I’m sure Mr. James wouldn’t mind me missing the utility payments for a little while but I hated shoving responsibility off on to someone else. Plus my tuition for next semester would only be partially covered by scholarships and I was supposed to be coming up with the rest. Not to mention books and labs and any other supplies I needed. Baths for Caleb, fixing food, putting him to bed, chasing him around the apartment to keep him out of trouble, the responsibilities were endless.
Chase pulls my hands away from my face and places small kisses across my tightened jaw. “Your worrying,” he murmurs in between pecks that he’s now trailing down my neck and I can feel his warm breath that sends tingles through my body.
“Well I’d say I do have a lot to worry about Chase, quit trying to distract me.” I playfully push on his head and he looks up at me through his long dark lashes. “You don’t like my distraction Leah?” I bite my lip and try to stop my mouth from turning up into a small smile. “I’ll take care of everything babe, don’t worry.”
“Chase I don’t need you to take care….”
“Just stop,” he says as he interrupts me. “You have me and you have some awesome friends who are more than happy to take care of you.”
I close my eyes and try to argue with his point even though I know he’s more stubborn than me most of the time. “But Chase I don’t WANT people to take care of me. I’ll figure this out.”
He puts a finger over my lips to shush me. “Leah no one’s doing this because they feel sorry for you. We’re your family, it’s what families do.”
I huff out a breath and open my eyes to look back into his brilliant green jewels. “Fine but don’t think you can boss me around. My legs broken nothing else, I’m not completely helpless.”
“I know baby, trust me everyone knows you’re a strong ass woman. You could probably beat my ass even with a broken leg,” he smoothes the furrow of my brow out before climbing out of the cramped hospital bed as my tray of food is delivered.
I’m able to force down a little bit of oatmeal and fruit but my stomach has definitely shrank since I’ve been here. The nurse and doctor both come back and give me the clear to head home. Chase steps out of the room while there doing this and comes back in with a refreshed looking Ally following closely behind him.
“Hi sweetie! You look so much better today and I’m sure this will help you out a bit too,” she pats a bag that’s hanging over her shoulder. “Think you can step out for a minute Chase so I can help her into some stuff?” I roll my eyes at Ally. I’m pretty sure Chase has seen every part of my body there is to see but he doesn’t argue with Allys bossing, just shrugs his shoulder and backs out of the room with a smirk.
Ally dumps out the contents of the oversized bag on the small table next to my bed before walking over to stand next to me. “How you doing honey,” she asks in a quiet voice. “I’m fine Al really. A few aches and pains here and there but I can already tell this leg cast is really gonna be a bitch.”
I reach up and wipe off a lone tear running down her cheek. I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever seen her cry, it takes a lot to chip away at her perky outlook on life. “Al I’m good I promise,” I reassure her again. She takes a deep breath and sniffles, a big smile lighting up her face. “Okay good. No more tears, pinky swear. Now just cause you’re body has been beat to hell doesn’t mean you can’t still look sexy. The cast is definitely going to be a problem but I’ve got a few things that will work.”
I twirl a greasy loose curl around my finger that’s escaped from my messy bun as she brings an outfit over for me. “Trust me, this hair is anything but sexy. I could really use a shower.”
“Let’s worry about that after we get out of this place, ‘kay sweetie? Now I hope you don’t mind but I really didn’t want to bring some frumpy pajama pants for you. I knew none of your yoga pants would fit over the cast so I cut one of the legs off at the knee.” She helps me sit up a bit and undoes my hospital gown. I would be good if I never saw one of those hideous things again. Well I guess wear one again. Being in the nursing field I’m sure I’ll see many of them.
After Ally helps me get dressed I’m all set to go and am impatiently waiting for a wheel chair to be brought up. I pepper her with questions about Caleb, how he’s doing, if he knows what happened. Ally explained to him that I got a few boo boos but was fine and he had been having fun with Chases little sisters. Ally was convinced that him and Belle were now soul mates at the ripe old age of three. Chase comes around the corner talking to the nurse who’s finally pushing a wheelchair in for me. “All set to go now dear?”
“Yes definitely,” I say as she and Chase help to assist me into the wheelchair. “Well you look beautiful. If it wasn’t for this cast here no one would have any clue you were just in an accident.”