#my doctor is trying to figure out why I have hot girl tummy problems all the time 😔

[myfriendtheghost]

goodnight my dearest

[jawabear]

His bed (Dr Stephen Strange x Reader)

Not my GIF (i really cannot get over his bed)

A/n: So it's been a while since I wrote anything so this probably sucks. But I hope you enjoy it. There are no spoilers for MoM so you're good to read this if you haven't seen it, but it's an amazing film. But yeah, enjoy some spicy Strange smut.

Genre: smut

Warnings: fem!reader (she/her), RP (Doctor, patient), general smutty things, his come is meds(?), little bit of dirty talk

Summary: His bed is far to comfortable to leave, his girlfriend finds a way to convince him to let her stay there all day...

If there was anything she loved about being in a relationship with Dr Stephen Strange, it would be his lavish bed. 

Of course she loved him, she loved everything about him, even his annoying stubbornness at times. She loved that he didn’t try to be something he wasn’t. He knew his strengths and he knew his weaknesses. He embraced them, even if only with her. 

But his bed was something else entirely. She loved going to bed stores and would lay on every single one of them, but his was a cut above the rest. It was the perfect plus mattress. Not too firm but not too soft. She felt like she was sinking but she knew something would catch her. She could lay in it all day. And thats what she planned to do. 

She stretched out and rolled onto her back feeling more at peace then she had in a long time. It was like she was sleeping on a cloud. Only one thing could make it better, if Stephen was next to her. 

“Are you planning on being a productive human today? Or are you going to lay there and look pretty all day?” Stephen appeared next to her seemingly out of nowhere (she knew better now than to ask) with two cups of steaming tea. One for him and one for her. She smiled up at him and gratefully took the tea from him, sitting up a little in order to drink it safely. He came and sat next to her. 

“You think I’m pretty?” She asked looking at him with wide eyes and she sipped her tea. 

“The prettiest, baby” he chuckled. She placed her tea on the bedside table and moved back onto her back. “Seriously, are you going to get up at all today?”

“I don’t want to” she whined “your bed is too comfy. I can’t leave it” she paused for a second and looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I think I’m sick. I can’t leave the bed” 

“You think you’re sick?” He asked playing along. She pouted and nodded “well then, let me have a look at you. Have to check you’re not contagious” he pressed the back of his hand to her forehead and hummed playfully in thought. “You are insanely hot” he commented. “Maybe I should do a full body check. Just to make sure”

It was lowkey cringe but also somewhat sexy of him to say such a thing. Her tummy swirled as he stood and pulled the blankets off her to reveal her almost naked body, she was dressed only in one of his very old shirts that he had no need for anymore. “But tell me” he began as he swung himself onto the bed in between her legs, spreading them apart so he could nestle so close to her wet pussy. “What really seems to be the problem with you?”

“I feel…” she thought for a moment about her answer, figuring out the best one to give for what she wanted to receive from him “unsatisfied” Strange quirked an eyebrow at her. “That’s why I just want to lay in bed. I have no satisfaction outside of it”

“Well then, we can’t have that can we?” He said as he leaned down and pressed his lips to her in a deep kiss which grew more and more heated. She hummed and lifted one of her legs over his hip. “Hmm? You seem pretty satisfied to me. Is a simple kiss enough to tide you over?” He tried to pull back after his cocky remark but she wouldn’t have it. 

She moaned and shook her head, pulling his head back down she kissed him more feverishly. “Need more” she mumbled against his lips “need a larger dose of you, Doctor. Need all you can give me” 

“As a doctor, I’m in no place to deny you what you need. As long as you promise to take your medicine like a good girl”

“Yes. Yes sir I will. I won’t make a fuss or anything. I’ll take whatever you give me” she breathed desperately. 

His long and talented fingers trailed down her body and settled in between her legs, teasing her wetness. “So wet” he whispered against her lips. “This will make administering the medicine all the more easier. And pleasurable…” he growled the word and moved his lips down to her neck, sucking and licking at her skin. She rolled her head back, submitting fully to him and his touch. 

Stephen circles his fingers around her clit making her bite her bottom lip and moan. “You definitely are unsatisfied if this is enough to get you moaning like that. Maybe you don’t need the dose”

“No!” She protested “please. Need it all. Want it all!” She begged bucking her hips into his hand for more friction.  “Love it when you touch me, Doctor Strange” she knew that the name did to him align from her lips the way it did. It drove him wild. He would turn into an estranged man and loose himself completely within her. 

He grit his teeth as he spoke, “do you?” He asked “do you love it? Love it when your doctor touches you like this? Stroking your wet pussy like this? Teasing that pretty clit?”

“Yes” she panted as his finger rubbed fast circles around her sensitive bud of nerves. He was pulling her ever closer to her climax. Her knees were bend and her toes were curling at the blinding pace he had set in motion. But even still she wanted more. She needed more. “More” she whispered mindlessly. 

“More?” He chuckled mockingly.

“Yes!” she cried out as his fingers slipped into her hole, restarting his fast pace, doing his fingers in and out of her. “Yes! Want that! Fuck! I want you! Want you to make me forget! Just want to know you!” 

His dick practically jumped in his loose fitting trousers. She had never been quite so desperate for him before. Either she was dedicated to the character, or he really hadn’t been satisfying her needs lately. He was hoping it would be the former. Ever the cocky man.

Her fingers flew to his shoulders and dug her nails into the thin fabric of the shirt he was wearing. “Gonna come?” He asked her. He quickened his pace slightly wanting to pull her over the edge so that he could fuck her. 

“Yes, yes, yes” she pleaded it like a mantra. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Her walls fluttered around his fingers, her body shaking from the pleasure. “Fuck! Stephen!” She cried. 

He slowed his fingers down until he came to a stop and pressed his lips to hers. “Still want more? You look pretty fucked out already” he was always so cocky, even when he was desperate himself.

“Please Stephen” she begged “please. Fuck me. Use me. Make me feel better”

He was in absolutely no position to deny her request, so, with the help of a spell, he shed his clothes and lined himself up with her soaking hole. He could’ve stared at it for hours but his own pleasure was calling him. He gave his length a few tugs before pushing himself into her. A grunt sounded from the back of his throat as he bottomed out in her. 

“Fuck baby. So wet” he moaned as he kissed her again. “I love you so much”

“Love you too, Stephen” 

He hiked her legs up almost folding her in half as he fucked himself into her at a mind bending pace. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were rolled all the way back in her head. She let out a drawn out moan of his name. She managed to move her hands to his hair messing it up completely in her pleasure even after he spent so much time making it look perfect like he always did. 

“Always so perfect baby” he grunted. His hands gripped the pillow either side of her head as he pushed himself into her faster and harder than he had ever gone before. He still wasn’t sure if she was just making a story line to get him into bed or if she actually wasn’t being satisfied enough. He couldn’t live with himself if he knew he wasn’t satisfying his queen properly. 

He could feel her overstimulated hole begin pulsing around him only shortening the length he could hold out before he came for her. “Keep doing that and I’m gonna come all too soon” he told her in a deep voice which only made her stomach swirl all the more. She moaned a little too loudly for her own liking but it was very much to his liking. The sound pulling him ever closer to his end “fuck…”

“Please Dr Strange…” she whispered in a voice full of bliss. “Need to…finish the dosage…”

“Oh don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll keep you more than enough to keep you going” he slammed his hips into hers making her back arch off the bed before he moved on of his fingers between their bodies and began rubbing unbelievably quick circles on her clit. She let out an inaudible scream as she tried not too loose her mind in the insane pleasure he was giving her. 

“Please…please, Stephen” she begged breathlessly “wanna come. Need to come…gonna…come..” Her voice grew higher in pitch with every word, a telltale sign to him that she was going to come. 

“That’s it, sweetheart. Come for me. Be a good patient and come for me. Take your meds like a good girl” 

Her nails dug into his scalp as she came, her hole pulsing around his length making his head spin as he came soon after her. Neither of them were able to make a single though for a moment before his lips fell on hers. “I’ve got you baby” he whispered against them as he began to slow his thrusts to a stop.

For a moment more, they stayed in the same positions, both panting and trying to gather any kind of reminisce of the English language. 

(Y/N) loosened her grip on his hair and began slowly running her fingers through the now messy strands. He slowly pulled himself out of her and fell onto the bed next to her. 

“My love…” she sighed contently as she smiled. 

“Need a minuet…” he hummed. He lifted his arm over his eyes. She rolled onto her side and ran her hand up and down his still heaving chest. 

“Did I tire you, Doctor?” She teased “maybe staying in bed all day isn’t such a bad idea now is it?”

He let out breathless laugh and dropped his arm to look at her “was that your plan all along?”

“And if it was?” She asked with a raised eyebrow. 

He rolled onto his side and pulled her into his arms “a sick patient needs her bedrest. Especially after such a treatment”

“That doesn’t explain why you’re here”

“A good doctor always stays to observe for side effects”

23/05/22

[backtothestart02]

Hot to the Touch - 7/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: Fake dating trope, anyone? Here it comes! (Only one chap left of this story!)

Commissioned by @andie1223

Also for @izzyllewis for our fics-for-icons arrangement.

...

Chapter 7 -

Another couple months passed, and with the change in season came a shift in Barry and Iris’ relationship. Barry never initiated these changes, because he was afraid he might lose her if he tried to change anything that might solidify them as more of a couple than an ongoing booty call. It was hard not to get excited though when she made changes.

He was quiet about his reaction to her suggestions every time, just taking it in stride as what she wanted to do. He was a complete doormat when it came to her, and maybe that was a bad thing, but so far he couldn’t see any downside to the way their dynamic was progressing.

