Chapter 13- Discharge Papers
It was an absolutely glorious day outside, a day that Jay Halstead would finally be able to see, experience, feel. It was a day full of nothing but blue, cloudless skies with a gentle breeze coming off the lake and an absolutely perfect 79 degrees. The sunlight shone bright through the window that morning, almost like it was beckoning Jay home. He'd been cooped up inside for long enough, it was time for him to return to the light, the air, the world outside those walls. But right at this moment, the sunlight going through the window was the very last thing he was thinking about or seeing. Because at this moment where we rejoin things, Jay was lying flat on his back, eyes glued shut as IV ports were being removed one at a time. Once again, Jay was realizing that when you were lying flat on a hospital bed, something unpleasant was going on with you.
"Just breathe. You're doing great," Will coaxed as the second of many IV ports was detached from it's IV line, the tape slowly being removed from his skin just before the things were pulled free. Jay winced as he felt the IV needle get tugged, sharply inhaling as the needle slid out from under his skin.
"Hey, what do you want to do when we get home?"
"Will, the distractions aren't helping," Jay breathed. Will sighed, patting Jay's hand as he watched the next IV get ready to be removed.
"We could get something to eat? What have you been wanting while you're in here."
"Will, seriously. Shut up," Jay spoke again as the next needle was pulled free. Will remained silent for the remainder of the removals, chuckling as Jay's reactions were only getting worse, not better. He could not believe that after everything, the IV removals were the thing that were causing him the most stress and fear. It was only when Jay was getting set up for the central line to be pulled out did Jay finally speak up.
"I want to shower."
"What?"
"At home. I want to shower at home."
"Okay, what else."
"Eat…something," Jay slowly faded with as the line was removed and hands were placed on his neck. In all honesty he never really felt the thing in his neck the entire time it was there. So now, as things were getting set up to be yanked, Jay could only feel the weight of the needle, the vision of a needle sticking out of his neck completely freaking him out.
"Squeeze my hand," Will commanded, pulsating Jay's hand till his brother did what was told. Jay death squeezed his hand as the fingertips were on the needle and things were slowly, yet successful pulled out.
"It's done. It's done," Will encouraged as the gauze pad was dabbed hard into Jay's neck.
"Just a little bleeding. It'll stop in a second," the nurse said as they all hesitated for things to stop. As promised, things ceased as another clean gauze pad was put on his neck with a bandaid over it to secure things.
"Want to stay flat for a minute?" Jay could only nod, breathing through closed eyes as he did his best to settle things down. At last, after almost two months of IVs and hospital rooms and a surgery, Jay was finally looking a little out of place.
"Alright, it's meds time!" Jay opened his eyes, shaking his head as the bed was raised to a normal sitting position.
"What? Why not."
"I'm feeling nauseous."
"It's just the nerves, Jay. You need to take these right now. They have to see you take these in order for you to be discharged." Jay sighed, looking at the cup full of pills that were being extended to him. The very last thing he wanted to do was swallow something, but he really wanted to get out of this place and go home. So, against his stomach's desire, Jay took the cup and dumped all the meds in his mouth before taking a sip of water and swallowing. Once they were down he opened his mouth to show an empty space.
"1 down," Will exclaimed!
"Forever to go," Jay finished.
"Alright. The discharge paper request has been put in. The doctor wants to check on you before he signs off so we're waiting on that."
"Sounds good! Thank you so much," Will spoke, the two of them waving as she ventured out of the room.
"How weird, that was your last medication visit!"
"It's a day full of those," Jay quietly replied.
"You doing alright?"
"Yeah…it's just…it's been so long."
"I know."
"And I don't know what to do now. Like, where do things go from here?"
"Well," Will began, taking a seat on the bed as he spoke.
