Page 51 of Until Waverly

Sitting in Dr. Jay’s orthopedics office was different. Attached to the hospital, I waited for a sense of panic to creep in around the edges, but nothing. I should have been happy to know I’d be able to go back to school to finish my degree and start working again. However, the notion I felt nothing scared me more.

Jackson dropped me off and would return shortly. He was putting the final touches on a small family gathering at Flame. He wanted to celebrate my cast coming off. I needed to go home and rehab so I could back out on the L&D floor, even in a boot.

Obviously, I lost that argument.

I’d also win the battle of sending Jackson home. He spent the last month taking care of me and Alandria.The asshole.Sure, over the last couple of weeks he’d gone to work for a few hours a day, but he was still underfoot, making me rest while he was there.

I couldn’t say I didn’t like it. I did. Also, he stopped pushing me for answers. It was almost like he realized I wouldn’t be giving him anything else. Or maybe he was trying to figure out how to tell me the truth about the woman from Flame.

Speaking of which, I couldn’t say I was looking forward to this little celebration. I bet she was going to be there too. Which meant humiliating me once again. I’d rather he just leave and go home than shove his relationship in my face. I was sure the woman would be happy he was returning to her bed, anyway.

“Waverly,” Dr. Jay said, entering the room. “It’s so good to see you again.”

I laughed. I saw him two weeks ago to change the cast out, since more of the swelling had gone down. “It hasn’t been that long, Dr. Jay.”

“When I don’t see you all the time, like before, it’s been too long.” He grinned, placing the new X-rays on the screen so I could see them.

“Are you ready to be done with that cast?” He glanced over his shoulder at me.

“So done,” I groaned, sagging. “I need to get back to normal.”

“Good. I think you’re sufficiently healed to put you into a walking cast. I also want to set you up with some physical therapy. You’re missing a few bones in your foot now, so walking will feel different. As for your head, we’re going to do a few simple tests.” He tilted his head. “Do you remember what we did in the hospital?”

Again, I laughed. “Yes.”

“Good. That’s the right answer. How about sleeping and your dreams? Any issues with anxiety or panic attacks?”

“My sleeping is good.” Despite Jackson being there. “I have help with Alandria, and they’re allowing me to rest as much as possible.”

“The young man who picked you up?”

Heat filled my cheeks. I’d told no one at the hospital either who Jackson was. He just appeared with my parents and his siblings. “Yes. He’s Alandria’s father.”

“He seems smitten with both of you.” Dr. Jay went over to the cupboards in the exam room. “We talked a little, but he was there the whole time with you. Worrying over you. Have to admit, the boy appeared downright sick the first night.”

“Sick?” I tilted my head.

“According to your mother, when he found out about you and your daughter, he became violently ill and passed out.”

No one had told me. Or they did and I forgot? No. I would have remembered something like that, wouldn’t I have? Shouldn’t I have? “Well, he’s been doing great. Alandria loves him.”

“Good.” Dr. Jay returned to my side. “Just because I am putting this boot on doesn’t mean you can stop elevating the leg. You need to take it easy. Also, you can shower without it. Once you’ve put it back on, you can go about your day like it doesn’t exist. I’ll need to see you again in two weeks, okay?”

I nodded.

“Great. Let’s get this on.”

Once the boot was in place, we ran through the small exercises to make sure my brain was healing as well as my leg.

“Looking good, Waverly. Your pupils are reacting to the light like they should be. Your coordination is on point, and you can recall all the right answers to the questions I’ve asked you. When you come in again, I want to do another MRI of your brain and skull to check the healing of the fracture, but I have a feeling you’ll be good to go.”

“Thank you, Dr. Jay,” I said, grateful for him.

“Also, you should know, the hospital is covering all the fees and associated cost for your surgery and stay. My appointments are also free.”

The weight of the situation lifted from my chest. I might’ve said nothing about it out loud or tried to think too much about it, but I had been worried about the cost. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “I’m just glad you’re all in one piece now. It’s been lonely without seeing you around. The patients and nurses in Labor and Delivery miss you too.”

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