Bridget Jones: Beyond Reason
Chapter XXV
Apologies
Wednesday February 27
Weight: 9st 6 (Progress); Cigarettes: 2 (Very little chance to get away from Mum); Familial Jellyfish stings: Dozens; Missing dads: 1 (v. sad)
10:05pm Parent's house There are few things worse than being jellyfished by self's own mother.All evening she and Una wavered between motherly thoughtful commiseration over loss of their grandchild, and several rather shaming remarks in regards to allowing pregnancy to happen in the first place. Have spent nearly 4 futile hours trying to explain to Mum that Mark had not done the things that she had so brutally accused him of…Okay, so technically he had done all of the things she had accused him of, but it was just as much my fault that I had gotten pregnant; he has only a vague recollection of shagging evil Rebecca after I stupidly threw him out of my flat; and the insults…though still quite cruel, were an attempt to make me hate him so much that I wouldn't be able to stand the sight of him. He was, in his own troubled mind, looking out for my best interests. As far as am concerned, all bad feelings toward him are in the past. Have not, however, told Mum that Mark has cancer.
Told them I had a v. large headache, and have now retreated to self's childhood bedroom that Mum has decorated with cheery new pastel-colored bed linens and fresh cut flowers. Lilies, my favorite. V. sweet. Everything else was just as it had always been since I'd left home for good 17 years ago, with exception of the photo of Mark that I had added to the décor about a year ago. It had prominently sat atop the bedside table, but was now missing. Grrr
Will have to figure way to get Mark back into Mum's good graces.
10:35pm Found picture of Mark in box on top shelf of wardrobe and have replaced on table. v.g.
10:40pm Used to think self would be envy of all Singletons everywhere having managed to snare handsome and successful Mark Darcy, top barrister and 1st rate sex god. Though still top-notch barrister, is quite incapable of being A-1 sex god due to heinous, unfair cancer of the prostate. To be honest, wasn't exactly sure what the purpose of a prostate was until two days ago. Just assumed it was one of those spare body parts in manner of appendix, tonsils, or male uncircumcised foreskin. Remember six years ago Mum's brother-in-law, John, discovered he had cancer, but he had the prostate removed and all was lovely again. Had not realized at the time that their sex life had been drastically affected. Grizzly thought really of people over age of 60 shagging. Gaah!! Could have massive heart attack during and then absence of prostate would be mute point. Funny thing is Auntie Joan and Uncle John seemed happier than ever when they visited from Birmingham last spring.
10:45pm Maybe is lesson to self that sex is not most important aspect of healthy, loving relationships and is not to be taken for granted and therefore should be doomed to suffer without.
10:47pm Surely not. Would be much too cruel to inflict Mark with vile disease for sole purpose of exacting revenge on self.
Thursday February 28
Weight: 9st6; Cigarettes: 10; New hairdos: 1 (Excellent); Moments unable to lounge on sofa due to unwanted physical activity: 125
10:25am Is so nice to lie in without disturbing sounds of taxi hooters and bin lorries…Ugh!…mobile ringing. But maybe is Mark saying has decided that he's made a terrible mistake, cannot live without me for one more second, and is coming to get me.
10:30am So much for sleeping late or trying to have serene existence. Was not Mark at all, but Richard Finch calling to remind me that I in fact still had a job to do and that every day that my sodding project wasn't completed was costing him and the station money. He was cordial enough though. Likely afraid Mark would bite his head off again. Lucky for him, Mark wasn't here.
Wish Mark was here.
Agreed to return to London tomorrow for the day to finish the project. Grrrr
11:45am "Darling, I know the perfect thing to get you out of the grumpies and over that bad man once and for all," Mum called from somewhere upstairs.
"I am not grumpy; I am sad…and Mark is not a bad man. I love him. And besides, I'm very busy," I shouted back. Was lying on the sofa watching telly.
"Nonsense Darling, Una and I know just how to snap you out of it." The sound of her voice was looming closer, but I was still staring blindly at the telly. "Tra-la!"
Lifted my head lazily from the sofa already angry that she insensitively thinks I'm just going to 'snap out of it'. "What the hell are you wearing?"
"Language Darling." She twirled herself around. "What do you think?"
Mum had on a one-piece, skin tight, yellow, red, and blue Lycra alien suit with coordinating pointed helmet. "Honestly Mum I think you look ridiculous!" Is it so much to ask to have a normal biscuit-baking, jumper-knitting mother like everyone else?
