194
Carter's voice comes through the speaker again, gentler now, the joking edge dialed way down.
"So..." he says carefully, "boss lady and assistant boss lady—are we okay? Like... actually okay?"
Amanda lets out a small breath she didn't realize she was holding and glances at Ericka first, silently checking in.
Ericka nods, slow but sure. "I'm okay," she says, voice a little tired but steady. "I'm scared, but I'm okay."
Amanda squeezes her hand. "She's stable," she adds. "Doctors are running tests, but she's conscious, talking, and being stubborn—so that's a good sign."
There's an audible exhale on the other end of the line.
"Oh thank God," Carter mutters. "Because I swear the entire office is just... frozen. Nobody's working. People are pretending to check emails but really just staring at the hallway."
Leah snorts. "Accurate."
Carter continues, "Can I tell them? Just... that she's okay? Nothing personal. Just that she's stable so everyone can finally breathe again?"
Amanda looks at Ericka. "You okay with that?"
Ericka nods immediately. "Yeah. Please. I don't want everyone spiraling."
Carter doesn't hesitate. "Say less. I'll keep it clean and respectful. No details."
He pauses, then adds softly, "They're worried. Like—really worried."
Ericka's eyes soften. "That's... nice to hear."
Amanda smiles faintly. "Go tell them she's okay. And that we'll update when we can."
"You got it," Carter says. Then, lighter again, "Also—just so you know—HR tried to ask questions and got shut down immediately."
Leah grins. "By who?"
"By literally everyone," Carter replies. "Someone said, 'Read the room,' and I've never been prouder of this company."
That earns a quiet laugh from Ericka.
"Thank you, Carter," she says sincerely.
"Anytime, boss lady," he replies. "Both of you. We've got it covered here."
Carter doesn't hang up right away.
There's a sudden shuffle on his end, the sound of him pulling the phone away from his face.
"HEY—" his voice booms through the speaker, clearly no longer aimed just at them. "ATTENTION EVERYBODY."
Amanda and Ericka exchange a look.
"We're on speaker," Leah mutters, amused.
Carter doesn't care.
"The boss lady is OKAY," he shouts across the office. "She's stable. She's good."
For half a second there's silence.
Then—
The office erupts.
Cheers. Applause. Someone yells, "THANK GOD." Someone else audibly sobs. A desk chair screeches as someone jumps up.
Amanda can hear it through the phone—real relief, loud and collective.
Carter pulls the phone back. "Yeah," he says, voice softer now, smiling so hard it carries through. "They needed that."
Ericka's eyes fill again, this time with something warmer. "Tell them... thank you."
"I will," Carter promises. "And I'll tell them to actually go back to work before you wake up and fire all of us."
That earns a breathy laugh from Ericka.
"Please do," she says. "I expect productivity reports."
Carter grins. "There she is."
Then, more gently, "Rest. Both of you. We've got the fort."
The call clicks off.
The room goes quiet again—but it's a different kind of quiet now.
Amanda exhales slowly and leans closer to Ericka. "You hear that? You're very loved."
Ericka squeezes her hand, voice soft. "Yeah... I did."
She closes her eyes for a moment, smiling faintly.
Amanda watches Ericka for another long second, making sure her breathing stays steady.
The room is quiet now — Ericka's parents sitting close, Danielle perched at the edge of a chair, Samantha leaning against the wall.
Leah stands near the foot of the bed, arms crossed, still very much in protector mode.
Amanda lifts her head and catches Leah's eye.
"Hey," she says softly. "Can I steal you for a second? Really quick."
Leah nods immediately. "Yeah. Of course."
They slip out into the hallway together, the door closing gently behind them. The sounds of the hospital dull to a hum — carts rolling, voices low, fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead.
Amanda stops, exhales, and then does the thing she didn't plan to do — she pulls Leah into a hug.
Leah freezes for half a heartbeat, surprised... then wraps her arms right back around her.
"I just wanted to thank you," Amanda says quietly, voice tight but steady. "For being there. For staying with her. For keeping Ericka safe until I could get there."
Leah pulls back just enough to look at her. "I didn't think about it," she says honestly. "I saw she wasn't okay, and I knew you were tied up. I wasn't leaving her alone. Period."
Amanda swallows. "When you sent that 911... you probably kept her from getting hurt. And you got me there in time."
Leah shrugs, but her eyes soften. "We might clock in at the same place, but... this is more than work. We're family. You don't leave family."
