Loving Him (Ashton Irwin a.u.)

Chapter 8

Weeks passed.

Aiden was still in intensive care.

Uncle Peter had grown weaker slowly.

Ashton and I hadn't spoken for several days.

I tried calling, visiting his house, going into the hospital ward where Aiden was, but whenever I got close to seeing either of them there was some reason behind me not being allowed to. Whether I had upset Ashton or he was just too preoccupied with Aiden being ill I don't know. But I know I felt empty and lonely for those days in which Ashton had avoided me. Our two month anniversary was coming up that weekend, and I didn't know if I would even see my boyfriend on the day. I didn't expect to; he obviously had bigger problems.

That was until my phone began to ring one morning, just after I woke up. The incoming number was unknown, but I accepted the call and pressed my phone to my ear, asking groggily, "Hello?"

"Mais," the voice said breathily. "Maisie."

"Ashton?"

"Yeah, it's me. I'm so sorry I haven't spoken to you. I've been staying at the hospital and my phone ran out of charge. I'm using Lauren's phone now."

"You could've asked me to get your stuff from your house, I would've done it for you."

"You would?" he asked shyly. "I don't want to inconvenience you."

"Anything I do for you is a pleasure not an inconvenience, Ash. I lo- like you so much."

My heart stopped. Did I almost just tell him I love him?! Did I mean it?!

"I like you so much too," he returned with a small chuckle, interrupting my frantic thoughts. "You're too good to me."

"You deserve it, what with everything you've been through in the last few weeks. How's Aiden?"

Ashton went quiet. "Still here," he said after a while. "Just."

"I wish I was there with you. That's what girlfriends do. That's all I have to do and I haven't been doing it. Please, let me get a house key, grab your chargers, toothbrush, clothes, whatever you need. Let me be there with you."

"It's not as simple as that, Mais. I can't... I can't give you my house key."

"Why not?" I questioned, confused.

"I don't feel comfortable with... You know what? I don't want to have this conversation over the phone. Can you come down here?"

I looked at the time, seeing it was 9:30 AM on a Saturday, and agreed, adding I would be down at the hospital in about half an hour.

I got up out of bed and crawled over to my floor-length mirror from IKEA, deciding I looked atrocious and that I should avoid looking at my reflection for the rest of the day, until I found time to take a shower. Whenever that might have been.

Quickly chucking on the nearest pieces of clothing I found that didn't look ridiculous together, I hurried out my front door, grabbing my house keys, money and phone on the way. Starting my car, I was on the road again within minutes of my phone call with Ashton ending. And I was in the hospital just when I said I would be.

I ran down the halls breathlessly, eager to see my boyfriend and his baby, eager to feel the warmth of a man's arms wrapped around my frail body. I needed his comfort after a couple of weeks of crying over my uncle and eating very little. I had lost a bit of weight, and you could tell from my face I was exhausted and I hoped Ashton wouldn't notice.

When I reached the children's ward where Aiden was when I left I was first greeted by Ashton's strong, warm arms pulling me into him while I panted from running all the way to the ward from my car. He held me so much tighter than he previously did and stroked my hair and kissed my head and stroked my back. I just clung on around his waist, taking in his smell and his strength. Whenever I was with him I wanted to memorise a new feature of his. I didn't know what caused the urge, but that didn't matter. Ashton was my boyfriend and I loved him--