Sorry for the delay again, been busy at work as usual so not had chance to post anything. Here is the next chapter anyway, it is only a really short one...

Chapter Twenty Five

Naomi

The following day

I couldn't stop pacing up and down the corridor outside the operating theatre, I knew I was driving Katie mad but I didn't care… my Emily was in that operating theatre currently undergoing serious surgery… everybody kept telling me she would be ok but I wouldn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. I continued pacing until as I thought back to yesterday… thought back to the day Emily was admitted to hospital…

We walked down the corridor hand in hand, I think I was holding Emily's hand a little too tightly but she didn't say anything… she knew how worried I was and I know she was staying strong for me. Emily changed into the gown she was given when admitted and I couldn't help tease her about how she looked in it… she looked so sexy even if she didn't believe me… the way it only came down to just above her knees showing her gorgeous legs, the way she had deliberately left the top button undone knowing she would set my pulse racing as I could see the top of her chest. I had to get my feelings under control as the doctor came in to talk through everything with Emily again… I could see her smirking to herself as I sat on the chair next to the bed. As soon as the doctor left the room I glared at Emily who just laughed as she patted the mattress next to her. I went and snuggled up next to her and it was then that all the playing around stopped as Emily kissed me softly before whispering "It will all be ok Naoms… I'm not going anywhere… I promise." I wrapped my arms tighter around Emily knowing there was nothing I could say without crying and Emily responded by holding me close to her softly kissing the top of my head trying to help me relax.

After a while we heard a commotion outside which we later found out was Jenna trying to come see Emily… Katie stopped her from coming in telling her to leave us alone… we heard the usual insults from Jenna about me and Emily tried to jump out of bed to give her a piece of her mind but I wouldn't let her plus Katie was doing a pretty good job of sticking up from us on her own followed by a sharp slap when Jenna went too far for Katie's liking. Katie had come in a while after still looking angry cursing Jenna and checking that we were both ok as she knew we must have heard everything that had happened. Emily had very cutely told Katie that nothing Jenna said could bother us anymore as she was nothing to either of them and once this operation was over they were going to get on with their lives without worrying about her or anything she said. Katie laughed saying that would probably be easier said than done but she would support us with whatever we needed.

We sat and chatted for a while before Katie left us alone again promising she would be back first thing in the morning before Emily went into surgery. Once she had gone I kissed Emily softly before resting my head on her chest and telling her to get some sleep… I wanted her well rested for tomorrow to ensure she was at her best… I know I was probably being irrational but I just needed Emily to get through everything.

I was brought back to the present time by Katie snapping at me "Naomi will you just bloody sit down, you are making me dizzy."

I stopped briefly and looked at her; I could instantly see that she was worried as well "Sorry Katie… sorry." I sat down "I just… I hate this… I just want to know she is ok… how could I let her do this…for that woman of all people…"

Katie put her arm around my shoulder and pulled me into a hug "She will be just fine… you know Emily, she's a fighter, plus can you really see Emily dying for Jenna Fitch… she just wouldn't allow it to happen."

I couldn't help but laugh only Katie could come up with a reason like that to give me reassurance. I knew she was worried too and I knew she was just trying to make me feel better and calm me down a little "Thanks Katie, I couldn't do this without you… I can't bear to think about what Em is putting herself through for that women… well I know it's not for her but she still benefits from it."

Katie turned to look at me as a tear slipped down my cheek "You really love her don't you."

I looked a little surprised… Katie and I had always avoided this conversation "There aren't enough words in the universe to describe how much I love her Katie… I know I have hurt her in the past but I can assure you I will not be that fucking stupid again because if I lost her again I know it would kill me… she is my life."

Katie smiled "I know you won't hurt her again, and I know I don't even have to give you the sisterly warning about what will happen if you do." She paused "Naomi… I'm sorry I always used to give you a hard time… I guess I was always so worried about what mum would say about me if I supported you're relationship… and I guess friends too but looking back all I should have been able to see was how happy you made Emily… I hurt Emily too and like you I won't be so fucking stupid again."

I felt more tears run down my cheeks as Katie waited for my reaction, I had no words so I just hugged her, I could tell she was surprised but she hugged me back, I whispered softly "Thanks Katie." I could tell she was smiling even if I couldn't see her face. We remained like this for a few minutes before pulling back.

Katie smiled at me "Emily doesn't need to know about this conversation."

I laughed "No we wouldn't want her thinking you had gone soft would we… after all you are Katie Fucking Fitch."

She playfully slapped me on the arm as Rob walked down the corridor with James. He handed us both a coffee "It's nice to see you two getting along so well now."

Both Katie and I looked at one another and laughed until James brought us both back to why we were really here "How long until we know they are both ok?"

I looked down at my watch "The operation will be another couple of hours James." I still couldn't bring myself to say they would be ok… I knew I wouldn't be sure of that until I could see Ems for myself. Katie put her arm around me again and I just rested my head on her shoulder as we all sat in silence waiting for the time to pass…