Ellie quickly put the phone back after her minor investigation. He wasn't really the type to...avoid people. He was pretty upfront about everything, she'd always assumed. She wouldn't question him.

She was surprised when he gave a little whimper in his sleep, hand moving up by his heart. She quickly went to the machines. The nurse had shown her how to press the little 'plus' sign for more pain medication or the 'minus' to dial it down. She raised the amount of medication up a few notches, giving his other hand a reassuring pat as she sat back down.

It was about half an hour before his eyelids fluttered open as he gave a little grunt. He then turned to look at her with squinted eyes. "Miller." he muttered, his tone more welcoming than usual. "Hardy." she returned, and there was a hint of a smile beneath his beard. "You need to go check on the kids?" he asked. She shook her head. "They're fine. You already asked me." she said with a hint of worry, before she remembered. Oh. They'd told her he got loopy on the pain meds.

She still wasn't expecting him to start rambling. "Still." he mumbled. "They grow up so fast. One day, they're so tiny, the next it's all 'Dad, I'm gonna be getting my permit soon'." He shook his head with fondness yet sadness, looking at the wall. "At least, that's how it was with mine." he murmured. She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "That's how all parents feel, I think," she said. "No matter what you do, they grow up too fast."

He gave a little smile. "Not mine." he said, his voice not betraying any of the hurt. "They were ecstatic. 'Alec, I cannae believe it took you this long to get a job.' 'Alec, I cannae believe you take up so much space.' 'Alec, why can't you just do it on your own like a normal person?" he said, his voice starting to rise slightly. She put her hand on his gently, trying to calm him. "I'm sorry." Ellie murmured.

He gave a crooked smile. "Enjoy me and my medication while it lasts," he muttered. "I'll be back to being an arse soon." he added. "Oh, I don't doubt it," she said, though she smiled when she said it.

He looked her in the eyes. "I'm not a child, Miller," he said quietly. "Now go enjoy the time you have while it lasts." She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off. "...Ehm...who moved my phone?"