Chapter 3
Henrik did have a plan, he wanted to get both ladies to the hotel as quickly and efficiently as possible. 'I think it's best if Miss Campbell goes with Mr Griffin and Miss Wolfe comes with me. That way you can get changed here and not have to see each other until that...' Henrik stumbled over the words, he really wasn't one for sentiment a lot of the time. '...special moment...' He smiled shyly. Looking to Ric quickly for back up.
Serena let out a giggle, 'For the love of all things holy, I think today you can call me Serena and her Bernie, don't you think Henrik, for today lose that formality...after all you are rescuing two damsels in distress and getting them to their wedding.' Serena smiled warmly, 'I think it's a splendid plan, thank you. Both of you, thank you.'
Henrik blushed a little bit, he hadn't expected a Serena Campbell ticking off, but it worked, he was feeling a lot more relaxed about the whole situation. 'Ok no time to waste, you should get cleaned up.'
Ric was already heading to the door, straightening up his bow-tie as he walked, Serena peered down at herself once more, still in her bloody scrubs. Bernie caught her sad eyes and took her hand suddenly, stopping her in her tracks as she was about to follow Ric out the side room of the theatre to get washed up. Bernie squeezed it gently.
'I want you to know that this afternoon will be perfect, I still want to commit to you, properly...' Bernie trailed off, very aware of her hospital surroundings, the operation going on just next door and the two men staring at them, willing them to hurry up. Suddenly the wedding nerves were kicking in and she wasn't expecting the sudden wave of guilt that washed over her. 'I know it's been over a year and you forgave me...but...'
'Not now my love...' Serena couldn't stand another apology about the abandonment not now, Bernie had spent all year trying to make it up to her, she had forgiven her...just, Bernie was sacred that was all, scared about what they could have lost if things had gone wrong, well they hadn't gone completely wrong, they were about to get married. Serena didn't need to remember the bad times right now, she just wanted the good memories that they had to look forward to. 'The next time I see you Miss Wolfe, I will be standing up in front of all our friends and family, committing myself to our future married life...it's a good day to be alive Miss Wolfe, a very good day to be alive!' Serena lent over and pecked Bernie on the cheek, 'Now lets actually get to our wedding, Jason and Cam must be going spare by now!' She turned quickly, and rushed out the room following Ric. Serena, would use the facilities next door, before heading to one of the free on call rooms to get dressed in private. She left behind the dishevelled Bernie and the awkward Swede together. Bernie didn't say anything, she waited a moment and then crumpled her face, before breaking into a small smile.
'Everything ok...Bernie?' Henrik asked breaking her train of thought.
'Fine, I was just thinking it was a good job I brought my wedding outfit along to the hospital...I must have expected something was going to go wrong, it always does.' Bernie turned to the wash basin area and started to run the taps, grabbing the soap she started to scrub her hands. 'Henrik, I'm doing the right thing aren't I? I mean...this might be the normal wedding day nerves...' she guffawed laughter spilling out of her. 'Who am I kidding this is far from a normal wedding day, seriously though. This is the right thing?' She asked more soberly again. She was still washing up, waiting eagerly for a response from the usually very wise man stood next to her now. He had moved over, whilst she had been talking.
'Are you having second thoughts?' He quizzed. Eyeing up the flustered woman, trying to get herself cleaned up. 'Because we need to stop this now, if you think you are going to hurt Serena...don't let her get to the hotel thinking you are going to marry her...just to run away.' He spoke solemnly. He paused for a moment wanting to see Bernie's reaction to what he just said. 'Because if that's the case, I'll go and get her now and we stop.' Henrik was stood still, his arms by his side, hardly any movement in his body. He was just staring at her.
Bernie was fixated on the running tap. Her hands still under the stream of lukewarm water. His eyes were burning into the side of her. She smiled to herself. 'I think I am doing the right thing...' She was talking down towards the water swirling down the drain.'I don't want to hurt her, I did that once before and that was the worst feeling I've experienced, and my life hasn't exactly been a barrel of laughs. Yet that feeling of hurting Serena almost broke me...'
'Then you are doing the right thing, because I believe you truly love her.' Henrik smiled knowingly. His little test worked. He checked his watch, blowing out some hot air from his lips.'Think you are both going to miss your wedding...but I am sure your guests will wait and Ric is here, so even if you were at the hotel it's not like you could get married anyway.' He laughed, trying to break the tension, it was awkward, he knew Serena better than Bernie.
