It's been a looooong time hasn't it? Well here I am again! I've been so freaking busy with school, it's not even funny.
Anyways, I hope you like this chapter, it wasn't the easiest to write because I had writers block.
Reply time!
BlushingViolets: First, I am SO happy you like the story. Second, I appreciate you understanding that writers have lives too!
Lover-Bug: Dakota, Dakota... she might be trouble indeed.
Dannii: I'm glad you like it! Here's the next chapter!
Song of the ch: I Know You by Skylar Grey
"Ally. Wake up." I feel my shoulder being shaken lightly. I open my eyes to see Austin staring down at me. He looks tired.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I ask glancing around. My eyes land on the clock on the wall.
8:00 am.
Austin shakes his head and rubs his face roughly. He should really get some rest. He hasn't slept for hours.
"I'm going to the cafeteria to get some coffee or something. Do you want anything?" he asks. I shake my head. He nods and heads for the door. "Watch Holland, please." He says. He sounds so… unhappy. I get up, walking over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. He holds onto me tightly and sighs.
"You're a good uncle, Austin." I say quietly. He pulls back and smiles- finally.
"Thanks Alls." And then he's gone. I return to my seat facing Holland. After about a minute or so, I notice her eyes starting to flutter open.
Oh, just great.
She's probably going freak out, not knowing what happened to her.
I decide to get up and carefully go to sit on her bedside.
When she finally opens her eyes all the way, she immediately scans the room and I can see her starting to panic, so I say something.
"Hey, sweetheart." I say softly. Holland looks up at me and I can see her uncertainty ease a little.
"Where are we?" she asks shyly. I try for a reassuring smile but I know anything I say will probably result in tears.
"We're in a hospital, sweetheart. You had an accident with Logan and Dakota last night, so they had to bring you here. But you're just fine okay? No need to be scared." I tell her. She nods but immediately stops, flinching. Then the tears come. She lifts her left arm to her neck and cries out in pain, full on wailing.
Oh, where is Austin when you need him?
"I hurt all over!" Holland says through her tears. She's pretty damn loud for a four year old who just woke up after surgery.
I gently take her little hand in my own and stroke her head with the other in attempt to calm her down. I don't know what else to do for her. Then an idea hits me and I clear my throat. Softly I begin the chorus to You are my Sunshine. Thank God it does the trick. She quiets down and gives me her full attention, sniffling ever so often. When I'm done, Holland looks up at me.
"You're nice. I like you." She says, shy once again. I grin down at her.
"So are you. I like you too sweetie."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Ally. I'm a super good friend of your Uncle Austin. He's here too." I say. Holland's face lights up at the mention of her uncle.
"Really?"
"Mhm. He just went to get something to drink. He'll be back soon, don't worry."
As if on cue, Austin walks back into the room. His eyes meet mine, then Hollands. I can see the relief on his face, bringing back his naturally adorable expression. Not that it matters to me really.
"Hey Loland." Austin says, coming over to where I'm sitting, I assume using Hollands nickname. I decide to give them some time alone, but Austin stops me from going anywhere.
After hours of the three of us talking, and Holland and me getting to know each other, Logan and Dakota make a reappearance. Immediately, Austin is pissed, but he contains himself for the sake of his niece.
"Holland, you're awake! We're sorry we weren't here earlier honey." Dakota says. Logan doesn't say anything. I take it he's not a very sociable person.
Bending down to hug Holland, I notice Dakota putting a little too much pressure into the hug. Then, just as I expected, Holland yelps, pushing the woman off of her.
"Jeez Dakota, she's in pain. Dial it back will you?" Austin snaps. Dakota looks guilty as she steps back.
"We went home to feed the dog…" Logan speaks up.
"It takes four hours to feed a dog?" I find myself saying, very sarcastically I might add. Dakota glares at me, but when I don't falter she backs down.
Asshole.
As the other Adults in the room talk, I silently slip out of the room to call Trish. It ends up being a short call because apparently she told Dez what happened and now they're on their way down. They would have been here hours ago, but Dez insisted on stopping at every known toy store in the area to buy get-well gifts.
When I come back into the room, Holland is staring wide eyed at her uncle and caretakers who look like they're about to go to war with each other. I take my seat next to her again and hold her little hand.
"You see how your uncle Austin is arguing so hard with Dakota and Logan?" I ask her quietly. She nods. "It's because he loves you so much. He's going take you home." I whisper. She looks up at me.
"Really?" she asks, obviously not sure if she should believe me. I nod my head and she smiles… then frowns. "Uncle Austy is scaring me."
I don't blame her. Austin can be pretty scary when he's upset.
Suddenly, there's a loud crash, and glass flying all over the floor. I jump, startled, to see my friend on the floor, eyes scrunched, clutching his head.
"Uncle Austy! No!" Holland cries.
"Shit, Austin!" I scurry over, dropping to my knees and lay his head in my lap. "What the hell did you do to him!?" I shout directly at Dakota. I have no doubt that it was her.
"He was going to hit me!" she shouts back. Is she out of her goddamn mind? Austin would never attack any one, not even Scott. When he did hit him, it was out of self-defense.
"No he was not! You've known him longer than I have, you should know better! Are you crazy?"
"He stepped too close to me…" Dakota says trying to sound threatening, but in all honesty, she just sounds stupid. I roll my eyes at her.
"Holland, do you know how to call a nurse in? Just hit the little bell button on your beside, okay?" I say over my shoulder. She does as she's told.
"Oh, so now we need a nurse in here? Amy he's fine." Logan chimes in. I glare at him.
"First of all, you prick, it's Ally. Second, I'm calling the cops on your little wife h-"
I'm cut off by a nurse rushing in. She quickly takes in the situation and makes a call into her little pink walkie talkie.
"What's going on here?"
"That woman smashed a glass cup over my fr- boyfriend's head!" I say, remembering the lie we had to come up with in order for me to be able stay here overnight.
"He was going to attack my wife." Logan says. My mouth drops open. Are these people being serious? Hell no. No, no, no.
"That's a lie. Ms., they were arguing, and things got a bit out of hand. Long story, short, my boyfriend is almost unconscious because of that woman. Either you call the cops or I will."
"Ma'am, I can't allow you to do that. But security is on the way."
"You know what whatever. Can I please just have help for my boyfriend? You know before he freaking passes out?" I snap. This is has been the most frustrating day of my life and it's not even three o'clock yet. I glance down at Austin, whose eyes are still scrunched closed. Only now there are tears in the corners. I stroke his head gently as the nurse rushes to tend to him.
Then suddenly it's all too much. Austin laying here nearly unconscious, luckily not bleeding, the revelation of him having a niece, her ending up in the hospital, the ordeal with Scott, Dakota and Logan… It's just too much handle all at once. I begin to cry. Really cry.
"Why is this all happening to us?" I say between sobs, but mostly to myself. Maybe I just need to get away for a little while. But then there's Austin and Holland. I can't just leave them. Can I?
Maybe time away would let you answer that question easier…
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Until next time. :)