Trying to dance through the rain

Chapter 17

I leaned against the bedroom doorway watching my wife, who was curled up in a ball on the window seat, staring out the window.

I hated seeing the beaded tears rolling down her cheeks, I knew she felt like her sister was alien to her and how much she wished it was her instead but I was determined that we were going to get by.

"You've always been two peas in a pod." I had joked with a small smile.

To which she offered me a tiny weak one in return.

"What am I going to do Adam? Emma's in a coma after practically trying to kill herself, there are rumours all over the web about where she is because the press hasn't spotted her in more than a month and they saw mum entering the hospital when she heard about the possibility of Emma having a few visitors. I don't even know what to tell her friends or any of her dance, drama academy or school teachers because I don't even know what's going on in my sister's life!"

She was in such sheer desperation which was proven by her desperate need to run her fingers through her hair.

"You're over thinking this Lace, we can only focus on here and now, not what might be. The press we can fix, you, me and your mum take a picture of Emma in the hospital and put it on Facebook and Instagram with the caption 'I cannot even begin to imagine how and why a group of people would do this to our beautiful sister/daughter/auntie, for the past month our darling, loving, caring Emma has been dangerously ill in hospital. We are all extremely sad, shocked and worried. It would be much appreciated if at this time our family could be left alone to support and pray for our wonderful little girl.' Everyone will appreciate a little insight and realise the privacy of this matter to clear up the rumours. As for all Emma's various teachers: Amelia and Emily assured me weeks ago that they'd handle her school teachers. Her dance and drama academy teachers we're just going to have to talk to and try to explain. I know for a fact that her drama academy teachers are going to want to visit her in the hospital because Laura, Mimi and Liz care too much but they'll know how to make Emma laugh, they always have! I've never seen Emma laugh more than when they're around. Her dance teachers might even come too. As for her friends, they'll be trying to stay in contact, a few of her friends have even messaged me to try and find out how she's doing. Things will work out in the end Lacey."

I could see the tension gradually fading from her shoulders, but yet it was still there.

"I hope so. Adam..."

At which point Lacey had been interrupted by a glitter and gem covered Tiffany running into the room and tugging at my arm trying to drag me to the car.

"Come on daddy, I made auntie a card! You said we could go give it to her!" Was yelled in my ear.

"Calm down Tiff!" I exclaimed trying to stop the ringing in my ears.

"What did you do? There's more glitter on you than the card! Go wash your face and change before we go."

Tiffany bounded out of the room like an excitable puppy, clutching the glittered card religiously.

"And I better not find glitter all over the play room!" I yelled after her, moving myself to join Lacey on the window seat.

"Adam?" Whispered Lacey softly, meeting my gaze. "Can you please take the photo for me? And see if Avery will let you see her notes?"

"Of course I can my dear." I had gently kissed her forehead.

"Is there anything you want me to take with me to put in Emma's room?" I had asked. "Can you take her lilac duvet? She must be freezing under those thin hospital blankets. Take Floppy too, Floppy always used to make everything better."

"I still remember the night I bought Floppy." I smiled fondly at the memory of Floppy and Emma.

Floppy was Emma's rag bunny that I bought her when I first met her.

I'd just started going out with Lacey at the time and we were supposed to be having dinner together but Lacey had phoned me an hour before I was supposed to be picking her up to say that her mum had been called into a work emergency and her little sister was sick so she was stuck babysitting.

I was determined that we could still spend time together so I suggested that I could help babysitting, we could order takeaway and watch a film.

So I had driven over to Lacey's house, she answered the door with a little girl on her hip, Lacey had looked stunning even though she was only in leggings and a top with her hair thrown into a ponytail.

Lacey invited me in, introducing the little girl as her 4-year-old sister Emma.

She had coughed and whimpered, burying her head further into Lacey's neck when I had tried to say hello to her.

As the night had progressed Emma's coughing had gotten worse and soon she started sobbing before turning it into a full on wail.

A plan had formed in my mind to soothe the young girl so I told Lacey I'd go and pick up the pizza we had ordered, so I grabbed my car keys and left.

First going to the supermarket where I picked up medicine, some Disney DVDs, an adorable Disney princess night gown, a blanket and a ton of chocolate, sweets and crisps being careful to avoid all sour candy because I knew how much Lacey hated it.

Then heading next door to the neighbouring toy shop marching straight towards the aisle of cuddly toys searching for a cute teddy of some sort upon which I found a rag bunny lurking behind the masses of teddy bears.

I knew it was perfect so I paid for it and headed back to Lacey's, picking up the pizza on the way back. 

Lacey had opened the door looking more frantic than ever still holding a wailing Emma on her hip.

"What took you so long?" She demanded. "You'll see my dear." I had said as I entered the house with all my bags of goodies, dumping them next to the sofa, then walking over to Lacey and beckoning for her to hand over Emma which she did gladly.

"Hey sweetheart," I cooed at Emma "if you stop crying and take some medicine I'll give you the presents I brought you."

She stopped wailing interested by the mention of presents so I reached down grabbing the medicine while balancing her on my hip and expertly gave her some of the mixture which she grimaced at the taste of.

"Good girl Emma, shall we see what presents I have for you?" I ask her and she nodded in reply.

First I took out the night gown, Emma's eyes widened a bit as I handed it to her.

"Can I put it on?" She asked quietly. "Of course sweetie, do you need help putting it on?"

Shaking her head at me she retreated to the bathroom to change.

Her eyes were lit up when she came out giving me and Lacey a shy little twirl.

"Wow I'm in the presence of an actual princess!" I declared whilst bowing to her. "Now what do we have next for the little princess?"

Emma blushed joining Lacey on the sofa, nestling into her side so I brought out the blanket next and draped it over them before handing Emma the DVDs to choose from.

"Adam...you didn't have to..." Lacey started to protest. "I wanted to"

I assured her whilst finally giving Emma the rag bunny.

I knelt down to her level tucking the bunny in with her which she held tightly in one arm, whispering another thank you. "This bunny is a very special bunny" I had said "she'll always be there for you whenever you're sick to help you get better."

"Really?"

"Yeah really. What are you gonna name her?"

"Floppy cause she's all floppy." She giggled.