Troubled With Tattoos

Chapter Nineteen

You're Souper

I woke up to the constant sound of beeping coming from next to my head. It surely wasn't my alarm clock because those beeps were different. I peeked open my eyes to see an all white room. I looked down at my body seeing the familiar gown. I was in the hospital.

My eyes widened and I quickly moved my arms and legs to make sure I still had everything intact. I was slightly satisfied when they were still there. But I wasn't sure why I was in here. All that came to mind was going to the bonfire and that's it. I gazed at the IV trying to not get grossed out by looking at the needle stuck inside my arm.

I gulped turning my head to the sound of a door opening. Cherry walked in putting her phone in her purse. She looked up at me and smiled happily. She came over to my side, hugging me.

"Violet, how are you feeling hun?" She questioned looking me over to make sure I was in no pain.

"I'm fine, why am I here?" I asked my voice a bit groggy. She looked at me curiously as if I should remember but I didn't.

"You don't remember?" She asked pushing the nurse button on the remote. I shook my head no waiting impatiently for her to just tell me already, my stomach was twisting into knots.

"You were at a bonfire and your stomach was hurting," she began I nodded beginning to remember that horrible stomach pain, "well your appendix nearly burst, Austin rushed you to the hospital and well here you are. Still the same girl just without her appendix." She smiled moving some of my messy hair out of my face. Wasn't she mad I was with Austin?

"Are you mad?" I whispered looking up at her.

"That your appendix almost burst? Of course not, hun." She shook her head smiling.

"No, that I was with him?" I said a bit louder. She blew her hair out of her eyesight putting her hand on her hip. I rolled my dull brown eyes, here comes a rant or maybe another lecture.

"I was, but when I got the call saying he brought you to the hospital and even carried you in, I realized he must really care about you, the doctor said there was no trace of alcohol or drugs so I know you weren't doing anything you weren't supposed to and I'm just sorry I didn't trust you but I am willing to give him a chance, for you." She smiled her eyes watering a bit. I smiled back happy she would be willing to give him a chance, wait until she finds out there's three more. On the inside, I was bursting with awe. Austin carried me inside, but where'd he go?

There was a slight knock on the door before a nurse waltzed in with the doctor. She was young, probably in her twenties, she had blue scrubs on with white nursing shoes. She had a short bob that was a caramel brown and small framed glasses covering her eyes. The doctor was much older, his late forties I'm guessing. His gray hairs were noticeable along with the bags under his eyes.

"Hello Vivianne, I'm Dr. Pearson, how are you feeling?" The doctor asked putting a pair of purple gloves on. Vivianne? My eyes met with Cherry's as she gave me a look to go along with it. I assumed she had to use a fake name so my parents wouldn't be notified of my visit. I gulped, sitting up higher in my bed a bit nervous.

"I'm just going to check on the incisions and if everything's good you should be on your way." He gave me a friendly smile. He moved the blanket and lifted my gown up just enough to see my stomach. I relaxed a bit when I saw I still had underwear on. There were three small cuts on my abdomen. I remember reading up on appendicitis for a school project one time, it is less invasive than it used to be. It can be done microscopically now.

Dr. Pearson looked at the incision carefully before putting the blanket back over. He took off his gloves writing something on his clipboard.

"You are all set, just remember to stay in bed for the next couple of days and no lifting anything over two pounds, and I have prescribed you some painkillers in case you need them you can pick them up at the nearest pharmacy and please call if you have any questions or concerns." He said looking between Cherry and I.

The doctor left after speaking to Cherry privately. The nurse gave me back my clothes to change into, thankfully Cherry brought in sweatpants so I wouldn't have squeeze into jeans.

"There's someone at home for you." She smiled secretly. My eyebrows rose in curiosity as I slipped the sweatpants on. The drive home was overwhelming, I just wanted to know who I was going to walk in on. I impatiently unbuckled my seat belt once we pulled into the driveway making small slow steps to the front door. Aunt Cherry went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds leaving me alone with whoever was behind this door.

Austin stood in the doorway making my heart flutter. I looked at the long stairs ahead of me.

"I could carry you, or you could lay on the couch," Austin spoke catching my stare.

"I think my bed would be best," I smiled with a faint blush on my cheeks. Butterflies erupted throughout my stomach at the thought of him carrying me to my bed. Boy, I could get used to this. Austin agreed to lift me up easily. He carried me bridal style up the stairs. The incision was beginning to hurt, I think that medicine could come in handy right about now. I couldn't help but stare as Austin's arm was flexed, and I was in them.

"Like what you see?" He smirked arrogantly. I rolled my eyes feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

"No." I lied as I look up towards him as we reached the top of the stairs. My fairy tale is almost at its end.

"No?" He raised his eyebrow in disbelief. His blue eyes were dazed into my brown ones almost making me lose focus.

"Yep," I said popping the p with my lips. He carefully kicked open my bedroom door easily.

"So you do?" He grinned placing me gently on the bed. I frowned as the cold air hit, I wanted his warmth again.

