Bringing Back The Pain
Title : Bringing Back The Pain
Chapter : 8/12
Rating : R
Pairing : Demi/Selena
Summary : After thirteen years, things are still going good for the Lovato-Gomez household, but what happens when a certain event takes the girls down memory lane?
Demi sat at the one person couch, sitting there, watching mindless t.v., her eyes not even registering what was going on. It felt like someone was controlling her and they just hit the snooze button, turning her off for a while. But, when a beep signaled messages to be heard from the phone, she stood up, stumbling a little before pressing a button to listen to the messages.
One was from school, another from her agent, and then...then there was a pause before she listened intently. ‘Hi, it's me... obviously... I was just calling to check in on you guys. So eh... either you are not home, or you are really mad at me and that's why you don't pick up.. I only have five minutes so... I won't be able to pick up my phone if you call back, but please, if you do decide to call, leave a message. Okay..gotta go.. I hope I'll see you soon. I love you. All of you. Bye’
Demi stared at the phone, having stood there for five minutes, she hadn't moved even after the message was done playing. What did she mean only five minutes and why couldn't she pick up her phone? Guessing she was at a job, Demi ignored the message, moving to the kitchen before staring up at the girls’ room, sighing. ‘Things just aren't right any more...’
Back up in the room, Ashley groaned as she couldn't find sleep anymore. 'Car, can you get off me so I can get up, please?'
Carter shrugged softly, sitting up in the bed and smiling softly. ‘Can't sleep either?’ She asked softly, standing up to walk towards the window, looking out of it longingly.
‘No, not really,’ Ashley sighed before walking towards her sister, wrapping her arms around her small waist from behind. ‘Whatcha looking at?’
‘Nothing really.’ Carter whispered, leaning into her sister, slightly amused that she was growing taller as her head could touch the girl's chin now. Sighing, the smaller girl stared out the window, shifting on her feet. ‘Just thinking, really. I've got alot on my mind now...’
‘I know, just tell me if you wanna talk,’ Ashley smiled, kissing the top of her sister’s head before walking into her closet to change into skinny jeans and a wife beater.
Carter nodded before taking one last look outside the window then walking back towards the bed, tripping over Ashleys books and catching herself by her bed as papers went flying every where. ‘Ash! You know not to leave things on the floor when you live in here with me...the family clutz!’ Carter pouted, her arms shaking a little as she wrapped them around her baby, thinking about what if she fell and hurt it.
Ashley chuckled before walking over to her sister to see if she was okay. Pulling her back to her feet, she sighed before grabbing all the papers from the floor, noticing one page that wasn’t supposed to be in her books. Her eyes went wide as she read it. ‘C-C-Car...’
Carter frowned at her sister, tilting her head as she looked at the girl before walking to her. ‘What's up?’ She murmured, looking down at the paper in the girl's hands.
‘Mother didn’t leave us because she was scared... She left us because she wants to protect us! Come on, Carter!’ Ashley breathed out, sprinting down the stairs towards her Mom. ‘Mom!’
‘What?’ Carter asked worriedly before she watched Ashlety run down stairs. Following her, Carter looked at the stairs as if they were an evil monster before walking down them, then dashing to the kitchen where their mother looked at them with worried eyes. ‘W-What? whats wrong?’
‘We need to go and save mom!’ Ashley said, throwing Demi the car keys. ‘You drive, you drive faster than me.’
‘She just called, why do we need to save her? what the hell are you so worried about?! She's at Taylors.’ Demi called out, nearly dropping the keys as they were thrown to her.
Carter tilted her head between the two, un-sure as to what was going on. ‘Ok, lets just calm down and, Ash? Take a deep breath and tell us what's going on? What was written on the note?’ Carter asked softly, causing Demi to tilt her head.
‘Note?’
Ashley closed her eyes and took a deep breath before handing the note to her mother. ‘She left it between my books. She probably knew I wasn’t going to need them anytime soon, but she’s been there for more than a month now!’
Demi looked at the note intently, reading it aloud for Carter to hear. ‘Hi girls, I'm just going to say it... I won't be here when you wake up. I need to protect you guys and the only way I can keep him away from you is to give him myself. I will return at one point... When I figure out a way to kick his ass and send him off to jail forever. But please remember, I love you girls no matter what.’ Her eyes teared up as she read the last two words. ‘Love, Mother, damnit why didn't we find this sooner, Carter, Ashley stay here.’ She growled, placing the note on the counter before rushing towards the door.
‘B-but mom we can help!’ Carter said, walking after her mother.
‘No, Carter, let Mom go, trust her,’ Ashley quickly replied, holding her sister back until the car disappeared around the corner.
‘B-but...’ Carter murmured before sighing as she saw the car disappear. ‘She could get hurt too...you've seen how he can manipulate her...’ Carter stated worriedly, looking to Ashley before she shook her head. ‘Maybe we can call the police?’
Ashley squinted her eyes a little, staring towards the place where her mother's car had disappeared to. 'If she's not back in an hour... We're calling them.'
Demi speeded off towards the familiar apartment, anger corsing through her veins. She couldn't believe he went this low, touching her daughter and now Selena. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel, turning a corner before spotting the building.
She parked quickly, taking up two spaces before running to the door, no game plan, no nothing. Just fiery anger pushing her towards the mans door, knocking on it hastily.
Inside the house, Trace was hovering over a girl, a knife firmly gripped in his hand. 'You know, Selena, I never thought you would be able to live through it for an entire month.'
'You have no idea what I can,' Selena hissed, trying to wriggle from under his strong arms, yet the tattooed man held on tighter, pushing the tip of the knife in the flesh of the girl's shoulder, making her cry out in pain.
Demi scowled as she pressed an ear to the door, nothing but a very muffled sound touching her. She pulled her head back, knocking on the door once again, scowling as she glared at the door.
'Stop it! You're hurting me!' Selena cried, not daring to move her shoulder, scared that the knife would dig harder into her skin.
'Like I care,' Trace hissed, pushing the knife in deeper before pulling it back, slicing it through Selena's clothes at her waistline before pushing it in the skin there.
'Demi!' Selena cried out, her lungs burning. She knew Demi wasn't there to help her, she chose this herself, yet she had no idea that there was a brunette standing just outside the door.
At the sound of her name, demi growled angerly as she looked to the door knob, taking a step back and slamming her foot in to it. She did that a couple of times before the knob was kicked out of it's socket and the door flew open. ‘TRACE!’ She growled, grabbing the door and slamming it behind her as she looked around the apartment, finally finding the bedroom after a moment.
The man jumped up, surprised by the other mother's sudden appearence. 'Demi! What the fuck?' He hissed before dashing towards Selena, holding the knife against her throat. 'I swear, if you take one step closer, she dies.'
Selena's tears fell from her eyes as she felt the cold blade against her skin. She looked at Demi, her voice breaking. 'D-Dems..'
Demi froze, watching the man intently before staring at Selena and nodding. ‘It's ok, Selena...don't worry.’ Demi whispered, holding her hands out and looking to the man. ‘Ok, Trace, ok. Look, you know this is about me...you want to get back at me...so do that by getting to me...leave Selena and te girls alone...it's just you and me in this big old game...’
'No, no, no, no,' Trace laughed, not loosening his grip on the girl in his arms. 'To get back at you, I'll have to use Selena. She's the person you love the most.'
The knife merely dug into Selena's throat, not really cutting it open, but deep enough to draw blood as the girl whimpered. 'P-P-Plea-Please.'
Demi scowled as she stared at the line of blood, holding back the bile in her throat before turning to lock eyes with Trace. ‘Or you could settle it like a man, just you and me. Stop being a pussy and come here...’ Demi growled, her hands still spread out in front of her, waiting for any chance to tackle the man to the ground.
'Oh right, but I'm not a man, remember? I'm a horse,' he answered with a hollow laugh, lifting the knife off of Selena's throat, who let out a sigh of relief. 'But fine, just you and me, I just have to find a place for this knife so I won't lose it.. Oh, I know!' With that, he jabbed the knife right into Selena's stomach, making the girl scream out in pain as her hands flew to the blade.
'D-D-Dem.. Knife.. K-Kitchen... S-S-Self-D-Defence..' Selena stuttered out, her eyes closing in pain.
Demi locked eyes with the man, holding back her disgust and tears as she listened to Selena stutter, the cry of pain still echoing in her head. Remembering Selena's words, she stared at the man, faking a lunge before running towards the kitchen, hoping that she had a quick enough head start to get it.
‘What?’ Trace yelled, looking at Selena. He growled at her for tipping Demi off before hitting the knife, making it sink deeper into the girl’s stomach. Selena cried out harder than she had ever done before as her stomach was covered in blood along with her hands, which were holding on to her stomach.
