Chapter Sixteen

Nathan's POV

~edited~

-Three weeks later-

It had been three long weeks and still my princess hadn't woken up. The doctor even told us that she might take even longer. I didn't take that well.

I hadn't seen home in a week. I was always here, since then. Watching my baby; sleeping on the chair and not bathing.

My hair was hella messy and my eyes were bloodshot red from all the crying. From the lack of sleep, I was sure I have bags under my eyes.

Most of the time I was awake, not wanting Princess to wake up while I was still sleeping. Bella, Seth and Danny kept telling me to go home but I wouldn't budge.

And I was not going to leave here unless I was leaving with her.

The apartment had been taken care of. We bought the furniture and decorated the place. We made sure to make Princess's favorite colours as the theme.

That would make her double happy. The doctor said everything was okay, now. Her skull is fine and she didn't know when she would wake up, anytime now.

They hadn't removed the casts on her arms, though.

The bandage was removed from her head and they ended up braiding her hair.

"Dude, you have to go home!" Reese said, barging in the room. I glared at him as he stood in front of me. "I don't want to go home," I told him.

"Well, you have to. What is Vanessa going to say when the first thing she sees is a guy who smells pretty bad and looks so ugly."

I rolled my eyes, not knowing what to say. "Think about it, Nate. Would she want to kiss you? You're going to traumatize the poor woman."

He managed to make me smile. "Just go. I'll call you immediately when she wakes up. You need to shower, man. You stink," he commented.

I stood up, still hesitant. "Fine. You better call me," I told him. He nodded, "Don't worry. I will."

I left the room. I don't even know how he managed to convince me that easy. Maybe it was the fact that he blackmailed me.

Not cool, bro.

But he was right. I doubt Princess would want the first thing she saw be as horrible as I look right now. Come to think of it, I do stink.

I shook my head in embarrasment. I wonder how the others felt in my presence. They sure knew how to endure such a stench.

I got inside my car and drove home. Maybe I was going to pick up Felicia while at it.

I eating my breakfast when mom got into the kitchen. She looked at me, angrily. "Why are you here?!" She yelled.

"What you mean 'why am here'? This my home," I asked. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?" She scolded me.

"Uh...no. School's closed. You my mom. I think you knew that," I said. She rolled her eyes. "I have got more important things to remember than to know my daughter's schools are closed."

I stood up from my chair. "You are my mom! I am your kid! Of course I am important to you!" By the way, I had great English when angry.

"Well, sweetie, you're not. If you expect love and all that rubbish from me, forget it! But if you want money, I'm here."

"What kind of mom are you?! All you care 'bout is money! What 'bout us? What 'bout you kids? Nathan and I?" This was first time I yell at mom.

She slapped me on my face. I gasped. "You don't speak to your mother like that! You got it?! And don't you dare mention Nathan! He is not worthy of being my child. I am only keeping him here, because he's the heir of the company!"

I cannot believe this.

"You not my mother!" I shouted and ran out of the dining room. I started crying. I ran up the steps to my room.

Before I could get in, I bumped into someone. "Felicia?" Nate whispered. I looked up and wrapped my arms around him.

"Why are you crying?" He pick me up. "Mom," I whispered. "What did mom do?" I shook my head.

He sighed and walked in my room. We lay on bed together. "It's okay. It's okay. Don't cry, sis. Tell me what she did," he kept saying.

"Shouted at me. Slap me. Said you not wothy of being her kid. She using you, Nate. We have to leave before it is too late," I answered.

He tensed. "She...said that?"

I nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll make a plan. Want to leave with me to the hospital?" I nodded, again.

He wiped my tears and let me go. I stood up from bed. He held my hand and we left.

We got to the hospital and found Reese in Vanessa's room. "Hey, uncle Reese," I said. He smiled at me. "Hello, sweetie. How are you?"

I walked to him. "Am good. You?" He put me on his lap. "Good," he answered.

"Reese, I think I need to have another moment with Princess, here," Nate told us. Reese stood up. "Okay, we'll be outside," he said to him.

"Wait! Me want to kiss sis Nessa on cheek," I whined. Uncle Reese walked to her. I leaned and kissed her soft cheek.

After, we left Nate in there.

"Um...Princess. It's been three weeks, now. And you haven't woken up. Please just try moving your finger if you can hear me," I pleaded.

My eyes zoned in on her hand. I hoped she would do it. Unfortunately, minutes passed and she still hadn't done it. I was about to give up and look away...when I saw it!

She moved her finger twice. Then, it was her whole hand. I jumped from my seat with joy. I heard a small groan.

