I was sitting silently in the corridor while David and Eric made calls one after the other. The two were furiously yelling orders at whoever they wanted to harass at this hour of the morning.

An old nurse came out of nowhere and glared at the two to keep their volumes down, or leave the hospital. She smiled gently at me, and told them to look at me for examples.

Grumbling to themselves and cursing under their breath, both of them sat on the either side of me.

Apparently, mother stopped responding in the last section of the operation. The doctors panicked about it and called us down. They had to halt the operation for a while and monitor her vitals. She was probably drifting to a coma.

That is why they were trying to contact all the doctors so they could to join the team that was already working inside.

It's been three hours since we received that news. Now the doctors were still operating while we had to sit here and wait.

I felt presence of other men, and looked up to see Henry and Stephen.
"Have this coffee Erica. You'll feel better..", he brought coffee for all of us.

I gladly accepted it because I needed something to focus.

"Erica you alright?", I heard David and nodded at him, "Am good.."

"Why don't you go to the suite while we wait here?", Eric suggested.

I shook my head, "I won't be sleeping now anyways."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead, "You don't want to admit it out aloud but you are as terrified as us. Just know, that if she makes it, it will be because of you.."

"Hmm..", I heard David, "..she didn't want this treatment Erica, but the only prospect that living will give her time to mend your relationship is all what has given her a hope of life."

I looked down at my entangled fingers. I have to figure out things before my mother wakes up. A part of me resents her for the life I have endured, but another part also wants to keep this all behind.

It's hard both ways, but I will have to strengthen myself to face it..

*

We look up alert as the team of the doctors come out of the room discussing among themselves.

My heart thumped loudly inside my chest.
James and Jess are already here.

Eric stood up hastily followed by David.
One of the doctors who Eric scared the life of initially, shifted uncomfortably.

Another doctor whose name was apparently  Brian Colton came forward and gave Eric a nod. The other doctors walked away while he came towards us.
"So Mr. Ashton? Mr. Wellington? Is she the patient's relative?"

He asked because ofcourse they don't share details to strangers.

"She's Erica Miller. Ms. Embrey's daughter.", He answered anxiously, "But what about the operation doctor?"

"It went well. After the initial complications, we had to transfuse some blood in her system, and when we got the ideal results, we resumed our work. Though, she's in an induced coma right now, and would remain so for another twenty four hours. We'll still keep her in an ICU for close monitoring, and then shift her to the suite. I cannot say she is absolutely fine, because it is cancer we are talking about. But I can assure you we have extended her life.", He gave us a tight lipped smile and went away.

After a long night, we finally breathed in relief.

David went to inform James and Jessica who were in the waiting room, while Eric stayed back rubbing his face off tiredness.

I can see how much he is doing for her. I have only seen him this dedicated while trying to pry men away from me. No one can tell that my mother was a stranger to him merely two weeks ago.

He looked up at me and caught me staring. That as if prompted him to go to his responsible self, his expression quickly became business like.

"C'mon let me take you back home, so you can rest before Miss. Embrey wakes up."

"Eric..I...", I couldn't complete as I heard James and David approaching.

James came forward and hugged me, "How are you doing my sweet?"

I couldn't exactly greet or meet him yesterday because I was too preoccupied.
But James had always been the shelter one would want to succumb to after a long day.

"I am overwhelmed James.", I sighed closing my eyes.

I felt him kiss the top of my head, "You are clearer Erica...clearer than ever! More free! More liberated...just make the best out of it..."

I smiled. Only James can give me that perspective.

"Okay enough of love...", And just like that I am pulled away by that Jerk.

James snickered, "You can't deny she likes me more Eric...I have known her for ten years. And you..just one.."

"So what?", Eric seethed at that. God! It is so easy to infuriate him.

Before anyone would say, David chimed, "And she is my sister...so keep your hands off her. I don't approve of you!"

I chuckled internally at that, and thus an argument between the three started, before a nurse came out and glared at them.

"You three and all other men, go home...me and Jess will stay here...and then when we'll be tired we'll ask one of the guys to come here..!", He said signalling towards Stephan and Henry.

David, me and Eric came out of the hospital after we fetched my things from the suite. I was exhausted too, so while the two settled in the front and I laid back behind. We were taking David's car.

"So Erica? You are coming to Nonna's?", I heard David ask carefully.

I shook my head, "No David. Drop me at my building."

While we had our conversation, I felt eyes on me through the rear view mirror.

"Erica it'll be convenient if you come there...", David was trying to coax me into coming with them.

"Uhm no...I'll take a cab for the hospital next time."

One thing to notice was 'he' wasn't speaking up anything. Why!? Because he knows I may not succumb to his orders. Or he's taking careful steps. God knows.

