Chapter 23: Recovery

Angel's POV:

One Week Later*

As I washed the dishes, I looked over at Ace. He was watching TV. I've been worried about him since he got out of the hospital. He's in recovery right now. The doctors said that whatever tea he drank, it was spiked with hard poison. The doctor said that Ace was lucky to fight it off somehow. What he doesn't know is that Ace is a werewolf. I was so scared to lose him. At the hospital, his heart monitor was slowing down.

I was freaking out. His heart rate became slower and slower. I freaked out and lost control. I unplugged his heart monitor and it flat lined. I grabbed the defibrillator and shocked Ace myself. I used my powers to help charge it up enough deliver a powerful shock to Ace's body. It was strong enough to help him survive. He regained feeling in his body and he could move again.

I was in so much trouble for doing what I did but I did it for Ace. I didn't wanna lose him again. I felt arms around me. I jumped. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I called your name." Ace said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "What are you doing up? Go rest Ace." I said, pushing him away. He didn't budge. "Angel why are you washing dishes?" He asked. "

"Because it's my turn to wash dishes." I said. "No it's my turn." He said. "Until you get better, I'll be doing your dishes. Now go lie down." I said. "Come with me." He said. "No. I have to finish these dishes." I said. He stared at me. "Go Ace!!" I yelled, trying to move him. He still didn't budge. He hugged me. That's when I broke down crying in his arms.

"Angel relax. You have got to relax." He said. "I can't-I can't Ace!!" I cried. I felt my heart race. Then Ace kissed me. It took me by surprise. He looked at me. "You were having a panic attack. Angel stop worrying about me. I am fine baby. You go relax. Go surf. Do something. Just relax. I'm not a baby. I can take care of myself." He said. I shook my head. "You still shouldn't be up Ace." I said.

"Oh I'm up." He said. I looked at him and saw he staring at my ass. "Would you-" I said, as I pushed him away from me. I walked upstairs to my room. I changed into wet suit and grabbed my surfboard. I walked downstairs and saw Ace putting on his shoes. "Where you going?" I asked. "With you." He said. He looked at me. "Angel, after what happened with Tabitha, you not leaving my sight again." He said. "Ace-" he cut me off by getting in my face.

"Yes sir." I said, as I walked around him. I knew he was gonna smack my ass so I used my surfboard to block it. "Ow!" He said. "Ah ha!!" I said. He grinned and wrapped his arms around me. We got in the car and drove off towards town. We pulled up to the beach and it was packed. "Whoa. Lot of people out here." Ace said. "Yeah. Surf tournament is coming up. Everyone wants to practice as much as possible." I said.

I looked at him. "Speaking of practice, have you been practicing?" I asked. "I don't like practicing without you." He said. "Well come on. We're gonna stay here in front of everyone. I don't want Tabitha to figure out our secret beach." I said. We got out and walked over to the beach. Everyone greeted me. Once again, they all wanted autographs and pictures. I couldn't really hide it any longer that I was dating Ace.

Everyone started to question why he and I were always together and the adopted best friends things wasn't cutting it anymore. I grabbed Ace's hand and held it as we walked along the beach. Everyone started to take pictures of us. I looked up at Ace. He was staring at out the water. "Can you go first Angel?" He asked. "Sure and Ace? You're in no danger. There's plenty of lifeguards out here that can rescue you if you go under." I said.

"I'm more worried about a shark attacking me or getting stung by a jellyfish." He said. "Shark season is over with and being stung by a jellyfish is better than being bitten by a shark." I said. I kissed him before running out into the water. I paddled out to a wave and surfed it. I looked over and saw Ace watching me carefully. Some other surfs rode my wave. I glided across the wave.

Then I came in and gave the board to Ace. He looked at it. "Ace you'll be fine." I said. He looked at me and he had such fear in his eyes. I held his hand and squeezed it. "Want me to go out there with you?" I asked. "Can you?" He asked. I nodded. I walked over to the beach's shack and got and extra board. I held Ace's hand as we walked out into the water. We began to paddle out. "Remember what I showed you." I said.

He nodded and breathed deeply. "Ace you are the bravest and bitter man I've ever met yet you're terrified of surfing." I said. He looked down. "I just don't want to be a disappointment." He said. "When have you ever been a disappointment?" I asked. He looked at me. Just from that one look, I understand a thousand words. "Ace, just because your parents didn't want you doesn't mean you're a disappointment." I said.

I leaned over and kissed him. "If you were, then I'd fix you." I said. "I just don't want to let you down." He said. I scoffed. "Ace why does it matter what I think? You already know how I feel and what I think about you. You surfing is gonna make me even more proud of you. You've made such progress since we've been together. I mean you're still the same Ace, just in an even better way." I said.

I smiled at him. "You're in recovery. Recovery can be in any way, shape, or form. Illness, mindset, mental, physical, it doesn't matter. You've worked on you and you are a better person for it. So don't worry about disappointing me or anyone. Your parents have nothing to do with you. They gave you up? That's them. They missed out on one hell of a son." I continued.

