I awoke with a start, totally confused as to where I was. It took a little bit to rember I was in the hospital and I relaxed against the pillows.
A nurse rushed in, flooding my room with light. "Are you okay?"
"I think so," I said.
"You were screaming," she said.
"I was?" I sighed. "I’m so sorry."
"Don’t apologize, sweetie. Let’s make you more comfortable. Are you in pain?"
"A little, but it’s manageable."
"From one to ten?"
"Eight."
She smiled. "Manageable, huh?"
I sighed.
"You’re a pretty tough cookie." She pushed sothing through the IV and my pain disappeared. "Better?"
"Much."
"Press this button if you need anything else, okay?"
I nodded and the nurse set the call button by my hand.
"Can I do anything for you before I leave you?"
"Can you please grab a phone?" I asked. "I need to ring my daughter."
"Of course."
She rolled the table over with the phone and showed how to turn the light off and on, and then left to call Poppy.
"Hello?" Ali answered.
"Hey, lovey."
"Oh, Maisie." Ali breathed out a sigh of relief. "How are you?"
"Tired, but good. How’s Poppy?"
"She’s good. She finally fell asleep about an hour ago. Do you want to wake her?"
"No," I rushed to say. "Let her sleep. But she can call even if it’s the middle of the night, okay?"
"Definitely. We’ve got her, honey, okay? You take care of yourself. We’ll be there tomorrow before your surgery."
"Okay, Ali. Thank you for everything. Seriously. I don’t think I could do life without you."
"Hey, don’t get mushy on now."
I smiled. "Fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Love you, honey."
"Love you too." I hung up and relaxed against the pillows again.
For the next half-hour or so, I tried to sleep, but every ti I closed my eyes, I’d jump awake, the accident flashing in my dreams. I pulled the phone toward again, found Hatch’s card, and dialed his number, chalking my insanity up to the drugs.
"Yeah?" Hatch answered, his voice gruff with sleep.
"Hi. It’s Maisie."
"Hey, Sunshine, you okay?"
I nodded, although, I realized he couldn’t see . "I’m sorry if I woke you. I can’t seem to sleep."
"You in pain?"
"No, the nurse took care of that. I keep having nightmares." I sighed. "Poppy’s asleep which is good, but I’m here listening to my own thoughts and I see the accident over and over again."
"I bet."
"Anyway, thanks for answering."
He chuckled. "You can wake anyti, baby."
I bit back a yawn. "I’ll let you go. I’m going to try and sleep."
"Okay. You call if you need to. I’ll keep my phone close."
"Thanks." I smiled. "And thanks for everything today. I really appreciate it."
"No problem."
He hung up and I closed my eyes, finally succumbing to sleep again.
Pain sliced through my arm and I gasped awake.
"Maisie? You okay?"
I frowned and followed the sound of Hatch’s voice. "Hatch?"
He was walking toward my bed and I thought I might be dreaming. He smiled down at . "Hey, Sunshine."
"What are you doing here?"
He stroked my cheek. "Thought it might be easier for you if I was here."
I bit back tears. "That’s so nice," I whispered.
"I’ll find the nurse and get you so pain killers."
I nodded, and he left the room, returning quickly with a nurse following, syringe in her hand. "I’m Sammi. I’m here for the next six hours, so if you need , just let know. You’re in pain, huh?"
I nodded.
She smiled. "You made it over four hours. You’re a rock star," she said, and pumped more morphine into my system. I felt instant relief.
"How long until surgery?" I asked, forcing back a yawn.
"A few hours," the nurse said. "Try and get so sleep. The doctor will be in soon."
My bladder was screaming at , but I didn’t know if I could move. "I need to..." I pointed toward the restroom.
"I’ll step out," Hatch said, and left the room.
Sammi helped slide my legs over the side of the bed, then walked into the bathroom. I moved slowly, still weak and sore, but at least my head felt back to normal.
After doing my thing, we headed back toward the bed and I faltered. Sammi pulled a chair toward quickly and I sat down. "I’ll get soone to help."
She pulled open the door and Hatch stepped in. "What’s wrong?"
"It’s okay. Your wife was just a little dizzy."
"Well do sothin’," he ordered.
"Just need to get her back to bed so she can rest. I’ll call an orderly."
"I got it," he said, and stalked inside.
"I’m okay," I countered.
Hatch shook his head. "Loop your left arm around my neck, okay? I’m gonna lift you, but I don’t want you to move your right arm."
"I can do it, Hatch."
"Don’t argue with , yeah?"
"I’m too heavy."
"Baby, will you please shut the fuck up? I’ve got you."
He leaned down and I looped my left arm around him. He lifted effortlessly and carried to the bed, setting gently on the mattress with a smile. "You good?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"Okay, I’ll wait outside again."
I gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks."
"Your man is quite the hottie," Sammi said as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around my good arm.
I smiled. "We actually don’t know each other very well."
"Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were married."
"Nope."
"And he’s here taking care of you?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes. Strange, eh?"
"I think it’s pretty darn special. Keep that one around if you can."
A sweet kind of warmth filled my heart. "I’ll keep that in mind."
Sammi took a few more readings and then smiled. "Want to send him back in?"
I nodded. After making sure I was comfortable and the call button was close, she left and Hatch walked back in.
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