Chapter Thirty-Three

Eleanor's POV 

My eyes slowly opened, only to squint at the harsh, bright lighting in the room. Where was I? I brought my hand to shield my eyes from the lighting and sat up in a bed. Wait... A bed? I looked around me to find that I was staying in a large room. To be more specific, it was a hospital room with a hospital bed. The walls were bare white except for a white board at the far end of the room. 

What happened? 

I couldn't remember anything that happened. The only latest thing I remembered was going shopping for a dress for Summer's wedding, and then... Oh God. No. 

I scrambled out of bed trying to get the white covers untangled from my legs. I had to see if Peyton was all right! What was I doing here anyways?

"Eleanor?"

My head looked up as I saw the door opening, and Parker and my two sons walked in. My eyes automatically landed on Peyton who seemed to be fine. I let out a sigh of relief and opened my arms for him.

"Peyton!" I exclaimed snuggling him once Parker placed him in my arms. I kissed him all over his head, and he giggled trying to get away. "I'm so glad you're fine. Oh you worried me so much!"

I closed my eyes, relishing in the warmth and safety of my son. The doctors were wrong. Peyton couldn't have cancer. He was a healthy boy. 

"Eleanor?" Parker asked getting my attention.

I almost forgot about him being in the room. "Parker. What- what are you doing here?"

He almost smiled. "Summer called me about Peyton. I know we had this... this condition, but you have to understand why I came."

I nodded right away. "Of course. Of course. I- I understand. I just... I just don't get why I'm in here instead of Peyton."

"You passed out pretty bad," he explained. "I arrived just in the nick of time to catch you. We were in the hospital anyways so I had you checked up. The news probably hit you hard as it did me."

I looked down at Peyton. "Yeah. Yeah it did."

"I don't want to stay here," I declared. "I want to go home with my sons."

He nodded. "Sure. The doctor's coming in any minute now to tell you what's wrong. After that, you're free to leave."

"Okay," I said softly. "Thanks."

There was an awkward silence in the entire room except for Luke who was playing with the gloves. I hadn't seen Parker in two weeks. That was the longest time we'd ever gone not seeing each other. The last time we did see each other, it was sort of a goodbye. I thought that the next time we would see each  other, it would be because I was finally ready. Was I ready?

Parker cleared his throat shifting awkwardly on his feet just a few distance away from the bed. "I could get a cab ready for you and the boys." He offered. "Summer and Finn already left since they had a wedding appointment to go to."

I stayed silent staring at him. Maybe I was ready. It did seem like he changed. "No. Stay." He looked taken aback. I blushed and hid my face behind my hair. "I mean, please."

He smiled slightly. "Okay. I'll stay until you guys are ready to leave."

No. I meant take us home with you. Although I didn't have the courage to say it. I just nodded. 

The door finally opened and revealed a young doctor woman who smiled at us after looking at her clipboard. "Mrs. Jenkins? I'm Dr. Heath." 

"Yes, that's me."

"Hi. I hope you had a good nap." There was a twinkle in her eyes when she said it. I only gave her a lighthearted smile in return. "There seems to be nothing wrong with you. The cause of the faint was due to fatigue and not enough food for you and the baby. So you better fatten up since you'll be doing it anyways," she chuckled oblivious to my look of shock. "Good news is that the baby's perfectly fine."

She looked at us expectantly with a smile. 

"Baby?" I asked hesitantly.

Her smile faltered. "Why yes. You're four weeks pregnant. Did you not know?"

Through my peripheral vision, I looked at Parker's expression. He was shocked as well.

"But I just had my period a week ago!" I exclaimed. "I can't be pregnant."

Dr. Heath nodded knowingly. "It is possible to still have your menstruation in the early stages of pregnancy. Although it won't be as heavy as your normal routine. I suppose it was only light?" I barely moved my head to nod. 