"Stop!! You're making me blush." He said, covering his face. "So let's go!!!" I said. We paddled out and came to a small wave. Well, small for me. I looked at Ace as I gave him the signal to stand up. He stood up and looked at me. I showed him how to relax while on a board. We both glided along the wave. Ace chuckled. "I'm actually doing it!!" He said.

"You are!! I'm so proud of you!!" I squealed. We surfed some more before going back to shore. We were immediately bombarded by reporters, photographers, and camera crews. "Angel is this your boyfriend?" "Angel will you and your boyfriend become a power couple?" "Angel do you and your boyfriend hope to win the surf tournament this year?" The questions all came rolling in.

Police officers had to push everyone away. I looked at Ace. He was rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked. "All them flashing lights. I don't know how you can deal with that and answer them questions." He said. I laughed. "I try to answer the ones that don't involve my personal life." I said. We left the beach and drove off to get something to eat. We stopped at a stoplight and I turned my head.

"What is it?" Ace asked. I stared at the café. Christian filled my head. "The café Christian worked at." I said. Ace grabbed my hand. "I miss him too." He said. I wiped a tear away. "I've done enough crying." I said. "Do you want to go inside?" He asked. "No. That'll make me feel worse." I said. Ace drove off to Sonic. "Oh my God. Sonic has the best ice." I said. "Well duh. Their Sonic." He said.

We drove home and pulled up to the house. We got out and walked inside. Rose, Bailey, Kyle, and Mike greeted us. "What?" I asked, as they smirked. "You guys are all over the news." Rose said, squealing. She pulled me and Ace to the living room. I looked at the TV. "It is true. Angel Starlight was reportedly found holding hands with a mystery boy. Angel Starlight is in a relationship." A woman said.

"Now I gotta say: if you're dating a legend like Angel Starlight, you know it's gonna come with perks." The co-anchor said. "It really does." Ace said, kissing my cheek. I rolled my eyes and smiled. "The news is everywhere." Kyle said. "Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, everywhere!" Mike said. "Yeah but there are some downside. Tabitha and Rachel are both upset." Bailey said. "And? Let them." I said.

"Where is Rachel?" Ace asked. "Since the news broke, she's been downstairs in the basement all afternoon." Kyle said. "Well let her pout." Ace said. "Also, I'll be on the lookout." Bailey said. "Why?" I asked. "Because I think Tabitha is planning something big. I saw her going into a surf shop." Bailey said. "Don't tell me Tabitha is gonna start surfing?" Rose said.

Bailey shrugged. "I don't know." She said. "Well we all need to be careful then. You hang around us a lot too. They could target y'all next." I said. Bailey then gasped. Her eyes became milky white. "Oh boy. Her visions freaks me out." Mike said. Then Bailey came to. "Kya is in labor." She said. We all quickly ran out the door and to my car. We all got in and I sped off towards the hospital.

Oh Kya. Please be okay. Then Bailey gasped again. "Bailey what's happening now?" I asked. She gasped again. "I think Tabitha is playing in my blind spot. She's changing her mind too fast. I'm only getting glimpses. But she is headed for the hospital." She said. I sped up and swerved the car down the road. I slid into a parking spot and got out. We all ran into the hospital and asked for Kya.

I got her room number and quickly ran up to her room. I entered the room. "I'm sorry but no one can be allowed in her right now." The doctor said. "I'm her sister." I said. "LET MY SISTER IN!!" Kya screamed. Ace and them had to wait outside. "Angel!!" Kya whined. I held her hand. "I'm right here." I said. She cried and screamed as she pushed.

"Aw fuck!! I hate this!!" She yelled. "Just keep pushing. He's almost out." A nurse said. Kya screamed in agony as her baby was being born. Her labor lasted as long as ten hours til the baby finally came out. Kya groaned in relief as she gave one final push. "Here he is!! It's a boy!!" The doctor said. They cleaned him off as he cried. The doctor gave him to Kya as she relaxed. I kissed her forehead.

"You did good little bunny." I said. She smiled. "Now I see why you and Ace wanna wait to have kids." She said. I laughed. Then I heard yelling outside. I walked outside and saw Ace and them yelling at Tabitha. She looked at me as I glared at her. "Get the fuck outta here." I said, lowly. "It's a public place. I don't have to." She said. I pushed her into the wall. "Get out Tabitha!!" I yelled.

She got up and got in my face. "Put your hands on me again bitch." She said. I then wrapped my hands around her throat and slammed her into the wall. Ace and Kyle held me back. Mike and a doctor held her back. "Fucking psycho bitch!!" I cried. "Just you wait Angel!! That baby boy will be no more because of you!! And I'll record Kya's death as memento." She said. I screamed as I tried to get loose.

"Ace let me go!! Let me fade this bitch!!" I said, as I paused his arm away but he and Kyle held onto me tightly. "Angel stop!! Don't do this!! Think about Kya.

