Something to Believe in

PART 25

Busting through the glass doors, five anxious friends dashed through the halls of the City of Angels Medical Centre in their quest to find the ER department, and, more importantly, someone who could tell them what was going on.

Maria’s information had been vague at the very least, lacking vital information, like were both Max and Liz ok?  Thoughts raced through their minds, images of what they might find when they got to Max and Liz too worrying.  Soft sobs could already be heard from Maria.  She’d spoken to Liz; she’d heard the pain and worry in her boss’s voice, in her heart Maria knew it was bad.

As they entered the waiting area, Alex spotted Liz quickly.  She was sitting on a large comforter seat, knees scooped up to her chin, her face looking down at the very uninteresting lino covering the floor.

“Liz!”  He called out, striding over to her and lifting the stricken girl to her feet.  “Oh Liz.”  He added, scooping her into his arms and holding her tight. 

“Liz?  What happened?”  Jim asked trying to gauge what was going on.

“Where’s Max?  Is he ok?”  A panic stricken voice that belonged to Isabelle also piped up.

But they got nothing from Liz, at least nothing audible.  She lifted her head from Alex’s comforting chest and looked around.  She glanced at each of the people around her, from Isabelle’s hopeful eyes, to Jim’s inquisitive ones, to the worry in Maria’s. 

Liz’s deep brown pools that normally sparkled so fervently were lost.  Instead her eyes looked gaunt, drawn out, and clearly lost in what she needed to do or where she was.  She had a faraway look about her, as if what was happening was just a terrible dream.  Not focusing on anyone, she just stared into space and allowed tears to trickle uncontrollably down her face. 

“Liz please?  I need to know, where is my brother!”  Isabelle said, somewhat hysterically.   She could see Liz, and could see she was clearly shaken up, but where was Max?  Why wasn’t he with Liz, holding and comforting her instead of Alex?  If Max was ok why wasn’t he in the waiting room with them?

Again though, through shock, Liz said nothing.  It was as if she’d lost the ability to speak words coherently.  Instead she just stared back at Isabelle blinking sadly, as if sealing Max’s fate.

“No!  No!  Where is he?  Where’s Max?”  Isabelle screamed, tears falling down her face at an alarming rate.  She was panicking; Liz’s face was scaring her beyond belief. 

“I’ll go and find out.”  Jim finally said, departing the group and heading off to find some answers.

“Please Liz, what happened?  Is Max ok?  Where is he?”  Isabelle cried softly.

“It’s ok Iz, I’m sure Max is ok.”  Michael comforted her, pulling the young girl into his arms and attempting to soothe her fears.

The group of four stood, waiting and praying for news.  Isabelle clung tightly to Michael, trying to stay strong and in control.  Liz occupied Alex’s arms, but the gratefulness she’d expected to feel around her friends hadn’t come.  For all she could think about and imagine in her mind was Max, and his battered body lying on the ground.  Just the mere thought brought the tears flooding into her eyes again.

As Jim slowly walked back to the waiting group, Isabelle’s screams were heard once more.  The normally steely James Valenti was clearly shocked.  His face was ashen, his eyes fully of worry, it was obvious the route of his concern was Max Evans.

“Where is he?  What’s happened?”  Isabelle screamed, pulling herself from Michael’s arms and throwing herself at Jim.

“It’s ok Isabelle.”  He tried to calm her down, it was obvious she was getting nearly hysterical over what was happening around them, and Jim could understand why.

“Where is he?”  She pressed once more, anger fuelling the pain in her voice.

“Why don’t we sit down?”  Jim suggested, trying to direct Isabelle to a nearby seat.

“No!  I don’t want to sit down!”  She yelled vehemently.  “I want my brother!”  She added, tears still falling down her pale face.

“Iz ……”  Michael started.

“No!  Just tell me!”  She said forcefully.

“Ok, he’s in intensive care right now Isabelle.”  Jim said calmly.  “He suffered a broken wrist and ribs, he’s bruised his pelvis, and has various severe cuts and bruises.  He ……. He also has a very nasty cut on his head …….. and I’m really sorry but he’s in a coma Isabelle.”  He told her, watching Isabelle’s face contort as he recounted each of Max’s aliments. 

“But he’s ok right?”  She asked, needing affirmation.

“They …… they don’t know Isabelle …….. they think he’s in for a rough few days …….. they think it’s touch and go as to whether he’ll ever wake up.”  He said sadly

“Nooooooo!”  Isabelle’s wails filled the quiet air, and Michael pulled her into his arms allowing her sobs to filter into his chest.

“Liz?  What happened babe?”  Alex asked gently, as she continued to cling to him for dear life.

