When I'm with you: Part 10 : Final Chapter

As I woke up I realised I was inside a small white room. There were tubes in my mouth and up my nose, it felt disgusting, I just wanted to rip them off. "Eddie..." I heard a shakey voice say beside me. I looked over into the red teary eyes of my dad. Behind him, asleep on one of the chairs was my mother. "How long was I out for?" I whispered, my mouth was dryer than it was the last time I woke up in hospital. "This is the third day you've been in hospital for son" he whispered.
"And how long have you guys been here? Where's Jake?" I asked.

"Jake went to get your mother and I a cup of coffee, she'll be waking up soon, she hasn't moved from that spot since we got the call you were here, none of us have" he mumbled looking down at his shoes then back up at me. About half an hour later a nurse then came in and checked me over, luckily for me the tubes were quickly removed and I was able to sit up. Then it all came back to me. Kai! I never saw if he got out alive or not! "WHERE'S KAI?!" I screamed, half to my dad and half to the very suprised nurse. I struggled to get out of bed but the nurse held me put. "I'll have to check at the reception who Kai is and if he's in here, I will be back in a bit" she said and then left the room. I sat there crying, I knew it wasn't good. I wished I had stayed with him, that way we could of been together no matter what happened next. He was the person I exspected to be by my side when I woke up, and he just wasn't here...

The nurse returned, she looked slightly concerned as she entered the room. "Kai Rawlings is the one you were asking about?" she said. I nodded and leaned closer to her. "He's in room twenty-six, that's just down the hall. You must understand that if you do go and visit him you may be in shock by the condition he's in. You went through a traumatic event a few days ago, are you sure you can cope?" she said seriously. I didn't need to hear anything else, I just got up, still in my white hospital gown. "I just want to see my boyfriend" I cried and headed to the door, my dad and my now awake mum close behind me. I ran down the hall way, twenty-nine, twenty-eight, twenty-seven...Until I finally got there. I took a deep breath and entered the room. Kai's mum, dad and little sister were sitting next to his bed, looking just as tired as my parents did. Kai's father smiled at me and his mum came over and gave me a hug. "Come on, let's give him some time alone" Kai's dad suggested and everyone left the room. I crept over to his bed and stood next to him. He was wired up to a life support machine. I hoped after what my dad had been through I wouldn't ever have to see one of these machines again. But my hopes were crushed as I saw wires spring from everywhere on Kai's body. I pulled his covers back as carefully as I could. I bit my lip, there were burns on his arms and legs, they looked extremely sore.

I opened Kai's white hospital gown, no burns on his chest or stomach and thankfully none on his face. However he did have a few cuts and scratches on his face, but they'd heal without scaring, hopefully. I sat in the room for what seemed like hours listening to the steady beep of his machine until I heard the door open behind me. "I bought you some water, you haven't eaten and or drunk anything for days" the nurse said kindly and placed the glass next to me. "Why hasn't he woken up?" I whispered picking up the water and taking a long sip. "When the fire service pulled him out the house he was unconcious due to some sort of head injury. We're not sure if he fell over and hit is head or if something fell on him. All the smoke and ash in his lungs probally isn't helping..." she sighed and sat down next to me. "I didn't even get to say goodbye..." I whispered as tears spilled down my cheeks. "Oh no, he seems very strong i'm sure this isn't goodbye. You must really care about him" she said, gently rubbing my back to comfort me. "You have no idea...He's helped me through so much and I can't let him go, not yet..." I took another gulp of my water and we sat there in silence...

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! I knew that sound too well from movies and television programs. My heart felt like it had burst as the machine held a long loud beep that filled the room. The nurse who was with me hit an emergency button and in about ten seconds a team of nurses and doctors filled the room. "Sorry you have to leave!" one of the nurses said and practically forced me out the door. As I got outside my family and Kai's flung questions at me. My head hurt, I knew the long continuous beeping noise meant Kai's heart had stopped. I tried to peep through the window but the curtain was drawn shut and I wasn't able to see what was going on anymore. I was full of panic but refused to let myself pass out, I needed to know what was going to happen to my whole world...

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"Right thats all done" he smiled, gently patting my bandaged leg. The doctor then stood up and went to the other side of the room to get some sort of ointment. "Keep the bandaids on for atleast 3 days, try not to get them wet. After 3 days keep putting this on the burns until they show signs of sucessful healing" he said handing me the tube i'd seen him pick up a few seconds ago. "Cool, thank you..." I sighed and hobbled over to the door. As I opened the door what I saw outside made my heart flutter but in an extremely happy way. Toby was leaning against the wall holding a cup of tea and smiling. Smiling into the face of my father who was chatting away with him. When we had come to the hospital earlier this morning, one to visit Kai and Eddie and two to get something to help my burns, the car journey with my family and Toby had been one of awkward silence. But here they were, Toby and my father having a friendly chat, getting on better than they ever had. "Dad?" I said quietly closing the door behind me and walking over to them. "All sorted out then?" he grinned at me and patted me on the head. "Yeah the doctor has given me instructions on how to care for it..." I said nervously, my gaze shifting from one to the other. Toby leaned close and kissed me on the lips, "that's good, let's go see Kai" he said winking at me and taking hold of my hand. I walked with him, the rest of my family behind me. I looked up at him, my mouth open slightly, he could tell I was seriously confused. "I'll explain later" he beamed and took me round the corner.

