It's Always Been You

C.8

Devale and Crystal spent an hour getting the girls back asleep and convincing M'ray's mother to let her stay for the remainder of the night. She knew that they had issues with Morgan's birth mother, but never expected them to be so serious that it'd come to their doorstep.

"Devale was pacing the floor of their bedroom. He was even more upset that the girls saw that. "Babe. Calm down. Everyone is safe. The girls are back asleep. Alecia is gone. There's nothing more to be done tonight." Crystal pleaded with him. "Please come lay down."

Devale knew she was right but he couldn't turn off his anger. "I'm gonna go for a run babe. Ill be back. Get some rest."

Crystal didn't like the idea of him running out so late by himself but knew he needed to blow off some steam. So she didn't object. She kissed him before he left and said a silent prayer for him to return safely.

Almost a week has passed since Alecia was arrested outside their home. Ever since that evening Morgan has been shut off. Crystal and Devale tried talking to her, but she just brushes them off saying that nothing was wrong and that she did not want to talk. They were trying to give her space but when they got a call from her school saying that she got into a screaming match with a teacher they knew they needed to step in. "Devale and Crystal pulled up to Morgan's school two minutes apart. He was coming from a meeting and she was forced to leave a shoot because of the school calling. Luckily for Crystal, her assistant was more than capable of stepping in.

Crystal was the one to receive the call from Morgan's principal. She called Devale as soon as she got off the phone and filled him in on the call from the principal and that their presence was being requested. When they arrived outside the Principal's office they found Morgan waiting on a bench.

She rolled her eyes when she saw her parents. "Morgan Brielle Ellis!" Devale spoke through his teeth.

"Sorry." She mumbled never making eye contact with her parents.

"Stand up!" he said "Since when do we do that?" he said referring to her eye roll. "I said I'm sorry." Morgan said with her voice cracking.

"Devale took her in his arms. "you ready to talk yet?"

Devale held Morgan as she cried. The principal had come into the hall. He and Crystal went in the office to speak about Morgan's behavior. Crystal informed the principal about what had transpired and assured him that Morgan would be writing an apology letter to the teacher and reading it aloud. He agreed not to suspend her but suggested she spend some time using their virtual platform so she could continue her studies while healing. Crystal told the principal that she would discuss with Morgan and Devale what they felt was best for Morgan and would let the school know. Crystal Thanked the Principal for his time and stood to leave when a sharp pain shot through her side causing her to drop her purse and grab her side. Another pain came crashing down on her and Crystal hollered in pain. The principal ran to the hall to get Devale.

"Call 911!" Crystal was doubled over in pain. Devale helped her to the floor and held her as the Principal called for the ambulance and the school nurse. The nurse checked her vitals until the paramedics arrived. They loaded crystal on a bed and rushed her to the nearest hospital. Morgan and Devale ran to the car and sped to the hospital behind her. "Morgan call your grandmother, my mom. Tell her what happened and to come get you."

Devale called Crystal's mother and filled her in. Her and her husband were on the way.

"Nana said grandpa was closer and would be at the hospital in 10 minutes. Daddy I'm scared. What's wrong with momma?"

"I don't know princess but she's gonna be fine. I promise." Devale was trying to convince Morgan just as much as he was trying to convince himself. Devale's Phone rang just as he was pulling into the hospital parking lot. "Thanks Dad. Im coming now" Devale's father was in the lobby waiting for them. He hugged Morgan before running off to find out what he could about Crystal. Devale's father texted him letting him know that his wife was on the way and he and Morgan would be leaving. Devale found Crystal being hooked up to monitors as she screamed in pain. A nurse found Devale and began questioning him about her symptoms. An Ultrasound was performed and it was discovered that Crystal was suffering an ectopic pregnancy. Devale didn't know what it meant but there was no one around to tell him. Theyd rushed Crystal into surgery. He stood in hallway crying and confused. Fatima's mother rounded the corner to where he was. He spotted her and cried as he filled her in on what he knew. She explained to him what it meant to have an ectopic pregnancy. "Where's pop?" He just texted. He said he just parked and ran into your mother. They should be here in a second."