My eyes flickered to her face. She was squinting her eyes, probably adjusting to the light. "Princess! You're awake!" I yelled and ran out of the room.

"Doctor Hailes! Doctor Hailes! Vanessa is awake!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. No words could explain the way I was happy right now.

Actually, more than happy. More than elated.

The doctor ran down the hall with a big smile on her face. She barged in the room with a few nurses, not before telling me to stay outside of the room until they were done.

I sat down next to Felicia. "Nate, why are you so happy?" She asked. I smiled at her. "Vanessa is awake," I replied. Her face lit up.

"Really?!" Reese and her shouted, at the same time. I nodded. "I should call Danny and Bella," Reese said and stood up.

"Am so happy! Am going to talk to sissy!" Felicia squealed. I hugged her, tightly. "Yes, you will." I still can't stop thinking about my mom, though.

I'm not worthy to be her child? Why was I not surprised?

It was probably what happened a few years ago. She was still holding a grudge on me. Felicia was right. We definitely needed to move out of that house.

I'd adopt her and we will forget about mom...and dad.

The apartment we bought was the perfect place. It has got a lot of bedrooms, anyway. Princess wouldn't mind.

"Nathan, Vanessa is perfectly fine. We removed the casts and put on arm slings. In a few weeks, her arms will be all healed. You can see her," Doctor Hailes told me.

"Thank you so much for everything. I think I want you to be our doctor," I voiced out. "Really? Well, thank you. I would be honored. Now, let me not keep you," she said and starting walking down the hall.

"I wanna go in first," Feli whined.

I chuckled,"Okay, I'll wait here." She ran inside the room.

Ten minutes later, she ran out. "She wants to see you," she informed me. I instantly stood up. "Okay. Stay here with Reese."

I walked inside the room once again. Only this time, Vanessa was awake. I finally get to tell her all these things that were eating me up inside.

All the feelings contained in me.

I sat down next to her. And took her hand in mine with a big smile. "Hey, Princess."

"Hey, Princess," he greeted me. It felt so nice to see him again. I missed him. So, so much. More than he thought. It was pure turture staying in that coma.

Hearing what everybody was saying but not being able to respond. Worst experience ever.

However, it did get me thinking. And I had to tell Nathan.

"Hey," I whispered. "I missed you so much, Princess," he whispered, his voice wavering. A tear slid down my cheek. "I missed you, too."

"Before something happens again, I want to tell you something," he said to me. Should I let him? I don't know...

"Princess, I–" I interrupted him,"Wait. Before you say something, I have to say something first."

"Okay," he said. I took a deep breathe in and out. "Sweetheart...being in a coma had me thinking. And I still need more time to think."

"I...I think we need to take a break. For a while. I just need to think about–"

"Think about what, Princess? Why do you want to take a break? Are you not happy? Don't I make you happy? Don't you enjoy my company?"

I sniffled. "I am happy with you, Nate. You make me super happy. You understand me and all but...after what happened to me, I just thought, 'is it worth it'?" Was he worth my life?

"Is it worth it? Is it worth it?! Is it worth what exactly? And...what happened? Do you blame me for what happened?" He questioned, his eyes glassy.

It got more and more painful for me to handle. Hearing how much I was putting him in pain. I had to do this though. I couldn't just barge into a relationship without preparing myself for the danger that could come.

"No. No. I could never blame you. It's just...I just need time to think, Nathan. Before I get deep into this relationship. You don't understand at all," I whispered.

"Then make me understand!" He demanded. I shook my head. He wouldn't believe me if I told him his mother pushed me down the stairs.

He wouldn't. That's why he wasn't going to understand. I needed to think for my life here, because I knew...that if I continued being with him, I was putting my life in danger.

I didn't trust Heather. At all. The fact that she pushed me down the stairs, just because I loved her son makes me believe she was capable of anything. And that that...it was just the start.

"I can't," I told him. And it was true. "Why can't you? You can't expect me to give you this break without any explanation. What if we're going to break up?" He asked, his voice wobbly.

"Just trust me, okay? And no, we won't break up. We won't. I promise you," I whispered.

"Forget this," he said to me one last time before stomping out of the room.

I sobbed and sniffled. I wasn't even sure if he understood me, if he trusted me or if...I don't know. But I did know he was upset with me right now.

I understood that. But this had to be done. He had to give me some space. If it happens I might take a step back, then...I don't know.

What I did know, is I loved him. With all my heart. But that love was the same thing that was going to put my life at risk.

Was it worth it? Was he worth it?