The apartment was unusually quiet that morning.
Ellie had already been dropped off at school.
For the first time in days, it was just Sebastian and Lillian.
Normally, Sebastian enjoyed silence.
Today, he hated it.
Because every minute that passed brought him closer to his doctor's appointment.
He sat at the kitchen table staring at a cup of coffee he wasn't allowed to drink.
Instead, a glass of water sat in front of him.
A disappointing substitute.
Lillian stood by the counter making breakfast.
She'd noticed immediately that something was off.
Sebastian had barely spoken all morning.
Had barely eaten.
And had checked the clock no fewer than seven times in the last fifteen minutes.
Not that she was counting.
"Sebastian."
He looked up.
"Hm?"
"You should eat."
"I'm not hungry."
Lillian sighed.
"That's becoming your favorite sentence."
"It's efficient."
"It's annoying."
That earned the faintest hint of a smile.
A small victory.
Lillian placed a plate in front of him.
"Eat."
Sebastian looked at the food.
Then at her.
Then at the food again.
"You sound exactly like the doctors."
"Good."
"I don't like doctors."
"I've noticed."
Despite his complaints, he picked up his fork.
And started eating.
Which was all Lillian wanted.
An hour later they were in the car.
The drive to the hospital felt longer than usual.
Lillian focused on the road.
Sebastian focused on the view outside the window.
Neither spoke much.
The closer they got, the quieter he became.
Lillian noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Sebastian Wolfe was many things.
But nervous was not one of them.
Yet that's exactly what he looked like.
The hospital appeared ahead.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
The sight immediately brought back memories.
The seizure.
The ambulance.
Waking up in a hospital bed.
The ICU.
The doctor explaining liver failure.
Everything.
His stomach twisted.
A few minutes later they entered the hospital.
The familiar scent of antiseptic hit him immediately.
Sebastian hated it.
The waiting room wasn't particularly crowded.
Still, he felt uncomfortable.
Restless.
Like he wanted to leave.
Lillian sat beside him.
Neither spoke.
The television mounted on the wall played quietly.
Someone turned pages in a magazine.
A nurse walked past.
Normal sounds.
Yet Sebastian felt tense.
His hands had started shaking slightly.
Lillian noticed.
Without drawing attention to it, she quietly placed a bottle of water beside him.
Sebastian looked at it.
Then at her.
She didn't say anything.
Just offered a small nod.
A silent reminder.
He took the bottle.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
A few minutes later his name was called.
The appointment began.
The doctor greeted them warmly.
Then reviewed the latest test results.
Bloodwork.
Liver function.
Recovery progress.
Everything.
For a while the news seemed positive.
The doctor smiled.
"You've remained sober."
Sebastian nodded.
"Good."
"Your withdrawal symptoms are improving."
Lillian visibly relaxed.
That was encouraging.
Then the doctor's expression became more serious.
"However, the liver damage remains significant."
The room fell quiet.
Sebastian already knew.
Still, hearing it out loud hurt.
The doctor continued.
"The tremors may continue for some time."
Sebastian glanced at his hands.
Still shaking slightly.
"The nosebleeds are also not unexpected."
Lillian immediately made a note.
The doctor continued.
"You must avoid unnecessary stress."
Sebastian looked away.
Lillian almost laughed.
Because nobody in the world was worse at avoiding stress than Sebastian Wolfe.
The doctor wasn't finished.
"Returning to work too soon could trigger another medical crisis."
Silence.
Normally Sebastian would argue.
Normally he'd negotiate.
Challenge the recommendation.
Demand alternatives.
This time he did none of those things.
He simply listened.
Quietly.
Almost too quietly.
Lillian noticed.
And somehow that worried her more.
The appointment continued.
The doctor explained medication adjustments.
Warning signs.
Symptoms to watch for.
Recovery expectations.
Throughout it all, Lillian took notes.
Page after page.
Questions.
Instructions.
Emergency guidance.
Sebastian watched her.
Watched her write everything down.
Watched her ask questions he hadn't thought to ask.
Watched her make sure she understood every detail.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
Because she didn't have to do any of this.
Yet she was.
Again.
Eventually the appointment ended.
They thanked the doctor.
Then left.
Neither immediately headed for the car.
Instead, they stopped outside the hospital.
The fresh air felt different after being inside.
Cooler.
Lighter.
For a few moments they simply stood there.
Then Sebastian spoke.
"I thought if I worked hard enough I could fix everything."
Lillian looked at him.
He wasn't talking about work.
Not really.
He was talking about everything.
His illness.
His mistakes.
His life.
"Some things don't work like that."
A bitter smile appeared.
"I know."
And that was the problem.
He finally did know.
The realization sat heavily between them.
Eventually they returned to the car.
The drive home was quieter.
Not uncomfortable.
Just thoughtful.
Both lost in their own thoughts.
The apartment building finally came into view.
Lillian parked.
For a moment neither moved.
Then Sebastian opened the door and climbed out.
The appointment had taken more out of him than he'd realized.
He felt exhausted.
Physically.
Emotionally.
As he stepped away from the car, the world shifted slightly.
Just for a second.
A brief wave of dizziness.
His balance faltered.
Not enough to fall.
But enough.
Before he could react, a hand wrapped around his.
Steadying him.
Sebastian froze.
Lillian froze too.
Neither had thought about it.
Neither had planned it.
It had simply happened.
Instinct.
Concern.
For a moment neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Their eyes dropped.
To their joined hands.
The contact was simple.
Natural.
Yet somehow it felt important.
Because neither of them had touched the other like that in years.
Lillian was the first to pull away.
Almost immediately.
As though suddenly realizing what she'd done.
"You okay?"
Her voice was softer now.
Sebastian looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"Thanks."
Lillian offered a small smile.
Then reached for her bag.
"Come on."
Sebastian blinked.
"What?"
"We're going inside."
A brief pause.
Then she added:
"And you're taking a nap."
Sebastian groaned.
Lillian started walking toward the building.
A smile tugging at her lips.
After a moment, Sebastian followed.
Side by side.
A little closer than before.
And for once neither of them pulled away.