Chapter 18
Shane held Danielle’s hand tightly. Reassuring her. Letting her know she could take as much time as she needed to tell him the rest of her tragic story.
After learning that her father wouldn’t be able to spend the weekend with her she decided the best thing to do was to tell Siobhan she was ready and willing to talk to Shane.
They were sitting on the sofa in her father’s home. Siobhan wasn’t with them she thought it best for them to be alone. It had nothing to do with her. Danielle sighed and looked down. Shane just squeezed her hand, letting her know he was still there to comfort her if the need arose. She looked up at him and smiled weakly.
”I’m sorry. It’s hard for me to talk about it.”
”I know sweetie.” He smiled down at her. “Take your time. We have all night.” Danielle appreciated Shane’s comforting hand and words though she knew they didn’t have all night. At some point, Danielle thought, Shane would like to spend some time with Siobhan. She cleared her throat and returned to the hospital where Marie lay after the stampede…

”Mrs. Ryner! Mrs. Ryner!” The voice sounded urgent. Nicole woke up from her sleep in the waiting room. A nurse was standing above her calling her name. Nicole feared the worst and was fully awake.
”What is it?” She asked standing up. The nurse smiled.
”It’s your daughter, Mrs. Ryner. She has gained consciousness!” Nicole’s face lit up.
”Oh my God! Danielle! Danielle! Wake up!” Her mother tapped her daughter to wake her up. Danielle opened her eyes sleepily.
”What’s the matter mum?” She asked then remembered where she was. “Marie. Is she ok?” She asked, scared.
”The nurse said she has gained consciousness!”
”Oh my God! What are we waiting for? Let’s go see her!” Danielle got up from the seat she slept on and rushed out of the waiting room before her mother realized what she was doing.

”Marie!” Danielle barged into Marie’s hospital room. A nurse was there, checking Marie’s blood pressure and shushed Danielle.
”This is no playing ground. There will be no yelling in the hospital.” The nurse whispered angrily.
”Oops… Sorry.” Danielle offered and the nurse turned away leaving the room.
Marie looked up at her sister and tried to smile, but it was too painful for her. Danielle was so happy to see her sister alive she rushed up to her and almost crushed Marie as she hugged her.
”Hey. Don’t suffocate her just yet, Danielle. I’d like to see her too.” Nicole said walking into the room. Danielle drew away and just held Marie’s hand. “My darling, darling baby.” Nicole said as she approached her daughter and pressed Marie’s head to her heart. “I love you baby.” She said with tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to fall.
”I love you too, mum.” Marie managed to croak and smiled at her even though it hurt so much. She turned to look at Danielle. “You too sis.”
Marie didn’t look good. She was all so pale and was suffering greatly with every breath she took. Her head injury was healing, which was good but the doctors still had an eye on her, still worried even though she regained consciousness.

That Night
Danielle was sitting by her sister’s bedside, hoping that soon she’d awaken. She looked at the door waiting for her mum to return. Nicole went to the airport to pick up her husband who was away on business in London that week.
Danielle ran her fingers through Marie’s hair, and pulled away the strands that stuck to her forehead.
Marie stirred and opened her eyes. She looked at Danielle who was sitting beside her bed. “Hey you.” She whispered. Danielle turned and looked at her sister. “Hey. How you feeling?” She asked taking Marie’s hand in hers.
”Ok. Can I have some water please?”
”Sure honey.” Danielle leaned over to the side table and took the glass of water and helped Marie sip from it.
"Tell me what happened." Marie said. Danielle looked away. She was told not to mention to her what had happened. “Please, Dan. Tell me. I need to know.” Danielle looked at her sister and smiled warmly.
”Ok. But promise me you won’t tell anyone I told you.” Marie smiled and nodded.

