As always, a big thank you for the reviews. I really appreciate the feedback and kind words. DiamondKara, to answer your question: Brax is 12, Heath is 8 and Casey is obviously just a newborn. I may jump in time in the near future when I have finished exploring the impact of Casey's entry into the family. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter! :)
Chapter Twelve: Taken
Brax stood in an empty room. It was stark, sterile and white. A tall man in a white coat walked over to him. His face was stern and his features sharp. His voice bounced from the walls and echoed in the unfilled room. "Your mother is dead." Before Brax had a chance to reply, the man continued. "You failed to look after her."
"I…" Brax tried to speak but the man cut him off.
"We can not allow this to happen again. Your brothers cannot stay with you. They need proper care."
"What? No, please I can do better. I promise I can look after them."
The man remained unmoved and emotionless. "You will never see the boys again."
"No, no, no, please don't do this. Please give me another chance, please…." Brax pleaded. "They need me!" And I need them, he thought.
"They will be better off without you and in two months time, Heath won't even remember your name. Casey will never know it to begin with." Brax crashed to his knees. He dropped his head into his hands. Everything started to change from white to black. As despair began to engulf him, Casey's cries cut through the emptiness. Brax looked up. The cries continued and they sounded like they were coming from just outside the room. "Casey?" Brax muttered feeling confused.
"Brax, I need help."
Brax stood up. That was Heath's voice. "Heath?" he cried. "Heath where are you?"
"Brax, I need help. Casey's crying." Heath called out.
"Stay there, I'm coming Heath." Brax tried to run towards his brother's voice but he was stopped by the man. He forcefully grabbed Brax's arms and began to shake him. "You're not going to find them," he snarled.
Brax struggled to break free from the man's grip, but he was too strong.
Heath continued to call out, "Brax! Brax! Brax!"
Brax opened his eyes.
It took a minute for Brax to register what was happening. He was lying on his bed. Sweat covered his face, his heart was racing and Heath was looking down at him, panic evident on his face. Heath loosened his grip on his brother's arms and stopped shaking him. "You're awake." Heath breathed a sigh of relief. "Casey is crying and you wouldn't wake up."
"Sorry mate." Brax's heartbeat started to slow down as he realised it had all been a dream.
"Were you having a bad dream?" Heath inquired.
"What makes you ask that?"
"You were calling out in your sleep. You said my name."
"Well if your ugly mug was in my dream, it must have been a nightmare ay?" Heath laughed and Brax smiled seeing him relax slightly.
"It's not as ugly as yours." Heath playfully responded.
"Is that right?" Brax chuckled. He reached over and began to tickle Heath's bare feet that were resting beside him. Heath launched from the bed in a fit of giggles, falling onto the floor. "That's what you get when you leave those stinky feet of yours within striking distance." Brax teased.
Brax stood up. The rest had slightly improved the throbbing in his ribs but they were still feeling very tender and the aching made it extremely hard to take proper breaths. He had no choice but to find a way to push through the pain though because there was nothing left to help him now. He gingerly made his way over to his baby brother and just managed to pick him up. As he turned to make his way to the kitchen, he nearly tripped over Heath who had once again scampered to be by Brax's side and was holding onto his shorts. "Oi, careful!" Brax stated, half-heartedly feigning annoyance. It hadn't escaped Brax's attention that Heath was sticking very close to him since their mother was taken away, but even though he knew it wasn't healthy, he didn't mind. His dream had left him with a residual feeling of worry that he couldn't quite shake. Knowing that Heath was staying close provided him with some comfort. "Can you hold Case for me while I make him a bottle?"
"Ok." Heath slowly let go of Brax's shorts and Brax handed him the baby. He awkwardly held his baby brother as he watched Brax mix up the formula. Heath looked longingly at the liquid mixture and his stomach began to rumble. "Can I have some too Brax?" Heath asked sheepishly. The piece of bread they had eaten for lunch seemed like a very long time ago now.
"This stuff is for Case mate. He needs it." Brax apologetically replied as he directed Heath over to the couch. Heath didn't reply as he sat down next to Brax and handed Casey over to him. "Why don't you put the TV on?" Brax said in an attempt to distract Heath from the hunger pains. As empty as both their stomachs were, Brax could not do anything about it tonight. The three boys sat in silence as Brax fed Casey. Heath tucked himself under his big brother's arm and Brax had to stretch so that his arm could wrap around Heath and still be able to direct the bottle into Casey's mouth. The vibrant colours and sounds coming from the cartoons on TV were not enough to drown out the images of his lifeless mother that kept flashing through Brax's mind. Nor were they enough to make him forget the darkness from his dream when everything he loved had been taken from him.
-x-
A loud bang of the front door woke Brax from his doze. He looked down and saw that Casey was asleep in his arms and Heath was asleep snuggled into his lap. The light from the cartoons danced around the dark walls. Brax turned around just in time to see his father storm into his bedroom and slam the door behind him. Brax cautiously stood up, being careful not to wake Heath or Casey, and took the baby to his bassinet. Brax hesitated before slowly walking towards his father's room. He really didn't want to see the man but he needed answers. He gently opened the door. Danny was sitting on the edge of the bed removing his boots. "Whatta ya want boy?'' Danny growled.
