The next month is hard trying to keep this secret especially as the sickness has returned in full force. I drop Miley off at school, I feel so awful. I ring the midwife when I'm home. "Hello?"
"Heidi? It's Riley."
"Riley, you okay?"
"I don't know what to do," I panic.
"Calm down, I've got you, what's wrong?"
"The sickness is back worse than before, I feel so ill. I can't keep the meds down."
"Come to the hospital, I'll let them know you're coming. I'll be here waiting for you." I nod even though she can't see me, "You'll probably be put on an IV drip. Expect an over night stay."
"But my daughter," I whimper.
"Get her to stay with family. You can't afford to be dehydrated. I was concerned when I first saw you. You need to take care of yourself, dear." I nod and hang up. Heidi's been brilliant and always eases my fear.
I grudgingly ring Flynn, "Riley?"
"I need a favour," I sigh. The words feel like acid in my mouth.
"Oh, you need a favour? You've shut me out for months and you need a favour now?" he growls.
"Flynn!" I growl. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important!"
"Fine, what is it?"
"I need you to pick up Miley from school and have her and Rex for the night. You can use my place if needed."
"Why, where are you?"
"That's none of your business."
"Are you going somewhere with Ric, you only have to say. "
"Not that it's any of your business but I called it off ages ago."
"What?" he seems surprised. "So what are you doing?"
"Are you going to help me out or what?"
"Fine," he groans.
"Remember about Rex, he needs a walk and you need to feed him about 6 ish."
"Okay, I've got this."
"You better," I grumble and hang up. I pack an overnight bag just in case I have to stay but I'm hoping I don't. I walk to the hospital and I find Heidi in reception.
"Riley, good, come this way," she says and I follow her down the corridor. "You look shattered, are you sleeping enough?"
"I'm tired all the time but I can't sleep much with my nightmares," she nods and walks into a private room. She helps me climb on the bed and settles me in.
"I'd like to do a scan and some tests, I'll start an IV drip soon. How long has this been going on?"
"This time, a week or so."
"Riley! Why didn't you contact me sooner!" she scolds.
"I kept trying, I didn't want to bother anyone." She huffs and pulls the machine closer to the bed. She slides my hoodie and top up and squirts gel on my tummy. She slides the scanner on my belly and I sigh with relief when I hear the heartbeat. "He's okay, Riley, Heartbeat is slightly elevated but not by much."
I nod and she helps me off the bed. She tells me to stand on some scales and she writes down my weight. She helps me back on the bed and runs more excruciating tests, pulse, heart rate, temperature and she takes some bloods.
She leaves me for a while and returns later, "Riley, I believe you have Hyperemesis Gravidarum. It's excessive nausea and vomiting. It can last your whole pregnancy. You are severely dehydrated. I'm going to get you on a drip and a different type of anti-sickness medication. You've lost weight, Riley. We need to monitor you and get this sickness sorted before you can be discharged."
"Hell! I can't cope with this the whole of my pregnancy. This is a joke!"
"I know it's distressing Riley, have you told Flynn yet?" I shake my head and she sighs. "You need support, Riley."
"I'm fine," I insist and she starts connecting me to an IV. I have Jax.
"I do worry about you, dear." I roll my eyes. She checks all the machines and she leaves the room. Hours pass and she returns with some food. "Here, little and often. I want to see if you keep down some crackers. Here's a sick bowl if you need it." I roll my eyes and nibble on them. She checks my machine again before she leaves again.
I look at my phone and it's 6 pm. I'm so bored, my phone rings and I answer it, "Hello?"
"Mommy?" she cries. Oh, she's upset because I'm not there. Hell!
"Hey, baby, why are you crying?"
"You're not here and I miss you. I want to see you!"
"Hang on baby, let me video call you," I hang up and facetime her. I see her crying on the screen and my heart breaks. "Honey, don't cry, I'm here."
"You aren't here with me," she sobs. "Why aren't you here?"
"Honey, I need you to be strong. Mommy is a bit poorly right now, I need to rest a little. I promise I'll see you when I can."
"You're poorly?" she says and frowns at me.
"Only a little, I'll be right as rain soon. Be good for Flynn for me and look after Rex."
"Rex misses you, he's crying like me." She takes the phone and shows me Rex and he's crying laying on my bed. It's probably where my scent is strongest.
