video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on to show Lucy in her room, and trying hard to keep a straight face because....things happened. Good things that is.

Trying to be positive, trying to be optimistic, but also being cautious....]

So....is it normal for things to randomly appear? I mean not 'falling out of the sky' random, but 'appearing out of thin air' random? There is a difference between the two.

Because, I just got something--well two somethings, and I'm not sure if it's real or if anything happened or if it's just magic.

Comments

[jolting]

No, I can get there. I just needed to stretch my legs.

[And he does manage to get back to bed. He doesn't particularly like being cooped up here and not being able to hold her, but he'll endure that rather than infect her]

[thestoriesarereal]

[Lucy misses his hugs. Misses being able to crawl into his bed and cuddle with her Papa. He's not cursed--which is a great thing at this moment, but she wants to touch him, give him company.]

Do you need water or anything? [She wants to take care of him too. She wants to be of more use and help make him feel better.]

..I could go buy a germ mask or something, Papa.

[jolting]

You've really got this nurse thing down. But I'm okay, James left a few water bottles here for me.

[He sighs] I know you miss me, Luce, but this is a very bad virus. Just be patient and I'll be better before you know it.

[thestoriesarereal]

I can't really be a nurse if I'm unable to see my patient.

[Lucy is trying to be understanding, trying to follow the rules. She knows Victor doesn't want her to get sick--but he's willing to let Jim get sick and it's frustrating. It has to be an adult thing. Granted, a very stupid adult thing, but she isn't trying to pick a fight or demand that she go in there to check on him.]

Are you saying you don't miss me?

[Because he's right, she does miss him, so...maybe seeing him for a little bit won't hurt? Just five minutes?]

[jolting]

That's a good point.

[Ugh why did she have to use sense and logic? But dammit he's so proud of her anyway. James is right: Victor really can't say "no" to Lucy]

Yes, of course I miss you.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Lucy learns from the best. Logic works best with Victor...and pleading works both for Victor and Jim. ]

Then maybe I could see you? Five minutes--and I'll wear gloves and a mask.

[Which she'd have to go out and buy some, but that's besides the point!]

...I wanted to be able to help you and I can't [She admits softly. It's not a feeling of helplessness...but frustration that she's too young to do anything.]

[jolting]

That's nonsense. Of course you can help me. You probably do a lot more than you really need.

[He's going to regret this. He knows he will]

All right, fine. You can come in.

[thestoriesarereal]

Really? You mean it?

[Lucy wants to be sure that it's okay, she'd hate for Victor to get worse because he had a lapse in judgement thanks to a fever or the virus.]

[jolting]

[He sighs. Be firm, Victor. Think like a doctor]

I really don't want you to get sick, kiddo. I don't want you catching this from me. If you miss me, that's what Doctor Whale is for.

[thestoriesarereal]

But what about you? You don't have anything to hug or hold...[Only Jim, and she's not going to compare right now...]

And Doctor Whale is for when you're not here--you're here in this house...just in your room.

[jolting]

[He hadn't been doing much hugging and holding of James either. The virus has put him in a very not-huggy mood]

I've survived most of my life without that. I'll be fine for a few days. Don't worry so much about me.

[thestoriesarereal]

[She doesn't know that. She just knows he isn't feeling well, and if he's grumpy then that's understandable.]

I can't help but worry, you're my Papa.

[jolting]

Mmm, I know, but sometimes nurses have to pretend they’re not worried for the sake of their patients. You have to find the strength to be okay even when you don’t want to be.

[thestoriesarereal]

[There's a long pause from Lucy, biting the inside of her cheek because it's frustrating. It's the same thing Henry would tell her: to be brave in the face of danger. But it's hard--so hard to do when you're worried about the ones you love, and feel helpless to do anything.

He has a point. She doesn't like that he has a point..but she has to try to be strong and brave.]

...I'll hold Doctor Whale really tight tonight.

[jolting]

[He knows how she feels, and he hates asking so much from her]

Wasn't there some movie you wanted to show me? How about when I get better, we'll have a little party. We'll get ice cream and watch movies together. How's that sound?

[thestoriesarereal]

[She's going to do her best and try not to worry--especially in front of Jim and Victor.]

I don't want a party...but maybe we could do movie day in bed? You, me, and Jim?

[jolting]

A movie day sounds good to me. What if we made it more interesting and we all pick a favorite movie?

[thestoriesarereal]

That’s fine....we could do that too.

[ By now she’s switched off video, sitting in the hallway and trying hard to stay put. She won’t sneak into his room to cheer him up. ]

Try and get some sleep, Papa. You need your rest.

[jolting]

Yes, Nurse Mills.

[He gets back in bed, turning on the video so she can see him there]

Can you do me a favor and look out for James? And let him look out for you. Take care of each other. That would make me feel better.

[thestoriesarereal]

[She can see in the video that he's in bed again. Being called Nurse is okay, but she'd much rather have Victor be well and cuddle up with him.]

I'll look after him. I packed his lunch today.

[jolting]

That was very nice of you, Lucy. [He shifts comfortably] What did you pack for him?

[thestoriesarereal]

Packed a juice box, a ham and cheese sandwich....an apple, and some carrot sticks. Nothing special.

I gave him one of the last cookies too.

[jolting]

Sounds very healthy. And very nice of you, to give him one of the last cookies. I'm proud of you.