6 months later … 22nd July
"Are we crazy?" asked Sian, looking over at Sophie looking highly amused and then back to the laptop screen.
"The fact you've had to ask me that about a hundred times in our relationship so far suggests that yes, we probably are." laughed Sophie, her eyes also lingering on the screen in front of them.
"I want to but it seems completely irresponsible. We have rent and bills to pay and we might not get a job next term." Sian tried to be the voice of reason but Sophie could see that she didn't really mean the things she was saying.
"Yeah but we might get jobs." argued Sophie. "And then we'll kick ourselves for not doing this."
Sian scrunched up her nose, trying to decide on what to do before burying her head in her hands. "This is so hard, god I want to so much but we could be fucking our future selves over royally."
Sophie looked at the laptop, then back at Sian, then back to the laptop, then back at Sian as her finger slowly moved over the curser and clicked 'Book now'. A huge grin formed on her face as the next page started to load. "That's future Sian and Sophie's problem. Right now, present Sian and Sophie deserve a holiday."
Sian's jaw dropped as the booking confirmation popped up on the screen. "I can't believe you actually just did that." she grabbed the laptop from Sophie, bringing it closer to her face, still doubting it was real before looking back to Sophie, her open mouth transforming in to a beaming smile before she let out a scream of excitement, wrapping her arms tightly around Sophie's neck. "We're going away on our first holiday!"
"Yeah, we're going on our very first holiday and it was a bargain. But most importantly, we're going away on our very first holiday tomorrow. We need to pack, I need my passport which is at my parent's house. We need to tell my parents we're not going to be in the country. We need to move. Now." Sophie jumped up from the couch, suddenly extremely serious and headed straight for the bedroom. She started picking items up from the ground, throwing them on the bed before she tipped out her suitcase that was still full of things from Christmas.
Sian stepped in to the bedroom a few moments later, standing up straight and saluting to Sophie. "Private Powers reporting for duty sir!"
Despite herself, Sophie couldn't help but laugh at Sian's behaviour before pointing her over to the pile of clothes near the wardrobe, "Get packing private or you'll have to drop and give me twenty."
Sian winked, "You'd like that wouldn't you." before she made her way over to the pile of clothes and started folding.
"Not that shirt babe, it's too tight and it's gonna be hot." Sophie pointed to the shirt Sian was about to fold.
"But you look sexy in it." Sian pouted, looking down at the shirt in her hands.
"Well you can see me in my bikini instead to make up for it." winked Sophie as a wicked grin started to play at Sian's lips. "Babe, stop, PACK!"
….
"We've definitely got everything?" asked Sophie as they dragged their suitcase out of the building towards the taxi.
Sian looked in her bag, "Tickets, passports, hotel booking, keys. Yep, I think that's everything."
Sophie grinned ear to ear, giving Sian a quick kiss on the lips, "I can't wait to get there, just me, you and five days of sea, sun and relaxation."
"It's going to be amazing." Sian handed her suitcase over to the taxi driver who placed it in the boot closely followed by Sophie's before they both stepped in to the taxi.
"Where to ladies?" the taxi driver started the engine, looking at them both in the rear view mirror.
"Manchester Airport please." Sian smiled at him and then over to her girlfriend.
"Going somewhere nice?" he asked as he started pulling out of their street and on to the main road.
"Majorca, only booked it last night, got a good last minute deal." replied Sophie.
"Oh lovely, well I hope you enjoy it. Sure will be nice to get out of Manchester." the taxi driver turned to face the two of them, "I'm sure two ladies like you will be fighting the men off with a stick."
Sophie laughed, "Actually I don't thi-"
"LOOK OUT!" shouted Sian, pointing ahead.
The taxi driver turned back to the road just in time to see a car heading straight towards them, he turned the wheel but it was too late, Sophie and Sian both let out a scream as the car collided with the taxi and everything went black.
