Imperfectpictures

6/5/2019

Episode Forty-Six: Reactions

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Episode Forty-Six: Reactions

I couldn't open my eyes. They felt so heavy. Every part of me was like a stone. Whatever I was laying on was uncomfortable and stiff. I sucked in a deep breath through my nose, my throat and mouth were gunky and thick. My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. My heart started thumping harder in my breast, my chest heaving violently. I tried to will myself to calm down and just open my eyes, but it wasn't happening. Then there was a sharp burning in my hand.

I shrieked, my eyes flying open. It was too bright. I still couldn't see. I tried to move my hand to the burning, but it was locked to my side somehow. I yanked and yanked, but it wouldn't come.

“Oh, whoa whoa whoa, dove,” a familiar voice said to me, drawing my attention away from the pain. The room was dark except for one dim light above me. Why had it been so bright before? Jasper's face came into view. He was sitting a couple of feet away from me.

"It hurts!" I whined quietly, my voice barely audible. It didn't sound like me.

"I know," he tried to say soothing me, but it wasn't helping.

“Where am I?” I asked, dread filling me.

"The hospital. You had a bad reaction to your medicine." His hand squeezed mine. I glanced down and realized my hand was restrained by straps connected to the bed. I tried to move my feet, but they were held in place, too.

“Where is Edward?” I asked, tears pricking at my eyes. I was starting to have a panic attack. “How long? How long have I been out?”

"He went to go get something to eat, dove. He'll be back in a few moments, I promise. Um, you've been conscious, but you haven't been lucid for a couple of days now," he tried to explain to me as calmly as possible. My fingers were shaking, so I squeezed his hand back. I felt so weak.

“I don't remember anything,” I said honestly.

“That's probably for the best. You were hallucinating,” he replied in a calming tone. “It didn't seem fun. Are you seeing anything now?”

“No... Oh, no...” I mumbled quietly, swallowing back tears. “What happened exactly?”

"Apparently your birth control pills and your anxiety medications didn't like each other very much, and you had a rather rare bad reaction to it. I don't fully understand, but you got sick once there was enough in your system and started to have seizures. They've been giving you medicine to stop the seizures and have been trying to flush your system of the other drugs," he said as if he was talking like he was scared he would frighten me further.

I pressed my face to the thin, uncomfortable pillow. It was cool, and I tried to focus on that. I had to stay calm.

“What time is it?”

“It's just after six in the evening. What's the last thing you remember?” He asked me quietly.

“I remember,” I mumbled, trying to think. “Yelling. Edward was yelling. Not at me. He broke a cup. I remember being on the couch. I remember thinking your face was really close to mine and your breath was nice. You braided my hair, I think?”

“Yeah,” Jasper chuckled. “I chew a lot of gum,” he replied, his thumb rubbing my knuckle. “That sounds right about the time you fainted. Oh, it was a shit show, dove. You should be glad that's all you remember.”

“I'll take your word for it.” I flopped my head back. My hair was actually stuck to my greasy cheek. “I feel so gross,” I complained.

"I can imagine," he squeezed my fingers. "Though I think the worst is over. Welcome back to reality. Tony will be thrilled."

“What did I hallucinate, I wonder,” I said out loud. “Did I say anything? Do you know?”

He looked visibly uncomfortable. “You saw your husband. You said no a lot, too. You cried through most of it. And, apologized a lot. Prayed.”

“Poor Edward,” I frowned as I tried to imagine it. I couldn't. It must have seemed like something from a horror movie.

“Poor you. He'll be fine, dove. Don't worry,” he promised, resting his elbows on the bed so he could come close to me. He was speaking so sweetly to me. It was soothing. I liked that he kept calling me the sweet name he had decided for me. I found it comforting.

“Do you think that's why my stomach hurt?” I mused.

He smirked a little bit. “I think that's exactly why your stomach hurt.”

“Some vacation this has turned out to be,” I complained to him with a little shake of my head. “Why am I strapped down exactly? The seizures?”

Jasper grimaced when I asked. “Eh, actually you kept trying to rip out your IV.”

