-
Silence was the answer to his question. It had been that way for two days.
"Come on, 'Ro! I told you that we only ran into each other when I was on mon way here!" She looked up at him then back down at her book.
"Can you be quiet? I'm trying to read." Her rich Southern voice took on an icy tone as she glared up at him.
"Ro', I'm sorry." She raised a brow at him when he gave her anxious look.
"It ain't that big a deal. I mean, I can always ignore the racket you're making and continue reading." He gave a defeated sigh. "Oh, by the way, your mother called a few minutes ago, askin' where you were. Told her you were here annoyin' the hell outta me." He frowned.
"Then I should go home." Without another word from either of them, he strode out the door.
"Finally, some peace an' quiet."
-
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to some music. She wondered what was wrong. He was trying to apologize for talking to Belladonna? Or was it that he was apologizing for 'hurting her feelings?' Whatever the reason, it was bothering her.
"Dammit." She pulled the pillow over her face and let out a sigh. There was one good part about all this. She finished reading her book. She pushed the pillow back off her face and set one hand on her stomach. She felt the baby move and smiled. "Sorry about that fall I took, Sugah." She whispered as she rubbed her stomach. Then she sat up, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Rogue!" Someone called as they rushed up the stairs. She stood up and opened her bedroom door, staring at the person on the other side of it. The man looked really anxious and he was breathing heavily. "There's been an accident."
"Who are you?" He stared at her before he sighed.
"The name's Logan. I'm a friend of your Cajun boyfriend." He replied and she nodded. "Like I said, there's been an accident."
"An.. An accident?" She frowned.
"It's Remy.. He was in a car accident." She fell to her knees and stared straight ahead, her eyes wide. "Some guy in a car hit him as he was coming down the street. He's at the hospital now. I'll take you there, if you want." He helped her stand up and she tried to make herself believe that this wasn't real. She must've fallen asleep..
"H-How could this happen?" Logan had no idea what to do. She was starting to shake and cry.
"I don't know." They got down the stairs. "Maybe he's regained consciousness by now. I'll drive you."
"Thanks, Logan." She muttered, thankful for his help. She certainly wouldn't have been able to walk without it. Irene and Raven stood in the living room, looks of remorse and pain on their faces. Rogue stared at Raven with glossy eyes. "Take care o' her fo' tonight, okay?"
"Right." Raven knew that meant that Rogue didn't want them there at the hospital. Logan led her outside but stopped in the doorway.
"I'll bring 'er back when she wants." They nodded and he closed the door, leading Rogue down the front steps.
"It's all my fault." She put a hand to her forehead, tears beginning to run down her face.
"Why is that?" Logan opened the car door on her side and closed it when she got in then proceeded to his side.
"We had a 'fight' about an ex o' his that I saw him walkin' with." She put her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. "I can't believe that this happened!"
"Calm down there, girl. It ain't your fault and if I know Gumbo, he'll be fine." Logan started the car and pulled out into the street. He knew it wouldn't be decent for him to pick her up on a motorcycle.. "The scene wasn't too bad but it sure was a mess. I ain't gonna lie to you, kid. He wasn't in the best of shape when they were hauling him into that ambulance." She stared ahead, as if in a trance, seeing the sight in her own mind. As if on cue, rain began pouring down from the dark clouds already massed in the sky.
"Thanks, Logan." She whispered, causing him to look over at her for a second before focusing back on the road. "Remy never told me about you, he just said that he went to the bar to see this one friend. I'm guessin' that's you." She bit her lip. "It's just that I can't believe something like this could happen."
"Tell me about it." The ride was silent the rest of the way and, before Rogue knew it, she was sitting in the waiting room next to Logan, who preferred to stand and lean against the wall. The news was on and they played the scene of the accident. It had happened little over an hour ago but news reporters never missed a beat. She noticed quite a few people staring at her and she knew that if she saw herself, a wet, young pregnant girl shivering in the air-conditioned waiting room, she'd stare too. She just crossed her arms and leaned her head back against the wall. Images and thoughts whirled around in her head and she groaned, letting them all come out in another rush of tears. Logan could do nothing but put his hand on her shoulder and glare at all the staring people. They looked away, almost ashamed of themselves.
"Why him? What did he ever do wrong?" She whispered. Then, a nurse with a clipboard called them up.
"You may see him now, you two. However, please be very quiet."
"He hasn't woken up yet, has he?" Rogue's voice cracked.
