(8)

Later that evening, Henri was finishing some paperwork for her research when Lorenzo walked into her office.

Dr. Moreau he greeted. Are you planning on working all night doctor?

I could ask you the same Dr. Suarez she teased. Seriously though, why are you still here?

I was going to check on my brother before heading out when I saw the light from your doorway.

Ah! I'm going to head out myself in a few minutes. I'll lock up on my way out so you can head out after seeing your brother she said.

Thank you Doctor, he replied genuinely. I'll see you tomorrow.

Goodnight Lorenzo she responded.

About two minutes later, her pager buzzed and she checked it to see it was a code blue for Nathaniel's room.

She ran out of her office and into the room to see Lorenzo wrestling to keep his brother who appeared to be having an episode calm.

What happened, Henri asked Lorenzo while assessing the situation.

I don't know, Lorenzo responded. I came in and saw him attempting to stand up and mumbling incoherently.

Get 20cc of Lorazepam stat,she instructed.

Yes Doctor, he replied as he hurried out of the room.

Hey... it's fine. You are fine Henri reassured Nate over and over again.

Lorenzo hurried into the room and injected the drug into the IV stand.

Slowly, Nathaniel's rapid breathing began to slow down and he looked around the room and his eyes settled on the woman standing by his cousin. She was flipping dials, reading the digits on the machines and jotting them on a chart.

Maria...he called quietly.

What? His cousin asked straining to hear him. What did you say Matteo?

Maria... Nathaniel called again, clearly this time pointing at the woman beside his cousin.

Oh! Lorenzo replied finally understanding.

This is Dr. Moreau, my boss's daughter. She saved your life.

No... Nathaniel spoke again. This is Maria he insisted.

Maria...he called again, exhaustion plain as day on his face.

Finally, Henri looked away from the machines and the chart and looked right at him.

Hi Nathaniel she said with a sad smile while Lorenzo looked between the two, his jaw dropping open..

How do you two know each other Lorenzo asked.

The Brennholtz Institute, Henri replied.

Ah! Lorenzo said aloud, obviously arriving at some kind of conclusion.

Since you are in good company,considering she saved your life,I'm going to go now. I'm meeting with friends for an early dinner.

Good night hermano,he greeted his brother.

Good night Lalo,Nate replied.

Good night Dr. Suarez, Henri greeted him.

Good night Doctor, Lorenzo responded. I'll see you in the morning.

After watching Lorenzo walk out the door, Henri turned to Nathaniel and smiled.

You should get some rest she said. I still have some work left before retiring for the night.

Won't you sit with me he asked. Just for a while.

I promise I won't bite he teased.

You must be feeling a lot better if you are teasing me she teased back.

I guess I can sit with you, Henri reluctantly agreed. But just until you fall asleep she said.

That's all I ask he replied.

It's been a while since we've talked Nate suddenly admitted.

Yes,it has, Henri said. How long has it been she asked.

Seven years,Nate said. You look amazing. It appears life has been good to you.

You don't look bad yourself,she responded. But you are right. Life has been really good. I feel amazing.

You must be doing really well Nathaniel observed.

Working with H-Corp I mean. I have actually been trying to get a job with them for a while now.

Oh! I'm not with H-Corp, Henri replied. I'm here as a favour to my Dad. He owns the company.

Ah! Nathaniel said. My apologies. I shouldn't have just assumed.

It's fine she replied. You didn't know.

So,where do you work Nate asked.

I'm with the Brennholtz Group, Henri replied. I'm the national vice president of research and development.

Wow,Nate said aloud, the awe clearly visible on his face. That's pretty cool.

Thank you Henri replied.

You must be very happy he said. Working at your dream job I mean.

Yes, Henri answered. I am very happy.

I take it you went back to Bern, Nathaniel said. That's where you live now he asked.

No, Henri replied. I'm with the facility in Paris.

Oh! That's great he said.

So, how about you Henri asked. How have you been? What do you do? Where do you work?

I have been really good, he replied. I'm working with Oasis Laboratory as a research developer. I mean, it's not my dream job or anything but it does pay my bills.

