Cassidy*Others
All through the night and into the next morning, Cassidy slept - and Johann guarded. His careful eyes rarely left Cass' face, looking with a touch of almost paranoia for any sign that the seizure might be recurring. By the time the sun rose and soft light began to filter into the room again, the elder man was red-eyed and beyond exhausted - but still looking awake and attentive, for all of that. He looked haggard in appearance - his usually neat clothes were rumpled from sitting so long in one position on the small couch by the window, his normally clean-shaven face developing a rough white stubble that matched the spare few hairs that clung to his head, leaving the crown bald. His skin tone was ashen from how long he'd been awake and been constantly at the hospital.
Cassidy herself didn't look all that much better. Her hand remained limp in Lanny's all through the night, and she remained still on the bed. Thankfully, she hadn't ever vomited, but neither had her pallor recovered any warmth - contrary to the strong, decisive young woman she was, she looked positively frail and helpless laying so still and quiet on the bed. That was what frightened Johann more than anything; but finally, on toward 8 o'clock, her fingers twitched slightly in Lanny's hold, and she gave a soft, breathy sound, indicating that she was finally stirring from the sedative.
Lanny Zelkovii
Despite all odds, Lanny slept almost decently through the night, getting a few more hours in before a pestering pain in his middle woke up him - jumping up last night during Cassidy's seizure hadn't helped his healing injury at all, but at least it wasn't hurting enough to make him seek out Dr. Marachek again. And, if anything, he didn't look nearly as worn and haggard as Johann did, though his groggy expression upon awaking was quick to transform into one of deep alarm when he focused his bleary blue eyes on Cassidy, who's hand he was still holding. "Cass?" Sitting more upright in the chair, and just now feeling the effects of stiff muscles from his awkward sleeping position, Lanny leaned forward a little to whisper her name.
Cassidy*Others
The morning light flashed a little in Cass' ruddy curls, making it cast a reddened glow over her face that took some of the frightening paleness away. Hearing her name, she stirred a little more from the realms of sleep, enough that she offered a soft, "Hn?" on a breath in response to his voice, and shifted position a little to alleviate a stiffness in her spine from laying still for so long. Her face turned briefly away from him as she worked toward full waking, turning more into the pillow so that she could scrub her face into the soft surface in a child-like fashion before finally she lay still again, and the eyes came fluttering open. She stared at him vacantly for a moment or two, pushing sleep-fog out of her brain - and then smiled softly, bringing a more Cass-like look onto her face, even if she still appeared unreasonably tired. "Hey..."
Lanny Zelkovii
The frightening lack of color and the sheer weariness that overtook her petite frame caused Lanny's heart to thump a little faster in the nervous anxiety of knowing that Cassidy was far from being alright. He kept thinking back to last night, and the frightening sequence of events that ran from his uncovering more danger against Cassidy, through to the episode where her withdraw brought her into a seizure that would have been her death of she hadn't already been here at the hospital. Just hearing the girl's voice parried a wealth of his concern, and allowed for a half smile to form across the side of his face, "How're you feeling? You had a bit of a rough night..."
Cassidy*Others
She yawned heavily and stretched a bit, rolling her shoulders back and twisting her neck some to alleviate a soreness at the base of her skull. Her eyes half-closed as she indulged in the stretch, opening fully again to look up at Lanny when he questioned her - and creasing immediately in concern; even half-asleep as she was, she could see past the half-smile he offered. "Rough night...? Lanny, what...?" Her voice was confused - unsurprisingly, she didn't remember the frightening events of the night before. It was Johann who stood and rumbled, "You had a seizure - heroin withdrawal. It gave everyone a bit of a scare."
Hearing his voice, Cass turned her head to look for him; he drew near to the side of her bed when she reached out her hand to him. It was difficult to tell how she felt about hearing about the seizure - for the moment, her attention was captured by how desperately weary Johann looked. "Uncle - how long has it been since you slept? she asked softly, her voice concerned and sorrowful. Realizing that she could see past the attentive look he'd pulled up, he tried to turn away, but she grabbed his arm with her free hand to prevent it, and he stopped, not having the heart to pull against her. She squeezed his arm gently to make him look at her, and when he did, he reluctantly mumbled, "Tuesday night." Her face softened, and her hand slid down his arm to take his, and she whispered, "And this... Friday morning?" She paused for a moment, looking over at Lanny briefly. "Or... did I miss Friday?"
Lanny Zelkovii
Lanny would have reluctantly informed her of the episode if Johann hadn't taken the liberty of doing that for him, and taking the task that the young man certainly didn't envy. What he was keen on doing was belaying what fear he could in the girl, whether or not it looked like she was experiencing any after hearing about her seizure. "She said it should be the last one, but - they want to keep you here for another week or so." And, to inform her of the change in plans. He didn't like that she had to stay in the hospital in the first place, but he felt infinitely safer with her here, since his own medical skills were next to nothing. He took his turn of silence after this, letting Cassidy speak to Johann, and to learn just how long the man had gone without sleep. Nodding vaguely to Cassidy, an eyebrow-raised look of wonder was turned to the uncle, "You've got to get some sleep, Johann. You'll crash before long. Look, I can call James and have him set up some guys over here."
Cassidy*Others
Disregarding the explanation Lanny offered, for now, all of Cassidy's attention was focused upon how dreadfully tired her uncle looked to her. It distressed her more than she could easily express, but the subtle way she began to stroke the back of his hand with her thumb spoke loudly enough. Taking control of the situation, she spoke to Lanny without turning her gaze away from Johann. "Whoever he sends, have them stop by the apartment first and pick up a change of clothes and his shaving kit - the black bag next to the sink. You know where the spare key is." Johann remained silent through this, but spoke up when she was finished. "I'm not goin' anyplace. I'm stayin' right here," he put forth, his voice keen and stubborn. "Fine," she answered him softly, her gentle tones enough to dissolve even his worst temper. "But you'll get a shower and some clean clothes, and then you'll get some sleep. Or else I'll ask Lanny to give out orders for them to knock you out and cart you home - understood?" He didn't answer her, but he didn't argue either - so apparently, that was agreement. She closed her eyes again, unwilling to let go of either one of them. "Make the call, Lanny," she murmured quietly.
