Caroline Forbes is full of light (miss_mystic) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-07-26 08:08:00 |
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The middle of the night was for things like sleeping. In fact, Marguerite was a fan of sleep and not of being woken up by helicopters. At first, the actress didn’t register the sound of helicopter rotors and just curled up closer to her husband as if that would drown out the noise. But when it became obvious that there really was a helicopter on top of the building? Which didn’t have a helipad? The actress got up and checked her phone.
“Natasha, I swear…” Because there were boundaries in place for when Marguerite helped Natasha. Specifically an actual heads up and the chance for Percy to help after the whole being shot incident. No messages on her phone though which meant...going to investigate along with one half asleep but curious Englishman.
Getting to the top of the building, it seemed others in the building were also confused, some muttering in annoyance at the noise and lack of answers. But that never deterred Marguerite and so she and Percy made their way to the roof.
“Are you Ms. Blakeney?”
Okay, what the hell?
“I am...who’s asking?”
“Ms. Forbes is in the hospital and requires your presence.”
Eyes widening because of course her mind automatically jumped to Caroline being injured, she wasn’t even wondering about why a helicopter showed up for her. Instead she felt Percy grasp her hand reassuringly, lifting it to kiss the back of it before telling her to go. Quickly tying her robe tightly around herself and getting into the helicopter, mind racing.
Once at the hospital, the actress rushed in, looking for someone who could tell her where to find Caroline.
Caroline had arrived with David only moments after her mother and Denise. Her mother was taken away for testing and Caroline had yet to see her. She was stuck in the waiting room worrying, and doing her best not to cry. Even if that meant constantly trying to swallow the lump in her throat, and yes a few tears had fallen here and there. But at least she wasn’t sobbing.
Caroline saw a rush of red hair enter the room as well. It took her a minute to realize who that hair belonged to. But once she did Caroline was on her feet making her way over to Marguerite and wrapping her arms around her.
How?
But then she remembered David asking her if there was anyone she needed. Marguerite was the first person Caroline had thought of. Marguerite knew exactly what she was going through. Not only that but she was Caroline’s best friend. And she really needed her best friend right now. “Thank you,” she finally said her arms still wrapped tightly around her friend for another moment before finally letting go.
If there was one upside to Xanatos finding out Caroline’s mother was sick, it was that, at the very least, he could discover just how much money really could buy. His own mother had passed away from a rather aggressive strain of cancer when he’d been just a child, but his family had been poor then, and what little insurance they had hadn’t been able to do much. Instead, he had to watch his mother wither away in front of him, and had vowed that he would never allow that to happen to himself or anyone he cared about again.
He didn’t especially care for Caroline’s mother - he’d never met the woman, why would he? - but he did consider Caroline a friend, and what was a better time to prove his mastery over death than now?
Still, as much work as he had ahead of him to buy Mrs. Forbes the best healthcare money could buy, he couldn’t very well just leave Caroline alone, as distraught as she was. There wasn’t much he could do, other than lay a comforting hand on Caroline’s shoulders now and again.
And then her friend came, and he was finally free to make the arrangements.
He wasn’t sure if Caroline was thanking him or Marguerite, but he figured he’d take the credit anyway. “It was nothing, my dear,” he said gently, gently clamping his hand on her shoulder again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said, and then turned and left the two of them. He had phone calls to make.
And before Marguerite could get someone to tell her where Caroline was, suddenly the younger woman was hugging her. It didn’t take long from then to realize what had happened. After all, hadn’t she gone through this six and a half years ago? So instead she just returned the hug, doing her best to be there for her best friend.
And then the strange man coming over taking credit? The actress wasn’t sure what to make of him though clearly he was the one who had sent the helicopter. He certainly didn’t look like a baker though. Not that it mattered in that moment. Right now what mattered was being there for Caroline.
So instead, she just gave a nod.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Let’s go sit down, hmm?” She would try to sort through everything once she was a bit less frazzled from being woken up, thinking Caroline had been admitted and then showing up and what was happening now.
