Survival

Chapter Three

After waiting three hours, my brother was rolled in laying in a crib that the hospitals use. I immediately jump up. "He is still out. His surgery went amazing. We were able to get the bullet out and we believe his shoulder will heal perfect and in no time." I pull the nurse into a tight hug. "Thank you for saving my brother." Pulling away as mason walked back into the room with drinks, confused seeing so many people in the room working away.

"Noah's back. He's doing good." The nurse started blushing after Mason shot her a small smile. "Thank you nurse." He walked towards the bed, glancing down with a sigh, he set the drinks on the table next to the bed. Walking over and pulling a chair to the bed and lowering a side of the crib. I sat holding my little brothers hand. He's all I have left.

My hand was moved and I felt myself being lifted, cuddling into the now burning warmth, I fell into a deeper sleep.

Opening my eyes and letting out a yawn I realize I was on the sofa in the room and Mason was where I was sitting. His upper half was leant over Noah's bed, asleep. He moved me to the sofa and slept uncomfortable? Why? From the corner of my eye I saw Noah begin to move his head around. His cry echoed around the room. "M-mommy?" I went to his other side as Mason jumped up, awake now. "Hey, shh Noah, I'm here buddy. Your big sisters here."

I felt Mason place his hand on my shoulder, letting me know he's going to grab a nurse. Noah had tears streaming down his face, making my eyes tear up as well. He doesn't understand this, he had no idea.

Mason came back into the room with a few nurses. They immediately jumped into work. "Ma'am we need you to wait in the hallway. We need to examine him." I was zones on Noah. I can't leave him. "Ma'am. You need to step out." Mason waved them off so they weren't yanking me with force anymore.

Mason gently takes my hand in his, knocking me back to reality. "Come on Madeline. The nurses need room." I slowly nod as he pulls me out of the room. My brothers cries for me bring tears to my eyes. As if that being the one thing to bring back everything that's happened in the last 24 hours. My knees buckle causing Mason to catch me. He helps me into an empty room before wrapping his arms around me. I cry into his chest. Wrapping my arms around him, screaming into his chest. He holds me there gently running a hand on my head. "Shh it's okay Madeline. Let it out." My hands clinch his uniform, holding me to him more.

We stood like that for awhile while my tears soaked his uniform. He finally pulls away and tilts my head up with his soft, and warm hands. Mason gently wipes away the tears on my cheeks. He looks into my eyes studying me before dropping his hands and stepping away. I look down in embarrassment. Why did I just cry all over him? The last thing he wants is a teenage orphan crying on him. "I-I'm... sorry. I didn't mean to do that..." he frowns at me before grabbing my arm and pulling me into him. He gives me a gentle hug.

"Don't ever apologize for coping. You just went through hell Mads. Okay?" My heart pounded at the nickname he gave me. "Okay.." he slowly let go and rubbed his neck. He's uncomfortable. Of course he is. "We should get back. I'm sure they're done." Nodding at his words I quietly follow him to Noah's room. Mason opened the door after receiving a knowing look from the officer posted at the door. Mason stiffened and looked at me. "Miss Woods, the room is clear and ready for you to enter. Tell for help if you need us." I frown at the stern edging on his voice. Alrighty then.

I enter the room and the door closes after, with Mason on the other side. Noah was eating a popsicle. "Hey buddy." His head shoots to me. "Sissy! Popsicle!" I let out a small laugh. "I see that, blue too? That's your favorite color!" He smiled huge at me. I hold his hand kissing his forehead. "How's your shoulder bud? Does it still hurt?" He sniffles and nods. "Im sorry buddy. If I could make it better I would." The door opened and a few nurses walked in, Mason following closely behind them.

"Hello Miss Woods, we wanted to switch him to a bigger bed now that he's conscious. I nod and back up too stand next to Mason whilst they transfer him. Masons shoulder bumps mine, not looking my way. "I'm sorry for speaking to you in that tone earlier. I-uh my coworkers got under my skin. They think I'm going to mess this up. I just.. I'm sorry." I give him a shoulder bump back. "You're okay Officer Jones." He lets out a small smile before going back to his classic stone face.

A week went by and we were able to leave the hospital finally. Noah doesn't remember what happened and I don't have the courage to tell him. I helped Noah sit on the side of the bed. Looking out at the nurses desk searching for Mason. We're waiting on him to sign the discharge papers.

My eyes finally spot him. He was laughing leaning over the nurses desk twirling the nurses blonde locks in his finger, her cheeks bright red as she laughed at what he said. Irritation seeped out of me. Why? I don't know. Obviously because my poor brother is sitting here waiting to leave while Mason only cares about one thing. Sex. I storm over there.

"Mason? Seriously? Get her number or something but be quicker. My brother and I are ready to leave." The nurse let out a snort. "Officer Jones, your sister had an attitude problem." Mason frowned at her before withdrawing his hand from her hair. "Apologize Danielle. Also, she's not my sister." She blushed in embarrassment and muttered a sorry before handing Mason the papers he needed to sign. Danielle sent me a rude look before talking. "Alright Officer Jones y'all are able to leave." Mason turns and motions me back to Noah's room. "Madeline, I didn't take into account you guys waiting on me. I'm sorry. This is all new to me. I'll be better.

Rolling my eyes I pick up my speed. "Hey Noah, let's get out of here." He smiles huge and jumps off the bed with my help. Mason leads us out to his truck. "I grabbed my buddies extra car seat for Noah until we can get to the store. It's all set up for him." I lift Noah into the truck being careful to not catch his sling on anything, buckling him up and climbing in.

"Sissy? Do we go home? I want mommy." Mason and I look at each other, tears coming to the surface of my eyes. Mason slowly turns. "Hey buddy, we haven't had a big chance to talk. I'm Mason remember?" I watch Noah nod. "We'll buddy, for now, you're going to stay with me at my house. I have some really cool toys and I have a paw patrol moving that I think you might love." Mason smiles big at Noah. A small smile made its way onto my face watching how mason was a completely different person with him. He was a better person.