Page 102 of Returning to Everton

Ayden and Hudson both shrug. “Serves him right. He should have stopped when you told him you were taken,” Ayden responds. “Now his penis is going to shrink and he’s going to continue screaming penis licker every time he thinks about you.”

My phone goes off, reminding me it’s time to leave for my appointment. I take a deep breath and hold it for a count of three, then let it out. I can do this. Hudson will be with me. Everything is going to be fine. The guys notice my mini freak out and try to comfort me. Ayden gets to me first, and wraps me in his arms.

“It’s okay Rowe. We got you,” he whispers into my hair as he holds my head to his chest and rubs my back.

Hudson walks up beside us and rubs the small of my back as he leans in and presses a gentle kiss on my lips with my cheek still resting on Ayden’s chest.

“You’re not in this alone, Rowe,” Hudson reminds me. “It’s okay to be scared, but we have to know. We can’t just go on like nothing's wrong, until weknownothing is wrong. I truly hope we get there and the doctor tells us you’re fine and you’ll just get better as the potion works its way out of your system. So, let’s not get too worked up just yet, okay?”

I take a deep breath and nod. He’s right. There might not even be anything wrong. I mean I have been remembering things more since Harris died and I stopped getting the potion. There’s no point getting stressed out and worrying about it until I need to.

“You ready to go, Sugar?” Hudson asks me gently.

I squeeze Ayden one last time in thanks and pull away. I square my shoulders and look at Hudson. “Yeah, I’m ready,” I turn to Ayden to tell him goodbye. “Thanks for helping keep me distracted today Ayden, and for watching the bakery while we’re gone,” I lean up and kiss him. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Doll. Call me if you need anything. I’ll close the bakery in a heartbeat.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m sure I’ll be fine until Mikey can take over,” I chuckle.

Hudson and Ayden both shake their heads at me. “He’ll close the store if he needs to Rowen. Don’t argue with us,” he commands.

“Yes sir,” I roll my eyes at the two of them. “Come on before we’re late.”

* * *

Luckily the doctor’soffice isn’t far away, we get there right on time. I’m surprised to see the waiting room completely empty. Aren’t doctor’s offices normally packed all of the time? I look at Hudson to ask him, but a nurse opens the door leading to the back and calls my name. We get up and follow her back to the room.

I sit on the bed and Hudson takes a seat in the chair next to it. The nurse asks me the general questions, checks my vitals, and leaves us to wait for Dr. Johnston. I finally get a chance to look at Hud and express my confusion.

“That was fast. It normally takes forever to even get brought back to a room,” I tell him.

He shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know Rowe, maybe they had some cancelations this morning and are ahead of schedule?” he offers.

The doctor comes in five minutes later, and I start to feel those nerves all over again. I grab for Hudson’s hand and he squeezes my hand and gives me a small smile.

“Rowen! It’s so good to see you again!” Dr. Johnston greets me. “Although, I’m sorry it’s under such circumstances. Why don’t you tell me what brings you in today?”

I take a deep breath and look at Hudson. He nods his head encouragingly so I tell the doc my story. By the time I’m done, he has a troubled expression on his face. I was right, this isn’t going to be good.

“Rowen, I want to run a few tests. Is that okay? I have my suspicions on what’s going on, but I want to be sure before I tell you anything. If you agree to the tests, we’ll get them all done today. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis as soon as possible,” he tells me gently. Though he could be as gentle as he wants, even with his amazing bedside manner, I’m seconds away from having the panic attack to end all panic attacks.

I just nod my head, because there’s no way I would be able to get any words out. “Okay, I’ll give you some time alone. I’m going to get these tests ordered and I’ll be right back to answer any questions you may have.” He says something else to Hudson before he leaves, but I’m in a daze and I don’t hear what he says.

Hudson stands up and pulls me down into his lap. He presses my head to his chest under his chin and holds me tight. He knows what’s coming, and with him holding me like this, I can’t hold it in any more. I break down and cry big, fat, ugly tears into his chest. What could it be? What does he think is wrong with me? I knew it was serious. I sit there, just sobbing into Hudson, and he just holds me tighter, whispering what I’m assuming are calming and reassuring words.

By the time the doctor comes back, I’m all cried out... for now anyway. I sit up a little straighter on Hudson’s lap and quickly wipe my face. I figured Dr. Johnston would say something about me sitting in Hud’s lap, but he doesn’t seem like it bothers him at all. He just wheels his stool over and sits in front of us so he can talk to both of us.

“How are you doing, Rowen?” he asks me. Again with the good bedside manner. I just sniff and shrug my shoulders. He nods his head, “Okay, fair enough. Do you give me permission to talk to Hudson about this?”

I finally find my voice to answer that question. “Yes. Always. That’s what he’s here for,” I offer him a small smile.

“I figured that, I just wanted to make sure. Okay, first we’re going to run some simple blood tests, then we’re going to do an MRI of your brain. You’re not claustrophobic, are you?” he asks me, and I shake my head again. “Good. It’ll take about an hour to complete the MRI and I’ll look at the images as soon as I get them. It will take me some time to review them, but I will get back to you today. I would say after your MRI, go home, have some lunch and I’ll call you as soon as I have any news. I promise to not make you wait any longer than I have to. I know you’re nervous Rowen and I don’t want to drag this out for you. Okay?” he spells out his plan and I just nod again.

Hudson squeezes me to him and kisses the top of my head. “Thanks Doc. Where do we go for the tests?” he asks.

“Just down the hall. I’ll send Nancy in to take you to get your blood drawn, then she’ll take you to MRI. Hudson, you’ll have to wait in the waiting room for that, but otherwise, you’re welcome to stay by her side,” Dr. Johnston tells us.

“Thanks Doc. You know I wasn’t planning on leaving,” Hudson admits. The doctor smiles knowingly then leaves again.

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