Heart Don't Fail Me Now

Marie sighed as she rolled her chair back and ran her hands down her face. It had been a long day so far and by the looks of it, it would only get longer. This morning Sebastian had put up a fight about getting out of bed, which almost made her late getting them out the door. Then, when she got to work, she found out one of her co-workers quit unexpectedly, so now she is the only person at the hospital working cases for the American Cancer Society.
Rolling her eyes and laughing sofly, Marie remembered waking up an hour earlier than she usually would this morning because she heard that the Dallas Stars were visiting later in the day. Marie knew it was silly, but she had a thing for their captain, Jamie Benn. She knew she shouldn’t let herself get carried away, but she couldn’t help it. So, to make herself feel extra pretty, she wore her favorite work outfit: a white button down blouse, a black pencil skirt, and black heels. She laughed at herself knowing that she would never catch the attention of Dallas’s most eligible bachelor.
Unbeknownst to Marie, Jamie Benn was just rolling out of bed with her on his mind…
************
A loud beeping sound woke Jamie Benn that morning from a deep sleep. Groggily, he rolled over to silence his phone. For a split second, he wondered why he had even set the damn thing. Then, it hit him like a Shea Weber slap shot: today is the team visit to the children’s oncology ward. With that thought came a barrage of images: smiling children, laughing, playing, and enjoying life as if nothing was wrong, nurses giggling and gossiping about his team, and finally, her. Marie.
With her on his mind, Jamie got ready to get out of bed.

