ALEX

The last time I was here, it had been due to finding my sister facing the rage of her baby's father. If that time had yet to raise any form of a conclusion in me, I hate hospitals.

Even as I lay here bruised up with stitches in my skin from the stab sounds, I still hate hospitals. The reality of the situation came at me fast, almost as quick as the motion of the knife Ray used on me.

One minute I was helping Rebecca get her things, the next I found myself in an ambulance hearing hysterical cries in the background.

My body felt exhausted yet somehow I felt I wasn't in it and my siblings bickering back and forth would have been annoying on any given day if I wasn't so caught up in processing this.

This trying to save everyone is getting old real fast

My mother had remained quiet the whole time, her gaze had remained on me after she came raising hell to see me. I would inwardly laugh recalling her threats to the nurse when told to calm down.

And now watching those aquamarine eyes I can only wonder what she was thinking

When I had woken up the doctor had explained a number of things to me. But the one thing I caught on that stuck with me was

I suffered 4 stab wounds and still survived

"Both of you calm down." My mother was someone of very few words and yet anytime she would say something you were prone to listen. Sam and Rebecca quickly snapped their mouths shut, still glaring at each other.

But after some time Rebecca broke the silence.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. Her face appeared so remorseful as she clutched her hand in mine.

Before I can answer Sam cut in," The more appropriate question to ask is how does it feel almost losing your life."

"Too soon man."

"What?" he shrugged innocently, Sam was always the calmer one. The one who could make a joke out of anything and now even I can't recognize him as he glared at Becca." There's no point in sugar coating this situation. If your ass had left that shithead a long time ago, maybe our brother wouldn't have a kitchen knife lodged in his body multiple times!"

"So you're saying it's my fault!" she spat as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"If you had even a scrape of a backbone in you-"

"Oh go to hell!"

"Don't you dare make me curse the day I popped you both out. I'll say this one last time. Both of you calm down."

They were both smart not to mess with mom as they sunk in their seats like two scolded children. The only sound was the beep from my monitor as mom stood up from her chair to fix my pillow for the umpteenth time. A million emotions flashed through her eyes and I hated the fact I was at the forefront of her worry. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly to let her know I was going to be okay.

The door opened and all eyes momentarily shifted to the door, expecting the friendly face of the doctor, the change in my heartbeat was detected by the monitor as her eyes set on mine.

Raquel.

She rushed to my side and nothing else mattered in the room as her steps closed the gap between us. Her brown eyes trapped me, as she stood beside me and looked me over.

Angel of mine.

The only upside I had seen in all this was surviving and now as she looked down at me maybe this is the other upside.

I reached out and loosened her hair to cascade down her shoulders." What did I tell you about having your hair down?"

She laughed despite the tears as she grabbed my hand still in her hair and nuzzled her face against it.

A throat clearing felt like a bucket of ice cold water being poured down me as I realised we had an audience.

"Sorry to barge in here," she chuckled sheepishly as she tucked a loose curl behind her ear." I'm a good friend of Alex. My name's Raquel."

"So you're the Raquel huh," my mother asked as she shook her hand. Sam stood up without saying a word and tugged Becca along who left reluctantly along with mom who gave me one last glance before walking out.

Once the door closed she pulled up a chair and sat close to me." Are you okay?"

"With the medication I feel...fantastic," i chuckled humourlessly. She pursed her lips as a frown danced on her face.

"I don't get how you can try making a joke out of this. You got stabbed damn it!"

"How did you find out I was in hospital?"

She didn't answer immediately and I could tell she was taken aback by my question before a small smile tugged on her features." Your brother called me. I wish I'd met him along with your family under different circumstances." Her voice came out softer as another tear escaped.

"I'm fine... really," I breathed. The experience although was prone to be traumatic I felt more grateful that Ray had been arrested and was nowhere near ever placing his hands on my sister again.

"Just get better, please," she mumbled and I beckoned her to sit on the bed.

"Did you get my messages?" I asked instead ready to change the subject as I rubbed my hand across her cheek. I'd been deprived of her very presence for too long such that I took full advantage of her close to me.

"You know I did."

"Why did you leave me hanging?"

"You just suffered a terrible experience. I think you should focus on recuperating."

"For god sake Raquel," I sighed feeling irritated." Stop running away from me. If getting stabbed meant it'd bring you here from hiding, I'd happily get stabbed again. Just...talk to me. Please," I pulled her close planting her lips firmly on mine. With the little strength I had in me, I poured it all in her.

Funny thing I hate about oxygen is no matter what you need it we both had to break apart, catching our breaths. I still held her face in my hands. She laid her head on my chest and the smell of cocoa butter has never smelt so good.

Her head on my heart, hope she hears it say her name.

"How's my baby been?" I mumbled as her hair tickled my face. She tensed up immediately and pulled back to look up at me.

"You know?" tears flowed down her face as she whispered. I felt so confused as we both stared at each other. I thought I was asking an innocent question.

"Know what?" I wrapped my arms around her once I sensed her wanting to move away. The more silence filled the room the more nervous for some reason I felt. She bit her lip, her eyes moving everywhere to avoid my steady gaze.

"Raquel..."

She laughed nervously as she ran her fingers through her hair and my heart doubled in speed." I really wasn't planning on telling you like this. But thing about life is, it has no set pattern."

She breathed heavily as she looked me in the eye," Alex I'm-"

The door burst open as Gina came running in," I came as quickly as I could! Are you okay?"

She quickly wrapped her arms around me. I mean yes Gina and I are on good terms but her timing was completely off, ruining what Raquel was about to tell me. Speaking of Raquel she had yet to say anything but I never failed to miss the way her eyes narrowed at Gina's close proximity after she released me from her hug.

I quickly interrupted Gina's rambling," Thanks for coming. Uh...Gina this is Raquel. Raquel this is Gina."

Both seized each other up," Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Raquel mumbled, her face remained neutral. I quickly grabbed her hand bringing her sepia eyes on me.

"What were you about to tell me?"

"Will tell you another time. You focus on getting better, okay?"

I smirked," I'll need some form of motivation you know."

She smiled, how can someone be so beautiful without even trying?

"How do you two know each other?" Gina asked. Whose presence I forgot was still in the room.

Before I could answer Raquel beat me to it," Through a trench coat." She smirked as she kept her eyes on me.

I blushed furiously thinking back on that moment. Gina looked clueless on the inside joke as she took a seat.

"I'll stop by soon to see you. Get some rest," she said caressing my cheek. She moved and surprised me by giving a soft kiss, teasing me with her tongue. It left me light headed as she stood and looked at Gina who rolled her eyes before she sauntered to the door and left.

Much to my dismay.

I was still smiling like an idiot whilst unbeknownst to me Gina was watching me with a scowl on her face.