Lanny Zelkovii
The young man didn't immediately call out to anyone, waiting first until Cassidy and Johann had hashed out their debate, so as he wouldn't interrupt. In the sense that he looked out for the wellbeing of his own gang members, Lanny felt an outreach of concern for the elder man, and because he was so obviously important to Cassidy, the young man would go out of his way to ensure that he was taken care of in any way that he could help with. So it was once they had come to an agreement that Lanny dug his phone from his pocket and made the call. In the fashion that he so often did, Lanny got up from the chair, reluctantly losing his hold on Cassidy's hand as he shuffled to the corner of the room to speak with his brother. He wasn't concerned about what he was saying in front of the two - but it was just habit.
After a few minutes, where he'd dodged around the fact that he was injured and had made a failed attempted on Conan's life, Lanny returned to the chair and stuffed the cell phone away, "Sheryl will be here in about ten minutes with your stuff. James is coming by later, and sending two members over in the meantime to stake out the area."
Cassidy*Others
While Lanny moved to one corner to quietly have a discussion with his brother, Cassidy and Johann were also talking quietly, and her concern was enough to get him to sit down again. During that little bit, he again explained to her what Lanny had said about her seizure, and had another brief debate where she expressed her lack of willingness to stay, and he attempted to enforce what Charlotte had told them last night. By the time Lanny had hung up the phone and come back to them to inform them of what was going on, they were again having a quieted argument. "I can't stay here another week, Uncle," the girl told him in a low voice. "I'm half-mad as it is - you know I hate hospitals." He shook his head. "Nevertheless, Cass, you will stay. And I with you. We-" He stopped as Lanny spoke up, and Cassidy changed the topic quickly. "That gives you just time to head over and let Dr. Marachek change your bandage again; you really are moving like an old man, Lanny. If you want James not to know, you're going to have to be numb enough to get around decently."
Lanny Zelkovii
Showing more of a face than he wished too, Lanny hovered next to the chair, wanting to sink back down into it, but also not wanting to face Dr. Marachek just yet - even if it meant another reprieve from the pain. "I suppose you're right..." He drew out at length, obviously stalling for some time as he looked over Cassidy again and tried to assert the story in his head, and remember what he'd told James, and what he'd withheld. After his time of thought, Lanny pushed himself away from the chair and stood as straight as he could manage, "Need anything when I get back? The vending machines are just down that way, I could pick you up a sprite on the way back."
Cassidy*Others
Cassidy didn't have quite the tense part to play in this - she intended to play off of her understandable weakness and keep quiet unless someone posed a question directly to her; and then, she could reasonably keep her story vague, what with the recent state of her health. So she focused her attentions on the three people in the room, in the world, that she cared about - Lanny, Johann, and the baby. Her defensiveness reawakened by how unsettled both of the men looked, she had used the hand Lanny had released to lay protectively over her growing stomach - she was relieved to find that she could still feel the baby moving, though a little less actively than normal since both of them were still recovering from the sedative. But that wasn't enough to entirely lift the concern from her eyes as she turned them up to Lanny and smiled. "Yeah - that'd be great Lanny, thanks. Now run along."
Lanny Zelkovii
After everything that happened last night, the smile on Cassidy's face helped to encourage him that thing could still work out alright in the end. If they could get past the difficults in pregnancy, the ominous threat against her life... things could work out alright, then. Her smile was lacking just enough to let the young man know that they were far form out of the woods just yet, but he remained strong as he could manage right now, and hobbled towards the door. Once out in the hallway, he rested briefly against the wall, then took in a shallow breath and trudged for the nurses station halfway down the corridor to see about getting a hold of Dr. Maracheck for another checkup.
Dr. Marachek
Fortunately for Lanny, Cass' room was far enough down from the nurse's station that none of them saw him lean against the wall to catch his breath; and with the door between them, Cass didn't see it either. And thankfully, by the time he'd stumbled down the hall, the only nurse at the desk currently was Charlotte, who greeted him with a scowl and a nod, and murmured, "We ought to just go ahead and put your name on Exam Room 3 - she's waiting for you." And indeed, in the same room she'd used for him the two other times she'd seen him, Laura Marachek was shuffling around - and already had most of the supplies ready needed to change his bandages. "Morning, Mr. Zelkovii," she murmured without looking around when his shuffling feet told her someone had entered the room. "Charlotte tells me you all had an eventful night last night."
Lanny Zelkovii
Because of what he'd heard last night, Lanny couldn't quite meet Charlotte's gaze this morning when she spoke to him. He gave her a polite nod of the head when she told him which room to target, and shuffled that way with a mumbled 'thanks'. Emotion-wise, he was feeling a little less flustered and overwhelmed than he had last night, with the sleep and recovering having done quite a bit to get his head straightened out. "'Morning." Being more vocal this time, Lanny sat himself on the table without needing to be told, lifting his shirt just afterwards and letting his voice out in a mild, slightly reserved tone that said he was still rather troubled by what had happened, "The nurse said that should be the only seizure she'll have. Does that kind of thing... effect the baby, at all?"
Dr. Marachek
The moment he was seated, she had gathered up the usual supplies and moved toward him. Squatting back on her heels and again beginning the process of removing the bandage, she answered, "With the medicines that Charlotte used last night - and that I reinforced into repetition this morning with my orders - that should be the last one. She should also experience fewer headaches and tremors - though I don't dare give her a high enough dose to eliminate that completely, what with the baby." She paused briefly to examine the wound closely, and broke off her explanation to tell him, "It's coming along, Mr. Zelkovii - but you must have jumped up fast last night; the bleeding's intensified again. You keep losing like this, and I'll have to order you a pint. What type are you?" She waited quietly for his answer, whether or not he protested the need for it, and then went on, "It could have effected the baby if all three of you hadn't gotten to the problem so quickly last night. There are two principal threats to the baby during a seizure; blunt force trauma caused if the mother falls out of bed, and suffocation - all the baby's air comes from the mother. Miss Jones stopped breathing for about thirty seconds or so - much longer and her body would have cut off supply to the baby, which could have caused brain damage - or worse, if Miss Jones' body had proved unable to reopen the oxygen line once her own levels had been restored. As it was, both of those problems were prevented last night - the baby's fine."
