Note: This is going to be the final chapter, thank you for everyone who has reviewed my story; it means a lot especially as this is my first attempt. There will be a sequel to "I Will Take Care of You" soon but until then thank you so much! :)
Chapter Ten
Brendan was coming home today! It had been a long wait and everyone was just happy to know that the surgery was a success. Brendan and Ste were finally together after what seemed to be an eternity of denying their feelings and once more peace was restored to both lives – well as much as could be, knowing Brendan Brady!
One last trip down the same large, spacious corridors past the reception desk, X-Ray, outpatient areas, the café ending with the entrance of Intensive Care. One more push of the buzzer, one more wait, one more struggle with the stone-like doors, one more walk through the double doors into the wide room with the huge windows and only one Brendan Brady waiting at the end.
"You already to go?"
"Yeah?"
"Ok, how do I…?" (He pointed to the wheel Brendan's wheelchair)
"Oh you just…" (He pulled the brake up)
"Oh, I'm going to be useless at this aren't I?" (Ste laughed awkwardly)
"You'll be fine." (Brendan placed his hand over Ste and kissed him gently on the lips) "That's why I chose you."
"Oh right you chose me?"
Brendan smiled.
"Hello Ste."
"Nurse Caroline?"
"Yeah that's right."
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah kind of, she helped me when I was in A&E."
"Since when were you in A&E?" (Brendan's eyes lit up with curiosity)
"I was looking for you." (He kissed him on the lips whilst giving Nurse Caroline a glare)
"Mr Brady I need you to sign the discharge papers and collect your medication from the reception desk and then you are free to go."
"Free" Brendan thought to himself. The word had never sounded to beautiful and liberating in all his life and yet it meant so much to him now, not only was he leaving hospital a relatively healthy man but he now had the freedom to be with Steven.
Once the papers were signed and the medication collected Brendan and Ste said their farewells to the staff.
"Thanks for everything doctor." (He shook his hand slightly awkwardly as he had to do it with his left)
"It's my job and pleasure Mr Brady, I wish you the very best." (He placed both his hands over Brendan's to make it easier)
"Goodbye ladies and thank you for everything."
"That's our job Mr Brady, it has been…"
"Interesting, exhilarating, eye-opening? (He smiled with his tongue in cheek and the nurses smiled back)
"We wish you both the very best."
(Both) "Thank you."
"Come on Steven – homeward bound!" (He laughed as Ste pretended to be annoyed)
"You know what Brendan?"
"What Steven?"
"We are going to have to get you and electric wheelchair!"
Both men smiled at each other as they walked out of the hospital into the open world. Neither of them thought that this was going to easy but after everything they had been through together, they knew that this was just a new chapter in their lives waiting to be written.