Amedeo appeared at her side. He must have followed the ambulance.
“I’m here, Violet.”
“You’ll have to leave, sir. We need to examine her,” a nurse said.
“Okay. I’ll be right outside.”
She tried to nod again, but instead she just blinked. Hopefully he got the hint. People bustled around her. They took some x-rays then they unstrapped her from the board.
“No signs of spinal or neck injury so we can take you off of this.”
She was happy to be free and tried to sit up.
“No, Violet. Let me raise the bed a little. The doctor will be in to examine you.”
“Amedeo.”
“The man is right outside. He refused to wait in the waiting room. He’s very concerned about you,” the nurse said.
“Yes,” was all Violet managed.
She’d bet that Amedeo was giving everyone who walked out of the room an interrogation. He wouldn’t take easily to being out of control. He’d want answers and action. That was Amedeo.
Finally the doctor came in. He examined her. “I think you have a slight concussion. Your husband said that you were pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no bleeding so the baby is fine. I’ll have them do an ultrasound just in case. Okay?”
“Fine.”
That was what mattered.
“I’ll need you to stay in bed for a few days.”
Crap. Bed rest again. She’d go out of her mind, but right now it sounded good. “Okay.”
“Good.” The doctor raised the bed up a little so she could sit up. “The nurse will bring you some paperwork to sign and I’ll let your husband in.”
He wasn’t her husband, but she wasn’t going to argue. Her head hurt too much.
***
Amedeo strode into Violet’s room. The doctor had finally come out and told him that she was fine. The baby was fine and that Violet would need to rest for a few days. It was Friday so he could be home with her for the next two days.
She looked so small and ashy sitting in that hospital bed. She was bruised and battered and he’d made her mad enough to walk out. He must make this up to her. No two ways about it.
“Hi,” he said.
He took her hand. Her eyes were half-mast and she looked like she could fall asleep.
“Hi.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired and achy.”
“I’m sure that will pass.”
“I hope so,” she said.
“I can take you home as soon as the papers get signed,’ he said.
“You going back to work?”
“No, it’s Friday. I’ll knock off for the week. You won’t have to go home alone.”
“Thanks,” she said.
It was the least he could do for her. He’d made her so upset that she walked in front of a moving car. He thought the plan was still solid, but obviously she didn’t. They’d have to talk about it.
A nurse bustled in. “Okay. The doc thinks you have a slight concussion. He wants you to rest for the next few days. It may take longer for the headache to go away. As soon as that is gone, you can drive and go back to work. Until then take it easy. Bed rest for two days. Rest until the headache is gone.”
“Okay,” Violet said.
“She’ll do what you say. I’ll make sure of it,” Amedeo said.
The nurse smiled at him. “Good. Now sign here and we can let you loose in your husband’s capable hands.”
He decided not to correct her misconception that he was Violet’s husband. It didn’t matter in his situation. He would take care of her and that is all that mattered.
Violet signed the papers then sat up slowly, her legs over the side of the bed. The nurse had left. Amedeo sat on the bed next to her. “Take your time, Violet. We’ve got all day.”
“My head hurts.”
“I know, but you can’t take anything for it.”
“I know. I can’t really sleep much either.”
“How’s your vision?” he said.
“Fine. I’ll just watch some more movies,” Violet said.
“We’ll watch them together.”
He couldn’t remember the last time he watched a movie the whole way through. Certainly never on a Friday afternoon. He didn’t know how long he would be able to sit there, but he’d try. He needed to make this up to Violet.
She was carrying his baby for goodness’ sake. The least he could do was dote on her for a few days while she recovered.
“Okay,” she said without a lot of enthusiasm.
He held out his hand. “You ready?”
“I think so.”
He stood and helped her to her feet. She stood for a minute, taking in a few breaths. With his help, she walked to the car. He’d texted his driver to be at the door so she didn’t have to walk far. He settled her in the back next to him and they drove home.