Together in Darkness- Moved to AO3

Chapter 27

Y/N POV

The drive back to the hospital was a blur, images of the afternoon replaying in my head like a short film. Sofia took over my mind more and more over the afternoon, every thought that I had was consumed by her and that infectious smile of hers. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was completely care free, and I realised just how tired everything else had made me. But this girl, it's like she brings something out in me that I've never felt before. All I could say is, I couldn't wait to see her again on Saturday.

I parked up the car and walked into the hospital entrance towards the private ward. I picked up a coffee for mum and dad and went in to Jacobs room. Nothing had changed much from when I left; he was still sleeping and mum and dad were sat with him just trying to comfort him.

"Hey kiddo, how was the big date?" My dad asked as I closed the door behind me. I felt myself go red at the question, knowing I should have expected that to be the first thing they'd say.

"Oh yeah it was reall-" I stopped in my tracks as I got closer to my mum, seeing the slight smudge in her make up from where she had been crying. "Mum? What's wrong? What is it?" I asked, the familiar feeling of panic setting in. I hated seeing my mum upset, even as a kid it would make me so angry to see her upset. I put the drinks down and went to give her a hug. Pulling her in a couldn't help noticing how small she felt. The stress had been getting to her, that I knew as it was to all of us. But I didn't realised just how much. I made another conscious note to make sure that we both sat and ate meals together now, even if it was lunch in here I didn't care as long as she was ok.

"It's nothing sweetie" she sniffled. "I'm fine honey, I just got a bit emotional when they came to do more tests that's all. Jacob got upset and it took a while to get him back to sleep, but I promise everything is okay" she smiled trying to reassure herself more than anyone else. I looked over at my dad sceptically, hoping he would get my question without me having to ask it. He gave me a small smile and nodded his head, I guess trying to make sure I believed my mum.

"He even frowns in his sleep. Bit like someone else we know" he said as both me and my mum looked at me. I looked over at Jacob, the tubes that he had coming out of his arms and hands leaving slight bruises where the doctor had put the needles in the following day. What else could they be testing for? I didn't ask as I knew they'd tell me when the had the results. He was given more antibiotics for his infection and they said they were working so it was probably just a follow up.

"So anyway" mum said clearing her throat and patting the bed next to her for me to sit down. "How was your afternoon? Did it go as you planned?" She asked as she put her arm round my shoulder.

I looked down as I didn't want her to see me blushing, but I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face at the thought of Sofia again.

"Yeah it was really nice thanks. We just sat and talked and everything is so relaxed with her, like I feel like I am totally at ease if that makes sense?"

The lack of response caused me to look up at mum, a little smirk playing on her face making me blush as I knew exactly what was going to follow.

"Sounds like my little prince has a crush" she teased pinching my cheeks. Why? Why did I have to have the worlds most embarrassing parents? I looked at her trying to scowl, but I couldn't help but smile back at her at the thought of Sofia.

We were all pulled out of the gossip by the sound of coughing. Looking over at Jacob I saw him stirring in his sleep as he was coughing again, his entire small frame shaking from how chesty his cough was. I felt the same pull in my chest; the guilt of not focusing on him playing on my mind again.

"Mummy? Mummy it hurts me" he said, the tears spilling over his eyes as he looked around the room to find my mum. She leant over and squeezed his hand, stroking his hair off his forehead.

"I'm here sweetie, it's okay we will get the nurse to help you okay? You're my brave boy" she cooed at him, trying to make him relax. It was times like this that I felt so defeated. That I wanted to just hold him and take all of his pain away. If it had to go somewhere I'd rather take it away from him for myself. He's just a little boy and he does not deserve this.

"Y/N can you go and grab the doctor please? It's time for his next lot of painkillers and he has a temperature" my mum said as she sat and continued to try and calm Jacob down. I felt like I'd lost all the control over my body in the moment. I looked over at the door but I couldn't make my legs move, it was like I was nailed to the floor.

"Y/N? Son are you okay? The doctor will be at the nurses station at the front of the ward" I heard my dad say as he came over and placed his hand on my shoulder. But I couldn't say anything, I just looked over at him with my mouth open trying to find something to say. I felt the same panic rising. The same panic that came to me every night when I slept and invaded my dreams with screams of Jacob. Why was this happening now? My heart started to race and I felt myself starting to sweat. I can't do this now, not while Jacob needs me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, thinking of something, anything to make me calm. And there was her face again, those deep honey brown barrels looking straight through me. Sofia. I took another slow deep breath, opening my eyes and cousin to three in my head. It was passing, still there nagging at the back of my head but it was passing.

"Sorry, yes I fine I'm fine I'll go grab a doctor" I said as I rushed out of the room towards the nurses desk. I pulled out my phone as I walked down the corridor to text Sofia.

"Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for today. Without running risk of sounding like a complete soppy idiot😅, I had a really good afternoon with you, and I can't wait to see you Saturday x"

"Hey, excuse me sorry, my brother Jacob Y/LN. He need his next lot of painkillers. Hes awake now but he's coughing really bad and he has a temperature" I said to the nurse as I approached the front desk.

"Ok thank you for letting me know, I'll send someone down right away for you" she said with a smile. I said thank you and started walking back to the room. I went to open the door when it flew open in front of me.

"Dad? What's wrong?" I asked as he almost ran straight into me opening the door. The colour had drained from his face and he looked worried. "Dad?"

"We need the doctor now where are they? Jacob has started coughing up blood" he said as he pushed passed and ran the way I had just walked back. Now I felt all the colour drain from my face as I stared back into the room.

I felt the panic coming back and this time it was back with a vengeance.