Chapter 7 Silence and Sacrifice Continued

"Emily looked in her direction and raised an eyebrow in question...Emily shook her head at her Mother-In-Law's antics as she got up…"

The night had gone by slowly only interrupted by the nurse constantly harassing her. They have to make sure I'm still alive. Trix was fed up with being in the hospital already and it had only been 12 hours. The afternoon was spent much like the night before and she longed for the comfort of her own bed. I can't go home for two more days! How ridiculous! A few hours ago, the doctor came in and told her and Emily that Trix wouldn't be released unless there was someone to keep an eye on her. They suggested an in-home nurse, but she refused. A stranger accessing my home while I'm recovering! They'd rob me blind. Emily didn't seem very happy with her refusal of a home nurse because that only meant one thing; Richard would insist that his mother stay with them while she recovered. Trix spent the rest of the afternoon watching Emily as the woman processed what the doctor had told her. I don't blame the woman. She'd have someone to take care of against her will. Richard will give her no choice and Emily knows it. Trix had spent a lot of time thinking about how her daughter-in-law will take care of her only because of her husband. She couldn't believe that it had come down to this-forcing Emily to take care of her when they are at a critical point in their relationship. This is the turning point. It can either go well and we build a relationship or it only gets worse from here.

Trix didn't know what she wanted, but she did know that she didn't want their relationship to get worse. Emily was the only person that would ever be around long enough to take care of her when she truly needed it. Bless, Richard. He loves me, but he has no idea what is needed when someone is sick or what it takes to manage things. It's always been Emily who kept things running behind the scenes. Trix let out a sigh at this thought. She had never truly paid attention to her son's inability to do anything. He'd always depended on the women in his life whether it was his mother, his secretary, or his wife. I coddled him too much and made him believe that it was a woman's job to do everything for her husband.

"One of my many regrets." Trix whispered into the empty room. Emily had left to look for a cup of coffee a few minutes ago. She had begun to keep track of how many cups she'd seen Emily with throughout the day. The girl drinks a lot of coffee— it must be where Lorelai gets it from. She is more like her mother than she thinks. The thought of her granddaughter brought about a mixture of emotions. I can't think about her right now.

Instead, she focused her thoughts back on Emily and how she kept herself busy. The girl never slowed down. If she wasn't talking to nurses or the doctor, she was looking for something else to do in order to avoid being in the room for long periods of time. The door to the room opened, Emily walked back in with a large coffee cup in one hand and a stack of papers in the other. I'll pretend to be asleep so she stays for a while. It's incredibly lonely in this room when she's gone.

Emily stopped at the foot of the bed and took a few minutes watching her. Trix saw Emily tilt her head to the side with an eyebrow raised. She knows that I'm awake. Emily shook her head and continued to the couch on the other side of the room. She rummaged through her purse pulling out her cellphone. Trix listened as Emily dialed a number then held the phone to her ear.

"Oh good, I'm glad you remembered that you have a Mother. It's so nice to be remembered." Emily rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. Sighing, Emily continued, "Lorelai, I'm calling to ask you to bring me some things from the house. I'm here at the hospital with your Grandmother for another few days and your Father asked me to stay." Trix watched as Emily's face transformed from sadness to rage, "I don't remember being in labor with anyone else for 14 hours. So no, there's no one else that could possibly go digging through my possessions so I have clean clothes."

Emily's face reflected the sadness and defeat that Trix had witnessed many times when Lorelai was involved. What a life Emily leads. Her family only wants her when she can do something for them. So much has changed since she first walked into my house back in the 60s. No longer the happy young woman, I knew, but instead a woman desperately trying to fill a void. The thought made Trix's heart hurt even more than it already did. Emily's voice brought Trix from her thoughts, "Fine, Lorelai. I should've known better when it comes to you. Everything is more important than the mere thought you'd be asked to do something for your own Mother."

