You've Got it Bad

Twenty

Let's imagine that this is little Jaden 🥰

Jade's POV

When I arrived back at the hospital, visiting hours were just about over. I straightened myself up and walked in to greet Mrs. Edwards.

"I can't thank you enough for your help." I said.

Come to think of it, she never once questioned why I all of a sudden needed a sitter for so long and at this hour.

"I've already told you, don't worry about it, dear." She said sweetly. "You look like you've been crying. Is everything alright?"

"Just worried about Perrie." I said weakly. It wasn't a lie. I was worried about her. On top of everything else I was feeling. I was emotionally drained.

"Oh, sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay." She frowned, pulling me in for a hug. A hug that I didn't know I needed.

That's the thing about hugs. They will either stick you back together or break you apart, and hers broke me down.

I'd been running on fumes all day because I was just scared, but the second this woman embraced me, I was forced to stop and be still. And that was all it took.

I melted in her arms and she never let go of me or even loosened her grip. She was so warm and soothing. Something about the gesture broke me down to pieces and I started to cry. I was just so tired.

She rubbed my back and cradled my head into her chest, as if I were her own daughter.

"Shhhh." She whispered softly. "It's going to be alright."

She continued rubbing my back and holding me tightly, and I actually kind of believed her.

What an angel.

Her words were so soft and soothing. There she was, comforting and soothing me, basically a stranger to her, while her own daughter was laying there in a coma and the only person blaming me for it is me.

I could clearly see where Perrie got her softer side. The same vulnerable side of her that she showed me that night in the car. I ran from it. I'm a monster. I looked over at my sleeping beauty with nothing but apologies in my eyes.

I think Mrs. Edwards noticed them before I did. She gently put a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm going to step out for a little break. Take all the time that you need." With that she smiled and left the room.

As soon as the door shut, I broke down again. I looked over at my sleeping son and then to my sleeping Perrie. The only two people I loved. I would do anything for them.

I walked over and kissed Jaden on his forehead, brushing his curls out of the way. He stirred a little, but drifted back to sleep and my heart swelled.

Then I walked over to Perrie. My Perrie. Tears still streaming.

""I really, really miss you, ocean eyes. I miss your smile. I miss your laugh. Your terrible, inappropriate jokes. I miss your eyes—God, those gorgeous blue eyes. Ocean blue and ocean deep."

I squeezed her hand gently, letting the tears spill freely down my face. Her hand was warm, but limp, as it rested in mine.

"I need you," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I really, really need you. I'm so, so sorry I didn't realize how much I needed you until it was almost too late. And I'm so sorry you went to sleep not knowing how much you mean to me."

I intertwined our fingers, my thumb brushing softly over hers, searching for some small sign of life, some acknowledgment that she was still in there.

"I know they say it's not time yet," I murmured, staring at her peaceful face. "But I wish so badly you'd just open your eyes. Open your eyes, love. Please."