Lanny Zelkovii
Hearing this information from Charlotte made a big difference in Lanny's level of confidence over the issue. He'd trusted Charlotte well enough, being the medical professional that she was, but hearing the same thing twice confirmed made it settle a little easier on his conscious. "A positive. -I'll be more careful." From past encounters, he'd learned his bloodtype already, and didn't hesitate to give that out, along with a bit of a stubborn comment at the end. Not caring to much about his blood volume when he had Cassidy on his mind, Lanny was invested in the answer that Dr. Marachek was now feeding him, and again putting it to mind just why Cassidy needed to be in the hospital right now. He knew she wasn't going to like it, and he'd heard snippits of her conversation with Johann - and now he'd use this newly instilled fear in himself to help persuade her to stay. "You think another week, and she'll be safe from seizures? Or is this medicine something she'll have to stay on for a while?"
Dr. Marachek
"See that you do," the physician noted, already injecting another dose of medication and binding the wound back up again. "You know by now that I mean business. Daresay you've been tired recently - that's not helping, and I'll do something about it if I have to. And speaking of tired - you tell Mr. Jones that if he doesn't hunker down and get some sleep in the next two hours, I'll come in and knock him out myself. Senseless man - hasn't slept a wink since she got here, and that was over two days ago now." She shook her head and clucked her tongue a little bit, sitting back now that she was finished. And then, she answered him, "Another week, and she'll be over the worst of the withdrawal - there'll be no more risk of seizures after that. She'll be perfectly fine to go home, unless some unseen complication arises. And I assume she scared you enough last night to end any keeping of secrets between us, so I seriously doubt that will be a problem."
Lanny Zelkovii
He could take the needle this time without a flinch, just glad to have the numbness back again, and the ability to keep a straight posture and prevent his brother or the others from finding out what happened. "I've already gotten that taken care of. He should be setting down for a rest in a few minutes here." Answering that away in almost a distracted manner, Lanny was craning his neck to look towards the door, watching as a patient walked past. It was by this time that Dr. Marachek was finished with the patching-up and Lanny took the opportunity to stand unhindered once more, "Will she be on any medication, or anything?" He was shuffling towards the door, and stopping just before he reached it, "Besides the iron pills?" He didn't make any remark on her comment of him being scared - he wasn't one of those were were bashful to admit such things, but he was a little defensive over Cassidy and his feelings to her right now, and wasn't going to remark on what she said on that topic.
Dr. Marachek
She nodded her approval when he assured her that Johann was soon going to be getting a proper rest. "Good - Lord save me from all the fathers of pregnant women who decide they want to stay awake til the baby gets here. They're nearly as much trouble to take care of as the patients themselves." She was finished, so she didn't object to him heading for the door, but she did pause to answer his question. "Iron supplements, and prenatal vitamins, most likely. And you mind what I said about her weight. She needed a good fifteen pounds before she was pregnant. It she wants to deliver that baby, she'll need another twenty, making thirty five altogether. And she's not going to get there eating like she has since she came here - all of her trays have come back only half-finished." Proving that she knew more than just what was on the charts of her patients, Dr. Marachek pointed out this carefully, and then made a sign to tell him that he was free to go.
Lanny Zelkovii
Vitamins and supplements - he was pretty sure that Johann would be making sure she took them anyway, but he felt safer knowing what was prescribed as well, just so that he could double check and be absolutely sure she was taking them. What he needed to take concern about now was seeing that she got enough to eat, "I'll see what I can do." Taking her sign, Lanny trudged out of the room, walking down the hallway in a quicker pace than before, and slipping back into Cass's room. He took his now habitual seat in the chair next to her bed, and wasted no time in bringing up the last topic that Dr. Marachek warned him over, "Hey, are you hungry at all, Cass? I can't remember the last time I ate - what'd you say I call Sheryl and have her stop by somewhere on the way here?"
Cassidy*Others
Cassidy offered Lanny a smile as he came back into the room - she was glad to see him, and gladder still to see the renewed smoothness of his steps. Johann offered him a nod - he still wasn't all that thrilled about the two of them rallying against him to force him into a nap, but at least he understood that they had his best interests in mind, and didn't complain. But he answered Lanny before ever Cassidy could object to ordering in. "You've been complaining about the hospital food, Cass. I'm sure that considering the circumstances, the good doctor wouldn't mind if we saw to getting something a little more palatable for you." His eyes met Lanny's as he said this - apparently, he knew about Cass' little weight problem. And his voice held a touch of firmness to it that let Cass know it was a bad idea to cross him on this topic; so she let it slide, and murmured, "I suppose so - nothing too greasy, mind. Nothing like pregnancy to make you do all kinds of funny things when you eat."
Lanny Zelkovii
Lanny was already dialing up Sheryl's number before Cassidy had ever consented to the order-out. He wasn't going to force anything on her, but he was going to do everything he could to stick to what the doctor said was in her best interest. "How about spaghetti?" Putting the phone to his ear, the young man glanced to Cass as he asked this, only to be interrupted by the other young woman, "Sheryl? Hey, mind swinging by Sarducci's real quick? ...haha, yeah, that's cool. ... I dunno- the family meal I guess, and uh, and a salad too. ... Oh, good. ... yeah, about a week or so, they say. ... okay - okay, see you then." It felt a little better to gain some normalcy after the last day of or two of hectic action and uncertainty. Clicking the phone shut and stuffing it away in his pocket, Lanny settled against the chair, "Grease or no grease, you can't pass up a Sarducci's breadstick."
Cassidy*Others
The young woman nodded to indicate that spaghetti sounded fine, since Lanny was quickly occupied by talking to Sheryl. As ever, Johann could see the tiny bit of tension in her eyes, as there was whenever something remotely touched upon dealing with James' jealous girlfriend - she didn't let Lanny see it, but the old man knew. He took her hand and squeezed it, and her face turned to him, and she smiled. Both of them listened quietly as Lanny talked, and when he'd hung up, Cassidy was feeling secure enough to giggle just a little at the thought of the breadstick. "You discuss that one with your daughter, Laurence Zelkovii. She's the one kicks the hellfire out of me when I eat anything greasy." Admittedly, Sarducci's had the best breadsticks for about a thirty mile radius - but she'd discovered grease set the baby to kicking, almost in a bout of hyperactivity.