Now at least the group knew that Liz was ok and that Max was still in trouble.  But no one knew why they were in hospital, or what had happened to cause the injuries to their friends.

“Th ….. there ………. wa …… was a car.  It was coming ….. towards us.  Ma …. Max pushed me …….. went over the bonnet …… lying on the ground ………”  Liz stammered, finding her voice but having it filled with pain and immense sorrow. 

“The car hit Max?”  Jim clarified.

“Y … yes ………. He ……. He pushed me out the way …….. so ………. so I didn’t get ………. hit.”  She told him, still shaking from shock.

“The car was meant for you?”  Isabelle queried, lifting her head from Michael.  “You mean Max has got hurt for you?  He is lying on a hospital bed, fighting for his life because of YOU?”  She added somewhat venomously.

“Yes.”  Liz said weakly.
”How could you?  How could you let him save you but nearly kill himself?”  Isabelle roared, jumping to her feet and facing Liz.

“I …….. I didn’t ………”  Liz stammered, her eyes wide with surprisement at Isabelle’s reaction.

“Isabelle, it’s not Liz’s fault.”  Jim started, as Michael drew up along side his friend’s sister.

“No?  Then whose fault is it?  It’s not mine, it’s not yours, it must be somebody’s fault!  My brother is dying because of *her*, because he felt the need to save her!  And you tell me it isn’t her fault!”  Isabelle yelled, her eyes blazing with tears and anger.
”Iz, no!  I know it’s hard, but we have to accept it was just a terrible accident.”  Michael tried to reason with her.

“An accident isn’t good enough Michael!”  She screamed.  “Max’s life lies in the balance right now ………. He’s …….. he’s my brother for god sake.”  She said, the anger in her voice slowly starting to evaporate, replaced rapidly with emotional tears.

“I ……. I didn’t ……… do it.”  Liz said meekly, her pain heightened over Isabelle’s words.

It wasn’t that Isabelle had meant to yell and scream at Liz; in her heart Isabelle knew Liz wasn’t responsible for her brother’s aliments.  But she desperately needed someone to blame, needed reasoning behind why the terrible events had happened and why her brother was lying at deaths door.  She needed to vent her anger, frustration and pain at someone, and to her Liz was the nearest person.

With his arms tightly wrapped around a stricken Isabelle, Michael snuck a quick glance in Maria’s direction.  It was the first time he’d seen her since he’d found out about the baby, and it felt strange to him.  The though of their child growing slowly inside her caught him unawares, and a breath caught in his throat.  It was the first time he’d acknowledged privately to himself that she was actually expecting, and a pang of feeling shot straight to his heart.

She looked well, he considered, a health glow in her face considering the circumstances they were in at that moment.  There was no obvious sign of anything different about her; if you didn’t know she was pregnant you couldn’t have guessed. 

Perhaps it was seeing her again, or perhaps it had as much to do with the circumstances and Max’s potentially fatal injuries, but for a few moments, Michael actually allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to be a father.  He imagined watching the child feast on Maria, how it would feel to hear them say their first word or take their first step, and then how he would enjoy teaching it to play soccer or other boy sports.

The moment was brief, but did enough to make Michael slowly start thinking.  Life was short in the world and no one was safe, Max being scathed down proved that.  Could he ever forgive himself for passing up the opportunity to get to know his child?  And could he continue to pass the days without the ray of sunshine Maria was in his life?

His musings were quickly shattered as the doctor approached the clearly shell-shocked and dishevelled group.  His words were simple, straight and to the point.  He gave no false hope; he told them clearly that Max was stable but by no means out of the woods.  He was in a very critical situation, and everything hinged on his ability to awake from the deep coma he was in at that moment.  Although sugar coating the words would help the relatives, the doctor didn’t agree on giving false hope when there was a good chance things would turn exceedingly worse and perhaps even terminal. 

As the group slowly headed into his private room, Liz instinctively held back.  The thought of having her fears about Max realised fuelling her need to run.  Isabelle’s soft cries directed towards her brother was the only noise that somewhat silenced the sound of the respirator helping Max to breath. 

Isabelle quickly dashed to his side and seized his hand in an attempt to bring him back to them and wake up.  The others followed her direction and entered the room, Michael joining the opposite side of the bed and looking at his normally strong best friend.

Liz, on the other hand, stood in the doorway, routed to the spot and just staring blankly at Max.  The tears she had shed previously were now all but dried up, replaced by numbness inside.  The whole ordeal had been a nightmare, and looking at how lifeless Max was now, it didn’t seem to have an end in sight any time soon.