"No, he hasn't." The nurse replied in a quiet voice, signaling that they should follow her. The only sound that Rogue could hear was the clicking of the nurse's heels on the white-tiled floor. That was one reason she hated the hospital. All the white was too bright.. And the fact that it represented a lot of times people suffered, not to mention died. Then there was the smell. Sometimes the rooms smelled of medications that she didn't want to know what they were. And last and certainly least was the hospital food. God only knows what you're eating. "Here is his room. He doesn't have a roommate so don't worry about anyone other than nurses or the doctor coming in."
"Thanks." Logan muttered, opening the door. The nurse walked away and left them to go inside themselves. As soon as Rogue saw him, she rushed to his side and sat down in one of the two chairs that were in there, pulling it closer. She took one of his hands and intertwined their fingers, feeling a renewed rush of emotions.
"Remy.." Her eyes stung as she kissed his hand. "Please.." She stared at his face, willing his eyes to flutter open just so she could see those warm brown orbs. Logan, however, was looking at the injuries he had. It was obvious he hit his head. It wasn't no small accident. He had bandages wrapped around his head, where he could see the blood was beginning to seep through. His hands were bandaged and his arms had some minor scrapes.
Stay strong, runt. You've got a hell of a lot to learn an' you ain't givin' up yet.
Logan thought as he turned back to the door.
"I'll be outside, kid. I hate hospitals and I need a cigarette." She turned her head and nodded to let him know she heard him. "Just come out when you're ready to leave and I'll drive you home."
"Thanks a lot, Logan." She said with a small smile toward him. He nodded and left. She turned back to Remy. "I'm so sorry, Sugah. I jus' wish I could stay here wit' ya. But I'm jus' your pregnant girlfriend." She smiled weakly. "They better be doin' all they can 'cause if they ain't, I'll come after 'em." She realized her voice had cracked and began shaking. Her lower lip trembled. "I can't stay long, knowing Logan is waiting outside to take me home.. but I can't leave you right now." She knew she at least wanted to stay for a while longer.
-
She closed the door to the car and watched as he drove off. Night had fallen and the darkness pressed close around her as she turned and slowly walked up the sidewalk. She hesitated and stopped next to the tree he had sat in a lot. She just looked ahead and put her head down, pulling her long trench coat closer around her body. It had been raining ever since that night. Two nights ago, when the accident occurred. It had slowed to a light drizzle and the weathermen said it would've stopped by now, but who the hell cares? They're always wrong anyway. She heard the floorboards of the wooden stairs and porch groan and creak under her feet. She set her hand on the doorknob and turned, pushing it open.
"I'm home." Raven had gone away on business again, leaving Irene and her alone in the seemingly empty house.
"I'm ordering out for dinner. Want something?" The blind woman asked kindly, knowing already the answer and the mood her daughter was in.
"Nah, I'm not hungry. I ate a big lunch." Rogue kicked off her shoes and took the coat from her shoulders, revealing the sweats and sweatshirt she was wearing. "He hasn't changed in condition, though they say that his injuries are healin'. They told me that he'll wake up soon but he took a serious blow to the head."
"He'll get better."
"I know." Her voice was soft. Although she was going through a hard time, Rogue hadn't cried since that night. She had been blocking off her emotions with a huge thick wall that no one could see through. But they knew what was on the other side. Pain, misery, and depression. She had stopped blaming herself out loud, but everyone could see that she was still doing it. "Have you talked to his mother?"
"Ran into her when she was leavin' the hospital. She told me that I should stop by for dinner some night." Irene nodded. Rogue's emerald eyes glazed over but she shook it off.
"Why don't you pay her a visit tomorrow evening, if you're up to it? She would very well like your company."
"I know." Memories of the stricken mother's face were all she saw in that moment. "'Rene?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for bein' there for me." Irene nodded and smiled, opening her arms and accepting the girl into them. They stood like that for a minute before Rogue broke away and smiled. "How 'bout I cook us somethin'? I don't really want to eat but I can't skip meals. Take out food just doesn't sound appealin'."
"All right."
-
Rogue sat up, her hair sticking to her face because of all the sweat running down it. She looked around her dark room, wondering why in the hell she had woken up, sweating. Her shirt stuck to her because of it. She pushed the covers away and lumbered over to the light, turning it on. She was pretty warm. Come to think of it, what had she been dreaming about? A light kick broke her thoughts and made her sigh.
"What were we thinkin'?" She mumbled out loud as she slowly made her way to the bathroom. Nature called. As soon as she was done, she washed her hands and splashed some cold water onto her face. She went back into her room, now fully awake and horribly uncomfortable. She looked at the clock. It was four thirty in the morning. She had gone to bed after she ate so she got little over six hours. She decided to take a shower. She was sweaty and hot, anyway. Maybe then she would be comfortable enough to sit down without panting and breathing hard.
