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middleearthpixie · 2 days

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Better Days ~ Chapter Twenty

A/N: If you or a loved one is in crisis, or experiencing suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation, help is available 24/7/365. Call or text the Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit their website at www.988lifeline.org.

Summary: Frerin Durin had the perfect life, until he found out his wife was cheating on him. Now, he’s navigating uncharted territory as an about-to-be divorced single dad. Dating is a mess, he’s dealing with the fallout where his kids are concerned, and really, he would just love a vacation away from all of it.

Elena Madison is new to Sidleburg, and also navigating life as a newly single parent. The last thing she needed was for her daughter to come down sick, when she hasn’t even had time to unpack the moving boxes, never mind find a pediatrician. And the last thing she ever expected was to meet a man like Dr. Frerin Durin…

Neither Elena nor Frerin were looking for anything, but fate has a way of messing up even the best laid plans. However, both have been hurt and both aren't at all sure they trust themselves, never mind trusting someone else...

Pairings: Modern!Frerin x ofc Elena Madison

Warnings: Attempted suicide

Rating: T

Word Count: 2.7k

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard

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Previous chapters can be found here.

It was a miracle he didn't crash into anyone or anything as Frerin ignored pretty much every traffic law in existence in his haste to get to Sidleburg Memorial. All Toni would tell him was that Jake had tried hurt himself. No details. No assurance that he was all right. Just that they were in the ER and he needed to be there.

He whipped into the parking deck and swung into the first empty space, then leaped out of the care and practically sprinted toward the revolving door leading into the Emergency Department.

Bonnie, the ER receptionist smiled from behind her plexiglas window. “Dr. Durin? I thought you went home.”

“I did. My ex-wife called, she’s here with our son.”

“What?” Bonnie hit the button to make the ER doors swing open. “Come on in.”

He rushed past the triage area, to the desk. “Ashley, where is Jacob Durin?”

Ashley looked up. “I thought you were off, Dr. D?”

“I am,” he fought to keep the impatience from his voice, “so tell me were my son is.”

“Wait, he’s your Jake?”

“Ashley!”

“Sorry, Dr. D. They’re in Exam Two, but I think Morris might have come down already.”

“Thank you.” He rushed down the hallway and around the corner and paused just outside the door to Exam Two. The narrow bed was empty, but Toni stood beside it as if Jake was still in it. Frerin’s gut roiled like mad and he wasn't entirely certain he wasn’t going to be sick. A sour taste flooded his mouth. His heart hammered his ribs so hard, he thought he might actually pass out.

Then he swallowed hard as he tugged open the door and stepped into the room. “What happened?”

Toni spun about, her eyes red and swollen. “I—I don't know. I called the kids down to breakfast and Maura and Flynn came down, but Jake didn't and—and I thought he was still sleeping so I went to roust him out of bed and he—”

“He what?” Frerin closed the space between them and caught her by the shoulders. “What had he done, Toni?”

“He wasn’t in his room, but was in the bathroom and he’d gotten Tim’s razor or maybe it was Flynn or even Maura’s, I don't know. But he had it and—and there was just blood everywhere… all over him… the floor… the toilet… And I—I just scooped him up and ran to my car and…”

Frerin’s blood ran like ice in his veins. “What?”

“I know. The doctor said he was… he was lucky.” Toni’s bottom lip trembled and her eyes grew shiny. “She stitched him up, but now he’s talking to another doctor and Tim said he’d keep an eye on Maura and Flynn, but you know them and they don’t like him and they just wanted to be here and I—”

She clamped her lips together to stop the flow of words and without thinking, he drew her into his embrace as she dissolved into tears, pressing her face against his chest. “Which doc did he see?”

“A young one. Dr. Andrews?”

“Yeah, she’s an intern. Just started in July. Who is he with now?”

“A Dr. Mazzetti, I think he’d said.”

“Dave Mazzetti?”

“I don't know, Frerin. They’re all the same to me.”

“Okay. Yeah, Dave’s good… Jake’s in good hands. Where’s Tim?”

“He’s home. With the kids. I just told you.”

“Right? Sorry. I was on until seven this morning, pulled a double. My thoughts are a little muddy right now.”

“Where were you?”

“What?”

“I called the house first and you didn't answer.” She pulled away to stare up at him. “So, where were you?”

“I was out.”

“After pulling a double?”

“Toni, I’m not doing this. Not now.”

“What’s her name?”

“Don’t you worry about it. We’re not married any more, remember?” He stepped back. “Jake’s probably up on Five. They’re going to admit him, Toni. At least a seventy-two hour hold if they have a bed. If not, they’ll have us take him somewhere else for an evaluation, but he’s going to be hospitalized. For a while. I’m going to go find out.”

“And am I supposed to just wait here?”

“Yes, actually.”

“Frerin, you are not just—”

“I’m not what, Toni? I’m not going to find out what happened to our son? Just stay here and I’ll be back—”

“No. I will not just stay here.”