The respirator hissed away gently in the background, tubes seemed to be coming out of every available outlet.  Wires stuck with sticky pads were linked to machines that beeped away constantly.  Max’s normally healthily brown skin was now pale and ashen, with a yellow tinge to it.  His lips were a purple/blue colour and the heavy bruising on his face was clearly evident.  His hands lay down by his side, one heavily bandaged, and his leg was also immobilised. 

For a moment, Liz couldn’t help but think all they’d need to do was place his arms across his chest and he’d certainly look dead.  It was a terrible thought, but one that she felt powerless to suppress. 

His hair had been pushed away from his forehead, matted together with the dried blood that had once poured from the large gash on his head. 

Instinctively, Isabelle began trying to push his hair back across his face, in the way that he normally wore it.

“He’s so fussy about his hair, always wants it to be perfect, hates it to be out of place.”  She muttered, as her fingers went to work in an attempt to make him look barely more human.  “And he looks cold.”  She added knowingly, trying to pull the blanket up further over his body.  It was a subconscious attempt to hide the wires attached to his chest also though. 

“I’m sure he’s ok Iz.”  Michael said gently touching and stilling her hand that was on the blanket.  As she looked at him with her sad doe eyes, he immediately saw that his best friend’s sister was on the verge of cracking up.  Looking at her, it was clear she was struggling to contain her emotions and tears that were threatening to engulf her once more

“Does he look ok to you Michael?”  She snapped back as two tears cascaded down her face.

“No, I guess not.”  He responded quietly, slowly walking around to Isabelle before gently putting his arms around her.

“Liz?”  Alex asked softly, turning and seeing his friend was having difficulties stepping over the threshold and into the room.

“I ……. can’t.”  She said quietly, so only Alex could hear.

“Then we’ll do it together.”  He responded gently, holding out his hand to help Liz in the huge step she felt she had to take.

“ ……… no ……..”  She finally said, turning on her heal and heading for the sanctuary of fresh air outside the hospital.

“Liz?”  Alex called after her, but his words fell on deaf ears.  “I’d better go see if she’s ok.”  He added, looking at his friends.

“No, let me.”  Jim suddenly announced, knowing exactly how Liz was feeling.

It took a few minutes for him to locate Liz in the sunny grounds of the hospital.  In the end he saw her sitting on a wooden bench, her legs scooped up to her chin and staring blankly into space.

“Liz?  Are you ok?”  Jim asked gently.

“Considering I’ve had the day from hell, I could be better.”  She replied, her voice crackling with emotion.

“I know it’s been rough, I’m sorry about what happened to Max.  But he’s a strong lad, he’ll fight this and I’m sure he’ll be ok.”  He told her, somewhat to comfort her.

“Yeah?  You think that because he’s strong he’ll be able to fight?  Well then, why wasn’t Kyle able to fight?  Why didn’t he pull through?”  She said, snapping somewhat at Jim.

“I wish I could answer that Liz.  You’re right, Kyle was strong, he should have been able to survive, but he didn’t.  But that doesn’t mean Max won’t either.”

“But there is a good possibility he won’t pull through, maybe he’ll never wake up again.”
“Yes, I guess there is that possibility, but you have to keep hoping and praying, it’s all you can do.”

“Don’t you think I know that!”  She responded somewhat forcefully.  “But I know that all the hoping and praying in the world won’t bring him back unless it’s what’s meant to be.  I did that remember, I sat in the hospital waiting room willing Kyle to pull through and be ok, praying his gasp of breath in my arms hadn’t been his last.  Look where that got me!”

“You can’t give up yet Liz, you have to stay positive.”

“Tell me then, why is it all the men I love are prepared to risk their lives for me?  Kyle did it and got stabbed and now Max pushing me out of the way of the car.  Why?  Why do they think I’m worth it?”

“Because you are an amazing woman Liz, whether you believe it or not.  Kyle saw that from the moment he met you, and it’s obvious Max thinks that too.  They believe you’re worthy of risking their lives over, and I know I’d do it too without hesitation.”  He told her sincerely.
“Well I wish they wouldn’t.  I’ve given Max nothing but grief and heartache, why couldn’t he just let me get hit and be lying in the hospital instead of him?  He’s got everything to live for.  All I’ve got is work, nothing more, I could die and the world would be the same.”  She said solemnly.

“Don’t say that Liz, there are many people who care deeply about you and don’t want anything bad to happen to you.  I lost my only son, but you’re like the daughter I never had.  I don’t want to loose you either Liz, you mean too much to me.”

“Why do you want to be around me Jim, when everyone who cares about me gets hurt?”  She queried pointedly.

“Because I think you’re worth it.”  He replied simply.

