Through sickness and in health

Chapter Five

Mummy," gleefully said a three year old Nicky from her hospital bed.

"I can't stay long," said Marka as she sat down on a chair opposite. Matthew and Arianna followed behind. With them both being older now, they knew and understood what was wrong with Nicky. She had just undergone her first open heart surgery.

Matthew jumped up on the hospital bed and snuggled into his baby sister. He hugged her tightly and gave her a big, wet kiss on the cheek. He switched the TV on that was in front of them and began flicking through the few channels the hospital had to offer. He finally settled on a cartoon and laid back down. He liked coming to visit his sister. Now that she lived there he didn't get to see her that often, it was a special treat when he could.

Arianna was sat on the floor by the bed playing with dolls. Being slightly younger than Matthew she didn't completely understand what was wrong with her sister. She looked up at her two siblings and smiled, seeing the closeness. She suddenly felt an urge to join the two of them as she noticed Matthew wrap is arm around Nicky's pale, frail body. She climbed on top of the bed and squeezed herself in between the two. She looked over at her Mum who was busy doing something on her phone. Arianna had noticed that their Mother never really seemed interested in Nicky and that confused her because she always seemed so involved with herself and Matthew.

"Come on Matthew and Arianna, we need to go. Mummy has some friends coming over later so we need to get ready," Matthew and Arianna both smothered Nicky in kisses before heading over to their Mother.

"Goodbye Nicole. We will come back when we can." It was the first time that Marka had spoken to or even looked at Nicky since she arrived. Nicky was once again left alone and even at the small age of three, Nicky understood that she was just an inconvenience to her Mother's life.

***

"So then I threw the bucket of water over her and told her that only I can make her that wet," concluded Alex as Nicky threw her head back in laughter. The two were sitting at Nicky's kitchen island sipping coffee.

"That was some argument then," said Nicky, still laughing.

"Well we're together again," Alex smiled. Nicky chuckled at the messed up relationship between her best friend and Piper. Although she would always take Alex's side, she could totally see why Piper would get frustrated at her. Nicky was just glad that her relationship was nothing like that with Lorna. They had a special connection. One that she never wanted to give up.

"So how are you?" Came the dreaded question. Nicky hated people asking how she was. How do they think she is?

"I'm okay," Alex raised her eyebrow in question.

"Really I'm okay." She felt better than she had two weeks ago, but Nicky couldn't remember the last time she felt 'okay'.

"Are you coming to Piper's party tonight?" asked Alex, clearly trying to change the subject.

"Maybe, I'll see how I feel."

"Okay well I have to go meet her now. Apparently I'm on snack duty," said Alex, getting up.

"Okay, I'll let you know," the two said their goodbyes and Alex left, leaving Nicky all alone. Matthew and Arianna and had both been around for a few days but they had to return to work and college. Even Marka had been there for a day, before muttering an excuse and leaving again. Nicky had accepted that Marka only cared about two of her three children but she just didn't understand why. Was it because she wasn't good enough?