"Oh poo! You and your father are just simply no fun at all." She explained that she, Una, Jeffrey, and Dad (likely against his will) have joined a cycling team. "Una is bringing over her daughter, Leah's outfit for you to borrow and you can ride Daddy's bicycle. Didn't know which was more disturbing, the image of self in ghastly unitard or of Dad in ghastly unitard. Likely we both resemble brightly colored, Extra Large Grade A, Easter eggs.
"Mum, I'm not wearing one of those!"
"Why ever not Dear?"
"Well for a start, someone might see me." How could they not. Could likely be spotted in space, mistaken as misplaced alien life form, and zapped back to the mother ship.
"And what's wrong with that? There are some lovely young men on our cycling team. Do you remember Henrietta Langham's youngest son, Sean?"
"Is that the one that is 38 and still lives at home, or the one with the cocaine habit? No thanks. I'm not interested in being set up again." She flapped her hand dismissively.
"You can't just lie on the sofa all day sulking in your pajamas."
"Yes I can. Watch me."
"Young lady I do not appreciate your nasty, negative attitude. You may be too old for me to wash your mouth out with soap, but you certainly aren't too old for me to tell you what I think is best. Now I know that you've had a traumatic experience, but the worst thing you can do is sit and stew in it. You need some fresh air and something else to focus your attention on for a while."
Hate when she gets all motherly because, of course, she was right. "Fine, but can I at least wear a regular track suit?"
"Of course. I just thought the unitard would be fun." Her smile returned. "Now then, we really must get your hair and your colors done first. I'll make an appointment for later today. However else will you catch a man looking like that? You look like hell, Darling," she announced matter-of-factly before bounding back up the stairs.
"Language Mother." Crashed my head back down onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.
12:15pm Still lying on sofa. "Good news Darling. My colorist can fit you in at 1:00." Barely raised my head to look at her, still in that hideous outfit. "Well come on. Off you go." I didn't move. "Bridget, did you hear me? We mustn't be late for your appointment."
"Mum? Are you disappointed in me?"
"Why ever for?
"Because I've buggered up again." A single tear trickled from the corner of my eye, over the bridge of my nose, and onto the sofa.
"Of course not." She sat me up and hugged me against her.
3:30pm Have just been expertly transformed into a sexy goddess complete with new honey blonde wavy tresses. Will be envy of all aspiring television journalists. Excellent! Will look fantastic for the camera tomorrow.
9:30pm Cycling with Mum's team was excruciating, and not just because was forced to look at 70-year old men in tight Speedos. Had no idea just how out of shape self was until I'd gone half a kilometre on Dad's bike, having been left in the dust by almost everyone except for two ancient women in tacky sun visors on oversized tricycles, and was ready to turn around and walk back. Was tempted to beg for a few hits from their oxygen tanks. Mum and Una wouldn't let me, and to make matters worse, Sean was hovering way too close for comfort literally riding circles around me with a predatory look in his eye. Mum, Una, and Henrietta kept looking back and smiling. V. awkward indeed, especially after I developed a cramp in my inner thigh and Sean offered to massage it out. Gaah!
Ooo…mobile.
10:15pm "Mark?"
"No such luck Bridgeline. So how's my favorite neurotic, knocked up, heterosexual?"
"Oh hi Tom."
"Is that the best you can do?"
He hadn't heard about the baby, and when I told him he apologized for sticking his foot in his mouth.
If one more person tells me "It was for the best…the baby was probably sick…it just wasn't meant to be…." am going to scream my bloody head off! Clichés! So many clichéd responses meant to be comforting sentiments, but instead were just the opposite. And then of course, "You can try again in a few weeks." That's the worst one, because now that's not possible.
"Just get back on the horse and try again."
"And just which horse would that be, Tom?"
"None other than that sexy stallion of yours, of course." That was Tom's attempt at levity in an awkward conversation.
Told him about Mark's cancer. "What?! He's too gorgeous to be impotent!"
Exactly what I thought.
Friday March 1
Weight: 9st7; Cigarettes: Gaah!!!; Unexpected encounters: 2; Shocking news: 1
10:00am Sit Up Britain office "Taking the job a bit seriously, were we Bridget? Doing some extensive research, hm? What must that boyfriend of yours have thought?" Finch teased inconsiderately.
