Afterglow (Book Three)

Twelve

Nick

Even as Demi jumped from the couch, my eyes never once left the spot she was previously lying. I could feel my heart growing heavy in my chest as my brain ticked away. I don't know how long I'd been sat there like a statue because I only pulled from my thoughts when I heard a sob travel into the room from the bathroom. I pushed myself up from the couch and moved towards the bathroom like a zombie.

"Nick?" the voice was broken. "Nick?" I jumped entirely from my own thoughts, looking up at Demi who sat on the toilet, tears streaming rapidly down her cheeks. "This is because I didn't want it. Th-This is my fault" she dropped her head into her hands and completely broke down. Yes, this may be it. Maybe we are losing this baby but I can't think about myself right now. I need to be there for Demi. I need to be strong.

"Dems?" she whimpered as I knelt in front of her. I settled my hand on her thigh but removed it as she jumped.

"This is all my fault" my heart broke as her eyes locked with mine; her eyes were pleading with me to help.

"No, Baby, this-this isn't your fault."

"Nick" her voice was a broken breath. I moved as close to her as I could, my arms wrapping around her. She was screaming through her sobs and the sound was ripping at my heart.

"Baby, you-you need to calm down" I pulled myself away from her causing her to whimper. "We need to get you to the hospital, D" even though I was moments away from wanting to breakdown, I was thankfully finding enough strength to be strong for Demi. "I'm gonna go and get Kelsey, okay? So-So she can come and look after P-Peyton for us."

"I-I need clean underwear, I need-I-I need..."

"All I want is for you to stay here until I get back. I'll get you a change of clothes, okay?" she numbly nodded. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, my hands settled on either side of her face. "I'll be back so soon, Baby. I promise" I pushed myself up from the floor, my heart shattering in my chest as I left the room. My tears began their journey down my face as I began out of the hotel room. I went next door and knocked on Kelsey's door, thankful that she answered pretty quickly. Her face covered in worry when her eyes locked with mine and she took in my appearance.

"Nick, what's going on?" you could hear the worry in her voice.

"Ca-Can you-Can you come and look-look after Peyton for us?"

"Why? Nick, what's wrong?" she turned to grab her jacket as I turned and began back towards my hotel room. Kelsey thankfully followed behind me. I turned to her as the door closed.

"I-I need to take Demi to the hospital" you could hear Demi sobbing from the bathroom, the sobs were heart-breaking, they were continuously stabbing at my heart.

"Please, tell me it isn't the baby?"

"She's bleeding. It-It's really heavy."

"I'll look after Peyton. Just go and look after Demi, okay? Don't worry about him, he'll be fine. I promise."

"Thank you" she shook her head with a very tiny smile.

"Don't worry about it" I stepped into the bathroom to find Demi dressed and stood at the counter.

"I told you not to move" I lowered my hand onto her back.

"My stomachs starting to cramp" her voice cracked. "This is my fault. I-I didn't want the baby so he-he's taking it from me" as much as I could have easily broke down with her, I knew that I couldn't. I need to remain strong.

"No, Dems" she nodded, lifting her hand up to wipe at her cheeks. "Let's get you to hospital, Gorgeous."

-

The silence around us was deafening, it was slowly growing unbearable. My grip remained tight on Demi's hand, my thumb running along the back of it. She was curled up on the bed on her side, her arm wrapped around her stomach. There were tears rolling down her cheeks, tears of heartbreak for the baby that would never get to live. I could easily break down with her but I need to remain strong.

"Why does it hurt so much?" I lifted Demi's hand up to my lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. "Why did it have to happen to us?" I had no answers to her questions. "Nick, it's my fault" I shook my head, moving myself closer to her, my hand settling on the side of her face. I stroked at her tear stained cheek with my thumb.

"This isn't your fault, Baby" Demi whimpered at the nickname as she nuzzled her head into her hand as she broke down, the sight caused my own tears to flow down my cheeks. "It isn't your fault, Demi. In no way is this your fault" I pressed a kiss to her forehead, stroking my fingers into her hair.

"I-I didn't want it. I-I did-didn't love it, that's why-why it's gone. That's why-why he took it from us" I shook my head, my lips pressed against her forehead. "I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to apologise for, Dems. This isn't your fault" I locked my arms around her and just held her as she sobbed into my neck. I kept my grip tight around her knowing that I need to be the strong one, no matter how much I feel like breaking down, I can't. I need to be strong.

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I'm sorry🥺😭