Forgotten Souls

Chapter 22: Not Again

Suddenly, my world stops turning once more. My baby girl got hurt. She's in the hospital and I'm not there to check up on her. Jeremy is there to comfort her, not me and it is killing me to know that he can hug my girl and I can't.

"Zaylee in what hospital are you?"

"I'm in the Glenwood Hospital. Why Bray?"

"I'll see you soon baby. I'm on my way." Before she can say anything, I hung up. Too afraid that she might tell me not to come. I immediately call my pilot and arrange for my private jet to be ready for me. I then send an email to my secretary, telling her to clear my schedule until I tell her I would be available again. Then I go to my sister's room and leave her a note explaining to her what had happened and where I am.

3 hours later, I am practically running into the hospital. I need to see my baby girl. I need to hold her hand and tell her that she will be alright. Marching up to the front desk, I ask them where Zaylee is being kept. They give me her room and floor number and I immediately go back to practically running.

On my way to her floor, I pass by a tiny shop with gifts for patients. I buy her the cutest teddy bear I can find, and then I head to her room. When her room comes in view, I take a deep breath to calm my raging nerves and thudding heart. Softly I open the door, revealing a fragile looking Zaylee alone in her room. Where is Jeremy? Isn't he supposed to be here with her?

Her eyes are closed, so I take the time to admire her delicate form laying still in the hospital bed. I hated seeing her in a hospital. It reminded me too much of the day I nearly lost her because of my foolishness. How did I manage to stay away from this girl for two years? How did I manage to not demand her to give me another chance yet?

"You know, Braydon, staring is considered rude to some people."

Her soft voice breaks me from my thoughts. She looks at me through her beautiful green doe like yes. The same eyes that had been haunting me for the past two years.

"Luckily, you're not some. So I guess I can stare all I want baby girl."

She starts blushing furiously the minute I finish my sentence. I missed my innocent sweetheart so much.

"You actually came? How did you get here so fast Bray? I hope you didn't break any laws.."

I bark out a humorous laughter and then reply to her. "No baby girl, I promise you I didn't break any laws. I got my private jet to bring me. I don't use it for non work related matters, but this was an exception. 7 Hours was far too long for me to spend worrying about you. I needed to be here sooner."

"I'm sorry I never told you Braydon.."

I can see the regret and remorse swirling around in her eyes and instinctively grab her soft hand in mine. I missed the tingling sensation I got wherever my skin touched hers. I missed the simplicity of just holding her hand when things are tough.

"I didn't really give you the chance to do so, did I baby girl? I was so rude to you that day.. I was so jealous.. I felt like I was losing you after your accident because I never knew how to react around you. I didn't want you to doubt in me or get hurt by me, so I tried to keep a distance by keeping myself busy. Then I heard you and Jeremy laughing together and I don't know.. when I saw you hugging him, something inside me broke. I immediately knew the things I were telling you were just a bunch of lies that I had to repent from, but the damage had already been done.. You lost that sparkle in your eyes and that's when I knew that I lost you for good. I saw you, you know.. the day you moved. I saw you kissing the letter and putting it in the post box. The minute you were gone, I read that letter."

After I had finished speaking both Zaylee and I had tears running down our cheeks. I know she should be resting, but I think the both of us needed for me to get out exactly what I was feeling. Maybe now we could finally heal our broken hearts. Maybe, just maybe, we could piece it together again.