“Oh,” I said quietly.

The door slowly and quietly opened. Edward came in looking like shit. He had obviously not slept very much, and his hair was greasy and slicked back. His clothes were rumpled, and his shirt had a couple of stains on it.

“See, I told you, darling,” Jasper said charmingly, a bit louder. It wasn't for me, but for Edward. “Tony, look who is awake and back to reason.”

“I've obviously never been reasonable,” I complained with a smirk. “Hi, honey.”

Edward rushed towards the bed, his expression was happy and instantly relieved. He took my face into my hands and kissed my dry lips gently. I could actually see tears forming in his eyes. Poor stressed out thing.

“I can't taste good,” I joked as I pressed my forehead against his.

He laughed a little watery, “doesn't matter. How are you feeling?”

“I'm sore. I need a bath. And, I'm cramping like a motherfucker. But, I think I'm okay,” I told him honestly.

“Have you talked to the nurse yet?” He asked me then looked over to Jasper.

“No, she's just awoken. I'll go fetch a nurse for you,” he said, hopping up for the chair and quickly leaving the room.

“Are you okay?” I asked Edward softly.

“I was so scared,” he said in a tiny voice, kissing my temple. “You were having all these seizures. I was so worried you wouldn't come back to me.”

I turned my face into his. “I'll be fine.”

He stroked his hand over my cheek, slowly nodding his head.

“I missed you so much.”

“I love you,” I whispered to him. An older nurse came in with a rolling cart, Jasper walking in behind her. “Hi,” I said quietly to her.

“Hello there. How are you feeling?” She began to take things out to check my blood pressure.

“Thirsty,” I told her honestly.

“I'll get you some water,” Jasper said from his spot by the door. There was a little pitcher with plastic pink cups and straws somewhere just for me.

“I think we can free your hands,” she informed me, undoing one strap. I reached over and undid the other that had the IV line in it. I scratched the spot where the tape itched the most. “Alright, give me your arm. We'll do your BP and check your temperature. Someone will be down in a bit to draw your blood for tests. Hopefully, if things go well, you get out of here soon.”

I lifted my arm. I could see bruises from where the cuff had been used too many times previously. She wrapped it around roughly, putting my arm back on the bed while she got the thermometer from her cart. Quickly she swiped it over my forehead. It moved easily because I was so greasy from sweating.

“Will I be able to take a shower?” I asked her.

“Let's get your catheter out first.”

I didn't even realize I had one. “Okay,” I mumbled. My stomach growled. “I'm so hungry.”

“I'll have them send you a tray up.” The nurse smiled at me warmly.

“Thank you,” I replied, my voice so tired still. I didn't actually know how much I had slept or not. “Do I have anything to change into?” I asked Edward. “Do you have my purse?”

“No, I left it at the house. I'll get it for you in a bit,” he told me from the other side of the bed of the nurse, holding my hand with the IV gently.

"Blood pressure is normal and so is your temperature," the nurse reassured me. "I'll get someone to come in a bit, and you can get showered." When my arm was free Jasper handed me the cup of water, and I quickly finished it in one go. He took it from me wordlessly to go make me another.

My mouth and throat felt a little better. “I'm cramping really bad. Is it because of the reaction?”

“That and the fact you've not had a cycle since November I’d imagine. If I read your chart correctly.”

“Oh.” I felt the heat on my cheeks. Right, periods were a thing I was not prepared for or even remembered. Birth control was the other medication I was taking. It wasn’t just the anxiety medicine. “I don't have anything for that,” I blurted out.

“I'll get whatever you need when I go get your things,” Edward said soothingly. “Don't worry.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at him a little bit wearily, my head back against the pillow. For the first time, I realized there were so many flowers and things lined up against the back window. There were cards, balloons, and stuffed animals as well. “Oh, wow. Look at all of those.”

“Everyone has been very worried about you.” Edward squeezed my fingers.

“Not everyone,” I muttered back, rolling my head to the side.