*Three Years Ago*
Jamie had been walking down the hallways of the hospital with his brother, Jordie, and Antoine Roussel. They had been there most of the afternoon, and by five o’clock, they were ready to leave. They just had one more room to visit first.
As they walked into the room, they saw a little boy laying in the bed. His head had been shaved and he looked tired until he noticed who had come in the room. Once he spotted the trio of players, a grin broke out on his face and his bright eyes lit up in excitement.
“Hey there, little man!” Jordie called out kindly to the little boy
“Hi” the little boy responded shyly
Jamie walked forward at this point.
“I’m Jamie. This is Jordie and Antoine,” Jamie said pointing to the two men respectively
“I’m George,” the little boy whispered
Jamie, Jordie, and Antoine joined George in a game of dinosaurs. George had quite the collection and told the three men all about each one. As George was explaining the pterodactyl—George’s favorite—two women walked into the room.
The first woman was average height and weight with her red hair pulled up into a bun on the top of her head. She looked a lot like George. Jamie guessed this woman was his mother.
The second woman was wearing a blue pantsuit with a light grey top underneath and black heels. As the woman walked into the room, she removed the blazer, laying it over her arm, while talking with the other woman. She had light brown hair and fair skin.
Jamie felt it best to introduce himself to George’s mother. As he walked toward the pair, their heads turned to look at him. Stopping a respectable distance from the two women, he stuck his hand out first to George’s mother.
“Hi, I’m Jamie” he said
“Hello Jamie, I’m Jenna, George’s Mom” the redhead smiled.
Turning to the second woman, Jamie extended his hand again.
“Marie” she smiled as she shook Jamie’s hand. Jamie had not realized how short she was until he was close enough to shake her hand. Even in heels she barely came up to his chest.
“Those two goons with George are my brother, Jordie, and our teammate Antoine” Jamie directed at Jenna.
Jenna laughed at his comment. “Jay, man, come here and see this!” Antoine called out to Jamie, effectively ending the short conversation.
Jamie smiled at the two women and turned back to the boy and his teammates to join in on their game of dinosaurs. He, Jordie, and Antoine spent longer than they had planned with George. A nurse had to come in at the end of visiting hours to ask the men to leave.
As the three left the hospital, Jamie couldn’t help but wonder about Marie.
Shaking his head, Jamie sighed. Time to get dressed, he thought.
************
Marie was making her way through the halls on her way to meeting Taylour for lunch before Tay’s shift started. As she reached the elevator, Marie heard the bell ding and a group of men in victory green step out. Luckily, for her, they were already filing out of the elevator and making their way to children’s rooms or the play area on the floor.
Sighing, Marie stepped into the metal box and pressed the main floor button. As the elevator lurched into motion, she thought about the three families left on her schedule for the day. The Smith’s, their daughter was on her way to recovery, so this was just a follow up visit for ACS records. The Logan’s their son is in for his one-year post cancer check-up, another follow up consultation for ACS. Finally, the Stevenson’s. Marie already had an attachment to this family due to the father’s military background. Now, their daughter, Annie, is needing in patient care and Marie’s help.
Having been so lost in thought, Marie had not noticed that the elevator had stopped until the doors slid open revealing the Logan’s and the Smith’s.
“Hello, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Logan,” Marie greeted with a smile
A chorus of “hello’s” were returned.
“What time should we be expecting to see you this afternoon, dear?” Mrs. Smith asked
“Well, I am on my way to grab a quick lunch, but I will be in to see you and Celeste as soon as I finish. So, forty-five minutes or so.” Marie promised.
Turning toward the Logan’s Marie promised to visit with them and James right after her visit with the Smith’s.
After grabbing a fruit salad from the cafeteria line, Marie joins Taylour for lunch at their usual table.
“Hey girlie, how’s your day been so far?” Taylour asked
“Long. Jordan quit earlier today, so I’m up to my eyeballs in cases.” Marie sighs
“Speaking of which, I have to cut lunch super short. I ran into two appointments on my way here and they want to get done early.”
Taylour just smiled and nodded.
************
It was lunchtime and the Stars had a surprise in store for the kids: pizza party in the rec room. They had set up a series of xboxs and tvs for the kids to play NHL 12 with the team as they ate lunch. Five tvs each with three kids and a player going head to head.
With everyone laughing and enjoying the party, Jamie felt a sense of peace. He was leaning against the wall watching all the fun unfold when Tyler walked up.
“Hey man” Tyler said
“Hey Segs, what’s up?” Jamie replied
“Thinking about sneaking out to go visit with some of the other patients, wanna come with?” Tyler asked with a grin
With a glance around the room, Jamie saw everyone was happy and having fun. Turning back to Tyler, Jamie had two words for him: “I’m game.”
Slipping from the room, the two walked toward the nurses’ station. As they approached, Jamie watched Tyler saunter over to the desk, lean over, and whisper to the nurse stationed there. With a roll of his eyes, Jamie approached Tyler and the nurse behind the counter.
“Can you tell me if there are any patients who are still in their rooms right now?” Jamie heard Tyler ask the red head behind the counter.
“Well, I’m not really sure if there are any children left in their rooms.”
“Could you check for us, please…” Tyler leaned over the counter a little further to catch a glimpse of the nurse’s name tag “Jasmine?”
With a giggle, Jasmine pulled up some information on the computer.
“There is only one patient left in their room. Her name is Annie. Room number 19.” Jasmine informed the pair of hockey players.
“Thanks, Jasmine. We will go surprise her.” Jamie replied as he pulled Tyler by the sleeve down the hall.
Annie’s room was three doors down on the left hand side. With a quiet knock, the boys entered the room.
Laying in the single bed, was a little girl with blonde hair. She was watching a movie.
************
Marie had just finished her appointments with the Smith’s and the Logan’s. Smiling, Marie was happy to see that all was well with both families and their needs were being met.
Stopping in her office to drop off the files, Marie took a moment to check her phone. With nothing pressing requiring her attention on her phone, Marie grabbed the Stevenson file and made her way to room 19, Annie Stevenson’s room. Her father is a Colonel in the Marine Corps and has been deployed for the last six months. He just got home and requested a financial update.
As a military family, Annie is covered by military insurance. However, the recent move to a private room for her in hospital treatments is at the expense of the family.
“So, all you need to do is read through the paperwork and sign it. I would suggest taking it to a lawyer to review the terms. Once you do that, bring it back to me and I will take care of the rest.” Said Marie
“Thank you. Why do you suggest legal review of the paperwork?” Asked Colonel Stevenson. It’s obvious that hearing that wasn’t what he was expecting to hear.
“Colonel, it is only a precaution. I recommend it to all parents when they are going through this process. It is just to make sure that you understand everything that the document is committing you and your family to and what the hospital and nonprofit’s responsibilities to you.” Replied Marie calmly to reassure him
“If you would like, I could even be at the meeting to ensure that all questions of yours and your lawyers are answered.” Marie added as an afterthought.
“Are you sure Ms. Talbot?” Asked Colonel Stevenson starting to visibly relax
“Of course, Colonel. It would be my pleasure. And please, call me Marie.”
“I will set up the appointment for next week and notify you as soon as I set a time.”
As soon as the Colonel finished his statement, the door opened to reveal Taylour with Annie’s basket of goodies.
“I hate to do this to you Annie, but it’s that time again.” Pouted Taylour
“Aww! Do I have to Taylour?” Whined Annie dramatically causing everyone to chuckle. She is quite the performer.
Taylour started humming another tune. This time though, Marie joined in. The song they were humming was one that little Annie did not know.
“What song is that?” Asked Annie
“You don’t know this song?” Gasped Marie playfully while Taylour continued to hum
“You were born in a palace by the sea”
“A palace by the sea? Could it be?” continued Taylour
“Yes, that’s right. You rode horseback when you were only three.” Marie kept singing
“Horseback riding? Me?” Taylour responded
“And the horse, he was white! You made faces and terrorized the cook! Threw him in the brook!” Marie sang in two separate voices to cover for the two characters singing the original song.
“Was I wild?” sang Taylour
“Wrote the book! But you behaved when your father gave that look! Imagine how it was! Your long forgotten past! We’ve lots and lots to teach you and the time is going fast!” Marie sang the two parts again.
“All right… I’m ready!” sang Taylour
“Now, shoulders back and stand up tall. And do not walk, but try to float” Marie sang in a two toned voice
“I feel a little foolish. Am I floating?” Taylour sang
They continued on as a pair performing for the grinning girl. They finished right as Taylour finished getting vitals and administering medicine.
“Wow! What song was that? What movie was it from?” Asked Annie excitedly
“You girls sure can perform. Do you do this often?” inquired the colonel’s wife
“Well, we live together and enjoy kids movies. And we always have kids music playing while cleaning. We’re really just kids in grown up’s bodies.” Said Marie with a grin to rival that of the Cheshire Cat.
“The song is called Learn to Do It.” Replied Taylour as she was putting away all of the medical instruments. She then put the basket on Annie’s lap.
Taylour and Marie put a small basket together for every child who has to take up residency in the hospital. They are usually filled with small toys and books, sometimes even movies. It all depends on the child.
“What is this?” Asked Annie
“This is a basket for you filled with goodies.” Taylour told her with a smile.
As Annie opened the basket, she pulled out a teddy bear, a few coloring books with crayons and colored pencils, a couple of book series, a bracelet making kit, and the movie Anastasia.
When she had the movie in her hand Marie explained to her that Anastasia is one of her favorite princesses and why.
“And guess what? That song we were singing for you is in this movie.” She told the little girl.
“Really?! Mommy can we watch it, please?” begged Annie
“Don’t you want to watch it with your friends?” her mother replied
“Of course! Can you stay and watch it with me?” Annie asked excitedly
“Oh, doll, I can’t tonight. My little boy is leaving to visit his grandparents tonight.” Said Marie
“Oh, okay…” Annie sighed dejectedly
“But, I have tomorrow off and so does Marie. How would you like for us to come and we can watch the movie together?” Offered Taylour
“Can we really?” Annie asked her eyes starting to droop as the medications kicked in again.
“Of course sweet girl.” Marie said fondly.
“We will be here tomorrow morning when visiting hours start at ten. Colonel and Mrs. Stevenson may I speak with you in the hall for a moment?” Inquired Marie
As the Stevenson’s followed Marie out into the hallway Taylour waited in the room with Annie.
“I just wanted to make sure that this is all okay with you two. We kind of got carried away and I don’t want to overstep any boundaries with you two.” Marie said to the parents
“Marie, honestly, it’s fine. You’re a mother and a great help to our family. We would be happy to have you spend time with our daughter.” Said Mrs. Stevenson
“Just try to keep the sugar intake to a minimum, please.” Added the Colonel.
Laughing Marie nodded and smiled.
“Of course. I make my own sweets. My son has a peanut allergy, so I have to keep a close eye on what he eats. Anyways, let’s get back in there before Taylour starts to worry.”
After several minutes of conversation Marie and Taylour parted ways from Colonel and Mrs. Stevenson.

