Disclaimer: I don't own CSI: NY, I wish I did but it won't ever happen. The book used is Where the Heart is by Billie Letts, I don't that either
I've been really busy so this is just a rough chapter to keep you guys entertained.
Chapter 20
It had been six long days that Lorelei sat next to Don's hospital bed holding on to his hand. Don's parents had brought her food in Tupperware, Mac had brought her a couple books to keep herself occupied and Danny had sat with her for most of the nights. The doctor had said that his brain function was normal and he would recover with time. Lorelei was sitting in her usual seat reading a book out loud to Don.
"She thought about him all day and dreamed about him at night, troubling drams in which Forney was always saying goodbye. Each time the phone rang she hoped to hear his voice. Even at work, when she was paged, she imagined it would be Forney on the phone. Wow this chick has some serious obsession problems" Lorelei commented as she turned the page
"Where's the action" Don groaned form his bed causing Lorelei to jump up, drop the book and face him with a look of shock and joy on her face
"Don! You're awake! Oh shit I gotta get someone, be right back"
Lorelei ran out into the hall and grabbed the nearest nurse. The nurse was an older lady that had come in each day to visit Lorelei. She turned to Lorelei smiling
"Lorelei what are you doing out here dear?'
"Goldie, its Don he's awake and talking. Talking to me. I might want to get back"
Lorelei dragged Goldie into the room and made sure she checked all of his vitals before returning to her routine. Once she had left, Don looked at Lorelei like she had gone mad.
"So I got blown up?" Lorelei shook her head and fished for her phone madly. Don worried caught one of her hands and pulled her over to him
"Hay calm down. What are you doing?" She looked up at him her eyes shining with unshed tears
"I…I…I have to call everyone. Your mom will want to know first then everyone else you know" Lorelei tried to keep the tears from falling. Don tugged her so that she was sitting on the side of his bed. He put a hand to her face
"What's wrong? Lore talk to me" He tried to look at her eyes but she kept moving her head away
"I…I was so-" She started crying, all of the tears she held in whenever anybody was around, whenever she didn't want to admit there was reason to worry, had started to flood out. Don hugged her weakly
"Hey no crying. I'm ok, I'm alive see" Lorelei nodded but continued to cry.
"Oh no. I'm sorry to interrupt the reunion but we need to change your bandages." Miranda, the nurse that had helped Lorelei on the first day, came up behind Lorelei and put her hand on her back
"Lore why don't you and I go for a coffee." Lorelei nodded and let her lead her out of the room.
Over the past days Miranda and Lorelei had become good friends. Each night when she would get off Miranda would visit Lorelei and Don with a large cup of coffee for Lorelei. They would talk for about an hour until her husband would get home then she left to go meet up with him.
"So you're not his wife? You lied?" Lorelei had just told Mirada everything about Aiden then about how she felt about Don.
"No. I just didn't correct you" She took a sip from her steaming cup. Miranda nodded
"Why not?" Lorelei smiled and placed the cup onto the table
"I liked the way it sounded. I guess I've always wondered what it would be like." Miranda nodded
"So does he know that you're in love with him?"
"I'm not in love with him" Miranda looked at Lorelei in disbelief
"Ok maybe just a little bit" Lorelei held two fingers an inch apart
"That's what I thought. Are you going to tell him? Confess your undying love over a welcome home dinner?"
"No. He needs to concentrate on getting better then maybe I'll tell him."
"You ready to go back?" Lorelei sighed then nodded.
Together they stood up, threw out their cups and walked back towards Don's room. They stopped just short of his door and Miranda turned to Lorelei
"This is where I leave ya. Good luck" Lorelei squeezed her hand before walking into the room.
"Feel better?" Don asked as he saw her walk in
"Yeah. How are you feeling? Any pain?" She sat down in the chair next to his bed
"I'm feeling great. Want to tell me what that was all about?" Lorelei smiled sadly
"Everything just hit all at once. I started thinking about the what ifs. What if you didn't wake up? What if you didn't remember me? What if you died? I held in all of my emotions but once I heard you talk and saw those pretty blues it came crashing down, it became real." Don nodded
"Lore I'm never not going to remember you. I love you Lore, you're the only woman that's not my mother that is consistent in my life."
