From Knives to Pens

From Knives to Pens - Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Andy’s POV:

I pace anxiously outside of Willow’s Mum’s room, waiting for either Willow or Zack to emerge. The rest of the band and Sammi talk amongst themselves in hushed tones. Sammi and Jinxx sit outside of the room, talking. Every so often I catch them glancing at me, worried looks on their faces.

Jake, CC and Ashley are gathered in a group on the other side of the hallway. I look over and see Jake shaking his head sadly as he talks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them look so serious. It’s as if a black cloud of misery has surrounded us in its gloom.

After about two hours of waiting Willow finally emerges. Her eyes are slightly bloodshot, showing the tears she has shed. I instantly go over to her. She smiles up at me as I take both her hands in mine. Our eyes meet.

“How is everything in there?” I ask her softly. My thumb caresses her hand soothingly.

“Really well.” Willow says with a small smile. “She can’t remember Dad’s death so we had to tell her everything. Mum took it better than I was expecting.”

I nod and pull her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.” I whisper in her ear.

When we pull away, I plant a small kiss on her lips. Willow smiles and kisses me back. Hope floods through me. Maybe once all of this is over, Willow and I can go back to the way we were. All the stress of Willow’s Mum being ill made me and Willow drift apart, but now with Willow’s Mum improving we can start to rebuild our relationship.

“Mum wants to meet you.” Willow says, smiling. This is the happiest I’ve seen her in days. I know Willow believed her Mum would never come back to her and I’m so glad Willow’s Mum is with us now.

“Really? So she knows about us?” I ask surprised.

Willow nods. “I told her. She took it better than she did last time.”

“Does she want to see me now?”

Willow nods, a huge smile on her face. I smile back at her. I love the warmth the sight of it sends through me.

With a nod to the others, Willow and I enter her Mum’s room hands entwined.  Happiness envelops me at the sight before me. Zack and his Mum are sat together on the bed, talking. Both look so happy to be with each other that my heart swells. A hint of sadness is in Willow’s Mum’s eyes and I can only imagine it’s for her late husband. It must be so hard expecting to see your life partner after waking up from a coma, only to be told he died. Not remembering the person you loves’ death must be unbearable.

Both sets of eyes land on me and Willow when we enter the room. A huge smile lights up Zacks’ face and he comes running over to me and Willow, enveloping both of us in a hug. I smile and laugh softly, hugging him back. It’s amazing seeing Willow’s family (what’s left of it) reunited.

When we break apart, my eyes go to Willow’s Mum. I’m slightly apprehensive of her reaction to mine and Willow’s relationship, even though Willow told me that her Mum took the news well.

Sophia’s face has a huge smile on it and I instantly feel more relaxed. Willow and I walk over to her bedside and Willow introduces us. I extend my hand for Sophia to shake, but to my surprise she pulls me into a hug.

“Thank you for being there for my family when I wasn’t.” She whispers. I nod slightly and hug her back.

When we break apart I go back to Willow’s side, entwining our hands. She smiles up at me, looking so breathtakingly happy. My heart swells with pure affection for her.

We spend the next hour talking to Willow’s Mum about our relationship, how we met, our time in LA (even though it was less than a day) and the rest of the band. As we explain, me and Willow share affectionate looks. When we explain how the rest of the band are outside the room, Willow’s Mum’s expression is one of complete shock.