The words didn’t really comfort Liz, for in her heart she felt like a bad person.  Everyone around her seemed to get hurt, physically or mentally, and she hated it.  In her mind, Liz believed if she finally departed the world perhaps then it would be a better place, perhaps then the people she cared about most wouldn’t keep being taken away from her.  It was a completely irrational thought, but it had hardly been a rational day. 

It was the longest day of her life, and when, a little after 11.00pm, Jim suggested they should all go home and get some rest, it was a welcome relief.  Liz had gone no further than the doorway, spending most of the evening in the waiting room.  Just seeing or imagining Max lying in the hospital bed made her realise how weak and powerless she was, and she couldn’t cope with it.

She hated it, hated herself for not being the strong, forceful person she had previously been since Kyle had died.  She silently wished she could just get up and walk away, forget everything that had happened and slip back into ‘stone’ mode.  But in her heart she knew she couldn’t, she knew she cared too deeply for Max to just walk away.  She couldn’t do it, not now when he needed her the most.

So, when Jim left with Liz, Alex and Maria followed quickly, grateful for a few hours sleep and rest bite.  To all who looked at her, it was clear Maria was dead on her feet, and although only Liz and Michael really knew about her condition, it wouldn’t take long before she would collapse through exhaustion if she didn’t sleep.

Despite her loud protests, Jim wouldn’t let Liz return to her own place that evening.  She needed comfort, security, and it was also partly because he wanted to keep an eye on her.  Some of her words had worried him, and although he knew Liz was a good person he was somewhat afraid of what she might do if she was left alone with the demons circulating her mind.

Despite suggestions otherwise, Isabelle also refused point blank to leave Max’s bedside.  She was, in her heart, afraid that if she moved perhaps he’d leave her for good, and she couldn’t cope with that.  So Michael insisted on staying with her, so that she would at least get a couple of hours sleep on the couch if he assured her he’d watch Max. 

By that point Diane and Philip had been finally contacted and told the full impact of Max’s injuries, although it would take a good day or perhaps longer to get back to Los Angeles.  They’d been away in London at a global convention for lawyers, and obtaining a flight back from Heathrow at short notice had been difficult, even with all the money they had.

And so, their nightmare continued.  Isabelle spent much of the night just staring at Max, stroking his hand and watching his chest rise and fall, willing him to give her some sort of sign, a glimmer of hope that her brother was still with them.  

PART 26

The next morning brought a fresh outlook and installed new hope for Liz.  She was still apprehensive as to the outcome of Max’s injuries and whether indeed he would pull through, but she felt more able to face what lie ahead of her.

Walking into the hospital with Maria, she noted Michael sleeping fitfully on a bench to the left of Max’s private room.  For a moment Maria considered walking on and ignoring him, but something deep inside tugged her conscience.  She had to talk to Michael, whether she wanted to or not, there were still many unanswered questions to iron out.

“I’ll wait here for you.”  Maria said gently, hugging her boss and friend before taking up a seat in front of her now ex boyfriend and father to her child.

Seeing him lying only a few feet away from her, Maria’s breath hitched in her throat.  He still looked as handsome as ever, the same Michael Guerin she’d been attracted to the moment he’d set foot in the offices of the Amber Inn Group.  His hair was a little longer and more tousled through restless sleep, and he clearly needed a fresh shirt, but she couldn’t hate the loveable rogue no matter how hard she tried.

Her hands instinctively moved to encompass her stomach at that moment, her thoughts turning to the little being growing inside her.  It was a still a very scary and daunting prospect, but little by little it was starting to sink in and she often had days when it excited her. 

She was having a good day, despite the events of the previous afternoon, and felt much stronger inside.  And seeing Michael again made her even more determined to make sure he acknowledged the child.  Whether he wanted to be a part of its life was his choice, but he was certainly going to contribute to its upbringing if nothing else.

His stirring and subsequent sitting up brought Maria back to her senses.  He was disorientated for a few moments, his eyes full of the uncomfortable sleep he had just experienced.  When he finally rubbed his eyes and saw her sitting quietly in front of him, he paused for a moment and just looked at her.

“We need to talk.”  She finally announced

“Yeah, I think so.”  He finally replied.

“You have to face up to responsibilities.”  She said firmly, looking at him square in the eyes.

“I know ………..”  He started, but was cut off by her words.

“It’s time you accepted that I am pregnant, and it is your child.  If you want to see it when the baby is born then that is ok with me, you’re it’s father and I don’t want to deprive him or her of the opportunity to get to know you.  But if you think you’re just gonna get away with a couple of visits a year then think again mister.”  She reeled off.

“I don’t want …………..”  He started again, before she continued to rant.

