Next to Forever (Never Letting Go) (10 page)

She doesn’t text back right away
, so I head to my car and drive home. Weaving in and out of traffic, I get nervous wondering what’s going on with her, and why she isn’t answering. Still no response. There are knots in my stomach, and my breathing becomes uneven. Something’s wrong, and I need to get to her fast.

When I pull into the driveway, I run into the house calling for Erin.
She’s not in the kitchen or living room, so I run upstairs. When I open the bedroom door, I see that the bed is still made and I look, but there’s no sight of Erin. I notice that the bathroom light is on and when I go in, Erin’s on the floor. My mind runs wild and my heart beats uncontrollably.

“Baby? Baby!” I pick her up in my arms and hear her whimpering. There’s vomit around the bathroom floor and she’s burning up. Carrying Erin out of the bedroom and downstairs, I run to the car with Erin in my arms and head to the hospital.

I text Adam, letting him know what’s going on. Erin starts coughing and loudly moaning. “Baby, stay with me, okay?” I pull into the hospital parking lot and carry Erin inside. “Help! Please!” A nurse comes running toward me, and I tell her everything. She calls for help and someone with a stretcher comes rushing over. I place her on the stretcher and follow them back into the hospital. The nurse tells me to wait as they prep Erin and check her out. Tears are flowing from my eyes, and I don’t know what’s going on. “Please, God, don’t take her from me,” I silently pray.

My chest tightens with dread and fear. If I lose Erin, my whole world will disappear. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it. After losing my parents, death is a bitch
, and I can’t handle my heart being ripped out again. Erin’s my whole world and she’s my light to the darkness that was over my head for so long. She breathes life into me. She’ll be okay. She has to be.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Adam: Hey, we’re in the waiting room. Let us know what’s going on.

I read Adam’s text message
, but my eyes are blurry and I can’t seem to function. Not knowing what I’m doing, I fall to the ground and feel my heart breaking. I don’t know what’s going on, and no one is coming over to me to tell me if Erin and our baby are okay.

Arms are around me, pulling me up from the ground. I look up and see
that it’s Adam hugging me and Sophia is by his side. I can’t even talk. All I can do is just break down again. We all sit down and wait for answers. Sophia’s holding my hand, resting her head on my shoulder. We all just sit at the table, waiting for someone to give us an answer. A few minutes later, we see a doctor coming our way.

“Hi. Connor
, right?”

“Yes, I’m Connor. How is she?” I stand up facing the doctor, waiting for her to say something.

“I’m Doctor Lopez, and I’ve been with Erin. She’s stable for now but was very dehydrated. The baby is okay, and we’re pushing fluids.”

“Dehydrated?
” What the fuck? Why isn’t she taking care of herself? “Can we see her?”

Doctor Lopez looks at Sophia and Adam. “Alright
, but don’t stay for too long. We’re keeping her overnight to make sure she and your baby are okay.”

I thank her for everything and we head to Erin’s hospital room. My heart
breaks seeing her hooked up to all of the machines. I run over to her and take her hand in mine. “Baby, I’m here.” Bringing her small hand to my lips, I close my eyes and keep praying that she’ll be okay.

“I’m okay, babe. Just tired.” Erin turns over and smiles at Sophia and Adam. “Hey
, guys,” she weakly says.

Sophia comes over and hugs Erin, crying. “You can’t do this to me! I can’t lose you, Erin.” Both girls start sobbing and hugging. Adam rubs Sophia’s back and kisses Erin on her forehead.

“Take it easy, hun. No more scares.” He laughs, lifting the tension from the room.

After about an hour, Adam and Sophia say goodnight to us
, and head home. The machines are beeping all around us. There’s an IV in her left arm, which connects to another machine to give her fluids. It kills me to see her like this. My strong and beautiful Erin looks so weak and tired. I play with her hair and tell her over and over how much I love her.

“I’ll be okay, Connor. I just need to take it easy
, and I will. Look,” she points to the baby monitor. “Everything’s okay. Stop worrying.”

“There will never be a day that passes that I don’t worry about you.” I kiss her on her forehead
. “You’re my life,” I tell her, squeezing her hand and not pulling away from my kiss. The rest of the night is peaceful and Doctor Lopez is happy to see Erin improving.

I climb in bed with Erin and hold her through the night, promising her that I’ll always protect her and our baby forever.

Vander

I have my
girl’s right where I want them. They’re so easy to convince. All I have to do is keep my cool and keep showing them how genuine I am. All of my plans and hard work are coming together nicely. I’ve been watching them for years and sitting in the dark corners, just waiting for my time to come.

Thinking about them, Erin and Sophia, touching
them, and feeling their heartbeat. Something in me ignites. These girls are going to love me and need me. Fuck Connor and Adam. Those bastards are going to feel my pain. I’m going to take everything away from them.

“Excuse me?” Her voice interrupts my thoughts. This better be fucking good.

“Yes?” I answer with venom and hate. “What do you need?”

“I-I’m sorry I-I didn’t mean to bother you but my phone died. I was wondering if I can use yours?” I look at her. She’s hot
, and I haven’t been with anyone in a while.

Paying off Curtis to pretend to be my boyfriend to keep Erin on her toes is working out better than I thought. Money talks and bullshit walks. Curtis is so dumb and doesn’t question anything. He knows better than to say anything. He just needs to play his part for a little longer
, and then I’ll be done with him. As long as she keeps thinking I’m gay, everything will be all right. But, to this new girl, she has no idea who I am. This can work to my advantage. Maybe she’s into the kinky shit and will dress up to look like Erin or Sophia. I have to be careful and not use their names. Scratching my chin, I think about a plan and how I can use her for
my own benefit.

