Love Quotes

second update for this fic for today, lol, i'm stuck at home with a cold, so i've been writing a lot.

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"Hope dangles on a string

Like slow spinning redemption

Winding in and winding out

The shine of it has caught my eye."

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Kelly read to herself a book she had picked up at the hospital's gift shop, glancing every so often at the small child sleeping in the bed next to her. She had gotten there early in the morning, but Alex had been sleeping all day. She'd only woken up for a few moments whenever a nurse came to make sure she was ok, or to give her medicine.

Kelly dreaded each time because it meant Alex would wake up in tears as someone poked and prodded her, and she'd have to soothe her enough to get her back to sleep. It's not that she disliked the nurses--she knew they were only helping. She just couldn't help but feel irritated at everything, feeling as if there had to be more that could be done.

She glanced up at Alex once more. Her skin was pale, with dark rings under her eyes despite her doing nothing more than sleeping all day. Kelly glanced at the clock on the bedside stand. It was nearly time for Carrie to come meet her.

"Kelly?"

Kelly nearly dropped her book at the small voice. She placed it on the chair as she stood up, smiling as Alex's eyes gazed cloudily up at her.

"Hey munchkin," she replied. "What's up?"

"What time is it?"

"It's 5:30."

Alex frowned confusedly, "When did you get here?"

"This morning."

Kelly could see Alex growing upset, and she felt her heart twinge.

"They've been giving you medicine to help you sleep," she explained quickly, not sure she could handle seeing her cry anymore.

"But I wanted to see you."

"I'm right here," Kelly assured her, carefully wiping a tear off Alex's cheek.

"You're gonna stay?"

"Yea," she nodded, watching as her eyes slowly closed again. Kelly swallowed the lump that was rising in her throat as she sat back down in her chair.

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Carrie took a deep breath as she stood outside of Alex's hospital room door. She had been stuck in interviews and meetings all day, and honestly she couldn't tell you one thing that had been decided or one thing she had said. Her mind had just kept replaying the events of the previous night. She couldn't figure out why she had gotten as upset as she did. Kelly had done the right thing by leaving, and she knew the Texan was being honest when she said nothing was going to change.

Carrie tried to relax as she opened the door, walking into the room to find Kelly sitting in her usual chair next to Alex's bed.

"Hey," Carrie greeted.

"Hey," Kelly smiled, allowing the country singer to pull her into a hug.

Carrie felt her heart tear at the feeling of Kelly clinging to her tightly. She allowed her to hug her as long as she needed.

"I'm so glad you're here," Kelly admitted, burying her face in Carrie's shoulder.

"It's ok," Carrie replied, rubbing her back soothingly. She looked at the curtains that were drawn throughout the room's windows, giving them privacy. "Come see," she said gently, sitting down in the chair Kelly had just gotten out of and pulling the shorter singer down onto her lap. "How's it going?"

Kelly just shook her head, still holding her tightly.

"Well, hey, the nurse told me visiting hours are over in about five minutes, so why don't we tell her bye, and we'll go get something to eat, and then go back to my place, ok?" Carrie suggested.

"Ok," Kelly nodded, pulling back. "Is Alex still sleeping?"

"Yea," Carrie nodded, glancing over the Texan's shoulder.

Kelly leaned forward, kissing her softly.

Carrie smiled in relief as she pulled back.

Kelly returned it as she stood, helping the country singer up as well before turning to Alex. She took her hand, squeezing it carefully. She saw a pair of green eyes open to look at her groggily.

"Carrie," Alex smiled weakly. "You came."

"I told you I would," Carrie nodded. "How are you feeling?"

Kelly watched the small girl shrug, her eyes closing again.

"Hey sweetie, we're going to be going, ok? Visiting hours are over," Kelly explained.

"Ok," Alex nodded, her eyes remaining closed.

"Ok, well you get some rest shorty," Carrie forced a smile as she leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I expect you to be wide awake tomorrow. I want a spoons rematch."

Kelly felt her stomach churn at the small laugh that escaped from Alex's lips. She bent over, kissing her as well. "Sweet dreams, munchkin. Nothing else, you got that?"

"Love you," Alex whispered.

Kelly bit down on her lip hard as she felt her eyes stinging, "I love you too my girl."

Carrie slid her hand into Kelly's, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "I'll drive."