Here, Here! I bring an update! I owe you all a huge apology for taking literally over a month to even start to type out an update, feel free to be mad at me.
So in the past chapters I have brought nothing but heartache and tears to this story, but I'm not apologizing! Just Kidding. I'm sorry, I did that to all you readers, especially after reading all your reviews, thank you for those by the way
From here to about I'd say 4 more chapters there is no sadness, so I gave you that at least. Let's forget that 4x20- to the present episodes have ever happened. They were mostly bad anyway, so keep the goodness of S4A fresh in your minds. Plus the new and last installment of SL comes back in just a little over a month!
Some people have told me that I need to make my chapters longer, so I kind of did with this one. Now it's time to read!
"Now open your eyes Amy, everything will be ok. Just open your eyes…"
Her eyes shot open. Finding what was still there when she closed them. Her gaze went to her dark black clothing, feeling the emptiness consume her once more. Rising slowly she made her way to the window. "Why did this have to happen?" she questioned the now moonlit sky, putting her shaky palm to the cool glass, half expecting to have Ricky meet it with his own on the other side. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gripped the framing of the window sill. Her knees began to give out, sending her aching body to the floor. Face down into the fuzzy carpet with her knees drawn in, she let out an ear-piercing scream; letting all the pain and sorrow and remorse for the loss she suffered flood her feeble body.
"Amy…" came a distant whisper. Her hands pounded harder into the carpet hearing the whisper once more "Amy…"
"Amy… "Ricky whispered, shaking her shoulder gently, "Amy, wake up…"
Amy gasped and opened her eyes at the sound of his soft voice. Tears formed in her eyes when she saw his perfect face- alive and well.
Ricky stared down at her teary eyes, "You ok?" he asked in a soft whisper.
Amy bit her lip to keep it from trembling as her tears fell down her cheeks. Opening his arms to her, Ricky wrapped them around in a firm embrace. She buried her face in the sleeve of his shoulder, crying away the terrible nightmare her mind bestowed upon her.
Ricky tightened his grip "Nothing is going to get you now, I promise" he coaxed, giving Amy's temple a sweet kiss while rocking her gently against him in the silence of the night. _
Next Morning
Ricky was sleeping peacefully on his back, arms still securely wrapped against his fiancée; her body embraced tightly against him, clutching his t-shirt with her fist. The sound of a drum solo filled the silence of the tiny apartment. Ricky's eyes fluttered open, drawing in a deep sigh as he slowly started to remove himself from Amy's grip, careful not to wake her and headed towards the shower.
Once showered and dressed, Ricky emerged from the hallway; spotting Amy still sleeping with John sprawled out all over next to her. Chuckling to himself, he pulled out his phone, angling it just right before pushing the button.
Amy's body twitched slightly at the noise, causing her to roll onto her back, eyes sleepily trying to open as she let out a soft yawn, "mmm what time is it" she questioned sleepily.
Ricky shoved his phone back into the pocket of his jeans before looking towards the digits of the clock "7:15" he answered.
Amy draped her arm over her eyes "ughhh!" she groaned "why does it have to be so early!"
"Because the universe decided that they wanted you to get up" he enthused sarcastically.
She let out another small groan before removing her arm from her eyes. "Ugh, really john?", Amy groaned, gesturing to the small toddlers foot resting uncomfortably between her breasts; Removing it gently not to wake him, before slowly shaking herself awake and heading towards the kitchen.
John strolled into the kitchen moments later, rubbing his tiny fists against his eyes.
"Good Morning, buddy!" Amy chimed. His little feet walked slowly to his mother, whining as he outstretched his arms towards her.
Drawing John onto her lap, where he snuggled his small body into her, Amy pressed her pursed lips to his temple; kissing it softly, her eyes filling with concern. "Hey Ricky, can you come here a sec?"
Ricky set his half full cereal bowl on the counter and walked over to the table. "What's wrong?"
Amy's gesture went towards John "Tell me if he feels warm to you" Ricky placed his hand against John's forehead, his eye brows furrowing. "Yeah he is a bit warm; I'll look for the thermometer". John began to whimper into her shoulder. "Its okay baby"she coaxed while laying her hand on Johns head, playing with his messy, shaggy hair.
Ricky re-entered the room with the thermometer, placing it in Amy's free hand. She took the cone-shaped tip and placed it firmly in Johns right ear, causing the little boy to let out an ear-piercing shriek- the discomfort now clear to his parents. Amy's face was clear she now knew what was wrong and placed the device in the opposite ear. After a minute the device beeped, its green digits reading 101.3. Amy removed the thermometer from her sons' ear and laid it on the table top in front of her, meeting Ricky's confused gaze. "He's got another ear infection" she exclaimed.
