[NOT EDITED]

Katherine's POV

Everything happening is just too much.

Way too much.

What did we all do to deserve such things , What is our fault ?

Everything in our lives suddenly just went downhill.

One week ago , it was all perfect. And now , there is not even one thing going right.

Why we can't have a normal life ?
(A/N : because we have a messed up author , lol sorry couldn't handle myself, continue reading. )

I am so afraid of what's waiting for us. I am afraid of more problems and tragedies. I am afraid of more loses , of more tears , of more cries.

My heart swelled with pain and my chest tightened as William's words registered in my mind.

I can't believe this. Cara don't deserve this. She lost her baby , and the man she loves is still not waking up.

What can i do to erase her pain. I feel so helpless and also hopeless. What if really Alex didn't wake up.

No , no , he has to. I shouldn't lose hope.

I have to be strong.

I want to be strong, i am trying, but I can't. How could i with everything going on , how could i when i am lying to the closest people to my heart , how could i when i know that three months from now I won't be here for them.

I shook my head feeling a stung in my heart and pushed all these thoughts away as i knocked on the room Cara is in.

I waited but no answer came.

So i opened the door slightly and peeked inside , she was laying on her side on the bed, her hands under her head , her eyes opened staring at nothing specific.

No tears coming out of her eyes , she looked lost and dazed , she looked weak and vulnerable.

I walked and sat beside her on the bed , my hand went and i ran it in her hair ,she didn't look at my side yet , she looks like she didn't even noticed me coming in.

"Cara." I said but that didn't seem to grab her attention , "Look at me. Come on."

She averted her gaze and met mine , her tired brown eyes are dry but behind them there is pain. Sorrow , grief and heartache , it all lies there.

"When i first discovered i am pregnant, i was so scared." She started , her tone low and calm , "I actually felt that i don't want the baby , but then why now i feel that a part of me is missing.. i feel empty and shallow."

"It's okay." I said running my hand in her hair , "Everything happens for a reason , maybe this wasn't the best time for this, it's not the end of the world."

"You know, this happens to a lot of women during their first pregnancies but that doesn't mean you won't have a child anymore. You will , one day , when it's the right time you will."

She nodded her head , her gaze traveled to my baby bump , then she surprised me when she placed her hand above it and caressed it gently.

"How did the appointment go ?" She asked and i swallowed hard , "Is the baby okay ?"

I didn't know how to answer , i felt bad at the moment , i mean she just lost her baby and she is asking me about mine.

She probably noticed the change in my expression, "Katherine it's okay." She gave me a small smile , "I am fine."

"Did you know if it's a boy or a girl ?" She asked again , her hand still over my bump , i nodded , my lips curved a smile , "It's a boy."

"I am gonna be an aunt soon." She said , the smile on her face grew wider.

I nodded , "Yes you will."

"Did you decide what you gonna name him ?" She asked and somehow i was happy because she is starting a normal conversation , she is smiling , she is trying to be strong.

That's my girl. That's the Cara i know.

"Yup." I said biting my lip ,"We gonna name him Chase."

Her eyes widened a bit , "Really ?" She asked and i nodded , "What about Ashton?"

"Actually it's his idea." I said feeling my heart warm up. Ashton can be so sweet sometimes. And also can be a big jerk other times.

"Well , looks like he is not such a jerk after all." Cara said amused , i chuckled and shrugged.

"He makes you happy." She said, it was more of a statement not a question. I nodded anyway. Because it's true , his presence, his touch, his smile , all these bring a weird warming feeling and a satisfying pleasure to my heart.

"I am so happy for you." She said , a genuine smile on her lips ," You deserve this and more."

Oh Cara !

"Quit the romance act girl." I said with a playful tone , "I miss you snapping and shouting at me."

She chuckled , she parted her lips to say something but stopped when Chase wanted to make his presence known as he kicked again where Cara's hand is.

"Oh ! That's so cute." She said looking at my bump , her eyes watering , then she tried to sit straight keeping her hand on my bump as baby Chase kept on kicking.

"He is definitely a kicker." She said with a chuckle , her eyes lightened up and sudden relief rushed in my chest seeing her like this.

"Well , Ashton is his father after all !" I said shrugging. She chuckled , "Aww i can't wait to see you little boy."

I wish i can say the same Cara.

