Legacy

Chapter 48

Stacie waited briefly before heading up the stairs. She stopped and thought about what Miss Holmes said. She was right; she couldn't do it on her own, but she didn't know what to do. She shook off any doubt and went upstairs to see Addy. She opened the door to the spare room after going into Emily's and the her room and the girls weren't there. She opened the door and stood in the doorway and watched the two play uno for a bit. Addy was battling between resting her upper back on the wall and sitting up. It was clearly too much pain to rest her back but also she didn't have enough strength to hold herself up.

Stacie walked towards Addy not wanting to interrupt the game. As she reached the edge of the bed Addy leaped into her arms and started crying.

"I'm sorry" Addy weeped into Stacie's arms as Stacie stroked her hair confused and looked to Emily who put her head down.

"I didn't know that I worried you so much so I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have changed so much if I thought I was strong enough to do it and I'm not so I was trying to become like you and Beca. No one questions you at all. It hurt, everything hurt. It was all I could think about. So I became someone else and not thinking about that and keeping up this act. And I've made this all about me when it should be about you. You are hurting and doing everything for everyone and I was not helping and being a dick and please forgive me." Addy cried while hugging Stacie. She didn't know what to say. She just tried to calm Addy down. She looked towards Emily.

"She sat at the top of the stairs for a bit while you were talking. She wasn't there the whole time I promise we left before the end-" Emily explained before Stacie put her hand up, stopping her from saying anymore. Emily looked down before feeling guilty for not pulling Addy away and not letting Stacie have her moment alone. And then Emily felt a hand on her head. She looked up at Stacie who mouthed 'it's okay'. And Emily smiled as she relaxed into Stacie's touch.

Stacie moved away and grabbed Addy's face.

"It's okay, Ads. I promise squirt we are all just stressed. And it's important that you're okay. We can talk about all that later. And it's all part of my job of being the oldest." Stacie sat down on the bed and put Addy between her legs who was still hugging onto her for dear life.

"About that... I don't think it has to be." Emily said pushing it while things were okay.

"What?" Stacie said looking up from staring at Addy.

"You shouldn't have to have this much response ability. I know you do because you want what's best for us but maybe telling-"

"Not now," Stacie said quietly. More stressed then angry. It wasn't the time to get into a discussion about it now. And to be honest Stacie didn't know how to approach the situation. She had contemplated saying something but it was too risky. She had to wait. At least for now. Emily nodded, she was going to have to wait to.

"Come on let's keep playing." Stacie said, trying to sit Addy up. She replied with Addy shaking her head and hiding her head more into Stacie, "Please Ads, we can do it together." There was a slight hesitation before a weak nod as the girls finished the game. Beca had come in and sat next to Emily halfway through. It was moments like this where it seemed as if it was normal. The four girls laughing together. Well three laughing, and Addy smiling occasionally.

As the game neared the end. Stacie remembered the stench that was left in Addy's room. She had also remembered that Addy hasn't thrown up in a while which was at least, hopefully, a sign she was getting better.

"Okay squirt, I'm going to have to go and tidy that room of yours if we are gonna get you back in there at some point sleepy." Stacie said, trying to move herself away from Addy.

"No." Addy said, tightening the grip on Stacie. To be fair she hardly had any strength whatsoever. So it wouldn't be that difficult to remove herself from the Addy's grip. But they all saw the way she was desperate to hold on, like without being that close to Stacie she wouldn't be able to function.

"I'll clean the room you stay here with Addy." Emily said. Stacie had always done everything for everyone. Emily had always done everything by the book and perfectly but she knew it wouldn't hurt to help out. It didn't mean what went on before didn't matter and she still felt that her and her feelings were being pushed aside but right now Addy needed help. Medical help. So she needed a way to get help without causing the whole house to fall apart.

"You sure Em?" Stacie said being very thankful for the offer, hoping she didn't take it back, Emily nodded and went to climb off the bed, clearing the tray where they had used to play the game on.

"I'll order us some burgers and fries, for dinner." Beca also offered helping.

"No, I don't want to eat." Addy said, and Stacie mouthed to get her food as well.

"Okay squirt but we are gonna try." Stacie replied and Addy acted like she didn't hear it.

"After I have ordered I will come help you Emily." She said leaving.

"Can I invite Ali over please? We will stay in my room and I won't tell her details just that she is ill." Emily asked cationously.

"Em don't get me wrong i love Ali and she is a sweet girl for you but-"

"What do you mean for me? It's not like we're dating, we're just friends." Emily interrupted Stacie and talked way too quickly.

"I meant a good friend for you,I yeah, but Emily it's not really a good time, don't you think?" Stacie said, raising her eyebrow at how Emily reacted. Also wondering why she would ask on a day like this.

"It's for a project for school. After we can look at Addy's stuff and work out how to help her. WIth school work I mean." Emily said nervous about this lying and her not accepting it. She needed to have a distraction tonight. It may be selfish but she was scared about Addy and didn't want to lash out again. Stacie paused questioning what was happening but knew if it was a way to keep one of her sisters occupied while she sorting out Addy and worked out what to do she would be fine. And Emily's friends were harmless, they would stay in her room and do this project.

"Okay, if it's just Ali then it's fine. Get Beca to order more food for her as well." Stacie said as a very happy Emily came and kissed her on the head and running to text Ali and clean the mess of Addy's room.

"Stacie..." Addy mumbled, as Stacie looked down at Addy, "It hurts. I want it to stop."

"I would love it to stop too, squirt. You will be okay soon. I promise."

"That's a pretty big promise to make." Addy knew her back would get better eventually, but it didn't stop it hurting like hell in the meantime. Stacie signed and relaxed back in the bed. She had to work out a plan to help Addy. But she would wait to see how the pain was tomorrow before doing anything that could get everyone in trouble.