Page 40 of Fractured Constellations
“Morning, campers,” Patty greets, and I smirk. She could give me a run for my money when it comes to cheerfulness. “I’m here to draw some blood and check your vitals.”
I get up as she walks over to Luna, and my jaw clenches when Luna’s lower lip disappears under her teeth as Patty prepares the needle.
“What did the toast say to the butter?” I ask, and Luna looks up at me, her brows dipped.
“What?”
I huff a sigh. “What did the toast say to the butter?” I waggle my eyebrows, and her lips twitch as her forehead smooths.
“I don’t know, what did the toast say to the butter?”
“You totally spread me!” I grin, and she shakes her head even as a laugh falls from her lips.
“That was fucking terrible, bro,” Blade tells me, but his lips twitch, so I take that as a win.
“Why did the egg get kicked out of the comedy club?” I keep my gaze locked on Luna’s as Patty inserts the needle. Luna flinches, but she stares back at me, body more relaxed than it was moments before.
“I don’t know, Thorn. Why did the egg get kicked out of the comedy club?”
“Its yolks were too old!”
“Oh my god!” she gasps, but laughs all the same, and Patty gives a chuckle as she removes the blood and then the needle.
“All done,” Patty says, and Luna blinks, which makes me all kinds of warm and fuzzy, because I did that. I helped to distract her. “I’ll be back shortly with the results, but provided all is fine, we can proceed with treatment. Enjoy your breakfast with those eggscruciatingly bad breakfast puns.”
I bark a laugh and hold my hand up as she passes, and she gives me a high five while chuckling as she leaves the room.
“I got Bernard to make and send us breakfast because I know this is the best hospital money can buy, but the food is still hospital food. Let’s eat, then we can help get you ready, okay, Star?” Chase says, bringing over a plate for Goldie and a plastic cup with that green smoothie she hates but is really good for her.
“Thank you, Chase,” she replies, and he leans down, giving her a slow kiss before handing over the food.
I walk over to the table to help myself to the pancakes, bacon, and syrup while Chase has his usual cold porridge because he’s a fucking psycho. Once we’re done, Blade helps Luna out of the bed and walks her towards the bathroom, wheeling her IV standalong with her because she’s still getting the fluids she needs for treatment.
“You’re not showering alone,” he tells her, and I catch her eye roll, which earns her a smack on the ass. “Don’t think I can’t save up your punishments, Goldilocks.”
I catch the way her eyes flutter and her full-body shiver at his words, and I chuckle as they pass me. “Not a deterrent, bro.”
Bending down, I place a quick kiss on her lips, gliding my hand down her curls. My stomach clenches when I feel they’re not as soft as they were even a few days ago, and I’m reminded of what my mom’s hair became during her treatment.
“You okay?” Chase asks once Blade and Luna are in the bathroom, and I’m staring down at my hand, a lump in my throat. I look up at him, my vision wavering at the edges. “Shit, come here.”
He gives me no choice, pulling me into a hug and holding me tightly as I let the tears fall. The memory dream I had last night is just too close to the surface, and terror fills my veins at the similarities between our mom and Luna.
“She’ll be okay, Thorn. I fucking swear it,” Chase tells me, his arms banded tightly around me, his voice thick with emotion that is threatening to drown me. “I’m making sure of it.”
“I know, man. It’s just, Mom…” I don’t elaborate, I don’t need to. He gets it, and he places a kiss on the side of my head before pulling back, his hands cupping the sides of my head.
“We will win this time, there is no other option, okay?” His green eyes are fierce, and it lends me the strength to take a deep inhale and nod.
“We will win,” I reply, my voice still thick but more sure.
“What are we winning?” Luna’s soft voice floats out of the bathroom doorway, and I turn to find her brows lowered.
My lips tug up into a smile, even as my heart still hurts. I want to be her strength, especially because she needs me to be right now.
“You’re undying love, fair maiden,” I state, dropping to one knee and holding my hand out to her like I am a knight in those fairy stories.
She tilts her head to the side, then steps away from Blade, lowering herself down onto my knee. Then her hands come up to cup my cheeks, her eyes searching mine.