Wrapping her fingers around the knife, Demi ran back towards the room, trying not to look at Selena as she locked eyes with the man again. ‘Hold on Selena...for the love of God hold on...’ She whispered before stepping forward, glaring at the man. ‘Come on Trace, you don't want to get killed, do you?’
Pushing against the knife one last time, Trace looked up at Demi, his eyes widening as he saw the other knife in her hand. ‘You plan on killing me?’ He asked, standing up from the bed, making sure not to block Demi’s view of Selena. ‘Or do you plan on saving her?’
‘D-Dem?’ Selena whispered, her eyes not opening from the pain as the blood kept dripping down her shirt.
Demi scowled at the man, her eyes never leaving his. ‘Either way, me and Selena will be able to get out of here alive, even if we're on our last breath. You...You on the other hand, the one who first tried to take my daughter years ago, the one who raped my two little girls, the one who stapped a knife in my wifes stomach, that one will die as slowly as possible.’ Demi growled, stepping forward again, knife twirling in her hand before she lunged forward for him.
‘Remember it’s not self-defence anymore,’ Trace grinned, backing up against the wall before holding Demi back, one hand on her throat, choking her, while the other held her left hand back.
‘Oh, it is self-defence.’ She growled, throwing the knife to her free hand and plunging it into his stomach. ‘It is soooo...self-defence, Tracey...’
Trace gasped as he felt the knife dig into his stomach, his hands loosening their grip on Demi.
'D-Dem..' Selena whispered again from the bed, opening one eye to watch the scene in front of her, wincing in pain the whole time.
‘Sorry yet?’ Demi growled, twisting the knife in the man's stomach, grinning a bit as she listened to him. Pulling away, Demi finally looked to Selena, her eyes filled with worry before she pulled out her cell phone, dialing nine, one, one. ‘Hold on, Selena...just a little longer..’
'I never say I'm sorry,' Trace choked out, jumping on Demi's back as he used his arm to try and choke her. Selena gasped, yet shut her eyes in pain before her breathing started to slow down.
Demi let the phone drop to the ground, scowling darkly before rushing back, slamming the man into the wall. ‘Help!!’ Demi called out, hoping the person on the other end would hear her.
As the mother slammed Trace into the wall, his head collided with the sharp end of the closet, knocking him out almost instantly as his body fell to the floor.
‘I-I’m cold,’ Selena choked out as she started shivering even though it was warm in the room.
Demi quickly gathered the phone into her hands, nearly screaming out the address before looking to Selena, grabbing a bloody hand. ‘S-Selena...come on, love. Stay with me...come on...you can do it...help is on their way....’
Selena closed her eyes once again, not finding the strenght to keep them open or to squeeze Demi's hand. 'I-I-I'm t-tired.'
‘N-no...come on Selena, keep your eyes open baby, just stare at me until they come...it's ok baby...We'll be ok...shh...’ Demi whispered, tears falling down her cheeks as she kissed Selena's hand before moving a shaky one through her hair.
The other girl struggled to open her eyes, yet looked at Demi. 'P-Please, h-hold me,' she whispered, knowing this might be their last moment together.
Demi looked to the knife in Selena's stomach before looking back at the girl's face before climbing into the bed, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders. ‘You'll be ok, Selena......stay with me baby...stay with me...’
‘C-Can you see your l-life passing i-in f-front of your... eyes t-too?’ Selena choked out, turning her head to rest on Demi’s chest. ‘I-I see our f-first kiss, m-my first sh-show, Ashley, Carter,... e-everything.’
Demi whimpered, wrapping her arms around the girl's head, nuzzling into it. ‘No..I can't see it Selena...but I remember...I remember everything...But it's ok...we'll make more of those memories...more and more...’
‘I-I love you,’ the other girl whispered, trying to lift up her hand to brush a stand of hair behind Demi’s ear, but failing.
‘I love you too baby...now shh...keep you're strength...you're not leaving me...’ Demi whispered back, pressing a kiss to the other girl's lips.
‘I’m s-sorry.’ Those were the last words that left Selena’s mouth before her breathing came to a halt, her arms falling lifelessly next to her side.
Demi whimpered, shaking her head no and she tried to shake Selena awake gently. ‘No! Selena...Selena you promised....Selena! SELENA!’ She screamed, the tears running down her face as she stared at the girl. ‘SELENA!’
It was then that the first two paramedics bursted through the door, one going to Trace and one to Selena. ‘What happened?’ the male paramedic asked, feeling Selena’s pulse. Not finding one, he quickly ran towards his ambulance to get the defribillator before coming back and attaching it to the girl. ‘Miss, I’m going to need you to step back.’
‘Selena....Selena!’ Demi whimpered as she was being pulled away from the girl by a cop. ‘N-no...please...SELENA!’ She screamed, trying to get away from the man, but his arms locked tightly around her, pulling her from the appartment.
‘Charge to 360!’ the paramedic yelled as two others came in who ran to help him immediately while one paramedic and the cops took care of Trace.
‘We got a pulse!’ A female paramedic said, pulling the strecher closer before they transferred her from the bed to the strecher. ‘We need to let the knife in until we arrive at the hospital. Try to keep her stable.’
The other paramedics nodded as they brought her downstairs before rolling the stretcher towards the ambulance, flashes of cameras flitsing around them.
Demi watched the paramedics rush around her, two of them taking Selena away. Struggling against the cop, she turned to look at him, tears in her eyes. ‘I have two girls...p-please let me go get them and we'll be at the hospital with Selena...please, my daughter can drive, please.’ She whimpered, causing the cop to let her go. She quickly ran to her car, starting it up before speeding off to her house.
‘She’s been gone for a long time now, I think we should call the cops,’ Ashley said from her place on the couch, her head in her hands.
Once home, Demi quickly ran into the living room, her tears still falling as she stared at the two girls on the couch. ‘Girls...come on....Selena's in the hospital, Ashley you drive...I-I can't right now.’ She said quickly before rushing back out to the car.
Carter looked to her sister franticly before standing up, following her mother and slipping into the back seat silently.
‘What?’ Ashley squeaked at her mother’s sudden appearence, yet running outside and leaping into the driver’s seat before she spotted her mother’s blood stained hands. ‘Mom? Wh-what happened? Why is she in the hospital?’
‘I-I...can't...Ashley just drive.’ Demi pleaded, ignoring the feeling of Carter staring at her with wide worried eyes.
Ashley snapped her mouth shut as she drove to the hospital, parking the car with screeching tires once they got there. ‘Mom, please tell me what’s going on.’
Demi looked down at her hands, staring at the drying blood before shaking her head and getting out of the car. ‘Later.’ She nearly whispered, shutting the door and running towards the hospital.
Carter looked to her sister, her eyes wide as she stared at the older girl. ‘A-ashley?’ She asked hesitantly, yet got out of her car, opening the drivers door and tugging on her sister. ‘Come on..’
Quickly grabbing the keys out of the ignition, Ashley took her sister’s hand before shutting the door and running towards the hospital. ‘Mom!’ she yelled, running up to her, tears appearing in her eyes as she wanted to know what was going on.
Demi stood at the dierectory place, franticly waving her hands around. ‘Selena Gomez! How the fuck do you not know her?! Tell me where she is!’ She growled, smacking her hands against the counter, causing the lady to jump backwards.
Carter hid behind her sister, having never seen this side of her mother before. ‘A-ashley? W-what's going on? Why is mom...’
‘Shh, Carter,’ Ashley cut her sister off before picking her up. ‘This normally means something really, really bad happened to Mother.’
The lady behind the counter quickly searched through a couple of files. ‘Miss Gomez is still in surgery, you’re gonna have to wait in the waiting are.’
Demi stared at the lady, growling fustratedly as she walked to the waiting area, kicking at a chair before she fell against her hands, sobbing in to them. She let out a swift line of curse words, every vowel echoed with her fist slamming into the table next to her. The action caught people's un-dying attention, and causing Carter to begin shaking, jumpping at every echo of flesh hitting wood.
Ashley held her sister close as she tried to block the sounds out, watching the people who were watching her mother. Quickly walking towards them she said, ‘Nothing to see people! Keep moving!’ She let out a sigh of relief as the people walked away, leaving them alone in the waiting area.
Carter grasped onto her sister tighter as another cuss word echoed around the waiting area, followed with silence. Lifting her head, Carter stared at her mother who was curled up in the chair, holding her knees so tightly to her chest, Carter wasn't sure the woman could breathe.