Lanny Zelkovii
Unfortunately for Cassidy, Lanny didn't entirely understand the whole jealousy issue between the two young woman, or that it was primarily all Sheryl who caused all the uneeded tension. Sooner or later, the edge of her attitude would begin to soften when it became clear that Cassidy's interest wasn't in James, but the man's younger brother - even if the two didn't necessarily seem to understand it yet themselves. "She's knows what she likes." His grinning smile was spread ear to ear when he said this, finding a simple delight in the way that she had said 'your daughter'. "I got a salad just in case. She should be here in just a few minutes; she was on her way already when I called."
Cassidy*Others
Cassidy offered him a mock-shocked expression that turned into a grin. "She likes it, so she kicks me. That makes a whole load of sense," she answered tauntingly. And just as quickly, she turned her teasing to Johann. "Hear that uncle - clean clothes and skivvies on the way. I can just imagine Sheryl - up to her elbows in your underwear drawer. Probably something like touching the Shroud of Turin." Johann flushed a bit, something odd to see in him, but he didn't look upset at the tease. Instead, he answered dryly, "Only thing she'd find in there is respectable undershirts and boxers - as well you know, being the laundress of the family."
Lanny & Others
"Of course," Lanny's expanded grin brought his dimples into play, "She kicks because she's excited about it. There's not a Zelkovii alive that doesn't like those bread sticks." From there, it was easy to slip into the sort of pleasant, smooth mood that they hadn't been privileged to for some time now. And it remained that way for next several minutes until a familiar face showed up at the door.
In one hand there was a grocery sack, the first thing she could come across to pack Johann's necessities in. In the other was clutched two bags that contained the group's food - and carried the alluring scent of buttery garlic. "This I believe is for you..." Sheryl was all smiles as she handed off the bag of clothes and supplies to Johann, then moved towards the counter at the opposite end of the room to set the food out. As she was organizing this, the woman turned her head back once to look towards Cassidy, "How are things going?"
Cassidy*Others
If she hadn't still been so tired, and the angle so awkward, Cassidy might have shoved Lanny for that particular comment. Instead of that, she darted him a mock glare that couldn't stay serious for long before she dissolved into a giggle, and from there into a soft smile. It wasn't until Sheryl peeked into the room that some of the tension came back to her - but considering that the other woman was actually being rather polite today, Cass didn't let herself get too worked up over it. It kept her from laughing out loud when Sher handed the bag of things to Johann - but at least she was mannered and calm-enough to answer the other courteously. "Well enough, I suppose, thanks. Lanny told you they're going to keep me another week - we'll see about that. But for the moment, he and Johann seem to think I need to stay - I'll humor them, for now." She said this clearly, just as though the men hadn't been in the room - it was as much a declaration of her displeasure with the situation as anything. But despite herself, she couldn't help feeling a growl in her stomach at the delicious scent of the food - after all, aside from the sprite she'd had yesterday, she hadn't eaten in almost twenty four hours.
Lanny & Others
For now, with James out of the picture and Cassidy ill, even Sheryl was a little more toned down from her usual self. That might become more of a permanent thing, too, when Lanny eventually announced that he'd be adopting Cassidy's daughter as his own. There would likely always be that tension there - but hopefully, it would cool off in the coming months. "If the doctors say you need to stay, I'd listen to them." Turning back to the food, where Lanny had already joined her, Sheryl piped up her opinion on the matter before either of the men could say anything.
It wasn't said in a blatantly pointed way, but it had enough tone to it to make Lanny awkwardly change the subject as he finished scooping out a generous portion of spaghetti into a styrofoam bowl that he was carrying over to Cass, "At least you won't have anything much to worry over. No laundry, food brought to you on demand - what could be better?"
Cassidy*Others
"That's what they keep telling me, anyway," Cassidy offered, her tone just a little teasing toward the two men to lighten up the topic a bit. And thankfully, after that Lanny saw fit to change the subject, and brought her the spaghetti to give her something to put in her mouth. After chewing carefully, she murmured, "It feels like having a really long vacation - aside from the needles and constant prodding by the staff. Okay - maybe a really odd vacation." She admitted that with a small smile, but if Lanny looked, he would notice the artificial quality coming back into it - this wasn't how she was genuinely feeling. Johannn settled down beside her with his portion, deciding he would at least get some food into his system before the pair of them enforced their intentions to make him sleep. And he noticed the paper-like quality of the smile - but said nothing.
Lanny & Others
Lanny was setting into his own bowl of food, while Sheryl sat down on the other end of the couch and grabbed for the remote to flick the tv on. The young man was distracted from conversation for a moment when his eyes went wide, and he sort of hunched up, waving a frantic hand at his mouth - and after a few hasty chews, he downed the bite of food that was just a little too hot and grabbed for the drink that had come with his meal. Once his burnt mouth was taken care of, he finally had the capacity to reply to Cass's statement, adorning another grin at first, "'Vacation' is a nice way of looking at it. And hey, no cockroaches. Which reminds me- Sheryl can you make sure Geckie has water?" He didn't turn to look her way, but he grinned all the more at the disgruntled sigh the young woman gave. He was about to open his mouth to say more, but it was then that he noticed that Cassidy's smile wasn't that one that he'd been so use to seeing lately... and all too suddenly, he was reminded of what she'd told him last night.
Cassidy*Others
Cassidy had to stop eating so that she could giggle at the strange face Lanny made, but it wasn't the leaning-back, shoulder-shaking sort of laugh that took her when she was truly amused and had nothing to worry about. She just couldn't muster that, with the instinctive tension in the room so long as Sheryl was there. Even with her being more pleasant that she usually was, the unspoken rivalry kept Cass tense enough to keep her inhibitions in place - and keep her smile papery. Fortunately, by the time Lanny noticed the difference, she had put another bite in her mouth and was concentrating on swallowing. Eventually, she murmured, "I swear, Lan - as old as you are, think you'd learn to blow on your food."
Lanny & Others
He smiled cheekily now, stopping himself just before scooping up a large sporkful of steaming spaghetti towards his face again. "That takes too much effort." It went a little past Lanny just why Cassidy was suddenly showing that more fortified side of herself, since he didn't really understand the whole grudge between the two. If asked, he would have blissfully declared the two women good friends, and been none the wiser.