Trix watched as Emily ended the call and threw the phone onto the recliner nearby. Emily got up quickly and turned towards the window. Trix heard Emily trying to stifle a sob. The younger woman wiped her face and shook her head. There was so much pain when it came to Lorelai.

"Nothing hurts more than knowing your own family hates you." Trix heard Emily whisper. Suddenly. Emily moved and walked out of the room. Some of us are starting to see the pain we have caused you, Emily. I am starting to see the woman my son fell in love with so many years ago.

When she woke up, the room was empty. Emily's purse was gone. She abandoned me here! Before Trix could fully express her rage of being left, Emily walked into the room with her hands full of belonging.

Putting down the bags she was carrying, Emily turned towards her mother-in-law. "I had to leave for a little while to get a few things. I had hoped to be back before you woke up. I didn't mean to be gone for so long." Emily just looked at her with what appeared to be fear, "I went to your house and packed a few things. I wasn't entirely sure what you'd want so if there's anything I didn't bring; I can go back later and retrieve them." She left to get my possessions and I assumed the worst. I always assume the worst when it comes to Emily.

"I'm sure what you packed will be sufficient for a few days." Trix watched as Emily's face flushed with happiness. Oh, Emily. It takes so little to make you happy and so very little to upset you. How did I not see the young woman who's so easily hurt under all the strength and stubbornness?

There was a knock on the door. Once they had given permission for the person to enter, the door opened slowly. Emily had her back turned so only Trix saw who had knocked. "Lorelai!"

Hearing her daughter's name, Emily turned towards the door. "Lorelai, you came!" Trix could see what Emily's statement did to her Granddaughter even though she masked it quickly. They carry so much pain when it comes to the other.

"Of course, I came. You called and said Gran was in the hospital. Plus, you asked me to get you a bag of things from the house. I wasn't really helping you, I was helping Gran. How is she supposed to recover if her daughter-in-law is wearing the same clothes two days in a row?" Yes, cover your need to help your mother with sarcasm. Trix rolled her eyes at her Granddaughter. "Besides, I had permission to snoop around my parent's bedroom." Emily's eyes went wide, "and boy did I find more than I ever wanted to know. I will say I find it upsetting and slightly unfair that you're so petite, but have that bra size. I mean what the heck?" Lorelai points towards her own chest, "I totally did not get those in the gene lottery." Trix had to keep herself from snorting. Snorting is not ladylike.

"Trust me, they aren't all they chalked up to be. Lord, the back pain." Emily muttered much to her daughter's amusement. Emily eyed her daughter, "I have no idea what you're talking about in regards to what you could possibly find in our room. Now, thank you for getting me a few things even though you gave no indication you'd go to the house."

Trix watched the exchange between Mother and Daughter; wondering what would happen next and when they would acknowledge that she was in fact still conscious and in the room. Lorelai sighed and muttered, "Of course you thought that" when Emily turned her back.

Trix sat on the edge of the hospital bed waiting for someone to bring a wheelchair. I can finally leave this dreadful place. At least, I'll be somewhere comfortable since I can't go home alone—-which is ridiculous—-I won't be alone at Richard's. This bothered her more than she cared to admit. The fact that she is alone in most aspects of her life but when it came to returning home, there was Richard and Emily. And Emily…I would be dead without Emily. I would have to stay in the hospital if it weren't for Emily. Trix sighed. It has always been Emily.

The was a knock on the door and a young woman walked into the room behind a wheelchair. "I suppose, if I must." Trix stood up and turned to sit in the chair—-just that simple movement took all of her energy—when she was wheeled to the entrance of the hospital, Emily was standing there waiting on the passenger side of the car. "Let's get you home, Mom."

A/N: Sorry for the long wait—we moved and life is crazy with an infant. Plus, baby and I ended up with Covid which was terrible!

anyway, let me know what you think! The next chapter has already been started and Trix wants to find out more about Emily's scars so it should be interesting!