6:45 a.m. - The miniature alarm clock began blaring its usual wake-up call, well that’s what it was supposed to be, but it’s replaced by the slow beeping and whirring of various machines. When my eyes open I realize I must have fallen asleep in the hospital!
My eyes begin to water as I blink off the haze of the unplanned slumber, they scan the room and land on Glen. The heart in my chest jumps, flying up my throat seeing him, he’s holding the letter. Those eyes scanning the words over and over again, I’m not even sure he’s noticed I’ve woken up.
His face shows no emotion, no pain, sadness, concentration...just blank. What’s going through his head, that’s what I want to know? I know I’m not going to find out, I don’t think I want to. Anything could be happening in there.
“Glen...”
I stand unsteadily, holding to the side of the chair not confident in my legs ability to carry me towards the bed so I stay put staring over to him. He doesn’t speak or look my way.
“Glen?” I ask again, hopeful for any kind of syllable from his mouth.
“Yeah..” I’m taken aback by the catch in his voice but not surprised the amount he’s been through I’m surprised he can talk.
“Do you know what happened? Did they tell you?”
A large sigh stops me in my tracks, his head is low and he’s not looking my way again...he’s ashamed.
“They told me.”
“Well do you have anything to say?”
The anger in me fires up at his lack of speech. He just glumly shakes his head like a guilty child.
“Say something?”
“What is there to say, You’ll never forgive me, what I’ve done to you is unforgivable. You should just leave.”
“I am leaving." His head lifts up quickly..the shock and sadness in his eyes hitting me like a rock through a window. I dont' want to leave, but for my own sanity and for a fresh start at the life I had planned I have to...whatever it takes. But there's something I have to do first.
"I just wanted to make sure you’re ok, before I go. I’m getting married, I want to know that’s you’re ok because I owe you. Me leaving...it pushed you over the edge and I just abandoned you. I owe you help...if you’ll take it.”
Tears well up in my eyes all the painful and happy memories flooding back one by one. His eyes are on mine, welled up with tears just like my own.
“I want your help, any help. But I’m just not sure I deserve it. Not after everything that I’ve done.”
“You’re right. You don’t. But I owe you, and I’m not one to break promises. You know that.”
I need to leave. Quickly I gather up my things to leave but...
“Thank you...for the letter.”
“I meant every word.” I sniff, crying now.
“Get yourself on your feet, feeling better and I’ll be back I’ll help you.”
He sighs deeply again as I turn to face him. He’s crying too...
“Evie....after everything you’ve learnt about me...after everything I’ve done..why don’t you give up on me...”
“I learnt a long time ago that if you find something that’s worth fighting for..you never give up on it and you never gave up on me..”
**
The drive home is silent but my thoughts deafen me. So many different thoughts whizzing around my head...ones that I don’t want to think about, I’ve got to bury them, banish them from my head because if I don’t, they’ll be my destruction.
I’m going back to Matt, it’s the right thing to do. He’s sitting there feet up, flicking through the TV channels, it makes me smile. The shutting of the door makes him jump, turning to look at me.
“Evie...I didn’t expect you back...so soon. Is everything ok?”
Ignoring my thoughts I settle myself down on his lap admiring his startled expression.
“I think we need to sort this wedding.” I smile at him mirroring my own happy features.
“Really? What happened to make you say that...I thought you were leaving me? What happened at the hospital..is Glen ok?”
“Shh. I said yes didn’t I that means we’re going to get married! I’m not leaving of course I’m not. Glen will get there, that’s what I need to talk about. I want to help him, I owe him that. I made him the way he is...”
“Evie you shouldn’t be made to feel responsible..”
“But I am responsible! I need to help him, once he’s better I’m putting him in rehab. I know it sounds crazy, but if I don’t he won’t stop drinking and the worst would happen this time.” I sigh, unphased by Matt’s touch on my hand.
“OK, it’ll be fine. Do you forgive me? I didn’t mean to hit him, I was just so angry...”
“If you didn’t he wouldn’t have ended up this way and he’d still be drinking so...I forgive you. Just bear with me. So...I need a dress, were are these magazines?” I laugh but I’m pulled into his arms.
“I can’t wait to start this new life of ours...we’ll be a proper family...”
Family?
Sorry it's a bit of a short chapter! Hopefully it's OK, let me know what you think xox
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Fire and Fury - Book 2 COMPLETE.
Romance"Your addiction was that...mine was you...funny how things change isn't it?" A year after Fire and Rain he's broken on the edge of oblivion and drowning in drink. She's happy, successful and living a life she's always dreamed of. Will they find t...
