I Hear You Are Always Drunk In the Afternoon Part 6
He arrives and slips through the silent halls and upstairs to the second floor. Mrs Fitz meets him at the top to direct him to Claire's room. But, even if she wasn't there, he would have known the way to go from her gentle sobbing.
"We tried medicating her. It is the DT's, ye ken? I wouldn't have disturbed ye and Mary if we could have settled her."
"It is okay Mrs Fitz. Ye did right." He moves swiftly towards the door that Claire weeps behind. They enter and see Claire curled in a ball on the bed. Her whole body shakes with the force of her sobs. Jamie moves towards her. "It is alright lass. I willna let the monsters get ye." He places his hand on her back and she immediately relaxes.
"Jamie. Oh thank God." She throws her arms around him and all he can do is catch her.
"Shhhh, tell me about them." He sits on the edge of the bed and holds her to his side as she does.
"They went away for awhile as the Scottish nurse promised but, when they came back," she shudders violently and he hugs her closer," they came back as dark presences. Like a real life representation of the demons I am battling. I didn't know what to do. I tried to make them go away but all I could think of was you. I just knew you would make them go away."
"Are they gone now Claire?"
"They are. As soon as you touched me, they left."
"Good." He can't resist pulling her closer and she slips on to his lap before he knows what is happening. He looks around for Mrs Fitz but she had slipped out to attend to others while he was with Claire. Oh Jesus! She is way to close. And he is enjoying her presence on his lap way to much. He needs her to move but, she has completely relaxed. And.that is what he is here for. That is how he justifies it.
"Claire, I want to," no Fraser, don't say what ye are really thinking," I wish to help you keep the demons away until the worst is over with. How can I?"
"If, I know it is a lot to ask, but if you can hold my hand as I fall asleep. I believe that will help."
"I can do that." And how will you explain that to Mary, a voice in his head inquires. Well, she needs his help.
"Do you think.ye can sleep now lass?"
"Will you stay until I am asleep?"
"Aye." He gently removes her from his lap and lays her back down. He tucks her in and takes her hand. He talks telling her about growing up in the Scottish Highlands as she slowly drifts off. He stays until she is sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Claire. What am I to do?" He whispers as he kisses her forehead before slipping out and returning to Mary.