Memory

Chapter 45

Jennifer P.O.V

It's been seven weeks since that accident occurred, and I've been sleepless since.

David has shown a few signs of consciousness, but not to the point he's woken up.

The doctors say that's normal since the wound was fatal, but it still doesn't ease the guilt that's been growing since that day.

If it weren't for me, David wouldn't have gotten shot, and he wouldn't be stuck in the hospital fighting for his life.

Then poor Isa has been worried sick to the point she refuses to eat or drink anything, we had to get Jackson to convince her to have at least something to eat so she wouldn't pass out from starvation or dehydration.

I shouldn't have let them come with me.

I should've come alone.

I should've been the one lying in that hospital bed, not David.

"Jeni," Emelia says, startling me a little.

"Yea," I hoarsely respond.

I've been screaming and crying so much that I've now somewhat lost my voice.

"Do you want to go and rest for a little?" she asked, walking inside and taking a seat next to me, "You've been in this room with him for weeks and haven't had a proper night's rest."

"No," I firmly say, shaking my head, "I've taken a few naps here and there, so I'll be fine," I shrug.

"Jennifer, you look terrible, you have these dark bags under your eyes, and you look famished, have you even eaten today?".

"I had a sandwich earlier," I say dryly.

While I've been keeping watch over David, Emelia has been keeping an eye on me.

I know she's worried sick about me, but I refuse to leave David's side until I know he's fully ok.

Even if that means ruining my health in the process.

She already knows that she's not going to win this battle anytime soon, so she surrenders for now, leaving me and David alone once again.

Slowly lifting his hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss it softly.

Tears begin to fill my eyes once more, and I'm surprised I haven't passed out from dehydration yet.

I've been crying all day and night nonstop for weeks, so I'm shocked that I have any tears left.

Using both my hands to hold his, I prayed to God again since that's what I've been doing every night.

I don't know how much longer I can take watching him lying here, seeming lifeless.

I want to see his smile.

I want to hear his voice.

I want him to hold me in his arms, assuring me that he will never leave me.

I just want him to come back to me.

"Please baby, I need you to come back to me, I can't live on without you, Isa can't live on without you, Jackson can't live on without you," I say as my hands begin to tremble, "I want us to get married and live a happy life raising Isa together like how we originally planned" I choke as the tears flood my eyes, "You've finally come back to me after all these years, and I can't afford to lose you because of the mistakes I've made so please, please come back to me, I love you too much to let you go," I say finally breaking down.

Dropping his hand, I cover my face losing the final bit of hope I had left in my body.

"Please don't leave me, David".

Feeling a hand graze my cheek, I jolt back, meeting David's weak gaze.

"D-David," I stutter, not believing what I see right now.

"Baby, it'll take more than that asshole to keep me away from you," he smiles, dragging his hand down to my arms and slowly pulling me in.

Wrapping my arms around him, I'm careful when hugging him, not wanting to cause any more harm than he's already in.

"I thought I lost you!" I cry out, feeling a rush of relief.

"It's okay, baby. I'm here, I'm right here, and I'm never leaving again," he states, wrapping an arm around me and kissing my head.

Getting up, I ran outside to let the other know that he was awake.

As soon as I told them, they rushed inside, checking his condition.

Isabella was especially excited since this was the hardest on her.

"Daddy!" Isabella cries out, jumping into his arms. "Don't leave me again, ok?".

Squeezing her as tight as he could, he said, "I promise never to leave you or your mom again, princess.".

Slowly pushing herself back, she looks at him, confused.

"My mom? you said my mom was-"

"Your mom is right behind you," he reveals as she slowly turns toward me.

Sliding off the bed, she hesitantly walks to me, having a mixture of confusion and hurt in her face.

She probably thinks I never wanted her in the first place and just up and left her and David one day without explanation.

I wouldn't even be upset if that's how she felt because I was nowhere to be found for the past eight years.

"I-If your my m-mom, w-where were you a-all this time, and w-why did you l-leave m-me" she tears up, looking at me like a complete stranger.

Crouching down, I grab her little hands then say this next, hoping to remove all the confusion and hurt she has inside of her, "I was in a predicament where I was taken away from you and your father and forced to never see the two of you again" I explain feeling the tears trying to make a return, "But the issue has been taken care of, so I can assure you that you will never, ever, have to worry about not having a mother again, because I'm here now and I promise to stay with you for the rest of your life."

The instant that first tear fell down her face, she jumped into my arms, crying her little heart out.

"I finally have a mom," she squeals, burying her face in my neck.

And I finally have a family that I've always wanted.

"That's right, sweetie, and I love you so, so much," I smile, giving her a tight hug.

"I love you too, Mom."