Baby Steps

41.

B A B Y S T E P S

[CHAPTER FORTY ONE]

♡

I felt myself drift in and out of consciousness, becoming more aware of my surroundings. Vivid sounds echoed in my ear making my curiosity rise. I attempted to sit up, lifted a limb but that worked out to be more strenuous. I forced myself to sit up and open my bleary eyes. I found myself in a dimly lit room.

I needed to leave this room. So I stood up and made my way out of the door to get some fresh air. As I left the room, the strong smell of anaesthetic hits me making me feel slightly giddy so I leant against the wall.

"Sienna, oh god!" The familiar brummie accent called out. "A-Are you okay?"

"Been much better." I hiccuped, holding my head with my hands.

"C'mon, let's take you back to your bed. You need to rest-" he informed me as he wrapped his muscular arm around me.

"Where am I? Why am I here?" I questioned, sounding like an impatient child.

"Your in hospital." A rushing feeling of nausea hit me as I hear Brad's answer. "You fainted and hit your head when you fell." He lightly chuckled before showing a concerted smile.

"Oh god." I repeatedly took deep breaths, trying to calm my erratic nerves. The sudden memories of what happened before I fainted flooded back in my head, making my palms sweat. "Where's Arabella? Is she with Amelia? Please tell me you didn't let her take her-"

"Don't worry, she's with mum and I have her strict instructions to not allow Amelia near her." He reassured me wth his calming voice as we reentered my hospital room.

"I just can't get my head around it, why does she have to get the courts involved?" I questioned, feeling my blood boil with frustration.

"Maybe it's not the best option to get your head around it, you might faint again." Brad teased playfully as I settled myself back in the hospital camp bed.

I sighed almost inaudible and swallowed before speaking again.

"I'm sorry." I said, my voice very quiet and low.

"There's no need to apologise, you kinda helped the situation. It shut them up." Brad laughed carelessly as he ran his hand through my hair, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"What are you going to do? Take her to court?" I questioned, desperately wanting an answer.

"No." He said softly. I could hear the nervousness in his voice. "I can't do that."

"Are you stupid? If you don't you'll loose your daughters." I spat out which caused an awkward atmosphere which only added to the situation. "Brad-" I said softly, suddenly regretting my outburst.

"I have a plan." His eyes fluttered up from looking at my hands to my face.

"What is it?"

"You'll have to wait and see, I need more time." I squeezed my eyes tight and bit my lip to stop me from saying something outrageous. "But trust me, I've got everything under control." I hesitantly re opened my eyes and forced myself o look at Brad.

"I really hope this plan of yours works out well." I whispered gently. The nauseating feeling resurfaced once again and I really do want to throw up due to panic.

"Sienna." He spoke my name. I looked down and then up again. "It's a little crazier but this time it's definitely for the best." I directed my eyes away from him to look somewhere else. I swallowed nervously, trying to remain calm to some extent.

"Oh my baby girl!" Suddenly in barged my parents with my mum sobbing as she rushed towards the bed, basically knocking Brad out of her way.

"Mum, Dad!"

Brad looked at me longingly before siting back down in the plastic chair. I couldn't help but look at him, helpless in what to do. What could this crazy plan be?

"Hey, how are you feeling darling?" My dad asked peering over my mums shoulder.

"I'm not too bad, I guess." I mumbled, my eyes glancing to look at him.

"W-When Brad called us to say you had been rushed to hospital, it scared me I thought I was going to loose you." My mum stuttered quietly. "Losing a daughter would be the worst thing imaginable."

"I could imagine." Brad chipped in before becoming silent once again.

"Well, that won't happen." I said triumphantly towards mum but indicating mainly towards Brad.

"But what happened? Noah said one minute you were fine, next on the floor." Mum questioned curiously. "And why where Noah and Amelia round yours Brad?"

"Didn't Noah explain?" I said in a bitter sweet voice as I frowned slightly.

"No?" My dad announced.

"That's a story for another day, don't want to discomfort Sienna by repeating what caused her to faint." Brad burst in, tying to avoid the subject matter. Although, his point was pretty strong. Thinking about the matter did make me feel uneasily and on edge - the last thing I wanted to do was faint again.

"He did seem pretty pissed off on the phone." Mum hummed as she bit at her lower lip, trying to collect her thoughts. "You two didn't argue did you-"

"Not exactly, although-"

"As Brad said, talking about it will trigger emotions and feelings. Let's leave it for now, shall we?" Luckily my dad said strongly as he placed his hand on my mums shoulder. "How about we get a hot drink?"

"Sounds good." My mum agreed dropping the subject. "Would you like anything Brad?"

"No, I must head home. I've got something I need to sort out urgently-"