Chapter 22

Is This Real?

I shot up from my bed, my heart beating rapidly against my chest. Beads of sweat guided down my cheek from my temples and I put my hand against my forehead. My head felt hot as I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

I looked at the time and it was 10:23 AM.

What happened? Last thing I remember was being held in daddy's arms when I found out I was pregnant… and the box.

I looked at my lap and saw nothing there.

Where's the ring? Where's the box that had the ring!

I looked at my night table and saw that it wasn't there either. I started to panic and I looked around the room. There was pictures, balloons, get well cards, just everything, the only thing that was missing was my family and Jake. How do I call someone in here?

I looked for a remote which called for the nurse, but I didn't know where it was. I pushed the blankets off my body, kicking it to the end of the bed and swung my feet to the edge of the bed. I stood up, but started to feel dizzy.

I held on to the stand that held the bag in which my IV was connected to and tried to steady my vision. I put a hand to my forehead, but couldn't see clearly. As I was going to collapse to the ground, the door opened and I looked up seeing Luann.

"Miley! You're awake!" She shouted and ran into the room and by my side, hugging me.

She pulled me close to her, but I placed my hands on her shoulders, holding myself up.

"I'm going to fall." I told her as she firmly out her hands on my hips, placing me back on my bed.

"Why did you get up?" She asked and I shook my head.

"I needed to talk to someone. I wanted to get out of here. I'm sick of the hospital." I told her and she stared at me with a puzzled look on her face.

"What are you talking about?"

"What? I've been here for far too long and I need to get out. There's no use staying here, it just reminds me that Jake's dead and I'm fucking pregnant." I snapped at her, but soon held my head, feeling it throb.

"Wait, wait, you're pregnant?" She asked as she placed her hands on my shoulders.

"Duh, I mean that's why Ms. Cahill asked you and Oliver and Lilly to leave earlier today or yesterday or whenever that was." I told her and she gawked at me as if she was utterly confused.

"Don't stare at me like that." I replied.

"Miley, are you high? You've been unconscious since the night of Senior Ball." She told me and I was slightly taken aback.

"What? So… what the fuck is going on?" I asked her.

It's too hard to believe. So was all that drama just a dream? How can it be just a dream when it felt so real? Jake was dead and I was crying my eyes out when it happened. I touched his freaking hand and face and it showed that he was clearly dead. What the hell is wrong with me?

"I should call the doctor." Luann said and went back to the door, leaving me alone for a moment.

I stared at the door completely dazed and confused. This doesn't make sense at all, I know what I saw, I know what I felt, but why is Luann acting as if I'm going crazy. I'm far from crazy.

I shook my head in frustration and pressed my face into my hands.

This is just going to get even more confusing when I talk to the doctor.

Within minutes, a doctor and a nurse stepped into the room. I stared at them noticing that they were the same people that helped me out the same time, so they should know what happened. The doctor was the one that told me that I was pregnant in the first place.

"Miley! Good to see you're awake." The doctor said and walked up to me, pulling out a stethoscope. He plugged it in his hears and took the metal thing on the other end and pressed it against my chest.

"Uhh…" I stared at him feeling even more confused.

"Yes?" He asked as stepped closer to me and pressed the metal thing against my back.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked and furrowed my brows.

He stepped back and pulled the stethoscope from his ears. He put it back into his big white pocket and smiled. "You've been unconscious for about a week." He softly replied.

"That can't be right… I mean I thought… Jake died… and I was pregnant and…" I shook my head taking in the news.

"Well, I can tell you that Jake's not dead and you're not pregnant… unless you've engaged in sexual activity without using protection." The doctor said as he placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Jake's not dead!" My eyes widened as I got ready to jump off the bed and run out of the room.

I didn't care about him asking about the sex and the protection, the only thing I thought about was Jake not being dead. Jake's not dead and it was all a nightmare. Oh my god, I can't wait to see Jake!

"Whoa, calm down…" He said as he sat down next to me.

"Can I see Jake? I mean, I am healthy enough right?" I asked the doctor and he smiled.

"You have a slight cold… but I'm not sure… Jake's been resting, he's in recovery from surgery, but he's doing well. Your attacker hurt him pretty bad, but with him now dead-"

"Matt's dead?" I gasped.

The doctor nodded. "I should probably have let your dad tell you that."

"Can I see Jake, please, I need to see him." I practically begged him as I took a hold of his arm.

I needed to see Jake, I needed to see him with my own eyes, just believe that my love is alright.

"I don't…"

"Please doctor… I can take her there, its just a few doors away." The nurse said with a smile on her face.

"But her father and his mother-" The doctor fought back and I shook my head.

"They wouldn't mind… I promise you… I just need to see my boyfriend…" I told him and squeezed his jacket. "Please." I said. I felt my eyes gloss over, if I don't see him now, I don't know what I'll do.

I need to see Jake… I need Jake.

"Fine." The doctor sighed. "But don't tell anyone." He said and stood up giving me one last look before stepping out.

