass of Scotch and downed it quickly letting the liquid burn his throat and then poured another but just held the glass as he wondered what Sully’s reaction would be to the news. Disbelief, anger, happiness? How would this new love interest he had be affected by it. Would he and Claire reconnect? He’d never known two people so in love before. He hoped he and Vic would end up as happily married as Robert and Claire were before…
He raised the glass to his lips and took a couple of gulps, looking up as Justin walked into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.
“Oh hey. I’m sorry did I wake you.”
The young man shook his head “I couldn’t sleep. I’m worried about mom.”
“Water?”
Justin nodded. Lucas got a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water before passing it to him.
They had both sat in silence drinking their drinks, deep in thought. Lucas could tell the young man had many questions but was hesitant to bring them up. Lucas didn’t know if he should be the one to answer them either. After a while Justin stood up and said goodnight before leaving the room. Lucas finished his drink and went back to bed missing Vic. It was only a couple of hours until she’d be home.
The scream in the morning woke him with a jolt and he ran out into the hallway to see Vic half naked and an embarrassed Justin.
They’d both fallen back to sleep but again he tossed and turned, waking with a jolt.
“You okay?” she asked rubbing her eyes. He nodded before kissing her on the lips. pulling away she looked into his eyes and stroked his cheek. It was like she was looking into his soul and he looked away.
“You’re not okay are you?”
He shook his head looking at the ceiling. If he looked at her he might cry. Cry for Claire and what happened to her, cry for Sully and all the pain he went through and the pain he’d go through when he finds out she was alive and cry for the years of friendship he lost.
Vic lifted herself up on her elbow and moved his head so he was forced to look at her and a sob escaped his throat. She reached up and kissed him and he deepened the kiss pulling her close. God, he loved this woman.
“I love you too.” She whispered when they parted, their foreheads resting together. “It will all work out baby. Sullivan has you and you have me. Always.” They kissed again before he got up and headed into the shower. Vic lay back down but couldn’t find sleep again so decided to join him in the shower and see if she could make him feel a bit better.
They were talking over a late breakfast when Justin walked in.
“Good morning Justin.” Lucas smiled brightly at the young man.
“Good morning Sir .” The young man said shyly
Lucas waved his hand “oh please. Just Lucas.”
“Good morning Justin.” Vic smiled warmly “What can I get you.” She gestured at the kitchen counter where she’d made waffles, pancakes, bacon and eggs. Justin’s eyes widened at the feast.
“Um no thank you ma’am. I-I’m fine.”
“Nonsense.” Lucas said standing up and getting a plate and loading it with everything and placing the plate before him. “You’re a growing lad. I bet you’re starving.”
At that Justin’s stomach growled and they all laughed. “I guess I am hungry.” He smiled before tucking in.
“You don’t know it yet, Justin but we’re family. Your mom and I were very close before.”
Justin nodded. “It’s all very confusing at the moment, si-Lucas”
Lucas nodded looking at Vic. “Well you guys go get ready to go to the hospital and I’ll finish up here” she smiled brightly.
“Um I was hoping you’d come too.” Justin said nervously making Vic and Lucas eyes widened. She’d hardly spoken to him. “I didn’t have any family growing up so it’s nice knowing there are people who care and family would go to the hospital too, right?.” He looked shyly from one to the other.
Vic looked at Lucas and back to Justin. “Of course. I’m off today so yes.” She beamed at them.
“Okay let’s get ready and we’ll head off shortly okay?” Lucas said and everyone nodded. They watched as Justin left the kitchen.
“Are you going to call Robert?”
Lucas nodded pulling out his phone. “I’ve pushed my meetings until this afternoon but I have to go in today as I didn’t yesterday. so I need to do this now.”
Vic went to leave as he dialled his friends number but he stopped her, grabbing her arm as she passed. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. She held him and kissed the top of his head.
“sully, morning. I need you to meet me at Grey Sloan asap. Yep about 30 minutes. Yes. Yes. Okay, see you shortly.” He ended the call and looked up at Vic.
