Gang Ties

Hope

3 Days Later

I walked into the bleak hospital room, trying not to get my hopes up.  Reid's body, more like... corpse, laid on the hospital bed, tubes and wires coming out of him. I held my breath, then let it out in a gust.  I quietly pulled the chair next to his bed, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart monitor.

His pale skin began to regain it's slight tan, starting in his rosy cheeks.  I made sure to lotion and moisturize his skin and lips whenever I could, so he actually looked a bit like himself.

I took a deep breath.

"They told me you can hear me... so I'm going to talk." I sighed, scooting closer to him.  I whisked a loose curl away from his eye, I know he hates that.

"I love you, Reid, so much.  The surgery was successful, so now it's on you, fight through it... come back." I held his hand, it's warmth was slowly coming back.  I looked down, fighting the tears as hard as I could.  He hates it when I cry.

Please come back.

I walked to the vending machine for 3 bags of chips, a small commotion came from the waiting room.  I popped my bag of chips open and turned the corner, Annabella stood in front of Dr.Walter throwing a fit, Jessie stood between both of them with his arms harshly folded.

"What's going on?" I asked, gaining all of their attention.

"Well.. Mrs.Braxton, she claims to be Mrs.Braxton too.." A disgusted look crept on my face, Annabella crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, looking the other way.

"Okay, Annabella- this is just gross! You're his sister." I replied in a hushed tone while throwing my hands in the air.  Dr.Walter looked to Annabella in disgust, taking a sly step away from her.

"I mean, honestly.  Even now, Anabella?  Even now?"  I repeated. "You could have easily gotten in as his sister and you chose this?  All you had to do was support Reid normally and you couldn't!"

I was exhausted, too exhausted for this devilment.

"Claire, can you--"

"Annabella."

Cal stepped in front of me, his arms crossed and his head shaking.

"Outside, now!" He growled under his breath, Cal walked towards the exit and Annabella followed, stomping her heels as she went.

"I'm sorry Dr.Walter... it's complicated." I sighed while rolling my bag of chips down.

"Don't worry, Mrs.Braxton, this hospital sees it's fair share of family drama." He smiled with a secure nod before he walked away.  I mustered a weak smile back and walked to Jessie.

Jessie opened his arms wide enough for me to fit in, I graciously did so.  I held onto Jessie's torso, resting my head on his chest.

"Who's with Reid?"

"Mikey and Brooks are guarding his door, I was supposed to be bringing them these." I sighed while holding the chips.

Jessie pulled away, then sighed once he took a look at me.

"Claire.. you need to eat something, you can't survive off of water and chips."

"I'm not leaving this floor." I yawned with a shrug.

"--and you need real sleep." He continued while folding his arms.

"I do sleep." I argumentatively scoffed.