"You're looking at a long time at home. With Covid going around you're going to have to be careful. Yes, you got it and have antibodies, but those will go away and you now have a weakened immune system because of all the meds. So that means you're at home and you can do whatever you'd like. You can sleep all day, maybe walk around the apartment or even the block at some point. You can eat whatever, watch whatever. Jay, life is yours again." Jay pondered that for a moment, trying to understand what life and control meant to him now. For months now everything had been done for him. Sleep, medication, food, rest, showering and walking around were all dictated by someone or something else. But now, in a few minutes and hours, all the training wheels were coming off and life was his to explore entirely on his own once more. That was scary, but also really exciting at the same time.
"It's been so weird, seeing you guys come in and out of here and I've just been glued to this space and this environment. You guys were at one point coming in with jackets on and now it's just jeans and shirts. It's really an odd thing to watch."
"But now you get to be apart of it."
"Yeah, and I think I'm ready for it." Will smirked, doing the final scan of his brother before he replied.
"Good! You'll be fine, Jay. I have no doubt." Hailey knocked on the door, face extra cheerful and excited as Will got up and opened the door for her. In her hands was the final hospital meal: Starbucks.
"I think those Starbucks people are actually going to miss us. When I told them this was his last day they all got really sad," she greeted with, placing the drink carrier down as the food bag was handed off to Will.
"I'm sure they're just upset over the steady stream of sales they'll be missing," Will joked back. Jay was given his coffee, bagel, and breakfast sandwich. Again, they were really trying to help him regain the weight.
"What will we do for breakfast tomorrow," Jay joked in between bites?
"Oh man, I have no idea. I haven't food shopped in weeks. Like I might need to clean out the fridge when we get home," Hailey spoke.
"I can help with that," Jay offered.
"No!" Will and Hailey were quick to cease any of those crazy ideas.
"No, you're still needing to be careful. You're mobile, but you're not ready for household projects." Jay rolled his eyes, the rest of mealtime being a silent munch and sip session.
"What do you want to do when we get home," Hailey asked while picking up the trash?
"He said he wants to shower," Will spoke for Jay.
"Okay…but we can do that here."
"Yeah, but it's not the same."
"True," she spoke.
"What else?" Jay shrugged, looking in the direction of the window as he thought.
"Just hanging out. I'd kind of like to not do anything. Just enjoy time and not have to worry about a schedule or stuff."
"Well, that sounds very relaxing. I like it," Hailey smiled.
"So, when do we get to crash the place?"
"After the doctor visits," Will said. The thought of waiting didn't sit well with any of them. Freedom was so close they could almost taste it. It took everything to not be those annoying people and repeatedly ask when the doctor was going to visit and when would they be able to get out of there. They just didn't have it in them to be jerks, so instead they all chose to have a very quiet, calming morning so Jay could sneak in one final nap before things got going. Freedom was so close. At last, after everything they'd been through, they could dwindle things down to minutes and hours. What an exciting time. The storm was passed, the calm waters returning to life once more. Freedom was taking on a whole new meaning today.
…
Just after 2pm that day, the person they were waiting for arrived and with him, the whole moment they all were waiting weeks, months for. The surgeon apologized for taking so long in getting to them, saying he had an emergency operation that took place earlier in the morning and this was his first stop post everything being handled. They all understood, having been under the spell and calamity of an emergency surgery themselves at one point. In an instant they all got it, felt for whoever the people was involved in that journey more than anything else. Someone had been saved that day while another family lost something, someone. The day of Jay's surgery was flooding back to them, their unspoken moments of silence for all of that as the last of the bags were packed and Jay sat himself up at the end of his bed, ready for the final doctor visit before he was sprung free.
"Are we ready to get out of here," the surgeon asked as the stethoscope was removed from his neck?
"It feels rude to say yes," Jay jokingly began as he was asked to inhale.
"It's okay, we tell everyone that we don't want to see them here ever again," the surgeon joked back as he moved the listening of Jay's lungs to another spot. Everyone was quiet as Jay breathed in and out, just sat normally on a bed looking every bit human again as the doctor inspected everything. My how far things had come. The clarity, clearness, the normalcy to Jay's breathing was something they really never saw coming way back in the early stages of this whole thing. What began as uncontrolled breathing, coughing, some of those disgusting and frightening sounds was now every bit as normal as the next healthy human being. Again, so much was behind those now calm and perfect breath sounds, but in summary of it all, all was right with the world and Jay once more. What a full circle moment, what a crazy, nightmarish journey that ended with a stunning, perfect morning.
