Blown Apart

24

Chloe POV

Beca arrived at the hospital a couple hours later. She was tired and grouchy. I explained more of the situation. She sat with Cece while I showered and I was thankful that she brought me a change of clothes. The shower in Cece's room could be alot better but it's worth being able to have the feeling of being clean, the freshness of the shampoo in my head was amazing.

After the relief of the shower wore off and I left the reality of the constant change in temperature started to get annoying. I get out of the shower. I don't smell half as bad anymore and finally have a moment to breathe. I need to talk to Beca. I need to talk to my family.

I step out of the bathroom and see Cece is happily occupied on her phone. I take this opportunity to call Beca outside for a quick chat.

"Chlo about yesterday I..." She starts and I cut her off. I know what she is going to say and it's not worth the discussion. We are both stressed.

"Don't worry I get it. I'm the same which is why I think it's time to get the family down. They are just as worried as us and it may give us some time." She pauses thinking on how to respond. Knowing that it really is the best thing for us. Also I've been ignoring my sister phone calls for the last couple of days. I'm surprised she isn't already here but as she was in hawaii. She wanted an answer first.

"I don't know. We don't want to overload Bronte, the rest of our kids haven't seen her. Maybe wait until they do. I just don't want to rush them."

"I get that but what about the other three, we could spend more time with Brinte knowing the other three are with our families and them knowing that they are safe. Imagine if this was the other way around we would be there in a flash. They have been begging us all week to come. The only reason they haven't is because of their own kids! My parents on the phone were so relieved to be able to see the kids. I think it's unfair that we don't give that to them. And I don't want to bring this up but what if the worse happened... to Bronte."

"No no no don't think like that, she is going to be okay."

"I know, but they don't know that. And I can't ignore my sister forever. She is desperate to see Bronte."

"Okay, I think it would be good for us. All of us. We could maybe have some time for us. To think things over. Make this okay between us." Beca said reaching forward and putting her hands on my hip and pulling me close, and for a moment it felt like everything was okay. Like before everything went wrong. Then I pull away and see the bags around her eyes which mirror mine.

"I'll call her now, Katy I mean. She wants what she wants." I smile and lean away.

"You know what she wants, and she is going to be pissed you ignored her for so long!" Beca laughed, knowing my sister all too well.

"Then I'll call my parents about what is happening with the others, okay?" Beca nodded and kissed me for the first time in a couple of days. I hadn't even noticed. I relaxed into the moment, before she pulled away.

I looked down at my phone and noticed all the missed calls just from today there was six. The hundreds of messages she had sent and I've ignored. I told her we are all okay and that's it other than the stuff that's on the groupchat. But clearly that's not enough for her. It wouldn't be for me either. I dial her number and she picks up before the first ring even finishes.

"OMG about time! I've been calling and calling. How is she? How's my Bee? I need to know what is happening. You can't block me out Chloe! This is absolutely ridiculous! And the rest of the family are just as upset. None of us have been able to do it either. I get you are trying to be with your kids. But that's my niece! How is she? Is she talking? What happened? How bad is she? Is-"

"Katy Katy Katy slow down. I get it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Cody is okay. He wasn't inside when the bombs went off. Wait you know what happened, right?"

"Yes only because I googled it, after the messages on the family chat became weird. And then suddenly I was googling all the events that happened as I saw the school. A day after the event! I should be there now! This isn't fair. It was only then I called mom and spent all that time on the phone with her seeing what had happened. But turns out she didn't know either! Not about your kids anyway!"

"I'm sorry. I really am and I calling to say some good news at least-"

"That she is okay! My Bee is okay and the others."

"We are now inviting the family down to see everyone. So when you are back you can come back you should come in."

"You were saying about Bronte."

"It's not great. She had her right leg amputee above the knee. Major head bleeds. And severe internal bleeds at the scene. Last night she woke up and starting complaining of loads of pain and violently vomiting according to the Dr Grey. She has been amazing staying with her alot and-"

"What do you mean according to... why aren't you in there with her? She is in so much pain. She needs one of you there, not a random doctor. I'm so glad I'm nearly there."

"What do you mean nearly here.I thought you were in hawaii. You're not due back for like a week or so I swear!"

"But when your nieces and nephews are in trouble you make a point of getting here sooner."

"I appreciate that. And I think she does too. When she knows. Cece has high blood pressure she had heart issues when she was in the accident. They are keeping her in incase it leads to heart failure. Brynlee has a dislocated shoulder, broken elbow and ulna and wrist. But she is out so it's okay. Just the two are still in. We hope Cece will be out soon. And then it's just Bronte but she is, well we don't know how long until she will get out. She is in a bad place. And..."

"It's okay. She will be okay. I will be there later this evening. I got an earlier flight. It was difficult. All the flights were booked. I couldn't get any but I'm getting a cab now. I should be there later. I just couldn't wait for you idiots to call me! And I couldn't imagine little Bronte being on her own."

"She isn't alone, she has us."

"No she has Dr Black. Who sits with her rather than you. I get it you have four kids but I knew you would be with the others. Before I even knew she was the worst off, I knew you wouldn't be with her. And now hearing how she is she needs someone with her all the time. And I know you guys can't always give her that. Please I hope I'll be there by this afternoon. Latest tomorrow morning. Keep texting me okay? GIve me updates as soon as you hear them. Please Chlo?"

"I will. I'll let you know. She has gone into surgery now. She has been in for an hour or so. We are waiting on updates. But no news is good news. It means they are working hard. And It's Dr Grey. She has been a big help. She is a lot like you. I think you will like her."

"I'll be the judge of that. Okay."

"I love you!"

"I love you too Chloe, I'll see you soon."

I hand up the phone. She is right we haven't spent enough time with Bronte but the other fact is we have four children and we have to be with all of them. Beca comes back outside and wraps me in her arms. My little sister has always been with Bronte. So to no surprise she is all over Bronte's case. Beca told me that she called my mom, the kids would be brought up later in the day. Still not sure about when the kids will see Bronte. We don't know what state she will be in once she comes out. Also about talking to let Cece go home. We still have loads of family to call to get here. And check in on Aubrey her son. At least Beca and I had made up between us.