Hey guys! so heres the next chapter I hope you like it. I can't believe how many reviews I have received you're all amazing xxxxxx this chapter will be split into two so enjoy . . .
Eve's POV
"So that's it? No more bad guys?"
"Well I wouldn't say that 'no more bad guys', Eve, but thats it from these particular ones."
We were all sat in the front room of the glass house, Michael and I on one sofa and Shane and Claire on the other. Claire lay out with her head in Shane's lap and her eyes closed. Its quite possible that she could be asleep.
"Well, I'll take that any day." Shane said quietly in order not to disturb his fiancee. I watched him then, the guy who I'd known practically all my whole life. He had changed so much from the boy I knew back when we were younger. Claire was good for him, she'd given him a purpose. Shane stoked Claire's cheek subconsciously and I could see her smile in her sleep.
Out of all of us, Shane had been hit the hardest by Claire's illness, as you can imagine. She was all of our's angel, but his special gift from God. I've never really been able to talk to Shane properly about how he is holding up since this happened, its almost as if he is avoiding the situation completely. I wouldn't put it past him. But from what I can gather, Shane's trying to be the strong one, trying to show Claire that he's not scared so that she won't be.
I sighed and leaned into Michael.
"You okay?" He asked, giving me a kiss on the head.
"Peachy." I replied honestly.
"Do you wanna talk?" He moved so that he could look at me properly, his blue eyes searching deeply into my darker ones. "Is it about - "
"- no Michael, its just been a long day that's all." I cut in. I didn't want to talk about it, especially not tonight. I was too tried and emotional to deal with it.
"Eve, we are going to have to talk about it eventually." Michael insisted.
"Oh we will talk about it." I snapped. I shuffled a little further away. "Is that what my problem has become now. An it?"
"Babe . . ."
"Will you keep it down I'm trying to sleep." Came a small voice from the sofa opposite us. Claire sat up slowly and held a hand to her head. "Whoa, not fun."
"Easy CB." Shane said as he put an arm around her shoulder, giving her a loving squeeze. "Feeling okay?"
"Yep." She replied, but then after thinking for a second she closed her eyes tight and added, "Actually no, I don't really feel that great. I think I'm gonna go bed. Shane will you . . ?"
"Of course beautiful." Shane stood up and helped Claire up gently, putting and arm around her waist to steady her. Then before walking out he turned to Michael and I. "Sort it out." He ordered, pointing at us like he was a teacher and we were misbehaving pupils. "And do it quietly."
"Shane I don't wanna go to radiotherapy tomorrow." I heard Claire mutter sleepily as her and Shane left the room. "It makes me feel all icky."
After they left, the room was eerily silent for what seemed like a long time, but was probably only a minute or so.
When I could no longer take the silence I stood up to leave. "I'm gonna go to bed. I think I'll sleep in my my room tonight if that's -"
"No Eve." Michael said firmly. "We are going to talk about this right here right now. And we will stay here all night if we have to!"
I felt my anger build up inside of me. "Talk about what Michael?" I yelled.
"The fact that you can't have children, that we can't have children!" He yelled back.
"He didnt stay that I can't. " I replied quietly. "The doctor just said it was just unlikely."
Michael let out a huge sigh of frustration and ran his hand through his blonde hair. "Please Eve." He begged. "Just talk to me. Tell me what you're feeling."
"Well right this second I'm feeling a little annoyed that my husband won't let me go to bed. " I said sarcastically, trying desparately to keep my anger in. If I let in out I certainly won't be quiet.
"For God's sake Eve!" Michael cursed. "This doesn't just concern you! Don't you think that I want kids too one day?"
How could I have been so selfish? I hadn't even stopped to consider that Michael would be affected by this as well. I wouldn't even blame him if he left me for another girl because of this.
"Look Eve, " He said a little more gently but firmly. "I'm sorry for shouting but I know you. I know you're not dealing."
I shook my head and walked towards the door. But as I reached it's frame I stopped. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to admit how I was feeling. I mean, if I could talk to my husband about this, then I couldn't talk to anyone.
