Ghost from the past (18+)

#Thirty-four: In which she stays by his side.

Once I got back I gave Rebekah, Alex, and Néomy, who by the way was livid I kept her in the dark about what was going on, a rundown of what had happened in New Orleans. To say they were furious when they found out I'd taken dad's Colt with me would've been an understatement. Not even mentioning their reactions when I told them I shot one of Rocco's men with it, even if it was in his leg...

Both my siblings refused to talk to me for the next few days. Ignoring me entirely while Nomes did the exact opposite. She had made it her damn mission in life to lecture me to the extent, I was even considering selling the gun so they would all be sure I'd never pull a stunt like that again. I knew I'd dug my own grave as soon as I'd pulled that trigger, I understood the consequences that came with it and was ready to face them. I was honestly more afraid of their reactions than I was of the action itself, but I also immediately came to the conclusion I had to tell them the truth. By now it was clear to me that avoiding conversation and evading fessing up the truth about things would only make matters worse...

A lot of things and scenarios could've possibly been avoided. Or at least have ended in a whole other outcoming, if all of us had been more honest from the start. Because of it, I'd found a new resolve. I didn't want to be like that anymore... I wanted to break the vicious cycle we were in, so I decided to take a leap of fate and sprawl it all out in the open. Let the cards fall as they may. And that included Matt as soon as he woke up... I was still working out in my mind how to go about it all, but I was determined to make it work somehow.

We ended up talking to everyone else that we were close with, Tyler, Ryan, Jake, as well as Shelby, and Ruby. I even had a heart-to-heart with Delphine about my family relations, figuring she as my manager at least deserved to know the truth... Looking past her personality, I knew I could trust my manager to keep this a secret. She was quite supportive about it and understood why I hadn't mentioned it until now, although she was glad I ended up telling her eventually. She said it suddenly all made sense. Why I'd always been so secretive about my private life and she reassured me this would make our relationship much easier now she knew what I was dealing with on the side. I also informed her I would be taking a break for the time being. No matter the consequences it had for my career. Right now, I had more important priorities in my life.

The others reacted as equally understanding when they found out. Don't get me wrong, they were shocked! And Ruby nearly lost her shit when she heard that they were the reason that Matt got shot, but she quickly calmed down once I told her how I dealt with it. Giving me an 'Attagirl!', along with a high five. I couldn't help but giggle at the action, glad at least someone understood why I did it without judging me to no end.

Matt's parents, Rosa, and Melody were another matter though. Alex, Rebekah, and I had talked it over for hours before we eventually came to the conclusion it was for the best to wait until Matt woke up. He had to know first. Then he could be the one to decide if his family should know the truth about what happened behind the shooting and our family's involvement.

Once the air was finally cleared, and the ignoring had begun, I headed home for a well-deserved shower. I immediately returned afterward, wanting to be back at Matt's side above all else.

I hadn't been home since... My muscles refused to budge, apprehensively waiting for him to wake up. He was stable and had been transferred into a private room in the meantime. That's where the good news ended though... Other than that, his condition had still to improve and as for now, there were no signs of that happening anytime soon.

I slept, ate, and lived in the chair next to him. Not even bothered to go out for a smoke, or anything else for that matter. Néomy had brought me a bag with some of my clothes, toiletries, and some other stuff to pass the time once the hostility between us dimmed back down again. The nurses who came by nearly forced me to make use of the shower that was attached to Matt's room when nearly a week had passed. Apparently, seeing someone go from a celebrity to somewhat of a homeless person didn't settle well with them and they kept doting on me as if I was their patient as well. Making sure I was eating and drinking enough to keep myself healthy. They even provided me with a blanket and comfy cushion to keep me company in the large lounge chair. They tried to give me a bed, but I firmly declined. There were other people those beds were meant for. Besides, I refused to move even an inch further away from Matt. I was determined to stay by his side until he opened his eyes. Especially after he confessed he'd been looking for me when he'd woken up from the car crash all those years ago. This time I would be there...