"Everything sounds amazing," the surgeon finally spoke out as he moved to the paperwork that had been landed at the end of Jay's bed. Hailey and Will kept looking to each other, eyeing the other to see if they were going to crack. Jay looked at both of them puzzled, quietly loving that their bond had grown so tight. Before all of this Jay was even aware of them ever meeting each other outside of work. But now, looking at them poke fun at the other and truly be there for each other, Jay was delighted on how both of them fit right in with the other. Whatever happened in the future with Hailey and himself, he was pleased to see how great a friendship all three of them had with each other.
"Alright, here we go. You are required to have monthly check-ins at the transplant clinic for the next year. We're just going to be checking things over, making sure the meds are doing their thing, nothing too crazy or invasive. You're also to keep following the lockdown orders that are in place. I cannot stress this enough, please, please take care of yourself. You are now most definitely a high risk patient. You have a weakened immune system and you are still recovering from two major life events. You need to social distance, wear a mask whenever you leave the house, and please try and avoid gathering outside the house as much as you can. As we get through this pandemic and as you continue to recover, things can be tweaked so you can try and live a more normal life and go in and out of the house. But right now it's best you stay home, rest, take your meds, and do not put yourself in danger of being exposed to this virus again. You may have the antibodies now, but they will go away and you will be at a much higher risk of getting it again, which would be very bad for your lungs and everything else."
"So am I allowed to walk around outside for a few minutes," Jay asked?
"As long as you wear a mask and avoid people. Remember, six feet apart and avoid gatherings larger then ten people. I know this is probably going to be the biggest adjustment for you out of this whole thing, but it's what's going to keep you alive basically." Jay nodded, looking to Will and Hailey as they nodded their agreement of things. They all knew it would be the two of them that were going to have to keep Jay obeying the instructions and they were totally fine with that.
"Other then that, take your meds, get some rest. Don't try and do anything strenuous or stressful until we say otherwise. Again, you may be more mobile and the incisions are just about healed now, but your body still has some recovering to go and it needs to adjust to things. So, again, rest rest and more rest right now. Sound good?" Jay nodded, it wasn't quite the freedom and life he was looking forward to living out in 2020, but it was his life now and he was okay with that. The fact he was even able to live and be outside this place after everything was amazing. He had no choice but to obey what was being instructed.
"Yup, so am I free to leave?" The surgeon chuckled, signing some kind of electronic paperwork before handing the iPad off to Jay.
"Sign this and yes, you are free to live your life once more, Jay Halstead." Hailey quietly gasped as Will scooped her in for a side hug, the two of them watching as Jay signed on the line, both of them with a face of pure excitement as Jay looked at the two of them.
"Congrats, Jay," the surgeon spoke as he took things back in his hand.
"That was a wild ride, huh?"
"No kidding," Will spoke from behind.
"Thank you, for everything," Jay's words were to the surgeon, who could only nod at his patient before turning around to head for the door. Remember, no physical contact in the middle of a pandemic.
"See you in a month, Jay. And I better hear all about how you slept a lot and took care of yourself," the surgeon joked as he escaped into the hallway. Jay chuckled, promising to do so as he looked back at his adoring little crowd of two. They were smiling, a lot. Like too much for Jay's liking. He wasn't sure if he should look at them, look away, say something or just go with it.
"What," he finally asked? He really couldn't take any of it anymore.
"Jay, do you realize how big this is? You're going home. Like…home," Will pointed out while trying to not choke on his emotions. Jay nodded, he got it. At last, he was going to be like everyone else, which is not something people really aspire to be. You want to be bigger, better, performing above the average group of people. But, when you've been through what Jay has been through the entire pandemic thus far, normal was something you strived for. And today, Jay was achieving just that. While the rest of the world was ready to break out of the confines of their homes, apartments, wherever they were living, Jay was actually looking forward to going back to that. While the rest of the world was on day sixty, seventy, whatever number it was, Jay was way back at trying to wrap up day two. He had so much sleeping, binge watching, snacking, and wall staring still to do that he was actually a little excited for all of that.
