With Her | Jori |1|

chapter 4

"Daughter?" Jade asks looking confused.

"I had her just before I turned fifteen. It's hard but we make it work." I say looking at my hands. I pick at my nails and avoid looking at her.

"Wow." She says, eyes wide.

"Are you going to leave? I know what your thinking, its okay. I've heard it all before."

"Why would I leave you? Sure, you have a kid. We all have a past." Jade shrugs. My phone vibrates in my pocket and Its a text from Darren.

"Let's go, Bella's awake." I say standing up, grabbing my coffee and walking towards the elevator with Jade right behind me.

I rush into her room, walking over to her bed.

"Mommy!" Bella yells excitedly. She has cast on her arm.

"Hey, Bella. This is Jade." I say pointing at Jade before placing my hand on Bella's cheek.

"Hi Jade." Bella says quietly.

"Hi Bella." Jade smiles, coming to stand next to me.

The doctor walks in and I shuffle nervously.

"Why did she need surgery?" Darren asks.

"Well, when the car hit her stomach her appendix burst." he explains. (I don't actually know if that can happen.)

I feel cold fingers lock with mine. Looking down, I see black nail polish and know that it's Jade. She squeezes my hand for comfort and slightly smiles at me.

"When can I go home." Bella whines tiredly.

"Tomorrow morning." The doctor replies.

Once again for the third time today my phone rings. I sigh as ANDRE flashes on the screen.

"I got it, you stay here with Bella." Jade says taking my phone from my hands. I smile with gratitude and thank her before she walks out of the room answering the call.

"Mommy, Jade is pretty." I smile and move hair out of her face. I kiss her forehead before replying.

"Yes, she is very pretty."

Jade walks back in a few minutes later and hands me my phone.

"What did he need?" I ask.

"He wanted to know why we left. I told him it was a family emergency and to cover for us. I figured you would want to stay here with Bella." Jade says.

"Thank you." I say truly meaning it. She smiles and sits in the chair by Bella's bed and starts talking to her.

"Tori, can I talk to you for a minute?" Darren asks me.

"Sure."

We walk into the hallway.

"I think you should move in with me at my apartment. Things with your dad are getting worse and that way you can be with Bella." He suggests.

"That's actually a great idea, I'll call my mom later tonight and talk to her about moving in so I could be with Bella more. Thank you Darren." I say hugging him.

"No problem." He says before we walk back in the room.

Tori's pov

I'm not quite sure how I'm going to ask my mom about moving in with Darren. I only talk to a few people, my mom not being one of them. I guess I could text her.

Me: Hey mom I was wondering if I could maybe sorta kinda move in with Darren.

Mom: I'll be okay with that but you have bring Bella around more.