Ashley gently set Carter down in a chair before crouching in front of her mother, resting her hands on both her knees. ‘Mom?’ She asked silently, leaning closer to press a kiss to her legs.
Carter hid behind her knees, watching Ashley and her mother intently. Demi lifted blurry eyes to stare at her daughter, shaking her head and whimpering. ‘S-She promised....S-she promised not to leave me...’
‘Mother?’ Ashley questioned, taking Demi’s hands in her own. ‘Mom, please tell us what’s going on.’
‘H-he....H-he...s-stabbed her...sh-she...’ Demi trailed off, her cries causing her lips to tremble and her words to come out stuttered. ‘g-go...gone..’ Demi said, thinking that Selena was dead, even though they said surgery and that had to mean something.
‘Wh-What?’ Ashley whispered, before covering her mouth with her hand. ‘No, that can’t be, no, she wouldn’t... She isn’t... They said she’s in surgery, there’s still hope!’ She gently tugged her mother’s knees down before sitting on her lap and hugging her close while extending a hand to Carter.
‘Th-that doesn't mean anything, Ash.’ Demi whispered, holding onto her daughter tightly and burying her head into the girl's shoulder. ‘S-She promised...and Selena doesn't go back on promises....’ Demi whispered before she saw her other daughter walk up hesitantly, un-sure as of what to do. Smiling weakly, Demi tugged the girl onto her lap, holding her close as well.
‘D-Did mommy...um...’ Carter asked with wide eyes, staring at Ashley and Demi through the built up tears.
‘No, I don’t believe that,’ Ashley said to Carter, holding back her own tears before making room for the girl to sit on their mother’s lap too. ‘I seriously don’t believe that.’
‘Miss Lovato?’ A male voice asked as a doctor walked into the waiting area.
Carter nodded hesitantly, staring up at the older girls before nuzzling into her mother's neck, sniffling back the tears. Hearing the voice, both Carter and Demi turned to it, looking at him expectantly. ‘Y-yes, I'm Lovato...’ Demi nearly whispered.
'Hi, I'm doctor McKenzie,' the kind man said, extending his hand. 'I was told you were waiting for news on Miss Gomez.'
‘Dr. McKenzie?’ Demi asked slowly, remembering the name from so long ago. Nodding, she eased her way out from under her two daughters, leaving them in the chair before shaking his hand with her un-hurt one. ‘Y-yes, d-do you want to step outside?’ Demi murmured, looking back at her kids before looking at the doctor.
'Please,' dr. McKenzie smiled, stepping out of the way so Demi could walk through.
Demi nodded before walking past the man, moving to the side and looking at him. ‘H-How is she?’
‘Honestly? She’s been very lucky, the knife seems to have missed all important vitals so that’s the good thing. The bad thing is, she’s still on intensive care,’ the doctor explained, crossing his arms over his chest.
Demi nodded at everything he said, crossing her own arms tightly and looking at the floor. ‘W-w....what does that mean...I-I mean...c-can I see her? Can our daughters see her?’
'That means that her life is still in danger for the next few days,' Dr. McKenzie answered, before thinking about her second question. 'I can only allow one person to see her, because she's still very weak and she can't stay awake for long.'
Demi's chin trembled, more tears coming to her eyes before she nodded and turned to the waiting room. ‘O-ok, just a minute, I need to talk to my kids.’ Demi whispered, walking back to them and holding each of their hands.
Looking to Carter, she nearly lost it as both worry and fear rested in her eyes. ‘Oh...Carter...’ She murmured, wrapping an arm around her and pulling the little girl closer.
Once Carter was rested against her, she could feel the girl begin to cry, clinging onto her shirt tightly. ‘It's ok baby...sh-she's ok for now...b-but still in danger...only one of us can go see her...which one of you wants to go?’ Demi asked, knowing that if their mother would pass in the night, the kids should be the ones to see her last.
Ashley seriously debated wheter she should go or not before shaking her head, pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek. ‘You go,’ she said before looking to Carter. ‘Unless you want to.’
Carter shook her head to the negitive at Ashley's question before hearing her mother sigh. ‘Are you guys sure? t-this could be....could be the last time...’ Demi whispered quietly, sniffling a little before looking to the doctor. ‘I can p-probably convince him to let both of you go..’
‘No, Mom,’ Ashley smiled, cupping her mother’s cheek with her right hand. ‘You guys have been together for like, thirteen years or more. You go. Make her better with your love.’
Demi nodded slowly, standing up with Carter on her hip before she handed the girl to Ashley and moved to kiss both of their cheeks. Yet just as she was about to exit the room, Demi ran into another girl, frowning a little before seeing who it was. ‘D-Dallas?’
‘Dem, I came as soon as I heard, I think Mandy is on a flight home...an-’ Her sister was interuppted by two other women, one a blond and the other a brunette.
‘Dem, Demi sweety...’ Taylor soothed, wrapping her arms around the girl before pulling back and wiping her eyes. Miley did the same before looking to Dallas and nodding.
‘S-Stay with Ashley and Carter...t-they’re letting me go see her...’
Dallas turned to look around her sister, staring at the teens behind her and merely smiling. ‘Gosh they've gotten so big...Don't worry Dems, go see her...we'll take care of your girls.’ Dallas said sweetly, walking around her sister to sit in the chair besides the two of them.
'Aunt Dallas!' Ashley smiled, hugging Dallas closely before doing the same with Taylor and Miley. 'I missed you guys.'
Dallas hugged the girl, Taylor and Miley doing the same before looking to Carter. The two country girls sat down, knowing that the little girl didn't remember them, but smiling at her anyways. ‘Hey Carter...’ Dallas said sweetly, causing the smaller girl to cling onto her sister, frowning at the others.
'Carter, these are the ones who bought that dollhouse for your fourth birthday,' Ashley smiled, thinking back to the huge dollhouse Miley, Taylor and Dallas had bought. 'It's aunt Dallas,' she pointed towards Dallas before pointing towards Miley and Taylor. 'And aunt Miley and aunt Taylor.'
'Miss Lovato, if you wanna see miss Gomez, you are going to have to come now because visiting hours end in half an hour,' doctor McKenzie said before walking out the door.
Carter nodded slowly, remembering the doll house, but not remembering anything else. Sighing, the smaller girl nuzzled into her sister, still clinging onto her tightly. ‘H-hi...’ She whispered, causing Dallas to smile and nod. ‘Ashley?’ Taylor asked softly, fear and worry in her eyes. ‘D-Do you know what happened?’
Demi turned to look back at the group, hesitating until her sister nodded at her to go. Turning back to the doctor, she followed him quickly towards the room.
‘I have no idea,’ Ashley sighed, watching her mother leaving the room. ‘She came rushing in, yelling we had to go to the hospital. She hasn’t spoken about what happened, she only said that... that mother was...’
The doctor lead Demi to Selena’s room, before halting at the door. ‘I’ll come and get you when visiting hours end.’ Then, he left to go to an other patient.
Demi nodded hesitantly, moving to open the door and step through it slowly, un-sure as to what she would find.
Selena was still asleep as she was wired up to all sorts of machines, much as Ashley was thirteen years ago except, Selena didn’t have tube down her throat. Her breathing was normal, yet everything still hurt.
Demi walked to Selena's side, dropping down onto a knee besides her and grabbing her hand, holding it tightly. ‘S-Selena?’ She asked softly, hoping to wake the girl even for just a moment.
The raven haired girl weakly squeezed Demi's hand, yet she did not open her eyes.
Demi smiled, rubbing her cheek against the girl's hand before pressing a kiss to it. ‘Baby, I love you...’ She whispered, pressing another kiss to her hand as the tears made it to her eyes. ‘I can't live without you, Selena, you know that...please...’
‘D-D-Don’t.. cry,’ Selena choked out, lifting her hand slightly to wipe Demi’s tears away, before turning her head towards the girl and opening her eyes slowly.
‘How can I not Selena...?’ Demi whispered softly before she noticed the girl looking at her. Leaning up, Demi kissed her quickly before pushing stray hairs from her eyes. ‘H-how are you feeling?’
‘Hurt,’ Selena replied, closing her eyes again before groaning, gripping Demi’s hand tighter. She tried to scoot over to make room for the other girl. ‘C-Come.. here.’
Demi did as she was asked, moving to curl around Selena and kiss her temple. ‘If I could do anything to take your pain away, I would baby.’ Demi whispered, nuzzling into the other girl.
'I-I know,' Selena whispered, closing her eyes as she leaned into Demi. 'I'm t-tired.'
Demi nodded, moving her chin to have Selena rest her head by her neck. ‘I know, baby, I know...just go to sleep...things will get better...’ Demi said, leaving out the 'I hope'.
Selena gladly took the invitation as she rested her head in the crook of Demi's neck, yet she didn't go to sleep. 'I need... to tell y-you why I-I did it.'
Demi smiled a little, a chuckle vibrating her vocal cords before she shook her head and placed a kiss to the girl's head. ‘I was just about to ask you that, but wait, Selena. Tell me tomorrow, we don't have enough time right now, just let me hold you...’
Selena nodded, finally closing her eyes before she winced as she tried to turn to her side so she could snuggle up to Demi.
‘Stay still.’ Demi whispered into the girl's ear, nuzzling into her once again and kissing her forehead.
Selena groaned just as Dr. McKenzie came in. He smiled at the girls before checking the machines. ‘Look, I know how much you love each other, I really do, I remember you from years ago. So, if you want me to show you how to refresh her bandage, I might allow her to go home with you.’
Demi sat up, tilting her head at the man before nodding at him, a small smile on her face. ‘Really? I would love that, do you want to go home, Sel?’
‘You’re my home, Demi,’ Selena whispered almost falling back to sleep as her hand went to her stomach. ‘Take me... wherever.. you go.’
Demi smiled down at her wife, leaning in and resting her head against the girl's neck, breathing in her sweet scent before nodding slowly. ‘Please show me, doctor.’ She said as she pulled away from Selena, yet not before she kissed the girl's neck ever so sweetly.
‘Alright, I need to change the bandage now anyways, so why don’t you help me?’ Dr. McKenzie smiled, walking over to the machines before detaching Selena and shutting them down. He rolled them to the side before taking a new bandage and walking back to the bed.
Demi slipped off of the bed, watching the man detach the machines from Selena. ‘I-is...um, is she still in danger though?’ Demi asked slowly, staring at the man on the other side of the bed.
‘Not when you give her so much love, she always has a reason to pull through,’ the man smiled, lifting Selena’s hospital gown so her stomach was visible. ‘Okay, first of all before I take it off, you need to know that it’s still an ugly wound but you don’t have to be scared. Can you handle that?’
Demi nodded to the manbefore watching him lift the gown, a small pit of jealous and anger flooding her system before she reminded herself that he was a doctor and this was his job. Sighing, she turned to listen to him, fear in her eyes as she looked down at Selena. ‘I....I think I can..’ Demi nearly whispered, grabbing Selena's hand to hold onto her own before nodding. ‘I'm sure I can.’
The doctor nodded before carefully removing the bandage, revealing the blue, stitched wound that ran from just below Selena's breast to just above her navel.
Demi sucked in some air as she looked down at the will be scar, her eyes tearing up as she could see the raw flesh stapled together, trying to make it grow into each other again. Whimpering, Demi squeezed Selena's hands, her eyes never moving from the black and blue colors around the wound. ‘W-what....What now?’
‘Now you put this..’ the kind man said, pointing towards a bottle in his hand. ‘On the wound.’ He screwed off the top before putting some on a tissue and dabbing it against the wound carefully, yet Selena winced at the contact.
‘R-right.’ Demi nodded, staring at Selena's painful face before looking at the wound again, watching how delicate his touch was.
‘Dem...’ the other girl whispered, squeezing her hand. ‘Y-You don’t have to... if-if you don’t want to...’
The doctor smiled before taking the new bandage, lifting Selena’s waist up a little to place it behind her back. ‘I’ll show you if you still want to.’
‘I can do this, I need to do this.’ Demi nodded, her stutter gone and replaced with determenation. ‘Show me.’ She murmured to the doctor, watching his hands intently.
Selena smiled at her wife before the doctor started his explanation. ‘Okay, so first you take this end and wrap it around her waist until it connects with the middle of the bandage on her back.’ He took the left end of the bandage before doing exactly as he had said.
‘Ok...’ Demi said slowly, watching his hands as they moved, showing what he was telling.
‘Now, you’ll find that the right end is longer, that’s because you cross that over the left end over her stomach first,’ Dr. McKenzie continued, taking the right and and crossing it over the left end over her stomach. ‘Then you go all the way around her back, moving over the stomach again before connecting it on her back. Ok?’
Demi nodded again, her eyes mentally registering everything he said and did to memory before nodding intently. ‘Right! Got it.’
Putting the hospitalgown back down, the doctor walked over to the door. 'You have to change it every morning, noon and evening. I'll see you in four days for a check up. Visiting hours are over, but I'll give you a minute to gather your stuff.'
'Dem? A-Are Ash and Cart here?' Selena asked, the pain easing a little as the new bandage was around her waist.
Demi nodded at the man, smiling a little before nodding. ‘Thank you so much, Doctor.’ She said before turning back to Selena, nodding at her with a smile. ‘And Dallas, Taylor and Miles. I think your mom's on her way too.’ Demi smiled sheepishly, gathering Selena's ripped clothing in her arms before seeing a nurse bring in a wheel chair.
‘I-I don’t want to see Mom yet,’ Selena whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. ‘Or Miley, or Taylor or Dallas, I just... I can’t. Not now. Please.’
‘Alright, baby, I'll tell them. I'll let the nurse get you in the wheel chair...ok?’ Demi soothed, kissing the stray tear away from the girl's face.
‘No,’ Selena quickly said, taking Demi’s arm to stop her from walking to the others. ‘S-Stay, please, let the nurse tell them.’
‘Honey theres only on--’ Demi was cut off by the nurse who left the room with a smile, then walked back in.
‘I sent one to tell them.’ She said, giving Demi another smile before helping Selena to sit up. Demi merely smiled at her wife, a grin staring to appear.
‘I guess they're wrapped around your little pinky too, hmm Lena?’
‘Oh, hush up and help me,’ Selena laughed before grabbing onto her stomach as her laugh sent daggers of pain through her body. She shut her eyes tightly as she asked the nurse to stop lifting her up from the bed so she could grit her teeth against the pain.
Demi giggled, yet grew worried as the girl locked up in pain. Going to her side, Demi pressed a kiss to the girl's temple, hoping to ease the pain, even if it was just a little bit. ‘How you doing, baby, can you move now?’
Selena merely nodded as she clung to Demi before lifting herself to her feet. She stood there a while to try and ease the pain, leaning into the other girl.
Demi held onto Selena by the shoulders, careful to not brush against the girl's stomach before helping the nurse sit her down. Leaning over her, Demi pressed the side of her face against Selena's head, closing her eyes and breathing with her for she knew it would hurt to sit back down again.
Selena matched Demi’s breathing as if they were breathing as one person. Closing her eyes, she felt the pain ease away a little before wrapped her arms around Demi’s neck, ignoring the rest of the pain in her stomach. ‘Thank you.’
Demi smiled slightly, nodding against the girl's head and pressing a kiss there. ‘Anytime, Hon.’ She whispered, kissing Selena again before stepping away from her and grabbing the clothes as she wheeled Selena out of her room. ‘Ready to see your babies?’
‘I don’t really want them to see me like this, but yeah,’ Selena whispered as this was the only way not to stutter or to feel no pain. ‘Wait, are Miley, Taylor and Dallas gone? And my Mom isn’t there is she?’
Demi looked to the returning nurse, getting a nod from the woman before sighing. ‘They’re not there, Sel. And your mother had to get a flight, so she's not here right now...Just Ash and Carter.’ Demi said, wheeling her wife towards the guest room.
Ashley ran to her mother as soon as Demi wheeled her in. ‘Mother!’ She yelled, falling onto her knees next to her and kissing her cheek. ‘You’re okay!’
‘I’ve been better,’ Selena whispered, a weak smile touching her lips.
Carter walked after Ashley, staying a ways back as she stared at her mother and the wheel chair. She never liked it when either of her mothers were sick, and she was always afraid of going anywhere near them. No one could hurt Selena or Demi, but when they did get hurt, Carter was afraid. What if it came after her?
Demi stared at Ashley, smiling a little at her before looking at Carter, tilting her head a little before walking towards her. Picking the small girl up, Demi rested her on her hip, her hand dangrously close to the girl's stomach, and if moved closer, she would surely feel the baby bump. Looking to Ashley, Carter pleaded with her eyes for her sister to help her.
‘Mom!’ Ashley suddenly yelled, before jumping up and hugging her mother. ‘Have I told you how much I love you lately?’ she asked, glancing towards Carter from the corner of her eye. ‘And you’ve done enough today, I’ll take her.’ Picking the girl over from her mother she walked back to Selena, kneeling down once again.
Demi jumped slightly as she heard Ashley yell at her. Listening to the girl, Demi tilted her head a little before her daughter was pulled from her arms, leaving Demi bewildered and confused.