If Caroline wasn’t so distraught she probably would have rolled her eyes at David’s response. Even if she should probably be thanking him too. After all he had gotten Marguerite here. But none of that was really registering at the moment.
“Okay,” Caroline said softly, letting Marguerite lead her over to a seat. She didn’t even notice David’s exit. “I don’t- I can’t-” Lose her mom. But she couldn’t say the words.
There was nothing wrong with her being caught up in her emotions at the moment. It made sense. Which was why Marguerite was just focusing on making sure Caroline was okay. Or well, as okay as she could be because there was no way she was actually okay.
“I know.”
Once they found somewhere to sit, the actress just wrapped an arm around Caroline’s shoulders and rubbed her arm soothingly.
Caroline let Marguerite comfort her, because well she needed it. David had been as helpful as he could be. He had rushed her here after all. But he didn’t exactly know how to comfort her. Not to mention their friendship was somewhat new, he didn’t even know her mom was sick until tonight. So being so vulnerable around him didn’t come naturally. But now Marguerite was here and she could fully let out her emotions.
She let a few tears fall, no longer attempting to swallow the lump in her throat. “She’s my mom,” Caroline said, sounding small. Yeah, she was stating the obvious. But thinking and words weren’t exactly a thing that was happening right now.
That was all Marguerite really cared about at the moment, that Caroline let herself actually feel her emotions and process them. There was no need to hold it all in or appear strong. She was allowed to be devastated and scared and grieving and every other emotion the blonde was going through. She just hated that there wasn’t much she could say beyond ‘I know’. But it was part of the unfair circumstances they found themselves in.
“I know she is…”
Voice quiet, Marguerite just ran her fingers through Caroline’s hair in a soothing manner, not sure what else she could really do at the moment. At some point, she would find a phone and call Percy, have him bring something of hers Caroline could borrow so she wasn’t dressed in such a fancy dress at the hospital. But she’d wait until Caroline was a bit calmer for that.
While Marguerite comforted her, Caroline continued to let her tears fall. Eventually though that subsided and she was able to focus more on her friend and her surroundings. “You came from bed?” Caroline asked, finally taking in Marguerite’s silk robe and pajamas. Of course she felt a little bad that Marguerite had probably been woken up in the middle of the night, but she was mostly just thankful she was there. Caroline would have done the exact same for her.
Sitting in silence, Marguerite continued as she had been, just focusing on Caroline and being there for her however was needed. But at some point, it seemed the blonde was a bit more cognizant of her surroundings and the actress couldn’t help but smirk ever so slightly.
“I did. Honestly, I’m feeling a bit underdressed if I’m being honest.”
She didn’t mind in the slightest that she’d been woken up. The panic of thinking Caroline had been admitted she could have done without. But that really wasn’t that big an issue in the long run.
If Caroline had known that Marguerite had thought it was her in the hospital she would have felt bad. She knew Marguerite cared about her mom too, but it was a very different situation having a best friend in the hospital.
“Trust me I’d much rather be in pajamas right now,” Caroline said, attempting a small smile. Sure she liked dressing up and going out. But right now she wanted comfort. Not style.
Reasons Marguerite wasn’t going to mention it. Caroline had enough on her plate to worry about, she didn’t need to feel bad about miscommunication when it all worked out in the end.
“I can always call Percy to bring you a pair. We’re about the same size.” Yes she’d already been planning on doing so anyway, but the opening was there. “Though I may need to borrow your phone as I admittedly didn’t plan that far ahead.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Caroline replied softly. “He’s probably sleeping. Or at least trying to.” If he could fall asleep after being woken up by whoever David had sent. Caroline didn’t know the details. Only that she had told him she wanted Marguerite there and then suddenly she was.
Still she grabbed her phone from her purse, handing it over to Marguerite. Not so much for the pajamas. But in case she wanted to check in with Percy and update him on what was going on and why Marguerite was apparently yanked out of bed to come here.
