I know its been a while since I last updated and I am so sorry, things have been a bit crazy over the last few weeks and writers block is a bitch. I have brought the next chapter though and I hope you lovelies enjoy it *insert blushy face*


Tenley

I walked around the motel room, bouncing Flora lightly as I did so, she had been crying for most of the night and I had fed her, changed her diaper and given her some children's tylenol just in case it was teething pain, but she was still crying. I kissed her little face softly and realized just how warm she was, my stomach dropped and I quickly rushed towards my bag. I shifted Flora so I could dig through it easier and soon enough I found the thermometer, I laid her down on the bed and unbuttoned the onesie she was wearing, I made sure the thermometer was on before sticking it under her arm. I prayed silently that she wasn't sick, because right now I wasn't any position to get her the proper medical care she would need, a couple minutes, that felt more like hours, passed and the thermometer beeped. I looked down at the the temperature and I felt a lump grow in my throat at the number on the thermometer, 102.4, I turned it off and quickly tossed it onto the bed. I re-buttoned Flora's onesie as she cried harder, my hands shook as I put a jacket on her and then proceeded to wrap her tightly in a blanket. I searched around for a pair of shoes and found a pair of uggs I'd been given a few years ago for Christmas, I quickly pulled them on, not caring that my sweat pants weren't tucked in completely. I picked Flora up off the bed and held her close to me, I grabbed my wallet and shoved it into the backpack that I was using as her diaper bag, I shoved the room key into a side pocket and scrambled out of the motel room, barely remembering to lock the door.

The rocks crunched loudly under my feet as I ran towards the stone steps that led up to the large house, I took the steps two at a time, I felt awful for doing this but I needed to get Flora to the hospital quickly and I could see lights still on in the house, and there was police car parked by Norma's car. I was completely out of breath when I reached the front door and Flora was crying more than she was a few minutes before, I pressed my hand to her head and my eyes started to burn with tears, she was getting warmer by the minute. I knocked loudly on the big wooden door and bounced Flora softly, I hugged her tightly to me as I heard footsteps proceeding this way. Norma opened the door with a smile, but it quickly fell when she took in my state.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" She asked concerned.

"I-uh I hate to do this because it's so late and it looks like you may be entertaining guests. If it weren't for the fact that I had to get my car towed to a shop and I have no other ride, I really hate to ask, or do this in general." I rambled nervously.

I barely knew Norma and here I was asking her to help me save my daughter, I could see that motherly affection in her eyes again and worry was overcoming it.

"Just breathe, and then tell me what you need." Norma said softly.

She reached out and placed a light hand on my shoulder, I saw someone walking up behind her, I didn't recognize him. My eyes darted between the two and I could feel the cold seeping into my bones, in my rush I had forgotten a jacket for myself. I snuggled Flora closer to me, her crying was softer now, not as noticeable but I knew she was still crying call it whatever you will.

"Flora, she's got a really high fever and it keeps climbing, I need to get her to the hospital cause it's already dangerously high." I spoke. "I hate to ask, I really do."

Norma's face changed from worry to determination, and she brushed some of my purple tinged hair out of my face before stepping away to let me inside for a moment. I stepped into the entryway and I welcomed the warmth that encompassed me, Norma shut the door behind me and turned to speak to me briefly.

"I'll get Dylan to take you right now, I will meet you at the hospital though I just need to clean up here real fast." Norma said in a motherly tone.

"Thank you so much!" I said slightly relieved.

She gave me a light smile and hurried into the actual house waving me in behind her, I stepped inside after her and watched as she bounded upstairs calling for Dylan as she did so. I saw the girl from the office earlier, she was talking to a man around Norma's age and I saw the person who came up behind Norma for a brief second. He placed his arm around the girl's shoulders and she leaned into his touch, they made a cute couple. My eyes darted back to the stairwell when I heard rapid footsteps descending them and I felt my heartbeat speed up for the second time today. Dylan was pulling on that same leather jacket he was wearing earlier and hurrying down the stairs ahead of Norma, he stopped in front of me and waited a moment before he opened the door.

His eyes scanned over me as he realized I didn't have a jacket, and I could see a war going on his head through his eyes. He opened the door and let me step through first, I pulled Flora tighter to me as she started crying louder again, I kissed her head softly and my eyes burned again as I realized she was hotter than she was a little while ago. Dylan saw my distress and he placed a hand on my back, quickly guiding me towards a large truck; he opened the door and I was debating on to get inside in the least complicated way, when I felt hands on my waist that gently lifted me up into the truck. He closed the door and ran around to the other side and I couldn't help the shock that was overcoming at what had just happened, the truck rumbled to life and we were speeding out of the parking lot, down the road straight towards the hospital.

Flora was still crying and I gently tried rocking her to help calm her, but it wasn't helping; I knew that singing would help somewhat but I was embarrassed to sing in front of people, I never think I'm good despite what I've been told. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dylan reach to turn up the heater, a slight smile tugged at my lips, but it never fully came. Oh fuck it, I'm gonna sing and I will get over whatever embarrassment I suffer from.

"And you asked what I want this year and I try to make this kind and clear, just a chance that maybe we'll find better days. 'Cause I don't need a boxes wrapped in strings and designer love and empty things, just a chance that we'll find better days. So take these words and sing out loud, 'cause everyone is forgiven now, 'cause tonight's the night the world begins again." I sang softly.

Flora's crying quieted and I felt relief flood through me, I sneaked a glance over at Dylan and the expression he wore was hard to read, but I saw his eyes dart my direction every few seconds. The hum of the truck was a welcome sound, it took me back to when I was a little kid again and the sounds of the diesel my grandpa used to drive. There was something about the noisiness that was a lullaby all in itself, when I wasn't able to sleep my grandpa used to take me on late night drives to anywhere and the noise of the diesel humming would lull me to sleep. I missed those days, when everything was so simple, but so wonderful as well, I'd give anything to have not grown up and be where I am now, but I also wouldn't give Flora up for the life of me. She was my life now and she was most definitely the best part right now, I saw the lights of the town appearing in the distance and the trucks soft hum became louder as Dylan sped up to get to the hospital faster.


I know it's a cliff-hanger, but hey that means all the more fun and its makes things a little more interesting, later babes, love you *muah* ~Peace