Wild hearts run free (Joe Elliott fanfic)

Ch45 Standing by loved ones through thick and thin

**********All warnings apply

By the time we went out to promote the album it was July 2002. The
girls came with me on the gigs we did. Isy and Rory become more into
each other than before. Beth was in and out of the hospital with
Josh or herself.

She was only able to make the show we did in England. She was so
proud to see us perform in front of the Queen. It was hard on us and
a constant battle. Beth would say everything was fine and it wasn't.
Soon the band started asking about her and Josh I avoided them.

I came home for my birthday from North Carolina. I wanted to go home and
collapse from running around. Everyone followed me home since we'd
be going to Germany on the 5th of August, so it made sense and money to
go in with me.

We all went to the bed and breakfast to they'd try it out staying
there. I went with them to see Beth at work and what she had done to
the place since I lasted visited. She added more stuff, even had a
desk when you walked in.

But Beth wasn't there. Rick rang the bell and we waited with me
falling into the big royal chair. Isabel appeared, "Da, hey wasn't
expecting you here. You gents want a room?"

"Of course. Where me hug?" She hugged Vivian, Phil and Rick since
they were the only ones with me. Sav went straight home which was
what I wanted to do but I wanted to see Beth.

"Where's yer mum?" I said standing up.

"She didn't tell you then?" She said getting their keys. "Thought
you talked to her every day."

"I do but apparently she doesn't tell me everything."

"She's in the hospital." I looked at her and she did what I always
did to avoid a question.

"Hospital?" Rick said grabbing Bell. It only took one word for me
and I ran out. Even though I was tired I went to the hospital.

"Mrs. Elliott." I said to the front desk. The lady typed on the computer
with me tapping my hand on the desk.

"301 on the third floor." I know that was where ICU was. "Are you a
relative?"

"I'm her husband." I said taken off and picking up flowers. I ran
into Tony going down the hall. "Tony what's up?"

"Joe didn't know you were in. Come let's talk." He pulled me in his
office. "Elizabeth took a fall yesterday. You know she's been sick
on and off."

"Yeah."

"Well as usual she never came in and yesterday she fell off a
ladder painting a room in her little inn."

"And?"

"Well she broke her hip. As soon as the swelling goes down we'll
send her to the states in LA there's an excellent surgeon for this.
Just need yer consent."

"Why mine?"

"Because you know Beth she won't do it. Joe she should of had this
done years ago instead they put a bloody pin in there. I'm telling
you this guy is wonderful. Makes it to where they can even put a...."

"How much will it cost me?"

"A lot but it's worth it. Joe I'd never steer you wrong."

"Why is she in ICU?"

He paused. "Well her heart has been throwing out a weird rhythm so
it's another reason why it will take time to think about this
surgery."

"Can her heart take it?"

"With the waiting we'll 'ave to do yes." I left and finally went to
see her. She was asleep and I brushed her face lightly with the rose.

"Mm. Uh Joseph." She jumped in my arms in pain but I held her.

"Oh baby what happened?" I let her go and she had that oxygen thing
in her nose.

"Being a cluts."

"Working sick..."

"You talked to Tony Oi see."

"Yes, damn it Beth you promised you won't work sick. I don't know why
you even do it."

"Same reason you get on dat stage."

"Don't give me dat shite. You promised me. Where the 'ell was Isabel?
See she'd there now." It should of been I'm happy to see you but I
was tired, over stressed and pissed to see her hocked back up to all
that shit.

What a lousy birthday. Was offered to stay in the states but I
wanted to be home. "Isabel is 17 now Joe. Her life should be about
fun and friends. You remember those days."

"Yeah I also remember dat I had to work to get anything. For Christ sakes we 'ave been spoiling her way to bloody much especially you. How long 'ave you been sick Carrie?" She knew I only called her Carrie when I was pissed. "How long you been hiding it from me eh?"

I started yelling and the more I sat there the more pissed I
got. "Oi wouldn't talk Mr. God's gift. Every since you got yer rich
filthy hands on her you gave her anything she wanted so you know who
spoiled her you did and now its driving you nuts because she's acting
like you only with yer money. Not mine yers. Yer the one dat's given
into her. Anytime Oi get her to try to work with me she throws it up
in my face, 'Daddy let me do whatever I want. I don't 'ave to
work.' So don't blame me for yer bullocks."

"How dare you say dat? For yer information I 'aven't given her a
pence since her little OD shit. I know for a fact you 'ave been."

"Get out. Leave."