| Colby woke with a start. The room was dark. She had fallen asleep in the daylight but now evening had closed in. She leaned back against the headboard and turned on the bedside lamp. It was six o’clock. She had slept the rest of the afternoon away. Her first thought was she needed to get back to the hospital. She rubbed the last bit of sleep from her eyes and threw back the quilt. The doctor had arrived at ten fifteen and told them he would check on Catherine and report back to them soon. So they sat and waited for nearly an hour before he returned. He told them there was some eye movement and told them to start visiting with her and talk to her. It just might bring her out of the coma. William invited Colby and Brian to go first. Colby resisted at first saying William should be first, but William said no. Maybe Catherine would respond if she knew Colby was here. So reluctantly they went down to her room. Brian shuddered as he entered the room. All sorts of monitors and machines lined the walls as they kept track of Catherine’s progress. “Are you all right?” Colby could see the apprehension on his face. “Yes. It’s just hospitals. I hate them.” He gave her a half smile. “I’ll be okay.” “You could wait outside.” “No. I need to be here for you and Catherine. She has been good to you and to us. I need to do this for her.” “I love you.” Colby leaned up and kissed him. He held her close and deepened the kiss. This was not how he imagined spending Christmas Eve with her. “I love you too. I’ll be right here by your side.” They sat down next to the bed. At first they told Catherine they needed her to come back to them. She couldn’t leave them. But eventually they told her stories about their days at the beach and New York. Colby held her hand hoping that some of what they said was reaching her. At some point William opened the door to see Colby and Brian holding hands as Brian was relating some crazy escapade that had happened on the road. They were so connected. Colby was finishing some of Brian’s sentences and when they looked at each other, William felt as if he was intruding on a private moment between them. Their relationship was so very similar to the one Colby had shared with Rob. A look, or touch, or smile was all that was needed between them and each one knew exactly what the other was thinking or feeling. They once were that way too, Catherine and him. What had happened? Where did they, no, not Catherine she still had that look; where did he go wrong? As they both broke into laughter at the mayhem caused by another Backstreet appearance, William cleared his throat causing their laughter to cease immediately. “Catherine always enjoyed a good laugh,” he said as he closed the door behind him. “Mr. Spencer,” Brian began, “I’m sorry about,” William shook his head. “It’s fine. You will have to tell her that story again though. I’m sure she will want to hear it. Besides they say laughter is the best medicine.” He came and stood opposite them and looked down at his wife, the steady beep of the monitor the only sound filling the air. Colby looked up and saw his eyes fill as he reached out and took Catherine’s hand. Colby broke the silence. “We’ll give you some time with her.” Colby stood and Brian followed. “Thank you.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand, keeping his emotions at bay in front of them. “Why don’t you two go home for a while, sleep, get a shower. If there is a change I’ll call you.” “No it’s okay. We can stay.” Colby didn’t want to leave. “I think it’s a good idea,” Brian said surprising her. “You could take a shower, maybe nap for a couple of hours. Then we can return. You’ll feel refreshed.” “But,” she tried to protest. “He is right Colby. Go on. I promise to call if anything happens.” William sat down in the chair next to Catherine and took her hand in his. This change in William’s character was still very hard to accept. It was like the man she knew had been replaced by his exact opposite. Brian took her hand and pulled her toward the door. “Do you want us to bring you anything William?” Colby felt obligated to ask. “No,” he looked up at them, “but thank you for asking. Actually, I called Garrett. He is bringing me some clothes. They have given me a room so I can stay here. I’ll be fine.” He looked back at Catherine, laying there so peaceful. So they left the hospital. Brian promising to come and get her when she was ready to return. He took her home telling her to get some sleep and call him later. After a warm shower she had plopped on the bed just to rest for a few minutes and here she was almost three hours later. She dressed in a pair of gray wool slacks and a cashmere sweater. When she got no answer at Brian’s she left a message wondering where he could be. Colby gathered all the greenery off the mantle. She found a small vase and cut some ribbon and took some strands of tinsel off the tree. She wrapped the greenery in tissue paper and put the other items in a small shopping bag. When Catherine woke up she would have a little bit of Christmas in her room. She was getting anxious to get back to the hospital and was about to call Brian again when there was a knock on the back door. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ After Brian dropped Colby off he headed over to his parents. Their plans for this evening had changed and he needed to let them know. He had hoped they could attend the candlelight service at church and then join his parents for dinner. They would be spending Christmas together, but this was not what he had in mind. He spent about an hour with his parents then went home. They had slept a good part of the night at the hospital, but he was still tired. So he stretched out on the couch in the den thinking he would just close his eyes for a few minutes. But like Colby, he fell into a deep sleep and woke with a jolt. He took a quick shower and had just stepped out when he heard Colby’s message on the machine. He dressed hurriedly deciding that he wouldn’t call but just get to her house as quickly as possible. Colby opened the door and Brian scooped her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I overslept.” He looked at her sheepishly, giving her a soft kiss. “I had just stepped out of the shower when I heard your message.” “Hmmm what nice image. You all wet and naked.” She grinned at him as he walked her back into the room closing the door with his foot. “Oh?” He held her tighter and Colby could feel the bulge in his pants. “You keep up that kind of talk and we won’t we going anywhere.” He raised his eyebrows and kissed her hard forcing his tongue in her mouth. Colby moaned at the onslaught as she savored the sensations he was evoking. He ran his hands up under her sweater letting his fingers brush her breasts. Colby groaned, grinding her hips against him. He pushed her onto the sofa and covered her body with his. He tugged at her trousers fumbling with the belt all the while his mouth kissed her hungrily. “Bri….Bri….Brian,” she finally got out between his kisses. He held her gaze in his. “Stop, we can’t do this now.” She put her hand over his as he started to slide the zipper down on her slacks. “Why?” he panted. “I want you.” He kissed her on the neck which caused a stirring in the pit of her stomach. “I want you to, but not now.” She pushed him away as she tried to sit up. “I need to get back to the hospital. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made that comment. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. But just the thought of you,” she lowered her eyes unable to finish as she concentrated on fixing her clothes. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” She blushed. “Don’t be embarrassed,” he lifted her face to his. “That’s a first for me.” “You mean no one ever,” her voice trailed off as she swung her legs on the floor. “No, not to my face anyway. But the thought of you coming out of the shower does the same thing to me. So I guess we’re even.” He stood up. “Come on, let’s go see Catherine.” He took her in his arms. She felt so good. He hoped there would be time later to finish what they had started on the sofa. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Garrett had arrived about an hour after Colby and Brian left. He had a small overnight bag and a portable stereo system. William didn’t budge from his seat and only nodded when Garrett sat across from him. Neither one spoke and Garrett stayed a short time and left. William was beside himself with his son’s behavior. He couldn’t understand how he could be so callous and unfeeling. This was his mother lying here. The woman who had bore him, nursed him, cared for him and loved him unconditionally. Garrett’s disposition was cut from the same cloth as all the Spencer men. William’s grandfather and father were the same way. Garrett even looked like them. In the beginning William had vowed not follow the same path but once in a position of power, the rush of having so much control just took over. He knew Catherine had seen the change in him and yet she never faulted in her devotion. She had overlooked so many indiscretions over the years be they business or personal. He knew he had broken her heart on more than one occasion in all their years together. And yet he never felt the need or desire to leave her. She was his constant. To see her face at the end of the day, made every lost deal or business failure melt away. But he had taken her for granted. He had always assumed she would always be there to provide the warm, comforting environment for him to retreat to at the end of a busy day. She proved him wrong. Like everyone else Catherine had her breaking point too. His handling of Colby and their grandson had been the last straw and Catherine walked away. At first William just thought it was a typical female reaction and she would return in a week. But weeks turned into months and Catherine still refused to come home. He tried everything, but she wouldn’t listen to him. And now, she was in a coma fighting for her life. He held her hand and rested his head on the edge of the bed. He couldn’t lose her. He would surely die too. He loved her so much but it had been so long since he told her. He had done it all for her. He should have realized she would have lived in a grass hut with him. Wealth and position had never really mattered to her. She played her part for him knowing it was important for the company. William closed his eyes. He could still see the young woman who had captured his heart. He had vowed the first time he saw her that he would marry her. His friends laughed but William pursued her with a vengeance. She robbed