First, it was little things. Like, Iris would suggest meeting up earlier in the day too on occasion. She’d say it was because she was extra horny that day, but in truth it wasn’t just that. She missed him. Barry was immediately okay with that, as she suspected he might be, and when he didn’t press for a relationship, she started bringing lunch with her to their afternoon trysts. They’d usually start getting it on halfway through the meal, but that was fine with both of them. They seemed stuck in the honeymoon phase of whatever relationship this was, and they found no problem with that.

Next, and this was kind of a big one, Iris started talking to Barry about his day. At first it was just to see if Becky had made another appearance, and if she should be doing something to combat whatever she was throwing at Barry. But after it became clear that Barry hadn’t had that many more interactions with his ex – all which were flops on Becky’s end – Iris found she genuinely liked knowing what the rest of his life was about other than just how good he could fuck her. Eventually, Barry returned the favor and started asking Iris about her days too. She found she liked the attention and fully opened herself up to gushing and venting about any and everything going on with her.

By the time Thanksgiving break arrived, they were so close and connected, it felt agonizing to be apart for even a weekend.

“So, what are your Thanksgiving plans?” Barry asked her, as she watched her button up her blouse from his recent face dive between her breasts.

Iris shrugged, smiling as she sensed his stare, almost tempted to unbutton her top again just to see the look on his face.

“Strained,” she admitted, to which Barry frowned.

“Why’s that?”

“Well, my mom and dad split up when I was 13. I told you that. My mom took my little brother, and my dad kept me. Things are tense between them when we see each other on the holidays already, but a few months ago my dad started dating again.”

“Ah. Let me guess. She’s coming to Thanksgiving.”

“Yep.”

“So, both your mom and your dad’s girlfriend will be in the same room?”

“Uh-huh. And my brother is very much a mama’s boy, so he probably won’t be on his best behavior. He’s had some anger issues in school due to the split. The fact that our dad chose to stay divorced and start dating again instead of trying to work things out with our mom hit him hard. And he takes it out on me because he’s afraid to take it out on our dad, afraid of what he’ll do.”

Barry frowned. “What might he do?”

“Well, my dad wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s been reaching out to Wally for years in fact, but my brother rejects him every time. I don’t know what he expects at this point.”

“Hmm. Sounds like you need a buffer.”

She smiled, swooning at his implied suggestion.

“Thanks, but I am the buffer.”

His brows furrowed in confusion.

“There’s a possibility Cecile, my dad’s girlfriend, will bring her daughter, Joanie. She’s about Wally’s age and obviously very protective of her mother. I don’t know what the situation is with the dad in their family, but if she brings her…” She shook her head, overwhelmed.

“Chaos.”

She laughed. “Yes, chaos, exactly.”

“Sounds like you need a distraction at the dinner table.”

Iris gnawed at her bottom lip.

“Well, I was thinking of asking Linda to join me, but then…her family goes up north for the holidays, and I don’t think she has a good excuse to not join them this year. Especially after she’s done so well academically this semester.”

“And where does your family have their holiday get-togethers?”

“At my dad’s house in Central City.” She paused, debating, then asked. “You?”

“My parents’ place in Central City.”

“Anyone difficult coming to yours?”

“Just my granddad probably. He adores my mother and loves that my dad is a doctor, but I don’t think he’s real impressed with my accomplishments so far. He thinks I can do so much more than be a CSI with the brain I’ve got, but I don’t really care. It’s what I want to do.”

Iris was immediately turned on by his confidence.

“You really don’t care?”

“Well, of course it’d be great to get his stamp of approval and have him be proud of me, but I don’t need it. My friends Cisco and Caitlin support me and so do my parents.”

“And so do I,” Iris chimed in, smiling brightly and warming Barry’s tummy.

“Iris West,” he propositioned, looking at her gravely. She was still smiling as if all was right in the world. “Will you be my fake girlfriend for Thanksgiving dinner?”

She thought she’d be mortified. She truly believed it would feel like he was pushing her into something she was not ready for and maybe never would be. But this was fake dating, and only for one night. Surely she could manage that. And it would make their prospective dinners easier to endure by far.

“Barry Allen, I would love to.”

That got her a kiss full on the lips, and she giggled helplessly.

The words I love you floated onto her tongue, but she stopped them before they pushed past her lips. It made her still though, and she fought to come up with an excuse so Barry wouldn’t find her sudden tension too odd or related to his recent request.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Uh…nothing. I just remembered something.”

His furrowed brows told her she better come up with something good, and fast.

“I…have to bake a pie.” She paused. “For Thanksgiving.” She paused again. “Sweet potato pie.”

“Sounds yummy. Can I help?”

She smiled, and they both relaxed again.

“And get a free taste before everyone else?” She shook her head. “Uh-uh. I don’t think so.”

He grinned and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“The only thing I want a free taste of is you.”

He lowered his head and nuzzled her face before swooping in for another kiss. Iris wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, moaning against the sweet pressure of his lips.

“You can have that any time,” she mumbled, and deepened the kiss, losing herself in him for a long while until they had to come up for air and go their separate ways.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, boyfriend.”

He grinned like an excited schoolboy caught in a candy store.

“See you tomorrow, girlfriend.”

She laughed at that, waved, and let herself out of the bookstore. A few minutes later, once she was out of sight, he left too.

Iris West was going to be his girlfriend - even if only for one night.

He liked the sound of that.

…

Barry and Iris didn’t meet that night at the bookstore, because they both needed to pack up and drive to their perspective families’ homes. A light snow started to fall within an hour, so the drive to the West and Allen houses took even longer.

Iris was grateful when she finally arrived at her dad’s. She parked in the driveway next to his car, gathered her purse and overnight bags and headed towards the house. She was proud of herself for wearing her fall boots, since the snow was starting to accumulate on the ground. She slipped on her gloves and hat before approaching the house and then knocked lightly on the wooden door. She had to do it a second time and started to worry because of it, but then the door swung open and a bright smile spread across the man before her.

“Baby girl.”

“Hey, Dad.”

She smiled, stepped up into the house and hugged him tightly.

“Oh, I haven’t seen you in ages.” He pulled back to take her in and then stepped aside. “You must be freezing. Come on in. I’ve started a fire in the fireplace. We’ll have you warmed up in no time.”

Shrugging out of her light jacket and other snow-covered items, Iris set her bags at the foot of the stairs and followed her dad into the living room. The place was usually a mess with the man was left there all by himself, but there was not a single speck in sight. The house was immaculate. It had been cleaned with vacuum, broom, and mop, dusted and organized. Iris hadn’t seen it so nice since before her mom moved out.

“Wow, Dad, this looks nice.”

“Thanks.”

He stopped and looked around, as if he hadn’t been responsible for the entire thing.

“I had some extra time on my hands and figured it would be nice for the holidays if my belongings were actually put away and not just stacked in the corner of every room.”

He chuckled lightly, and Iris joined him.

“You thought correct.”

“So, you want to get into something warm and we’ll watch a movie? I’m all set up for tomorrow, so we can just relax tonight.”

“Sounds good…”

“Why do I get the feeling you have something you’re not telling me?”

She laughed a little nervously.

“It’s not much, really. I just, um, I have a boyfriend now?”

His jaw dropped.

“And I was kinda hoping it’d be okay to bring him to dinner tomorrow?”

“When did this happen?” he asked, astonished. “I mean, of course putting one more seat at the table is no big deal, but I thought you would’ve told me you met someone. Especially after what happened with…”

She nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

“I just thought you swore off all relationships for the indefinite future.”

She laughed. “I did, but…”

“This one got under your skin?” He smirked.

She felt herself gasp and realized just how true her dad’s words were.

“Something like that.”

He smiled. “Well, I can’t wait to meet him. What’s his name?”

“Barry,” she said. “Barry Allen.”

“And what’s his five-year plan?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Dad.” She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled.

“I’m kidding of course.” He paused for a moment before asking, “But what’s his major?”

She laughed. “Dad!”

“I can’t help it. Your dad wants to know! Will you tell him?”

She shook her head, her eyes alight with laughter.

“Fine, fine… Well, actually…” She frowned. “I don’t even know what his major is.” She laughed. “Something sciencey though. He wants to be a CSI.”

“Oh…very interesting. We don’t have enough of those around. He’d fit in real nicely at CCPD after he graduates.”

“Daaad.” She rolled her eyes again.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He held up his hands in surrender. “No more future talk. Why don’t you get in some comfy clothes and I’ll put in a feel-good movie for us for when you get down. Dinner’s almost ready. We can eat that while we’re watching.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She got up and walked towards the stairs, then stopped and faced her dad who was busily searching for a specific movie in the cubby beneath the TV. “Thanks, Dad,” she said, and he lifted his head to look at her.

“For what?”

She shrugged. “For being you.”

He smiled, and she returned it, then headed up the stairs with her bags and put on something warm and comfy for the night ahead.

…

Barry yawned when he woke up in his childhood bed the next morning. He’d had a nice evening with his parents, watching home movies and finishing up some last-minute cleaning in the house. His parents were ecstatic to see him, and even more surprised about his announcement that he was bringing a girlfriend to the house for Thanksgiving dinner. They didn’t mind, of course, and they were excited to see who he was bringing, but he decided to keep it a secret until she showed up. He said he’d be going to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner first and would introduce her properly after that.

As the day waned on, Barry started to feel nervous about his “date” at Iris’. He’d waited months to be on an official date with her. And even if this was just pretend and her whole family would be present with them, it still felt very real.

