Page 24 of Loving Lizzy

“Dr. Brady decided to keep you overnight. They want to get your pain under control. We’ll have to put off binge-watching until tomorrow evening,” he broke the news.

“Why don’t you go home and sleep in your own bed? Those chairs suck and I don’t care if they stamped the words ‘luxury recliner’ on it or not. It’s hard plastic. I tried talking them out of making the purchase, but they remained hell-bent on saving a few dollars. I’m all for cutting costs, but personally, I think they should’ve invested more money on the chairs for families than those ugly curtains,” she confessed. “At least at Chase’s hospital, Kassie picked everything out. She made it into a real home.”

“Yes, it’s spectacular. No matter how uncomfortable those cheap loungers turn out, I’m staying by your side,” his voice brooked no argument. She didn’t attempt to persuade him otherwise. She wanted him there with her.

“Did you eat dinner?” she asked.

“Yes, they sent Victoria in to enforce the food edict. Now I know why her ‘family’ of men listen to her. She’s downright terrifying. Don’t get me wrong, I like her. She’s freakishly good at her other job,” he told her.

Lizzy giggled and stopped abruptly. The pain shot through her chest, and she took a few deep breaths to regain control.

“Do you want me to call the nurse?” Michael asked, concerned.

“No. I can’t laugh. The pain’s already disappearing, don’t freak out. I accidentally walked in on the intervention between Kassie, Catherine, and Samantha. Victoria sat by the door to keep the women there. She meant business and she wanted them to make amends. I understand what you mean.”

A knock on the door stopped their conversation. Dr. Brady walked in and checked the drainage tubes and her vitals.

“Carrie says your pain remains managed. Your vitals appear great. If all goes well tonight, I’ll come by early in the morning to discharge you. Try to get some rest,” she advised before walking out.

Lizzy pouted. The disappointment of not going home weighed on her. As an administrator, she knew it happened. That didn’t mean she liked it as the patient.

As if reading her mind, Michael chuckled. “It’s only one night. We’ll get you settled at home first thing in the morning.”

She sighed. “I decided I like to run hospitals, not be in them.”

“I agree,” he told her. He threw away the stick from her popsicle and wiped her mouth and hands. He dug into her bag and pulled a lip moisturizer from the side. He helped to apply it and made his bed. When he finished, her eyes began to droop. He sat next to the bed and stroked her scalp. As the medication dragged her back under, she heard Michael as he leaned down and whispered, “I love you, Lizzy Bee.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Michael cringed with every bump in the road as he drove Lizzy home from the hospital. Even with the pain medication, she took deep breaths when the car got jarred by the road’s surface. Thank goodness the women thought of the pillow for her chest. She clutched it for dear life and closed her eyes making him wonder if she experienced more pain than she let on when the doctor came in to discharge her.

“We’re almost home,” he said aloud. He wasn’t sure if he told her to console her or himself at this point. He ticked off every mile behind them as he drove and silently cursed himself for moving to Serenity before the surgery. The time to the hospital from her condo only took ten minutes and now she had to endure the forty-minute drive.

“The pillow’s helping, don’t worry about it,” she told him.

He saw her clench the edge of the pillow as he drove over a small divot in the road, which now felt like a huge pothole, he plunged the car into. When did the roads become horrendous? He wiped the sheen of sweat from his brow despite it being winter.

“You’re exhausted,” she exclaimed as she wearily watched him drive.

“I didn’t realize the condition of the roads. I regret our move. Your condo’s located closer to the hospital. We’d already be home and getting you comfortable,’ he complained.

“I love the new house. It turned out nice and cozy. Samantha’s vanilla candles make it relaxing. It’ll be wonderful living closer to our jobs and our friends,” she defended their move. She winced as he swerved to miss a small limb in the road.

“Sorry,” he apologized.

She sighed heavily and squeezed his hand, giving up on trying to reassure him.

They finally turned onto their street, and he pulled into the drive. He jumped out of the vehicle and ran to the other side. He opened her door to help her out.

“Michael?” Lizzy hesitated. “Are you going somewhere?”

“No. I’m getting you settled.” He regarded her strangely for assuming he planned on leaving her as soon as he got her home.

“You might want to shut the car off then,” she glanced at his face, trying to keep from laughing.

Michael closed his eyes. Everything he attempted since he got her in the car went wrong. At this rate, she’d soon lose confidence in his ability to care for her. He didn’t practice oncology; he worked with little people.

“Take a breath, Michael. You’re overthinking everything. You’re tired and you didn’t eat anything for breakfast or lunch,” she softly scolded him.

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