Page 6 of With Love

Adrienne

As Dr. Hill is going through my discharge instructions, Marshall is on the other side of my hospital room speaking to the nurse that’s been assigned to me. I hope that one of them knows what to do when we get out of here, because I’m sure as hell not listening.

“...and remember that your breathing exercises are incredibly important. I may have agreed to let you heal at home, but that doesn’t mean that I’m okay with it. I don’t want your ribs to heal only for you to come back because you’ve caught pneumonia. When doing your exercises, take a pillow and hug it firmly against your left side, since that’s the side that’s injured. This will help take some of the pain away when you inhale.”

My gaze glosses over as I nod my head almost robotically. He must get the sense that I’m overwhelmed because he leaves me and walks over to join in the conversation between Marshall and my nurse. He mouths something to Marshall, who turns in my direction. A moment later he is standing at my bedside.

“It won’t be too much longer, we just need to wait for the nursing staff to get the last few things together. We should be out of here within the hour.”

He puts his hand on my shoulder and I lose it.

“Adrienne? What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” He spits out each question faster than the one before it.

“No,” I barely manage to get out before the sobs begin to choke me.

“What’s the matter? What do you need?” he asks.

“I don’t know,” I cry.

Marshall waves Dr. Hill over and asks him if I can have a sedative.

“NO!” I shout. The last thing I want is more drugs. “He drugged me… all the time.” I gasp for air. “Please don’t drug me too…!”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, you don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do. Okay?”

I nod my head and try to take a deep breath, holding onto the pillow that Dr. Hill gave me when he showed me how to do my breathing exercises.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“What do you have to be sorry for?” Marshall asks.

“I didn’t mean to get worked up. I’m just… this is all so…” I can’t think of a word that covers exactly how I am feeling in this moment.

Marshall takes my hand in his and whispers a kiss across the back of it.

“Is Owen awake yet? I don’t want to leave without seeing him first. He’s my best friend.” I look to Dr. Hill.

“He’s not, just yet. I can make sure to let you know the moment he wakes though.”

“Marshall, we need to help him! Lock will kill him too!”

“Adrienne,” Dr. Hill says, “Owen sustained many more injuries than you did. Even if he wakes up--”

“When! When he wakes up!”

“If and when he wakes up, he will still have a long road ahead of him. He won’t be going anywhere any time soon.”

“Dr. Hill,” Marshall chimes in, “Is there any possibility that Mr. Branch can be moved to a more secure area or, perhaps a different medical facility? One where he can’t be located easily?”

Dr. Hill looks between Marshall and I but agrees to find a more secure facility for Owen. I’m not happy that he can’t come with us, but it’s a start.

“Thank you,” Marshall says as he shakes hands with Dr. Hill before the doctor and the nurse both leave the room.

“Thank you, Marshall. I’m sorry. I just feel so defeated. This is a lot to wrap my head around.”

“Don’t ever apologize for being the warm, caring, kind-hearted person that you’ve always been. That’s the same person that I fell in love with six years ago.”

I offer him a small, yet uncomfortable smile in return before I roll over and pull the covers up to my chin.

---