‘I got him on the landline. They only got bloody pissed in the cinema without their phones. He’s helping her back upstairs to bed and will get her to ring you when she’s settled in which shouldn’t be long. Apart from slightly drunk, she’s fine.’
‘O thank god, thank you.’
‘Come on, let’s get you to the bathroom and sorted while we wait.’
He helped me up and waited outside while I went to the toilet and changed my towel and flushed the chain. I called for him to come back in and he stood behind me at the sink holding my hips while I washed my hands and brushed my teeth. I looked at us both in the mirror, neither of us looked our best. I was still pale and had puffy eyes and red cheeks from crying and he looked exhausted and on edge. He held my hand and walked me back to bed. Agnes returned with our drinks and checked my readings and took me off the monitor and tubes and announced that she’d return in the middle of the night to check on me, but that we were to press the buzzer for her if we needed her.
‘Here’s your phone baby, I need a shower and to get changed.’
‘You’re not going to drink your coffee?’
‘I’ll take in the bathroom so you girls can talk in private ok?’
‘Ok.’
‘No getting out of bed Mia, I mean it. Don’t make me mad with you.’
I nodded and lay back in the bed and put my hands over my eyes. I was tired, suddenly really tired and felt like crying again, it was getting ridiculous. I lay with my eyes closed for a few minutes and suddenly felt my phone vibrate. Lexi was facetiming me.
‘Lexi?’ I answered and started crying again as I saw her face.
‘Mia I’m so sorry. Christ you look like shit.’
‘Thanks a lot, I’ve been worried sick about you, are you ok?’ I sniffed.
‘Great now I’ve had a good sleep and a few bottles of beer. I’m so sorry Mia, I’d turned my phone off to have a sleep and when Doug woke me up I figured you’d still be out of it so we had a few beers and then suddenly it’s night. How are you? You’re crying.’
‘I can’t stop bloody crying Lexi. I was all happy earlier, now I’m a blubbering wreck. I need to know if you’re ok first, I’ve been worrying. What happened?’
‘I felt off the last couple of days and not long after you went in I started with awful stomach cramps. Gabe helped me into the bathroom and called the nurse when I saw blood. She came and sat with me until the cramps had passed. There was a lot of blood and I’m still bleeding now, she said it could take a while for it to stop.’
‘God Lexi. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.’
‘I feel better that it happened like this. I was starting to worry that maybe I wasn’t doing the right thing having the abortion, so at least I won’t ever look back and wonder if I made the wrong decision going through with it eh?’
‘Lexi this is me you’re talking to. You’re not just being brave are you?’
‘No really Mia, I didn’t want a baby, but I also didn’t want the pressure I felt over whether or not to terminate either, so it really has worked out for the best. Do I sound callous that I’m relieved?’
‘No of course not, it wasn’t a good time for you and like you said if you’d have had a baby, you weren’t sure if you could give it up so your whole live would have changed.’ I rubbed my eyes, I was feeling a bit dizzy.
‘I can’t believe we’ve both had something major happen and we’re not together. That just sucks. I should be there for you Mia,’ she sighed.
‘I know, I feel the same about you Lex. Why did they let you out so quickly?’ I could feel my head spinning and it was hard trying to focus my eyes.
‘Not a lot they can do once it’s happened. I told Gabe I’d get a taxi home, but he insisted you’d never forgive him. He carried me down to his car, all Richard Gere again, just like he did with you. Then he took me back to his house, got me into bed and sat with me holding my hand, but I could see he was fretting about you. I told him to go, but he refused to leave me alone, he said he’d promised you he wouldn’t and you’d never forgive him if he left me. He was so sweet Mia, you’ve so struck lucky with him.’
‘I really have,’ I sobbed, he was such a good boyfriend, he really deserved better.
‘Shit you’re crying again, you’ll have piggy eyes in the morning.’
‘I know,’ I half laughed through my tears and the wooziness that was threatening to overcome me. ‘So what happened?’
‘I insisted on calling Doug and telling him and asking for his help, problem solved. So enough about me, I’m fine.’
‘Is Doug ok? It’s not screwed things up?’
