***
“Well, I didn’t find it funny at the time,” Shane said with a frown.
“Neither did I, trust me.” Chris chuckled, jumping a red light. He was happy that Shane was at least talking and didn’t look as pensive as he did before. “But it was funny so I couldn’t help myself. I told them.” Then Chris decided to bring out the big guns. “There was a day I overheard Damon and Tristan making love. Well, it was just a blowjob actually. I was on a conference call with Damon and some business partners. During the call, Tristan decided to blow Damon. They were actually on a plane, going to Germany or France. I can’t remember exactly where they…anyway that’s not important. The idiots completely forgot there was a conference call going on and they could be heard by everyone on the link.”
“Oh fuck.” Shane muttered, giving Chris his undivided attention.
“That’s what I said.” Chris chuckled. “Knowing how horny my friend always is whenever he’s around Tristan, I acted immediately I heard the first moan. Thankfully the others didn’t hear and fortunately, I was the one who linked the calls so I quickly disconnected everyone.”
“Oh my God.” Shane breathed, looking relieved.
“But I stayed on the line.” Chris gave a naughty grin as he turned onto the hospital’s street.
“You pervert.” Shane laughed. “You are so fucked up.”
“Let’s just say immediately I finished congratulating the idiots on their unplanned voyeuristic adventure, I was on another conference call with the squad, giving them a word-for-word account.”
The two men roared with laughter as Chris entered the gates of the hospital and headed directly to the executive section, where he knew Michael would take Adele. Chris listened to Shane laugh and breathed a sigh of relief. He’d achieved his goal. And it was a very calm Shane who walked into the hospital to see his daughter.
***
When Shane and Chris got to the private waiting room, they found Lizzie and her husband, Sam, who was pacing with worry written all over his face.
“Shane,” Lizzie said as she got up and walked into Shane’s arms.
“Where’s she?” Shane asked as he hugged her.
“They’re taking some scans,” Lizzie said as she went to hug Chris.
“How did it happen?” Shane asked as he gave Sam a one-armed hug.
“I was in the shower when I heard her scream,” Sam answered, hugging Chris too. “I think she stood on that tiny doll chair in her room and tried reaching for something and fell.
She was in too much pain I didn’t want to ask her anything.”
“She said she was going to get something but I was too engrossed in my books I didn’t listen.” Lizzie whimpered.
“Hey, don’t worry she’ll be fine.” Shane soothed her. He knew Lizzie was busy studying for her exams, which was to start from the very next day. And taking into consideration the fact that those military exams were important for promotion, Lizzie needed maximum concentration in order to pass. “Let’s hope this is…” Shane trailed off when Michael entered the room.
“Good news.” He said immediately he saw Chris’ face. Michael knew if he wasted time beating about the bush like his colleagues were known to do when they were talking to relations of patients, Chris would kill him. “It didn’t break.”
“Thank God.” Lizzie gasped as the others breathed sighs of relief.
“It’s a Strain. She landed on her elbow so some tendons stretched. She’s been given something for the pain and the elbow has been bandaged. She’s sleeping now. Want to come see her?”
All four anxious but relieved grown-ups followed Michael to a really lovely room with some really cool pictures of Disney characters on the wall. Adele was fast asleep on the bed. Lizzie went to touch her daughter lightly on the head.
“As you can see, she’s fine,” Michael said. “She can go home when she wakes up. That’s not going to be any time soon though so…” Michael looked at the grownups with raised brows.
“I’ll wait,” Lizzie said immediately.
“No, you won’t.” Shane countered, ushering everyone out so that Adele wouldn’t be disturbed. “Listen, I’ll wait till she wakes up, and then take her home. Just go home and study okay?”
“But…”
“No buts, Liz. At least you know she’s fine. Let her spend the week with me. I promise to take good care of her. Just go break a leg, soldier woman.” Shane insisted. “Sam, a little help here…”
“Honey I think Shane is right,” Sam said. “You can check up on her anytime you want.”
Lizzie didn’t look convinced. “She has to go to school.”
“No school till she’s okay,” Shane said. “She needs to rest. Wouldn’t want her still in pain by Friday will you?” Shane asked with a grin on his face.
“What’s happening on Friday?” Michael asked.
“Her birthday party. She’s turning five.” Chris said.
“Friday is a holiday,” Michael said unnecessarily. “A party. Cool.” He grinned.
“It’s a kids’ party, moron,” Chris growled.
“A party is a party,” Michael said making Shane and Sam laugh. “She’ll be fine by then.”
“Sam, I’ll miss her,” Lizzie said pitifully. “I won’t be able to concentrate…”
“Lizzie?” Chris finally decided to step in. He threw an arm around Lizzie’s shoulder and murmured, “I think this is the best time for me to watch and get used to all the cartoons and Disney stuff, don’t you think?”
“Huh?” Lizzie looked up at Chris. “You’ll be going to work, Chris.”
“Full day tomorrow ’cause I have lots of meetings that can’t be canceled. But from Tuesday till Thursday, I can do half days. I should be a pro on how to handle kids after this week. Come on, help me out. Tell you what,” Chris spoke conspiratorially to Lizzie, “I’ll even take my whiskey in one of those princess cups Shane keeps in the kitchen.”
Lizzie stared at Chris as though his nose had suddenly elongated, and then erupted into laughter. “You’re nuts, Chris.”
“Please say yes. Please, Lizzie.” Chris looked at Lizzie with the most ridiculous puppy eyes ever.
“Will you stop making that face?” Lizzie laughed. “Okay, you can take her. But God help you two if you do anything x-rated in front of my bab…”
“Liz…” Shane groaned.
“Care to define what you mean by x-rated?” Chris murmured with a naughty glint in his eyes, drawing a curse from Shane and laughter from Lizzie and Sam.
“You’re such a perv,” Michael said looking at Chris with amusement. “Listen, Shane, how about turning this party into a full-blown…”
“Fuck off, Michael,” Chris said quickly. “It’s a kids’ party and that’s how it’s going to remain.”
“Err…actually, all my friends are coming.” Lizzie laughed. “Olivia is turning it into a reunion. It’s a holiday, Shane. What did you expect?” She turned to give Shane a pleading look. She knew how her friend disliked being amongst lots of people.
“It’s definitely not going to be an all-kids party, Chris,” Sam added with a chuckle.
Shane laughed softly. “Michael? Dare I say it? Let’s do this.”
“Yes!” Michael fist-pumped the air, making Chris groan. “I’ll inform the guys.”
“Idiot,” Chris murmured. “One would think the first person he would tell would be the wife since it’s a kids’ party and all.” Chris’ arm remained around Lizzie as they headed for the wide sliding doors.
“It was nice meeting you, Lizzie,” Michael called out after them. “Anyone who’s able to make this idiot bleed earns my respect.” He added with an evil grin.