A small gasp escaped my lips as my eyes grew wide. Cole's grip on my hand turned knuckle-white to the point where I grew worried that my fingers would fall off due to lack of blood circulation. I know that doesn't actually happen, but anything is possible.
"She was ..." Cole trailed off as countless emotions flashed across his dark eyes.
The old doctor gave a solemn nod. "And she was quite far along, too."
Cole swallowed. "C-Couldn't you save it?"
I glanced at Cole, his voice so thick with emotion that I felt tears come to my eyes. I placed my unoccupied hand on his forearm and stroked up and down to try and comfort him.
The doctor sighed. "It couldn't take the trauma her body sustained and ... due to her injuries being so close to the womb it tore beyond repair in several areas."
"What are you saying?" Cole asked.
"If you're sister decides to have children again one day ... it could be fatal for both her and the child."
I bit my lip as I glimpsed at Cole. His jaw was clenched and he slowly looked down at his boots.
"I see." It was quiet for a moment as he gave a heavy sigh and looked back at the doctor. "Can I see her?"
The doctor nodded his head. "Room fifty-two, down the stairs and turn right. If she isn't awake then please be quick about it."
"Thank you," Cole replied softly and started walking, pulling me after him.
I didn't say anything as a sombre silence fell over us and we made our way down the stairs. The hospital was quiet on this floor. It must be the recovery wards mostly.
It wasn't long before we arrived at her room. Cole moved to open the door then paused. He glanced at me and I saw hesitation in his eyes. I gave him a small, reassuring smile and he nodded before grasping the handle and slowly opening the door.
I thought about staying outside to give him and his sister some privacy, but the strong hold on my hand forced me to walk inside as well. My gaze immediately moved towards the only bed in the moderately-sized room, and I couldn't help but notice all the machinery surrounding the bed.
Cole sucked in a sharp breath and I gave his hand a comforting squeeze. Her long, chocolate hair was scattered across the white pillowcase beneath her head and her right arm was in a cast. I heard a soft groan as she stirred.
Slowly two brown orbs, the same shade as Cole's, fluttered open and she slowly looked around the room. Her eyes gradually met Cole's and I watched them widen and a weak gasp left her mouth.
"Cole?"
Cole glanced at me again and I smiled, beckoning with my head for him to go closer. He swallowed before hesitantly letting go of my hand and moved towards his sister.
"Hey," he spoke softly.
She blinked. "W-Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital," Cole replied and she looked around again.
Her eyes widened and I watched her left hand fly to her stomach. She gaped as she looked down at her flat stomach and I saw tears begin to mist her eyes.
"It didn't make it," Cole said softly.
His sister squeezed her eyes shut and a small whimper left her chapped lips.
"I'm sorry," Cole said and she slowly opened her eyes as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"It's not your fault, Cole. Please stop thinking like it is," her voice cracked slightly and she sniffed. She slowly looked back at him and held out her left hand that I now noticed had some plastic thing on her index finger. Cole hesitated before gently taking hold of it.
The tears continued to fall down her cheeks and now began to drip from her chin as she squeezed Cole's hand.
"I'm so sorry, Cole," she cried. "I'm sorry for leaving you when I knew you needed me the most. I was an idiot. I don't deserve you even being here for me. Please forgive me."
Cole stared at her for a moment, unsure of what to say, before taking a deep breath and placed his other hand on top of hers. "It's okay. I ..." he bit his lip slightly, "I forgive you."
Against my will, my eyes began to water at the touching scene before me. How much Cole has changed from the boy I met at the beginning of the year: from someone who never let anybody into his heart to now forgiving the person who caused him so much pain.
To be honest, I probably wouldn't have had that kind of strength. But I guess time heals all things and the fright that Cole had gotten probably made him view things in a different perspective.
I glanced around the room, suddenly feeling like I was imposing on their moment. "Cole?" I whispered shyly and they both turned to look at me.
"Who's this?" his sister asked.
"Elizabeth, my girlfriend," Cole replied and his eyes softened as he looked at me.
"She's beautiful."
I blushed at her compliment because I knew I looked hideous due to my outfit and unattended hair.
"Thanks," I muttered shyly and gave a small smile before looking back at Cole. "I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on, so I best get going."
Cole glanced at his sister before gently letting go of her hand and walked up to me, pulling me into his warm embrace. I instinctively wrapped my arms around him.
"Thank you," he whispered in my ear and I squeezed him tighter. Cole leaned back slightly to give me a soft yet affectionate kiss and I blushed remembering that someone was watching. I wasn't used to openly kissing him in front of people.
I turned to his sister, who despite how weak she looked, was staring at us with a small smile. "It was nice meeting you. I hope you get well soon."
Her smile widened and it shocked me to see how similar it was to Cole's. "You can visit anytime," she replied.
I nodded and looked back at Cole. "I'll see you tomorrow at school?" I asked, uncertain if maybe he would skip to be with his sister. But Cole nodded and gave me a small kiss on the forehead.
"I love you," he whispered against my skin and my heart purred in content.
"I love you too," I replied and slowly stepped out of his warm, strong arms and waved at his sister before quietly leaving the room.
I took a deep breath and noticed a wall clock a few metres away from me. I gasped and quickly dashed down the hall. I didn't know I've been here for over an hour already!
I was out of breath by the time I reached the parking lot and I forced myself to walk to try and regain my breath before facing my mom. She looked up the minute I had to hit open the door and I quickly sat down as she started the car.
"So ... how is he?" she asked as she pulled out of the parking.
"He's very weak at the moment," I said looking at the passing darkness outside. I could never look at someone if I was lying, but I hoped my mom didn't know that.
"Do they know what's wrong?"
I shook my head. "They're still doing some tests."
I felt so bad about lying to her, but how could I tell her that my secret boyfriend's nineteen-year-old sister just lost a child that she was expecting out of wedlock? It would never go down well.
Mom hummed and gave me a side-ways glance. "Are you sure there's nothing going on between you two?"
I groaned and rubbed a hand down my face. "No, Mom. There is nothing going on between Bailey and I."
Although it did make me wonder. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she thought that I liked Bailey. At least, it would put the suspicions of me liking Cole out of her head for the time being.
I hope.