I was hoping it was going to be a peaceful visit with good news about Kai recovering. However the scene outside the room was far from that. Eddie's face was red and tears were dripping down his cheeks as he clung to his older brother like a little child. It was scary that coming from a boy who showed little to no emotion whenever I was around him. "What's going on?!" Toby said running towards Kai's dad. "I'm not quite sure, we're hoping someone will come out soon and tell us what the hell is going on. However i'd much rather them attend to Kai first" he said. I could tell Kai's dad was trying to sound mature and calm but his voice was shaking portraying that he was close to tears. I ended up sitting on the cold hospital floor due to the lack of chairs. About twenty minutes later a nurse came out of Kai's room. He coughed slightly to get our attention and removed his face mask. "You will be pleased to know that we have restored Kai's heart rate to a normal and healthy pace. Also there seems to be some positive signs that Kai is coming around. However patients have been known to slip deeper into the state Kai's in right now even after they have shown signs of healing, just a warning. I promise we are doing everything to help him" he said then turned and disapeared back into the room. We stayed in the hospital for another two hours. We actually got to see Kai in the end. Doctors did many tests on him and like the nurse had said before there were many positive signs that Kai was going to be alright.

"I'm hungry!" I moaned as we left the hospital and headed for the family car.
"I'll get you something to eat, I have money with me" Toby suggested as we got in.
"No we'll stop off at a drive through or something" My mother said.
"Well...I have money i'll pay" Toby said politely, he then reached for my hand and held it in his.
"It's fine TJ, our treat" my father said happily looking into the rear-view mirror and smiling at us both.
"Alright!" I snapped causing everyone to quieten down. "Last week we had a huge family drama because you found out I was gay and now all of a sudden were playing happy families in the car! Mum, dad, you guys haven't liked TJ since we were like fourteen, back when he hadn't even done anything! So what is going on?!" I yelled glaring at all of them. If they were trying to get along just to keep me happy then it wasn't cool.
"While you were seeing the doctor TJ explained your relationship to me. I guess he was right when he said I should love you no matter what, that my family should come before faith" my father began.
"But dad-"
"No Tyler listen. Your my flesh and blood, I shouldn't of casted you out into the cold the way I did. It's probally difficult enough coming to terms with what's going on with you right now without me and your mother screaming blue murder over something we will never understand until we try to..." he sighed.

"Your honestly ok with this?" I whispered looking at Toby gratefully.
"Were fine sweetie. TJ has told us how much he cares about you, and if you both feel that way then we can't stop it. So instead of hating and disaproving we shall just accept it" my mother chimed in turning round in her seat and smiling at us both.
"Thank you..." I whispered to everyone in the car. I had everything to be thankful for, I felt a huge amount of pressure drift away from my body and I finally felt relaxed and confident about holding Toby's hand in full view of my parents.
After stopping off at the mcdonalds drive through we got back to my house. "Want to go watch a movie or something in my room?" I asked as I headed for the stairs carrying the take-away bag. We were sitting on my bed watching the TV as we munched away on our chips. Pretty soon i was eating my big mac. I noticed TJ had only eaten half his chips and had taken about two bites out of his burger. "You not gonna finish your food..." I asked him taking a sip of my coke.
"I'm all full up" he grinned and patted his rock hard abs.

"But you've barely had anything..."

"Not all of us eat as much as you Ty" he chuckled. My stomach dropped along with my big mac which landed in my lap. I looked at him, with tears in my eyes and my mouth fell open. "No baby I didn't mean like that..." he sighed. I brushed my food into the bin and stood up. I slowly turned to face him. "Do you think i'm fat Toby? I know i'm...Bigger...I'm just wondering if you want me to loose weight or something? Now that were a couple" I whispered, I started to shake. Toby stood up and wrapped his arms around me, I felt as if I was sinking into safty and security. "I didn't mean it like that at all. I've never been great with wording shit. You of all people know that. But no, I don't want you to ever change. I love you" he said firmly laying back on my bed with me.

