“Ah, I see you’ve gotten him to calm down. Good, good.”
The doctor entered the room with a cool rush of air, startling me, causing me to automatically step away from Mark. He kept his arm wrapped tightly around my waist, not even lifting his head up. I gave up and leaned back against him, finding comfort in his warmth. It was up to me to break the expectant silence. The doctor was looking at us, waiting for an answer to an unspoken question.
“We’ll get his arm set and some stitches. We’ll talk about the rest later.” I felt Mark stiffen against me even as the doctor nodded his agreement and turned back to wave a nurse with a wheelchair through the door. I leaned down to comfort Mark. “Trust me.” I waited until he raised his bleary green gaze to mine. “We’ve got to bide our time. Just trust me. I promise you’ll go home with me tonight.” I made sure my voice was low enough that the conversation stayed between me and Mark, I’d deal with the doctor only when it became necessary.
For a minute more he stared at me and I was sure he was going to argue. My heart pounded in my chest, it had become very important that he trust me. It was hard to describe. He’d asked for my help, expected it even. Now I wanted him to trust me even when it looked like I wasn’t following through. Swallowing tightly I kept my eyes locked with his, willing him to trust me, to believe in me. With a sigh he nodded and settled once more against my chest, his head a heavy weight that I welcomed.
“Ma’am, you need to let him go.”
I turned my head and looked at the nurse speaking to me. She was a different one, not the same one who’d brought the medicine. It was a good thing. I didn’t want her close to Mark. Being in the same hospital was really too close in my opinion. The older nurse came over and leaned down until she was eye level with Mark. He hadn’t bothered to raise his head yet. She looked up at me and smiled. I liked her immediately.
“Sir,” she spoke gently, well aware of the headache her patient had to have. The cut above his eye was swollen and ugly, already bruised. There was blood congealed in his hair. Yet he held onto the woman like a safety blanket. One arm was cradled against his chest and the other was wrapped tightly around her waist. When she looked closer at the hand he had cradled, she could see the large bruise and the lump on his wrist telling her it was broken. She clucked her tongue in sympathy. That was going to hurt when they set it.
Looking the couple over again she had to wonder what had happened. The woman didn’t have a scratch on her but the man looked like one big bruise. She knew he had to be in pain but there were no tears—she’d been a nurse long enough to know it had to be bad for a man to be in tears. If the man was in tears it was usually the woman that was hurt. But there were tears in the woman’s eyes. Ahh, must be the wife, she thought. She’ll cry enough for both of them. Looking them over once again, she noticed how tightly he’d wrapped his arm around her, how she cradled his head to her chest so lovingly. She sniffed lightly and told herself to quit being a foolish old woman. People were in love all the time. It was nothing to cry over. Time to get to business.
“Sir, you need to let your wife go.” Gently she tugged on his fingers that were clenched on the young woman’s hip. His fingers never loosened. “Sir—”
“I’m not—”
“No. She stays.” Mark’s voice cut through both the nurse’s voice and mine. He finally lifted his head, though it seemed to be a struggle for him. His eyes sought me immediately and I smiled at him. Everything was ok.
“I’ll be right here Mark. But we’ve got to get you in the wheel chair. I think they’re ready to set your arm.”
“You’re right Ms. ?” The doctor looked at me expectantly. I wasn’t sure how to answer. If I admitted no relation, they wouldn’t let me stay with him. Feeling Mark’s fingers tighten, I reached down and covered them with mine. I was staying, one way or another. Looking the doctor right in the eye, I answered, “Calloway. Dory Calloway. His wife. Mark’s wife.” Ok that was overdoing it just a little bit. But once the lie was out there I just had to say it twice. It sounded good. My ears rang just a little bit and I had to bite my lip to keep a silly smile off my face. I just hope Mark was so doped up on his medicine that he didn’t remember it.
The doctor looked at me suspiciously before checking the forms he had in his hand. “Hmm . . .it says here that Mr. Calloway was brought in with no relatives present.”
