Zachs pov
We sat there for hours, having pointless little conversations.
Machines lined the walls. Everything was beeping and trying to keep my mother alive. Doctors and nurses drifted in and out of the room every hour.
I stopped one of the men coming in and out. "Can you tell us what happened?"
He cleared his throat. "Well young man, your mother has gone into a coma, perhaps from the shock of the accident. We're still running tests to find the answer. Shes suffered head trauma, multiple broken ribs, and some burns. Luckily she is still breathing on her own. That is a relief, trust me." he said it as if we should just know. As if this happens every day. I guess for him it does.
"This might sound stupid, but do you know when she might wake up?"
"We are still figuring things out, son. Its only been a couple of hours. Only time will tell." he patted my back and walked out of the room.
"If it's so good that she's breathing on her own, then why are there so many damn tubes and machines? I ran my hands through my hair. Cammie grabbed my arm and brought me back down to the chair.
"Zach, they really just need more time to run tests. I bet Liz could figure it out." I shook my head, not listening to what she had said.
"Why couldn't it have been me? She doesn't deserve this. Maybe she's done some bad things in her life, but shes made it over a hundred times. Emily can't lose her mom. I can't lose my mom."
Cammies pov
There's so much shit in his past that I dont know about. He spent a lot of time with joe, so they weren't together. But anyone could see the bond they had formed. All night fear had been in his eyes. Exhaustion was everywhere else in his body.
"Dont ever say that again. Zach," I made sure he was paying attention. "Please never say anything like that again. This is already driving me insane seeing her like this. Imagine how I would feel if it was you there."
"God, I'm so sorry Gallagher girl. There's just, oh you have no idea." he crumpled into the seat.
"Babe you can talk to me. You can always talk to me." I held him in my arms the best I could. He only shook his head. "Well then try to sleep. Do it for me, please. And I'm saying this with all my love, but you look like hell."
"Real sweet Gallagher girl."
"Like always." I leaned down and kissed his forehead. And with that, Zachary Goode let his walls fall down. For a few hours, he could just be at peace and not worrying about everything.
The pain meds had worn off a while after we had gotten here. I checked my phone. It was nearly 4 am. Zach was completely out. While he slept, I stared, hoping that something would happen. Rachel would move. Her lungs could suddenly become stronger. She would wake up. It had been longer than a couple of hours. The doctors should have given us results, but none had come in.
So I decided that it was okay for me to sleep.
The room was dimly lit, even though the sun had risen. Someone stood over Rachel. He kept his hands in his pockets. Zach was still laying on my lap so I didn't move.
It was Mr. Solomon.
No, it wasn't.
Because I saw his hand move up to his face to wipe away tears.
Joe Solomon doesn't cry.
"Mr. Solomon?" it came out as a question but I knew who it was.
"How did this happen?" he didn't sound like a man that was crying moments before.
"Zach didn't tell you?"
"He said he didn't know anything."
"At that moment, it was true." filled him in with the limited knowledge we had. The light caught in his eyes. He looked… almost like Zach. That wasn't possible. Well ok, not in physically. But they were both terrified to lose her. They both had the panic and worry. There's also love. Different types, but both there just the same. He was in love with her.
"You love her, dont you?"
"Who couldn't?"
"Youre right. But you've completely fallen for her."
"She's a married woman."
"If I heard anything correct, then not for long."
"It's inappropriate to be discussing this as your teacher."
"But youre also my fathers and aunts best friend. Plus, who would ever know?" he shrugged, not looking away from Rachel.
"Have you heard anything from Abby? Does she know?"
"We haven't talked in some time. I dont know how to tell her this. You know how she handles news like this." he took a breath. "Her and Abby are practically sisters. They found each other at the academy and have grown virtually inseparable. When Abby found out about your father, it almost broke her. I have no idea how to tell her about this."
"Maybe we dont for a while."
"Yah." I let a breath out. Was that the right thing to do?
"Joe?" Zach had woken up. His voice was deep and husky, riddled with sleep. "When did you get here?" The room had filled with more light. That silky brown hair was messed up how it always was when he sleeps. He stretched his arm muscles and I could see them flex through the white long sleeve.
Zachs pov
I stood up from the chair and went over to them.
And there she was. Laying in the bed, practically lifeless. Bandages covered burns or cuts around her face. I could only imagine what her ribs looked like. Bruises ran up and down her arms.
All my fault.
"Hey, why dont you go to the cafeteria and eat something? I'll be fine up here." I looked at Cammie to see what she wanted to do.
"It's a good idea." so I grabbed her hand and we began to search for food.
"Are you gonna bring Emily here?" she looked up from her salad.
"I have no idea Gallagher girl. I dont want her to see mom like this, but she needs to know what happened. Shell ask questions eventually and I can't lie to her. Even if she won't quite understand."
"Maybe we wait a week. We can go home and celebrate Christmas, take our minds off of things. Rachel will wake up. That might be the best time." she reached across the table to take my hand.
"Is there anything to celebrate?"
"Emily would be devastated if we didn't do anything. You know that. Plus, its the most wonderful time of the year right?" her voice cracked a little bit at the last part. I looked into her bright blue eyes. She was trying to make things better as usual.
"I love you Gallagher girl."
"I love you too Zachary Goode." something about the way she said my full name drove me insane. I wanted to take her away to someplace good. She would never have to worry about the bad in the world again. But everyone knows that place doesn't exist.
Over the next thirty-six hours, we walked around a little bit. Or played card games. Or just held each other, hoping everything would get better.