"Don't cry, we can't be together right now but it's only a small amount of time. It's nothing compared to forever."
"Okay, Mommy, Flynn and Scarlett are going to have a sleepover tonight." Oh hell! They better not do it in my bed! My stomach starts churning. I grab the bowl and I start puking. So much for the meds. "Mommy! Are you okay?"
I try hold it back, "I'm good, baby. I need to go, sweet dreams baby. I love you," at least she's not crying anymore.
"Goodnight Mommy," she says and hangs up. I drop the phone on the bed and hurl again. I notice Heidi walk in.
"Oh dear, we might have to try other meds. We have to find the right ones for you," she rubs my back and I groan. She takes the bowl when I've finished. I curl up on the bed and grab my phone.
I bring it to my ear and hold my tummy. "Hello?" she says.
"Mom," I sigh and she gasps.
"Honey? Is that you?" she sounds hopeful and glad all in one.
"Yeah," I don't even know why I called her. I guess she is my Mom and I need her right now but I'll never tell her that.
"Are you okay? You sound, tired."
"I'm okay, I've got a bug. I feel poorly, I just wanted to hear your voice."
"Oh honey, I can jump in the car to you if you wish. I miss you, you sound scared."
"No, don't come. I don't want you getting poorly." My sobs rack my body, "I don't know what to do." I whimper.
"Honey, don't cry, I'm here. You're bound to be emotional with a bug. Are you getting enough fluids? Is Miley okay?"
"Yeah, Flynn is looking after her." I want her to hold me but I still don't know if I can. I can't even say it either.
"That's good honey. Look, it's my birthday in a couple of days. Are you coming with the rest of them?"
"I'm sorry, I can't. I can't ever go back there." I think of Flynn and Scarlett in his bed and my stomach churns again. I grab the fresh bowl and I hurl coughing too.
"Lee?" she calls. I groan trying to get some air in. "Lee, you sound really poorly, I want to be there for you."
"No, Mom, don't!" I whimper before I hurl again. "I can't handle it," I lay on my back and push my head back.
"I wish you would let me in," she sighs. I can't handle this right now. "Get some rest honey, call me if you need me."
"I miss you," I whisper and I hang up. The night drags on and they are still no closer to finding the right drug and I can't sleep. I shower and change into my PJ's and a baggy hoodie. I had to buy some more clothes to fit. I had to hide my baby bump somehow.
Heidi returns in the morning once she's clocked back in, "Riley, we are going to try this new medication this morning. I hope it starts easing for you. You're still on the IV drip as your blood still shows dehydration."
"I'm so thirsty," I whisper. My mouth is so dry.
"I know, Riley, we've got you. We are going to sort this but you'll be in tonight as well."
"You better be joking Heidi, I can't leave Miley again. She was in tears last night!" Heidi never seems to care about my attitude.
"Riley, I don't think you realise how serious this is. She's better off crying for one night instead of you having a heart attack. Your heart isn't doing great, Riley." I nod and she leaves the room. I grab my phone from off charge and I call Flynn.
"Riley," he seems pissed off. Brilliant.
"I need you to look after Miley again tonight." I hear him sigh loudly on the phone.
"Where the fuck are you? You've given me nothing. Your Mom called me to see how you were, she said you told her you have a bug! You better start talking Riley!"
"Flynn, don't do this I'm too tired!" It's too draining to fight with him all the time. I hold my bump.
"Just tell me, Riley, for fuck sake!"
"Riley, eat this. We need to see if this medication will work," Heidi says and I hold the speaker.
"Who was that?" Flynn snaps.
"No one, stop it, Flynn!" I take a bite of the toast. "Will you look after her or not? I can find someone else but I only really trust you."
"Fine, of course I will but I don't like this Riley." I take a few more mouthfuls.
"Did you sleep in my bed last night?" Why am I asking that stupid question? I regret it as soon as I ask.
"Yes, why?"
"Well, you better change the sheets! I know Scarlett stayed over," I quickly grab the bowl and I puke.
"Are you really sick?" he asks softly.
"Oh, Riley dear, I really thought this medication would work. Maybe we need more time," she sighs and I cover the speaker again.
"Wait, are you in hospital?" Fuck! Kill me now.
