Page 29 of Justice

“So much better,” I tell him, and he looks so happy to hear that.

Christopher’s heartbeat is a steady rhythm against my ear. I reach out to gently touch his face, feeling the rough stubble on his jaw. “Thank you for loving me.”

He kisses the top of my head softly, cupping his hand to the back of my neck, keeping me pressed against him. “Loving you is as easy as breathing.”

God, my heart.

A soft knock on the door breaks the silence, and Mason immediately tenses, sitting up.

It’s just a nurse, carrying a tray with my medication and breakfast. She offers a polite smile, unaware of the tension in the room, and moves to check on me.

“Good morning. How are we feeling today?” she asks, her tone professional but kind.

“Better,” I reply, simply watching her every move. I wish I didn’t have to be so scared but that’s my reality.

My parents stir from their bed. “What’s going on?” my mom asks and runs over to me, tripping over a blanket before righting herself. I try not to laugh at her hair sticking up on one side.

Konrad enters the room soon behind the nurse and looks at the medication the nurse is giving me to make sure it’s okay.“Okay, you can take all of these, they’re safe.” I notice that they’re all in sealed packaging.

I squeeze Christopher’s hand, seeking comfort in his presence. The nurse moves efficiently, checking the machines and noting down my vitals.

She hands me the food tray and asks gently, “Do you need anything else?”

I shake my head, managing a small smile. “No, thank you.”

She nods, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving the room. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves once she leaves.

“I think we need to find a new doctor for you, a fresh start will be easier on you,” my mom suggests, and I have to agree.

Konrad checks my IV bag and looks at the monitor that is checking over the baby.

I’ve loved getting to sleep with her heartbeat in the background of the room.

“I was going to actually suggest someone,” Konrad agrees. “She is in her early twenties and she’s practically a genius. She’s working under some doctors here, but she’s great.”

I’m impressed by her already. “Okay, I’d like to meet her.

Feeling relieved to start over with someone new, my trust is lost in the previous doctor that I had when she didn’t seem to truly care how sick I was when we were right to be unsure.

Konrad smiles. “Well, she happens to be the daughter of Liam and Paisley. Remember Meadow?”

I gasp. “Oh my God, it’s been years, and I know she went away, but has it been that long?” I remember she was a few years older than Christopher, but no one ever saw her because she was obsessed with school.

Konrad laughs. “Like I said, she is a genius and she finished med school early.”

Mason tries to hide his reaction at hearing her name. He has had a crush on Meadow for years.

I look down at the tray the nurse brought me, unsure of it.

Christopher takes notice of my hesitation and grabs my fork, taking a bite out of everything, along with taking a drink of my orange juice just to be safe.

“I’m still not sure if I like Christopher lying in bed with my baby girl,” my dad grumbles under his breath, but from the happy look on his face I know he’s not being serious.

Christopher wraps his arms around me dramatically. “I’d like to see you try to keep me away,” he growls back half-heartedly, and I laugh at their antics.

Throughout the day, I have visitors to check in with me, meanwhile Christopher hasn’t left the room, to the point he leaves the door open when he goes to piss.

It’s around midday when there is a knock on the door, before a woman in a white coat walks in smiling.

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