Had woken up late, nearly missing the train, and broken heel on self's shoe stepping on tube grate. Was in no mood for games. "I beg your pardon?"
"Getting yourself sprogged up on company time. Do you even know which poor bastard the father was?"
"I most certainly do know who the father was!!! And for your information, I did not have sex with any of those men! I was strictly professional." Not true of course, but my brief affair with Tim is none of his concern.
His demeanor suddenly changed. "Ok, ok…Listen Bridget, I've heard about these things, this thing you women go through…you know, afterward. Do you need to speak with someone?"
"No. I do not. I will be fine," I replied through smiling clinched teeth, with every ounce of inner poise I could salvage. Dismissed self and proceeded toward the editing room.
10:30 pm At Caffé Nero Was standing on queue, distracted by thoughts of under-aged posers, transvestites, and cheating middle-aged Tories when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turned to see a v. familiar handsome face. "Hello Bridget. How are you?"
My heart began to race. Wished that he didn't still have that effect on me. Why do I always seem to form lasting attachments to men who betray me? "Oh, Hello Tim." Tried not to look overly excited to see him. Didn't know what else to say so I swallowed hard and smiled. We both stood motionless, staring at one another until the woman behind him grew rudely impatient and insisted that we move forward or get out of the queue.
"Are you here alone?" He scanned the room, presumably looking for Mark.
"Um, yes. I just thought I'd pop in for lunch."
"Care for any company?"
----
Felt as if I was cheating on Mark as I sat nibbling on a ham sandwich watching Tim bite into his pastrami, his deep brown eyes fixed on me. "So, how is work? Have you finished your project?"
"I'm finishing today, but I'm not sure when it will be aired."
"I will certainly look forward to watching it when it is." He smiled warmly, accenting his perfectly straight white teeth and delicious dimple.
"I'm not mentioning anything about you…er, us. I mean what happened between us."
"Well maybe you should." Was shocked. Why would he want me to do that? What had happened between us was too personal. "You are supposed to report on successes as well, aren't you? I would say that our relationship was successful, or it would have been under normal circumstances." He dipped his head as if he was searching for some lost treasure in his soup bowl, and then lifted his head again to meet my eyes. "I truly am sorry, again, for what happened. I should never have agreed to such a ludicrous plot. And I certainly didn't expect that I would have…um…" He stopped short.
"Would have what?"
"Nothing. Not important. So how is Mark? Should I assume that the two of you are well?"
Was my turn to examine my soup. There were too many taboo subjects between us. I didn't want to talk about what he had done, or rather what he and Peter Darcy had done. I didn't feel right talking about Mark, and I certainly couldn't tell him about the baby. He'd likely question the paternity. Not that I would blame him. "I'm not sure." He furrowed his brow. "You see, well,…Mark is…ill."
"Ill?"
"Yes. He has cancer…prostate cancer. Only his family knew. And I suppose you knew as well?" I accused. Could feel tears burning the corners of my eyes, but refused to let them fall.
"Oh God Bridget. Of course I didn't. I had no idea. I'm so sorry." He attempted to place his hand over mine, but I pulled away. "Is he seeking treatment?"
"Yes…I mean I assume so." My voice cracked and tears I'd been suppressing began to fall. "He won't tell me what he's going to do. It was difficult enough just for him to tell me what was wrong. Instead he sent me away to my parent's in Grafton Underwood. Says he wants me to think about what I really want. Truth is, I don't know. I thought I did, but maybe he was right. My friends don't even think I'll be able to handle it. Tim, I'm so confused." He changed seats and sat in the chair closer to me and stretched his long arms around my shoulders. He offered me a napkin as I continued to cry on his shoulder. My mobile was ringing in my handbag, but I ignored it.
I knew that I shouldn't have done it, but I lifted my head from his shoulder and pressed my lips to his. At first he resisted until I assured him that I knew what I was doing. He threaded his fingers through my hair and kissed me long and tenderly.
I didn't know what I was doing at all.
"No…no…I'm not going to do this to myself or to you." He extracted himself from my reach and stood. "Bridget, this is wrong." His voice boomed a bit too loudly, prompting nearby café patrons to gawk.
"Why?" Maybe it's not. Maybe fate has brought us here right now…this minute, for a reason."