‘He was really sweet Mia and no it’s not screwed things up. He’s downstairs making me a cup of tea and ordering a takeaway. I can fill you in on him when I see you.’
‘You’re not just saying that? You’re really ok? He’s ok?’
‘No really Mia, we’re both fine, I’m more worried about you, you’re still crying.’
‘I’m ok … I’m actually … feeling really tired and very woozy all of a sudden.’
‘So Gabe filled Doug in on your results, I’m sorry Mia.’
‘Why’s everyone soooo sorry. I’ll take some painkillers when I need to and be fine.’
‘I meant the kids thing.’
‘O,’ I sighed. ‘Don’t you start as well … Gabe’s upset again that … that I don’t seem bothered about it. What’s it … with … god Lex I feel really… really weird and dizzy.’
‘Mia where’s Gabe is he with you?’
‘The shower.’ I tried to focus my eyes on her, but she was all fuzzy.
‘Call him for me.’
‘Lexi … I’m fine.’
‘You don’t look fine, your pupils are like saucers, you’re slurring and your head keeps flopping. Mia call him please I want to talk to him.’
‘Gabe … Lexi wants you,’ I yelled. I tried to focus my eyes when the bathroom door opened, I was sure I could see two of him in his little towel, that cheered me up straight away. I smiled and giggled and waved my phone at him and felt him take it off me.
‘Hi Lex, you ok? ... Good … she’ll be fine. She was getting really upset so the nurse gave her some painkillers and a really strong sedative to calm her down and it looks like it’s taking effect. I better go, she looks out of it … yes I will … You too and speak to you in the morning … and Lex keep your phone on you please. It’s bad enough me worrying about her without you and bloody Doug as well … I know, you’re welcome. See you tomorrow hopefully. Night.’
‘Gabe?’ I was really struggling to keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds. I felt his hand stroking my hair.
‘Hey baby, it’s the drugs, don’t fight them you need to sleep. I’m here, I’m staying here with you ok, so go to sleep. I love you.’ I felt his lips on my forehead.
‘I love … you … ’ I felt my head roll to the side as I zoned out.
I woke up when I heard the door go and half opened my eyes to see it the room slightly illuminated from the light in the corridor and felt something around my arm tighten and heard beeping again.
‘It’s just me Agnes doing your obs, go back to sleep Mia, I’ve put a blanket on Gabe and I’ll come and check on you again in the morning.’
I heard the door close and the room went black again and I went straight back to sleep dreaming about Gabe.
I woke up again and yawned then suddenly remembered where I was and lay looking up at the ceiling letting my eyes become accustomed to the darkness. I frowned wondering why my left hand and arm were so numb and realised Gabe was asleep, half sitting in the chair, bent over with his head on my arm, holding my hand. I carefully leaned over and took my phone off the bedside table. It was 4 a.m. and I could just make out that his bed hadn’t been slept in.
‘Gabe,’ I ran my free hand gently through his hair ‘Gabe wake up.’ I felt him stir.
‘Mia?’ he groaned. ‘What time is it?’
‘4 a.m.’
; ‘Really?’ He sat up and I squinted as he put on the bedside light. ‘Are you ok baby?’
‘I’m fine, why are you in the chair?’
‘You were really groggy and I just wanted to sit with you.’ He stretched and yawned. ‘I must’ve drifted off. Where did this blanket come from?’
‘Agnes came to check on me. She covered you up. Gabe please get into your bed, you look exhausted.’
‘I’ll sleep here, I want to be close to you,’ he said with another yawn.
‘Your bed’s like two feet away.’
‘I can’t hold your hand from there.’
‘Then get in with me.’
‘I can’t, what if I accidentally hurt you?’
‘I’ll lie on my side and you cuddle up behind me. That way you can’t accidentally elbow me in the stomach.’
‘Mia.’
‘I’m not leaving you half sitting in a bloody chair all night Gabe, so either get in with me or I’m getting on your lap, take your pick.’
‘Bossy Mia’s back. Well at least you’ve stopped bloody crying.’
‘I don’t know what happened, I was on the phone to Lexi and went all weird.’