"No!" I groan. I puke again and Heidi rubs my back again.
"Bullshit!" he hangs up and I groan. Once I've finished she takes the bowl away again. I curl up in bed being careful with the IV in my arm. I lay in bed for ages trying to find some sort of relief anything will do right now! I'm not fussy.
"Lee!" Tyler gasps and I groan. I don't open my eyes but I feel his warm hand on my clammy forehead. "What's wrong with you?"
"Go away," I groan.
"We aren't going anywhere," he growls. I open my heavy eyes and see Tyler and Flynn in my room. "You should have told me you were in hospital."
"Why should I? You aren't family?"
"Don't start this shit again, why are you in hospital, do you really have a bug?"
I shut my eyes and hug my tummy under the blanket. "Yeah," I lie.
"What sort of bug?" he demands.
"It's not a bug bro, stop lying Riley," Flynn growls and I sigh. I hate that he knows I'm lying.
"Oh, you told them, Riley? That's good you need support," my eyes flash open and I see Heidi. Hell! This is just great!
"I haven't told them anything and patient confidentiality you can't tell them," I growl and she sighs. She strokes my hair.
"You are a stubborn one, we need to try the food again Riley."
"No, I feel like shit," I whimper.
"The quicker we find a solution the quicker you can get out of here. Come on Riley, cooperate with me." I sigh and move onto my back. I eat the ginger biscuit and sigh again. She leaves the room and I look at them both staring at me.
"Start talking, Riley," Flynn demands.
"Fine, I have to be monitored in hospital because of my nausea. They are worried about my heart because I can't keep the heart meds down. I can't keep anything down, they are trying different types until something works."
"You are still being sick?" Flynn asks.
"It stopped for a while and then it's stronger than ever." He frowns and holds his hand out to touch my stomach and I push his hand away. "Don't touch me," I growl. He removes his hand and glares at me.
"I can help, Riley. Why won't you let me?"
"Because I don't need your help, I don't want you to touch me!" he rolls his eyes and sits on the foot of the bed looking at me.
"Aren't you tired of this shit?" he moans.
"Yes, yet you still start it. Just leave me alone like I ask!" They stay with me in silence for another half an hour and the churning starts again. Fuck my life! I grab the sick bowl and I puke again. They both jump towards me and I push them away. Flynn moves his hand towards my stomach again and I slap him as hard as I can. "Don't touch me, or I will scream."
"Fuck sake, Riley, why won't you let me help you? We both know full well I can!"
"Because I feel better that you are here and if touch me you'll get angry at me and then you'll leave!" I growl and he frowns at me.
"Why do you think that?" he seems shocked. "If you want me here, I'll stay."
"I'm so scared," I sob. He removes the bowl away from me and he cups my face. "Don't leave," I beg and he frowns. He reaches for my stomach again and I grab his hand and I don't let it go.
"I'm here, Riley, don't be scared," he says trying to soothe me. "Shh," he says softly and he pushes to my stomach and he frowns when he reaches my stomach earlier than expected. He gasps and jumps off the bed. "Riley," he gasps again.
"What Bro!" Tyler says on edge.
Flynn puts his hands on his head and paces the room. "Fuck," Flynn mutters as he doesn't look at me. After a minute or so he returns to me and pulls the blanket down and pulls my hoodie and top up to reveal my baby bump. He stares at my stomach speechless.
"The hell!" Tyler says just as shocked.
I push my hoodie back down and Flynn paces the room again. He turns to face me, "Were you ever going to tell me!"
"I was but then I couldn't."
"Why!?"
"I was going to tell you the minute I found out but when I went to speak to you, I heard you tell Scarlett you didn't see kids in your future. You saw Scarlett, I wasn't going to be the one to ruin your life!" I whimper.
"So you weren't going to tell me I am a father? You fucking kept Miley a secret from me and now this! You are fucking unbelievable! How long?" he shouts.
"Well, I only found out last month but I'm six months pregnant," I whisper but I know he heard me.
"Who else knows, Riley? You've known for a whole month? Fuck," he is so angry and tears stream down my face.
"Only Jax, he was there when I fainted he made me go to the doctors. I haven't told anyone, it didn't seem right telling anyone before you knew and well, I wasn't going to tell you. I was trying not to ruin your life."
