Between the Raindrops | ✓

Ch.23 | Is It My Fault?

B E T W E E N

T H E

R A I N D R O P S

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When we arrive at the hospital, Jaxons parents are already here in the waiting area. Angie takes no time in rushing over to them both. I quickly follow behind her as my dad carries Jacob.

"What happened?" Angie says, worry all over her face.

"He um..." His mother begins. My stomach drops at her expression, and a million scenario's go off inside my head. "He was jumped."

"Jumped? By who?" Angie asks, small tears now falling from her dull blue eyes.

"We aren't sure. We haven't been able to see Jaxon yet, and someone called 911 saying they found him alone near an alley." His mother has tears in her red eyes, indicating she has been crying for a while now. I slowly walk over to her and sit down beside her, placing my hand over hers.

"I am so sorry, Mrs. Reed." I frown.

"Oh it isn't your fault sweetie. This could have happened to anyone." She says, probably not registering how this could potentially be my fault. If Jared had anything to do with this, I'm almost certain Jax will hate me for it involving him.

I notice Angie give me a look at the reply of Jaxons mom, and I ignore it.

"When will we be able to see him?" Angie asks.

"They said should be anytime now." Mrs. Reed replies, looking back at the two doors leading to Jaxon, I assume.

"Addie, I'm going to take Jacob to the kid play room, alright?" My dad says.

"No, I wanna stay with Addie!" Jacob whines.

"It's okay dad, I can keep him with me." I open my arms and Jacob pushes himself down from dad, and then rushes over to me. I pick him up and sit him in my lap.

An hour goes by when Jax's doctor finally greets us.

"How's my baby? Can I see him?" Mrs. Reed says, immediately standing up from her seat. Everyone else stands up as well and I still have Jacob in my arms with his head resting against my shoulder.

"He's going to be alright. A few cracked ribs, bruising, and some minor cuts other than one big gash on his forehead. He broke his nose, and almost his jaw, but that will heal nicely without needing to wire him shut. He's going to be sore for a few of weeks. He has a fracture in his right leg and he will need a cast for a couple weeks, but he should be back to his self in no time." The doctor smiles.

Mrs. Reed begins crying, half upset that he's hurt, and half happy that he's okay.

"Can we see him?" I ask.

"Sure, follow me."

I try to hand Jacob over to dad who says he will stay in the waiting area. "No, I want to stay with sissy!" Jacob whines again. He probably wants to see Jax too.

"Alright, come on buddy." I pull him back to my chest and carry him with me to Jaxons room.

When I walk inside, I see Mrs. Reed slouched over top of Jaxon, kissing his cheek. Angie is in the chair next to his bed with her hand interlocked with his, and Mr. Reed is standing behind his wife with his hand rubbing small, soothing circles into her back.