Lanny exercised a bit more caution with the rest of his meal, and put away a whole bowl full of food, plus two helpings of his favored breadsticks. In that time, he was happy enough to carry on idle chitchat amongst the group, and if need be, persuade Johann to take his shower and get ready for some rest. By the time he'd finished up his meal and Sheryl was setting up to leave, James came trooping in, with the familiar redhead held against his side in one arm. The brothers exchanged nods in greeting, and Lanny busted out in his biggest smile yet, holding his arms out as James set the toddler down, "Randy, long time no see! Come over here, buddy."
Raimi*Others
'When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about - and that was the beginning of fairies.'
It took a while, and a bit of persuasion from both Lanny and Johann, but Cassidy finally finished the whole bowl of spaghetti, and her uncle got up and fixed her a salad, since she continued to protest against even the tempting buttery-goodness of the breadsticks. It was after that, and after he'd downed his own meal, that he reluctantly excused himself and headed for the small attached bathroom, his bag of clothes and shaving kit in hand - soon enough, the sounds of the shower running softly filled the room around them.
So he was still occupied in the bathroom when finally the elder Zelkovii brother made an appearance, with the toddler curled against him. He was a little sleepy-faced in James' hold, indicating that he'd fallen asleep in the car on the way, but he was content enough to lean against James and look drowsily around him; until he was set down, and met by Lanny's smile. That woke him up right away, and he grinned - this was a good-Randy day. "Lanee-nee-nee!" he squealed, and rammed full force into the young man. Cassidy had to laugh. "Acts as if he hasn't seen you in two months, instead of two days, Lan."
Every time a child is hurt by someone he trusts,
An angel sheds their wings.
And every time a child dies,
The wings fall to earth like tears.
Lanny & Others
Lanny's actions got the better of him just now, and he seemed to forget that he had some stitches in his belly that should be jostled around too much. With the medication in place to keep the pain from warning him, the young man lifted Raimi up in the air briefly before settling him back down on his lap, “How're you doing, Randy?" A side glance was directed to Cassidy after this, teasing playfully, "I'm just that cool." Then it was all for the toddler again, who he leaned towards a little and spoke, "How about you and I go to the park later? We can catch some bugs to feed Geckie - how does that sound?"
"We've got enough bugs in our house as it is." James reminded, in a way that wasn't at all serious - he wasn't going to hamper the planned outing. Instead, after stopping to rustle his hand against the toddler's mess of curls, the elder Zelkovii moved over to sit in the seat left vacant by Johann. "I've got Dan and Colby watching the place for today." This time his words were more serious, and directed to Cassidy, "Until we figure out who for sure is behind the note, I'll keep the security up."
Raimi*Others
A shriek of giggles left Raimi as the young man hefted him, and he burbled a brief bout of nonsense words of affection when Lanny sat him down in his lap. He plopped his weight back against Lanny and cooed adorably for several moments before he twisted in the young man's hold and planted his feet on Lanny's thighs, hopping up with his hands placed on the shoulders for balance. "I ruuuuuun, Lanny!" he told his adoptive uncle excitedly. "Run faaaast!" Recently, the little guy ran everywhere as if he expected life to pass him by if he walked - and he always felt it necessary to report this to Lanny on a regular basis, now that he was working back up to speaking again. He'd been rather quiet and unhappy the first several weeks he'd again been among the Cryptic Silvers, so it was a happy event for all of them for him to be chattering and enjoying himself as was more normal for him. "Bugsbugsbugsbugs!" he spluttered in an endless round as he wiggled in Lanny's hold. "Bugs for Geckly... bugs for Jaayyy... bugs for Lanee... and Shay-Shay!"
Meanwhile, Cassidy was turning her attention away from the toddler's cute antics and toward the serious topic of the apparent threat to her and her baby. Her face became calm and even as she listened to James, nodding intelligently here and there. "Okay that'll work - and goodness knows that unless somebody knocks him out and drags him home, Johann's not going anywhere for a week, so we've got two layers of security. You might just let Dan and Colby know about Marachek - she's quite the bit. Not much for defiance; she's been talking Johann into submission for two days."
Lanny & Others
Lanny was laughing heartily at the toddler's antics, sincerely enjoying the shift in attitude that Raimi was displaying, after the weeks of quietness. He knew precisely why the youngster had been so reserved, and nothing that Lanny, Sheryl, and James could do would ever cheer him up for long - and that was the key reason Lanny had been unable to murder Conan last night. But now, the young boy was displaying an endless bout of joy that Lanny hadn't witnessed for some time, "You can run, can you? Well then, you better show me all about it." Scooping Raimi up under the arms, Lanny plopped him back on the ground, not caring about any rules that were in place about keeping children quiet and behaved. If Raimi wanted to run, Lanny was going to let him run.
James looked long towards the bathroom where the sounds of rushing water were coming from, raising his brows by a hair, "If it's Maracheck, I'm not entirely surprised." The gang leader had been here enough to know most of the main staff, Dr. Marachek being one of the more prominent. "In fact, I'll give her a head's up - no one but us few are to be in this room. That'll keep out any surprise visitors if our enemies want to try anything."
Raimi*Others
"Yes, yes," Raimi assured Lanny. "I run faaaast." And when he was plopped on the floor, he proceeded to demonstrate his skills, racing around the small floor of the room and narrowly avoiding obstacles. He made about four laps before he collided with Lanny's legs, tripping right over the large feet and plopping onto his belly. He propped himself up on two hands - and exploded into giggles. "Boom!" he squealed, grinning up at the young man to prove he was unharmed.
"You know her? Then you're aware she can't be bullied, frightened, blackmailed, or ordered into submission - I don't think I need to elaborate." After all, one experience with the doctor was decidedly enough for most persons to learn just how determined a woman she was. After that, Cass turned her attentions to listening again - and was almost surprised by a voice from the door. "And Charlotte - we owe Charlotte big time. Add her to the list." Johann stepped out of the bathroom, showered, shaved, and dressed in clean, neat clothes once more, and made his way over, seating himself in the only available place beside James. He didn't say precisely why they owed Charlotte - he didn't know precisely how much Lanny had told his brother - but he did speak for the woman, indicating that he was more grateful to the gruff nurse than even his quiet thanks last night had shown.
