Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  When that didn't cause him to stir, Emma finally let go of everything and just simply cried.

  Her sobs violently wracking her body, as her arms tightened around him; begging for some miracle for him to just move, anything to let her know that he can hear her and feel her against him. She needs to know that he'll wake up; she needs to know that all this pain is for nothing, she needs to know that Drake isn't going to remain like this... She just needs to know that he'll be okay.

  The saying, 'you never realize what you have until you lost it' was such a bitch when one realize the true meaning of it.

  She was so wrapped up in her anguish; she didn't hear the door knock and open. She didn't feel Nancy's motherly touch beckoning her to sit up; nor did she hear the doctor explain to her that the drainage of the hematoma in Drake's head is looking good. The moment Nancy wrapped an around her, Emma whirled around and threw herself at her. Burying her face against Nancy's chest, as she it all out.

  Once all her anguish and pain slowed down, leaving her body and mind feeling exhausted and heavy, she let Nancy help her up.

  "Wait," Emma murmured raspy, her voice rough. She turned to Drake, still looking so peaceful as if he was experiencing the most relaxing sleep he's ever had. Bending down, she placed a chaste kiss on his unresponsive lips, whispering to him, "I'll see you in a few hours, Jerk. I love you so much."

  Richard and Ian were waiting for her once she walked out of Drake's room.

  "I thought you guys left." Emma mumbled quietly, taking the long coat Nancy gave her.

  "We couldn't let you drive like this by yourself," Ian told her, as they continued to walk towards the elevator.

  "Drake would kill us if we let you." Richard teased, wrapping a friendly arm around her. When she didn't respond to any of them, Rich and Ian exchange worried looks.

  "Thanks guys." Emma said a few minutes later, giving them a grateful smile before walking ahead of them.

  "Wait," Ian told Rich, grabbing his arm to hold him back when he saw he was trying to keep up with her. "Give her some space."

  Rich reluctantly agreed, shoving his hands inside his back pocket. "She's a strong woman."

  ''Yes." Ian agreed, "And Drake is a fighter too. Knowing him, he's too arrogant and prideful to let something so small such as a coma beat his ass. In a few years, they'll be laughing about this, you'll see. It just has to happen."

  "Yeah," Richard agreed, noticing Emma's shoulders shaking telling him she's crying again. "For Emma and Aidan's sake."

  .

  Chapter 27

  Saturday.

  .

  Today's the day, Emma could feel it.

  Today's the day when Drake will wake up.

  It's only been a week since Drake was diagnosed, but she couldn't help but feel optimistic and hopeful that maybe miracles can and will happen.

  "Ahh!" A cry stole her attention.

  She turned her gaze from a comatose Drake to their son, Aidan, who is sitting on his stroller and squirming to be let out. He hates these annoying safety belts his mother and father would always use to strap him in. He's a baby boy who needs his freedom, do parents not realize this? He continued to shout, hoping his mother understands his predicament.

  Emma read the irritation on Aidan's scrunched up face and couldn't help but giggle. She reached for him and unbuckled the safety belts, placing her hands securely on his sides, and lifting him up; settling him on her lap and letting him face Drake.

  "How's that, my love?" Emma asked, kissing her son's cheek with her motherly affection. Aidan giggled from the sensation of his mother's tickles, making Emma laugh along with him. "I love you very much, Aidan Collins."

  Collins. Hmmm...

  That got Emma thinking... If Drake wakes up - Actually no, scratch that - When Drake wakes up, she'll surprise him with a new birth certificate of Aidan, where his name will finally be shown in the father section, instead of Withheld. She remembered Drake didn't want to be part of them at first, but she knows now he's a changed man; he will definitely be happy.

  "Aidan Rogers." Emma said, testing it out. She looked at her son and grinned, "How does that sound, baby? Has a nice ring to it, yes?"

  Aidan merely drooled.

  Emma laughed again, shaking her head as she wiped his face with a clean baby cloth. Oh, the amount of attention children have.

