C'mon Mel :lol: none of my main characters ever die.
Horatio left Marisol with Calleigh while he went to check on Ryan. "How is he Natalia"? "I'm not sure, he opened his eyes, looked at me and then fell back to sleep". Horatio walked over and leaned into Ryan. "Ryan", said Horatio. "Listen to me, you need to keep fighting, don't ever give up, do you hear me Ryan"? "don't ever give up". When Horatio held Ryan's hand he could feel him squeeze into his. "I'll be back later Natalia". Once Horatio returned to Eric's room he found Marisol sound asleep with her head resting on Eric's bed. "Sweetheart, wake up love". "What is it Horatio"? "Nothing love, come sit with me in the chair I need to hold you". As Horatio sat down in the chair Marisol sat on his lap and layed her head on his shoulder. "Sweetheart did Diego hurt you"? "or touch you anywhere"? "No, never". "He just liked to torment me". "Saying you would never find me and that I would be left there to rot". "Just hurtful things". "I'm sorry you had to go through that love", I should have never left you at all that day, I should have stayed with you". "You can't blame yourself Horatio, he would have found another way". "Marisol, lokk at me please". When Marisol looked at her husband he could see fresh tears in her eyes. "It's okay love, I'll never leave you again". Then he braced his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her softly with gentle care.
! month later
Ryan was progressing wonderfully and had started his skin grafts. He didn't mind that his face and arms were scared because he had lived through the worst time of his life.
Eric was still locked within himself, but they had upgraded him from Critical to Serious. Marisol was still by his bedside talking to him day after day. Horatio had taken his job back at the Lab and enjoying his life with his new wife. "Sweetheart, how's he doing love"? "still no change I keep talking to him but nothing". "why don't you go get yourself something to eat", "I'll stay with Eric". After Marisol left Horatio took a charm of the Virgin Mary out of his pocket and placed it in Eric's hand. Bending down Horatio told him he had it blessed by the church and that a special prayer was said over it to protect and heal him. "Eric, I know you can hear me", you need to wake up now Eric, Marisol and I need you with us, fight Eric, feel the energy of love around you". Horatio closed his eyes and prayed, as he opened them Eric was awake looking at "H"s eyes. "Eric"?, eric"? "Can you hear me", Eric tried to talk but nothing came out. Horatio pushed the call button for the nurse and as they came running they seen Eric was awake. The doctor examined his mouth and throat. "We don't know how much damage has been done to his vocal chords, we'll have to do some tests". "But he's alert and that's good progress". "I'll be back later". As the doctor left Marisol came back into the room and seen Eric awake. "Little brother called Marisol", "Oh you're awake, I missed you Eric, I'm home and I'm alive". Tears streamed down Eric's face as he seen his sister as beautiful as the day she left. Marisol embraced Eric in a hug and whispered in his ear how much she loved him. He gripped her tightly never wanting to release what he thought he had lost.
3 months later
Eric was making excellent progress and could very soflty speak small sentences. His throat was healing but the damage to his vocal chords was severe and would take months before he could talk again.
Ryan was done with his skin grafts and learning to cope with his new look, but at least he had his life, which he thanked God for everyday.
Horatio and Marisol were enjoying there rekindled life again as husband and wife. As for children, well that hasn't happened yet. But who knows they have a whole life ahead of them to decide. Right now they were just enjoying each other's company.
The End