"Are you sure this time? Maybe he just has a fever".
Amy's eyes shot up at him, "We are not doing this again, Ricky, we're just not. He's sick you know it and I know it so let's just get this over with" annoyance laced in her tone.
Ricky's eye scanned the whimpering two-year old carefully. Analyzing every aspect to make sure Amy was right, which she was. John's cheeks were red as beets; his tiny body snuggled tight into Amy, whimpering slightly while attempting to grab his ears. He sighed "Fine you win"
"Thank you! Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to shower" She stood up and handed John to his father, who rested the boy against his shoulder as he watched Amy walk away.
Ricky opened the wooden cabinet by the fridge, revealing a medium-sized bottle of Children's Tylenol. Using his free hand to remove the small plastic cup, he opened the child proof cap; pausing for a moment to retrieve the small baby syringe that was kept, in a plastic bag, in the corner of the cabinet.
He used the syringe to absorb the medicine before strolling over to place john in the high chair- he was getting way too big for. Taking a seat next to his son, he attempted to spoon feed fruity pebbles into John's mouth. Ricky got about 4 good bites of cereal in. "No more!" John whined, pushing the spoon away.
"You need to eat more buddy. This medicine I'm going to give you says you have to be full or you will get sick. So come on just 2 more bites, that's it." Ricky pleaded pushing another giant spoonful of cereal towards the 2 year old- who of course smacked it away, causing the spoon to flip and the food to fly. "Great" Ricky grunted as he stood. Grabbing a paper towel from the rack to swiftly wipe the mess John created, he pressed a wet rag onto the floor to absorb the liquid.
Once that was finished he grabbed the baby syringe off the table and walked back over to john, who was using his hands to feed himself. "I thought you didn't want anymore?" he questioned his son, who just looked at him. "Alright little guy it's time for this" he gesturing to the instrument in his hand, slowly pressing the tip of the syringe to Johns lips. John puckered his face and refused to let the liquid slide past.
Ricky- frustrated and tired- inched the syringe closer. Knowing John was barricaded inside the high chair was an advantage. Fidgeting his small torso away, Johns lips parted "nooooo" he whined. Seeing John's mouth open to wine louder in protest, Ricky quickly shoved the tip inside and pressed the plunger- sending all the red liquid in a heap into the child's mouth.
"There, all done!" he said proudly. John coughed and cried in response reaching his small arms out to his father who, took the boy to the sofa bed and rested comfortably beside him.
Ricky peeked over to see Johns eyes closed, a light congested snore coming from him. He looked at the clock, gently removing himself from the mattress and walked towards the bathroom door.
Amy was still in the shower humming softy, the room filling with steam. A devious smile crossed Ricky's lips as he drew the curtain back. "Eeekkkk" Amy screeched, "You scared me, you jerk!" She shouted while attempting to cover her bare chest with her hands. His lip curled up seductively, eyes scanning her naked figure, "mmm".
Amy caught his eyes and bit her lip. Curling her index finger, motioning for him to come closer- he obeyed. "Hi" she said, seduction laced in her tone, draping her arms around his broad shoulders-soaking his medicine splattered t-shirt.
"Hi" Ricky repeated in a husky whisper, looking deep into her lust filled eyes. Her lips found his, slow and sweet. Amy pushed her body closer to him- feeling his strong hands roam up and down her bare skin.
Hearing a small cry from the other room, they pulled apart, breathless. Amy removed her hands from his shoulders as Ricky removed his hands from her bare body, a deep sigh coming from them both. "That's my cue, I guess" He pulled away from the shower to go out the door.
"You awake now little man?' he questioned, removing his now soaked t-shirt from his torso. Walking over to the sofa, he picked John up and gently placed him on the floor. Ricky gathered up all the blankets from the mattress and with one hard push, pushed the mattress into the sofa; Swiping John back into his grip and sitting on the now made sofa. John's chubby fists rubbed into his eye sockets, as the crying got louder.
Amy breezed through the living room to take the screaming toddler from his father. Who, she could tell was beginning to get aggravated. Ricky went to get a new shirt from the bedroom. "Daddddyyyy" came the muffled cries once more. Ricky returned, "See ya later" kissing Amy's temple.
"You sure you don't want to go with us?" she questioned almost pleadingly.
"I would but I have to work… sorry" he answered.
"It's ok"
"You sure? I mean I can level something with Bunny, I guess."
