Chapter 9: CRASH!

I sat back up straight wondering on earth who would be calling at this late hour, "Hello?" I said cautiously into the phone.

"Miss Miley?" Said a deep voice.

"Yes this is she. Who is this?"

"Can't you guess miss 'I want to be drum major?'" Okay only one person would know I said that and that would've been—

"Nick?" I gasped suddenly sitting up straighter, "Why are you calling here so late?"

"Oh I can't sleep, you?"

"Um well, I was actually just about to fall asleep, but no worries, we can talk," I smiled even though I knew he couldn't see me.

"Thanks, hey you smiling?" Woah, mind reader much?

"Yeah…How did y-" I started.

"Turn around."

"What? Why…?" I said slowly, not wanting to turn around.

"Just please?" I did, but slowly to look out at the balcony, but there was nobody there. "You facing your balcony?"

"Yes, stop messing with me Nick, where are you, this is really kind of creepy you know!" I said because I was starting to get freaked out.

"I know Miley, just go outside and there's a box, open it."

"Okay…" I opened the sliding glass door pulling my robe tighter around me as cold air rushed in, "But where are you? You still haven't told me!"

"Doesn't matter. Open that box and you'll see."

"Okay," I saw the little box and I opened it up and there was a note inside. It read:

Miley—

You have been a great friend and I like you.

You have been amazing and sweet.

You have been there in my heart all the time.

And you are now one of the keys to my heart…

I found this poem on a best friend website and I hope you liked it. Can I come over?

Nick Jonas

I stared at the message before turning to the phone which had been silent. Nick was very patient when it came to a bunch of different things.

"Uh wow." Was the first thing I said.

"Is it bad? I-"

"No no. It's really good, did you really find this on the internet?"

"Actually yes I did, on a site that I posted this poem on that I wrote."

"You wrote this…Wow, this is amazing and so deep!" I was shocked that he did write this, it was really good!

"Why thank you…." He left off hanging and it seemed like he wanted to say something else.

"Is there anything else I should be looking for Nick? Any other special prizes I need to look for?" I asked wondering if he had other tricks up his sleeve.

"That depends…"

"On…?"

"On if you want to see me tonight…" My heart leapt, it literally almost jumped threw my throat and I had to choke it back down, coughing. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm glad." I said clearing my throat.

"So?"

"Well, yes I do want to see you." I said not convincingly.

"Now say it like you mean it."

"Nick Jonas, gosh darn it, I want to see you right now!" I almost yelled into the phone and I realized that what I said was true, I really did want to see him this very moment.

"Wish granted." And he hung up. Me squealing like a little girl, I ran back into my room to go and put my presentable pair of pajamas on. Instead of ripped and these smelly ones. The pajamas I just changed into the pants that had Christmas trees on them and the long sleeved short sleeved shirt had a big Christmas tree with presents all under them. These were pretty comfortable, but at least they were nicer. As I pulled on my robe the doorbell rang and I slipped out of the bedroom and then down the stairs.

I pulled open the door and saw a smiling Nick staring back at me, he had on sweatpants and a green jacket on it, it looked like the same one he wore in high school, "Hello." I said.

"Hello Miss Miley."

"Come in, come in, it's freezing out there! By the way, is that a new jacket?"

"No, it's from high school."

"I thought so!" I said closing the door behind him.

"Why?" He asked as I led him to the living room.

"Oh nothing, I just remember you wearing it all the time during your senior year."

"You remember?" He gapped.

"Yeah, I remember a lot of things about you Nick. Probably a lot more than you can give me credit for."

"Really?" Wow, you've got a really good memory."

"I've been told that." I smiled, sitting on the couch and he followed suite." So how are you doing? You happy it's Christmas break now?"

"Heck ya! I was so sick of the kids messing around today. They were nuts!"

"I'm sure they were, you're teaching high school right?"

"Correct, ugh." He rolled his eyes, "Who knew even high school kids could be crazy!"

I chuckled, "Well yeah it does, mine were okay."

"But yes I'm very happy, it's Christmas break."

"Me too. And with the family it'll be fun."