“Don't even think about it. We'll talk about it later. Everything is going to be fine, I promise,” he said almost desperately. I nodded my head, feeling a little bad for even bringing it up when it obviously stressed him out. He seemed worried enough already.

“The doctor will come to talk to you tonight when he's making his rounds about ten,” the nurse said as she looked at her watch.

“I'll get your things so you can get cleaned up,” Edward told me, coming to sit at the edge of the bed as the nurse left. “I hate leaving you again already though.”

“I'll be fine,” I promised him.

“I'll stay here,” Jasper said to him gently, handing me back another cup of cold water.

“Thank you,” Edward smiled at him warmly.

I felt like arguing but didn't. He wasn't there to babysit me, but rather to make Edward feel better. I knew he needed that. I didn't exactly know what all he went through over the past few days, but it wasn't enjoyable.

“What would you like me to get you?” He was eager to do whatever he could for me.

“Um,” I drew out as I thought about it. “Some clothes, clean panties. I don't care about a bra. Yoga type pants, t-shirts. Something like that. My deodorant and toothbrush and stuff. Brush. Those kinds of things. My purse. A mixed box of tampons. I don't care about the kind right now. My phone and charger, I guess. Maybe my laptop,” I thought out loud. “Maybe we can watch movies or listen to music.”

“I think I can manage that.” He rested his large palm against my cheek. Edward held my face, looking into my eyes with so much worry still in them.

"I love you so much," I told him in almost a whisper. He brought his other hand up, holding my face so he could keep my gaze.

“Say it again,” Edward pleaded in a quiet voice.

“I love you,” I repeated with a slight smile as he leaned forward, inching closer and closer to my lips.

“Again, please.”

“I love you so, so, so much,” I told him just as his lips connected with mine. It was a sweet, gentle, but passionate kiss. It left me a little dazed in a good way.

“I love you more than anything,” he said to me fiercely when he pulled away. He needed to tell me as much as he needed me to hear it.

“I know.” I smiled, pushing my forehead on his. I knew without a doubt after all he had said to his parents that it was true. I knew no matter what, he would always be there for me. I had never felt so secure before. “Go home. Take a shower. Brush your teeth and change your clothes. Then come back to me.” I pecked at his lips.

“Right,” he smirked when he pulled away. “I'll be as quick as I can.”

“No rush, mate.” Jasper smiled at him. “I'll keep the charming young lady company.”

“Don't flirt with my girlfriend,” Edward teased him weakly as he stood.

“No promises.” He grinned and winked at me. I smiled back but rolled my eyes.

“Be careful,” I breathed before he shut the door, leaving me alone with Jasper again. “Sweet man.”

“He is very happy with you. I'm very happy for you both,” Jasper told me with a slightly sad smile.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Don't worry about me, dove. I'll be fine,” he tried to say cheerfully.

“I don't want to hurt you,” I whispered to him as I swallowed back gunk in my throat.

"You're not," he rushed to say, leaning forward to retake my hand. "It's just the situation in which I have created for myself. It's not your fault."

I liked the feeling of holding his hand. It was very comforting. “You really should talk to him.”

“What would it accomplish exactly?” He asked me curiously.

“It would make you feel better. It would be being honest with him and yourself. He is going to do his best to reassure you and tell you that he cares for you and that you'll always be friends. Because that's the truth. He loves you,” I answered him truthfully. “You don't have to tell him that you have feelings for him if you don't want to. Just be honest about who you are.”

“Maybe,” he said thoughtfully. Jasper looked at me ruefully. “Maybe we could share.”

I laughed, smirking to myself. “I'm actually fine with that. I realize you're joking, of course. But, still...”

“Girl, you lie!” He admonished me, sitting back in his chair with his hands in his lap.

I bit my lip a little. “To be honest, my late husband and I used to have relationships with other people while we were together. It never bothered me.”

"Really?" He said as if he had just heard the most exciting piece of gossip.

