I woke up to the sound of Hannah moving around the room. I opened my eyes as I saw her crouched on the floor of our hotel room. She packed clothes into her suitcase. ” Hannah, what’s going on” I asked as I sat up.
With a solemn look she lifted her eyes up to mine. ” It’s Nick, you should check your phone” she simply says as she continues her task. A sickening feeling has me reaching for my phone. There were 4 missed calls from him and about 10 messages from him.
I didn’t bother messaging him and just went straight to calling him. After a few rings, he picked up. Instead of hearing my boyfriend’s voice, I heard James instead.
” What’s going on James?” I asked him. He sighed through the phone. ” Nick’s in bad shape, it’s about his father,” James said. His voice was no longer the usual cheery one that I was used to.
” what happened,” I said jumping over Hannah’s legs as she filled out her suitcase. I searched for clothes to change. It was clear that we were going home now, and cutting this trip by a day.
James sighed again over the phone. “Nate’s father is in hospital in critical condition and Nate he just isn’t taking it well at all”
I didn’t know much about Nick’s parents. All I knew was that Nick’s mother passed away but Nick never really talked about his father. I was thankful for Hannah as she helped me back my bags.
” We’re coming back, please take care of Nick until i am there” I begged James. I didn’t know how badly Nick was taking this but i just wanted to know that someone he trusted was by his side.
After i finished the call with James i dialled Thomas and asked him to get us flights back to the uk. I was thankful that he didn’t complain or anything. Myself and Hannah packed our bags into a car and drove to the airport. Thomas send me an email with our flight tickets.
” Okay Selene, I have to go but text me when you’re here okay” He said and quickly ended the call.
I turned to Hannah as we made our way to the airport. ” Do you think it’s serious” She asked. I nodded.
” It must be for Nick to react this way” I said calmly. I had this urge to google about his family but I was his girlfriend and I wanted to only know what he was willing to tell me. He deserved that privacy.
All I could do was wait patiently and pray that he would be okay.
15 hours later
I walked into the hospital a day later. It was hard to get here as quickly as we wanted due to the long haul flight. I bought flowers with me as I walked into the hospital. I had tried many times to contact Nick but he would never answer. It would always be James.
” a nurse who I had known because of my mum walked me to the room where Nick was waiting with his father. I spotted Nick instantly. He sat in a chair by the bedside of his father. I had never seen his father, unlike Nick he was a quiet, private man.
” you must be the girlfriend, selene right” I pulled away and followed the voice.
Leaning against the wall next to the door was a young guy. He wore a baggy hoodie with jeans and converse.
” I’m Olly, the forgotten brother of your boyfriend over there”
Brother?
” I’m not surprised that he hasn’t told you about me really” he shrugged. I tried to find some kind of simarlarity between the three of them but other than the same eyes there was nothing else that showed that they were related.
” Nick keeps private about most of his life, I didn’t know about his father” I said hoping to make him feel better. But he didn’t seem to be that bothered.
” yeah that’s big bro. well would have been nice to meet on better circumstances I guess but its nice to meet you” he said. He kicked off the wall and held his hand out to me.
I eyed the small tattoos on his hand but took his hand and shook it. ” you too. Have you been inside yet” I asked as I turned my focus back to the two inside that room.
” Yeah, he hasn’t woken up from surgery yet but Nick refuses to leave. We lost our mom this way too so Nick’s taking it hard” he explained.
That’s right. His mother died when he was younger. My heart breaks for him.
” I’m really sorry, that can’t be easy” I said. He shrugged. ” life happens”.
I waited outside for a while. I wouldn’t intrude but rather wait for Nick to come out. Olly went in after an hour and managed to drag Nick away from the bed. After a few words Olly pointed to the window at me. Nick’s eyes glanced over and a guilty expression crossed his face.
He slowly adjusted his shirt before reaching for the door and walking out.
As he stepped out and waited for the door to close behind him, he refused to look at me. I stepped behind Nick and wrapped my arms around his waist.
” don’t talk just breathe Nick” I whispered as I rubbed his chest. ” it’s okay to cry, it’s okay to cry for your father” I continued on.
I knew that he was trying to be strong but he didn’t have to with me. He inhaled deeply and slowly let the walls come down. He bowed his head, pulling my fingers up to his lips.
” im scared Selene” he whispered. I closed my eyes briefly and gently turned his stiff body around. I angled his face to look at me.
“that’s okay Nick. But don’t lose faith, I believe that your father will pull through and you should believe that too until otherwise” I said gripping his neck.
Finally I was able to see those beautiful deep eyes. Pain was evident within them but I could still see him holding back.
” I didn’t want to stop your trip” he whispered as he finally wrapped his arms around me. This time I was the one inhaling deeply.
I knew that.