"I'm proud you, Jay," Will spoke again.
"We both are. Like a lot," Hailey added in.
"Thanks guys, but I can walk to the car," Jay responded, pointing to the wheelchair that was being pushed into the room right then. Will turned around only to roll his eyes, Hailey right behind him.
"Out of everything you've been through, that's what you're going to put your foot down for."
"I can walk!"
"Jay, it's hospital policy. All patients have to go in one till they get to the car," Will said.
"Which speaking of the car…I need to go pull it up. To the front entrance, right," Hailey asked as she grabbed her bag.
"Yup, that's fine," Will said as he helped Jay stand up and get to the wheelchair. Correction, Will extended a hand to Jay and Jay shook it off. Once agin trying to prove that he was fine and all this wheelchair and assistance was unnecessary. How very Jay Halstead of him.
"I can hold my bag," Jay said as he took a seat in the chair.
"No, I've got it." Jay just kind of glared at his brother, not approving the babying of him.
"Dude! You heard the doctor. You have to take it easy. I've got it. Can we just enjoy this last moment in this room?" Jay sighed, taking the final snapshots of the space. This room held so much. So many stories, breakthroughs, cry sessions and just amazing growth. He learned so much here, slept way more than the average person should. He laughed here, cried here, at times thought he'd die here because he'd never leave. And now, just like that, it all was coming to a close. He didn't recall going into or leaving any other room in this hospital, but this one was going to mean so much. It was where Jay Halstead of old found the beginnings of blending Jay Halstead of new. There was no death in this space, only life and it's ever weaving paths of unexpectedness. Part of Jay was going to miss it all, the safety and comfort and procession to everything. But, being true to himself, part of him also hated hospitals and all their crap and he really never wanted to see the inside of this place as a patient ever again.
"Ready," Will quietly asked? Jay was and wasn't, scared yet so excited for freedom. But in summary, it was time to say goodbye to the hospital chapter of his life, the rest of his new adventure to still be written.
"Yup, let's do it." Jay was backed out of the room, things growing smaller and smaller from his purview as he was turned to face forward into the hall and in the direction of the elevator. Just like that, the room was behind him, a thing of his past. Now, only photos and memories could bring him back there.
The depth and weight of this floor hit Jay as they made the slow march towards the elevator. He figured the proximity of the distance between his room and the elevator was planned out by some architect or hospital planner, because in order to get to the elevator he had to go by all the rooms one final time. It was in the passing of the third occupied room that Jay realized this floor would never be fully empty, that soon his room would be filled with another soul, another amazing story of resiliency, love, determination and saving. All these people he was passing now were living exactly how he was, probably wanted to be doing what he was doing right then, and soon the whole floor would be changed over into totally new people. Some people who knew this all was coming, who were actually praying to get onto this floor because it meant their rescue had come. And, Jay hoped this was a very rare thing, but he knew someone would have a story very similar to his. A story of them never expecting any of this and having no clue this is where they would end up. He felt so much for those individuals especially, wished there was some note or word of advice he could leave behind for them, saying it all would be okay and make sense one day. But instead he just felt for them, spoke quietly out into the universe that they would make it and be okay. Because if he could make it, then they'd all be able to pull through. Final farewells to the nursing staff were had and last looks of the place occurred before too long, soon Jay was at the elevator and waiting for the car to arrive.
"This is so wild," Will excitedly spoke aloud as the doors finally opened and Jay was pushed in.
"What," Jay asked?
"Oh, it's just that this is the first time you've awake for one of these moments."
"What moments?"