"I see this came as a surprise for you both," she looked at me and then at Parker. "How about you make an appointment with an obstetrician as soon as possible to get the necessary precautions. Although I'm sure this isn't new for you." She looked kindly at Peyton and Luke.

"All right, thank you Doctor." Parker was the first to recover from his state of shock. He shook the doctor's hand, and we were left alone once again.

I dared not look at him. I was still in my own world. How could I be pregnant? Now of all possible times! It was such bad timing. I placed Peyton down on the floor where he scattered to his older brother. I placed a hand softly on top of my covered stomach. There was a baby in here. A baby that is no doubt Parker's. 

"I'm pregnant," I said softly. 

Parker came closer slowly to stand closer to the side of my bed. "Eleanor..."

I looked up at his star stricken face. His mouth was open trying to search for words. I didn't blame him. It was hard for me to take in too. Let alone what to say. I mean we were sort of in a middle of a fight. Our relationship was still rocky. A baby was not what we expected. Especially since he was expecting from another woman. 

"I know." I nodded. "I wasn't expecting it. I had no idea. I would never keep this secret from you even if..."

"I know you wouldn't," he said. "What are we going to do?"

"What do you mean by that?" I quickly said. "We're keeping the baby of course! If you're not up for it, I'm keeping the baby. With no help from you. I don't mind. I've done it for Luke and Peyton, I have-"

Parker chuckled and bent down on his knees, so our faces were leveled. "There's no doubt in my mind that I would take care of this baby. Eleanor," he took both of my hands in his and kissed it, "I'm ready for you to come back home. I'm ready to be your husband and father again. You have no idea how much of a mess I've been this past two weeks. I regret all my decisions concerning Heidi. I- I miss you. I'm very terribly sorry."

I untangled one hand from his and used it to caress the side of his face. "I missed you too."

A smile brightened his face. "Really?"

I nodded. "Really."

He stole a quick kiss from me and hugged me the best he could over the metal railings on the bed. "We're having a baby."

I let out a cry/laugh of happiness cupping my barely there stomach. "I'm pregnant." I looked at Parker. "I'm pregnant!" I said once again as if the news just sunk in. There were no words to tell how elated I am!

"Shall we tell the boys?" Parker asked, his smile never leaving his face.

I shook my head. "Not yet. Let's keep it between ourselves for now. Not until everything goes back to normal. First, can we get out of here?"

Instead of hailing a cab, Parker drove us back to the hotel we were currently staying in. My sons, especially Luke, were excited to have him around again. I swiped the card to open the door to our suite leading the three of them in. I decided to splurge on a suite since I didn't know how long our temporary living would be for. It was complete with a kitchenette and two bedrooms plus a sitting room. 

I turned around to see Parker assessing the room. I decided to keep myself busy and picked up Peyton. 

"I'll just go ahead and put him to sleep." I lingered in the room. "He's had a rough day."

Parker nodded. "Sure."

I walked to the smaller bedroom of the two and pulled the covers over, setting him in the middle. He was struggling on laying down, determined on getting out of the bed to play with his brother.

"Not sleepy!" He declared crawling to the edge of the bed only to be pulled back by me.

"You need to rest," I said softly finally getting him to lay down as he yawned.  

I laid down on my side, propping my head on my hand. I stroked his matted hair away from his face. Looking at him now, no one would have guessed he had cancer. Well any possibilities that is. I felt like this was all my fault. I closed my eyes, memories of my childhood years flooding. I suddenly opened them again refusing to go back down that memory lane. 

I would have to talk to Parker about what happened. Maybe it was all just a fluke. We wouldn't know for sure if Peyton does. We'd have to make an appointment soon. Preferably tomorrow.

After staying in the room for a long time even after Peyton fell asleep, I finally headed out. I saw Parker on the couch beside Luke who were both eating room service food as they watched a cartoon. Parker's head looked up as I walked towards them. I gave him a small smile.

Turning to Luke I said, "Come on Luke. Once you finish up, it's time for your sleep okay?"

