For Her, He Will

Chapter Fourteen - How does one explain?

Oakley was in so much pain. She could barely think straight as she opened her eyes. The smell of gasoline and burning filled her nose and lungs, causing her to couch. Everything was blurry for a moment as she blinked.

She looked down and could see she was still in the car, but there was blood on her hand. Why was there blood?

Oakley heard a scream rip out, but couldn't lift her head back up. The person kept screaming, blood curling screams.

"Help..." Oakley whispered out.

The screaming intensified.

"Help me," Oakley felt panicked.

Something felt like it was constricting her. She tried to fight back but it only pushed down harder.

"HELP ME!" Oakley screamed and then opened her eyes.

She was in her hospital room, staring up at two of the night nurses. They both were holding her down, trying to make her not damage anything that had started to heal.

**

Oakley was nervous.

Kayce had told her he'd be there with Tate a little after ten and it was ten-fifteen right now. They'd be here any minute probably. Oakley was sitting back on her bed, the blue blanket thrown over her legs as she waited.

She had been able to take a shower this morning with the help of one of the nurses and it had done wonders to her mental state. Just being and feeling clean and having clean sheets made Oakley feel ten times better.

A small knock at the door, and soon Kayce was poking his head in. Oakley sat up more and offered him a small smile. He opened the door and stepped in, Tate following him, trying to walk past him.

"Hey guys," Oakley said softly, still a little bit cautious.

"Now, remember, buddy," Kayce went to hold Tate's shoulder but the boy was already racing over to Oakley's bed. "Tate!"

Oakley had only seconds to act as Tate launched himself into her side. She winced from the impact, but at least it was her good side. Tate wrapped his arms around Oakley's neck, burrowing his face into her chest.

"Easy, Tate!" Kayce frowned.

Oakley's cheek was resting on top of his head as she looked back at Kayce. Her hand came up to the back of Tate's head as her weaker arm held his back as best she could. At first, Oakley thought Tate was just happy to see her, which warmed her heart some. But then she felt a sob rack both of them...and then another...and then Tate was full-on crying in her arms.

"Hey," Oakley whispered, her fingers running through his hair. "Tate..."

Kayce sat down gently behind Tate, his hand resting on Oakley's leg over her blanket. Tate burrowed more into Oakley and she held him tighter. Her lips pressed into the side of his head as she shut her eyes.

"M'sorry," Oakley whispered to Tate. "Honey, I'm so sorry."

Oakley held Tate for a while, rocking him in her arms and letting him cry. He didn't say much to her, but Oakley was able to apologize to him for everything that had happened, including not being there for him the past few days. Tate only hugged Oakley tighter, almost choking on his sobs.

About twenty minutes later, Tate was passed out in her arms. The pure exhaustion on his face, and Kayce's eyes told Oakley all she needed to know about if he got any sleep last night. She tucked him down next to her in the bed, pulling the blanket up and around his chin and pressing a kiss to his forehead. His nose was pressed against her hip as she sat up, looking down at him. Her fingers ran through his hair, making the small lines on his forehead disappear. He looked so much like Kayce from where she sat.