SO HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER. A LOT OF IT IS FILLER AND I'M NOT IMPRESSED WITH IT BUT YEAH… REVIEW!!!! ENJOY!!!
"You gonna go in?" He said lightly, still looking blankly at the hospital entrance.
"No," I mumbled without even thinking. "I mean, yeah." I corrected myself.
"Ok," I could tell he was nodding in my side view. "Tonight?" He asked lightly although it was sarcasm. I took a deep breath and reached blindly for the door handle.
When it came down to this whole situation I was utterly terrified. Scared shitless. I knew that behind those doors lay my cousin who I was close too for years until she disappeared from my everyday life and now here she was, on one note I was so excited to have her back in my life but damn that girl really knew how to make an entrance.
The door popped opened and my arm felt like rubber as I tried to pry it opened further so I could get out. Vince had followed suit and it seemed like he was copying me; his door sat open but he hadn't moved, just like I hadn't; yet. It felt like I could feel the blood pulsing through my veins, through my body quickly trying to keep up with my rapidly beating heart. I took a giant breath of fresh air and let it out with a small groan. I had to force myself to get out step by step, first my right leg, then my left. Next was scooting my bottom towards the edge and then lifting myself out which took a lot since I felt like I was carrying a ton of bricks on my back. Finally though, I made it out, I closed the door and peered over and Vince who hand his elbows resting on the top of the car and he looked at me for some kind of answer, if I only knew it.
Reaching into my pocket I found my lighter and lit the cigarette that rested loosely between my lips; I inhaled heavily and allowed the nicotine to fill my lungs and calm me slightly as it gave me something to do until I calmed down enough to go in. I was sitting next to V on the hood of his car. Without thinking I leaned back and looked up at the sky silently asking the stars to give me answers or maybe strength, something that would give me the courage to get in there and see her. I have to see her. I winced in surprise when Vince grabbed my knee and gave it a squeeze.
"Are you going to be okay baby?" He asked calmly.
I took a drag off of my cigarette. "Yeah," I answered before blowing the smoke out.
"Okay, just let me know when you're ready to go in ok?" He smiled down at me lovingly. Once I was finished, I flicked my cigarette and sat up. I kissed Vince on the cheek.
"Alright let's do this before I change my mind." I muttered and paced towards the door. He caught up to me and put his hand on my lower back almost as if he was guiding me or maybe it was to stop me from turning around and running, which ever.
The automatic door slid sideways and in front of us was a path, the path to new life, the path to death, sickness, health a path that I didn't want to be on but, I had too; it was for Dorothea. We walked up to the desk; where a chubby older lady sat with one of those weird hats pinned at the top of her head. She smiled a fake smile at us and asked what she could do for us. I asked her which room my cousin was in and took off as soon as she told me. I heard Vince tell the nurse thanks before he followed me down the hall. I took the first right and quickly I could see my aunt sitting at the end of the hall. Her body was hunched over and she looked worn out. When I was close enough I called out.
"Aunt Katie!" I said walking up to her. She stood and met me halfway before she smiled tiredly at me and pulled me into a hug.
"Hey Delanie, you're mom told me you were coming, you didn't have to do that you know." She stated softly, I could see the bags under her eyes.
"Yeah, I did," I replied looking at her; really looking at her. "How is she?" I croaked out almost too afraid to ask.
"She's much better than before. They think she should wake up soon, hopefully." Aunt Katie sighed heavily and held her hand out to Vince. "I'm Katie, you must be Vince." Vince nodded, not sure if he should smile and be polite or just shake her hand. Vince nodded and looked down at the smaller woman.
"Yeah, that's me, it's nice to meet you." He said.
"Yeah I just wish it were under different circumstances." Katie replied exasperated.
This comment made him feel quite uncomfortable so he looked over at me silently letting me know that he'd be right there. I nodded and let my Aunt Katie guide me into Thea's room; I held my breath as she opened the door.
Vince pulled out his cell phone and dialed Dominic's number. He hadn't talked to any of them since the two of them up and left so he figured it was time to call and let them know what the hell is going on. It rang a few times until Dominic answered.
"Dude where the fuck have you been?" He questioned Vince.
"Uh, Delanie and I took a road trip." He responded quietly.
"What?" Dominic was confused.
"Delanie's cousin was in a car accident so we packed and left, we just got here. She's in visiting with her cousin now." He explained.
"Just exactly where are you?" Dom asked.
"Fort Worth, Texas…" He said slowly.
"Texas! Christ V, what about school?" He said into the cell phone.
Vince could hear everyone in the background yelling and questioning why he was off with his girlfriend alone in a different state.
"What about it? I can't really do anything about it, I mean we're in Texas." Vince said as if Dom was stupid or something.
