For Life

Part 34

"Dec,she's not going to hate you" Ant smiled "you're her son,she loves you"

Camelia watched Ant and Dec intently before coming over and sitting next to Dec on the spare chair.

"How are you doing Decky?" She smiled.

This was the first time she had spoken to Dec since he and Ant had arrived at the hospital.

"I'm ok" he answered nervously,scared of what his sister was about to say to him.

"Dec,I'm so sorry for shouting at you on the phone earlier" Camelia said earnestly "I had no right to do that and make you feel the way I did"

"It's okay" Dec shrugged.

"No,it's not okay" Camelia insisted "it's not fair and I had no right to do that and I know it's no excuse,but I was so scared,upset and stressed at the time you called,it was a knee jerk reaction,I hate that I've made you feel like all this is your fault"

"It is my fault" Dec said quietly.

"NO,IT ISN'T" Camelia practically shouted "it probably would have happened anyway"

"That's what Ant said" Dec whispered.

"Then it must be true" Camelia nudged Dec playfully.

"Hey everyone" she continued "does anyone here hold Dec responsible for what happened to Mum?"

"God,shut up Cam" Dec cringed "you're so embarrassing"

A chorus of "nos" and "of course nots" rang out around the room.

"See?" Camelia grinned.

"Whatever" Dec sighed,still devastated at everything that had happened and no matter what anyone said,he was continuing to blame himself.

"Well" Camelia said "just know that I'm sorry and I love ya"

She returned to her seat as Dec snuggled into Ant's comforting arms.

Everyone sat quietly for the next hour until Fonsey emerged from Anne's hospital room.

"How is she Dad?" Pat asked.

"She's actually doing really well" Fonsey smiled "she's awake and chatting now...you wouldn't have thought anything had even happened to her"

"Oh,thank God" Pat nodded "we're so lucky it wasn't more serious...can we see her now?"

"Soon love" Fonsey smiled "but she wants to see Dec first"

"Me?" Dec asked nervously "why me?"

"I'm sure you know why" Fonsey replied as he sat down next to his son "but I promise you,you have absolutely nothing to worry about,we've talked and she just wants to clear the air with you and check you're okay...go on Son,go and see your mother"

Dec looked towards Ant for reassurance,who nodded confidently and repeated Fonsey's words.

"Go and see your mother"

"Okay" Dec sighed cautiously "you'll be here when I get back won't you?"

"Of course I will" Ant laughed "where else would I be?"

"We'll all be here Dec" Camelia smiled,still desperate to make up for the anger she had directed at Dec earlier "don't you worry about that"

So Dec made his way to Anne's room,secretly hoping she might have gone back to sleep,but of course she hadn't.

As he nervously peeped around the edge of the open door,Anne was smiling at him warmly and holding out her arms.

"Declan" she beamed "come and give me a hug"