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Chapter 22:
Whilst I waited for Mum to arrive I grabbed my phone and turned on the radio. It took my mind off both the coldness and pain that was coming from my ankle. I got that ice packs did the job, but they were downright uncomfortable- I'd had enough of the cold today, or ever, really. My mum burst into the flat twenty minutes later, crutches in hand, and a small suitcase trailing behind her.
"Oh, Alexis, there you are. How are you feeling?" she asked from the door whilst she took her shoes off, picking up the crutches and bringing them towards me, her face set in worry.
"I'm fine, Mum. What's the suitcase for?" she was only staying a night, not a month!
"Oh, nothing much- just some nightwear, clothes and my scrubs for tomorrow." Well, that explained that. She was still in her scrubs now, so obviously hadn't had time to change when she'd stopped off at home. My mother was always prepared for every eventuality.
"Right, let's have a look at this ankle then." She'd just entered doctor mode- I could tell from the shift in her voice. She carefully unwrapped the ice pack from around my ankle and examined it closely. "Goodness, it's swelled a lot, Alexis!" I winced as she picked it up gently.
"Yep" I managed to get out through clenched teeth.
"Can you move it?"
"Just about." I flexed it to prove that I could, though it really hurt. She hummed whilst she looked over it.
"I do think it is just a sprain, Alexis, but it is a pretty nasty one. I think I'll have a look again in the morning, just to be sure. If it's swelled even more overnight then I'm taking you with me to the hospital in the morning, to get it x-rayed just to make sure it's nothing more than a sprain.." She replaced the icepack carefully. "You'll just have to continue icing it until then. It's unfortunate that Savannah's away still- she'd have been more use than me with this sort of thing." Yes, my sister-in-law and her ability to 'see' what was wrong with things made her an excellent vet, and also proved useful whenever someone in the family had an illness that my doctor parents, couldn't diagnose. Still, I'd managed fine before Savannah met Jack, and this would be no different. I was not making them cut their London trip short, just so that they could check me over.
"Okay. Thanks Mum."
"Right, how's about an early night? We could put a film on or something maybe?"
"Sounds good." I said, standing on one foot and using my new crutches to hobble to the sofa. It was nice to be mobile again, but I kind of missed Will carrying me around- he spoiled me.
"Right. You get yourself comfy, and I'll make us some tea."
"Oh, don't worry, Mum. I've had tea, but use whatever you want from the fridge for you."
"Okay, love. I'm thinking beans on toast might be best- I can't be bothered making anything fancy tonight." I didn't blame her- she'd probably been on shift for about ten hours, it was no wonder she didn't want to faff around. If I were her I'd just collapse with exhaustion; even beans on toast would be too much effort for me!
"A student special, hey Mum." I winked at her from the sofa. I'd turned on the TV and was currently flicking through the channels to find something to watch for a couple of hours before bed.
"You got it, Lex! Right, is it okay if I take a shower before I start? I smell of disinfectant." That was hardly surprising, seeing as she'd been on shift all day.
"Yeah, of course. Towels are in the airing cupboard."
"Perfect." She went to the door to collect her suitcase. "I shan't be long. Mind-link me if you need anything, okay?"
"Will do, Mum." I affirmed, snuggling into the sofa, and losing myself in an episode of NCIS.
Mum came out of the shower a bit later, towelling her hair dry, and joining me on the sofa once she'd been out to take Monty for a quick walk. The evening passed quickly; we chatted for a few hours whilst 'Midsommer Murders' played quietly in the background. When it got to half ten we decided to call it a night. I was shattered, and wanted nothing more than to curl up in my nice warm bed. Grabbing the remote, I flicked off the telly.
"Time for bed?"
"Definitely." Mum agreed, picking up her plate with her remains of beans on toast on it, and moving to the kitchen to put it away. I grabbed my crutches, and began to move towards my room.
"Do you want me to bring you anything, Alexis?"
