Chapter 28: The Best Boyfriend

After Benoit made a call to the Drysdales to inform them that Julia was not only conscious but coherent, he got a doctor and some nurses to come in to give Julia pain medication and to remove the breathing tube. They had to run some tests first but Julia passed all the tests with flying colors.

"Okay, Julia, I'm doctor Peterson," the doctor said. "I need you to lie still and relax. We're ready to take this thing out, okay?"

Julia nodded a little and Benoit held her hand as the doctor removed the tape holding the tube in place. Benoit watched as they used a type of suctioning tool to clear out her mouth and airways of debris, then they deflated some type of balloon that was built into the endotracheal tube.

"Okay, now again, relax, but I want you to cough when we pull this out. That way, no junk will go into your lungs," Dr. Peterson explained.

Julia gave a small nod and squeezed Benoit's hand tightly. He could tell she was nervous and he brought up her hand to his mouth, kissing it softly.

"It's alright, chickapen. Just relax," he said in a low, soothing voice.

Julia let loose a ragged cough just as they gently pulled out the tube, making Benoit grimace at the sight, and she continued coughing. The doctor and nurses helped her sit up and smacked her back a little to help her out. She eventually calmed down enough to breathe regularly.

"Sorry," she said in a hoarse voice. "My throat hurts."

"Well, you're breathing just fine, but let's keep an eye on it just in case that changes," the doctor said. "And the pain is normal. Your throat is just irritated. Does it hurt to breathe?"

Julia nodded, grasping her throat. "Just a little bit," she replied. "What about this other tube in my nose? What is that?"

"It's a feeding tube. Once we know you're in the clear, we'll remove that too. Now," Dr. Peterson began, looking to one of the nurses. "Let's give her some pain medication."

Julia took a deep breath. "What are you gonna give me?" she asked.

"Just a little bit of morphine," one of the nurses said as they started adjusting her bag to add a morphine drip.

Benoit saw Julia blanche a little and he rubbed her arm. "Hey, it's alright. They know what they're doin'."

Julia nodded at Benoit and grabbed his hand. "Okay, but please not too much. I'd like to be awake if I have visitors."

"Of course," Dr. Peterson said. "Start her off on one milligram, see how she does on that."

The nurses nodded and they finished setting up the morphine drip.

"Okay, now let's see about removing your catheter," the doctor said, pulling down her blanket.

"My catheter?" Julia asked. "I have a catheter?"

"Uh huh. Now, I need you to open your legs just a bit so I can get it out."

Julia blinked at the man. "You guys put that in while I was in a coma?"

The doctor chuckled a bit. "Well it was that or let you pee all over the bed."

Benoit smirked a little and Julia groaned before opening her legs. Dr. Peterson pulled down her diaper, went in and started the catheter removal procedure and soon Benoit saw the doctor hold up the catheter. He tossed it into a wastebasket and removed his gloves.

"Now, it's going to be difficult to urinate for at least eight hours but go to the bathroom every once in a while, try to let the urine come out naturally if you can. Don't heavily force it."

Julia nodded and started situating herself on the bed. "Can I...mmm, sit up for a bit? Or walk around, maybe?"

"I wouldn't recommend walking just yet because of the morphine, but yes, you can sit up."

Benoit started fluffing her pillows and one of the nurses adjusted the bed so Julia could sit up. Once Benoit made sure she was comfortable, he thanked Dr. Peterson and the nurses for taking care of his girlfriend. They left, promising to come and check on her breathing every once in a while.

When they were gone, Benoit turned to Julia. "How are you feelin' now, chickapen?" he inquired to her.

"Better. Throat doesn't hurt as much," she replied, still sounding raspy.

Benoit nodded and got real close to her. "Good. Now I can kiss you," he said before placing his lips on hers.

Julia whimpered as she returned the kiss and Benoit growled softly. It felt like it had been ages since he'd kissed her and now that he could, he felt extremely happy about it. He was happy that she was okay, that she was alive.

"Mmm," she said, pulling back a bit. "I love you," Julia whispered.

"I love you too," Benoit answered before kissing her again.

"I really want to get out of this bed," she whined.

"I know, but you heard the doctor," Benoit argued. She pouted at him then looked down at her legs and sighed before trying to grab the blanket. Benoit got up. "No, let me do that," he said.

Julia leaned back with a chuckle. "Mr. Pamper, hmm?"

"You bet," Benoit said with a smile while covering her body back up. "Better?"

"Yeah," Julia yawned. "Oh man, this is some good shit they put me on."

Benoit laughed loudly. "Oh yeah?"

"Mmhmm," she replied with a nod, grabbing his hand. "Hey..."

With a smile, he looked at her. "What is it?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything," she uttered. "You've been so, so good to me and have helped me through so much. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

The sentiment warmed Benoit's heart and he raised her hand to place a kiss on her knuckles. "Repayment is not needed, Julia."