Sophie groaned, she could feel a warm dampness on her head and the smell of burning plastic and smoke filled her nostrils. Her vision was blurred and everything looked dark and it took her a long time to get her bearings. She quickly realised she was upside down and looked to her right and saw Sian, blood trickling down her head and obviously unconscious and the sight of her quickly snapped her in to action. Sophie unclipped her seatbelt and looked around, there was flames in front of the taxi and she could hear people shouting. "Sian." she croaked, shuffling along a little in the taxi but instantly regretting her actions, pain was shooting down her left arm and her head felt heavy. Sophie nudged Sian gently and called her name again, but still no response. Sophie was coming to her senses more and more with every second that went by, looking back out of the car she noticed the flames starting to rise and quickly realised they had to get out of the vehicle as soon as possible. The pain faded as adrenaline took over, "Right come on baby, lets get you out of here.". Sophie reached over to Sian, wincing as the pain in her arm increased and unclipped Sian's belt. Sophie leant back over to her side of the car, trying the handle but it wouldn't budge as the metal was too warped from the crash. This was going to hurt. Sophie leant back in the seat so she was lay on her back and curled her knees up to her chin, taking a deep breath before kicking them out in to the door. It moved slightly but wouldn't open. Sophie kicked again and it budged a little further but it took one more before it swung open. Sophie turned and gripped Sian underneath her arms, dragging them both out of the vehicle and on to the pavement outside. Sophie's arm was radiating with pain and she felt about ready to pass out due the blood that was leaving her body from the split in her head but getting Sian to safety was more important than that. "Typical isn't it babe, we try to do something nice and get away for a bit …" Sophie winced as she tried to pick herself up off the ground and felt a few shards of glass cut in to her leg. "Fucking hell I am sueing that taxi company." Sophie staggered to her feet, lifting Sian in to her arms and stumbling away from the car and over to the side of the road before collapsing in to a heap. She could feel herself drifting away, her vision blurring and the sounds around her becoming muffled, looking up she could see blue flashing lights and the shadows of people coming towards her.
She knew someone was talking to her but couldn't figure out what they were saying, only when they tried to pick Sian up from her lap did she snap back to reality. "No, what are you doing?"
"What's her name miss?" asked the paramedic, leaning forward and looking at Sian.
"Sian. Sian Powers." croaked Sophie, feeling herself drifting off again.
"Niether of you are in a good way, we're here to help you, it's going to be okay. What's your name?"
"Sophie … Sophie … Sophie Webster."
"Okay Sophie, we need to get you and your friend to-"
"Girlfriend, she's my girlfriend." muttered Sophie, struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Okay, we need to get you and your girlfriend in to the ambulance, you're going to have to let go of her Sophie so we can put her on the stretcher. Can you do that for us?"
Sophie nodded, relaxing her hold on Sian as a couple of other paramedics lifted her on to a stretcher and carried her off to the ambulance.
"Can you walk Sophie?" asked the paramedic but he didn't get a response from the brunette who was starting to lose consciousness.
"We need another stretcher over here!" was the last thing Sophie heard before she passed out.
"Mum, Dad, she's waking up!" shouted Rosie as Sophie's eyes started to flicker open. Kevin and Sally dashed back in to the room to see Sophie stirring in her bed. She had a few stitches across her eyebrows and her face was covered in cuts and bruises. Her arm was in a sling and there was a bandage wrapped tightly around her leg where the glass had cut in to it.
"Wh-What happened?" mumbled Sophie, her voice extremely hoarse.
"You were in a car crash love, but it's going to be okay, you're fine." replied Sally, smiling softly at her daughter.
"I'll go get a doctor." Kevin turned and left the room, leaving the three women alone.
The crash slowly started coming back to her and Sophie sat up quickly in the bed, instantly regretting it and tightly shutting her eyes trying to block out the pain in her head.
"Take it easy So-"
"Where's Sian?" Sophie interrupted her mother, looking between her and Rosie, eagerly awaiting an answer.
"She's in the next room." replied Rosie. Sophie could tell from her sister's tone that it wasn't good news.
"Is she okay?" Rosie put her head down at her sister's question, not wanting to answer. "Mum is she okay?"
"She's in a bad way Sophie." Sally looked sympathetically back at her daughter, seeing the fear and panic in her eyes.
"In a bad way? What … What does that even mean?" No one said anything and Sophie felt herself getting angry. "WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY GIRLFRIEND?"
No one got the chance to respond as a doctor stepped in to the room, smiling warmly at Sophie, closely followed by her dad.
"Ahh Miss Webster, it's nice to see you're awake. You've been very lucky. You have a concussion and a few cuts and bruises. We've had to give you a few stitches in your leg where the glass went in and you've broken your left arm. Other than that you're going to be ju-"
"I couldn't give less of a damn about my minor injuries. Will you tell me how Sian is?" Sophie frowned at the doctor and folded her good arm across herself.
"Sophie don't be so rude." said Sally as the doctor took a deep breath.
"Miss Powers is in critical condition. She's suffered a head trauma and is yet to wake up. She's got a considerable amount of swelling around her brain and until she wakes up and that goes down, we really won't know the extent of her injuries. The next twenty four hours really are critical." stated the doctor.
"I want to see her, she shouldn't be by herself." Sophie threw the bed covers off herself, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Rosie placed her hand on Sophie's leg, stopping her.
"Sophie babe, you really should rest." Rosie's words fell on deaf ears as Sophie shook her hand off, stepping out of the bed and wincing slightly as her bad leg hit the ground.
"Where is she?" Sophie looked between the group of people in her room impatiently.
"I'll show you to her room." said the doctor, ushering for Sophie to follow him as she hobbled after him in to the next room.