him of his sleep and after many attempts Catherine agreed to a date. She was wary of him at first, but he wooed her with a passion and eventually she relented. He was handsome, quick witted and intelligent. He wanted to marry immediately, but Catherine demanded that he court her properly. For six months he played her game finally asking her father for permission to marry her. And then when she lost their first child, he was as devastated as she was. He missed the closeness they shared during that time of grief. The soft beep of the monitor roused him from his thoughts. “Catherine, you need to come back to us. We love you. I,” the words caught in his throat. “I love you. I can’t live without you.” He held her hand in his rubbing it against his cheek. “We can start again. We’ll travel like I promised you. I’ll take you to all those wonderful places we talked about.” She was so still, so pale and the words would not come forth. There was so much to say but he had done a good job of building a wall around his feelings over the years that now it frightened him to express them. To be that vulnerable and exposed was something he was not used to. “This is so hard, Catherine. The words should pour forth like a flowing stream. They are all in my heart but how do I tell you. How do I make amends for years of ignoring you, of using you and even abusing you to benefit my pursuit of wealth and prosperity.” His eyes filled and then the tears fell on his cheeks. “I promise if you come back to me I will do better. I will leave Colby alone. I will be a real husband to you again. My life will not be complete if you aren’t there. Please, Catherine, I beg you.” He dropped his head on the bed and cried for the first time in many years. And this is how Colby and Brian found him when they arrived. He sat up at the sound of the door opening. His disheveled appearance caught Colby off guard. He was still in the same clothes, his tie askew and a days growth on his chin. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like an old man. When he saw them he sat up and straightened his appearance. He could tell from Colby’s expression that he was in need of a shower and clean clothes. “William, have you been here all afternoon?” Colby came around the bed opposite him. The expression on Catherine’s face hadn’t changed and Colby noticed the steady sound of the monitor punctuated the air. “Yes. Garrett came by for a short while and then left. It was just as well. All he does is fidget.” William stood and pick up the small leather bag. “Now that you are here would you mind if I went and showered?” “No. We’ll be here.” Colby sat in the chair and took Catherine’s hand. “I won’t be long.” He eyed the small stereo system. He cleared his throat. “Ah, Littrell, Catherine loves music. I had Garrett bring this small stereo and some of her favorite cd’s. I know asking a favor from you is stretching a bit, but for Catherine, would you mind hooking this up. Maybe the music will help.” “I’ll be happy to do it, for Catherine,” Brian emphasized. He took the components and placed them on the top of her night stand. William opened the door and turned. “Thank you both. I won’t be long.” He left shutting the door behind him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The hours moved by slowly. When William returned freshly showered and shaved he noticed the addition of the greenery and tinsel and soft music was playing. Colby and Brian were talking in hushed tones. They both went to leave when William asked them to stay. Brian, however, excused himself. Colby looked at him forlornly and he said he would be back soon. So Colby sat quietly across from William. She thought he tried a couple of times to say something but couldn’t seem to bring himself to do it. It was about nine. Colby and Brian were outside in the hall. She was pacing back and forth. Brian tried to convince her to relax but it was over twenty four hours now and she was worried Catherine might not wake up. He held her and told her to have faith. It was Christmas Eve, a night for miracles. She nodded and sniffed back her tears. “I’m sorry we missed the Christmas Eve service Brian. It’s just that…” “It’s okay. Maybe we can do a midnight service somewhere.” He lifted her chin. “I’m where I need and want to be. Here with you.” His lips brushed hers and she clung to him seeking his strength. Suddenly there was a commotion at the nurses’ station. They both looked down the hall to see Brian’s parents as well as a cart full of food. “Mom, dad, what’s going on?” Brian addressed them as they came upon the older couple. “Well, since you weren’t able to join us for Christmas Eve dinner at the house, I’ve brought it to you.” Jackie smiled at them. “There is a small conference room at the end of the hall. I’ve been given permission to set everything up in there. So give me a few minutes.” Her eyes sparkled, just like her son’s. Colby just stood there shaking her head. “How are you holding up Colby?” Jackie whispered as she hugged her. “I’m okay. I just wish Catherine would wake up. It’s been so long that I’m beginning to worry.” “Well it is a night for miracles. So we will pray and wait and let God go to work.” “That’s what Brian said.” She looked up at him and he smiled and kissed her cheek. “She’s going to be okay, Colby. I can feel it.” |