Chapter 11

Hope's POV

12 hours later

Not much had changed over the past 12 hours, not really anyway. I was still reeling from the news, trying to determine how I should feel and how I should react, but nothing came naturally. My Aunt Aria was doing her best to be useful. After her arrival early this morning, she made a trip home to gather a few items for each of us so we could at least have our own clothing and something of comfort. I wore a pattern with my finger into the green, hospital blanket as I absently watched the large, fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky outside my window.

"Hope..." It took a few times of her repeating my name to gain my attention.

"Yeah?" my voice cracked as I responded suddenly pulled out of my daze.

"Your lunch tray is here," she motioned to the small, wheeled stand which now supported an assortment of hospital food. The smell turned my stomach and I gagged.

"Not feeling up to it?" she shook her head. "I don't blame you, I don't have much of an appetite either." I watched as she picked around at the items before pointing to the dessert. "This looks pretty good." I turned down the proffered dish and set my gaze once more outside the window.

"You're worrying me, kid," she took a seat on the bed and reached down to take my hand. As we sat there, she began examining my cuticle bed. "I brought my cosmetic bag. How about we paint these nails?"

"Is that supposed to help?" I asked, sarcastically. I felt bad because I knew she was trying to help, but sometimes, she was just so removed from reality. "Sure, let's just doll ourselves up and pretend everything is all right. Cause I'm sure that will make everything just PERFECT!" I winced, my chest hurt. My lungs hadn't been able to stay inflated which was the primary reason I was still in the hospital. A tube stuck out of my chest to relieve the pressure. It hurt, but the pain was part of what was keeping me sane. It was a release of sorts.

"Hello, darlin'," Grampy greeted me warmly as he walked in wearing a smile. "How ya feeling?"

Fighting tears, I forced a smile. I loved my Grampy so much and I wanted to be strong for him. I worried that he wouldn't be able to handle this.

"Much better," I lied. Reaching outward, I stretched my arms for a hug. I wasn't disappointed.

"I know you're not," he whispered into my ear. "I just spoke with Dr. Cullen. He said he thinks you might be able to go home in a day or so. What do you think?"

My big question was 'where is home', but instead I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm quit my job!" My aunt announced suddenly.

"You what?" I looked at her as though she had three heads.

"I'm staying here...with you," Her tone was a bit too bubbly for me.

"Aunt Aria?" I wasn't sure even she knew what she was doing.

"Well, that's wonderful!" Grampy looked quit cheerful.

"It'll be like when I used to spend my summers with you," she took my hand. "That way we will all be together."

I wanted to be optimistic, but to be honest, my aunt was forever taking on new projects which she never finished. I didn't look forward to being another abandoned dream. Regardless, it would gain us more time before we'd have to face the inevitable.