Chapter 25. The after Feeling
Sam's leg was now in a cast from her toes to her knee. This, she wasn't pleased about.
"Sam, you know it's for your own good. Without it, you would end up doing too much too soon. Then you would undo the surgery."
"Yes, I know! I don't like it though. Couldn't they have given me one of the plastic boots?"
"You know what they said Sam. No weight bearing for at least six weeks. Promise me you'll listen to them."
"Of course I'll listen to them Dylan. I just can't promise that I'll do everything they tell me to."
"Samantha!"
"Don't even think about using my full first name."
"Too late. I already did."
Dylan smiled and pulled Sam into a tight hug as the surgeon walked in to check on Sam.
"Well Doctor Nicholls, you seem to be happy."
"Perfectly."
"How's your leg? Any feelings of drowsiness?"
"My leg is fine, doesn't hurt at all and no, definitely no drowsiness. Can I go now please?"
"Yes. See you in two weeks."
The surgeon walked off and Dylan passed Sam the crutches, after helping her up.
"Let's go to the ED and see what is happening with you while I am at work."
"Ok."
Sam hopped along on her crutches, Dylan walked beside her.
"We are taking the stairs."
"Is that really a wise idea?"
"Well, yes seeing as I need to get used to them.
"Fine."
Dylan walked slightly in front of Sam just in case she fell. They made a very slow descent down the stairs, one step at a time. Mr Jordan was waiting for them at the bottom. He smiled as he thought back to when he was a young doctor. He had been just like Sam, always wanting to carry on, hating to give up. He looked up and smiled at her. She caught his smile and returned it but this was just as she was about to go down a step. Sam lost her grip and went flying down the last few stairs. She landed in strong, caring arms which had reached out to stop the fall. Mr Jordan carefully helped Sam back upright and helped her to regain her balance. Dylan had acknowledged how comfortable Sam felt in her boss' presence. It was always good to feel comfortable in the presence of work colleagues and seniors, something Dylan wished he had been able to pick up on. He may have been Sam's mentor but she had taught him what true love and friendship really meant. She had been the one to show him how to get along with patients and colleagues. He still wasn't anywhere near as good at it as Sam.
He followed as Mr Jordan led Sam to his office for yet another chat that day. The two took their seats side by side, turning expectantly to Mr Jordan.
"Here's the letter and apparently you wanted to talk."
Mr Jordan handed Sam the letter in the brown envelope, embossed with army livery.
"That can be burnt for all I care. And yes, there is something we would like to discuss, isn't there Dylan?"
"Ah yes, well, Sam's pr-"
"Not that you idiot! I don't want anyone else to know."
"I was going to say Sam's probably not going to want to stay at home for the next three months. Could she come and sit in here or help out with the paperwork?"
"Why did Sam interrupt you Dylan? You do realise I can always check your notes Doctor Nicholls."
Mr Jordan looked at Sam to find her looking down at her stomach, her hands holding it in an awkward position. It clicked in the clinical lead's head. Pregnant.
"Doctor Nicholls, are you by any chance pregnant?"
Sam turned her head towards Dylan, her expressions pulled into an 'I really didn't want you to find that out' cringe. 'Does it really matter' Sam thought.
"Presumably you are the father Doctor Keogh."
"Just stop it! Please! I don't even know if I want this!"
Sam attempted curling up into a ball to hide herself but it didn't succeed because of her cast.
"I just want to go home!" she sobbed, leaning forwards, resting her elbows on her knees and using her hands to cover her face.
"Oh Sam. Please don't cry."
Dylan got up from his chair to pick Sam up. He picked her up, sat down and cradled her in his arms. He sat her on his lap and stroked her forehead.
"Everything will be fine. Don't worry yourself dear."
Dylan spoke so softly; softer than he had in the past two years.
Sam huddled into Dylan's shoulder while Mr Jordan sat watching the couple. He didn't now whether to excuse himself and go out into the ED or whether he should cough and politely ask them to leave.
He didn't have to make an excuse after all as Dylan stood up and declared they were leaving.
"I'll make my own way Dylan.
Sam stood up and balanced on her good leg. Dylan handed her the crutches and the two left he ED, a tearstained woman and her unusually loving husband. The whole team watched as the odd yet perfect for each other couple left to go home.