"But I'm still watching cartoons!" He exclaimed pouting. 

I nodded. "I know. When you're done eating. Please don't argue with me. Mum's had a bad day."

He resigned and turned back his attention towards the TV.

I went to sit at the small dining table and rested my head in my hands. Today was full of twists and turns. Finding my dress, rushing to the hospital for Luke, and now finding out that I was pregnant. The chair opposite me was pulled back. I didn't look up already knowing who it was.

"You heard what the doctor said. You have to eat and rest early."

I stared at the bowl of soup Parker slid across the table. The smell was heavenly! I took the phone he was handing out at me and took a spoonful of warm soup in my mouth. "Thanks."

We were both quiet only the sounds of the spoon hitting the side of the bowl. 

"Parker this is all my fault," I whispered staring into the bowl. "Peyton wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for me. I should have taken him to the doctor when he first showed restlessness. Even you said so, as well. I'm so stubborn. I'm sorry..."

"Don't say that," he said sternly looking at me. "You wouldn't have known."

I shook my head, tears threatening to fall down. "You don't understand."

His eyes softened. "Then help me understand. Any mother in your position would blame herself for what's happening, but let me tell you that it's not."

I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. "Can you put Luke to sleep before we talk?"

I only heard the sounds of a chair scraping against the floor and Parker's hushed voice talking to Luke. I didn't realize I was already crying when I touched my hand to my eyes. I nearly jumped out of my seat when I felt a hand tug on my shirt.

I looked to my side and found Luke looking up at me with his arms out. "Good night, Momma!" 

I smiled and cooped him up in my arms kissing his face. "Good night, Angel. Sleep tight, don't let-"

"The bed bugs bite!" He finished for me with an adorable grin.

I laughed. "Exactly." I let him back on the floor and saw him scurrying towards the room he's called his for the two weeks we stayed here.

Parker let out an outstretched hand for me. I took it, and he pulled me back on my feet leading me on the big, comfortable sofa. The TV was turned off, and I knew Parker was waiting for me to explain.

"So?" He prompted. "What is it that we need to talk about?"

I sighed, and my tears let loose once again. He instantly pulled me into his arms which only made me cry harder. 

"I had cancer," I blurted out into his chest.

"Excuse me?" He asked pulling my head back with a confused expression. 

I cleared my throat. "I had cancer. Leukemia, to be exact."

He looked baffled with wide eyes. "What? When?"

I swallowed and straightened up on the couch. I put the couch pillow over my lap and stared out the window. "I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was only six years old. I've had for four years when finally I was free of it at nine. It was the best tenth birthday present ever. I never mentioned it to anybody. Not even Summer. I just... I didn't want to live through the pain of it again.

"Those four years were the hardest of my life," I admitted. "Constantly throwing up and passing out. My parents were stressed out and sometimes I felt as if, I was too much to take care of. But they never gave up on me. I just don't want Peyton to ever go through that. Especially not right now when he's still so young. He's almost turning three.

"I'm such a terrible mother," I cried out even louder. "I shouldn't have let this gone far. I'm so sorry Parker. This wouldn't be happening right now if it weren't for me. I'm so selfish The doctors informed me that my future children could have some familial genes."

I went back to my cries when I was done talking. Parker scooped me up in his arms hugging me. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. He kissed the side of my head. We'll get the best oncologists to treat Peyton if he does. Hey," he lifted my head up with my chin, "everything will be okay. We don't know for sure if he does. There's a chance it's just some other type of sickness much less severe than cancer."

I nodded trying to be reassured by his words. "Okay."

"And you are not a bad mother. There's not a single perfect mum out there. People make mistakes, you make mistakes. For now," he said placing a hand on my stomach, "we should start thinking of names for this little one, huh?"

I laughed out loud through my tears. "We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl."

"Then we'll think of both," he resolved.

I smiled sadly. "What about your baby with Heidi?"