There was definitely some suspicion in his eyes as he looked me over. Damn. Straightening my spine I looked him over and said, “Dr. Watson was it?” At his hesitant nod I continued, “My husband is in need of medical attention. We’ve sat here long enough waiting on you to consult your x-rays. My husband was brought in by friends who stayed until I could arrive. Now if you want to give me the third degree, can we do so after my husband’s arm is set and his wound stitched up? There’s something about seeing blood drip down his face that blocks all other thoughts.”
I could feel my knees trembling, wondering if I’d overdone it, wondering if he was going to buy it.
After long minutes when I regretted everything I’d let Tony talk me into eating at the arena, the doctor finally nodded. “See if you can get him in the wheel chair. The nurse will help. We’ll take him down to have his arm set and be right back to have his wound stitched. Then we’ll get him set up in a room for observation.” He turned and waved impatiently at the nurse. He never saw the frown or the way Mark quickly stood up. Or at least as quickly as he could in his woozy state. Looking down at me I met his eyes and could read his thoughts before he even spoke. “You promise?”
Gently taking his arm and guiding him to the chair the nurse was holding, I nodded. “I promise.” Giving him a little smile, the first since this had happened I stretched upward and kissed him. Against his lips I whispered, “I guarantee it.”
He paused for just a minute before sliding into the wheelchair the nurse was holding steady. With a nod he allowed the nurse to push him out of the door. With a hefty grunt she got the chair going and gave me a reassuring smile. “We’ll have him back to you in just a few minutes, dear.” She reached down and patted Mark’s shoulder. “He’s in good hands.” With one last smile she pushed Mark out the door and down the hall. I watched until they disappeared behind the big white double doors at the end of the hallway.
“What’s going on Dory? Where are they taking him?”
Tony’s concerned voice drug me out of my thoughts. Turning around I saw him and Kane standing exactly where I’d left them.
“They’re going to set his arm. They wouldn’t let me stay for that. Then they’re going to stitch the wound over his eye. Some part of that chair caught him right over his eye pretty deep. I couldn’t watch them put stitches in his skin. I just couldn’t handle that.”
I felt a shiver rack me and crossed my arms over myself. It was chilly out in the hallway. Tony immediately came over and offered his jacket. Kane was still in his ring attire, Mark had been too. I bet we’d been the oddest-looking bunch to hit the ER in quite a while. With a tired smile I thanked him and pulled the warmth of the jacket around me. I turned back around to watch the double doors, taking a couple of steps in that direction before turning back to Tony.
“Tony, do you know why Mark would refuse to stay in the hospital?” He shook his head. I looked at Kane who’d stayed quiet. “What about you?” Kane opened his mouth and closed it a couple of times before shaking his head and quickly looking away. “Hmm.” So Kane knew why he didn’t want to stay but he wasn’t going to say anything. Fine. Dropping the subject completely, I turned back to the doors saying over my shoulder. “They gave him some pain medicine which worked pretty quick. He was pretty loopy by the time they took him in.”
Hearing a muffled snort I glanced back over my shoulder to catch Kane and Tony sharing a glance and choking on laughter. “What?”
Tony quickly straightened. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Nudging Kane he gave a nod of his head to the other end of the hallway. “Wanna get some coffee?”
Kane quickly nodded. “You want some Dory?”
Looking them both over I could tell they had a secret, something they weren’t likely to share. “No, thanks I don’t want any. But take your time. They’ll be awhile with Mark.” I smiled to let them know I didn’t mind being left, which I didn’t. It would give me time alone to think about everything that’s happened.
“You don’t mind?” Tony asked.
I shook my head and waved them towards the other end of the hallway where the signs pointed out the different areas of the hospital. Tony turned and headed off. Kane looked at me and merely raised an eyebrow. He was so like Mark sometimes it’s a wonder they weren’t real brothers.
“I’m sure. Go on.”
“I haven’t had anything to eat tonight. Why don’t we all go to the cafeteria and grab a sandwich? Like you said, it’s going to take them a while with him.”
Kane stood patiently waiting, silently urging me to go with them. I just shook my head. “You grab a couple of sandwiches and eat. You need it after your good deed for the night. Make Tony buy.” I grinned at him. When he still looked concerned, I sighed. “Really I’m fine. I’d rather stay right here. That way if he needs me, I can be here for him. That’s all.” Seeing him frown and start to protest, I added, “Bring me a cup of coffee please. Straight. I’d appreciate that more than anything right now.”