"Fainted? Why did you faint?" He's giving me whiplash with his anger and then concern.
"I told you, my heart. She said some shit about depression, then my heart is abnormal as I can't keep the tablets down. I made a huge thing about not being able to get pregnant but she proved me wrong."
"Depression?"
"She thinks I'm depressed. I told her to mind her own," I shrug.
"Wait, how do you know it's yours, bro?" Tyler asks.
"Because I know her. It was only me then. It's only been me unprotected!" I wish he would stop shouting. Well, at that time. What was the need for Jax to use one when I was pregnant? He assured me after that he had no STI's.
"How stupid can you be?" Tyler growls at Flynn.
"Christ, she said she couldn't get pregnant!"
"I want you to leave," I sob. I'm too tired for this shouting. Flynn glares at me and I cry more.
"Fine, I really fucking hate you, Riley!" he turns and punches the wall on the way out. I sob into my knees clutching them to my chest the best I can with the bump.
"He will come around, Sis, he needs to calm down."
"I tried protecting him," I sob. "He didn't want kids, I was going to do it alone. I did everything for him. He wants Scarlett, I let him have Scarlett. I didn't do it on purpose, I need him to be happy."
"I know, Lee. He will see that just let him calm down."
"I was going to leave, to give him the life he wanted. My happiness means nothing compared to his."
"Don't say that, you can't disappear for him. It's not right, you need family around you. He can either be in his child's life or not but you can't leave your family for him! I love him but right now he needs to get over this. You've been suffering too long."
"I don't matter," I whisper.
"Of course, you do. You are the most important person in my life. I love you, I hate what he does to you."
"I'm just fucked up, it's not his problem."
"I wish I accepted you two long ago, maybe we wouldn't be here."
"Who cares? We are over, there's no going back now! I told you," I growl and he sighs. I shut my eyes and pull the covers over me and he strokes my forehead.
He laughs, "Ice cream and pickles," he continues to laugh. "It all makes sense now. Permanent mood swings."
"Shh, I'm tired. I don't feel good at all," I whisper and he lays behind me and strokes my hair. He knows it soothes me and it helps. "Don't tell Mom and Dad."
He laughs vibrating my body. "I won't, I'll leave that to you," he promises and I stay in this position for ages.
"Is she asleep?" Flynn asks.
"No," Tyler says. "She's so tired but she won't sleep."
"Why am I not surprised?" he sighs.
"Riley?" Heidi says and I groan. "I'm guessing that one didn't help?"
"Please, give it to us straight. We need to know what's going on. She's got a habit of protecting us from the truth." Tyler says.
"Can I?" she asks and I nod. "Hyperemesis Gravidarum is severe nausea and vomiting. She's lost a lot of weight where she's not getting any nutrients. Baby is fine but the longer this goes on his heart rate increases. Riley doesn't get how serious this is. She's at risk of a heart attack if we can't stabilise this soon. Her organs will shut down."
"His?" Flynn gasps.
"Oh right, did he not know? Congratulations Daddy," Heidi says and I groan. "If you know of anything that can help her, now is the time." I feel Tyler climb off the bed and Flynn climbs in front of me and he places his hand on my stomach.
"I'm here, Ri. I promise," he whispers.
"No, go back to Scarlett. It's what you want," I whimper. All this heartbreak for him.
"Don't start, we need to talk about this when you are feeling better."
I sit up and he frowns at me. "There is nothing to talk about! You need to go home to Scarlett!"
"Just shut up, Ri. I'm here for you!" I pull the covers off me and I grab my IV to rip it out but he grabs my hand before I can do it. He pulls out some handcuffs and cuffs me to the bed. I remember those fluffy cuffs and I freeze at the painful memory. "I'm not letting you leave until you are better. I'm fed up of letting you risk your life! Enough is enough!"
"Flynn!" I whine.
"Why have you got those?" Tyler laughs.
"Mate, you should buy some for Ruby. You can have fun with these bad boys alone. Hell, one of my best sexual experiences."
"Scarlett is one lucky girl," Tyler laughs and I frown.
"I umm, didn't use them on Scarlett."
