Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 36: Ticking Time Bomb

The first thing I did when I was formally released was go to Hayden's room. I just sat by his bedside, holding his hand. I couldn't really do anything else but wait; so that's what I did. I stayed in his room for days. I didn't eat. I barely slept and if I did, it was in the chair in Hayden's room. "Jo, you have to eat something," he dad said. "That baby is going to die if you don't," he added. I sighed and looked at Hayden's still face.

"I don't care," I said hoarsely. I was feeling weak and dizzy but I didn't care. I was more concerned about Hayden. "I'll eat when Hayden wakes up," I argued.

"No, Jordyn, you are going to eat something. You have someone else to think about now. How could you be so selfish?" my dad said. I looked at him in shock as I stood up.

"Selfish?" I breathed. "My boyfriend. The man I love. The man I would've 4married is lying in a coma and I don't know when he's going to wake up. And you're calling me selfish for being concerned?" I said in disbelief.

"No, I'm calling you selfish for not thinking of that baby that is growing in your stomach," he yelled at me. I flinched at his words. My dad had never really yelled at me like that before.

"You have no idea what this feels like... to be in this position," I said softly. "It hurts," I cried. My dad sighed and pulled me into a hug.

"I know honey... I know," he shushed me softly. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I started sobbing. I hugged him back tightly and let my eyes shut.

"It's not fair," I sobbed.

"I know," he said softly. "It's hard. Remember; we were here with Thomas. I have been through this; maybe not in the same situation as you are right now, but I have been here." How could I forget? I stood there crying on my dad's shoulder until I couldn't stand any longer. He sat me back down in the chair and shushed me.

I eventually

sighed as I looked around. Everything in the apartment reminded me of Hayden. Eventually, I went into his room. I

puffy, my skin was probably pale and ghost-like, and I probably looked like a skeleton. I hadn't looked in a mirror since the wreck, but I was assuming that that's the way I looked. I

before she made me get in the shower. I sat down and pulled my knees up to my chest. I put my head on my knees and closed my eyes. Tears trickled across my face and landed on my knees as Quinn ran the bath water. She practically gave me a sponge bath. She ran the water over my body before she picked me up out of the tub and

hadn't talked in days so my voice was scratchy and sore. Quinn laid me down on my bed and put my head on her lap and just ran her hand over my hair. I took a shaky

she said softly. "He will wake up, and when he does, you don't want him to see you like this, do you?" she asked. I shook my head gently and closed my eyes to keep from crying. I didn't have enough energy to cry anymore. After a while, Quinn dressed me and dragged me

standing up suddenly. I looked at her

better due

talk to Hayden," she said. I sighed and shook

hopelessly. She dragged me

as we pulled up to the hospital. I hated hospitals, but I did want to see Hayden again. Quinn left me alone when we reached Hayden's room. I sat in my chair by his bedside and sighed. I held his hand gently and looked at his peaceful face. "Hayden," I started. "I didn't tell you this earlier, but we're having a baby. Me and you. It would be better if you would wake up. You could come to the doctor appointments with me and we could look at baby names. I need you. I need

me about your plan to propose. I would've said yes," I kept talking. His brain monitor spiked again. I squeezed his hand gently. I knew he wouldn't wake up, but it didn't keep me from hoping. I stood and kissed his head gently. The monitor spiked again. I sighed and touched his head gently before I left. Seeing Hayden did make me

I shrugged and used my fork to move

brain was active. He heard me," I said with a slight smile. "I know I'm stupid for thinking he would wake up, but it was progress," I shrugged.

think that makes you stupid. You love him. You're going to want

should be me at that hospital in a coma, not Hayden," I said, tears brimming my

It could've happened to anybody," he tried to comfort me. I wiped away the

a whisper. I looked away from