Amanda lets out a shaky breath, then nods. "Really. Thank you for responding as fast as you did. I owe you one."
Leah gives a small smile. "You don't owe me anything. But I am holding onto the 'I'll get you snacks' offer."
Amanda huffs a quiet laugh. "Deal."
They stand there for another beat — grounded, steady — before Amanda nods toward the room.
"I'm gonna go back in."
Leah nods. "I'll be right behind you."
The room was quieter than it had been all day.
No monitors beeping urgently. No doctors coming in and out. No coworkers hovering in the doorway with worry written all over their faces.
Just soft light. Clean sheets. And Ericka awake.
She was propped slightly against the pillows now, color slowly returning to her face, eyes tired but alert. One hand rested on the blanket. The other was still tangled with Amanda's fingers.
Amanda hadn't moved from the chair since the last person left.
Samantha came back in quietly, carrying a small paper bag and a coffee cup.
"Okay," she said gently, setting it on the tray. "Doctor says she's stable. Which means you"—she pointed softly at Amanda—"need to eat. Now."
Amanda shook her head automatically. "I'm not—"
Samantha cut her off with a look. "Amanda. Eat. Or I'll sit here and stare at you until you do, and that will be way more uncomfortable."
Ericka glanced at Amanda, voice low but steady. "Please."
That did it.
Amanda exhaled shakily and nodded. Samantha helped her open the container, slid it closer, and didn't say another word while Amanda forced down a few bites. Her hands were still trembling, but she ate. Slowly. Obediently.
"Good," Samantha said once she was satisfied. She squeezed Amanda's shoulder, then leaned down to Ericka. "I'll be right outside if you need me. Text me. Don't push yourselves."
She gave Amanda one last knowing look — I've got you — and slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.
The room fell into silence again.
For a moment, Amanda just sat there, staring at the floor, jaw clenched so tight it ached.
Then her shoulders started to shake.
Ericka noticed immediately.
"Amanda..." she murmured.
Amanda tried to answer — tried to joke it off, to breathe through it — but the sound that came out was broken. She stood abruptly, turned away, and pressed her hands to her face.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, voice cracking. "I didn't want you to see me like this."
Ericka shifted carefully, wincing slightly but sitting up more. "Come here."
Amanda shook her head. "I'm okay, I just—"
"Amanda," Ericka said again, firmer this time. "Come here."
Amanda turned — and the moment she saw Ericka holding her arms out, everything collapsed.
She crossed the space in two steps and fell into her.
Ericka wrapped her arms around Amanda's shoulders, holding her close, careful but strong, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of Amanda's head.
Amanda broke completely.
She sobbed into Ericka's shoulder, clutching the hospital gown like it was the only thing keeping her upright.
"I thought I lost you," she cried. "I thought I was too late. You reached for me and I— I wasn't there. I can't— I can't do this without you."
Ericka's eyes burned, but she didn't cry. She just held her. Rocked her slightly. Kissed Amanda's temple again and again.
"I know," she whispered. "I felt it too. That moment when my body stopped listening. I was scared."
Amanda pulled back just enough to look at her, tears streaking her face. "Promise me. If you ever feel like that again — even a little — you text me. '911.' I don't care where I am."
Ericka nodded, cupping Amanda's cheek. "I promise. And I'm sorry I scared you."
Amanda shook her head fiercely. "No. Don't you dare apologize. You did everything right. You asked for help."
Ericka drew her back in, resting her cheek against Amanda's hair. "I've got you," she murmured. "You don't have to be strong right now."
Amanda's sobs softened, turning into quiet, exhausted breaths as she stayed curled against Ericka's chest, finally letting herself be held.
Amanda stayed tucked against Ericka, her arm draped carefully over her waist, fingers laced through Ericka's hand like she was afraid the moment would slip away if she loosened her grip. Ericka's breathing evened out first, deep and steady, exhaustion finally catching up to her.
Amanda felt it before she saw it—the way Ericka's body softened, the tension fully melting from her shoulders.
"You asleep?" Amanda whispered.
No answer.
Amanda smiled faintly, pressing a soft kiss to Ericka's temple. "Figures."
She shifted just enough to make them both more comfortable, careful of the monitors and IV line, then rested her head against Ericka's chest. The steady heartbeat beneath her ear was grounding in a way nothing else could be.
For the first time all day, Amanda let herself rest.
Sleep took them both.
A few hours later, the soft knock came.
Amanda stirred first, blinking groggily as the door opened. A doctor stepped in quietly, clipboard in hand, clearly trying not to startle them.
