PAY UP (Runner's version) - Part 11 of 11
It's Sunday morning and once again Flack is awoke by the sound of the shift change at the nurse's station. Nurse Zoe was doing one last check on Angell's vitals before her graveyard shift was over. "You're going to be happy, Detective. Her fever is down." she said as she left the room. He was relieved at the news. It was one more step to Angell being better.
The noise of the shift change had stirred Angell as well. She awoke to see an aide bringing Flack some coffee. "Have they gotten to know you that well around here?" She attempted to joke with him in a slightly stronger voice.
"Maybe I can get them to put a double-latte in your IV." Flack responded, trying to joke back because he didn't want her to feel guilty about being in the hospital so long or that he'd been there almost as much as her.
She is able to semi-sit up and drink some more water. They visit, although with her half asleep at times, till Dr. Rawles comes in late morning. "You're trying to get out of here, aren't you, Detective Angell?"
"The sooner the better." Angell replies.
"Keep it up and it won't be long. Your blood work is looking much better & your temp is on it's way down. Of course you realize it's going to be a while before we can tell how well those lacerations healed." Angell shakes her head to acknowledge understanding. "An aide will be in in a few minutes to get you out for a walk. You need to start moving. In fact, you're going to move right out of here."
"How's that, Doctor?" Asked Flack.
"You no longer need to be here in the ICU, you're being moved to a room later today. I'll be back tomorrow, and if all continues to go this well, we'll talk about sending you home. In the meantime, we're going to get you used to your new diet." Dr. Rawles goes on to explain that food, even soft food, would not be a good idea while her intestines are full of sutures that need to heal. Angell would be dining on Gatorade (w/liquid vitamins & minerals added) and protein smoothies for at least a week. "See you tomorrow, Detectives." Dr. Rawles leaves.
Angell turns to Flack, "Can I get that double-latte now?"
With Angell awake more, she is able to enjoy some of her visitors. Danny & Lindsay, Mac, Stella, Adam and Sheldon all take turns throughout Sunday. Angell was glad to see them all, especially Adam, so she could thank him for donating blood for her surgery and his important role in finding out what was making her sick.
Her dad, brothers, and aunt Gail all came on Monday. "We're sure looking forward to having you back at home, Jessica." Her dad says as he admires her new diggs.
"We're gonna take good care of you." Her aunt adds. "We even stopped by your apartment and got you some comfy clothes for the ride home."
Late Monday Dr. Rawles stops in as promised and is pleased enough with Angell's progress and test results, as well as the arrangements that have been made for her care, that she agrees to discharge her the next morning.
Tuesday morning a nurse's aid helps Angell shower & dress in baggy sweats, then shows her how to change her bandages. Her phone rings, "Your ride is here, Detective." She says.
Nurse Zoe showed up moments later with a wheelchair. Her graveyard shift in the ICU was long over, but she wanted to stay and see Detective Angell off. "I'll take her down." She offered with a smile.
Although Zoe never told Angell about her grandfather it was now her honor to wheel Detective Angell out of the same hospital he had died in. Zoe stops Angell's wheelchair at the ICU on their way out, so she can thank the many people who helped take care of her, then takes the staff elevator down.
Their first view of the lobby is of a man assessing wether or not both he and the large boquet of balloons he is carrying will both fit into the already almost full elevator. "I think I'd better wait for the next one, folks." he said. As he backs away from the doors he turns and sees Angell. "Detective Angell?" He asks.
"Yes." she replies as Zoe slows down.
"I'm Robert Dunbrook. I was just..."
"I know who you are, Mr. Dunbrook." she says with a polite nod.
"I wanted to send these earlier, but apparently the ICU doesn't allow flowers." He hands her a very large arraingement, which she manages to rest on her lap and ballance still using just the one arm.
"Wow. Um,...thank you."
"Looks like you're getting out of this place." She nods. "Glad I caught you before you left. You got hurt protecting my son. And I, uh,..."
"I'm glad he was found safe." Angell said, realizing he was struggling for words.
"Your ride is waiting, Detective." Zoe interupts, for which Angell is grateful.
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. Just one more thing before you go." he says as he hands several issues of his newspaper and the balloon boquet to Zoe. "These contain articles about everything that's happened since the shooting. I thought you might like to catch up on your reading while you're recouperating."
"I'll do that, Mr. Dunbrook. Thank you." she says as Zoe begins to push her away.
Mr. Dunbrook silently smiles and nods as they each go separate directions.
Angell took a deep breath of relief when the large automatic doors slid open and she was wheeled outside to the fresh air and her awaiting ride. Flack exits the car to come around and open the door for her. "Don?" she says obviously surprised.
"Will I do for your chauffeur today?"
"Of corse. It's just that, I, um, I'm going to my dad's house, Don."
"I know." He says kneeling down close to her. "I'm going with you."
There it was again... that smile he enjoyed seeing every morning.