Be Alright: Somebody To Love #6

7

Justin’s POV

            “Thank you so much for coming, Scooter. It means a lot.” I hugged him as he got up to leave. It was getting late and I knew Carin would want him home. I didn’t blame her. Everyone was feeling a little shaken after what had happened.

            Scooter had only been gone for five minutes when Paige and Noah brought Logan in. She had been in classes all day, so I hadn’t called her. But Paige and Noah had gone to her dorm to give her the news, and now Logan was ready to see her.

            “Oh my God.” She turned away as soon as she stepped in the room. After catching her breath for a second she looked back at Madelyn and started to walk towards her. I watched her face as she took it all in. She looked terrified and heartbroken.

            “Here, Lo.” I got up and gave her my chair, right next to Madelyn’s bed. She sat down as the real tears started. I laid my hand on her shoulder, trying to offer support, even though I wasn’t doing a very good job of holding it together.

            “How is she? Has anything changed?” Paige whispered to me, pulling me away from Logan. As upset as she seemed, I didn’t want to upset her anymore.

            “No. They’ve been in several times to check her vitals, but everything has stayed the same.”

            “Well, from what I read online, it might be better if she stays this way for a couple of days. It will give her brain and body time to heal from the trauma without having to deal with any stress or emotions.”

            “That’s a positive way to look at it.” I sighed. Even though I wanted to believe that being comatose was better for her, I wanted her awake. I wanted to know she was going to live through this.

Pattie’s POV

            “Alright guys, time for bed.” I turned off the television and looked at the kids. Aria didn’t say a word before she started sobbing. I immediately pulled her into my lap and tried to comfort her. She had yet to ask any questions or say anything about Madelyn, but I knew it was only a matter of time.

            “I want my mommy to tuck me in.” She cried. The rest of them looked like they were on the verge of tears, too.

            “Hey, the rest of you, let’s go upstairs and get ready for bed.” Jeremy tried to get the older kids upstairs. Stella and Kingston obeyed, but Aniston stayed right by my side.

            “Baby,” Aniston looked at Aria. She had been calling her that since she was born, and it just hadn’t ever gone away.

            “What?” Aria stopped crying long enough to look at her older sister.

            “What if I tuck you in like Mommy does?” As much as Aniston was hurting, she was putting it all aside right now to be there for Aria. I felt my heart melting for both of them as Aria nodded.

            “Will you rub my back, too? The way Mommy does it?” She nodded, wiping away her tears.           

            “Sure.” Aniston took Aria’s hand and they went upstairs together.

            “Can you believe this is just the first night of this?” Jeremy sighed, coming down the stairs. “What are we going to do if she doesn’t wake up soon? The kids are going to go into a state of depression.”

            “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

Justin’s POV

Paige, Noah and Logan all left at ten. I was glad that no one had tried to stay with me overnight. I was sick of talking. I didn’t want to do anything but sit with Madelyn.