"Leaving a floor, recovering to a point where you didn't need this level of care anymore." Jay let out a small gasp at that one, staring back at the floor till the doors closed and the car started falling. Never had a more true statement been made, Will was every bit correct. Jay may have missed all the other milestones, but the biggest of all he was alive, awake, and very well for. Jay sent out a final mental note to the floor, to the hospital; thanking them for everything and helping him make it to this moment.
The doors opened to the front entrance of the hospital, Jay finally seeing a new side to things for the first time in two months. He never came in this way, but was soaking in all the newness to the place. Will pointed out where Starbucks was, told Jay where the exit was and reminded him that they were almost there. They went through the large, grand, all glass front entrance before rolling through the automatic doors and being greeted by Hailey recording Jay as he made it to fresh air at last.
"There he is," she beamed as Jay squinted at the change in lighting, soaking in the warmth, freshness, and beauty of clean, free air. It was such an odd thing to experience. The last time he was doing this, it was freezing cold and snowy and he could barely breathe. Now, air was filling his lungs as the warmth of spring greeted him. He felt like he missed a whole season, but at least it was a season he wasn't the biggest fan of.
"You've been driving the truck," Jay pointed out as the wheelchair came to a halt just a couple feet from the passenger side.
"I have!"
"You better not have scratched it. Or wrecked it," Jay teased.
"Ugh, you caught me. I wrapped it around a pole a couple weeks ago. Just got it from the body shop," Hailey joked back.
"I thought the wash would make you not see all of that," she joked on. Jay laughed.
"Can I get up now?"
"You can," Will announced, once again offering a hand to help and Jay waved him off. Jay walked around the truck, going past the passenger side and towards the driver's door, making Will and Hailey put an immediate end to any of those thoughts.
"Jay, you are not driving," Will sternly called out.
"Jay, you just got out of the hospital. You've not even been cleared to drive yet," Hailey added.
"Oh good grief you two, I'm just looking things over." Will and Hailey rolled his eyes. Jay may have been quick with the response, but they knew he was truly trying to drive himself home.
"Body shop did a good job," Jay joked as he made his way back to the passenger side.
"Get in you jerk," Hailey laughed as she rolled her eyes, opening the door as Will finally helped Jay in. It felt both weird and perfectly normal slipping back into the confines of the truck. It had been so long, but instantly felt so right once more. Jay managed to get himself buckled as the other two got in, got situated, and fired up the engine.
"Slowly and carefully," Jay instructed to Hailey as she put the truck into gear.
"If we weren't pulling out of a hospital right now I'd slap you," she fired back. Jay laughed once more, eyes glued out his window as things began to shrink away.
"So long Med," Jay quietly spoke as they were at the light to freedom.
"See you in a very long time," Hailey added as the light went green and she made the right hand turn to home.
"See you Monday," Will finished.
"You're going back on Monday," Jay asked?
"Sharon said I could take my time. We'll see how the weekend goes at home, but I think you'll be okay for me to go back on Monday." Jay nodded, now looking out the right side mirror as things kept growing smaller and smaller. In an instant, Med was completely behind him, gone from his view forever. Jay Halstead was a free man.
…
It was all coming back to him now. The pulling up to the apartment, the excitement of being back home, in a place where he could truly unwind and be himself, the idea of sleeping in a real bed with people not waking him up every two hours making him the most excited. Along the journey home things started clicking, the realization that he was actually going to a normal home and a normal life eased into his system with every passing block. It took him no time at all to note how different everything was, how quiet and empty the city felt. It almost felt like they were living in the after times. After some huge, global disaster took place and they were the ones left over. No one was really on the streets, the sidewalks and buildings looking as deserted as he'd ever seen. It was like looking at a city after the heydays had come and gone. It was all so quiet, way to still for Jay's liking. This was his first real glimpse into life in the middle of this pandemic, and it was very unsettling to him. But, having lived through the very thing everyone feared, he understood the precautions. Not even his worst enemy, did Jay wish this thing on anyone. He made it, but knew others were not going to be so lucky. So, whatever it took to effect as few people as possible, Jay was game for.
