Will We Talk?

67- Rushing (Sam)

Sam's POV:

The moment I had the notification that Bradley texted me, I knew something was up; he hadn't texted me since Evelyn and I initially broke up. As I read the message, explaining what had happened, I found myself absentmindedly getting into a fresher pair of clothes and rushing to my car.

It turns out that Yvonne's just been diagnosed with cancer and after finding out, Evie seems to have passed out. But apparently, she's been out for a while, longer than she's usually out for, anyways. The lass frequently has fainting spells, but never any that put her in hospital. And that's what worried me. That's what encouraged me to rush straight to the RVI.

On my way, I decided to call Dean and make the band aware I wouldn't be at the studio, nor the night out we'd planned to go on.

"Hello? Sam where you at, mate?" Dean asked as soon as he picked up.

"Listen, Deano, I won't be at the studio today." I explained, hearing noises of protest from him as I did, "Nar because Evie's in hospital, that's why I can't come."

"You what? Is she alright? Will we need to come along?" he frantically interrogated.

"She's passed out but hasn't been responsive for a while. I'll chat to her if she's awake when I'm there and see if she wants visitors, alreet?" I confirmed.

"Aye, aye. Take care, Sam." he sighed, the panic evident in his voice.

"You too mate." I replied before whizzing into Newcastle.

Due to it being a match day, the town was absolutely heaving, so it was a longer journey than I'd have liked. When I got to the RVI and parked up, I raced to where Bradley said I should be. People glared at me as I sprinted towards the room she was in. I gulped a tired breath down as my eyes lay upon her small and slouched figure that was being pumped to the brim with mountains of drugs. The sound of consistent and rhythmic beeping had taken over the thick silence around the room. It was a sight I never wanted to see... ever. Yet here I was, fighting back the urge to cuddle her and kiss her and sit at her bedside all day, caring for her. I was dizzy with anticipation and sorrow as Rob explained what had happened to me. The strict rules I was given were to not talk to her about Yvonne, and not let Yvonne or Bailey know about Evelyn, so I was determined to stick by them.

For a while, I chatted to the family around me, then they went for food and left me alone, and I found myself accompanied by my phone. I let mam know what was going on, and Ronnie too, in case mam didn't get the message. Suddenly Evie began to stir, alerting me from my situation as I held her hand for a slight bit of comfort for bother her and me. Her eyes slowly peeled open and blinked through the light, looking at me.

"Sam?" she croaked, trying to sit herself up but I was soon to stop her, "Where am I?" she rubbed her forehead, obviously deep in thought, almost yanking the needles from her inner arm.

"You're in the hospital, darlin'. You passed oot. You gave wu a fright man." I informed her, causing her to slam her head into her pillow and roll her eyes, "Chill, Evie." I suggested before texting Bradley that she was awake.

"I can't. There's obviously something wrong with me if I'm passing out and throwing up fre-" her voice trailed off.

"What? What's up?" I quickly replied.

"I can't be." she shook her head, "Not again."

At first, I was confused as to what she was talking about, but there was a sudden wave of realisation that hit me. Then another, more heartbreaking realisation smacked me.

"Is it a possibility?" I questioned.

"No." she sighed, a hand raising to her heart as she weakly smiled, "Silly me."

"You're not silly, you dafty." I laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

"Bit contradictory there, Fender." she jokingly scoffed, he weakness evident in her voice, "Why're you here anyways?"

"Thought I'd come see ya'." I shrugged, suddenly grasping the fact that I actually had zero right being here, and internally cringed at myself, "I can go, if you want."

"No. No way." she responded, "I need you here to save is from me mam."

I snorted, "She's a bit worried like. Gis' a sec, I'm gan let a nurse know you're up."

She nodded, looking around the room and fascinated herself with the book that lay on her bedside- courtesy of yours truly. Meanwhile, I stuck to my word and found a nurse, letting her know she was awake and took notice of the three Jonstons bounding in my direction. My head nodded towards the door, them immediately flooding into the room and I followed.

Saying I felt out of place was an understatement- I felt so bad for intruding their family moments. I wasn't allowed to do that anymore, and it made me feel quite awkward just having to watch them. But, it did make me smile.

During my time spent in the room, they performed some blood tests, stuck a few more needles in her, took some needles out and did a few tests to just test her overall self. Then, I decided it be best that I leave them be.

I didn't regret going, not at all, I just felt quite uncomfortable, but that seemed to be a one-sided feeling as they tried to include me with everything. Fortunately, none of the latter brought up the relationship, break up or current situationship, instead opting to just discuss memories and cheer up Evie. I was proud of myself for going. I felt stunned when I was told about Yvonne's diagnosis- it was so unexpected. But I knew she'd fight it, for the babies.

*****

Bradley: We've just left. She's had some water and a meal, even shoved a dessert down her throat. Doctors have said that the tests are due back after tomorrow. I'm taking Tyler tomorrow if you wanted to join us.

Sam: Mint. I'll see what time I finish work, then I'll give you a text. Would love to come, though

Bradley: Just let me know. Take care.

Knowing she was fine and had consumed something made me feel a whole lot more at ease. Just knowing her family was back on speaking terms with me was comforting. I'll forever feel obligated to make her feel happy and safe and heard- all the things she wasn't when I first met her. On Christmas, I made my promise, and I was going to stick by it until the day I die because that girl, out of anyone else, deserves it: the best.

For the rest of that night, I decided to go out with the band, only limiting myself to a few pints. Often, I zoned out of the conversations and had to have Dean explain what had just been discussed, and that only got worse as the night went on and more drinks were drank. The boys expressed their concern for Evie at several stages of the night, and I had to hold back mentioning Yvonne.

As we flooded out, Dean dragged me in the direction of his house, rather than mine, "I divnt trust you gannin' home alone the neet like Sam."

"Nar man, I'll be sound. I always am." I insisted.

He looked me dead in the eye with a raised eyebrow, "You're coming to mine, and I'm not having any of your bullshit excuses."

Rolling my eyes, I let him drag me to a nearby taxi and we clambered in, the driver obviously not very amused by us.

Having a mate like Dean was class, especially when I'm in a bad place. He'll tell me straight and straighten me up when I'm out of order. And quite honestly, I'd do the same for him. It comes with the contract when you've been mates as long as we have.