Not Warriors- Awsten Knight

Chapter 45

Awsten was trying his best to keep the energy happy in the room, but he could feel the anxiety radiating off of Claire and Collin waiting for Madison to arrive. 

Although it had only been 10 minutes since Claire had gotten off of the phone, the minutes were ticking by so painfully slow that to them it felt like it had been an hour. 

He just hoped that the both of knew how much he cared, and wanted to be there for the both of them. 

In a way he felt like he was just in the way, like an annoying little sibling that was obligated to be there regardless of how much they didn't want him there. He knew that this wasn't the case, but the worst parts of his brain were screaming at him during the antagonizing moments. 

He let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding when he feels Claire's hand slip into his, her fingers interlocking and he looks over at her with a soft smile. 

"Breathe Aws, I think I speak for both of us when I say that we are happy that you are here." she tells him softly, and Collin doesn't respond but both of them figure that he's probably stuck in his head more than anyone else in the room at the moment. 

"You're reading my mind again bear." he replies with a soft laugh, and she nods shrugging slightly. 

"I've gotten pretty good at it over the years to be honest with you, but I mean it when I say that you're wanted here. Get out of your pretty little head okay?" she assures him, and he smiles dipping down to press a kiss to her forehead. 

Claire feels her phone buzz in her pocket, pulling it out letting her know that Madison was here. 

"Col, she's here. Do you want to get the door for her?" Claire asks with a smile, and his head snaps up looking at her wide eyed. 

"Can I?" he asks shyly, and she nods. 

"Go ahead." she replies, nodding towards the door. 

Collin gets up from the barstool so fast, he almost trips over his own two feet. 

From the moment that Claire had called him, he's felt like this was just a dream that he was living in and he wouldn't fully believe that she was here until he saw her face. 

He makes it to the door, standing in front of it for moment. It was solid wood so he couldn't seen through it to the other side, and all of a sudden he was terrified. He didn't know how she would look when he opened the door, and he hoped and silently prayed that no matter what she looked healthy. 

"I can hear someone on the other side of the door, are you going to open it or just leave me standing here like a pizza delivery guy?" Madison calls playfully from the other side of the door, and tears slip out of his eyes down his cheeks.

Her voice confirmed the fact that this was real, and he swung the door open holding his breath that she wouldn't be upset to see him. 

"Col-" she says breathlessly, quickly stepping up and wrapping her arms around his torso hugging him so tightly she knocks the wind out of him. 

It took him a second to process what was happening but as soon as he does, he wraps his arms around you burying his face in the crook of her neck holding her tightly. 

"Mads, I can't believe you're here." he croaks out, and he feels her nod against him. 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything Collin." she mumbles into his chest and he shakes his head quickly. 

"Sh no, we're not going to apologize for the past right now. All that matters is that you're here okay?" he tells her, running a hand through her hair and she pulls back looking up at him with tears in her eyes.