Chapter 8: Home Again

A week passed and Brittany seemed to be getting stronger. Her legs were weak, having been immobile for so long. Alvin barely left her side. She liked that he was around so much, but the nurses were getting annoyed by him. After being in the hospital for almost two weeks Brittany really wanted to go home.

One morning Doctor Standley came in to check on her progress. She asked the question again. "When can I go home?"

"That's a good question," he said. She knew he was teasing her. "How about tomorrow?"

"Really," Brittany said excitedly.

"Yes, really," he said, but you still need to get plenty of rest, and you need to take your meds."

"But they make me so sleepy," Brittany protested.

"Maybe, but I have to insist."

"Okay, I'm take them, but I won't like it."

At that moment, Alvin came into the room. Brittany suddenly had a smile on her face. "Happy to see me?" Alvin said, coming up to her bedside.

"Of course I am," she said, as he leaned over and kissed her.

"I'll leave you two alone," Doctor Standley said and left the room.

"So, what's going on?" Alvin asked her.

"Great news," she said, still smiling. "I'm going home tomorrow."

"That's great," he said, as she moved to the other side of the bed, so he could sit next to her. "So, how are feeling now?"

"I feel so good," she said. "But I always do when you're around."

"Really?" he said. "Is it my magic touch?"

"Maybe," she said. "I promise I'm never going to leave you again."

"That's a promise I like," he said and leaned over and kissed her. She fell back on the bed and put her arms around him.

They had no idea that they had an audience. "Hey, you two, break it up." They heard Eleanor say as she and Jeanette came into the room.

"Never," Brittany said, and kissed Alvin again. Alvin sat back and looked over at her sisters. "So, what are you two doing here?" Brittany asked them.

"We're here to see you," Eleanor said. "What else?"

"Did you think you could keep us away?" Jeanette said, giving Brittany a hug.

"I mean it," Brittany said. "You two should be out having fun."

"We can't have any fun with you still in the hospital," Jeanette said and sat next to her bed.

"Well, that all ends tomorrow," Brittany said. "The doctor says I can go home."

"Brittany, that's great." Both Eleanor and Jeanette embraced her.

"Now, I insist that you two are not hanging out here all night."

"But Brittany...." Jeanette started to say, but was abruptly cut off.

"No buts... You two, get out of here. Call those boyfriends of yours, and go out and have some fun. That's an order from your big sister."

"Alright, we'll go," Eleanor said. "But are you sure you'll be alright?"

"We don't want to leave you alone," Jeanette said, still lingering.

"Don't worry," Alvin said, as Brittany put her arms around him. "She's not going to be alone."

"Yeah, right," Eleanor said, laughing at him as she left the room.

Brittany started to laugh as she heard her sisters down the hall still gossiping. Alvin was still sitting on the bed with her.

"So, what's the real reason you got rid of your sisters?" He looked over at her, seeing a smirk of satisfaction.

"You really want to know?" she asked him. He nodded. "Because I would rather be alone with you."

"I like that idea," he said and brought his lips to hers. "Mmmmm... you taste so good." She giggled as he kissed her all over her face.

A nurse soon came in to break up their little party. "Sorry to interrupt," the nurse said. "But it's time for your medicine."

"No, I hate that stuff," Brittany said.

"Come on, Brittany," Alvin said, getting off the bed. "You have to take your medicine." She looked disgusted by the prospect. "Do it for me." He had a pouty puppy dog look.

"Okay," she said, as the nurse handed her the small paper cup with two pills in it. The nurse then handed her a cup of water to wash it down.

She swallowed them and looked over at Alvin. "Are you happy now?"

"Yeah, I'm happy," he said, lying on the bed with her. The nurse had left by then, leaving them alone. "Now, no more interruptions."

"Until I fall asleep," she said. As she looked over at him, her eyelids were already getting heavy.

"Come here," he said, putting his arms around her. She laid her head on is chest and closed her eyes.

Brittany woke the next morning to see Alvin lying next to her. It made her smile. He looked so sweet and innocent sleeping soundly next to her. She didn't have anymore nightmares that night. She wondered if Alvin had something to do with that. She liked to think that he did.