‘Sorry, you were upset so I asked Agnes to sedate you to make you sleep.’
‘Well I slept a lot better than you by the looks of it. Pass me one of your pillows will you,’ I asked and he leaned back and grabbed one and I tucked it into my right hand side. ‘Ok give me a second to roll over.’ I pushed myself up on my hands and gently tilted and bit my lip to stop a wince of pain escaping. Shit it seriously pulled to turn over. I got onto my side and tucked the pillow against my stomach to stop me rolling too far forwards and had to fight back some tears of pain. I felt way more comfortable on my back but I knew that would mean he wouldn’t get in with me. ‘Ok, do you have enough room?’ I felt him lie down and tuck in behind me and bit my lip as the mattress moved and the pull in my stomach tightened.
‘I’ve loads of room baby, are you sure you’re ok?’ he asked, cuddling up against me.
‘Yes thanks and it’s nice to feel you next to me. I’m sorry I keep crying.’
‘It’s fine, come on baby, you need to sleep. I want to be able to take you home tomorrow. If I can, we can sleep in my comfy super king and I don’t have to sleep with joggers on in case a nurse comes in and sees me full frontal with my morning glory.’
‘Permanent glory more like. Agnes would have a heart attack if she saw that and Ann doesn’t need any more encouragement to flirt to flirt with you thank you.’
‘I love it when you get all jealous. What did you call it? Ah yes, my orgasmic smile.’
‘What?’
‘Hmmm, one of the many things you said while you were out of it earlier,’ he murmured as he kissed the back of my neck.
‘I really said that?’
‘Yes, why are you taking it back?’
‘No, I’m just embarrassed.’
‘Why embarrassed?’
‘Because some of the things I think are downright lustful and you shouldn’t have to hear those.’
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t want you to think that all you are to me is an incredibly hot body and face,’ I mumbled and he laughed.
‘I know you love me Mia, but it doesn’t hurt a guy’s ego to hear that he visually pleases his girl. I’d love to hear more of your thoughts.’
‘Then I’ll tell you when I’m able to enjoy the benefits of them.’
‘O god don’t tease me, how many days before I can touch you again?’
‘I need to ask that tomorrow. Look on the bright side, you may not be alive by morning anyway. I think Agnes is going to kick your arse when she finds you in bed with me in the morning,’ I giggled and he laughed again, which made me properly laugh and then wince at the same time.
‘Come on baby, go to sleep for me please,’ he said kissing the back of my neck.
‘Night Gabe.’
‘Night Mia, now sleep.’
Wednesday
I opened my eyes when I heard noises coming from the corridor. Gabe was curled tightly around me with his arm draped over my hip and his face nestled in the curve of my neck. I could feel a painful drag in my stomach and I was desperate for the toilet. I carefully lifted his arm off me, turned back the bed sheets, dropped my legs over the edge and very slowly sat up yawning. I heard him moan and looked back at him, amazingly he was still asleep, I figured he must be seriously tired. I took a deep breath and holding onto the foot of the bed, I carefully stood up and was surprised that I felt better than I expected.
I tucked Gabe back in and stood watching him for a while and smiled. I could see why he sat watching me sleeping, I could just sit here for hours studying … just everything. Shit I had it so bad for him, how had he wormed his way into my heart so quickly? I sighed, much as I’d love to stay and look at him the toilet was calling. I went to the bathroom and changed my towel, brushed my teeth and examined the dark circles under my eyes, I’d definitely looked better. I lifted my t-shirt and looked at my stomach, it had gone down a bit but I could see bruising appearing around the edges of the dressings. I smelled of sanitised hospital, so had a quick wash and brushed my hair knotting it up and went back into the bedroom.
Gabe was still fast asleep, I stood at the end of the bed and studied him again. His blond hair was ruffled up from his sleepless night, his long dark lashes fanned out across his chiselled cheek and his perfectly formed lips were slightly parted as he gently breathed. I looked at his strong shoulder and muscular arm hanging over the top of the sheet and felt butterflies in my stomach as I looked at him. He was just so perfect, perfect and mine. I sighed, smiling, and pulled on my dressing gown and crept out into the corridor to stretch my legs and walked into Agnes.