I really do.

**********

One week later...

Alex's POV ( 😎 )

I tried to open my eyes but couldn't, they feel so heavy.

I started to become aware of the sounds beside me, there is this annoying beeping.

It just keeps beeping.

God , it's giving me a headache. Someone turn it off.

The place around me smells like antiseptic, flowers and something else I can't put my finger on.

Where the f*ck am i ?

I feel sore all over my body , it hurts so much ,my head hurts , my throat hurts , my back hurts , everything hurts.

My eyes slowly slid open , to a dim light above me but even turned down low , it's blinding , i squint for a second , cringing.

After few seconds, my eyes adjust to the light, the first thing they meet is the sterile white ceiling.

Am i in a hospital ?

What the hell happened ?

I closed my eyes trying to remember and in that moment all the scenes rushed back to my mind , Caleb , the gun , the shots , the pain , Ashton and Katherine.

Hold on.

Did i die ?

Am i in heaven or hell ?

I seriously can be overdramatic sometimes !

I opened my eyes again then turned my head to the right still trying to make sense of everything happening, but my eyes froze at the scene in front of me , sudden warmth engulfed me and my lips curved a smile.

Oh it's definitely heaven.

Cara is sitting on a chair beside my bed , her eyes closed , her small hand holding mine tightly intertwining our fingers together.

I frowned , she looks so tired , her face is pale and skinnier than I remember.

How long i've been sleeping?

The last thing I remember is getting shot but everything after is blurry, I can't seem to remember what happened after.

Oh my god , are Ashton and Katherine okay ? Did anything happen to them ?

I wanted to wake Cara up to ask her but when i opened my mouth to talk , i started coughing instead.

My throat is hurting so damn much.

Cara's eyes snapped open as a result of my coughs sound, she looked at me for a moment , she looked dazed , then her eyes widened after , "ALEX !"

Oh god , my head , why she is screaming ?

"You're awake !" She said , her voice much lower than before as if not believing what happened.

I smiled but then my smile dropped as I started coughing again. "Are you okay ? Do you want anything ?" She asked panicked.

"Water." I tried to say , my voice came gruff and not familiar to my own ears.

When she realized what i said , she struggled to her feet and directly grabbed a cup of water from the counter facing the bed.

She helped me drink it ,then she placed it aside , her eyes still wide as she kept looking at me , her eyes not leaving mine as if afraid i may just disappear.

She cupped my cheek with her hand and inched her face closer , her other hand held mine tightly, "I can't believe you're awake." She said, her voice low and tears started falling from her eyes.

"Shush." I directly said frowning, why in hell she is crying ?

"Don't cry cupcakes. I am okay." At my words, more tears fell from her eyes making me more confused , i placed my hand over her cheek , my thumb wiping the tears away.

She placed her hand above mine then bringing it to her lips, she kissed it gently , "I missed you so much."

Missed me ?

"How long i've been sleeping ?" I asked knitting my eyebrows in confusion.

"Ten days." She said and my eyes widened. Definitely wasn't expecting that, it felt like just few hours.

"How did this world function normally without me for ten days ?" I asked with a smirk trying to lighten the mood. I just hated seeing her crying.

"It didn't. It was awful." She said shaking her head ,"Don't you dare do this to me again."

I smiled , "Come give a proper kiss now , i stayed ten days without any sexual contact, come here."

Her lips lifted slightly, into a beautiful grin, then she directly inched closer, locking her lips with mine i seem to forget everything else.

All the pain i felt moments ago faded away , my whole body and even my mind stopped aching.

This girl is definitely the cure to all my pain.

She pulled away , the beautiful grin still on her face , i bet my grin is bigger by now.

"I should tell the doctor that you woke up and Katherine and Ashton , oh my god , i should tell them." She said , her eyes widened as she muttered the last sentence.

"Katherine and Ashton are okay , right?" I asked just wanting to make sure.

"Yeah , they stayed here the whole time." She said ,"I should go tell the doctor and tell them."

I nodded my head , but Cara was still holding my hand and looking at me.

I chuckled , "You can't go when you're holding my hand this tight."

"Yeah i should go." She said removing her hand, she bit her lip nervously, and stood there just looking at me , she doesn't want to go.

"I promise I won't go anywhere." I said with a chuckle ,"I'll be right here when you come back."