“Toni,” he rubbed his forehead with one hand, “I’ll be back in just a few minutes. Just, please, let me—”

“Stop being a damn doctor and just be his father!”

“I am being his father!” Frerin winced as his voice echoed around them and bounced out into the hallway, where several people actually stopped to look into the room. He drew in a deep breath to calm his rising fury. “I just want to talk to his doc, is all.”

“He will be done when he’s done and he said he’d come down and talk to us.” Toni shook her head. “Don’t run away and hide behind that damn lab coat.”

“Hide? Who’s hiding? I just—I just want to know what happened, is all.”

“I told you what happened.”

He sighed softly. “Toni, something else had to have happened. He was fine when you picked him up and now he’s in the ER, looking at a psych hold for a suicide attempt. So, what happened?”

“Are you blaming me?”

His first instinct was to shake her, to shake her and remind her that it wasn't about her, but since that would just lead to a shouting match, he took the high road. “No, I’m not. But I want to know what triggered him to hurt himself. That’s all.”

Toni’s shoulders slumped and a low, heavy sigh leaked through her teeth. “I don’t know, Frerin. I was getting breakfast out, like I said. Flynn came down. Maura came down and I went to get Jake, just like I said.”

“Did anything happen last night?”

Toni swiped at her eyes and slowly replied, “He and Tim were butting heads over a video game. He told Tim that Tim couldn't tell him what to do, and Tim sent him to his room after confiscating his Switch.”

“What game?”

“Breath of the Wild.”Toni rubbed her eyes. “It was such a stupid argument, Frerin, but Jake was giving him attitude the entire time he’s been with us and Tim just had enough.”

“Tim had enough. Over a video game that you and I have no problem with him playing?”

“I tried to tell Tim, but he was angry and Jake was angry and then it just got out of hand.”

“Out of hand.” Frerin snorted as he shook his head. “Tim overstepped, Toni. He overstepped and now here we are. And what the fuck was he thinking? He’s not that boy’s father. I am.”

“I know, and Tim knows and—”

“Toni?”

Frerin and Toni looked up at the same time as Tim, AKA the Skeeze, poked his head into the room. Frerin’s gut twisted sharply as he said, “What are you doing here?”

“How is Jake doing?” Tim directed this at Toni.

“I asked you what the hell you are doing here,” Frerin replied, stepping between Tim and Toni. “You’ve got not business being here.”

Toni’s hand came to rest on his shoulder. “Frerin, don’t do this.”

“Don't do this?” Frerin turned to her. “He is the reason Jake is with Mazzetti right now and I don’t want him near my son again.”

“He is my son, too, Frerin, and you need to remember that.”

“I need to—are you fucking kidding me? He needs to stay the fuck away from—”

“Mrs. Durin? Oh, Frerin, I’m glad you’re here as well.”

Frerin whipped about at the sound of Dave Mazzetti’s voice and a sour taste flooded his mouth as he said, “How is Jake?”

Toni’s hand tightened on his upper arm. “Can I see him?”

“In a bit, yes. I called in a colleague, Dr. Dao to consult and—” Mazzetti looked over at Tim. “I’m sorry, but who are you?”

“He’s leaving,” Frerin replied.

“The hell I am.”

“Toni, I mean it, get him the hell out of here,” Frerin growled without taking his eyes off Tim.

“Tim, please… just… just go…”

“Toni, wait—”

“Tim, just… please go.”

“Fine.”

Mazzetti waited for him to slam his way out of the exam room, then turned back to them. “Jake’s laceration required about six stitches and aside from a small scar, he should have no long term trouble with his hand. He and I had a long talk, and he had a long talk with Dr. Dao and we’re in agreement that Jake be transferred to Wakeman for inpatient services, since we have no open beds.”

“For how long?” Toni asked.

“I can’t answer that, Mrs. Durin. They will evaluate him and assess his status and recommend a course of treatment for him that will give an idea of how long he will be hospitalized for. I’d say at least a week, possibly longer.” He looked from Toni to Frerin. “I’ll take you up to him. He was asking for you, Frerin.”

Frerin swallowed hard against the sudden lump in his throat. “Then let’s go.”

Toni slid her hand into his. “I’m coming with you.”

“Of course you are,” Frerin told her softly. “You’re his mother. But I don't want Tim anywhere near him.”

“Frerin—”

“Not within fifty yards, Toni. I mean it.”

For a moment, he thought she was going to argue with him over it, but then she surprised him by nodding. “Okay.”

“Let’s go up and you can see him,” Mazzetti said, pulling the door open.

They stepped out just as Flynn and Maura hurried toward them. “How’s Jake? Where is he? Is he okay?” Maura’s questions stopped as she ran out of breath and she just flung herself at Frerin, who caught her easily.