Toby grabbed the back of my neck and pressed his lips against mine. I started moaning as his strong body pressed against me. God this boy's strength turned me on! I felt his tongue poking against my lips and I opened them, excepting him into my mouth. I started squeezing his dick through his jeans, but he gently brushed my hand away. "Your dad made me promise no sexual activity under his roof, we don't want to push our luck" he giggled sitting up and holding me close.
"So? He won't find out if were quiet and clean up after" I said going to reach for him again.
"No Ty! I said I wouldn't, if he's gone out of his way to accept us then we shouldn't go against his wishes" he replied.
"What the hell?" I snapped pushing away from him and turning to face him. "Since when did you get all responsible and shit! I thought we were gonna have fun together?" I whispered. But I was secretly hiding what I really thought. I was overweight, and because of this Toby wasn't attracted to me. And that's why he didn't want to have to have sex with me...

"Since we nearly fucking died Tyler!" he said with a sudden hint of anger in his voice, it frightend me.
"I just thought..."
"If I hadn't caused all that shit between you and your dad you would of never been in that cottage. You could of died and it would of been all my fault!" Toby said back to me, he sounded like he was about to cry. Quickly he got up and stormed out my room, leaving me sitting alone on my bed. Did he seriously blame himself for what happened a few days ago?

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"Eddie..." my mum knocked loudly on the door and called my name. My room was cold. The curtains were drawn and I lay in my bed. Hungry, tired, but unable to focus on it. It had been a week since I left the hospital. I was meant to be back at school but I couldn't be around other people. During the night I would toss and turn, i'd try to force it out my mind but eventually I would be back in the burning cottage with Kai, screaming, crying, running for our lives. I would wake up screaming the house down, it sounded like I was being attacked. This happened for three days until I stopped sleeping all together. I stopped eating, because the stress would make me throw up anything I swallowed. I had only visited Kai twice during the past week. Everyday I would get up, get dressed and get on a bus but as soon as I saw the building I would walk away. I guess I wasn't strong enough. It's not that I don't care about Kai of course I do, I love him! I guess I didn't want to see or hear about him incase he wasn't getting better. "Eddie..." I heard her shout from outside the door and the knocking got louder.

It was annoying as hell so I descided to just get up and unlock the door...
"It's freezing in here!" she gasped running over and closing my window.
"I didn't notice" I said bluntly.
"Eddie" she beamed at me, like there was something to be happy about.
"What?" I glared at her.
"Kai's mum called. He's waking up!" she beamed. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! To be honest I thought i'd never hear that sentence. I leapt up off the bed and hugged her tightly.
"Since when!?" I cried with happiness.
"She said last night he started stiring and right now he's opening and closing his eyes. But enough about what Kai's mum said to me on the phone. Get washed, get dressed, have something to eat and i'll drive you to hospital" she said it as a motherly order but I could tell she was really pleased for me.
I practically sprinted into the shower and was out in under two minutes squeeky clean. I pulled on something nice because I wanted to look good for when Kai saw me for the first time in over a week. I was downstairs waiting for my mum to do whatever she was taking so long to do when my father came down the stairs with his last suitcase. Suddenly I didn't feel so happy anymore...

"When I saw you two together in hospital last week I thought you had sorted things out..." I mumbled pouring myself a glass of orange juice.
"No Eddie, we were just keeping the peace. Simply there to see you recover and that's it. I don't hate your mother, and maybe some day in the future we'll find a way to get along. You understand this doesn't mean I love you or Jake any less, but because of what she's done, even if we do still love eachother, there will always be doubt in our relationship. No trust. No point. Alright?" he said kindly. I heard my mum come down the stairs putting her coat on. "Come on Eddie lets go" she called and I slowly walked towards the front door, but I stopped as I heard my dad speak again.
"The taxi will be here in an hour, you probally won't be back by then. As soon as my new place is done up you can come visit whenever you want. I wish you and Kai the best. He's extremely lucky to have you. See you around kid" he whispered and kissed me on the forehead. I threw my arms round my dad and held him tight. But I refused to let myself cry, this wasn't goodbye. I would see him again and very soon too. I waved and left the house and headed towards the car. I wiped my eyes and my mood changed back to joy because Kai was going to be alright. The journey there just didn't seem quick enough! It had never taken this long on the way to the hospital, even when there was traffic. It felt like an age had passed before I saw the tall building which held Kai. My mum parked the car and I ran up to the entrance. "I'm here to see Kai Rawlings" I said to the receptionist. She flicked through her computer even though I already knew which number room he was in. "Room twenty-six, Hayley will show you where it is" she muttered pointing towards a nurse who looked to be in her late thirties. She smiled warmly at me and beckoned me to fallow her. "I'll stay in the waiting room ok?" my mum informed me. I nodded and walked off down the coridor.