Chapter : 8/12
Rating : R
Pairing : Demi/Selena
Summary : After thirteen years, things are still going good for the Lovato-Gomez household, but what happens when a certain event takes the girls down memory lane?
Demi sat at the one person couch, sitting there, watching mindless t.v., her eyes not even registering what was going on. It felt like someone was controlling her and they just hit the snooze button, turning her off for a while. But, when a beep signaled messages to be heard from the phone, she stood up, stumbling a little before pressing a button to listen to the messages.
One was from school, another from her agent, and then...then there was a pause before she listened intently. ‘Hi, it's me... obviously... I was just calling to check in on you guys. So eh... either you are not home, or you are really mad at me and that's why you don't pick up.. I only have five minutes so... I won't be able to pick up my phone if you call back, but please, if you do decide to call, leave a message. Okay..gotta go.. I hope I'll see you soon. I love you. All of you. Bye’
Demi stared at the phone, having stood there for five minutes, she hadn't moved even after the message was done playing. What did she mean only five minutes and why couldn't she pick up her phone? Guessing she was at a job, Demi ignored the message, moving to the kitchen before staring up at the girls’ room, sighing. ‘Things just aren't right any more...’
Back up in the room, Ashley groaned as she couldn't find sleep anymore. 'Car, can you get off me so I can get up, please?'
Carter shrugged softly, sitting up in the bed and smiling softly. ‘Can't sleep either?’ She asked softly, standing up to walk towards the window, looking out of it longingly.
‘No, not really,’ Ashley sighed before walking towards her sister, wrapping her arms around her small waist from behind. ‘Whatcha looking at?’
‘Nothing really.’ Carter whispered, leaning into her sister, slightly amused that she was growing taller as her head could touch the girl's chin now. Sighing, the smaller girl stared out the window, shifting on her feet. ‘Just thinking, really. I've got alot on my mind now...’
‘I know, just tell me if you wanna talk,’ Ashley smiled, kissing the top of her sister’s head before walking into her closet to change into skinny jeans and a wife beater.
Carter nodded before taking one last look outside the window then walking back towards the bed, tripping over Ashleys books and catching herself by her bed as papers went flying every where. ‘Ash! You know not to leave things on the floor when you live in here with me...the family clutz!’ Carter pouted, her arms shaking a little as she wrapped them around her baby, thinking about what if she fell and hurt it.
Ashley chuckled before walking over to her sister to see if she was okay. Pulling her back to her feet, she sighed before grabbing all the papers from the floor, noticing one page that wasn’t supposed to be in her books. Her eyes went wide as she read it. ‘C-C-Car...’
Carter frowned at her sister, tilting her head as she looked at the girl before walking to her. ‘What's up?’ She murmured, looking down at the paper in the girl's hands.
‘Mother didn’t leave us because she was scared... She left us because she wants to protect us! Come on, Carter!’ Ashley breathed out, sprinting down the stairs towards her Mom. ‘Mom!’
‘What?’ Carter asked worriedly before she watched Ashlety run down stairs. Following her, Carter looked at the stairs as if they were an evil monster before walking down them, then dashing to the kitchen where their mother looked at them with worried eyes. ‘W-What? whats wrong?’
‘We need to go and save mom!’ Ashley said, throwing Demi the car keys. ‘You drive, you drive faster than me.’
‘She just called, why do we need to save her? what the hell are you so worried about?! She's at Taylors.’ Demi called out, nearly dropping the keys as they were thrown to her.
Carter tilted her head between the two, un-sure as to what was going on. ‘Ok, lets just calm down and, Ash? Take a deep breath and tell us what's going on? What was written on the note?’ Carter asked softly, causing Demi to tilt her head.
‘Note?’
Ashley closed her eyes and took a deep breath before handing the note to her mother. ‘She left it between my books. She probably knew I wasn’t going to need them anytime soon, but she’s been there for more than a month now!’
Demi looked at the note intently, reading it aloud for Carter to hear. ‘Hi girls, I'm just going to say it... I won't be here when you wake up. I need to protect you guys and the only way I can keep him away from you is to give him myself. I will return at one point... When I figure out a way to kick his ass and send him off to jail forever. But please remember, I love you girls no matter what.’ Her eyes teared up as she read the last two words. ‘Love, Mother, damnit why didn't we find this sooner, Carter, Ashley stay here.’ She growled, placing the note on the counter before rushing towards the door.
‘B-but mom we can help!’ Carter said, walking after her mother.
‘No, Carter, let Mom go, trust her,’ Ashley quickly replied, holding her sister back until the car disappeared around the corner.
‘B-but...’ Carter murmured before sighing as she saw the car disappear. ‘She could get hurt too...you've seen how he can manipulate her...’ Carter stated worriedly, looking to Ashley before she shook her head. ‘Maybe we can call the police?’
Ashley squinted her eyes a little, staring towards the place where her mother's car had disappeared to. 'If she's not back in an hour... We're calling them.'
Demi speeded off towards the familiar apartment, anger corsing through her veins. She couldn't believe he went this low, touching her daughter and now Selena. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel, turning a corner before spotting the building.
She parked quickly, taking up two spaces before running to the door, no game plan, no nothing. Just fiery anger pushing her towards the mans door, knocking on it hastily.
Inside the house, Trace was hovering over a girl, a knife firmly gripped in his hand. 'You know, Selena, I never thought you would be able to live through it for an entire month.'
'You have no idea what I can,' Selena hissed, trying to wriggle from under his strong arms, yet the tattooed man held on tighter, pushing the tip of the knife in the flesh of the girl's shoulder, making her cry out in pain.
Demi scowled as she pressed an ear to the door, nothing but a very muffled sound touching her. She pulled her head back, knocking on the door once again, scowling as she glared at the door.
'Stop it! You're hurting me!' Selena cried, not daring to move her shoulder, scared that the knife would dig harder into her skin.
'Like I care,' Trace hissed, pushing the knife in deeper before pulling it back, slicing it through Selena's clothes at her waistline before pushing it in the skin there.
'Demi!' Selena cried out, her lungs burning. She knew Demi wasn't there to help her, she chose this herself, yet she had no idea that there was a brunette standing just outside the door.
At the sound of her name, demi growled angerly as she looked to the door knob, taking a step back and slamming her foot in to it. She did that a couple of times before the knob was kicked out of it's socket and the door flew open. ‘TRACE!’ She growled, grabbing the door and slamming it behind her as she looked around the apartment, finally finding the bedroom after a moment.
The man jumped up, surprised by the other mother's sudden appearence. 'Demi! What the fuck?' He hissed before dashing towards Selena, holding the knife against her throat. 'I swear, if you take one step closer, she dies.'
Selena's tears fell from her eyes as she felt the cold blade against her skin. She looked at Demi, her voice breaking. 'D-Dems..'
Demi froze, watching the man intently before staring at Selena and nodding. ‘It's ok, Selena...don't worry.’ Demi whispered, holding her hands out and looking to the man. ‘Ok, Trace, ok. Look, you know this is about me...you want to get back at me...so do that by getting to me...leave Selena and te girls alone...it's just you and me in this big old game...’
'No, no, no, no,' Trace laughed, not loosening his grip on the girl in his arms. 'To get back at you, I'll have to use Selena. She's the person you love the most.'
The knife merely dug into Selena's throat, not really cutting it open, but deep enough to draw blood as the girl whimpered. 'P-P-Plea-Please.'
Demi scowled as she stared at the line of blood, holding back the bile in her throat before turning to lock eyes with Trace. ‘Or you could settle it like a man, just you and me. Stop being a pussy and come here...’ Demi growled, her hands still spread out in front of her, waiting for any chance to tackle the man to the ground.
'Oh right, but I'm not a man, remember? I'm a horse,' he answered with a hollow laugh, lifting the knife off of Selena's throat, who let out a sigh of relief. 'But fine, just you and me, I just have to find a place for this knife so I won't lose it.. Oh, I know!' With that, he jabbed the knife right into Selena's stomach, making the girl scream out in pain as her hands flew to the blade.
'D-D-Dem.. Knife.. K-Kitchen... S-S-Self-D-Defence..' Selena stuttered out, her eyes closing in pain.
Demi locked eyes with the man, holding back her disgust and tears as she listened to Selena stutter, the cry of pain still echoing in her head. Remembering Selena's words, she stared at the man, faking a lunge before running towards the kitchen, hoping that she had a quick enough head start to get it.
‘What?’ Trace yelled, looking at Selena. He growled at her for tipping Demi off before hitting the knife, making it sink deeper into the girl’s stomach. Selena cried out harder than she had ever done before as her stomach was covered in blood along with her hands, which were holding on to her stomach.
