I am finally taking off my cast today. I can't wait honestly. I just want it off my body. I went in alone and got it done. It felt so good to finally move my fingers and to hold something properly. On the drive home my phone rang. I couldn't reach it so I dismissed it and decided to call the person back. But then it rang again and again. So, I pulled over and stopped to search for my phone. To see what's the big deal.

When I unlocked my phone I saw missed calls from Richard. Why is he calling me now? Just as I thought of that I see that he's calling me again. I pick up this time.

"Hello?" I answer

"Lena, oh thank god." He says relieved.

"hey, whats the matter?" I ask

"it's Miriam, she was in an accident."

"What..what happened?" I ask trying to calm my nerves down.

"She was driving back home when a motorbike just ran into her. She had a concussion and fractured her ribs. They are keeping her monitored now." He says calmly.

"Alright. I'll book the first flight to London right away. I'm gonna head home to pack a bag." I say

"No you don't have to do that. Besides, you probably have work to do."

"I have work. But I also have a team that can handle it. I'll be there as fast as I can." I say and hang up. I speed to my place and imminently head to the bedroom to pack. I tried calling Chris or Scarlett. Just to let them know I'm flying out of the country. I booked a flight and it is in two hours. I showered and packed everything I need. I don't need a lot. I have clothing at home, but I just want to be sure. Scarlett isn't picking up her phone so I decide to leave her voice mail.

"Hey Scar, it's me Lena. Look I just wanted to let you know that I am leaving for England in a few minutes. There was an emergency back home. I couldn't stay here. Richard called me and now I am packed and ready to go. I just wanted to tell you so you don't worry I ran off just like that." I say and hang up.

I texted Chris and told him everything. It was time to go now. Neither of them were answering so I just went. I called and uber and got to the airport just in time. I boarded the plane and got myself situated. I decided on sleeping through it. That way it will pass faster and I'll have some energy. We'll arrive in the morning so I'll definitely need it.

I awake when I felt the turbulence. I look out of the window to see that we're landing. Perfect timing. I gather my things and wait for the flight attendant to tell us we can leave. Shortly she comes around and I get up. I walk out into the cold air and walk to the black SVU thats waiting for me. Mark has a worried look on his face. This must be bad.

We drove to the hospital in absolute silence. None of us had anything to talk about. Besides the accident that occurred. I grab my bag and we get out of the car and walk into the hospital. One of the nurses that was near the entrance lead us to a room, in front of which Richard was sitting, with his head in his hands. I could recognise that man anywhere.

"Hey, Richard." I say as we walk up to him. He jumps to his feet and quickly but gently absorbs me in a hug.

"Oh Lena, I am so pleased to see you here." He says as he grabs onto me like I'm tha last this standing in all of this chaos.

"May I go and see her?" I ask

"I'm afraid not. The doctor told us we can go in two hours a day. I couldn't just up and leave so I stayed here in front. In case something happens." He says

"Well thats a fucking shame. Did you ask for a transfer? We can always transfer her to one of our hospitals. I'k sure they have more lenient rules there." I say

"I already asked. They told us she will be okay for a transfer only when she is stable enough."

"Goddammit." I say and sit down in one of the chairs.

"Mark you can have the day off if you may." I say to him.

"Are you sure Ms?" He asks

"Yes. I saw Richards car in the front. We'll be alright." I say and smile weakly at him.

"Okay. Call me though. If something changes or if you need something, or if you so happen to be in a need of a transport or if you want-"

"I get it Mark. Thank you." I stop him from his rambling and he nods and leaves.

"Don't hesitate to call" He yells out and a huge smile lands on my face.

"He's such a sweetheart, honestly. I don't know how I got such a nice driver." I say to Richard.

"Or a nice cook." He adds.

"Hey, you're more than that Richard. You and Miriam both are. You were more my parents than William and Abigail."

"Stop calling them that. They were your parents." He scolds.

"Fucking bad ones if I say so myself. Besides. They only made me or whatever. You nearly raised me." I say.

"I'm glad you see it that way." He says and sits down next to me.

