Chapter 9 New Connections

Marcus couldn't believe what he was doing, and before he had chance to think about what he was doing, his lips were pressed to hers, locking them together in a sweet kiss. Much to his surprise, she didn't pull back and slap him, instead she kissed him back. Now that he wasn't expecting.

It was a kiss that gave him butterflies. A kiss that made time stand still. One that he enjoyed every second of. He wondered if the kiss meant to her, what it meant to him, or if she was just caught in the moment. He had dreamt of this for as long as he had known her, but never once had he dreamt of it happening in a hospital lobby. He had to admit to himself that his timing was terrible. But then again, what better time to kiss the girl he loved than in the middle of a dramatic day. It was a great way to unwind.

After a minute or two, he finally broke the kiss. Glancing up into her eyes, he searched for any sign of how she felt.

"Julianna I.... I think I... I love you." He stammered, with butterflies swarming in his stomach. But much to his dismay, before she could reply, the doctor came into the lobby and called her name. Guess whatever she had to say would have to wait. Just his luck, he thought before turning his focus back to what was going on around them.

"Umm.. yes doctor?" She answered, rising to her feet, Marcus did the same and reached for her hand, taking it into his own in a steady grip. She glanced at him, and gave him a look that he interpreted as a thank you. He was happy to do so, as he knew that she needed the support right now.

"You can see him now." Doctor Fuller informed her. He had been their family doctor since their mum became pregnant with Kayla, or possibly longer, but Julianna couldn't let herself go to that memory that she had long buried.

"Okay. Thank you doctor." She replied, following him into her brother's room.

"Now I have to inform you of his condition. Your brother is very sick unfortunately, however we cannot seem to identify the problem. All we know is with the symptoms, it definitely isn't looking too good right now and I regret to say that you should prepare for the worst. Without a proper diagnosis, we can't find a treatment and with how sick he currently is, he may not make it to the end of the week." Doctor Fuller explained looking pained and sympathetic.

"I.. I..." Julianna began to speak, but couldn't form the words, feeling helpless as her brother lay potentially dying. Marcus felt guilty watching her suffer and so he decided to step in.

"Thank you for everything doctor. Can we have time alone please?" He took over, knowing that although Julianna didn't show it on the outside, on the inside she was crumbling.

"Of course." The doctor said and exited the room, leaving them, and an unconscious Joshua alone.

"Listen baby, I know everything seems bleak right now but I promise that everything will be okay. We will find a way to save him." Marcus reassured, pulling her into a comforting hug.

She once again found herself in the position of helplessness, and she resented it. There was nothing she would want more than to be one of those girls who could kick ass and be strong in the face of a crisis. It was one thing that she swore to herself that she would start working on. Even in the midst of all that was happening.

She was grateful for Marcus's presence as there was absolutely no way that she could face this alone. Then she registered what he had just said.

Did he really just call her baby?

She thought to herself, not daring to confront him about it. What did he even mean by that? This whole thing with Marcus was confusing the hell out of her. At this point she didn't know where they stood.

Friends? Nah, they don't kiss and call each other baby. That's just not something they would do to each other if they were just friends.

A couple? He hadn't asked her, nor had he confirmed that that is what he wanted them to be. Sometime a kiss doesn't mean anything. Yet she couldn't deny the spark that had made itself known since the kiss.

Then her mind registered the other thing he had said in that sentence. Instantly a wave of annoyance hit her. How dare he say that when he didn't know if it would be true? She hated fake reassurance. Now she would make it known to him. She only hoped that it wouldn't lead to a fight.

Fight would not help with their current situation and she did not need one on top of Joshua's sudden illness. In fact, the only thing that should be on her mind right now, is her brother.

So why couldn't she get Marcus out of her head?