"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 87 - "Together we Stand..."

Chapter 87 - "Together we Stand..."

Clara's PoV

I watched as the seconds ticked by on the clock on the wall of the room we were in and spent my time counting Poppy's precious breath sounds.

She didn't say or want to do much. When she was awake she was on her iPad watching telly or playing a game because it occupied her time.

I got the odd sentence from her but that was it.

'Heh little Duckling. It's a whole new year' I smirked looking at my watch faintly as she slept in the hospital bed.

It was depressing I had to admit. We all had so many plans but instead Poppy was the one that had to suffer.

I got a text from a few people including Evie and Avia and my Dad but otherwise it was just another day in my life.

'Umm Miss Oswald. There's someone here claiming to see you? Supposedly Poppy's father?' The nurse I had been speaking to earlier said.

It was practically impossible because he was in Chicago but there was a part of me that hoped it was. That we could spend the new year together as a family even if Poppy was sick.

I sighed standing up with a nod and followed her into the waiting room where John was stood in front of me - dishevelled, tiered and a tiny bit happy.

- - -

'Sorry I couldn't make it until after midnight. Happy New Year' he smirked at me as I was confused.

Very confused.

'You were in Chicago? Hours from us' I confirmed.

'I was in Chicago but now I'm here. See it's good' he said taking a step forward but I lurched myself at him so happy to see him.

I think I might even have started crying.

'Hey? Why are you crying? What's wrong?' He asked as I hugged him tightly so relieved that I was no longer on my own.

'I've been on my own with Poppy for days. It's so hard to keep myself together all the time. To have medical mumble jumble thrown at me and no one to tell it too. I needed you' I said wiping my face a little embarrassed that I was 35 and melting down over this.

'Hey. I'm here now'

'But why? How?' I said in shock but hugged him continuing to be hugging him really tightly before kissing him to break in the new year.

'I'm here to see and be with you guys' he laughed.

'How though?'

'David had flown Richard over and he's going to take the other three home. I'm here for you and for Poppy as long as you need me. Well both stay here in America until she's absolutely fit enough to travel. Even if that's three weeks'

'Richard? Why?'

'Because he said he'd do anything for these kids and if Poppy needs me I should be with her here. It's not ideal but the kids needed to get home anyway and Richard agreed it. It means we don't have to worry about their safety. We can focus solely on Poppy' he hummed pushing some hair out of my face.

'I actually love you. I mean really love you' I confirmed with a kiss as he chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist.

'Even though 72 hours ago you hated me for going to another state without you?'

'It's not that I hated you John. I just forget that we can't always be together and support each other at the same time. Sometimes we do need to split up and sometimes although we're not in the same place or the same country - the others happiness has to come first' I said in a little speech.

'That was quite some speech' he smirked.

'I've been on my own for 72 hours. I've had some extra time to think about my marriage' I said rolling my eyes.

'What's happening with Poppy then?' He asked as he took my hand and we went down to the cafe in the hospital.

It was nearly 1am and neither of us had gotten any sleep in hours, but we needed something to eat and I desperately needed some air.

'She's on a 24 hour nebuliser treatment and depending on how that works they'll do a drain to relieve the mucus in her chest. After that she'll be on antibiotics for 3-5 days to make her better and once she is after those 5 days we'll get clearance to fly but she's also having ab blood transfusion right now. I didn't realise about being sick means her blood isn't rebuilding as fast as it should so isn't keeping up' I hummed.

'So shall I book a flight back to London for the 6th of January?' He asked out of nowhere.

I didn't even think of that but we would of course need a flight home.

'Yeah I guess. When do the others fly back?'

'Friday the 3rd. So we'll only be here a few more days than they will. We just won't be together' he shrugged.

'Why have you chosen Poppy over them?' I asked playing with my cheese toastie that didn't look overly appealing but I was starving so knew I was going to eat it.

'I explained things to them as best I could and they understand. Poppy is very sick and at the end of the day we need to be in this together Clara. No one person should be unaware of what's going on. I know we have kids in the meantime to look after but we'll split that responsibility for now. But I e of us should always be with Poppy unless it absolutely can't be both of us' he explained having thought this all through.

I respected him so much right now.

'Okay. But you realise due to unforeseen circumstances it will have to be you?' I pointed out as I stood up suddenly.

'Why?' He asked as I bolted to the closest toilet and greaves the contents of my stomach - which wasn't much - into the bowl. There was a reason all that cheese didn't look too appealing.

'This is the girls toilets' I scoffed as he watched me splash water in my face.

'My wife is being sick. I think it's allowed' he defended.

'That's why I can't be with her. I'm pregnant john'