Loved By You

Twenty One

Demi

"Heather" she pushed herself to stand, her arms locking me in a tight hug. "I-I was at work, I-I didn't-I didn't hear my phone" she shook her head as she lightly caressed my back, tears flowing rapidly down my cheeks as my heart broke.

"That's okay, Honey" she led me towards the seat, wiping at her own tears as she sat beside me.

"Is there any news?" she shook her head as she stroked a strand of hair behind my ear. I dropped my head into my hands as I choked on a sob. Heather managed to wrap her arm around me, her fingers lightly caressing my spine. I don't know how long we sat in that position but it felt a lot longer than it probably was.

"Heather?" I jumped at the unknown voice to find a nurse stood in the doorway. "I have some news on the young boys" I sat up straight, my heart hammering against my chest.

"Are they okay?"

"Kalen and Hunter have a couple bruises and scratches but they're both okay. Kalen's a little shaken up, he-he keeps asking for his mama" I relaxed back in my seat, my fingers running through my hair as my heart ached.

"A-And Odell?" I forced the lump from my throat so I could ask.

"He's currently in surgery. I'm afraid that's all I know."

"Thank you, Nancy" a light smile formed on her face as she nodded. "Can we see the boys?"

"Of course. They're both in room 16, it's just upstairs. If you have any questions, please do just ask" Heather nodded and thanked the nurse again before she glanced to me. She took a hold of my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before she spoke.

"Let's go and see the boys" I numbly nodded before I pushed myself to stand. Heather wrapped her arm around mine as we began towards the stairs. My heart was pounding in my chest, my stomach swimming with butterflies. I stopped as we stepped in front of the boys room. Heather glanced to me with furrowed brows. "You okay, Honey?" I shook my head as I nibbled on my lip, tears slowly rolling down my cheeks.

"I just wanna know that Odell's okay" Heather lightly sighed as she wrapped her arm around my neck. "I-I don't want to lose him" she pressed a delicate kiss to my cheek.

"He'll come through this, Demi. I promise. He's a fighter" she cupped my face in her hands and gently wiped at my cheeks. "Now, these boys want their mommy. Let's focus on them" I nodded, swallowing over the lump in my throat as Heather pushed the door open. The room was brightly coloured, decorated with different Disney characters. There were two cribs, one held a fast asleep Hunter and Kalen was sat in the other.

"Mommy" I smiled as I stepped up to him, running my fingers gently through his curls as he moved to wrap his arms around me. The scratches all over his body broke my heart.

"Oh Baby. You're okay."

"Owie" he mumbled as he pointed at the bandage wrapped around his right thigh.

"I know, Handsome."

"Owie too" he pointed over at Hunter who was now awake, playing with Heather's fingers as he babbled.

"You both have owies" he nodded as he pressed his head into my side. "You're both very brave" he began to trace patterns on my thigh. I leant to press a kiss to the top of his head. I glanced up as Hunter released a light cry.

"Mama" Kalen whined as he pulled away from me and he pointed at Hunter, his gaze dancing between me and Hunter.

"You want me to check on Hunter?" he rapidly began to nod. I pressed a kiss to his forehead as I moved over to Hunter's crib. "Hi Baby Boy" he grabbed my hand as I caressed the side of his face. I leant to press a kiss to his cheek, my heart melting as his lips lightly twitched at the corners.

-

A gentle knock on the door made both me and Heather jump. I quickly wiped my cheeks as Heather called for the person to enter. Nancy poked her head around the door and lightly smiled.

"Hi. I just wanted to come and let you know that Odell's out of surgery. We're hoping to wake him soon, he's currently still sedated from his surgery" my heart skipped a beat, my eyes welling up with tears as I glanced at Heather. She looked just as relieved as I felt. He's still alive. "You're both welcome to see him. It'll have to be one at a time though, I'm afraid."

"You go, Demi."

"No" I shook my head as I glanced down at Hunter who's hand was wrapped around my fingers. "He won't want me there."

"Honey" I sniffled, quickly wiping away my fallen tears. "He will, Dem. He misses you, Sweetheart."

"I miss him too but..." I shook my head as I nibbled on my lip. "He deserves someone better than me. He deserves someone who will believe him the first time he says he didn't do it" I wiped at my cheeks as my tears continued to fall.

"Anyone would have thought the same thing as you did. I believed that it happened, Demi. He'll want to see you, Honey, trust me" I released a breath as I glanced up to meet her gaze.

"What-What room is he in?" I glanced over at Nancy who had a light smile across her face.

"He's in room 2 in the ICU. It's just down this corridor and then to your left" I nodded as I swallowed over the lump that formed in my throat. "I'll let them know that you're coming down."

"Thank you" she disappeared from the room as I glanced down at Hunter. I lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to his fingers that remained locked around mine. "Are you okay to watch the boys?"

"Of course I am" Heather flashed me a light smile. I released another breath as I glanced back at Kalen who was curled up with his teddy, fast asleep. "He'll be happy to see you, Dem."

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