Chapter 42: Do you know what time it is?
"Mornin' there Goldilocks" Sonny smiles watching as a sleepy looking Clay emerges from the bedroom.
He's holding Casey in his arms pressed tightly against his chest. "Hey!" He yawns running his hand through his messed-up curls "Ahhh God! You know I forget how it feels getting up in the night to feed him"
"You shoulda woke me when you got back. I could've taken over and looked after him"
"Yeah right. Sonny you were sleepin like a baby yourself. Anyway, I didn't wanna disturb you. Look here hold him, I need to go to the bathroom and wash up."
"Clay..." Audrey smiles, holding the pan by the stove in the kitchen. "you want some bacon with these pancakes, I made?"
"Um...err yeah...yeah that would be great. But hey, you didn't have to cook, I could've just grabbed something when I go out"
"Oh, but you must be hungry? I mean aeroplane food is not so good, right?" she smiles "Besides I enjoy cooking"
"Yeah you can say that again. Airline food sucks!"
"Hey, I tell ya somethin' ya don't wanna miss her pancakes. Clay you struck gold here, this girl sure can cook. I still keep askin' her ta marry me but..." he smiles winking at her.
She frowns and smacks his hand away as he makes a grab for the pile of pancakes "No! They are for Clay, not you! Hands off!"
"Boy..." Clay sniffs "they sure do look good. I do have to admit, cooking well...it's not one of Kelsey's strong points. But..." he smiles laughing "don't either of you tell her I said that!"
"Well I can cook you whatever you like. I love it! My abuela taught me. It's always nicer when someone appreciates it" she smiles looking up at both Sonny and Clay "Why don't you get washed up and I'll get it ready you can sit at the table"
"Hey, how 'bout me?" Sonny frowns "I'm hungry too and I think um... little champ here needs some milk" he smiles. Casey has his hand tugging at Sonny's beard, holding it tight "Yeah I know, you want some milk?"
"Don't worry Sonny, I made plenty. So, there are some for you"
"Oh, he um... he had a bottle in the night" Clay frowns "But I think he might need changing?"
"Ah!" Sonny frowns "Yeah see that there, diapers, that's Audrey's department"
"Hey..." Audrey frowns, shaking her head "I showed you how to do it!"
"Yeah but... you know I have a delicate stomach. That kinda thing, it makes me go a lil queasy"
"I'll do it!" Clay smiles, shaking his head "Give him here."
"No! Clay... Sonny's right, you pay me to look after him. I'll do it now. Get cleaned up an then you are ready to eat"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Mmmm! Clay sighs pushing the empty plate across the table "I'm so full!" He smiles "Audrey, that was great. I felt like I hadn't eaten for a day"
"So, how was the Brit food?" Sonny frowns watching him
"Hmm! Yeah, well first two weeks I was mainly living out of the vending machine stuff in the hospital but... well I have to admit Alex, he's a... damn good cook, though don't tell him. He did makes some pretty amazing food"
"Oh, shit man!" Sonny frowns "Is there nothing that guy can't do? I mean c'mon, he's gotta have some damn flaws right? I mean... he can't look like that and be the perfect house husband. You know I bet Kelsey would tell ya he's lousy in the sack, somethin' like that, he gotta be. A man that arrogant..." Sonny's words trail off as he now realizes his error.
He closes his eyes hesitating before he apologizes " Sorry man. Sorry I didn't mean to say it like ... that's not what I meant brother, you know about him in ... look, you know nothin's gonna happen with them, right? I mean, if that's what you're worryin'" Sonny sighs he can tell the hole he's digging himself is just getting bigger.
"Yeah, I know what you mean" Clay sighs taking a breath "Well I hope not. But .. well you're right. He does seem damn perfect. You know I'd just love to know one thing, just one, that he wasn't good at. Something he really sucks at " he smiles "Man, I wouldn't let him forget whatever that was"
"Hey c'mon, forget about him. So, how long before she can come home?"