” we had our trip, it was time to come home anyway” I said. Both me and Hannah needed to come back anyway and we had enjoyed our trip.
I began to say something else when all of a sudden I heard my mothers voice.
” Nick, sweetie” we pulled away from each other and saw my mother walking over. She looked like she had just walked out of bed. It was 11 pm now so that is probably what she did.
I moved away and let my mum wrap her arms around Nick. In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a figure hiding behind the wall. I recognised my father instantly. I was glad that my father had thought this through.
It may be too much for Nick to have my father here when his is laying in a hospital bed, barely pulling through.
” it’s okay Nick” my mum whispered into Nick’s shoulder. My fingers covered my lips as I finally saw Nick break down. His gentle whimpers. It broke my heart.
What did this man ever do in life, to go through this pain.
” This doesn’t mean he is gone Nick. Your father will pull through. Surgery can be scary but you fund one of the best hospitals in the city” My mum’s calming voice spoke to Nick.
As they pulled apart I heard the door to his fathers room open. Olly stepped out. ” can I have a hug too” he said looking at my mother.
I let a gente smile grace my lips. My mum was a stand in mother for them today clearly. I am sure I can loan them her, kust for today.
I walked next to Nick as my mother hugged Olly who seemed to start to get emotional. Just in time to meet the doctor who stood back waiting, patiently.
” Hello, Nick I have news about your father. I was able to stop the bleeding in his brain which was the cause of his stroke. You’re fathers condition was not as bad as I had initially thought. I am confident that with the right care and treatment we can help your father. But right now we have to wait for your father to wake up and I will then be able to make judgments on our next steps. But I see that you have a good support system here” he smiles as he looks around.
James seemed to have stepped out of the shadows.
” Thank you doctor, I can’t thank you enough” Nick says stepping forward. He shook the doctors hand.
” and olly” the doctor called out. ” I know that you want him to wake up but telling him to wake the fuck up and the other words you were using in there aren’t going to speed up the process. Most patients can hear the people around them in that state”
I gasped.
” damn it, I thought that was only in the movies” Olly cursed. Surprisingly Nick chuckled.
” come here” Nick turned to welcome his brother. I stood back and watched Olly stare at Nick surprised.
“Really asked looking skeptical.
I don’t think I was the only one that was surprised as Olly ran over and let Nick hug him.
I was pulled away from their moment as my mum wrapped her fingers around my arm. “Thanks for coming, I think they both really needed that hug” i said.
She grinned. “Every man needs a motherly hug she says.
That is right. ” i am going to try and get Nick home to shower and rest so you and dad can head home and rest”
” okay we will. You must see us soon and tell us about your trip” i smiled “i will, I love you ” i said quietly.
She pinched my cheek and finally headed in the direction where my dad was waiting or rather hiding.
After i saw them dissappear I turned back to the guys. They had moved back into the room. Olly stood by the bed as James and Nick stood further back.
I walked closer to the window and could faintly hear Olly’s voice. It appeared that Nick had forced only to apologise.
I smiled at that.
I waited patiently outside as they finished up. Nick walked out first. He stood in front of me and kissed me on the lips. ” i missed you ” he whispered.
I smiled into the kiss. ” I’ve missed you. What are your plans?”
He leaned back . ” we plan to come back tomorrow so I’m going to have Olly stay with me. He normally stays with dad so I thought it would be better that he wasn’t alone”
” thats a good idea. Do you want me to stay as well, maybe it will be good to have another face around ” i suggested to Nick.
He gripped my waist. “You really did miss me” he grinned.
I smacked his arm in response. I was being serious.
” let her come, maybe that way you won’t be so mean ” olly pouts. “He is a bad older brother ” he said turning to me.
Olly reminded me on Nick when he was behind closed doors. That playful side.
” its okay, I’ll protect you” i said. I went to walk beside Olly but Nick grabbed my arm and yanked me back.
” you belong right here ” he mumbled as his hand searched for mine. Linking our fingers together.
I smiled and reached up to cup his jaw.
” i know, I’m not going anywhere ” i whispered.
Nick needed me. I was going to stand next to him and support him through this.
” on second thoughts maybe I’ll just stay with James” olly mumbled looking around to find James.
I giggled. ” Don’t worry you’ll be sleeping when we plan to do anything” Nick says as he pins my waist to his side.
Olly groans. ” Nick I’m not 5, I don’t have a bed time ”
I pressed my face into Nick’s shoulder, a little embarrassed.
” tonight you do” Nick mumbled, finally starting to walk away from his fathers room. My hand tightly in his.
” you coming olly, come on you can hold my hand too” i said glancing back.
His eyes lit up.
” try anything on her and I will lock you outside” Nick says seriously to olly who slid his fingers with mine.
Boys, i thought shaking my head.