I found us walking into the children's section of the hospital. Cammie had brought me to the nursery. Somehow she had sweet-talked the nurse into letting her hold a baby. The newborn looked like a mass of blankets with a head on top. But Cammie just smiled, cooing at the little thing. It started to whine and she soothed him.
"You know, I never thought you were one for small children."
"I am once I know theyre not mine." I gazed at the sight. She had gone back to rocking him. I found myself looking into the potential future. Except that was our baby she was holding. There would be a wedding ring on both of our hands. Instead of sitting in the hospital, we would be in our own home. Or Cammie would be in a hospital bed, waiting to catch the first glimpse of her new baby as I held her hand tight.
Who am I kidding? I could never be a father. That would need commitment. That's not really my style.
Cam handed the baby back to a nurse and we went to the room. Joe had already left. I thought we would be alone.
Cammies pov
"Hey, squirt."
"Aunt Abby." I let go of Zach's hand and gave her a hug.
"Zach, get over here." seconds later his body covered my back.
"Are, or well how- hi Abby. How are you?"
"Breathe cam. I'll be better. But dont worry about me," she took us both in. "how long have you been here?"
"Uh, probably almost two days."
"I can tell. You should go home, take a shower and take a proper nap." I could tell Zach didn't want to leave Rachel's side. She saw his gaze too because then she added, "she'll be fine with me."
"Alright. I guess a shower wouldn't be too bad."
"Thank you. Now, give me your secret to staying after visiting hours." I held up my left hand with the massive diamond on it.
"According to the hospital, I'm Cameron Goode."
"Oh, I'm so proud!" she smiled with her eyes bright. "My niece is becoming more like me."
"And that's a good thing?"
"Extremely good." she nodded with a grin. I finished ordering our car.
Thirty minutes later, I began to pack my purse. There wasn't much to put in.
"If you dont mind me asking, what happened with your dad?" I slid into the back of the uber.
"You can guess what some of it was about. But I dont want to talk about that right now." he raised his eyebrow to the driver. He was the reason why.
"Ok." I settled into his arm and took in the new scenery that I've seen a thousand times before.
"Have a good Christmas Adam." the driver said as we got out. "The day before Christmas eve." he probably saw the confusion on my face.
"Of course! Happy holidays sir!" we walked up the driveway. Before Zach opened the door, I pulled him aside.
"I have to grab Bex and go back to my house. Its a Christmas emergency," he was gonna add a comment, but I stopped it with a kiss (FYI, that is one of the best ways to shut a guy up. Luckily they talk, a lot). "Yes, there's more. All my orders have finally come in." he stood there with a smirk across his face. I returned the look.
"God youre beautiful." he kissed my forehead before turning the handle to go inside.
Bex and Emily were sitting on the couch. Nothing was on fire. That surprised me.
I crept up behind Bex. "Hey bitch I'm back." her hands moved to my wrists and I flew over the back of the couch.
"We've got to go to my house. Emergency." she stared at me unamused. "There's ice cream in my freezer and you can't get out of this."
"Actually, there isn't any ice cream in your freezer." I shook my head in disappointment.
"Bex that was Ben and Jerry's!"
"I know, and it was amazing." I could only roll my eyes for a response.
"Now you have no choice. Let's go."
Zachs pov
The girls made their way to the door. I was able to get Emily to stop questioning me to ask a question.
"Gallagher girl, can Em go with you guys?"
"Absolutely not." cam turned around."
"Why not!" Emily had her hands on her hips. I felt bad for Cammie. This never ended well. "Am I not your favorite still?" cam held her hand on her chest.
"Emily, why would you say that? Most of the gifts are for you. But I guess that will be changed." a little blur of energy rushed past me. Cammie held her arms open, waiting for the impact.
"Ok, you're forgiven. Make sure to wrap Zach's with the prettiest pink paper you have."
"I bought it just for him." I shook my head and let a little smile slip across my face. Bex and Cammie were able to escape while Emily laughed.
"You know, the two of you are gonna be the death of me."
"Is that a good thing?" she stopped with me at the bottom of the stairs.
"It's a great thing. I have to go shower, Em. Try not to break anything."
"No promises."
The steam filled the walls of my shower. I felt the water burning into my back. Cleansing me of the past three days. Maybe this could be a fresh start until the new year.
Cammies pov
Boxes covered the couches. They had taken over most of the living room and were working into a hallway.
"Who are most of these for?"
"Some are for you and the group, others for Zach, Emily, and Rachel. You know I can't help myself so I bought something for me too."
"Just some light shopping, huh?"
"You know there's more upstairs. That's from the mall. The luxury brands."
"What'd you get Zach?"
"Dont you dare tell him. But a motorcycle. Bmw. all black. Honestly, if I knew how to ride one, I would keep it for myself." I imagined him on it, with the black leather jacket. Way too hot.
"Best girlfriend ever. How are you giving it to him?"
"It'll be delivered Christmas morning. I'll wrap the key in a box." she nodded for approval. We added bows and made curly ribbons. I debated on which wrapping paper to use for everyone's gifts. My theme this year was matte black and white paper tied off with gold bows. It matched all of the white lights that had been strung up. Bex had run out to get the pink paper for Zach. That was what the key would be wrapped in.
"So where do we put all of them?" Bex leaned against the couch in exhaustion.
"A guest room upstairs." and with that, we began making many trips, up and down the stairs.
alright. Hi guys, I'm back. this took wayy too long to publish, I know. but I couldn't think of how to start it. once I got started, I couldn't stop. in all reality, this took three days start to finish. sorry for the wait. it might seem short, that's because there's a lot of dialogue.
what's gonna happen for Rachel? are her and joe destined to be together in the end? how will the holiday go? I always like seeing what you think in the reviews :)