Their Little Princess

Chapter 17

I woke up to a painful pounding in my head. I didn't open my eyes because I knew the pain would get worse. I felt as if all of my blood had left my body and I was floating. My heart fell at a steady pace and my breathing was even. I tried to move but my body felt like it was held down by weights. I heard distant, muffled sounds as I was coming to. I tried wiggling my fingers and after a few minutes, they moved. The sounds got clearer and turned into full voices. All of a sudden, it felt like a bucket of freezing water was poured on me. I sat up quickly and opened my eyes. The heart monitor was going crazy and my breathing was a mess. I closed my eyes quickly and sat back shaking. I heard a blob of voices around me but my mind was racing so much that I couldn't decipher what anyone was saying. I felt a lot of hands-on me and it was all too much. All of the stress and emotions came to a head and it came bubbling out of my throat. A loud piercing scream cut through all of the chaos and everything seemed to stop. I heard someone say something and then I heard a herd of feet leave the room. I finally opened my eyes and saw two doctors, three nurses, and James standing over me. I lifted a shaky hand towards James and beckoned him to come closer to me. I did not like all of the attention on me and I didn't like the proximity of everyone I didn't know.

"Water." I groaned out. One of the nurses hurried over to me with a cup of water and held the cup to my lips. I greedily drank the cold water and it soothed my irritated throat. James moved in front of me and held my outstretched hand.

"Oh, mi Amor..." He stopped his sentence and just took in my appearance. I probably didn't look good right now.

"What happened?" I whispered out. One of the doctors stepped up and came closer to us.

"Well Brianna, you passed out at your doctor's appointment and we did some tests." He sighed and looked down at the chart in his hand. "We found an increase of white blood cells which is usually a sign of infection. We did some more testing and found out that your port got infected. It seems like your body was rejecting the port so we had to take it out. Unfortunately, this means that your chemo will have to be done by an IV in your arm instead of the port." I just sighed and put my head in my hands. Will anything ever go right for me? I try my best to be the best person I can but that doesn't seem like enough. I have gone through hell and back and then some and yet I still haven't caught a break.

"Where's Ethan?" I spoke out to the random thought that popped into my mind.

"He is waiting in the waiting room. Do you want him in here?" James asked while rubbing my back. I just nodded and leaned into his touch. I heard one of the nurses leave to get Ethan. The other two made their way over to me. They just took my vitals and left with the doctors. Ethan finally came in and ran over to me. He pulled me into his arms and just held me. James excused himself and it was just Ethan and me.

"Oh Bri, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. If I could take it away I would." We pulled away but he still held me in his arms.

"I know Ethan. Can you please just climb in here and cuddle me. I just need to be held right now." He immediately got up and crawled into the hospital bed with me. He pulled me into his big muscular arms and made me feel safe. I sighed and just lay there. He moved his hand up and down my back in a calming manner. After a while, I heard the door open and a lot of whispers arguing. I turned my head to see all of the brothers and James standing there. I just groaned and stuffed my head back into Ethan's chest.

"Aw, you're not excited to see us?" Grayson asked in a fake sad voice. I sighed feeling bad but I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. I feel so defeated. I just sighed and turned toward them again.

"I'm sorry guys. I'm just- I'm just very discouraged. Why does everything have to happen to me?" I felt the whole demeanor in the room change. Nobody knew what to say. Trevor broke the thick silence by coming over to my side.

"Bad things happened to the best of people. I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this. We all wish we could take the pain away from you. We will always be here for you. You wouldn't be able to get rid of us." I turned toward him with tears in my eyes and smiled at him.

"Thank you."

"Group hug!" Jake screamed. Everyone came tumbling over and we all hugged each other.

"When can I go home?" James tensed and so did the boys.

"Bri, the doctors think it would be better for you to stay inpatient for your treatment," James spoke up. I sucked in a breath and held it in.

"W-W-What? No. I am going home." I sat up and tried pulling out the wires and needles that were in me but Ethan stopped me.

"Bri, it's okay. We will be here every day and even will have some sleepovers." Brandon said while grabbing my hand.

"No, please. Dad, please don't let them keep me." I turned toward James and pleaded. Tears were streaming down my face and I was freaking out. I wanted to spend my life outside, not in the hospital. Who knew how long I had. I don't want to be confined to the hospital.

"I'm so sorry Mi Amor but it's what's best for you. All I want is for you to be okay and beat this." I just sobbed and shook my head. Ethan held me closer and rubbed my back.

"Please don't make me stay. Who knows how long I have. I don't want to waste away in the hospital." Ethan tensed and squeezed me even tighter.

"Maybe this isn't a good idea. I want her to be comfortable." Ethan said while holding onto me for dear life.

"No Ethan, we are doing this because we love Bri and want what's best for her," Elli said while sighing. I knew they all had trouble with leaving me here.

"I don't think I can. I need her with me. I need her with me. I can't let anything happen to her." Ethan let go of me and stood up. He walked toward the door before James stopped him.

"Where are you going?" Ethan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I still have custody over her. I'm signing her out. She can do this from home." The boys gasped and James looked mad.

"No, you're not. She needs this. You know deep down she needs this too. She will have all of the help here that we can't give her. You're just scared right now, Ethan. You need to think this over." He put his head in his hands and broke down.

"I know, I know, I know. I just can't let her go. I can't do this." Seeing him having a breakdown over me made me even more upset. The boys ushered Ethan out of the room and James came rushing over to me.

"Please, Dad. I'm begging you. Let me stay home." He just climbed into the bed and held me. I tried to push him away but I couldn't. I needed him right now.

"Bri, this is the best option we have. I want you to be safe and to be healthy. That can only happen if you stay here." I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to believe that I was ill. Ethan then came rushing in.

"I'm sorry Bri. I don't want you here but I know that it will help." I pushed James away from me and stood up. He went to grab me but I quickly moved away from him.

"Don't you dare touch me." I ripped out everything in my arms and ran into the bathroom. I shut and locked the door. I sat on the ground and cried. The boys started to pound on the door. Their noise mixed with my sobbing soothed me into a deep, dark, painful sleep.