Sophie felt tears stinging her eyes as soon as she saw Sian. Her head was wrapped in bandages and her face was covered in cuts and bruises but she still looked beautiful to Sophie. There was wires and tubes coming from her chest and her hands.
"Don't let the machinery alarm you miss, they're only to monitor her condition." assured the doctor. "I'll leave you to it, you should talk to her. Hearing a familiar voice can help people wake up."
Sophie mumbled thanks as he left the room before limping over to Sian's bed, pulling up the chair that was beside it and sitting down. She reached out, taking hold of Sian's hand and holding it tightly.
"Hey baby. Look at the pair of us. Should have been lay on the beach catching a tan and instead we're covered in cuts and bruises and in a hospital bed." Sophie managed a weak smile as her tears started to fall. "I need you to wake up babe. I need you so much, probably more than you realise. I have no idea what I'd do without you, you mean absolutely everything to me." Sophie sniffed back her tears, trying to stop herself from getting too upset. "I need you to wake up because we need to do everything we said we would. We're going to finally go on holiday together, and we're going to get a better flat that actually has enough room for all of our stuff. And we're going to graduate university together and then you're going to become a top class lawyer and I'm going to be a teacher. And I'm going to ask you to marry me and we'll spend the rest of our lives together. Can't do all of that if you don't wake up can we?" Sophie was unable to speak any longer, her sobs wracking through her whole body as she lay her head down on the side of Sian's bed, letting her emotions take over her as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks. Sophie placed a kiss on Sian's hand, tightening her hold on it before placing her head back down on the side of the bed, crying herself in to a deep sleep.
…
"Soph?"
"Sian?" Sophie's head shot up from the bed, waking up straight away but was instantly disappointed as she looked down at a still unconscious Sian.
"Did you sleep here Sophie?" asked Rosie, taking a seat in the chair on the other side of Sian's bed. Sophie nodded in response, rubbing her eyes and letting out a long sigh. "You know you have a bed in the next room?"
"I want to be here when she wakes up." muttered Sophie, taking Sian's hand in her own again.
"Mum and Dad left but they brought you some pyjamas to wear so you don't have to sit about in that hospital gown, it's rather unflattering. Sian wakes up and sees you in that, she might fall back to sleep again" Rosie joked earning her a feeble smile from Sophie. "Go put these on, you'll only be two minutes and she's not going anywhere." Rosie got up, handing Sophie the pyjamas who reluctantly stood up, hesitating for a second as she looked down at Sian. "I promise I'll shout you if she shows even the slightest sign of waking up."
Sophie nodded and made her way out of the room before quickly coming back in. "Rosie?" her sister lifted her head. "I don't think … I don't think I can …" Sophie gestured to the pyjamas and lifted her arm in the sling as Rosie nodded her head, showing she understood.
"Okay well we'll just get you dressed in here then." said Rosie, standing up from her seat and drawing the curtain around them. Sophie gave her a concerned look, glancing down at herself and then back up at Rosie.
"I haven't got a bra on Rosie." she mumbled as Rosie rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry Sophie, I'll avert my eyes, I have no desire to see your boobs." chuckled Rosie as she lifted the hospital gown over Sophie's head from behind. Sophie looked over her shoulder at her sister, passing her the pyjama top as Rosie struggled somewhat but managed to pull it on. Once Sophie was dressed she mumbled her thanks and sat straight back down in her chair beside Sian as Rosie pulled the curtain back. Rosie placed herself in the chair next to Sian's bed opposite Sophie.
"She still looks beautiful doesn't she?" muttered Rosie, looking down at Sian.
Sophie nodded, "She always does." The younger sister paused for a second as she thought. "Have you been here all night?"
Rosie shook her head, "No I left for a little while. Went and put Matty to bed and then came back here."
"Don't you need to look after him now?" asked Sophie.
"Jason's took a few days off work. I want to be here for my two favourite girls." Rosie smiled at Sophie who merely nodded in response. "Do you want a coffee?" Sophie nodded again as Rosie got up from her seat and made her way out of the room.
Sophie leant in towards Sian, kissing her hand a few times before lowering it back on to the bed and entwining their fingers, running her thumb gently over it. "Keep this beauty sleep up and I might not be able to keep my hands off you." Sophie managed a weak smile at her joke, squeezing Sian's hand a little tighter. Sophie looked down at her lap, begging herself not to get upset again as she felt tears stinging her eyes. Forcing herself not to look at Sian in an attempt to keep herself composed she continued talking in to her lap. "You're starting to take the piss a little bit now. And to think I used to have a go at you for sleeping in so much at the flat, this is going a bit far … I'm getting a little tired of talking to myself … I miss hearing your voice, even if it's just to tell me to stop rambling."
"Stop rambling." came a feeble croak from above her causing Sophie's head to shoot up.
"Sian?"