"No. That's ok, we need the money. Plus it's not like this is my first time taking him to the doctor. "
"Yeah, I know" he paused a moment. "Be good for mommy, buddy" Brushing his hand along the side of johns head before giving his forehead a gentle kiss.
"Daddyy noo byyyee byyeee" John slurred between his saliva creating sobs- which, was starting to soak his shirt.
Ricky gave his son another kiss on the forehead. Looking Amy in the eyes "bye" he pecked his lips to hers and walked out the door; leaving Amy to reason with her restless toddler. "Daddddyyyy noooo byeee byeee" he cried holding onto his right ear. Amy let out an exhausted and aggravated sigh "John your just going to hurt your ear more if you keep crying, baby" she tried to coax. When his crying ceased slightly she took the small boy to get cleaned up.
"What is going on up there? Are you killing the poor kid?" Bunny walked up beside Ricky who was packing meat into a labeled box. His eyes shot up as he faced the red-head. "What? No. At least I hope Amy isn't anyway."
"Ok so why does it sound like someone is screaming bloody murder up there, hmm?"
"One word- John." Just then Amy came down with a still screaming John. Her expression was restless and tired as she walked right up to Ricky and Bunny; John squirming in her arms. "Now I see why" was Bunny's response.
"Does that offer about you going with us still stand?" Amy questioned trying to talk over the screaming, while adjusting the red hood of johns' jacket on his head. Ricky looked from John, to Amy to Bunny. Bunny titled her head up "Go on, We got it."
Ricky wiped off his apron and grabbed John from Amy- both silently thanking Bunny before walking out the door.
The car came to a halt as Ricky pulled his silver Hybrid into a vacant space in the parking lot. Drawing out a long breath, he grabbed a very sleepy John out of his car seat and met Amy's hand with his own.
The trio walked into the large brick building; pictures of children and animals lined the walls leading to a large gray door with a silver hooked handle. Gripping the cold silver with his free hand, Ricky opened the door- letting Amy in before himself. Amy's eyes glanced around the room, seeing the many mothers with their children.
Ricky brushed her shoulder with his palm, "I'm gonna go find us a place to sit". She nodded slightly turning to the small reception window on her left. "Juergens" she informed a spiky brown-haired nurse, who handed her a small clipboard with paper attached. "Sign those" the nurse informed, handing her a pen.
Ricky found a small sector off to the corner of the busy waiting room, weaving through small children with toys, before sitting down. Placing John as comfortably on his lap as possible, he maneuvered his right hand under the toddler's arm- holding firm. Amy walked slowly to the spot next to Ricky, drawing her body closer into the chair. Reaching out, she grabbed Ricky's left arm and rested gently against it, snuggling in closer, in the crevice of his torso.
"Comfy?" he asked, lacing his fingers with hers- which lay against her knees. She nodded. "Good". Craning his neck slightly to kiss her head before laying his own against the cold wall.
Moments later Ricky felt a swift twitch of a small foot against his calf. One eye slowly opened as the whimpers began; he could feel the wetness of the tears against his thin, white t-shirt. The whimpers became smaller but louder cries, causing his other eye to open. Now fully awake, he looked down at his son, who had tears rolling down his small pink cheeks.
"Owwwwwiieee" John cried, pressing his tiny hands to his right ear, saliva gathering at the corners of his mouth. Ricky pulled John closer into him and reached for his diaper bag that was sitting next to him. With his hand semi free, he pulled out the blue and black Sippy cup that was resting in the holder on the right; handing it to john to keep him quite.
After what felt like forever, a blonde nurse called out the door, "Juergens".
Amy quietly stood, gathering their belongings; Ricky carefully eased john off his lap to stand up himself, taking the small boy by the hand.
The nurse led the three to a blue colored room, where green dinosaurs stretched across the borders of the walls. Amy took a seat on a black plastic chair lining the wall next to the child exam table.
Once inside the small room the nurse extended a hand out "come on little guy, let's go see how big you've gotten" she said sweetly. John hesitantly accepted and placed his chubby hand into hers, walking towards the door.
The two disappeared down the hallway to a small little room off to the right, where various scales and machines sat.
John's eyes scanned over the machines, his sight set on a black scale with a rod sticking out. "Wats dis?" he questioned, letting go of the nurses' hand to point at the object.
"That is a scale, that's how we measure how big and tall little boys like you are" she answered, pointing at his head in a playful way. "Can you do me a favor and take off your shoes, so you can step on this scale Huh, can you do that for me?" she questioned the small boy.
