Chapter 53
A few weeks later Tegan was sitting on the side of a hospital bed fully clothed. Her legs were hanging down the side and she had both her hands on Lindsey's ever expanding belly. Lindsey's arms were around Tegan's neck. "I'm so incredibly proud of you my brave, beautiful angel" said Lindsey. Tegan looked so much better. She was super skinny but the colour had returned to her face and she was slowly picking up weight again. It took extensive physical therapy for Tegan to start moving again. They eventually removed her catheter and some of the wires and tubes so she was allowed to finally get up and go to the bathroom on her own. It had been a difficult few weeks. Tegan made a slow but steady recovery. It wasn't easy and Tegan shed some tears of frustration so many times. She was still weak and needed assistance walking and bathing but she was getting stronger every day and both Kate and Arizona felt that it was important for her emotional state to get her home soon. They were happy with her progress. Kate made sure that Tegan would receive excellent home care. She knew that she would probably be providing most of that home care herself since she was forced to take a few weeks off and to get out of the hospital after hardly ever leaving it for three months. She knew she needed it. She planned on lying next to Alex's pool most of the day – sleeping or reading. She was happy to agree to stay at Alex and Erin's house for the next week or two keeping an eye on her patients. The last of Tegan's IVs were finally removed an hour ago after she underwent half a day of scans and tests to ensure that she was okay to go home. Lindsey helped her get dressed only to find that her really skinny jeans were hanging like a bag. She pulled the belt tight to keep her pants up "I can't wait to fatten you up baby, especially since I'm getting fatter and fatter" she smiled. "I love you fat" said Tegan rubbing Lindsey's belly and biting Lindsey's bottom lip playfully. "You ready to get out of here?" whispered Lindsey looking into Tegan's eyes. "As ready as I'll ever be, can't wait" she said with her forehead on Lindsey's. "Lindsey, I know I say this a million times a day but I love you... God I love you so much. I can't imagine my life without you ever. You pulled me through this..." said Tegan softly before kissing Lindsey tenderly.
Emy had rented a property in the Hollywood Hills for her and Sara. Alex and Tom made sure they had 24/7 hard core protection. The place the rented would open up in two weeks and they were staying with Erin and Alex in the meantime. Numerous guards were following them everywhere. Sara and Erin felt safe but they were both still having nightmares. They were both working through it in therapy with Arizona. So was Tegan, she seemed to be getting over her nightmares and anxiety slowly. As she was sitting with her head on Lindsey's shoulder she was a bit apprehensive to leave the hospital, she didn't know what to expect. Tegan refused to go back to their house after what happened to Sara and Erin. Sara did too, she asked Tom to go collect all her things from Tegan's house and bring them to her. Sara never wanted to see that house again. Lindsey agreed and they were house hunting as well as one could from a hospital room. In the meantime they were invited to stay in Erin's pool house, her pool house was a gorgeous 3 bedroom mansion and there was more than enough space for her and Lindsey and for the next few days only, her mom. Sonia decided to stay just a few more days to make sure Tegan's okay at home before going back to Canada. She had to get back soon because the school she was working at could not keep her job open for her much longer. Tegan was nowhere near 100% yet and she knew that there was a LOT of hard work ahead of her but she felt she was making such amazing progress and she finally started seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Sara was sitting in the waiting area, they had been briefed on the security procedure of Tegan leaving the hospital. Which exit would be used, which cars. The press statement... so much red tape to get out of here thought Sara. It was a harrowing few months and Sara was so relieved to finally be moving on.
"How's my favorite patient? You ready to get out of here superstar?" asked Kate. "You tell me doc" said Tegan motioning to the stack of test results in Kate's hands. Kate smiled her stunning and comforting smile "I think so! You still need to take it easy though but I'll be around to keep an eye on you. There will be some follow up visits to the hospital. Some scans to keep checking that you stay on track. The physical therapy will continue at home, lucky for you everybody is more than happy to make house calls when that house belongs to a superstar..." smiled Kate. "Thank you Katy... Where would we be without you. How can I ever thank you enough or repay you... You saved my life. You're my hero! I love you." said Tegan with tears in her eyes. "Just doing my job Tee. I'm so proud of you buddy. Love you so much... Let's get these papers signed and get you out of here"