"Ok, well how is she? Is Dee alright?" He asked, using Delanie's nickname he'd given her. "And when are you guys coming back?"
"I don't know how long we'll be here, Delanie was pretty freaked out though, I didn't know what to do for her, and I don't know about her cousin, like I said we just got here and I'm sitting outside of them room.
"Ok," Dom said lowly. "Alright man well I'll let you go get at us and let us know what's happening."
"Alright man later." Vince said hanging up the phone. He returned it to his pocket and leaned back against the hospital wall. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair before standing in search of the cafeteria. He knew he had to do something, he despised hospitals but waiting in the hallway was even worse so he had to keep himself busy. He walked into the cafeteria and bought them both a bottled soda before he stopped short in front of the gift shop.
Without another thought he walked in and began to look at all of the items on the shelf, he wasn't one for shopping but it kept him busy. Vince came to a stop in front of the fresh flower section; his attention was diverted to the sign that read "Fresh Dahlias". He was amazed by them since he'd never seen them before and he instantly knew why they were Delanie's favorite. Without a thought he picked one up and then picked up a small vase holding a mix of different flowers. He paid for them and walked back to the room. What possessed him to buy flowers? Who knows, because Vince sure didn't.
I heard a knock at the door and soon Vince came into sight carrying flowers. My heart melted and I smiled at him. I never expected him to be the type to buy flowers.
"I um, bought these for Dorothea." He said nervously. You could tell he was slightly embarrassed but, I thought it was the cutest thing: big tough Vince carrying flowers.
"Aww, Vince that's so sweet of you." I cooed at him, he blushed slightly.
"Well, I thought she'd like them, ya know." He fidgeted. I grabbed them and set them next to Dorothea on the table. Katie smile towards us from the chair in the corner. "I came bearing gifts for you also." He grinned and handed me a soda; I laughed but it quickly died down when he pulled a flower from behind his back. It was a dahlia.
"Oh my god, you remembered." I whispered before kissing him deeply. "Thank you babe."
"It's no problem." He mumbled. "You've been down lately is all."
"You guys are too cute." My aunt said from the corner. We pulled away and blushed.
"You guys are making me sick," My eyes widened. Our heads slowly turned towards the weak voice.
We were all so wrapped up in our display that we didn't even notice that Dorothea had opened her eyes. My aunt shot up quickly and was at her daughter's side in a heart beat. Relief filled my senses as I looked at Dorothea and then over at Vince, he was smiling from ear to ear.
"Oh my god!" I squealed and ran to her side. "You're awake,"
"Yeah," She croaked out, you could tell her throat was dry. "I could feel the cuteness radiating and I was getting nauseous." She said sarcastically. Leave it to her to wake up from a slight coma and be sarcastic. I rolled my eyes.
"Look, Vince bought you flowers." I said lifting them up from the table to show her.
"Vince huh?" She said looking over at him, he stood uneasily in the corner smiling slightly. "Thanks," She whispered.
"Dorothea baby how do you feel?" Katie asked running her hand over her daughter's head.
"I feel like shit actually…" She answered, I heard Vince chuckled from his spot in the corner.
"Well, I'm going to tell the doctors you're awake." She said leaving the room.
"So what are you doing here girl?" Thea asked me. My face got serious.
"I was so scared." I whispered.
"Me too," She confessed looking down at herself checking out the damage. "But I can't believe you just came here like that."
"Hey, I had too, besides Vince drove." I smiled towards him and jerked my head telling him to come here. He walked up next to me and waved.
"Hi," Thea said.
"Hey…" He said.
"So you're the boyfriend?" She asked. I rolled my eyes and scoffed playfully. "He taking care of you?" She asked me.
"Very well," I beamed at Vince.
"He good in bed?" She asked bluntly. Vince spit the soda that was just in his mouth all over her blanket, I giggled while Thea laughed as loudly as she could.
"We, I-I w-we haven't…" Vince was stuttering badly before growling and giving up.
"You mean you haven't slept together?" She looked at me. I nodded. "He's gorgeous though, how could you not! How long have you guys been together?"
"Uh, like eight months?" I wasn't exactly sure.
"Wow, I'm amazed, and proud. I guess that's a good thing though." She smiled at the two of us.
"Thea I think you should worry about your recovery instead of my sex life." I told her plainly.
"You're probably right, hey, I haven't seen or talked to you in a while. You can't blame me, plus it's not like I have my own life so I like to invade yours." Just then the doctor walked in.
"Give me the God damn drugs and get the hell out! You're touching me too much! FUCK!" Thea yelled at the older doctor. Vince was trying to hold back his laughter. The doctor had come in and started throwing question after question at her; touching and prodding to the point that Thea had resulted to yelling at him. Thea didn't like doctors one bit.