Wrapping her fingers around the knife, Demi ran back towards the room, trying not to look at Selena as she locked eyes with the man again. ‘Hold on Selena...for the love of God hold on...’ She whispered before stepping forward, glaring at the man. ‘Come on Trace, you don't want to get killed, do you?’
Pushing against the knife one last time, Trace looked up at Demi, his eyes widening as he saw the other knife in her hand. ‘You plan on killing me?’ He asked, standing up from the bed, making sure not to block Demi’s view of Selena. ‘Or do you plan on saving her?’
‘D-Dem?’ Selena whispered, her eyes not opening from the pain as the blood kept dripping down her shirt.
Demi scowled at the man, her eyes never leaving his. ‘Either way, me and Selena will be able to get out of here alive, even if we're on our last breath. You...You on the other hand, the one who first tried to take my daughter years ago, the one who raped my two little girls, the one who stapped a knife in my wifes stomach, that one will die as slowly as possible.’ Demi growled, stepping forward again, knife twirling in her hand before she lunged forward for him.
‘Remember it’s not self-defence anymore,’ Trace grinned, backing up against the wall before holding Demi back, one hand on her throat, choking her, while the other held her left hand back.
‘Oh, it is self-defence.’ She growled, throwing the knife to her free hand and plunging it into his stomach. ‘It is soooo...self-defence, Tracey...’
Trace gasped as he felt the knife dig into his stomach, his hands loosening their grip on Demi.
'D-Dem..' Selena whispered again from the bed, opening one eye to watch the scene in front of her, wincing in pain the whole time.
‘Sorry yet?’ Demi growled, twisting the knife in the man's stomach, grinning a bit as she listened to him. Pulling away, Demi finally looked to Selena, her eyes filled with worry before she pulled out her cell phone, dialing nine, one, one. ‘Hold on, Selena...just a little longer..’
'I never say I'm sorry,' Trace choked out, jumping on Demi's back as he used his arm to try and choke her. Selena gasped, yet shut her eyes in pain before her breathing started to slow down.
Demi let the phone drop to the ground, scowling darkly before rushing back, slamming the man into the wall. ‘Help!!’ Demi called out, hoping the person on the other end would hear her.
As the mother slammed Trace into the wall, his head collided with the sharp end of the closet, knocking him out almost instantly as his body fell to the floor.
‘I-I’m cold,’ Selena choked out as she started shivering even though it was warm in the room.
Demi quickly gathered the phone into her hands, nearly screaming out the address before looking to Selena, grabbing a bloody hand. ‘S-Selena...come on, love. Stay with me...come on...you can do it...help is on their way....’
Selena closed her eyes once again, not finding the strenght to keep them open or to squeeze Demi's hand. 'I-I-I'm t-tired.'
‘N-no...come on Selena, keep your eyes open baby, just stare at me until they come...it's ok baby...We'll be ok...shh...’ Demi whispered, tears falling down her cheeks as she kissed Selena's hand before moving a shaky one through her hair.
The other girl struggled to open her eyes, yet looked at Demi. 'P-Please, h-hold me,' she whispered, knowing this might be their last moment together.
Demi looked to the knife in Selena's stomach before looking back at the girl's face before climbing into the bed, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders. ‘You'll be ok, Selena......stay with me baby...stay with me...’
‘C-Can you see your l-life passing i-in f-front of your... eyes t-too?’ Selena choked out, turning her head to rest on Demi’s chest. ‘I-I see our f-first kiss, m-my first sh-show, Ashley, Carter,... e-everything.’
Demi whimpered, wrapping her arms around the girl's head, nuzzling into it. ‘No..I can't see it Selena...but I remember...I remember everything...But it's ok...we'll make more of those memories...more and more...’
‘I-I love you,’ the other girl whispered, trying to lift up her hand to brush a stand of hair behind Demi’s ear, but failing.
‘I love you too baby...now shh...keep you're strength...you're not leaving me...’ Demi whispered back, pressing a kiss to the other girl's lips.
‘I’m s-sorry.’ Those were the last words that left Selena’s mouth before her breathing came to a halt, her arms falling lifelessly next to her side.
Demi whimpered, shaking her head no and she tried to shake Selena awake gently. ‘No! Selena...Selena you promised....Selena! SELENA!’ She screamed, the tears running down her face as she stared at the girl. ‘SELENA!’
It was then that the first two paramedics bursted through the door, one going to Trace and one to Selena. ‘What happened?’ the male paramedic asked, feeling Selena’s pulse. Not finding one, he quickly ran towards his ambulance to get the defribillator before coming back and attaching it to the girl. ‘Miss, I’m going to need you to step back.’
‘Selena....Selena!’ Demi whimpered as she was being pulled away from the girl by a cop. ‘N-no...please...SELENA!’ She screamed, trying to get away from the man, but his arms locked tightly around her, pulling her from the appartment.
‘Charge to 360!’ the paramedic yelled as two others came in who ran to help him immediately while one paramedic and the cops took care of Trace.
‘We got a pulse!’ A female paramedic said, pulling the strecher closer before they transferred her from the bed to the strecher. ‘We need to let the knife in until we arrive at the hospital. Try to keep her stable.’
The other paramedics nodded as they brought her downstairs before rolling the stretcher towards the ambulance, flashes of cameras flitsing around them.
Demi watched the paramedics rush around her, two of them taking Selena away. Struggling against the cop, she turned to look at him, tears in her eyes. ‘I have two girls...p-please let me go get them and we'll be at the hospital with Selena...please, my daughter can drive, please.’ She whimpered, causing the cop to let her go. She quickly ran to her car, starting it up before speeding off to her house.
‘She’s been gone for a long time now, I think we should call the cops,’ Ashley said from her place on the couch, her head in her hands.
Once home, Demi quickly ran into the living room, her tears still falling as she stared at the two girls on the couch. ‘Girls...come on....Selena's in the hospital, Ashley you drive...I-I can't right now.’ She said quickly before rushing back out to the car.
Carter looked to her sister franticly before standing up, following her mother and slipping into the back seat silently.
‘What?’ Ashley squeaked at her mother’s sudden appearence, yet running outside and leaping into the driver’s seat before she spotted her mother’s blood stained hands. ‘Mom? Wh-what happened? Why is she in the hospital?’
‘I-I...can't...Ashley just drive.’ Demi pleaded, ignoring the feeling of Carter staring at her with wide worried eyes.
Ashley snapped her mouth shut as she drove to the hospital, parking the car with screeching tires once they got there. ‘Mom, please tell me what’s going on.’
Demi looked down at her hands, staring at the drying blood before shaking her head and getting out of the car. ‘Later.’ She nearly whispered, shutting the door and running towards the hospital.
Carter looked to her sister, her eyes wide as she stared at the older girl. ‘A-ashley?’ She asked hesitantly, yet got out of her car, opening the drivers door and tugging on her sister. ‘Come on..’
Quickly grabbing the keys out of the ignition, Ashley took her sister’s hand before shutting the door and running towards the hospital. ‘Mom!’ she yelled, running up to her, tears appearing in her eyes as she wanted to know what was going on.
Demi stood at the dierectory place, franticly waving her hands around. ‘Selena Gomez! How the fuck do you not know her?! Tell me where she is!’ She growled, smacking her hands against the counter, causing the lady to jump backwards.
Carter hid behind her sister, having never seen this side of her mother before. ‘A-ashley? W-what's going on? Why is mom...’
‘Shh, Carter,’ Ashley cut her sister off before picking her up. ‘This normally means something really, really bad happened to Mother.’
The lady behind the counter quickly searched through a couple of files. ‘Miss Gomez is still in surgery, you’re gonna have to wait in the waiting are.’
Demi stared at the lady, growling fustratedly as she walked to the waiting area, kicking at a chair before she fell against her hands, sobbing in to them. She let out a swift line of curse words, every vowel echoed with her fist slamming into the table next to her. The action caught people's un-dying attention, and causing Carter to begin shaking, jumpping at every echo of flesh hitting wood.
Ashley held her sister close as she tried to block the sounds out, watching the people who were watching her mother. Quickly walking towards them she said, ‘Nothing to see people! Keep moving!’ She let out a sigh of relief as the people walked away, leaving them alone in the waiting area.
Carter grasped onto her sister tighter as another cuss word echoed around the waiting area, followed with silence. Lifting her head, Carter stared at her mother who was curled up in the chair, holding her knees so tightly to her chest, Carter wasn't sure the woman could breathe.
