Ok, so you guys will either like me or hate me for this chapter. Hopefully it's up to your standards. I cranked it out in an hour. I was in such a writing mood...woot! Anyways, this is dedicated to ANYONE who still reads this story, despite my extreme lack-of-updates. You guys get brownies, cookies,ice cream, whatever you want. I love you all!
Chapter Sixteen
"Do you have any…Queens?" Dodger asked, squinting her eyes at Spencer.
"You do know that we're playing poker…right?" Spencer replied, motioning to the poker chips in front of the intern.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Dodger threw her cards onto the table. "Screw this game." She turned her gaze towards the still slumbering brunette. "Ya know, Ash really needs to wake up soon. You've built her up to be this great goddess in my mind and I think it's about time that I met her," she furrowed her brow, "And also, no offense, but we've been playing poker for 2 hours every day for the last 6 weeks. And I love you and all Spence, but I think it's time you got out of this hospital."
Spencer frowned, "I get out."
"No, you go home every once in a while and get a change of clothes. Hell, the only people you even see are your family, minus your insane mother, Aiden and me. Don't you have other friends?"
"Ashley's the only one I need. You don't understand Dodger, Ashley's the most important person in my life. I love her," Spencer said, taking Ashley's cool hand in her own.
Dodger stood, "Oh no, I think I got that part down. But you need to understand something, Spence. Ashley wouldn't wanting you wasting away in the hospital waiting for her to wake up."
"But she doesn't have anyone else. If I leave her then…"
"What? She'll think you don't love her anymore? She'll feel abandoned? Trust me, I understand why you are doing this. Your love for Ashley radiates off of you. But have you looked at yourself lately? Do you even eat anymore?" Dodger asked, motioning towards the mirror.
As Spencer glanced herself over, she had to admit that what Dodger was saying was true. She did look thinner, not unhealthy thin, but she had definitely lost a fair amount of weight. Her face was pale and she looked older then she actually was. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, and it looked like she hadn't had a good nights sleep, or a shower, in a good long while. But the thing that Spencer noticed most was her eyes. They seemed dead; pale and sunken into her face. The dark circles underneath her eyes were extremely apparent, and Spencer was shocked at her appearance. She hardly even recognized herself.
Lowering her eyes, she slowly walked over to the bed and sat down next to her love. "I just…I can't leave her."
"I know," Dodger said from the doorway, "And that's what scares me."
"Scares you?"
Dodger nodded her head and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, "Yeah. This is killing you Spencer, and you can't even see it. If Ashley wakes up…when Ashley wakes up, who will she be waking up to?" Dodger turned to leave.
"She'll be waking up to me, the same Spencer she knew," Spencer said through gritted teeth.
"Will she? You're broken Spencer, and the one girl who can fix you is too busy fighting for her life." She turned, walked over to the bed and enveloped Spencer into a giant hug, "Take care of yourself Kid, so that you're healthy enough to take care of your girl when she wakes up. Promise me that you'll try?"
Spencer nodded her head as she pressed herself closer to the older girl, "I just miss her so much."
"I know sweetie, and she can feel that love. Trust me, I know these things. I am a wise old intern with many years of knowledge about matters of the heart," she said dramatically.
Spencer sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes, "You only have 2 years on me, you know."
"True, but I reached enlightenment during those 2 years so…yeah, accept that I am right and we're good."
"Ok," Spencer said quietly, suddenly feeling exhausted and emotionally drained.
"Now take my advice, as a soon-to-be doctor, and get some rest Spence. Who knows, maybe things will be better in the morning," Dodger soothingly stated, placing a light kiss on the top of Spencer's head. "Goodnight."
Spencer watched Dodger leave the room and then gazed at Ashley's sleeping form. "I will try Ashley. I'll try to be the girl that you deserve." She gently rested her head on Ashley's shoulder. As she listened to Ashley's heart beat, she felt a calm wash over her. Her eyes gradually began to droop as she succumbed to sleep. She pictured Ashley lying on the beach, the sun shining overhead. Ashley's hair always sparkled so beautifully in the sun, it's one of the reasons Spencer loved going to the beach with the girl. "I love you," she whispered into the darkness, hoping that somehow her words were reaching Ashley.
These walls have become my home, Arthur thought as he stared at the cold walls that surrounded him. It took a few weeks to get the judge to accept his plea and allow him bail options. Even so, sitting in jail wasn't what bothered Arthur the most. It was the fact that he hasn't seen any members of his family since the incident happened. It's been weeks since even Aiden has paid him a vengeful visit. He missed his kids.
"Carlin, your bail has been paid. You are free to go," Officer Beltz explained, opening the cell that occupied Arthur Carlin.
Arthur raised his head, "It's been paid? But who…?" his voice trailed off as the figure appeared in front of him. "You? You paid my bail?"
Paula stepped into the light, "Well of course I did. You're my husband Arthur."
Arthur stood, anger and confusion filling his eyes, "But you left me."
"And I'm still gone, but I'm not going to let you sit in jail for something you didn't do."
Arthur shook his head, "But I did, Paula. I had too much to drink and I drove my car. I hit Ashley."
"What happened to Ashley was part of God's plan," Paula explained, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
"God's plan? It was not God's plan for me to put Ashley into a coma!" Arthur screamed at his wife.
"God does not accept her lifestyle. She is being punished for her actions. It's for the best."
Arthur stared in disbelief at Paula, "Punished? She didn't deserve this Paula."
"I'm just glad that she's out of Spencer's life. She was starting to become like…her," Paula spat.
"Her name is Ashley, and our daughter loves her. Ashley shouldn't be punished for loving our daughter. For making her happy? God is not against happiness, Paula. He shouldn't punish Ashley. I'm the one who should be punished. I deserve to be punished," Arthur explained.
"You saved our daughter!" Paula yelled.
"I nearly killed someone, Paula. This is not God's plan. It's a mistake, a horrible mistake. And I will pay for my crime. But Ashley has nothing to be sorry for. She made Spencer happier then I have seen her in a long time, and I support our daughter. And if she can ever find a way to forgive me, I will thank God for that," Arthur declared.
Paula simply shook her head, "God will punish those he deems unworthy. I've looked at Ashley's medical chart, and it's likely that she won't last much longer. Ashley is going to die, and then God's plan will truly be revealed."
"Get out," Arthur growled underneath his breath. "Something has happened to you, Paula. When did you become so heartless?"
Paula's eyes flashed with anger and hurt. "Goodbye Arthur." She turned and headed out of the room.
Arthur watched his wife's back disappear into the darkness, and for the first time in months, a grin began to form on his face. For the first time he felt that things might turn out ok. Paula was right, God did have a plan for Ashley. But he felt, deep down in his heart, that Spencer and Ashley were meant to be together. And Spencer deserved that kind of happiness. Ashley would be ok, he knew it.
The rhythmic beeping filled the room. The moon shone lightly through the window. Spencer lay quietly next to Ashley, her arm draped over the brunette's stomach, her head on Ashley's chest. The epitome of tranquility.
The beeping suddenly became erratic and Spencer felt Ashley convulse beneath her. "Ashley!" Spencer cried in alarm. "Someone, please help."
Ashley's frail body shook as the seizure exploded through her. "God, Ashley, please. Please don't leave me."
The beeping on the machine began to become steady again. The seizure was over. Spencer buried her head in Ashley's chest, sobs racking her broken frame. Something was different, in the air, Spencer could tell. Something had changed. Something was wrong. Something…
"Spencer?" a voice whispered.
Spencer's head slowly turned toward the voice. She wiped the tears from her eyes and her bottom lip began to quiver.
"A-Ashley?"