“He’s going to be fine in time,” he said as Maura wrapped her arms about his neck and clung to him the way she did when she was a little girl and had had a nightmare. “We’re going up to see him, so why don't you and Flynn go find the cafeteria and get something to eat and I’ll come find you when we’re ready to go.”

“Can’t we see him?” Flynn asked.

“Not right now,” Toni said softly, shaking her head. “We have to get him settled somewhere else first and then you’ll be able to.”

“Where is he going?”

Flynn scowled at Tim’s question. “Like you care. You did this, you tool. You know that, right? This is all your fault.”

“Now, wait just a minute—” Tim began.

But Flynn was having none of it, and since he was almost as tall as Frerin, he towered over Tim. “No, you did this, trying to prove you’re some tough guy or I don't even know. You just couldn’t let it go, could you? He was allowed to play that damn game and you know it but that wasn’t good enough for you. And now we’re here and… and… fuck you.”

“Flynn!” Toni grabbed him by his arm to pull him away from Tim. “This is not the time or the place.”

Although he inwardly cheered Flynn on, Frerin knew outwardly he had to at least make it look as if Flynn’s words troubled him. “Your mother’s right. Tim, do us all a favor and just go home. Toni will let you know what’s going when we know.”

For a moment, he thought Tim was going to argue with him, but then Tim just shook his head. “You do that,” he said, then turned and strode down the hallway.

Maura lifted her head from Frerin’s chest. “Good riddance, Skeeze.”

“Maura, please,” Toni sighed, rubbing her forehead once more. “Not now.”

“Mom,” she pulled out of his arms, “he’s a jerk. You have to know that by now.”

“Enough, love,” Frerin told her as Mazzetti started down toward the elevators. “Go and get something to eat and we’ll come find you, like I said.”

“Come on, Maur.” Flynn gestured for her to follow him. “Dad, let us know as soon as possible, okay?”

“Promise.”

Flynn and Maura started down the hallway and as soon as they were out of earshot, Toni said, “They don't like Tim much.”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

That earned him a look. “Really, Frer.”

“What?” He let his hand come to rest at the small of her back to steer her toward the elevators, where Mazzetti was waiting for them. “I know they don't like him, Toni.”

“I wonder why.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He couldn't hold back his laugh. “Toni, if you think I’m the reason they don't like him, guess again.”

“So you expect me to believe you’ve never badmouthed him?”

“Why would I? He’s not the reason we broke up. I think he’s a dweeb, but that’s about the extent of it.”

“A dweeb?”

“Yeah. He’s a dweeb.” He shrugged as the elevator doors slid open and Mezzetti grinned at them over his shoulder. “He is.”

Toni sighed. “Frerin, really? Here?”

“I heard nothing,” Mazzetti said, shaking his head head.

They all stepped into the car and Frerin tried to ignore the fluttering in his gut as the car began moving. He didn't know how many times he’d dealt with this same situation, but it was far different being on this end than it was being the physician treating the kid. This was… surreal… and he did not like it one bit.

Elena tried not to worry, tried not to fixate on how much time had passed since Frerin bolted from her apartment, but that was impossible. She couldn't imagine being in Frerin’s shoes, getting that same phone call in regards to Alyssa. Frerin had to be terrified and worried and she wished she had gone with him.

It was nearly four when her phone rang and her heart stopped briefly when she saw Frerin’s number on the screen. It resumed hammering at her ribs as she hit accept. “How is your son?”

“He’s… we’re at Wakeman now. They’ve admitted Jake for at least the next seven days.”

“But how is he? How are you and your ex-wife?”

“He tried to cut his wrist with a razor blade and it took six stitches to close it. Physically, he’ll be fine but…”

His voice trailed off and she didn’t push him, but waited for him to continue. When the silence stretched between them, she cleared her throat. “Would you like me to come sit with you?”

“No. You don't have to.” Exhaustion wove into his voice. “I’m just going to go home and get some sleep.”

“Frerin, it’s no—”

“Elena, really, it’s better if you don’t. I don't know how much longer I’m going to be here and I’ll have Flynn and Maura to take home, so it’s not a good idea.”

“Oh, yeah… no, of course not,” she replied, the heat of idiocy swirling through her. Of course he wouldn’t want her there. She wasn't family and Toni needed him more than she did at the moment. The last thing either of them wanted or needed was her pushing her way into their trauma.

“I’ll give you a call tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure. I’ll be around until four, then I have to go and retrieve Alyssa from the airport.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

He hesitated, then said, “Bye, Lena.”

She pressed her lips together as he clicked off and she sat there for a long time, the phone in her lap. She didn't know quite what to think or to do, and while her instinct was to drive out to Wakeman Hospital, she tamped it down. Frerin neither wanted nor needed her there. She was the outsider and needed to remember that. While she felt as if she knew his children, just from the way he’d spoken of them, they had no idea she even existed and the worst thing she could do right now was push herself into their situation as if she belonged there.

So, with that, she set the phone on the charging mat, rose from the sofa, turned off the light, and padded into her bedroom.