He wondered then if they should’ve discussed how they met and decided to start dating, what they liked about each other, etc. They most definitely should not include sex as part of the story. On Thanksgiving of all times with other controversial things in play, especially at her dinner, that was simply out of the question.

He needed to call her and sort this out.

He pulled out his phone, selected her name in his contacts list and waited for her to pick up.

“Hello?” came a man’s deep voice, and suddenly he worried that she had a boyfriend back home who wanted to know who this ‘Barry’ was calling his girlfriend.

Chills erupted over him, as well as some slight anger. At himself and borderline at Iris. Why would she have a boyfriend and secretly be sneaking around with him for the past three months? It didn’t make sense. Of course it didn’t. What was he thinking? Why would he jump to that conclusion immediately?

“Dad!” He heard in the background on the phone. “Give it to me.”

The deep voice sounded fainter when Barry heard it again.

“I just want to talk to the young man. Find out his intentions!”

“Dad, no! Give it to me! Not on our- Daaaad!”

And that’s when Barry breathed a sigh of relief. It was her dad.

He smiled.

“Barry?” Iris’ voice came on. “Barry, are you still there?”

“I’m here.” He chuckled, smiling brightly.

“It’s not funny,” she said.

“Eh…it’s a little funny,” he said.

She rolled her eyes and smiled.

“So, what’s up?” she asked, walking into another room. “You aren’t cancelling on me, are you?”

“No, not at all!” he was quick to say. “I was just thinking….um…”

“What?”

“Maybe we should discuss our backstory?”

“Our backstory?” She sounded confused.

“You know, how we met, why we decided to start dating, some cute story the family will want to hear…”

“Oh. Right.”

By the sound of her voice, Barry sensed she hadn’t even thought of it.

“I just thought of it now.”

“Well, I think it’s simple enough.”

“It is?”

“Yeah. I mean, just take the sex out of the equation.”

His laugh was strained. “Meaning?”

She sighed. “Meaning, we met at a bookstore and hit it off at a party.”

“And for a cute story?”

She licked her lips. “Um… I sent a cute text to you in the middle of the open house?”

“A ‘cute’ text, huh?” He smirked.

“Stop!” She laughed. “They don’t need to know the details.”

He laughed harder.

“Barry Allen, I swear, if you don’t-”

But he couldn’t stop laughing. She waited until he was under control.

“Okay, okay, sorry.”

“It’s all right.” There was a smile in her voice. “So, see you later?”

“Five o’clock, sharp.”

“See you then.”

“Goodbye, Iris.”

“Bye, Barry.”

Click.

…

Iris sent Barry the address to her dad’s place half an hour before dinner started. She didn’t know what she expected, but Barry showing up fifteen minutes later with a golden-yellow bouquet of flowers for her certainly hadn’t been it.

“Barry, I take it?” Her dad asked, coming up behind Iris at the front door.

Barry’s eyes bulged at the size of the man, even though they were roughly the same height. He nodded and held out his hand to shake it.

“Mr. West.”

They shook hands.

“Call me Joe,” Iris’ dad said. “I like to keep things casual in this house, especially during the holidays.”

Barry grinned. “Joe.”

“Oh, come on in,” Iris said, grabbing Barry’s arm and pulling him into the house.

She showed him where to take off his shoes, and she took his coat to hang up in the closet at the end of the hall. She gave him a short tour of their home, and as politely as she could, introduced him to her mother, brother, her dad’s girlfriend, and her dad’s girlfriend’s daughter. There were a few other relatives too, but Barry wouldn’t remember their names or their significance later, so Iris only very quickly introduced them before circling back to the fireplace and standing there with Barry until dinner was ready.

“Is that everybody?” Barry joked.

“Everybody here,” Iris said, reaching for his hands to play with his fingers.

Barry lowered his voice and started to lean in.

“I’ve missed you, Iris.”

She caught her breath in her throat.

“It’s only been a day.”

“Still missed you,” he said, and pressed a kiss to her cheek to avoid being scolded.

Apparently it was too far even at that.

“Eww, Gross. PDA,” Wally said in a monotone voice. “Mom, Iris is making out with her boyfriend.”

Barry lifted his head and raised his eyebrows. Wally was playing his Gameboy in his hands, only faintly aware of how close they were and what had actually transpired.

Francine walked over and gave the two of them a look but seemed to understand that her son had exaggerated.

“Put the game away, Wally. We’re with family today.”

“Some family.” He rolled his eyes. But he got up and stuffed his game into his coat pocket in the hallway closet and proceeded to linger in the kitchen, looking for something to eat.

“Iris,” Francine started, but Iris cut in.

“It was a kiss on the cheek, mom. Brief and insignificant,” she said, even though her heart was still racing from the brush of his lips.

Francine nodded, pretty much convinced.

“And what are you majoring in, Barry?”

He smiled lazily, expecting the question.

“I want to be a CSI,” he said. “I like forensics.”

“Oh, very interesting.” She paused, and Barry knew it wasn’t as interesting to her as she had said. Still, it hardly mattered. Iris was beside him holding his hand. “How did you two meet?”

“At a bookstore,” Iris smoothly said. “We bumped into each other in the same section.”

“And what section was that?”

“Mystery-”

“Romance-”

Francine turned with curiosity to her daughter’s boyfriend who had offered up the latter genre.

“Romance, Barry?”

He blushed fiercely.

“Who doesn’t love a good love story?”

She smiled slowly. “Good answer.” Then she walked away.

Iris was on the verge of laughter when Barry finally looked back at her.

“What?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

She looped her arm through his and led him into the dining room. Dinner was just about ready.

…

The rest of the West Thanksgiving dinner went relatively smoothly. Barry and Iris shared the rest of their ‘couple story’ better than they had with Francine, and despite the obvious tension between other members of the family, it appeared that with a non-related member there, they were less inclined to start a full-out brawl in the middle of the dining room table.

Everyone approved of Iris’ last-minute sweet potato pie, and Barry in particular praised it highly.

When it was time for them to go in order to make it for at least part of Barry’s family’s Thanksgiving dinner, everyone was pleasant enough and wished them well as they headed out the door.

“Very good to meet you, Barry,” Joe said, and Barry reached out his hand for him to shake again, but Joe brought him in for a big bear hug instead. “Mind if I call you Bear, for short?”

Barry’s jaw dropped. It was the same name Iris herself had casually called him a time or two.

“Sure,” he said, a lazy smile on his face.

Joe’s grin stretched wide across his face.

“Bye, you two. I’ll see you later, Iris?”

“I’ll bring her back, I promise,” Barry confided, and Iris was just a tiny bit put out. She wanted some time with just the two of them together, but of course she understood. Barry probably wanted time with his family too.

They waved and got in Barry’s car. Within 15 minutes they were at his parents’ house. Only two other cars were in the driveway, one belonging to Barry’s parents and the other to his granddad. There was another vehicle parked across the street, but Barry and Iris didn’t pay it any mind until they walked into the house and found a familiar blonde chatting it up with Barry’s relatives.

“Becky.”

“Oh, Barry, you’re-”

Becky’s voice abruptly stopped. Immediately, Barry knew what had happened. Becky had invited herself over, claiming that she and Barry had gotten back together and had just decided to arrive separately. His parents hadn’t known any differently since he hadn’t given specifics.

Now he really wished he had.

“Who is this?” Barry’s dad asked when he saw Iris standing beside his son.

“This is Iris,” Barry forced himself to say. “My girlfriend.”

Barry’s whole family frowned and then turned to Becky, who was not pulling off being shocked as well as she was trying to.

“But Becky here said-” His granddad started.

“I haven’t seen Becky in two months,” Barry said, deciding to be frank. He was livid over what Becky had been trying to do. “At which point I made it clear to her I was with someone else and not interested in getting back together.”

Iris looked up at him and smiled softly. She’d been so upset at that initial meeting because she didn’t think she could envision herself dating him when that was exactly what Becky was offering. But now she realized her jealousy had been completely unwarranted. Barry really didn’t like Becky, and he really liked her.

Maybe she should consider…

“I think I better go,” Becky mumbled. The rest of the family said nothing as she gathered her things and headed out.

Barry was on the verge of confirming what a great idea that was, but he knew his mom would give him hell for being so bluntly mean, so he kept it to himself.

Once she was gone, the tension increased tenfold. That was until Iris approached the table and took a seat.

“You know, I thought I was stuffed from eating at my dad’s, but this food looks too delicious not to taste. May I have some?”

Barry’s mother brightened immediately.

“Yes, of course, dear. Let me get you a plate.”

Barry came and sat beside her. They held hands under the table and smiled at each other briefly before consuming some of his mother’s food.

To Barry’s great surprise, his granddad seemed more interested in Iris than in belittling his choice of a future career, which made the whole night much more enjoyable than any of them could’ve expected.

As his granddad was leaving about an hour later, he turned to Iris.

“Iris is a much prettier name than Becky,” he said, and lifted her hand to kiss the back of it. “It was good to meet you, Iris.”

Iris felt heat flood her cheeks.

“Th-Thank you, Sir.”

He smiled, nodded, then waved to the rest of the family and was on his way out.

Barry and Iris sat with his parents by their fireplace for a while longer before Iris mentioned that she should probably be heading back. Barry’s parents shared how much they enjoyed her company and how they hoped to see her again, and how sorry they were for Becky’s deceit in their absence.

Iris brushed it aside, smiled and hugged them both before heading out the door with Barry and riding with him back to her dad’s place.

“Well, tonight went well,” Barry said, once he had parked in the driveway.

“I thought so,” Iris chimed in. “Better than expected anyway.”

“Both our families like us.”

“Which is an important thing.” She chuckled.