"Eddie doesn't really know this. I've not really talked to him about it a bunch. I mean, he's heard Alice and me kind of make jokes about it. But, yeah... Aiden had girlfriends. I had some. We had a few together. They never lasted that long. We didn't see anyone else for a couple of years before he died because we were trying to get pregnant though," I explained to him with a soft little sigh as I tried to remember that long ago. "I must seem like a slut. I don't know why I'm telling you this. My brain feels so weird right now."

“I won't tell anyone. I'm not going to judge. Seems fair, I overshared when I was drunk.” He gave a small nervous grin. “If you’re a slut, so am I.”

“It wouldn't bother me if you did tell him. It's just kind of weird to bring up, you know? Oh sugar, by the way, I used to go on double dates with my husband and his girlfriend and my girlfriend. It was usually a wild time. What would you like to have for dinner?” I mumbled a bit dejectedly. He actually laughed.

"That would be hard. Well, thank you for letting me know the option is actually there. I was just joking. But, I don't think I'm his type though." He smirked at me playfully. He reached for my hand, and I turned my palm up so I could weave my fingers with his. It was a kind friendly gesture.

“I don't know. I think you're pretty cute,” I told him gently. “I think you could be just about anyone's type.”

“It's the mustache, right?” He joked, smiling largely at me. I giggled, making his smile melt into a more genuine one.

There was a knock at the door, and a young woman poked her head in.

“I'm here to take your catheter out,” she said, glancing at Jasper.

“Right then. I'll wander down to the cafeteria and get myself a drink. Want something, dove?” He stood from the bed, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Dr. Pepper or Sprite. Ginger ale. Something sweet. I have a terrible taste in my mouth.” I frowned a little bit.

“Got it. Be back in a tick,” and he was swiftly away, shutting the door behind him as the woman came to the end of the bed.

"Let's release your feet, and I'm going to need you to slide down and bring your knees up. It'll make it easier," she explained to me.

I did as she said. I felt as if slime crawled up my back. “Ugh. Ew,” I bemoaned. “Just to warn you I think I'm currently having the worst period of my life.”

“It would appear so.” She made a little face. “They've got you in a monster pad that needs changing. There should be some more in the loo for you if you want to get cleaned up. I'll put some fresh sheets on.”

“Thank you so much,” I said in embarrassment. I hated every minute of it.

"I'll leave you a fresh gown too," she told me softly. "Alright, big deep breath, let it out on the count of three. One, two, three," and she quickly pulled the tube out. It sucked, but it wasn't horribly painful. Just uncomfortable.

I couldn't stand it for even a second longer. I sat up quickly in the uncomfortable bed, swinging my legs over to the side with the IV pole. She unplugged it for me and helped me roll into the bathroom so that I could wash up.

There was blood all over my legs and back. It was all over my gown. I couldn't wait to shower until Edward came back. I turned on the water, stripping off my gown quickly and wadding it up into a ball to throw into the corner.

The water wasn't hot enough for me. There was a bar of soap that I used to clean my body with. I didn't see any shampoo, so I just soaked my hair in the water. On the counter in the bathroom there was a pair of papery cloth panties to put on and the oldest old lady monstrously long pad I had ever seen. There were smaller diapers I could wear. They would have to do though. I popped my head out of the bathroom door with the terrible towel wrapped around me.

Jasper was waiting patiently in the chair by the bed, a bottle of Sprite on the rolling hospital table. There were fresh sheets and blankets on the bed and two new gowns.

“Can you hand me one of those?” I asked him.

“Right-o.” He snatched one up and brought it to me. I was still dripping with water. “Do you need any help? In a not perverted way.”

“No,” I laughed a little, taking the gown from him. “I'm good. I'll be out in a second.”

I slid the gown on like it was a robe, tying it at the front. I used the tiny weak plastic comb to attempt the brush my hair but it struggled with my curls, and I broke off several of the teeth. I ended up using my fingers. When I was done with what I could accomplish I slowly padded out of the bathroom, rolling my pole behind me.

Jasper rushed up to help me, taking my arm because I was a little wobbly. “Easy there.”

I crawled up on the bed, and he quickly brought my blankets over my bare legs so they wouldn't get cold. "Thank you."

