Chapter 15:

After eating they attempted a game of Uno. Apparently the pediatric floor had lots of games.

Uno started alright but Julie quickly found she couldn't hold the cards and draw or put them down and she got frustrated.

"How about we be a team Julie? I mean Gracie here is making me half a player anyway. I'll hold and you can do the placing and drawing." Tim suggested.

Julie smile. "We can try… but if It doesn't work dad you will have to go find a game I can actually play one handed."

Eric blushed… he thought Uno was a good pick.

It worked alright but Tami won which still frustrated Julie. She is very competitive.

"Okay… I think Gracie Belle is out." Tim said as they all looked to Gracie in his lap.

"You guys should go and get some sleep." Julie said.

"Tim do you need a ride?" Eric asked.

Julie frowned a little. She didn't mean Tim.

"Yeah actually that sounds good." Tim said.

Julie frowned bigger but hid it behind a sip of her drink.

I don't want him to go. What happened to "I'll stay as long as you want me."? Breathe Julie. It's okay... he does need to sleep.

"Julie hun, do you need help getting back in bed?"

"No." Julie snapped. "I mean… no thanks mom. I think the recliner is better for my back and moving really hurts so I'm just going to hold still."

Tim could tell she was irritated but he had a plan.

Eric put the game away while Tami kissed Julie goodbye then he came and hugged her and kissed her head.

"Uh… Dad?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Can Tim meet you downstairs in like 5 minutes?"

"Sure."

"Goodluck" He whispered to Tim on the way out.

Tim smirked at Julie.

"You mad?"

"No… I'm hurt… you said you would stay."

He checked to make sure the Taylor's were gone then got down beside her chair on the left side.

"I meant it too. I'm coming back. But I need clean clothes and my truck has some in my duffle and it is at your house anyway. And your parents do not want to think about me here with you at night while they are home. Relax Julie and have a little faith in me. I may not have a great reputation with others but when have I ever told you something and not stuck by it?"

Julie was frozen.

She blinked.

"Um…"

He kissed her on the lips.

"Trust me. I'll be back soon and I may even bring you a present." He said with a smile

She smiled brightly.

"Don't get me a stuffed cat please." She giggled.

"No cats… got it. Are you okay for a little while?"

"Yes… I have my phone and my call button."

He checked that she could actually reach both.

"See you soon."

Then he double checked with Nurse Lisa that he would actually be allowed to get back in and was told yes as long as it was before 9. It was currently 8 so he figured he was fine.

At the Taylor house Tim said a quick goodbye and drove his truck back to the hospital.

He pulled out his duffle and since it was a little nippy, pulled on his letterman jacket. He made his way to the gift shop and was pleasantly surprised to find they didn't close till 9. He looked around for a few minutes and had to decide between two items.

Okay Timmy… Are we trying to say 'I'm your friend and I hope you feel better?' or 'I'm your more than friend…maybe boyfriend if you want… and I hope you feel better?' Aw jeez… I dunno.

"You okay son?" The cashier called.

"Yes sir. I'm just trying to make a decision."

"Okay what have you got?"

He showed the cashier the small stuffed animal and the necklace.

"Well who is the gift for?"

Tim sighed. "She's my… I'm not real sure… it's a 16 year old girl. We are friends but we are trying to be more than friends." He sighed again. "I'm making it way too complicated. She'll love either one I'm sure."

"okay well I am a salesman… why not both? Stuffed animal for everyone to see you got it for her… necklace for her to know you really care."

Tim chewed the side of his cheek…

"Okay… both then." He said.

"You know we have an engraver… I could put a name or something on the back of that necklace if you want and I'm in the giving spirit tonight. No extra charge."

"Okay."

After that Tim hustled upstairs it was 8:40. He did not plan to be gone 40 minutes.

She was right where he left her… reading one of the books from Lois.

He smiled at her big smile when she heard him come in.

"Hey." She said.

"Hey. Miss me?"

She tightened her lips. "Maybe… did you bring me a present?"

"Maybe… Maybe I brought two." He winked.

She put the book on the table and looked him over.

"Hey but you didn't change…"

"I didn't shower yet either." He said looking towards her bathroom.

Julie swallowed.

"You're going to shower here?"

"Yes… afraid you can't control yourself Jules?"

She blushed. "No… I just… I thought you would have done that at home."

"If I went home Billy woulda asked me a bunch of stuff and I never woulda made it back."

He put his duffle on the bed and took his jacket off.

"You want a present?"

She smiled.

"Yes please."

