A/N: Please note that other triggering content (self-harm and suicide will be discussed) throughout the story. Please be forewarned and take precautions if these are troubling for you.

A/N: Violence towards a primary character is mentioned/discussed in this chapter. Please be forewarned if that is troubling for you.

A/N:Sorry for the unbelievably long delay in posting…my muse apparently has narcolepsy. I think it's at least partially awake again…hopefully. And as of now, I'm still planning on making this a fairly long, multi-part story, but if y'all aren't into it…I'll wrap it up soon.

Thank you to everyone that is still reading and commenting on this story…The positive reviews definitely help keep me and my stubborn muse motivated…so keep them coming!

And remember…reviews and feedback keep me and my muse motivated…especially if they're positive!

***More drama and more secrets revealed***

I hope you enjoy this latest chapter…Now on with the show!

"People hide the truth because they're afraid." ~ Nicholas Sparks.

"Sometimes carrying the burden of an upsetting truth, and hiding it, is actually a gift you give to someone else. You bear that burden, so they don't have to, in a situation where telling them will change nothing." ~ Cassandra Clare

Chapter 66

I hear a brief knock, followed by the sounds of JJ, Chance, and Summer slowly making their way into my room. I hadn't turned to look in their direction because I knew it was them. I knew they had been waiting just outside the door for an update from the doctors…one that they didn't actually get. Now they're going to expect an update from me. I just have to come up with something plausible so they won't keep asking me for more information.

I watch as they take up their "normal" places around my bed and look at me expectantly. When I fail to say anything…Chance is the first to break the silence.

"So what was that all about…really?"

Straight to the point. I usually admire that about him…Not so much this time.

I need to come up with something fast.

"Just setting up some tests for later."

Vague…but plausible.

"It took two doctors over an hour just to set up 'some tests'…could you please be a little more specific?" Chance responds.

Damn it…too vague.

"Well, I told you before...I want to get out of here as soon as I can. They have some tests they need to run to see how soon I can safely leave. Just some standard stuff."

Still vague…but hopefully he'll drop it.

"Why did Dr. Hayes need to bring in another doctor for that? Why couldn't she just do that on her own?" JJ asks.

Damn it…why can't they just drop it.

"I guess some of the tests required a different kind of specialty. And she mentioned something about wanting a second opinion on my case because of some of the issues I had when I first got here. Don't worry about it…everything is fine." I try to say as calmly as possible.

"Everything is NOT fine, mom. You're keeping something from us. Who is Dr. Stone? What kind of specialist is she? And what was that consult earlier all about?" Summer asks.

Christ! I feel like I'm being interrogated. I love them…but right now they are beginning to get on my damn nerves.

"Look…sweetheart…I know you're worried. You all are. But you really have nothing to worry about. I already told you Dr. Stone is just a specialist that Dr. Hayes asked to consult on my case because she wanted a second opinion for these tests she's going to do later. Because of some of the complications from before…she wants to make sure that everything is okay before I'm released…that's all. Now can we please drop it? My headache from earlier is getting worse and my throat is killing me with all of this talking." I state…a little irritation tinting my voice.

Summer looks down and just nods.

Now I feel like a complete ass.

I know she's just concerned…and I am lying to her. But I can't let anyone know what is really going on…not yet.

"Mom…if you would just let the doctors know it's okay to talk to us…to share all of your medical information with us…we wouldn't keep asking you. But we have to keep asking you because they aren't allowed to tell us anything. We can tell that you're hiding something…and it scares us not knowing what it is." Chance says…a mix of anger and sadness tinting his reply.

Reaching the limit of my patience with this particular topic and wanting desperately to change the subject to almost anything else…I reach up and pinch the bridge of my nose. A habit I picked up years ago. I tend to do it when I feel a headache getting worse or when I'm trying to keep from losing my temper. Generally speaking…I find it quite helpful.

This was not one of those times. In fact…it was a rather large mistake in this particular case. One that I realized shortly after doing it given the jolt of pain that ripped through my skull the moment I did it. I had completely forgotten about the injuries to my face. Yet another reminder of the damage Lucas left in his wake.

Tears immediately sprang to my eyes…and these tears were not ones of sadness…or even pain…but simply a reflex from the injury I sustained.

I had managed to stop the conversation I'd been having in its tracks…but not in the way I imagined…or even wanted for that matter.