"Oh, I don't know Sonny ..." he sighs frustrated ".. weeks, I guess. They need this blood clot to clear, then maybe she can think about flying home. But how long her leg's gonna take to mend. That will depend on physio. Good news is they don't think she's gonna need another op." he takes a breath "Oh Sonny...I just want her to come home. Be here with us, with Casey and not there with him!"
"Hey c'mon, don't think about it. She's not there with him, he's just there. Clay, it's you she loves... forget him"
"Yeah but... I don't know. He's there, everyday helping her right. We're stuck here thousands of miles away... that doesn't help anything"
"Yeah, but you're here for her son. Your son! Clay, c'mon don't do this to yourself. Just think about her comin home"
"Hey, what's going on?" Audrey frowns she can see the look on Clay's face. She's washed and changed Casey and hands him over.
"Oh nothing..." Clay sighs, his head fills with pangs of insecurity "I just don't like ... well leaving Kelsey and Alex, alone together. They have a history and.."
"But why are you worrying?" she frowns looking him in the face. She's concerned by his expression "What does he offer that you don't? Tell me!" she smiles "Clay, she is a very lucky woman, to have you. You are fabulous father. Why would she want someone else?"
"She won't!" Sonny interrupts trying to steer the conversation away from Alex. He knows deep down how Clay feels about him and despite his words he can tell he still has concerns "Clay you know was well as I do, she don't want him. He already told ya she made it clear, that weren't happenin"
"Yeah but... oh, I don't know" he lets out a long-tired sigh "Guess I'm just worrying about nothing. Just what if he makes a move now I'm gone? I mean he's got it just how he wanted it"
"He won't!... Clay, he won't! You told me she marked his card where that was concerned. And anyway, Audrey's right, what the hell can he offer her?"
"You have a picture?" Audrey frowns intrigued "Let me see. See why you are worrying"
"A picture of Alex? Um... no, no I don't have a picture"
"Yeah sure you do. The ones at the barbecue, when you first had Casey. Remember we took some group ones."
"Oh um... yeah!" He takes his phone and flicks through the camera roll "There... there that's him, the one with the dark hair" Clay points to him in some of the mixed photos
"Oh!" Audrey gasps. She looks up and smiles unsure what to say "Oh...um... look, I'm sure you have nothing to worry. I mean, yeah um... he.." she smiles blushing ".. sorry, but I have to admit .. he is a very good-looking guy."
She frowns and looks at Sonny as Clay snatches the phone back, putting it in his pocket "Oh I didn't mean to ... I mean, Clay so are you." she laughs awkwardly "She is not going to pick him. You are the father of her child and from what I know, she loves you very, very much. No woman would risk what she has with you, for that!"
Hmmm! He smiles "Yeah well... thanks. I appreciate what you're saying but..." he sighs again "I just want her home"
"So..." Sonny quickly changed the subject "..what we doin on our last night off for a while?"
"Oh, I hadn't really thought. I might take Casey out for the day. And um...I need to go speak to Jason. Sound him out about going back to Kelsey"
"You're leaving again, already?" Audrey frowns. She's slightly dismayed that he's considering it so soon after only returning last night.
"Oh no, don't worry it won't be for a couple of weeks. But I do need to take Casey to see his Mom. I promised her I'd be back. She's missing him so much and it's hard for her, being away for so long"
"Hmm! Yes, it must be. I .. I can't understand how anyone can leave a small baby for so long, it would just break my heart" she looks up, and can see Clay frowning the look on Clay's face makes her feel awkward "Oh sorry. I- I didn't mean anything by it, just..."