Marie listened in silence until Danielle finished telling her everything. “The doctors said that if it weren’t for him you would never have made it.” Marie smiled, though it hurt her to do so.
”I can’t believe anyone would do that. He is such a hero.” Marie whispered.
”Yeah, I know.”
”And even more so… He’s in Westlife…” Both sisters giggled. Marie winced in pain.
”Don’t laugh. I can’t bear to see you in pain.” Marie nodded.
”If only I could thank him…” Marie said more to herself than to her sister.

Danielle’s parents were in Marie’s room. Her father had been so worried. Ever since he heard about the terrible accident he couldn’t sleep. Danielle was waiting outside, letting her parents catch up with Marie a bit. To find out how she’d been feeling.
”Marie!” Her father suddenly shouted. Danielle stood up panicking. “Marie!” He shouted again. His voice was distorted. Suddenly two nurses came running into the room followed by a doctor. Danielle rushed into the room just in time to see the nurse inject something into Marie’s arm. The other nurse urged Mr. and Mrs. Ryner to leave the room. Danielle’s father was hysterical and was pacing backward and forward mumbling to himself. Danielle approached her mum.
”What’s happening mum? What’s wrong with Marie?”
”I don’t know darling. I don’t know. One minute we were talking to her the next minute she started gasping for air and shaking involuntarily. All the monitors started beeping and we didn’t know what to do.” Nicole was crying and so was Danielle who hugged her mum tightly.
Sixteen minutes later, though it seemed like forever, the doctor came out of the room and faced the Ryners. “I’m sorry. But we couldn’t save her.” He said. Danielle just stood there dumbfounded. No tears came, she was in shock. Nicole broke down and cried bitterly.
”What do you mean you couldn’t save her?” Mr. Ryner yelled. “You’re a doctor aren’t you? Why didn’t you save her?” He was anguished and he too started to cry. “Why didn’t you save her?” He whispered and walked away, leaving the hospital. Danielle kept standing there not knowing what to do. She felt lost.

Chapter 19
Danielle was in Shane’s arms as she cried, remembering those awful minutes of not knowing if Marie would make it. He kissed her hair as she lay there, his arms wrapped around her tight. Now he knew what the teddy bear was for. It was a thank you gift from Marie, not Danielle. It pained him so much that she had to go through this again. Remembering things like that was like living through them again, only this time Danielle cried. Shane didn’t know what to say to comfort her so they just both sat there till she dried her tears and drew away. They both looked at each other not knowing what to say. Danielle’s eyes were all red from crying and her hair was a mess and her lips were pouting. She wiped away the tears and smiled at Shane.
”Thank you for telling me.” He broke the silence.
”I’m glad I did. I should have finished telling you back then at the hotel. I’m sorry.”
”Don’t be.” He said and stroked her cheek. Danielle leaned closer to Shane and rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled her close wrapping his arm around her shoulders. They were both silent for a while.
”Y’know,” Shane said suddenly. “Siobhan has named the teddy. I thought you’d might like to know.”
”Really?” Danielle asked. “What did she call it?”
”She called it Shanie bear.” Danielle pulled a face.
”Shanie bear??” They both burst out laughing.

It was Sunday morning and Danielle had to catch the flight back to Switzerland. Siobhan drove her to Heathrow Airport and Shane came along with them. He had gotten the whole weekend off and he wanted to part from Danielle properly this time. Danielle could’ve insisted that her father would take her, but she didn’t want to start a new argument.
”I guess this is goodbye then.” Danielle smiled and hugged Siobhan. “I just loved London.” Siobhan winked.
”So did I kiddo. We should do it again sometime.” They giggled.
”Thanks Shane.” Danielle whispered into his ear as she hugged him.
”No. Thank you.” He said and kissed her on the cheek. They stood there embraced for a long time, finding comfort in each other’s arms. Finally they both drew away. Shane cleared his throat and smiled at Danielle. “I want to keep in touch with you.” Danielle nodded. She kissed him on the cheek and waved to Siobhan for the last time as she drew away from them heading towards the departure lounge, the airplane, that would take her back home.

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