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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Raven
The hospital is tiny. It’s so unlike what I’m used to in Edinburgh that I sort of do a double take. I mean, there’s not even a separate entrance for Accident and Emergency.
I race to the main reception desk, hurriedly giving my details and asking to see Phoenix. The receptionist is lovely, clearly reading my panic and takes me through Triage and back to the A & E beds. In the end bay, lying on a trolley so big that she looks to be drowning in white sheets, is my baby. A sob breaks free from my throat and I race towards her as my knees threaten to give way.
Guilt consumes me. How the hell could I let something happen to my baby? Especially considering I’d abandoned her for a hook up. I shouldn’t have left her overnight. The afternoon and even the evening were more than enough. But being with Baxter turned out to be the most intoxicating drug. One hit and I was addicted.
“Phoenix!” I cry, throwing my arms around her. She screams in pain and I leap back like I’ve been shot. “What’s wrong baby?”
“My arm,” she sobs, huge glistening tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I’m so sorry baby, what happened?”
“We were skim boarding and she fell. I don’t think it’s broken but it’s her bad arm so I brought her in to get it checked,” Thorn says from the chair in the corner. I didn’t even see him.
Dread creeps up my spine, and fear wraps its fingers around my throat and squeezes. They could take her away from me for this.
I push those feelings down. Phoenix being okay is my priority right now. Everything else can wait and we can fight that battle when it comes to it.
“Th-thank you,” I stammer out. It’s okay. She will be okay. I will not lose my daughter over an accident. I keep repeating it until I almost believe it.
“You shouldn’t be thanking me. You should be screaming at me. You left her with me and she got hurt.”
“She’s a kid. They do this crazy sh— stuff all the time. Nix always keeps me on my toes.”
When I got the call to say she was in the hospital, I felt so sick with worry. And yes, I was angry at Thorn too. Though it was misplaced anger at myself for not being there.
Seeing that she’s okay, all of my anger leaves me and all that’s left if crippling, crushing guilt.
I shower Nix with kisses, fussing over and plumping up her pillows. She’s okay and that’s all that matters.
“You should hate me,” he says dejectedly. I turn and stare at Thorn, noticing the way he looks ragged and exhausted.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my brow crinkling with concern. He doesn’t look too good himself.
“Yep. Tried to catch her and we both went down.” He grimaces. “Landed funny. It’s fine.”
“Have you been checked out?”
“Hell no. I wasn’t leaving Nix’s side.”
“Well, I’m here now. I think we should get you checked out.”
“I’ll get seen to when I know she’s okay.”
I shake my head at how stubborn he’s being, but I like the way he’s protective of Nix. The two of them have become so close. I can’t blame him for not wanting to leave her side. I’d be the same. He leaves to go to the toilet and stretch his legs, offering to bring back drinks. Some sugar wouldn’t be a bad shout right now actually. I feel a little woozy.
I turn my attention back to Phoenix, back to fussing over her. I get her a drink, plump up her pillows again, pull up the blanket, carefully cuddle her. I know she must be hurting because she lets me do it all without complaint. She’s a little subdued but chats about what a wonderful day she was having at the beach before the accident. It makes me smile in spite of her pain and I’m glad that getting hurt hasn’t ruined her memories of a good day.
The nurse comes in and I move to Thorn’s empty seat to give her space to work. Phoenix smiles at her.
“Mummy?”
“Yes baby?”
“She looks like you!”
