The Last Summer (EDITING)

>Chapter Twelve<

Soon after visitation hours are over and Arron and I followed by Trent head to the main lobby. Kelly and Steven left this morning. Steven insisted they had an important business meeting to attend. I'll believe that one when pigs fly.

"Do you think he's ever gonna wake up?" Trent sighs.

Like the doctor, Arron shrugs,"It's hard telling."

"It's only been a week. Give it some time."

"He doesn't have time. Sure he's stable now but..."

I rub his back soothingly,"No buts. He'll be fine. Trust me."

"How do you know?" Trent says.

I look to Trent whose stuck his hands in his jean pockets,"I just do."

I really don't know. But in situations like this you just have to have faith. Without it you're another lost soul waiting for the hour glass to run out.

"Well I'm gonna go. Dad has me doing yard work later."

"Have fun." Arron says, giving him a curt nod as he leaves the hospital.

"Now what?"

"Hungry?"

I nod slightly,"A little." My appetite isn't as big as it usually is from my increased amount of stress but I nod anyway.

"Come on." We say a quick bye to Fran and walk to the hospital lot.

"We're we going?"

"My parents are having a special dinner to celebrate my dad's promotion."

"I don't want to intrude."

"Don't be silly. It's nothing. Besides, a dinner is exactly what we need to get our minds off things."

Agreed. I gaze out the window as we pull from the parking lot and through town. Past the chocolate café, past the park and I sigh contently when we pass the beach, the boardwalk filled with people enjoying the local fair.

The car stops in front of Arron's house and I check over my clothes,"Should I get changed?"

For the first time in a whole Arron smiles,"You look beautiful."

I smile back, tucking a strand of blond behind my ear. Arron chuckles slightly before hopping out of the car, me in tow.

He reaches for my hand and adoringly kisses my knuckles,"It's BBQ, you're in for a treat sweetheart."

I follow Arron into his house and let Marie take me into her surprisingly strong hold.

"Glad you could join us." She smiles.

I smile back,"Glad yuk invited me."

"Where's dad?" Arron asks.

"He's out back grilling the chicken. You do like chicken don't you Paige?"

I chuckle,"Yeah, chicken's fine."

She lets out a small sigh of relief and asks her to excuse her as she checks on the rest of the food.

I snap my head to the play pin set up in the middle of the living room. Hadley's small head popping over the pen's railing, her curious eyes glistening.

I approach the small toddler and,when she holds her chubby arms up, lift her from the pen.

"Hi." I smile, combing the curls out of her face. She smiles, grabbing my cheek ,and giggling. Arron sneaks behind me and lightly kisses my shoulder,"You're so good with her."