Surviving The Aftermath [Book Three]

Thirty One

Demi

I ran as fast as I could into the emergency department. I probably looked a mess as I passed everyone in the department at 3 in the morning. It was just before midnight that Kobe left for ice cream and it was nearing half past 1 when I received the call. I headed straight for the reception desk which thankfully nobody was stood at.

"Hi. How can I help?" the young woman sat behind the desk glanced up with a small smile. Her eyes flashed with a slight look of surprise but she quickly masked it.

"My-My husband, Kobe Johnson. I got a call that he was here" I quickly wiped at my cheeks, my hand settling on my belly as baby suddenly moved.

"Let me have a look for you" she turned back to her computer and I glanced around the waiting area, impatiently tapping my foot against the floor. I rolled my eyes and glanced away as I noticed someone not very subtly pointing their phone at me. "Hi, Mrs Johnson. Kobe's in cubicle 6. It's just through those double doors and then he's in the cubicle on your left."

"Thank you" I gave her a small smile before I headed to the double doors. I walked through them and then took a left, finding a bay of beds. There was a bed with the curtains drawn and above it read 'cubicle 6.' I stepped through the curtains, my hand flying to cover my mouth as I gasped at the sight of Kobe. I can't tell you how relieved I was when he opened his eyes.

"Hey Baby" he sounded tired.

"I-I'm so sorry. I'm never sending you out for ice cream again" he lightly laughed but winced as it obviously caused him pain. He held his hand out and signalled for me to come over. I stepped towards him and slid my hand into his, sobbing with relief as his hand wrapped around mine and gave it a squeeze.

"I'm okay, Baby. I'd do it again for you."

"Shut up" his lips twitched into a smile. "How are you?" I kept my eyes locked on him.

"In pain. I'm waiting to get my leg plastered."

"You had any pain relief?"

"Yes Baby" I nodded, biting down on my lower lip as I glanced down at his hand in mine.

"What did you break?"

"My ankle" I lightly smiled.

"I know how that feels" he very lightly laughed. "What happened?" he sighed, leaning his head back against the pillows.

"A car hit into me on the intersection. They ran a red light. The cars a wreck but at least I'm alive, right?" he lightly joked.

"Don't joke, Babe" I hit him lightly on the arm.

"Sorry. I'm okay though, Baby. I was unconscious when they pulled me from the car but I woke up once we got to the hospital" I lifted his hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

"I'm glad you're okay" the silence settled around us, Kobe removing his hand from mine so he could lightly caress my belly.

"Who's looking after the girls?"

"Maddie. She answered the phone when I rang my mom. They're asleep so they don't know what's going on" he nodded and puckered his lips which I leant to press a kiss too. I pulled away with a giggle and lightly caressed his jawline. "I love you" his lips twitched into a wide smile.

"I love you too" I pressed a peck to his lips before I relaxed back against the chair, my hand settling on my belly.

"I think we've been caught too" his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Someone had their phone pointed at me as I waited at reception. I wasn't exactly trying to hide my belly either."

"When do you want to tell them?"

"It'll probably be leaked to the media soon but at least after 20 weeks."

"We can just ignore the questions until then, right?" I nodded.

"I'm sorry."

"Baby, you don't have to apologise" my lips lightly twitched. The curtain opened and a young nurse with a wide smile stepped through.

"Hi Kobe. We're going to take you to get your cast sorted out, if that's okay?" he nodded with a smile, his eyes dancing to meet mine as two orderly's stepped through the curtains.

"Is it okay if she stays in here?" the nurse glanced to me with a smile.

"Yeah, of course it is. You'll be coming back here when you're all finished and then hopefully we'll be able to discharge you" Kobe and I shared a kiss before he was taken away to get his cast. I relaxed back against the chair as I waited for him to return, trying not to think about how my life could have just taken such a different turn.

-

"Careful, Babe" I held the car door open for Kobe as he struggled to get out with his crutches.

"I'm fine, Demi" I rolled my eyes, closing the car door behind him. I followed him up the pathway as he hobbled. I unlocked the front door and held it open for him, lightly pushing Batman and Ella away as they jumped at his legs.

"Mommy" I turned from the door as Ayla ran down the hallway. She crashed herself into my legs and lightly giggled.

"Hi Peanut. What are you doing up?"

"I had bad dream" I ran my fingers through her hair. "What that on your leg?" she pointed at Kobe's cast. I lifted her onto my hip and pressed a kiss to her cheek as I stroked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"It's a cast, Baby. Bebe got into a little accident."

"You got boo boo?"

"Yeah, Peanut" she dropped her head onto my shoulder.

"Shall we get you back into bed, Ayla?" she nodded and began to suck on her thumb. "I'll meet you back down here. Tell Maddie that she can crash in one of the guest rooms if she wants too" Kobe nodded and leant to press a kiss to my cheek.

"We'll see you in the morning, Peanut, okay?" he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Love you."

"Love you, Bebe" I gave him a smile before I headed up the stairs and into Ayla's room.

"What was your dream about, Baby?" I asked as I lowered her down onto her bed and pulled up her covers. She shook her head and the tiny action made my heart ache. "You can tell mommy, Peanut" she chewed on her lip and wiped her hair out of her face.

"You left."

"Baby, I would never leave you, okay? Even when I do, I always come back, don't I?" she silently nodded. "I love you, Ayla Mackenzie. Try and get some more sleep and I'll see you in the morning" I leant to press a kiss to her forehead.

"Love you more, Mommy."

"Get some sleep" I pressed a peck to her lips before I headed from the room, sure to leave her nightlight on. I stood outside her door for a moment, trying to figure out whether I seriously needed to be worried about this or not.

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