You Can't Choose Your Family ➸ Demi Lovato

{Chapter 41}

**TRIGGER WARNING** (I'm just being cautious)

Nurse Weston had come back a few hours later to re-check my blood pressure and frustratingly it was still low, although it had improved a little since earlier that afternoon. She therefore sentenced me to stay the night within the hospital. To say I was pissed off about this would be an understatement.

"I feel fine though." I grumbled at Demi and Wilmer, who unfortunately for them were on the receiving end of my bad mood. I was too shy to actually get annoyed at the nurse who had subjected me to this torture so I had resorted in taking it out on them. "Can't we just walk out? Like in the movies where they just rip off all their heart monitors and shit and run off?!"

Demi looked at me which a sympathetic expression whilst Wilmer just looked amused at my last statement.

"It's not as if I'll get home and drop dead-" I continued my moaning about the situation until I was cut off by the room door opening.

"Hi." A timid yet very familiar voice sounded out through the half opened door. From my position, lying down in the uncomfortable hospital bed, I couldn't physically see the person but seeing them was unnecessary. I already knew who it was.

Mom.

My mind immediately went into a frenzy.

What is she doing here?!

Who the hell invited her?!

Will she take me back to Albuquerque?!

The last of those worries sticking prominently in the front of my conscious. There was no fucking way she'd take me away from Demi. I wouldn't allow her. I was finally secure and happy in my home environment. Yes, you may disagree due to recent events but it was an accident caused by my own destructive thoughts. With Demi I have been so much better. If this had happened back at mom's I probably would've taken it further. I would've killed myself once and for all. Demi is good for me, good for my wellbeing. I am never going back with mom. Ever.

I was knocked out of my anxious waterfall of thoughts by someone squeezing my hand softly. I blinked, clearing my eyes as they had glazed over before turning to my mom who was sitting in the seat previously occupied by Demi, holding my pale fingers in hers.

My immediate reaction was to pull away. This woman had abandoned me with people who were essentially strangers for nine years of my life. It disgusts me how a mom could do that to her own child without even intending to make it right. If Jaynie and Eric had never died or if William, the person who was believed to be my father had stuck around then I would still be living with them and mom wouldn't even know if I still existed or not.

But here she was, caressing the back on my hand with her thumb. It took every ounce of strength left in my exhausted body to not retract my hand.

"How are you feeling?" My mother asked hesitantly in a whisper as if she thought I would break if she raised her voice to a normal level.

I just nodded my head slowly, pulling up the corners of my mouth into a small smile. My voice chords had gone AWOL. I was so shocked to see her here, at my hospital bed at this moment of time. Even all my negative opinions about my mom couldn't override the fact that she obviously cared about me. There's no other obvious explanation to why she'd be here.

"You're still pretty tired, huh Saski?" Demi replied verbally for me. Mom looked at me with a sympathetic smile,

"Well I'm so glad to see you're doing okay Saskia but the doctors did specify that only family members were allowed in and-" my mom's voice hitched in her throat, "so I better be going before I get myself kicked out." She chuckled but it was awkward. The pain pouring from her eyes told me something. Deep down inside I knew that this would probably be the last I'd see of my mother in a long, long while.

My mom brought my hand carefully to her soft lips before setting it gently to rest back on the bed.

She was almost at the door by the time I managed to relocate my voice.

"Thank you," I croaked out sincerely.

'For letting me stay where I'm happy.' I finished off in my head.

***
this is an incredibly short update and I'm really sorry but my school workload has hit me like a literal truck.
there is so. fucking. much.
so just a warning that updates may be a bit shorter and sporadic in places- I'm sorry but I'm trying my best but these next 6 months at school are vital for me and that has to take priority (unfortunately.)
anddddd... I'd just like to say thank you for the nomination/votes in the Lovatic Fanfic awards. This is the first time I've ever been (sort of) recognised for my writing and I'm over the moon even though I didn't get placed.
I love you all and thank you for 33K reads ❤️