He leaned his head back on his headrest.

“I’m so glad you were with me tonight, Iris – at my parents’ place. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten Becky to leave if I hadn’t had you with me as proof that she wasn’t actually my girlfriend.”

“Happy to be of service.” She smiled prettily. “And, you know, if you ever need me to fake being your girlfriend again for the sake of getting rid of Becky, I am at your disposal.”

He chuckled. “Thanks. Same for you…if you need a boyfriend at a family function for whatever reason.”

She grinned. “’Kay. Thanks.”

He stared deep into her eyes and cupped her face. Just as he started to lean in, Iris interjected.

“My dad-”

Barry lifted his head, but he couldn’t see Joe West in any window on the front of the house.

“I think we’re in the clear,” he said, grinning as he looked down at her.

Relieved that there’d been confirmation of no onlookers, Iris grabbed a hold of her fake boyfriend’s face and pulled it down to her, kissing him soundly.

“Oh, thank God.”

Barry moaned. “You can say that again.”

“It feels like ages since I’ve kissed you.”

“And to think we’ll have to wait any longer until-”

“It’ll just make the reunion all the more special.”

“Or you could sneak away and we could hook up at my parents’ house tomorrow.”

She pulled back, her eyes wide.

“Barry Allen!” She smacked his chest.

“What? They’ll both be away!”

Iris opened the door and stepped onto the pavement.

“I cannot believe you. In your parents’ house?”

“Unless you want to do it here?” he offered. “Your dad works tomorrow, doesn’t he?”

She laughed. “You are…unbelievable.”

“So…see you tomorrow?” he asked, stepping out of the car to get her answer.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Iris!”

She spun around.

“Maybe.”

He grinned wide.

“But not at our parents’ houses!”

He laughed.

“Okay, okay, you choose.”

She rolled her eyes again.

“Goodnight, Barry.”

His laugh lessened into a smile.

“Goodnight, Iris,” he said softly, then watched her walk into her dad’s house before getting back into the car and driving himself home.

...

*will be posted on AO3 and FFnet when beta’d.

[naughty-teddy-innit]

Rehabilitation : Chap. 2 An Ed Sheeran Fanfiction

Title:      Rehab: Chapter 2

Author: @naughty-teddy-innit

Rating:  PG- No smuts for a while, but intense content?

Click here for: INTRO  Chapter 1

CHAPTER 2

I inhaled, and tipped my head back, a low hum of pleasure escaping my lips. The warm, moist steam that filled my lungs was equally heavenly on my sore, stiff muscles, and I took a long moment to just stand there, to let the spray of hot water cascade down my body. It was so soothing and relaxing and just SO deliciously nice after a very, VERY long day, and for a moment I seriously contemplated just STAYING in there, before reaching down and twisting the slippery knob to shut the water off.  I mean, I could quite comfortably have flipped the TV on and relaxed with a cold drink WHILE sitting under the heavenly streams of hot water. It was just that lovely. Sigh.

I awkwardly managed to scoop up the 2 fluffy turquoise bath towels that were hanging on the wall, and wrapped one tightly around myself, and twisted the other around my soaking wet hair.  I stepped from the shower, and faced myself in the mirror, quickly wiping the steam from the slick surface.  Ugh. I bit my lip at what was staring back at me, wishing for the millionth time, probably like every other woman in the world, that I could change the reflection.  Making the same wishes that probably any other girl staring into the mirror would make. Prettier, perkier breasts. Slimmer arms. A flat belly and thighs that didn’t jiggle. I’d always been a curvy girl, it was a trait that ran through almost all of my family, and it was a trait that was a struggle to embrace at the best of times.  I self-consciously sucked my tummy in, and turned study the line of my jaw and profile. Add a slimmer face to that list, and lose the double chin, and…I guess that list could go on, right?  Funny thing is…I don’t consider myself ugly at all. I love the sparkle of my blue eyes, and I’ve always been told my long, wavy hair belongs in a Pantene commercial. Masses of silky waves that once tamed, really were pretty, and were probably the one feature that made me feel prettiest.  

I unwound my hair, quickly ran a comb through my damp tresses, and tucked it back into a simple braid.  A bit of moisturizer on my face, some lotion on my arms and shoulders, and that was that. I wrapped myself up in my favourite, faded flannel bathrobe, and turned back to the mirror.  I could feel the exhaustion behind my eyes, the dull ache of not enough sleep, an ungodly early morning and just… too much. Too much in my mind, too much on my heart.  My eyes squeezed shut, the onslaught of the day washing over me….

 ______________________________________________________________

“God…. Jesus in Heaven…Oh Ed…My boy…”  

For the briefest moment, as his voice broke and he wobbled right in front of my eyes, I’d honestly thought his knees were going to go right from under him. I’d almost found myself grabbing for his elbow, but he’d managed, with his good arm, to steady himself on the railing of the bed.

I had tried to prepare him, but it had to have been a horrible shock for Stuart, seeing Ed that way.  He managed to lower himself in to the chair that sat perched by the head of the bed, out of the way of the wires and tubes and beeping equipment, and scooched it as close to Ed’s side as possible.

I saw the sheen of tears in his eyes, but only one managed to land on the scruffy expanse of his cheek before he gathered himself, taking a deep breath and blinking the rest away.  It was an awful, brutal sight. I was only a bystander, I didn’t know him at all, but even my stomach hurt to see someone so young in such a god-awful state.  

He was white as a ghost, pallid against the sheets and his hospital gown, and he had IV’s, tubes and monitors connected all over his body.  His poor face was a mess.  A massive gash along his hairline was stitched carefully back together, as was his badly split lip.  One eye was bloody, swollen shut and marbled with bruises. The rest of his face wasn’t much better, puffy and covered in contusions and scrapes, and there were dried spatters of blood still matted in his pretty orange hair.  His arm and shoulder were tightly braced, and it looked as though metal pins or …something…were protruding from the cast on the lower half of his arm and hand, likely surgically implanted to keep his broken bones in the right place.  His neck was braced too, and he was intubated, a breathing tube placed down his throat.  His leg was also elevated, casted and in traction, and beyond all the injuries we could see?  I could only imagine the injuries we couldn’t.  

I don’t think he moved from that chair for hours. He managed to slide his good hand through the railings of the bed, carefully avoiding any tubes or wires, and kept his one good hand laid gently over Ed’s uninjured one. And he just…sat. Watched over him, just like he said. No words spoken, just silent…protection? For hours, he just…sat. Never once leaving his side.  

It had to have been close to lunchtime, when he came hurrying back to the front desk, phone in hand.

“If I leave to take this call, will I be allowed back in??” He asked in hushed, but urgent tone. “His mum and dad have finally landed and I need to get them here.  I need to tell them where to go.  Imogen’s frantic and John’s BARELY holding it together.  I don’t imagine you want phone calls in here?”

I looked up from my computer screen and gestured to the call buttons by the door. “Not a problem, Mr. Ca-, I mean, Stuart.” I smiled, remembering what he’d said earlier.  “You just have to press the call button outside the door, identify yourself, and we’ll buzz you back in.  Get them here safely, okay?”

“Appreciate it, Annaliese, thank you.” He nodded an exhausted smile, and rushed out the door to take the call.  

—

His sweet mama, God, she just flat out broke my heart.  SO tiny, and just beside herself when they finally arrived.  I could see where Ed got his pretty ginger hair from, though hers were streaked, showing her years, and she had beautiful dark eyes.  Her husband was taller than her by quite a bit, he had grey, thinning hair and a beard to match, and warm eyes.  Her eyes were swollen and red and she looked as though she hadn’t stopped crying in hours, even days, and they still flowed as she clung to her husband. Stu made very quick introductions, mentioning briefly that his brother Matthew would be arriving later in the day; he’d apparently been on vacation with some friends, but I knew they only cared about getting to their son.  Stu and John held her tightly, supporting her and holding her up in every way they could while I paged Ed’s doctor and signaled to the nurse that they’d arrived.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sheeran?” I spoke softly. “I’ve paged Dr. Hendry, and he’s on his way right now, and Amy, our charge nurse, will take you to your son. I’m so sorry the last 48 hours have been so rough, but I’m glad you’ve made it now.  Please let me know if ANY of you need anything.”

Imogen was beyond words, but she managed a quick, but grateful nod as Amy joined us, and gently led them away.  

 ______________________________________________________________

I shook my head, subconsciously trying to shake free the images swirling around my brain. Once his family had arrived, I’d taken a step back and let the doctors and nurses do their job, an effort to separate myself from a situation that while it didn’t not involve me, somehow had drawn me in anyway. I found myself wanting to check in on him, on his family…. but I pulled back, wanting to maintain some level of professionalism. Still. The remainder of my shift, my mind couldn’t help but wander, and even now, hours later in my own tiny bathroom, I clearly wasn’t having much luck detaching myself.

The steam on the mirror had faded, and there was a chill to the air.  I tossed my towel over the shower rail, still trying to figure out for the life of me why this boy had me so drawn in, and fumbled for the switch on the wall.  I padded off to my tiny kitchen, determined to find glass of wine and something involving chocolate. I was exhausted, dying to put my feet up on the couch and probably just pass out. I’d not left work until near 6:30 after starting my day at 5, and working ICU/ER shifts meant that my weekends were not always weekends. I was due back in the ICU to cover for Brenda again the next day, but graveyard shift meant I wasn’t due in till much later in the evening, and would work over night.  

I sank into the worn, overstuffed cushions on my couch, a glass of chilled White beside me on the aged pine chest my grandmother had passed down to me, and handful of double stuff Oreos for good measure.  I fumbled with the remote, flipping on an old episode of Breaking Bad, and several sips and a couple of cookies later, I’d nodded right off.