"You and Liam are back on good terms?" See I had told everything about Liam and I to Nick, just to hear his opinion and so he told me advice to just hang in there, he would come around once break hit, and so it had.

"Yeah actually, we've made up again and he's nice again. I'm happy he's back, I like him so much that I hate that we have been fighting nonstop for these past few months."

"I know. He should never have treaded you this way. No man should fight with a woman and then leave unless he has something to hide or is a complete coward."

"I know he's not a coward, and he can't be hiding anything from me, he just can't…"

"Hmm…Then I don't know what to say, but he's back so don't worry about it. You're totally fine now."

I smiled and leaned over and gave him s hug, "Thanks Nick, you always know what to say. You're a really good best friend, I love you."

I felt him tense a moment in-between my arms but then relaxed as he wrapped his arms around me. It was nice hug of best friend, and I didn't let go but I didn't want to start making it awkward, so I pulled away somewhat regretfully, 'Do you want to watch a movie?" I asked, "As long as it's not The Notebook, I just watched that about four or so hours ago."

"Alright," He got up and walked over to the cupboard, "Is this where your movies are?"

"Yes." I watched as he opened the cupboard and he bent over looking at all the movies.

Oh goodness! You can probably guess at what I was looking at. His butt, and I quickly turned away cursing myself, why was I starting to think that way. I liked Nick for six months in high school and that was it. Period. Instead, I looked at the TV screen trying to picture Liam's face, but that was pretty hard when Nick's voice was the only face popping in my face.

"Miley? Miley?" I hadn't realized that I had dozed off and Nick's hand was waving in front of my face, "Miley?" I jerked back and looked up at him and he had a worried look on his face, "You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just dozed off for a bit. What movie did you choose?"

"Um, maybe this one?" He looked up at me shyly as he held up the movie, "My Best Friend's Wedding."

"Sure, put it in. I haven't watched this movie in awhile." He nodded and then went and popped the movie in. Nick then came and sat right next to me so that if I were to move. Well I couldn't because if I did that would make it awkward because he seemed really comfortable right now.

We then started to watch the movie and midway through I started nodding off, but I tried my best to stay awake. Eventually I got really tired and laid my head down and it was nice and soft like a pillow and it smelled like lilac flowers. It was nice and two seconds later I was asleep…

I woke up now very awake and realized I did fall asleep. I opened my eyes and I realized that I wasn't in the living room; I was in my bedroom on my bed. Did Nick bring me up here last night? Did I lay on his shoulder when I dozed off? Where was he now? Did he leave or stay?

Some of my answers were confirmed when I stepped on a moving body just below my bed. There was a big grunt as I screamed and jumped to non-moving ground. Nick rolled over and sat up with wide eyes and reached for his glasses, "Oh jeez I'm so sorry Nick!"

"Eh—it's okay. You didn't hurt me that much." He gave me a smile of which I returned somewhatly back.

I held out my hand, it was the least I could do was to help him up at least, he took my hand and I pulled him up easily. As our hands connected I tried to ignore the feeling that was going deep down into my navel.

Once he was up I quickly let go of his hand since the feeling in my stomach was driving me nuts! "So—uh you hungry?" I asked awkwardly.

"Yeah sure. Want to order in?"

"Okay. Chinese please."

"For breakfast?" I looked past him at the clock.

"It's almost noon anyway, why not? Because I'm sort of craving Chinese takeout."

"Alright I'll go call." With that he walked out of the room and I quickly got dressed into some jeans and my I 3 Montana Grizzly T-shirt and a white under-long-sleeved shirt.

I then went downstairs and he was done talking on the phone and he was flipping through the radio. "Wanna dance?" He asked as he landed on my favorite station of 107.9. The song collide by Howie Day just coming on. He was holding out his hand.

"I didn't know you danced Nick."

"Well you just learned about something else from me." He smiled and I giggled as because his hand was still up asking me to dance.

I gave in as he walked me closer and I took his hand. I loved dancing; it just doesn't mean I was good at it. Liam rarely ever danced with me, it was only usually on special occasions like our anniversary or Valentine's Day.

