Gracie Rose | tracy beaker returns {on hiatus}

33

TRACY'S POV

I arrived at work the next morning to the sound of many happy children. I hadn't heard that in ages. They were all getting ready to go to the hospital in the living room, talking about who would give Gracie which present, and what they were going to do.

"Hi guys!" I said with a smile.

"Tracy help! We're trying to work out who is giving Gracie each thing that we've got for her!" Johnny moaned.

"Guys it doesn't matter who gives her what. She will be grateful for everything and she'll love you all just the same no matter who gives her it." I laughed. "Now go and get your shoes on!"

I watched the kids all run for their shoes, and sat down on the sofa by the stairs. It had been one of the longest weeks of my life, but Gracie was getting better, and that was all I cared about. I thought about what Gracie said to me at the hospital yesterday. She had ranted to me about everything, but what she said really hit me. She was beating herself up about everything; blaming herself for things that were nowhere near her fault. Her head was obviously spinning, but I couldn't believe I didn't notice her hurting herself on purpose. Every time I thought about what she'd done, I felt tears spring to my eyes. It must've been so hard for her, but she never told me. But I didn't hate her for that, I understood her. I knew how she felt. Not telling people when something serious was going on was my thing. I did it all the time. That's why I felt so bad about her not telling me anything. Just then, Mike came out of the office as he was ready to leave.

"You alright, Trace?" He asked me. I hadn't told him what Gracie said, so I just nodded and gave him a little smile.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Gracie again." I said. "I just want her to come home."

"Me too, she should get the all clear in the next couple of days." Mike replied, sitting down next to me.

"Good." I replied.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Mike asked me again.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said. I noticed myself doing exactly what I used to do, exactly what Gracie did, not opening up about the stuff that was on my mind. It killed me.

"Good. I was meaning to ask you by the way, what did Gracie tell you yesterday?" Mike questioned. My heart felt as if it had skipped a beat or something. I instantly felt tears fall down my cheeks, but I tried my best to hide it from Mike.

"Oh, erm...I'll tell you later. Guys come on!!" I shouted up to the kids, trying to change the subject. Gina came out of the office at that point and waited with us to get into the minibus. The kids were all so excited. They sat down in their seats and got themselves comfortable, but when I sat down, I just felt sad. Gracie wasn't sat next to me, and I knew that she'd struggle sitting there when she came out of the hospital, due to being in a wheelchair and having a bad rib. Things kept sprinting back to me about her, and I was having one of those days where things were good one minute, and terrible the next. I just sat there listening to music and texting Gracie until we got to the hospital.

"Hi sweet! We're on our way to the hospital now. We have some very excited children on their way to see you, and I'm super excited to hug you again, I've missed you and it's not even been 24hrs. I'm sat alone on the minibus listening to music, and I can't wait until you're better and can sit in your normal seat again. See you soon my darling, save half the bed for me to sit on! ;) xxx"

I wasn't waiting too long for a message back, which made me smile so I knew she was awake and well.

"Hiiii! Ahh I'm so excited to see you all! I can't wait to come home, honestly it's so boring here. I've missed you too, and of course you can sit in the bed with me, I wouldn't save it for anybody else :)) xxx"