————

The next day was spent sleeping till late in the afternoon.  My body clock was often at a loss; my sleep schedule often changed depending on whether I was working an overnight, a morning or an afternoon/evening. I managed to pull myself out from under my duvet with enough time to do a grocery run, hit the bank and get home to throw down a quick supper.  I’d bring a sandwich and some snacks with me, but nothing sucked more than having an empty, rumbly belly when you were stuck at desk on graveyard shift.  

My third-floor walkup was about a 10-15 drive from the hospital, but staff parking was brutal, and gas was expensive, so I often just took public transit.  This night was no different, and I found myself on the unit with time to spare for the beginning of the graveyard shift.  The nurses were completing their shift change at the same time I was starting, so the typical checks were completed and updates given.  Cheryl, the nighttime charge nurse, was a sweet lady and one I’d worked with quite a few times before.  Unfortunately, she was already a bundle of frazzled nerves when I arrived. Short staffed, one nurse and the other clerk on duty had already called in sick, and the Resident was stuck in traffic.  Goddamn. I was already dreading what this night would bring.

Several hours, a cardiac arrest, and a medication allergic reaction later, I was in desperate need of a coffee and a stretch.  I hadn’t stopped in hours, not even long enough for my brain to drift to Ed (though I knew he was still with us) and I was due for a break. I logged in my last order and faxed out the last of the requisitions over to 3C, our step-down unit. I lifted myself from the lumpy desk chair, rolling my neck to loosen it up, and stretched my arms behind me.  

Cheryl was updating flowsheets and charts at the Nurses Station, kitty corner to my desk, and shot me a grateful smile when I mentioned where I was going.

“Girl. Go. Coffee waits for no woman. Take a fifteen, and lord knows we’ll be here when you get back.”

I grinned and grabbed my bag from under the desk. “Steeped tea, 2 milks and a sugar?”

“Bless you, my child.” The woman actually folded her hands in prayer and crossed herself, and my shoulders shook as I silently cracked up.  “My turn next time?”

“You got it.” I tucked my bank card into my pocket and glanced at the massive swinging doors that gated our unit, and then decided to tiptoe through to the back doors that were closer to the elevators. The main cafeteria was closed this time of night, so the coffee shop on the main level would have to be my destination. I tiptoed through the maze of beds, carefully making sure not to disturb anyone, and I was almost to the back of the unit and out the door, when I heard the noise.

First one monitor blared, then another alarm screamed, and then I heard the rattle of the bed rails. Oh no. I whirled around, my coffee forgotten, searching out the source of the commotion.

The flash of orange hair, the rainbow colours of his skin, so bright against his hospital gown and sheets- my heart dropped. Shit.

It was Ed.

Luckily, there was a phone on the wall, and I grabbed it, slapped the call button and paged the Code which would summon the doctor.  I could see Cheryl come skidding around the corner- she’d have seen the monitors go off on her screens at the Nurses Station, and she literally flew to his bedside, along with another trauma nurse on duty.  

He’d not yet woken up, he’d been unconscious and intubated since he was brought in from the accident, and it looked as though he was finally coming to. The problem with an unconscious or comatose patient coming to with a tube down their throats and no idea where they were or what was going on?

Panic, fear and utter confusion. And panic, fear, and utter confusion can wreak havoc on an already weak and injured body.  

I noticed his parents were nowhere to be seen, and neither was Stuart, probably because it was the middle of the night. I grabbed the phone again, and called down to paging to have them call whatever numbers they had on file for his parents. They needed to be here now. If he was waking up, I knew how much he’d need those familiar faces to support him.  

I touched nothing, I was very aware that I was NOT a medical professional and I ALWAYS made sure to leave anything medical TO the professionals, but physically, I was closest to him, and mentally…I couldn’t help it. I only wanted to help.   His eyes were wide, frantic and panicked and his good arm was trying blindly to yank at the tube that was down his throat. His frightened eyes locked with mine and in his drugged up, confused state, he was blindly reaching for me.

“Hey…. hey, Look at me.” I spoke softly, and very gently wrapped my hand around his, guiding it away from his ventilator tube, and made sure to keep eye contact. I spoke again, clearly, softly and gently.  “Ed, Look at me. You’re okay. You’re in a hospital, your family is coming, and the doctor is coming to help you. The tube in your mouth is only to help you breathe. You’re safe. I promise.”

His whole body was tremoring, and he obviously was not all the way conscious from the way his eyes were rolling around and intermittently drifting shut, and I wasn’t sure he’d understood a word I’d said.

Dr. Collins came rushing over, along with his Resident and the surgeon on-call, and together they began to check his monitors and vitals, and issued orders for tests and scans. Cheryl immediately made notations on his chart and sent the second nurse for the sedative and pain med the doctor ordered.

The doctor made his own progress notes, and then waved the nurses and resident back a bit, ostensibly to uncrowd his overwhelmed patient.

“You’re a very lucky young man, considering.” The doctor smiled a reassuring smile, and rumbled on in his deep voice. “I think we’re ready to remove that breathing tube, but you must try to remain calm. You’ve had a rough ride.  We’ll talk more when you’re feeling stronger, and when your family has returned.”

He gestured at Cheryl to come assist with extubating the tube.   I quickly moved to step back and get out of the way, but a set of warm, strong fingers, fingers I’d still been squeezing up until just a moment ago, quickly wrapped tightly around my hand and wrist. A pair of the clearest blue eyes I’d ever seen looked at me and frantically begged me to stay, no words needed. His grip was strong, and I could see him shake his head just the tiniest fraction of an inch when I’d tried to pull back.

I gently squeezed his hand back, and bit my lip, a (what I hoped was) a reassuring smile flitting across my face. He wouldn’t be alone. I’d make sure of it.

“I won’t go. I promise.” I whispered, holding on tight. “I’m right here.”

TBC…..

Xoxox

Author’s Note: I’m just gonna hide in my little corner over here and hope the wait was worth it? I know it’s not my longest piece of writing, but I kinda love. Small disclaimer- Take everything with a grain of salt, and allow for touch of creative license pretty please lol I do work in a hospital, I do Annaliese’s job, but I haven’t worked in ER or ICU before, so if I’m a tad off, it’s with the best of intentions!! 

ALL FEEDBACK/ASKS/NOTES/MESSAGES much appreciated and welcomed!  Love you guys!

[zackhery85]

Girls: So, what is so important that you called us over so early?

Serena: Well...I have some very exciting news.

Wait a minute someone's missing...where's Ray? Isn't she supposed to be back today? I really don't want her to miss this.

Minako: Really? Then the exciting news must be about Darren. Are you trying to make her jealous!?

Serena: You guessed it and your guess is right! It's about me and Darrien! And I don't want Ray to miss one bit of this important information!!!

I want to see the look on her face when I tell her what romantic suprise my Darrien has planned for me. Wait, how did you figure it out? How creepy, it's like you can read my mind.

Minako: Didn't you know? I have a sixth sense sense about these that things. Some might call it a special gift, hidden talent or women's intuition. But it wasn't difficult to figure out. Important news for Ray? We always know you two are trying to make each other jealous. Serena you are too predictable! Anyone could have guessed.

Serena: Hmmm... I see...

Looks around...Strange, it's not like her to be late, and she didn't answer any of calls, emails. And she always taunts me about being late, whose the slow poke now!

Minako: You even emailed her?

Serena: Yep. Like I said it's urgent. Maybe I should try her communicator?

Ami and Luna: Serena!

Luna: You know that your communicator is for scout business only.

Ami: Otherwise how would we know if it's scout business, life threatening or personal?

Serena: I was only kidding. Have any of you heard from her?

Lita: No, come to think of it we haven't. We have all tried to contact her but she hasn't answered.

Minako: None of us have had time to go up to the temple and check how she's been. Come to think of it, it's kind of strange. Usually she'd be dying to tell us news about her trip with Chad, especially since things are going so well for him now.

Lita: Yes, usually she'd be dying to tell us, but she hasn't said anything. Maybe things didn't go so well, after all Chad got that big opportunity from his ex-girlfriend, who's now a big music idol.

Minako: It must have been hard on Ray, seeing them tour together. I can't help but think this was part of some secret plan to get back together with Chad.

Serena: No way! How dare she take him away! That sneaky witch! Poor Rei. I really hope she's ok.

Serena: Well...there's only one way to find out! Let's go right go now!

Girls: Right!

Girls: Hi Sensei Hino.

Sensei Hino: Girls! Great to see you, so glad you came! You must all be here to see Rei. And you couldn't have come at a better time!

(Awkwardly)...Uh, please come, right this way. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you.

Sensei Hino knocks on door...

Rei: I thought I told you, not to disturb me!

Sensei Hino: Uh, Rei...you have some visitors...you friends are here to see you.

Rei: I can't believe this, what part of not well don't you understand!? How am I supposed to get some peace around here, when you keep on disturbing me!? I said no visitors!

Serena: Hmmm...She sounds well enough to me.

Sensei Hino: That's the most she's said in days. Lately she's been unusually silent, it's been freaking me out. Still, I'm glad you came, please, you've got to help talk some sense into her! I'm staring to worry!

Rei: What, do you think, I'm deaf!? I can still hear you!!!

Serena: Days? But I thought she just came back yesterday.

Sensei Hino: Oops...I forgot, I wasn't supposed to tell you. She hasn't been well, so she probably came back not to make everyone sick. She tell you...because she didn't want to trouble you and make a big fuss about it. You know Rei.