"Yeah well it is hard for her. It was hard for her to go back. She doesn't need this. You know people don't realize, she acts tough but...well she' s not. This has knocked her. That's why I need to take him to see her, and soon"
"Hmm!" Sonny frowns "Yeah well good luck with that, cos I don't think Jace is gonna like it. I mean, he's already spittin' 'bout you missin' deployment and we got this trainin' thing coming up, so I know you wantin' to go back, it's not gonna sit well"
"Yeah well... I need to. So, he's gonna have to wear it"
Raising his eyebrows in concern, Sonny looks up at Audrey. He stuffs the last piece of pancake in his mouth and wipes his hands "You know what... I think I'm gonna get off. I guess you got stuff to do"
"Yeah. I'm gonna take him out, spend the day with him before I get back to work tomorrow"
"Oh..." Audrey smiles interrupting him "I was going to take him swimming today. I could give it a miss or... well, you could come with us? I'm sure he'd like that. Sonny came the other day. It was great fun. He so loves the water"
"Sonny went swimming?!" Clay frowns laughing.
"Well err... I didn't actually go in. I just went along... for the fun of it. I carried the travel seat" he smiles.
As he and Clay laugh there's a buzz of Clay's cell phone "Oh, it's Kelsey. I need to take this. Excuse me"
"Yeah I'll call ya laters. We'll go for some beers tonight yeah?"
"Um... yeah. I'll catch up with you"
"I'll clear up. Then get his things together" Audrey smiles watching as Sonny leaves.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"Hey babe. How're you today?"
"Hey there" Kelsey smiles touching the screen on her phone "I'm good. How are you ? You look tired. Are you alright?"
"Yeah...yeah, I'm good. This little one had me up in the night. But we're fine. Hey, look Casey...it's Momm...Mummy!" he corrects himself smiling at her.
"Hey Casey .." she takes a deep breath; already emotional she sniffs back her welling tears "Mummy's missing you, but I'm gonna see you soon." She smiles watching as Casey reaches out towards the screen on the phone "So, did you speak to Jason, about getting a flight back?"
"Um.. no. Not yet. It's still early here. I will later. Did you sleep okay? I didn't think you'd answer my text last night as it was so late over there"
"Yeah, a little. It's hard, I keep getting a pain in my keeps me awake a lot of the time"
"But you have physio today, right? From the schedule they made you. So, you need to tell them, about the pain, see what they can do."
"Um... yeah but... well I might give it a miss today. It hurts so much I don't think I can go"
"Hey, you need to do the physio, it's the only way it's going to get better. Kelsey you must go. Please, don't start skipping it"
"Yeah, you're right" she smiles changing the subject "So... what're you doing today?"
"Oh, we were going to go swimming" he looks up. Audrey comes into the room.
She's searching the basket of clean laundry on the chair by the door. Seeing him watching her she smile "Sorry... I just look for his swimming diaper. I think it may have got mixed in with your underwear"
"Who's that?" Kelsey frowns hearing the voice in the room
"Oh, it's Audrey. She's getting Casey swimming things. Look, I'll call you later and I'll send you a picture from swimming. You know Audrey says he loved it when she took him the other day"
Mmmm hmm! "Okay!" She swallows the tearful emotion in her throat. Wiping away the single tear rolling down her cheek.
"Hey Kelsey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing..." she sighs loudly "I'm fine" she's not and caught up in her emotions it takes her a moment to get her words out "Oh I don't know. I guess I'm just missing you both. Clay, I wanna come home so much."
"Hey, soon. Soon, I promise" he sighs wishing desperately that he could comfort her "Kelsey please don't cry. It's just gonna take a little time." He frowns watching as she looks away from the screen, getting herself together "Look we um...we need to go, but I'll call you, later?"
"Yeah! Clay..." she sighs again "promise, that you'll call?"
"Yeah, you know I will. I love you" he smiles blowing her a kiss. Taking Casey's tiny hand in his own he waves it at the screen "Say bye Mummy! We love you!"
Hurriedly he cuts off the call. Holding Casey tightly against his chest, he takes a long sniff inwards. All he can smell is the gorgeous baby smell of his son. Hmmm! He bites hard against his lip. His emotions running riot in his head "C'mon you, let's go swimming. We'll call Mommy later!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Clay smiles as hits send and texting the pictures of Casey in his swimming diaper over to Kelsey. Then putting his cell phone away, he picks up Casey into his arms and cradles him. The baby's bare skin pressed warmly against his own as he carries him through to the small warm swimming pool.