“I can’t support myself and a child on my own, it’s physically impossible.  I’m gonna have to give up work and then how am I going to pay for everything a growing child needs?  No, you’re gonna have to give me some sort of maintenance money, something to provide a roof over the head of your son or daughter.”

“Maria …………..”  He continued, still unable to get a word in edgeways.  It was clear she was on a mission, and anything he had to say would fall on deaf ears.  She needed to rant, get everything out of her system, his words just couldn’t cut through.

“I don’t want to hear about your protests!”  She snapped.  “I know you’ve got a good job and a few dollars each week won’t hurt you!  My mother doesn’t know yet, but you can rest assured I’ll need to find new accommodation when she does, and that doesn’t come cheap.  It’s your duty to make sure your child and I aren’t left out on the streets homeless, right?  Besides that’s your payment for saddling me on my own with a child that you don’t even want to acknowledge.”  She added hurtfully.

“Will you just shut up and for once let me get a word in?”  He snapped somewhat angrily.

“Oh …… ok.”  She responded meekly, surprised by his outburst.

“Right, thank you.  What I was going to say is yes, you’re right we need to talk.  I know I’ve been a jackass and I’ve hurt you Maria, and I’m sorry for that.  But what has happened to Max has got me thinking, life’s too short to let opportunities pass you by.”

“What are you saying?”  Maria queried cagily.

“That I don’t want to pay you money and see my child a couple of times a year.”
“No?  What do you want then?”  She asked pointedly.

“I want to make a proper home for my child, I want to give it the best childhood I can.”
“And just what exactly does that entail?”

“You hopefully giving me a second chance?”  He asked optimistically.

“What?  You think it’s that easy do you?  You put me through hell, say sorry and then everything’s fixed?  No I’m sorry Michael, it just doesn’t work that way.”  She said indignantly.  It wasn’t that she didn’t want him back, more that she wanted to make sure he really meant what he said.  Begging wasn’t necessary, but assuring her he was sincere was.

“I am aware of that, and I understand why you don’t trust me, I haven’t exactly proven I’m trustworthy to you.  But if you’ll give me a second chance, an opportunity to start again, I’ll make it up to you.”
“And how do I know you won’t just up and run at the next sign of trouble?”  She queried, trying to think of every eventuality to test him.

“I guess you don’t and neither do I.  I’ve never claimed to be the best boyfriend or father in the world, and I don’t claim to not get scared either.  I’m human Maria, I guess you just have to trust me.”

“That’s the problem, trust is something you earn not have right too.”  She said firmly.

“Then give me the opportunity to earn it then.  I don’t want to make you go through this pregnancy alone.  It’s my fault you’re in this situation, and I’m ready to face up to my responsibilities now.  If seeing Max lying in that bed has taught me anything it’s that life is special and should be cherished.  So …… do I get a second chance?”

For a moment Maria looked at him, trying to gauge whether his words were some sort of ploy or whether he truly meant them.  It was easy to let the words tumble out of his mouth, but another to live up to them.  But then again, she knew in her heart she loved him, and couldn’t deny her child the chance to have a normal family upbringing, not to mention how much easier it would be to tell her mother if Michael was with her.

“Ok, I’ll give you one more chance Michael ……. Just don’t blow it.”  She finally said making sure he understood her conditions.

“Thank you.”  He murmured quietly, slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to his body.

Being wrapped tightly in his arms once more felt even better than in her dreams.  Maria had all but resided to never feeling his touch again, but her prayers had been answered.  In her heart she knew, no matter what happened, no matter what obstacles they faced, they would get through them together to make a loving family for their child.

As Liz reached the room, she stopped for a few moments to compose herself, watching Isabelle tending to her brother through the window of the room.  Isabelle was wiping his forehead gently with a damp cloth, being careful to avoid the large tube in his mouth that carried the work of the hissing respirator.

Knocking gently as she didn’t want to intrude unannounced, Liz slowly entered the room.  For some reason, this time, the step inside didn’t feel quite like the canyon it had the previous day.  Instead, in the bright morning light, it felt almost easy, her strength returning after a rough, fitful night.

“Hi.”  Liz said softly, placing her bag down on a nearby chair and heading to the opposite side of Max to Isabelle.

“Hi.”  Isabelle responded looking down at her brother still.

For a few moments, there was an uncomfortable silence in the room.  It was clear they were both struggling, not only with the fact Max was so ill, but also being in the same room together.  Liz wasn’t sure why things were awkward between them though, her memories of the previous afternoon very hazy.

“I ……. I just want to say I’m sorry for yesterday Liz.”  Isabelle started, finally looking up at her.  “I was out of order blaming you for Max getting hurt …….. it wasn’t your fault, please don’t think it was.  I shouldn’t have shouted at you, I’m sorry.”  She added, genuinely feeling bad for the way she had ranted at Liz the day before.