************
Jamie could not believe that Marie was approaching him after the comment that Tyler made.
A smiling Marie approached the pair of hockey players Jamie shifted from foot to foot.
“Hi Jamie, how was your day?” she asked
She was far enough away for Jamie to clearly see she was being nothing but professional.
“Hey Marie, hey Taylour. My day was good. Tyler and I enjoyed spending time with the kids How was your day?” questioned Jamie
As the four continued to converse, Jamie noticed Tyler was laying it on thick. He must really like Taylour. That thought spurred Jamie’s imagination: he wondered what it would take to get Marie to agree to a date. She’s a single mom, not his usual type, but there was something about her…
************
As Jamie and Tyler separated from Marie and Taylour, Marie turned to Taylour.
“My shift is finally over. I think I’m going to head home. Sebastian is no doubt waiting for me to pick him up.” Marie sighed.
Taylour squeezed Marie’s hand to reassure her. “You’ll be fine. Besides, maybe lover boy will finally pluck up the courage to ask you out!” she smiled.
Marie laughed and shook her head. “I think you’re confused, there is no lover boy.”
Taylour gave Marie her best “bullshit” stare down. “You know exactly who I’m talking about. 6 foot, one, brown eyes, all muscly.”
Laughing, Marie walked away. She thought to herself how wonderful it would be if it really could work out for them, but there are two things standing in the way: first, Jamie didn’t feel that way about me, thought Marie, second, her son needs her more than her desire to date. She knew that even if Jamie had the feelings that Taylour claimed he did, it would never work. Too bad, she sighed.

Notes

So, Jamie and Marie seem to be dancing around each other. Should Jamie ask Marie out? Should Tyler go after Taylour?