We danced the normal way with our hands connect and his hand was strictly on my waist. That was nice since Liam usually tried to grab my butt no matter how many times I told him not to. But I knew that Nick was a gentleman anyway. We danced and danced, eventually my eyes were turning to his face because I could tell that he was staring down at me the whole time. I smiled up at him, he smiled back at me, "You having fun Miley?"

"Yes, I haven't danced in ages…Can we just talk though I kinda want to enjoy this."

"As you wish…" I kept dancing with him and now was a pretty slow song; it was so nice to dance normally instead of grinding on each other all of the time. By the time the song ended his hands were on my waist and my hands were around his neck. By the middle of the song my face turned to his and I looked at his face and he was still looking at me. I searched all his features as he probably did mine. I tried to look for the teenager that I had liked for over a year back in high school. He had changed yes, but he had the same golden eyes, same nose, and the same haircut. It had grown out again and was getting kind of long, but it still looked good on him. His face was of calm nature and his eyes were filled with, hmm I couldn't tell what they were filled with, it was something that Lucas gave me in the beginning years of our marriage. But I wasn't for sure.

He had grown into a very well-proportioned man. He was a good decent sized man and decent looking as well. I was surprised he hadn't found that special woman to take his heart. I noticed that my heart rate had sped up quickly, my stomach twisting and turning like it had all those years ago.

I then started to hyperventilate, started to suffocate, and my mouth had suddenly gotten dry when he looked down my body, probably looking at how much I changed over the years. Suddenly I realized what I was doing; I was starting to fall in love with my x-crush/best friend/a guy who I loved back in high school." Oh shit!" I suddenly shouted, jumping backwards away from him and turning around putting my hands in my face.

"Miley what's wrong?" He said, very concerned, "Are you okay? Did I step on your foot? I'm sorry if I did."

"No Nick, it's not that. I-" I was about to say, 'I still am in love with you', but I caught myself. I can't tell him that! I was married to Liam. I loved Liam, not Nick. I can't even like Nick, I needed to get some air, maybe go for a job in the fresh morning air. His scent was slowly intoxicating me. I need to get out! But before I could do anything. Nick's hands were on my shoulders, "Miley?"

"I—I'm fine. Just, I need some water, I'll be right back." With that I walked out the living room, through the dining room to the kitchen without looking back. I put my hands on the low-top counter ahead of me and I breathed in and out deeply trying to calm my heart rate which hadn't stopped pounding since I started dancing slowly with him. Taking another breath I took my glass and drank the half glass of water that I had left in the glass. I swallowed slowly, trying to relinquish the fire that was burning inside me.

When I set the glass down the phone then rang and that phone call changed my life forever.

"Hello, this is Miley Hemsworth speaking."

"Hello Mrs. Hemsworth, this is the Town Police, do you have time to talk ma'am?"

'What? Yeah, of course I do what happened?" I was wondering why the police were calling. Was I in trouble; was Liam in trouble, why was this woman calling?"

"Ma'am you'd best be sitting down. It'll be easier if you did."

In my gut I could tell that something was very wrong and something bad had happened, "What happened?" I said a loud, finding a kitchen stool and sitting on that.

"Mrs. Hemsworth, you're husband had an accident on the freeway."

Oh no! "What no! Is he hurt, where is he?"

"The doctors did everything they could, but I'm sorry, they couldn't save him…"

Tears coming running out my eyes, "What about our kids! Where are my kids!" I suddenly shouted starting to freak out.

"Well, the youngest I believe was killed instantly." No, Claire…"And the oldest was twenty-five feet from the sight of the crash, she was militated." Kiere…No this can't be, their alive! They are coming home! They are safe!

"No! You're lying!" I cried.

"Ma'am, just listen to me, everything will be alright. You need to hear this ma'am."

"No, you're lying! This can't be true. They are alive, no you're lying…you're lying…" I cried harder, sobbing now as I tried to sit up straight in the chairs without falling to the floor. "You're lying…" I kept mumbling.

"Ma'am the last two were severely injured, but will survive, they will just be traumatized from cars for awhile when they come around."