Pretty soon I was outside the door. Looking at the black 'Twenty-six" sign that was on the door. I reached out and grabbed hold of the handle. I took a deep breath and opened the door. As exspected Kai's mum, dad and little sister were seated around his bed. Kai was sitting up right with a bowl of soup in his hand. When he heard the door open he turned and looked in my direction. He stared at me and I stared back. Slowly without taking his eyes off me he put the bowl of soup on the bedside counter. I was pleased to see the wires off him and that his wounds had healed slightly since I last saw him. Kai's family quickly got up, "We'll just leave you too it..." Kai's mum mumbled as she picked up her handbag, everyone left the room, giving me kind smiles as they passed me. I shut the door behind me and took a few steps closer to Kai's bed. There was an awkward silence where he just stared at me. I was praying his head injury hadn't caused him to forget me or..."Come here" Kai demanded making me jump out of my thoughts. I slowly edged closer to him until we were face to face. I watched Kai's eyes move up and down my body as if he was studying every detail of my form.

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I couldn't explain how I felt at that moment in time. It was as if years of silence went by when Eddie and I were alone in the room. I looked up into his huge gold eyes. He raised those perfect eye brows and the right side of his full lips curved into a smile. I couldn't hold back anymore, I grabbed him and pulled him onto the bed with me, pressing my lips against his. I started to cry, we both did, but the kiss never broke. Our mouths opened in unison and our tongues danced round eachother. I held him closer pulling his body on top of mine. I winced in pain as his knee was digging into a burn on my leg, but I didn't care. Not being able to hold Eddie would of been more painful than any wound of mine.

"I thought I was going to loose you!" he whispered.
"I thought I was going to die I really did!" I said and this made us both cry harder.
"You saved my life..." he said out of breath brushing his lips against mine. My tongue forced it's way back into his mouth and we kissed passionately again, our bodies thrashing against eachother. We probally should of been talking about something happy to lighten the mood. But by the looks of things we were both in need of a good cry.
"God I love you!" I gasped as we stopped for air.

"I've missed hearing your voice say those words. I love you too" he said, his tiny body snuggling into my chest. The butterflies in my stomach were in a frenzy. I had never felt so happy in my whole life. This moment right here was special and something neither of us would forget any time soon.

We heard the door open and a young female nurse came in, she bursted out laughing and smiled warmly when she saw us cuddled together with red blury eyes. "Kai your going to have to put him down for a few minutes while I check you over" she giggled. I blushed and we also laughed as Eddie slowly climbed off me. "Check me for what?" I asked. The nurse walked closer to my bed and grinned, "to see if you can go home, what else?!" I beamed at Eddie and his eyes showed excitement. Twenty minutes passed and the last treament I got was a lesson on how to look after my new bandages. "Breathing, heartrate and brain functions are all fine, I guess you can leave now Kai. I'll make sure reception signs you out ok?" the nurse then left the room and Eddie sprang into my arms once again. "Did you hear that baby?" I whispered and started to cry again, Eddie looked at me and nodded, "you get to go home Kai Kai." It wasn't easy walking out the hospital with bandages. My parents were thrilled as well that I was able to leave, it was a very quick and sucessful recovery if you ask me. Once I had gotten home I recieved many phone calls from the likes of TJ, Tyler, Harry, Dan and many more. Eddie had gone home with his mother, but he would be coming round later. As soon as I had a shower I ate for England. My mum cooked me up whatever I wanted and while I felt slightly awkward being waited on hand and foot, it was nice that they cared.

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I cleaned up and shaved my body before dressing up and leaving the house. It was now 7pm and as it was an English winter is was already pitch dark. The end of November chill nipped at my face but I had remembered to wrap up the rest of my body nice and warm. I was heading in the direction of Kai's house. I watched a few cars go by as I stolled along the pavement. I headed into a more empty street, where I could hear the road but it sounded extremely far away. A chill went down my spine, but I didn't think it was due to the weather. Yep, I was paranoid. And the loud cruel laugh behind me answered the question of why. "What do you want?" I snapped spinning round and staring into the fierce eyes of Barry Goodman. I ignored his pathetic friends behind him and just looked at him. "Why haven't you been at school fag?" he snarled. But there was something about the way he said it. Like he already knew the answer. "Why do you always show up when i'm walking alone? You some sort of stalker?" I questioned raising my eyebrows.
"When your big bad boyfriend isn't around to protect you it would be clever if you shut your mouth" he said and shoved me hard in the chest. I fell backwards landing on the concreat pavement. I gasped for air, he had winded me badly. "How is Kai anyway, heard he got himself into a spot of trouble? House fire wasn't it?" he laughed and so did his mates.
"Kai started waking up last night. He's out of hospital and home. So unless you want him to kick your arse again I suggest you FUCK OFF!" I spat and tried to get up off the floor.