Page 80 of Shadows of Recovery

The first lightof dawn filtered through the blinds as Sophie stirred awake. The remnants of the nightmare still clung to her, but the soft, familiar purr of the morning routine in the facility began to seep in, grounding her in the present. The door to her room opened quietly, and a nursing assistant rolled in equipment for taking her vital signs.

"Good morning, Sophie, I’m Renee," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm just going to take your vitals and draw some blood."

She nodded weakly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. She still felt the tight grip of anxiety around her chest, making it hard to breathe. Renee worked efficiently, checking her blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature, all the while explaining what she was doing.

As the vitals were taken, a nurse entered with her morning medication and a menu for breakfast. "Hi, Sophie, I'm Kayla. I’m here with your meds and the breakfast menu. You can choose whatever you like."

Sophie glanced at the medication cup. “What are they?”

“Prozac and a beta blocker. Your heart has been racing.”

Her hands trembled as she took her pills, washing them down with a sip of water. When she looked at the menu, the words swam before her eyes. Trying to shake off the feelings, she felt Tristan's presence beside her.

He was seated in the recliner chair next to her bed, his expression filled with concern. He leaned forward, taking her hand in his. "How are you feeling this morning, sweetheart?"

She managed a small, shaky smile, but her anxiety was still palpable.

Tristan's eyes softened with understanding. "I need to leave for a little while to shower and change. Will you be okay if I step out for a bit?"

Sophie's immediate reaction was to shake her head, fear gripping her heart. She couldn't bear the thought of being away from him, not yet. Seeing her distress, Tristan scooped her up into his arms, holding her close.

"It's okay, Sophie. I'll take you with me," he murmured reassuringly. He wrapped her in a blanket and asked Renee to accompany them.

Carrying her, Tristan walked out of the facility, cradling her protectively as they crossed the driveway to the home across the way. Snow crunched under his feet. Renee followed them, adding another blanket over Sophie. The morning air was crisp and fresh, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of her nightmares. The brief walk calmed her slightly, the vague familiarity of the home providing a small sense of comfort.

At the house, he explained to Renee his plan, ensuring there would be help nearby if needed. He carried her up the stairs and into the master bedroom, setting her gently in the chair by the window. The early sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over the room.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The odor of sage and lime were familiar. Was this their home, or was it part of her crazy dreams? What if another woman lived there?

"I'm going to shower and change, but I'll leave the door open so you can hear my voice," Tristan said, his tone steady and reassuring. "I'll be right here, okay?"

Sophie nodded, her eyes following him as he moved toward the bathroom. True to his word, Tristan left the door ajar, his voice a constant presence as he talked to her from the shower.

He spoke about mundane things—the weather, plans for the day, little anecdotes from their past—anything to keep her mind occupied and connected to him. She listened intently, her anxiety slowly ebbing with each word. The sound of the water running and his familiar voice created a soothing backdrop, easing the tight knot of fear in her chest.

As Tristan emerged from the shower freshly dressed, he walked back over to Sophie, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. "See? I never left," he said with a warm smile.

Sophie reached out, taking his hand in hers. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling but sincere.

He squeezed her hand gently. "We'll take this one step at a time, Sophie."

He gently picked her up from the chair by the window, holding her close as he carried her back to the Institute. She nestled against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a comforting reminder that she was safe. As they walked, he spoke softly to her, his words a soothing murmur against the backdrop of the morning. “I promise, we will be able to go home together.”

She listened to the beat of his heart. Her head started to clear. Itwastheir house.

When they arrived back at the Institute, Tristan set her down on the edge of the bed in her room, looking at her with a gentle, reassuring smile. "Sophie, I know you need to keep your bandages dry. Would you like me to help you take a sponge bath, or would you prefer Renee to assist you?"

Sophie's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes darting to the floor. "Can Renee help me?"

Tristan reached out and lifted her chin, meeting her gaze with kind eyes. "There's no need to be embarrassed, Sophie. It's perfectly okay to ask for help."

She nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Tristan spoke to Renee, who had accompanied them on his shower excursion, with a warm smile and a gentle demeanor.

"Hi, Sophie," Renee said, her voice calm and soothing. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"

Tristan stepped back, giving them privacy but staying nearby in case Sophie needed him. Renee carefully helped her with the sponge bath, making sure to avoid her bandages and being as gentle as possible. Sophie's anxiety lessened slightly with Renee’s calm presence.

Afterward, it was time for Sophie's first Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session with Chris Skylar. Tristan walked with her to the therapy room, staying close to offer support. As they entered, Chris greeted them warmly.

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