"Welcome home," Hailey quietly announced as the truck pulled into a parking spot a little past the front entrance. As soon as it was put in park, Will was out of his seat and out on the street. Jay made it to unbuckling himself before his door was flung open, Will offering a hand to help him down.
"It's really not necessary," Jay spoke as he took Will's hand and slowly pulled himself away from the seat.
"Come on, dude. It's your first time in and out of a car in awhile, take the help." Jay made sure to have his mask on before he left the truck, quietly celebrating to himself as his feet touched down on the sidewalk. At last, he was walking on free streets, a freaking street! He was so excited. He stood in a safe space on the sidewalk till Hailey and Will were ready to move, watching them gather the bags and their masks before looking to Jay for the all clear to move. Jay took his first step, and then another, and soon they all were headed for the front door. Their pace was slower then usual, with Jay taking a couple breaks to gather himself, but a few minutes later they were at Hailey's front door, Hailey trying her best to contain herself as she fidgeted with the front door lock.
"TA-DA," she excited exclaimed, extending her arms for Jay to step into the apartment, which he very willingly did.
Once again, it was all coming back to him. As he walked into the front entrance and into the actual living space, all the memories, the smells, the sights and everything came flooding right back to him. He was home, this was his space in many ways. Immediately his mind went back to all the nights he and Hailey shared, the mornings after and even just the quiet times they shared here. They had plenty of great times together, but also really deep conversations and just beautiful growth here. This was where they truly shaped the relationship they had right before it all went up in smoke, thanks to Covid. But also, this would be the space where they would rebuild, come back into their own and find their ways back to being what they once were, or perhaps something better. Will said something about running to the pharmacy to pick up Jay's meds as Jay walked around the apartment, sort of nodding that he heard him but didn't really register it. He was too busy getting lost in his senses, the memories.
"Watch him," Will quietly spoke to Hailey before he left. Hailey nodded, catching up with Jay in the kitchen as the front door closed behind Will. She found Jay sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the countertops, the appliances, like a little kid entering a new place for the first time. He was trying to figure it all out, how it all made sense and where he fit into it all.
"Doing alright," Hailey asked as she took a seat across from Jay. Jay nodded, not looking at her as she spoke.
"This is where we ate that night. We both cooked, drank a little too much wine. What we didn't know then…"
"Yeah…" The two remained quiet, both thinking about that night but coming at it from very different perspectives. Jay was just piecing the events of that night together, fast forwarding through all the days and weeks after that in order to bring him to this moment. Hailey was only locked in on what they did the rest of that night, praying that one day they'd get back to that.
"Speaking of alcohol…"
"No."
"What?! I haven't had any in two months. I could really use some right now."
"No, you haven't been cleared for that yet, Jay. Your meds have to be regulated and you need to be a little more healed before we start down that road." Jay sighed, looking towards the cabinet he knew where his stash was sitting, waiting for him. But, he knew he had to follow orders. He signed off on it and promised someone he'd take care of himself.
"Hey, how about that shower you wanted. We're kind of getting close to chill time for you," Hailey pointed out, trying to distract Jay from what he really wanted.
"Yeah, sure," he spoke as he slowly, yet successfully, got up from the chair and headed for the bedroom door. Walking back into that room wasn't a big emotional trip at all. In all honesty he was so high on a fever and cough attack then that he really doesn't remember that part of things that much. His mind just saw a bed and lights and all kinds of things that were beckoning him to lay down forever. But he couldn't just yet. He had to wash the hospital off of him. Hailey helped him get to the bathroom before turning the shower on. She hurried herself with gathering a wash cloth and towels before placing them all close to the shower door.
"Are you needing help with anything?" Jay shook his head, slowly unzipping the hoodie as she stepped towards the door.
"I'll get clothes ready and put them on the bed. Is there anything you want to eat, drink before you fall asleep?"
"No, I'm good. But thanks," Jay smirked before she hovered at the door.
"Okay, well I'll be right out here if you need anything. Just holler." Jay nodded, waiting till she closed the door before he pulled everything off and stepped into the shower. The mirror was completely fogged up by now so he wasn't able to get a good snapshot of himself, but that was what the shower was for.
