Are you okay ? she whispered, looking like she was on the verge of tears.
I’m fine gorgeous, I grinned, putting on a brave face. Nothing I can’t handle.
Hi Noah, how are you feeling today ? Doctor Adams asked, taking a step in to the room, holding what looked like a ton of paperwork. Do you feel any better ?
I feel great, I nodded. A few pains here and there but I’m dealing with it.
Yeah, Mr Macho over here is a real trooper, Dean grinned, smirking at me.
Chuckling softly, I gave him the finger. He didn’t know it, or he just didn’t realise it but that had been the first time he had joked with me since I had woken up. For the past four days, he had just sat down at my bed with Jen and he never said a word, almost like he was too afraid to. But as I stared up at him, smiling as Doctor Adams explained whatever he was on about, I could tell that he was finally coming around. I had my best friend back.
Did you hear that Noah ? Lily practically shouted in my ear, before she started jumping up and down on the spot.
What ? I said absent mindedly, glancing back up towards the doctor.
I said you can go home today Noah, he grinned. You’re going to need a few days bed rest and someone to help you get through the day to day things, but you’ve made remarkable progress and all your tests have come back normal. I think you’re ready to go.
Are you serious ? I asked, a huge grin breaking out. I can really go home ?
You don’t belong here anymore Noah, he nodded. It’s time for you to go home.
I had so much I wanted to say to him. To say thankyou for saving me but before I could, he just smiled at me and stepped back, closing the door as he left. All of a sudden, cries of delight echoed around the room as my entire family hugged eachother. I laughed as Rich pulled JJ off the bed and hugged him tightly. The happiness just radiated throughout the room, and the smiles on everyone’s faces were one of the best things I had ever seen. Tears pooled in my eyes as my mother and father walked over to me. They didn’t say anything, just kissed me on the forehead before practically running back over to everyone else and continuing the celebrations. Only one person was missing ; Lily.
Clenching my teeth together to ignore the pain, I sat up and turned to the left where Lily was sitting in one of the chairs, tears streaming down her cheeks. Why are you crying ? I asked, holding my hand out to her.
And then she did something unexpected. She started laughing, and it was the most beautiful sound that I had ever heard. I started laughing along with her, my eyes wide as she started rocking back and forth in her chair in hysterics. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she took hold of my hand and kept on giggling. Her cheeks had turned a pale red, and I couldn’t put my finger on it but there was just something different. Her eyes just seemed full of life and for the first time she looked completely at ease. It was the best thing I had ever seen.
Ok, you’re starting to freak me out now, I chuckled. You’re not going looney on me ? Are you ?
Lily took a deep breath and squeezed my hand. After a brief moment, she looked up from the floor and I smiled when I noticed her tear stained cheeks. I’m sorry, I don’t know what that was, she whispered, a goofy grin on her face. I just totally lost control. But I was so happy. You’re finally coming home. I’ve been waiting to hear those words for a long time.
So have I, I said, pulling her so she settled down on the bed next to me. I could tell she didn’t want to hurt me as her body wasn’t touching mine, but I just couldn’t take the distance anymore. With a grunt of pain, I pulled her against me.
Noah, I can’t
Shh, I smiled, closing my eyes as she reluctantly settled in against me. The wound was on the other side so after a moment, the shooting pain disappeared and all I could feel was Lily’s body heat against me. My family and everything else just seemed to fade away ; and all I could feel was Lily. I’ve missed you gorgeous, I whispered, turning to face her. Missed being close to you.
I never left, she said, looking in to my eyes. I promised I wouldn’t. And I never did.
I held my breath as she leaned towards me, a small smile on her face. My eyes lowered to her lips and I felt my heart thundering in my chest. And when she gently pressed her lips against mine, I closed my eyes, savouring the feel of her. Lily’s breath mingled with mine and I felt her smiling against my lips. Ignoring the pain, I reached up and cupped her cheek, stroking her jawline with the pad of my thumb. And the pain just seemd to fade away too. It felt like we were the only two people in the world.
