Right when you think you have the motivation to write, the pandemic says "nope" and throws you a curve ball. I'm so very sorry this update took forever. I wouldn't even pretend I have any creative juices flowing right now. Hopefully the long waits aren't killing interest.
As usual, none of the characters are mine, but sadly all errors are.
The sterile exam room was silent as both David and Regina stared at Doctor Whale expectantly. The slender blond haired man flipped through a few papers before speaking.
"Going over your blood results I found a high iron deficit. This was very likely the cause of your loss of consciousness."
"An iron deficiency?" David and Regina echoed in unison both rearing back in confusion. Such a simple answer to a string of questions floating through Regina's mind. Could that also account for the odd dream?
"Yes, it's not uncommon." Whale nodded taking their question in stride, " I got some preliminary results back all indications lead to an iron deficit due to anemia."
"Oh" the mayor responded.
The doctor nodded at the couple, walking way from the door to move closer to the couple. "Once I get all your results back we will proceed from there, but right now it seems like an iron supplement will be sufficient. We are still waiting on the CT scan to confirm there wasn't any damage from the fall and to rule out anything more serious." Whale smiled at the woman and said happily, "I might even have you out of here later today."
"That's great news," David brought Regina's hand to his mouth giving her knuckles a quick peck showing his excitement to the seemingly benign diagnosis. The tiny brunette looked over to her husband and smiled at him, still hesitant from the events of the day, The day had started off pleasant enough, sure she had a quick run in with Mary Margaret. But eventually the day balanced out. Regina would have never thought that a day baking cookies would end her in a hospital bed.
"Once I clear your scans, I'll have nurse come in with discharge papers. Do you have any questions?" The doctor arched his pale blond brows in question.
"Are you sure that iron deficiency caused my blackout?" Regina questioned.
"Well, it's more complicated than a lack of iron. The iron paired with the undiagnosed anemia resulted in a lack of blood cells carrying oxygen throughout the body, which in turn lead to the blackout. Have you been tired lately?" Whale asked as he moved towards the stool near the bed, taking a seat.
She blew strands of her hair out of her face. This man somehow turned harmless questions into a source of aggravation for the brunette. She tightened her grip on the rough hand of her sheriff husband to steady her anger before responding.
"What kind of ridiculous question is that Whale? Of course I'm tired, I have a town to run." Tightness riddled her voice as Regina attempted to remain calm and civil with the town's idiot doctor. How Whale maintained his license was beyond her. David ran his fingers over her knuckles instantly soothing her ruffled feathers. Glancing in his direction, Regina looking into the cool blue eyes of the man she loved, tilting her head slightly as she pondered. Inside of her sat a nagging feeling, the dream or hallucination from earlier still sat firmly in her mind. Could all these turmoil really come down to something so common as anemia?
Whale rolled his eyes at the mayor, " Yes madam mayor I do understand the job is stressful, but have you felt anymore tired than usual?"
Regina was drawn back from her thoughts lost in the sheriff's face and turned to the annoying blond in front of her hospital bed, " Yes, I suppose I have been." Her voice curt with annoyance.
"Well that's a common symptom."
A young nurse quickly entered the room, pulling the attention. "Doctor we have an emergency on the third floor that requires your attention."
Whale quickly stood from his chair and said before exiting "I'm sorry Mayor Mills-Nolan, but anymore questions will have to wait."
Both David and Regina sat in silence for a moment, hands still intertwined. Regina was still trying to digest the events of the day, memories from earlier mingled causing her both pain and happiness. The moments in her home with David were wonderful, but were currently overshadowed by the confusion left by an unyielding sheriff that claimed not to be her husband. Regina could chalk it up to a dream, but could still vividly remember every detail of the moment. She remember the smell of the sterile room, the brightness of the lights, and the uncomfortable bed beneath her. No different from the current room and bed she sat in. These memories concerned her, but in present that reality did not exist. Determined, Regina stored that dream to be pondered upon at another time. She had her husband and she would find the comfort she needed in his loving embrace.
"Are you ok Regina?" David asked as he reached up to encase his wife's face in large hands. She leaned into his touch desperately seeking comfort, closing her eyes at avoid looking that the man before her. She had no more words at the moment, merely nodding in response. He leaned, resting his forehead to hers realizing no words were needed in this moment. They both remained silently linked foreheads pressed together, breath mingling between them as they found comfort in each other. After a few moments David climbed into the small bed with his wife.
Regina shifted over allowing space for the large man next to her. She pressed her back into his chest, as arms enveloped her in an intimate and warm embrace. Woodsy musk invaded her nostrils, the smell of her husband. Nothing else mattered in that moment, all that mattered was her husbands arms around her and safety she felt. That safety lulled her into a deep sleep.
The next time Regina awoke, it was to the sound of an angry Whale.
"I know she's your wife, but you can't be in the bed with the patient Sheriff, we need to ensure that our patients are safe at all times." Whale stood next to David as he reprimanded him. Ever the jolly jokester, the taller blond stood with a grin on his face unfazed by the flustered doctor.
"I'll make sure to keep that in mind next time." He smiled in response. Doctor Whale huffed while pulling out his clip board. Regina sat up in the bed, drawing the attention of both men. Her husband winked at her.
"Well Mrs. Mills-Nolan, we got all the results back and it seems like you'll be out of here once the discharge papers are completely. You will need to make an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss the next steps for the anemia. I'll send you home with some high dosage iron supplements. Do you have any questions?" He stated.
Regina merely shook her head. With that Whale exited the room. David smiled at his wife and rounded her bed, climbing back in with her. The scolding from Whale quickly forgotten.
"Looks like you will be a free women soon," he leaned over placing a kiss on the crown of her head.
"Looks like it" She responded.
It wasn't long before a nurse arrived to disconnect the IV and monitors connected to the brunette. A stack of papers were given to the the couple as final instructions were explained. Regina charged out of the hospital gown back into her regular clothes, feeling much more herself.
The car ride home was quiet, Regina lost in thought and David focused on the road. Before leaving the hospital Regina had decided to speak to David about her experience. As the truck turned the corner onto their street, nerves and anxiety flooded her system. Would David believe her? Did she even believe herself? Soon she would find out his answer.