6 Chapter 6

Belle's POV

I woke up to the sound of a baby's loud crying. I rubbed my eyes to adjust to the light around me and saw two figures standing beside me.

"Sam?" I called out to him, squinting my eyes at him as I saw him talking with a doctor. Wait...Why am I in a hospital...Mom! Reality struck me and I abruptly stood up and rushed towards Sam and the doctor.

"What happened? Where's my mom? How is she? Has she woken up?" I blurted out everything in a single breath, tears already starting to prick my eyes.

"Shh...everything is fine, Belle. Your mom's safe." Sam said with a smile on his face and I immediately engulfed him in a huge bear hug, the thought of my mother's recovery making a heartfelt smile appear on my face. His strong arms wrapped around me and made me feel...safe. Something I have missed since my dad's demise. Of course, Mom and Meg made me feel protected but not like my dad used to.

"Where is she?" I questioned Sam as I released him from my bone-crushing hug.

"She has been shifted to Room 243. She is still unconscious from the anesthesia but she will wake up soon. The doctor said he would check her as soon as she wakes up" He replied and we walked to the room, Sam guiding me.

"And I think my bones are broken... You have got hella lot of strength for such a small figure." Sam said and I gave a 'soft' punch on his arm.

"Ow!" he winced and pouted and I let out a small laugh. His pout melted into a smile, seeing me laugh.

********

We entered the room and I saw my mother sleeping in the bed, bandages around her head and leg. She had a lot of bruises all over her body and I bit my lip to not cry. I should be happy that she survived. With this thought, I sat in the chair beside her bed and locked her hand between my palms, resting my head on top of it.

A hand rested on my shoulders. I looked to see Sam giving me a understanding look.

"I will wait outside. Call me if you need anything, okay?" He said and I nodded.

I watched as he stepped out of the room and after he left, I turned to look at my mom. She was still beautiful with all the bruises and bandages. Only heaven knows how relieved I was, seeing the heart rate monitor's curves and the raising and falling of my mother's chest with each breathe she took.

Suddenly, I felt her hand, which was in my hold, twitching a little.

"Mom?" my voice came out in a hoarse whisper. I cleared my throat and called out once more. Her hands twitched again and slowly her eyelids lifted up slightly, her eyeball swaying left and right.

"Sam!" I cried aloud and he quickly opened the door.

"Call the doctor, mom's waking up" I said and he gave a quick nod before rushing to get the doctor.

"Mom? Can you see me? It's Belle" I said to her and her eyelids opened a bit more.

"Belle" she said in a low whisper.

"Don't stress yourself, mom...the doctor's coming" I tried to shush her, not wanting her to strain to speak but she tugged my hand gently. I leaned over, my ears near her lips.

"Sorry for worrying you, dear" she said and a tear rolled down my cheek.

Just then, the doors swinged open and the doctor entered the room with Sam tailing behind him. I quickly wiped my tear away as the doctor examined mom. He checked her vitals and turned to me.

"She is out of danger and everything looks pretty good too. But she would have to stay two weeks in the hospital and she would need another week of bed-rest at home after discharge. You don't have anything to worry about. Take good care of her." With that, the doctor left the room.

"Mom, are you fine now? Can you talk?" I asked and she nodded.

"More than fine, now that I have seen you. And don't worry, I can talk..there's no strain in that" she smiled at me which I gladly returned.

"And this is?" she asked pointing her eyes at Sam.

"Oh sorry, this is Sam, my friend" I said and she raised a eyebrow. A nurse peeked into the room at that time to give the prescription and Sam followed her out.

"Just a friend or...?" she tried to wiggle her eyebrows, but failed miserably.

"Mom!" I exclaimed and she laughed a little. I sensed a slight blush creep up my cheek. Wait, why the hell am I blushing?