Lanny & Others
Lanny watched all four of the laps, cheering Raimi on with a little more volume than he really ought to be using in a hospital. His renewed laughter diminished a little when Raimi's face-paced racing ended in him catching on the young man's shoes and sprawling to the ground, "Woah there, Randy." Before he could quite pick him up, the toddler was up and declaring he was fine, no worse for ware after his abrupt tumble. "I guess you did go boom! You don't have any ouchies, do you?"
"One of the few who can't." James returned with a nearly inaudible sigh afterwards, but whatever he felt about the woman's immunity to their influence, he didn't say any more on that. Instead, he was nodding slowly when Johann finally stepped out of the bathroom, either already knowing just why the man said this, or having learned it recently from his brother. Either way, he seemed to share Johann's sentiments in the issue, "It'll be taken care of."
Raimi*Others
Raimi giggled again and shook his head innocently, murmuring, "No gots'ny owies." And he hugged the man's legs tightly, bouncing up and down, beginning to sing softly, "Buzz buzz buzz - dat's wu eassh wun duz. Bees is werking menny owers making hunnee fum da fowlers..." Rather like listening to a small child sing the national anthem, half of the words were unable to be deciphered - but he was having a jolly good time with it anyway. Finally, he asked, in typical toddler distract-ability"Youse gots bumbly-bees in our house, Lanee?"
"Mr. Zelkovii - would you please express to your staff that I will be permitted in these quarters?" That firm voice interrupted the talk, indicating that Dr. Marachek had arrived - and was none too pleased about being stopped at the door. She wasn't fool enough to try to push past Colby and Dan - but she wasn't afraid of them either; she simply called out for Lanny to take care of the problem in a much easier, quieter fashion.
Lanny & Others
He reached a hand out to pat the toddler on the back, still grinning away as Raimi babbled on in a random song. James and the others might as well have been in another room for as much attention the younger Zelkovii was paying attention to their words; after all that had happened in the past day, his jovial distraction from the drama was a welcome relief. "Haha, oh no, no bumblebees. They all stay outside. Playing in the flowers, right? And we don't touch bumblebees, do we?"
Marachek's voice got both brothers looking up, and the elder of the two responding as he pushed himself up off the couch, "Let her in, she's fine." His voice rose to carry out to his guards, and that was all that was needed for the two to stand down. Dan and Colby moved aside, each taking up a stance on either side of the door and no longer providing Marachek with an obstacle.
Dr. Marachek*Others
All of a sudden, Raimi's face took on a very serious look, switching over from his joy so quickly that it was almost comical. "Noooo. Bumbly-bees goes poke'n an' hurts. Go owie! Owie!" And he waved his finger at Lanny as though he had a sting - well, that was sort of a rundown, confused version of what he'd been told about the buzzing insects. And as the guards stood down, Marachek passed into the room, seizing hold of it in her habitual way as she looked around and assessed who was here. "Well - if it isn't Mr. Zelkovii, Mr. Zelkovii, young Mr. Zelkovii, and the Jones clan. And I see Miss Jones is looking better this morning." Turning her attention briefly away from James, Cassidy nodded obediently as the physician took up the chart again and pushed her glasses onto her face, reading down the sheet. "Iron's up and holding steady, heart and lung exam within normal limits - no more neuro-pathological irregularities... all around an improvement, Miss Jones. But no excuse for two visitors too many." She peered at Cass over the horn rims, and the younger woman answered, "They'll be out of here soon. James just came by for business; and Randy hardly counts anyway - he doesn't take up much room." Looking around and considering them all, the woman murmured, "Ten minutes. And Mr. Jones-" She stopped as she moved to turn around. "If you're not asleep by that time, I've a sedative with your name on it. Clear?" Johann glowered, but finally answered in a neutral tone, "Clear."
Lanny & Others
"That's right. We don't pick them up." The boy was scooped up again and set down on one leg, where Lanny's grinning face morphed into something a bit more serious, not still openly friendly and inviting. With a lowered voice, so that he wouldn't be interfering with the conversation James was having with Cassidy, the young man turned the conversation around to something else entirely, "How would you like to have a little sister? Think that would be kinda neat?" Considering the relations, it was more like 'cousin' than sister, though the term mattered none considering there was no blood relation between the groups anyway.
"We were just leaving." James stood as he spoke, having finished his business here in making sure that Cassidy, as a long-time and trusted member, was properly guarded and looked after. "Call if you need anything. Brian should be home all day, and I'll be out about town."
Raimi*Others
Raimi continued to lean against the young man's legs, tilting his head to listen to the words and scrubbing his fingers along the thigh of Lanny's jeans, apparently enthralled by the rough texture. It wasn't until his favorite playmate lowered his voice that he looked up, though - and then, with confusion on his face. "Gots Sissy a'ready," he told Lanny firmly, his face clearly saying 'You should know that, dummy!' "Big Sissy - hers reeeely big." Well - Aralyn seemed big to Raimi, anyway. And he'd always called the young woman Sissy, without any sort of prompting from anyone - clearly he didn't quite get the concept Lanny was trying to put across.
"Okay James, thanks," Cassidy answered, nodding her head to indicate that she'd understood his instructions. "And tell Sheryl thanks for lunch - spaghetti's one of my favorites. I know where to find you if I need something." Marachek stood aside and listened quietly to the chatter, and then fixed Johann with her glare one last time. "I mean it, Mr. Jones - ten minutes." The old man held up his hands in surrender then, and she seemed to understand, for she turned her back and left the room altogether.
Lanny & Others
For a few moments, Lanny himself was a little confused, unable to pick out who 'Sissy' could be, since he knew that wasn't the name he addressed Sheryl with. Aralyn wasn't a face that he instantly brought to mind, since she and Conan both stayed out of the gangs, and weren't exactly high-profile individuals. Giving that up for the time being, Lanny directed his words to a more narrowed route, "This'll be a tiny Sissy - smaller than you, even." He wasn't sure how else to explain the little sister aside from that, but since Cassidy's baby was on his mind, he couldn't help but put the idea in Raimi's head too.
Lanny had nodded to Cassidy, and was on his way out the door when he stopped to acknowledge his brother once more, "I'll call later, so we can discuss all this further." Stern eyes flickered over Lanny, not seeing the tiny spot of blood that had seeped through his shirt where he'd pulled a stitch - nothing all that serious, but the reprocusions that would follow if James found out why there was blood wouldn't be good for the younger Zelkovii. "See you later, Randy. Have fun with uncle Lanny."