As Clay slowly sinks into the water, Casey still securely in his arms. He smiles, lovingly, watching the grin growing on his son's face as Clay splashes the water against him "You like that?"
Casey kicks his legs and smiles, and Clay kisses his cheek. The warm water lapping around htem as them as Clay continues to splash the surface with his hand.
They're in the small, warmer, pool just off to the main busier pool. The have the whole thing to their selves and as Clay looks up he feels awkward looking at the lean, tanned woman in a black bikini walking towards them. Her long dark hair is tied in a tight, high ponytail. He gasps as he realizes who it is
"Audrey!"
He frowns. He never realized she had such a voluptuous until he now sees it poured tightly into the small black bikini she's wearing . Holy hell! He sighs. It's no wonder Sonny wanted to come!
He grins looking at Casey and then the realizing he's thinking thoughts that he shouldn't be considering he takes a deep breath. Again, focusing on his baby boy, watching him bouncing up and down, enjoying the freedom the water gives him . Allowing him to splash freely. Listening happily to the chorus of baby giggles that accompany each sploshing movement in the water.
"Hey" she smiles holding up a yellow, circular, inflatable "You forget this!"
Her Spanish accent sounds stronger today. It's probably just because he's not heard it for a few weeks and so he notices the heavier tweaks to some of her words. He smiles, her soft soothing tone is quiet soothing to listen to.
"What's that ?" He frowns
"He sits in it" she smiles "and then he can kick his legs, without you holding him"
"Oh, okay" He smiles holding it as she takes Casey from his arms and places him inside. Clay is hesitant for a moment. Reluctant to let go from the safety of his tight grip. Apprehensive that the float wont take his weight. But t does, perfectly and Clay smiles as Casey's small hand makes a grab tightly onto his beard as his legs and arms kick out, in tandem.
Clay laughs watching him and as he looks up Audrey is now standing in the water.
Her body wet and she drags her fingers through her hair, brushing it away from her face revealing her huge beaming grin as she watches the two of them playing in the pool
"He likes that, si?"
"He seems to, yes" he sighs watching as she now moves Casey around in the water "Audrey, I .. well I just wanted to say... Gracias. Por todo lo que has hecho por nosotros"
She smiles, listening to Clay's Spanish. Though not perfect and sounding funny in his American accent she is impressed to hear him thank her for her help, in it "You're welcome. You know I will help you whenever I can"
"Well.. gracias! It's appreciated, all that you've done over these past few weeks" He watches her smiling at him. His eyes unconcioulsy drop to her huge breasts covered only by small triangle of barely there fabric. He quickly and awakardly looks away "So... you um... you think he's gonna make a good frogman?"
"Oh, yes most definitely" she smiles again "He has to, he takes after his Abuelo" she laughs teasingly.
"His Grandfather?! " Clay laughs "Seriously?! What the hell are you trying to say there? That I'm not a good frogman"
She can't help but continue to laugh. Her tease about Ash being a better SEAL getting to him almost immediatley. She places her hand against his arm, steadying herself in the water.
Casey responds to their laughter with giggles of his own. Clay smiles, wistfully lost in his thoughts he pauses a moment. Thinking how much he sounds like Kelsey. There's a sudden pang in his heart as he realizess just how much he's missing her.
He checks the time on his watch. Forty minutes have passed since they got in the pool. He and Audrey have been lost deep in conversation. Clay opening up about his fears regarding Alex and Audrey telling him about her family. How her mother hates the fact that she left home to work in the US.
As he checks his watch a second time he sighs. "You think we should get outta here? I don't want him to get cold."
"Strong frogman genes..." she laughs " he will be able to live in the water. But no you're right.. he's had long enough. He is getting tired now."
"Yeah well .. we'll see about being a frogman. For now, little man, we need to get you something to eat." He lifts him gently out of the float and into his arms, holding him tight. Out of the water he now starts to cry "Yeah, yeah I know, we'll come again" Clay kisses his cheek.
o-o-o-o-o
Dried and dressed they meet with Audrey in the reception of the club. She smiles watching as Clay chats away to his son.