Finally he nodded and walked to join Tony. Tony had realized Kane wasn’t with him and had started back up the hallway. They met halfway and stopped for a conference. God save me from interfering men. Watching closely I saw when they finally decided to go on to the cafeteria.
Turning around I crossed my arms and stared hard at the double doors Mark had disappeared through. Damn, how long would this take? Pacing back and forth, I stayed in the hallway, waiting for Mark to come back.
A nurse walked by and gave me a sympathetic look before continuing on down the hall. Another couple walked past, the man giving me a strange look over his shoulder. Looking down I could see why. The T-shirt I’d put on clean this morning was now covered in Mark’s blood. It must have soaked in from his hair earlier where he’d rested his head against me. I felt a shiver work its way up my back at the sight. All of that blood. All of Mark’s blood. I could feel the hot prick of tears behind my eyes and forced myself to take a deep breath. Crying like a baby wasn’t going to help Mark. He was going to be fine. Perfectly fine.
Hearing the doors swish open I quickly jerked my gaze up, looking for Mark. It was only the kindly nurse coming back towards me.
“Dear, would you like some coffee from the nurses’ station? Or can I get you a soft drink?”
I shook my head, refusing her kind gesture.
Walking over she placed her hands over mine where I had them clenched together. “He’ll be fine. The medicine had already kicked in and the doctor was going to set his hand immediately. It’s not a bad break according to the x-rays. It shouldn’t take long. Then a few stitches over that eye and we’ll have him settled in bed in no time.” Giving my hands one last gentle pat she turned to go. “I’ll even see if I can get a fold out bed for you. I think he’ll rest better that way. I’m sure you will too.”
“Thank you. You’ve been very kind to me and . . .and my husband. I appreciate it.”
“Think nothing of it dear. It’s nice to see two people so in love.”
With those parting words she turned and left. I stood in the hallway, staring blankly after her. I was not in love with that man. Yes, I liked him. Yes, I did miss him when I wasn’t with him. Yes, his touch did make me melt. But that wasn’t love. No, not love. Very strong like with a dash of lust. Yes, that’s it but not love. No. Oh, hell.
Without a thought about what I was doing I started walking towards the double doors. They swooshed open when I was mere feet away from them, showing a drowsy Mark being wheeled by a nurse. Mark perked up a little when he saw me. He seemed to straighten in the chair and he was already holding out a hand to me. I closed the distance between us and laced my fingers through his. The nurse smiled at me and kept pushing.
“We’re just going to take him back to the exam room and then stitch him up. They’re preparing a room for him right now upstairs.”
Mark’s fingers tightened around mine, seeming to remind me of my promise. I hadn’t forgotten. Leaning down to him I whispered, “Stay calm. I remember.” Slowly he nodded. I gave him a small smile, “Pretty cool cast. How did I know it would be black?”
He just grinned. It was nice to see him smile again, even if it did probably have more to do with the pain medicine than anything else.
We rolled into the same room we’d been in earlier. With me on one side and the nurse on the other we managed to get Mark settled on the exam table. His legs were none to steady but at least he didn’t argue about getting on the table.
“The doctor will be in in just a minute.” She left us, closing the door quietly behind herself.
“We’re leavin’?”
Mark’s voice was low and a little slurred when I turned to look at him. God, we’d had a rough night. Part of his shirt was torn and there was blood all over his chest from the cut above his eye. One of the nurses had cleaned most of it off his face but the blood was still matted in his hair and some in his goatee. None of it detracted from his appearance. Neither did the black cast on his arm. He simply looked like he’d been through a war – and lived to walk away.
Walking over I leaned against the table by his side. “Yes, we’ll be leaving in just a little while. You’ve still got to get that eye stitched up though.” Running a gentle hand over his cast I asked, “How’s the hand? Pain medicine still working?”
Looking over at me he gave me a grin that could only be described as goofy. That was answer enough.