Cassidy*Others
The toddler turned to wave goodbye to James, blowing him a little kiss, and then whirled right back around to Lanny. "Tiny Sissy..." Raimi whispered, as if the softer tone of his voice could emphasize how little the unknown 'Sissy' would be. He understood the concept of multiple sisters at least - after all, he had three brothers. But what he didn't quite get was the idea of babies. "Sissy... where? Where tiny Sissy?"
With the gang head having left the room and herself alone with the men and the toddler, Cassidy had devoted her attention to the conversation between Lanny and Raimi, and when he asked that question, she murmured, "C'mere Randy - tell Uncle Lanny put you up here." With Sheryl no longer in the room, she didn't have to worry about how jealous the other woman would be over her interaction with Raimi - and so she was offering to tell him the little-kid version of just where 'Tiny Sissy' was.
Lanny Zelkovii
"Yep, that's right. She's very little still." Lanny encouraged, when Raimi seemed to pick up on the idea. The next question caught him off guard, though he should have seen it coming. The young man froze for all of a second or two, preparing to come up with some wild excuse as to where this little sister was coming from, and why he couldn't see her just yet. Before he could figure out where to start with that, Cassidy saved him the trouble, and invited both of them over. "Cass is going to tell you about your little sister." Taking the boy up in his arms, Lanny hefted him up on the edge of Cassidy's bed, and kept one hand out against the boy's shoulder, ready to grab him if he should topple from his higher perch.
Cassidy*Others
The expectant mother just hadn't had much opportunity to get to know Raimi all that much - she hadn't dared try to become his friend, knowing that would only arouse more possessiveness in Sheryl and cause more problems between them. But now as Lanny picked him up and plopped him besides her, she reached a hand to the boy's side to steady him, and lay a hand on her belly. "Here, Randy... feel. Right here - feel." She took his small hand and guided it to the right place, and he didn't resist her; he wasn't a timid little fellow. She held his hand there for a moment - and this his face lit with surprise; apparently, the baby girl was moving rather actively. Cass smiled softly, and giggled just a bit. "That's Tiny Sissy - she's saying hello." His hand moved briefly for his own little tummy, but not feeling the same movement there, he seemed to get the idea that only Cass' tummy did this - so that must be were his sister was. "Come out, Sissy," he announced, and Cass smiled. "She's too little, yet. She has to stay there awhile. But she'll be here soon." He turned his gaze to look at Lanny, as if the young man would confirm that this was a fact, and that his sister was coming soon. "Sissy comin' soon?" he asked, just to be sure. And Cass nodded - and from his place where Johann was settling and listening with closed eyes, the old man chuckled. deeply.
Lanny Zelkovii
Lanny was content to sit back and let Cassidy explain where the little girl was, and that she couldn't be seen quite yet. He didn't delay in giving a smile and an affirmative nod of the head when Raimi looked questioningly his way, "That's right, it'll be a little while before you can see her." Lanny lowered his hand from Raimi's side, but was leaning forward so he was right there should either the boy lean too far, or request to come down again, "She still very tiny - she needs to grow a little bigger before you can see her." The chuckling caught Lanny's attention, getting him to look back and see that Johann was finally giving in to commands, and likely just in time. A few more minutes, and Lanny didn't doubt Dr Marachek would be in with a sedative to see that he got the sleep he'd been putting off for the past two days.
Cassidy*Others
Johann's chuckle got a soft rise out of Cass. "Oh, you - go to sleep, you old fool. Before I set the doctor on you." Her tones were low and teasing - and the smile altered from the paper back to her lively, genuine one that Lanny was becoming accustomed to. And then she dropped her voice into a whisper for Raimi's benefit, and told him, "You can't tell, now - it's a surprise. Gotta be super hush-hush about it. Okay?" Raimi's face became solemn and serious again, and he lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "Hush-hush," he confirmed, nodding vigorously. "Seeeecret su-prise." And he turned a strict face to Lanny. "Don't tell! 'sa su-prise!" Somewhere in the middle of this, Johann gave a low, weary sigh - and after that the sound of soft snoring filled the room He'd turned sideways on the couch and pulled his feet into the seat, now half reclined back with his head propped on the upper cushion - and sound asleep.
Lanny Zelkovii
Looking away from Johann and back to Cassidy, Lanny found that her smile had returned to its former glory, and that in turn freed his mind a little. He still didn't understand quite why it had disappeared in the first place, but that didn't matter so long as she was back to her true self right now. "That's right, Randy - it's a big suprise." He put on a serious face of his own to accommodate the look that Raimi had adopted, playing along with the spiel, "I won't tell anyone if you don't tell anyone. It'll just be between us, how that?" Lanny flashed a look to Cassidy, one that had no other meaning aside to convey his amusement and happiness. If only there wasn't the new threat to worry about against her, and the complications that Dr. Marachek had informed him of last night, this little scene could have been perfect.
Raimi*Others
The toddler nodded solemnly to indicate that he understood - and right after that, he giggled in a contagious sort of way. And Cassidy took it up; perhaps surprisingly, this ordinarily prickly character liked children as well as Lanny did. She simply hadn't had to opportunity to display it, since she was wary of arousing further jealousy in the adoptive mother. Her laughter was interrupted at one point by a startled grunt that brought her hand back to her belly, but she offered Lanny a mischievous grin to express that all was well. "Told you, didn't I?" she asked in a soft voice. "Apparently, she likes Sarducci's - and she's keen on letting me know about it."
Lanny Zelkovii
Having no real inkling as to Cassidy's preference of children, Lanny had been keeping an eye on her with Raimi up there. She had enough things to be stressed over right now, and if she'd showed any signs of growing annoyance with the toddler, he was ready to take him back so she could have some space - fortunately, he needn't worry. His own offered laughter joined the chorus of mirth between the three of them, until Cassidy stopped short when her daughter protested, "I'll tell you one thing, I'm glad I can't get pregnant." Once he was assured by her look that he shouldn't be worried, Lanny was free to make a jesting remark to cover up for the spike of alarm he'd felt.
