No escape from reality Book 3 AU

Chapter 8

After a broken night's sleep, Louise woke up. She looked at her son. He was still asleep. She got off the cot bed and went over to him. Louise kissed Nicos forehead and went to use the bathroom, taking her toothbrush with her.
After getting dressed into some sweats that Brendon had brought the previous evening Louise went to the cafeteria to eat. Louise realised that she hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday morning. As Louise ate, Brendon texted to say that he would be there soon. Annie and Spencer were happy to watch Poppy for as long as necessary. Louise's mother was expected some time today.
Louise finished eating and took a tea with her. She had to cut right down on her coffee. Now she was pregnant again.
As Louise entered the PICU, she could swear she heard Nico. She hurried her pace down the hallway to his room. Louise turned the corner into the room. There, her little boy laid, and he was awake. He was chatting with one of the nurses.
"Nico," Louise choked down a sob.
"Mommy, I missed you." He outstretched his arms for a hug from his mother. Louise went over to him and hugged him tight.
"Oh, my sweet boy." Louise was crying and covering Nicos face and head on kisses. Nico giggled a little as Louise did this. Louise thought she would never hear that gorgeous sound again. Her heart soared with love for her child.
As Louise sat talking to Nico, Brendon arrived. Louise wanted it to be a surprise for him that Nico was awake. Brendon had his own surprise, too. He walked into the room with Poppy.
"Mommy!" She said, running towards Louise.
"Daddy!" Nico yelled. Brendon laughed and hugged his son.
"Nico, I love you." Brendon said.
"I love you too, Daddy."
Poppy was holding onto Louise like her life depended on it.
"Mama poorly foot." She pointed at Louise's foot.
Louise nodded. And she realised that she hadn't used her crutches today. She was meant to, but in all honesty, she felt like she didn't need them.
That day was a happier day. They were reunited as a family. As Nico was doing better than expected after surgery, he was moved to the paeds ward.
Edith arrived at the hospital with her bags.
"Edith, you should have said you were here. I would have picked you up from the airport." Brendon said.
"It's ok, I got a cab."Edith went over to Nico and hugged him.
"Oh my beautiful Nico." She said.
They all chit chatted. Poppy was hungry, so Brendon took her to the cafeteria. Nico went to sleep.
"So," Edith said. "Have you heard from you, brother?"
"No," Louise replie, frowning." Why would I?"
"I thought he would have called to see how Nico is." Edith sai, looking confused.
"Nope.He's probably feeling guilt, and so he should do."
"Now Louise, he has explained what happened, and it was an accident. He said that Nico just ran out into the road."
Louise's head spun around to look at her mother.
"He said what?" Louise yelled. She could feel herself getting angrier and angrier. "I need to get out of here." She half laughed and left Edith with Nico. Louise could feel the tears stinging her eyes. As she was walking down the hospital corridor, Brendon was coming back with Poppy.
"Momm, I ate all my food." She said proudly.
Louise picked Poppy up. "What a clever girl you are." And kissed her daughter.
Edith stuck her head out of Nicos room and called down to Poppy. Poppy ran down to her grandmother. Brendon noticed Louise was upset.
"What's wrong?" He asked her.
"I need to get out of here." Louise replie, moving past Brendon.
"Louise, what's wrong?" Brendon grabbed her hand. Louise looked at him.
"Not here." She said so they went for a walk.
Out in the fresh air was what Louise needed to calm herself a little. As they walked, Louise told Brendon what Richard had said to Edith. Louise could tell that Brendon was getting more and more angry.
"I can't believe him! Blaming a little boy."
"I know." Louise could feel the tears threatening to fall again.
"He does know you were there, right?" Louise nodded.
"To be hones, Bren, I am surprised that he hasn't blamed me."
"Why the fuck would he do that Lou? It wasn't your fault at all."
"Hmmm yea."
"Lou?" Brendon looked at his,wife. " You don't blame yourself do you?"
"I I......" Louise started.
"Baby," Brendon held Louise as she sobbed. "This was NOT your fault. You literally protected our kids with your life yesterday."
"I feel like I didn't. Especially Nico. He ended up under Richards fucking car."
"You did what you could." Brendon soothed her. Louise stopped crying. They then headed back towards the hospital. Brendons phone rang. It was Spencer.
"Hey Spence." Brendon listened to what Spencer was saying. His face grew darker and darker. Louise stopped walking and looked at her husband. Brendon hung up and looked at Louise.
"Richards been back to the house. He packed his things and went. Or so Spence thought. Spence went to use the bathroom. He walked past our bedroom and it has been ransacked. All our things everywhere."
"Oh" Louise cried out putting a hand over her mouth. "What on earth was he looking for?" Louise wondered aloud.
"I don't know babe. Spence isn't sure if anything is missing. He wants to know if we want the cops involved. I mean they already are cos of what happened. But you know." They both got into the elevator.
"I don't know Bren. We aren't even sure if anything is missing yet. We have more important things to worry about at the moment."
"Yea" Brendon agreed as they got out of the elevator on the paeds floor. They both walked down the corridor to their sons room. Edith was sat reading to Poppy as Nico was still sleeping.
"Hey Mom." Louise said sitting on another chair. She had her head in her hands.
"What's wrong honey?" Edith asked. Brendon told Edith about the phone call from Spencer.
"Is he sure it was Richard?" Edith asked. "I don't know Spencer. Could he have done it and blamed it on Richard?"
"Mom!" Louise said shocked. "You always defend Richard. My brother can do no wrong in your eyes!"
"Uncle Richard knocked me over on his car." They all turned, and looked at Nico.
"Honey it was an,accident. He didn't mean to." Edith said.
"No he did it. He didn't stop." Nico said.
"Nico honey you are mistaken."
"Mom Nico knows what happened."
Poppy was playing now, on the floor with some cars.
"Unky Richard hurt my Mama and Nico. He bad. He was fast in car." Poppy piped up.
All eyes went to the 2 year old. Edith was about to speak again.
"No Mom! Stop defending him. Your 2 grandchildren told you what happened. They are children so have no hidden agenda, to to rat him out!"
Brendon stayed quiet through all of this.
"So you are against your brother?" Edith asked.
"No Mom, I am believing my children. Oh and Spencer. He has no reason to lie and definitely has no reason to steal from us either!"
"Him and Annie are having a baby. Maybe they need the money " Brendon scoffed at this and stood up shaking his head.
"So not only have you called our children liars, you are also accusing 2 of our closest friends of theft." Louise said. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She sighed heavily. "Mom can you stay with Nico. We will take your bags with us."
"Yes of course." Edith replied.
"I will be back soon." Louise said to her son.
"Poppy, come on, sweetie." Louise offered her hand to her daughter.