Ashley gently set Carter down in a chair before crouching in front of her mother, resting her hands on both her knees. ‘Mom?’ She asked silently, leaning closer to press a kiss to her legs.
Carter hid behind her knees, watching Ashley and her mother intently. Demi lifted blurry eyes to stare at her daughter, shaking her head and whimpering. ‘S-She promised....S-she promised not to leave me...’
‘Mother?’ Ashley questioned, taking Demi’s hands in her own. ‘Mom, please tell us what’s going on.’
‘H-he....H-he...s-stabbed her...sh-she...’ Demi trailed off, her cries causing her lips to tremble and her words to come out stuttered. ‘g-go...gone..’ Demi said, thinking that Selena was dead, even though they said surgery and that had to mean something.
‘Wh-What?’ Ashley whispered, before covering her mouth with her hand. ‘No, that can’t be, no, she wouldn’t... She isn’t... They said she’s in surgery, there’s still hope!’ She gently tugged her mother’s knees down before sitting on her lap and hugging her close while extending a hand to Carter.
‘Th-that doesn't mean anything, Ash.’ Demi whispered, holding onto her daughter tightly and burying her head into the girl's shoulder. ‘S-She promised...and Selena doesn't go back on promises....’ Demi whispered before she saw her other daughter walk up hesitantly, un-sure as of what to do. Smiling weakly, Demi tugged the girl onto her lap, holding her close as well.
‘D-Did mommy...um...’ Carter asked with wide eyes, staring at Ashley and Demi through the built up tears.
‘No, I don’t believe that,’ Ashley said to Carter, holding back her own tears before making room for the girl to sit on their mother’s lap too. ‘I seriously don’t believe that.’
‘Miss Lovato?’ A male voice asked as a doctor walked into the waiting area.
Carter nodded hesitantly, staring up at the older girls before nuzzling into her mother's neck, sniffling back the tears. Hearing the voice, both Carter and Demi turned to it, looking at him expectantly. ‘Y-yes, I'm Lovato...’ Demi nearly whispered.
'Hi, I'm doctor McKenzie,' the kind man said, extending his hand. 'I was told you were waiting for news on Miss Gomez.'
‘Dr. McKenzie?’ Demi asked slowly, remembering the name from so long ago. Nodding, she eased her way out from under her two daughters, leaving them in the chair before shaking his hand with her un-hurt one. ‘Y-yes, d-do you want to step outside?’ Demi murmured, looking back at her kids before looking at the doctor.
'Please,' dr. McKenzie smiled, stepping out of the way so Demi could walk through.
Demi nodded before walking past the man, moving to the side and looking at him. ‘H-How is she?’
‘Honestly? She’s been very lucky, the knife seems to have missed all important vitals so that’s the good thing. The bad thing is, she’s still on intensive care,’ the doctor explained, crossing his arms over his chest.
Demi nodded at everything he said, crossing her own arms tightly and looking at the floor. ‘W-w....what does that mean...I-I mean...c-can I see her? Can our daughters see her?’
'That means that her life is still in danger for the next few days,' Dr. McKenzie answered, before thinking about her second question. 'I can only allow one person to see her, because she's still very weak and she can't stay awake for long.'
Demi's chin trembled, more tears coming to her eyes before she nodded and turned to the waiting room. ‘O-ok, just a minute, I need to talk to my kids.’ Demi whispered, walking back to them and holding each of their hands.
Looking to Carter, she nearly lost it as both worry and fear rested in her eyes. ‘Oh...Carter...’ She murmured, wrapping an arm around her and pulling the little girl closer.
Once Carter was rested against her, she could feel the girl begin to cry, clinging onto her shirt tightly. ‘It's ok baby...sh-she's ok for now...b-but still in danger...only one of us can go see her...which one of you wants to go?’ Demi asked, knowing that if their mother would pass in the night, the kids should be the ones to see her last.
Ashley seriously debated wheter she should go or not before shaking her head, pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek. ‘You go,’ she said before looking to Carter. ‘Unless you want to.’
Carter shook her head to the negitive at Ashley's question before hearing her mother sigh. ‘Are you guys sure? t-this could be....could be the last time...’ Demi whispered quietly, sniffling a little before looking to the doctor. ‘I can p-probably convince him to let both of you go..’
‘No, Mom,’ Ashley smiled, cupping her mother’s cheek with her right hand. ‘You guys have been together for like, thirteen years or more. You go. Make her better with your love.’
Demi nodded slowly, standing up with Carter on her hip before she handed the girl to Ashley and moved to kiss both of their cheeks. Yet just as she was about to exit the room, Demi ran into another girl, frowning a little before seeing who it was. ‘D-Dallas?’
‘Dem, I came as soon as I heard, I think Mandy is on a flight home...an-’ Her sister was interuppted by two other women, one a blond and the other a brunette.
‘Dem, Demi sweety...’ Taylor soothed, wrapping her arms around the girl before pulling back and wiping her eyes. Miley did the same before looking to Dallas and nodding.
‘S-Stay with Ashley and Carter...t-they’re letting me go see her...’
Dallas turned to look around her sister, staring at the teens behind her and merely smiling. ‘Gosh they've gotten so big...Don't worry Dems, go see her...we'll take care of your girls.’ Dallas said sweetly, walking around her sister to sit in the chair besides the two of them.
'Aunt Dallas!' Ashley smiled, hugging Dallas closely before doing the same with Taylor and Miley. 'I missed you guys.'
Dallas hugged the girl, Taylor and Miley doing the same before looking to Carter. The two country girls sat down, knowing that the little girl didn't remember them, but smiling at her anyways. ‘Hey Carter...’ Dallas said sweetly, causing the smaller girl to cling onto her sister, frowning at the others.
'Carter, these are the ones who bought that dollhouse for your fourth birthday,' Ashley smiled, thinking back to the huge dollhouse Miley, Taylor and Dallas had bought. 'It's aunt Dallas,' she pointed towards Dallas before pointing towards Miley and Taylor. 'And aunt Miley and aunt Taylor.'
'Miss Lovato, if you wanna see miss Gomez, you are going to have to come now because visiting hours end in half an hour,' doctor McKenzie said before walking out the door.
Carter nodded slowly, remembering the doll house, but not remembering anything else. Sighing, the smaller girl nuzzled into her sister, still clinging onto her tightly. ‘H-hi...’ She whispered, causing Dallas to smile and nod. ‘Ashley?’ Taylor asked softly, fear and worry in her eyes. ‘D-Do you know what happened?’
Demi turned to look back at the group, hesitating until her sister nodded at her to go. Turning back to the doctor, she followed him quickly towards the room.
‘I have no idea,’ Ashley sighed, watching her mother leaving the room. ‘She came rushing in, yelling we had to go to the hospital. She hasn’t spoken about what happened, she only said that... that mother was...’
The doctor lead Demi to Selena’s room, before halting at the door. ‘I’ll come and get you when visiting hours end.’ Then, he left to go to an other patient.
Demi nodded hesitantly, moving to open the door and step through it slowly, un-sure as to what she would find.
Selena was still asleep as she was wired up to all sorts of machines, much as Ashley was thirteen years ago except, Selena didn’t have tube down her throat. Her breathing was normal, yet everything still hurt.
Demi walked to Selena's side, dropping down onto a knee besides her and grabbing her hand, holding it tightly. ‘S-Selena?’ She asked softly, hoping to wake the girl even for just a moment.
The raven haired girl weakly squeezed Demi's hand, yet she did not open her eyes.
Demi smiled, rubbing her cheek against the girl's hand before pressing a kiss to it. ‘Baby, I love you...’ She whispered, pressing another kiss to her hand as the tears made it to her eyes. ‘I can't live without you, Selena, you know that...please...’
‘D-D-Don’t.. cry,’ Selena choked out, lifting her hand slightly to wipe Demi’s tears away, before turning her head towards the girl and opening her eyes slowly.
‘How can I not Selena...?’ Demi whispered softly before she noticed the girl looking at her. Leaning up, Demi kissed her quickly before pushing stray hairs from her eyes. ‘H-how are you feeling?’
‘Hurt,’ Selena replied, closing her eyes again before groaning, gripping Demi’s hand tighter. She tried to scoot over to make room for the other girl. ‘C-Come.. here.’
Demi did as she was asked, moving to curl around Selena and kiss her temple. ‘If I could do anything to take your pain away, I would baby.’ Demi whispered, nuzzling into the other girl.
'I-I know,' Selena whispered, closing her eyes as she leaned into Demi. 'I'm t-tired.'
Demi nodded, moving her chin to have Selena rest her head by her neck. ‘I know, baby, I know...just go to sleep...things will get better...’ Demi said, leaving out the 'I hope'.
