A new face after the race
Chapter 39
Lucky braced himself for the worst as he opened the door. Emily was fast asleep. He quietly closed the door behind him, to not wake up Emily. Even from the few feet of distance between them, he could see the bags and how tired she was.
Emily looked so peaceful, like an angel, even though she wasn't radiant like the ones he saw. Elizabeth was exaggerating a little when she said Emily looked like a zombie, but it did get him on his feet, so obviously it made its' effect.
Emily was paler than usual, probably not from eating, he supposed. The hospital gown Emily wore hung off her frame, more so now. Before it had done the same because Emily didn't weigh much and had a good frame, she couldn't really gain weight. But now over the past few days Emily must have lost even more weight. He'd have to be sure she gained it back again. If she lost anymore weight, it might just be unhealthy.
He settled down onto a chair nearby. No, Emily wasn't a zombie, but it Emily's image still tore at his heart. She was absolutely exhausted, on the verge of collapse he suspected.
He smiled solemnly, and ran a hand across Emily's cheek. Still velvety, he realized. He had always loved Emily's skin, so soft and touchable. She didn't let many people touch people because her past, so he was one of the lucky ones.
He would have laughed at that thought if he didn't suspect he would wake up Emily, and he really didn't want to do that. Emily needed her rest, now of all times.
He touched her silky hair, that hasn't changed. It was still as dark and thick as before.
Emily made no movements when he did this. She was really, deeply asleep. She was sleeping like a log, an infant, and he would say the dead if that thought didn't sit well with him.
He smiled down at her, and touched her softly. Eventually Emily responded by making a little sound, reluctantly opening her eyes. She concentrated on him.
"Lucky?" Emily asked, tired. She wanted to wipe her eyes so she could see that for sure, but was far too weak to even move that much.
"Yeah, it's me and I'm not going anywhere." He said and appreciated the sight that was low and behold him.
Emily managed a small smile before closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep again, with a light burden this time because he was there and said he wouldn't be leaving.
It wasn't until much later that Emily woke up. Lucky was standing near the window, deep in thought. She made a small whimper and barely caught his attention. Lucky went to her side, to find Emily awake, but her eyes closed.
Lucky knew it was because the pain she was still feeling, but it still made him worried. Every little moment of uncertainty made him do that.
"Emily?" Lucky called her. "Are you alright?" He asked, worried.
Emily shook her head no. It was the pain though, because Emily's hands were in tight fists. He griped one and got to lose her tight grip in that one to hold it and comfort her. He rubbed the top of her hands, and soothed her with kind words until the doctor came with the drugs he asked him to bring. Along with a meal, both of which she would take, he'd make sure of it.
The doctor smiled at Lucky and set the glass of water, the drugs, and made room for the meal a nurse would bring in a few. Emily made no movement to even acknowledge the doctor.
The doctor knew he couldn't examine Emily now, but it wasn't necessary at the moment so he didn't push it. "I want you to get her to eat and take the pills." He instructed Lucky.
"I will." Lucky confirmed and the doctor left them alone. He called to Emily. "Emily, there's some pills you need to take. It will make you feel better, take away the pain."
He helped Emily lean up and handed her the water and the pills. Emily took them and settled back down again. It helped her, but he still knew there was an inner pain that needed to be addressed, just after she ate. He wasn't going to bring it up until then.
A nurse brought the meal and left to do the rest of her job. Emily didn't even acknowledge the food that was left for her to eat. Lucky knew this was going to be a hard thing to get her to do. Sleeping and taking medication was one thing, but eating was another.
Emily was silent and huddled on the bed. She didn't even have to guess what he wanted her to do. "Emily you need to eat, you need your strength." Lucky insisted, and Emily knew he was right, but she had no appetite.
She stubbornly shook her head no. Lucky thought of another way to get her to eat. "Come on Emily, would you just eat a bite or two?" Lucky asked asking for a little.
Emily recognized Lucky's game. He'd start her to eat a little, and then keep insisting she'd eat even more, well until the meal was gone and digested. She again shook her head stubbornly no.
"You really are a bad patient." Lucky said a little annoyed at her stubbornness. He never really observed at how strong it was, and that it had made him mad, as in crazy, at times.
