certain things

39.

I squeezed my eyes shut as I heard Leo start crying and tried to block out the noise, my head killing me. I heard footsteps go to his nursery before he was shushed and calmed down after a while. I hesitantly got up from the bed and put my hair in a braid, slipping some socks on. I stepped into a pair of leggings and walked out of the bedroom, going to the kitchen to see Harry sitting at the table with Gemma and Emily.

"How ya feeling?" Gemma asked and I shrugged, fumbling with the sleeves of Liam's sweater that hung loosely off my body.

"I, um, think I'm gonna head to the hospital for a while, but I'll be back in a couple hours." My voice was scratchy and they all nodded.

"I can stay here with Leo until you get back, if you want." Emily offered and I nodded.

"Thanks, guys." They all smiled at me and I stepped into a pair of Converse before grabbing my bag and heading out the door.

I got in my car and turned the heat on, even though it was seventy degrees outside. I drove to the hospital and sat in my car for a moment after I had parked, trying to collect my thoughts. I finally got the courage to go inside and I signed in, walking up the stairs and down the hall to Liam's room. I noticed a nurse in the room, checking his charts and stuff and she looked up as I walked in.

"How are you today, Sam?" She asked and I shrugged.

"Anything new?" I wondered, motioning to Liam's still body.

"We're starting to see a little bit more brain activity, but other than that, no." Angie sadly smiled and I nodded, sitting down next to his hospital bed. "I'll give you some privacy."

Angie left the room and I looked down at Liam to see his chest slowly moving up and down. His face was still covered in bruises from the crash and there were casts on his left arm and right leg, a bandage wrapped around his head. I grabbed his cold hand in mine, trying not to mess up any of the tubes or wires.

"Hey, Li." I whispered. "Just came to say hi before I have to go put Leo down to bed. He really misses you. Even though he can't say it, he is always playing with your sweaters that I wear. Kind of pathetic, I guess?" I lightly laughed. "Gemma, Emily and Harry say hi. They've been helping me out the last couple weeks with Leo and everything. Your mom came and stayed the night a few days ago and she made me the soup that you like. Which, just made me miss you even more." I cleared my throat, feeling tears fill my eyes. "Please come back to me." I whispered. "I can't do this without you here. I've tried so hard and I can't even take care of our child without help because it's hard to just get out of bed. All I can see when I close my eyes is you being put on that stretcher and it kills me to see you like this."

A sob ripped it's way out of my throat and I leaned my forehead against the side of the hospital bed, cries escaping me even though I tried to get them to stop. I have spent too many nights sitting in this exact spot, staring at Liam, not saying anything. This is the first time I've cried in the last two weeks. It was like it all built up and finally spilled out.

"Sam?" I heard my name and my head flew up as there was pressure on my hand.

"Liam?" I wondered, thinking that I had just imagined it.

"Where am I?" Liam said, opening his eyes.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had launched myself into his arms, holding onto him for dear life. Liam laughed a little and attempted to wrap his arms around me, but failing miserably. I pulled away and he reached up, wiping the tears off my cheeks.

"I thought you were gonna die." I sobbed and he frowned, tugging me down to his body again. "Never scare me like that again."

"Promise, now would you please tell me why I'm in a hospital?" He laughed and I nodded, sitting back down.

"You were in a car accident and the other guy was drunk. You've been practically brain dead for two weeks." I explained and Liam frowned, looking over at me. "I should probably go get the doctor."

Liam nodded and I let go of his hand, getting up from the hard plastic chair. I walked out into the hallway and took a deep breath, wiping my cheeks off. I looked down the hall and noticed the doctor speaking to a nurse. Angie noticed me and walked over, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Did something happen?" She asked and I shook my head.

"He woke up." I said and Angie smiled, walking into the room with me.

"Mr. Payne, nice to actually meet you." Angie said and Liam smiled a little, finally being sat up in the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"My head kind of hurts and I'm really hungry." Liam said and I sat back down next to him, watching him reach for my hand.

"That's good to know." She checked his vitals and everything, writing something on the chart. "You better not give this young lady up." Angie pointed her pen at me. "She's been here every day sitting in that exact spot. Now, Sam, I don't know what you did to wake him up, but he looks to be in decent shape."

"Magical tears." I joked and Liam laughed, wincing as Angie took out the IV and a couple other tubes.

"When can I go home?" He asked, stretching his leg out.

"We'll keep you tonight and to make sure everything is in tip top shape and then you'll be released in the morning." She said, putting his charts back. "I'll go get you something to eat."

Angie left and Liam looked over at me, smiling and I did too, scooting closer to him. He scooted over in the hospital bed and motioned for me to get in so I did, lying down next to him. Liam wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I looked up at him, giving him a small kiss. Liam smiled and laid back. I knew I should call everyone, but I decided to just lay here for a while.