She's On Top

5: The Heartbreak

2004.

Omniscient.

"Gloria, I'm fine. I promise. The meds are working and I'm really not in any pain. You can sit down, now. You're driving me nuts because you keep moving around so much." Shayla says to her older sister, who's currently shuffling around the hospital room, trying to comfort her little sister.

"Are you sure? You don't need your pillows adjusted or anything? I just don't know what to do with myself. I've been a nervous wreck since Marquis & Shannon called me. I'm sorry if I'm being a bit overbearing. You're my baby sister... I just don't like seeing you hurt like this." Gloria explains as she extends her hand to Shayla.

"You and mom are definitely one and the same. She would've been the same exact way if she were here. God rest her soul. I promise you, I'm fine, sis. You don't have to worry about me. Just having you here is good enough." Shayla smiles, lovingly.

"You know she would've been the first person in here hollering at the doctors and trying to take over everything. I miss her so much but I'm sure she's smiling down on us right now knowing that YOU'RE okay and that I'm doing exactly what she asked me to do—looking out for you." Gloria said as she sat down in her chair beside her baby sister's bed.

"I don't think I'd be able to take both of you being here at the same time. You two plus Marquis and Shannon would literally make me want to discharge myself from the hospital and disappear into the woods until I'm fully healed." Shayla laughs as she shoots her sister a playful glare.

"You couldn't do that if you tried, heffa. Averi would track you down and drag you back to us with her little sassy self." Gloria says as she looks over at her niece coloring on the other side of the room.

"You might be right about that, sis. Lord knows I can't leave my little boo. I'd be incomplete without her. Speaking of her... can you bring her over here to me. I haven't really been able to cuddle with her how I want. Marquis is so afraid that I'll be hurt if he places her close to me because she loves moving around so much." Shayla asks while mentally reflecting on how her life has changed since becoming a mother.

"She's really the most adorable little girl. She reminds me so much of you when you were little. Except one thing... She's cuter than you were at that age."

"Girl, shut up! Go get my baby!" Shayla shouts back playfully causing them to both laugh.

Gloria walks over to the small table in the corner of the hospital room where Averi is coloring, quietly. She picks her up unexpectedly, making the little girl giggle in excitement. Walking back over to Shayla's bedside, Gloria lets Averi know she must be extra careful with her mom because of her injuries and Averi agrees to her aunt's terms. A huge smile appears on Shayla's face as Gloria places the sweet four-year-old down beside her.

"Hey, pretty girl! Mommy missed cuddling with you so much. I'm sorry we haven't been able to do that as much since my accident. How are you feeling? I know you were really scared when you first woke up and saw me here... Are you feeling a little better now?"

"Hi, mommyyyy" The child sang, as she nestled her head comfortable under her mother's arm. "It's okay, mommy. You weren't feeling well. I'm not scared anymore. Daddy said accidents happen and you'll be better really soon, so that made me feel better. I made a picture for you, too! Well... it's more of a card but I drew it so it's a picture." The child said as she looked up at her mother.

"I'm so happy your daddy was able to explain that to you, princess. Mommy will be better before you know it. You made me a card?? Really? I feel so special! Thank you, my baby. I can't wait to see it. You know... One good thing is... I won't have to work for a while so I'll have more time to spend with you and Daddy. Doesn't that sound like fun? Once we're back home, we can watch movies, play games, and enjoy some much needed time together."