Catch Me

Chapter 23

Because it was Christmas Eve, visitors were allowed to stay at the hospital until twelve and so we did. Isabella woke up a few times again and asked for some ice and information.

Fiona came around seven, to bring me my bags from the car and to say goodnight. She was spending Christmas with her Grandfather, who just got discharged and was waiting in her car for her. For some privacy, we make our way outside onto the nearly empty corridor.

My arms are wrapped around her neck, while hers are tightly around my waist, pulling me into her as close as possible.

"I don't know, how I am going to survive this."
I say dramatically and my heart skipps a beat, when I hear her laugher. Some things never seem to change.

"My poor puppy. It is only a day, than we are able to see each other again."

"Yeah, a whole day. You will have to put a lot of effort into making this up to me again."

"Do I?"
Fiona grins at me and when I kiss her, I can still feel the smile on her lips.

After we said our goodbyes, I go back into my sister's room, room number 397, and sit down on my chair, where I stayed until we were asked to leave by a nurse.

Isabella was sound asleep but we still promised her to to come by in the morning to celebrate Christmas with her.

I drove home with my parents because my car was still at home. We didn't talk much during the ride and arriving home, I quickly grabbed some food to take upstairs and said goodnight to my parents.

While listening to some smooth music and wrapping up the last gifts, I bought today, I was able to relax. When I was halfway done, Chiara called me, to ask me how I was doing and I told her about Isabella being awake and talking.

"That's amazing! Liv, I am so happy for you. As soon as I am back home again, I will pay her a visit if that's alright?"
She asks me and and I have to laugh.

"You were already there, so of course you can come. But maybe not on the day, when Adam is coming."

"Did you talk to him? I didn't see him for quite some time."

"Yeah, we met at school a few days ago. You propably didn't see him because this was his first week back since the party."

I only mumble the last part because I have to hold a piece of gift ribbon between my teeth.

"Where was he the whole time?" Chiara still has seemed to understand me.

"He and the police told me he was trying to find his brother. Because Zack didn't tell anyone where he was, Adam traveled around the country to look for him. In places, where the family had been on vacation and where family members and friends, he knew about, live. It took him some time, but he finally found him in Florida, where Zack was arrested. Not only for drugging and molesting my sister, but also for possessing a gun and nearly killing a police officer with it."

"Wow, that's crazy. And Adam helped the police?"

"Looks like it. He seems very guilty eventhough it wasn't exactly his fault. But with helping the police, he wanted to show that he is sorry."

"And do you belive him, Liv?"
I have to think about that for a second before I answer.

"I do. I mean, it is not even my place to forgive him or anything. Only Isabella can do so but for me, I forgive him for inviting his brother to his party. What doesn't mean that I forget that he left my sister alone with him, but I guess it wasn't his fault."
I already thought about that a lot and as I said, it is up to my sister how she will decide.