Chapter 53

People, it's to be expected that I wake up in the hospital. And you would be right because I did. I woke up in a hospital bed, physically. Mentally, I was in hell because I was sure that I had died. I was so sure that I wouldn't make it, just because the pain was so great; and because I survived too much and figured my luck was out.

"Albany?" I heard a soft and gentle voice whisper, as if slowly pulling me towards the surface. It sounded like Emily... I went near it and as I did, the more my pain came back; the more conscious I became. I felt the need there... to push. To move forward towards the top and the break of surface

"Shh, don't wake her, sweetie. She'll wake up when she can," I heard another voice a moment later, seemingly louder, closer and deeper. I went towards it, the darkness around me turning more into white light and consciousness.

It took me a moment in the darkness to fully realize and reach my destination. I became more aware of my surroundings. The sweet smell of wherever I was, the silence behind every breath of mine. I heard some mumbling as well and though the words were too quiet to understand fully, I knew there were people around me. I could feel eyes resting on me, the gentle breaths in the room colliding together. I heard the slight ring of a beep, the annoying repeating rhythm dancing inside me. As every second passed with that slow annoying ring, the scent of sweetness filling me, the small murmuring... the more awake I came to be.

When I opened my eyes, I didn't understand why I was staring up at a ceiling. It should be the Earth I fell from into Hell. My vision cleared and a scared silence surrounded me. As well as a shit ton of pain pulsing in my body, sharp and sore. With that terrible pain spread over my body came the reason why I was hurt even more clearly.

It hit me all at once. Everything.

I was chased by Mark. In every way you can be chased it seemed. It ended in me upside down in Luke's truck on the side of the road, gasoline drenched over me. Then the next thing that happened came to my mind. That I was going to die. I remembered the pain being much worse than it is now. I was about to be burned to death in a matter of seconds. It was really rather amusing. I figured Mark was just trying to give me a quick transition into hell by liting me on fire considering that's all that would be keeping me busy in hell anyway. But Luke saved me. He came, pulled me out, saved me then he shot Mark down. Five shots, I recall all too clearly.

I felt my lips part and I breathed deeper, my sight coming back even more as I blinked. But my mind was still exsiting in a different world. Because what I recall even more clearly was what occurred before all of that. The strong moment Luke and I shared together. Oh god, it was so much more vivid too than the rush that happened directly after. I couldn't stop seeing it in my head again as I laid there, facing up. Those gorgeous tortured eyes before his longing lips. His strong bare arms wrapping around my body and holding me against him... holding me by my hair against his crazed lips when he wrapped me against him in his lap... Oh god Luke. What has that man done to me to make my mind surrender to him and not something that neary killed me instead?

I closed my eyes, wanting to go back under and rest. But that voice... it sounded just like Emily's and it spoke again. "I think she's up, daddy. Look!"

I couldn't give that up to go back under just because I was tired. I missed Emily so much.... I kept my eyes wide open, trying to stay awake as I heard more movement take place in the room. When I finally was able to turn my head in the desperate desire to find the source of that voice, my heart fell to ice with no relief of that of Emily.

When my eyes found her, I grew cold again of disappointment that it wasn't Emily. Brooke gave me a gentle smile, her small shy lips tilting up under her big beautiful eyes. It was torture. She not only looked like her, she sounded like her or so I thought those few seconds ago. Brooke's features came more into focus as did the rest of my surroundings. The hospital bed, the cords hooked up to me, all the machines beside my bed, and all the people sitting around in the small room.

My eyes looked around more frantically and it registered. I was in a hospital.... I felt and heard the rate of my heart change and along with an already sick feeling inside me, the hurt was growing at the knowledge of where I was.

Before I had the chance to react as I would to being in a hospital - sitting up and trying to get the hell out - something held me back. I felt myself gasp and try to sit up in haste, needing out. Out! I couldn't go through this again, no more! No more doctors, no more inaccurate and false tests, no more harassment's and being bound to a bed leaving me helpless...

