Page 41 of Choosing Skyler

When I told Skyler I loved her she tried to say it back. Iknowthat’s what she was trying to say. Her breath rasped out, but no words came. She grabbed the back of my neck and stared into my eyes, and I couldseeall the love I have staring right back at me. No matter what happens, we’re in this together. I’ll choose her every time.

When Devon and Julie come in, Devon skips to Skyler’s side, brushing her hair back.

“Hey, Sweets. How you feeling?” he asks her and I can hear the emotion behind his words.

She shrugs but doesn’t turn her head to look at him. She won’t look away from me and I won’t break the contact if she needs it. He reaches for her hand, and she squeezes his in return.

“I’m right here, Beautiful. I’m not going anywhere. You can look at Devon,” I tell her.

She turns to him and instantly starts crying. He’s right there with her. “Oh, Sky. Don’t cry. We’ve got you. I want to hug you so bad, but I don’t want to hurt you.”

Julie steps up next to Devon. “Please don’t jostle her around until we can gage her pain level.”

“I won’t and I can tell you now, sheisin pain,” Devon replies. “Sweets, you need to let her give you something for the pain. I can see it all over your face.”

Skyler shakes her head, wincing.

“Please?!We don’t want you to hurt,” I beg her, not really understanding why she’s refusing the medicine when she’s clearly in pain.

Devon studies her face. “You’re worried the medicine will put you back to sleep?”

She nods.

Julie sighs. “Skyler, your pain will get worse if we don’t get ahead of it. The doctor has also ordered plain Tylenol for breakthrough pain. What if we try that for now? If it doesn't get it under control, we can discuss other options.”

Skyler nods and we all let out a breath of relief as Julie runs to get the medication.

“I know you trust Brady and me, but you need to communicate with Julie. She knows what to ask and how to examine you. We’ll be right here. We won’t leave you,” Devon tells her.

She draws her eyebrows together, but nods.

When Julie comes back in, she injects the medication into Skyler’s IV and Skyler gets anxious until Julie explains that they don’t want her to swallow anything until they get a better understanding of the swelling and pain in her throat.

“It’s just Tylenol, I promise,” Julie tells her.

Skyler nods and settles back. Devon moves to my side of Skyler’s bed for Julie to assess her. She asks yes or no questions about her pain level, if she’s having trouble breathing, if she feels safe with us in the room and about a dozen other questions. She writes down each answer for her report to the doctors. Then, she turns to Devon.

“I know it would cause Skyler unnecessary stress to make one of you leave. So, you can both stayifyou will promise to get me if she needs additional pain medication. I’m afraid the Tylenol isn’t going to do much good,” Julie says insistently.

Skyler shakes her head, but Devon and I both say “Yes.”

When Julie leaves again, Devon asks Skyler if she wants him to call her parents. She gives him a death glare and he throws his hands up in surrender. He pulls his phone out and sends text messages to Tracey and Chelsea to let them know that Skyler’s awake. We’ll have a full room at seven in the morning, I’m sure.

“Devon, you can nap on the sofa if you want some more sleep,” I tell him.

He scoffs. “Quit with that shit, man. I’ve been sleeping way more than you have.”

“Yeah, but I slept all damn day,” I remind him.

Skyler looks at Devon with worry in her eyes.

He puts his hand up. “Don’t start. I’m good. I promise.”

She huffs as she shrugs her shoulders, and I can see the frustration on her face. She wants to tell him off, but she can’t speak.

Devon chuckles. “I think I may like Silent Sky. You can’t give me any shit.”

She glares at him.

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