Into The Unknown

Chapter 14

Ryan's POV

Pulling up in the car park outside the hospital was quite possibly the best feeling in the world, especially when I knew I would be taking my beautiful, brave wife home today.

As I walked close to the door I was a bit surprised to see a couple of paparazzi lurking near the door, I still can't believe they are here waiting. Unfortunately even my heavy coat and baseball cap doesn't hide me "Ryan, Ryan would you mind just saying hello" one of the guys stopped me in my tracks.

"Sure" I frown, what choice did I have.

"How's Abigail?"

"She's doing great thank you"

"Is it true you guys are thinking about starting a family?"

"Wow news travels fast" I say sarcastically "Yeah, I mean we are married now so obviously kids are our next step"

"Is Abigail pregnant?"

I can't help but laugh out at Papp 2's question "Not that I know of, but hey I haven't seen her for two weeks so who knows she might have some news...I'm joking by the way" I quickly get my point across before we become tomorrow's headlines, I know for a fact if this happens Abi will kill me.

"Yeah we figured that much" Papp 1 interrupted "Thanks for speaking with us Ryan, we hope everything goes ok for Abigail later"

"Yeah thanks" that comment doesn't feel awkward at all. I walk past them and inside the hospital, as I walk towards the elevator I see Harry and Tony "Hey" It's not until I get closer that I see the worried look on their faces.

"What's going on? Is it Abi" my body jolts and I start rushing towards the stairs.

"No, Ryan honey Abi is fine" Harry grabs my arm, I spin round and wait for her to explain "She called Freya this morning to talk about going on tour with you, but Freya has...well she has told Abi that she wants to go to boarding school"

"What?" My heart sank instantly, I knew straight away the reaction Freya would have gotten from her Mom. Abi was so protective of Freya and after what she told me about Hendly then I honestly don't blame her.

"I don't think we need to tell you how Abi reacted" Tony came from behind us and interrupted "Where's Leroy?"

"Just coming in now" I reply. Leroy had been staying at the house while Abi and I were away. There wasn't alot he could do at the hospital although he did pop in everyday to make sure everything was ok. Leroy was very good at going unnoticed, he was also very good at blending in when he needed to and if I know Leroy, which I have grown to do over the last three years. Then I know he has taken a step back, although he has made sure she is safe, he would have stayed away so Abi didn't feel suffocated while she was stuck in hospital.

Anyway after Tony had told me about Freya my main priority was to check on my wife. I knew she wouldn't take this news well. As I got closer to her room I could hear her yelling, I guessed she must have been on the phone to Nick "Why in God's name did she think this was a good idea?" I walked into the room and kissed Abi's head, she was sat in the chair wearing a pair of grey sweat pants and a white t shirt. Her hair was scraped back into a high pony tail. Abi looked up at me, she looked so pale and tired.

"Listen Nick I don't care if Lauren thinks it's a good idea, I am her mother or did you forget who gave birth to her"

I listened as Nick spoke, I couldn't really hear him but I could see Abi's facial expressions. The more Nick spoke the more pissed Abi got "Baby this isn't doing you any good" I interfere "Why don't you talk about this when Nick drops Freya off tomorrow"

Abi frowns at me and then nods, much to my relief. I mean you honestly have no idea how much I was risking right then by even suggesting that she leaves this until the morning. Abi is so passionate and stubborn when she wants to be, that's one of the things I love about her "We can talk about this tomorrow...but I mean it Nick don't for a second think this is over" she snaps and hangs up.

I am so glad it's him she is pissed off with "I'm sorry baby" she turns her attention to me "I've missed you so much" she grabs my shirt and pulls me down closer, before wrapping both arms tightly around my neck "I love you so much"

"I love you too, and I have missed you loads" I kiss her gently before pulling away "Do you have anything to show me?" I remembered her saying she had a surprise to show me when I got to the hospital.

"Go and sit on the bed" She smiles weakly and points towards her hospital bed. I obey and go and sit on the bed so I am directly opposite her. I watch as she stands slowly, my body urges towards her as I see her struggling but I resist as I know she had to do this by herself.

As she stands steadily, my heart almost bursts with pride, she looks so beautiful. As I am looking in her eyes I can see the concentration as she starts to move her feet one in front of the other.

It's at this very moment it hits me, just how badly the menigitis has affected her brain. Abi is a professional dancer, watching her dance so effortlessly was one of the most mezmerizing things I had ever seen in my life. And like I once said to her, she makes dancing look like breathing. Watching her concentrating so hard on putting one foot in front of the other was almost like taking a bullet, it killed me to know just how hard this must have been on her.

My head flicks up and I stand instinctively and reach out for her hands, she grabs them quickly and uses my strength to help her move closer to me "Oh my god, wow" I grin widely because even though I know how much this is killing us both, I am also incredibly proud of how well she is doing. I pull her even closer to me as I watch her falter a little, her breathing is a little shallow "You ok?"

The skin on her face feels amazing under my fingertips, I have missed touching her beautiful face. She nods gently without breaking eye contact, I feel her heart pounding against my chest as I kiss her again, this time making my presence known. I want her to feel my need for her, the way my body wants her. My eyes close as i feel her hand reach around the back of my neck, she teases my hair in her fingers.

I can't help but laugh as she grabs my baseball cap and tosses it behind me on the bed "There that's better" she bites her lip as she runs her fingers through my hair, messing it up a little. I can barely keep my self control, the only thing stopping me from losing it, is knowing I am the only thing holding her up. If I let go she will fall...and I am never gonna let that happen.

"So Mrs Tedder is there anything you would like me to do for you when we get home?" She has this way of making me feel like a naughty boy at school, and the fact she is biting her lip is not helping at all. She reaches up grabs the collar of my shirt and makes me bend my head down to her height, before whispering in my ear...

"Take me to bed" Jesus I wasn't even sure if I could make it home.

"So Mrs Tedder are you ready to go home" a nurse interupted. Abi turned round in my arms and looked at the nurse and the doctor who had also followed.

"Good morning Mrs Tedder, and Mr Tedder it's nice to see you back again" I nod at the doctor who opens a file "Right Abigail I am more than happy with your progress over the past week. Although you still need alot of help to regain full use of both legs, I don't think staying in hospital will benefit you any further. It's obvious, the best place for you is at home with your husband and family"