Driving Force

chapter 42

"Bubba, I've missed you," Jessie says. Cameron informed Jessie how Madi has been keeping herself busy in order to not think about her mom. Madison was overly exercising herself or constantly running errands and refused to sleep unless to the point of exhaustion. 

"Madi, I know you're going through a lot right now with your mom's passing," Jessie said softly, "but you can't push yourself too hard. You need to take care of yourself."

Madison shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't just sit around and do nothing," she protested. "I need to keep busy. I need to keep moving."

But Jessie persisted, trying to convince Madison to slow down and take a break. "You're not doing anyone any favors by pushing yourself too hard," she argued. "You need to give yourself time to grieve and heal. Madi, I know this is hard, but you can't just ignore it. You need to take care of yourself." Jessie sat down across from her and reached for her hand.

Madi pulled away and stood up, feeling anger bubbling up inside of her. "I don't need you to tell me how to deal with my own grief. I can handle it on my own."

Frustrated, Madison stood up and stormed out of the room, leaving Jessie behind. She couldn't bear the thought of sitting still and doing nothing, not when there was so much to be done.

Jessie stood up too, her voice gentle but firm. "Madi, I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I just want to be here for you, to support you. That's what love is."

Madi's anger dissipated as quickly as it had come, and she felt a wave of guilt wash over her as she stood still absorbing Jessie's words. She had been so wrapped up in her own pain that she hadn't stopped to consider how her behavior was affecting Jessie.

Feeling guilty, Madison turned around and apologized to Jessie. "I'm sorry," she said, tears streaming down her face. "I know I've been difficult lately. I just...I don't know how to deal with all of this. I'm sorry," Madi said, her voice breaking. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

Jessie pulled her into a hug. "It's okay, Madi. I understand. But please, let me be here for you. You don't have to go through this alone."

Madi nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks. She leaned her head on Jessie's shoulder and let out a deep sigh.

Jessie wrapped Madison in a comforting embrace, soothing her with gentle words and reassuring her that everything would be okay.

But as they leaned in for a kiss, Jessie hesitated. "Madi, are you sure you're ready for this?" she asked. "I don't want to take advantage of you when you're feeling so vulnerable."

Madison nodded, desperate for the comfort and closeness that only Jessie could provide.

As they kissed, Jessie couldn't help but notice that Madison felt unusually warm and Madi couldn't help but notice that Jessie seemed to be pulling away slightly. She looked up at her and saw that Jessie was looking at her with a worried expression. Watching Madison closely, Jessie noticed that her face was flushed and sweaty. She took her hand and placed it on Madison's forehead. 

"Stop." Madi whines wanting to go back to what they just started.

"Madi, you're burning up," Jessie exclaimed. "Are you feeling okay?"

But before Madison could respond, she suddenly stiffened. Jessie watched in horror as Madison's body started to collapse to the floor. She caught her and lowered her to the ground as she convulsed, her eyes rolling back in her head. Her limbs thrashed about wildly, and she seemed to be in a state of extreme distress.

Panicked, Jessie called out for help. It was the first time she had seen Abi having a full grand-mal seizure. Jessie knew Cameron, Ash, and Ali were in the living room and rushed to Madison's side. Together, they tried to keep her safe as the episode passes.

Cameron grabbed a pillow from the couch and gently placed it under Madison's head, while Ash and Ali held her arms and legs to keep her from thrashing about too much, not wanting her to hit it on the bed frame or anything else in the room.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the seizure began to subside. Madison's body relaxed, and she lay still, panting and exhausted. Jessie could see the fear and confusion in Madison's eyes, and it broke her heart.

Cameron grabbed a wet cloth and pressed it to Madison's forehead, hoping to bring down her fever and Jessie helped Madison sit up a little, cradling her in her arms as she held her close. "It's okay, Madi," she whispered, kissing her forehead. "You're going to be okay."

But as she held Madison, Jessie couldn't help but worry. Madison's fever was still raging, and she knew that they needed to get her to a hospital as soon as possible.

Ali and Cameron decided to start the car and grab anything that might be needed for the trip to the hospital. Jessie handed Madison over to Ash who carried her to the car and drove as quickly as she could to the nearest emergency room. Jessie held Madison's hand the whole way, offering her words of comfort and reassurance.

When they arrived at the hospital, Jessie helped Madison out of the car and rushed her inside, where they were met by a team of medical professionals. Madison was quickly examined and given the care she needed, and Jessie stayed by her side the entire time, holding her hand and praying for her recovery.

As the night wore on, Madison's fever gradually began to dissipate, and she began to show signs of improvement. Jessie felt a sense of relief wash over her, and she knew that Madison was going to be okay.

From that moment on, Jessie vowed to be more attentive and supportive of Madison, and to do everything in her power to help her heal and recover. She knew that it was going to be a long and difficult journey, but she was ready to stand by Madison's side every step of the way.