'Right then Captain, lead on, because I need to get dressed.' Bernie pointed in the direction of the doors.
They walked silently until they reached the staff changing rooms. Bernie, smiled and tentatively knocked on the door, no answer, she peered around the door for a second. Looking back to Henrik 'She isn't in here, I suppose she found somewhere else to get ready, I'll just slip my outfit on and we can leave.'
'I'll wait for you here Miss Wolfe...Bernie. I'll let you know if I see Serena...I suspect her and Ric will be off soon. I'll keep watch.'
'Thank you...Holby has missed you, don't get me wrong Ric has done a fantastic job in your absence, but um...this place needs Henrik Hanssen to steady the ship.' Bernie pushed the door open and went inside to the staff changing area. Leaving Henrik to contemplate what she had just said.
Meanwhile across the hospital, Serena had just slipped into her white dress. 'Ric, RIC! Mr Griffin!' Ric came running into the on call room panicked. He had been dutifully waiting outside also.
'Where's the fire?' He joked.
'Zip me up?' Ric grinned, he moved over quickly and started to zip up Serena's 1950's inspired gown. Knee length and sexy.
'You look stunning Serena...' his breath tickled the back of her neck. 'You'll always be the one that got away.' He smiled teasingly.
'We did have undeniable sexual tension Ric, just mine and Bernie's was sexier.' She laughed heartily. Before placing at delicate kiss on his right hand cheek. 'Thank you.'
'Well I think you'll do and I haven't done anything yet, you asked me to officiate your marriage and we're still at Holby City Hospital, running late.'
'I've text Jason and he said the make-up girl was waiting around, so I'll get her to touch up this mess quickly when I get there.' She gestured at her face. 'He also said me and Bernie were slow at everything, I'm starting to think he's right!'
Serena started to gather up all her belongings, 'Right, that's my bag and yep. I have everything.'
They both rushed out the room, both at an almost running pace. Serena edged ahead of Ric, 'Can't keep up old man!'
They were rushing down the stairs now, urgency upon them both.
At the same time. Bernie, flung on her jacket and looked into the mirror. Tuxedo pant suit is what she had gone for, she opted to have an open white shirt, and black heels. It made her feel more comfortable than the thought of the big white dress. She started fussing over how it looked, straightening up the jacket and sorting out her shirt collar. Am I doing the right thing? She thought to herself once more, she knew she loved Serena, but she didn't want to risk hurting her in the future, what if she got itchy feet and wanted to travel, or work abroad again? What if she needed her space? She was still pulling and tugging at her tux, making sure it all looked just right.
'Henrik!' She called out, he was pacing up and down outside, like an expectant father, he faintly heard his name through the closed door and wondered back over to it and pushed the door quickly open. 'Does this look ok?'
'Very flattering Bernie.' He nodded.
'Flattering?' She was fussing over how it looked pulling at the sleeves, tugging at the collar again. 'Flattering?'
'Lovely?' He offered again, more encouragingly.
'It's my wedding day, maybe I should have gone for a dress? Maybe a different suit? Maybe something more... '
'You look stunning Miss Wolfe and Serena won't be able to keep her eyes off you!' He was glowing a shade of crimson. 'Ok well enough of that, lets get going if you are ready.'
'Well, I think to be honest we need to run.' She slipped off her heels, and grabbed a pair of trainers, slipping them on. She held her heels in her hand.
Henrik nodded again, and soon they were running down the corridor towards the direction of the steps to the car park. Panting they arrived at the car, Henrik unlocking it, Bernie was already jumping in he passenger seat. She was used to things happening at great speed, emergency after emergency, why should her wedding day be any different?
The car pulled out speedily and Henrik put his foot down.
5 minutes after Bernie and Henrik had pulled out of the car park, Ric and Serena finally made it to Ric's car. 'Henrik has already gone I think?' Serena was looking around.
'Good no chance of you two bumping into each other, come on Miss Campbell, lets get you wed!' He opened the car door for Serena, before running around to the driver's side.
Serena looked around once more and smiled, she jumped in beside Ric. She had just wanted to make sure Bernie was going to get to the hotel. She had been worried all day and she wasn't sure why, it was partly why she wanted to work, she wanted to take her mind of her sinking feeling of dread, that something was going to go wrong. Ric put his foot down and they were speeding out the car park before she had even noticed.
This was it, they were finally on the way to the wedding venue and all their friends and family. They were finally going to be a proper family unit.