Ally

“Are you nearly ready to go home?” Nurse Georgia approaches the side of my bed, she’s way too bright for this time in the morning.

With effort, I plaster a smile on my face and answer. “Yeah.”

“Well, don’t sound so enthusiastic. Someone might think you actually don’t want to leave us,” she chuckles.

“I do, it’s just been a long week.”

I sigh as Cynthia walks through the door with JT by her side and glance at the clock on the wall to see it’s 8am. “You guys are here early.”

“We figured, the sooner we got here, the sooner we could take you home.”

She smiles at me, comes to a stop beside the bed, bends and gives me a hug.

“How are you doing, little man?” I ask JT.

“Really good. Mum let me have the day off school. She said since I’ve been such a good boy this week, she’s going to buy me a new PS4 game.” He beams a huge smile and looks up at his mother with hopeful eyes.

“Really! That’s awesome, what game are you going to get?”

Swinging his eyes to mine he shrugs. “Not sure yet, there are a couple I want.”

“Of course, there are,” I laugh, only wincing a little bit at the action.

The doctor told me yesterday that my throat may still hurt for another week or so, but my tests came back clear and I was allowed to go home as long as I promised to take it easy for the next couple of weeks.

“The doctor should be in shortly with your discharge papers then you’re good to go,” Nurse Georgia said.

“Thank you,” I reply, eager to get out of here.

“Why did you call me to pick you up? Not that I mind, but where is X?” Cynthia asks.

A lump forms in my throat for my man.

“X’s dad called late last night and asked if he could help him with the funeral arrangements for his mum this morning.” My eyes glaze over and the words sound watery to my own ears. I bite my lip to stop the tears from falling, but it’s no use, one escapes to trickle down my cheek. My heart feels heavy in my chest as guilt rides hard down my back knowing he was here with me and not with his mother.

“Fair enough.” Cynthia stares through the window, sadness in her gaze, no doubt remembering how heartbroken X looked two days ago.

“When is the service?” she whispers.

I check on JT and make sure he’s good before I speak. He’s taken a seat against the far wall, pulled out his 3DS, popped his earbuds in and has immersed himself in his game. Satisfied he’s occupied, I answer.

“Thursday at 10am.”

Cynthia opens her mouth to say something before a voice comes from the door and Dr. Vargas walks in with what I assume are my discharge papers in his hand.

“Miss Malone, everything seems to be in order and you’re ready to leave us. Remember, take it easy for a couple of weeks. You’ll feel weak but your strength will slowly return over time. Apart from that, there shouldn’t be any other issues.”

“Thank you for everything, Doctor.” I push the blankets off my legs and swing my feet over the edge. Trying to go slow as my sock covered feet touch the floor, I blow out a small breath and try to gear myself up to move off the bed. I hate how bloody sluggish my body feels. It will only be my second time out of this bed in a week. The first time, X was here to help me. When he took me for a short walk last night, his arm was wrapped around me for support and he watched every step I took.

“Let’s get you changed.” Cynthia grabs the bag she packed for me from the floor and pulls out some clothes before helping me to my feet. Once I’m steady, she helps me to the bathroom.

“Do you need me to help you change?”

I shake my head, feeling like shit that she thinks she needs to help me.

“I don’t mind,” she says softly, nothing but sincerity coating her words.

“I should be fine, but I’ll call out if I need help.”

“Okay.” She opens the door and places my clothes on the closed lid of the toilet seat before walking out and closing the door behind her.

After stripping off the hospital gown, I grab my clothes off the toilet lid and throw them on, pulling my grey sweatshirt on over my bra. I stare at my black leggings, not sure if I have the strength to put them on standing up and I would probably fall on my ass if I lean against the wall. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I sit on the closed toilet lid and tug them on. Gripping the sink, I pull myself up and shimmy them the rest of the way over my ass. Still gripping the sink, I lean over, grab the hospital gown and pop it in the bin provided. Looking into the mirror, I run my hands through my unruly hair and despair that I now have permanent bed hair! Frustrated that it’s not doing what I want, I pluck a hair tie from the shelf above the sink and throw it up in a messy bun on top of my head. It’s just gonna have to do until I get home, have a shower and wash it.

Pushing the door open, I take a few slow unsteady steps into the room, pushing a wayward strand of hair behind my ear.

“Okay let’s get...” I stop dead in my tracks and my heart flutters in my chest as Xavier strides into the room, as large as life.