Rei: Your the one making a big fuss over nothing!!!

Sensei Hino: Oh, I should go....good luck!

Serena: (Knocks on door)...Ray is everything ok.!? We just came to see how you were. Lita made some snacks. Is it ok. if we visit? Just for a while? We won't stay long.

Rei: Thanks for the thought, but today is really not a good day for a visit. Please leave it outside the door.

Minako: That's Ok. No problem. We'll visit another day, when you're feeling well.

Sensei Hino: (Outside near the door thinking)....Oh no, they're leaving! I've gotta do something! Looks like I have no choice. Hmmm....I got it!

Leaves and returns with a bowl of insense bombs and a cage of rats...

(Outside Rei's window...)

Sorry, Rei, but you leave me with no choice. This is for your own good!

Rei, it's just me, Grandpa.

Rei: Great. Who else would it be!? Why are you still hanging around!? Are you spying on me!?

Sensei Hino: No! This is the last time I promise. I made some insense bombs, with my special ingredients. They're very relaxing, try them. They're meditation bombs. All you need to do is throw one in the fire. The scent lasts for an entire day! I made different kinds, they make the fire turn different colours. They are also good for heightening the senses.

Rei: If I promise to take them, will you go away?

Sensei Hino: Yes, of course.

Rei: Fine.

Sensei Hino: Here you go! (Leaves them on the table next to the window). Please be sure to put them on the alter.

Rei: Grandpa, you know the alter is sacred.

Sensei Hino: Exactly! Each insense bombs has a spell like a talisman which you put on the alter.

Ray: (Thinking....) For once he actually has a good idea. Alright, Alright I'll put it on please, just go!

(grabs the bowl and turns to place it on the alter next to the fire).

Sensei Hino: Releases the rats)...Go my friends! Sorry Rei but I have no choice. Perfect, luckily I put these at the bottom on the bowl and ferimones in those bombs!

Rei: What's going on!? Screams...

Serena: Rei, is everything O.K?

Rats knock the insense bombs into the fire...the room fills with smoke.

Rei: Ughhh! Why is it so smoky in here! Hey! Get off me!!!

Runs out of the room...with all of the rats behind her.

Everyone: screams.

Serena: Ugh! Disgusting. Rats!

Everyone: Runs outside...

Serena: What just happened?

Rei: (Angry)...Grandpa's what happened. I can't believe this.

Lita: Wait where are you going?

Rei: Where else? To find that trouble making monster!

Walks, then faints...

Everyone: Rei!

Lita: Runs to catch Rei.

Darrien: I got it. (Catches her.)

Serena: Really!? Clearly! Looks like you showed up here, just in the knick of time.

Darrien: Uhhh, Serena (awkwardly)... there's really no need to be jealous... it's an emergency, we need to get help.

Serena: Who's jealous!? Considering the circumstances, I'll let you off this time.

By the way...What are you doing here?

Darrien: I'll explain later. Quick! We need to get her to a hospital.

Serena: Right!

Everyone: Arrives at the hospital...

Dr Mizuno (Ami's Mum): Hi, great to see you all. I just wish it was under better circunstances.

Ami: What are you doing here. Shouldn't you be at home.

Dr Mizuno : I was asked to work a double shift so I came here, last minute. She's stable and resting right now, we've given her IV fluid until she wakes. For now it's best if no one disturbs her, but your welcome to come back when she's awake. I can leave a message for someone to call all of you when she wakes.

Serena: That's alright, if you don't mind I'll wait here.

Girls: Agree.

Ami's Mum: That will be fine. But I recommend you have something to eat and drink, while you wait, it might be a while.

Lita: Can you tell us, what happened to her? Is she going to be alright?

Her body's weak and she's just a little exhausted and requires some food and rest. She has also got a fever because she is worn out. Other than that she is fine.

Serena: That's a relief!

Lita: Thanks for letting us know and helping Rei out.

Ami mum: My pleasure, it's what doctors do. Don't worry too much and make sure you all get enough rest.

Now, I have to see other patients. Goodbye everyone, take care.

Everyone: Bye, Thanks!

Serena: Well, stocking up on supplies sounds like a good idea.

Tummy grumbles...

Everyone: Looks at Serena

Serena: Speaking of which, I might also take her advice and get dinner. What do you say guys!

Everyone: Agrees

Minako: Great idea.

Darren: O.k, let's go.

Darren: so where would you all like to go?

Lita: How bout sushi

Serena: Too cold, I'd like something hot, like, dumplings and steam buns!

Ami: I really don't mind as long as it's healthy. Is it alright if we stop at a juice bar?

Minako: I'd eat anything right now, I'm starving. Can we all agree and please make a decision, before I faint as well.

Everyone: Sorry!

Darrien: There's a Korean restaurant not far from here which does bbq. It also has dumplings, steam buns, sushi, vegetables and soups. The only thing it doesn't have is a juicer, but they serve fresh fruit and it is also a tea house which serves a wide range of herbal and fruit teas.

Ami: Where is this place? I've never seen nor heard of it. Strange, I would think a place like that would be quite popular.

Darren: They're quite well hidden down an alley, in a square where there's a 24 hour market. Which also might be why not many people know about them. The place is quite small and cannot hold too many customers but is always very full.

They may also not want to expand their business if it becomes more popular as they get enough customers and have been around for a while, but haven't moved to a bigger more open place.

Lita: Great! Let's try it!

Serena: Well then what are we waiting for!? Say no more! Let's go!

Everyone arrives at the restaurant and goes up to the counter...

Waiter: Welcome, what can I do for you this evening?

Darrien: Table for 5 please.

Waiter: Right this way.

Everyone: Is seated a the table...

Serena: So, what we're you doing at the he temple?

Darrien: I finished work early and decided to come and see if you would all like to go to dinner, my treat.

The University is holding a welcoming banquet which is held by different clubs and associations. It gives new students the chance to make contacts and gather information and an opportunity for the clubs and associations to admit new members. The clubs and associations have contacts outside the University, which will help students once they graduate. I thought the banquet would be a good opportunity to have some fun and catch up with Rei. But now it doesn't look like she'll be making it.

Serena: What will you do? It's too important to miss it you have to go.

Ami: Serena's right. It's a great opportunity to make contacts and make a good impression.

Lita: Yeah, we can take care of things here.

Darrien: That's alright. They'll be other opportunities to meet them, which can be arranged by appointment. The banquet is really just a way to promote and attract new members, in an open and relaxing environment, so you really don't have to worry.

Serena: That's a relief. Now who's ready to order! Let's eat!

Serena: Wow....this place is great. The food is so tasty.

Serena: Darrien, you gotta try this!

Darrien: No, thanks.

Serena: Oh, come on Darien, just one bite! Come on try it! One bite won't hurt you!

Darrien: Serena! (Pushes her hand away)

Darrien: Come on, quit playing around.

Serena: Just one bite and I'll leave you alone!

Darrien: Come on Serena, I said no!

Serena's phone rings...

Serena: Huh? Who could it be? There's no number.

Serena answers her phone...Hello? Who is this?

Hi, is this Serena?

Serena: Speaking.

Hi Serena, my name is Dr Hirimashu, from the hospital. I would just like to update you of Rei's condition. Surprisingly, her fever has already cleared and she has woken. Really? Only after 1 hour? That's great to hear!

Dr Hirimashu: Yes, I'm afraid I also have bad news. When she woke, she was very confused. She seems to have lost her memory and we are unsure of the cause.

Serena: What?!

Dr Hirimashu: Surprisingly, she doesn't seem distressed. There also doesn't appear to be any injury to head or body.

Dr Hirimashu: We would like to keep her until further notice and run some tests. Is it possible for you to come up to the hospital? It might help of she can see some familiar faces.

Serena: O.k, we'll be right there. Poor Rei.

Girls: What happened?!

Serena: It's Rei. Rei's lost her memory.

Girls: What?!!! How could this happen?!!!

Serena: They aren't sure and would like to run some tests.

Darrien: We should head back.

Serena: Let's go

Everyone arrives at the hospital...heads to reception...

Darrien: Hi, were friends, here to visit Rei Hino.

Nurse: Hi, right this way.

Arrives at the entrance of Rei's room...

Serena: Hi Rei, it's Serena. Is it O.k if we come in?

Rei: Serena? (Has a vacant stare like something is on her mind).

Serena: Yes, Serena. I’m a close friend of yours. We just came to see how your doing. Is it o.k if we stay a while?

Rei: Sure. I guess.

Serena: How are you feeling? Do you remember who we all are?

Rei: Has a flashback of a memory...of visiting Serena in the moon kingdom...Sailor Mars is injured... Pushes princess Serena back...keep away!!!

Serena: Rei...

Rei: Holds her injured arm...How could you!!!

Serena: Please forgive me...let me help you

Sailor Mars: I said keep away!!! Pushes Serena back....Serena falls to the ground. I trusted you and you betrayed me, how could you!

Princess Serena: I would never do that, please trust me. I will find to get some help.

Sailor Mars: I don't need your help. Why are you still lying!?

Moon Soldiers: There! Get her! Protect the princess

One of the moon soldiers: Princess, are you O.k.?

Princess Serena: How could this happen! (Tears)

Sailor Mars: I won't get away with this!!! Escapes.

Rei: Has another flashback...

The outside enemy are invaders from another solar system. They want to absorb the power of the Fire Star Families. If they are able to obtain it, they would be able to take over the entire solar system. 

The outside enemy is too powerful. King Yuelideon is afraid of what will happen if their enemies are able to get the fire star families power. He decides it is better to take away the fire kingdoms power before the enemy can take it.