"Just a glass of water please. I'd get it myself, but I can't hold it with these." I lifted my crutches to emphasise my point.
"I'll bring it in when I'm done washing up."
"Thanks." I said, moving towards my bedroom. "I'm just gonna get ready for bed."
"Okay, dear. I'll be in soon." I nodded, and busied myself getting ready for bed. I brushed my teeth quickly, and disposed of my contact lenses, before changing into my pyjamas, and crawling into bed. My ankle was still throbbing, but the pain was thankfully less than it once was. My ice pack had nearly fully melted, so I peeled it off, deciding to ask Mum to drop it back into the freezer when she came in with my drink- I'd need to use it again tomorrow morning. I also needed to remember to call Will to keep him updated since he'd been so adamant about knowing what was going on. I didn't dare call him before I knew my mum was asleep, or at least in the spare room. She needed to be far enough away so that she didn't hear what was going on. I did not want to deal with my mother questioning me about the 'friend' that had saved me, and why he was so very concerned about my health. I was pretty useless at lying, and she knew it. I did not want to blurt out that I'd lied about having a soulfinder because she'd be planning a wedding that was never going to happen before she'd even met the poor boy. Putting on my glasses, I took my book from the bedside cabinet and began to read. I was interrupted a few minutes later by the arrival of my mother, clad in her pyjamas, with a glass of water in her hand.
"Here you go, dear." She said as she placed the glass on my bedside table and came to sit next to me. I folded over the corner of my page and let it rest of my pillow.
"Thanks" I took the glass from the side and took a sip.
"So.." Mum took a seat on the bed next to me. I raised my eyebrows.
"So, what?"
"I think you know exactly what, Alexis" she said cheekily with a wink. No, contrary to her opinion, I did not know what she meant. I looked at her blankly and she sighed in exasperation. "Okay, fine. I knew I wasn't going to be able to get it out of you easily."
"Get what out of me easily?"
"Information about your 'friend'" She explained with another exaggerated wink. I groaned in response, and pulled the duvet covers over my head. I did not want to deal with this tonight; she was so embarrassing! Mum continued, however, seemingly unperturbed by me hiding under my quilt. "Don't think I didn't notice the two bowls in the drainer, the male clothes in the washing pile, you not answering my questions about what actually happened this afternoon.." I put my hands over my ears in an attempt to drown out her prattling. Suddenly, the duvet was ripped from my eyes.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, looking up to see my mother was to blame.
"So when will I get to meet this friend then, Alexis?" I groaned.
"Mum!" She chuckled at that, and kissed my forehead.
"Okay, sweetheart- I won't pressure you any more. You'll tell me when you're ready won't you?" I didn't reply, but she seemed to take that as a yes. "I knew that soulfinder convention was a good idea. You may not have found your soulfinder, but it's nice that you've found another savant." I turned over to face her.
"How do you know he's a savant?" I asked, confused. I knew Alice hadn't told her, and I certainly hadn't!
"I didn't. You've just confirmed it!" She clapped her hands with glee. "I knew it! I said to your father that you seemed different after the convention and I was right."
"You are incorrigible!"
"I know. Your father loves it!"
"Mum!" I squealed. "I did not need to know that!" She laughed again, and stood up. "You will let me meet him at some point though, won't you? I want to thank him for helping you today." I mumbled something in response- I didn't want to give her a definite answer because I knew she'd hold me to it. "Pardon Alexis?"
"Okay, fine. You can meet him.. just not yet, okay.? She bounced up and down on the spot happily. "Besides, I don't think it's going to go anywhere." Well, I was going to try and make sure it didn't go anywhere; I still wasn't sold on the whole soulfinder thing, and I didn't think I ever would be.
"That's what you always say, Alexis. I've got a feeling about this one- he's already got my approval for helping you this afternoon." He'd be getting her full approval if she somehow found out he was my soulfinder. I'd have to do my best to keep that little nugget of information under wraps.