Someone grasped my arm or rather, already was before I reacted. The strong grip kept me down and against the bed when I instantly tried to get up. What ever was keeping me pinned down was making the pain in me increase a little, making me grunt as I tried my hardest to raise myself up. But I was just so drained and weak, it didn't take much for whoever it was to keep me down.

"It's okay, it's okay," a husky voice said, close to my side. I wanted to find the source of whoever this was so as I turned towards that voice, I looked into his kind and sympathetic eyes. Not Luke's but I surprisingly saw that it was Mike. His pursed lips and tight grip on my arm kept me down as I stared in fright through his eyes. I wasn't sure what to think, even if I trusted Mike. Right now, I didn't want to even trust myself. "You're safe and we wont let anything happen to you, hon. Especially that badass son-of-mine cop that wouldn't stop making sure everything was perfect for you," he said, the words reaching the air holding a tone of amusment.

Waking up in a hospital was enough of a shock to last me a good year after all the events that were still reoccurring in my head. It took me a moment to register his words completely and after staring into his raw honest eyes, I knew he was right. I was safe, despite my past experiences at the doctors or in the hospital before. I wasn't here for tests, or because Clare beat my ass bad enough, or so the doctors could purposefully harass me. I was here with reason and whatever they do to me here will be because of that reason - because I was hurt very badly. Not to mention, I had enough people in the room to know I was okay. Strangely, looking around, my eyes stopped on where they all sat at attention around the bed.

Brooke was the first person I saw. Now, I let myself assess that Francis was here too, supporting his daughter who sat in his lap. Francis's eyebrows were creased in absolute worry, his lips thin and his body full of tension. When he saw that my eyes fell on him, he gave me a reassuring smirk. But I was able to see right behind it, the guilt that was thriving under his skin. I'm sure that had to do with leaving just before Mark showed up. He should know that was completely my own stupid fault.

Sitting next to Francis was Jan, her gentle eyes full of sympathy like Mike's was. She gave me a loving smile when I looked to her, showing me her complete support. She looked somewhat messy - which sounded worse than it really was. More like shook up I guess you could say or not really prepared in her perfectness like she usually was.

I noticed right away Luke wasn't in the room. But Mike's words rung loud and clear. That he was off his rocker in worry, making sure everything was comfortable, safe, and reassuring for me. It was so beautiful, even if I didn't know where he was now. Because I at least had a good understanding with those words and just how he is that he is around here somewhere if he wasn't in my sight.

Clare wasn't here either but I mean really, was that such a shocker? After all, she is such a loving and involved mother. How I wished it was her Luke repeatedly shot and not Mark. I'd rather it be that bitch any day.

Thoughts of her didn't last quick when my eyes continued through the room and landed on a small table by the window. I was more shocked by whatever the hell this was than the people here to visit me. The fact that they brought me flowers, dozens of them in elaborate vases. I saw a few balloons and some small teddy bears next to the flowers, facing the bed where I rested now. I only ever heard about things like this happening; people getting things when they were ill or maybe hurt. Something like 'get well soon' or whatever that is. I never thought I would ever receive anything like their sympathy let alone flowers and other small gifts for it too.

I didn't understand my issue or what the hell was wrong with me. Because while my eyes looked over everything they brought then back to those wonderful people themselves... I felt myself crack. Like a pathetic little toy, too fragile to be handled with such hate then absolute love. Love. I was unfamiliar with the word in every aspect of it when it was being aimed at me.

I felt my eyes go over all their caring faces again. Who would do this for me... who would bring me these things? Who would bother to sit and wait until I wake up? I knew Luke cared but why did they have to do the same? It wasn't like I was feeling sorry for myself, I just didn't really know how to deal with this or what to think of it. It was just so... unheard of for me.

