𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 ✓

Chapter Ten

"Amaryllis suffers from a condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy." That wasn't really the explanation I was looking for. I didn't understand!

"In other words, Amaryllis has a weak heart, Alexander. She can't get too excited or scared or else her heart will beat too quickly for her body to handle." Tears started forming in my eyes as Marcy explained. I caused this. If I didn't try to kiss her, she would be fine right now.

"Why didn't she tell me?" I tried to sound calm but I was anything but calm.

"She was scared. She didn't want to worry you and just wanted to enjoy her time with you." My legs gave out and tears flowed freely. I couldn't take it anymore. Conner took a hold of me before I hit the ground.

"She's going to be fine. You heard the doctor." He rubbed my back and tried calming me down as best as possible.

"Amaryllis is a strong girl. She'll get through this." She spoke empty words and she knew it. Marcy was just as scared as the rest of us.

We waited and waited and waited for the doctor to let us see her. I no longer had any tears left to shed. My eyes were red and puffy by the time the doctor finally came.

"She's awake and ready for visitors." We all let out a sigh of relief.

"She keeps asking for an Alexander." My eyes shot up.

"Is that any of you?" I raised my hand and walked so I was in front of him.

"That's me, sir." My voice was quiet. She wanted to see me, of all people.

He told me to follow him and lead the way towards her hospital room. I was getting nervous to see her.

As I entered the room I expected her to be mad but she was smiling. I went to her side and took a seat on the chair that was there. I took her hand in mine. I could feel more tears wanting to escape even though I thought I had no more.

"I didn't want you to find out this way." She looked pale and almost lifeless yet just as beautiful as she always did. I gave her hand a small squeeze and smiled.

"As much as I wish you would've told me sooner. I'm just glad that you're okay." Her smile faltered a little. I brought her hand to my lips and gave it a small peck. I put her cold hand against my cheek.

"I don't know if I'll be okay Alexander." I looked into her beautiful chocolate eyes and saw tears swelling up in them.

"Don't say that. You're going to be okay and we'll be leaving this hospital and living a normal life." She chuckled as tears started flowing down her eyes.

"Look at me, Alexander. I'm not okay." She cupped my face with her hands and wiped the stray tears that fell. I leaned into her touch as she smiled. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"I can't lose you Amaryllis." We were both crying now. I grabbed her hand in mine. I didn't want to cry in front of her but I couldn't help it. I put my head down and laid it on her hands.

She lifted my head, making me look into her eyes. She smiled through the tears.

"You'll never lose me." She put her hand on my heart.

"I'll always be here." I shook my head.

"But I want you here, with me." She couldn't respond. Her parents walked in. I stood up to leave but she held onto me. I looked down at her and saw her pleading eyes wanting me to stay.

Amaryllis

I didn't want him to leave me alone with my parents. I knew my mother would cry uncontrollably and my father would just scream at me for being irresponsible.

"Please don't go," I told him silently.

He looked over at my parents for approval. All they did was sigh knowing that I wouldn't let him leave.

He took a seat again.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were when we got a call from the hospital?" Of course, it would be my father to say that.

"When are you going to learn not to be so reckless?" I scoffed.

"Don't start acting like a father just because Alexander is here. We both know you could care less about what happens to me." He let go of my mother's arm and walked to stand next to me.

"I know I haven't been the best father," I scoffed.

"That's an understatement." Alexander gave my hand a light squeeze making me look up at him.

'Listen to him for once.' He didn't say it but I could tell by the way he looked at me that he wanted to.

"But, I want to change. After your mother and I got a call from the hospital, I felt like the world was falling. You have no idea how scared I was. How scared your mother was." I wanted to believe him. I really did but there was only one way to find that out.

"What about Ms. Volan? Are you going to continue your relationship with her because last time I talked to her she claimed wholeheartedly that you loved her." He looked down and ran a hand through his hair.

"I will admit that my relationship with her wasn't the best. She was a mistake in my life and I never loved her. At least not as much as I love your mother." I smiled.

"You know lying is a sin. I hope, for your sake, that what you're saying is true. I'll believe you." He looked up and smiled.

"For now. One mistake and all my trust in you will go down the drain." He nodded and gave me a kiss on the forehead and backed up so my mother could speak to me.

I looked up at her. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the crying. It hurt seeing her like this.

My father walked over to Alexander putting a hand on his shoulder signaling to leave with him so I and my mother could have some alone time.

Alexander gave me a reassuring smile and a kiss on my hand before leaving with my father.

My mother embraced me in a hug.

"I'm fine mother. I'm still alive and breathing." She smiled and cupped my face in her hands as she ran her thumb against my dry pale skin. I was lying. I wasn't okay but I needed her last memories of me to not be sad.

"I know and I'm so happy. I felt my heart drop when the call came in from the hospital." I smiled and put my hands on hers.

"But, as you can see, I'm okay. You can relax now." She smiled and nodded as she put her hands down and just leaned on my shoulder for a while as she sat on her knees.

I smiled as I stroked her hair trying to calm her down.

Marcy and Conner walked in a few minutes later followed by my father to get my mother.

"We'll be right outside honey." She said before the door closed leaving me with Marcy and Conner.