I looked at the nurse who was pulling a wheelchair from the corner of the room. She opened it up and pushed it toward me.

"Do you need help getting in here?" She asked me and I shook my head.

I got up from the bed and turned around as I moved backward, sitting in the seat. I looked at the nurse as she took the stand that held my IV and hooked it to the wheelchair. She started to push it and stopped to push the door open and hooked it. She went back behind me and went down the hallway, passing a few rooms and soon stopped at a room which had a window in.

I peered inside and saw Jake with tubes hanging from his nose looking incredibly pale. I held my breath as I watched as Jake stiffly lay there. He looked the same from when I found him dead.

"Are you ready Miss Stewart?" The nurse asked and I nodded.

She pushed me into the room, slowly walking toward the bed and stopped next to him.

"I'll give you two a few minutes."

I sat there, staring at him as I heard the door close.

I lifted my hand as it trembled. I didn't want to feel the cold hard hand I felt in my dream. I wanted to feel the warm and soft hand I felt each and every time I held his hand. I just hope this isn't a dream.

I moved my hand closer to Jake's and slowly put it over Jake's hand. It shook uncontrollably as my hand got closer to his. The tip of my middle finger touched Jake's hand and I felt a shockwave go through my body. I put my whole hand on his and held it.

It wasn't cold and it wasn't warm either, but it felt nice.

I put my other hand on the wheel of my chair and pushed my self closer to Jake's bed. I stared at his hand, slipping it into his and gripped on it. Jake hadn't responded, but I could see his chest slowly raise and fall as he inhaled and exhaled. That's all I needed. That's all I need to know that he's alive.

"Oh Jake." I softly said and put my head down on his bed. I started to tear up and sob as I drew circles on the back of his palm. "I'm so happy you're alive. Oh my God." I sighed deeply as I continued to sob.

I tightly shut my eyes and soon felt Jake's hand squeeze mine back with a hand touching the top of my head.

"I'm glad you're alright too." Jake's raspy and soft voice told me.

I gasped, with my eyes widening. I lifted my head up and soon found myself staring into Jake's blue pools. We locked gazes and Jake grinned.

I couldn't say anything, the only thing that ran through my mind was that Jake's alright and I have him.

"Too bad we couldn't walk in graduation huh?" He then said.

I smiled widely as he opened his arms to me. I got up from my seat and wrapped my arms around his neck. I held on tightly, pressing my face into his shoulder as tears continued to stream down my face.

"I love you Miley, I promised you I wouldn't leave you, so why would I leave you now?" He asked as if he could read my mind.

I lifted my head from his shoulder and our faces were only a few inches away.

"Jake." I pouted and he sighed.

"I made you cry again." He softly said, placing kisses on my cheeks, kissing my tears away. He lifted his head from my face and put his hands on my cheeks.

I sniffled and smiled. "You know how emotional I can get." I said and then crashed my lips against his.

His lips felt warm and soft, just like how they usually are. I smiled into the kiss as I kissed him harder, afraid that I'll never hold him close or kiss him again. He held on tightly as he kissed me back. A hand slipping around my neck and up with his fingers in my hair.

Once we finally parted, we were breathing heavily, staring deep into each others eyes.

"I love you." I said as I quickly kissed him once again, setting myself next to him on his bead.

"I know that."

"Good because I never want you to leave me. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you with-"

He pressed a finger against my lips.

"Don't say it; I know you do… that's why I want you… to marry me." He said as he cupped my cheek. "Not really the most perfect time to say this, but I want you in my life for ever. You're all I need right now and I can't see myself with anyone else in the future."

"You know my answer to that already." I said as I put my hand over his on my cheek.

He smiled widely as he struggled to lift himself up from his bed.

"Don't." I said and I put my hand on his shoulder, putting him back down.

"I'm sorry… but once all this is over…" He started and I shook my head.

"Shh." I said and realized one thing. "This is almost like when you first were in the hospital…"

"Déjà vu." He said and laughed as he held my hand.

"No Jake, this is the real thing." I winked at him, knowing that more will come to this in the future.

A/N I rewrote this chapter and the very last chapter. You all wanted a dream, so whatever. I changed the whole concept of the last chapters just so that you guys will be happy. I still can't believe I rewrote this. Seriously. Whatever makes you guys happy.

I hope you liked this fic. I'm just… whatever. Then again, the death wasn't the original ending. Whatever. I can't believe I'm even explaining myself.

If you wanted to read the other ending, I don't see why I would put it to waste, ask me and I'll send it to you, or, better yet, I'll post it after this ending. It's a chapter and an epilogue, and this is a chapter and an epilogue. So yeah.

Rebel: Thanks my squishable squishy. You tried, I know and thanks for trying to make all the hating go away XP I guess it was all hitting me so yeah. I still can't believe I rewrote the last few chapters. It kinda… yea you know XP… lol making the rest of my summer suck. Man I start in like 2 days. Thanks! ILY!