“Ok, now, how’s the patient doing?” The doctor came in the door, carrying a handful of papers. “Let’s get started on those stitches.”
I felt myself pale and leaned even more of my weight against the table. Please, oh please, don’t let me faint. I closed my eyes tight, refusing to watch whatever the doctor was going to do. I could hear the rattle of the instruments on the metal tray but I still wouldn’t open my eyes. I couldn’t watch a needle being pulled through his skin.
“Hold still sir and we’ll get started.”
I swallowed a moan and felt my knees begin to buckle. Before I could hit the floor I felt a chair pushed gently against the back of my knees. I sank into it gratefully. Mark’s fingers tightened around mine, reassuring me when it should have been the other way around. I opened my eyes to see where the chair had come from and saw the kind nurse standing behind me, smiling. “Thank you.”
She just patted my shoulder before going back to assist the doctor. Looking up I met Mark’s eyes and saw the concern for me there, shining through the pain. I squeezed his fingers before leaning down and kissing his fingers. Not only did it comfort him but it gave me a good excuse not to look at the needle in his skin. I left my head lying against our clenched hands. I’d make it up to Mark later but I couldn’t watch that.
Hours later I heard the doctor clear his throat and looked up. There was a tiny row of stitches across Mark’s forehead. If it had been a half-inch lower it would have been in his eyebrow, completely hidden. All the blood had been washed away, the stitches neatly pulling the torn flesh together. I watched as the doctor put the finishing touches on his work. He placed a small white bandage to protect the stitches before reaching for Mark’s arm. “Let me help you down from the table. We’ll get you in the wheelchair and off to a room. Before you know it you’ll be set for the night. We’ve got some great nurses here and they’ll take good care of you.”
The doctor motioned the nurse forward and helped Mark settle into the chair. Mark never let go of my hand and kept looking at me, waiting for me to take a stand. I never said a word, just squeezed his hand.
“I’m not stayin’. Not her. Here. Not here.” Mark dropped my hand and tried to stand up but the nurse just put her hands on his shoulders holding him in place. He was still weak enough that she could. He stayed in the chair and we passed through the door the doctor was holding and out in the hallway. Smiling at the nurse I walked beside her and with a hand gesture asked if I could push the chair. With a nod she moved out of the way. Stepping behind Mark’s chair I continued out into the hallway.
Pushing the chair carefully, I started towards the end of the hallway, hoping I’d run into Tony and Kane on their way back. I hadn’t taken more than a few steps before the doctor was hollering at me.
“Mrs. Calloway, where are you going? Your husband’s room is this way. Why don’t you let the nurse push the wheelchair? This way please.” He turned without looking at me and started down the hallway.
I did stop and turn around. Putting my hand on Mark’s shoulder I gave it squeeze. I wanted the touch more for my comfort than his. Taking a deep breath, I prepared my argument. “I’m sorry Doctor but we’ll be leaving now. My husband will rest more comfortably at home. You’ve set his arm, you’ve stitched his eye. If you can tell me what I need to do for his concussion, then everything will be ok.”
I tried to smile as the doctor turned slowly to face me. I could tell by the way his shoulders had stiffened that he didn’t appreciate what I’d said. His eyes were cold, lips stretched tight as he looked me slowly up and down. “Madam, we have been over this area more than once. He needs to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. It will be better for all of us if you simply followed orders. I would hate to have you removed.”
I felt Mark stiffen under my hand and leaned down, wrapping my arm around his shoulder, hugging him. Whispering lightly in his ear, “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere without you.” Straightening I saw that the doctor was now flanked by two nurses. One of them was the pretty one who’d brought the medicine in earlier, the other one was the kind one, the one who’d gone out of her way to help me. “I can understand your concern for your patient. But you must admit that as long as I’m aware of what I need to watch for, there’s no need for Mark to stay here. We’ll be fine at home.” I steadied my nerves and gave him my haughtiest stare. “There is no need for threats. I have the right to take my husband home.”
The doctor’s eyes narrowed, his breathing heavy. I could see the thoughts chase across his face. He was outraged that I’d challenge him, question any decision he’d made.