"I like her." Vince said loud enough to make the doctor scowl at him because he was the one being yelled at. I chuckled and bumped him with my elbow. Thea looked at us and rolled her eyes before she scowled evilly at the doctor. He quickly stuck something in her IV and left the room muttering something we couldn't hear. Once he was gone Vince and I took a seat on the small love seat by the window, I leaned against him and sighed contently. My aunt Katie was sitting next to Thea holding her hand. I knew she was relieved that her daughter had made it out okay.
"So how is Nat? She's all grown up now huh?" Thea asked looking at me.
"You have no idea." Vince said smirking evilly at me.
"Hey! She's only sixteen and if you ask me that isn't grown up." I huffed in frustration.
"Come on Dee what were you doing when you were sixteen?" Thea asked me.
I opened my mouth to say something but quickly shut it knowing that Thea had me on this one. She chuckled and pointed at me mockingly.
"See?" She said arrogantly. "So what about you guys? How did it come about?" Thea was very nosy and loved to know all the details about everything.
"Well, Delanie here is a good ol' home wrecker." Vince said laughing loudly at the face I made. I punched him in the arm hard. He held his hands up in defeat and told me he was only kidding before giving me his puppy dog face. I rolled my eyes at him and smiled slightly. It was really great seeing two of the most important people in my life getting along and sharing stories even though they were about me; which I hated but I was happy right now and I wouldn't want it any other way. I knew it was coming but I wish it wasn't so soon but, we were exhausted and we all needed sleep, badly. I frowned to nothing in particular.
"Well, I'm going to stay here with Dorothea, but you guys are welcome to go back to our house." Katie said nicely.
"Uh, we'll figure something out." I said giving her and Thea a hug.
I hooked my arm with Vince's as we crept slowly out of the quiet hospital. My body was tired but, I was awake as can be. I looked up at Vince who was starting ahead leading us to the door.
"So I talked to Dom earlier." Vince said nonchalantly.
"Really, what about?" I said leaning my head against his arm.
"Nothing really, he flipped when he found out where we were." He chuckled softly. I nodded to let him know I was listening but chose not to answer. Finally we made it to the door and walked into the cool night air. We stopped at the car.
"So uh, any bright ideas sparky? Where are we going to sleep?" He smirked over at me. I pointed to the hotel behind him that was across the street from the hospital. He nodded eagerly and we drove over and got our room. You good tell by looking at him that he was ready for a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Once again we found ourselves walking into a dark unfamiliar room. This time he switched on the lights and it revealed a much nicer more country room. I smirked and threw my bag down on the table. Vince threw himself belly first onto the bed. I climbed over his knees and straddled his lower back, leaning forward leaving kisses behind his ear. He groaned loudly clearly telling me he was tired and me kissing one of his weak spots was not helping the situation. I smiled to myself and bit the side of his ear softly before giggling huskily. He cranked his neck to the side as much as he could and caught my lips in a lopsided kiss. I tangled my hand through his messy hair and tilted so the kiss could be more enjoyable.
With a yelp, I flew sideways as Vince sat up; I huffed playfully and used my elbows to push me towards the top of the bed. I shot him a look of confusion when he walked away but I quickly recovered when he shut off the lights and blindly found his way towards the bed. I couldn't see anything but, I heard it. Vince had stubbed his toe on the table and yelled in pain; I tried not to laugh but failed miserably.
"You better stop laughing…" He threatened.
"Or else what?" I taunted him through the pitch dark room.
My body shook as he jumped onto the bed and threw me backwards; before my mind registered what the hell was happening I was pinned down with my arms held captive above my head and Vince's weight holding me down.
"Not so tough now huh?" He said deeply. I whined and struggled against his hold; pouting even though he couldn't see me. He laughed evilly and pushed my wrists further into the mattress; nothing painful, just forceful and it was very tempting. Heat was starting to rise in the pit of my stomach and I smirked evilly. Slowly I lifted my hips and began to rub against him in slow, torturing motions; I could just sense that he was giving me one of those: "If looks could kill" expressions so I continued on.
"You think I'll let you go now?" He asked incredulously.
"No," I said simply. "But I know it's getting to you."
"Oh really," He growled pushing his hips down sending a shock through me. My breath caught in my throat.
"Really…" I whispered.
"Ok, two can play that game baby." He said.
I couldn't move myself at all except my hips so I couldn't escape him once he started to kiss my neck, slow with so much passion that I almost lost it but, I forced myself to stay focused; after all I wasn't letting him win this! So the only way I could retort was to sway my hips like a figure eight and feel him squirm. I don't know how something like this became a game but we were both very competitive and we made up our own ways of having fun. As he continued to assault my neck my mind drifted to the last few days and how affectionate and sweet Vince is being. Sure he is in general but he was more reserved so he could still keep up with his image. I loved him either way so it didn't matter because he was always affectionate when it was just me and him. These last few days though, have just been… wow. I feel like I'm falling for him all over again but this time even harder. I wonder if it'll stay like this once we go back to LA.
