After Hendrix left, William settled Albert on the sofa and asked him to sleep more. Without any reason to decline, Albert fell asleep under William's watch. Doctor Helene checked on Catherine again, gave William many instructions, and then left.
The room went back to silence, this time, William just cleaned up. He put to one side the pot and the cups they've just drink, throws the box in the bin, and even fixing the curtain and widely opening the window for ventilation.
Not long after, Hendrix came back wearing new and fresh clothes. Seeing that everything was peaceful, William left for a while to change and clean himself. In between, Albert woke up. Hendrix offered to keep watch while the others took care of their tasks.
The day passed without any incidents. In the afternoon, Lord Zachary visited them with flowers. Doctor Helene also returned for another check-up. In the evening, Louis, accompanied by Fred, visited Catherine. Considerately, they brought some hearty meals and another batch of cookies. They didn't stay long, and, after a few conversations, they left.
The three men took care of Catherine alternately. One of them checks the vitals, the others took turn to wipe her sweat, arrange the blanket and so on and so forth. The day passed without any progress, but they remained optimistic. That night, surprisingly, it was William who offered to stay for the night shift.
"Are you sure, William? Will you be alright?" Albert, who always known about William's weak constitution, was worried.
"No need to fret, brother. I'm fine. Sleep well and take over my shift tomorrow." William assured them.
"Okay, if you say so." Albert didn't push the matter.
"Wake us up immediately if there is any progress or anything." Hendrix also bid a good night and proceed to lay on the couch.
Albert and Hendrix lay on the couch, and after a few minutes, perhaps due to the exhausting day, they fell asleep immediately. As the night watcher, William checked the vitals, ensuring they were normal. He then changed the water in the bag and adjusted the blankets. Considerately, he slightly closed the window, worried that Catherine might catch a cold from the night air.
At midnight, a nurse came to administer a shot on Catherine's IV drip. William also took note of this and recorded it in a paper. Seeing that there wasn't any movement, William, who is now feeling a little drowsy, looked at the time. Seeing that it was already the wee hours, decided to take a nap by the bedside.
The morning was a bit cold due to the little rain from the early morning. The petrichor scent spread around the ward as the dew of the after rain turns to mist, fogging the window. The chirping of the birds also makes a great background for a lovely morning.
Catherine slowly woke up, her eyelashes squinted due to the reflection of the sun's rays. She slowly opened her eyes, trying to adjust to the light. Her hands, which was weak due to the IV drip, only able to move a bit, but because of this that William, who is sleeping by her side, woke up. Noticing her eyes are open and is awake, William immediately grabbed the two and wake them up from their sleep.
"Everyone! Wake up. It's Catherine, she's awake!" William enthusiastically shared the news.
The two was still half-awake but when they've heard what William said, they've bolted to Catherine's bed, with messy hair, and Hendrix still hugging his blanket.
"Oh! Thank goodness, you're awake." Hendrix said, ecstatic to the current circumstances.
Albert is on to the other side, smiling as they've observed Catherine, while William went outside to inform the nurse.
Catherine looked at them in confusion once she adjusted to the light and could open her eyes full. Her brain, perhaps due to being asleep for almost two days, was slow to comprehend. She just gazes and observes them.
Feeling weak, Catherine couldn't fully lift her hands. She breathes slowly. Just then, memories of the past evening came to her in an instant—Luke, the storage room, and the handkerchief. Regaining her thought, her body acted directly, she hurriedly tried to sit down while in a defensive position, with fear and trepidation expressed in her face.
Hendrix, Albert, and William, having been prompted by Doctor Helene with this probable outcome, immediately understood what was happening. They immediately tried to calm Catherine down.
"Catherine! Hush… it's okay!"
"You're safe now. There is no danger."
"Catherine, calm down. Breathe in, breathe out…"
Voices of comfort echoed through the room. They patiently waited for Catherine.
Catherine on the other hand, was still a bit confused. She didn't immediately lower her guard. She observes them longer and after her brain registered the situation and fully identifies the people in front of her was her brother, and the two Moriarty, Catherine, calms down.
Perhaps it was due to her body still in recovery, but Catherine feels a bit lethargic. She suddenly lost her strength and falls forward. Seeing this, they immediately catch her and guided her to sit on the bed. Just then, Lord Zachary and Doctor Helene, who was informed by the nurses, comes in.
"How is she?" Lord Zachary asked.
"Catherine? I'll check you up, is that okay?" Doctor Helene was cautious. She slowly approaches her and asks for permission.
Catherine nodded after a while. Everyone sighed in relief at the response. Doctor Helene checks her up two times just to make sure that everything was alright.
"Ease up everyone. Catherine's conditions are improving. And seeing a not so violent reaction to her, psychologically speaking, she's fine. She just needs plenty of rest. I give her at least a day and she can be discharge."
The men nodded and thanked Doctor Helene. They then assisted Catherine to be comfortable and brought some porridge. The doctors advise was for her to eat some lightweight foods for a moment.
Due to being lethargic, Catherine couldn't lift the spoon to eat. Seeing this, Hendrix went to Catherine's side and used his body as something for Catherine to lean on, while Albert slowly and softly blows the porridge before feeding it to Catherine. William stayed to the side and assisted them by giving water for Catherine to drink or towel to wipe her mouth.
Lord Zachary and Doctor Helene was quite understanding. After checking all necessary checks, they left to give them privacy. Knowing what the connection and relationships between these people, the two of them just smile knowingly.
After a while, Catherine stopped Albert's hand from feeding her and said weakly. "No more. I'm full."
"Oh!" Albert nodded. Hendrix took the towel from William and wiped Catherine's face. Albert gave the bowl of porridge to William and took the glass of water.
"Here, take a sip." Albert gently guided Catherine, holding the glass.
Catherine sighed as she felt full of eating breakfast. She thanks all of them before closing her eyes for a bit.
"Are you okay?" Albert asked gently.
"Yes. I'm feeling a bit tired. Perhaps due to the medicine." Catherine explained.
After a bit, as she looked at them busying themselves from cleaning up. They tacitly agreed not to disturb her so she could rest. They silently cleaned up, freshen up and made sure everything is in order.
Catherine falls into silence. As she observes them, she recalled and collected her thoughts. She calmed herself down and did not let what happened to her affected her. She buried all of the bad memories in the deepest of her heart. For a while, she asked Hendrix a question.
"Brother, how come you're here? Aren't you supposed to be at London?" She straightens her posture. "How did you know that I'll be in danger?"
Hendrix grabbed a towel to one side and dried his hands. He then put the towel back before walking towards Catherine and answered her query.
"I hired someone to keep an eye on things around you. I just wanted to make sure you were alright. It seems like I made the right decision."