the treehouse ☾irwin [completed]

twenty-five;

for the next few hours, i drifted in and out of sleep. i hadn't realized how exhausted i was until i was laying in the hospital bed. there wasn't much the doctors needed to do. they just gave me pain medicine and let me be. i was getting released in the morning, just to make sure i was good to go.

close to midnight, the last of my group of visitors left. mom and dad agreed to be back early in time for check out. alice was the last to stay, keeping me company so i wasn't bored out of my mind. we talked and laughed quietly, but every once in awhile, a nurse would come in and tell us to shut up.

"alright, i better go," alice yawned loudly, checking the time on her phone. she stood from the chair that sat beside my bed and patted my shoulder softly, not wanting to hurt me. not like it mattered. i was bruised here and there, but it wasn't like i lost a limb. yes, it was an awful situation i was in, and i'm glad i made it out, but simply sitting up or giving me a hug wasn't that painful.

i still gave alice a tired smile and watched as she made her way out of the hospital room. i sighed and leaned back on the bed, staring up at the popcorn ceiling, my mind drifting to the thought of ashton. i hoped he was alright and wasn't in trouble. i closed my eyes and tried to remember what happened right before i had blacked out.

and i love you, princess.

the memory of his voice lingered in my head, until i actually heard him. i opened my eyes and glanced around, but the room was empty. the door was closed, but the light from the hallway seeped in underneath. there were faint whispers from outside, and i craned my neck to see if i could listen.

"you have to let me in," a voice argued, a sense of urgency evident in their voice.

ashton.

"no, the time for visitors has ended. she's resting now," one of my nurses said firmly, sounding annoyed.

"but, please. let me just see her. i want to make sure she's okay," ashton nearly whined, sounding like a little kid. there was a pause before the nurse sighed. "you really love her, don't you?" she asked, and i heard the door open slowly.

"more than words could say."

my heart fluttered and i quickly turned over, acting as if i were asleep. the door opened and i heard ashton's heavy footsteps come towards the bed. "you have five minutes," the nurse whispered, then left, closing the door behind her.

ashton walked over to where alice was sitting earlier and sat down in the same chair. once he was sure the nurse was gone, he whispered, "you're so bad at pretending you're asleep."

i opened my eyes slightly and stuck out my tongue at him. "well, what was i supposed to do?" i laughed softly, adjusting my position so i could look at him better. with his elbows propped on his legs, he looked down at me softly with his hazel eyes. there was a cut below his left eye and his halloween costume seemed to be left behind. his hair was messed up, but it made him look even cuter than he already was.

after a moment of silence, he asked, "are you okay?" i sighed and nodded. i had been hearing that question all night, and i was getting sick of answering it.

"i'm so sorry. i never meant for that to happen. i wish i came earlier. no, i wish i hadn't stormed off like that. i overreacted," ashton let out a sigh of annoyance and lowered his eyes. "i'm sorry, too. about everything. none of this is your fault. i just.. i don't know."

ashton smiled sadly at me. he leaned over and gently pushed a piece of hair out of my face. "you don't have anything to be sorry for. this will probably scar you for the rest of your life," he whispered, running a finger across my cheek.

i leaned up and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "i don't care," i replied. "as long as you're with me along the way." ashton grinned widely and nodded. he reached down and grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. i rested my head back on the pillow and yawned.

"you should get to sleep," ashton suggested, laughing.

"i'm not tired," i argued, yawning again. ashton gave me a look, but laughed again. he leaned back in the chair, still holding onto my hand. he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand and just stared at the ground, unsure what to say.

"ashton?"

"hm?"

"what happened at the police station?" i asked, chewing the inside of my mouth. "oh," his eyes softened and he let out a sigh. "basically, they just asked me a bunch of questions about what happened and about tony. i told them about his past of abuse and being an alcoholic. he's going to jail, so don't worry. but, i don't know when there will be a trial or anything. i don't really care, as long as he's locked up."

i nodded in agreement. "i was nervous they were going to put you in jail," i admitted out loud. ashton let out a laugh and shook his head. "nah, they wouldn't do that. some of my dad's old friends work there, anyway."

i laughed quietly and looked up at him, simply just admiring him and how amazing he was.

"bree?" ashton locked eyes with me. "do you really love me?"

this time, without a doubt in mind, i nodded with a smile. his dimpled returned to his cheeks as he leaned down and kissed my forehead. the door opened slightly and the nurse peered in, glancing in between ashton and i.

i groaned and held onto ashton's hand stubbornly, not wanting him to go. he stood up from the chair, pressured by the nurse's intense stare. "i'll see you tomorrow, okay?" he whispered, slowly edging away from the bed.

"ashton," i tugged on his hand as he began to leave. he turned around and raised an eyebrow. ignoring the nurse, who was currently staring daggers at us both, i whispered, "stay with me."

ashton glanced back at the nurse, who frowned disapprovingly, but didn't say anything. he turned back to me and nodded, grinning softly.

"god, i better not get fired for this," the nurse grumbled as she left, closing the door rather loudly behind her.

***

oops it's short

sorry for not updating in two months LOL

this about to end soon tho. idek how i don't have it planned out oops

hoW DID SLFL ALREADY START?? WASN'T ROWYSO JUST STARTING?? UH?? have fun at your concert if you're going to one

ok byeee

-darby :)

THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER. EPILOGUE IS NEXT.