  With her left arm safely securing him, she lifted her right hand and combed his hairs with her fingers. Aidan simply leaned back against her chest as he grabbed hold of her left hand, feeling intrigue of the neon pink color on his mother's nails.

  Emma gently squeezed his hands back, earning an excited giggle from the toddler.

  She placed a kiss on the back of his head and began to hum the piano part of 'Chim Chim Cher-ee (East Wind)' from her favorite Disney movie, 'Saving Mr. Banks'. This version had such a relaxing tone; she had been humming it to Aidan as a lullaby since last week to even help her relax from the stress.

  As if he recognized the song, Aidan turned his head to her and placed his tiny hands on her arm. He let out a small hum sound before turning his attention to Drake; where he simply just stared.

  Emma stopped humming and let out a deep heavy sigh.

  Aidan stretched his arms in front of him, his eyes glued to Drake's still body. When he noticed his father not responding like he would always do, Aidan tried again by leaning his upper body forward; letting his tiny arms stretch farther.

  "Daddy is sleeping, sweetie." Emma whispered against her son's ear, gently pulling him back so he doesn't injure himself.

  "Ah!" Aidan snapped, restless that his father won't hold him.

  Emma had an idea and moved her chair much closer to the hospital bed and pushed the safety handles down to create no walls between them and Drake. With both hands secured on Aidan, she gently placed the hyper child on the space next to Drake.

  Emma kept her eyes and hold on him, making sure he doesn't accidentally pull on Drake's wires, or him accidentally falling off the bed - Drake is already on one hospital bed, she can't imagine what will happen to her sanity if Aidan occupies the next children hospital room.

  Aidan crawled a few steps until he placed his tiny hand on top of Drake's face. When it was clear that his father wasn't going to do anything, Aidan sat back and let his attention go elsewhere.

  A knock brought both of their attention, seeing Tom entering the door. He gave them a small smile and nodded, "Hey."

  "Hi." Emma murmured, smiling back. "How are you?"

  Tom snorted, "What do you mean, 'how am I'? How are you?"

  Emma rolled her eyes but gave him a thankful smile. "Blah. I'm just blah."

  "Yeah," Tom said, taking another chair and placing it across from her. "I understand that feeling."

  Emma looked back at Drake, her smile slowly diminishing as Drake remained stoic. She leaned her elbow on the mattress of the bed and placed her left hand on Drake's arm. She brushed her finger against his warm skin, feeling slightly hopeful that he's in normal temperature.

  "What did the doc say?'' Tom asked, noticing her silent behavior.

  "They done everything they can," Emma shrugged, "but now we just have to wait for him to wake up on his own."

  "Did they say when he'll wake up?"

  "It differs from patient to patient." Emma informed him, taking Aidan and placing him back on her lap. She wrapped her arms around her baby and gave him a gentle comforting squeeze. "They said it shouldn't take more than three weeks since they drained the hematoma and that his brain injury wasn't as severe as most cases."

  "That's good to hear!" Tom exclaimed, trying to cheer her up.

  "It is." She nodded. It is indeed good to hear; it's just that these types of things aren't always sorted all the time.

  People usually take the doctors word as if they're always accurate. But they're not. Doctors are not God, they're not miracle workers, they're not psychic, and they don't have powers. They can't predict if someone's body will give up on them or
not.

  No, people don't realize that doctors are only human and science can only do so much.

  She wants to remain optimistic! But at the same time, she doesn't want to get her hopes up during good news and then have her heart be violently taken away to have it viciously crushed down into nothingness if ever something horrible unexpectedly pops up.

  "Don't give up, Em." Tom softly said, noticing the way her eyes were downcast. "I know you're not too religious, but it doesn't hurt to have some faith."

  .

  Sunday.

  .

  "It's official!" Richard said enthusiastically, opening the door without so much of a knock. "Jay is officially where he belongs!"

  Emma turned to him and nodded, "Great."

  Rich dropped his arms and frowned, "Great? Hell no, it's fucking brilliant, that's what it is! Sorry it took us so damn long, Emma, but at least he's back behind bars."