Marguerite knew her husband, which meant she knew he probably would be awake by then. Also, it was undoubtedly going to be awhile before they left and something that was more comfortable for Caroline would go a long way. Giving a small smile of thanks for the phone, the actress called her husband to fill him in, as well as to see if he could bring something more comfortable for Caroline to wear.
That done, Marguerite handed the phone back to Caroline.
“Percy should be here in about a half hour.” With something more comfortable for Caroline and Marguerite’s purse and phone for her.
“Thanks,” Caroline said, putting her phone back in her own purse. Though she couldn’t help but feel a little bed that Percy was coming all this way in the middle of the night. It didn’t last long though because she still didn’t know what the hell was going on with her mother. Nothing really mattered to her other than that.
After what felt like forever someone finally came out to talk to her. Caroline was perfectly fine with Marguerite sitting right beside her as the doctor spoke. Her mother had an infection from the chemo. She was going to have to stay in the hospital until it got better. Caroline wasn’t exactly sure what to make of that, at least it wasn’t the cancer. But what if the infection didn’t get better. Her immune system was compromised after all. All Caroline could seem to do though was nod her head as the man spoke.
Nodding, Marguerite sat back in her seat as it wasn’t like there was all that much she could really do. Given Percy randomly had to do conference calls in the middle of the night because of international business issues, she knew this wasn’t that big of a deal for him. Plus he just wanted to help. But it really wasn’t anything that needed to be worried about, not with what was going on.
As the doctor came over to tell Caroline what was going on, Marguerite just held Caroline’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. It wasn’t the cancer but in situations like this? It didn’t have to be the cancer itself. The actress did notice her husband had shown up but she could see that he would wait until the doctor was done speaking to Caroline before approaching.
The doctor left after telling Caroline someone would let her know when she could go see her mother. More nodding from Caroline. Apparently words weren’t happening right now. She started to walk back over to where they were sitting when she spotted Percy. Just like she had done with Marguerite she walked over and hugged Percy. Yes he was Marguerite’s husband but they had been friends long enough that Caroline considered Percy a friend too. “Thank you,” for coming, she meant she still didn’t know he had brought her clothes.
She backed away to let Marguerite and Percy talk, as it suddenly dawned on her that David had disappeared somewhere. Had he left? Not that Caroline would blame him. They weren’t exactly on the level of friendship where she would even call him about her mom. If he hadn’t been with her he wouldn't even know. Definitely no obligation for him to stay. Still, had she missed something? When Marguerite was done greeting her husband Caroline turned her attention back to her friend. “What happened to David?”
“Of course, my dear.” Watching as Percy returned Caroline’s hug, Marguerite stood back some and then spoke with him briefly. No international calls that needed to be done as it was the weekend so he could stay with them and give them a ride once they were to leave. Still, she took the clothes from her husband and was about to turn to Caroline when she asked about...David. So definitely not the baker. Not that she had thought he was.
“I’m not sure. I think he went to speak to the doctor initially but…” Shrugged. She’d been more focused on her friend and less on strange men who sent helicopters to pick her up in the middle of the night.
Caroline’s brow furrowed. Why was he speaking to the doctor? It didn’t make sense. But then not much about what was happening made sense. Caroline’s brain wasn’t exactly working at a hundred percent right now either. “Oh, okay,” was all she said. Because really she couldn’t think of what else to say.
Caroline noticed what was in Marguerite’s hands. Percy had shown up to bring a change of clothes for her it looked like. “For me?” she still asked though. Just to be sure.
It was really only a guess on Marguerite’s part. Then again she had known men who seemed to think they could own and control the world all because of the money they had and she really wasn’t all that fond of them. The attitude and such. But instead she just nodded at Caroline’s response. Because really, what was there really to say? She had just noticed him walk off towards what appeared to be a doctor.
“For you.” It was good to be sure, but it was still a fair assumption given Marguerite had mentioned she was planning on doing so.
“Thank you,” Caroline said, accepting the clothes. Though she didn’t move to change right now. She didn’t want to be away when they came back out to let her go see her mom. So instead she just went to sit again and wait for more news.