“It’s ok Isabelle, I can totally understand your reaction.  Please don’t worry about it, it’s completely forgotten.”  Liz replied gently, trying to make her feel at ease.

In truth it was forgotten, Isabelle’s yelling had come at a time when Liz had been most in a daze and out of it.  In truth she barely remembered it, let alone had time to take the words to heart.  She knew, no matter what, Isabelle had ranted in the heat of the moment, frightened and scared for her brother fuelling her actions.

“How’s he doing?”  Liz queried.

“Ok I guess ……….. there hasn’t been much change to be honest.”  She said truthfully, not wanting to give Liz false hope.  “The doctor and nurses have been coming and going all night and they seem optimistic.  Apparently the swelling on his brain hasn’t increased which is good ……… but it hasn’t gone down either.”  She added, bringing Liz quickly up to speed.

“Do they propose to do anything if the swelling doesn’t go down?”
”Yeah, if there isn’t an improvement by the afternoon I think they’re gonna take him into surgery.  The doctor mentioned something about relieving the pressure might help him.”  She said vaguely.

Watching Isabelle continually stroking Max’s lukewarm hand, Liz couldn’t help but feel her heart tug.  It was clearly evident that Isabelle cared deeply for her brother, and Liz wished there was something she could do to help Isabelle at that moment.

“Why do you hate my brother?”  Isabelle suddenly asked, shaking Liz from her daze with a start.

“Hate him?”  She queried.  “I don’t hate Max.”  She clarified, shocked by Isabelle’s question.
”Then if you don’t hate him, why do you want to hurt him?”  She added simply.

“I don’t follow?”  Liz said confused.

“Ok, I have never seen my brother so bowled over by a woman before.  He’s had other girlfriends, but none of them have got to him, none have managed to get under his skin.  That is until you entered his life Liz.  All I have to do is say your name and his eyes light up, potential meetings with you were a buzz for him, I’ve never seen Max so besotted by anyone before.”

“Oh.”  Liz responded quietly, dipping her eyes slightly so as not to look at Isabelle.

Responding to such an openly born soul was very difficult for Liz.  She knew she’d hurt him, she was aware of the affection he held for her, but to have Isabelle to easily say it to her was difficult for Liz to accept.

“Do you love him?”  Isabelle then asked bluntly.

“I ……… with all due respect I don’t think that’s any of your business.”  Liz responded, trying to stay calm despite the obvious intrusion.  Even though she was used to deflecting awkward questions in the boardroom, the sheer bluntness of Isabelle’s queries definitely threw Liz off guard somewhat. 

“I know he loves you Liz.  I know that you mean more than the whole world to him.  That’s why he pushed you out of the way of the car, he couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”

“I ………..”  Liz started, unable to think of anything to say to Isabelle’s words.

“I know I hardly know you, but I think if you don’t like Max then you must be very strange Liz.”  Isabelle said, somewhat indignantly.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like him.”  Liz protested.

“No, but you didn’t say you did.  So if you like him, why don’t you answer my question?  Do you love him?”  She pressed.

“I …….. I don’t know what I feel right now.”  Liz replied honestly.

“Well I guess that’s a positive start, admitting your confused isn’t a crime Liz.  But why are you scared?  Why are you afraid to give it a go and see where a relationship with my brother might lead?”

“It’s complicated.”  Liz said, evading the question.

“Isn’t it always.”  Isabelle conceded.  “Why don’t you tell me about it?  Maybe I can help?”

“It’s a really long story.”  Liz told her, trying to avoid the subject.  However much of a nice person she was, Liz didn’t fancy spilling her heart out to Max’s sister.

“Well I don’t know about you but I’m not going anywhere.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”  Liz stalled.

“A new perspective might be just what you’re after, just give me a chance Liz, please?”

“I …….. can’t”

“Ok, then let me guess.”  Isabelle suggested.  “Hmm, let’s see, you were head over heals in love and he broke your heart and faith in the human race all at the same time?”

“That’s kind of a scaled down generalisation of it, but yeah I guess it’s something like that.”  Liz conceded, grateful she hadn’t had to relive all the details.

“Well then, perhaps it’s time someone mended that broken heart.”
”It’s not that simple ………..”  Liz said, wishing it were as effortless as Isabelle made it sound.

“But it can be Liz.  No matter what you have been through, no matter what pain and heartache you’ve endured, it can be made better.”

“You make it sound so easy Isabelle ……… but it’s not.  You’re right, I did endure pain and heartache, but it was worse than that …….. I lost the love of my life, my reason for existence.  That isn’t something you can get over easily, and it isn’t something you can forget when the next potential love interest appears.  It’s a very hard horse to get back on to.”