It had the opposite effect when Emily nodded and gave a small smile. Lucky saw she saw that funny, or was it his reaction. Whatever it was, it disappeared on Emily again. Okay, he'd have to switch plans.
He went and sat at the foot of the bed. "Emily, you really should have told me you remembered the accident, someone. It's not going to help to keep it all in. Last time it drove you to exhaustion." Lucky told her.
Emily looked away, a little upset now, towards the wall. Lucky went back to the chair, but Emily made a movement to look anywhere than him. It was really bothering her, he'd have to make it right. He got hold of her face and pulled it so that he could see her face and held it so she couldn't move it again.
Emily was blinking furiously, no doubt trying to stop tears from falling. He smiled sadly and made room for him on the bed, holding her near, like he'd wanted to do since the accident. He held her as she cried out her pain, and held her like there was no tomorrow.
When he heard her sniffle, that meant she was out of tears for the moment. "Emily, it's alright. No one expects you to be that strong while you're injured. Quite the opposite, they except you to be weak and vulnerable, an easy patient." He soothed her, and calmed her down a bit.
"Whatever you're thinking, I didn't mean to sound accusing or angry, or disappointed. It was just a statement of fact. I'm just concerned, so worried. You don't need that extra stress, now of all times." Lucky replied.
Emily gave no response, and if not for the flutter of her eyebrows on his neck, he'd think she was asleep. "That's no reason to stop eating. You need your strength your going to get better. You'll be fine, I promise you." Lucky told her.
He reached for the meal on the night table and brought it near. Emily put her head on his chest and stared at it for quite a few moments, before giving in and reaching for the food. She didn't eat it all, not even close to half, but he'd take what he could get. At least she ate something for the first time in days, and it was a start he realized. He'd have to work on it.
They stayed like that for a while and when Lucky finally looked at his watch, he thought it time to go. He hated to do so, but it had to be done. His aunt was at the end of her wits with him staying late. He overused his connections. But he hated to leave Emily.
For all he knew she may go off and stop eating and sleeping again, and he didn't want that to happen. It couldn't happen. Emily was supposedly fast asleep when he pulled away and settled her down, but her hand stopped him from making another movement.
It wasn't a strong hold, weak when it came to Emily, but it made him stay to see what she wanted. "Don't go." Emily managed to say. She was still visibly and worriedly weak.
Lucky smiled and looked into her eyes that cried for his support and presence. She needed the safety and protectiveness of him in her weak and vulnerable state.
"I wish I could Em. I really do, but my Aunt Bobbie's at her wit's ends. She can't pull anymore strings. I'm already over visiting hours. I really wish I could stay the night with you in my arms, but I can't no matter what I do." Lucky reluctantly told her.
Emily's eyes threatened tears to fall again, but she accepted it hesitantly. She made movements to turn away. Lucky stopped her. "Emily, don't turn away. I don't want to do this, but I'll be here first thing in the morning, I promise." Lucky told her.
He'd probably not stick around long, having to report to work, but he could manage work and Emily. He'd just make her sleep during the times he wasn't there and be there when she woke up. He did have to get her to eat, so that meant he'd come when all meals were being served. It could work out; he'd make sure it would.
Emily nodded in response, a bit disappointed and sad. She said nothing and waited for him to leave. Lucky saw this. "I'm not leaving just yet. I have something I need to give you before I go." He told her and pulled out a box.
It wasn't big, it wasn't small, and didn't look expensive, but was enough to catch Emily by surprise. She didn't smile, but gave him a strange look that said "what are you doing now Spencer?" because she didn't like surprise gifts or presents unless it was an important day. She said it was a waste of money and manipulation of advertisement.
He handed it to her, and she took it but didn't touch it, trying to figure out his game. He only gave gifts when he was trying to make up for something. She looked down at it and studied it closely.
Lucky allowed a laugh. "Come on Emily. It isn't a bomb, I swear! Open it; it's a safe gift, no dangerous stunts here." Lucky persuaded her to open it.
With one last glare, Emily gave into impulse and opened it slowly, being careful of the box and taping. She stared in shock as to what was inside.
What is it? Guess! Here's a clue: look back to the diary entries and if you want review and state your answer. I may give the person with the winning answer an honorable mention. Or just do it for fun and to see if you were right. That could be an considered accomplishment to you for all I know.