Criminal [Book 2]

Chapter Twelve

Waking up on the hospital bed wasn't exactly comfortable for Beth. The blinds in the room hadn't been shut and the sun was blaring into her eyes. She was uncomfortable as she had slept with the clothes that she had on yesterday. She turned over on the bed and kicked her legs out. It looked like Jack hadn't made any movement since she fell asleep.

Beth got off the bed and went to the bathroom. Their little baby seemed to think her bladder was a toy in there. Once she was done, she made her way to the seat next to Jack's bed and sat in it. She held his hand and rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. She felt guilty for saying that she hated him and she knew he would be feeling the exact same way if the situation was switched.

She jumped when the door was opened slightly. She turned around to see Liam struggling to open the door. He was in a wheelchair with his broken leg for now. Beth went over to help him open the door and he invited her to have breakfast with him. She went off with him as she couldn't deny her hunger, no matter how much she wanted to stay in the room with Jack.

In the cafeteria, she got whatever looked acceptable to eat and sat at a table with Liam.

"I'm really sorry Beth, I honestly wish it was me instead of him" Liam said

"Don't say that, I'm glad you're okay to" Beth said giving him a half smile

"Still it would be better if it was me, he has a you and a little girl on the way, he has more responsibilities than me" Liam shrugged

"It could have been worse" Beth sighed

He dropped that subject. He seemed guilty but Beth didn't want him to feel that way. It couldn't be helped and it certainly wasn't his fault.

"He's really excited for this baby you know?" Liam said with a smile "He never stops talking about her"

"I'm really excited to" Beth said looking down at her bump

"I'm so glad he found someone like you, he was actually really scared he would grow old alone" Liam said

"I mean I know we fell in love in really unusual circumstances but I love him" Beth nodded

"You know he'll be fine right? Somewhere in his brain he knows he has to be fine for you and the little one" Liam said

"I have every faith in him that he'll be okay for this baby coming" Beth said

"You should go home and get some proper rest" Liam suggested

"Yeah, you're probably right" Beth sighed

"He'll wake up and you'll have your baby together and it'll be perfect" Liam said

"Thank you" Beth smiled at him

Later on, Beth managed to get a hold of Arianna and she picked her up and took her back to her house. The first place she went to first was the nursery. She sat in there making sure it was tidy and organised for their little girl. Really, it took her mind off everything for a while but being in the house on her own in the quiet was bothering her so she decided to go out.

Beth took the car and she drove for a couple of hours. She ended up back where she used to live and she couldn't help but park up and go for a walk. She hadn't been back here since she and Jack moved from the house they used to live in with the boys. Nothing had changed, only that no one knew her anymore. She didn't get hellos from the recognisable strangers in the street.

She walked into the coffee shop she had been in many times and ordered herself a hot chocolate and a muffin. She turned to find a table and bumped into someone she thought she would never see again.

"James?" Beth asked

"Beth?" James asked in a hushed tone

"I'm glad you remember my face" Beth said

"Like I would forget" James said "You're pregnant?" He added looking down at her swollen stomach

"We have a lot to catch up on" Beth nodded

"Let me get my coffee and we'll get a table" James nodded

Beth waited for him to get his order and they found a table at the back of the shop so they could talk. She found it so strange to see his face again.

They talked for a while and she went on to explain her situation with Jack in hospital and the baby. She told him about it being a baby girl and he was actually happy for her but sad that she didn't have Jack at her side right now.

"I really hope he gets better soon Beth" James smiled at her, finding it still slightly weird to be saying such things about a criminal.

"Me too, i need him" Beth said

"I'm sure it will work out" James said

"So what about you? Got a girlfriend?" Beth asked

"Yes actually, we've been together for a while, thinking about asking her to move in" James smiled showing Beth a picture of her

"Its her" Beth said

"You know her?" James asked

"She was the girl who recognised me at the store" Beth said

"Oh she recognised you, it may be because of the pictures around the house" James said

"Oh, I panicked a little bit when she did" Beth said

"Yeah, she's a curious one" James laughed

"I miss you James" Beth said

"I miss you too, we should make a habit of seeing each other more now" James said

"Definitely" Beth smiled

After a while, Beth decided it was probably time for her to go back and see Jack. She went back home to get everything she needed and went back to the hospital with her own car. Arianna was there and she kept Beth company for a while. She told her that things were looking up and everything will be fine. Beth had hope.