The Institute ~Completed~

Chapter Forty: Never Run

Cotton went to the hospital to check on Jessica. She didn't feel to well considering the fact she met the past Jake and Jessica. It wasn't exactly what she expected. She thought they were better than that, but then again when the past comes to haunt you it's really reality. "Hi mummy." Cotton says as she walks in with a smile. Jessica looks at her and smiles thanking the god that it wasn't Jake or she would have killed him. "Hi baby." Jessica lifts Cotton up onto the bed. Cotton loved the way she was always being lifted by Jessica. "How are you feeling?" Cotton asks her while giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm okay..Where's your dad?" Jessica asks her.

Cotton nods and looks down at her thighs. "I wouldn't know." Cotton replies. "What he do? Abandon us?" Jessica rolls her eyes. "He said he was coming back." Cotton replies. To Jessica, Cotton sounded hurt and not herself. It worried Jessica. Jessica lifts Cotton's chin to look at her. "What's the matter?" Jessica asks her daughter. "I met a couple of children and they showed me something from the past, and it seemed like it's actually going to happen." Cotton replies quietly. "What was it?" Jessica asks curiously. "Well, it was in an old house. It was of a past you and dad. And you guys were arguing and you guys almost murdered each other." Cotton says sadly. Jessica didn't like the way she was sad about something that will never happen and has never happened. "Babe don't worry, that'll never happen." Jessica says to her. Cotton nods. "Promise no more bad things?" Cotton smiles at her. Jessica knew she couldn't promise that but she promised anyway. "I promise."

Cotton smiles at her and put her hand on Jessica's baby bump. "I can't wait til she comes." Cotton says to her mum. "Me neither." Jessica quietly says. "When you get out of here, I want to show you what me and dad did for Lilyonna. He's excited for his baby to come." Cotton giggles at a kick Lilyonna made. "I'm sure he is. Cotton do you know why I'm in the hospital?" Jessica asks her. "No?" Cotton wasn't aware of the stress Jake had caused her. "I have been under alot of stress because of Jake's actions but I don't want you to worry about me or the baby. As soon as I'm aloud out, we're going to have some fun. I promise you." Jessica says before taking Cotton in her arms. Cotton laid against her adoptive mother. She sighs before closing her eyes. Jessica knew alot more was causing her trouble than just stress. She began to worry about Jake's wellbeing as well as Cotton's. She had worries about raising Lilyonna. She didn't want to be a bad mother but she feared she might because of past issues with Cotton. She also worried about her family and Johnny's intentions and interests in Cotton. She also worried about where things were going to go with Kaleb and how Joshua was going to take things. Jessica was underneath the pressures of motherhood and she was overly fearing the worst. Jessica looks down at Cotton who had fallen asleep. She was a peaceful and quiet child. But deep down inside Jessica knew Cotton was angry and hurt because of the past.

Jessica kisses her cheek before looking out the window and getting lost in her tragic thoughts. Cotton woke up in mid afternoon. She saw Jessica had fallen asleep protectively. Cotton rubs her eyes before stretching. She got out of Jessica's arms but Jessica grabs her. "Where ya going?" Jessica asks her. Cotton smiles at her. "I wanna get some food. Want me to get you anything?" Jessica's worries went out the door when she heard that. A relief came over her. "Um just suprise me, and don't be gone to long." Jessica replies and kisses Cotton's forehead. "I won't."

Cotton went out of the hospital room and to the hospital kitchen. She conveniently ran into Sommers who had been admitted several days ago due to a mysterious infection underneath the skin. "Hey Cottie, Whatcha doing here?" Sommers asks curiously. Cotton doesn't answer but merely keeps walking. Sommers found that odd and grabbed the little girl. "I asked you a question." Sommers said harshly. "I came to get some food for my mum." Cotton replies unphased by Sommers harshness. She didn't fear anything. She never did. Sommers knew that but there was something Cotton did fear, losing her family again. "Aw well let me help you." Sommers softened up. Cotton just nods and walks up to the buffet. She grabs a tray for her mum. She placed a plate and silverware on it. She went to where the food was. She had trouble reading the signs. "You can't see the signs can you?" Sommers asks her, noticing Cotton was squinting her eyes. Cotton shook her head. Sommers could see perfectly since she wore glasses because of a her deteriorating eyesight. She read the first sign which said steak and mushrooms. "The first one says Steak and sautéed mushrooms. Do you think your mum would like that?" Sommers asks. Cotton nods. "Yeah." Sommers took a large steak and put it on the plate which remained on the tray. Sommers put a few mushrooms around the steak, then her and Cotton moved on. Sommers knew Jessica loved fettuccini pasta and put it on her plate.