She nodded her head and rushed outside. I tried to sit down but once i moved my body i felt pain at the lower side of my abdomen, probably where the shots were.

I let out a sigh and laid down again.

Cara didn't take long , few minutes later , she came with the doctor and a nurse.

The doctor entered, a bright smile on his face as he stepped toward me ,"You know I thought you are not going to wake up."

Okay.

He is so positive.

"Umm okay." I looked at him not knowing what to say. "So how are you feeling right now ? Is there anything hurting you ?"

"Well , if you ignored the fact that my whole body hurts like a b*tch , then yeah i am feeling great." I said , the doctor chuckled as he checked the heart monitor beside me and the blood pressure machine.

"That pain is normal." He said , "You hadn't moved for ten day."

"Do you remember everything clearly or you feel there is gaps in your memory ?" He asked , my eyebrows furrowed , "Umm no , I remember everything."

"Good." He murmured looking at the pad in his hand.

"I have to check your wound to see if we have to change the bandage." He said , i nodded , he looked at the nurse , "Fix his bed first in a seating position so i can check it."

The nurse came beside me , she leaned beside the bed to fix it.

Wow , her boobs are so so so so..

Cara pinched my arm interrupting my thoughts , i rubbed my arm and looked at her , "What ?" I hissed, she just shot me a glare in return.

"Are you comfortable like this ?" The nurse asked , i turned my head toward her again , "Yes." I said , my gaze traveled to her breast again , "Very comfortable."

Look at her face Alex , look up.

Cara pinched my arm again , "F*ck !" I hissed rubbing my arm again , she kept on glaring at me. Wasn't she kissing me few minutes ago.

Women are weird.

The doctor checked the wound , "It's healing." He said , "I won't be able to be pregnant anymore. Am i ?" I said with a sigh , the doctor lifted his head and looked at me , his eyes widened.

"I am just kidding." I directly said. He just raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

Damn , I don't like this doctor , get me a new one.

When he finished , he left with that big-boobs nurse following him.

I looked at Cara with an innocent smile preparing myself for being punished , "Look , it's not my fau-"

I wasn't able to continue my sentence when she suddenly slammed her lips to mine kissing me totally startling me.

Okay.

I so like such punishments.

When she pulled away , she whispered , "If you're going to stay such an aśshole , i am afraid i am gonna make you enter another coma."

I chuckled , i so love her when she is jealous, i tucked the loosened strand of her hair behind her ear , "Yeah i can be an aśshole ,but I only love you."

The smirk on her lips changed into a genuine smile , "I love you too."

A knock on the door made her pull away. Ashton opened it and entered , once he spotted me , he smiled.

I couldn't help but smile as well ,i am glad he is okay. When i saw Caleb pointing the gun toward him when he wasn't paying attention, i lost my mind.

I think i screamed like a girl , but in the moment i didn't care , I am so relieved that i was able to push Caleb away making the bullet go through the window.

God knows what would've happen if I didn't caught him at the right time.

I shook that thought as Ashton walked closer, "I'll go see where Katherine is ." Cara said excusing herself leaving us alone on purpose.

"How you're doing ?" He asked placing his hands in his front pocket.

"I think i will survive." I said, "I won't be able to be pregnant anymore but that's okay."

Ashton looked at me dumbfounded , "I am kidding ! Oh god , what's wrong with you people , no one tolerates sarcasm these days !" I said letting a frustrated sigh.

He shook his head and chuckled , "Any way , how are you ?" I asked.

"Now i am better." He said , "You get us all worried you know that."

"I didn't know i am that much important." I said with a playful tone as i placed my hands behind my head.

Ashton shook his head and sat on the chair beside me , "How is Katherine?" I asked ,"I hadn't seen her yet. "

"She is good." He said ,"But she was blaming herself for what happened to you so she couldn't see you."

Oh this girl !

"It's not her fault." I said , of course I don't blame her , if i have to do all this again , i would definitely repeat the same thing.

"I know." Ashton said his tone changed , "It's all that bastard's fault."

"Where is he now ?" I asked. I hope he is in jail , not just for what he did to me but also what he did to Katherine, he deserves to be punished.

"I don't know." Ashton said with a sigh , he looked tensed at the mention of Caleb , "The police is still searching for him , and i am searching for him but i have no idea where he is hiding."

