Wheels

Chapter 25: With You

***Rory's POV***

          Marley and I lay down and cuddle for a while, enjoying the silence. I carefully get up after Marley falls, sneaking outside. I sit on a bench outside of the hospital.

          I take my phone out of my pocket and text Ben. "Can I call you?..." I ask. "Yeah" Ben responds a minute later. I curl up on the bench and call him, putting my phone on speakerphone so I can set it down.

          "Hey. You okay?" Ben asks when he answers. "Not really..." I say and sigh softly. "What happened?" He asks. "My mom decided that she isn't going to come back from Ireland" I say and wipe my eyes.

          "I'm so sorry, Rory" Ben says and sighs. "It's okay... I'm honestly not surprised that she decided to stay there..." I say and wipe my eyes again. "If there's anything I can do to help you and your dad out or anything, just tell me, okay?" Ben says.

          "O-okay. Thank you Ben" I say and grab my phone, taking it off of speakerphone. "No problem. I'll see you tomorrow" Ben says. We both say bye and then I sneak back to Marley's room, getting back in bed with her.

          I quickly text my dad and say "I'll see you in a day or two. Marley is in the hospital and I need to stay with her". I turn off my phone before he can respond, wrapping my arms around Marley.

          Marley shifts slightly in her sleep, cuddling into me. I smile and hold her, kissing her head. "Everything feels like it'll be okay when I'm with you" I whisper and close my eyes.

***Marley's POV***

          I smile to myself when I wake up in Rory's arms. I softly brush her hair behind her ear and kiss her cheek, looking at her. She slowly opens her eyes and smiles, looking at me.

          I see that her eyes are red and puffy so I frown. "Have you been crying?" I ask softly. Rory nods and looks down, whispering "my parents are getting a divorce, and my mom is staying in Ireland...".

          "I am so sorry" I whisper and hug Rory, rubbing her back. She sighs and hugs me back, resting her forehead against my shoulder. I kiss her head softly, holding her.

          "Would you be okay for a few hours if I went to check on my dad?" Rory asks softly. "Yeah, of course" I say and nod. "Thank you. I'll be back tonight" She says and kisses my cheek, leaving after she puts her shoes on.

***20 minutes later***

          I get a text from Norah after I take my antibiotic. "Hey. Do you wanna come over?" She asks. "Hey. I wish I could, but I'm in the hospital :(" I respond, sighing softly. "Why? What happened?" Can I come see you?" Norah asks. "I have a stomach ulcer. And yeah, I'd like that" I say and smile slightly. I tell her what room I'm in and she says that she's on her way.

***35 minutes later***

          I hear a knock on my door while I'm playing on my phone. "Come in" I say and put my phone down, slowly sitting myself up. Norah comes in and walks over to me, smiling slightly.

          "Hey, Norah" I say and smile, moving over a little so she can sit down. "Hey" She says and sits down on the end of my bed, setting her messenger bag on the floor.

          What's in the bag?" I ask and giggle softly. "Mostly fabric, and a present I got you?" Norah says and smiles, biting her lip. "Awe. You didn't have to get me anything" I say and smile.

          "I know, but I thought you would like this" Norah says and takes a stuffed shark out of her bag, handing it to me. "I love it. Thank you" I say and smile at Norah.