-
"Is this normal?" Rogue demanded, staring the doctor in the face. "This baby is kickin' the shit outta me!" She had been called in for a check-up and he said everything was normal and fine. She was cranky, since she had gotten up before five that morning. "I'm gonna have internal bleedin' or somethin' before this child is done with me!"
"I assure you, the baby is just fine and you will only be a little bruised-"
"A little!? Are you a quack o' somethin'? Or do you need hearin' aides!?"
"Calm down, you will be fine." The doctor sighed; knowing moodiness was common was for pregnancy. She sighed, knowing he was dealing with enough already.
"Sorry, doc. Everything's just falling apart. My boyfriend's been in the hospital after an accident an' I'm having discomfort like you wouldn't believe." She swung her legs as she sat on the table. "I've been trying not to go into depression but with this sensitivity to emotional situations, I'm caught in a rut that I can't get out of."
"I'm sorry to hear it. I hope everything turns out well for you."
"Thanks." She frowned. "So, nothing is wrong?"
"No."
"Good." She hopped off the table, grabbed her bag, and went to the waiting room.
"Come back if you feel that anything is wrong or out of place or call, if you want."
"Yeah, sure, whatever. See ya when I see ya." She left and took the bus home.
"How did everything go?" Irene asked, concern etched on her face.
"Everything is fine and normal." She said with a roll of her eyes. "I think I'll make some pasta. Want some?" The older woman shook her head at the offer and said that her friend was going to pick her up any minute. "Oh, okay. I think I'll invite Rem's ma over, then. We'll play a game or two of cards." Marianne was probably getting lonely over there by herself.
"Okay." Irene gave her a worried look.
"I'll be fine. Anyway, if something does happen, I have the phone number on the fridge."
"All right, then." The woman knew there was no arguing permitted because she would wind up going if she wanted to or not. As soon as she heard the beeping of a car out front, she kissed her daughter on the cheek and left. Rogue got on the phone immediately and dialed the number for her neighbor. Marianne agreed cheerfully that she could use some company and that she would gather some other good things to do and would be right over. Rogue always felt a fondness for the compassionate woman. She was certainly put through a lot with a son like Remy.
"Hell, if my child puts me through as much trouble as he put her through, I'll make sure that child couldn't hear nothin' for a week." She mumbled to herself as she got out the cards from the drawer. Marianne walked in, being accustomed to doing so over the past few years.
"Rogue!" The woman hugged her, smiling cheerfully. "You look wonderful."
"I feel like shit." She sat down on the floor on one side of the coffee table and Marianne sat on the other. She had brought this huge bag.
"Can I stay over tonight? I'm just so lonely over there and 'Rene is probably staying the night with her friend so I'll be here to watch over you."
"Sure, sounds great." Rogue laughed when the woman removed the stuff from her bag. "I can tell we'll be having fun tonight." She had a few photo albums, some clothes, some movies she thought would be nice to watch, and games.
"We're gonna try, that's for certain." They didn't want to have any frowns that night. "Will you go with me to visit my son tomorrow?"
"Of course I will, ma." Rogue had started calling her ma a while ago because of all the things she'd done for her in the past, like introducing her to Irene and taking her in and helping her get over the traumatizing past of hers.
"Thank you." Smiling cheerfully, the woman clapped her hands then got up, while Rogue did the same. They sat together on the couch, Marianne picking out a very special album to show the girl first. "Remy made this one." She grinned. "It was so cute and I know you'll love it. It's more of a scrap book than a photo album." She opened it and Rogue gasped, taking it from her with shaking hands.
"I never knew Rem made an album of us."
"It was so sweet that when he showed it to me, I nearly cried." She watched as Rogue flipped through the pages, her fingers deftly passing over certain pictures. "This reminds me of when I was pregnant with Remy. I had enough of doctors, needles, diets, and babies. I screamed my head off at Rem's father for what he did to me sometimes but I was so happy on the day he was born. Happy in two ways. One being having him out of me and the other happy that I would have a little boy to treasure for the rest of my life. I was so happy because he wouldn't be kicking my insides anymore. There were times when I wished that the males got pregnant just so they know what we go through. Remy's father abandoned us after a week. Remy had been upset a lot at his tender ages that he grew up without a father but he got over it. I know he wouldn't abandon you. Besides, if he does, I'll find him and make sure he can't sit for a week." They both laughed.
"You an' me both!" Rogue stated. "I told the doctor today that this little tyke was kicking me too much. He said it was normal. I wish the kid would stop it already!"