  "Yeah." Emma simply said, shifting her body so she can face Drake again. "That's good news, Rich. Thank you."

  When it was obvious she wasn't going to jump up and down with excitement with him, he walked over to her and sat on one of the empty chairs. "Where's Aidan?"

  "With Tom and Jason." Emma murmured, fixing the blanket around Drake. "They went to the cafeteria downstairs if you care to join them?"

  "No, I'm good." Rich looked at his watch, "Whoa, it's already six! Have you eaten? Are your friends getting you something?"

  "Yes to the first question and no to the second." Emma nodded towards the bag full of untouched food. "I've eaten already."

  "What?" Rich asked, looking at the bag with a frown. He stood up and walked over to the table and opened the bag to reveal a turkey sandwich and potato chips. He scoffed, "You damn liar, you barely touched anything. What did you even eat?"

  He could have sworn he saw a tiny smirk appear on her lips as she replied back, "The apple, of course."

  .

  Monday.

  .

  When Alona and Ian came to visit, Emma was starting to feel even more overwhelmed. Despite all the stuff they been through; these two still came to visit him. Alona even gave her some home cooked meals and asked if she wanted to go home, but Emma refused and insisted that she needed to stay beside Drake in case he wakes up.

  Luckily, the hospital was understanding and told her that only one person can stay overnight. She told Nancy to stay since Drake was her son, but Nancy told her that Drake needs her more than ever.

  Emma fought really hard not to cry in front of her, and was so proud she held it in. Only when the elder woman closed the door good-bye, did Emma finally release her distress.

  Jenna came a few times earlier to drop off some clothes, but she would always see Emma in her exact position. Her always sitting on the armchair, never leaving Drake's side with her hand tightly clutching his.

  Jenna couldn't question it any longer: Those two love each other so much, it's insane.

  .

  Tuesday.

  .

  Emma was alone.

  Aidan stayed over with Jenna and Jason, so no one is accompanying her but Drake, who is still unmoving but breathing.

  Sometimes she finds her mind wandering on different memories of her, Drake, and Aidan, and sometimes she catches herself talking to Drake, even though she knows he won't respond.

  "You know, we always encourage the family members to talk to their loved one. Maybe you can try talking to him." The nurse had told her, while they did their daily routine on him. "He might be able to hear you."

  At first, she found that absurd. He's in a damn coma, how the hell is he supposed to hear her? But hey, she gave it a try anyway because what else can she do? It didn't hurt to try.

  So she threw reason out of the way and spoke to him.

  "Remember how I was very cautious and hesitant of letting you see Aidan?'' Emma told him, placing her hand on his. She brushed his skin with her fingers and continued, "I didn't do it to be selfish, despite what you probably thought. I didn't do it because you treated Aidan and I like crap."

  She paused, and then let out a snort as she shook her head.

  "Well, okay never mind, that's one of the reasons, Drake. I mean, I had to give you a taste of your own medicine that time, you know? I couldn't just let you waltz back in that easily demanding me what to do! Please, despite what Jay said about women giving in easily - I'm no Bella Swan. I've got way more self-respect than that!" She laughed, knowing Drake would agree with her as she continued to reminisce that rough time of their relationship.

  She felt her breathing slow down with each second as she continued to look at Drake. If he was here, he would definitely laugh along and join in on this 'Do you remember' conversation. But here he is, still silent and eerily still.

  "In the beginning, I wanted you to be in his life. But the more you denied us, the more I started realizing maybe you were right. Maybe you staying away were probably a good thing. I think the main reason why I wanted you away from Aidan was because I was afraid of something like this," She gestured the whole room with her arm, "to happen. I knew you were no longer in a gang, but there was that little seed of doubt in my mind that kept telling me what if someone came and kidnapped Aidan because of who you were associated with? I'm sorry I was very harsh to you about that, Drake, I was just trying to protect Aidan from any possible threats; even if it meant you."