"Would you like to get a coffee? There's a café, across the street. Sonny and I went there the other day."
"You know he's really keen on you?" Clay smiles "Sonny, I mean he's a good guy.. I mean if you ... well you know."
"Oh, um... he's err... well not my type. I mean I like him, a lot. But as a friend. He is your friend and he loves Casey, that is good. He would make a great god father, when you have him baptized"
"Baptized... oh um... I hadn't really thought about that. I mean with Kelsey's accident it's not something we talked about. But yeah, I guess, at some point we will" he smiles looking down at Casey "Be good to celebrate, but not 'til your Mummy gets back"
Audrey laughs loudly causing Clay to frown "What?"
"You ...your pronunciation. You know, Casey will be talking a funny mix of American, English and Spanish. He will be a language expert like his Daddy"
"Yeah, he's sure gonna have a weird accent for sure" he too laughs as they joke around.
He now notices the time on the clock behind the reception and silently he thinks for a moment "Errm... look, do you mind if I skip the coffee and you take him home? Only I need to go see Jason, before tomorrow. I wanna speak to him one on one about getting this flight next week"
"Oh um... yeah...sure! Would you like me to make something special for dinner tonight?"
"Oh, I don't know, happy for you to choose. I don't mind." He sighs as the sound of his phone again vibrating "Sorry, I need to take this. It's Kelsey, I missed a couple of calls earlier"
"Okay!" Audrey frowns as he hands Casey to her, kissing him quickly on the head as he does. She sighs loudly watching as he walks away to take the incoming call "Come on Casey. We'll go for a walk home"
Seeing her still staring at him, he waves goodbye to the two of them. Hesitating for a moment she finally pushes the buggy out of the door.
"Hey there babe!" he smiles at he talks "So you okay?"
"Yeah... yeah, I just ... I just wanted to talk to you. It's boring, you know, just laying here on my own"
"Yeah I'm sure it is. So, where's Alex today?"
"Oh, he err... he had a hospital appointment, a scan on his knee"
"And you didn't go with him? But I thought you had a physio appointment too?"
"Uh .. yeah. I uh... well I didn't go. I just didn't feel up to it, I'm really tired today"
"Okay! Should I be concerned" he frowns
"No, I'm fine really. I'll um ...Ill go tomorrow. " She smiles
"Well um... Casey's just gone home with Audrey. And I ... I need to go. I'm gonna go see Jason, ask him about coming back, to the UK, in a couple of weeks. Can I call you laters?"
"Okay, yeah sure. Clay... I ..I just wanted to say, .." she sighs " I miss you"
"Yeah I miss you too. We both do." He smiles trying to reassure her, but all he can hear is her sniffing at the tears, trying to force them back into her throat " Kelsey I... well, I love you!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
One week later
Continuing to groan loudly he takes a deep breath then hits accept on the screen of his cell phone. "Hey!" he pauses taking a moment to wake up himself up "Kelsey... do you realize what the time it is here?"
"Um... yeah sorry. I err.. I just ... well I just needed to you know you were okay, after the spin up. I was laid here, worrying and..."
"Why are you worrying?" he sighs still rubbing the sleep from his face " I called you when I got back and I told you I was fine."
"What about Casey, I mean is he okay? Clay, can I see him?"
"Kelsey it's..." hmm! He sighs rubbing this hand across his tired eyes "he's sleeping. I don't wanna disturb him again. Look, you can't keep doing this. Every night this week ...I'm sorry but you really need to check the time before you call"
"I know, I just ..." She bites her lip, her eyes well with tears as she hitches her breath in her throat the surge of emotions catching her off guard. "I just need see him. Please .. five minutes, we won't wake him. Clay, please!"