‘Morning Mia, you’re up early. How are you feeling?’
‘Good I think, I’m tired but I can move a lot better than I thought. What time is it?’
‘Just after six, I was coming to check on you, give you your painkillers and make your bed.’
‘Do you have to do the bed now?’
‘If you’ve bled more I need to change the sheets.’
‘No, no more bleeding, it’s just Gabe wasn’t sleeping well and he climbed in and he’s fast asleep. He had a rough day yesterday and I’d like to leave him to get some rest for a while if that’s ok?’ I looked at her expecting a disapproving frown and was surprised to see her smile softly.
‘Well he didn’t look very comfortable lying in that chair last night, holding onto your hand.’
‘He tells me you had to sedate me, I’m sorry if I’ve been any trouble. I just couldn’t stop crying.’
‘You may feel like that for a few days Mia. I need to check your blood pressure, and I’d like to remove your dressings to see how you’re doing and then let you have a shower, so I’ll come to you last.’
‘Thank you.’
I spent twenty minutes walking up and down the corridor and then read my kindle app on the spare bed until Agnes crept in to check me. She removed my dressings and seemed pleased with the incisions and butterfly stitches and my blood pressure reading was ok, if not still on the low side. She told me I could take a shower and that Dr Wells would come and see me at about ten. I ordered breakfast, a full English for Gabe, with coffee and orange juice, then muesli, croissants and apple juice for myself then I carried on reading until seven thirty and I decided to have my shower. I stripped off and took my shampoo and body wash into the wet room area. It felt so good to let the hot water wash over me and I put my hands against the tiles and let it run down my hair and back. I suddenly jumped, as I felt hands gently grasp my hips and a body press up behind me.
‘I woke up and you were gone,’ Gabe murmured as he kissed the back of my head. I leaned back, resting my head on his shoulder and enjoyed feeling his bare skin against mine.
‘Sorry, you looked so tired and you were fast asleep.’
‘How long have you been up?’
‘
A couple of hours,’ I smiled up at him and he moved an arm up and lay it across the top of my breasts and gently ran his other hand over my stomach.
‘How does it feel?’
‘Ok, a bit sore, but much better.’ I tried to turn around and he held my chest tightly.
‘No don’t.’
‘I want to see you.’
‘I’m hard, I don’t want to hurt your stomach,’ he advised. I reached for his fingers and caressed them and turned my head, brushing my cheek back and forth across his chest.
‘I’m so sorry Gabe, you had a pretty shit day yesterday, with me and everything else.’
‘I’m glad I was here, I dread to think what state you’d have got yourself into.’
‘Agnes reckons Dr Wells will discharge me later.’
‘O god I hope so.’ He kissed the side of my neck making my skin burn. ‘Shit did Agnes see me in your bed? Am I in trouble with her?’
‘Yes she saw you. I think she thought it was sweet you wanted to sleep with me. Gabe please let me turnaround, I want to kiss you and put my arms around you.’
‘Then no pressing against me Mia, I don’t want to hurt you.’ He let go of me and stepped back, gasping as I turned around. He reached out and ran his fingers carefully over my stitches and bruises. ‘O god Mia.’
‘Gabe I’m fine, please stop worrying.’ I stepped towards him and he took a quick step back.
‘Mia don’t come near me, I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘Gabe please it probably looks worse than it is, I want you to hold me.’ I moved forward and placed my hands on his chest and stepped into him pressing my stomach to him. I felt him tense as his erection lay heavy against my belly. ‘I’m ok, it doesn’t hurt.’
I felt him exhale and relax a little, before putting a gentle arm around me. He tipped my head up to look at him and kissed me tenderly. I reached up and grasped his wet hair and kissed back harder and heard him groan as my tongue made its way into his mouth. I felt my nipples harden and a twinge in my stomach as everything started to contract, at least I could kiss him now without any major pain. I wondered how long it would be before we could have sex again. It was only 24 hours and I craved him.
Forever & an Engine (The Austin Series) Page 19