"I don't think you know what you are saying." He sat back down in his original seat across from me and reclaimed my hand. "Your heart belongs to Mark, not me. I'm going to be honest with you and say that I wish that wasn't so. Telling the truth and letting you go was one of the most difficult things I've had to do in a long time. Nothing's changed Bridget. You are in love with Mark Darcy. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice whenever you speak of him, even today. You're just understandably frightened right now. And I'm thinking that he is perceptive enough to recognize that this time away from him was exactly what you needed so that you can come back to him with a true understanding and appreciation for what the two of you mean to one another. That, I truly believe, is the reason why fate has brought us here today...so that I can be that friend who tells you that it's okay to be scared, but to not let that fear take over and make you lose sight of what or who is most important to you."
Am now indebted to Tim Harbeson for caring enough to save me from myself. Where was he when I inexplicable seemed unable to release myself from Daniel Cleaver's suave spell?
He offered to drive me back up to Mum and Dad's after work and we had a nice long chat on the way. I hope that we will be able to remain friends and that Mark won't be jealous.
---
"Why haven't you rung me back Bridget!" Mum crowed, hurrying down the front steps. "I've been trying to reach you all afternoon on your mobile." She suddenly became distracted by Tim getting back into his car, and her tone became less urgent. "Why don't you introduce me to your handsome friend, Bridget." She was waving and grinning foolishly at him.
"No Mum. He's just a friend that I met through work."
"Maybe you should get to know him..."
"Mum please stop." I turned and waved to Tim and he began to back out of the drive. "Now, what was so urgent that you rang me three times?"
"So you did know that I had called?" She was hurt.
"I'm sorry Mum. I've been very busy today. So what did you want to tell me?"
"Well, I was chatting with Penny this morning who overheard her housekeeper talking with the Darcy's cook…" Great. More gossip. "She was given the day off because the Admiral and Elaine were going down to London today. Apparently Mark is in the hospital. Do you know anything about that, Dear?"
15 minutes later was on my way to Cromwell Hospital with Tim. Thankfully he had not gotten very far when I rang him.
---
Scrambled into the hospital and into the lift as if running from self's own fiery arse. Oncology, 5th floor…longest, most excruciating lift ride of my life.
"What room is Mark Darcy in?!!!"
An attendant took his time browsing over a list on a clipboard. "512, but…" Didn't give him opportunity to finish as was off in mad search of his room.
Mark was alone in the room, his eyes were closed, and he was dressed in a flimsy hospital gown, with wires and machines hooked to his arms and midsection.
"Mark!!!!" Tried to run to his bedside but a woman wearing a surgical mask and pink scrubs that I hadn't noticed emerged from behind a partition, grabbed my arm, pulling me back gently.
"Ma'am, you can't be in here right now."
"But I need to see him!!! Please!!!" The sight of him lying there so vulnerable and seemingly lifeless brought a panic that I had never in my life felt before. "What happened?…Why is he here?…He told me that he was going to be alright?" The nurse didn't have a chance to answer before I collapsed to the floor in a fit of hysterical tears.
Moments later felt arms around me, lifting me, pulling me tightly into his embrace. "Bridget, you need to come out into the corridor with me," a deep, soothing voice announced, sounded very much like Mark. Craned around to stare straight into the eyes of Peter Darcy, also wearing a surgical mask. This truly was a nightmare.
"No! You stay away from me!" I struggled to release myself from his hold. Mark stirred restlessly but didn't awaken.
"Bridget, please. I understand how you must feel about me, but you can't be with him right now."
"You don't understand anything!!! I love him and he loves me and there is nothing you can do to change that! Go away and leave us alone!" Tried to lunge forward and take Mark's hand.
"Sir, should I call security?" asked the nurse with the en suite phone already in her hand.
"No, that won't be necessary." He turned his attention back to me. "Bridget, I'm not trying to keep you from him, but he's still under quarantine right now."
"Quarantine? But why?" I shouted half crazed, still fighting to release myself from his arms that were around my waist.
"Come outside with me and we will explain."
"We? Explain what? No…No! I want to stay with Mark!" He moved slightly and groaned, but didn't awaken.
"If you don't calm down and come with me, security is going to escort you from the building!"
Reluctantly, I looked back at Mark again, looking so fragile, and then let Peter lead me out. The same nurse that had tried to stop me, now held the door looking frightened of me.
