Page 18 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
“You can show me later.” She blew him a kiss and stripped out of her pajamas, changing into a long- sleeved T-shirt and jeans. “Do these make my butt look okay?” she asked, turning to look at herself in the full- length mirror.
Cayden whistled. “That whole outfit makes everything about you look phenomenal.”
She scoffed. “It’s literally just a shirt and jeans, Cayden.”
“I’m a simple man, as I’ve said before.”
Lillian rolled her eyes, but he could see the pleasure on her face. “I’m hungry. Come on. Andrew is being discharged right after lunch, so we need to get back there to prepare.”
“Prepare? Does he have a lot of luggage?”
“My guess is getting him into the car with crutches and a leg that doesn’t bend is going to be no easy task. We’ll try scooting him in one way and have to make some adjustments.”
Cayden thought for a second. “I don’t think so.”
Lillian gave him a questioning look.
“Fitting him in there will be pretty easy. It may involve a foot between the two front seats, but I don’t think it will be so difficult.”
“You do realize how tall he is, don’t you?” she asked.
“Of course. But—” He smirked and lowered his voice, “you know I’m an expert at fitting long things into small spaces.”
Lillian let out a giddy shriek and ran into the bathroom, covering her face. Between the gaps in her fingers he caught a glimpse of the flaming red embarrassment coloring her cheeks, and he grinned. Her reactions got him every time; she was so funny when she didn’t know what to do with herself.
They managed to settle down and get the last scraps of food before heading off to the hospital. Cayden chowed down on his pancakes and bacon and fruit, silently mourning that today was the last day of his beloved continental breakfast. Lillian calmly sipped her coffee and ate a bagel, every so often sharing how grateful she was that she hadn’t had a big flare-up since arriving in Rodney. Making a joke about how their conversations were sometimes as boring as a couple who had been together for fifty years, they checked out of the hotel and loaded up in the car.
Lillian stayed in the car with Cayden while he found a parking space this time. Enjoying what he assumed would be the last little chunk of time together without anyone else being there, he held her hand as they strolled across the parking lot. When they arrived in Andrew’s room they were both shocked to see him in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, looking as ready to go as he could with some fading yellow bruises splattered across his arms and the side of his face.
“Are we ready now?” Lillian asked excitedly, letting go of Cayden’s hand and giving Andrew a hug.
He nodded, opening his mouth to reply.
Frances interrupted. “The doc said he could go early if he wants to.”
“Have you already had the final checks?” Lillian asked Andrew.
“Yeah, they said I’m free to go. They keep saying I’m a strong, resilient guy.” With a stereotypical superhero grin, he puffed his chest out a little. “It’s not getting to my head, I swear.”
Lillian groaned jokingly. “Geez, Andrew, the dryness of your humor turns me into a prune sometimes.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, you all are going to have a miserable time together, I imagine.” Frances winked at her husband. “Let me take a photo.”
“Cayden,” Lillian called, beckoning him over. “Come over here.”
“Nah, just let it be you two.”
“No way. Come here.”
“Come on, buddy,” Andrew called, sounding like he was talking to a baby.
Fine, he thought, and joined the other two on the bed. Putting his arm around Lillian, he smiled for the photo. Frances was obviously aiming the camera much too high, and looking just above the top edge of her glasses was not seeming to help her eyesight.
This is a special day, he thought, and stood up. “Hey, you two,” he said to Andrew’s parents, “go get in the photo. I’ll take it.”
“Are you sure?” Frances asked, obviously thrilled, and didn’t wait for an answer. She grabbed her husband’s wrist and pulled him into the photo