"We'll see." I mumbled. "Oh, and Mum, I meant to ask. Could you do me a favour and put that ice pack back in the freezer? It's just I can't face going to the freezer, but I'll need to use it again tomorrow."
"Of course, dear." She said, scooping it up from the floor. "I'll stop interrogating you now and leave you to sleep. I'll come and check on you in the morning." She kissed my forehead, and made her way out of my room, flicking off the light switch as she went. "Goodnight sweetheart." I rolled over onto my side.
"Night Mum. Love you."
"Love you too." She said as she closed the door behind her. I waited until I heard her walk to her room and close the door before I turned on my bedside lamp. I didn't want her barging in to see who I was ringing at eleven at night. I waited five more minutes just to be safe, before I picked up my phone and dialled Will's number. He picked up immediately.
"Hey, what did your Mum say?" Blimey; there was no messing about with Will- he was straight to the point.
"She thinks it's just a sprain, but she's going to have another look at it tomorrow. If it's swollen even more overnight then she's going to take me to the hospital with her to have it x-rayed." He hummed in approval.
"Okay. Keep me posted. If your Mum's driving you there then how are you going to get back?" I hadn't thought of that. Mum would be staying at the hospital for the rest of her shift, and I'd have no way of getting home. Still, it may not come to that- it could have dramatically improved by the morning, and I didn't have to go to hospital at all. I relayed this to Will.
"Yes, but if you do have to go, Alexis, how are you going to get home?"
"I'll order a taxi I guess." I said, cringing inadvertently when I imagined the astronomic fare that would ensue.
"Why don't I come and get you, if you go?"
"Will, you don't have to keep running around after me." I felt guilty enough that he'd had to waste his whole evening and afternoon looking after me.
"Sweetheart, I didn't come all the way to Derby to sit in a hotel all day working. I could do that at home; I came here to see you. I want to come and get you- it'll give us more time together." I couldn't really argue with that logic. I was sure he'd rather be back home in Denver than stuck in the middle of nowhere.
"Okay, fine. Only if you're sure though- I don't want you to feel like you have to come and get me. I'll be fine getting a taxi, honest." Well, unless it was with the same taxi driver that took me to the airport- he was downright creepy!
"Alexis, I'm sure. I'll probably still come and see you, even if you don't end up having to go to hospital. I mean, who's going to take Monty for a walk if you can't?" He had a point there.
"Okay, thank you Will. That's very kind of you."
"Sweetheart, I can assure you; me collecting you from the hospital is an entirely selfish action." I refused to believe that for a moment.
"Well, I'll drop you a text in the morning to tell you what's happening and we'll go from there. How does that sound?"
"Okay, cool. I'll wait to hear from you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."
"You too. Night." I hung up and put my phone back on the dresser- flicking off the lights. I was ready for today to be over.
Please leave a review- thank you for all your feedback. I've decided that I'm going to update Will's POV soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that. It will be posted as part of a separate story, originally titled 'Challenging Alexis: Will's POV' ha! Please check it out if you haven't- I'd like to know what you all think. I'll try to update Alexis' POV again soon, though! And reviews, honestly, do motivate me to write, so keep posting! Much love x
Also, in answer to some of your questions:
The Benedict family will be appearing shortly, don't worry!
I doubt I'll do a sequel to this story as I don't think I'll have time, but this story hasn't even got started properly yet, the main action is yet to come. I won't say any more as I don't want to reveal too much, but rest assured it will not be plain sailing from here…
I will be trying to finish Will's POV, which kind of counts as a sequel as I suppose? And I would be open to doing some one-shots about Alice, Sam etc, but we'll have to wait and see.
Anyway, thank you so much for your reviews! They brighten my day, and you are all so lovely! I'm thrilled you like Will and Alexis together- I've tried to make them as adorable as possible! Ha! Thanks guys! X