Page 10 of Bliss: Part 2
“It’s good that she’s awake,” he said quietly, offering a small, tight smile. “It’s a very good sign. We’ll give her space until she says otherwise. No need to overwhelm her.”
“Right. Thank you.”
He flipped one page on the clipboard, and his expression changed. I could tell he was trying to keep it professional, but the human part of him was still there.
“The results came in. Her blood shows a mix of substances. Likely sedatives. Enough to knock her out, lower her blood pressure, and cause her to lose consciousness. The amount could’ve killed her, but... she’s strong.”
“Yeah. She is.”
I dragged a hand down my face, trying to brace myself for the rest.
“Any signs of...”
I couldn’t finish the sentence.
Dr. Hansen gave a subtle nod. “There are signs, but we haven’t done a full examination. We won’t unless she consents. It would help the police, though. We’ll send a trauma therapist up when she’s ready. No rush, though. Everything will happen on her terms.”
“Thank you, Doc.”
He nodded again. “Let me know when she’s ready to talk about what happened. We’ll take it from there.”
When I walked back into the room, Tripp was still holding her, and Bliss looked so damn small in his arms. I pulled the chair closer and sat beside her, gently rubbing her back. She didn’t flinch. That alone was enough to make me understand that our presence was enough for her right now.
Later that night, the nurse brought in food and water. We didn’t expect for her to eat, but Bliss surprised us, and she ate. Slowly and quietly, but she ate.
Dash and Rhys were beside her now. Dash was the steady one, praising her for every bite she took like it was the most important thing in the world. Rhys, on the other hand, did what he did best. He made her laugh, just a little. He cracked jokes about hospital food and how the water was probably the best thing on the tray. Bliss smiled, barely, but it was something.
She was trying. Even when her lips trembled, even when it looked like she might cry again, she held it together. Mostly for us.
That’s who she was. Always thinking about us. Always trying to be strong.
“No more?” Dash asked gently.
She shook her head and placed a hand on her belly. “I’m full.”
“That’s okay, baby. You did great. Better than I could’ve,” Rhys said with a small grin. “Not as good as Dad’s cooking, huh?” he teased.
Another small smile.
Dash leaned in. “You wanna lie down? I can help.”
“No,” she said, a little firmer. “I wanna sit.”
“Alright, sweetheart.” He sat down and held her hand, and she let him. She leaned back into the pillow, her eyes scanning the room again.
“Are you okay?” she asked us. Her voice was so soft.
She was so damn selfless.
“We’re alright, baby,” I said, reaching for her foot above the blanket. I gave it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry about us. We’re just glad you’re here.”
The rest of the night was quiet. We kept our voices low, and Bliss eventually started closing her eyes. She was fighting the sleep she desperately needed though, and I knew it was because she wanted to soak in the time she had with us.
But I told the boys to head home then. She was tired, and there was no use in staying awake when her body and mind wanted to shut off to rest.
“I’ll stay with her,” I said.
Odin stepped closer and leaned down to kiss her head. “Love you, sweetheart. We’ll be back tomorrow,” he assured her.
