Looking Up

-----Steve's POV

"Well I think I was ready to come in to play. I just think we need to work on some things as a team," I say answering one of the reporters' questions with microphones shoved in my face. I was still feeling distracted- Elle hadn't called or texted me before or after the game which she never fails to do. Before the game I couldn't stop worrying and pacing around everywhere- the guys, especially G stayed with me and tried to calm me down. I am just ready to head home tomorrow so we can talk about what happened in person- and so I can beg for forgiveness.

"Steve, do you think the-" a reporter starts to say but Coots cuts him off.

"Mase you need to see this," he says running up to me and pulls me by the arm. The reporters look confused but they shake it off and go to the next person being interviewed. Sean drags me to the TV that is tuned into the news covering a terrible accident that happened on the expressway. I'm confused at first but then I heard the male newscaster state, "Horrific accident tonight: the driver of the car that was hit, female Elle Bostic, is in critical condition."

"No."

"Steve I know it's-" G begins to say.

"No no no, this isn't happening," I stammer, "it can't be." I grab my things and run to my truck with Sean who decided to head to the hospital with me while G tells Chief what's happening.

"Steve I'm coming with you," I hear a voice behind me say.

"Brayden not now please."

"Look I heard what happened between you two- we're not involved I swear. She's like another one of my sisters- you have to believe me. I would never go after her I swear," he pleads.

"Get in the truck," I say and he gives me a quick nod. Sean decides to drive since he thought it'd be bad if I did with the way I'm feeling right now.

I check my phone and see I have multiple missed calls from Jen, Tyler, my parents and even Jamie. I start to feel tears well up in my eyes as the scene of the car cash plays through my mind. I dial Jen's number and pray that she picks up.

"Steve? Do you know?" she says through her broken down voice.

"How is she?" I manage to ask.

"She's not doing good- she's in surgery right now to get the glass out of her and to fix broken and fractured bones. We won't know until they're done, which should be soon. The accident happened just after 6:30," she replies.

"I'll be there as soon as possible, okay?" I say and hang up.


I can't help but to feel guilty and helpless- this is my fault. I punch the roof as a burst of anger flushes through my body causing Coots and Schenner to jump.

"Steve she's going to be okay," Coots states calmly, "this isn't your fault."

"You don't know that."

When we get to the hospital, we run to the front desk and get directions to the correct waiting room. As soon as Jen and her mom come into site we jog over to them and I give both of them a hug. Both of them have tear stained faces and I knew that soon if we didn't get any information on Elle soon, I was going to look the same as them.

After about a half hour of waiting, some of the guys on the team show up and wait with us. Soon, a doctor dressed in blue scrubs comes out of the doors and we all stand up hoping he has some information about Elle's condition, "Mrs. Bostic?"

"Yes?" she asks hopelessly clutching her wrinkled tissues prepared for the worst. I put my arm around her and Jen's shoulders bracing us together for bad news.

"Your daughter's condition is very serious, she's in a coma now and she's lost a large about of blood. The next 24 hours are critical- if there's any signs of improvement they'll show up then but we're not sure about how she's doing as of now," the doctor informs us and I feel like I've been hit by a train, "it's all up to her now, she just needs to get herself out of this."

"When can we see her?" Jen asks on the verge of tears.

"You can see her but I'm afraid only three to two people at a time. I will be in touch with you every so often to check on progress," he answers. We thank him and he leaves us to get back to work. We file into the hallway and quickly find Elle's private room. When I see her bruised and cut face along with her casts and bandages, I can't help but to cry- she looks so tiny, helpless and hurt. Jenn and her mom start to cry to at the sight of Elle's state. Mrs. Bostic hugs me tight when she sees the couple of tears running down my face.

"I just lost my husband, I can't lose her too. I just can't," she weeps into my side, "Oh God please help."

"It'll be okay she's a fighter," I comfort her and smile as I think back to the summer when Elle and I played in the street hockey tournament together.

"I can't lose my sister," Jen murmurs through her tears. And pull her in for a hug while trying to hold back my own tears- I desperately want to stay strong for Jen and Mrs. Bostic. My phone starts to ring and I pull it out of my pocket to see Ty calling.

"Hey," I manage to say without my voice shaking.

"How is she? I need to know- mom and dad need to know. Please tell me she's okay," Ty says desperately which catches me off guard.

"She's got broken bones and she's really banged up but the doctors say all she needs to do is wake up from her coma."

"Oh my god Steve," Ty exhales, "How's Jen?"

I turn around and examine Jen; she's sitting by her sister holding her hand talking softly to her, "she's having a hard time- everyone is Ty."

"I'll be there tomorrow morning," he states and hangs up the phone quickly.

I put the phone back in my pocket and excuse myself from the room. Some of the guys ask if they can go in and see her so I double check with Jen and Mrs. Bostic and they say of course. I go in the room with two guys at a time since hospital policies and doctors orders forbid us to have more than three people.

"Elle," Sean murmurs and sets a vase full of daisies next to her bed- which I'm guessing he got from the Flower shop inside the hospital, "she looks so small."

"I know right," I agree softly and run a hand through my hair as a product of stress.

"How'd the accident happen?" Brayden asks as he places a vase of lilies and tulips on the table on the other side of the bed.

"Apparently the guy driving the truck was drunk plus the road was a little icy still," I sigh as I wrap my hand around Elle's in hopes she could feel my touch.

"I'm going to kill him," Brayden spits and Sean huffs in agreement.

"It's not even worth it guys- I was mad at first but I just want her to be okay- that's it. That's all I can focus on right now," I say and they nod. The rest of the night goes by in a blur; people coming in and out dropping off flowers and asking how she was doing.

"Mase?" I hear the door open slowly behind me.

"G! You made it," I say relieved- G was one of my closest friends on the team ever since I was traded from Columbus.

"Of course I did- Elle is like a sister to me," I says softly, his voice shaking. He places flowers on the last open space available on the window sill and ties a few colorful balloons to the plastic bed frame, one saying "Get well soon!" in big neon letters.

"She looks so," he pauses, "damaged." G sighs and wraps his hand around Elle's gently trying not to hit the piece of medical equipment attached to her index finger. "Elle what'd you get yourself into," he thinks aloud. "Your boyfriend had to come into the game and save our asses," he chuckles, "he always does great- especially for you, Elle," he says stroking her hand. "But you need to wake up cause Steve and I and everyone else that has even met you will be devastated if you don't," he says with a shakey voice. I could tell he was trying his best not to let himself cry- he hates crying; if a movie starts to almost make him cry he'll just turn it off and walk away.

After a while of talking to Elle, G excuses himself from the room and says he'll call me tomorrow morning. Jen and I stay in Elle's room while her mom calls relatives and gets coffee. Jen is quickly falling to sleep, her tear stained face resting next to Elle's side. I stroke Elle's hair and observe all of her cuts and bruises on her arms and face.

"Elle I love you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you so please don't make me find out. I want to marry you, I want to see you walk down the aisle and see your face light up." I say before I can stop myself, "I need you Bambi- please don't go," I whisper as I close my heavy eyes and rest my head next to her side.

Notes

Hey guys! Hope you liked the chapter- sorry it took so long to post, I've been traveling and visiting family! Next chapter should be up soon I have a lot of free time during the next few days! Don't be afraid to comment- I love feedback! Thanks so much for reading- you guys are great!