  She stopped, and closed her eyes. "But I just... I mean, you were trying and even fought so hard to gain back my respect and trust... I truly believed everything was going to be okay."

  She squeezed his hand and gently lifted it up to her chin, letting his knuckles brush against her lips for a few seconds. She opened her eyes again and gazed at his face.

  "But it wasn't okay because despite it all, my worst fears still happened." She spat, her bitterness aiming at the man who did this, "Jay found out about us, was heartless enough to kidnap Aidan, and now," Her voice cracked, but she didn't care. No one is listening except for Drake. "Now you're here, hooked up with all these stupid wires, and -" She stopped, her eyes beginning to sting from the moisture it was forming due to her affliction. Damn it, her heart literally hurts with these sharp pains as she pauses to take a breath.

  "I fucking hate Jay." She spat, ignoring the headache pounding on the back of her head.

  Hate is such a strong word, but no other word can describe this ferocious feelings towards the man that did this.

  She closed her eyes again, trying to control her emotions but the anger was already getting the best of her. This destructive feeling towards the man that did this made the blood in her veins boil, causing sweat to break from her neck and back. Every time Jay's face popped in her head, she feels this need to go find him and shoot him herself.

  So he's in jail, what the hell is that going to do? He being in jail is not enough for what he did to Drake. Jay did say that going back to jail is a 'been there, done that' kind of situation. Maybe a visit from her with Nancy's secret weapon would change things up, right?

  No.

  Emma let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding.

  Drake wouldn't want that.

  What the hell just happened to her? She's never experienced this type of emotion towards anyone before. Not even to her father or Drake. These vicious thoughts were scaring her, making her into someone she never saw herself to be. She may be bitter, but she's not murderous.

  Besides, she can't go to prison. There's a possibility that Aidan will lose his father, he can't lose his mother too.

  This is what happens when a stupid someone messes with a woman who is fiercely protective of those she loves.

  Women are already crazed creatures, why push this one?

  Drake wouldn't want her to do something stupid. He would probably think the same thoughts, but he wouldn't physically do the crime.

  Screw Jay, he's not worth it.

  She remembered Drake couldn't shoot that innocent bank man during the gang's failed robbery attem
pt in high school; so he can't shoot someone worthless like Jay.

  After what felt like hours, but only minutes, she felt this ugly side of her disappear. She opened her eyes again and shook her head, "Holy cow, I'm going crazy here. Come back to me, Drake - Come back to us. Your son needs you too."

  She knows he's trying. She refuses to believe Drake isn't. Science says that there is no way he can literally fight his condition because he can't even respond to any stimuli.

  Well, screw science. She knows in spirit that Drake can whoop coma in the ass because he's such a badass like that.

  She swallowed hard, her hold on his hand tightening. "I love you very much, Drake. If you can hear me, I just want you to know that when you wake up, Aidan and I will be by your side, waiting for you."

  .

  Wednesday.

  .

  "Do you want to talk to Drake's dad?" Jason asked, seeing Emma looking drawn as she stared at the television screen. "I heard they moved him to this floor."

  "No." Emma murmured, her hand kept on top of Drake's hand as she used her other hand to change the channels of the television.

  "Maybe talking to him would clear some stuff?" Jason continued, trying to get more response out of her.

  "I don't care." Emma shrugged, seriously not feeling the mood to associate with that man. "If anyone needs to talk to him, it's Drake. I feel Drake should be the first person to talk to his own father."

  He was there when she spoke to her mother for the first time in years, she'll be there for him if he needs her.

  Jason threw a look at Jenna, begging for help. Ever since they arrived to visit, Emma had been quiet and just complete... unlike her. It began to unnerve him when he noticed she would only take a few bites of fruit and toss it as her only meal of the day.

  Jenna, who was in the middle of playing peek-a-boo with Aidan, glanced at her friend and bit her bottom lip. "Do you want a bit of fresh air, Emma? There's a park across the street -"

  "No." Emma simply said, pressing the next button on the remote. "Thank you, though."