"No, my babies…my darlings." The last words I had spoken to Kiere were reassuring her that Aunt Sarah wouldn't hate her. The last words I gave to Claire were to tell her to play nice with her siblings.

"Ma'am?"

"No no, they are alive!"

"Ma'am I know this is very difficult to take in. You're husband started driving off on the other side of the road and it was on a curve. I'm so sorry Mrs. Hemswoth."

"No, no!" I sobbed, tears spilling out more and more. I would wipe them away only to be replaced by more flowing tears.

Liam…my last words were to 'Drive safely. I love you. How could he be careless? He's not supposed to die! We've still got another child to put through school! How could he possibly leave! I was so upset sobbing and crying on the verge of falling off the stool, "No, they can't…No they're not dead. You're lying to me!..." I sobbed uncontrollably now.

"Ma'am I have to go. You're children are in St. Luke's, just for information wise. Good day to you. I'm sorry." She hung up and I sobbed harder, how could she even dare to say good day? Does she even have a heart!

That pushed me over to the edge and I fell out of the stool and came crashing down to the floor sobbing and suddenly the pain was there. My heart had been unguarded for so long the pain to much I took my hand and 'gripped' my heart trying hard to stay breathing. It hurt so bad I screamed shouting, "Stop! Stop!" Everything around me was crumbling to the ground. Claire was dead. The little girl and a twin of Brendan was gone, and taken away from me by fate. Kiere was dead…Her body had been forced out of the car fifteen feet away and almost completely severed. Lastly, Liam was dead. His soul had my heart and now that he was gone it was ripped inside of me like getting a wax in the most sensitive part of your body.

I gripped harder still screaming, "Stop! Stop! The pain stop!" As I sobbed out of control. I couldn't breathe my heart was ripped away and my body was rigid. It felt like there were a million knives cutting at my skin. Filling me, I couldn't do this anymore. Darkness was closing in on me and I could feel it, I didn't know what I wanted except for the agony of pain to stop. So I braced the blackness like it was a friend and I fell unconscious…

I woke up in a haze, why was everything so blurry? I thought I had put my contacts in already. But I soon realized that that was not what the problem was. I wiped my eyes and realized that there were sleepy seeds and crusties on my eyes. There. Now I could see.

I then looked around Nick, was laying on the couch right next to me and his mouth was open, he looked so cute…oh shoot I wasn't supposed to—And then everything came rushing back to me form what happened that morning. Immediately tears sprang to my eyes and only somewhat regretfully I shook Nick awake again.

He stirred, jumping as he sat up and then he saw me with tears in my eyes and then he looked at me concerned, "Miley are you really okay? You were screaming and clutching yourself in a ball and you were sobbing forcefully. What happened?"

I looked up at him tears pouring down my cheeks, "They're dead…"

He repeated what I said barely audible, then "Dead? Who's dead? Miley please tell me. I want to help you. Who died…?"

"Nick…" I sobbed as he wrapped his arms around me comforting me as rubbed my back, '…and Claire…and—Kiere…" I cried and cried and all Nick did was just comfort me by saying that everything was going to be okay, but I knew that it wasn't at all. My family had died around me and I had no husband…I was a single mother now, with two dead children. I'm glad that James wasn't in the accident, but oh great…I've still got to tell him.

I pulled away, "I've got to tell James. He has the right to know, I can't keep something this big away from him."

"Are you sure you want to do this now Miley? You just found out yourself…" He said but I couldn't take it.

"He has the right to know Nick! It's his father!" I suddenly yelled at him, my sadness was turning to anger. Liam was never supposed to die!

"Miley I know, you just need to-"

"You can't tell me what I can and cannot do Nick! You are not the boss of me!" I shrieked now that my temper was now taking an all-time low.

"I'm not trying to Miley; I'm just trying to suggest that you should be in the right state of mind when you call him." He said calmly even though I had just yelled at him just seconds ago.

"Well that's not what I mean Nick. Just get out of my house; this is too much for me! Just leave!"

We both got up and I stormed to the door and opened it for him, "Just get out, I can't see you again."

