WriterFreak001:

Wow, can't believe it's almost Christmas! That being said, Merry Christmas everyone! Here's a special treat.

"I acted like it wasn't a big deal, when really it was breaking my heart." - Unknown

Fading

Chapter Ten

~ SCORPION ~

Sleepy eyes slowly opened to bright, white walls as blurs of people whirred around him, but only one came into focus as his eyes adjusted. Paige. He made no movement as he watched her intently, surprised to find her cheek resting against his heart as if she had to ensure it was beating in order to stay calm… which led to the question… Why was he in the hospital?

But before he could figure that out for himself, an excited outburst blasted from the door.

"Walter! You're awake!" Ralph ran to the other side of him and threw his arms across him, causing Paige to stir awake from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes and wiped away unshed tears as her son stole Walter's attention. "Mom found you unconscious in the snow and called your mother, who then called for an ambulance. You've been out for almost 48 hours."

Walter blinked. "Two days, huh?" He rubbed his left eye and pursed his lips as Ralph climbed down from the hospital bed, taking a seat next to him.

His mother and father suddenly burst into the hospital room before he was drowned in his mother's tight embrace. "The doctor said yer 'ad 'ypothermia. That yer were so cowl, yer lost consciousness an' felled asleep in the snow." So that was it… She suddenly smacked his arm.

"Ow."

But before she would explain why she smacked him, she pushed away and wiped visible tears from her eyes before stepping out of the room. Walter looked to his father for an explanation. His father stuffed his hands into his pockets and took a few steps closer to Walter. "Don't mind yer ma, son. She was worried fer ya. We both were." Sean O'Brien inhaled a deep, quiet breath. "Seein' ya here… in the hospital… 'twas difficult… Yer ma and me… Well… we donna wanna lose ya too." Sean gently touched his son's shoulder before leaving to console Louise.

As Ralph was about to say something, a doctor walked in with Walter's chart. "Mr. O'Brien. So glad yer awake. I am Doctor James O'Connor. You may call me Dr. James, or Dr. O'Connor, Doc., or whatever ya want. I'd like to ask a few questions if yer feelin' up to answerin'. But first thin's first. May I call ya, Walter?"

Walter shrugged. "I guess."

Paige, without saying anything, stood up and walked around the hospital bed towards Ralph. She took her son's hand, bent down to whisper something in his ear. He nodded, and together, they walked towards the door. Ralph turned around and waved goodbye to Walter before they disappeared. He wished they would have stayed since they were his family now… well, sort of. But it didn't seem like Paige wanted to be anywhere near him after she woke up and came back to her senses. Her lack of eye contact during the last few minutes hurt Walter more than he would ever let on.

Remembering he wasn't alone, the genius turned his attention to the doctor. "Let's get this over with."

~ SCORPION ~

Paige nibbled on a salty-sweet cracker, unsure of how her future – and Ralph's – will play out. Obviously Ralph adored Walter, and Walter will never stop caring for her son, but… she still wasn't sure how she – and the baby – would fit in future the "family picture." She knew Walter needed space, and she also believed it was her fault for Walter falling asleep in the snow.

It was obvious that Walter went to Megan's grave to sort everything out, and if she hadn't told him she was pregnant, he wouldn't have left home. He didn't even look her way when he woke up, but who could fault him? He was probably still very shocked and upset. And yet, not knowing where she stood in his heart was killing her softly, and she hated that feeling.

"Mom?"

Paige turned her attention to Ralph, who was sitting across from her in the hospital cafeteria. "Hm?"

"Why do you think Walter fell asleep in the snow? He's the smartest person I know, and he just… falls asleep in snow." Ralph spooned in some cookies 'n cream ice cream into his mouth, waiting for Paige's reply.

"Crazier things have happened, Ralph. Walter just… he probably had a lot on his mind and didn't pay attention to how long he had been out there. Sometimes, things unexplainable things happen. Only Walter may know the answer to your question." Paige reached over and ruffled Ralph's dark, thick locks. "But don't bother him with any questions right now. We should let him rest after he speaks with the doctor."

"Okay."

Sean and Louise took a seat next to Ralph with two plates of food. Louise reached over the table and covered Paige's right hand. "Ya look tired, m'dear. Why don we take ya home for some rest? All the fuss 'n worry over Walter isn't very good fer the wee one."

"Thanks, but I'm fine, honestly." Paige managed a weak smile. In truth, however, she felt like she was going to throw up. She couldn't stomach anything over the last few days, and worrying about Walter's wellbeing has made her more tiresome. "Actually…," she took in a whiff of Sean's bacon cheeseburger and covered her mouth. "I need to go." She jumped out of her chair and bolted towards the nearest bathroom, knowing that Walter's parents would watch Ralph.

"Oh dear," Louise abruptly stood up to follow the mother of her future grandchild, silently telling Sean to stay with Ralph. Sean simply shrugged and started digging into his burger as Ralph quietly continued eating his ice cream, hoping his mother would be okay.

…

Paige threw herself into the nearest stall and wretched what little contents she had in her stomach into the toilet. She reached up for the lever to flush the commode and stood up, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Quietly, Paige exited the stall and washed her hands slowly under hot water before dabbing at the brims of her eyes to wipe away any unshed tears. Louise pushed open the bathroom door with worry in her eyes. "Are y'sure yer all right?"

Paige managed a small smile. "Better." But only a little bit.

She followed Louise out into the hallway only to double over from a sudden sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She grasped her small baby bump and let out a yelp of pain as the cramping sensation grew stronger. Louise was by her side in seconds, calling for a doctor – any doctor – to help. By a team of nurses, Paige was lifted onto a gurney as tears blurred her eyes, praying to God that nothing would happen to her baby.

Louise was the last face she saw before she blacked out from the pain.

~ SCORPION ~

WriterFreak001:

Ugh! I know! Another cliffhanger! I apologize for the short chapter, too.

Thanks for sticking with this story. It means a lot.

Spoiler Alert for Next Chapter: Paige does NOT have a miscarriage.

Please let me know what you think!