I have been wanting to write this chapter for about TWO YEARS, but could never get past a couple of lines. I've always loved the imagery that plays like a movie in my head for this. Hopefully you'll all enjoy this as much as I do. I'm just so excited that it's finally written and ready to be shared. (Though it will probably have to be edited again at a later date.)
"Oh good, you're dressed." Was the first thing Emily said to him when she entered his hospital room.
"Do you have shoes on?" Was the next.
"Yes...?"
"Good." A grin broke across her face. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door before stopping and carefully peering into the hall.
"What are you doing?" Bewildered amusement laced his question, laugher just on the cusp at her actions.
"Shush, not yet." She waited a moment. "Now."
Still holding his hand she led him darting down the hall, before shoving him down behind a cleaning cart left in the hall. Never once letting go of his hand as they both hid crouched on the floor. Though they hadn't gone far they were both panting lightly.
With her other hand, Emily tried to stifle her giggles that were trying to burst free.
He kept his voice low, though his amusement at her showed.
"Okay. Since you're dragging me along," he held up his hand she was holding. "What are we doing?"
"We're sneaking out for burgers."
"Burgers?" He cocked an eyebrow towards her.
"Mmhm." She peeked over their hiding place and sat back down. "We just have to make it over to the back stairwell and then we're in the clear. Come on, let's go."
She dragged him down the halls, pushing him behind trolleys and into empty rooms to avoid the nurses and doctors.
Both of them trying to control their laughter.
It was already the most fun he'd had in a long time.
Once they got into the stairwell and started walking down their laughter finally broke free, echoing through the space. His hand finally having been dropped.
Neither of them really talking until they were outside and walking away from the hospital. Emily twirled a couple times as they walked in the grass, her skirts swirling.
"So where are we going for these burgers?"
"There's this little dinner not far from here. Within walking distance. I don't know if you've ever been there. I'm not even sure of how old it is, but Nanna and I have gone there for meals a few times and we both enjoyed the food. So I wanted to take you there. Get you some real food that isn't bland hospital food. My treat."
A smile crossed his face at her thoughtfulness.
It didn't take long to cross the hospital's park area and get to the dinner he had definitely been in before.
They sat in a both by a window looking out onto the street.
"I know I said that we were coming here for burgers, but please, don't feel like you have to have that."
"I dunno, a burger and fries sounds rather appetizing."
Another smile broke out on Emily's face. He could swear that her eyes were shining. She really was pretty.
When they ordered their meals, they also got milkshakes and sodas at Emily's insistence. So that they could have the full experience.
He felt the most normal he had in a long time.
"So why choose this place to eat?"
"Because it is within walking distance from the hospital. We didn't have to take a cab to get here. Plus, the food is good, I promise."
"You could have driven us somewhere though."
"No, I couldn't have. I don't drive, I've never even learned how."
"Never? Haven't you ever even been curious about it?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Curious? Yes, but I've never really needed to know how to drive myself. There's always been someone to drive me or I take a cab."
"That simply won't do. I'm gunna teach you how to drive once I'm properly released."
"Oh, that's really not necessary."
"Sure it is. Then you get at least something from visiting me while I was unresponsive."
"Only if you're sure..."
"Of course I am. Everyone who has the ability to learn to drive, should learn."
He paused a moment.
"We had taught Ruth how to drive... she needed to know how..."
She put a hand on his after that confession.
It wasn't long after that their food came out and she pulled her hand away.
Their burgers and fries looked amazing. Making his mouth water for his meal the way it hadn't for any hospital meals.
Emily was watching him as he took his first bite of burger in the first time in years.
He couldn't help it. His eyes closed and he let out a little moan about how good it tasted. Clearly, it had been far too long since he'd had something like this.
"Enjoying it?" Emily asked.
He opened his eyes and swallowed.
"Yes. I needed this."
She smiled in response and picked up her burger to eat.
He enjoyed the rest of their meal, though he couldn't finish his entirely. He was all too full. He had about a quarter of his burger left, about half a milkshake, and nearly half of his fries. He was starting to feel rather sleepy again.
"I think it's about time to get you back now..."
"Okay..." He didn't put up much of a fight, letting her guide him back to the hospital and to his room. His movements were getting more sluggish the further they walked.
They didn't talk much on the way back and just walked in right through the front doors without any ceremony. No darting through the halls this time.
Once finally back in his room, Emily helped him get a little more ready to get back into the bed.
He was lying back down before stopping her as she prepared to leave.
"Thank you. That was the best time I've had in a long time. Some-" a yawn broke out, "of the best food I've had in a long time... I had a good time..."
"You're welcome. I enjoyed it too..."
I would love to know what you guys think.