Breaking Free

Chapter 43

I start to wake up when I feel Carter stir beside me. And then he let's out a girlish yelp.

I jump up to my feet, trying to identify why he yelled. Was it Clint? Did he come back for me?

I sigh in relief when I see that it's just Ariel- until I notice Carter with his back in the corner of his bed and the wall, looking between us with a horrified expression.

I take in the situation as he must see it- a girl who looks exactly like me, but looks about 9 years old. Yes, she is eleven, but she looks young for her age. The only explanation in his mind must be-

Crap.

"Carter, oh my god this is not what it looks like," I gasp.

"You have a daughter?" He questions in shock. The heart monitor starts to beep faster, making me fear that he might go into cardiac arrest.

"You haven't told him about me yet?" Ariel questions, almost offended.

"We had other things to talk about," I grit, before turning to Carter. "Carter honey, calm down. She's my sister. My sister."

His entire body relaxes and his heartbeat starts to slow.

"You really thought I had a kid while I was a preteen?" I chuckle, rolling my eyes.

"Sorry- snap judgement," he apologizes. He looks at me, then Ariel, then me again. "What's her name?"

"My name is Ariel," she butts in. "I'm assuming you're the guy my sisters been going psycho about the past 24 hours."

My cheeks flush, and an amused smirk comes to his face.

"How old are you kid?" Carter questions.

"Eleven- but I'm turning twelve on November 13," she replies.

"Ooh- that's going to be a Friday this year. Spooky," he thoughtfully states.

"Yes, yes, very spooky. Now I think Ariel is ready to go, aren't you Ariel," I huff, worried she's going to say something embarrassing.

"Alright, alright. But you still have to finish that conversation with me later," she pointedly states, before turning to leave the room.

"She has your eyes," Carter states, mocking the voice of what I can only assume is a doting relative.

"And my attitude," I chuckle, lying back on his bed.

"Have you eaten," he asks after a beat of silence.

"What?"

"Have you eaten?"

"Carter, you just got out of open heart surgery after being almost shot and you are asking if I've eaten?" I explode in confusion.

"I know you, Taylor. You don't take care of yourself when you're worried. Remember when Serenity got shot? You didn't eat anything till you were positive she was okay."

I smile at him, and kiss his nose.

"I love that you try to take care of me," I state.

"Well someone has to."

I start to stand up, but freeze for a moment. What if something happens while I'm gone? What if he goes back to sleep and never wakes up?

As if sensing my fears, pulls me towards him and places a light kiss on my forehead.

"I'll be fine. I think I'll count the dots on the ceiling," he chuckles.

I bite my lip, and nod, standing to my feet and heading towards the door. I turn the knob, and turn to look over my shoulder.

"I'll be right back," I weakly state.

"Don't hurry, I'll be fine," he confidently answers. "I promise."

I nod at him, a weak smile on my lips, before turning to go, closing the door behind me.

"He'll be fine," I mumble to myself.

A/N

Sorry for the wait and the sort of filler chapter

Though I did enjoy that scare Ariel gave Carter.

This story is winding down- it's been a crazy ride. Love you guys!