Those Amber Eyes

Chapter 34 - Unsettled

POV: Scarlett

My eyes slowly fluttered open, and I saw Lizzie's sleeping face. Rose was curled under her chin, sleeping soundly. I had no idea how long I had been asleep, I sat up slowly, so as not to wake them, and a wave of nausea washed over me. I sat for a minute and woke up, fighting the desire to throw up.

"Scarlett, are you ok?" Florence asked quietly.

"Just a little nauseous, how long have I been asleep?"

"Not too long, maybe an hour or so. We brought you something to eat and drink. Mama Sofia said you had not eaten and probably needed something on your stomach."

"Mmmm, thank you, Flo." I said, as I took the water from her.

"Where is everyone?"

"I believe Ash's parents are speaking with Jack, and someone else. You're mother left about 20 minutes ago, I suppose to stretch her legs. Scarlett, are you ok?" Flo asked, as I darted to the restroom.

I was currently sitting on the floor of the bathroom, having just thrown up everything I put on my stomach, when I saw the door open.

"Scar, it's Lizzie, Flo said you aren't feeling well. Do you need anything?"

I stood slowly, making my way out of the stall, and my eyes met hers. "No, I just think the stress of the last few days finally caught up with me. I will be fine. Just let me freshen up and we will go check on Ash and Alex. How are you holding up?"

"Honestly, I don't know Scar, seeing her like that, beaten, just breaks my heart. How could they do that to her??"

I looked at Lizzie, her tear stained face, and she looked as tired as I felt. My heart broke for her, but they came home. They have to heal, but they are alive.

"Lizzie, they are both strong and stubborn. Probably too stubborn for their own good. They are going to be ok."

"I know." she said, wrapping her arms around me.

"Come on, let's go check on our Marines," I said, hugging her before we left the bathroom. We continued down the hall and I saw Sophia standing in the door, it was open, and she appeared to be listening to a conversation. We stood next to her, and I saw my mother and Ash talking.

I saw Alex was awake, and smiling, as Lizzie quietly made her way to her bed, sliding in beside her carefully.

As I listened to my mother and Ash talk, Sophia wrapped her arms around me. Hearing everything my mother said, everything Ash said to her, I don't know how to feel. I looked at Sophia, with tears in her eyes. She smiled at me, nodding her head.

So many thoughts were running through my head, it was all too much. Mom was there when Ash was born, Ash held me as a newborn. Sophia and my mom had been best friends. HOW had we missed this? How did we not know?? I let the tears fall as I leaned on Sophia, and then I saw her looking at me, and she smiled. That same smile I fell in love with when I was 11 years old.

I watched my mother get up, turning to see us standing there. I couldn't forgive her, not yet. Too much had happened, too many things had been said, but I still hugged her as she came towards me. No words spoken, she just embraced me, my eyes never leaving Ash.

I walked towards her, tears in my eyes. She held her good arm out, motioning for me to lay with her. I cuddled into her side, suddenly feeling at ease. She held me close, kissed my head and told me she loved me. I closed my eyes, not realizing I was drifting off to sleep.

I woke several hours later to hushed voices talking, and what felt like my daughter's hands in my face. I opened my eyes, and found Rose sleeping soundly on Ash's chest, her little hand on my cheek. Lifting my head, I see her looking at me, she smiles and looks back over at the doctor.