Page 66 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“You’re welcome. After I administer the meds, you need to rest, and if the pain gets worse, you need to go to the hospital.” He directs those last words at me, knowing full well that I’ll be the one taking her there if things get worse.

I give him a sharp nod, emphasising that I take his instructions seriously.

Ella tries to sit up, groans, and falls back onto the couch. “Okay, fine. But since you are all here, and we ruined movie night, why don’t we all set up upstairs,” she suggests, and I agree.

It’s not a bad idea to have Caleb here for a while.

Ella might be in pain, and may feel like she’s dying at the moment, but she still wants to include everybody.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Mady asks from the doorway.

“Yes, I’m sure. What else is better than watching comedy movies with all my favourite people? I’ll be entertaining once the morphine kicks in. And with other people here, I may not try to stab myself in the stomach to ease the pain,” Ella says, finally sitting up with my help.

Caleb and Lochlan both look at Ella, concerned. “You’re not seriously considering stabbing yourself, right?” Lochlan’s voice comes out slightly high pitched. Dude is definitely on edge.

Ella rolls her eyes at him. “No, Lochlan, not going to stab myself. But that doesn’t mean I won’t think about it.”

He turns to Caleb. “Maybe we should stay, just in case.”

Caleb nods his agreement, then adds a disclaimer for Lochlan’s benefit. “Don’t worry, I know Ella enough to confidently say she won’t hurt herself.”

Everybody else finally agrees that it’s a good idea that we all move up into the theatre room and watch a movie together.

“I’ll order in Mushu’s,” Chase tells us.

“Oh, my god. I love you,” Yasmin says before throwing herself at him.

She really loves Mushu’s.

Caleb gives Ella the injection of morphine while we wait for food. The drugs kick in relatively quickly.

Once we’re settled upstairs, Ella snuggles into my side and sniffs me. “You smell good.” She giggles.

The morphine has gone to her head, but now that she isn’t vomiting, Caleb has also given her some endone. I smile and wrap my arms around her, holding on tight. She lets out a contented sigh. It’s going to be a long night for me, but I want to make sure she’s okay.

“Close your eyes, Ella. Let the meds work,” I whisper in her ear.

She doesn’t respond, but it’s not long before her breathing slows and she’s out like a light.

Ella

They say bad things come in threes, but I’m not looking forward to finding out what my third is. Last week, the cyst from hell ruptured on my ovary. One point for me because I didn’t have to go to the hospital, much to Arden’s disapproval. He didn’t leave my side for the two days it took me to be able to move around again.

Then we came home the other night, and Steve had passed away. I’m going to miss the little guy.

I’m not entirely sure what to do with my life; losing a pet is just like losing a person. Well, for me it is. I think it hurts more losing a pet. Because a pet is there for you no matter what. Whereas people aren’t.

I finish my makeup and take a step back to look at my reflection. They moved all my stuff into Arden’s room while we were in Briar Bay, and I’m not mad. His shower is amazing.

I straighten out the black dress I’m wearing. I’m sad, and as if Arden senses it, he comes up behind me. I turn and step into him. It’s instinctual now. When he is around, I feel better when we’re touching.

I mould myself to his body and let him hold me.

He kisses me on the top of my head before asking, “How are you doing?”

“I’m sad and lost,” I answer honestly, my eyes tearing up.

“I know. But is there anything else I can do?”

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