“I would like to remind you that I am the doctor here. I know what is best medically for my patient.”
“I’m his wife. He wants to go home and I’m going to make sure he does.”
“He’s on too much medication to know what he wants.” The doctor looked me up and down again, lip curling in distaste at whatever he saw. “And as for you being his wife—well, I have my doubts about that. The nurse on call said you were there when he came in and did not claim kinship then. Why are you doing it now?”
Shit. His accusation caught me off guard. It was unexpected and it was too damn true. Hesitating for telling seconds, I finally answered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. The point here is Mark wants to leave – he made his wishes very clear to you before he took any pain medicine. I will make sure he gets to leave.”
The doctor turned to the nurse on his right—the pretty one—saying, “Loraine, go get two of the orderlies. We’ll need some extra help to get Mr. Calloway settled and to have this lady removed.”
Loraine gave me a gloating smile and turned to obey the doctor’s orders.
Mark had been silent through all of this. I was thankful for that at least. If he’d been fully cognizant I’m sure he’d have already hit the doctor and simply stormed out. Fortunately, he was unaware of what was going on due to the medicine. I simply stood and waited, praying Tony and Kane would show up before the orderlies. I was running out of ideas on how to safely get Mark out of here. Damn that medicine. If it hadn’t been for that Mark would be able to fight his own battle.
It was only a few minutes before the nurse was back with two very large orderlies following closely on her heels.
The doctor smiled and motioned the orderlies towards me and Mark. “One of you need to take the patient to his room and the other one needs to help this person—” he vaguely waved his hand towards me—“out of the hospital. She is causing a disturbance.” The doctor stood back, smiling smugly while the orderlies came towards me. Loraine stood there with a smug little smile on her face. The kind nurse had left when Loraine had and she hadn’t come back. Damn, at least when she’d been there I’d felt like I had at least one person on my side. I started backing up, pulling Mark with me, not knowing what else to do. I stopped suddenly and leaned down, “Mark, get up. Please stand up now.”
Mark turned his head at the urgent note in Dory’s voice. He’d been trying to follow the conversation but it was hard. His mind felt floaty, unconnected but he could tell Dory was unhappy. Was she still mad at him? Surely not. He’d apologized earlier. Hadn’t he? Feeling her tug on his arm he tried to get to his feet. Looking up at her he could see the frown on her face. She really was upset. Using his uninjured arm he pushed up from the chair, frowning when his knees shook. Damn medicine. Finally gaining his feet he looked around for Dory and saw her standing behind the chair. Afraid to move, not wanting to fall on his face, he motioned for her to come around to his side. He smiled slightly when she quickly came to his side, slipping under his uninjured arm. Yeah, she couldn’t still be mad at him. Leaning some of his weight on her, he tried to assess the situation. It was hard when he saw two of everyone.
“What’s going on darlin’?”
I wrapped my arm around Mark’s waist before answering, “We’re leaving Mark. The doctor here just needs to get the release papers and then we’ll be going.” Tightening my arm around Mark I said, “He just needs a little persuasion.”
“Persuasion?” The confusion in Mark’s voice would have been funny under other circumstances. But as I watched the two orderlies come closer and closer I couldn’t find my sense of humor. I backed up a few steps, dragging Mark with me.
“Lady, you don’t seem to realize that this man is my patient. He is my responsibility. He will stay here in the hospital for as long as I deem it necessary.” With a stern nod he waved the orderlies forward. “Take the patient and put him in room 203. Escort the lady out of the hospital. She is not to be readmitted.”
The orderlies came towards me, large and unsmiling. Now what was I going to do? I couldn’t very well run away—I wasn’t going to leave Mark. But the orderlies didn’t look like they were going to let me leave with Mark either. Oh, they were more than happy to let me leave, it was Mark they wanted to keep. Who wouldn’t?
“Ma’am, you need to release the patient and go with Fred. He’ll show you to the exit.” The dark haired orderly motioned his hand toward his companion already reaching for Mark. His look was not unkind, merely determined.
I quickly stepped between them, holding out a hand to halt their approach.
