Chapter 36

"Well?" Dad exclaimed, as I stood frozen to the spot. Dougie released his grip around me.

Well, this can't get much worse really.

"I'm drunk?" I tried feebly, the effort just wasn't in me.

"Doug?" Dad looked past me. "What's going on?"

If someone was to walk in right now, it may look as if they were having a friendly discussion.

"I'm in love with her, Harry." Dougie mumbled, his hand finding mine.

Slightly comforting, I must admit.

Really not helping me hide from all the stares.

Only just noticed the amount of people now looking on at us, and the film crew.

The film crew?

Forgot about them.

Tom's currently trying to tell them to shut the camera off.

It's not working.

"You're what?" Dad choked.

I've never seen him this shade of red before.

It's rather unattractive.

"In love with-" Dougie repeated.

"I heard you the first f*cking time!" He scowled.

This is not going well.

"Don't get mad." I mumbled.

"I'm not mad." He spoke calmly. "I'm F*cking Fuming! I'm outraged! I'm speechless! I'm…. How long has this been going on?"

"Well.." I began.

"I didn't ask you!" dad snarled.

What?

"I… Sorry…" I looked up at him, eyes wide. I hitched my dress up, slipping off the stiletto's mum had insisted upon me wearing, before making a break for it, pushing past everyone.

Just great.

Just f*cking great.

I sat down outside, the air was chilly considering it was the middle of August. I must look so amazing. Note my sarcasm. Barefoot. A grubby bum from the wet, dirty step. Tear-stained and mascara streaked cheeks. Wrapping my arms around myself I hear someone behind me.

"Please leave me alone." I whisper, knowing full well that they wouldn't hear me.

Burying my head in my knees as they sat beside me, I flinched feeling a hand on my shoulder. "You know, if you don't go back in there, there's nothing stopping your Dad kicking the sh|t out of Dougie. He's just demonstrated that."

I looked up, stunned.

"Why did you come after me?" I whispered as mum pulled me in to a hug.

"As much as I would like to talk to you about that… I really don't want blood on the floor, Brenna. Can we please go and stop the fight?" She smiled nervously, pulling me to my feet.

"They're fighting?" I exclaimed, pulling mum in to the hall again.

"Jesus Christ, Harry!" I saw Tom run across the room, trying to pull Dad away from the wall, revealing a bloody Dougie.

"Get off me!" Dad scorned, pulling his fist back for another punch.

Dougie just stood, staring back at him.

Either he was too dazed to do anything or he chose not to, he wasn't moving out of the way or defending himself.

I placed my hands over dad's fist and tried to stop him.

Desperately trying to stop him.

"I said, get off me, Tom!" He yelled, pushing me back.

Okay, had not expected this.

"Brenna!" Danny yelled as I fell back.

I swear I flew.

I let out a dull moan as my head collided with something hard.

A Table, I think.

I coughed and turned over on to my side, not able to focus on anything in particular.

"Sh|t, Brenna are you okay?" Danny crouched down, Gabrielle at his side. I could just about make out Dad walking over.

"I'm not having a good day." I managed to mumble, closing my eyes.

It's rather annoying when you can't open your eyes.

Seriously.

And when you can hear everyone around you.

And can't talk back.

I think I'm in hospital.

That would be logical wouldn't it?

Or maybe I'm dead.

Ooh intriguing.

"How you holding up?" I heard Tom ask.

Is he asking me?

"She's not woken up yet." Dougie replies.

Obviously not, then.

"They took her for a scan yet?" I hear Tom scrape a chair to near me.

"In an hour or so. I can't believe she didn't tell me." Dougie grumbles.

Tell him what?

"Well, maybe she didn't know how?" Tom suggested. "Or maybe she didn't know herself?"

"She wouldn't have asked me if I wanted kids otherwise. What was the point in asking me if she already knew?" He exclaimed.

Now, I'm completely clueless.

"She asked if you wanted kids?" Tom asked.

There was silence.

It seemed Dougie had answered without the use of his vocal chords.

"You've just missed Harry." Dougie said suddenly.

"Did you tell him she was..."

"No, I'm not stupid." Dougie retorted.

Sure. You're not stupid. Who was the one who kissed me in front of all of my relatives? Including my mum and dad? Oh yes, that's right. You! You moron! Honestly. Two years, and he goes and makes a c-ck up like that. T!t.

"He's just coming to terms with me and Brenna, and well... not even coming to terms. He hates me." Dougie stumbled with words. "I'm not about to tell him that while I've been with his daughter I've knocked her up as well."

I coughed suddenly.

Talk about shock.

I think I was choking.

"Brenna!" Dougie exclaimed, pulling me up so I was sitting, able to cough without killing myself at the same time. He smiled, rubbing my back. "You're awake!"

"Nice observational skills." I croaked raspily. Seems I didn't have much of a voice. I opened my eyes, blinking continuously until they focused upon my extremely white surroundings. My eyes rested upon the hands in mine, travelling up and resting upon his... Nose. "What the hell did you do to your nose?!"

"That, is your dad's handy work." He pointed to the swelling. I reached up to touch. What? If something is big and red and practically glowing, you press. "Don't! It hurts." He grabbed my wrist.

"How are you feeling?" Tom asked.

"I have a headache." I groaned, reaching my hand to the back of my head, finding it covered with a bandage.

Good lord, I'm wearing a turban.

Hey, I might start a new trend.

"Anything you want to tell us?" Dougie asked. "Me in particular?"

I shook my head.

Like I'm going to tell them what I heard.

And I might have caught the wrong end of the stick anyway...

"Why did you ask me about kids?" Dougie asked.

"What is this? Twenty questions?" I frowned.

"No, it's an interrogation." Tom laughed.

"Brenna.." Dougie's gaze bore in to my own. Jesus, he actually looks knackered. His eyes are bloodshot.

And Pale.

He's pale.

Like white paint.

He's a bucket of white gloss.

Trailing off...

"I was broody." I shrugged. "I just thought maybe that's what we both want."

He was silent.

"Dougie, if you're trying to tell me you don't want that then just say it" I whispered. "I'd rather you tell me now instead of ten minutes after I've given birth or something. If that ever... I'm going to shut up."