“I’m sorry
, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to be rude. See…” My voice gets soft. “My girlfriend just broke up with me. I caught her cheating on me.” I make myself tear up. “I don’t know what to do. She was my life.”

The girl sits down on the bench next to me, putting her hand on mine. “Awww, I’m so sorry. I’m Olivia, by the way.”

“Jason. It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.”

“You, too. Do you want to talk? I’m a pretty good listener.” She smiles at me
, and I squeeze her hand.

“That’ll be great, Olivia.”

We spend the next few hours sitting on the bench and talking. I get up, grab two hot dogs from the stand in the park, and come back to her with the food.

“I figure since you’re listening to me I can at least feed you. Think of it as a mini date.”

“Date?” Her eyes are wide, but I see something. She looks happy. Don’t try to play me, Olivia.

“Yes. A date. You have a beautiful smile, Olivia.” I take a strand of her soft hair and tuck it behind her ear. “There, now I can see your face and admire you.” I take a bite of my hotdog, not taking my eyes
off her. My new toy will definitely work to my advantage.

“I’d love to see you again. Will that be okay?”

Olivia slowly looks at me again. Don’t be shy, darling. Show me how feisty and sexy you can get. “I’d love that.” Reaching out her hand to me, she says, “Give me your phone, and I’ll store my number in your contact list.”

Perfect.

“Sounds good,” I hand her my phone. “Thanks for today, Olivia. I had fun with you, and I’m glad we met.” I touch her hand and she doesn’t pull away. She gives me a warm smile and looks away to type her number in my phone.

“There
.” She hands me back my phone. “Now you have my number. Make sure you use it.”

I kiss her cheek, bringing my lips close to her ear. “Oh, I intend to do just that.”

Erin

Sitting at home and reading a magazine about being pregnant is exactly how I want to spend my day. Doctor Lopez and Doctor Benson want me home, on bed rest and no stress. Sophia and Vander have been coming over to keep me company and sane
, since I can’t really do much of anything. It’s been nice to stay home and get rest, but my mind is going crazy with work and Connor. The stress is all over his face and I know he’s worried. He texts me every thirty minutes, and if I don’t answer right away, he’s blowing up my phone with calls and trying to FaceTime me. Its little things like this that make me smile, even though he’s driving me crazy.

I put down one magazine and pick up the latest US Weekly. I touch my stomach
, “Oh, baby, look,” I say to my baby bump as I’m reading an article about Fifty Shades of Grey, and giggling. “Who do you think will make a good Christian Grey?” Being home on the couch with my baby is one of the best feelings. I love talking to my bump, and I can’t help but wonder if he or she can hear me. “I wish you were here with me now,” I say, rubbing my stomach. It’s getting a little easier, and I feel better. Sophia’s been keeping me busy with shopping online for both our babies and doing very light yoga on the exercise ball. Both doctors said it’s okay as long as I take it easy and don’t push myself. I’m always thinking about my baby and what’ll be best. 

It’s almost six in the evening
, and Connor’s not home yet.

Me: Coming home soon?

Connor: In a few hours, baby. You okay?

Me: Yeah, just miss you. Okay, talk soon. I love you.

Connor: Always, my baby girl.

A cheesy smile spreads on my face. I love the way he makes me feel. Even after all this time, Connor still knows how to make me blush and feel...
wanted and needed. Connor’s the reason why I’m happy and living my life the way I am. He’s the center of it all, and I know he’ll always do anything to make me happy. I wrap my arms around my knees, smiling, because it’s funny how our lives throw us for twists and turns.

Deciding to finally do something, I get up from the couch and pull out Chinese and pizza menus. Before I make the orders, the doorbell rings.
Huh, who is this?
When I open the door, Vander’s on the other side with a smile on his face. “Hey!”

He comes inside and gives me a hug
. “I had this feeling that someone needs a friend?”

We walk to the kitchen and I pass him the menus. “Well, you’re right. Connor’s working
, and I’m so hungry! Help me pick out what to get for dinner tonight.”

Vander looks through the menu and writes down what he wants. I look over and see his list. “Oh my God! Are we feeding an army?”

“Oh, baby girl. You, me, and the little princess are starving so it’s time to feast!” Vander pulls out his cell phone and calls both restaurants and places the orders.

“Little princess?” I laugh.

“You’re so having a girl! I have a sixth sense about these things.” Vander puts his arm around me and brings me close to him. Kissing the side of my head, we look at the menu and make sure we have everything we want. It’s great having Vander here to keep me company. I’m glad he’s gay or else Connor would go ape shit. Vander orders me to go to the living room and sit down while he gets everything ready and ordered. I take out my phone and text Sophia to see what she’s up to.

Me: Hungry?

Sophia: No, I just ate. I’m with my dad now doing some shopping. He insists on buying everything for his first grandchild and I am NOT complaining LOL

Me: Haha that’s awesome! Vander’s here and I was wondering if you wanted to come over and hang.

Sophia: Aww =( I wish I could but dad really wants to spend some time with me. Rain check?

Me: Of course! Text me later, k?

Sophia: Sure thing! Love you!

Me: Love you too!

There’s a slight pain on my left hip. I draw in a deep breath and close my eyes. “Baby,” I whisper as I rub my stomach. “You alright?” Suddenly the pain eases, and I feel a little better. “Looks like you just wanted to hear mommy’s voice, huh?”

Moments later, Vander comes to the living room and sits down next to me. “How are you and Curtis doing?”

“Girl, let me tell you,” Vander starts, “He’s so amazing! I’m really happy with him.” I cuddle next to Vander and he plays with my hair. “This is nice. I’m glad I have you as my friend. Things suck sometimes, you know?”

I raise an eyebrow
. “Oh, please do tell!”

Vander giggles and tells me about their first time and how they’ve been. He blushes
, and we both start laughing. “I’m really happy, Erin.”