"You should've heard some of the things I screamed at that doctor. He was never happier to have that kid out of me. You should've seen the look on his face." They laughed again.
"I was worried, though, when I fell. And there is one thing I like about the 'emotion flow.'"
"What's that?"
"It keeps Rem on his toes."
"That it does. But he was awfully quiet before the accident. I could've sworn you two had a fight."
"Well.. I did sort of start one of my own accord. I saw him walking with Bella and I fell. Then things were rough around the edges for two days."
"I see." She looked a little down.
"It's my fault he's in the hospital and I'll admit it."
"Don't say that, Rogue. I know it isn't your fault. They've established that the accident wasn't Remy's fault. The other driver is fine but he admits that he wasn't paying enough attention to where he was going and mowed my son down."
"Marianne.." Rogue put her arm around the older woman's shoulders.
"I'm fine. Let's have some fun, okay?"
-
Rogue groaned and opened her eyes. A blanket was draped over her as she lay on the couch, stretched out with one arm hanging off, which was asleep. She could smell someone cooking in the kitchen.. it smelled really good. It was then that she got a hunger pang.
"Mmm.." She got off the couch, letting the blanket slip to the floor as she tiredly rubbed her eyes and walked into the kitchen.
"Glad you're up. I was going to come in and wake you." Marianne smiled cheerily. "Sit down. It's almost done."
"Thanks a lot, ma." She smiled a tired smile and sat down as she was told. "I'm starved."
"I figured you would be." The woman said with a light laugh and a wave of her hand.
"So, what time?"
"Hm?" She blinked and turned to face the pregnant girl.
"What time are we going to the hospital?"
"Oh! Later this evening around five." She smiled. "Besides, I was thinking that I have a few errands to run today. I'll pick you up when I'm finished and then we'll go out for dinner. How does that sound?" Rogue nodded and she turned around, humming some tune that Rogue hadn't heard since she was little. She let a small smile light her face before she began to softly hum along.
-
Rogue sat in the car. The road seemed to be endless. This drive was torturing her. She rested her head against the window and let out a sigh. She missed him so much. He was always fussing over her and she'd push him away, stubbornly saying that she was fine when she was embarrassed but happy about the attention. She unconsciously traced circles on her expanding stomach.
Soon. Remy, please wake up soon. I need you to be with me.
"Rogue? We're here. Are you okay? Do you feel sick?"
"Hm?" Rogue turned her head quickly and looked around. "No, I'm fine. Just thinking." She opened the car door and got out. They told someone they were there and the nurse nodded.
"Just go right up. The doctor should be just leaving there now so just ask any questions."
"Thanks." The two women rushed to the room. As the nurse had said, the doctor was just finishing his examination.
"Well, nothing has changed in his state but we believe he'll wake up soon. That's all I can tell you." They nodded their thanks and he left. Marianne only stayed for a half-hour and she said she'd wait for Rogue.
"I don't like being here but I needed to see him." The woman wanted to cry and Rogue couldn't blame her. "I'll wait for you in the car."
"I'll come down in a little bit." When his mother left, Rogue turned back to her bedridden boyfriend.
"Remy.. Come on, you stubborn jackass.. Don't do this to us. We all need you." She felt tears come to her eyes but she had vowed to herself that she wouldn't cry. She took his hand and gave it a light squeeze. She rested her head next to their joined hands and bit her lip. Her heart nearly stopped when she felt a light squeeze on her hand. She lifted her head, emerald eyes wide and glossy from tears that she refused to shed. "Rem.." She stared into his warm, but tired, brown eyes. He gave her a weak smile.
"I feel like I was hit by a bus.. what happened?"
"You were in an accident. I found out from Logan, who brought me to see you. Dummy, you've been out for four days! You're killing me before I turn twenty!"
"That's mon Ro'. I missed you." He let out a tired sigh.
"Remy.. I'm so glad you're awake." He moved over, wincing slightly and she climbed in next to him; his arm finding it's way protectively around her.
"I wouldn't leave you, petite. I love you too much for that."
"I love you, too." She rested her head on his shoulder and finally allowed her tears to cascade down her face.
-
Marianne had been waiting over a half-hour and decided to go and see if Rogue had fallen asleep. She went back up to the room and went in to see the cutest and most relieving sight she'd seen all week. A gasp escaped her lips when she saw Remy look up at her. He was awake and Rogue was fast asleep, the tears finally stopping but still leaving trails.
"You worried her sick. And me too. Don't you ever do that again, hear me?"
"Oui, I hear you." She smiled.
-
Another nice, long chapter! Woo! Cookie for me!