Page 51 of Choosing Skyler

She smiles at him, tapping her hand next to the spoon on the tray in front of her.

He sees the pudding in front of her and laughs. “Don’t let me stop you. Eat. How did breakfast go?” he asks, looking at Devon and me as she digs into her pudding.

“Great,” Devon answers, still snickering. “I think the hospital cafeteria staff could use some lessons from this one on the eggs, though. He’s spoiled her to the best omelets on the planet.” He laughs, slapping the back of my shoulder.

Dr. Henley smiles. “Well, since she’s doing so well, I think outside food is okay as long as it’s within the restrictions we set.” He turns to Skyler. “Lunch and dinner can include rice or short pasta with sauce or gravy and ground meat. Make sure your nurse is here for the first few bites to observe.”

Skyler nods her agreement as she takes the last bite of her pudding.

“If lunch and dinner go well today, I think an omelet will be fine for breakfast. How does that sound?” he asks her.

She nods and smiles excitedly, looking at me with pleading eyes.

“Whatever you want, Beautiful,” I tell her.

Dr. Henley continues explaining the treatment plan. “You’ll be going for another CT scan today to check on the internal healing of your neck and throat. The bruising has most likely peaked by now and will start fading in the next couple of days.”

We all nod our understanding.

“Have you been able to speak at all?” he asks her.

She shakes her head, frowning.

“That’s okay. I do want you to keep trying, but please do not strain yourself. If you do notice your voice coming back it may be sporadic. Just keep at it occasionally. You don’t want to irritate your vocal cords by overworking them. That will just prolong your recovery. Okay?” He pauses for her confirmation.

She nods as Devon and I both assure the doctor that we will make sure she follows his instructions. He tells us that he will be back this afternoon with the results of the CT scan.

Chelsea comes to Skyler’s bedside when the doctor leaves. “Hun, I’m going to go home and make you some lunch. Any requests?”

Skyler thinks about it and smiles. She grabs her phone and types out a message before showing it to Chelsea.

Chelsea looks perplexed when she reads it. “Stroganoff? I don’t think those noodles count asshortnoodles,” she tells Skyler.

Skyler frowns.

Devon laughs. “It’s okay, Sweets. Brady or I will cut it up for you.”

Skyler perks up and nods, smiling.

“I suppose I’m making enough to feed the lot of you?” Chelsea asks, eyeing Devon and me.

“Please,” Devon begs, holding his hands up like he’s praying.

Skyler rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

When a young tech comes in to take Skyler for her CT scan, Devon and I both stand to help her into the wheelchair. Then, we stand there, waiting for the kid to show us the way.

“I’m sorry,” the young guy says. “No visitors.”

Skyler’s breaths pick up and she starts to panic, trying to get up from the chair.

“Whoa, Beautiful.” I jump forward to put my hands on her shoulders, stopping her from standing. “We’ve got you. Breathe with me. Devon will handle this. We won’t leave you alone with a stranger,” I tell her, eyeing daggers at the tech.

“Listen,” Devon starts, leaning forward to read his name tag. “Jacob. We’re notvisitors. I’m her medical proxy and her voice since she can’t speak. She won’t be leaving this room without one or both of us with her,” he says, waving his hand between the two of us.

Jacob pails at Devon’s commanding demeanor. “I’m s-s-sorry,” he stutters. “That’s just the normal hospital policy. Of course, you can come since you’re her proxy. B-b-but only you,” he says, looking at me apologetically.

I cut the kid some slack and look at Skyler. “Is that okay with you? You go with Devon, and I’ll be right here when you get back.”

---