Starting Over (ITILMBBF Sequel)

We're In Love

It's the period that freaks my out the most. If it was good news, wouldn't she have used an exclamation point? I saw this coming when Chace told me they needed privacy with the doctor, but I guess I'd still been holding out hope. Still been slightly praying that my brother would pull through.

We walk down the hospital hallway like a death march. Hand in hand, we move slowly to our undesirable destination. I can't imagine saying goodbye to my brother. Can't picture the biggest man in my life lifeless, lying on a hospital bed. It was bad enough to see him ashen and hooked up to all those wires. I can't imagine the pain of seeing him like that without the steady beat of the heart monitor.

Chace lets go of my hand as we enter the room. I respect the decision because walking into my parents with a new boyfriend while my brother lays on his deathbed seems goish. Everyone is crowding around the bed. Doctor, nurses, and both my parents. All leaning over my brother, blocking him from my view. My heart gives a painful lurch and it takes a moment before I can announce my presence into this reality.

"What's going on?"

My mom pulls back with tears in her eyes and my stomach sinks further. It's a heavy feeling dragging all the way down to my feet, rooting me in the place. This is it. This is the goodbye to my big brother. The tears that never really stopped start leaking out again. I feel Chace place a big hand on my shoulder from behind me, offering a silent show of support. But even that grounding gesture feels like background noise. Almost like pins and needles on your numb arm after you've fallen asleep on it. You know it's still there, but it's just not right. A full-blown sob leaves my lips before a cracked voice croaks, "Stop... crying... kid."

"Adam!"

I blink. It feels like a whole lifetime has past before I'm flying to the side of the bed with Chace hot on my tail. I refuse to let myself have hope, but then I see him. Lying in bed without the feeding tube down his throat. He still looks pale and tired, but he's awake. He's awake and alive! Hope expands in my chest, pressing against my ribcage until I'm ready to explode with good intentions.

"Adam!" I cry, tears staining my face with wet relief.

He starts to speak again, but the doctor presses a hand to my brother's chest, pushing him flat on the bed, to stop him. "The feeding tube and coma left your throat raw. Try to only speak when necessary."

My brother nods and the medical staff fades into the background. Probably to finishing running a few tests on my brother. Then it's just family in the room. I saddle up to where the doctor was and grab Adam's hand. Petting his dark hair back, I start lovingly at my brother's face. A face that looks so much like my own. Same eyes, reflecting a sad sort of relief back at me. I know he's got a long journey ahead of him but he'll be fine with us by his side.

"Adam," I sigh, "I'm so, so sorry. I should've gotten you help. You weren't in the right frame of mind to be making decisions. I know that now."

"Skye-," he chokes out, but than my mom pressed her hand to his chest, much like the doctor.

"Sweetie, save your voice. The doctor said to rest."

"This is... important," he huffs. His voice is raspy, like that of a chain smoker forty years down the line. I can't imagine how much pain he must be in trying to talk after a week and a half of vocal rest and the feeding tube lacerating his throat. I wince at the sound of it. But I think we're all so grateful to have him back that no one protests too hard when he decides to speak again. Giving my hand a weak squeeze, he continues.

"Skye. I'm sorry I scared you," pause, "It wasn't... fair for me to ask you to lie for me. You tried to," inhale, "do the right thing."

I bend down to kiss his forehead. I'm so grateful to have in back that even if he'd pinned the blame on me and kicked me to the curb, I would've been jumping for joy. Still, getting off Scott free is almost worse. "Still..."

From behind, I feel Chace wrapped an arm around my waist, but drew himself closer to me so that I could stay with my brother. Subtly, Adam raises an eyebrow at the gesture, making me blush furiously.

"Bout... time."

I feel Chace's hearty laugh on my back more than hear it. My ears are buzzing with questions since my brother did not have this agreeable of a reaction the first time around. Still Adam has yet to drop my hand or threaten Chace with physical harm. Is he really that tired?

"Are you okay? You're not pissed, are you?"

Adam laughs- or at least, I think he tries to. It comes out sounding more like a rough and painful bark. Still the intent seems good-natured. "Dude, I almost died." He gives a pointed look to Chace, "If anyone was going to take care of my sister, I'd expect it to be you."

"I don't need to be taken care of," I protest instantly and then check myself, "But I appreciate the gesture."

Chace gives me a squeeze and a peck on the lips. "Damn right, babe."

From besides us, Adam groans loudly, "Well don't be gross about it."

I'm staring up at Chace with what must be a look of wonder in my eyes cause I can't believe I got this lucky. I return his peck with another one of my own before turning back to Adam. "Sorry bro. Can't help it. We're in love."

A/N: Besties, apologies for the delay in updating. Generally I'm not that good at it, but this time I can at least say I had a good excuse. I was in the hospital receiving emergency surgery. It's been... excruciating honestly. But I'm mostly healed up now.

Anyway, so happy Adam's doing better <3  I thinking this will be wrapped up with an epilogue and then were closing the door on Skye and Chace (at least for a while ;))