Incredible Beauty (So Many Reasons 2)

This is what I need. Gran and her crazy stories. Gran certainly wasn't shy about her sex life and it was watch out to anyone who was embarrassed by that, namely mom. It was entertaining to say the least to hear gran talk about her conquests in front of mom.

Gran stays for a while longer, until mom and dad finally came back into the room. They all left shortly after, not before mom bursts into tears again (and gran tells her off again).

I close my eyes and drift off.

I rouse from whatever state or place I’m in. Simon is holding my hand, telling me about our little girl.

“She is a beauty, Em. She will be breaking boys,’ hearts before we know it,” he jokes. “Her little fingers are so tiny and she's just...amazing.” he finishes. His voice is coated with happiness, sadness and I think I can hear anger. “You need to come back to me. I need you, our baby needs you,” he growls, gripping my hand.

And I need you. God how I need you.

Chapter Twenty

Simon

Moving my empty coffee cup to the side of the table, I wiped my hand on my jeans to remove the sticky chocolaty froth that covered my fingers. I stare at the stain it forms, which is barely noticeable against the darkness of the fabric. I notice it though, I can see the ugly mark it leaves in its wake as it seeps through to my skin.

God I was a mess. Literally. I hadn’t showered in days and I was in a need of a good shave. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to ease the dull ache that had been in my head for most of the day.

I’d texted Cass and Tom to come in and now all that was left was to call mom.

“Mom, hey, how are you?”

“Simon? I’m good, how are you, how’s Emma?” mom sounded pleased to hear from me and as always, she asked about Em right away.

“Mom, she’s not too good. They had to deliver the baby early and Em is in a coma. They’re not sure if she’ll make it,” I swallowed the massive lump blocking my throat as it suddenly became really difficult to breathe. I grabbed hold of my collar to try and loosen it.

“Oh god Simon, I’m so sorry. The baby…”

“She’s fine, mom,” I cut in.

“A girl? I have a granddaughter? Oh Simon, I’m so…” her voice trailed off as she fought whether to grieve for Em or celebrate our daughter, “I wish I could get down there for you honey,” mom wept.

“I know, its okay. I will call you as soon as there’s any news. Love you mom,” I added.

Her tiny hand twitched as she slept. There was no feeling, more amazing than just sitting here and watching her sleep. When I wasn’t with Em, I was with our baby. For three days straight I had been at the hospital, wearing the same clothes I’d been wearing that day.

“She’s going really well.”

I looked up and smiled at the nurse as she checked the fluid bag connected to bean’s lung tube. There was less in there today again.

“If she keeps this up she might be home in a few weeks,” she added.

A few weeks? I thought of all the things I still needed to do to be ready for her a

t home, which was everything. I couldn’t take her home, not without Em.

“Really?” I asked, feeling sick. “Surely she’s better off in here until Em gets better…” my words faded as I caught the expression on her face.

No. I refused to give up hope

Chapter Twenty-One

Simon

I checked in on Em before I left. Yes, I was actually going home to have a real meal, a shower and get some sleep. I was no good to anyone like this.

Em was the same, no change which was good I suppose. The few moments before I entered her room every single time, I hoped I’d find her sitting up, smiling and talking, miraculously recovered. It broke my heart when that never happened.