He’s wearing a pair of worn blue denim jeans and a black hoodie with Xtreme Ink written across the front in white. I take a deep swallow so I don’t drool at the sight. He is sporting a short beard, he hasn’t shaved for the past week and his dark hair is messy but sexy as fuck. His blue eyes drop to my feet and slowly track up every inch of my body. When they finally meet mine, a sexy smirk curls his lips and a look of primal hunger reflects in his eyes shooting want straight to my core.

“What are you doing here?” I wonder out loud, my voice shaky.

I struggle to get my body to behave.  

“Babe, I’m here to take you home. Did you think I wouldn’t be here?” His deep voice rumbles straight through me.

I clench my fists at my sides as he cocks a dark eyebrow, daring me to argue with him. I can’t and don’t want to stop the smile spreading over my face, but then it falls just as quick knowing he should be with his dad.

“I called Cynthia so you could help your dad and not have to worry about me.”

“I will always worry about you, Sweetness, and no-one except me is taking you home. How many times am I going to have to keep telling you, when it comes to your health, I’m in charge? Now, let’s get your stuff together and get the hell out of here.”

While he speaks he closes the distance between us and wraps his arms around my waist. I lay my hands flat against his chest and gaze up into his calming blue eyes. I notice they’re a little bloodshot thanks to so many sleepless nights. I melt into his warm touch, feeling centered for the first time since last night.

Bending down, he plants a light kiss to my forehead before his lips linger over my now sensitive skin. His warm breath washes over my face and the hint of coffee lingers around me.

“This helps.” He whispers so only I can hear him. “Holding you grounds me and settles the raging emotions running rampant through me.”

With my hands pressed to his hard chest, I push up on my toes and brush my lips over his, knowing exactly what he means.

“You help me breathe,” I whisper across his lips and my voice catches on the last word.

Before I can suck down my next breath, his lips crash against mine, making my head spin. What I thought would be a hard and commanding kiss turns out to be the complete opposite. His lips seem to entice mine and conjure them to open as he runs his warm tongue across my bottom lip. I hum in the back of my throat when one of his hands twists into my messy bun and holds me in place, but not too hard that it frightens me. I know I could break free at any moment, but I don’t think my body would let me even if I wanted to. Instead, a whimper slips free when his tongue glides across mine. My fingers gently twist into his messy hair and my nails scrap across his scalp. Time is lost as we soak each other in. Bursts of colour flash behind my closed lids and my body presses harder into his, wanting the safe warmth of his body to surround every inch of me. Pulling back after what feels like hours but was probably only a couple of minutes, we try to catch our breaths. Panting softly, my eyes flutter open, not wanting this all-consuming moment to end. I tuck my head under his chin.

“I’ve missed you,” he breathes into my ear.

I burrow my head into his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart settle me.

“I’ve missed you, too,” I murmur.

I’m worried he may not have heard me, but he squeezes me tighter, answering my unspoken question.

“Well, since you guys are good, I think I’ll take little Mister here to get his game.” Cynthia’s voice breaks into our moment.

Looking over my shoulder, I feel the heat blaze in my cheeks. I was totally lost in the moment and had forgotten she was still in the room.

“Sorry,” I mouth to her.

“It’s fine. JT is too wrapped up in his game to have noticed, but I might need to get a cold drink on the way out,” she laughs and waves a hand in front of her face, a smile a mile wide curves her lips.

X laughs, a deep belly laugh that vibrates through me. Releasing him, I pull Cynthia into a tight hug, promising to call her later and plan for a much-needed movie night.

“You’d better," she laughs before letting me go. Crouching down, she helps JT pack up his things.

“Will you come and play with me after I get my new game?" JT bounces on his toes in front of me, excitement spilling from him in waves.

“Try and stop me buddy." I give him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug before they walk out the door.

Turning, I head to the bed to grab my bag but find X already has it in his hand.

“Come on, Babe, let me take you home.” He holds out his free hand.

Taking X’s strong, rough hand in mine, I revel in the feeling of it as it completely engulfs mine. Making our way out of the room X drops my hand and wraps his arm around my waist.

“I got you, Babe.” He plants a kiss to the crown of my head.

Without doubt, I know he truly has got me. X has been by my side day in and day out, keeping me strong and pushing me forward. Now it’s time for me to do the same for him as he works through the difficult days ahead.

Glancing over my shoulder, a secret smile on my face, I look through the window at the beautiful Autumn day. Noticing for the first time in days, the clear crisp blue sky with not a cloud in sight. A slight sway in the trees makes the golden, red and brown leaves dance gracefully. I’m reminded of the crisp chilly air we are about to face once we’re outside and I snuggle deeper into X’s side. A warmth runs through me knowing, no matter what, the man at my side will shield me from anything which lies ahead of us. Our strength together has me looking forward to the bright new days to come.