The day I wrote a song about you

Chapter 23: Mess

"Where's my son?" Brandon flared his nostrils as he entered the waiting room. Ash was behind him, looking flustered as he tried to keep up with his pace.

"He's in room 234 with Cara."

He turned around quickly, and I tried to get up as quick as he did, although my hip betrayed me and I fell down on the chair again. "I don't think you can go inside-" I tried to tell him.

Brandon's eyes were in flames as he approached me one last time. "Don't tell me what I can or can't do." He pointed at my face. "This is all your fault, if you didn't distract my sister with your fucking-"

If Cara wouldn't have made an appearance right at that moment, making Sandro cry for his father, maybe Oscar and Oli's gasps could have sounded louder. However, I heard them pretty clear beside me.

"What's wrong? Is he okay?" Brandon asked quickly lifting the boy to check him out. Sandro wouldn't stop crying, his face covered in tears.

"He's fine. They said he's only drank a bit of it. They did a stomach pumping." Cara let out a shaky breath, her trembling hand pushing her baby hairs off her forehead. "He's gonna be fine."

"Can we go home now?"

"Yeah, he might cough or puke over the night and his chest might hurt a little, but he'll be fine-"

"Good. And just to be clear," he approached Cara and looked at her straight in the eyes while he hugged Sandro hard against his chest. "I'm blaming this all on you and your stupid boyfriend over there."

With the help of the twins, I had managed to stand up, and I was left wide eyed and speechless in the middle of the waiting room, pressing my lips together. Oscar and Oli were also really quiet as they watched it all.

Ash took a step towards Cara. "Don't mind him. He's just angry at himself 'cause he can't be with Sandro at all times. You know how he is." He made a face and let his eyes scan me. "Thanks for bringing him quick."

I nodded, hiding my bottom lip inside my mouth.

"You're coming back with us?"

"Nico can give me a ride." She glanced at me, asking with her eyes and I gave her a little smile.

"Guys, come on." Ash nodded to her brothers, gesturing for them to walk.

"No! We want to go with Nico, too!" They said at the same time. I wasn't used to it, it still creeped me out.

Ash sighed and ran a hand along his face. "Okay. I'll go calm Brandon down now. You got Sandro's booster seat?"

Cara nodded, probably still a little shocked about her brother's words. We went down to the parking lot, gave the seat to Brandon, who took it without even looking at her and drove away.

Before we got into the car, the twins shared a look before stepping forwards and wrapping their arms around Cara's legs.

"It wasn't your fault." Oli whispered, hugging her tighter.

Oscar shook his head. "He's only two."

Cara smiled and put a hand on each of their backs.

"McDonald's?" I asked. I wanted to get out of that fucking hospital now. Seeing the nurses, the beeps that could be heard and all those children trapped in there really got me. I needed a distraction from it all. "My treat." Cara stared at me unsure. "It's late." I said as an excuse. To be honest, I was feeling really bad for her. Her eyes looked so empty, as if she wanted to cry.

When the kids were digging into their happy meals in the back seats, I turned to Cara, who was staring blankly at her salad. I offered her some of my fries. She smiled and grabbed a few.