I felt the compelling nature of tears want to escape my eyes and I forced them down, not willing to cry. I can't keep breaking like this, being so weak in front of people. I just... was so taken over by what they did for me. By just being here. They were the closest thing to family I had. I wished in that moment that more than ever, Mike and Jan were my parents. I wouldn't have minded that at all.

"Albany!" I heard her small voice come to life and my heart jumped more at that innocent and loving voice. Looking to her, I watched as she climbed down off her dad's lap before he could do anything and she climbed up the side of my bed as quick as she could. I felt my lips tilt up in watching her. So beautiful and innocent... my heart hurt just watching her. Though her grandparents and dad quickly protested, she didn't listen. I kind of liked that about her.

She came to kneel right in front of me, careful not to pull any cords from IVs or hurt me in any way. She bit her lip, her cheeks blushing slightly as she looked at me. Though there was still some look of caution in her eyes, I knew she liked me and I enjoyed that more than I figured I would. I gave her an amused smile, unsure of how one acts around children. It all seemed so fake, the way adults go about acting in front of children. But I wont lie, she was very cute and I adored her.

She was quick to raise her hand a second later after she settled on the bed and pointed off to the side, near the table. "D-Did you see?! Did you see the presents we got you!" She asked, all excited.

"Honey, you should give Al--" Jan started but Brooke continued to speak, seeing this as a very important job to tell me.

"Did you see them Albany? I got you the yellow ones right there! Those there," she pointed again, making sure I saw. "And I picked out that little bear right there," she pointed over to the little brown bear that held a small heart with a cute face. "Do you like them?"

I could only smile at her, despite the amount of pain I began to feel. I rested my head back against the pillow, looking down to her and nodded. "Yes. I saw them and they look beautiful," I told her instantly with a bright smile. "Thank you so much! I love the flowers you always seem to get me," I said, recalling that not a few days ago, she brought me a flower after Clare kicked my ass at school. Anymore flowers and I'll be a true pansy.

As I watched her kneeling there, still trying to process everything and not think about crying, Brooke leaned forward and wrapped her arms around my neck gently, giving me a heart breaking hug. "No matter how strong daddy acts around you, he was very worried and sad you got hurt," she whispered quietly in my ear so he wouldn't hear.

Her words made my insides hurt more than they probably should have. I didn't like the fact that it was Francis that felt sad and worried over me. He shouldn't for the fact that it wasn't his issue and for the fact that I was fine now. Regardless, lightly, I raised my hands as much as I could, giving her a hug back.

It was clear that they weren't happy at how abrupt Brooke was acting. But once she said that and I hugged her back as best as I could, my eyes couldn't help but fall to Francis. He always kept a good face and through I knew he felt guilty, it meant more coming from Brooke. If she was able to notice her father's misery, it must have been something of great power. I looked at him with different eyes.

His hazel eyes met mine through his thick glasses and they radiated so much power, I wasn't sure what to think. Absolute guilt and relief filled his beautiful eyes and I wasn't sure I ever saw a look so... intimate or vulnerable from him. It nearly amounted to the power sometimes given to me by one of Luke's stares.

"I'll go get Lucas," I heard Jan say, my eyes finding her after Brooke moved away from my arms. Watching Jan, I saw her stand up from where she was sitting. Her caring eyes met mine when she stood and she answered my questioning gaze. "He wouldn't sit in here and wait with us. I think it was too much for him. I'll get him now that you're up."

Luke couldn't take sitting in here while I was unconscious? It was too much for him...? I didn't like that at all. He was in that much pain that he didn't want the reminder of what was causing it. If Francis was beating himself up as it was, I understood now just how bad Luke must feel where he couldn't even be in the same room where I rested. It hurt him too much to see me, see my abused body... I can only imagine the shit he is going through with everything that happened.

Jan pursed her lips and I watched as she moved towards the door which she soon opened and left. Going to get Luke. This would be interesting I guess you could say. I wasn't sure what to expect from him after all that has happened. I personally would have gotten drunk or something along those lines. But I wasn't Luke.

