A Soldier's Life

Chapter 32 - But you weren't

Sophie's POV:

When I arrived home at 3am, I wasn't surprised when I saw Ava asleep on the sofa with Missy. I tried to be as quiet as possible as I made my way into Y/n's apartment but as soon as the door clicked shut, both of the sleeping bodies on the sofa jolted awake. "How's Mummy?" Ava asked in a tired voice.

I made my way over to the sofa and was greeted with a hug from Missy. "She's asleep at the moment. The doctors were able to help her last night but she's still not awake." I explained as she crawled into my lap, still in a sleepy state. "When is she going to wake up?" She asked and it makes my heart clench a bit. "We don't know at the moment sweetie. Her body needs to heal, and she'll do that best whilst she is sleeping." I couldn't tell her that I don't even know if she'll wake up. I need to be positive around her.

"So, it looks like you two were having a bit of a sleepover party here." I said, noticing the snacks on the table and a movie playing quietly on the TV. "Sorry, she really didn't want to go to bed so I knew if I put a movie on, she'd eventually fall asleep." Missy explained. I chuckled. Ava is very stubborn when she wants to be, but when it comes to sleep, it's very easy to manipulate the situation to get her to succumb.

"It's no problem at all. I think if there is ever an excuse for her routine to be ditched, this would be the case." I say whilst running my hands through Ava's hair to help her drift back off to sleep. But before she full commits, she looks up at me. "Can I see Mummy tomorrow?" She requests in such a sweet and innocent voice. "Of course Ava. We'll go in the morning, but you have to go to sleep first ok?" I compromise. She nods and holds her arms up for me to carry her.

I take her into her room and tuck her up in her bed. I make sure she has Mr Snuggles and carefully make my way back out to Missy. "Where's Jim, heer my?" I asked, having thought he'd come here after leaving the hospital. "He's in Y/n's room. I hope that's ok. He was completely knackered. I don't think he's really slept since the accident happened." She clarified.

"That's no problem at all. I'm glad he's getting some sleep. He was a rock for me in the hospital. You both take Y/n's room, and I can share with Ava. I could do with the cuddles if I'm honest." I chuckle in response. Missy laughed but quickly turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "How are you doing? Truthfully?" She asked. I paused for a moment whilst I actually thought about what was going on in my head.

So much had happened in the last 24 hours, so many different emotions that it was completely wiping me out. "I-uh. I don't really know. You should have seen her. She looks awful. She's covered in cuts and bruises. She has a tube down her throat helping her breathe and all these other machines doing one thing or another to keep her alive. Most of the time in the hospital I was terrified that she wasn't going to make it. I selfishly was thinking how I would cope without her in my life. And we still don't even know if she is going to survive. I hate it. I feel completely useless." I ramble, all my fears and thoughts flowing freely.

"It's completely fine to feel like that. She's been a part of your life since you a small kid. You both have a sisterly bond, and I can understand that fear you have of losing her. But you're not useless. You are doing, and have been doing, so much for Ava. I can guarantee that there would only be one thing that Y/n is worried about and that's her daughter." Missy comforted me. I really needed that.

After we chatted for a bit longer, the both of us made our way to bed. I quickly change into my pyjamas and before I crawl into bed with Ava, I checked my phone to see a text from Scarlett.

Scarlett:
Y/n is still doing ok. Nothing has changed, though when the doctor came to check in, he says he's happy with how she is at the moment and doesn't foresee any complications. They have provided a cot for whoever is staying whilst she is here, so I'm going to try and grab a couple of hours sleep before she's checked again during the morning rounds. I hope you and Ava are doing ok. I'll see you tomorrow.