"I'm sorry, Mama." Ava spoke after hours being held safe in her mother's arms.
She hadn't realized how much she had missed Karen until she saw the woman walking towards her.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Babygirl. I've been lying and keeping things from you for a long time." Karen soothed. "I never wanted you to find out that way, and I'm so sorry you did. I wanted to tell you myself. I wanted to protect you."
"I know." Ava absentmindedly played with her mother's hair. "I'm not mad, Mama...….I just want you to hold me."
Karen blinked back tears at how easy it was for her youngest to forgive. "I'll hold you like this forever."
That was a quality she both disliked and admired in her daughter. Her heart being so capable of forgiveness, made it so easy for others to hurt her.
But it also helped mend relationships.
"That's not possible."
"Well, then, I'll do my best."
Ava cracked a small smile before frowning once again. "I don't love Daddy more than you..…I just want to know him."
"Oh, I know that, Sweetheart. I know." Karen rocked her as best as she could in those uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs. "I know. Don't think for a second that I'm upset with you for wanting to get to know your father. He and I have our differences, but that has nothing to do with you. I love you, no matter what. Okay?"
Ava knew that, of course, but it felt wonderful to hear.
"Okay." Ava nodded. "…..Is Nathan gonna be okay?"
"I don't want to lie to you, Buddy, I don't know. But I hope so." Karen answered. "Your brother's a strong boy, I have a feeling he'll pull through."
"Mama?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Is Uncle Keith coming back? I miss him."
Ava hadn't seen him come in with Karen and Andy, so she naturally assumed that he was still out of town.
She knew that he was still hurting from Jules leaving him at the altar, but she selfishly wished that he would come back soon.
Really soon.
"I don't know…..I hope so."
"He didn't even say goodbye. He never leaves without saying goodbye."
"He didn't mean to leave so suddenly. He'd never hurt you like that. He loves you." Karen stroked her hair. "He just…..has some things to take care of."
"Hi, Ava." Andy sat down beside the two women with a friendly smile.
"Hi." Ava waved tiredly, her mother's rocking was starting to put her to sleep.
Hours upon hours of waiting on getting word from a doctor about her brother's condition was exhausting.
"Doing alright?" He asked.
"Mmhmm."
"Good. When your brother gets out of the hospital, perhaps you and I can go out for some ice cream and get to know each other. If that's alright with you, of course."
"It's alright with me." Ava rubbed her tired eyes, fighting sleep.
She wanted to be awake when Nathan woke up.
She wanted to physically be there when he was awake, so that he could tell her that he was going to be okay.
And it looked like she would be.
"He's awake." Lucas raced over to the three with a smile. "He's gonna be fine."
"Oh, thank goodness." Karen breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's great news."
"Ava, do you wanna say hello?" Lucas asked. "Visiting hours are almost over, but you can go and see him for a few minutes."
"Go on, honey." Karen lifted her off her lap. "We'll be right here waiting for you."
Ava yawned and took her brother's hand, allowing him to take her to Nathan's room.
Brooke and Peyton were there talking to him, and he seemed okay, but the tubes in his nose made Ava think otherwise.
"Hey, look who came to see you." Lucas got his attention.
Ava stepped slightly behind Lucas and peeked out, nervously chewing her fingernail.
"Hey, Squirt." Nathan smiled.
"Hi." Ava hadn't moved a muscle.
"Well, come here." He chuckled. "I'm not gonna bite you."
"That's okay."
It was probably better if she maintained a safe enough distance from him, so she couldn't do anything to injure him any more than he already was.
"Havana."
Ava sighed, gathering up some courage, and walked over to the side of his bed, keeping her hands to herself. She didn't want to touch him and screw everything up.
"You can come closer." Nathan patted the empty space next to him on the bed. "I'm okay. You're not gonna break me."
Ava hesitated before she sat down and looked at him. "Hi."
"Hi." He smiled.
The two didn't anything more. They didn't have to. Their eyes said it all.
I'm glad you came.
I'm glad you're okay.
You scared me.
I love you.
"Sorry, guys." A nurse popped in. "Visiting hours are over."
"You need anything?" Lucas asked his brother.
"No, I'm cool, man." Nathan smiled as Lucas headed for the door.
Both Peyton and Brooke gave him a friendly kiss to say their goodbyes, but Ava remained on the bed.
"I know you both want me." He smirked.
"Yeah." Brooke scoffed. "In your dreams."
"Would you like a couple more minutes?" The nurse asked Nathan and Ava.
She could tell by the looks on their faces, that they needed some time alone.
"Yeah, thanks."
"I'll be back to check on you." The nice woman smiled before leaving the two alone.
Ava watched her go, and as soon as the door closed, her eyes welled up with tears and her body tensed with sobs.
Her tough resolve was crumbling.
"Ava, come on, talk to me. I'm still me." Nathan poked her side, hoping it would tickle her a little and make her smile again.
But when she turned back towards him and he saw her face, his smile dropped.
"Ava…..." He trailed as she finally lost the battle of wills with her own emotions. "Come on, Squirt." He pulled her in for a gentle hug and cradled her head. "I'm okay. I promise."