Tyler groans, "Fucking gross man!" I blush recalling the memory. I'm glad he hasn't used these on Scarlett. "No wonder you knocked her up." Flynn laughs and pulls the covers back over me and pushes me back on the bed. I have no energy to fight him.
He tries to get me to rest my head in his neck but I protest, "What? It normally calms you," he looks down at me.
"I am not the same anymore. And well, she lingers on your skin makes you smell different and I don't like it," I admit and he sighs. He places his hand on my stomach and I start to drift.
"Has she slept at all?" I hear Heidi say.
"Yeah, she's slept for ages. She can only sleep well with me."
"That's good, that's progress," she confirms and I lose consciousness again.
"Bro, what are you going to do? You can't be angry at her. She told me she did it all for you. She was going to run, she was going to disappear so you could be happy. She will make herself miserable to make you happy."
I feel him tense under me, "She was going to what?" he growls.
"Yeah, she's scared, bro. I may not know her as well as you but I know that much. This baby has softened her in some ways which means she's not as strong as she once was."
"I ignored the signs for so long. I thought I was out, Tyler. I was happy with Scarlett but since my birthday she's been drawing me back.
"I was drunk I missed her. Her song broke me. I needed her and I needed to make her let me back in. You know I only left her because of you in the first place. I tried to help her when my relationship was literally making her sick. She was happy for me and I fucking hated her for it.
"I was fucking raging when she got with Ric but I pushed those feeling down because I needed her to have that happiness. I thought I got somewhere that night but I was wrong she shut me out again.
"For her to turn dark because of me hurt me. She slept with Ric and I think a piece of her died inside but she's so bloody stubborn she did it anyway.
"I don't think she's going to ever let me back in," he says sadly.
"You know that part of her is still in there bro or she wouldn't be asleep right now. She wouldn't be curled around you. She wouldn't be making herself sick like this to keep you happy if she wasn't still in there. You know it and I know it. Have faith," he urges. "The question is do you want her back?"
"I love Scarlett but she's not Riley. I was kidding myself that I could be happy. Riley is the only person that can make me feel truly happy. It kills me to see her like this," he sounds like he's crying. "She took off her bracelet and her ring. I spent all my savings on that ring. She never gave them back, I hope she didn't chuck them away."
"I'm sure they are somewhere safe. She loves you, if she didn't give them back it means she has a glimmer of hope."
"You really think that?"
"Yeah," I drift back to sleep and I wake to being desperate for a wee. I sit up and pull against the cuffs and I groan. I look around the room and I'm alone.
I press my call button and Heidi comes in. "You okay?" she asks.
"I need a wee," I panic and keep pulling.
"Flynn went to pick up your daughter. I'll find Tyler," she leaves the room and I hurt my wrist pulling against the restraints. Moments later Tyler walks in.
"You better have a key," I growl.
"Flynn told me not to let you free under any circumstances."
I roll my eyes, "Let me go Tyler before I fucking piss myself," Tyler rolls his eyes and produces the key and uncuffs my wrist and I flex my wrist. He unhooks my IV and he lifts me out of bed and I curse. "Tyler!" He carries me out of the room and down the hall.
"He also said if I really had to let you go then to carry you and escort you." I roll my eyes, of course, he bloody did. "You are the mother of his child now, he's going to protect you."
"No, I am nothing to him or anyone else."
"Are you still playing that card?" he groans. He sets me down outside the ladies, I'm glad he didn't take me in there. I know Flynn would. I walk to the cubicle and I collapse on the toilet. I'm so damn weak. I quickly go and use the sides of the cubicle to help me up. I shuffle my feet to the sink and wash my hands.
I hold the sink to steady myself. "Sis?" he calls through the door. "Give me a sign you're still alive or I'm coming in." The room is spinning as the nausea hits. Hell! I shut my eyes to control the spinning. I hear the door open, "Fuck, don't keel over on me. He will kill me," I groan as he lifts me up. He starts walking and I bury my face in his neck.
When we reach my room he lowers me into bed. "I think she's feeling sick again," Tyler says. I feel the IV getting reinserted.
"I thought she was feeling better?" Heidi asks.
"Well, she always feels better with Flynn around. Once he's back I'm sure the nausea will pass."
"I need to get food into her soon. I think we need to consider Corticosteroids."
"Okay, so why haven't you tried it yet?" Tyler asks.
