Our Hourglass (Sequel to Perfectly Photogenic)

Chapter 26

Brianne's POV

I was moved out of the intensive care unit later in the evening and put into a more private hospital room, trying to rest. Ryan was sitting beside my bed in a reclining chair, nodding off.

"Ryan, go to sleep." I said, my voice a bit hoarse.

"No, I'm not taking my eyes off of you." He argued, his eyes halfway shut.

"Moron."

"My smart mouth is back." Ryan chuckled, stretching out in the chair. "Big sign of improvement."

I was tired, yes, but that image of me and that little girl who claimed to be my daughter was irritating the hell out of me.

"Ryan, can I tell you something?"

"What's up?"

"If I told you this, you won't think I'm crazy?"

Ryan smiled, placing his hand on mine. "No, what's on your mind?" Where the hell do I even begin?

"Well..I had this really weird dream that I was surrounded by darkness, until this little girl with golden blonde hair and brown eyes approached me."

"Like an angel?"

"I dunno." I shrugged. "But she said I was her mom and we'd be meeting her soon. I asked if I was dead or dying, but she said no because we had to meet her and you were missing me." I explained.

"She was right, I did miss you." Ryan admitted. "You think that dream will come true?" He smiled.

"We'll only know when I get out of here."

Ryan turned in his chair, the smile never leaving his face. "Did she give you a name at least?" He asked, looking at me.

"No."

"What name did you think fit her?" I thought about it for a minute, taking in all her features, even her cheerful personality.

"Alexis." I smiled.

"Alexis..I like it. Well, I can't wait to meet little Alexis Sitkowski." Ryan smiled.

Let's hope any little Sitkowski's come into our lives.

***************

The next morning, I was awake and on my way back from my CAT scan. So far my doctor said everything looks normal and I can go home in a few days.

The only bummer is my cast and then grueling physical therapy sessions. I wish time would go just a little bit faster.

"Knock, knock." Ryan and I both looked up to see Emilee standing in the doorway. "Is it okay for me to come in?"

"I don't know, is it?" Ryan said, turning away from her.

"It's okay, come in." I waved Emilee into my room. "How's work and the studio?" I asked as Emilee sat across from me.

"Good, we really miss you."

"Mmhm." Ryan said, playing with his phone.

"I'm sorry, but is there a problem with me being here?" Emilee asked, putting her gaze on Ryan.

"Yes there is, a major one." Ryan replied. I groaned, rubbing my temples as I dreaded hearing this argument. "Emilee, I want to talk to you outside."

Emilee got up from her chair and stepped outside my room, waiting for Ryan. Before he left, Ryan placed a kiss on the top of my head.

"Don't be mean, please? For me?" I asked, giving a small smile.

"I'll try."

I shook my head in disappointment, sighing as I watched Ryan close the door behind him. Oh this is not gonna go well, but when do things ever go right in my life?

***************

Ryan's POV

Emilee stepped out into the hallway and I was going to lay into this girl. She's Brianne's best friend, how come she never showed her face here until now? If this was my best friend, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

"What do you want, Ryan?" Emilee asked, staring at me. "What have I done so wrong that I can't see Brianne?"

"It's been almost a week and you show up now, some best friend you are to her."

"Ryan, I'm sorry. I was scared and wasn't sure how people would react to me being here."

"You were not scared. I was scared, her parents were scared. You were only scared because you were thinking of your damn self and how your reputation would be. Me fighting with Brianne is just as much your fault as it is the driver who struck her. We were fighting about you and the whole pregnancy topic, Emilee. I can't believe you hurt-no, destroyed Vinny like that and then you can't show your face around here knowing Brianne was fighting for her life."

Emilee pursed her lips as she blinked away threatening tears. "Think what you want, Ryan."

"I know what I think and I know is that you're a terrible person. You're a poor excuse of a girlfriend to Vinny and a lousy friend to Brianne."

Emilee bit down on her bottom lip and turned around on her heel, walking down the hallway. I went back into Brianne's room to have her staring at me.

"What?"

"Where's Emilee?"

"She left." I said, sitting back down in my chair.

"Why?"

"Emilee didn't show up once while you were in that coma, she's the whole reason we fought with each other, Emilee is not your best friend like she claims."

"Doesn't mean you had a right to kick her out though, Ryan."

"I didn't kick her out, she left on her own."

"Well you certainly didn't make her feel welcomed. Don't think you're going to control things because I'm in here. I may be bruised and have a broken leg, but I'm not dead and I can make my own choices."

I instantly shut my mouth and stared straight at the small TV in Brianne's room. Well Brianne is definitely back to herself because she's fighting back.