Jay was too tired to stand at this point, planting himself right on the tile floor directly in the middle so the water ran all over him. Jay closed his eyes, holding a hand onto his chest as he breathed in and out, quietly and smoothly and repeatedly. Everything felt so normal, so right inside him. Gone was the gasping for breath and the crackling of crap in his lungs, he felt so clear, healthy, like himself at last. He was home, in a place he knew so well and felt beyond comfortable in. Opening his eyes was when he really got to take inventory of things. He finally got to see, feel, touch all the ribs that were obvious now, the legs and arms that were so small he truly looked to have survived some horrible accident. But the thing he focused on the most was the healing incision that was running across his entire chest. It was a deep red color, purple almost, and still raised a little. But he was so proud of it, so excited to see and feel healing on his person. He ran his finger up and down the incision, over and over again as it all sunk in. He was a survivor, a recipient, a long hauler. Will had told him that one a couple days ago, that he was categorized as a long hauler; someone who had survived Covid but was suffering from long term side effects of the virus. Jay didn't really see how undergoing a double lung transplant made him a victim of this long hauler syndrome, but if that's what it meant then he was okay with living with that for the rest of his days. This new chapter was going to be difficult one, a change to his life that he never saw coming at the stroke of January 1, 2020. But regardless of what life brought him, he was in it for the long haul. Jay was quick to wash his body, hair, everything before managing to get up and turn the water off. Jay smirked at the towel by the shower door, wrapped it around his waist before heading to the mirror, rubbing a wet circle in the middle. He couldn't stop staring at himself. He was such a mess, a frail, skinny, healing mess. But through it all, he was beyond proud do himself, accepting what was looking back at him.
"Doing okay," Hailey knocked?
"Yeah," Jay called, still not looking away from himself.
"It is okay if I come in? I have your clothes and I'm sure you're getting cold."
"Yeah, you can come in." Hailey slowly opened the door, ducking her head in really quick to just make sure things were okay for her entering.
"Come on," Jay beckoned her, holding a hand out to grab the clothes.
"Hey," Jay called to her.
"Hey," she suspiciously spoke back. He was smiling, oddly happy and okay; which was odd given he did not behave like this the entire time he was in the hospital. He took the clothes from her, placed them on the bathroom counter before extending a hand for her to hold.
"Well," he asked, pointing to his chest and torso.
"I think things look good! They're healing nice…I think. I wouldn't really know to tell you the truth." Jay nodded, looking back towards the counter, smirking at the Peppa Pig toothbrush sitting in the glass next to the sink.
"Oh God, I totally forgot that thing was still here." Hailey smiled, the two of them quietly going back to that night with nothing but longing to get back to those times, the trust and relaxation of things. They were making progress, but weren't there quite yet.
"Do you remember that night?"
"Vividly. That was a good night."
"Yeah…I hope…don't hear this wrong…but I hope we can get back to that…one day." Jay nodded, pulling away from the toothbrush and towards her.
"We will," he just about whispered as he gently hugged her. She didn't care if she got wet, she needed to feel him right then.
"Hey, what were you going to tell me that one time?" Hailey laughed.
"You're going to have to be more specific."
"It was awhile ago. You were talking about something happening while I was gone."
"Oh," Hailey trailed off. She was floored Jay remembered that far back, that he really was listening then and actually wanted to here what she was going through at that time. She took a moment to gather herself before speaking.
"It's really quite stupid now…thinking back through everything, it's really crazy to even think about saying now."
"It can't be that bad," Jay joked. Hailey chuckled, shook her head before she just spit it out.
"Well, while you were gone…you came to me. Like you were real but not there."
"Okay?!"
"See, this is why I didn't finish telling you. It's crazy, I know. But you really did come to me. And at the time, we all were so distraught and just had no clue what was going on, maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me or something. But you were there and you were so real." Hailey paused to try and not cry, which only made Jay listen more. He pulled out of the hug, holding her hand and looking her right in the eye as she tried to go on.