He knows the fire kingdom will never let him remove or seal their power and decides to do it secretly when he invites them to them to the moon kingdom.

The Fire Star Family are very powerful warriors, most who are not afraid to quickly act on impulse, instinct and use their strong physical abilites. They strong intuition and ability to sense deception and see the future. King Yuelideon has always felt unsettled and threated by these traits and a warriors desire for conquest, though they had always been loyal and fair to the moon kingdom, believing their strengths should they choose to turn would put the moon kingdom was at a disadvantage. This always made him weary of them.

Yuelideon knows the only people who can seal the Fire Star Families power is the Dark Star Kingdom (Kingdom of Saturn). The dark star family have the power to repress, seal and remove the Fire Star Kingdoms power. Yuelideon was of great help in the past in defeating and removing the guardian of destruction (Sailor Saturn), from her chaotic terror and rein of the dark star kingdom. After conversation, a male guardian and prince (Sailor Saturn’s twin brother) dark star kingdom agrees to help.

In order to nutralise their power so they could remove it, they planned to use water from the pond of the moon crystal. The water has the ability to create dreams, illusions and put a person into a deep sleep or state of confusion.

Yuelideon is from the blue moon family and is the guardian of the imperial blue moon crystal. The Prince of Saturn explains that drinking the water of the moon crystal combined with his Saturnian surpressant energy, will not be enough to block their preminisions or intuitive ability to sense dangerous or deceptive energy.

However due to the fire birds family irriadation energy clashing with the moon energy of Yuelideon, they would have to make a crystal from the elements of blood of fire irriadation, Yuelideon, moon crystal water and Saturnian surpressant energy.

In order to block their senses, Yuelideon would need to get a drop of the fire bird families blood, the one that possesses the irriadation crystal. Once contaminated, it's holder will use it's irriadation to project the same energy , contaminating the entire fire bird family, as they all hold a strong psychic connection which reinforces their strength.

Queen Serenity believed the destruction of the moon kingdom was a repurcussion of their betrayl of the War Fire Kingdom. If the Fire Kingdom still existed, the Moon Kingdom would have won the war against Queen Beryl.

Sailor Uranus and Neptune blame the weak rulership of the Moon kingdom for the destruction of the moon and all the planets believing their decisions were due to their selfish desires, which is part of why the hold a grudge and doubt her ability to rule, when they travel to the future.

Rei: I won’t let you get away with this!

Enemy: Tell me, who in the universe will stop me!? Even those moon kingdom people are against you. How do you expect to win?

Rei: Uhhh...(hurt, bent down)...(Thinks)....Looks like I have no choice...

(Energetic firery symbol appears on her forehead light up, the fire star irradation crystal appears)

Elder: No! not the fire star irridation crystal! No, you can’t!!!

Rei: Stay back! There’s no other choice. As a guardian, it is my responsibility to protect this planet.

Rei: Tonight, my power will become your curse! 

Rei: Mars...

Dark War Star Guardian: Wait!!!

Rei: Move!

Dark War Star Guardian:  I won’t let you do this! You’ll be  destroyed!

Dark War Star Guardian: There might be another way. I can seal his power when you use the irradation crystal to weaken him then we can seal him in the crystal.Then you can use the Crystal to destroy his energy.

Fire Moon Guardian: Kneels to her guardian moon Aera (A long time ago the moons of Mars were called Aera and Aeros) The fire star sends energy to Aera. (Eyes closed)... Please guardian moon, mother protector and warrior, help me protect the lives on this planet.

A new energy surrounds the Fire moon Guardian given by Aera. A Crystal appears in front of her.

Aera: This is the Fire Star moon crystal, use it’s power to seal the people of this planet within it and expel evil.

Fire Moon Guardian: Thank you, I will.

Aera: Quickly, there’s not much time. You must hurry. 

(Moons Aera and Aeros are sister and brother. The guardians have some combined attacks which also reinforce each others power).

The combined power of Aera and  Aeros have created a field around the planet, blocking moon kingdom soldiers.

King Yuelous has ordered troops to invade Mars (War Fire Kingdom).

Fire Moon Guardian:

Enemy is sealed in the irridation crystal...He is destroyed, but his dark energy cannot be destroyed or expelled and turns the irridation crystal black. Rei struggles to overcome it’s powerful influence and turns destructive.

Fire Moon Guardian: We have tried everything to remove this evil. What can we do?

Rei:(Has another flashback)...

Rei: Sorry, I don’t remember.

Serena: That’s o.k, there’s no hurry, just take your time, i’m sure it will all come back in time and we’ll be here to help if you need anything.

Serena: Rei? Is everything O.k?

Minako: We're your close friends. We've known you for a long time, were pretty much family.

Rei: Sorry but I really don't remember.

Serena: That's alright. We just we just want to let you know we're here for you, no matter what happens so you can just take your time getting better.

Lita: Right. Just lets us know if there is any way we can help.

Ami: Is there anything you do remember?

Serena: What's this? You also have a transformation starseed crystal? But where did it come from? It's red and shaped like a star. Just what exactly happened Ray... (suspicious voice).

Rei: (Nods)...I remember when I was little chasing birds ...I keep seeing different coloured birds. Do I have any birds?

Everyone: !?

Serena: (thinking). Great. She doesn't remember anyone, but she remembers the birds.

Rei: When can I go home?

[scornedlove]

Chapter Two

ROBYN

The doctor’s appointment went better than I thought it would. I’m sure it’s because he’s used to doing this with Kate but his support was greatly appreciated. He heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time and I swear his face almost made me cry. You could literally see the happiness in his eyes.

“That’s my boy in there” he cheesed when the nurse gave us the heart rate of 126. “Mama told me if the heartbeat was less than 140, it would be a boy.”

“The gender doesn’t matter to me. As long as my baby is healthy, I will be a happy mama” I replied as the nurse wiped the gel off of my stomach. She told us the doctor was running behind schedule today, but that he would be in soon.

After twenty minutes of silence, I asked about mama J and he blankly said she was doing fine. I took his demeanor as a sign to leave him alone. Another fifteen minutes of silence went by, so by the time the doctor came in I was happy to see him.

The first thing I made sure to mention was the random spells of blurred vision. He said it was common during pregnancy but made it clear that he didn’t want me driving anymore due to this. I also wanted to know why my feet were so swollen lately, even on the days I didn’t move much. He told me this was also normal. He said I should keep my feet elevated as often as I could and asked Chris to make sure I was drinking a lot of water.

The only question Chris had was “Why doesn’t she look pregnant yet?”

He explained that first-time moms often start showing later because their muscles haven't been stretched by a previous pregnancy and women who are tall have long torsos, so they may have a smaller-looking bump because they have more space for the baby to fill lengthwise. 

“Everything looks fine” he stated when we were finished with the pelvic exam. “We scheduled your ultrasound for tomorrow at 7am, with our radiology department, as long as everything looks good there, I’ll see you again in about 6 weeks. Take care” he smiled brightly as he left the office.

“Thank you for being here and I’m sorry for not telling you sooner” I apologized to Chris once we were alone on the elevator. Normally Mel would come to my appointment with me but she was in New York for a few days. Her work was doing well in Michael’s gallery so he wanted to feature her in another gallery of his. 

“You know what you did was fucked up, but I’m going to let it go. I’m here now and I just want to be a good dad. Just don’t ever leave me out like that again. I want to be here through the good, the bad, the ups, and the downs, not only for my son” he smirked. “but for you too...and yeah, I know the way shit played out is crazy as fuck, but we’re here now” he said placing his hand on my stomach. “Everything happens for a reason” he stated just as the doors opened. Even though my vision was fine right now, he wouldn’t let me drive myself home. 

“No driving under doctor’s orders” he reminded me. He said he would get my car to me later today and made me promise to call him when I needed a ride anywhere. “I know you got your girls and your crew, but if you need me, call me.”

I felt even stupider now for not telling him sooner. After today, I could tell he was mature enough to be a supportive dad and all my worrying went out the window.

CHRIS

After hearing my son’s heartbeat, I instantly had a high. I wanted to meet him immediately and couldn’t wait for the ultrasound to confirm that it was a boy. With it being Cinco de mayo Saturday, I had so much going on at the gallery so I had to rush back to the office. We were preparing for the festival which meant running around to make sure everything was in order. 

The first thing I did was have Tina reschedule the meetings I had tomorrow morning. It meant I would be busy for the rest of the week, but I couldn’t let anything interfere with me making that ultrasound appointment. 

I didn’t get around to picking Robyn’s car up for a few hours. I had Tina take me to Robyn’s car and follow me to drop it off. I try to refrain from having her help me with personal things since we’re usually busy at the gallery, but it was last minute and she seemed to have no problem with it.

“Thanks, you know I wouldn’t ask you for anything extra unless it was my last resort” I expressed as I hopped in her passenger seat. Robyn was asleep and Jenn was locking up so I left the keys with her. I wouldn’t dare disrupt a sleeping pregnant woman.

“Now you know I don’t mind helping you out. Just count it as your early birthday gift!” she joked.

“Man, I’ve had so much going on, I haven’t even realized my birthday is a few days away” I exclaimed shaking my head.

“Wow, and your birthday is literally a holiday” she giggled and I chuckled aloud. After a few moments of silence, she opened her mouth to speak but changed her mind.

“What’s up T?” I quizzed. I just noticed her demeanor was somewhat different than the ride to Robyn’s, she seemed awkward and uncomfortable now.

She cleared her throat, glanced in my direction, then looked back at the road. “I know it’s none of my business, but you and K seem to be doing good together...why would you ruin that by going back to the woman who practically left you at the alter?” she probed.

