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I feel the pain of the beatings they gave me, and the bone-deep exhaustion of the stress of the entire situation. I fear that when I close my eyes at night, it’s all going to play like a highlight reel over and over again in my mind. My eyes trail to Owen, and that fear that threatens to cripple me loosens.
I know that this man, the man who has stolen my heart, and asked to keep it forever will be there for me every step of the way. He’s proven that time and time again.
He’s never given up on me. He won’t give up on me.
“Dr. Higgins wants to hold off on pain meds until we get your bloodwork back,” she explains as she draws two vials of blood. “Here are two Tylenol. Hopefully, this will help a little.”
“It’s fine. It’s not unbearable at the moment.”
“She put a stat order on this, so we should have the results soon.”
“I’m going to call everyone and let them know you’re awake.” Owen kisses my temple and grabs his phone from the small table by the bed. I listen as he tells his parents, and asks them to call everyone except Marshall, who he would call himself.
“Why Marshall?” I ask him.
“He feels guilty. He heard you on the phone with your mom at the office, and he’s beating himself up over the fact that he let you leave.”
“I wouldn’t have let him drive me. This isn’t on him.”
“I know that, but he’s struggling.”
“Dial the phone,” I tell him, holding out my hand. Doing as I ask, he dials Marshall’s number and hands me the phone.
“Hey, brother,” he greets solemnly.
“Marshall,” I greet him.
“L-Layla?”
“It’s me,” I assure him.
“Oh, thank God,” he breathes. “How are you?”
“Well, I’d be better, but I need something from you first.”
“Anything.”
“I need you to tell me that you know this wasn’t your fault.”
“Fucking Owen,” he mutters, making me laugh.
“Marshall, my mother is crazy. She would have found a way to get to me. She’s been recording me for years, and I had no idea.” The thought of what she did to me, how she exploited me like that, it causes bile to rise in my throat. I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s over, and she can’t hurt me anymore. I can finally start my life looking forward instead of over my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, Layla.”
“You want to make it up to me?”
“You know I do.”
“Okay, I’m going to need a glass of that ice, you know the small chunks like they have at Sonic?”
“Are you kidding?” he asks.
“No. The ice chips here are bigger, and I’m on all liquids for a while. So, I’m going to need a big glass of that ice.” I grin and wink at Owen.
“I’m on my way,” he says, and I can hear him putting his shoes on.
“Thank you. Please drive safe.”
“You got it, sis,” he says, his voice cracking.
I hand the phone back to Owen, and he leans in for another kiss. “You did a good thing.”
“I don’t want him blaming himself. He’s not to blame. If anything, he helped you know there was something to be worried about. At least, I assume that’s why all of you were there. I think it was all of you. That part is a little fuzzy.”
“We were all there,” he tells me.
“I’m sorry your family got involved with my crazy.”
“Your family.” I hear a female voice. Turning my head, I see Lena and Stanley standing there smiling, both of them with tears in their eyes. “Your family got involved with the crazy lady who is nothing but an incubator for you. We love you, Layla.” Lena comes to me and gives me a gentle hug.
“My turn,” Stanley tells his wife. She steps away, wiping her eyes, giving Stanley room to hug me as well. “Good to see you awake, darlin’.”
“How did you get here so fast?” Owen asks them.
“This one had a feeling.”
“A feeling?” I ask.
“Yep. I don’t know how, but she’s always been able to sense when something is happening with one of our kids. She said we needed to head over. We were already almost here when you called,” he tells Owen.
Owen nods, and when Lena asks about what the doctors are saying, he goes on to tell them what the doctor said. “She got sick,” he tells them. “So they took some blood.”
“Oh.” Lena’s face lights up. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Knock, knock,” Sawyer says, walking into the room, Royce behind her.
“I think there’s a limit for the room,” Owen tells them.
“Tough,” Lena tells him. “We’re her family, and we’re not causing a ruckus.”
Owen and his dad share a look, both shaking their heads, a smile playing on their lips. I hate that they’re seeing me like this, but even so, I can’t help but smile at them. It hurts to move my lips, but I can’t seem to help it. They’re all here for me, and they’ve accepted me into their lives, into their family regardless of the shit my mother pulled.