Peter led me silently by the elbow to the same waiting area where I had been earlier in the week. Admiral and Mrs. Darcy and Anastasia were there, as were Jeremy and Magda without the children. "Bridget Dear! We weren't expecting you," Mark's mother remarked with surprise, springing from her chair. "How did you find out that Mark was here?"
"It doesn't matter how I found out! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" I glared at Magda. "What happened? Is he in a coma? Why is Mark quarantined?" I felt cold all over, but my face was burning.
"Nothing unexpected has happened, Dear. Mark is receiving cancer treatment. He didn't want us to tell you because he didn't want you to worry."
"Didn't want me to worry?? That's all I've done!" Began to pace. "What treatment?" Felt as if my heart was about to burst from my chest. "He told me that he hadn't decided what he was going to do yet!"
"He's had radiation seeds implanted. That is the reason for him being placed in isolation…until the radioactive material is absorbed into his body," the Admiral factually explained without so much as a hint of emotion in his voice. "He only decided upon the procedure this past Monday."
My heart dropped into my stomach. "What!!?? But I was with him…here on Monday. He didn't say a word to me about any decisions!" The Darcys exchanged worried glances. Ran my hands through my hair. "No, no, no…I shouldn't have agreed to go to my parent's. He should have told me. Why didn't he tell me?! Why?"
No one said anything at first as I paced impatiently waiting for answers. "Bridget, the effects of the anesthesia should wear off very soon and assuming that the procedure is successful, he'll be able to go home tomorrow morning. He was planning to tell you when you got home. With everything that you've been through in regards to his health and your miscarriage, he wanted something positive to report. He felt like you had been through enough."
"Miscarriage?" Peter interrupted his mother.
"Yes Peter, I was pregnant with your brother's child when you attempted to get rid of me for good!" I spat. He said nothing, glancing shamefully at his parents. I collapsed into an adjacent chair and dropped my head into my hands and began to sob.
"Son, what is she talking about?" Admiral Darcy asked. I wasn't interested in how he was going to explain what he had done. My only concern was Mark.
"Bridget?" Could still hear Peter and his father talking, but Mrs. Darcy had knelt down and was stroking my hair. "Try to be patient with Mark, Dear. I know he's taken some missteps, but with you he's found love that he's never had before and he's still learning to trust that love."
Lifted my head, and through tear drenched eyes I asked, "Why doesn't he trust me?" Actually, could answer my own question in two words: Daniel Cleaver. But I thought we had moved past that.
"Oh Darling, he does. He knows that you love him." She embraced me tightly. "Unfortunately Loni wasn't the only woman who has broken his heart and he's still afraid to let his guard completely down." I pulled away in shock. A silent profound moment passed between us as I stared intently into the eyes that mirrored those that I loved so much. "He's afraid he's going to lose you."
Was shaking my head, tears burning my eyes like fire. "I'm not going to leave him." Mrs. Darcy offered me a tissue. "He's everything I've ever wanted."
---
An agonizing hour or more had passed, and barely a word had been spoken between anyone. I kept my distance from the group, staring blankly through the window. Finally, the same nurse who had asked me to leave before approached them and announced that Mark had awoken and that things looked good. There was a collective sigh of relief. It would be another few hours before the quarantine would be lifted though.
"Bridget?" Was Peter staring down at me.
"Go away."
"Please. I would like to offer you my sincerest apology."
"For what, that your plan to extract me from your family's life failed, or for being an arsehole?" Continued to stare at the passing cars on the street.
"Yes…I'm mean no. I want to apologize for judging you so harshly, and yes, for being an arsehole. My ill behaviour toward you and your family was reprehensible and unjustifiable. I thought I was doing what was best for the family, but in fact, my family adores you."
"So did your father send you over here with that speech?"
"Perhaps this was a bad time to discuss this. Hopefully in time we will be able to get past it."
Snapped my head around. "I'll let you know," I replied with fierce arrogance.
He walked off but moments later was back again. "We are going to dinner, my family and I. Would you like to join us?"
Was not going to leave. Not this time. Had been sent away before, but that will never happen again. Ever.
Felt a hand on my shoulder. "I told you, I am not leaving." Turned away from the window. Was Magda. Turned back toward the window. "What do you want?"
"Bridget, he made us promise not to say anything. I kept telling him it was wrong to shut you out, but you know better than I how pig-headed and proud he can be sometimes. Please don't let this ruin our friendship."
A long moment passed. My mood softened. "Magda, why doesn't Mark realize how much I love him?"