His eyes began to open as she just laid there staring at him. "Hey, sleepy head," she teased.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"It's morning," she said. "I guess we both fell asleep." She had a big smile on her face at that.

"Waking up with you is the best thing," he said, as he sat up in the bed. He just looked at her lying in the bed, and a smile came to his face. He leaned down and kissed her. "So, are you ready to go home."

"More than ready," she said, and sat up in bed, ready to jump down from the bed.

Alvin got off the bed first. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

"Getting dressed, so I can get out of here," she said, sliding off the side of the bed. She almost lost her balance, but Alvin caught her.

"Hey," he said, as he grabbed hold of her. "Let me help."

"I guess my legs are still a little weak," she said, leaning on him. He led her over to one of the chairs and helped her sit down.

Soon a knock came to her door. "Brittany, sweetheart, are you awake?" Miss Miller walked into see her oldest daughter sitting in a chair next to her boyfriend. "Oh, you're already up and about."

"And ready to get out of here," Brittany said.

"Well, I brought you some clothes, and shoes, and a few other things. Do you need some help, dear?"

"No, I'm fine," she said, attempting to rise to her feet. Her legs were still a little wobbly, but she did make it to the bathroom with little trouble.

Miss Miller handed her the bag she had brought. Alvin looked concerned, as did Miss Miller. He didn't take his eyes off the door, being in a sort of trance. That was until he heard Miss Miller's voice.

"She's stubborn," Miss Miller said.

"I know," Alvin said. "Makes me worry about her even more."

"I'll be relieved to have her home."

"So will I," Alvin said. "Miss Miller, would it be okay if I drove her home?"

"Yes, I think she would like that," she said. "But, please, drive carefully. Sometimes I wish I never let her buy that car."

"Do you really think you could have stopped," he said, and laughed at the thought. "Nobody tells Brittany what she can do... or can't do."

Brittany came out a little while later. She wasn't walking much better. Alvin quickly went to her side and helped her back into a chair.

"I guess I have to get used to walking again."

"You can always lean on me," Alvin said.

"Well," Miss Miller said. "I'm going to square everything with your doctor, and Alvin will be taking you home. We have a surprise waiting for you when you get home."

"What's going on?" she said, looking at her mother then to Alvin.

"Don't be so suspicious," Alvin said, leaning down to meet her eye to eye. "Unless you don't want me to take you home."

"Well, of course I do," she said, putting her arms around his neck. "Don't be silly." She giggled, kissing him tenderly. Only then did she realize that her mother was still in the room. The broke away from him, looking up at her mother a little embarrassed. "Sorry." He face was still red when her mother left the room.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Alvin asked her.

"Nothing," she said, with a little laugh. "I just can't believe I did that in front of my mother."

"I can," he said, taking her hands in his. "When you're around nothing else exists." She smiled at him. "That's what I like to see, that beautiful smile."

Finally the doctor came in. Brittany seemed relieved that she was finally getting her walking papers. An orderly followed him in carting a wheelchair. He gave her a prescription and a list of instructions for her to follow.

"Can I go now?" she asked, after what she felt was a long winded lecture.

"Whenever you like," the doctor said.

"Great," she said, as she attempted to get up. Alvin helped her into the wheelchair. The orderly wheeled her to the elevator where Alvin took over. "I think I can work this thing myself."

"Oh, no," Alvin said, teasing her. "This is my only shot to push you around." He started to laugh at her.

"Very funny," she said, and started to laugh with him. He wheeled her out to his car and helped her in. It took some time seeing that she was still in a minimum amount of pain. She was careful getting in. She didn't want to do any that would keep her in the hospital one more minute.

He got to the driver side, opened the door and got in. He then started the car. "You ready to go home?"

"Yeah," she said. "I hate hospitals." He took her hand and kissed it. "What was that for?"

"Being you," he said. "Now, let's get you home."

"Okay," He backed out of the parking lot and took to the road, while Brittany found a decent radio station.

The drive wasn't long and they arrived at the Miller's house before long. As they parked in the driveway. Brittany looked so relieved. Finally she was home, the place she had missed for nearly two months.

