Page 67 of Pooh

“Oh shit. He’ll freak when he finds out that Pippa’s hurt. He adores her. What do I tell him?” Tammy asks, worriedly.

“If you want, and if you trust me to do it, I’ll go there and speak with him, Tammy. I know you don’t want to leave here yet and I understand that. I’ve spent time with Craig and I think he’ll be okay when he’s told,” Chubs reassures Tammy.

“I should do it myself but I am not leaving here until Pippa is awake. So yes, I trust you, Chubs. I know it’s dumping a lot on you but I would really appreciate it,” Tammy says, tearfully. The strain and stress of the day are starting to show on her. She’s been a rock all day but cracks are starting to appear at the edges.

“I got this, Tammy. I’ll let you know how it goes. Ava, can I borrow Gee? Craig really likes him and Gee might be a comfort to him,” Chubs asks.

“Absolutely!” Ava agrees instantly.

“Why not just bring him to the compound? He’s familiar with everyone there and all the pets will be around. He’ll also have Bella and the rest of us,” interrupts Bailey. “Craig, Lucy and you can stay with Axel and me.”

I give Bailey a grateful look and everyone agrees that’s what is best for Craig. Trigger, Tammy and I stay behind while everyone else heads home for now. They’ll be back. They won’t leave us alone for long because we look out for our own.

Pippa

Waking up, I find Pooh asleep in a chair pulled close to me, with his head resting near my side. Tammy is sleeping and snuggled close to Trigger in a recliner chair near the room’s window. Trigger is awake and softly stroking Tammy’s back. I look toward the window and see it’s nighttime. I look back to Trigger and find his eyes on mine and a small smile on his handsome and rugged face.

Softly he says, “Gave us quite a scare, girl. Glad to see you back with us.”

“Is everyone else okay? What time is it? Is Craig…?” I start but Trigger cuts me off.

“Everyone is fine except for Anne. I’m sorry about that, doll. It’s around midnight the day after you were injured. Craig is at the compound being spoiled by everyone. We got you, we got this, Pippa. Just relax.”

“Tammy saved the kids and me, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, she did, with help. You protected the kids and Tammy took down the woman. Couldn’t be more proud of you two. Never thought Pooh and I would both be hot for a couple of badass bitches, but we are,” Trigger ends with a huge grin.

His comment and grin make me giggle but it turns into a groan soon enough.

“Don’t make me laugh! It hurts,” I tell him with a grin.

Pooh’s head shoots up and his eyes lock on mine. After a few seconds, his go soft and his hand cups the side of my chin.

“You’re awake, baby. How’re you feeling? What hurts?” he asks gently.

“I’m okay, Pooh. Just tired and sore. I like waking up to your face, though.”

“Same here, Pips. Would prefer it not be in a hospital.”

“Oh my God, you’re awake!” Tammy says while scrambling out of Trigger’s lap and coming to my side.

“I’m okay, Mama. Thanks to you.”

Tammy grips my hand, brushes her lips across my forehead, and pulls back far enough that I can see tears in her eyes. It makes tears hit the back of my eyes as we stare at each other not needing to say a word. How did I get so lucky to have her as my foster mom?

-*- -*- -*- -*-

It’s been a few days since being moved out of the ICU and I’m getting antsy about busting out of here. So far, so good. No complications and no infection so I feel like I’m ready to recuperate at home instead of in a hospital bed. The doctor does not agree with me–yet–but I’ll keep working on changing his mind. I sleep most of the time so why can’t I do that at home?

Pooh, Tammy and Trigger have been here every second except when ordered, by me, to go home to shower, sleep and eat. They leave, taking turns, to shower but return to do their eating and sleeping in my room. And I love them for that. And I especially love Ava for sending over food for us. Various club members deliver it and we all dig in and enjoy while every other patient has to survive on hospital food.

We have just finished our dinner when Vex and Chubs stick their heads in the door and grin at our little group.

“You up for a little company, Pips?” Chubs asks.

“Yeah, Chubs, come in. Hi, Vex.”

“We brought someone who wanted to say hi,” Vex says while grinning and stepping aside so I can see Craig standing behind him. He looks a little nervous, maybe a little scared, but clean and smiling.

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