Chapter 327: How long?

River POV

"What?" Denalii asks.

"How long?" I ask again. "It's been so long that everyone is crying. Has it been a long time?"

"River you haven't spoken in ten days." He says as he kisses my head and face.

"What! No.. yesterday was hard but it doesn't feel like it's been that long." I say confused.

"What do you remember last?" He asks.

"A shit show." I say looking down. "They came to call off the... the search." Tears spill over again.

He pulls my face to his. He kisses me lightly.

"Oh my Amorina, baby that was nine weeks ago."

"What!" I say sitting up. I grab my head when I get dizzy from moving so fast.

He sits up and holds my neck from behind.

"Just breathe my love. I'm here, I got you." He says. He kisses my forehead softly but holding it for a few moments.

"How? I don't understand. Denalii... I'm scared." I cry again harder.

"Shhhh princess. Just breathe. I know it's overwhelming but just hold on." He says rocking me. My eyes feel heavy.

"No!" I jump when he yells.

"I'm sorry. River please don't close those beautiful green eyes. Please just hold on my love. Annie's coming, she's been waiting for this please just hold on till she gets here."

The door flies open making us both jump.

Carter stands there breathing heavy.

"River!" He yells. He grabs my face and shines a light in my eyes as he holds my wrist tight.

He nods to Denalii with a huge smile on his face.

"Welcome back sweetheart." He hugs me tight.

"Carter." I say putting my hand to his face.

Lincoln comes flying in and grabs me pulling me from the bed to his arms.

"Oh god River." He holds me tight as he cries into my shoulder.

"Sorry sweetie. This is something I've wished for everyday for so long." He kisses my cheek. I look to the door and standing there is Ted and Victoria.

Victoria runs to me "River. Oh my goodness, I'm so happy. I was so scared that we lost you both." They both hug and kiss me.

It's overwhelming almost suffocating. I look at Carter for help.

"Okay guys, let's give her a minute. I don't want her overwhelmed. We need to give her room to breathe so she don't slip back." He squeezes my hand. Everyone kisses me and they head out.

Ted has to pretty much pry Victoria's hand from mine when she won't let go.

"Come my beautiful wife. Our daughter needs a minute. The boys are trying to get here but there is heavy traffic from the strip. Denalii why don't you both go get cleaned up." Ted says looking at Denalii then me.

"Thank you. I love you guys with all my heart." I say to them with a smile. I can't imagine their pain. I know mine is gut wrenching, I feel numb, I have this awful heaviness in my chest and I'm so heartbroken. It's a feeling that's hard to explain till you've been there and that's just from being someone who loves him, I could never imagine how hard it is for them as his parents.

I start crying. Carter hugs me "Sweetheart I'll be back in a little while to check in okay?" I hug him tightly "Thank you Carter."

Denalii takes his place hugging me.

"Talk to me Amorina." I shiver when he calls me that. Little love is what it means and now I  remember looking it up when I remembered it in a dream at the hospital.

I turn and kiss him. He tenses for a minute "River" he says pulling back a little.

I stand and head to the bathroom before he can see me crying.

"River wait!" He says standing.

I shut the door and slide down it, pulling my knees to my chest. As soon as my head touches my knees I start crying as silently as I can.

He doesn't want me now. He thinks I'm disgusting now that he knows, what if they all think that now? My tears come faster and harder, I cover my mouth with my hand trying to stifle the sobs as my body shakes.

"Baby I'm so sorry please open the door." Denalii says after he lightly knocks on the door.

I shake my head. I can't, I won't, I'm disgusting and my body is hideous. He'll leave soon.

"Fuck, River please answer me. I'm sorry please." He sounds so sad but I can't face him, I can't face any of them. I got to get out of here. Oh god what about my Annie? I need to see her, she sounded so excited to hear my voice. I hear a louder knock this time.

"Amorina please. Baby please answer me. I'm a idiot you just caught me off guard. I wasn't sure you'd even want to see me after what I did. After what I caused, I'm sorry I'm so sorry it's all my fault he did that, please forgive me. I love you." His voice trembles he sounds so broken. Why would he think it was his fault.

"It wasn't your fault Denalii." I say through my tears and ragged breath. I stand trying to wipe my tears but they're coming out faster than I can wipe them away.

"You held my hand and talked to me everyday. I felt you with me the whole time even after I woke up" I sob out "Why didn't you ever come back for me?" I drop to the floor sobbing not trying to hide it this time.

"Please come out my princess please." He says in Italian. My breath and body tremble as I lay on the cold floor.

"You didn't want me after. You walked away and just left me behind, I was alone and you left me." I sob out with broken ragged breathes. I can't breathe my chest hurts so much. My eyes get heavier. I jerk my head back up. Anne. I have to hold it together for my daughter, I have to stay awake she needs me. Her little cries shattered what was left of my heart.

"What happened?" Pickle says.

"I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." I hear Denalii say sounding like he's crying.

"Kitten it's me can you let me in?" Pickle asks.

I try to cover my sobs.

"What did you do?" Lucky yells at Denalii.

"Enchantress baby come open this door so I don't break it down." I laugh a little.

"I heard that laugh baby please open this door our daughter isn't to far behind us." Pickle pleads with me.

"Annie." I say quietly. I stand walking to the sink.

I splash water on my face.

"Stand back enchantress." Lucky yells.

I hurry and open the door. I keep my face down not knowing if I can look at them.

Lucky picks me up quickly kissing me. I freeze and my breath hitches. He pulls away slowly grabing my ass pulling me to his waist. He walks us to bed as he just touches my face, he runs his fingers through my hair.