A Brand New Ending

Chapter 32

Phoenix



I shift my weight, my abdomen on fire.

"Ow," I breathe out.

Before I open my eyes, I know exactly where I am. I can tell by the smell. But there is a new sensation. Warmth. Turning my head over I see him, his face down on the bed side, his body bent in half. His hand is still in mine just like he always promised. I can't do anything but stare at our hands intermingled, my body free of the normal urge to recoil. I take this time to look at him, his auburn hair disheveled. I look down at what I can see of his body, corners of white gauze sticking out under his hospital top. When he doesn't move, I squeeze his hand slightly, making him stir. He slowly raises his head and I can tell he is trying to get his bearings. And then he finds me.

"You're awake," he says with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"How long have you been here?" I ask through a scratchy throat.

"I don't really know. Are you OK?"

"Medicated," I say with a smile. "And tired."

His head drops, something apparently wrong.

"What?" I ask.

"It's all my fault."

I look at him confused. "What do you mean?"

"The reason you are hurt is because of me."

Still not helping me understand.

"You're not making any sense."

"You have two bruised ribs, Phoenix, and I caused it."

I sit up further, holding my wince in internally. "No," I say harshly. "You saved me, Braeden. I would be dead if it was not for you." He cringes at my harsh words. "I had to. I couldn't let him harm you anymore."

I grip his hand tighter. Braeden shifts around in his chair, his face displaying he is also in pain. I start to panic.

"Braeden…"

"I'm fine," he assures me.

"No. You're not."

I am the one that caused him pain. I never thought my hate for Carl could increase. My mind hastily shifts to my mother. Braeden must have noticed my shift in emotions because he stands up, his grip on my hand tightening.

"Phoenix, what's wrong?"

"My mom."

His face falls. "Let me go find out," he says.

"No," I say sternly. "I don't want you to leave. Not yet."

He gives me a crooked smile. "OK, I'll stay."

He goes to sit back down but I squeeze his hand, effectively making him stop midair. My heart begins to race and I gnaw on my bottom lip. I shift my eyes from him to the empty space in the bed beside me.

"Are you sure?" he asks.

My heart skips a beat. Maybe he doesn't want to be that close to me.

"I…uh…" Don't be a coward. "Yes."

Scooting over a little, Braeden lowers himself onto the bed, his body above the sheets, mine still nestled underneath. We both lay there, not saying anything important, the sounds of nothing but our breath fills the room. I watch as he lays there, his eyes finally closing. I soon follow.

~

When I woke up from my nap Braeden was gone from my bed. I panic for a moment thinking all of it was a dream. But I inhale, smelling his scent on the sheets. An intense feeling of dread overwhelms me, the tears falling fast, my emotions on a roller coaster. Everything's gone.

Reaching up, I feel the emptiness of where my necklace should hang, my hands start to shake. I sit up slightly, looking around the room. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see it sitting on the table beside me. The door pushes open and Braeden walks through holding two cups. He is smiling until he notices my state of panic.

"What's going on?" he says as he sets the cups down and rushes over to me.

"I've lost it," I utter.

"Lost what?" he asks, clearly confused.

Tears start to fall again, my chest hiccupping with every breath.

"Breathe," he says as he runs a finger across my cheek.

"Your mom's book…" He continues to look at me confused. "Your father allowed me to borrow your mother's book, it was in the nightstand when…"

"Shhh, it doesn't matter," he says.

I start to respond but something catches my eyes in the door window. She is looking at me, her black eye frightening me. She smiles, but there are tears in her eyes. She puts her hand up to her mouth and blows me a kiss. I remain frozen in my bed, not able to move. With a blink of an eye she's gone. There is something so final to her figure no longer being in sight. I instantly know. That would be the last time I would see Elaina. And to be honest, I don't know how I feel about it.

~

The days in the hospital blur together, Braeden and I lost in our own world. I would be lying if I said they weren't some of the greatest days I've had in a long time.

"You are totally kicking my ass," I hear Braeden say, sitting in a chair across from me. I smile.

"King me," I say through laughter.

Braeden stacks a checker on top on mine. The board is mostly red, my pile of black checkers expanding.

"I used to play this with my dad all the time," I giggle. "I think he always let me win."

My heart sinks a little at my own mention of my father. Braeden notices.

"Everything OK?"

"Yeah, just thinking about my dad," I sigh.

"I bet you wish he was here huh?" Braeden asks.

I nod. I go to speak but Dr. Harris enters the room, a nervous look on his face. I instantly feel on edge.

"Are you ever going to leave Phoenix's room?" he asks Braeden, who looks at me and smiles.

"Not until she gets sick of me," he says. There is silence for a moment.

"Well, son, I'm afraid I am going to have to order you to leave."

I shake my head. "No. Whatever you have to tell me, you can say in front of him."

Dr. Harris nods his head slightly. "You're mother's gone, Phoenix," he blurts right out.

A lump in my throat forms as I try to hold back the tears. Why am I even surprised? I knew. Maybe it's the confirmation.

"And she's not coming back," he adds. "I promised her…I promised her I would take care of you…"

A wave of anger flows through me. Did she think I was just a f*cking puppy she could pawn off onto anyone she liked?

"That's wonderful," Braeden says, his eyes shifting from Dr. Harris to me. "She can live with me. I can keep her safe."

My heart skips a beat.

"No," Dr. Harris says sternly.

Dr. Harris walks away from the door to foot of my bed. "I know that you are of age Phoenix, but I promised your mother your safety. And in your…condition…I don't think you moving in with Braeden would be a great idea."

Woah. I hadn't even agreed. I'm still trying to process everything.

"That's bullshit," I hear Braeden say under his breath.

Dr. Harris turns to Braeden. "If you are going to be a f*cking child about this you can leave."

I inwardly gasp. I've never heard Dr. Harris swear before. Braeden doesn't respond as he crosses his arm. He turns his attention back to me.

"As I was saying, moving in with Braeden, I fear, will be a mistake. He is your first…" Dr. Harris pauses. "What are you exactly?"

I almost laugh. I hadn't even really thought about it. Braeden's eyes find mine as he waits for an answer.

"I don't really know," I say as I bite my lip. "We care for each other…" I utter almost as a question. Braeden smiles. Dr. Harris just nods.

"OK," he says. "And you care for her?" he asks Braeden.

"I do," Braeden says without hesitation.

"Then I feel what's best for Phoenix is that she lives with me."

A spike of nervousness runs through me. Braeden stands up abruptly.

"I need to speak to you…outside," Braeden says sharply.

Dr. Harris nods at me and follows Braeden out of the room.