Not Even Once//PT2 of Just Once Series

Chapter 23//Nightmares

"Hey, Alice. It's me. I know it's late where you are and everything but I wanted to call you to let you know that Vik is alright. He's woken up, the surgery on his heart went well. He's alive, uh, breathing..." He took a breath, "I can't lie to you... He didn't make it... Alice he's dead."

Suddenly everything turned red, and Alice was back in bed. She rose from the sheets, gasping. "Simon!" She'd called.

"What, Alice! Are you okay?" Simon woke, rubbing her back as he sat up.

"I'm okay. It was-it was just a nightmare." Alice sighed, laying back down.

"About what?"

"About-Vik."

"Oh."

"We better sleep. Tomorrow is a long day." Alice wiped her forehead, somehow she'd begun sweating.

"Yeah... Right..." Simon laid back down as well, turning onto his other side so he wasn't facing Alice.

Alice stared at the back of his head, she'd felt so bad for him. She'd just kinda broken his heart, and left him to suffer.

Honestly, it broke her heart. She couldn't do anything about it now, though. She'd already promised her love to Vik, many times. And it wasn't like she didn't love him. She loved him more than she'd loved her brother when he'd gone missing.

Her eyelids were heavy, sleep calling to her. "Simon?" She'd whispered.

"What." His accent was heavy. Sleep calling to his mind as well.

"Don't ever be afraid to tell me anything, okay? I feel like in not around enough for you."

"Right, goodnight Alice."

"Goodnight Simon."

The next morning, Alice woke up around nine or ten, she couldn't really remember. Josh had called, telling her that Vik was alright, and being discharged in an hour. She would miss it, but she'd be home not long after. It gave her hope.

"Aliem, are you doing okay?" Jess asked. She'd come up with this new nickname overnight, as her old one had been terminated.

"Wha-yeah. Yeah I'm fine."

"You look upset, what's wrong?" Jess sat down next to her outside. Simon and Mitch were making a video in the kitchen with Jerome and Lachlan.

"Nothing, everything. The usual."

"Your depression?"

"Pretty much. Also, not knowing what is going on with Vik doesn't help me at all."

"I understand... But you'll be with him soon. Don't worry." Jessica hugged her, trying to make light of the situation.

"Not soon enough..." Alice sighed, shifting in her seat.

Hours passed and Alice sat. Feeling numb, as always. Eventually Alice and Simon left Florida, flying back to England. The eight hour flight couldn't have gone any slower for Alice. By the time they got off the plane, it was 12:30, and Josh was waiting for them at the airport.

"How's Vik?" Alice whispered as she embraced her brother.

"He's good, on bed rest. Not really in the mood for talking to any of us."

"I hope he's okay." She bit her lip, sighing.

"He's fine. I've been the one at least attempting to talk to him. He hasn't really said much."

"Get me home. I need to see him."

Simon was looking dejectedly at Josh, who'd picked up on his wave length. Simon had told him that Alice wasn't feeling like herself.

"Alright." Josh put their bags in the trunk while Alice and Simon got in the car.

When they'd arrived home, Alice jumped out of the car and ran inside. She quickly said hi to Jide and then made her way to Vik's room, knocking.

"Josh? Leave me alone."

"Uh, it's me."

"Oh, Alice! Come in, please." Alice opened the door, smiling.

"Hi Vik!" Alice smiled, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Hi Alice." He coughed, sighing.

"How are you feeling, babe?"

"I'm alright. Better now that you're home." He smiled.

"That's good."

"I promise you, in no time I'll be up and running again."

"Now, now. Don't rush it. I don't want you using all of your energy hoping." Alice giggled.

"By Christmas, I bet."

"Christmas is in a week, Vik. I bet you'll be up and walking by two days before Christmas."

"Wow, that's a lot of hope I see." He giggled.

"I love you." Alice leaned down, and kissed his cheek.

"I love you more. Now, could you leave? I still need to order you some Christmas presents..."

"So do I... I'll be in my room, shoot me a text when your done babe."

"Okay, babe."

"Peace."

"Bye."

She stood, smiling down at the small boy before making her way out.

"Alice!" Josh called from across the hall.

"What, Josh?"

"Come here! I need help picking out presents for Freya."

"Jesus, all of the sudden, I get home, and BAM CHRISTMAS!" She laughed. It had sprung on the house very quickly.

"Well, I guess with all the shit happening, we all just forgot." Simon added, coming down the hall from Jide's room.

"I guess."

"WHAT DO I GET FREYA!"

"SHUT UP JOSH, JESUS! GET HER A DAMN ENGAGEMENT RING ALREADY!" JJ yelled from his room, causing the whole of the house to laugh.

"OKAY!"

"Wait Josh, are you serious?"

"Hell no!" Josh giggled.

"Wow, thanks for getting my hopes up." Alice rolled her eyes, passing Simon and heading to her room. She was going to buy Vik a new graphics card or whatever. She knew he was dying to have a new one.

"What should I get you for Christmas?" Simon appeared in the doorway.

"Your friendship is enough."

"Awe, cute. But I am getting you something."

"Okay. Whatever." Alice laughed. She turned back to her computer, noticing something shining out of the corner of her eye.

It was the locket the boys had gotten her when she left, her engagement ring, and her wedding ring. She slipped the rings on, they still fit. She smiled.

Alice had taken them off when she went to the hospital, not wanting to lose them. The necklace, she didn't remember taking off. It was wrapped around her neck for the whole trip to Florida. Lord knows how it found its way off her neck. This year had been a roller coaster for her.

Here's to the new year to come, and may it be more peaceful than the last...