A moment after she left, she was soon to return, and in tow, was her son. Supporting a white button up shirt and jeans, I took him in the second he was in sight. I felt and heard my heart jump in beats and felt the torturing twisting of a pain in my chest. When his eyes met mine... I wasn't sure what to do. Because it was just so beautiful to see him look at me with such a gaze. One filled with desire and relief and anxiousness. His thick eyebrows raised along with the light in those jade puddles, his breath growing as well I noticed. Eyes searching mine, he froze in place as his mother went back to sit down next to Francis. All he could manage was just standing there and staring at me. I loved it, loved that stare, despite everything that has happened.

It was as if everything faded, all but him. I watched his facial expression shift and he bit his lip after a quiet moment. I hurt so badly... just seeing him here, now, and so dedicated to make everything perfect in my condition, my breaths grew jagged too. He was so beautiful, his hair shinning with the light that was entering through the windows. It lit his hair, his eyes, all of him until all I could see was my loving angel here to protect me.

Though I was amazed at his presence, I grew ashamed at the same time. He saved me, was there for me all this time.... And now, here I was again. Weak and bound, helpless. I wished there was just once where he didn't have to have such a small image of me that reminded him of how damaged I was. I was embarrassed and could feel that shame start to feel me when he looked into my eyes. However, he didn't seem to concerned over anything besides the fact that I was awake now.

"H-Hi..." I heard him say, voice higher than normal. He tried to even out his breaths when he took me in more. I watched as he slowly began to move again, walking towards me more. Moving towards the side of the bed, he carefully sat down, right on the edge near my outstretched legs under the covers. Brooke, still sitting up on the bed before me, looked between me and Luke before she climbed back down and off the bed. She made her way the few feet it took to get back to her father. Francis then proceeded to pick her up and put her on his lap.

"Hey," I breathed, only half present when he came to sit on the bed next to me. I pursed my own lips, sighing internally and not sure what else to say. Not when everything had come back to me; everything that happened and all that was said.

Luke took a deep breath, adverting his eyes for a moment to the floor. Not a second later though did he direct his attention up and to look to his family that sat next to me in the plastic chairs each room had, I assume. "Do you guys think Albany can have a moment to talk?"

"They don't need to leave," I said, somewhat out of nowhere considering I havn't spoken more than a few words since I've been up. But I loved the feeling that was surrounding me, the warmth they all gave me. And that's not to mention the security they seemed to offer me in such a place.

He met my eyes again after I spoke and his eyebrows lowered. He tried dissecting my words and after a moment of silence, he shook his head slowly. "No, I need to speak with you in private."

I sighed but said nothing, watching him still. However, when Mike stood and then Jan, my attention shifted to them. Mike looking down at me when he stood up, he leaned down and patted my hand where it rested on the covers, giving me a soft smile. "Get better, kid. We'll always be here for you," he said, eyes gentle and I watched as he took Jan's hand, who was standing at his side next to my bed.

Looking up at her kind eyes, I watched as she slowly bent over and closer to me. Jan leaning over me, she bent down and I watched in a daze and she pressed her lips against my forehead before she stood back up. I wasn't sure how I felt about it but all I knew was that this much affection wasn't healthy when given to me all at the same time. It was shock, really. But I accepted it nonetheless. Giving me a sympathetic smile herself, she and Mike then turned away and headed for the door.

Glancing to where Francis wrapped his arms around Brooke's small figure, he began to stand up. As he did though, Brooke's lips moved into a tight scowl. Looking at me in her father's arms, she said, "No, I don't want to leave Albany."

"We will visit with her later. Right now, her and Uncle Luke need some alone time," Francis whispered to her, his hand that wasn't supporting her raised and brushed her soft hair back. His genuine smile aimed at her then found mine and a spark lit his stare, one I admired and couldn't help but respond back to with my own smile.