That's good,Henri said. I'm happy for you.

So,i have been dying to ask but I didn't have to time to ask Lorenzo she said.

What do you want to know Nathaniel asked.

How are you related to Lorenzo she asked.

He's my cousin,Nate replied. My maternal cousin. He's like a brother to me. He's a great guy. He's been really helpful especially when my Dad died.

I'm sorry to hear that Henri said.

Thank you Nathaniel replied. It was a long time ago... before I met you.

I should let you get back to work. I hear I owe you my life..Thank you Maria.

You don't have to thank me Henri replied. I was just doing my job.

Yeah..I guess he said. I'll see you around.

Try to get some rest she replied.

Henri was almost at the door, when he suddenly called out to her...

Hey Maria he said.

Yeah she asked confusion coloring her face.

How's your husband he asked.

My husband? She asked glancing down at her hand.

I met him at the party in Bern remember he asked. Although you were only engaged at the time plus your wedding band literally almost blinded me he teased.

March right?

Auguste she corrected. His name is Auguste.

Right! Sorry he said. I remember he was named after a month.

He's great,she replied. He's just wonderful.

How about you Nate. Are you married. Is there any one special.

Yeah he answered. Her name's Jillian. She's great. She's married...I'm married. I mean,we are both married...to each other obviously. Life's been really good.

That's great she said. I'm really happy for you.

Thank you he replied.

What happened with Brennholtz Group, she asked. I mean, you were selected after the training. Why are you with Oasis Laboratory.

It's a long story Nate replied. It didn't work out.

I'm sorry to hear that Henri said.

Don't be he responded. It's not the only thing in my life that didn't work out.

Things are looking up now right she asked.

Yes, definitely he replied.

I'm glad Henri answered honestly. I hope I'll get to meet your wife before you get discharged.

Certainly,Nate replied. Your husband is a very lucky man Henriette Marie Fournier.

Moreau Henri corrected.

What he asked her.

It's Henriette Marie Moreau now she replied.

You took his name Nate asked clearly taken aback.

Of course Henri replied. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's what I've always wanted.

Like I said, he's a lucky man Nate responded.

No Nathaniel, Henri replied. I'm the lucky one.

Would you say you are happy Nate asked her.

Very happy, Henri replied.

Then I am happy for you he said. The both of you.

Thank you Henri replied.

You should get some rest.I need to head home anyway. Abigail will be here all night if you need anything.

Husband to get to and everything he asked.

Yes, Henri answered. Good night Nathaniel.

Good night Maria,Nate replied.

You shouldn't call me that anymore, Henri cautioned.

Of course. Good night Henri,he responded.

By the time Henriette was ready to leave,she checked up on Nathaniel one more time before heading back to her office to get her bag and coat.

As she was about to open the door, her cellphone rang and she answered with a smile on her face.

"Hi honey. I was just thinking about you"

"You are here? I'll see you soon".

She waved goodbye to Abigail and quietly closed the door behind her, walking into the cold.

She waved to a very handsome gentleman who was standing beside a car.

On seeing her, he smiled and walked over to open her car door for her.

Then he closed it after her, walked over to his side of the car,got in and helped her with her seatbelt before driving away....

Nathaniel Duval watched the entire scene unfold with anger written on his face.

He shook off Abigail's offer to help and wheeled himself back to his room all the while repeating one word over and over again... "He doesn't deserve her....He doesn't deserve her...He doesn't deserve her"

When they got back to their apartment, Henri rushed into the bathroom for a shower and a change of clothes, determined to rid herself off the exhaustion and stress of the day.

On getting to the front room, she found her husband looking out the window.

Honey, she called out to him,a thoughtful expression on her face.

What would you like for dinner she asked.

When he didn't respond, she walked closer and called out to him again.

Babe,she asked placing a tender hand on his shoulder.

But nothing could have prepared her for the words that came out of his mouth.. causing her whole world to come crashing down...

Do you still love him, Auguste asked her..silent tears falling down his face.......