"He knows…But he's just so terrified of disappointing you. Everything he's done has been for you. It's just that…well, you put so much emphasis on how brilliant a lover he is…."
"Wait a minute. He talked to you about our sex life?"
"Yes, and don't think he wasn't embarrassed, but he needed to talk to someone. The man keeps so much bottled inside, it's a wonder he doesn't spontaneously combust. Anyway Bridge, he's afraid if he can't perform for a while or give you children that you won't love him and ultimately you will leave him."
Since when had he begun thinking like Jude, Shazzer, and Tom? Actually, not Jude so much as the others. "That's bollocks!"
"Is it?"
"Excuse me?"
"He also told me that you once bragged to your mum about how virile he was and that he'd never need, you know, help."
"He should know better than to take anything I say to my mother to heart!"
"Maybe he didn't at the time, but now in light of the situation, it's something he worries about. He feels less of a man. Bridge, be honest with yourself…what if he's unable to have children. Are you okay with that?"
"We'll try. If that doesn't work, maybe we can adopt. We can even adopt a child from a third world country. Everyone's doing it now."
"What if his temporary impotence becomes permanent?"
"Then we'll buy stock in Viagra."
Saturday March 2
Happy reunions: 1
10:15am Must have fallen asleep on the waiting room sofa last night and no one bothered to wake me once the quarantine was lifted. My back was killing me. The Darcys were nowhere to be seen, neither were Magda and Jeremy. Oh God! They've taken him home and left me here!
Hobbled over to reception to confirm my suspicion. "Good morning Miss Jones." Was greeted with a pleasant smile. "Are you here for Mr. Darcy," the same nurse from last night chirped.
"He's still here?"
"Yes ma'am. Before they left last night, his family said that you would be taking him home this morning. He should be ready for discharge as soon as the doctor has finished. Go ahead on in."
Dr. Reinholdt was coming out as I approached. He gave me a thumbs up before disappearing down the corridor. Crept slowly into his room. His eyes were closed but he was no longer connected to any wires. "Mark Sweetheart, I'm here."
His eyes popped open. "Bridget, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, but Mother told me that you were here."
Dropped my handbag onto the floor and ran to his bedside. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, do you hear me?" He placed his hand on the back of my head and pulled me to him, kissing me tenderly. "I love you Mark."
A tear rolled down his cheek. "I love you so much Bridget." We laid together on his bed snuggled in each other's arms. There was truly nowhere else I'd rather be.
Dr. Reinholdt had given him an excellent prognosis, and with rest he'd be getting around in no time. Seed implantation not only is the fastest method of cancer treatment, but also the least likely to cause prolonged impotence in an otherwise healthy man. V.g.
Helped him sit up and change into his trousers. I buttoned his shirt as he ran his fingers through my hair, likely in a sad state due to uncomfortable night on a vinyl sofa. He pulled me closer so that I was standing between his legs. "Bridget, is something on your mind? You've gotten awfully quiet."
"Well…"
"What is it, my darling? Your wish is my command." He released his fingers and knitted his brow.
"I do have a little something in mind." Put on my most serious face.
"Anything." He appeared worried.
"Do you think that perhaps I could have that ring you gave me back?"
"Does that mean that you want to marry me?" His eyes turned hopeful.
"I thought if I asked, maybe it might actually happen. So what do you think?"
"That wasn't very romantic," he teased.
"At this point, does it matter?"
"I don't know Bridget. I feel slighted without flowers and moonlight."
"Oh stop." I pushed him lightly against the bed, careful not to cause any unnecessary pain.
"What about your friends?"
"Well, Jude's already married, Tom's a poof, and Shazzer…well, I just don't love her in quite that way, so I guess that just leaves you."
He chuckled. "It's good to know that I made the list. What I meant was that they don't exactly like me."
"Tom likes you. He likes you very much." I winked. He blushed.
"I'll keep that in mind," he whispered.
"The girls will come round. Shaz and I didn't like Richard either, but he turned out not to be so bad…with the proper training." I smiled again. "I'm sure you can be trained as well."
"Is that right?" He snuggled his face into the curve of my neck.
"Mr. Darcy…" The door swung open and in walked a uniformed young man toting a wheelchair. "Oh! I'm sorry to interrupt. I just need for you to sign your discharge papers and you're free to go.
I leaned in close again. "Let's go home."