"But there must be something I can do," she said, lifting the side of her mouth up and furrowing her brow. It made her look a little discouraged.

Benoit thought for a few moments about what she could do. He hummed and looked off to the side as ideas ran through his head. Then it came to him and he gazed at her affectionately.

"Promise me you will not leave me again," he whispered lowly. "At least not like you did. No more lettin' other people interfere with our relationship."

A contented sigh came out of Julia and she leaned in to give him a soft kiss on the lips. "I'll never leave you again."

The promise Julia just made warmed his heart further and he looked into her eyes lovingly before kissing her deeply. She pressed her hands to his face to pull him near so he sat on the bed to be closer to her. They proceeded to make out with each other as Benoit put one hand on her back while the other rested on the unwounded side of her face.

"Ahem," someone said.

Benoit and Julia stopped, looking over at the door. Julia's father and mother were standing there. Benoit couldn't help the blush that formed on his face.

"Ah...uh, Mr. and Mrs. Drysdale, hello" he said uncomfortably.

Linda covered her mouth with a chuckle while Richard held up a vase of daisies. "Brought you your favorite, Julia," Richard said with his eyes a little narrowed at her.

"Thank you, Dad," Julia said. "And don't look at me like that. I'm a grown woman and can kiss my boyfriend if I want to."

Richard rolled his eyes and walked to the window. "Yeah, well, that doesn't mean I like walking in on you suckin' face like two hormonal teenagers. But...at least you're up and at 'em."

Benoit's face became more red and he cleared his throat as he watched Richard put the flowers on the windowsill. He felt very embarassed.

"I didn't know daisies were your favorite, Julia," Benoit remarked to change the subject.

Julia grinned at him. "Well now you know."

Linda came walking over and grabbed a chair to go on Julia's free side of the bed. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" she asked Julia.

"I'm feeling better," she replied. "Awake, and almost pain free."

"Almost?"

"Yeah. They put me on a morphine drip but I asked them not to give me too much. I want to remember visitors coming into my room."

The door opened and Joni and Meg walked in with a vase full of an arranged bouquet of lilies, daisies and roses. "Heeey," Joni said with a smile. "You're awake."

Meg came over and hugged Julia. "So glad that you're okay," Meg said.

"Me too," Julia said happily.

As Joni put the flowers next to the daisies, the door opened once more and Benoit saw Marta walk in. "Hey," Marta said with a smile.

Benoit smiled back. "Hey there, Marta."

People pulled up chairs and sat down, starting to chat away with Julia.

"So what was it like? Do you remember anything from the accident?" Meg asked.

"Not really. Like, there are little pieces here and there but nothing concrete, I guess," Julia explained.

"Did you have any out of body experiences while in a coma?" Joni asked. "I heard that can happen."

Julia tilted her head. "I don't think so, but I do remember hearing you guys talk. It was really weird because the conversations were influencing my dreams."

"Woa," Meg said. "Really?"

"Yeah. It was like I was watching a bunch of movies." Suddenly Julia's face went pale and she touched her head. "Ah, shit," she hissed.

"You okay, chickapen?" Benoit asked.

"I feel a headache coming on."

"You want us to get the doctor?"

"No, I'm...I'm...okay, I think. I think I might need more morphine," she said, reaching for the drip button. She clicked it once, making the dosage go up to two milligrams and after a while, she sighed. "There, that's better already, I think."

She rested comfortably on her bed and grinned. Yeah, she was definitely feeling better. Suddenly she sat up again and took the covers off.

"What's wrong?" Joni asked.

"I think I have to pee," Julia replied.

Benoit chuckled and held out his hands. "Alright, let's get you to the bathroom."

Julia grabbed into the morphine bag pole and dragged it forward as she put her feet to the floor. She looked at her casted foot and sighed.

"I don't know if I can walk with this thing on," she observed.

Benoit stood up. "Alright, then I'll carry you."

Julia gaped at him. "Really? Are you sure?"

Benoit got around to her, put one arm under her legs, the other around her back, and lifted her up easily. "Yes. Now hang on to your medicine pole."

Julia giggled and kissed his cheek. "Such a big, strong man you are."

Benoit laughed and walked slowly towards the bathroom. "I suppose."

When they were in the bathroom, Benoit settled her on the toilet and helped with her hospital gown. Now Julia was ready.

"Remember what Dr. Peterson said. Don't heavily force it," Benoit said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Julia said, giggling and waving her hand about.

A sudden tinkling was heard and Julia made a satisfied "ahh" face which made Benoit laugh. "You look like you're enjoyin' yourself," he said happily.

"Oh, it feels so good to pee on my own," she answered with a heavy groan.

"I didn't know it was that big of an issue."

"Clearly you've never had a catheter in your hoo haa."