Selena gladly took the invitation as she rested her head in the crook of Demi's neck, yet she didn't go to sleep. 'I need... to tell y-you why I-I did it.'
Demi smiled a little, a chuckle vibrating her vocal cords before she shook her head and placed a kiss to the girl's head. ‘I was just about to ask you that, but wait, Selena. Tell me tomorrow, we don't have enough time right now, just let me hold you...’
Selena nodded, finally closing her eyes before she winced as she tried to turn to her side so she could snuggle up to Demi.
‘Stay still.’ Demi whispered into the girl's ear, nuzzling into her once again and kissing her forehead.
Selena groaned just as Dr. McKenzie came in. He smiled at the girls before checking the machines. ‘Look, I know how much you love each other, I really do, I remember you from years ago. So, if you want me to show you how to refresh her bandage, I might allow her to go home with you.’
Demi sat up, tilting her head at the man before nodding at him, a small smile on her face. ‘Really? I would love that, do you want to go home, Sel?’
‘You’re my home, Demi,’ Selena whispered almost falling back to sleep as her hand went to her stomach. ‘Take me... wherever.. you go.’
Demi smiled down at her wife, leaning in and resting her head against the girl's neck, breathing in her sweet scent before nodding slowly. ‘Please show me, doctor.’ She said as she pulled away from Selena, yet not before she kissed the girl's neck ever so sweetly.
‘Alright, I need to change the bandage now anyways, so why don’t you help me?’ Dr. McKenzie smiled, walking over to the machines before detaching Selena and shutting them down. He rolled them to the side before taking a new bandage and walking back to the bed.
Demi slipped off of the bed, watching the man detach the machines from Selena. ‘I-is...um, is she still in danger though?’ Demi asked slowly, staring at the man on the other side of the bed.
‘Not when you give her so much love, she always has a reason to pull through,’ the man smiled, lifting Selena’s hospital gown so her stomach was visible. ‘Okay, first of all before I take it off, you need to know that it’s still an ugly wound but you don’t have to be scared. Can you handle that?’
Demi nodded to the manbefore watching him lift the gown, a small pit of jealous and anger flooding her system before she reminded herself that he was a doctor and this was his job. Sighing, she turned to listen to him, fear in her eyes as she looked down at Selena. ‘I....I think I can..’ Demi nearly whispered, grabbing Selena's hand to hold onto her own before nodding. ‘I'm sure I can.’
The doctor nodded before carefully removing the bandage, revealing the blue, stitched wound that ran from just below Selena's breast to just above her navel.
Demi sucked in some air as she looked down at the will be scar, her eyes tearing up as she could see the raw flesh stapled together, trying to make it grow into each other again. Whimpering, Demi squeezed Selena's hands, her eyes never moving from the black and blue colors around the wound. ‘W-what....What now?’
‘Now you put this..’ the kind man said, pointing towards a bottle in his hand. ‘On the wound.’ He screwed off the top before putting some on a tissue and dabbing it against the wound carefully, yet Selena winced at the contact.
‘R-right.’ Demi nodded, staring at Selena's painful face before looking at the wound again, watching how delicate his touch was.
‘Dem...’ the other girl whispered, squeezing her hand. ‘Y-You don’t have to... if-if you don’t want to...’
The doctor smiled before taking the new bandage, lifting Selena’s waist up a little to place it behind her back. ‘I’ll show you if you still want to.’
‘I can do this, I need to do this.’ Demi nodded, her stutter gone and replaced with determenation. ‘Show me.’ She murmured to the doctor, watching his hands intently.
Selena smiled at her wife before the doctor started his explanation. ‘Okay, so first you take this end and wrap it around her waist until it connects with the middle of the bandage on her back.’ He took the left end of the bandage before doing exactly as he had said.
‘Ok...’ Demi said slowly, watching his hands as they moved, showing what he was telling.
‘Now, you’ll find that the right end is longer, that’s because you cross that over the left end over her stomach first,’ Dr. McKenzie continued, taking the right and and crossing it over the left end over her stomach. ‘Then you go all the way around her back, moving over the stomach again before connecting it on her back. Ok?’
Demi nodded again, her eyes mentally registering everything he said and did to memory before nodding intently. ‘Right! Got it.’
Putting the hospitalgown back down, the doctor walked over to the door. 'You have to change it every morning, noon and evening. I'll see you in four days for a check up. Visiting hours are over, but I'll give you a minute to gather your stuff.'
'Dem? A-Are Ash and Cart here?' Selena asked, the pain easing a little as the new bandage was around her waist.
Demi nodded at the man, smiling a little before nodding. ‘Thank you so much, Doctor.’ She said before turning back to Selena, nodding at her with a smile. ‘And Dallas, Taylor and Miles. I think your mom's on her way too.’ Demi smiled sheepishly, gathering Selena's ripped clothing in her arms before seeing a nurse bring in a wheel chair.
‘I-I don’t want to see Mom yet,’ Selena whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. ‘Or Miley, or Taylor or Dallas, I just... I can’t. Not now. Please.’
‘Alright, baby, I'll tell them. I'll let the nurse get you in the wheel chair...ok?’ Demi soothed, kissing the stray tear away from the girl's face.
‘No,’ Selena quickly said, taking Demi’s arm to stop her from walking to the others. ‘S-Stay, please, let the nurse tell them.’
‘Honey theres only on--’ Demi was cut off by the nurse who left the room with a smile, then walked back in.
‘I sent one to tell them.’ She said, giving Demi another smile before helping Selena to sit up. Demi merely smiled at her wife, a grin staring to appear.
‘I guess they're wrapped around your little pinky too, hmm Lena?’
‘Oh, hush up and help me,’ Selena laughed before grabbing onto her stomach as her laugh sent daggers of pain through her body. She shut her eyes tightly as she asked the nurse to stop lifting her up from the bed so she could grit her teeth against the pain.
Demi giggled, yet grew worried as the girl locked up in pain. Going to her side, Demi pressed a kiss to the girl's temple, hoping to ease the pain, even if it was just a little bit. ‘How you doing, baby, can you move now?’
Selena merely nodded as she clung to Demi before lifting herself to her feet. She stood there a while to try and ease the pain, leaning into the other girl.
Demi held onto Selena by the shoulders, careful to not brush against the girl's stomach before helping the nurse sit her down. Leaning over her, Demi pressed the side of her face against Selena's head, closing her eyes and breathing with her for she knew it would hurt to sit back down again.
Selena matched Demi’s breathing as if they were breathing as one person. Closing her eyes, she felt the pain ease away a little before wrapped her arms around Demi’s neck, ignoring the rest of the pain in her stomach. ‘Thank you.’
Demi smiled slightly, nodding against the girl's head and pressing a kiss there. ‘Anytime, Hon.’ She whispered, kissing Selena again before stepping away from her and grabbing the clothes as she wheeled Selena out of her room. ‘Ready to see your babies?’
‘I don’t really want them to see me like this, but yeah,’ Selena whispered as this was the only way not to stutter or to feel no pain. ‘Wait, are Miley, Taylor and Dallas gone? And my Mom isn’t there is she?’
Demi looked to the returning nurse, getting a nod from the woman before sighing. ‘They’re not there, Sel. And your mother had to get a flight, so she's not here right now...Just Ash and Carter.’ Demi said, wheeling her wife towards the guest room.
Ashley ran to her mother as soon as Demi wheeled her in. ‘Mother!’ She yelled, falling onto her knees next to her and kissing her cheek. ‘You’re okay!’
‘I’ve been better,’ Selena whispered, a weak smile touching her lips.
Carter walked after Ashley, staying a ways back as she stared at her mother and the wheel chair. She never liked it when either of her mothers were sick, and she was always afraid of going anywhere near them. No one could hurt Selena or Demi, but when they did get hurt, Carter was afraid. What if it came after her?
Demi stared at Ashley, smiling a little at her before looking at Carter, tilting her head a little before walking towards her. Picking the small girl up, Demi rested her on her hip, her hand dangrously close to the girl's stomach, and if moved closer, she would surely feel the baby bump. Looking to Ashley, Carter pleaded with her eyes for her sister to help her.
‘Mom!’ Ashley suddenly yelled, before jumping up and hugging her mother. ‘Have I told you how much I love you lately?’ she asked, glancing towards Carter from the corner of her eye. ‘And you’ve done enough today, I’ll take her.’ Picking the girl over from her mother she walked back to Selena, kneeling down once again.
Demi jumped slightly as she heard Ashley yell at her. Listening to the girl, Demi tilted her head a little before her daughter was pulled from her arms, leaving Demi bewildered and confused.