I heard him sigh though, and then David looking at him with mercy.

I rolled my eyes. My newfound brother is a traitor when it comes to his best friend.

My apartment building came in view, and I saw his stoic face as I got out of the car. This man! I tell you..

I know he has been dying to talk to me about us since I showed up yesterday, but he also knew that it was not the prior concern at that time.

The car still stood there as I walked away.

I shook my head and turned back.

Knocking on his car window, I saw both if them looking up shocked, and then Asshole did his window down hastily.

"Do you need an invitation?", I said irritated and that was all it took his earth like eyes to lit up like never before..

David chuckled and rolled his eyes, "I should have known...it's a week of sexual frustration after all."

I see Eric smack him as he came out of the car, "What about she being your sister now?"

"Oh yeah I remembered! Yes! That's gross!! I forget what role to exactly take up at what time.", And with that he drove away.

We walked quietly to the elevator and then as quietly inside the apartment.
I see, fighting is not an issue among us, it is about who will break the ice later on.

I removed my shoes and so did he.
I went to the couch and slumped there keeping my head on Mr. Brown bear's lap, my new best friend lately.

Moments later, I feel eyes on me, but I don't open mine, "I think it's high time he goes into a trash can."

"He won't. If you want, then I am not stopping you.", I retorted bored.

He sighed, "We'll see...now get freshened up, I'll use the guest washroom."

*

He was trying to avoid 'the talk' as I could sense from how he was tugging me to bed, while still avoiding my eyes. He's been the same during our breakfast and though yesterday it didn't look any different, today I was wondering what's going on his mind.

After I closed my eyes, he went to the balcony to take some updates on my mother.

Minutes later he came in, and whispered, "Erica!?"

I didn't respond, and he sighed and went to the other side of the bed. The bed dipped and he came and engulfed me in his arms.

"I've missed you so much. I can't even seem to function properly without you...", He whispered, "I can't even get a morsel down my throat without wondering how lonely I am without you. Heck, I can't even decide what to wear, or what clothes to put for laundry, or what time to set for an appointment. I am useless without you!"

He said all that thinking I am sleeping and won't hear him. Though, I was not going to let it go..

"Then why didn't you tell me from the start whatever was going on?", I utter and his body turned stiff.

He moved back gently, "Uhm...Erica..."

"Cat got your tongue!?", I sat up facing him. His eyes looking at me with uncertainty, shining under the night lights of our room.

I sighed looking away, "I understand now that you asked my mother to stay and me to leave, beca....!"

I am interrupted, "I didn't ask you to leave Erica! I will be damned if I tell you to leave!"

I rolled my eyes, "Then you would have told me  what is the reason that she has to stay.."

"I couldn't! Did you even look at yourself that day? It looked like I cheated on you Erica! You looked at me like you hate me...and above all you were already shattered and you think I would tell you how your mother is dying.. I know you are not on good terms with her Erica, but you would have loathed yourself if something happened to her, even when saving her was in your hands."

He was right. I can't deny that. That is exactly what I felt yesterday while deliberately whether I should go or not.

"Still...do you realize how hurt I was when I left? You should have informed me as soon as received the mail.", I mused.

"Love me or hate me, but you would have done the same thing if you were at my place.", I hate to admit but it is true.

We sat their silently staring into space.

Eric is the best part of my life. Everything today that I have to feel happy about is somehow associated to him. There's no one else I would think of more than him.

And I am definitely not damaging our relationship because of my mother suddenly entering.

I looked at him and saw him deep in thoughts. I was reminded of how much I really crave for him. This is nothing I have to mention specifically.

I scooted closer him and closed the gap between us, nuzzling my face in his neck, I hugged him with all my life. He was taken aback for a moment but then I know he wouldn't complain. I am not the only one 'whipped' here.

I felt him kiss my forehead, "Don't block me out again. Because this time I was a gentleman, next time I won't be."

"Yeah! A gentleman who creepily entered my apartment while I was still sleeping.."

He snickered, "I had to. I was very worried for you.."

"Now let's sleep already. I missed sleeping beside you.."

He chuckled, "I know. No one can replace me. Especially that foam creature."

I looked up, "By the way, who gave you that idea?"

He smiled softly, "When Eve was four, me and David had to go for a two days school trip. Eve wasn't ready to let me go, especially because whenever she had bad dreams, she used to come and hug me so she could sleep peacefully. So mom made one teddy bear, and made it wear one of my t-shirts. I don't know much, but she definitely slept peacefully after that."

I hummed smiling to myself. They were one of the most adorable pair of siblings. I hope I will establish something same with my own brother.