"Did you see Mum? Is she OK?" Brax remained at the doorway, keeping his distance from a clearly irritated Danny.
"Yes I was dragged to the hospital thanks to your Mother's little stunt," an agitated Danny replied. "I don't know what she thinks she is playin' at."
"Is she OK?" Brax was becoming impatient.
"She won't be by the time I'm done with her!" Danny snapped. A wave of relief washed over Brax. His Mother was alive.
"Can we see her?"
"Quit pesterin' me boy!" Danny moaned. "They're cartin' your Mother off to the loony bin tomorrow thanks to this little episode."
"What? Where is she going? Why?" Brax frowned, nervously playing with the door handle.
"Cos she's crazy that's why! I'm done talkin' with ya. I'll take youse to the hospital in the mornin' before they drag her off if ya just LEAVE ME ALONE!" Danny threw his boot at Brax before flopping onto the bed. Brax just managed to close the door in time to dodge the flying shoe.
-x-
"Darryl, get over 'ere!" Danny Braxton barked as he emerged from his bedroom in the morning. Brax quickly followed his father's request and left Heath playing with Casey in their bedroom. Brax had the boys all ready and dressed in anticipation that Danny would stay true to his word and take them to the hospital that morning.
"Yes?" Brax looked up at his father.
"Don't give me that tone if ya know what's good for ya boy!" Danny snapped and Brax took a step backwards, angry with himself that he had managed to upset Danny already. "The docs told me to bring the kid's kit to the hospital, so I need ya to throw together some stuff for the rug rat and toss it in a bag. He'll be stayin' with ya mother thank god. I can finally get some peace from all that yelpin'."
Brax froze. Not only was his mother not coming home but neither was Casey by the sound of it. "Why can't he stay here with us Dad? I'll look after him and you won't hear him crying," Brax pleaded.
"We're leaving in 5," Danny turned his back to Brax and ambled down to the kitchen to make himself a morning coffee. Brax's shoulders slumped and he punched the wall in frustration. The sudden movement sent a ripple of pain through his ribcage. Clutching his chest he re-entered his bedroom and started throwing some of Casey's clothes into a plastic bag. Anger welling inside of him.
"What's wrong Brax?" Heath looked up from tickling Casey to see that Brax was huffily lobbing some of Casey's things into a bag. "What are you doing?"
"I'm packing a bag for Casey. He and mum are going away for a while," Brax grumbled.
"Where are they going?" Heath asked confused.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Brax yelled. He immediately felt guilty as he saw Heath recoil in shock at the venom in his voice. "Sorry mate. I'm not angry at you." Brax stated much more softly this time. "Can you carry Casey to the car for me and put him in the car seat? We are going to visit mum now."
Heath frowned at his brother. He wondered why Brax didn't want to carry Casey himself. It was then that he noticed the blue tinge to his big brother's lips and the shallow breaths he was taking. "Are you OK Brax?"
Brax nodded. "Just take Casey to the car will ya? We're going now." As soon as Brax started heading for the car, Heath picked up Casey and followed him out. "Oh and Heath, you can have the front seat today mate, because I'm going to sit in the back with Casey."
"No, that's Ok. I'll stay in the back with you," Heath muttered. Brax sighed. He had never known Heath to turn down a rare ride in the front seat before. He hoped that seeing their mother alive would help to ease his brother's obvious anxiety.
-x-
Brax and Heath followed Danny into their mother's hospital room. They had to walk past a police officer who was positioned at the door. Danny placed the capsule that held Casey down and sat down on a chair in the corner of the room. "I brought the boys like ya wanted. Now say your goodbyes so we can get outta here." Danny demanded. Brax looked over at his mother. She looked very pale and fragile, her hair was matted and she had dark circles under her eyes.
"Come here Darryl," she beckoned him over. Cheryl grabbed her eldest son's hand. "They are trying to take me to the mental ward Darryl. You can't let them take me," she whispered tugging on his hand. "Please don't let them take me." Brax stood there and let Cheryl continue to clasp his hand. He didn't know what to say. These matters were out of his control.
"Give it a rest will ya woman? You're goin'. And I hope they throw away the key after this little attention seekin' stunt you pulled." Danny mocked.
Two doctors entered the room along with Lila, Brax's nurse from his stay in hospital. It was reassuring to see her familiar face. She smiled and gave the boys a gentle wave. "I hope that you have said your goodbyes Mrs Braxton because we will now be transferring you across to our psychiatric ward to continue your treatment there," the doctor stated firmly.
"I told youse, I'm not goin' and you can't make me." Cheryl defiantly bellowed as she continued to cling to Brax's hand.
"We have obtained the required paperwork for your involuntary admission Mrs Braxton. This is your last chance to sign in as a voluntary patient and make life a whole lot easier for yourself, or you will be admitted against your will," the other doctor spoke this time.
"Maybe you should listen to them mum," Brax whispered to his mother.
She turned to him with tears in her eyes. "I'm not crazy Darryl." She let go of his hand and he took a step back from the bed, nearly tripping over Heath in the process.