Think about your nephew. Think about your reputation. You really wanna ruin it because of Tabitha?" Kyle said. I glared Tabitha as she went down the elevator. We glared at each other as the elevator doors closed.

I shrugged Ace and Kyle off of me and walked back into Kya's room. "What happened?" Kya asked. "Tabitha happened." I said. "She's here?" She asked. I nodded. "Keep your son close to you Kya. I'm gonna stay here until you get out of the hospital. She's coming for you and your son." I said. It was about twenty minutes before they had to take Kya's baby away and get him looked at it.

Kya has to rest so we had to go. I paced the ground as we waited outside next to the car. I paced back and forth before I punched a nearby tree, breaking it. Ace held me. "Stop. She is not worth it." He said. "Ace she's threatening my little sister and her child." I said. "I know. Next time I see her, I'm killing her. Don't worry about it." He said. I shook my head.

"That's not enough for me Ace." I said. Bailey then gasped. Her eyes was once again milky white. "Oh come on. What now?" I asked. "Tabitha." She said. "What did she do now?" Rose asked. "Don't say it. We don't need no more news." Ace said. "What she do Bailey?" I asked. "Angel-" I cut Mike off. "I want to know!!" I said. Bailey stared at me.

"Bailey what she do?" I asked. 'I'm sorry. She killed Kya's Mom.' I broke down crying. "What?" Kyle asked. "Tabitha killed Kya's Mom. She's already at her house. We won't make it in time to stop her." Bailey said. I cried in Ace's arms. "Kya's gonna be upset." Rose said. "No. We don't tell her. She needs to rest." Kyle said. We sat in the car. My mind raced with all the things I wanted to do to Tabitha.

I smiled to myself as I pictured myself tearing this bitch's throat out. I felt a hand on mine. I didn't even need to look to see it was Ace. "Angel, I don't know what's going on inside your head, but I like your smile. Whatever it is, I'm in." He said. I nodded. "Good." I said. I looked at him. "Good." I said. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something important." He said.

"If you're proposing, the answer is no, I'm not ready. If you're going to tell me that you want a baby now, the answer is no. After what I just witnessed with Kya, I don't want kids right now." I said. He stared at me. "Hell no to both of those things. No. I wanted to talk to you about moving out." He said. I stared at him. "After graduation that is. Angel everyone has had enough of Rachel bossing us around." He said.

I nodded. "Yeah. I've had enough of f her slick ass comments." I said. He nodded. "Yeah. We're sick of her. So everyone is talking about moving out after graduation. Kyle and Rose already found their house. Mike and Bailey are still looking for theirs. And I wanted to know if you wanted to move in with me after graduation." He said. "Sure. Do you have any houses in mind?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I wanted to ask before I start looking on Zillow." He said. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through potential houses. "Ugh that's an ugly color." I said. "Oh my God. We can also repaint." He said. "Oh what about that one?" I asked. He looked at it then frowned. "We are not a damn soccer family." He said. I laughed. We scrolled through a lot of houses til we found one.

"That's the one." We both said at the same time. We both laughed. "So we getting that one?" He asked. I nodded. "I'll make an appointment." He said. I stared at him as he made a date. "What?" He asked. "Nothing." I said. I turned around and looked back at the hospital. My mind went back to Tabitha and Kya. I shook my knee violently. We actually stayed in the parking lot of the hospital til the morning.

Me and Ace took turns falling asleep. The others also helped out keep watch for Tabitha. When we entered the hospital, we headed straight for Kya's room. She looked at us when we walked in. "Hey. Where's Tabitha?" She asked. "Somewhere hiding."" Mike said. "But don't worry about that." Rose said. Kya looked at me. "Angel you look sad." She said. I nodded.

"I am." I said. "What happened now?" She asked. "I'm sorry Kya." I said. "Sorry for what?" She asked. "I had a vision yesterday. Tabitha killed your Mom." Bailey said. Kya shook her head. "You're lyin." She said. "I'm not lying Kya. I'm sorry." Bailey said. "Bailey that shit ain't even funny." Kya cried. None of us said anything. Kya began sobbing. I hugged her.

"Bruh I swear to God when I get out of this hospital, I'm gonna hunt down this bitch!!" She screamed. "Same here." I said. Tabitha watch yo back. You are not safe from me. "So Kya what did you name your son?" Ace asked. Kya wiped her face. "Christian." She said. I gasped and smiled. "I feel like I should honor him. For saving my sister from Chris." She said. I smiled.

"That's so sweet Kya." Rose said. "Ma'am? Ma'am!!" Someone said. We turned around to see a woman running away. My mind immediately went back to that day of the McDonald's bombing. "What's up?" Rose asked. "Someone call the police!!" The doctor yelled. "What happened?" Ace asked. "That woman Kant stole Ms. Starlight's baby." He said. We turned around and saw Rachel. "RACHEL!!" I screamed as the elevator doors closed.