“I’m not saying forget them Liz, I’m just saying let them rest in peace now and move on with your life.”

”I have moved on though Isabelle, I am a different person now to what I was.  I have laid my past to rest, buried in the history of who I am and who I was.”  Liz stated adamantly.

“Then why are you still scared to commit to love again?”  Isabelle asked, showing she also possessed her brother’s impeccable ability to read people like a book.

“Because ……… because if you must know I’m afraid to get hurt again.”  Liz admitted, feeling somewhat naked for a few moments as Isabelle stared at her.

“Isn’t everyone Liz?  Aren’t we all scared to risk our hearts, afraid to love in case we get hurt?  If everyone thought like you then the world would be a sad and lonely place.”

“Yeah well maybe sad and lonely is the way I like it.”
”I don’t think that’s true ……… because if it were then you wouldn’t be here with me by his side praying for the very same thing, willing Max to wake up.”

“Whatever.”  Liz responded somewhat huffily.

“You may be able to brush it off with ease, but I know Max can’t.  I know that no matter what he will pursue you for the rest of his life, until you acknowledge your feelings for him.”
”I’m sorry Isabelle, that won’t happen.  It’s just the way it is.”  She responded firmly.

“Ok, but tell me one thing Liz, you loved your boyfriend right?”  And I’ll bet you had many amazing times and wonderful memories of the perfect things you shared together right?”
”Yeah.”
”Well then tell me this; would you trade all those happy memories and feelings?  If you could, would you turn back time and erase all that happened?  You wouldn’t get your heart broken like you did, but likewise you wouldn’t have experienced all those great times.”  Isabelle queried, watching Liz’s facial expression change.  “Would you risk them all for the sake of not getting your heart broken?”  She added softly.

For a few moments, the room fell silent and to Isabelle it was clear her words had hit a nerve with Liz.  The painful, pensive expression on Liz’s face was evidence the Isabelle’s words had certainly hit home.  She didn’t mean to hurt Liz, or drag up old memories to make the pain return.  Instead, all Isabelle wanted was to open Liz’s eyes to the wonder that was her brother.  If Max did wake up, Isabelle wanted Liz right beside him eager to take up a position as his girlfriend for as long as love flowed freely between them.  She loved her brother, and his happiness was all she cared about, and Isabelle was certain Liz would make Max happy.

“I ……….. no, I guess I wouldn’t trade the goods times.”  Liz said, breaking the self inflicting silence.  “I did love Kyle with all my heart and yes I was devastated when he was taken away from me, but no matter how much pain I’ve endured the good times definitely outweighed the bad.  I ………… I can’t imagine not ever knowing Kyle, he was special, and after everything that happened I think it made me a better person.  I used to be an idealist, a head in the clouds kinda girl, but now I’m a realist with my feet well and truly planted on the ground.”  She admitted.

“Ok, then why don’t you let Max restore your faith?”
”Because I don’t want to get my heart broken again.”  She reiterated.
”What makes you think he’ll hurt you?”
”Because everyone who comes near me gets hurt or hurts me in some way, its just a fact of life that I accepted long ago.”

“But you just said the bad times with Kyle were worth coping with to live through the good times.”
”Yes.”  She said, an undertone of questioning behind Isabelle’s words was evident in Liz’s voice.
”Then I think you need to ask yourself why Kyle was more special than Max.”
”He wasn’t ………”

“Ok, so Max is as special as Kyle right.  So tell me Liz, has the fact that you and Max were no more than business associates made this any easier?”  Isabelle asked pointedly.
”I don’t follow?”
”Ok, Max is really ill right now, and you weren’t even together.  This still happened to Max, he still got hurt despite not dating you.  Does it make it any easier knowing you didn’t share anything but work, knowing that he is no more than a business associate?”

“I ……….. I guess not.”

“Does it make the wait any more bearable?  Does it make it any easier as you sit and pray and hope that he will regain consciousness?”  Isabelle asked bluntly.

“I …………. No ……….”  Liz replied quietly.

“Then it’s simple, you need to decide if it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”
”I’m not ready ……”  She started.
”You’ll never be ready Liz; you just have to take a leap of faith.  Love doesn’t come along very often in a lifetime, but when it does you have to seize it with two hands and hold on to it for dear life.  If you don’t, you’ll wind up old and alone, but if you do then your life will be enriched with immense happiness for as long as love exists.”  Isabelle replied, tending to her brother’s forehead once again and wiping it gently.

