- ROUTINE -
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Hamish
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Knock knock knock
I glanced up to see Drew wheeling Bobby into the room, smiling softly.
"When do you think she'll wake up?" Bobby asked.
Worry lined his voice and I wished I could take it away. I wished my worry could be taken away - but it's not that simple.
"Only time can tell, unfortunately," I spoke apologetically and then, turning to Drew "-a word outside?" I gestured towards the door and he followed me out, leaving Bobby alone.
"Jimmy's on his way - should be about an hour or so." I spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting Bobby to hear.
"He's not going to want to leave, you know that right?"
I nodded gravely.
"He still hasn't been discharged yet but it won't be long now"
"Ultimately, it will be best for Bobby to go home, rest up, heal properly and by that time Ollie will be back at home and he can go and visit her." Drew said, looking back over his shoulder into the room. I followed his line of sight, swallowing hard.
I nodded in agreement and we went back in, finding our usual seats and waiting for something to change.
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Drew
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It was about two-thirty in the afternoon. Jimmy was helping a very solemn Bobby get his things together, having only just arrived. Bobby had immediately realised what it meant for him when Jimmy walked in; he'd have to go back home and leave Ollie here.
"Olivia will be back in her own home by the time you've properly healed and then you can go and visit her as much as Hamish allows you to. Sometimes we have to make sure that we're okay before we can help someone else. If not, we could make ourselves, or even others, worse. I know it's tough, but you're brave and you've got so many people here to support you, buddy." Jimmy was doing his best to cheer him up but I could clearly see that Bobby just wasn't in the right headspace.
"He's right you know." I spoke up from my position in the doorway.
I sent Jimmy a knowing look and he left the room with Bobby's discharge papers. I approached Bobby, who was sitting on the edge of his hospital bed, and I knelt down in front of him.
"It's going to be really hard to leave your best friend here, Bobs, but I've known that little cracker for a very long time and I just know she's going to pull through. I think you know that too,-" I pointed at his chest, "-in here. You know that she's going to be alright because it's Ollie. Olivia James doesn't give up."
Bobby snivelled and looked down at the floor, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.
"It's really important that you get better, Bobby. I...we all really want you to get back to your usual, healthy self. It's hard but that's life, however unfair it may seem. I'm always here for you if you ever need a chat, yeah? You're doing so well, Bobby."
Bobby nodded and slid off the bed, wrapping his arms around my neck. I hugged him back and rubbed his back in comfort.
"Thank you, Drew." He whispered.
"Anytime."
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Hamish
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Jason had come to check on Ollie and to take Drew back home. They'd left about an hour or two later. I sort of wanted to be the only one here with my sister, however selfish that may sound.
I sat in the customary hard chair next to her bed and wiggled my hand to rest underneath hers. I remained in silence, staring off into space and becoming agitated at the amount of unknown time which would keep on passing. Time seemed to be moving at a slower pace than I had ever experienced and I got an itching feeling of unbearability. I couldn't stand it yet I couldn't move from my spot. It was a undigestible mix of two contrasting desperations.
I bolted upright in my seat. I could have sworn her hand twitched on top of mine. I searched desperately for other signs of movement and her eyes started to shake. I immediately pressed the button for assistance.
Brushing hair out of her face I leaned in and watched her eyelids flutter open.
"Hey there, hun bun" I smiled, tears pooling in my eyes.
"You're not allowed to call me that anymore." She pouted.
A strange laugh-like sob escaped my mouth before I gathered her in my arms and hugged her as tight as I could without hurting her.
It was like finally getting to breathe after being held under the water. It's the biggest relief but you still recognise the trauma that was there before.
"Never scare me like that again."
"I love you, Hamish."
"I love you, too, Ollie."
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Olivia
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I was finally home. We had to wait a couple of days before I could be released from the hospital but that wasn't too bad - Hamish kept me company and the nurses were really nice.
When Hamish brought me home I was greeted by the slobberiest tongue, all over my feet. Noodle was shaking in excitement, yapping in my ear and pawing the top of my head when I picked her up. She licked my cheeks and Hamish had to take her off me so I could see where I was going.
Being late afternoon, my brother let me watch television on the sofa instead of making me go to my room and rest there. I sat back in the cushions with Noodle on my lap and we watched 'Doctor Who' on Netflix.
"That's a bit scary for you, isn't it?" Hamish spoke up from behind me.
I shook my head, not breaking eye contact with screen as the title sequence played.
"I know it's all fake." I stated adamantly.
"Well, if you're sure, munchkin. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." He pecked the top of my head and left the room, leaving me and Noodle cuddled up on the sofa.
"Haaamisshhhhh!!!"
"Yeah?!" He shouted back, popping his head out from the kitchen.
"I don't like it. Can you turn it off?" I begged, holding Noodle in front of my face.
"Why can't you?"
"I don't want go closer to the monsters." I whined in a little voice, slightly muffled by dog fur.
Hamish chuckled and switched the tv off.
"You're safe now."
I sighed in relief and let Noodle go. Stretching my arms up towards Hamish, I pleaded with my eyes for him to lift me up. Of course he complied. I have him wrapped around my little finger, hehehe. He then took me to the kitchen and sat me on my special stool! Oh how I've missed my special stool! I smiled brightly at my brother and he smiled back, ruffling my hair.
"So, we've got some lovely salmon, fresh broccoli and rice!" Hamish revealed, sliding a pasta bowl my way.
We dug in and talked about random things like the best biscuits and what we thought the salmon would have been called in fish world...you know, normal things.
"So, you happy for Bobby to come and visit tomorrow?" Hamish asked, pushing his plate away as he finished.
"Yaaaaasss!!!" I nearly screamed, doing a little seated dance, bursting with happiness.
Hamish just laughed in amusement before clearing the plates and bringing out the ice cream. I really do have the best brother in the world.
▸ ◂ END OF CHAPTER 28 ▸ ◂
Oh deary, deary me! Thank you so much for being so patient! I'm sorry it's been so long since I last updated - I had exams and a few personal issues but I'll hopefully be posting regularly from now on. Although, there's only two chapters left. I've got a new story in the back burner, though, and I hope you'd check that out too when this story comes to an end! Thank you so much for your continued support. You guys are the best! Please comment and vote! Toodles! - 🐝