"But i swear when i find him ,he will pay , he will pay really hard for everything." He said , his jaw ticked , rage and fury evident in his eyes as he muttered that sentence.

"Calm your tits man." I said , "The police will do its job , you stay out of it."

He shot me a glare but he didn't argue further, i know he didn't even listen to what I said.

Stubborn motherf*cker.

"I talked with the doctor." He said changing the subject ,"You'll be discharged in two days."

I nodded then looked back at him , "You look like you hadn't slept in days." I said noticing how much tired he looks.

"Of course i didn't , thanks to you." He said , "I didn't know you love me that much." I said wiggling my eyebrows.

He shook his head , "Of course i do." He muttered lowly.

"Wait wait , hold on." I said raising my hand , "Did you just confess your love to me."

"Oh god !" He said annoyed.

"No one can resist my charm." I said with a confident smile, "Not even the famous Ashton Ryder."

I saw him smiling but he directly hided it , "I wonder when you're going to grow up."

I just shrugged , "Go get me Katherine , i missed her."

He shot me a glare , his jaw ticked , he is so stupid , when he is going to realize that i care about Katherine like a sister.

I let out a frustrated sigh , "Oh god ! I am gonna get married soon you stupid."

"I will go get her." He said still glaring at me ,"No hugging , no touching , nothing , okay ? Or I will be responsible for you entering a coma this time."

"What's with everyone threatening me today !" I exclaimed starting to feel annoyed.

I was sleeping for ten days , they should just kiss me and bring me what i want.

Dammit.

Don't know why i love these people.

                     ***********

Katherine's POV

I couldn't be happier when Ashton came out of Alex's room. I directly rushed toward him , "How is he ? Is he okay ? " I directly asked.

"I've never seen him better." He said looking annoyed. Probably Alex annoyed the sh*t out of him like always.

"He wants to see you." He said , i bit my lip , "Come on baby , it's not your fault , he knows that."

"Go and sit with him , because believe me I can't handle sitting with him for more than five minutes." He said , I chuckled, "Okay."

"Come on , you go inside." He said , "And I have to go and finish some hospital documents the doctor told me about."

I nodded and then went toward his room , I knocked and then entered.

Alex was sitting on the bed , he smiled when he saw me , "They told me my sweetheart doesn't want to see me. You know that you broke my poor heart."

Seeing him awake and okay , sudden relief rushed into my chest.

I stepped closer toward him , "I am sorry." I said not meeting his eyes.

"Don't apologize ! I am kidding." He said raising an eyebrow. I shook my head , "I am sorry for what happened to you."

"And don't you dare apologize for that !" He said glaring at me, "It's not your fault."

"Yes it is !" I said my voice raised a bit , "If it wasn't for me , Caleb wouldn't have shot you or even came near you or near Ashton. I wish you didn't come that day."

"Are you crazy !" He said , his voice raised , "If i had to go back , i would repeat the same thing, i would never let him hurt you or hurt Ashton even if it costed me my life this time."

His words brought a warming feeling to my heart , it's like the same way my brother used to take care of me , Alex is doing the same thing.

"Why ?" I asked , his eyebrows knitted in confusion, "I understand why would you sacrifice your life for Ashton , you're friends since a really long time , but why would you do it for me ? I mean we don't each other that long."

"Well , i think you're f*cking special to me." He said and I couldn't help but smile at his words and at the way he said them , "And i know if anything would happen to you , Ashton will definitely lose his mind."

His tone changed a bit as he continued talking , it wasn't the usual playful tone , "And Ashton helped me through difficult times and I would never forget that."

I noticed how he wrapped his hand around his wrist and started fidgeting nervously. And that's also when i noticed the band he usually wears isn't there.

I couldn't look away as i felt myself staring at the faint marks over his wrist. There wasn't one or two like I thought it would be. No , there is many , some are white and you can barely notice them , others have a faint red color and you can obviously see them.

My chest tightened at the thought of Alex hurting himself. I lifted my eyes up hesitantly afraid to meet his. He was looking at me , he knows that i noticed them , the look in his eyes, the fear in them is telling me that.

"Do you still do it ?" I asked , my voice came low.

He shook his head , "It's been really long since i last.. i last did it."