"Kelsey.." he closes his eyes taking a breath it must be the tiredness, but he shakes his head and refuses "No! No I'm not gonna wake him. He's in his bedroom sleeping and I don't wanna wake Audrey either. She was tired earlier. Casey's been really grumpy today. She thinks he might be teething"
Oh damn it! He sighs, hearing her start to sob, again, on the other end of the phone "Audrey said you called her while I was away? Kelsey c'mon don't!" He closes his eyes and then he puts his legs over the side of the bed, feet on the floor and gives in to her but getting up "Okay... okay, five minutes that's all, cos I really need to sleep"
"Thank you. And Clay, I promise I'll wait for you to call me tomorrow. I'll be able to rest once I've seen him. And the reason I called Audrey, was because I wasn't getting any reply from you.
"Okay!" he sighs, trudging wearily to the other room. Then turning the camera on so he's able to hear the upbeat sound of her voice.
Oh, jeez he groans to himself as he holds the phone over the sleeping baby "You see him?"
Mmmm hmm! she smiles quietly watching " Hey baby!" she calls in a hushed whisper "Casey ... Mummy loves you!"
Clay smiles. He stance softens as he loses some of his annoyance and he melts hearing her call her sons name.
"Will you give him a kiss from me?"
"I will tomorrow. I'm not gonna wake him ..."
Oh shit! Clay sighs. Too late! He watches as Casey's eyes open and he starts to cry very loudly "Okay, okay!... Shush! Shhh! Casey..." he sighs taking a deep breath in "look Kelsey I'm gonna have to go now. I have to sort him out"He leans over the crib stroking his hand gently against Casey's cheek trying to comfort him.
As he looks up he catches the outline of Audrey in the doorway, from the corner of his eye. "You want me to take over?" she frowns as he doesn't immediately answer "Clay, are you okay? Do you want me to sort him?" she smiles touching her hand gently on his shoulder blade "You go back to bed!"
"Sorry!" he lowers his voice and whispers "I was miles away. Yeah um... take over, I just have to finish up here"
She can see him holding his hand to cover the phone and she nods to acknowledge him
"Kelsey? " She mouths
"Clay?!" Kelsey's now gone quiet watching things unfold that side of the conversation. As the screen goes dark from his hand, she grows concerned. She can hear shuffling and a woman's voice. "Clay, what's going on? Is everything okay?"
"Um.. yeah. Sorry. Casey's crying, it woke Audrey. We're trying to settle him. She's going to sort him some milk. Look, I have to go"
"Oh, okay! Clay ... I'm sorry. Look I'll call you later?!"
"Kelsey.." he sighs running his hand through his hair. Though he's tired he's now wide awake ".. I have a training thing on this morning, so I may not be contactable for most of the day. It''s best if I call you, when I'm done"
"Clay... did you speak with Jason? I mean, about coming back next week?"
"Yeah um...look, it's gonna take a little longer, maybe just a few days. We have a few things on and ... he needs me here, just for a while but really, I'm trying to sort it"
"Clay, you promised. You said you'd bring him. Clay...don't leave me like this!"
"Look... he's really pissed about me missing deployment and he wants me to try and get there. Well, for some of it. So, I don't wanna rock the boat too much"
"Clay..."
"Look I know...I'll call you. I love you! But just give me some time" his tiredness is starting to make him annoyed and short tempered " Seriously, can we talk about this when I've had some sleep. I'm tired. I just got back from a spin up and it's three thirty am! So, it's not really the time to explain everything"
"Clay please... you promised. I can't do this if I don't see him"
"I know... I know. I'll do something alright, even if it's only a couple of days. I will try and get out there to you. I promise." he sighs "I'll sort something but Kelsey I have to go now, I need some sleep"
The call ends abruptly and Kelsey stares at the blank screen. "I.. I love you, Clay!" She sighs. A large tear rolls down her check dripping onto the glass and she wipes it with her thumb as she now notices Alex stood watching her from the bedroom doorway.
"Hey, what's wrong? You okay?"
She looks up, biting her lip, and shaking her head "No!" she sniffs "um...Clay, he ...he can't come back, to see me, yet!" She can't get her words out, her chest aches as she cries "Alex, he's not gonna come. I'm not gonna see my baby!"