He pulled out the stuffed animal first.

Julie accepted it and smiled.

"Okay… it's not a cat…"

"It's not… do you like it?"

"Is it special?"

"It might be."

"Yes I like it. Why is it special?"

"It's my favorite animal."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes why? I can't have a favorite animal?"

"No you can but it's just this is your favorite animal?"

"I can just keep it for me if you don't think it's cool enough for you."

"Tim. Thank you, I love him."

"Him? How do you know it's a him?"

"Because if I'm gonna cuddle with him he better be a him."

"Okay but just cuddles with him or me… no one else right?"

She smirked. "Possessive?"

"Maybe."

"What should I name him?"

"He needs a name?"

"Of course he does!"

"Did you name the cat?"

She blushed.

"Oh you did. Okay tell me."

"You're going to laugh at me."

He nods.

"Probably. Tell me anyway."

She bites her lower lip. "Whiskers."

Tim laughs.

"Naturally… it suits her."

"Why is Whiskers a her Tim?"

"Because Smash got you a girl cat."

"Fine… okay… how about Jake?"

"I guess… Jake the giraffe. Clever."

"I love Jake." She said hugging him close.

Tim moved closer to her.

"This present is a little more… um… meaningful. I mean Jake is meaningful but…"

"Relax Tim. You're making me nervous." She put Jake on the table in front of her

"I'm a little nervous." He admitted. Jewelry seemed like a big deal.

He pulls out the necklace and hands it to her.

It's a colorful sea turtle with beautiful blueish green stones.

"Oh Tim, It's beautiful."

He smiles.

"You like it?"

"Yes, It's awesome! Thank you."

"Okay… um… turn it over."

She flips it over and sucks in a breath in awe.

Written in tiny little print it says, "As long as you want me. -T"

Julie tried to not cry. She really tried.

"oh shit… why are you crying? Did I fuck it up?"

"Come here!"

She pulled him by the shirt and kissed him hard and fast then let go.

"I love it. It's perfect and very special."

She wiped her eyes.

He smiled.

"I'm glad you like it."

She let out a big breath. And smiled.

"Go take a shower so I can cuddle with you and Jake." She put the necklace on the table. She would ask him to put it on her later or tomorrow.

"I thought you wanted to sleep in the chair."

"No. I just said that so my mom wouldn't make me move then. It really does hurt to move."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Tim had to call the nurse to ask for a towel but then he took a shower and came out smelling fresh and clean. He put on a plain black t-shirt and blue gym shorts with a white panther's paw.

"Tim… we match." She giggled.

She had her black tank top on and the blue and black cookie monster pants.

"We just love our panther blue." He said with a smile.

She shook her head.

"Okay Jules. You ready to move? Should I call the nurse?"

"Yes and yes. I don't want to rip out the IV and maybe she can give me more medicine so I can sleep."

He nodded and pushed the red button.

Carefully he lifted the pillows and she cradled her arm to her chest. The nurse watched the IV arm and made sure Julie didn't get twisted.

Julie sat down and scooted all the way to the right. Tim put the pillow on the rail.

"Tim can you put the pillow on my hip in a minute? I'm gonna attempt to lay on my side so my back won't hurt."

The nurse nodded.

Julie rolled and was actually not in that much pain but had no support behind her back. Tim fixed that by shoving the pillow between her back and the bed rail.

"Got anymore pillows?" He asked the nurse.

She nodded again.

Julie had her pillow from home under her head, one behind her back and now two on her hip holding up her arm.

"Are you getting in?" The nurse asked Tim as she watched him pull the sheet and blanket around Julie.

"Is that okay?" Julie asked.

"Well only if you want." She said to Julie.

Julie nodded.

"Okay just y'all need to be very careful of the IV."

Tim climbed in under the covers, Julie's IV tube rested over him.

He pulled up the bed rail.

The nurse gave Julie a shot of medicine and a fresh ice pack, that Julie instructed Tim to put on her ribs, then she turned out the lights.

Tim slid his arm under her pillow and Julie cuddled her face into his shoulder. Her left arm was awkwardly between them with seemingly no place to go.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes but my IV is really cramping my style. I'd rather have my arm around you I think."

He smiled.

He took his left hand and gently pulled her left hand to rest on his stomach then put his hand on top of hers.

"Is that alright?"

"Yes. Thanks for being amazing Tim. Even though I'm here for super shitty reasons, you are making it better."

He kissed her hair.

"Thanks for wanting me here to make it better."

They fell asleep cuddled together and got surprisingly both had a really good night of sleep.