"She's in a coma isn't she?" I ask

"Yeah.. she unfortunately is." He says.

I check my phone for the first time since boarding the plane and open it to see messages from Chris and from Scarlett. I reply to Chris's messages and he tells me I should call him if I need anything.

"Hey" I answer his call

"Hey, I needed to hear your voice. Are you okay?" He asks

"I don't know Chris." I say into the phone.

"How's Richard holding up?" He asks and at that my heart flutters. He cares. Not only about me but about the people that I care about.

"He's doing well. Better than I ever would." I say and he looks over at me.

"Who are you talking to?" Richard asks

"Chris." I say and he nods.

"How's Miriam? Are there any news?" Chris asks over the phone

"No. Not since I got here at least."

"How was your flight? Did you sleep?"He asks

"Damn Chris you're sounding more like my dad right now." I snap at him. The line goes silent.

"Look, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that. I'm just stressed because for once in a very long time I feel powerless." I admit sitting back down onto a bench opposite of Richard.

"I know Lena. I know. Are you sure you don't want me to fly over there?" he says

"Yes I'm sure. I don't want you missing work because of me." I say

"Scarlett called me, she was beyond worried." Chris says

"Oh did she?" I ask

"Yeah, she got worried because you weren't answering so I told her to listen to your message and that you're okay." He says

"I got her messages. I still didn't answer them though." I say

"She cares for you. Whether you'd like to admit it or not."

"Fine." I say

The two of us don't speak any longer. But we don't hang up either. Instead, I sit down and we stay on the phone in silence, just enjoying each others company over the phone. We stayed like that until a crew member called Chris to go join them on set.

It's late over there. I'll just respond to Scarlett's messages and then later I can call and check everything with her.

"Excuse me miss, are you a family member to Mrs Brown?" A nurse comes up to me.

"You can say that, yeah. Why are you asking?" I say

"Well you see here if you're not a family member or an emergency contact we're going to have to escort you to the parking lot." She says in a thick Irish accent.

"Is there any way we can come to a deal? I need to be here when she wakes up." I say standing up.

"Unfortunately there are new policies regarding visitors because of last years Covid 19. We have to follow protocol." She answers.

Stay calm Lena. Stay perfectly calm.

"This is outrageous Richard! I can't possibly be escorted out of a goddamn hospital" Okay that was not no where close to calm.

"Lena sweetheart stay calm. Is there any possible way we can come to an agreement Ms." Richard speaks carefully.

"I've already said everything thats of your concern. Please don't make our jobs any harder than they already are." She says

"I will not leave Maria like this! Who's your Chief? I want to talk to him." I say

"Lena, I can't let you do that."

"I am Miss Adams to you!" I correct her.

"What seems to be the problem here?" A doctor comes up to us.

"This nurse won't let me speak to the Chief." I say right away.

"I'll page him here right away. I'm sorry for the disturbance." He says and him and the nurse walk away.

The Chief and I had a short conversation. I explained everything and introduced myself. My family's name is well-known in England and my family's generosity is also something we're famous for. It seems as though him and my father knew each other. He let me have a visitor pass and I thanked him on the way out.

Richard went to grab something to eat because it was already 6pm. I hear my phone ring and without seeing who it was I pick it up.

"Thank god you picked up." Scarlett says on the other line.

"Hey, Scar." I say

"I didn't see your messages before. How are you doing?" She asks

"I'm getting through it I guess. I just want her to wake up you know?" I say looking down.

"I get that. You're in London?" She asks

"Yeah. I am. I had to come here as soon as I heard about it." I say

"I know. You're not the kind of person to not do anything." She says

"Anyway, do you need me to call someone? Are you there all by yourself?"

I think a butterfly just hatched in my stomach.

"Oh no, don't worry I'm here with Richard." I say

"I hope everything turns out alright." She says

"I hope so too." I say smiling like an idiot.

Scarlett and I spend the rest of the hour just talking about our day and go back and forth in listening to each other. It makes my mood settle a bit. The thought of her actually caring about me gives me an immense amount of comfort..