"Sorry to wake you," he said gently.
Ericka blinked awake next, confused for a second until she registered where she was—and Amanda curled against her.
"Oh," she murmured. "Hi."
Amanda immediately lifted her head. "Is everything okay?"
The doctor smiled. "Everything looks good. Vitals are stable, labs came back normal, and she's been steady for several hours now." He glanced at Ericka. "We're comfortable discharging you today."
Amanda's shoulders sagged with relief she didn't even try to hide. "Really?"
"Yes," he confirmed. "With one condition." He looked directly at Ericka. "Rest. Hydration. Light meals. And no pushing yourself. If you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, anything off—you come back immediately."
Ericka nodded, serious now. "I understand."
Amanda squeezed her hand. "She will," she said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."
The doctor smiled knowingly. "I had a feeling you would."
He gave them instructions, paperwork details, and stepped back out to let the nurse know.
When the door closed, Amanda exhaled a long, shaky breath and laughed softly. "You're coming home."
Ericka smiled, tired but warm. "Looks like it."
Amanda leaned in, pressing her forehead gently to Ericka's. "You scared me."
"I know," Ericka whispered. "I'm sorry."
Amanda shook her head. "Just... don't do that again."
Ericka smirked faintly. "I'll put it on my calendar."
Amanda huffed a laugh, then kissed her—slow, careful, full of relief.
The discharge papers were barely signed before the room started to feel lighter.
Amanda helped Ericka into her clothes slowly, carefully—like she was made of glass now, even though Ericka kept insisting she was fine. Fine-but-tired. Fine-but-humbled.
When the door finally opened again, the driver was already there.
"Well look at you two," he said with an easy smile. "Ready to go home?"
Amanda nodded immediately. "Very."
Ericka squeezed her hand. "Thank you for coming so fast."
"Wouldn't miss it," he replied, already grabbing Ericka's overnight bag.
The ride home was quiet in the best way. The city passed by the windows, familiar streets grounding them back into real life. Amanda kept one hand on Ericka's knee the entire time, thumb rubbing slow circles like she needed the reminder that she was really there.
Ericka leaned her head against Amanda's shoulder halfway through the drive, eyes drifting shut again.
"You okay?" Amanda murmured.
"Mhm," Ericka whispered. "Just... safe."
When the car pulled up to the building, Amanda immediately noticed the lights.
Too many lights.
She frowned. "Why are all the lights on?"
The elevator ride up was suspiciously quiet. Ericka glanced at Amanda, confused but amused. "Did someone break in... or throw a party?"
The doors opened.
And—
"SURPRISE."
The penthouse was full.
Leah, Carter, Maria, Jamie, Samantha, Danielle—everyone. The kitchen island was covered in food. Takeout containers. Homemade dishes. Soup, pasta, bread, fruit, pastries. Someone had clearly gone overboard.
Danielle rushed forward first. "YOU'RE HOME."
Samantha followed, already fussing. "Okay, sit—no, don't sit there—actually yes, sit—Ericka, how are you feeling?"
Carter lifted both hands. "Before either of you says anything—no. We're staying."
Maria nodded firmly. "Not taking no for an answer."
Jamie added, "This is not a debate. This is a declaration."
Ericka blinked, overwhelmed but smiling. "You didn't have to—"
Leah cut her off gently. "Yeah. We did."
Amanda felt her throat tighten. "You guys..."
Danielle pointed at the food. "We brought enough to feed a small army and emotionally support one very stubborn CEO."
Ericka laughed softly. "I feel attacked."
"Good," Samantha said, handing her a glass of water. "Drink."
Amanda looked around at all of them—standing there like a wall of support she didn't even realize she'd leaned on.
"You're all staying?" she asked quietly.
Carter smiled. "Absolutely."
Leah added, "Someone's always awake."
Maria smirked. "And someone's always watching her."
Ericka squeezed Amanda's hand again. "Looks like we're outnumbered."
Amanda smiled, eyes glossy. "Yeah... but in the best way."
Danielle clapped her hands. "Okay! Shoes off, boss lady. Couch. Blankets. Zero arguments."
Ericka raised her hands in surrender. "I comply."
As they guided her toward the couch, Amanda lingered for half a second, watching the scene—the laughter, the food, the warmth filling the penthouse.
She leaned down and whispered to Ericka, voice thick but steady.
"You're so loved."
Ericka looked up at her, eyes soft. "So are you."