“I don’t think so. Like I told the doctor here—my husband is going home with me. I’m sorry for your trouble but that’s the way it’s going to be.”
The orderlies turned and looked at each other before looking back over at the doctor. He impatiently waved them forward again. With a loud sigh the dark headed one started toward me again.
“Ma’am I’m going to have to remove you physically if you don’t agree to move away from the patient.”
Stubbornly I just looked at him, refusing to let them see how scared I was. Reaching back for Mark’s good hand I wished once again that he was a little more aware of what was going on. But only for a minute. If he knew what was going on then he’d also be in pain. I’d rather fight this one on my own than have him hurt. Squeezing Mark’s fingers with my own, I watched, as the orderly got closer.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding at the sound of Kane’s voice. Thank God.
“Mrs. Calloway, are you having a problem?”
Dear sweet Tony. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Tony, I’m glad to see you. The doctor and I—as well as these nice people—” I waved my hand towards the orderlies and the nurse, Loraine, who was no longer smiling “—were just discussing Mark’s release.”
Turning to smile at Kane I reached out my free hand for his. I was never so grateful as when he clasped it. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud when I saw the nice nurse behind Kane giving me a thumbs up sign. Grinning I turned back to face the doctor. The nurse had gone to hunt down Kane and Tony when Loraine had went to get the orderlies. My kind of nurse.
“Really?” Kane’s voice was filled with sarcasm. Damn, he and Mark had to be brothers. It couldn’t just be a storyline. Either that or they spent too much time together – their facial expressions were simply too much alike.
“Now, see here young lady. I told you—”
The doctor forgot whatever he’d told me when Kane took a step towards him. “I would suggest you change your tone of voice, Sir.” There was an edge to Kane’s voice that made the doctor take a few steps back, his mouth snapping closed with an audible click. Kane looked at me, giving my fingers a squeeze and grinned. “I think you were about to get my brother’s release papers so we could take him home. Right?” There was subtle emphasis on the last word.
The doctor understood the implied threat. Throwing his hands up he turned with one last look of disgust at all of us. “Fine. Take him home. Get out of my hospistal – all of you. Loraine, go to the front desk and have the release papers drawn up for Mr. Calloway.” With those words he took off down the hallway, not sparing us a second glance.
Loraine took one look at us and beat a hasty retreat. I watched the sway of her skirt for just a minute, feeling a twinge of envy at her tiny waist before putting the thought from my mind. She could have the tiny waist, I had Mark.
“So we’re leaving?”
I looked over at Mark. He was still wearing a slightly confused look, cradling his casted hand against his chest. I probably shouldn’t have made him get out of the chair – he was not too steady on his feet. But if nothing else I’d hoped his size alone would deter the orderlies. It’s a damn good thing it hadn’t come down to that. Mark didn’t look like he could hurt a flea right now.
“Yes, Mark, we’re leaving now.” Taking a few minutes to collect my thoughts I looked around at our rag tag bunch. There was Mark leaning against the wall, about to slide down it. But he looked happy. Then there was Kane standing beside him—close enough to catch him on his slide down I noticed. Kane was still wearing his ring attire, with blood smeared along one arm. Evidently he hadn’t taken the time to wash either, or hadn’t noticed it. Tony was the best looking one of us all. He was wearing a nice gray shirt and black pants without a speck of blood anywhere on him. How he’d managed to escape I have no idea. Looking down at my own shirt I pulled it away from my chest and heard it give a wet splat when I let it go. Mark’s blood covered me from neck to waist. Shrugging my shoulders I just accepted what I couldn’t change. But I was definitely going to change clothes as soon as I could.
“Mr. Calloway, would you like to sit in the chair again? I’ll push it to the nurses’ station where your wife can sign the papers and you all can leave.” The kindly nurse smiled at me before pushing the chair to Mark. “I’ll get you a check list of what you need to watch for regarding his concussion as well. You shouldn’t have any problems, dear. He seems to behave very well for you.” With a little clucking noise she helped the bemused Mark into the chair and took off down the hallway.
Trying and failing to hold their laughter in over her last remark, Tony and Kane took off after her. I slowly brought up the rear.
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