"You ready to go in?" Alvin turned to her and asked, after he turned off the car.

"Yeah," she said and opened her door. As she started to exit the car, Alvin came around her side. She still had trouble walking, so Alvin impulsively scooped her up and held her in the bridal position. She yelped in surprise. "What do you think you're doing? Put me down."

"Oh, no," he said. "I can't have you hurting yourself any more, so I'm just going to have to carry you."

"What?" she said, shocked my his actions. "Come on, Alvin. Put me down."

"Can't do that," he said. "Just relax and enjoy the ride."

"You're so crazy," she said and put her arms around him. She kissed him as he approached her porch.

He banged on the door, and shouted out. "Hey, I got a delivery."

Suddenly the door opened and Alvin stepped inside with Brittany in his arms.

"Surprise!" Brittany heard a small crowd yell. Her mother and two sisters, along with Alvin's two brothers and Dave were there. They all joyously welcomed her home. The house was decorated like there was going to be a big party, and banner hanging over the door said, WELCOME HOME, BRITTANY.

Alvin was still carrying her. He walked she over to the couch and put her down. She was almost in tears. "You're all so wonderful. You didn't have to do this."

"Of course we did," Miss Miller said. "We all love you, baby, and we're so happy that you home."

"I'm happy to be home, too," she said, with a few tears still in her eyes.

Eleanor and Theodore had worked hard to make the food, all of Brittany's favorites, and even baked a cake with pink frosting with her name on it. They brought her a plate, and everyone eat heartily. Alvin sat down next to her.

"This is the best food," Brittany said, after she swallowed another bite. "After eating hospital food for two weeks..."

"Don't say it," Eleanor said. "Just eat."

Brittany never eat so much in her life. Somehow, after her ordeal, she appreciated life more. Everyone left after a time at her insistence. She didn't want her sisters lingering about the house, when they could be spending time with their boyfriends.

Miss Miller had ran to the store to get her prescription filled, giving her some time alone with Alvin.

"The house is quiet," she said, as they snuggled on the couch together.

"Do you want to watch some TV or listen to some music?" Alvin asked her.

"No," she said. "I just want to sit with you. Do you have any objections?"

"Not one," he said, as she laid her head back on his chest. She closed her eyes as he started to hum softly.

"Are you trying to make me fall asleep?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Are you tired?" he said as he put in arms around her and stroked her hair.

"Just a little," she said. "But we're alone. We could go up to my room."

She kissed him tenderly. First, she kissed his lips then down to his neck. His body started to heat up at every touch, but he knew she wasn't ready for this.

"Brittany," he said, forcing her to look at him. "You just got out of the hospital. I don't think you're any condition..."

"You mean you don't want me?" She had a hurt look in her eye.

"Baby, no," he said trying to reassure her. "I would love nothing more than to take you up those stairs and make love to you, but you're still weak. We got plenty of time for that."

"Alright," she said, a little disappointed. "I'll just have to recover fast." She put her head back on his chest and this time she did fall asleep.

A little while later Miss Miller came back. She walked in to see Brittany sleeping in Alvin's arms. He slipped himself off the couch and gently laid her down on the soft cushions. There was an afghan laying on the back of the couch. He took it and covered her with it. He squatted down and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Brittany," he whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He walked over to Miss Miller, who said, "Thank you for staying with her."

"No thanks," he said. "Call me if she needs anything." He left the house and went back home. When he walked through the door, he saw Dave in the living room watching television.

"Hey, Alvin," Dave said, looking up from the TV. "How's Brittany?"

"She's sleeping now, so I thought I'd come home and get some rest."

"That's a sensible thing to do," Dave said. He saw his eldest son climb the stairs to his bedroom.

That night he looked open Brittany's picture that sat upon his nightstand. He didn't feel sorrow then he looked at it but joy. He was so grateful she had not been taken from him. He kissed the picture and turned out the light. That night his dreams were all about Brittany, and a warm feeling came to his heart.

That's the end of chapter eight. A little fluffy, but most of this story is. I hope you liked it. Remember to review, and see you next chapter.