A/N - I don't own these adorable characters.
Chapter 33
Hospitals were meant to be a place of healing, but Yumi had long since learned that didn't mean it was a place of peaceful resting. It was early in the night when Yoko had bid Yumi get some sleep. She had opted to take the companion cot next to Yumi's hospital bed rather than going back to the apartment.
Though Sei had tried to take her place, citing a test Yoko needed to study for, Yoko had fervently rejected the offer. She was taking her designation as Yumi's "grandmother" very seriously in Sachiko's absence. The thought made Yumi both happy and guilty at the same time. Yoko though alleviated her feelings of guilt by pointing out that she could just as easily study in the hospital room with a sleeping Yumi as she could in the apartment with a nosey Sei.
It wasn't the gentle clacking of Yoko's laptop that disturbed Yumi's rest though. It was the ever-present hospital staff that entered to check on her every half an hour. After the third occurrence, Yoko had admitted that it was due to Yumi's connection to the Ogasawara group that the staff was being so overly attentive. Despite being bothered by it, Yumi could understand the staff's reaction. If the Ogasawara family felt that Yumi was mistreated or neglected in any way then she had no doubt the director of the hospital would get an ear full. It was for that reason that Yumi had refused to admonish the staff for their over attentiveness.
On the fifth occurrence, Yumi didn't even open her eyes, instead trying to will herself back to sleep. She could feel a presence next to her, standing over her at the side of the bed. Then a soft fragrance wafted to her, enticing in its elegant simplicity. Roses.
With a struggle, she opened her eyes to see a dark-haired goddess standing over her, a gentle smile gracing her angelic face. "Onee-sama?" Her eyes darted from Sachiko to the clock. It read 8:36 pm. "Is this a dream?" The words were out before she could think. They were the words Sachiko had spoken upon seeing her at her grandmother's estate following the funeral.
Sachiko must have remembered as well, for her eyes held a glazed look of remembrance as she leaned down close to her lover. "It's no dream; I'm right here."
"H-How?" Yumi reached up to touch Sachiko's cheek as if to confirm she was really there.
"Onee-sama reached out to my mother and told her what was going on. Mother called father and he immediately escorted me to the airport." Sachiko leaned into Yumi's hand, enjoying her warmth. "Father wanted me to express to you his heartfelt apologies. With my mother's prodding, he has realized that keeping me away for this long during this time was unfeeling. He is trying to become more conscious of his family and how his choices impact our lives. We'll have to be patient with him though."
"I'm just relieved you're finally home." As swift as a cat, Yumi was sitting up with her arms wrapped around Sachiko's neck. A glint of desire in her eyes, she cast her eyes to her lover's lips. "Remind me to thank your father… later."
Their lips met in an impassioned collision. As Yumi's arms remained solidly binding the two together, Sachiko's hands wrapped around her lover's waist with equal determination. They had only just deepened their kiss when someone clearing their throat caught their attention.
Yoko stood in the doorway, her bag slung over her shoulder and a grin on her lips. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I believe this is my cue to leave. Sachiko, you have everything you need to stay the night?"
Without releasing her hold on Yumi, Sachiko nodded. "Yes, I have my bag. Everything I need is in there. And here." She added, looking back into Yumi's brown eyes.
"Then I will say farewell. Oh, Sachiko," Yoko paused with a hand on the door. "You might consider saying something to the staff. Poor Yumi hasn't gotten much rest because they are so scared of disappointing your family that they are being overly attentive." With that, she departed.
As if to prove Yoko's point, a nurse soon entered seeking the check on Yumi's condition. Sachiko though was quick to meet the attentive nurse halfway to Yumi's bed. "Could you give me an update on Fukuzawa Yumi's condition?"
Obviously nervous at being questioned by one of the Ogasawara family, the nurse looked to Yumi who granted her an embarrassed smile. "No need to hesitate. She's my future wife, so no information should be held back from her."
Shock registered on the nurse's face for the briefest of instances before she covered it with a nervous smile. "Of - Of course." Turning back to Sachiko, who was wearing her expressionless mask and making no attempt to put the woman at ease, the nurse attempted a succinct update. "She is on her third bag of IV fluids and has recently had her dose of anti-nausea meds. Her numbers were checked a few hours ago, with a marked improvement. If things continue in this manner, she should be released sometime tomorrow. An increased diet has been prescribed, so pamphlets will be provided upon discharge with all the information you will need. She has been reluctant to eat, but if she could force herself to ingest some solid food it would help in her recovery. Her other friends were unable to get her to agree though."
Sachiko turned an accusing eye on Yumi, she instinctively shrank back beneath the covers. "I thought you promised to do whatever the doctor asked of you."
Her voice muffled by the bed covers, Yumi replied, "First off, it wasn't the doctor who said it! Secondly, I honestly felt like I was going to throw up anything I put in my stomach. I have no appetite whatsoever!"
Leaning in close to Sachiko, the nurse commented, "The thing is, she won't get her appetite back if she doesn't eat. Also, the doctor hasn't told her this, but unless she is able to eat two sizable meals before discharge tomorrow he'll be keeping her for observation at least another day."
Sachiko nodded in understanding. "Please, bring her a tray of food and I will make sure she eats it." The nurse nodded and turned to leave, but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. "Also," Sachiko's eyes were hard as they searched the face of the nurse. "The relationship between Fukuzawa Yumi and myself should not be discussed beyond this room and those in it at the present moment. Is that understood?"
