Here to Stay || Ashton Irwin (completed)

Chapter 24

I waited in his hospital room the next day. Doctors occasionally reentered the room, changed some things around, checked the machines, and then disappeared as quickly as they came. Ashton had been in surgery for a little over and hour and the anticipation was killing me. There was no one I could ask to see how the operation was going and I couldn't bare walking into the OR, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. 

I sat in his bed, rocking back and forth for another hour or so. At around 2pm, Michael, Luke, and Calum came to the hospital. They each placed flowers and balloons on either side of his bed and Luke placed a wrapped present on the bedside table. Michael walked to the edge of the bed and placed the mini set of drums ontop of the extra blanket and Calum put a plate of brownies beside it. I smiled, knowing Ashton would willingly share Calum's famous brownies with me when he was out of surgery. 

Suddenly a nurse appeared in the door. "You guys can come back tomorrow," she smiled, her red lipstick so completely on point. Luke smiled and nodded. 

"Thank you," he responded, patting Calum on the back. I looked at Calum for the first time that day. Like really looked at him. Whenever he visited Ashton he always looked so happy, so carefree, but for the first time, I saw something in his eyes, something that struck my heart and made me feel sad. I truly saw the sadness that pulled him down and I could practically feel his connection to Ashton. I knew that all of them were close, but seeing Calum so vulnerable allowed me to see how truly close they were. 

The nurse seemed to notice as well. She abandoned her place in the doorway and quietly approached the group of three boys. As she stepped closer, Michael shuffled closer to Luke and Calum, placing his hand on Calum's other shoulder. "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but," she looked among the three of them, "Visiting hours have been extended for you based on the wishes of the family. A few of our doctor's were very hesitant, but the family is requesting it, so it's probably going to go through. Also you'll recieve an update whenever we know anything."

I watched as Calum looked up at her, the pain in his eyes killing me all over again. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination or it was reality, but I could've sworn I saw tears welling in his eyes. I almost wanted to reach out and comfort him, but I knew there was nothing I could do. That was probably the worst part of this whole thing. Seeing people I had grown to care about in pain and not being able to do anything about their suffering. With Ashton, I could reach out. Touch his hand. Kiss his lips. Snuggle into his chest. But with his friends, with his mom, all I could do was try to communicate or watch them hurt. 

The nurse cleared her throat and licked her lips, "I'm sorry but you need to go now."

"Yes, thank you ma'am," Luke replied, starting towards the door. His hand still rested on Calum's shoulder, Michael mirroring him, as they led him out. 

The nurse walked them out, leading them down the hall. I watched as the three of them shuffled out of the room. For a fraction of a second, I had the urge to follow them. Get out of the hospital. I wanted to watch over them and make sure they were alright. But more than anything I wanted to try to get word to Calum. I couldn't stand seeing him like this. 

I pushed myself off the mattress and started shakily walking towards the door. I took a left out of the room and started making my way towards the exit. As I neared the front of the hospital, I heard some yelling. 

"Just tell me if he's okay!" 

I started walking faster. 

"I just wanna fucking know if my friend is okay. Do you know what it's like?!?!? Not knowing?? Do you know how I feel?"

Security and nurses were now rushing passed me. I picked up my pace and started running faster. As I neared the atrium of the hospital, a scene unfolded before me. Calum kneeled on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes. Michael and Luke stood off to the side and watched on. Nurses were swarming Calum, security standing off to the side.

"I just need to know he's okay. I can't stand this anymore," he cried. He wiped his tears with the palms of his hands as his shoulders shook rapidly. 

"Calum," one of the nurses wispered, "Would you like to come with me or go back home with your friends?"

Calum looked up at Luke and Michael who nodded. "I," he started, "I'll just go home." It seemed as though he was snapping out of a trance. "I'm sorry," he mumbled quietly, "I, I, I, I'll just go." He quickly stood up and gathered himself before storming through the front doors. Michael and Luke apologized to the hospital security and followed him out. 

I wanted to follow them all, but something held me in my place. I knew I couldn't leave Ashton again. Not after my two days turned into a week. I knew I needed to stay in order to be there for him when he woke up, or even when he got out of the OR. I watched as Calum's car pulled out of the hospital driveway and then returned to Ashton's hospital room. 

I opened the door and walked into the room, my eyes on the ground as I quietly shut the door behind me. I turned back to the bed and started walking towards it. As I moved my hair out of my eyes, I stopped dead in my tracks. On the bed, staring back at me was Ashton, but there was something different about him. His hair was back and his skin looked like it was glowing. His smile was radiant and I could feel the warmth coming from it. He reached his hand out and I took it.

"Ash?" I whispered, reaching my other hand up to ruffle his hair.

"Hey Em."

"What's this? Are you...." My voice trailed off. 

"No. Before I left the operating room, I checked the monitor. I'm still alive."

"Okay, but how?" I asked.

"I think it's the medicine I'm under. I think it lets me do this?" He sounded unsure, but he was here and he looked healthy, and he was leaning in.

I smiled and met his lips with mine, pressing them into his. He gasped and parted his lips. My hand snaked around his neck and tangled in his hair, making him gasp. His hands wandered all over my body, feeling warm on my skin. 

"Ashton," I breathed.

"Yeah Em?" he asked.

"I, Calum was here, he was a mess over your operation."

I could feel his body tense beneath me. "Is he okay?" 

"Luke and Michael took him home but he was pretty upset."

"Can we go see him?"

I shifted my eyes to read his face. "How long is your physical body going to be asleep?"

"Another few hours. Maybe like 5."

I nodded, "I think that as long as we make it back, you'll be fine." 

"Okay thanks Em, I love you."

"I love you too, Ashton."

He grabbed my hand and stood up. Right as I was about to follow, he scooped me up and spun me around. Before placing me back on my feet, he kissed me softly. After he pulled away, my feet found the ground again. I pecked his cheek and he grabbed my hand, "Let's go."

"Lead the way."

- - - - - - - - 

a/n: im a shitty author im so sorry im so sorry but here's a very long awaited update. college is fucking me in the ass, but im trying i promise i am. i am going to start the update for my luke fic and hopefully i can post it but im not sure. but im trying. 

by the way in october i met luke in nyc and it was so great ill add the picture to the side omg it was such a long night for that one picture BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT LUCAS IS SUCH A SWEETHEART WHAT IS LIFE HFJHGRNFUGERJHGREJGHRJHGHUGRHUIGRHIGRIUIHUIR HE'S SO BAE I CANT BREATHE. BUT ANYWHO IN THE MIDDLE OF ME WRITING THIS CHAPTER MY FRIEND CALLED AND TOLD ME SHE HAD AN EXTRA Z100 JINGLE BALL TICKET AND NOW IM GOING AND I CANT BELIEVE IT HDHGRURHGURGREJJRK SO TODAY HAS BEEN RAD. 

vote, comment, stay fab xoxox -em