Everything Broken (A 5SOS Fanfiction)

Chapter 15

Emma's POV:

        When I woke up the next morning, I immediately started to smile and silently cheer! Only one more day until I go to Disneyworld! It's been years since I went with my family, so I couldn't be more ecstatic. I get up and grab a small duffel bag, and dive into my heap of clothes. I'm in the middle of sorting and packing when Catherine walks in.

        "How are you?" I ask. Although she dismissed me as being fine, I want to be sure. I don't want to leave her all sad and weepy. I may be a little over-protective, but I hope she understands where I'm coming from.

        "I'm fine. Don't worry, just enjoy your vacation. After all, I'll have one too." She smiles. Ever since meeting Ashton and the rest of the boys, and going on tour, she seems happier than ever. She gets down, and starts to help me pack. After we finish packing all of the clothes I need, Michael comes in, and pulls both of us in for a hug.

        "Don't miss us too much, alright?" He jokes, and we head out to where the rest of the boys are hanging out. He slips his hand into mine, and I feel reassured, something I haven't felt in a while.

        The Day of the Trip:

        I slip my headphone on and listen to the movie while looking out at the sky. I love riding on planes. They're so cosy and quiet. Michael's already dozed off next to me, and Calum and Sapphire are engrossed in conversation. For the next couple of hours I watch movies and occasionally talk with Michael whenever he decides to slip back into consciousness.

        "Excited?" I hear a voice while reading my book. I turn, and see that Michael has once-again come out of sleep.

        "Definitely. It'll be nice to spend time together." I smile. 

        "Yeah, thanks for coming. I really want this to be your best trip ever."

        "I'm holding you to that promise, then." We both laugh, and soon the plane starts to descend. When we get off, I'm in awe of how beautiful it is. The four of us head to the hotel we're staying at. The rest of the boys and Catherine are following on a bus to where the concert actually is being held. We decided to get here early to start the vacation before the concert. After a relaxing day just sightseeing and hanging out, we're in the hotel room when I get a call from Catherine.

        "What's up?" I say, and the voice talking to me is not Catherine's. It's deep and sounds very strained and anxious.

        "Emma, Catherine's in the hospital." It's Luke's voice. He's saying something else, but his words are blurred. All I can think of is the reasons and the outcomes and before I know it, I'm sitting on the floor. Michael grabs the phone, gets the details from Luke, and we're on our way.

        In the car, Michael is rubbing my back and soothing me, but I can't think. I'm just screaming at myself for being so stupid. For leaving her after all that happened. When we reach the hospital, we check in with the nurse and go up to her room. Ashton is sitting on the floor outside, looking drained. His face is pale, and I walk over to give him a hug. His eyes are red, and he takes a deep breath before explaining.

        "Catherine wasn't feeling well all last night. She said her stomach was hurting so I stayed with her. I thought she just had a virus or something, but today she was just in so much pain and kept crying and screaming and I didn't know what to do. They said she has appendicitis, and has to have an operation." He starts to cry again. I hold his hand, slightly relieved. She'll be fine. This is routine.

        "Ashton, she'll be fine. A lot of people have to have their appendix removed. You don't need it, you know." I say, but he just looks at me with a frown.

        "She was just in so much pain, and I didn't do anything except give her medicine. I should've brought her here sooner." 

        "At least she's okay." I breathe. Luke then comes in, along with Jennifer. We all go to the waiting room and wait for the doctor to notify us about the surgery. After what seems like an eternity, A man comes over to us.

        "The operation went very well. Catherine is going to be fine." He explains. We all sigh with relief.

        "Can we go and visit her?" I plead. The doctor shakes his head.

        "I'd rather have family visit her at this time." He frowns

        "But she has no family here. We're the closest thing to family she has." I'm begging now. the doctor just nods and leads us to her room. Ashton is ringing his hands and I feel so sorry for him. To not be able to do anyhting must feel horrible. When I see her, she looks so tired and pale. Ashton and I immediately rush over to her and grab each hand. Her eyes flutter open and she smiles.

        "Thanks for coming, guys. I'm sorry I ruined your trip." She whispers. The tears start to flow from my eyes and I have to choke to get my wors out.

        "Just come with us, then. We can all be together." She just shakes her head.

        "It's fine. I've got Ashton. And Luke and Jennifer were great when I wasn't feeling well too. Have fun. Don't worry about me. I've got a strong bodyguard." She gestures to Ashton and we all laugh. She'll be okay. When Ashton and Catherine look at each other, I know, in that moment, that she doesn't need me to protect her anymore. I'll always be there for her, but I'm ready to pass down the torch to Ashton, and he looks like he's more than willing to receive it.

        A/N: The concert last night was amazing! Thanks for being so considerate about the update! See you soon!