Haunted Dreams

Chapter 11

Nellie wasn't waking up.

It's been a week since the birth and she still hasn't woken up. Sweeney was scared out of his mind.

He called a doctor over and they said the baby and Nellie were both healthy, but Nellie was in a coma. A bloody coma! The doctor said Nellie's coma wouldn't last long, and she should be awake in another week. What if she doesn't wake? Sweeney thought to himself with fear. What if she never wakes up, and I'll be forced to raise this child on my own? He was certainly not prepared to do that.

Taking care of his son without the help of the mother has already been hard enough. Good thing Sweeney knew how to take care of a child at this stage in the infant's life. Johanna wasn't taken away from him until she was a year old.

Sweeney didn't sleep and he wouldn't eat. At least not as much as he should. He was too worried. He wouldn't leave Nellie's side. He was too afraid that he would leave her and when he came back she wouldn't be breathing and her skin would be icy cold with blue lips of death. The woman really was a bloody wonder, a bloody miracle. It was amazing how she wasn't dead yet. After all they have been through in their lives so far.

Their was a knock at the front door and Sweeney remembered that he wrote to Nellie's relatives to let them know that the baby was here but that Nellie was in a coma. He wrote only to the two he had met and knew that could help. Her aunt Nettie, and cousin Daniel Castellian. Sweeney met them a few months ago when Nellie went to visit them and dragged him along. They lived along the beach as well, a few towns down. Sweeney remembered how his jaw dropped when he saw the large two story beach house. Sweeney learned a lot of things that day. Like how Nellie was rich.

She was born to a rich family, the great Castellians. Her father was a big business man of bakeries and meat pie emporiums. Nellie adored the man. He sadly passed away when Nellie was twelve, leaving her with her terrible mother, a brother that abused her, and a little sister who got all the love and adoration.

Nellie has always resented her family, she had an older sister as well. Her name was Rose, and Nellie said that she was like a friend to her. Sadly Rose passed away as well when Nellie was nine. Her father, Phillip, and Rose were the only people in her house hold that she actually liked. The only people she got along with the most in her family in general was Nettie and her son Daniel.

Sweeney opened the door, supporting Jeramey on his shoulder. They stood there with bright, friendly smiles. Nettie excitedly squealed as she pulled Sweeney into a hug. She had a head of thick auburn curls just like Nellie had, only they were a little more red than brown. She was also plump and short with beaming light brown eyes. Her constant bubbling personalty was a little too much for Sweeney's liking.

"Ohhh, let me see him!" Sweeney carefully passed Jeramey over into Nettie's arms. "Awww he's so adorable!"

"Thank you." Muttered Sweeney awkwardly. He turned to Daniel, who smiled and shook his hand. Unlike his mother, Daniel was tall, handsome with a wave of light brown hair, and a dashing smile. His eyes were just like Nellie's, a pool of warm chocolate.
"How have you been?" He asked with sympathy.

"I'm alright." Sweeney managed. He knew from Daniel's expression that he could tell Sweeney was lying.

"May I see her?" Daniel asked.

"Of course."

Daniel was the closet thing to a brother Nellie ever had in her life, since her real brother John was a menace, Daniel and Nellie were always close. Sweeney saw the look on Daniel's face as he ran to the bedroom. He looked more worried than Sweeney did. He took a shaky breath, trying for the fourth time this week not to cry, so far he's succeeded.

"Don't worry love. We'll help as much as we can." Nettie assured him with a warm smile. Sweeney nodded his head and smile back. Thankful that he wasn't going through this alone.

Sweeney sat in the living room cradling Jeramey in his arms. Nettie sat across from him. The atmosphere in the room couldn't be anymore tense. A few minutes later Daniel came in.

"Well she seems to be okay. Just sleeping, of course. But her breathing is steady and alright." Daniel has been to medical school but wasn't too fond of it. At least he could be a bit useful with what he learned before he left.

"Well that's good at least." Stated Nettie.

Sweeney stood up very slowly so he wouldn't wake his son up. "I'm going to go in there, I don't like her being alone."

"I'll put our bags in the guest room." Daniel said picking up the suitcases.

Sweeney smiled at him. He really liked that man. He was Sweeney's first real friend not counting Nellie.

Nettie followed Sweeney into the bedroom. She sat down and held Nellie's hand while Sweeney positioned himself on the bed at Nellie's side, Jeramey still sleeping away in his arms.

"You know, they say that you're suppose to talk to the person that's in a coma." Nettie smiled, she was fighting tears forming in her eyes. Sweeney turned away from this idea she just stated, it sounded ridiculous. "Have you tried it? Have you tried talking to her?"

"No."

"Well give it try. Or maybe a true love's kiss will wake her up." Nettie said giggling.

"Is this a joke to you?" Sweeney announced coldly.

Nettie looked like she was had just been slapped and Sweeney immediately felt sorry. The woman was just trying to lighten the mood. "I'm sorry." Sweeney said.

"It's alright, I understand. I'm going to go help Daniel with the luggage."

The way she said it and walked out of the room with a bit sass and looking steamy Sweeney could see the close resemblance the woman had to Nellie.

Speaking of Nellie, Sweeney turned to look at her. She looked peaceful, like she wasn't even in a coma that she was just taking a nap after a long day. Maybe a true love's kiss will wake her up. Sweeney knew that Nettie was kidding. But then again...

Sweeney leaned down to Nellie until their faces were inches apart.

"Please wake up" he muttered. "I miss you." And he gently brushed his lips against hers. Her lips were dry. Jeramey whimpered and opened his eyes. Nellie's remained closed.

"Well at least that made someone wake up." Sweeney joke to himself looking down at Jeramey. He didn't smile at his joke, because he felt more miserable than ever.

I lied everything is not fine! But don't worry things will get better.