You drew stars around my scars

Perfect

The following week, Tree picked Taylor up and they headed to the treatment centre ready for Jessica's visit.

As soon as they pulled up outside, Taylor took a deep breath "her tube is due to be changed today..."

Tree nodded, sighing slightly "I know – how is she feeling about it?"

Taylor shrugged "terrified, she has begged me every day not to let them do it"

Tree nodded, "but she's still using it?"

Taylor nodded, "for pretty much every meal and they're doing the overnight feed too...so they literally have no choice but to reinsert it"

Tree sighed "OK well let's just get it over and done with then"

Taylor nodded and they headed instead, quickly heading towards the girl's room.

When they arrived, Jessica was pacing anxiously. When the two women walked in, she smiled softly "Hey! I wasn't sure if you were coming today..."

Taylor kissed her head softly "I promised you I would!"

Jessica nodded and turned towards Tree "thank you for coming..."

Tree smiled widely "of course, I'll be here as much as you'll both let me be! How has this week been?"

Jessica shrugged, looking down slightly "it's been ok. They're going to change my tube today...are you staying for it?"

Both the women nodded and Jessica visibly relaxed. The three of them chatted casually for the next few minutes until the doctor came in.

He explained it was time for the tube change and Jessica's anxiety increased instantly. Taylor expected a battle but the girl allowed them to get everything sorted while she sat on her bed. The teen looked between Taylor and Tree, biting her lip to stop herself from crying. The two women smiled sadly at her.

The doctor looked at Jessica "This will only take a few minutes – now, if you promise you're going to stay still then I won't need to get the nurses to hold you down like last time. Are you willing to do that?"

Jessica nodded "can Taylor and Tree hold my hands?"

The doctor nodded "why don't we get Taylor up here by your head and Tree by your hands", the two women followed the instructions as the doctor instructed Jessica to take a few deep breaths.

He loosened the tape holding the tube to her face and pulled out the tube quickly to minimise her discomfort. Jessica still gagged slightly but she didn't fight against him. As he reinserted the tube, Jessica began to gag loudly. Instinctively she lifted her hands, ready to push him away but Tree grabbed her hands down quickly but gently. Taylor rubbed her cheeks gently "it's ok buddy – you're doing great"

Jessica tried to nod but couldn't move, the doctor continued to push the tube in further and Jessica's eyes began to stream, she tried to flinch away but Taylor's hands held her head steady.

This scene was familiar to Taylor now, she'd seen the teen have her tube inserted multiple times but Tree was shocked by how brutal it was. The girl was gagging, her eyes were streaming and she was flinching in pain every time the doctor tried to push the tube in further. Tree was gripped Jessica's hands gently, rubbing her thumb across the girl's knuckles to try and comfort her. The redhead caught Taylor's eye over the teen's head – the shock evident on her face. Taylor smiled softly at her – signalling it was ok. Eventually the doctor got the tube in place and secured it with tape "now, I'll do it to the opposite side of your face because this cheek is really sore. Keep moisturising it and I'll get the nurses to check it tomorrow..."