"Hey... " he steps to sit beside her on the bed "since when. What did he say? I thought he had this in hand?"
"No!" she shrugs "He um...he said Jason won't...there's some training thing. I don't know, I-I just want to hold Casey"
"I know.. I know" he wraps his arms around her "It's okay.., look, just calm down. I'm sure he'll sort something" he looks at the time on his watch "You do know what time it is out there? It's the middle of the night, just give him some time. I'm sure he'll arrange something"
"Yeah..." she grips at his back with her one good arm "I know, but... I can't just sit here and wait"
"Give him time, alright. We both know .. we'll it's the Navy and so, it's not gonna be simple." He takes a deep breath holding her, stroking his hand down her back for comfort. Looking her deep in the eyes "Come on, smile. What you need is to get dressed. You have physio this morning. I'll get a taxi booked"
"Um...Alex, you know I'm gonna give it a miss, today. Physio I mean. I don't feel up to it"
"No, no you're not! Kelsey you put it off yesterday and you said you would go with me today. You promised!" he frowns staring at her "I even changed my appointment to fit with yours, so get dressed"
" No, I don't want to. Alex, I don' t feel well. I need to rest I... look I'll go tomorrow. I swear" she tips her head to one side and smiles.
"No!" he snaps back in reply "No this has to stop! You NEED to go to physio, or you are not gonna get better. Kelsey, you can't keep putting it off." He sighs again, now standing up he paces to the window.
He looks at the toast he made, still sitting on the tray untouched "You're not even eating properly. You didn't have dinner last night, now you haven't even eaten this one piece of toast." He turns to face her. "Kelsey this can't continue. You're not sleeping or eating and now you don't want to do physio. You think Clay's gonna wanna come back if he knows you're not putting the effort in?"
He takes a deep breath pushing his floppy fringe away from his eyes, rubbing his neck. Annoyed and frustrated by her, he's fresh out of ideas for encouragement. "You know Clay's running his arse off to look after your son and keep things going back there. Trying to get you home and you're just sitting here, not putting any effort in"
"That's not fair!" she frowns, knowing he's telling the truth. She can't face him and takes a deep breath while still staring at her phone. As she does she smiles.
Clay sends a picture of Casey sleeping and the words We love you! Sorry xxx.
She takes a deep breath and looks up at Alex. Her face is etched with a pitiful look and she frowns as he takes her phone from her hand and lays it on the chest of drawers across from the bed. Then he sits down and pulls her close, holding her.
Still stroking her back, she starts to cry as he holds her. Her head's pressed tightly against his chest as he brushes her hair away from her face with his hand "C'mon, please go to physio. I want you to get better"
She sniffs as she closes her eyes listening to his heart beating loudly in her ear. She opens them again and can see him watching her, while he continues to gently stroke his face and then in a lonely state of wanton emotion she affectionately reaches forward to kiss him.
"NO!" he hurriedly pushes her back "Don't! Don't you dare! Now, get dressed" Fuck! He steps away, rubbing his face as he sighs loudly. Then he turns back to look at her, watching as she sobs into her hand "Kelsey...I'm sorry but this is not what you want. You're not sleeping and you're not thinking straight. You need to get out of that bed, get dressed and go to physio. It's the only way you're going to get better. The sooner you do then the sooner you get back to your son"
Mmmm hmmm! She nods as she continues to sob "I know... I'm sorry. I just ... I just need someone to hold me."
"Yeah well, it's not me. That's not happening, and you know why. Kelsey you're with Clay. We..." He takes a breath it's hard to refuse her some comfort when she's so upset but he knows if he waivers, even a little, then he may not be able to hold himself back and things could so very easily escalate out of hand.
"I know.." she takes a breath. Pulling herself together she nods watching him as he continues to stare at her "I know, you're right. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry I shouldn't I just...I want my baby so much!"
"Oh, I know ... I know you do, baby girl! And I wish I could get you there" Alex sighs, his hardened exterior soften and he wraps her again in his arms. Shhh! "C'mon look, I'll make you some soup before we go to the hospital. You need to eat something"
"No!" she shakes her head still refusing to go to the physio "I really don't wanna go today!"