Benoit cackled loudly. "My hoo haa?"

Julia giggled. "Yes, your hoo haa."

The sound of her urine stopped and she sighed, reaching for toilet paper. Benoit averted his gaze as she wiped herself and flushed the toilet. He looked back at her as she struggled to get up but he helped her, then he helped her wash the hand that didn't have the cast on it.

"You need to be careful not to get your cast wet," he explained when she gave him a puzzled look.

"Oh." Julia looked at herself in the mirror and gasped. "Oh my God, my head!"

Benoit frowned as she turned her head to the side, getting a look at her stitches and the shaved part of her head. "Yes, that was where you had surgery."

Julia leaned closer to the and her expression went from shocked to sad. "I look awful."

Benoit shook his head. "You look beautiful."

"No I don't. Look at my head...and my hair is a total rat's nest. And it's so oily. I need a shower."

Benoit chuckled and sighed. "You still look beautiful to me. Alright, back into my arms, Julia," Benoit said as he opened the bathroom door.

He lifted her up and brought her out of the bathroom, seeing Walt, Donna and Jacob in the room with the rest of the family. Julia chuckled and rested her head on Benoit's shoulder.

"I like being in your arms, my little southern donut," she whispered.

Benoit chortled faintly and slowly brought her over to the bed before laying her down and situating her before covering her up. "I like it when you're in my arms, too, chickapen," he whispered back.

"What exactly does chickapen mean, Benoit?" Julia asked.

"It's just a term of endearment, Julia, and to be honest, I'm not sure what it means. I heard it in a movie," he said before kissing her forehead and sitting back on the bed at her side.

"So," Walt said, coming closer to the bed," looks like we're boot buddies."

Julia giggled with a nod. "Yeah, boot buddies."

Some people laughed and Walt leaned on his cane. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," Julia replied. "Although I'd feel better going through a car wash right about now. My hair is just ghastly."

"Would you like me to purchase you a brush from downstairs?" Benoit asked.

"If you don't mind," Julia said bashfully.

"Not at all," he said, kissing her hand and standing up. "I'll be back."

Benoit turned and walked out of the room.

When he left, Julia smiled and rested against the pillows. She looked around the room at everyone, and most of them were smiling at her. Except for Jacob. He was on his phone, of course.

"What?" Julia asked. "Why are you all smiling at me?"

"We're just happy that you're okay," Donna said. "And that you, well, found such a wonderful and attentive man."

"Yeah, who would've thought, considering the circumstances?" Meg said.

"Yeah," Julia said. She let out a heavy sigh, reminded of her grandfather's death. "I miss Granddad."

"We all miss him," Linda said with a frown.

"I dreamed about him in my coma, you know."

"Really? What did he say?" Joni asked.

"Told me to hurry up with my damn book," Julia giggled.

Everyone had a good laugh at that. Except Jacob. He was still immersed in his phone so Julia cleared her throat when he gasped.

"Jacob?" she called out.

"Hmm?" he responded, lifting his head.

"Care to share with the rest of the class?"

Jacob looked around shyly. "Um, you're on the news again."

Julia sighed. "What is it this time?"

"Someone leaked your accident footage."

Julia's gasped. "Gimme gimme gimme!" she exclaimed, reaching out for Jacob.

Jacob frowned. "But...it shows your car burning up. Are you sure you want to see that?"

She nodded. "I want to be more inspired to kill the bitch when I get outta here." Everyone gaped at her and she looked at them. "Inspiration for my book."

Jacob walked over and handed her the phone, and Julia started playing the video. She gasped and held her mouth when she got to the point where Emily threw the fire bottle onto Commander. Her eyes suddenly narrowed and she growled. A raging hatred formed in the pit of her stomach and her face flushed with anger.

"I'm definitely gonna kill her for wrecking my Commander," she snarled.

"Try not to be too mad right now, dear. We don't want you having a stroke," Linda warned.

Julia sighed and handed the phone back to Jacob. "I know, but that was my first car! You know how much work I put into Commander!"

Linda sighed and got up, coming over to sit on Julia's bed. "Yes, I know. But...it's just a car."

Julia jutted her jaw to one side. "Just a car?" she growled. "Just a car?!"

Linda rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. I'd rather have your car wrecked than have you dead, Julia."

Julia sighed and lowered her head. "I know, but...that car was my first baby."

Linda rested a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I know, sweetheart. You can always get another one, though. You have the money for it."

"I know but..." Julia felt tears fill her eyes. "All those years with the damn thing..."

The door opened and Julia looked to see Dr. Peterson walk in. "Hello, folks. I'm Dr. Peterson."

Julia quickly wiped her eyes. "Hello, Doctor. This is my family, I don't know if you've met them yet."

"We have," Dr. Peterson said. "Now, how is your breathing?"