Looking at her once more, Liz wondered where all the wise words had come from.  Liz knew Isabelle was only around 22 years old, and someone so young wasn’t expected to speak such reason.  She also quickly wondered and pondered as to whether Isabelle had taken her own words and used them for her own relationships, or whether she was all smoke but no fire in the action department.

“So now you’ve dissected my heart and dished out advice to me, how about answering a question for me?” Liz asked her.

“Sure, fire away.”  Isabelle replied casually as if she had not a secret in the world.
”Do you have a boyfriend?  Have you risked your heart recently?”  Liz queried, wanting, somewhat to exact some revenge for Isabelle’s grilling.

“Ok, that’s a fair question.”  Isabelle pondered for a moment.  “No I don’t have a boyfriend, but yes I have risked my heart recently.”  She finally replied.

“When?”
”A few days ago actually, let’s just say I read a situation wrong.  I thought someone felt the same about me like I did about them, but I was mistaken and got my heart trodden on in the process.”  Isabelle informed her.

“Oh …….. I’m sorry.”  Liz replied, somewhat guilty at how harsh she’d been with Isabelle.

“Don’t be, I’m not.  It was my choice to risk my heart, and I knew there was a chance I would get rebuffed.  But I still decided it was worth the chance, worth the possibility he might feel the same about me.”

“Where were you when you made a move then?”

“We went horse riding, had a picnic, thought the moment was right, but it obviously wasn’t for him.”  Isabelle replied, not clicking that Liz might know about her and Alex’s riding tryst. 

“Alex?”  Liz queried pointedly

“What?”
”You like Alex?”

“Oh, erm …… you know about what happened?”  Isabelle asked, somewhat coyly. 

“Yeah, he came round to see me after he got back and told me all about it.”

“Oh so I guess he told you all about the nymphomaniac woman who tried to jump him the moment they stopped for a picnic huh?”  Isabelle said sarcastically, attempting to hide her embarrassment but clearly failing. 

“No …….. actually he told me about this wonderful woman who he regretted rebuffing actually.”

“Really?”  Isabelle jumped.

“Yeah.  He didn’t mean to crush your heart Isabelle; you just took him by surprise.”  Liz defended her friend’s actions.          

“Really?  Well he’s got a really funny way of showing it!”

“I know, but his heart’s in the right place I promise.  Alex has been hurt before too, he’s just wary.  He knows what he wants out of life and out of a potential girlfriend …….. I guess he just doesn’t think you and him would work out.”
”What, I’m not good enough girlfriend material in his eyes then?”  She asked somewhat indignantly. 

”No, no nothing like that Isabelle.  He’s ………. he’s just not looking for some fun ……… he’s after more of a commitment.”  Liz quantified trying to clarify to Isabelle.

“I don’t follow.”  She said somewhat confused.

“Look, if he knew I was talking to you about this I’d be hung, drawn and quartered at dawn!  Trust me when I say he’s a great guy Isabelle ………… just give him time.  Go and talk to him, make him tell you what’s going on in his head …… I promise it will be worth it.”  Liz pushed.

“I don’t know.”  Isabelle finally responded.  “Getting my heart crushed twice in one week is even too much for me to handle.”  She added ruefully. 
”Trust me, he’ll come round ….. he really does like you.”

“Really?”  She asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Yeah, now I’ve already said way too much.  Anyway, you look beat.”

“Yeah, I’ve had better nights.”  Isabelle responded weakly.

“How about you let me stay here and look after Max, and you go get some rest?”
”I don’t know ……….”  She said, reluctant to leave her brother.

“Go on Isabelle, you’ll feel better afterwards.  I promise to call you if anything at all happens, any small change at all.”
”Are you sure?”
”Yes!  Now go!”  Liz insisted, smiling gently at her.

Stroking his hand one more time, and then gently kissing his forehead, Isabelle finally relinquished her spot beside his bed that she had occupied almost ever since she’d entered the room the previous day.

And as the door close and the room fell silent, Liz finally looked back at Max.  His face was still as pale as before, his face looking even more bruised and puffy. 

Without hesitation, she gently stroked the side of his face feeling comfort in the softness she felt.  A single, solitary tear escaped down her cheek as she tried vainly to remain in control of her emotions. 

Seeing him lying there, lifeless, once more brought it all rushing back.  The images and thoughts she had suppressed over the night all drove to the surface vying for supremacy, reminding her how vulnerable and unstable Max’s position was at that moment.

Slowly lifting her hand to her lips, she kissed her fingertips before returning them to his cheek, somehow hoping he could feel how desperately she wanted him to wake up at that moment.

And so started another anxious day by his bedside, sitting, praying, willing and hoping for some sort of change, some minute hope that he would return to them sometime soon.

TBC ............................?

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