Love Quotes

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"I can't find a wall to pin this to,

They're all coming down since I found you."

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"Carrie?" Kelly called out as she knocked on the door, hoping she was at the right place.

The door opened to reveal the country singer. She was no longer crying but her eyes and nose were both still red.

"Are you ok?" Kelly asked, rushing into the apartment and pulling her into a hug.

Carrie was cut off guard by the gesture, but soon found herself relaxing into the embrace.

"Come on in," she said softly, closing the door behind them.

"So what happened?" Kelly asked as they sat on a couch in the living room.

"I got a call from a nurse at St. Jude's," she explained, her eyes watering again. She quickly brushed the tears away. "I feel so stupid for crying," she admitted.

"Who?" Kelly asked gently.

Carrie bit her lip, looking down to where Kelly had taken her hands into her own, "Claire."

"I'm sorry," she replied, giving her hands a gentle squeeze. "But don't feel stupid for crying. You're only human."

She watched as Carrie took a shaky breath, fighting the tears.

"Come see," Kelly said, tugging on her hands softly.

Carrie looked at her questioningly.

"Just come here," she smiled, pulling the other singer onto her lap and wrapping her arms around her. "You know," she whispered into her ear. "I still cry when we lose one of them."

She could feel the warm tears against her skin as Carrie buried her face into her neck.

"It's always going to be hard," Kelly confided, rubbing Carrie's back soothingly. "They are such amazing kids. It's not fair that they have to die so young. But the thing you have to remember is, that they are in a better place now with no more doctors and no more medicine. They can just be kids and be happy."

After a few minutes of just staying in Kelly's arm, relishing in the comfort that the Texan seemed to bring, Carrie pulled away slightly.

"Thanks," she smiled softly as Kelly brought up a gentle hand to brush away a straggling tear. "I didn't know who else to call that would understand."

"It's ok," Kelly replied. "I'm glad you thought of me."

Realization dawned on her face, "Oh God, I'm probably crushing you," she blushed.

"It's alright," Kelly laughed softly as Carrie moved off of her to sit beside her.

"You probably think I'm so weird," Carrie bit her lip nervously. "I mean, I barely even know you, and I just cried my eyes out on your shoulder."

"Have you not been listening?" Kelly asked. "I said it's ok. Besides we know each other better than you think."

Carrie gave her a questioning look.

Kelly smiled, "Let me guess. Small town girl that had a huge love for music. Tried to make it in the business but seemed to have nothing but bad luck until you entered this talent show. All of a sudden you have all this success and fame thrust upon you before you even have time to think. Sound about right?"

"Yea," Carrie nodded with a slight laugh.

"I'm not saying I know everything about you, or that I know exactly what you're going through because I don't. But I can probably understand it a lot better than most people."

"Kell? Wait, I can call you that, right?"

"Of course," Kelly nodded.

"I just wanted to say thanks."

"No problem, really. Anytime you need, just call, ok?"

Carrie nodded, tiredly.

"How about you go take a nap," Kelly suggested. "And I'll come pick you up later and we can go to the hospital. Claire's parents will probably be there, and I'm sure they'd love to know how much their daughter impacted you."

Carrie just nodded again, her thoughts elsewhere.

"Alright," Kelly gave her hand a gentle squeeze before standing. "I'm gonna go. Just give me a call later when you're ready."

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She sighed as she walked down the stairs, slowly making her way to the waiting limo. That wasn't the last time the two of them, together, had to tell a child's parents just how great their son or daughter was, but she was grateful to have her there beside her. It always seemed to make things easier as long as she was there with her.

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