His hand stilled from rubbing up and down my arm. "I don't want to fight over this again."

"We're not," I shook my head. "You know Finn told me about prenatal paternity DNA testings. He said it was possible."

Parker sighed kissing the top of my head. "I have no problem with going through that. It'll be a bit harder to persuade the mother though."

I shrugged out of arms. "It was only a suggestion."

He leaned forward. "Will doing this make you feel better?"

I nodded, biting my lower lip. "It'll make me feel safer. It would be the best for you as well."

He sighed and nodded. "I'll talk her into it."

"Really?" I asked hopefully.

He nodded and kissed my lips. "Anything to make you happy." I grinned at him as he looked down at his watch. "I should probably get going. It's running late."

My face fell at the thought of him leaving. "Oh. Right, of course." 

He smiled at me briefly pulling me up. "Care to show me out?"

I followed him to the doorway where he slipped on his shoes. "Just call me when you, when you want to see me again. I know that you're not ready-"

"Why don't you just stay?" I blurted out and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I meant them. "I mean Luke and Peyton would like that in the morning." I hurried to explain.

He grinned. "What about you?"

"Oh you know," I said nonchalantly waving him off, "I'm indifferent to it."

"You sure about that?" He asked slipping off his shoes again and coming closer to me.

I nodded and gave gim a sly smile. "I'll see you in the bedroom."

I turned away about to walk before Parker slipped his arms around my waist swinging me closer to him. He pulled me up carrying me bridal style to the bedroom. He threw me gently on the bed, following me soon after. He took off his outer layers of clothing leaving him in his undershirt. 

He rolled me onto my back, his face grazing the side of my neck. His hand cupped my hip, while his other was running up and down the side of my body. I moaned in pleasure, my arms laid over both of his shoulders. I felt Parker's hands slip under my t shirt, his hands inching his way dangerously close to my bra.

I turned my head and kissed his neck. He hovered his head above mine our noses barely touching. I got impatient with his teasing and took one hand and brought his head down on my lips. I smiled, loving the feeling of being with him again. He kissed me hard and deep, his tongue sweeping against mine. 

I took his lower lip and gently bit down on it. I let my hands fall to his lower lips gripping him. His hands started its movements once again under my shirt setting of fireworks everywhere. His left hand cupped one of my breast, while his other slipped under. I arched my back to make it easier for him as he unclasped my bra. 

Suddenly, the door flew open to our bedroom, and I pushed Parker off of me to the other side. I blushed like mad when I saw two silhouettes. A taller and a shorter one against the lights.

"Momma? Daddy?" Luke's curious voice echoed through the room. "Can we sleep with you tonight?"

I hurriedly clasped my bra back on and fixed my mussed up hair. 

"Of course," Parker answered for the both of us. "Hop in." He shot me a playful look of annoyance at being interrupted to which I only laughed at.

"Not tonight," I grinned making room for our two sons to get in the middle of us. 

"Not what?" Luke asked settling himself beside Parker. 

"Nothing, my angel," I answered and kissed him on his forehead. 

Parker quickly closed the door and hopped back in to the other side of the bed. Once he laid down, he caught my eyes. He mouthed the words 'I love you' and closed his eyes about to sleep. I settled back down on my side of the bed and rested my head on my pillow. I guessed we weren't sleeping together tonight. 

Peyton snuggled closer to me, gripping my shirts in his hands the way he liked to do. I softly kissed his cheek before closing my eyes to sleep. I could already tell tonight was going to be one of the best sleeps we would all have in weeks. 

--A/N

I would have published this chapter sooner, but I was too busy making brownies... Oops! And many of you guys thought it was Riley by the end of last chapter. That possibility didn't even cross MY mind!

I'd really love to know where you guys found out about Bound. Did someone recommend it or did you find it your own? Let me know please :D It would be interesting.

Vote/Comment/Fan? Thanks for reading!