"Of course. Of course." He cracked open my Sprite before handing it to me. I removed the lid and took a long drink. It stung pleasantly. I leaned my head back against the pillow as I savored it.

I played with the green cap nervously between my fingers. “So, um... What happened with Edward's mom?”

"Well, Anthony was not happy, obviously. You were right about lots of yelling. So, I don't know what you remember, but the story I've been told is that you told Tony you wanted to go home and you were obviously upset, but you didn't want to say why. He had to pull it out of you what his mother said to you. That creed class bullshit. He can't stop ranting about that part. Anyway, he said you didn't want to ruin his relationship with his family. He was fucking furiously. As any person with a heart would be. Not at you but his bitch of a mother, of course. He said he'd go home with you since she was being a twat. He didn't want to be around her anymore, he was too mad. You were supposed to have dinner with them that night, and he called and spoke to his father briefly."

“I remember the call, I think,” I mumbled, straining to remember. Everything was a little hazy. “He broke the cup on the wall. The thick plastic one. It cracked loudly and got water everywhere. And then you showed up.”

“Right. I was running by to give Tony some camera equipment he wanted to use the next day. His parents showed up just a few moments after. His mum was fuming! The nerve. I don’t even know how they got there so fast! She was mad that you said anything. Tony let her really have it after that. I've never seen him so mad before. He was screaming at the top of his lungs at both of them. Rightfully so.”

“His father didn't do anything.” I shook my head.

"His father defended her. Her words are unforgivably cruel, in my opinion. I hate that woman." He frowned. "Anyway, he told them in no certain terms that he intended to spend the rest of his life with you and if they had a problem with it, they didn't have to be in it anymore. His sisters won't abandon him and neither will his grandparents."

“I don't want to hurt his relationship with them.” I felt as if I was going to cry again.

"She's the one who's hurting it. Not you. You have literally just met that woman! She has always been terrible. This is just the last straw for Tony. He's done with her. She's far too controlling. The bitch actually asked if you were drunk when you fainted. I thought he was going to deck her. But you threw up on her first, so it all worked out," he smirked.

“Oh no,” I moaned. “I didn't?”

“All over her shirt and trousers. That's what she gets for squawking at Tony for ignoring her because you were ill. Twat,” he mumbled. “You know, she's said the same bullshit about me. Don't let it bother you, dove. Tony knows who he cares about and he doesn't give a toss what that harpy thinks.”

I took another sip of Sprite as I considered his words. “His grandparents and sisters seem very nice.”

“They are. His father is alright, just a bit spineless.” He shrugged. “She'll have to get over it. You're not going anywhere. Tony loves you. He wants to marry you, you know.”

“I know. The told me the day after he told me he loved me for the first time that he would marry me the very next day if he could. Has he always been such a romantic?” I asked him, feeling very drained but wanting to think about nicer things.

“No,” he chuckled. “I think he's just that in love with you. It's very nice actually. It's sweet. It obviously makes him very happy. Do you want to marry him?”

“Um,” I laughed, smiling as I thought about it. “Not yet. No. I'm not ready yet. We need to live together for a while first. It's too soon. I... I wouldn't say no if he asked though. We would just need a long engagement first.”

“You shouldn't say yes if you're not ready.”

"It's not that I'm not ready to be committed to him. I'm just not in a rush. I don't need the paper to tell me what I feel. If he does in a few months or a couple of years, I understand. He's so young, and his career is so busy right now. There is no reason to add more work onto that. Weddings are such a pain in the ass. I don't think I'd even want one. You can throw a good party anytime."

"I wonder if Tony would want a big wedding," Jasper mused. "Both my parents are several times divorced, so I don't think I'd ever want such a thing. I'm always down for a party though," he said charmingly.

A gentleman knocked on the door and brought me a tray of food to eat. He was gone again in an instant without saying what anything was. There was a sheet of paper with information, so I picked it up to read it.

“What do we have here?” He looked over my food curiously.

