Page 48 of Fractured Constellations
It’s a sound that I want to hear for the rest of my life, and so I keep telling her jokes until Patty returns.
“You can come again,” she tells me, and I give her my best bow, which has Luna laughing again. She heads over to Luna, pushing her trolley that has Luna’s final bag of fluid. “That’s the last treatment for this cycle. Just your final fluid and you’ll be ready to go home in the morning.”
Luna smiles wide, her body sagging into Blade, who holds her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank fuck. No offense.”
“Oh, none taken. Much as I love all my patients, I’m glad when they get to go home,” Patty replies, making quick work of swapping the bags. “I’ll let you get some rest, and see you in the morning.”
With that, Patty leaves, and I muse over how lucky we are to have her as Luna’s nurse. I’ll be making sure we get her next time too. Luna is comfortable with her, and I want her to be as happy as she can, given the situation.
“Well, I’m calling that a fucking win,” I state, careful of her IV lines as I get onto the bed on her other side. Blade grumbles, but Luna sighs, snuggling between us like it’s the best place in the world.
She’s on her back, and so I steal one of her hands, bringing it to my lips and placing a kiss there. It’s freezing cold, so I wrap both of mine around it, trying to give her some of my body heat.
“Why did you all stay? For the whole time, I mean?” she asks softly, and I look over at her to find her gaze on the ceiling, her pale cheeks slightly flushed.
“Didn’t have anything else better to do, Goldie,” I reply, her head snapping towards me, her mouth agape. I laugh, darting into press a kiss on her pale lips before pulling back, then reach out with my other hand, cupping her cheek. “I’m just messing with you. Where else would we be when you need us?”
“Thank you. It means…well, everything to have you all here.” Her blue eyes bore into my fucking soul, and I would happily live there for the rest of my life. I should be surprised at the depth of my feelings, but I’m not. If nothing else, what happened with Mom taught me that life is precious and we need to grab it by the balls, not wasting a single moment.
“It means everything to be here with you, Moonbeam,” I tell her, leaning in and placing my lips against hers.
She sinks into my kiss, melting every part of me until I’m sure we’re fused to our very souls.
The next morning, Patty explains the discharge and home care to Luna as she practically buzzes with excitement. Well, as much as anyone who has just gone through three days of exhausting chemo can be buzzing. A slow smile spreads on Luna’s beautiful but pale face, showcasing her relief at finally being free of this place.
I feel like there are fire ants under my skin as I help Blade pack our things, Chase by her side and taking in every detail of what Patty says. I can’t deny the lightness inside my chest at the idea of going home. I can’t fucking wait to take her away from this place, because however comfortable it is, it’s not home.
Blade zips up Luna’s bag, and then like the caveman he is, takes it plus his own in his hand. I just roll my eyes, because it leaves me to push her wheelchair, which is sitting near the doorand which Luna gave the most scathing look I’ve ever seen when Patty wheeled it in. That’s an imminent battle.
“Now, time to take out the port needle, Luna. It can be a little uncomfortable, okay?” Patty asks, and my head snaps up as Luna gives a nod, grasping Chase’s hand and wincing when Patty removes the needle. I hear a low rumble from Blade next to me, and my hands twitch at wanting to throw Patty out the fucking window for daring to hurt my Moonbeam. “All done. You are officially free to go.”
“Come on, Star. Let’s get you in the wheelchair?—”
“I’m not getting in the fucking wheelchair, Chase,” she argues immediately, and I can’t hold back the smirk at how, even exhausted she’s still, not lost her fire, her spark.
“Luna,” Chase chides, but she just shakes her head and attempts to get up before her knees crumple. Chase manages to catch her as Blade and I rush forward.
“Stubborn fucking woman,” Blade grumbles, thrusting the bags at me. “Hold these.” I barely catch them as he strides the few steps to Luna, sweeping her up into his massive arms. She opens her mouth in a protest, Patty chuckling as Blade just gives her a look. “It’s this or the chair, Princess.”
She huffs. “Fine.” Though I don’t miss the way her arms wrap around his neck and she nuzzles into him as he pulls her closer.
“Good girl,” he rumbles, and her whole body gives a shudder, like it always does at his praise.
We leave the room that, at times, has felt more like a prison in the past three days, and I catch a glimpse of all four of us in the glass doors leading to our freedom, Luna safe in Blade’s arms, Chase and I flanking them. We’re more of a unit than we’ve ever been, linked by our drive to make Luna well again, but she’s now a fundamental part of us, something which, if I have my way, we will never be separated from.
Patty leads us back the way we came three days ago, and I can’t deny how my heart beats faster the closer to the exit we get. We finally reach the foyer, which is just as empty as when we arrived, and it’s full of sunlight.
“Well, I will see you all in a few weeks,” Patty says, Blade pausing so Luna can see her. “Take care, and any issues, don’t hesitate to call, okay?”
“Absolutely, thank you, Patty,” Luna replies, a wide grin splitting her lips, and I feel the matching smile on my face too.
“I’ll brush up on my jokes for next time,” I tell Patty with a wink, and she laughs.
“I look forward to it,” she answers, giving us a wave and then turning to head back down the corridor.
“Let’s get the fuck home,” Blade orders, striding towards the glass doors, which open as we approach, letting in a blast of hot air. It is summer after all.
I watch as the sunlight hits Luna’s face, showcasing a mixture of exhaustion and relief, her eyes closing as she absorbs the rays as if they alone will help rejuvenate her.