Two hours after coming into the hospital a doctor finally came to speak to Devale and the rest of the family. Mr. Ellis, your wife suffered an ectopic pregnancy. We were unable to save the pregnancy but we were successful in saving her fallopian tube. She was very lucky to get here when she did. She's gonna remain here over night for observation but will be able to go home tomorrow barring any complications. You can go see her. She should be awake any minute.

A nurse escorted the family to a waiting room on Crystals floor. Devale entered her room first. "Hey gorgeous." He said to her. She was crying. He walked over to her and wiped her tears away as his own fell. She looked weak and broken. He didn't know what to say so he just pulled a chair closer to her bedside and held her hand as they cried. Finally he spoke. "Our parents are outside. Would you like for them to come in? Crystal felt as though she had run out of tears to cry. "Yes. That's fine." Devale let her know before stepping out that he was going to call Morgan and Update her. Devale returned to Crystal's beside after twenty minutes with flowers for his wife.

After visiting for another hour or so, the rest of the family departed leaving Crystal and Devale alone again. "Can you get me some water please? My mouth is dry."

Devale grabbed the pitcher from her table and took it down the hall to fill. He returned to find a nurse removing Crystal's catheter. Mr. Ellis would you like us to bring you a chair to sleep in? It lays flat and coverts to a bed." Sure. Thanks" Devale responded. Ok Mrs. Taylor Ill be back in an hour to check on you. Feel free to press the call button if you need me before then. Mr. Taylor. Someone will be by shortly with the chair and some additional blankets." With that, the nurse exited the room closing the door behind herself.

"Devale. I'm sorry." Crystal said lowly. "I'm sorry I couldn't carry our baby. I let you down and I'm sorry."

"Crystal. There is absolutely nothing to be sorry about. Please don't feel like that. Seeing you today in so much pain scared me to death. I was afraid that I was losing you babe. What would I have done without you here? I am not let down. I am so fucking happy my wife is a fighter and is still here."

"But you were so happy to find out...

"Listen to me. I am heartbroken. I am. But my broken heart would never heal if I had lost you today. Morgan would not survive without you. If you cant have a baby that's not going to lessen my love for you" Devale proclaimed.

Crystal snatched her hand away. "If I cant have a baby.. wow Devale. How fucking insensitive can you be?" crystal said staring at him with fire in her eyes.

"Crys that's not what I meant! You know that's not what I meant honey. Please!" Devale pleaded. But crystal ignored him. She slowly turned away from him. She couldn't feel much pain at the moment but it was difficult turning while wearing the leg pressure cuffs and the two IV's in her arm. "Could you go. Just go see about Morgan."

"Crystal stop. I am not leaving you and Morgan is fine. Mom sent me a picture of her knocked out in her room. Morgan begged Zac's parents to bring her home. She wanted to be in her own bed. Fatima's mother agreed to stay with her there because Zac's mother had to get back home. She ran a group home for teenaged women recently released from incarceration. Ninety percent of the ladies she housed went on to do better with their lives and escape recidivism. His mother's philanthropy was part of the reason why He and Crystal met. Devale scooted himself on the bed as much as he could and held Crystal gently. "I know that there is no way I can know exactly what you're feeling, but that doesn't mean that you get to shut me out. We both lost a lot today in different ways. But baby when you're ready. I'm committed to healing alongside you. I love you"

Crystal didn't respond. She heard him though. She wanted to tell Devale how empty she felt inside, and how badly she felt like a failure, but she couldn't force the words out. She wanted to scream and cry until she truly had nothing left. Instead, she just laid there and prayed for strength and restoration for the both of them.

****I know y'all are cussing at me right now. I'm gonna apologize soon****