Bad Reputation | S.M.

Chapter 40

Nicole

My leg was bouncing up and down while we were in our seats, waiting for our plane to touch down in Canada. I shouldn't have left, I should've known something would have happened while I was gone. Shawn placed his hand on my thigh and I continued to look down at my feet. I felt like I couldn't breathe and I could feel a wave of fear wash over me.

"Nicole, hun." Shawn said and I looked up. "Just breathe, please, everything will be fine."

"I shouldn't have left Shawn."

"Nicole, you couldn't have known." He sighed and held my hand in his. "You just need to relax for now."

"That easier to say than to do right now."

"What did the hospital say when they called?"

"They just said they needed me to get to the hospital, that they had to speak to me about my mom."

"They couldn't say over the phone?"

"No, they wanted to tell me in person." I shrugged. "I'm sorry we had to leave early."

"You have no reason to apologize."

"I had a lot of fun Shawn, thank you so much." I slightly smiled and he placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Love you darling."

"Love you too."

The plane ride back felt as if it had taken hours and once we got off Shawn held both of our bags in his arms while we walked out of the airport towards a black car that was waiting for us. There were few paparazzi outside, making us keep our heads down with our hoods up. We made it to the car and Shawn told the driver to take us to the hospital. I fiddled with my fingers as I kept looking outside the window. After about twenty minutes we arrived at the hospital and I felt the anxiety come over me. We walked to the floor where my mom is being held and stopped at the front desk.

"Hi how can I help you?" The nurse smiled.

"I'm here to see Alicia Ortega, Doctor Greene called earlier today."

"Oh yes, wait here, he'll be right out." She said before she left to his office. Shawn and I sat down, his hand holding mine and we both took a deep breath in once he doctor came out of his office.

"Hello Nicole, how have you been?" He held his hand out and I shook it.

"I'm alright, worried I guess." I sighed. "Is everything okay? I know you wanted to tell me in person."

"Well, follow me." He smiled and I furrowed my eyebrows, questioning why he was so calm. Shawn let go of my hand and I followed behind the doctor into my mom's room to see her unhooked from all of the machines.

"Before we called you we were checking up on her as usual and she began to fight the intubation. We quickly took her off all of the machines, but she still hasn't woken up. This is still a remarkable improvement and we believe in a couple of months things should go back to normal." He smiled and I felt the tears of joy in my eyes.

"Thank you so much Doctor, truly. I can't believe this."

"You'll have your mother back in no time." He patted my shoulder. "I'll give you both a moment."

I sat down on the chair next to my mom and took her hand in mine. I wiped away my tears and just sat there, smiling and crying at the same time. I still couldn't believe it.

"Just keep fighting mom, for us, please." I sniffled and I heard the door open. I turned back slowly to see Shawn close the door behind him.

"Hey, everything okay?" He asked as he pulled up a chair next to me.