“What about….” She nodded up to the ceiling. “You can’t drop two bombshells on him at once.”
“We’ll take him to the cafeteria or something.” She nodded, giving him a squeeze and then kissing him. He loved the feel of her lips. She still made him feel dizzy when they kissed. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her. His mind briefly wonder to how Sully probably once felt the same way and that was taken from him or maybe not....
“Cmon you. Let’s go.” She smiled at him letting go of him and pulling him to his feet.
They drove to the hospital in silence. Sullivan was already in the waiting room when they got there. He hadn’t seen them yet so Vic grabbed Justin’s arm.
“Um why don’t we go to the gift shop and buy your mom something nice” she said guiding him the opposite way.
Lucas smiled gratefully at her and walked over to his friend.
“What was so important Rip. I’ve got a busy station to run. I really don’t want to hear that Hughes is pregnant!”
Lucas’s eyes bulged. “Wh-what?” He sputtered.
Sullivan shrugged “why else would you want to meet me at the hospital if she’s not here for a scan?”
Lucas shook his head vigorously. “What! No no! she’s not. No!.”
“Wow, don’t sound so freaked out.” Sullivan chuckled. “ so what is it.”
“Walk with me.”
They walked to the elevators and made their way to Claire’s floor. “I tried to talk to you about this yesterday but you seemed preoccupied.” The elevator doors opened and they stepped out.
Lucas stopped, hands on his hips and looked at his friend.
“Claire’s alive! She was bought in yesterday after a car accident and having suffered years of amnesia. The hospital mixed up her records with someone else and declared her dead. She couldn’t correct them as she had no memory of who she was. She’s been living in Phoenix for several years and returned to Seattle when her memory came back.” Yep spit it out Lucas. He took a deep breath as he finished.
His friend had paled considerably as he spoke and now just stood there. Still. Frozen.
“Sully I know it’s a shock. I’m shocked but it’s true. She’s here..at grey Sloan.”
Still silence. Lucas sighed “I can take you to her room.” He reached for his friends arm and at this Sullivan jerked away liked electricity had gone through him and then he stumbled back holding his head. Lucas grabbed for him before he lost his balance and landed on the floor. He walked him over to the seating area and guided him down into a chair.
“Is everything okay .” A nurse came over. Lucas nodded “yes just maybe some water please.” She nodded and went to get it from a nearby dispenser. She handed it to Lucas,who handed it to Sullivan who took it but didn’t drink.
“where?” He mumbled after a few minutes. Lucas noticed the wild look in his eyes. “Room 3220”
Sullivan didn’t move. “She’s alive?” Lucas nodded. Sullivan shook his head. “This is one sick game, Rip.”
“No game sully.”
“Not to cover Hughes being pregnant.”
“She’s not.”
“Claire’s alive?”
“Yes”
Sullivan rubbed his forehead like he was trying to get the information to sink in or smooth out the lines that had suddenly appeared there, Lucas couldn’t be sure.
“Room 32-?”
“3220”
“3220.” He repeated. “You sure it’s Claire. It’s been years. Maybe you forgot what sh-she looks like. You know maybe the woman just looks like her.” He shook his head vehemently.
“I’d never forget her face, Sully.” Sully nodded. He knew Lucas had loved Claire too.
“I guess I should go and see her right?”
“You should.”
“Right. Right.” He looked around at the various, doctors, nurses and people roaming the floor. “Does she remember me?”
“She came back to settle to find you when her memory returned.” He placed his hand on his friends shoulder. “Let’s go see Claire.” He stood up and waited for his friend to join him. After a few minutes Sullivan stood up. He took a couple of deep breaths like he was going to go underwater and then he nodded and Lucas lead him to room 3220. He looked at the door not sure what was on the other side or who. Claire. The love of his life? Alive?
“I can’t.” He said suddenly stepping back away from the door. “It can’t be Claire. I buried her.” Lucas grabbed his shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes.
“Claire’s alive. Your wife. The woman you wanted to spend the rest of your life with and now you get that chance again Sully. Go through the door and see for yourself.”
Sullivan nodded, took another breath and pushed open the door.