Layla was released from the hospital later that evening once Carlisle was sure her pain was under control and her risk of infection was lowered once again. He chuckled when he saw most of the Quileute wolf pack in the room.
"With her concussion, she might not remember most or any of the past two or three days. She will probably have mood swings and be easily confused and disoriented, and also might get emotional very easily, so it's best to always have someone nearby. I had one concussion patient in the past who ended up with frostbite after taking a midnight dip in the ocean in the middle of winter. Basic instructions… keep her ear dry until its fully healed. No submerging her head in the water so that cuts out swimming and laying down in the bathtub. When she showers, make her use the ear plugs I give you. Make sure she takes her medicines as prescribed. If her vision hasn't improved in a week, I'll get her in to see an ophthalmologist. I expect her hearing to return gradually over the next few weeks. She'll need assistance in school once she returns. I can get on of my kids to go with her and make sure she gets what she needs if she wants. Other than that, make sure she sleeps enough and eats enough." Carlisle said.
"Thank you for taking care of our girl, Dr. Cullen." Charlie said.
"My pleasure. My bunch thinks the world of her." Carlisle said, smiling.
Layla was wheeled down to the entrance and give her discharge papers and prescriptions, as well as ear plugs. Even though her vision was still blurry, she kept her head turned to the general direction of Sam's location. Charlie pulled up in his police cruiser and got out, opening the passenger door for Layla. She was helped into the front seat but immediately frowned when she sat down and the door closed.
'This isn't Sam's Wrangler…' she thought.
Layla felt around the door, looking for the handle. She wanted to ride with Sam, not with anyone else.
"Layla, sweetheart, are you okay?" Charlie asked, getting into the cruiser.
Layla couldn't hear him. Charlie sighed when he remembered. He gently put his hand on Layla's arm to get her attention. Layla turned to him, looking upset.
"I WANT TO RIDE WITH SAM." Layla said loudly.
Charlie shook his head and reached for his notepad and pen, scribbling that she had to ride home with her guardian per hospital rules. Layla read it and looked up with tears in her eyes.
"PLEASE? I RIDE WITH SAM?" Layla whimpered.
Charlie shook his head again and started the cruiser. Layla looked out the window with tears running down her cheeks. Outside of the car, they could hear her asking for Sam, to ride with him and it took Jake and Seth both to physically restrain Sam from going to the cruiser and taking Layla and driving her home himself. The raw whimper that escaped his chest was enough to shake Jake to his very core. He couldn't imagine being in Sam's situation with Leah hurt and crying to be near him but not being allowed to. Jake fished Sam's keys from his pocket and handed them to Seth.
"He needs to run it out. I'll go with him. Park at Charlie's house and I'll have Leah drive the Rabbit over so she can take you back." Jake said. "Bring clothes, too."
"You got it." Seth said, taking the keys from Jake.
Jake gave Leah his keys and kissed her before steering Sam towards the woods. Once they hit the trees, Sam exploded into his wolf. Jake followed and kept Sam moving to get his energy and his pain out so he could be calm for Layla. Jake timed it just right as they ran to the woods behind Charlie's house and saw Seth waiting with clothes.
"Charlie and Layla will be here in a couple of minutes. I heard mom Mom on the phone with Charlie and Layla… Layla wasn't happy. I could hear her crying and asking for you, Sam. Change back and get dressed because I'm going to need you to get her from the cruiser before I start crying with her. Hearing that… it damn near breaks my heart." Seth said.
Jake and Sam both shifted and pulled their clothes on and walked to the front of the house and waited. The moment the cruiser pulled up to the house and parked, Sam was on the move, headed straight for Layla. Sue pulled up a few moments later, followed by Leah. Edward, Bella, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper pulled up behind Leah. Sam pulled the passenger door nearly off its hinges in his effort to get to Layla. She was curled in the front seat, crying and pink in the face.
"Just want Sam… want my Sam…" Layla repeated, trying to soothe herself.
Sam's wolf nearly broke through, but he kept the reins tight as he unbuckled Layla and picked her up into his arms. Layla startled and whimpered before realizing that it was Sam. She clung tight to him, wrapping her arms and legs around him, pressing her face tightly against his neck and shoulder.
"My Sammy…" Layla whimpered against his skin.
Sam wrapped his arms tightly around Layla, cradling her against his chest as he walked for the front door. Sue walked over to Charlie who looked frazzled. He clearly wasn't accustomed to her crying, either.
"You okay?" Sue asked.
"She sounded so wounded, Sue… begging for Sam like he was her lifeline. I felt like hell because here she was bawling and begging and nothing I could do could soothe her. She was beyond distraught…" Charlie said, rubbing his chest.
"Dr. Cullen wasn't lying about the mood swings and emotional part, huh? I think Sam was nearly in the same state. Peanut butter and jelly." Sue said, wrapping her arm around his waist. "Let him do all the work with Layla and give you a break."
Charlie nodded, ready to agree. As long as he didn't have to watch and hear that heartbreaking crying and pleading again, he would gladly hand it over to Sam. He followed all the kids inside and Sue went to the kitchen and ordered pizza for dinner.
Sam went to the couch and grabbed the blanket on the back and wrapped it around the Layla and pulled her to his chest, brushing his lips against her temple. Charlie left to go pick up and pay for the pizzas.
"Alice only saw bits and pieces. Tell us the whole story." Emmett said, sitting beside Sam and Layla. Sam's instinct was to immediately put Layla behind him and hide her with his body, but he barely ignored it. Emmett gently traced his finger across Layla's cheeks, wiping her tears away. Layla grabbed his hand and put it over her ear, peeking at Emmett from Sam's chest. Emmett smiled softly and kept his hand gently over her ear. Jake explained everything that happened, leaving out no detail. Sam tightened his grip on Layla when it came to the part between Paul and Layla. Edward watched and listened to the thoughts all around the room, taking in reactions.
"Layla needs to pee." Edward said.
"I NEED TO PEE." Layla said loudly, sitting up.
Alice was in front of Sam and Layla before she finished speaking and held her hand out. Sam helped her stand and Layla started walking with Alice. She stopped when she noticed Sam was still sitting on the couch.
"Sam leaving?" Layla whimpered, sounding defeated.
Sam was off the couch in the blink of an eye and across the floor to Layla before a tear could make its way out of her eye and down her cheek.
"I'll take her." Sam said softly.
Alice was going to question the propriety, but Edward cleared his throat and shook his head. Alice stepped back and Sam took Layla to the bathroom, making sure she was right next to the toilet before giving her privacy. When he heard the flush, he waited a handful of seconds before turning around and helping Layla wash and dry her hands. He picked Layla up and was prepared to carry her back to the living room when she spoke softly.
"Thank you for not ever leaving." Layla whispered before kissing him on the cheek. "My Sam."
Sam nearly stumbled. His heart beat overtime in his chest and he was certain Layla could feel it hammering. His amazing little Imprint just gave him one of the best gifts.
"Always your Sam, baby. Always yours." Sam said, even though Layla couldn't hear him.
...
okay so i need y'alls opinion. Would you rather have the day by day of the week she's home with Sam or fast forward through it to when she goes back to school? Either way there's gonna be some angst drama type. I just didn't wanna drag it out of y'all would rather not read it. Let me know... in a comment! Also i hope y'all like this story. Sorry Tuesday was a clusterfuck. It kept messing up.
Anyway, leave a comment 3