You drew stars around my scars

How did it end? (Part 4)

They sat there with Jessica crying for another half an hour before the doctor came back in "OK we are going to start the infusion now. The first one runs for 1 hour, then we will come and change the bag – the second one will run for 4 hours and the last one will run for 16 hours"

Jessica bit her lip "that's a really long time to be hooked up"

The doctor smiled sadly at her "it is, but it's important to stop any organ damage. If you need anything you can just press your buzzer and somebody will come in"

He quickly got to work, setting up the first bag of medication.

Tree and Taylor watched as it slowly dripped into the girl, both of them thinking about how the last 6 hours had changed everything.

Taylor began to shift, uncomfortable. Tree turned to look at her "what's wrong?"

Taylor opened her mouth but then closed it again, shaking her head. Tree frowned "you look like you're in pain. What is wrong?"

Taylor glanced at Jessica briefly before turning back to Tree "my boobs hurt. Really badly. I've never gone this long without feeding Emmeline or pumping."

Realisation crossed Tree's face and she nodded "you need to go and feed her..."

Taylor frowned "I can't leave. I will get my pump delivered here or something"

Tree smiled sadly "She is going to need feeding anyway and you only left so much expressed milk. Go home, feed her. We will be fine"

Taylor shook her head but Tree spoke up again "Taylor. Seriously. Go and feed your baby. Jessica is going to need you to bring a bag of her stuff anyway so you can get that at the same time. Take my car. I'll wait here"

Taylor hesitated, unsure until Jessica spoke up "Tay – she's right. Go and check on Emmeline. I'll be fine."

Taylor turned back to the redhead "you'll stay?"

Tree nodded "I'll be here the whole time, I promise"

Finally Taylor nodded, glad to be able to escape and have some time to process. She quickly kissed Jessica and hugged Tree goodbye before rushing home to the baby.

Once Taylor had left, Jessica sat watching the IV. Tree moved closer to her "how are you feeling honey?"

Jessica smiled "I'm ok. A little tired but I feel less sick now"

Tree rubbed her hand gently "that's really good. Do you think you could manage a little something to eat?"

Jessica crinkled her nose "I don't think so...my stomach does still hurt..."

Tree nodded, not wanting to push the girl too much at once.

Jessica looked down at her hands before whispering "how many calories do you think that charcoal had in it?"

Tree took a second to think "I honestly don't know. It might not have had any. Either way – it was totally necessary."

Jessica nodded, looking back up at the IV "that's just saline it's mixed with, right? Not glucose?"

Tree looked up at the bag, nodding "yeah honey, it's just saline"

Jessica bit her lip, looking down at her lap. Tree tucked the teen's hair behind her ear before speaking gently "what made you do it honey?"

Jessica looked up at her, tears in her eyes "I just wanted to stop being a burden to everyone. I know I make Taylor's life harder. Emmeline needs to be the priority and I just take attention away from her. I hurt everyone. I just wanted it all to stop"