"What is it going to be Mrs Braxton? You will be going to a very nice facility where we can look after both you and your baby. What is his name?"
"Casey," Brax injected.
"Casey…..that's a nice name. Will you sign yourself in Mrs Braxton so we can give you the help that you need to look after Casey?" the doctor gently asked.
"No, I don't need help lookin' after myself or my own kid. I'm not going!" Cheryl barked.
"Right, if that's the way you want it we have no other choice other than to sign you in as an involuntary patient," the doctor matter-of-factly stated. Cheryl began to yell, lash out and try to rip the IV from her hand. Danny watched on amused. The policeman rushed into the room and cuffed her to the bed, while the doctors got ready to sedate her.
"I'm going to take the boys out of here they don't need to see this," Lila said as she grabbed Heath's free hand and led them out of the room. Out in the hallway, Lila let go of Heath and faced both boys.
"Can I stay goodbye to Casey?" Brax asked.
"I think it's best if you don't," she replied, staring down at the ground, not able to look into his sad eyes. "Should we go to the canteen and get something to eat instead?" Both boys nodded.
Lila brought a selection of food over to the table and watched as Brax and Heath shoveled it down like they hadn't eaten in days. "Did I choose well?" she smiled. They both gratefully nodded, their mouths too full to respond. As she looked on she now noticed the bluish colour of Brax's lips. "Darryl, have you been taking your pain medication?" Lila inquired. Brax shrugged. "Darryl, you promised me that you would take those tablets. We spoke about the complications that could arise if you didn't," she stated sternly, frowning to show her disapproval.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled as licked up the last crumbs on his plate. It was at that moment Lila remembered why their mother had been admitted to hospital in the first place. She kicked herself for not joining the dots sooner.
"Were they your pills that your mother took yesterday?" Lila asked. Brax didn't respond and she knew that was his way of confirming her suspicions. "Oh Darryl, I'm sorry. You should have told me so I could help." She rubbed his arm. "Wait here! I'm going to go and find a doctor who can perform a chest x-ray, because I think you've got pneumonia. Then I'm going to find your dad and tell him that we might be awhile." Lila rushed off.
"What's mamonia Brax?" Heath asked as he moved his seat closer to his brother and once again grabbed his shorts.
"Pneumonia. It's something to do with the lungs I think."
"Will you have to stay in hospital again?" Heath shuddered and gripped Brax's shorts even tighter.
"No. I'm not staying here no matter what." Brax reassured.
"Where are they taking Mum and Casey?"
"To a different hospital."
"Why?"
Brax paused. How do you explain mental illness, addiction and depression to an 8-year-old? He barely understood himself. "I think it's so they can help her become happy again."
"How long will they be gone?" Heath asked.
"I don't know Heath," Brax replied sadly. He knew that his mother needed help and he was grateful that the doctors were assisting with that but he just wished they didn't have to take Casey as well. He was already missing him terribly.
When Lila returned she led the boys to the x-ray room. "Darryl, just go into this room and the doctor will tell you what to do." Looking at the worried look on his face she added, "It doesn't hurt." She grabbed Heath's hand. "Heath sweetie, let go of your brother, you can wait out here with me." Heath didn't let go and Lila registered why Brax looked so worried and it was not about the x-ray. It had not escaped her notice that Heath was sticking particularly close to his big brother but she didn't realise just how desperate Heath's dependency had become.
"Can Heath come too? I'm a bit scared to go in alone," Brax asked, not wanting his brother to be embarrassed. Lila knew what Brax was doing for Heath. This was not normal behavior for an eight year old but he had witnessed a traumatic event yesterday, that no child should have to deal with, so she went along with it.
"Ok, we will all go in," Lila sighed.
-x-
When the test results came back, the doctor confirmed Lila's thoughts. "You have pneumonia Darryl. You not breathing deeply enough undoubtedly caused it. That is why the pain medication is so important for rib injuries; it helps with the pain so you can breathe easily," the doctor explained.
"I'm not going back to hospital. I'm fine!" Brax stammered as Heath inched closer to him.
"You don't need to be hospitalised YET, but it may still come to that if you don't do what we ask!"
"I'll do anything!" Brax quickly replied while glancing down at Heath.
"Here is the new medication we need you to take for the pneumonia. And you need to rest! If you don't do these two things the pneumonia will get worse and you WILL have to have another visit to the hospital. Do you understand?" the doctor asked.
"Yes." Brax stated.
"Thank you doctor. I'll take the boys back to their father now." Lila smiled at Brax and led the boys to the canteen where their father was waiting.
"About time!" Danny rumbled. "Get movin' to the car, we're goin'." Danny stood up and began to stride towards the exit.
"Mr Braxton, before you leave I need to have a word," Lila called out, racing after him. "Darryl has developed pneumonia due to a complication from his rib and lung injury. It is important that he takes it easy for the next week or so. Can you please ensure that he gets plenty of rest?"
"Oh I'll take good care of him dearie, don't you worry about that!" Danny smirked. Lila sadly watched on as Brax and Heath followed their father out the door.