Authors Note: I'm so sorry for the late update! My brother hurt his foot very badly so I have been driving him to and fro diagnostic tests and work. Busy, busy!
I woke up to ugly white ceiling tiles. Ugh, generic hospital ceiling. Wait, why was I in a hospital? WHY WAS I IN A HOSPITAL BED? Ow! Why did my head hurt? Of course not being in my right mind I tried to sit up before assessing myself, and managed to get a head rush as I sat up. No worries though, some VERY nice arms were around me in a second. Ranger was holding me close and I wasn't going to complain even if his Bulgari was making me swoon more.
"Dios Steph, I'm sorry."
"Nnngff not a problem."
"I'm so, so sorry Steph it's all my fault! Next time will be on the bed." Next time? What? What is he talking about? A tired looking lady in a white coat came in and looked at my chart.
"Good Evening Mrs. Manoso, good to see you're awake. My name is Dr. Leung, I'm the one who put the stitches in after you bumped your head. Do you remember where you are?"
I thought for a second, "Singapore?" Even before bumping my head it had seemed surreal. I tried to think and vaguely remembered a stinging sensation in my scalp instead of the vague pulsing pain I has now. Was that the needle?
"Good, good. And can you remember how you hurt yourself?" This she said while eyeing off the Merry Men. To her they must look like brutes! I tried to remember, knowing it would never be them. Ranger had been drunk, and we had gone to the suite… and then?
"I was in the bathroom I think?" And Ranger had been angry with me, but I know he didn't hurt me. No he made me feel great! Oh lord I remember now.
"I um, slipped. On the tiles in my bathroom and hit my head on the mirror." I had a feeling the doctor didn't believe me as I turned red. "I left my towel in the bedroom and slipped as I ran to get it. I should have asked my… husband, to get it for me." The doctor looked at Ranger then back at me, seeing he was worried as hell about be, then she must've just given up and taken my word.
"Ok Mrs. Manoso. Your husband wants to have a CT scan done which I have assured him is unnecessary for a bump like yours. You have been asleep from intoxication, not a brain haemorrhage. Instead I would like to first do some simple tests of memory, concentration, strength and sensation; those kinds of things." She then turned to the men. "You will need to excuse us while I complete my assessment." Ranger gave her a half-hearted glare. "You too Mr Manoso, your wife needs no distractions. This won't take a moment." I gave Ranger a silly wave while he walked out with the guys.
The doctor then asked me to do those boring tests like following her finger with my eyes and touching my fingers to my nose with my eyes shut. The whole time I just felt like digging a hole and climbing into it. Lula could NEVER know how this happened, she would split some serious lycra laughing.
"Ok Mrs. Manoso, you should be fine. I want you to take care of your stitches, you can remove them after 4 days." She handed me a little curved blade in a sterile packet. "The nurses will show you how to use that in a moment. You'll need to stay awake for a while just in case. If you throw up or have buzzing in your ears come back right away. Keep an eye out for anything unusual ok?" I nodded, feeling silly in my hospital gown. How had the guys brought me in here? Did they dress me? The doctor cut off my thoughts, "Excuse me for prying, but are you sure that's how you got your cut?" She placed her hand onto my arm and looked into my eyes. I started laughing.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't laugh! It's really good you're there for your patients Dr Leung, but honestly Ranger wouldn't ever hurt me!"
"Ranger?"
"Mr Manoso, it's his nickname." She raised her eyebrows. "Long story. But I truly appreciate you asking. Ranger and I aren't like that." She smiled at me and sat back.
"Good, better to check. The nurses will be in with your clothes soon; would you like me to let the men back in?" I nodded my assent and shuffled further back on to the bed so I could cross my legs on to it. Ugh I didn't want to face the guys, this was so embarrassing. What had Ranger told them?
Lester sprinted into the room and locked the door after the nurse let him through the door. "Wha? Lester what are you doing?" Lester came and sat next to me and held my hands.
"Steph, I have to be really, really quick. Ranger went to the toilets and will be back soon. The guys and I decided to be doubly safe because we love Ranger, but we love you too. We want to make sure you really did slip in the bathroom because he said you were getting your toothbrush not your towel… we just want to make sure. What happened? Did Ranger hurt you? We can protect you." He looked stressed like crazy.
"Oh Lester no! Ranger didn't hurt me. I… We got a bit heated." He looked confused "A bit…too enthusiastic. In the bedroom. Or the bathroom or whatever." By now I was bright red. Lester cracked up.
"Only you bombshell!" Before I could swear him to secrecy he unlocked the door and waived Tank in. "All good. Typical bombshell moment, nothing more. " He informed him as he wiggled his eyebrows at me. Tank visibly relaxed.
"So what's the prognosis Steph?" He asked as Hector and Ranger paced in. Hector went to stand with Tank and Lester while Ranger came and sat on the bed next to me.
"Just a cut, no concussion evident, but I have to stay up most of tonight just in case. With one of you to make sure I don't have trouble staying awake." Ranger grabbed my hand and smiled slightly.
"I call dibs." Somehow he still made me feel sexy, even in a gown with no back. He slid his hand inside it to stroke my back. Maybe he wanted to play doctor later?