“Lamb in mushroom sauce with yellow rice, steamed vegetables, and a Greek salad. Sliced melon. Panna Cotta with passion fruit, milk, hot tea and this is...” I read the menu to him. I picked up a box of sandwiches. “What! It's a ham and English cheddar sandwich with butter. Yum.”

I was definitely stoned in a way I wasn't used to.

My stomach growled as I ripped open the sandwich package. I shoved an entire quarter triangle into my mouth at once. It was so good. "Mm, butter," I said through a bread filled mouth.

Jasper chuckled. “How good can hospital lamb be though?”

I picked up the fork and used the side the cut into the meat. It was very tender. I rubbed it into the sauce before putting it in my mouth. “Needs salt,” I shrugged. I searched the tray until I found the tiny packet of salt and pepper. I sprinkled them both over everything. I took a bite and then offered him a piece to try as I ate another sandwich.

He took the fork from me, chewing slowly. “Better than I expected.”

“Me too.” I agreed. “Mm, all I'm missing is a podcast to listen to,” I joked.

“Oi! I love a good podcast. Here,” he handed me his phone after he turned it on to a podcast app. “You pick one for us to listen to while you eat. Anything you want.”

“You might regret that,” I teased him.

We listened to a comedy podcast about dark history. He really seemed to enjoy it. It had a very dirty sense of humor that I figured he might like.

I didn't like the rice dish, so I ate all of the lamb, veggies, and salad. I gave Jasper one of the last two sandwich triangles to try. I liked those the most. Though the custard was pretty good, too. I also shared that with him. The food was long since finished, and we had moved onto the next episode of the two-hour long show when Edward finally arrived back at the room. Jasper and I were both laughing, his face red from nearly crying because of the podcast.

I turned the it off, smiling brightly at my much cleaner boyfriend. He had his hands full.

“Hi there.”

“You look so much better already,” he said in relief. He put a backpack down in a chair before presenting me with a box. “I didn't know how the hospital food was, so I got you some dinner. New York style crust, double pepperoni. Lots of red pepper and some of that spicy honey that you like.”

“Yum! Thank you.” I took the little box excitedly. He pulled the small bottle of honey from a bag of stuff for me before going to get the things he brought organized. I offered Jasper a slice which he eagerly took. I covered my own slice in pepper and made a pool of the honey to dip it in.

“I'm surprised you can eat anything else,” Jasper teased me.

“I haven't eaten in like three days. I'm starving still,” I mumbled through a bite of pepperoni. “Edward, this is so good. Thank you.”

“I'm glad you like it.” He smiled warmly at me. I scooted over in the bed and patted the space beside me. He came to lay next to me, his arm around my shoulder and my head on his chest while I continued to eat. He smelled so nice and clean.

When Jasper finished his slice, he thanked Edward for the pizza quietly and me for sharing my dinner with him. "I should head out. It's late, and I have to work again in the morning. Call me tomorrow if you get sent home. If not I'll pop by after work to check on you again. "

“Thanks,” Edward said to him sweetly. It was for more than just that moment, but perhaps for several days of comfort that I had no doubt Jasper gave him.

He patted Edward on the shoulder. “Of course, darling. Always.” Jasper leaned down and pressed a kiss into my cheek. “Take it easy, dove. Get some rest and feel better, alright?”

“Alright.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek in return. He gave me a pleasantly surprised smile. “Have a good night and a good day at work tomorrow.”

After I had another slice, I finished my soda from earlier. Edward helped me out of bed to the bathroom so I could wash my face and brush my teeth. I combed my hair back into a braid. I switched to a more comfortable tampon, my own normal panties, and a black pair of leggings but I kept the hospital gown instead of a top. After I put on some lotion, body spray, and chapstick I felt more myself.

I crawled back into bed with Edward, feeling exhausted from the effort. I laid on my side, and he spooned me from behind. He was too big for the bed, and I was pressed as much into him as I could be. It wasn't enough for me. I needed all the contact I could get. We quickly fell asleep like that, the light still on above us.

