Never Look Back

Chapter 23- Emma

I woke up in a hospital bed.

The first thing I noticed was Kaytlin holding on to the side of my bed, sobbing.

I sat up with some difficulty. "Wassa going on?" I asked groggily.

Kaytlin looked up at me. Her entire face was red from crying. "Thank God, Emma." Her voice was shaking. "I thought you were going to leave me too, like- like-" Her voice broke, but she didn't start crying again, mostly I guessed because she didn't want to look weak now that she knew someone was watching.

Kaytlin wiped the tears from her eyes. Her jaw quivered. "Well I'm glad your awake now."

I sat up straighter. "Not that I'm complaining, but how on earth are we alive?" I asked. "I mean I was sure we were going to-"

"Emma!" A voice interrupted. "Oh, God, Emma!" I turned to see my mother running down the hospital aisle.

"Emma, I was so worried!" She wrapped me in a bear hug. Pain shot up my arm.

"Mom, my arm." I winced.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She let go. " I've been so 'worried'. What 'happened'?"

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"He's at the front desk filling out so paperwork. So, sweetheart, what happened."

I looked at Kaytlin who was staring down at her nails, obviously feeling out of place. I felt a surge of anger. She was my 'sister'. The one I had 'never' been told about. 16 years of never knowing who I actually was.

"First I want you to meet someone." I turned back to Kaytlin. "This is my Kayltin. My sister."

My mom's eyes widened as she looked at Kaytlin.

"You never told me I was adopted." I accused my mom. You couldn't have spared one freakin' second on that?!"

"Emma..."

"No excuses!" I shouted. "This isn't how kids are supposed to find this stuff out!"

"Emma, I'm sorry." To my shock my mom was crying. "I just thought... You see, we didn't want you to be taken away. You never remembered. I thought, well, I just thought it didn't matter, and I'm sorry."

My mom turned to Kaytlin. "And I want to get to know you. I feel like your my daughter too. Maybe you and Emma could spend some time together?"

Kaytlin met her with wide eyes. I guess nobody had ever cared about her that much.

"Mom, Kaytlin doesn't exactly have a place to live."

My mom but her hands on her hips. "Well why didn't you say so, darling? You can live with us." Kayltin opened her mouth to say something. "No more words." My mom silenced her with a wave of her hand. "You'll be living with us now."

I grinned at Kaytlin. "We'll really be sisters!"

Kaytlin was still looking around in shock. Slowly she gave a small smile.

"Really?" She whispered to my mom.

"Really."

Maybe things could finally go back to normal.

*~HopeForTomorrow~*