Take a Breath(92)

He nods his head agreeing to my statement and sighs. “Anyway how are you feeling this morning? You look a lot better. They said they had to give you something during the night to calm you down?”

“Yes, I think I was being a bit vocal. I just had a nightmare that Tony was in my room and I thought it was real for a minute. It’s all a bit confusing I guess. I must have scared the life out of the poor nurses. Anyway, I feel a bit groggy but otherwise fine. Can you just pour me some water?” I gesture to the jug on the bedside.

“Anything for you, babes. I feel a bit hopeless just sitting around here doing nothing.” He gets up dutifully and pours some water in a plastic cup.

I take little sips conscious of how sore my throat still is. The nurses then brought me in some porridge to see if I could eat. Betty told me that if I didn’t eat a little, the doctor will want to keep me in another night. There was no way I wanted that, so I had to force it down my throat. It was agony to do so, but totally worth it to get out of here and be alone with Jake.

I got myself a quick wash in the bathroom noticing my ankle was also a lot better. I was actually able to walk on it a bit more normally now. I didn’t really want to look at myself in the mirror and see the constant reminder of what Tony had done to me. Luckily, Jake had brought in some new clothes and a hairbrush, so I was at least able to brush my hair. I was grateful for that.

I sat back on the bed and we waited for the doctor to do his rounds, so I could be discharged. I was ready to go home now. I wanted to get away from this place and never to return.

While we waited, I asked about how everyone was doing and where Matthew was. Jake told me that Matthew was staying with Clive, and that they had argued when he wanted to come down and stay with me while I recovered. He knew that Jake wouldn’t have been much company, so he made the excuse that he had to stay in school. He wasn’t happy about it but what Jake said went. You can’t argue with a caveman. I knew that for sure.

Jessie had been worrying herself sick and calling twice a day—everyday—wanting to know how I was. Even Michael called on a daily basis, which Jake didn’t look too happy about. He never ceased to amaze me, but the possessiveness only added to his charm. It made me feel all the more wanted.

After our chat and a few cuddles and kisses the doctor finally emerged and checked me over. He was amazed at how quickly I was overcoming this terrible ordeal.

I begged him to send me home and he eventually agreed. He went away and got the paperwork ready as I got ready. I was elated to be finally getting out of here, as I have always hated hospitals. Jake couldn’t seem to hide his glee.

I brushed my teeth and looked through the contents of the bag that Jake had brought in for me. Eyes bristled with tears when I saw that he had bought two summer dresses, one a maroon and one a navy colour. Although they were sleeveless they both had polar necks to hide my finger marks—which is what had made the tears threaten. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea going home brandishing what had happened to me. If I didn’t have to look at them every second of the day myself, then all the better.

I came out of the bathroom feeling a little better. I threw my arms around Jake and gave him a big kiss. I was grateful to have him here with me, tending to my needs as always.

“Wow, what was that for?” he asks.

I frown at him. “Can’t I just want to hug you and kiss you for no reason?”

He cups my face. “Of course you can. No reason is as good reason as a reason.”

I start laughing. “You’re just too damn cute, you know that?”

His face crinkles into a frown. “Ana, I have been called lots of things, but cute ain’t one of them.”

“Cute as a button,” I smile, teasingly. I grab his nose with my two fingers and I laugh as he pulls away from me in moderate disgust.

The doctor comes through the door at that moment. He seems to be unimpressed by our little antics. I soon find out why.

“Ana, I’ve got some pamphlets here I think you should read. You may want to book yourself an appointment with a Dr Townsend. She is a very good therapist near to where you live and I’m sure she could help you a great deal.”

I wave my hands at him. “I’m fine, honest,” I protest.

He then proceeds to tell me know that my nightmares tell me otherwise and if I didn’t deal with it now, it will become a waking nightmare.

He seemed pissed, so I took the stuff from him anyway. He then turned his attention to Jake where he told him to watch out for certain signs, like sudden loss of breath etc. He then gave him some tablets to help me with the pain.

We get outside where I took my first lungful of air. It felt heavenly, despite the burning in my throat. We got to the parking lot where Jake opened the car door for me. He moved, burying himself into me and gently kissed my lips. It immediately set my heart racing. It does so every time.