Chapter Forty:

The next day was brutal. My emotions were everywhere and I felt like I was running on fumes. I just want to rest and be better. I don’t have patience for my long recovery. The way my life works – the way that my life has always worked – something shitty happens at the worst possible time possible. I just know – like I have a sinking feeling in my gut – that something terrible is about to happen. It’s just a matter of time.

“Ace, are you ready to go?” Brian asked me. I nodded. An orderly helped me into a wheelchair and I held my bag on my lap.

“I’m so ready to get out of here.” I told him, quietly. He nodded and followed us out. The orderly insisted on wheeling me out of the hospital. We made it just outside the front of the building when I saw my father. He was smirking by his car. My heart plummeted into my stomach.

“What is he doing here?” I whispered. Brian looked down at me, confused.

“What did you say?” He asked me.

“I just want to get out of here, please.” I lied. He nodded and helped me into Doug’s vehicle. I looked back at my father and he just held a finger to his lips. Like I even want to talk about him right now…

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I spent the majority of the day keeping to myself and picturing worst-case scenarios. He’s going to try something. I just don’t know when or where. Waiting is the part that I hate the most. I can’t take the waiting.

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I wasn’t prepared for the amount of fatigue that the surgery was going to take on my body. I have almost no appetite. I don’t have much energy. I’m tired all the time and I get constant migraines. I know that I’m bipolar by my emotions are changing crazy fast, even for me.

I have to give kudos to the guys, because I don’t know how they put up with me. I’m a mess. I can’t even remember the last time things were this bad. I keep running the incident with my mother on replay. And between her and my father, there’s no chance for dreamless sleep tonight.

I know I should tell Doug, but he really does have enough on his plate. He deserves to happy without my drama added to everything. No one asked him to take me and try and take care of me. He did it because he’s a good person. And more than anything, I don’t want to take advantage of that.

I don’t know what to do.

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“Lydia, Sweetheart, wake up.” Doug said, gently. I all but pried my eyes open and stared at him. He gave me a soft smile.“Are you alright? You were screaming in your sleep.” He asked me. I didn’t say anything. “Sweetheart, I want you to know that you can talk to me. I’m here for you. I won’t judge you.” He added. He’s so sweet and sincere. How can I not tell him?

“My dad, Adam, was outside of the hospital today.” I whispered. His expression went from gentle to hostile in 0.5 seconds. “I know I should have told you earlier – I’m sorry. I just… didn’t want to give you something else to worry about.”

“Lydia… you’re not a burden. Do you hear me? I just want you to be safe. I need that peace of mind. Whether you believe it, or not, I’ve come to think of you as my daughter. I’d like very much to make that official, soon.” He admitted.

“Are you serious?” I asked him, not trusting my words.

“I wanted to wait until the time was right to tell you, but yes. I would very much like to adopt you.” Doug told me. I smiled. I couldn’t help myself.

“Lynn would never relinquish her rights.”

“If she keeps up, she may not have a choice.”

Notes

So sorry for the delay! My internet was NOT cooperating last night. Here's another chapter for ya! :)

Comments?

Much love,
Katie!