Brave (Sequel to Beside You)

Chapter One

Ashton's POV
How do you tell the women you love that the one thing you have both longed for and been looking forward to for months, was no longer? How do you watch the her happiness dissolve into complete devastation as her world collapses around her? I don't think there is a right way to do it. All you can do is stay strong for her sake.
Problem with this is I'm not strong. It's slowly killing me, waiting for her to wake up. Knowing what I'm going to have to tell her. There was so much blood, that's all I can see when I close my eyes. It was no one's fault these things happen, the doctor said to me. He introduced himself as Dr. Lambert and informed me he was Aria's eldest brother. I remember her mentioning him briefly but I wasn't entirely sure that they got along, or in fact that he was meant to be treating her. I didn't argue with him though, if anyone would take care of her it would be her own brother. He said I could see her, I couldn't bring myself to do it, not without Aria. We needed to do this together, that is the only way we are going to get through this. I'm worried she is going to start blaming herself. That she would torture herself so much she.. I didn't want to think or believe she would do that again. I didn't know her back then, but she has grown so much since the first day we met and I'm so proud of her.

I was dragged from my thoughts and brought back to reality by a slight pressure on my hand. I looked in relief as I watched Aria's eyes flicker open. Her bright blue iris' a little dimmer than usual, as if she knew already that something wasn't right.
'Aria?' I whispered, in disbelief, as the door to my room opened.
I didn't bother turning to look at the person who had entered. However I watched Aria's eye's flicker from me to the figure and open in complete shock. I knew by her reaction it was Dr Lambert. They hadn't spoken since her sister died. I moved myself from the chair to perch on the side of her bed next to her.
'What's going on?' she asked timidly.
I could sense the concern, worry and even fear in her voice. Theo turned to look at me and her gaze followed. I took a deep breath trying to prepare myself. I watched in horror as she place her hand on her stomach. I watched as her face dropped and the realisation hit her.
'I'm so sorry Aria.' I said softly, as the tears started to overflow again.
'They did everything they could but she just was already gone' I finished, trying my hardest to keep it together. I watched her closely as her brain registered what I had just said.
'No, No, No! No! No!' she started to whisper, before screaming it hysterically. I pulled her into my arms and slowly her screams started to turn to quiet whimpers. There was nothing I could say to make it better I just sat there with her in my arms, as I silently cried above her.

Aria's POV
I came to, with no idea where I was or where I could be. I felt a pain in my stomach but decided to ignore it. I felt so weak and drained, I didn't want to open my eyes. I felt someone's presence beside me and then realised they were holding my hand. I felt something wet fall onto my hand. Slowly I opened my eyes. The sunlight coming through the window making the action difficult. I looked to my left without moving to see the man I loved. At least I thought it was him. He had bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept for weeks, his face was red and puffy as if he'd been crying. I looked closer and realised he was crying. I squeezed his hand lightly letting him know I was awake. He jumped in shock, tears still falling from his eyes.
'Aria?' he whispered, in disbelief, when the door to my room opened.
I looked to the figure who had just entered and could not believe my eyes. All the memories from the past flooding back. One night in particular, the night we last spoke. Two days after Theresa past away.
'Theo? What are you doing here?' I asked confused.
'It doesn't matter about me.' He replied softly, turning to look at Ashton.
I followed his gaze.
'What's going on?' I whispered timidly.
He took a deep breath and I waited for him to explain, as I placed a hand on my stomach. My eyes shot open in horror.
'I'm so sorry Aria.' Ashton quietly cried, as the tears began to cascade down my face too.
'They did everything they could but she just was already gone' he continued, as calmly as he could while crying. My brain was struggling to register what he was saying. There was too much going on. Then suddenly it clicked. She was gone. The baby I had been carrying for 7 months was gone.
'No, No, No! No! No!' I started in a whisper, before screaming it hysterically at the top of my lungs. My screams only stopped when Ashton pulled me into his chest. I felt his warm tears fall on top of my head as he cried silently over me.
We held each other like that for what felt like days, it was about an hour and neither of us had said a word. There was a knock on the door and we looked around. It was the first time we had realised that Theo had gone. The door opened slightly to reveal a puffy faced Dougie. I turned my whole body to face him, silent tears still streaming down my face. I couldn't look him in the eye as he walked slowly towards the bed. I slowly looked up at him and let out a small crying as I looked him in the eyes. He sat on the bed next to me and wrapped his arms around me, cradling me.