Caitlin wasn't sure how long she drifted in and out of consciousness but it wasn't too long before she awoke with a start. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings, and realized she was in a hospital. Glancing to her left she saw Barry sitting right next to her.
"Barry?" Caitlin asked in confusion, trying to remember what happened.
"Hey, baby," he murmured and she frowned.
"What…what happened?" Caitlin asked, feeling tired and out of it. He sighed as he ran a hand through her hair.
"You passed out after taking eleven diet pills in under twenty-four hours," he muttered and she felt ashamed.
"I-I'm sorry," she murmured and looked down. It was then that she realized there was a strap next to her wrist, wrapped around the railing around her hospital bed. Her wrist wasn't wrapped in it but she was still confused. Barry followed her line of sight and squeezed her hand.
"I need you to listen to me, Caitlin," he said urgently and she looked at him.
"The doctors said you're severely underweight and are talking about having to feed you through a tube if you resist help," he said and Caitlin felt her heart thump unevenly.
"W-what?" Caitlin whispered, horrified. Barry rubbed his thumb against her forehead.
"Baby, please. Don't resist treatment," he whispered and she blinked back tears. Just then a doctor walked in and Caitlin turned her eyes on her.
"Afternoon, Caitlin. I'm Abby, the head doctor on your treatment plan," Abby said and Caitlin immediately figured out this woman wasn't someone you crossed. Caitlin nodded her head nervously.
"Hello," she said softly and Abby stood at the foot of her bed. She looked at Barry before looking at Caitlin, wordlessly asking if she could talk to her in front of him. Caitlin nodded her head shakily.
"Alright, Caitlin, let's cut to the chase. You're a woman of about a 5'5" height and your weight is around 95 pounds. That's not healthy and I think you know that," Abby stated plainly and Caitlin gulped.
"You're right, I-I do know that but-," she trailed off as Abby shook her head.
"No buts," she replied firmly and Caitlin sighed. She looked at the restraint wrapping around her bed rail again and then back up at Abby, feeling terrified. Abby sighed.
"Look Caitlin, I don't want to have to restrain you and force feed you through a tube, but I will, if that's what it comes down to," Abby said and Caitlin blinked back tears. Barry held her hand tightly.
"Is there any way around that?" Barry asked softly and not for the first time, Caitlin wondered why he was still with her.
"Certainly," Abby replied, "Caitlin goes to an inpatient treatment facility."
Caitlin felt her heart drop.
"I-I can't do that, I have classes to attend," she pleaded but Abby just shook her head.
"Your health is more important to me than your college experience," she replied and Caitlin sighed. Barry squeezed her hand.
"How long would she have to stay there?" Barry asked.
"The minimum requirement is a month. Then, depending on if she's complying with the rules they have and has put on enough weight, she can leave. If not, they'll extend her stay to however long they see fit," Abby stated and Barry nodded his head before looking at Caitlin, who had tears rolling down her cheeks. He wiped them away softly.
"Baby, I think it's the best option we're going to get," he murmured and she just continued to cry. Barry looked at her with a pained expression before glancing up at Abby.
"Can we have a few moments?" Barry asked quietly and Abby studied Caitlin before nodding her head.
"Sure, I'll go prepare her lunch," she said softly and for the first time, Caitlin felt like she had dropped her icy exterior and was dealing with a nicer person. She walked out of the room and shut the door softly.
Barry wordlessly got into the bed next to Caitlin and she laid her head on his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears. He didn't seem to mind.
"Tell me where your head is at, sweetheart," he murmured as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her tightly.
"I feel like I-I don't e-even have a choice," Caitlin muttered and Barry rubbed her shoulder.
"Baby, it's just for a month. If you follow their rules and show them that you're willing to get better, they'll have you out of there in no time," he soothed.
"What about school?" Caitlin whispered and Barry continued to rub her shoulder.
"Cisco and I can talk to all of your professors, see if they can give you extensions on your work. They should since you're probably the best student in each of their classes," he murmured and she nodded her head. She wiped at her tears fiercely.
"A-alright," she breathed out and Barry looked at her.
"Alright you'll go?" Barry asked hopefully and she sighed before nodding her head.
"Yes. I've made a mess of things and my life and it's time I get back on track," she muttered and Barry kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, sweetheart," he murmured and she nodded as she snuggled into his chest.
"How's your ankle feeling?" Barry asked softly a few moments later.
"Hurts but nothing unmanageable," she replied with a shrug and he squeezed her shoulder. The conversation was left there for a few moments before Caitlin peeked up at Barry.
"Will you come visit me?" Caitlin asked hesitantly.
"Every time you're allowed to have a visitor," Barry replied quickly and Caitlin smiled in relief.
"Thank you," she murmured, "I don't know what've I done to have gotten so lucky to have you in my life. Or why you've stuck around this long when you've had every right to leave but thank you."
Barry looked at her before brushing his lips along her forehead.
"I love you. It's that simple," he murmured and she felt her heart soar.
"I love you too," she replied softly. There was a knock on her door and Abby peeked her head around when Caitlin told her to come in.
"I've brought you your lunch, Caitlin," Abby said and Caitlin looked at Barry before nodding her head firmly.
"Alright," she murmured. Abby set the tray down and Caitlin looked over the food. A sandwich, some milk, and some fruit. Sighing, she got ready to tear the sandwich in half, like she normally does, but Abby stopped her.
"You can't tear the food in half," Abby murmured and Caitlin looked at her before glancing at the sandwich and sighing.
"Alright," she muttered before taking a small bite and chewing. Abby stayed in the room with her as she ate, watching her. Caitlin felt on display and vulnerable but with Barry's constant arm around her, she ate as much of the sandwich as she could. When she had eaten all that she could, she pushed it to the side and glanced up at Abby.
"I'm through," she murmured and Abby looked at the plate.
"They'll teach you how to finish a full plate of food in treatment," she said and Caitlin nodded her head.
"Alright," she muttered.
Abby looked between Barry and Caitlin and smiled slightly.
"I'll leave you two alone while I set up the paperwork for the treatment facility. I expect to have you admitted by tomorrow, Caitlin," Abby said and Caitlin bit her lip.
"I-I need to pack," she murmured and Abby studied her.
"Can you get anyone else to pack for you?" Abby asked and Caitlin thought about it before looking at Barry.
"Maybe Lisa can and Cisco can bring my suitcase tonight?" Caitlin asked and Barry nodded his head.
"I'll text him," Barry replied as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. Caitlin watched as Abby gave her approval before leaving the room. She laid her head back on Barry's chest, trying to ignore the throbbing in her ankle. Yes, she had made a mess of things and now it was time to rectify her mistakes. Sighing, she closed her eyes as she waited for the next part of this journey to begin.