"Miley, if you let me try to help you-"

"Just leave! Get out of my house!" I screamed at him as he walked out the door calmly and as soon as he did I slammed the door in his face just as he was starting to speak up.

I then fell against the door and slid down it as I sobbed and sobbed. I had lost my husband, two of my own children, and now probably my best friend. I could see the hurt in his expression but I had ignored it by anger. How could he have been so calm, even when I was in hysterics, he was just like the lady on the phone. The same calm voice, was he just as heartless? I didn't even know, but what I did know was that I now regret yelling at him, but did he deserve it? He makes me feel good inside and it was because of him I didn't break down when I was telling him what happened, but now that he was gone the pain in my chest burned like fire and I couldn't breathe very well. Why did he have to die!

I curled up in a ball crying and crying mourning over my husband, wishing he would just be here comforting me…but he wasn't, he was gone and so were Kiere and Claire. Claire…the only girl who looked like me, thought like me and played like me. Kiere, who looked like her father but also thought like I did, who was also carrying my grandchild. And finally…Liam. The husband and hero of my dreams. The one who I went to for advice and love. What is he thinking of now in heaven? Love or hatred that he sees me with Nick too much. Nick slept over last night and I regret it. Nick was even in the same room, what would've Liam thought!

I made a decision. I can't see Nick again, now that Liam is gone, he can watch my moves every time of the day. I can't see Nick.

My heart throbbed painfully, killing me on the inside because he was gone I clutched my heart hard digging nails in my skin, trying hard to make it go numb, because being numb is better than getting hurt.

After hours of laying there stiffly I slowly got up wiping tears from my eyes as I walked slowly to the tissue box and blew my nose. I then grabbed the phone and sat on the couch.

I stared at the phone. I have to call James, he has the right to know about his sisters and father, but was Nick right? Do I need to be in the right state of mind in order to do this and finally call him? No, I'll just tell him and be done with it then I would hang up and cry until all the hours of the night. Yes, I could do that.

Finally I dialed the numbers to James's phone, and as soon as I realized I did, I remembered that I only called James if it was an emergency. To be expected when he picked up the first words out of his mouth were, "What's wrong?"

"Honey," My voice cracked and I hated that the last time I used my voice was when I yelled at Michael screaming my lungs out!

"Mom? What's the matter? What happened?"

"It's you're sisters and father…" I said whispering because it hurt too much to actually talk because I now had a sore throat from crying so much.

"What happened?" His tone was serious and it reminded me of Liam and fresh tears ran down my cheeks.

"They're gone…"

"Gone?...Gone? What…how?..." I could tell that he was trying to process this information, so I decided it best to help him out.

"They're in heaven now…"

Finally, I could tell it went through him, "Mom…this can't be true. They're coming home today…Kiere's going to be okay. Claire going to stay in school on Monday…"

"Honey, I know it seems that way…But they're gone-"

"No! Stop lying to me mother! They are going to be home in an hour. They will!" I heard him sobbing on the other line.

"No honey, they are gone…Brendan and Kirsten are alive but only just…Maybe at the St. Luke's children's hospital…"

"I'm on my way!"

"James, I'm in no fit to drive…"

"I'll come to pick you up."

"James…"

"Mom we have to find out if it's true."

"I'll be ready. Honey, I can't find out that they died as well either."

"Like I said, I'm on my way, see you in twenty." And then he hung up. I dragged myself off the couch and then upstairs and got dressed in somewhat decent, but very comfortable clothes. I didn't bother to put on my make-up because I probably will be crying anyway and I don't have any waterproof stuff so I just gave up.

I then went back downstairs and sat on the couch waiting patiently for James to come, since I didn't have make-up to put on and so I was ready in five minutes. As I waited tears kept pouring down my face. They were gone and now I think I've poured about fifty cups worth of tears, I should probably drink some water before I dry up like a raisin.

I got a water bottle from the fridge and a long swap of drink. It hurt a little going down my throat but it was nothing compared to what my heart was feeling. Before I knew it, I had drunk the whole bottle. I was reaching for another bottle when James's voice rang through the house, "Mother? Where are you? Let's go!" I walked out of the kitchen and automatically saw him and he gave me one look before saying, "Oh mother…" He then walked over to me and gave me a big hug, rubbing my back and saying that it was okay and we would find out for sure.