Cassidy*Others
"Lanee-nee..." Raimi was standing at the edge of the bed, carefully balanced and supported by Cass' hand, reaching his arms out toward the young man and clearly asking to be picked up. His eyes were looking sleepy and half-lidded; one had to remember that the nap he'd been taking in the car had been interrupted by the transfer into the hospital - and now he was feeling the sleepiness again. And though Cass was fun and nice, she wasn't Lanny... he wanted his favorite uncle, when he was sleepy. As she held onto him to keep him from falling off of the bed as he leaned toward the young man, Cass giggled, "Every man in the world agrees with you on that; personally, I just think you fellas aren't tough enough for it." It was a teasing little prod, which she didn't really mean seriously - her more lighthearted attitude was back again.
Lanny Zelkovii
"Come here, big guy." Lanny didn't need any more encouraging from the boy to reach out and take him up, swinging Raimi down to settle on his lap. "I think you're about ready for a nap, Randy." He shifted the boy around, leaning him back a bit to rest against his chest, while Lanny himself eased back against the chair and once again mused over how comfy this particular item of furniture was. He'd be happy enough to get to his own bed, but this worked for now, "Pshh, we aren't tough enough?" An exaggerated eye roll followed through with his words, while a light-hearted grin showed he too was just teasing, and all too happy to hear that side of Cassidy's personality returning, "... well, alright - I'll give you that one. As far as the baby stuff goes, anyway."
Cassidy*Others
The moment he was settled in Lanny's lap, Raimi was curling against his chest and tucking his thumb and first finger both into his mouth. His eyes already half-mast, he burbled a little bit as he settled down, something about 'bumbly-bees' and 'Sissy'. Watching the young man get the toddler comfortably curled against him, Cass whistled in admiration. "I'll give you one thing for sure, Lan - you've got a real gift with him. Most kids his age fight like beasts over naptime - no matter how tired they are." As she watched, the sleepy little brown eyes closed and the boy sank into a soft doze, emphasized by a little bit of shuffling and a bit more mumbling.
Lanny Zelkovii
Lanny was just one of those guys who had a knack for dealing with children, and as James often told him, also tended to act like a child now and then. "Eh, he's just a good kid." Lanny shrugged away the compliment as he watched Raimi settle down into a nap with no fuss or fight, murmuring sleepily as he stuffed a thumb and finger in his mouth. "My nephew Chandler... now that's another story." The young man relaxed a little more against the chair, letting out a quiet sigh. There was still the nitpicking anxiety in the back of his mind over dealing with James later, and moreso about the threat with
Cassidy
Another giggle sounded from the girl, though she quickly muffled it in her hand when both Raimi and Johann stirred briefly. For a second or two, she held her breath - but finally Johann sighed, Raimi twisted a little against Lanny, and both settled again. After a cautious pause, she brought her voice to life again - much softer. "I was just thinking that... every Zelkovii I've ever known has had a talent for causing or attracting trouble of some kind - present company prominent among those."
Lanny Zelkovii
Any chuckle that Lanny might have let loose was stalled when Johann and Raimi shuffled about and threatened to wake up again. Ironically, it was the elder man that they'd had to fuss over so much to get some shuteye, so Lanny was able to let out a quiet sigh of relief when the man resumed his sleeping undisturbed. "We have a penchant for that, don't we?" He grinned back at her comment, "You should come to our next family get-together; crazy times!"
Cassidy*Others
Cassidy let her eyes get wide in apparent astonishment. "And get in there with all of you?" She giggled again, more quietly this time, and it did not disturb either sleeper. "No thanks, Lan - think I'll keep what's left of my sanity. You wouldn't want a dagger-wielding maniac in the CS, would you?" She could just imagine how that would end up - but another end of her mind altogether would wonder what connections the family would make if she did attend such a gathering with him. She knew that the Elders were very defensive and picky - it was how the gang had lasted this long and gotten control of the city - and she hated to think what would happen if it became clear that she liked him perhaps a little more than as a friend... and the Elders didn't approve.
Lanny Zelkovii
The young man had to watch his mirth this time around, trying to picture Cassidy in amongst his sizable family and all of their 'associates' and friends that gathered with them. "Okay, okay, maybe that's not such a good idea." Lanny entertained the idea as he shifted a little himself, settling more comfortably into the chair and moving Raimi as much as he dared without waking the kid from his light nap, "It'd be something to see though." He generally let James handle most of the social situations and dealings when the formal aspect of the gathers came into play, but he himself was high up enough where he had to be careful about what he said and did around the higher ranks, and bringing Cassidy along would do more than turn a few heads.
Cassidy*Others
"Interesting?" She let her eyes grow even wider, and then shook her head a bit. "That is not the word, Lanny." She watched briefly as the young man shifted a bit, her eyes on Raimi and making sure that he didn't wake as his impromptu bed wiggled a little. And after that, she changed the subject. "So - is it just me, or is Sheryl in a better mood today? She didn't seem as... irritable as usual." It was a casual comment of course - but as with everything Cass said, there was something else behind it.
Lanny Zelkovii
Still lacking the female clashing that went on right in front of him so often, in its own subtle way, Lanny entirely missed what Cassidy was really talking about, "Oh, her?" The young man shrugged one shoulder, since his other arm was currently wrapped around Raimi's side, to help keep the boy in his lap. "Well, it's hard to tell with you women." The sly, almost sheepish grin he turned up at Sheryl showed this was just a light-hearted jest. "But in all seriousness, I guess you're right. Who knows? Maybe it has something to do with Randy being happier today than usual - he was a little blue for a while there."
Cassidy*Others
"Maybe..." Cass murmured, but her tone said she didn't believe it. 'Or maybe it's got to do with me being in the hospital, and not 'competing' for James' affections' she wanted to say, but didn't. Instead of commenting further, however, she simply pointed out, "He's pretty cheerful today - that's good. It's unusual for such a little kid to be upset for so long."
Lanny Zelkovii
Cassidy
Despite the fact that not much had been said on the topic, Cassidy's purpose had been accomplished in the brief discussion - she'd come to understand that he really and truly did not see the reason behind the tension between them. She wasn't sure how she felt about that - half of her wanted him to understand, because maybe he could put a stop to it... but the smarter, more resourceful half told her she didn't dare depend on him too much. After all - he had other things to do besides make her life easier. So she willingly followed him to the other topic. "Does he actually catch the bugs, or just chase after them and giggle?"