Nodding emphatically, the nurse responded, "Perfectly, Ogasawara-sama." With a bow of respect, the nurse finally took her leave.
Turning back to the bed, Sachiko chuckled to find Yumi still hiding beneath the covers. "I think I've proven how capable I am at finding you, Yumi. A thin blanket and sheet will do nothing to hide you from me."
Peeking over the edge of the covers, Yumi watched as Sachiko came back to the bedside and crossed her arms expectantly. "Yeeeeeah…"
"Yumi, you need to eat."
"I know. I wasn't trying to starve myself. I did eat something earlier this afternoon but still couldn't keep it down." Lowing the covers to chest level, Yumi leaned back into her pillows and closed her eyes, remembering how sick she had become.
A cool hand on her brow brought a moan of pleasure to her lips. "You feel so good, Sachiko."
"I'm so sorry you're suffering, Yumi."
Opening her eyes a sliver, Yumi saw the concern on Sachiko's face. "Just having you here is soothing."
"I'll not leave your side again until all of this is over."
"Sachiko, you can't promise that, love." Yumi drew her hand to her lips and tenderly kissed her palm. "It's enough that you're here with me now. We'll deal with your trips as they arise, so please don't worry about this anymore right now. Okay?"
"This isn't you just being accommodating?"
"I'm serious, Sachiko. I mean it."
Nodding, Sachiko leaned in and kissed Yumi tenderly on the lips. It was short and sweet, filled with gratitude. "Okay then, we'll leave that topic for now."
Just then the nurse returned carrying a covered tray. Sachiko graciously accepted the tray as the nurse looked to the IV. "Looks like you've finished your third bag. We'll be stopping for the night, but expect more fluids in the morning." She skillfully disconnected the IV, placing a wide translucent bandage over the IV port to keep it in place overnight. "I'll be back in a while to check on you again."
"In that regard," Sachiko stopped her as she approached the door. "Will Fukuzawa-sama be needing any additional medications this evening?"
"No, not until early tomorrow morning."
"Then I'll ask that no one disturb us this evening. If she should need anything I will be here and will call upon you should the need arise." Realizing her lack of tact, Sachiko tried to recover with a small smile. "You see, she is not sleeping well. I feel an undisturbed night of rest would do her good. Don't you?"
The nurse smiled in return, understanding clearly in her eyes. "Yes, Ogasawara-sama. Of course. Forgive us our enthusiasm."
"Of course, your enthusiastic efforts at caring for the love of my life are truly appreciated by the whole of the Ogasawara group." Sachiko bowed her head in gratitude.
Bowing in return, the nurse paused a moment as she stood in the doorway. "It may be stepping over the line, but I have to say one thing before I leave." Her eyes sparkled as she looked between Yumi and Sachiko. "You two are adorable together. It warms my heart to see evidence of such pure love."
Yumi, who had been quiet up to that point, beamed from the bed. "Thank you so much for your kind words. We are blessed to have met, that is for certain."
With one more bow of her head, the nurse departed leaving the two lovers alone at last.
"Sachiko, I can't eat anymore. Please, have mercy on me." Yumi groaned, turning her head away from the proffered spoon. The stew had been okay, if not underseasoned, but she was at her limit after not having eaten much for a week.
"Are you sure? Even one more bite?" Sachiko had said that three times now, so Yumi knew the trick.
"That's not gonna work this time. Seriously, unless you're aiming to make me sick again, I need to stop."
Placing the spoon back in the bowl in an act of surrender, Sachiko removed the tray and placed it near the door. Returning to Yumi's side, she sat on the edge of the bed and without a word leaned in for a lingering kiss. After a time, she pulled back and simply leaned her forehead against Yumi's.
"What did I do to deserve that?" It was obvious to Sachiko that Yumi was tired. Even as she spoke to her, her eyes fluttered as if she were struggling to keep them open.
"I missed you." Sachiko's response was simple, but true nonetheless.
"I missed you, too." Laying her hands gently against the back of Sachiko's neck, she drew her goddess's lips down to meet hers once more. She wanted so much more. She craved for that connection they had not had for days, but at the same time her body betrayed her with its weakness.
Sensing her lover's thoughts, Sachiko pulled herself back and stood from the bed. "You really need rest, Yumi."
"I know." As a testament to her fatigue, Yumi didn't put up a fight. When Sachiko returned from changing, Yumi reached her hand out, beckoning her closer. "There's a cot there, but… would you mind sharing the bed with me?"
With nothing but an understanding smile, Sachiko crawled beneath the covers Yumi raised for her. Instead of holding Yumi in her arms as she did so often in the infirmary at school, Yumi pulled Sachiko to her own chest and kissed her forehead tenderly. "I want to hold you so you can't get away from me."
Snuggling closer and enjoying the feel of Yumi's soft chest beneath her cheek, Sachiko breathed a sigh of contentment. "Why would I ever try to get away? In your arms is where I am the happiest."
Yumi's hand glided through her goddess's hair, both of them finding comfort in the sensation. "Then, stay in my arms forever."
"If only that were possible. A life like that would be..."
"Wonderful? Joyful? Incredible beyond belief?" Yumi offered suggestions that fit in her mind, smiling to herself with each one.
"So right." Sachiko finished the statement in her own words, tightening her hold on Yumi.
Giggling softly, Yumi laid her head against Sachiko's and whispered, "You're right. It would be so right."