"There are many side effects but honestly, this is last resort. If she doesn't go for this then we will need to consider termination."
"No!" I scream. Tyler quickly cuffs me back to the bed before I do anything stupid.
"So you're saying the condition outweighs the side effects?"
"Yes," she confirms.
"Then do it," he demands.
"This has to be her choice," she protests.
"Lee, if you want to continue this pregnancy you need this drug."
"Okay," I whimper and she leaves the room. I cry silently on the bed until I hear her.
"Mommy!" she screams and my eyes flash open. "Mommy!" she screams again. "Flynn, let me go!" she screams like a banshee. I sit up and wipe my eyes and Flynn's carrying her and she's struggling to break free. I hold my arms out to her and Flynn walks towards me. She jumps into my arms and sobs on me. Hell! Why did he bring her here?
"Why is she crying?" Flynn asks Tyler and Tyler pulls him outside. I rock Miley gently trying not to churn my stomach too much.
"It's okay baby, I'm here," I reassure her. "I love you so much," she continues to cry without saying anything. The longer I hold her the more her sobs ease. I think she's tired, she probably hasn't slept well without me.
Heidi comes in and Tyler and Flynn follow her in. "Hey sweetheart, you must be Miley," Heidi says but Miley doesn't look at her. "Okay, fingers crossed this helps, Riley." I nod and she injects me with the drug.
"Are you fixing my Mommy?" Miley peeks at Heidi.
"Yes, sweetheart. You need to take care of her now. She's very poorly but she will feel better soon."
"Are you looking after my brother or sister?" she asks and I frown at her.
"Yes, sweetheart your brother is doing good in there."
"Did you tell her?" Flynn asks.
"No," I shake my head. "Moo?" she looks up at me. "When did you know I was pregnant?" she smiles.
"I'm getting a brother? I knew you were pregnant when you visited me in the home. I felt him, it was my second wish." I laugh and so does Flynn. I remember the first time she put her cheek on my belly. How did she know?
"Yes baby, you got your wish," she's stopped crying now and I shut my eyes. "What time is it?"
"5 pm, Ri."
"You need to feed her," I whisper.
"Yes, I'm going to get some food and bring it back here for us all."
"Only light for her," Heidi says. "I need her to keep it down," she orders.
"As long as I touch her stomach she will keep it down," Flynn says.
"How do you know?" she asks curiously.
"Because it worked last time," he says casually.
"I'll go get some food," Tyler says. "You stay here, she's hard work without you." Tyler groans and I open my eyes and he leaves the room.
Flynn comes towards me, "Did you cause trouble when I wasn't here? I should have known."
"I needed a wee," I shrug. He shakes his head and he slides on the bed next to me and I shift Miley's weight on Flynn and I turn on my side and hug him. He places his arm around me and places his hand on my stomach and everything eases. "I'm so thirsty," I say again.
"Riley, you can't have too much liquid with food. You are severely dehydrated. I need food in you first."
"Come on, let her have something. As long as I don't remove my hand she will be fine," Flynn reassures her. "Trust me Doc, I know her." I roll my eyes.
"Fine, small sips Riley," she says and I open my eyes. I take the cup from her and I sip the water. Mmm so good. I take a huge mouthful and Flynn takes the cup from me.
"You never do as your told," he growls and I shut my eyes again, still so thirsty. I drift in and out of sleep.
"How does it work, this touch thing?" Heidi asks. "I've never seen anything like it," she seems intrigued.
"It's complicated. She never used to feel when I met her. My touch literally burned her before. I was healing her, my touch could calm her. She needed my scent on her skin to feel warm and clean. It got to the stage where I didn't burn her as much because I was fixing her. She can't sleep without me, she gets nightmares. She knows when I touch her even if she's got her eyes closed. I didn't know I'd settle her sickness at the time but it did. She ate as long as I kept my hand on her tummy. I was good to remove it after twenty minutes or so."
"That's fascinating," she says.
"Man, I'm hungry," Tyler says. "I got us pizza."
"That isn't light," Heidi scolds.
"Ahh, I got us pizza, I got her a noodle soup."
"What a good brother you have," she approves.
