Chapter 26
She can't convince him to leave and she's really not surprise. She is surprised when Erin, Jack and Sean show back up that evening with an arm full of food. "Heard they won't let you leave." Erin says as she drops the to-go box in front of her. Passing Danny a bag as well. "Thought you might want real food."
"This looks amazing. Lunch sucked.' Danny says as he looks around for a fork. Jack passing him one and taking a spare chair.
"How bad is the leg?" Jack asks and Maria shrugs as she wiggles her toes.
"It's gonna heal, just gonna take time." Maria answered, "What about you? What did you do today?"
Maria smiles as the boys leave, watching as Erin gives them both a smile as she closes the door. Danny drawing the curtain closed across the door blocking them from view of the doorguard.
"You want me to run by your place in the morning?' Danny asks and Maria raises an eyebrow at him.
"For?"
"Clothes and stuff?"
"I kinda need those things."
"Yeah. I know. That's why I'm asking if you want me to go get some for you."
"I think you missed a step there Reagan.' She says with a small smile, watching as his brow furrows at her.
"What?"
"When did we decide I wasn't going back to my place?" She can't resist teasing him as she keeps a straight face, watching as his confusion clears and nervousness settles in it's place.
"Just... you have the stairs and the elevator only works when it wants too... you're not gonna be able to drive and you'll...' she lets the grin crank through, watching as he scowls at her.
"Really?" He asks as crosses to her,
"It's the obvious decision Danny but you still gotta ask. Plus you're Dad is already asking questions... you think me staying there full time is gonna cause any less of them?"
"Yeah, probably not... Erin called me on it too." Danny says as he takes her hand, sitting on the edge of the bed facing her.
"Oh? What did you tell her?"
"The truth...' Danny squeeses her hand, felt her return it. 'I just... Dad is either gonna be okay or ... he's not."
"Pretty sure he already knows Danny."
"Well knowing and confirmation are two different things in his world."
"What do you think he's gonna say?" Maria asks softly, "Think he'll split us up?"
"No... he didn't with Edide and Jamie but he didn't approve either."
"Do you need his approval?" She asks softly and he meets her gaze, shaking his head.
"No... he'll come around if he needs too, usually does."
"What you get for having a family full of cops.' She teases, watching as he relaxes and nods. 'You know you can go home."
"We both know I won't sleep."
"I know...' she casts a glance to the door, watching as he does as well before she slides over on the bed as much as she can 'watch the game with me."
Maria is finally discharged at 3pm on the eighth. With firm orders to be non weight bearing. "It needs time to heal. Don't want to delay the process at all by pushing it too soon." The nurse helps her rotate into the chair and get her leg settled on the foot rests.
"I got it doc. No weight. No walking." She says evenly, watching as Danny checks the room again before he turns towards her. Watching as her phone dings 'Boys."
"Tell them to cool their jets." She texts something back and takes the bag that Danny hands her and puts it on her lap. "Ready?"
"As I can be." Danny picks up the crutches, watching as her eyes narrow at them.
"Thanks Doc." Danny says warmly, seeing him now before he focuses on them both.
"Yep. Please take it easy."
"Yes sir." Maria answers
"Both if you." He stresses to Danny.
"Sure thing Doc."
By the time that Frank gets there to check in on Danny, Maria's stuff is settled in the guest bedroom for an extended stay. He gives Maria a smile that she returns and finds Danny is dishing food onto plates in the kitchen.
"How are you two?" Frank asks, watching as Danny gives him a half glance.
"Fine. Busted leg. She's gotta stay off it for a few days, let the swelling go down so they can cast it properly. My arm, same story. Boys! Plates!"
Sean and Jack dart into the room and out again. Jack carrying two plates and Danny hands one to his Dad who gives a startled look but follows Danny out to living room . Jack is handing one to Maria.
He watches as Danny carries the food into the living room where Maria is sitting, foot propped up on several pillows. She's got a bruise settling in over her shoulder from the seatbelt, airbag burns on her face and neck. Waving away Jack as he came at her with a blanket.
"Boys!' They all pause, 'you're driving me crazy. Sit."
They do, Frank smiling as she shook her head, "Sorry Maria.' Sean says softly,
"I get it but also…' she holds up two hands 'I'm right here. I'm breathing, it's my leg, it's a long away from anything vital. Kay?"
"Okay."
Frank smiling as she sent them out of the room as soon as they finished eating. Danny bumping her shoulder playfully, "You gonna send me away too?"
"If you hover to much. Yes."
"You coming to dinner this Sunday?" Frank asks, watching as they share a quick glance.
"How about we have it here?" Danny asks, glancing at Maria's foot.
Franks nods. "That will work. I'll tell the others."
She stands, taking the crutches and hopping to the bedroom. Danny hovering behind her until she's safe in the bedroom.
"How are you feeling?"
"Okay." She settles on the bed, watching as he disappears into her closet and comes back out with what she normally wears to bed. She pushes her pants and underwear over her hips. Danny helping to navigate them over her cast while she tugged the tank top and bra off,
"Wait a second." He says as she reaches for the large shirt.
"What?"
"Shower?"
"I'm not up for that."
"You'll thank me afterwards." She sighs before nodding. Letting him help her into the bathroom. He gets the plastic wrap over her foot, let's her help with his arm. She laughs at the chair in the shower but let's him settle her on it.
The water does feel good and washing the hospital grime off feels amazing. She gets the soap and washes it through her hair, letting Danny rinse it out before doing the same for her body.
He does the same for himself and gets out to quickly get dressed. He's got the matching bruises from the seatbelt, the airbag burns on his arm. She takes the spare towel, dries as much as she can until he helps her out of the shower and back into the bedroom. She slides into his shirt, taking a deep breathe and can't stop herself from reaching out to grab his arm as he steps away from her.
"I'm staying." He promises and she nods, letting him go kill the lights before he climbs into the bed beside her. "Over…' she rolls, gets her leg settled onto the pile of pillows.
"So demanding." She murmurs back, laughing as she lifts her head, letting him slide his hand beneath her neck, wrapping it back up to her shoulder. "Doesn't your arm go to sleep?"
"Nope… got this to a science." He says, his other hand coming around to her front. She snags one of the spare pillows, let's him balance his arm on it. "Even if it does… it's worth it."
"It's your arm.' She answers, pressing a kiss against the skin before closing her eyes.