For that moment, I forgot. I forgot about everything. Lowering my hand, I pulled back and smiled at her, feeling a little breathless. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to do that, I murmured, my heart still pounding in my chest.
Trust me, she smiled. I know.
So it looks like I need someone to take care of me for a while, I grinned. Do you know anyone who would be up for that job ?
Oh I think I know someone.
I just have one question for you then, I said, reaching over to take her hand. I could feel her eyes on me and I tried my hardest to keep a straight face. I failed. Do you uh think there’s any chance you could wear a sexy nurse’s outfit, I choked out, barely keeping in the laughter.
Yep, she nodded, scrunching up her nose and glancing at me sideways. You really are back to your old self, aren’t you college boy ?
I pulled her hand to me and pressed my lips against her open palm. I felt her shiver beside me and I winked at her, unable to keep the smile off my face. I just want to go home with you, and you know you didn’t actually give me an anwer to my question…
She just smiled and didn’t say a word. Oh yeah, I thought, I couldn’t wait to get home.
………………………………………………………..
I folded my arms over my chest and grumbled quietly in the wheelchair, completely annoyed that the doctor insisted I be wheeled out to the car. Sighing loudly, I tapped my foot against the pedal and bent my head back, so I was looking at Dean’s chin.
This is so not necessary, I muttered, my annoyance levels growing when I heard Jen and Lily laughing beside him. I can walk, I’m not an invalid.
Well the doctor said you had to be wheeled out, Dean grinned down at me, a hint of amusement in his voice that just frustrated me further. And who am I to defy the doctor’s orders ? You just sit there and relax dude, let me do all the work while you chill out. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.
Is that sarcasm I can detect in your voice ?
Who ? Me ? Sarcastic ? Do you not know me at all ?
Muttering obscenities under my breath, I sighed and tried to ignore the laughter behind me. As Dean pushed me through the hospital corridor, I felt someone step beside me. Glancing up, I smiled when I saw Lily. She reached out and took my hand as she walked next to me.
You okay ? she asked.
I nodded. Yeah, I just feel so stupid right now. I mean, I can walk. I don’t need to be wheeled out.
I know, she smiled, squeezing my hand reassuringly. But if the doctor thinks it’s best, we might as well do it, right ?
Yeah, I guess so. I said. Did my family get back to the hotel okay ?
They did. They weren’t happy about being told by you to go though. They all wanted to come home with us.
I know, but they need to pack their stuff and I told them to just give me a few hours to settle back home. And you can’t exactly wear your nurses outfit while they’re there anyway, right ? I raised my eyebrow at her, laughing when she sighed and looked down at me with mock disapproval.
Did my ears just decieve me ? Dean’s voice suddenly said from above me. Or did I just hear something about a sexy nurse’s outfit ?
Oh, shut up Dean, Lily laughed, rolling her eyes at him. I’m not actually gonna do it.
Oh well done you pleb, I muttered. Now look what you’ve done. She was gonna wear one before you said anything.
Dean just grinned and looked at Jen, who was too busy laughing to notice. Hey Jen, you think you could wear one for me ? he asked seriously. Because I’ve been having some shoulder trouble and I really think
Oh please, she burst out laughing, eyeing him like he was completely stupid. I wasn’t born yesterday.
Ha ! I chucked to myself as Dean wheeled me out of the front doors of the hospital.
The sun hit me straight away and I smiled, feeling it’s warm rays on my face. There was a slight breeze and I felt my hair blow in the wind. I didn’t realise how it was going to affect me ; something so simple as just going outside. But being cramped up in the hospital room for two weeks put everything in to perspective. I was deliriously happy to be feeling the sun on my skin, and to be laughing again. Every emotion swirled around inside of me ; happiness, wonder, disbelief, sadness. But I didn’t have any time to dwell on them as a voice broke me from my thoughts.
Hi Noah, I turned my head and saw Doctor Adams standing in front of me, a small smile on his face. His white lab coat blew in the breeze and he was silhouetted in front me, his back to the sun. Looks like this is goodbye.
I guess so, I whispered, surprised as he reached and put his hand out to me.