"Hey." whispered Sian as her eyes started to flicker open.
"Oh my god, you have no idea how worried I was." Sophie stood up, placing a kiss on Sian's forehead before beaming down at her. "I'll just go get a doctor."
Sophie dashed out of the room, no longer caring about the shooting pain up her leg as she stepped on it, looking around for someone to speak to. She stumbled upon a nurse and tapped her on the shoulder, causing her to stop and stare at Sophie, a concerned look on her face as Sophie bent over, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
"My girlfi … My girlfriend, Sian … Powers. She's … She's awake." panted Sophie as the nurse nodded in response and rushed off to get a doctor as Sophie made her way back to the room to see a now fully awake Sian looking a little groggy.
"How are you feeling babe?" asked Sophie, making her way back over to Sian's side and holding on to her hand.
"I've felt better." Sian let out a weak laugh as she looked up at Sophie. "How long have I been out for?"
"About a day." replied Sophie as a doctor and a nurse hurried in to the room, smiling at Sian.
"Nice to see you're awake Miss Powers." he nodded to Sophie, "I'm afraid we're going to have to ask you to leave while we carry out a few tests."
Sophie agreed reluctantly, leaning down and planting a kiss on Sian's lips, letting it linger a little longer than usual before standing back up. "I'll be right back when they're done baby." Sophie smiled, lowering her voice slightly so only the two of them could hear, "I love you so much."
"I love you too." whispered Sian, giving Sophie's hand a quick squeeze before she left.
Sophie sat herself down on a seat outside of Sian's room, placing her head in her hands and exhaling deeply.
"Why are you out here?"
Sophie looked up to see Rosie in front of her holding two coffees.
"She's awake." replied Sophie, taking a coffee from Rosie and sipping on it.
"And again … Why are you out here?" Rosie had a confused expression on her face.
"Doctors are doing tests." Sophie answered simply, her head felt full of thoughts and she could barely think of a coherent sentence to put together. Rosie sat down next to her, sensing her sister didn't really want to speak, giving Sophie's hand a gently squeeze before they both fell in to a silence and waited for the doctor to come out of the room.
What felt like hours passed by but it was probably only a few minutes. When the doctor finally stepped out of the room, both Sophie and Rosie jumped to their feet.
"Is she okay?" asked Sophie.
"Is there anything serious wrong?" added Rosie.
"She's going to be just fine." assured the doctor as both girls let out a sigh of relief. "She's got a few cuts and bruises and there's still a little swelling around her brain but that should go down. We'll be keeping her in for a few days to monitor it but other than that, she's been incredibly lucky. You both have."
Sophie thanked the doctor and went to go back in Sian's room before pausing and shouting him back. "What about the taxi driver?"
The doctor put his head down before regaining eye contact with Sophie. "I'm afraid, despite our best efforts, he wasn't quite as lucky."
Sophie swallowed hard, nodding her head as the doctor turned and walked away from the room. "I don't know why I wanted to know that." said Sophie, seeing the baffled look on her sister's face as they made their way back in to Sian's room.
"Hey there sleeping beauty." joked Rosie as she headed over to the seat beside Sian's bed.
"Hey yourself." chuckled Sian as she patted to the spot on the bed beside her, gesturing for Sophie to join her. "You broke your arm huh?" she pointed to Sophie's sling as she nodded in response and sat on the bed beside Sian. "I wish I could get out of here now, I've only just woken up and I'm already sick of the sight of this room."
Sophie shook her head, "You've got to stay here Sian, they need to make sure you're okay."
Sian looked over at Sophie frowning at Sophie's coldness. "What's wrong Soph?"
Sophie felt the familiar prickling of tears in her ears at Sian's question. "I was really scared Sian."
The blonde leant in to Sophie, resting her head on her shoulder, "I'm going to be fine baby. Just a few cuts and bruises and then I'm out of here in a few days. You've suffered worse than I have, you have a broken arm!" laughed Sian, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah Soph, how are you gonna pull your super lover moves on the couch with a broken arm?" teased Rosie causing Sian to laugh a little louder.
"Aww babe, I'm just gonna have to give and not receive for a while." chuckled Sian, placing a kiss on Sophie's cheek.
"Okay well if this is the direction the conversation is tak-"
"Rosie, you took it in this direction." pointed out Sophie, interrupting her sister.
"Well mine was just a passing comment, it wasn't a conversation starter. Anyway … I told mum and dad I'd let them know when Sian wakes up so I'll step outside for a bit." Rosie stood up from her seat and swiftly exited the room.
"I'm so glad you woke up." Sophie wrapped her good arm around Sian, hugging her tightly as the blonde let out a hum of contentment.
"Well I couldn't leave you all by yourself could I?"
"You better bloody not!"
"I never would." reassured Sian, leaning in and kissing Sophie. "When I said forever, I meant forever."