A while later once the horse play was over Vince and I sit side by side on the bed looking through a phone book we found in a dresser drawer and our mission was: Food. We decided on getting something delivered but we had to figure out what we wanted first.
"We could do Chinese?" I suggested.
"Hmm, sure I haven't had it in a while." He said handing me his cell phone to order.
Once our bellies were full we grew tired and cuddled up to fall into a deep sleep.
I was rolling back into reality against my wishes, I could hear my phone but I wasn't sure if it was a dream or not. Finally I realized my phone was ringing and it wouldn't stop so I reached around on the table next to my head and found it. I didn't bother checking to see who it was since I didn't want to open my eyes. I mumbled a pitiful hello.
"Delanie! She's crashing! You need to get here and see her!" Katie yelled frantically in my ear. I sat up quickly and flew out of the bed putting on my flip flops.
"I'll be there in a minute." I said rushing her off the phone.
I kissed Vince on the cheek and rushed out of the door.
He knew he heard a door slam; though he was in a deep slumber it didn't register at first but a door had slammed. His heart starting beating rapidly thinking someone was breaking in or something. He reached around frantically for Delanie and came up with nothing. He was out of bed now, checking the bathroom before running outside to find her almost to the highway, still in her pajamas.
"Delanie what are you doing?" He shouted.
"I have to get to Thea!" She yelled back crossing over one side of the road before stopping in the middle lane for traffic.
"Hold on I'm coming!" He ran into the room and grabbed the key and his shoes.
He ran across the hotel parking lot and got to the side of the road. The hotel key slipped out of his hand and he growled loudly as he bent down to pick it up. He was in a rush and it was stopping him he was a little shook up still from getting up and bolting in such a hurry.
"Hurry V!" She yelled.
Traffic was coming so he had to wait for an opportunity to get across. He would glance at her every few seconds; she was waiting impatiently at the other side of the road. Vince finally found an opportunity so he bolted into the middle lane and stopped to let traffic from that side go. He saw the truck speeding and weaving; knowing that it the driver had to have been on something. Delanie had her back to it so she didn't see it but, he did and he knew the worst.
"DELANIE! Watch out!" He shouted at the top of his lungs scared to death.
She turned around quickly but it was too late. The truck tried to swerve but the corner of it still hit her. She was thrown back at least ten feet. His mind was swirling.
Rushing….
Horns….
Tires squealing…
Her scream just before she was hit…
Tears fell down his cheek as he ran across the road. She was lying there not moving. He crouched down beside her and sobbed while holding her cheek.
"Delanie? Please baby wake up, DELANIE!" He pleaded.
People were forming a circle while one had run into the hospital. People were shocked to the core. Delanie laid there completely silent as if she were just sleeping. His emotions were going wild at the sight of the girl he loved; his chest tightened he was so fucking scared; never had he been this scared in his life. Vince saw them running out with a stretcher behind them; then he saw him. His vision turned red; he stomped over to the young guy from the truck. You could tell he was in shock that he'd just done something that bad but, he didn't have much time to react because Vince was on him. Grabbing him by the shirt he hit him repeatedly; bones broke under his force.
"You son of a bitch! You hit my girlfriend. You son of a bitch." He kept repeating as he hit him over and over again. The other guy wasn't responding but, finally someone managed to pull Vince off of him. The other guy who couldn't have been but twenty-one fell to the ground, unresponsive. Vince heard a nurse yell.
"Someone get us another gurney!!" She said checking the guys pulse.
"Sir calm down!" A man yelled at him. He ignored him and ran back over to Delanie; she was on a stretcher now being rushed through the parking lot; he kept up with them and held her hand repeating her name over and over again praying for her to say something or wake up. Please wake up! They were finally in the hospital; they wheeled her through some swinging doors.
"Sir you need to stay out here!" An older brunette hollered.
"Delanie! I'm not going anywhere." He rushed through the doors as they poked and prodded at his girl. Tubes were being shoved down her throat and into her arms. "HELP HER DAMN IT!"
Before he could do anything else he was being drug out by security. It was late at night so the hospital was pretty quiet except for his screaming; his pleading. Delanie's name echoed through the hallways. Vince fought and struggled against their grip.
"Vince! What happened?" He looked over and saw Katie rushing down the hall. "I could hear you from Dorothea's room!"
He didn't answer her; just turned towards the room, staring through the window at her. Katie was scared now, what the hell happened? She wanted answers! She looked through the door and saw her niece. She covered her mouth with her hand as she started to cry loudly; the doctor asked her if she was family with a nod from both he explained what happened.
"DELANIE!" He yelled one last time and its echo seemed to linger on forever…