Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Chapter Ten . . .Surviving

Chapter Ten . . . Surviving

Karen's POV

I woke up and rolled on my side.

"Derek?" I mumbled but as my hand touched his side of the bed, I found that it was empty. I lifted my head up and looked at the empty spot where Derek was suppose to be laying. Where was he? I moved my body and got out of bed despite my body not wanting to work due to the 'incident'. I grabbed my ribs as I found that it was hard to breath, I definately needed my meds. I sighed and gently moved myself out of the room. I tried to call for someone to see if there was anybody here, but my throat wouldn't let me. I blew out a breath and pushed my body forward. As I got closer to the kitchen the smell of bacon hit my nose.

"Derek, do you think mom is going to care about me skipping school?" I heard Garrett's soft voice ask, and I decided to hide behind the wall and listen to the two men talk just to hear what they had to say.

"Are you kidding me? Your mom and I would skip school all the time. I will never know how she was the top in our class."

"Mom missed a lot of school?" Garrett asked and I pleaded to God that Derek would lie, but he wasn't that smart.

"I think she got up to fifty days missed one year." I heard what sounded like pride in Derek's voice.

"Fifty! Holy crap!" I heard my son yell and I assumed that was my time to intervene. I limped my way into the kitchen catching sight of both men looking at me. I waved at them and smiled.

"Good morning, sunshine." Derek said cheerfully as he made his way over to me, "You're up kind of early. I assumed that you wouldn't be up until at least noon." He added as he wrapped his arm around me and walked me to the table.

I sat down carefully at the table, but in the end the pain in my body was still to much and I let out a little yelp as my back touched the chair.

"Mom?" Garrett asked, and I forced a smile on my face to let him know I was okay. Unfortunately, Derek wasn't buying it.

"Hey Garrett, why don't you go to your room and get dressed, and we'll go outside and play catch."

"Alright!" Garrett hopped up from his chair excited, but stopped once he remembered me. "Mom?" He asked and I rolled my eyes before shooing him with my hands.

He smiled at me and ran out of the room. I let out the breath I was holding do to controling my pain around my son. Derek put his hands on my shoulders.

"It's okay. Let it out." I took deep breaths in and out trying to control the pain, but it was barely working. "I'll get you your medicine." Derek whispered.

The warmth of his hands left my body and I suddenly missed his touch, but as quickly as he was gone he was back with my medicine in his hands.

"Here you go, baby." I lifted up my hand despite the soreness and took the pill from him. I quickly popped it in my mouth and he handed me my orange juice which I graciously accepted.

"Easy, honey." He whispered and sat down next to me as I chugged down the orange juice.

After it was gone I slammed the cup down and laid my head on the table. Derek rubbed little circles on my back.

"You should be in bed resting." I pulled my head up.

"It won't matter. Any little movement and I want to die."

"Don't say that. We're going to get through this." He encouraged but I only sighed and ran my hands over my face.

"I feel like I'm dying, Derek. It's like, as the days go on the more pain I'm in. I don't want Garrett to see me like this, so weak."

"Karen, your body isn't fully healed, you are pushing through this with that beautiful smile on your face. You are definately not weak." His words really didn't have any affect on me. I felt like a horrible mother making my child worry like this but I couldn't do anything to make him stop. The doorbell rang causing me to jump out of my thoughts. I listened as Derek sighed.

"I'll get it." He kissed me on the cheek before getting up and walking to the front door.

I felt my body shaking was it Gus? No, it couldn't be him. He was in jail, and besides Derek would protect me.
Footsteps were heard walking and getting closer and closer. My breathing picked up and could be heard from across the room. I should go get my son he needed to be protected. I stood up from my chair ready to make a run to get Garrett.

"Karen are you okay?" Derek's concerned voice asked.

"I-I . . ." I trailed off. Words were not able to form in my brain.

"Karen?" I heard a femanine voice call.

That's when Dylan and Riley came in they both looked at me with a look of concern.

"Oh. It's just you." I let out and sat back down on my seat.

"Nice to see you too." Dylan joked but that look of concern never left his face.

"Derek I'm ready!" Garrett's voice interrupted the tension. "Hi Dylan! Hi Riley!"

"Hey buddy, what are you up to?" Dylan asked with a smile.

"Derek and I are going to play catch."

"Catch?" Dylan looked at Derek who shrugged. "Can I join ya?" He asked and Garrett looked at Derek who was already nodding.

"Of course, we can go to the park. Is that okay with you Karen?" I wanted to say no and that you had to stay here with me, but Garrett looked excited.

"Sure buddy."

"Thanks mom!" He hugged me and I squeezed him tight.

"Go have some fun with them."

"C'mon guys!" Garrett yelled running for the door but Dylan caught him easily.

"Hold up bud." Dylan laughed and walked over to Riley.

"You going to stay here?" Riley nodded.

"Yeah, I'm going to have girl time. Go have fun." I watched as Dylan kissed Riley on the cheek and Derek did the same to me.

"I'll be back soon. Call if you need anything." I put a hand on his cheek.

"I'll be fine. Have fun." He kissed my lips this time and the boys left. I sighed and Riley laughed.

"Those Barkley boys can make any woman drop to their knees in a heart beat." I grinned at her.

"Yes they can, and my boy is hanging out with them. Great." I went to stand up but gasped at the pain. Riley was by my side instantly.

"You okay?" I let out a breath and nodded.

"Don't worry about me." I stood up straight and smiled at her. "How are you and the baby?" I asked and her hands went down to her belly and she smiled.

"Perfect. Dylan just started on the nursery. Why don't I get you a glass of wine and we can talk about it."
I debated for a minute.

"I could use a glass, and there is some orange juice in the fridge for you." She rolled her eyes.

"Great." She said sarcastically and went to the cupboards and grabbed two glasses.

"Let's party!"

A/N So I feel horrible because this has been sitting in my email for a week now but because I'm a lazy butt I didn't upload this until I hope you all forgive! Anyway, thank you to all that reads this. I'm going to try really hard to get a chapter up before Christmas or at least New Years, but if I don't I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and get everything your little hearts desire.

XOXOX
PoisonGirl