"One time it was in the shower. Another time it was in the truck on the way to a crime scene. And then the night we found out you needed the transplant, I kept feeling you in bed. You were moving around and I swore that I could feel you next to me. Now, I don't know why all of this happened and if I'm crazy or not, but that really helped me get through all of this. It got to a point where I wanted you to come to me because just seeing you, even if it wasn't real, got me through the day or the hellish time of all of this. Jay, I love.." And she didn't get to finish her thought, because before she could utter the next word Jay's lips were locked in on hers, Jay grabbing her in as best he could and truly kissing, feeling her like he hadn't in quite some time. It was a slow kiss at first, but soon Hailey was on the tips of her toes, both of them deep in a very passionate, long awaited kiss that only stopped when Jay panted under his breath that things were starting to hurt.
"I'm sorry," Hailey quickly pulled away. Jay shaking his head as he tried to collect his breath.
"No, you don't need to apologize."
"But…are you sure you're ready for that."
"Well…maybe not all of that…but I did initiate the kiss." Hailey smiled, so wanting to dive back into that moment. It was exactly what she waited two months for. It wasn't quite up to the level where they left things off, but it was more than fulfilling for right now.
"I'm…I'm going to go pull the sheets down," she embarrassingly spoke, acting like a school girl who just went through her first kiss.
"Okay," Jay laughed, watching as she sped walked out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. That was a big step for him, one that he wasn't sure he was ready to take again, but despite that it all felt quite right. Jay hurried up and dressed himself, ran the towel through his hair a couple times before getting out of the bathroom, destination bed. He was so tired, so exhausted, truly seeing why everyone was telling him to take it easy. Sure, he was well enough to no longer need walking and moving assistance 24/7, but he was still fairly limited and needed to allow his body to heal. When he opened the bathroom door Hailey wasn't there. Jay made it to his assumed side of the bed and slowly, yet successfully landed on the pillows, blankets, everything cozy. Oh how a real bed felt so amazing. His sore body praising and thanking him for finally laying down and resting. The mattress was extra plush, the linens smelled clean and fresh, everything was way more comfortable and relaxing than any hospital bed he just lived on for two months. He managed to pull the blankets up by the time Hailey returned.
"Hey, I could've helped you with that."
"It's fine. I've got it."
"Jay…"
"Oh good grief. Next time I'll ask for help." Satisfied with his answer, Hailey dimmed the lights before making sure everything was perfect for his afternoon nap.
"Hey, you can stay if you'd like." "Really? Are you sure." Jay patted her empty side of the bed, watching as she slowly landed on her pillows, adjusting rather slowly and almost uncomfortably.
"You're sure."
"Yes, I'm very sure." Jay offered her a hand and she accepted, rolling to her side so she could totally look at him.
"I'm really glad you're home."
"Me too."
"So…that all happened."
"It did," Jay laughed.
"Wonder what tomorrow will bring. Maybe one of us will be attacked by aliens."
"An attempted overthrow of the government perhaps."
"Don't even say that," Hailey laughed. The exhaustion won out, Jay almost shutting down instantly. In no time he went from being wide awake to completely out and breathing puffs of air through his lips. Hailey gingerly ran her fingers up and down his arms for a few moments, savoring all that was in front of her. They were back with each other, being normal people doing normal things. Jay wasn't coughing in this room anymore and the two of them weren't fearing the future. In her moment of pure bliss and happiness, Hailey dozed off, still clinging to Jay's hand. They were both sound asleep by the time Will returned.
"I'm home! Guys?" Will went room to room, placing the bag of meds down on the kitchen table before heading to the bedroom.
"Well that didn't take long," he joked to himself as he found the two sleeping people, hand in hand as they dozed. Will smirked, slowly closed the door as he shook his head. Jay was going to be fine, they all were going to be okay, life could finally be defined as normal once more.
"Oh shit!" Will froze in place, remembering that his retainer was still sitting on Jay's bedside table. So much for Jay never finding out.
Screen fades to black. End credits roll.