Home Away From Home

Chapter Fourteen

DAY FORTY

Luke's intoxicating smell and the soothing sound of his breathing must have put me to sleep because I woke up with my head on his chest, his arm around me, and our legs intertwined. It was nice. I looked up to see him sleeping peacefully, and I felt okay.

But then I remembered, and the walls and ceiling started to move in. It's not okay. Things are not okay. I slithered out of Luke's grasp just enough to reach my almost dead phone. Five missed calls. 

I called Emerson back immediately, and the phone rang four times before she answered.

"Were you sleeping?"

"Yeah..." She yawned.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, checking Luke to make sure he was still asleep.

"It's okay. Dad's surgery went well. He's in a room with a ventilator right now. Both of his lungs were collapsed, and they found some internal bleeding in his abdominal cavity, but there were no complications. Things actually sound okay." She was practically still asleep as she listed off the, probably routine, announcements. 

I wave of relief washed over me, and the weight of the world felt a few tons lighter. "Thank goodness." 

"I'll keep you posted, okay?" Emerson yawned again, and tears rushed to my eyes as I thought of my sleepy and relieved family.

"Okay. Thanks, Em. Sorry I woke you. Love you." I whispered. 

"Love you too." We hung up, and I couldn't supress the smile that was attacking.

Instead of getting out of the bed and going to my own for a few more hours, I stayed. I have no doubt Liz or Andy came up to find us like this at some point because neither of us had been down to see either of them for a while before we fell asleep. I'm not especially looking forward to what Liz or Andy would have to say about this, but I really can't bring myself to care about it at the moment.

I curled into Luke, bringing my arm across his torso. He whimpered a little as he adjusted his position. My breath hitched as I heard him. That was the cutest thing I've ever heard. He's like a tree, and he just whimpered.

*********

I woke up for the second time this morning, and I yawned onto Luke's chest. It was weird, and it woke him up.

"You okay?" He asked, breathing in as he attempted to stretch without moving.

"Yeah." I spoke quietly, not sure.

"Morning." He smiled, taking a deep breath, holding it, and releasing it.

"Morning." I smiled up at him, and he smiled back. It was awkward again.

I sat up, but his arm was still around me so I couldn't fully remove myself from him until he removed himself from me. "Thanks... for last night and stuff." I looked around at the blankets on the bed, and I felt Luke sit up across from me.

"Always." I could feel his stare, and I didn't want him to stare. Staring meant inquiring.

I peeked up at him, but then I couldn't look away. His hair was perfectly messy, and his eyes were red and tired which made his blue irises pop even more. "My sister said my dad's surgery went well..."

"That's great!" A wide smile formed across his lips, showing his teeth. 

"Yeah." I smiled but just barely. 

Luke rubbed his eyes with the tip of his fingers as he yawned. "Is something wrong?"

"No? I don't know." I shrugged dramatically, and Luke let out a breathy chuckle. His voice is low and raspy. I've never really had the experience of a boy's "morning voice", but I now understand what all the fuss is about. 

Silence ensued. 

"Do you think my mom came in and saw us?" Luke rubbed the back of his neck with his hand as he looked at me with a cocked head and one eye closed, almost wincing at the mere thought of it.

"I don't doubt it." I stated flatly. I rubbed my head as a headache set in.

"Well that's a conversation I could wait for." He joked, and I joined in on the uncomfortable laughter.

"Thank you, though. Really." I couldn't express my gratitude that he had been there last night. Even if I hadn't wanted to burden anyone, especially not him, at that precise moment, I couldn't be more glad that it was him. 

"Greta, I care about you, and I want you to know that." Luke sounded nervous, and my nerves joined the party. He began to pick at the sheets like he had done before, and I watched his hands.

"I know." I smiled up at him, but he only held my gaze. No expression claimed his face. 

He raised his eyebrows, looking away quickly. He nodded in affirmation to what I had said and backed off the bed. "I'm gonna go, uh, shower." He pointed in the direction of the bathroom but got turned around as he scrambled for his things.

"Okay..." I said practically inaudibly.

I got off his bed and went back into my room to change into some pajamas, considering I never did so last night. I braced myself for the confrontation of either parents as I went downstairs for the breakfast I smelled. 

"Morning." I said warily.

They looked at each other, almost breaking a smile but not quite. "Good morning." 

I sat down and began eating the breakfast they already had plated.

"Sleep well?" Andy asked, a smirk forming on his lips.

My face turned red. "Kinda... It wasn't the best night."

"Oh?" Liz asked amused, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"Yeah, uh, my mom called last night and told me my dad got into a car accident? It was pretty bad, I guess. My sister said his surgeries went well, though." My voice felt tense and forced, and I had lost the eye contact I once held.

"Oh, honey, I am so sorry! He's gonna be okay?" Liz's face contorted with worry and sympathy. She got up and walked over to me, urging me to stand. I did and soon found myself in a hug. I hugged her tightly, resting my face against her shoulder. 

"I think so. I hope so..." She pulled away. Her lips were curved with her brow as she studied me.

"If you ever need to talk more about it, I'm always here, okay?" She hugged me again quickly.

"Me too." Andy said with his mouth stufffed.

I laughed lightly as I wiped my eyes. I have zero control over tears, I swear. "Thank you both."

"And I'm sure Luke is too..." Andy teased. This guy has like three serious bones in his body. 

I sighed. "Yeah, I really had no intention of falling alseep. It was a really emotional night, and I guess I really wore myself out with all the crying. I'm so sorry!"

They both laughed, but I knew I'd be hearing more about it from Liz later. "We understand. But you can imagine my surprise when I went up to check on you, but I found you in Luke's bed... with Luke. I assumed nothing had happened, and I was right to do so." She smiled her mom smile. I laughed, but I blushed hard as my eye widened. I looked back down at my breakfast. 

Just as I was putting the last piece of pancake in my mouth, Luke entered the room. I looked at him, warning him with my eyes that they knew. I wish my eyes could have told them that they were in the joking mood.

"Looks like got a good night of rest." Andy began again just as I was leaving to put my dishes away. 

I drew my lips into my mouth, biting back a smile, as I listened for Luke's answer.

"Exceptionally." 

Oh. I was expecting some awkward gag of an answer, but no. It was one simple word that had enough behind it to flip my stomach. My face was red, and I was glad to be leaving the room entirely.

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Drama. Lame drama. Also unrealistic, but it's fanfiction-- nothing about it is realistic. Thanks for reading.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx