Chapter Unknown
***Casey***
of him crammed into a chair by my bed, a small blanket barely covering his
legs. He’s asleep. I’m surprised I was able to sleep… and I feel so calm
and rested. What the hell was in that tea Clara gave me?
He’s here. I chased him off, and he’s still here. He looks
so peaceful, his chest rising and falling, his breathing even. He does look a
little ragged, though; he hasn’t shaved, probably hasn’t even showered. How
long has he been here?
The door opens, and he jerks awake, looking in that
direction. I also turn as the doctor enters.
“Good morning, Casey.” He nods to Ethan. “Sheriff.”
“Morning.”
Ethan returns a nod in acknowledgment.
“How are you feeling?”
You want to know how I’m feeling? My world has
fallen apart, and I’m hanging on to this life by a thread. That’s how I’m
feeling.
“Okay, I guess. When can I go home?”
“I can discharge you today if you like.”
“Please.”
“There are some things I need to speak to you about
concerning your recovery.”
He glances nervously at Ethan. At this point, I don’t care
who hears; he can announce it over the P.A. system if he wants to. Ethan moves
closer, taking my hand and making it clear he’s not leaving.
I nod to the doctor. “Go ahead.”
“Well, the bleeding should last maybe another week and then you’ll
have some spotting after that. If it lasts longer, then you come back and see
me. If you’re bleeding too much, say more than one pad per hour, come in right
away. That’s a sign of hemorrhaging.”
“Okay.”
“You may experience lower abdominal pain and breast
discomfort, but that should also stop within a week. Your regular period should
resume within three to six weeks.”
Three to six weeks… and then it will be as if they never
existed. “Is that it?”
“There’s still the matter of infection. I’m prescribing you
some antibiotics. It’s important that you take them all, even if you feel
better.”
I nod.
“Also, stay away from tampons until your regular period
returns. No swimming pools, hot tubs, or baths—take showers. No douching and no
sexual intercourse.”
You don’t have to worry about that last one, Doc.
He glances at Ethan then returns his attention to me. “That
is, until the bleeding stops,” he continues. “It depends on you and how you
feel, but I would recommend waiting until you’ve had at least one normal
period.”
“Anything else?”
“Just take it easy, rest. Give your body time to heal.”
“I will.”
He nods and reaches into his coat pocket, pulling out a
small card.
“This is the number for Dr. Emily Shorter. She’s a therapist
who has experience dealing with… loss. I recommend you give her a call, set up
an appointment.”
A shrink? How the fuck is a shrink going to help me? “Unless
she can bring Daddy and my babies back, I don’t see what good it would do.”
He looks over at Ethan, who takes the card from him. “Thank
you, Doctor.”
Dr. Jameson nods and turns back to me. “I’ll take care of
your discharge.”
After he leaves, Ethan looks down at the card in his hand.
“Maybe we should see her,” he suggests.
“I don’t need a shrink.”
“Together.”
Together? Why would he need therapy?
“Casey, I may not have carried them inside me, didn’t even
know about them, but I lost them, too. They were a part of me… and it hurts
like hell.”
He’s right. Those babies were ours. Now they’re gone.
Maybe I don’t need to be such a bitch.
“If you wanna go, then we will.”
“Thank you.”
“Can you take me home?”
“Honey, you can’t go back there. Not now.”
“Why?”
“It’s too soon. Besides, it’s kind of a crime scene.”
“Oh. I guess I’ll stay in a motel or—”
“I’m taking you home with me,” he states.
“Are you crazy? I can’t do that!”
Helena would surely call her hit man then. Then again, maybe
it’s not such a bad idea. It would save me the trouble of doing it myself.
“You can and you will. I’ve already had your room fixed up.”
“My room?”
“You’re going to love it. Trust me.”
“Ethan—”
“It’s okay. I’m not expecting anything. I just want to take
care of you.”
“Are you sure it’s not a problem? I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. In fact, you should move in… permanently.”
“What about your girlfriend?” I ask.
“You’re the only girlfriend I have.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“What have you heard?”
“It doesn’t matter. I can’t move in with you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“This conversation sounds familiar,” I mumble.
“Don’t worry. What you do is up to you. I won’t push you.”
“Thank you.”
What do I do now? How am I going to handle being in his
house? It’s going to be World War III when Helena finds out I’m there. I look
up at Ethan and hope he’s ready for it. No. When I’m better, I’ll just go back
to New York, leave him and this place far behind.