"He ain't my brother," I mumble. I lay on my back and Tyler places a pot in front of me. Flynn shifts his weight so he can place his hand comfortably on my stomach again. Tyler opens the lid and I wrinkle my nose.
"Does it make you feel sick?" Tyler asks passing me the spoon.
"No, I just don't want to risk it. I'm sick of puking." I put some soup on the spoon and shove it in my mouth. I chew and swallow, I hesitate even though I'm feeling fine. Miley tucks into her pizza on Flynn's lap next to me. "Rex," I whisper.
"That dog is doing my head in. He cries all the time!" Flynn groans. "I'm shattered looking after Miley and the dog for a couple of days. How do you do it?"
"Rex misses Mommy!" Miley mumbles with her mouthful.
"I am exhausted all the time, Flynn. I don't sleep as much as you. I just have to get on with it. In all fairness, they are both well behaved."
"For you, Miley's thrown tantrums like she's the devil and Rex bit me when I told him to get off your bed." I laugh and take another mouthful.
"That's my babies," I stroke Miley's hair and she grins at me. I slowly continue to eat my soup whilst they eat their pizza. Once we finish dinner, Miley stays for another hour until she falls asleep and my food has stayed down.
Heidi is happy with my process. "Take her home," I say to Flynn.
"I want to stay with you," he frowns.
"She needs her bed Flynn and Rex will be peeing in my house."
"Fine, you better call if she needs me bro," I roll my eyes.
"He's going with you," I say.
"The hell I am," Tyler growls. "I'm not leaving you alone."
"Come back tomorrow, Ruby needs you."
"You need me," I shake my head. I've been on my own for months now. It's been hard but I'll be okay.
"No, I'm good," I promise. "Recharge, please," I beg.
"I'm not leaving you alone," he growls.
"I'll call, Jax, he will stay with me."
"Call him now, or I'm not leaving." I roll my eyes and look for my phone and Tyler passes it to me. "On speaker," he demands and I do as he says.
It rings for a while, "Hello?" he says sleepily.
"Bug? Did I wake you?" I didn't think it was late.
"Long day, what's up babe?"
"It doesn't matter if you're tired."
"Don't be silly, what do you need? Has hottie banged you yet?"
I blush awkwardly, "Jax! You're on speaker."
"Who cares? Hottie knows he's fit," I laugh and look at Flynn and he smirks but shakes his head.
"Anyway, I need your company."
"Sure, your place?"
"No, I'm in hospital."
"In hospital? Why didn't you lead with that? I'm on my way, I'll be there in ten," he hangs up and I look at Tyler.
"See, he's on his way."
"We will leave when he arrives," Flynn growls. What's his problem now?
Heidi walks back in, "Can I have more water, please?" I beg.
"You kept your dinner down?" I nod and she gets me a fresh glass and fills it with water. She passes it to me and I sip on it. "You are looking better already." I nod and continue to sip it. "If you carry on like this I can discharge you tomorrow. Providing you don't vomit."
"Yes!" I smile and she laughs.
It doesn't take long for Jax to arrive and he rushes to my side and he kisses my lips. "Hey, enough of that!" Flynn growls. I laugh and Jax winks at Flynn.
"What the hell happened?" Jax demands.
"I'll tell you in a sec, you know you'll need to uncuff me before you go right?" I pull gently against the restraints and Jax holds the cuffs confused.
"I'm not sure about that," Flynn thinks it over, "Think of the trouble you could get into," he frowns deep in thought.
"Flynn, I'll be fine. I've managed this long without your protection. I can handle myself until you come back," I groan. Tyler uncuffs me and I smile. "Besides, when I'm home I'll go back to locking you all out." Flynn groans and gets out of bed with Miley in his arms.
"Mommy," she whimpers but she doesn't wake. He holds her to me and I kiss her forehead and he leaves the room.
"Here's my number, call if she needs anything," Tyler says holding a piece of paper out to him and Jax nods. Tyler blows me a kiss and leaves the room. I move over and pat the bed for Jax to lay next to me. He lays on his side as I am with a slight gap between us. We look into each other's eyes and he slides his hand in mine.
YOU ARE READING
Forever Lost
DragosteThird instalment of her lost souls. Riley needs to build her life back up after her soul mate Flynn left her for good. Pushing out her loved ones. She's forever lost, can Flynn ever reach her again?
