Gracie Rose | tracy beaker returns {on hiatus}

32

Warning: Descriptions of self-harm and PTSD used in this chapter.

If anyone has been affected by any of these issues, please read at your own risk, and if anyone needs someone to talk to, drop me a message.

THREE DAYS LATER

The wait had felt like forever, but I was finally getting to go to the hospital. Gracie was going in and out of consciousness, but she was fit enough for Mike to be okay with me going. He didn't want me to go when she was at her worst, because he knew it would kill me. He'd been going every day to check up on her, and everything seemed like it was going okay. He checked Gracie's phone while he was there and found so many messages from the kids, as well as mine, so it was very exciting to think she'd be able to see them soon and see how much we love her. I hadn't stopped thinking about what she'd done to herself, and I was dreading seeing that, but all I wanted to do was see her beautiful face, and I was finally getting to do that.

Mike and I were going together, so I got in his car and he drove us up to the hospital.

"Now, don't freak out when you see her. She's not looking too great, but she's still the girl she always has been." Mike explained.

"She's still so beautiful though." I said. Mike nodded his head.

"Of course she is."

*****

When we arrived at the hospital, it was quite quiet. We checked in at the desk and took a seat until we were called. My legs were jumping and my hands were shaking. I was so excited to see Gracie, but I was so nervous. This would be the first time I'd seen her since the accident, and it broke me to know how much pain she was in.

"Stop. It's okay." Mike whispered.

"Sorry. I can't seem to keep still." I replied.

"Don't apologise. It's fine." Mike reassured me.

"Visitors for Gracie Reynolds?" A nurse said. I don't think I'd ever stood up so fast in my life. The nurse led the way, followed by Mike. I was squeezing his hand with nerves, but I felt so scared that he was sick of me.

Many corridors and left and right turns later, we finally arrived. Her name was on the door, along with her blood type, so the nurses knew who was in what room.

"Please don't touch any of the equipment. You have a few hours." The nurse said before walking away. We didn't need to knock, because Gracie wasn't conscious, so Mike opened the door and led me inside. Her body looked so frail. Her skin was paler than usual, and she overall just looked broken.

"Sit down next to her." Mike whispered. I slowly did what he said, and took her little hand and stroked it.

"Looks like a broken arm, leg and possibly a rib." Mike said, looking over at the x-rays that were on the wall. I was hardly concentrating on anything, other than Gracie.

"I've missed you so much." I whispered.

"She loves you, Trace." Mike said, setting me off in tears once again. I noticed her arm, covered in scratches, cuts and blood, and instantly felt all the pain she'd faced over the last few days.

Just then, I felt her squeeze my hand very gently, and it made me jump, as I didn't expect anything.

"Gracie?" I whispered.

"I'm sorry, for everything." She stuttered.

"Don't be. You were hurting, but you're going to be okay." I carried on. She began opening her eyes very slowly, until I could see her beautiful brown eyes gleaming at me. She looked concerned, however.