"Fine." I said turning back to look at Michael, who was now also standing. "Fine, so maybe I'm not dealing. Maybe I'm actually freaking out because last week I got told that the life I had always dreamed of having may not happen at all!" I began to pace. "I'm furious Michael! What did I do to p-off the big guy huh? Maybe it's because I fell out with my parents, I didn't make up with my dad before he died, I never looked after my brother, I never tried at school and my life may as well be a waste of time, but surely I don't deserve this!" I could feel angry tears running down my face. "I just don't know what I want from life anymore."
I took a deep breath and put out a hand to stop Michael as he came closer. I had started now and I knew I had to finish.
"I just wish that one day bad things will stop happening you know? I mean haven't we been through enough already?" I blinked hard to stop the tears from coming. "But maybe I'm just not meant to be a mother. Some things just aren't meant to be."
I sat down on the other sofa where Shane and Claire had been sat. I put my head between my hands and finally let the tears out.
I know that I am over reacting. My problems are nothing compared to Claire's, but for some reason this was really getting to me. Maybe I really was weak, just like I had been told by my parents as I was growing up. Maybe I just didn't deserve everything that I wanted in life.
I heard Michael sigh and felt the weight of the sofa change as he sat down next to me.
"I'm sorry Eve." he said quietly as he wrapped his strong, protective arms around me, pulling me closer so that I was sobbing into his chest. "I'm so so sorry that you've felt like this for so long and that you have had to deal with it by yourself. But I'm here now and I won't ever leave you again."
Somehow I felt better knowing that I could now talk to Michael about this. I knew that he would be there for me o matter what and that he understood. I don't know why I thought keeping my feelings from him would be the best thing to do.
I continued to let out all the hurt and pain I had been holding in for so long and held on tight to my husband. I loved him so much.
Michael's POV
I held my wife tightly, never wanting to let go.
I felt so guilty.
How could I have not been there for her? While she was going through this I was out killing monsters, not once stopping to see that she was hurting.
Eve continued to cry like there was no tomorrow. I guess that its good for her to be letting all these emotions out finally. I rubbed her back in slow, comforting circles as I felt her shaking violently against me and listened to her gut wrenching sobs.
"Shh, babe." I whispered and continued to rub her back. "You're okay now. I promise."
Eve took in a deep breath and emerged from my chest. "Sorry about that," She sniffled. "I must look like something the cat dragged in."
"You look beautiful." I said honestly. Because even though she had lots of black mascara running down her face, and her nose and cheeks were completely red, right then I got to see her inner beauty, how she was feeling inside. And that was the purest thing I had ever seen.
"You feeling a little better now?" I asked, taking her hand in mine.
"I'm not i'll ever feel completely okay." She said honestly. She squeezed my hand and a sad smile began to form on her face. "But I guess that I'm good for now."
I nodded, completely understanding. Being male, I knew deep down that I'd never be able to really comfort her completely cause, well, I've never not been able to get pregnant. Imagine that, me pregnant, now that would be a sight. Okay, i did not just think that.
Anyway, I guess this is more of a subject for Eve to talk to Claire about. Maybe that's another reason my wife is upset. Her best friend can't really be there for her. That's got to be tough.
I kissed Eve's forehead. "Go get washed up," I whispered. "I'll meet you in my bedroom okay?"
A proper smiled spread across her face, even reaching her eyes. "Okie dokie. I won't be long." She got up off the sofa and moved to the door. Before she left I said, "Eve?"
She turned around and looked at me, confused. "Yeah?"
"Don't ever think I would leave you because of this okay?" I said firmly. "I would never do that. I love you."
"I love you too." She whispered, obviously trying not to cry again. "So much."
And with that she left, leaving alone in the front room, wondering how our lives had gotten to the stage where everyone was always upset.
"Well," I said to myself. "At least it makes the good times happier."
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Shane's POV
The next morning I come downstairs to the sound of lots and lots of questions.
"I don't understand. Why?"
"I don't know, it doesn't really make sense does it?"
"Of course it doesn't! What are we gonna do?"
"Hey!" I cut in. "What going on?"
"Look at this." Eve said as she chucked a piece of paper at me. It floated to the ground and I leaned down to pick it up. I examined it. A simple pink piece of paper with fancy, swirly writing on it. it read:
Dear Claire, Shane, Michael and Eve,
You are invited to Aria Mae's Sweet 16th Roller Disco Birthday Party.
