We are full of stories to be told

Chapter Fourty Four - Lunatic

I'm struggling to keep my eyes open, the lights in this room are so bright.

The pain on my right side has dulled down dramatically but I just feel so uncomfortable. I keep trying to think about the last 24 hours but my thoughts are messed up from the pain relief they have me on.

My leg is in a cast and my face and body are so bruised, that I can feel every movement I make.

The only thing I can really focus on is Dan.

"Dan" I mumble to the nurse. She's standing beside me adjusting the tubes for the drip they've got me on. "Where's Dan?"

"He's outside Miss James with all your friends. Would you like me to bring them in?"

"No" I shake my head slowly, I feel a little nauseous. "Just bring Dan please"

She smiles at me and nods, "Give me a minute, I'll go and get him"

The clock on the wall sounds like it's ticking really slowly, like time has just slowed down all together. What's taking so long? Where is he?

The door opens and he hovers in the doorway for a minute.

Is that anger on his face? Shock? Worry? I can't tell.

I try to prop myself up but wince in pain.

Dan rushes to my side to help me. He pulls me forward gently and moves my pillow so I can sit up a little straighter.

He's shaking.

"Are you okay?" I ask him quietly, and to my surprise, he laughs. I look at him, slightly confused.

"You're lying in a hospital bed and you're asking me if I'm okay?" he chuckles and pulls the large chair in the corner of the room to the side of the bed.

I smile a little at him. "I'm okay"

"Well I don't believe that, but I'm okay too" he says, taking a hold of my hand. "I was really worried about you, they wouldn't tell me what was going on"

"Well I have a broken leg" I gesture to the cast with my free hand.

"I can see that" he laughs again, sounding a little more calm this time.

"And the bruises are causing a good bit of discomfort but I think I'll live" I squeeze his hand. "I've been wanting to see you for ages, what took so long?"

He shuffles uncomfortably in his seat. "I may have been behaving like a bit of a lunatic, so they wouldn't let me in until I calmed down"

"Oh Dan" I shake my head at him.

"I couldn't help it, I was so angry and worried and I just wanted to see you or at least know what was going on"

I tug on his hand and he moves from the chair to sit beside me on the bed. I pull him again and he wraps his arms tightly around me in a hug.

"Dan. Bruised. You're hurting me" I wince from the pain.

"Sorry" he whispers and lessens his grip on me. "I'm just so glad you're okay"

His body shudders a little and he sniffs. He's crying. Oh god. Now I'm going to cry.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything with Kyle and I'm sorry we argued and I'm so sorry I stormed off the bus" I sob.

He shushes me and continues to hug me. "I'm sorry, I over reacted. I should never have taken it out on you, I know you wouldn't hurt me"

We stay in this embrace for a few more minutes before he pulls away.

"Emily, we're cancelling the last of this tour so I can come home with you"

I think about protesting. But in all honesty, I want him to come with me, no, I need him to. I can't go back to the house on my own, not with a broken leg, I'll need the help.

"Is everyone else okay with this?" I ask, tracing circles on the back of his hand with my finger.

"Yeah, Will's sorting it all now" he nods "Everyone will understand. I just want to look after you"

"I want you to look after me too" I smile, but can feel the tears coming back.

"Don't cry" he wipes my eyes with his thumb. "You'll be fine. You have to be fine. We need our merch girl for when we reschedule these shows" he jokes.

I laugh and rest my head on his shoulder. Eventually, I feel myself drift off into, given the circumstances, a rather peaceful sleep.

I wake up again maybe an hour or so later. Dan has fallen asleep in the chair next to me. I don't want to wake him, he needs the rest, plus he looks super adorable. His hair is all flattened from having his hood up and his glasses are sitting crooked.

If the accident had of been any worse I might never have gotten to see him, I feel so grateful for this broken leg, knowing I might not have been so lucky.

All of a sudden Will pops his head round the door "Up for some visitors?" he asks.

"Hey" I smile sleepily "Yeah come on in.

One by one everyone enters the room. Woody carries in his own chair, Will takes the one on the other side of the bed and Chrissy settles herself on the bed beside me.

Kyle on the other hand, stands in the doorway, looking at his hands and playing with his moustache.

"Kyle? You gonna come over or just stay there"

He shakes his head and doesn't look at me. "No that's okay I'll stay here"

"Dan blames him" Chrissy whispers in my ear and a gasp a little.

"Kyle Simmons you get over here right now!" I pat the bed and he shuffles over and sits down.

"So how are you?" Woody asks.

I shrug. "I've been better, but I can't complain. I've spent too much time thinking about what could've happened, but I'm lucky this is all I got" I point to the cast on my leg.

Everyone laughs, except Kyle and Dan stirs in his sleep. "Shush" I hold my finger over my lips "Don't wake him up, he needs a break"

"He really does, he was so worried about you Emily" Chrissy says, watching Dan.

"I know..." I yawn "You guys, would you mind letting me sleep? These pain meds are kicking my ass"

"Yeah"

"Sure"

They all give me hugs and leave, Kyle lingers for a second.

"Kyle?"

He finally looks me in the eyes.

"This wasn't your fault, you know I still love you right?"

He smiles, but looks at Dan.

"And he'll calm down, just give him some time"

Kyle makes his way to the bed and kisses my cheek. "Thanks Emily. I love you too" he messes up my hair before turning and leaving the room.

I yawn again and try to get comfortable, with not a lot of luck. I guess I'm going to have to deal with sleeping upright for a while.

In no time I've dozed off again and settle into a relaxed sleep.