If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Thirty Eight

Sophie’s POV

“Yep, okay, someone will be over right away. Thank you.” I put the phone down with a smile on my face.  The hospital has decided Anne can come home today; she’ll have to take it easy for a few days, but better here than there. “Guess who’s coming home today!” I call excitedly while walking into the living room.

“...Anne?” Tom asks me unsure; not wanting to get his hope up just in case. Not that I have any idea who else he could possibly think I mean.

“Of course Anne, you idiot.  Someone just needs to go and pick her up.  He smiles brightly as he instantly jumps up of the sofa.

“I’ll go get her now.”  He says while going to grab his coat. “See you in a bit.” He calls as he’s heading out the door. Excited like a little kid on Christmas morning.

Max’s POV

“I guess Anne’s coming home then.” Charly says nervously while giving me an awkward smile. We’d been sat on own up stairs but managed to chat the majority of the conversation below us, Tom never is quiet.

“You need to stop worrying about me, I’ll be fine.” I say. And I mean it. This is going to work out for me, because I’m not going to give up.” Now let’s go and make sure she has something to cheer her up even further when she gets home.” I smile while heading for the stairs.

“What? How?” she asks clearly confused while following behind me.

“Well, we’ve got just over an hour and she’ll still be sore moving about and stuff so we don’t need to do much, we can just go to town and get some nice things to eat, like party food. It’s not much but I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. And you just make sure you tell her it was all my idea.” I turn back to Charly to wink at her while reaching for the front door.

Tom’s POV

“Let’s get you home.” I say smiling as I walk into Anne’s room and her expression is identical to mine.

Ecstatic.

 Hospitals really are as boring as hell. I start placing all her things back into her bag before putting it over my shoulder. “I guess I’m going to be looking after you for a bit again eh?” I tease while walking around to the side of the bed. I’m not complaining though. I love looking after her; I just know how much she hates not being able to do everything for herself.

“I’ll be fine in no time.” She replies stubbornly.  And I can’t help but smirk. “Don’t laugh at me!” She adds, annoyed.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help it.” I smile. “You just need to realise you still need to take it easy.”

“But it’s boring.” She moans, while taking my hand as we start walking out of the hospital.

 Slowly.

“No, you’re going to love it, because I’m going to pamper you.” This time it’s her turn to laugh. “I’m being serious!” I protest.

“Of course you are babe.” She smirks at me now.

Anne’s POV

“Welcome home!” I’m greeted by almost all of my old friends as soon as I enter the house. And the sight of it makes me tear up slightly. I never thought these guys would ever think of me the same way again, after what I did, but the fact that they obviously do makes me over the moon. Well all except Jess who’s standing unimpressed in the corner of the room. But at least she’s here I guess.

“Thanks guys.” I say, still overwhelmed, and I can tell that this is all a surprise to Tom too, and it makes me even happier to know that he never put them up to this. It was all their own idea. And they must care about me if they’re willing to do it. Right? As I walk further into the room I notice lots of little plates and bowls have been laid out, full of sweets, chocolate and many more yummy snacky foods. This really is way more than I ever expected. Now that I’m well again, I really was expecting everyone to go back to treating me the way they did before I got ill. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong. Walking over to the table I take a seat and grab a handful of haribos, to my surprise all I have in my hand are rings, and looking at the bowl I know why. I look up at Tom in shock and see a huge smile on his face too. Who ever did that has put a lot of thought into it.

Conversation starts flowing and thankfully it isn’t awkward. It really is like old times. Except Jess isn’t with us. I didn’t notice when she left but a while after Jay followed after her. Although from the way he was with mebefore he left the room I know this was only to go and find his girlfriend, and not because he also has a problem with me.

“You know this was all Max’s idea.” Charly smiles coming to sit besides me.

“Really?” I ask, shocked once more, and she nods at me. “Everything?”

“Everything.” She replies, knowing full well I meant the haribos. I look up at Max now, and smile at him, watching him smile back. This really is way more than I deserve.