Date: Saturday 15th October
Venue: Morganville Sport Centre
Time: 6:30 pm
Hope you can come!
Love from Aria
"Um, okay." I said slowly. "So what's the problem?" It was just a birthday party. And I love a good party. And a disco, great!
"Shane its a roller disco!" Eve exclaimed simply as if I was supposed to understand. "And. . ?" I asked.
"A roller disco is like ice skating, only on a non-ice floor." Michael explained. "You know, boots with wheels, bright flashing lights, loud blazing music, lots of random people zooming around."
"Oh." I said blankly. Then I got it. "Oh! Well Claire can't do that! She'd pass out."
"Yeah she would." Eve agreed. "But what I don't understand is why Aria would choose this kinda of party. She'll be worse than Claire! She can barely walk as it is without getting out of breath." Michael and I both nodded. What was she thinking?
"Morning. What are you guys talking about?" Claire's voice can as she entered the kitchen where we all were. She sounded tired. Then she saw the piece of paper in my hand and asked, "What's that?"
I quickly looked at my two other roommates, silently asking them if I should tell her or not. Eve just shrugged, I know, not very helpful. But Michael nodded.
"Its an invitation." I said looking at my finacee's confused look. "To, um, Aria's birthday."
Claire smiled happily. "Aww her sweet 16! I remember mine."
"I don't." Eve mumbled, referring to the fact that she was drunk out of her head at her's. Bad right? I smirked and ruffled the goth girl's hair, much to her dislike.
"But I don't get it." Claire said suddenly. "Why is that a bad thing? I'm honored that we are invited."
"Its a roller disco Claire." Michael said before I could. "I don't know how Aria plans on having you and her zooming around in roller skates."
"Oh." Claire face dropped.
"CB we are just worried that you won't be able to deal with all the loud music and people." Eve said softly as she walked over to Claire and put a hand on her arm.
Claire squeezed Eve'fs fingers before moving past her to the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, eyeing us all individually. She didnt look weak at all at that moment. She looked in control. It almost made me forget about her pale face and tired eyes.
"Aria invited us." Claire said firmly. "I'll bet you anything that this girl has never had a party with friends before. So we are going alright?" We all nodded, not wanting to be shouted at. Trust me, Claire may look sweet and innocent, but she really does have a temper. "Anyway," She continued, more softly. "If she's organised this then she has obviously come up with a way to skate without causing herself to much physical damage. Chace would make sure of that."
That much was true I guess. Actually I have to admit i'm kinda curious. I've never been to a roller disco before. I know, I am twenty and there are many things I have yet to experience. Welcome to Morganville.
"Okay babe." I decided as I walked over to Claire and put my arms around her waist. "We'll go. I wouldn't mind getting out again, last night was fun. Well apart from nearly dying of course."
"Ha. " Eve grunted.
"But. " I continued, given the goth a death stare. " you have to promise me Claire that you will be careful. I mean it, no pushing yourself. You don't have to skate the whole time, I'm sure there will be chairs for you to sit down on."
Claire smiled up at me and then stretched up to give me a peck on the lips. "You worry too much babe." She said, tapping my nose. When she saw I wasn't smiling she became a little more serious. "I'll be careful I promise. Anyway, I'm having radiotherapy every morning this week, so I don't know how much skating I'll feel like doing. But this is a special day for Aria. And I'm not gonna miss it."
When my girl's mind was made up, there was no changing it.
"Okay missy. It's a deal." I looked down at my watch. "Shit we've got to go we're late for your appointment." Claire pouted. "I know you don't wanna go, but you have to. "
"Can't I go to work with you Eve?" She pleaded. "please please please?"
"Aww I wish you could baby girl." Eve replied as she came over and wrapped her best friend in a hug. "I wish I could take you away from all of this, but none of us can so I'm afraid we're just gonna have to beat it the hard way." She smiled sadly at Claire. "And that means radiotherapy. So shoo. Off you two go. I'll see you later an we'll talk about what we will wear on Saturday."
"Yay." Claire said with fake enthusiasm. That made me laugh.
"Come on you, let's get going." We left our two roommates and walked out to the car hand in hand. I wonder how many more times we will have to do this trip?