"Well that's tough!" He stands up "Get dressed! That's an order!" he shouts angrily as she pushes all of his emotional buttons now with her constant refusal and pathetic whine.
She takes a breath, shocked by his sudden aggressive tone "Hey, you don't get to tell me what to do! You're not in charge of me. You don't know how I feel do you?"
"Kelsey I'm not messing with you. Get .. DRESSED!" he sighs "I mean it, or we're going to fall out if you don't!"
"Fuck you Alex! " she screams , her temper rising as she fights back "You can't tell me what to do"
"Alight fine! Fine, you have it your way!" he storms out leaving her alone. Standing outside the room he leans against the wall in the hallway, taking a breath getting his temper under control. As he listens through the door he can hear her breathlessly sobbing.
Her phone vibrates and she relents for a moment to check it. Wiping the tears from her face with her hands Shit! She swallows back the new tears and she realizes her phone is out of reach on the dresser across from the bed where Alex laid it. She stretches her hand out but unable to move properly, she can't get it
Oh fuck! She watches as it rings off "Alex!" she calls out unsure where he actually went "Alex... my phone!" she frowns grasping out in front of her but it's a stretch too far for her arm and she's suffering with the pain in her hip as he reaches out "
"ALEX! Alex where are you?" She falls silent. Listing trying to hear him "Alex?!" Oh shit! She gulps nervously. The house is quiet and she wonders if he left for the hospital without her.
He hasn't.
Instead he's purposely stood absolutely still, silently waiting in the hallway outside her room. It pains him to hear her call out, while he ignores her, but he's hoping it will have a purpose.
"Alex! Alex, I can't get my phone." She listens again " Please... " she sighs. Her voice drops to a murmur "I think Clay's calling me!"
Shit! She gasps,as the sobs come intermittently and she considers that Alex may have indeed left. She takes a deep breath as she forces herself to sit upright in the bed. Groaning loudly as she swings her legs around and over the side of the bed, so they dangle freely down the side of the mattress. The weight of the cast makes her leg ache and she takes another, deeper, breath while using her one good hand to force herself up on to her feet.
Oh fuck! A pain shoots into her hip and she quickly sits down. Holding back her tears she wipes her nose on her hand. "Oh please..." she desperately reaches out for the vibrating phone. Thinking she's been left totally alone, she bubbles with anger. Hurt that Alex abandoned her like this with no help or reassurance. "Well fuck you Alex!" she screams
Then taking a long and determined breath inwards she in one swift movement stands up.
Ahhh! Oh god! She holds herself steady while keeping her balance. It's hard. Normally she's had Alex or Clay, or even Kara from physio, to hold her up, now she's on her own.
Up and moving, she takes tiny shuffles across the floor using the bed for support. Following along the line of the mattress until her fingers can slide the phone from the dresser.
There's a thud and it falls on to the floor. Her legs buckle, she can do nothing but catch herself from falling by sitting on the side of the bed. Oh fuck it! She cries, frustratedly staring at the phone laid under the dresser. Then through her teary eyes she hears the sound of the door creak open and Alex is back watching her form the doorway "What the bloody hell are you looking at?!" she grimaces in pain.
"See..." he smiles buoyed by the fact that she made the attempt " I knew you could do it... Now get dressed. I booked the cab!"
She laughs to herself, watching him as he smiles. She actually feels good that she was able to get herself up on her feet. She can also tell from the look on his face, that he did this on purpose, in order to force her out of the bed.
She starts to cry again but now he relents, taking her back in his arms he holds her "Kelsey, it's gonna get easier. You need to just take it one step at a time. And I'm sure clay will sort something about bringing Casey back. Trust him. He won't let you down."
Mmmm hmm! She nods "Yeah I know... it's just, I worry about something happening, while I'm not there" she smiles "Now, will you find me a tee shirt, I guess I need to get dressed"
