It Exceeds Her

Chapter 11 - R.R

"Where is she?" No 'hi', no 'how are you'.

"In surgery" scared that she'll find a way to blame me, I find my way back to the original seat I occupied.

"How long has it been?" this time dad has spoken out, while mom takes a seat on the sofa across from me.

"About an hour and a half." Mom shakes her head, almost as if she knows somethings wrong.

"Belle, Carter" Doctor Hanover stands facing us, with a smile. A smile that's a good sign, right?

"Hubert? How is she?" mom asks with worry lacing her voice.

"She's fine. The surgery took a little while longer because her appendix did burst so we had to clean the area. She's recovering now, and should be waking up within the hour." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Dad makes small talk with Hubert as we walk down the hall towards Chloe's room. Once we reach her room, Dr.Hanover leaves us all in her room.

She lays still with her chest rising and falling steadily. Her eyes stayed closed, as we approached. Mom scraped the plastic chair up to her bed, taking a seat and holding her hand in between her palms.

'It's going to be okay' she cooed, showing her mother instincts nice and brightly.

Felix excused himself, dragging Zoey and Ayden to the café for some coffee. Dad left soon after to go take care of some business, that they had left unresolved when they left Denver earlier tonight.

Mom and I remained in the midst of Chloe's room, with nothing but our shallow breaths filling the silence in the room.

"You two used to be so close, you know" her voice breaks the silence between us.

"I found the Christmas photos from when we were 6. I don't remember her perfectly, but she's definitely in my memory."

"How long have you known who she is?" Her hushed tone, seems like she's scared to wake up Chloe.

"Not that long. When you forced us to go shopping, she told me." I remember our Starbucks questionnaire clear as day. Her confession and true feelings on the current living situation. That day may have brought up more unanswered questions, but it was a start.

"I can't help, but blame myself for her. Her mother trusted me with her life. I'm her godmother, I should have brought her back home sooner. Maybe if I did then she wouldn't have the life she has now. It's not like she's not successful, I just wanted her to be happy and have a normal life." Mom is more of speaking to herself rather than to me at this point, with tears in her eyes.

"Mom what do you mean?" she looks up, almost as if she just realized she wasn't alone.

"It's not my secret to share, Ash" a small simile plays on her lips as she stares down to Chloe with admiration.

"Ashton?" my eyes snap to Chloe's, who's eyes barely open as she chokes out my name.

'Hey, Chloe" I respond softly.

"What happened?" she whispers, her voice husky from sleep. Mom reaches for the beige jug, full of water pouring Chloe a glass. She nodded in thanks before bringing the cup up to her lips, chugging the whole glass.

"Your appendix burst and they had to rush you to emergency surgery." she nods, most likely processing the past night.

"Not how I thought my first party with you guys would go" she jokes softly.

"I'll handle you later, but I think everyone would like to know that your awake. I'll be right back." she bends down kissing her forehead, before heading to the café to retrieve everyone.