Julia shrugged. "It seems fine to me."

"Excellent. And how is the morphine?"

"I had to up it a little, I was getting a headache."

"A headache, hmm?" Dr. Peterson walked to her and sighed. "Any neck pain or stiffness? Nausea? Dizziness?"

"No," Julia said with a shake of her head.

"Have you tried walking yet?"

"No, but I did use the bathroom. Benoit carried me in and out."

The doctor raised a brow. "He did, huh?"

"Yeah, I wasn't sure I could walk with the cast on my foot."

"Well, we'll get you crutches for the time being." Dr. Peterson smiled. "And you were able to use the toilet?"

"Yes. It was all normal," she said with a yawn.

"Getting tired?"

"A little."

"That's probably the morphine. Would you like to lay down?"

Julia looked around at her family and blinked. "But they just got here," she answered.

"Oh kiddo, you don't have to stay awake if you're tired," Richard said.

"But I'd feel like a horrible hostess if I slept."

The family laughed a little. "Oh that's alright," Donna said. "Detective Blanc has been playing host, seeing as how he's been here the most."

"He has?" Julia asked, arching a brow.

"Oh yes, he's barely left your side, Julia," Linda stated. "He's doted on you left and right."

Julia felt her cheeks flush and she tried to hide a smile. "I see. Did he...did he sleep here, too?"

"Every night," Dr. Peterson said.

Julia blushed even more and tucked her lips in. "I see."

The door opened and Julia saw Benoit walk in with a brush...and a small vase with a simple rose in it. He looked sheepish. "I, uh, they didn't have daisies at the gift shop. And...well, I thought a bouquet of roses would be...a...ahem..."

"It's fine, Benoit. Thank you. And thanks to everyone who brought me flowers. I'm sorry I didn't say thank you before, it would seem my manners got away from me," Julia confessed, her eyes feeling droopy. "Mmm, perhaps I should lie down now."

Dr. Peterson came over and adjusted the bed while Linda situated the pillows properly for Julia to lay down. Benoit put the rose on the windowsill and walked back over to the bed, pocketing the brush in his coat.

"Wait, my hair," Julia said with a pout. "I should brush it first."

Benoit chuckled and ambled over to the bed, pulling out the brush and handing it to her. "Will you require any help, my dear?" he asked.

"Ah, don't be silly. I can brush my own hair," Julia replied, starting to go at her locks of long, brown hair. "Ouch!"

Linda grabbed the brush. "Here, let me do it."

Julia groaned but conceded to letting her mother brush her hair.

It was a week later and after a little bit of rehabilitation, Julia was now well enough to leave the hospital. Benoit, of course, offered to be her caretaker until she was all better to which Julia was heavily thankful for but reluctant. He'd already done so much for her but while she'd tried to refuse him, he was adamant on taking care of her. So it was settled.

When he'd brought her home in a wheelchair, Julia was surprised to find a stack of her bills and mail on the kitchen table. When she asked Benoit about it, he told her he'd stopped by her house at one point to collect her mail. Julia was deeply moved by this.

He immediately helped set up her laptop at the table so she could pay her bills while he made them both lunch. Julia paid her bills quickly and soon her and Benoit were eating their food. Not much was said at lunch as Julia was in some pain, and soon she ended up taking pain medication to deal with it.

"I really want a shower so bad," Julia remarked after taking some vicodin.

Benoit chuckled. "Well, the most I can do is give you a bath and wash your hair in the sink," he remarked. "We cannot let your casts get water damage."

Julia frowned. "I...Benoit, I really don't want to put you out."

"It's fine. I already have all the supplies needed."

"You do?" she asked with a raised brow. "When did you get all that?"

"The doctor relinquished all the supplies for your after care once you were awake. He gave me precise instructions."

Julia frowned at him. "Why are you so good to me?" she asked.

"Because I love you," he replied casually.

She felt her eyes begin to water and she sniffled. "Oh Benoit, you are more than I deserve."

"Nonsense," Benoit said, scooting closer to her on a chair and holding her chin. "You deserve the best care and I can only hope to give you a fraction of it."

Julia chuckled and kissed him softly. He truly was the best man she'd ever dated. "I love you so much, donut."

"And I love you so much, chickapen." He gave her a loving kiss and held her face as he did. "I only wish I could protect you better from my drama."

"And mine from you," she whispered.

They kissed once more and Julia's tongue darted into Benoit's mouth. He moaned happily with a chuckle as he sucked on it.

"Mmm, I need to prepare, mmmmm, your bath," he murmurred against her lips.

"Mmm, it can, mmm, wait," she whispered.

"No," he chuckled, pulling back to look at her. "You're gonna rile me up if we keep kissin' like this."

"That's the point," Julia purred.

Benoit chuckled once more and stood up. "I won't be a minute, chickapen," he said before leaving the room.