An hour or so later I was awoken by knocking at the door. A tall, thin pretty woman with red hair came in holding a tray of blood taking equipment. Edward didn't move at all, his face pressed into my neck and hair. I twisted up to watch her come in.

“Hi. Sorry to bother you. I need to get some blood samples from you,” she whispered.

“It's okay. Sorry,” I mumbled, rolling over to gently tap on Edward. “Baby, get up. They need to take blood.”

He kind of opened his eyes but he was obviously exhausted. "Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep," Edward muttered as he rolled out of the bed. He slouched into the chair, scrubbing his face with his hands. Then he finally looked at the woman about to take my blood. "Courtney?" He said the name in confusion.

She looked over at him and opened her mouth in surprise. “Tony?”

"How are you? I didn't realize you had become a nurse," he said in surprise. I looked between them a little confused. The name rang a bell, but I couldn't remember why.

“I'm a phlebotomist, actually,” she corrected him. “I didn't even recognize you with the beard. It looks really nice. It suits you. Very dashing.”

“Thanks.” He smiled a little. “Courtney, this is the love of my life, Bella. Bells, this was is my very first girlfriend. You know, back when we were still just kids.”

"Aw, hi. Nice to meet you. He has said nice things about you," I told her honestly. He actually mainly said nice things about his ex's. He was too respectful to do otherwise. The rudest he ever got was about his ex's lousy taste in furniture.

She smiled a little as she set up her equipment. “That's very sweet. He was a very good first boyfriend, I must admit. We were so young though. Tony, do you remember Logan Stevens? I think we all had biology together.”

“Yeah?” He replied curiously.

"We got married a couple of years ago, and we just had a baby," she said to him, aflutter with the joy of the information.

"That's so exciting! Congratulations. I'm glad things seem to be going well for you," he said sweetly. He was holding my hand as he spoke to her. I squeezed his fingers, and he squeezed back.

Courtney began to prep my arm, wrapping a band around it and wiping it clean with a rubbing alcohol swab. I squeezed my fist several times to make my veins easier to find for her.

“It's nice to see you again. I'm sorry it's in a hospital,” she told him. “Deep breath, big poke,” she said to me just before she stabbed the throbbing vein. I grimaced for a moment but relaxed after it got through the skin. “What are you in for? I just get told to take samples.”

“She had an adverse reaction to a couple of her medications. They didn't combine very well,” he answered for me. I was concentrating on breathing. I was glad he could tell I was feeling a little overwhelmed and he was gently controlling the conversation.

"I didn't see any warnings not to mix them when I started taking them," I said to him finally in a quiet voice. I felt like I had to defend myself, but It felt like it was my own fault for not being more careful.

“It's apparently very rare. I wish we had taken you as soon as you had felt ill. I feel terrible about it,” he mumbled. I shook my head. “Yes, I know you're stubborn. I still should have made you. I should have gotten ready faster. I should have dealt with my parents later. I was so angry. I’m sorry.” He shook his head sadly. “So many should haves...”

“You got me help. That's what matters. And, you can't make me do anything I don't want to do.”

“Trust me, I know,” he smirked at me.

Courtney filled two large vials and two smaller ones, quickly marking each one with my ID sticker. “Well, I hope you feel better really soon. Tony, I'm on Facebook if you're interested. If that's okay with you,” she said to me.

“It's fine,” I assured her. “I like baby pictures.”

"Good, because that's all it is," she replied to me with a smile. "Feel better. Have a good night. I saw the doctor about ten rooms down, so I don't imagine he'll be too much longer."

He came in right after she left. Edward didn't even have time to say anything to me.

The doctor explained in greater detail what happened to me and what chemicals were making me sick and why. They had to flush my system of the drugs. He was going to switch me to a different anxiety medication and recommended that we tried a different form of birth control method for a couple of months at least before trying again with a different prescription.

Once he was gone, I asked Edward to come back into bed with me again to spoon. He was quick to oblige me, pressing his whole body around mine. This time he pulled off his sneakers and brought the blankets around us both. I turned off the light above the bed so that we were in complete darkness. We both fell asleep very quickly.

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