John bent down to undo the black Velcro attached to his black and red sneakers, with the help of the nurse before stepping on to the scale.
"Alright, now hold really still and stand straight" she ordered. The toddler stared straight ahead, the rod touching the tip of his nose. "3 feet, 2 inches and 40lbs, wow you're a tall little peanut. Let's go tell your mommy and daddy!" He nodded and followed out the door.
Amy and Ricky sat side by side in the little blue room, both texting on their phones. "Wow… just, wow" Amy said aloud, breaking the silence- starring intensely at her phone screen.
Ricky looked up from his own phone to see what her sudden outburst was about "what, what happened now."
"Lauren just told me that Madison was by her locker running her mouth yet again about me and Lauren. Can you believe that skank!" she shouted a little too loudly, looking at Ricky who just rolled his eyes.
"Don't you think you should break away from this petty teenage girl drama Amy? I mean I get that you are mad about what happened and all but it's done and over. It's time to get over it and shouting about how you think your ex friend or whatever is a skank is not the answer, and this is certainly not the place for its" he scolded.
Amy glared at him but before she got a chance to respond to his scolding, John rushed through the door. "Hey buddy" Ricky greeted, signaling for John to sit next to him "C'mere".
John walked towards his father, placing his hand on Ricky's left knee. Ricky smiled down at the boy, who returned the same gentle smile. "So how did everything go?" he asked, looking from john to the nurse on his right.
"Good" John chimed jumping a little from his spot, hitting his moms' foot. "Ow" Amy said nonchalantly, still typing out a text; prompting a silent look from Ricky.
"Des what daddy, I got big!" John shouted excitedly clearing sensing the tension between his parents.
"Yes you did." The blonde nurse nodded. "He's now 3 feet -2 inches and 40 lbs; he's a big little guy!
"Wow!" said Ricky in his child's excitement voice. "High five!" The boy gave his excited father a hardy high-five and giggled when Ricky flung his hand exaggerating the pain. "Ow buddy not so hard" he grinned.
Dr. Hightower poked her head through the metal framed door. "Can I come in?" The blonde nurse nodded "I'll be back later" smiling and walked out the door. The metal door closed with a clink against the frame as Dr. Hightower strode over to the child examine table, laying her clipboard on the corner; motioning for John to sit on the table as well. "Can you come up her with me please?" she asked. Ricky lifted him on the table, sliding the red hood off to slide John's messy hair down.
"How are you, John?" Dr. Hightower asked the red hooded boy. Amy- who had finally put her phone away answered. "He's got another ear infection. "
"Oh no, that's not good. No not good at all." she said in a voice John would better understand; stooping in front of him; Pulling out a long, white thermometer from its holder. "Can I take your temperature?" John nodded slowly, allowing the object to slide into his mouth. A minute passed marking the beep of the white object. "Hmmm well, your temperature says 99.8." Pulling a stethoscope from her neck, and plugging her ears moved the big cold piece to the black fabric of Johns, Cars t-shirt. "Hmmm well you don't sound congested either. What's going on little guy, hmm?" John moved his hand to his right ear, touching it lightly "owwie."
Dr. Hightower retrieved a black instrument with a cone-shaped tip, from the metal holder on the wall. Bringing the cold device to the toddler's ear. Feeling the cold and the pressure from the medical instrument, John let out a shriek. The doctor ignoring Johns cries -moved the device deeper, letting the bright light at the end show into the child's ear further. The shrieking got louder before Dr. Hightower pulled the instrument out completely, a solemn expression on her face. "Well, John doesn't have an ear infection. However, he does have a lot of wax build up inside that ear, and judging by when I looked in his mouth to take his temperature; his tonsils are enlarged quite well. Probably what's causing his screaming fits, the pressure from both of them." She said calmly.
Ricky and Amy gave each other confused looks. "So what's that mean, exactly?" Amy asked.
"It means 3 things. 1) John has to have all that wax removed. 2) He more than likely needs tubes in his ears for his constant ear infections. And 3) I would recommend removing his tonsils early, so that he won't be in as much pain, since they are rubbing against his throat." Dr. Hightower exclaimed.
"So wait… He needs… Surgery?" Ricky questioned hesitantly.
"Yes, I would strongly recommend it for him."
Amy gave Ricky a scared look. "So when will it happen?" she asked.
"Tomorrow."
I finally updated, so what did you think? Are you pissed it was only a dream that Ricky died or are all you guys really happy? Let me know what you think in a review : P Btw thank you for reading, I know you all are probably pissed off at me for not updating in like 3 months. I'm sorry; I'm striving to try harder if that helps.