The scary thing is, even though James was comforting me in the same Nick was. Nick's comfort was much better. James's body was stiff like he didn't know what to do with this sudden new information.

Nick was warm and soft and was relaxed so it was comfortable to lay on him and he gave me courage that James apparently cannot give to me.

"Mom, let's go…" I nodded and then he led me out of the house and to the passenger door. He helped me make sure I was in safely before going to the driver's side, "St. Luke's right?"

"Yes…" I said very weak and he nodded in confirmation.

We drove in silence to the hospital. I really hoped that it wasn't true, but this visit will tell my deepest fears if it is. I was scared and as I thought about it, tears poured down my face and finally we arrived at St. Luke's.

I got out of the car as did James and he walked regretfully to the main office. I hoped so much that it was not true, but the way the lady said it on the phone and the way and what my heart was telling me, it was true.

We walked in and since I had a sore throat James did all of the talking and so he was the one who answered and as he had all of the questions as I stood there, crying silently.

The words of the room number is what I regretted hearing the most and then a doctor came out and he led us to the room as soon as we entered Brendan was bandaged almost everywhere as was Kirsten. Brendan had his arms wrapped, torso, and both legs. Kirsten had both legs and arm and torso was also wrapped in tight cloth. Just looking at them killed me and I bawled silently wishing I was the one in that bed instead of her. You know how hard it is to see your own kids in pain?

I went to Brendan's bed first, but I looked and he was asleep. I looked up and I noticed that Kirsten was talking with James about something, he glanced at me every once in awhile looking at me sympathetically.

I looked back down at Brendan and his pain was wiped away from his face to relaxation and he stirred a little, grimaced, and then fell back asleep. I can only imagine how much pain he would have when he's awake.

James was next to me when I looked back up and he muttered to me that Kirsten wanted to talk to me, I nodded to him and bent down and kissed Brendan's forehead before walking over to Kirsten.

She was looking at me blankly as tears came to my eyes. I could see the pain in her eyes, but she didn't show it that much, she was tough like me, I was glad, but it takes a lot of energy if you're hit by a car!

"Mom…" She said weakly and I bent over so I could hear her easier and she wouldn't have to talk as loud.

"Yes honey?"

"I'm sorry…"

I looked at her directly, "Never say that Kirsten, you didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't your fault that you guys were in an accident. It wasn't daddy's fault either…"

"I know. Mom, where's dad? And Kiere, and Brendan, and everybody else?"

Tears came to my eyes when the simplest question came from her mouth; the answer however, was a different story. "Brendan's in the bed next to you and you already saw James…Honey." I took a moment to compose myself. I shut my eyes trying my hardest to not cry. "You're father and your sisters are in heaven, now watching over us."

Tears came to her eyes as soon as I said the words I regretfully had to say to her. "Mom…" She was the first person who didn't doubt what had happened, "Mom I'm sorry, us kids were playing curbs and dad turned around and Kiere screams, that was the last thought I had…"

"Oh Kirsten. You're fine, Brendan's fine, we can live through this. We can." I emphasized trying to convince even myself.

"We can mom…I hope…" With that we just cried together. I was mourning for my kids and my husband. When was I going to stop this crying, this pain is just really too much!"

Soon, visiting hours were over and James and I needed to leave even though I didn't want to because I never wanted my kids out of my sight again, but I still had no choice. We were almost literally kicked out.

Again there was silence as we drove home, but at least it wasn't as awkward. We came to the house and I knew that every time I looked at it I thought of our seven-family but now there's only four, going on five. Gosh why did he die? I asked myself as new fresh tears poured down my face.

As soon as I came into the house I drank as much water as I could before telling James I was going to bed early. He said if I would need anything ask. I knew what I need for Lucas to hug me tightly and say that it was just a dream. But I knew better than to hope that.

I went upstairs and then just fell onto my bed falling asleep almost immediately…