My hand went toward his , but he directly tried to block my way , i glared at him, then i took his hand , "There is no need to hide them Alex." I said as i looked at them again , "This is just a prove of how strong you are."

"No." he shook his head , "They just show my weakness." He said , when he talked I didn't see the Alex i am used to , the confident playful tone wasn't there , and I didn't like that.

"No, Alex , you were able to overcome this , do you know how much strength it takes to do that." I said , and i meant ever word , "Don't be ashamed of them. You're so strong."

A small smile crawled to his lips , "Ashton told me no hugging but I can't, come here let me hug you."

I inched closer and gave him a hug , "Don't crush the baby." He said sounding serious , i chuckled at his stupid thought.

We pulled away , "I told you that eventually you would fall in love with me." He said with a sly smirk.

"And he is back." I said amused. Wasn't he all serious just seconds ago !

"And he scores." He said raising his fist in the air.

I shook my head , his gaze traveled to my baby bump , "Can i place my hand over it?" He suddenly asked. He is so weird sometimes.

"Okay." I said, "I always wanted to touch it but it scares me." He said as he hesitantly placed his hand over my baby bump.

"You know it's a boy." I said with a smile , Alex looked at me , "Really ?"

I was about to say something but my boy being the attention seeker he is , he kicked , Alex eyes widened and he directly removed his hand away , "Oh my god ! What's that ?"

I chuckled at his horrified expression, "The baby kicked."

His eyes widened more , then he placed his hand again , and the baby kicked again, "Is that normal ?"

"Of course !" I said , I couldn't help but laugh at Alex's expression.

"Does it hurt you or anything?" He asked , he looked so serious and terrified.

"No !" I said chuckling, " You're so stupid , you know that."

He shot me a glare but his gaze went toward the door , I looked and saw Mark, Zoe , Cara and grandma entering.

I stood up , giving them the space to come beside Alex.

Mark was the first one to talk , "How are you big guy ?"

"I am fine Mr. Ryder." He said politely. Weird , Alex is never polite.

"When will you stop calling me Mr. Ryder ?" Mark asked arching an eyebrow.

"Well , you still scare me." Alex said ,and they all chuckled.

"I said i will not do my baby shower till i am sure that Alex is okay." Zoe said and Alex smiled.

They all started talking and I stood aside watching them , laughing at Alex's stupid comments every now and then.

Sudden warmth engulfed me as i stood there looking at them. They are all my family now , they all made me feel that i belong to a family again.

I wish this can stay forever, the smile on our faces now , i wish it would last longer. I wish we can stay happy like this.

I know my wishes won't come true but I can't help but just wish.

It's the only thing i can do.

When i felt strong arms around my waist , i was pulled out of my thoughts. I leaned more into his embrace enjoying the happiness i am feeling at the moment.

"What are you thinking about ?" Ashton said pressing his lips over my neck.

"Why this can't last forever ?!" I asked ,then titled my head and looked at his confused face.

"You know , this happiness, all of us together. Why it can't last forever ?" I said clearing my point.

He turned me around so i can face him, his arms still around me , he smiled , "Maybe it will. Maybe it will last forever."

I tried to not look directly into his eyes , I don't my eyes to betray me now, to expose the truth i am hiding.

"Ashton. Will you forgive me ?" I asked , he knitted his eyebrows confused, "Baby you're not making much sense today." He said tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Please answer me." I said , "Katherine , if you're talking about what happened before then you should know i don't blame you for anything."

I shook my head , "If i did something in the future, will you forgive me ?" I said , he opened his mouth to argue , "Please just answer my question."

He looked more confused but he answered my question anyway, "Of course. I will always forgive you."

I let out a breath i didn't know i was holding that long , then i laid my head over his chest , taking into his scent, hearing his heartbeats , making me rest.

"I want you to always know that.." I trailed off as i wrapped my arms around his waist , "To know that i loved you so much Ashton. I loved you so much."

**********************************

You thought I would kill Alex. Smh , no way ! I would easily kill Kat or Ashton but not Alex , he is my favorite lol 😂

Hope you liked this chapter ! (It is not edited at all , so excuse all my mistakes)

In the next Chapter , someone is gonna show up 😎 *wiggles my eyebrows*

Stay tuned😊

Love ya all ❤️