"Shit! Em…are you okay?" I heard the muffled sound of JJ's frightened voice through the ringing in my ears.

It took me a second to regain my bearings and I was able to offer a slight nod in response…but saying anything in that moment just wasn't gonna happen. Tears were still rolling down my cheeks and the pain in my nose…cheeks…and eyes was only slightly abating.

Through still ringing ears…I heard JJ tell Chance and Summer to run down and see if one of the nurses had an ice pack or something like that they could have and then I heard what I thought was the door opening and closing.

JJ still sounded panicked and through the tears I could see her outline and I just reached up with my casted hand and took her hand in mine…and offered a gentle squeeze. At least as good of a squeeze as I could, given the cast I was wearing.

It was my own damn fault and though it hurt like a bitch…I didn't want her to panic or anything. The pain was slowly fading and the tears were finally slowing down…as was the ringing in my ears.

The next moment I heard the door swing back open and Chance and Summer run in saying they had the ice pack. JJ squeezed my hand back and told me to hold it gently against my nose and that would help.

I did so…very carefully. Thankfully the ice pack was covered in some kind of cloth or it would've froze to my face. An interesting look I'm sure…but not one I particularly wanted to add to my already growing issues.

A few minutes later…the pain had subsided to a tolerable level, the ringing in my ears had stopped, and so had the seemingly never-ending stream of tears. As a bonus…I was finally able to speak again.

"I'm fine…just forgot my nose was injured for sec. Won't make that mistake again." I quietly utter.

"God sweetheart…you scared the crap out of us. Maybe we should have Dr. Hayes check you out…make sure you didn't break your nose." JJ replies…fear still in her voice.

"It's not broken. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll have her take a look at it later." I quietly reply.

"How can you be so sure it's not broken?" JJ asks.

"Because of how many times I've broken it before. Trust me…this isn't one of them." I reply…realizing I probably said too much. She'll probably wonder why I've ended up with a broken nose so many times before. That's a conversation for another time.

"Do I want to ask?" JJ asks with a little hesitation.

"Another time…" I reply.

"You're sure you're okay mom?" Chance asks…and I see Summer looking on.

"I'm sure. Look…I'm sorry about earlier. I know you're all worried and being cooped up 24/7 in a hospital isn't helping things either. It's just making everyone more tense." I reply…easing into the conversation I really wanted to have with them.

"Where else would we be? Do you really think we'd just run off and leave you here?" Chance asks.

"No…but you also don't need to be stuck here 24/7 either. Especially when there's nothing you can do but wait around. You said you were going to go by and pick up those gifts I had sent…the ones for Kasey and Logan. You did get them…right?" I ask.

"Yeah…we picked them up when we went and got the charger for your phone…why?" Summer replies.

"Because I want the two of you to take them over to Kasey and Logan…and spend the day with them today. It's bad enough that I can't be there like I thought I would. I don't want them to think that everyone forgot about them. Just please tell them that my phone isn't getting service right now and that I'll call them as soon as I can…and that I love them. They love spending time with you…and it'll do you both good to get out of here for a little while. There's no reason for the two of you to spend the day here…just wondering around the halls…waiting on me when I'll be having tests all afternoon. They need you more than I do today. Please…"

"I don't know…I don't feel right just leaving you here. Neither of us do." Chance carefully replies.

"You aren't 'just leaving me here'. You're just getting away from this place for a little while…and spending time with your brother and sister that really need to know that they haven't been forgotten. Please…just deliver those gifts and spend some time with them. It'll be good for all of you. I'll call you as soon as I'm back from my tests…I promise." I firmly reply.

I really don't want them coming back too soon…and if I tell them that I'll call them once I am back…I know they won't come back too soon. This way I know I'll be back in the room…already settled back in after the surgery.

"I guess if you're sure. You promise you'll call or have JJ call if we need to come back sooner though, right?" Chance asks.

"Absolutely. Thank you. Please give them a big hug from me and tell them I miss them and I love them. Take some pictures while you're there too…or a video so I can see them for myself." I reply.

I really do miss them…and hopefully I can call them once this surgery is done and maybe even do a video call with them once my face heals a little more. I miss seeing their faces…hearing their sweet voices.

I watch as Chance and Summer pick up their stuff, walk over to me, and lean down…each giving me a kiss on the cheek before looking at JJ and telling her they will see us both soon. With that…they both head out the door and head off to spend some time with Kasey and Logan. Two down…one to go.