"Don! Oh my baby! You're awake!" Don's mother ran in at full speed and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Ma come on I need to breathe" Don pulled her off and gave his dad a soft hug
"We were so worried but we slept better knowing Lore was here" Don's mother put a hand on Lore's cheek then hugged her
"She's right. We knew if Lore was here she wasn't leaving. You're lucky to have her" Don's father put a hand on her shoulder
"Don, Sherri you guys are making too big of a deal." Lorelei got up and let Don's mother sit down in her place
"No Lore they're right." Lorelei smiled down at Don
After another week Lorelei sat down in her chair and pulled a blanket over her body. Don laughed
"You can't tell me you're tired" Lorelei smiled
"Hey it was a busy week. I'm not used to having all these people here" Don moved over and patted the bed.
"You've slept in that chair so long that it has a permanent imprint of your ass. Come sleep in the bed. I promise no wandering hands." Lorelei laughed and snuggled into the chair
"Exactly so my ass fits perfectly. It's like this chair was made for me" Don quirked an eyebrow
"Get over here" He pulled the sheets back
Lorelei got up and slid in next to him. Don brought the blankets back to cover them and lay down. Lorelei cuddled into his side
"You're comfy. Are you excited about going home tomorrow?"
"Depends are you going to wear a cute candy stripper outfit?" He wrapped his arm around her, causing her to laugh
"If you're a good boy and go to sleep then maybe I will."
"Deal. I'm already snoring"
"Goodnight Don"
"Goodnight Lore"
"Lore I don't want a big spectacle. I just want to go home and be home, no parties." Don was pulling on his jacket as Lorelei collected all of his flowers and cards
"Of course Donnie. Nothing big" She waited at the door for the nurse to wheel him out. Don looked at her suspiciously
"Nothing at all." HE said glaring at her. Lorelei smiled down at him
"I didn't do a damn thing. I've been here with you. No time to set anything up" Don nodded and huffed as the nurse wheeled him slowly to the door
"Is this really necessary? I can walk" Lorelei groaned
"Don its regulation. They have to wheel you out so stop your bitching"
In the car Lorelei saw Don's hand headed for the radio dial from the corner of her eye
"Don't even think about touching that radio. My car my music, when you drive we can listen to whatever you want."
Don crossed his arms "No fair." Lorelei smiled
"Life's not fair. Suck it up princess. Besides we're almost home look there's the building"
"Thank the good lord." When the car stopped Don jumped out of the car and went straight for the door
"What about all your crap?" Don waved a hand
"Leave it."
Lorelei unlocked the front door and held it open for Don. . She silently followed him up the stairs.
"Why don't we have an elevator again?" Don asked stopping on a platform to catch his breath.
"Because somebody up there hates us" Don nodded and started climbing the stairs again. After three flights Don looked at Lorelei
"Why is there music coming from our apartment?" Lorelei pretended to look shocked and shrugged
"I don't know. Should I pull out my gun?"
"Smartass" Don mumbled
"Welcome home!" A group of people yelled when Don stepped into the room.
Don looked around their apartment to see the whole team. Mac and Stella were cooking something in the kitchen, Danny was flipping through their CD's, and Lindsey was standing next to Sheldon holding a drink.
Lorelei dropped her bag by the door and walked over to Stella who held up a beer for her to take.
"Thank you" Lorelei took the bottle and drank half of the bottle
"Happy to be home big guy?" Danny asked Don
"Yeah can't wait to sleep in my own bed"
"Amen" Lorelei raised her bottle. Danny started laughing
"I bet you can't wait to be pampered by Lore huh?" He whispered to Don. Don looked over at Mac to see if he had heard his friend, then nudged Danny hard
"Shut up Messer"
*Sorry its sort but my work keeps calling me for extra shifts. I'll try to write some more later but speaking of work I've got to go. Reviews are the best sign of love"