Howdy! So here's chapter eight! Hope you like it!

Author: Mel
Copyright: 2007
Title: Stay Illogical
Rating: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: This is a relationship between two girls if you don't like that sort of thing then please discontinue reading. This chapter deals with a death in the family and how they cope so it's not going to be all sunshine and buttercups.

Chapter Eight

I continued to stroke Spencer's hair as she calmed down from the surge of emotion that had overcome her just moments earlier. I heard a soft knock on the door and picked up my head as the door began to open. Mrs. C walked inside and gave me a very clouded expression as she stared at us.

"Sorry…" She said looking away. "I just wanted to see how you were doing sweetie."

Spencer smiled at her mother weakly and Mrs. C made her way over to the bed. She sat down on the opposite side that I was currently occupying and held onto Spencer's hand.

I slid off the bed to sit down in the chair next to her bed and never took my eyes off of Spencer as her mother tried to comfort her.

"Mom…" Spencer said softly. "Did you and Dad make arrangements for Clay?"

Mrs. C held back some tears as she nodded her head at her daughter. "The wake…the wake will be this Wednesday afternoon…and the funeral will be Thursday morning…"

Spencer nodded her head and bit her lip trying to hold back any tears. She cleared her throat and sat up taller against her backrest. "Will I be out of here by then?"

Mrs. C reached out and stroked Spencer's hair softly and smiled. "Of course sweetie…you should be able to go home sometime tomorrow."

My heart was certainly elated at the news that Spencer wouldn't have to spend any more time in this sterile room but I wasn't sure if Spencer was ready to face the world outside without her brother there. I reached for her hand and squeezed softly to let her know that I was still here.

She glanced my way and gave me a small smile. We sat there in silence for a few moments before the door opened and a nurse walked inside.

"Just wanted to let you know that visiting hours will be up shortly." She said looking at me.

I started to panic because I really didn't want to leave Spencer and I looked into her eyes to relay my concern. She reached out and stroked my face letting me know that it would be ok.

I noticed Mrs. C pick up her head and look towards the nurse before standing up. She made her way over to the nurse and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't hear their exchange but from the body language of the nurse she wasn't happy with what she was being told.

The nurse made her way out of the room shortly after Mrs. C took a seat back at Spencer's side. I looked over at her and raised an eyebrow trying to figure out what exactly had just taken place.

"Well….I guess I should be going…" I said standing up slowly.

"Sit…" Mrs. C said sternly with no emotion.

"What?" Spencer and I said looking at one another and back at Mrs. C.

"You don't have to leave Ashley…" She said again with no emotion at all. There wasn't even a hint of anger which was the most surprising thing about it.

"But the nurse just said that visiting hours were nearly up and I don't want to get anyone in trouble…"

Mrs. C let out a deep sigh and looked down at the blanket on the bed. She never lifted her eyes as she continued to speak. "I spoke with the nurse and told her that she would let you stay because I said so…I do have some authority around here…"

Spencer's eyes widened in shock and she squeezed her mother's hand. "Thank you…."

Mrs. C couldn't stand the tension in the room and quickly stood. She kissed Spencer's forehead and began to walk towards the door.

I jumped up and caught up with her lightly touching her arm which made her recoil slightly. "Sorry…I just wanted to say thank you…you really didn't have to do that for me…"

"I didn't do it for you…I did it for Spencer…for some reason she really cares about you and wants you around still…I can't…I already lost one child…I can't lose another…" She whispered to me before leaving me standing there staring blankly at the door.

I took a deep breath and walked back to the bed to sit with Spencer. She opened her arms and I slid next to her wrapping my arms around her body making sure not to squeeze too tightly.

"What did she say to you?" She asked me softly against my forehead. Her breath tickled my face as she breathed in and out slowly.

"That she loves you…"

"Ashley…" She said knowing that I was lying.

"She told me that she was doing this for you…because she didn't want to lose another child…"

I felt her squeeze me tighter and could feel her nod her head. "It probably hurts more when you have to bury a child…I can't imagine what my parents are going through right now…"

"No one should ever have to bury their own child…or their brother…not when they are this young…"

"Yeah…" She pulled back and pushed some of my hair out of my face and stroked my cheek softly. "Yeah…" She said softly leaning forward to kiss my forehead.

I heard my stomach grumble and she chuckled lightly. "Sorry…I haven't eaten anything since last night…"

"Me too…do you want to take me down to the cafeteria to get something to eat?" She said stroking my arm.

"Are you up to it?"

"Sure…I could use some jello…"

"Then my dear you will have your jello…" I slipped off the bed and looked around the room. I found a wheelchair for Spencer to ride in and pushed the chair to the side of her bed. "Your chariot awaits…" I said trying to lighten the mood.

I helped her off the bed and into the seat of the chair. I looked around the room once more and found a robe for Spencer to wear. I came back with the hospital robe and helped her stand up to put it on. I gently placed her back in her chair and began to push her towards the door.

I reached for the doorknob and brought my hand back to the handle of the chair but before I could get it there Spencer grabbed for my hand. She brought it to her lips and kissed my hand softly. I smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head.

"You ready?" I whispered into her ear. She nodded and I began to push her out of the room.

We rounded the corner and found Kyla knocked out on one of the hospital chairs. I pushed Spencer towards my sleeping sister and she reached out placing a hand on Kyla's knee. Kyla jumped in surprise at Spencer's touch and rubbed her eyes trying to clear her vision.

"What…what's happening? Oh Spence…are you ok?" Kyla said quickly.

"I'm fine…we are going to get something to eat…do you want to join us? It's only cafeteria food but we are starving…"

"Yeah…yeah sure…you don't mind do you Ash?" She asked me softly.

"No I don't mind…come on…but before we go…you might want to wash up because you look like shit right now Kyla…" I said jokingly.

Kyla made a face and shook her head. "Thanks…don't leave me here…" She said pointing at us.

"We'll wait…" Spencer said laughing slightly. Her laughter subsided though and I knew she was thinking about the sibling teasing that she would be missing out on.

I bent down and tried to clear her thoughts. "So…I was thinking you might want to go with the red jello…the green jello can be a bit mysterious and I'm not sure we should be experimenting with hospital food…"

"Ok…I'm ready…" Kyla said stepping out of the bathroom.

"Then let's get going shall we?" I said leading us down the hallway to the cafeteria.