Chapter Twenty Nine

"Mum! Dad!" Charlie called desperately as she arrived in the emergency department.

Joey followed behind her, hoping that things with Ruby weren't too serious. Whatever Charlie thought, Joey had come to love the little girl as if she was a member of her own family.

"Charlie," Ross said.

"How is she? Where is she?"

Ross nodded towards the glass window in front of him. Charlie turned and her heart surged as she saw her baby girl, looking so small in the big hospital bed. She wasn't awake and was attached to far too many tubes and machines. Instinctively, Charlie felt for Joey's hand and squeezed it for all she was worth. Joey remained quiet, standing close beside the love of her life, hoping to offer any support that she needed.

"What's wrong with her?" Charlie asked in a small voice.

With her free hand, she hurriedly wiped tears away.

"They think she has an infection," Ross explained. "Possible Meningitis."

"Why does she have that big cut on her head?" Charlie asked, not able to tear her gaze away from her daughter.

"She fainted and fell down the stairs," her mother explained.

Charlie's heart raced and more tears flowed as she leant closer to the glass, staring.

"Which one of you is Ruby's mother?" the Doctor asked, appearing as if from nowhere and eyeing the three women with some confusion.

Charlie's mother opened her mouth to speak but her daughter interrupted.

"I am," Charlie said, stepping forward. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's got Meningitis," the Doctor explained. "But we think we've caught it early enough to treat it efficiently."

Charlie nodded, still clutching Joey's hand tightly.

"So, she's going to be okay?" she asked.

"We certainly expect so," the Doctor replied.

"Can I see her?" Charlie requested.

"Of course you can," the Doctor, a kind faced man in his thirties said. "As a precautionary measure, we're asking those who have had contact and those who will have contact with Ruby, to take a tablet first. If you come this way then we can organise that and then you can go in and see her."

Joey expected Charlie to drop her hand but she didn't. Joey obediently followed her ex-girlfriend down the corridor and accepted the pill she was offered.

"I can't do this without you," Charlie admitted quietly as they approached Ruby's hospital room again.

Realising it wasn't an appropriate time to feel happy, Joey processed the information without speaking or smiling. But for every minute that Charlie retained physical contact, Joey was thrilled.

Mr and Mrs Buckton waited impatiently outside the room and eventually headed to the nearest cafe for a coffee. Oblivious, Charlie approached her daughter's bed.

"Ruby?" she said softly.

"She hasn't regained consciousness yet, I'm afraid," the nurse said gently before exiting the room.

Charlie finally let go of Joey and sank into the chair beside the bed. She took Ruby's tiny hand in hers and kissed it, careful not to disturb any of the tubes.

"Baby, I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me," Charlie said tearfully. "But I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere."

She glanced up at Joey who hovered politely behind her.

"And nor is Joey," she said, returning her attention to her daughter. "We're both here for you. We love you."

She glanced back at Joey who moved forward, to the other side of the bed and took Ruby's free hand.

"That's right," she said softly. "We love you and we need you to wake up so we can tell you that and spoil you rotten."

Charlie smiled sadly.

"What better reason could there be to wake up than that?" she remarked affectionately.

It was gone midnight when Charlie's parents broached the subject of them all going home. Charlie looked horrified.

"I don't want to leave her," she said. "I want to stay here."

The four of them were standing outside the room, looking in on Ruby through the glass.

"I don't think you can," her mother said.

"You might be able to," Joey said helpfully. "When I was a kid, I went into hospital and they offered to let my Mum stay with me because I was so small."

Charlie looked hopeful and immediately dashed off to ask the nurse if she could stay.

Ten minutes later, Ruby's grandparents had reluctantly gone home. Charlie had quietly asked if Joey could stay for a little while longer. Her friend had agreed quickly and now, they were sat on either side of Ruby's bed, talking softly to her and to each other.

When Charlie started yawning, Joey suggested that she climbed into the bed that the hospital had provided her with.

"Do you want me to head out?" she asked anxiously.

She hadn't quite figured out where she was going to sleep. The back of Brax's car didn't look all that comfortable and she felt a bit nervous in a big city.

"Would you stay for a little longer? Until I fall asleep?" Charlie asked. "I can give you the key to the house. I asked Mum and Dad if you could stay there when you were in the bathroom."

Joey smiled and nodded, thanking her.

"I don't think you need to thank me," Charlie said. "It's you that's kept me going all evening. Thank you."

Joey smiled.

"I'd do anything for you, Charlie," she said sincerely.

Charlie sighed heavily and closed her eyes.

"I wish things had been different between us," she admitted quietly.

Joey reached out and held her hand.

"Me too," she said. "Me too."

Next time… Ruby regains consciousness and Joey pledges her commitment to both her and Charlie…