Chapter Twenty-Three

'Stop f-fussing over me,' he said, grumpily. He was more anxious than annoyed, really, which Connie knew. 'I'm fine, now.'

'The day you get up and walk out of here you'll be fine,' Connie rebutted, reading the thermometer, and nodding her approval at it. 'How are you feeling?'

'Better.' Ethan tried. 'Whatever Zoe gave me, it works.'

'Miracle of antibiotics,' Connie replied, scribbling on his chart. 'You're stuck with us until you're well enough to go back to rehab. They're happy to keep your bed for a few days, but they're not equipped for your condition right now.'

Ethan rolled his eyes. 'What about therapy?'

She gritted her teeth. 'I don't think you understand how unwell you've been. You've had a chest infection, respiratory arrest and multiple seizures. You need complete rest for a few days.'

'So do you,' Ethan said, which made her smile, weakly. 'I'm s-s-s-sorry.'

'Nothing to be sorry for,' Connie swallowed hard. 'None of this is your fault, OK? None of it. You're dealing with this far, far better than I'd have coped with it. I don't think most people in your situation would be as positive as you are being.'

He nodded. 'You're b-brilliant.'

'Once you're out of here, believe me, Dr Hardy, I'm taking a week in Spain.' Connie flipped the paper down, and clipped it firmly to the end of the bed. She glanced at her watch, then straightened the bow at the neck of her blouse. 'I've got to go for my meeting with Hanssen about the joy of budgeting this place. Can I trust you not to attempt to end up in ICU for two hours?'

He rolled his eyes again, smiling. 'I'll be good.'

It was a long week while he recovered, during which Connie watched him like a hawk. It was Friday morning when she came in, looking as if something was going to actually happen. 'Time to get ready,' she said, pleased. 'Fracture clinic. You're going into a boot today. I've just had the call. You'll be given crutches at physio on Monday, although don't do anything mad with them.'

Ethan was a little stunned, the news seeming completely out of the ordinary. He'd had a very boring week, and even felt slightly disappointed at escaping hydrotherapy. Connie hadn't been lying when she'd said he would be resting. Aside from the bare minimum of physio to prevent DVT, he'd had almost no visitors, Alicia had taken her iPad back, and he'd been expected to sleep and stay quiet. Even Cal's visits hadn't been exciting, but limited to five minutes. He'd had his NG tube removed as a precaution, with very strict warnings as to what would happen if he slipped back into his old habits. That had been the highlight of his entire week, and the process had been pretty uncomfortable.

'Back t-t-t-to the rehab unit?' he asked. He sat up, as fast as he could, and pulled his jumper on. It was a cold week, and the ED had been full of ice-related incidents. 'After f-fracture clinic?'

'Yes, although the plan is that you'll only be an inpatient there for about ten days,' Connie turned away from him, preparing to speak. She had one shot at this. She sat on the bed, and looked at him. 'Cal and I have been speaking about when you're discharged. You're in a flat with an unreliable lift and Dr Knight to look after you. It's not ideal.'

'No.'

'How would you feel about coming to stay with me for a few weeks?' Connie said. She forced herself to make eye contact. 'I've got a fair amount of leave, and Hanssen has agreed to give me some compassionate leave as well. Obviously I couldn't take weeks off, but you'll be coming back in for outpatient care most days, and Cal and I will try and arrange that one of us can be there for you during the day.'

Ethan looked surprised. 'I-I-If you d-don't mind.' He said, acutely aware of the sudden worsening of his stammer. 'C-Connie? Can I ask you something?'

'Yes, of course,' she was pleased with how well he'd taken the news. 'What is it?'

'When do you t-think I'll be able to c-come back to work?'

It was a question he'd asked several times, but prior to now, he'd always been in a condition where the answer could be dismissed, "you will, I know it" "we'll see how well you do" "it'll take time". Connie looked at him, so that he knew she was telling the truth. 'It's March 1st next week, yes?' she took a deep breath. 'I can't promise anything, Ethan, but you're making fantastic progress. Even once you're out of hospital, there's a lot to work on, with your speech and memory. But…'

He was hanging onto her every word, almost holding his breath. It made Connie feel slightly sick. Her words had so much power to change his future, his present thinking.

'Christmas. I'd expect to see you back in nine months, and I'm reasonably confident in that.'

Nine months. It was longer than he'd have wanted, but he had to admit to himself that it was realistic. He nodded, slowly. 'I'll see you at the Ch-ch-Christmas party. L-Let's hope my dancing hasn't suffered d-during my time off.'

She laughed, letting out the tension in the room. 'I'll hold you to that, Dr Hardy. So, you're up for coming to stay with me for a few weeks?'

'Yes. It's very g-g-g-good of you. Will G-Grace mind?'

'I doubt it. She's at that age where she's either at school, with her friends or sat in her room ignoring me. Reminds me of a cat I had as a teenager. She comes back for food.'

Ethan laughed. 'Cal's the same now. They d-d-don't grow out of it.'

'It'll be good to have you,' Connie smiled, and jumped up, walking across to the room and folding the wheelchair out. She felt lighter already. 'Let's get that cast off. First step.'

Next chapter is the finale!