After It All

Chapter Twenty Two

James

"So you all were just engaged while all of this was going on and you didn't fancy sharing?" Eldon laughed, things has slowly started to settle down which gave Riley the time to tell everyone the news. The gang were over ours for a barbeque to celebrate at the moment, Landon and Zach were off playing with the girls while Riley and Ellie were upstairs getting themselves ready

"I mean, through what was going on and Riley being unwell, it wasn't really on our minds" I laughed
"Not on your minds my ass" He teased
"How's Riley feeling now?" West asked making me shrug
"she has her moments" I said 

Lately, Riley's been struggling a lot. She's worn out, worn down to the point she vomiting most days. Given our home life at the moment I don't doubt that has a part to play in it
From the situation with Tyler to both Landon and Ellie clinging onto Riley like no tomorrow, I'm not surprised it's taking it's toll

"Has she gone to the doctor about it?" Eldon asked but I shook my head
"Trust me I've tried to get her to go but she is adamant it is just fatigue" I explained 

It wasn't long before Riley and Ellie finally made their grand entrance, Ellie for once instantly squirmed out of Riley's hands in the attempt to run towards the boys
Ellie's walking had gotten a lot stronger but running was still 2 steps a head of where she is 
Riley chuckled lightly taking our daughters hand guiding her over to the boys who instantly engulfed Ell into a hug while Riley continued to make her way over to us 

"Hey" I smiled pecking her lips wrapping an arm around her
"Just checking that you haven't burnt the food" Riley smiled peaking over my shoulder while I rolled my eyes

--

"She's finally asleep" Riley sighed coming into our room laying on the bed next to me, I smiled at her opening my arms allowing her so cuddle up to my chest closing her eyes lightly
"You okay?" I asked placing a kiss on the top of her head while I scratched her back allowing her to attempt to slowly drift to sleep
"Of course I am" she whispered
"Riley, it's just me here" I replied

"I'm just tired that's all" She explained making me nod 
"Why don't you sleep in tomorrow, I'll get up with the kids" I offered making Riley sigh
"If only" She muttered but I shook my head
"Why can't you?" I continued to question
"James you know for a fact the moment that Ellie wakes up she'll only settle with me, Landon is having a funny fi-" She started before the noise of someone coughing made both of us jump

Riley looked at me before the pair of us sat up to see Landon stood at our doorway not saying a word but the purple tinge on his lips said a thousand words 

"It's okay baby" Riley said getting up from the bed picking him up instantly while I headed to the closet to take our his machine. This had become second nature to us but I don't know something felt different this time..

I brough the oxygen mask up to Landon's face and usually he'll take it with no rebuttal but this time he didn't, he placed his hand in between his mouth and the mask stopping it from making contact with him
"Landon please" Riley said trying to move his hand but it was no use
"Land please" I said but he shook his head again pushing the machine away
"It hurts" he said with a wheeze in his tone. He was going downhill and he was going down fast

"baby if you don't use it we'll have to take you to the hospital" Riley said stroking his hair to try and help him calm down
Landon looked over at Riley with terror in his eyes
"I've got you baby" She said softly taking the mask out of my hand without him noticing it 
With in a second Riley had brought the mask up placing it on his face long before he had a chance to try and push it away again
"There you go, well done Landon" She said smiling at him while he trying to get out of her grip

The machine had run it's course 3 times and Landon had fallen asleep but his oxygen levels were still scarily low, I looked at Riley who had the same thought in her head
"I think he needs to go in" She whispered stroking Landon's hair out of his face
"I'll take him" I said rising to my feet but Riley shook her head
"No, please let me" She said

I looked back at her to see the same terror in her eyes that had been in Landon's an hour ago
"Ri" I whispered cupping her cheek gently
"You aren't well yourself" I said making her close her eyes as I stroked her cheek
"Hey, if I'm there with him and I'm not well at least I'm in the best place" She offered trying to make light of the situation 

"Riley" I said 
"Please James, I don't want anything to happen and -" she started to ramble making me nod
"You can go with him but please don't push yourself too much" I warned her making her nod in agreement

"I'll bring Ell and Zee in to see you guys in the morning alright?" I asked meeting her big brown eyes as she slowly opened them 

This family never seems to get a break I swear..