Chapter 14

Both Lindsey and Sandy had received a call nearly a week after the dramatic events, telling them that Joe had awoken from his coma. Sandy rushed out of the house early that morning where as Lindsey stayed at home. She couldn't face Joe straight away, plus. Whatever it was in her system had returned and she felt worse than ever. She'd taken JJ to nursery and as soon as she arrived home, collapsed onto the sofa. The tiredness, the stress, the illness. It was all getting to her.

"I thought you'd be with Joe now he's awake." A male said, Lindsey turning around to see Freddie stood in the doorway.

"What do you want?"

"To see how you were, mum said you weren't feeling great." He replied, walking into the living area and taking a seat beside her.

"I feel like complete rubbish."

"You've felt like this for weeks, don't you think you should get yourself checked out?"

"I'm fine! I'm a new mum with sleep deprivation."

"If you say so. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. I never meant anything with everything I said."

"Don't be. I'm all over the place at the moment what with feeling rubbish and Joe being in hospital. I'm sorry." She said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder which he responded to with a smile.

Later on that afternoon, Lindsey went to visit Joe alone. It was the one time she was alone without Freddie, JJ or anyone else and she had to talk to Joe. She walked through the hospital, taking a deep breaths as she did, knowing he wouldn't want to see her. But she had to see him, whether he liked it or not. She headed into his room, walking over to his bed.

"Joe.." She whispered.

"What are you doing here?" He asked quietly, not making any eye contact with her.

"I had to see if you were okay. You've had me so worried." She replied, taking a seat beside his bed.

"I don't want to see you, I don't want to talk to you."

"Please, just listen to m-"

"I said I don't want to see you." He stopped her, replying harshly.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry, for everything. This is my fault." She looked down.

"So you should be. I was trying to be nice, stop my anger so that we could be civil for Joe Jr. But you go and flaunt your relationship with him around me, acting like a happy family with my son. Just go."

"I thought it was too good to be true, you being nice.

"LEAVE." He raised his voice at the female, causing her to jump up and leave the hospital room quickly, glancing back at him as she left.

Freddie had picked up JJ from nursery for Lindsey, texting her to let her know. Being with her had always brought out the good side in him, whenever he was around her. He wanted to be the best he could for both her and his nephew. Arriving at the hospital, he thought it was only fair to take JJ to see Joe. He knew Lindsey wouldn't and if they were going to make things work without Joe going off on one, it was gonna be this way. Freddie cradled the baby in his arms as he walked through the hospital to Joe's room, standing at the doorway.

"I bought someone to see you." He called to get Joe's attention.

Joe immediately sat up at the sound of Freddie's voice, the voice he hated. As he turned to look, he saw him holding the baby in his arms, a sense of panic rushing through him.

"What are you doing with him?" He asked sternly.

"Chill! I know how to hold a baby. Lindsey wasn't gonna bring him here so I thought I would, cheer you up." He replied, walking over to him.

"Why is she even letting you near my son? You're scum."

"Woah, hold up. You're the one that drank so much you ended up in a coma for a week. Did you even think what this would do to Lindsey?"

"Are you trying to make a point? Would've it been better for me to lash out at you instead?"

"I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that this is upsetting Lindsey, seeing you like this. And this little guy?" He looked at JJ. "He needs you, you're his dad."

"Just pass him here." Joe took Junior from his arms, Freddie reluctantly letting go of the baby.

"Don't tell Lindsey I've bought him here, she'll go mad."

"I couldn't care less about Lindsey in all honesty. And I don't care about you either."

"Bit harsh? She is the mother of your child." He shrugged.

"She broke my heart and you were part of that. I despise both of you."

"Don't you dare take this out on Lindsey. She is distraught that you're in here and you really don't care. You don't care for yourself, for her and you obviously don't care about JJ."

"Shut up! Of course I care about JJ, he's the only thing I do care about."

"Try and think about other people before you do things." He said sternly, taking JJ from his arms and into his.

"That's my son! What are you doing?" Joe raised his voice once again as he watched Freddie.

"You need to start caring for yourself before you can care for a baby. Sort yourself out and talk to Lindsey."

"B-"

"You are tearing this family apart with this, Mum doesn't know what to do. Buck up your ideas, Joe." Freddie scoffed as he walked out of his room and left the hospital.

So, Freddie's taking matters into his own hands. Lots more to come;D