"What no, wait yes, what?" I stuttered to grasp the right words at our loss of touch. He lifted my blankets up softly letting it reach my chest. My heart danced when he bit his lip staring at me. His dark blue eyes were so mesmerizing, his eyes fixated on my small lips as mine were his full ones. No interruptions, just me and him. I could feel his breath on my lips as he was the first to close his eyes. My heart soared as I closed mine. This was really happening, I was finally going to be able to kiss Austin until the boys walked in.

"Violet! I got you something." Camden interrupted. I frowned as Austin pulled away saying a few curse words. We were so close. Next time the door is being locked. I watched Austin as he sat at the edge of my bed in a distant world. I wondered what he was thinking. Camden walked up next to me holding a giant teddy bear with a get well soon shirt on it. I laughed shaking my head at his cuteness, he put it next to me hugging me once more.

"I made you cookies," Luke smiled cheekily handing me a tray of chocolate chip cookies. My eyes lit up as I took one. Luke was a good chef and judging from these amazing cookies, he was a good baker too. I chuckled as Ducky walked in with a bunch of balloons.

"You guys are amazing," I said amused watching Declan release the balloons in the corner.

"We know," Cam said proudly. He sat on the other side of the edge as Austin.

"Violet hun, I've got your meds," Cherry said as she walked in, she stopped abruptly staring at the boys, "Oh my, there's four of them?" Cherry held a hand to her heart as she cleared the room quickly.

"What does of them mean?" Luke asked curiously. The boys stared as they wondered the same.

"Delinquent friends I'm guessing." I shrugged. Luke looked perplexed, his eyebrows high up on his forehead.

"That's...interesting." Declan chuckled playing with one of the balloons. I watched as the playing turned into a game of punch Violets balloons between the boys. Luke pounded on the balloon with his fist. They were having fun until a loud pop erupted into the room. I gave them a look that said, 'I told you so'. The boys 'awed' before coming back to sit on my bed.

"I don't feel good," I mumbled trying to pull my blankets up further but the boys weight wasn't allowing that. I guess I was so weak they couldn't even feel the blanket nudge.

"It must be your lack of vitamin me," Camden smiled looking up at me. Austin rolled his eyes getting up.

"My medications aren't working," I complained crossing my arms.

"Well duh, nothing cures stupidity." Declan rolled his eyes jokingly. He was looking around my room curiously.

"If you're feeling down, I can feel you up." Cam offered as he smiled cheekily at me.

"You're souper." Austin gleamed showing me the can of chicken noodle soup. I shook my head at his cheesiness telling him to make it anyway. The boys talked amongst themselves as I got lost in my own little world. I couldn't help but remember how Ash would beg for soup.

"What do you guys want for dinner?" My father asked strolling through the pasta aisle of our local supermarket. His blonde hair was newly cut and his aftershave was getting more and more noticeable.  Ashton was in the carriage, his curly hair was so blonde it looked white. My own blonde hair was set back in a long braid my mother just made.

"Soup." Ashton giggled. He just reached two, his only words were; no, soup, momma and dada. He didn't talk much, but the doctor said that should go away soon as he learns new words. My dad chuckled switching isles.

"Ash we just had soup last night." He pointed out scrolling through the soup aisle anyway. I loved Ashton but I hated how he always got what he wanted. I crossed my arms trudging behind.

"Soup! Soup! Soup!" Ashton jumped around in the carriage. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"What if we have soup with something else? Any ideas Violet?" He ran his large hand over my head messing up my hair. I smiled gratefully he finally asked me.

"What about grilled cheese with tomato soup?" I offered. He nodded grabbing two cans of tomato soup.

"Good idea kiddo. What do you say we go home and you can help me make it?" He gleamed. I eagerly looked up at him nodding my head vigorously. Cooking with my dad was my favorite, he always lets me sneak candy before dinner.

"Here you go. Your aunt said to give you these." Austin woke me from my flashback as he strolled into my room. He placed the bowl in my hands touching mine in the process. I thanked him as I slurped some off my spoon before taking the pills. Chicken noodle soup always makes me feel better.

"We should let you get some rest now, you look tired," Luke said as he stood. The boys agreed as they hugged me before walking out. Austin was the last to leave glancing at me one final time. I smiled at him sending him a wave goodbye.

I frowned at the sudden loneliness and wondered if anyone had told Lizzie or Rose what had happened. I finished my last spoonful letting the spoon made a clinking noise as it hit the empty bowl. There was a small knock on the door before Cherry opened it.

"How are you feeling?" She asked kissing my forehead lightly taking my empty bowl, "you feel a little warm."

"I'm fine." I nodded tucking my blonde hair behind my ears. She half smiled looking around my room.

"Remember how Ashton would love eating soup? Gosh, that kid could live off soup." She smiled to herself remembering her little nephew. I nodded knowing she knew I thought the same. There wasn't a minute that went by that I didn't think of Ash. She took my bowl leaving my room. I sighed still feeling stuck in my feelings from my little flashback. My phone buzzed from under my blanket. There was a message from Austin, I smiled opening it.

Look at your nightstand

I glanced over at my nightstand surprised to see a bouquet of flowers. How did he manage to put that there without me seeing? I opened the small white card inside.

Feel better soon Kitten

I smiled to myself nearly awing.

Thank you

I replied back looking over at my balcony. I could see a light switch on inside Austin's room but then it shut off. I closed my eyes drifting off to sleep.