Visiting time

Posted on Tue Oct 22nd, 2019 @ 1:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Liam O'Connor

656 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Episode 100 - A Hatred of Atonement
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Md3, 1400 hours

Rested, showered and changed into his favourite pair of jeans and a shirt, Liam O’Connor had paused just long enough to grab a coffee before heading back to sickbay. Reaching Carolyn’s room he stood in the threshold, watching her sleep before deciding someone would think he was up to something. Setting down the bag Kitty had told him to take, he backed out of the room before he went in search of Ariana.

Peering inside he saw she was awake, her baby asleep in the cot beside her. With a light chap on the door he offered a small smile and a wave, “I thought I’d stop by and see how you were doing?”

"That's very kind of you Liam" Ariana smiled warmly. "Have you had the chance to visit Carolyn as yet?"

“She’s asleep,” he said with a shrug. “I didn’t want to wake her. Speaking of sleeping, I take it this is your wee girl?”

Ariana nodded as she looked proudly towards the high dependency crib that was near her bedside. "She's only here for a brief time then she has to go back to the neonatal unit. I wish I could hold her but she has to stay in the crib for now."

“She’s a heartbreaker that’s for sure,” Liam complimented. “And I’m sure you’ll have lots of time for cuddles.”

Ariana nodded. “That’s true...Liam I didn’t get chance to say thank you for saving us. I don't know what Carolyn and I would have done without you."

“You don’t need to thank me. Just doing what anyone would do. I’m glad I got there in time to help.” He paused, running a hand through his short hair as he shifted from foot to foot. “Truth be told, I went to apologise to Carolyn.”

“Anything you want to talk about or should I butt out at this point?” She offered a smile.

“I think you have enough on your plate and my track record with women ... well, it isn’t great,” Liam grinned. “Which is why I have two ex wives. I got so caught up in being angry at Andy for upsetting her yesterday that she thought ... I don’t really know. That I was angry with her maybe? Or that I wasn’t interested in her? Both couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Ariana nodded. "I see, take it from me we women can be difficult to fathom out sometimes but telling the truth is a good way to get around that. I guess what I'm saying is... If you like Carolyn that much tell her! She likes you Liam, life is too short to keep putting things off."

Liam gave a resigned sigh as he nodded as he sat down, “you are right. I just think timing isn’t great. This whole thing with Andy aside, her mother just died. Maybe waiting is a better idea. Cos if I screw this up Kitty’ll rip me apart with her bare hands and I’m sure Dr Hades will finish the job. And I don’t have a good track record.”

“Carolyn lost her mother recently?” Ariana shook her head. “I didn’t know.” She paused. “Liam...Carolyn needs you. She acts tough but she’s not, I doubt she’s come to accept her mother’s loss so soon and if she’s burying the pain of that she’ll need your help. Don’t be put off, tell her!”

Liam sank back into the chair, indecision written all over his face as he considered the advice. He stared at Stacie, clearly deliberating before jumping out of the seat and rushing for the door. Almost out of the room he turned, his smile apologetic, “sorry, someone I gotta see ....”

"Good luck!!" Ariana grinned and waved him off, hoping he'd find what he was looking for.

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