“Whoa” I retorted. “I don’t know where you got the idea that me and K were ‘together’ but we aren’t. Besides, that’s none of your business” I replied. I was shocked at the fact that she would ask me something so personal. I know her and K had grown pretty close when she was working for me, but that wasn’t an excuse.

“I’m sorry. I thought...never mind. Forget I asked” she mumbled. The rest of the ride was silent so I figured she was embarrassed.

When I finally made it home it was later than usual. I was tired but still in a good mood. I sat in the car for another half hour, smoking and listening to music before going inside. It was completely dark and quiet so I figured K had already passed out in the guest room.

I was taking a piss in the bathroom when I heard my phone go off, which was weird because I thought I left it in the car like I usually do. It felt like the piss was never-ending so I leaned all my weight against the wall in front of me and relaxed.

“You’re later than usual” K stated pulling the shower curtain back and scaring the shit out of me. She was in my bathtub soaking, with bubbles up to her neck. Thank God I was holding onto the wall, because piss would’ve been everywhere otherwise.

“Dammit K, What the fuck!” I yelled in shock. “There’s a bathroom downstairs too, you know this” I continued annoyed.

“The water wasn’t getting hot enough” she whined. “I thought it was ok, my bad.” she continued, standing abruptly.

“Naw, go ahead and finish” I encouraged her as I washed my hands.

“What took you so long today?” she asked again.

“I had some things to take care of, why?” I asked leaving the bathroom with her on my heels. She grabbed my robe, threw it on, and tied it around her body. 

“I could’ve went into labor and you would’ve been unreachable...I called and texted but did I get an answer?” she continued annoyingly.

“Look K, I know shit can get confusing because of the circumstances, but let me clear it up for you. We are not in a relationship, so chill with the questions, nagging, and shit” I replied as calmly as I could. 

She stared at me in shock for a minute before her eyes filled with tears. 

“I’m going to bed, is there anything else?” I asked when her eyes and feet never moved. Instead of replying she sniffed back the tears that never dropped and stomped down the stairs.

ROBYN

“Robyn...Anna...Rih” I thought aloud as I sat in a recliner brainstorming perfume names. I was excited about adding a self-titled perfume collection to the store. Each one would express a different side of me, which was the challenge. It’s now one in the morning, yet I’m still on edge. My ultrasound is literally in a few hours and I’m anxiously counting down.

“We gotta get some sleep babies” I smiled as I lay my left hand over my tummy and patted Ollie’s head with my right. He barked twice then hopped from the floor to my lap. I closed my laptop and set it aside as we crawled into bed together.

The next time I opened my eyes, it was six am. I stretched, took my time showering, rubbing my body down in Shea butter, and getting dressed. I threw on shorts with a hoodie, blow dried my hair, and grabbed a banana to eat as I headed downstairs to wait on Chris’ arrival.

It was 6:40 when I finally decided he was pushing it and gave him a call. After the third call in five minutes, I gave up. His phone was going straight to voicemail anyway, so it was no use. I felt fine and my vision wasn’t blurry today so I grabbed my keys and was out the door.

The morning breeze felt great as it whipped through my hair. I had Bob Marley blaring through my speakers while I weaved through the cars down the freeway, trying to make it on time. They gave a 15 minute grace period so I was praying I wouldn’t end up having to reschedule. I was ready to find out the sex of the little piece of me growing inside, who wouldn’t be?

“He better have a damn good excuse as to why he’s MIA” I grunted to myself as I neared the hospital. It was already 7:00, so I had time to park, get through the building, and check in within the next 15 minutes. 

“Stay green” I pleaded as I neared the last streetlight before the parking garage.

“Yes!” I celebrated, crossing into the intersection “I ma-” I began just before a loud bang pierced my ears. A sharp pain came stabbing through my left side just before everything went black.

CHRIS

“Still dilated to a 1″ the nurse announced. Another false alarm. Kate had woken me a little before 5 am telling me it was time, she had been having contractions for the past hour and they were getting unbearable. After four hours of having labs drawn and her cervix checked every so often, it was finally time to go.

When I was finished getting K settled at the house, I quickly showered and headed out the door. I picked up my phone to call Tina and let her know I was thrown off schedule but on my way until I noticed the missed calls from Rob.

“Fuck, I missed the ultrasound” I exclaimed smacking the steering wheel. I returned her call but didn’t get an answer. “I’m sorry I missed the appointment, just give me a chance to explain.” I pleaded before ending the voicemail.

Instead of waiting for a call back, I headed straight to her shop. I couldn’t chance her pushing me away or keeping me from my child. 

“Welcome to Robyn’s” Paige smiled brightly as she greeted me when I walked in. “Oh, it’s just Chris” she waved me off playfully.

“Is Robyn upstairs?” I asked as I headed in that direction.

“She actually had and appointment this morning and hasn’t made it back yet, do you want me to tell her you stopped by?” Jenn asked as she opened boxes behind the counter. The phone rang and she jumped to answer it in the same cheerful tone Paige greeted me with. 

“Oh hey Mel...oh my God...” her smile quickly disappeared. “...is she okay? He’s actually here now...I’ll let him know” 

“Robyn is in the ICU at Westwood Medical Center”

I practically flew to the hospital but still ended up waiting forever in the lobby. I was on my way to the front desk again when the doctor finally called my name.

“Mr. Brown, I’m Dr. Allen. I understand you are Robyn’s boyfriend?” he asked and all I could do was nod. I was fearful of bad news and my voice was caught in my throat. “The airbag got her pretty good, she has a concussion and a couple of broken ribs. She lost a lot of blood vaginally and the placenta ruptured. She’s stable but we’ll be keeping a close eye on her and the baby.”

“So the baby is okay?” I probed hopefully.

“The baby is stable. Some mother’s still make it full term after placental abruption, but it’s too soon to say anything. If you’re ready, I’ll take you to see her now ”he offered. I was no where near ready but I knew I had to be strong so I took a deep breath and nodded my head before following him down the hall.

Seeing Robyn hooked to all the machines with the cuts and bruises on her skin broke me down. I went straight to her side and placed my hand on her face, then her stomach. 

“Hang in there little guy” I fought with everything inside me to keep the tears back, but that was a battle I had no chance with. My phone rang showing a 246 area code, forcing me to pull myself together.

It was a frantic Monica calling to make sure Robyn was okay. When I got her to calm down, I told her she was stable but the accident banged her up pretty bad. I offered to take care of anything she needed to get her down here asap and she said she was on the next thing smoking. She needed to be by her side.

After listening to several hours of beeping from the machines, I needed some air. I went to the cafeteria for a coffee and had a bathroom break. When I made it back to the ICU, I noticed all the doctors were heading in the same direction. I couldn’t make out the noise coming from the intercom the first time, but when I did, the coffee I was holding fell to the floor and my feet followed the direction everyone else was heading. The intercom repeated: CODE BLUE 2F 2022.

“We did everything we could. I’m sorry for your loss” the words no one wanted to hear we’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth. It felt like I was punched in the chest, I couldn’t breathe and I could barely look at Robyn. What was I going to say to her now?

“Do you want to see your son?” Dr. Allen asked compassionately. I nodded and he led me from the hall back to the room. He was the tiniest and most beautiful baby I’d ever seen. He was bundled up tightly in several blankets, I was afraid to touch him. Dr. Allen must have noticed this because he picked up my son and placed him in my arms.

“Take as much time as you need” he smiled sympathetically before leaving the room. He was perfect and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He had Robyn’s entire face and it made my heart ache even more.

“I just want to let you know, you mean the world to me. Your spirit has brought so much love and happiness to my soul. It just turns out, God needed you more than me. I know we’ll be together again someday, but for now I’ll keep you in my heart. Know that I love you more than words can explain, and promise me you’ll keep an eye on mommy from up there”.

ROBYN

When I opened my eyes, my whole body ached but none of it compared to the pain in my stomach. If felt like someone beat the crap out of me. I could hear monitors beeping and tried turning my head towards the sound.

“Aaagghh” I groaned out in pain.

“Try to relax Ms. Fenty” a voice ordered. My burning eyes followed the voice and spotted a nurse putting gloves on. “I’m nurse Sullivan. You’re in the ICU at Westwood Medical Center. You were in a car accident 4 days ago...” she continued rambling on but I was stuck on the 4 days ago. My head was pounding so hard, my mind couldn’t keep up with her. I closed my eyes and squeezed as hard as I could before I opened them again, this just had to be a nightmare.

“Ms. Fenty” she called out again and I opened my eyes to the same room, the same nurse, and the same excruciating pain. “Your family is in the waiting room, I’ll let them know you’re awake. Your doctor is on his way in” she patted my hand gently.

Two seconds after she disappeared, Mama walked in. Her eyes were bloodshot with heavy bags, as if she hadn’t slept in days. When we made eye contact I could see the relief rush over her face and tears began to fall.

“Kawblema” she whispered softly before kissing my forehead. Seeing her tears made mine come faster and harder. The doctor walked in a moment later to talk about my “condition”. He said I was lucky enough to have walked away with only two broken ribs and a concussion.

“Is my baby okay?” I asked instantly grabbing my stomach. The touch alone intensified the pain, that’s when I felt the stitches.

“We had to perform an emergency c-section on you. He was a fighter, he hung in there for the first 12 hours after the accident, but you suffered from placental abruption. That and the trauma to your stomach was too much stress” he stated in the professional empathetic tone I’m sure he was taught in medical school.

“He?” My heart dropped and tears came pouring out of my eyes. I lost my baby, my son. The more I thought about him, the more I heaved, the more pain I felt physically and mentally.