I wake up flat on my back in bed and groan. Bed still isn't as comfortable as it should be but it's getting better. I gently sit myself upright, gingerly scoot back to lounge against the headboard, and look around the room. It's 6:30 a.m. Friday morning. The week has gone by very fast, probably because I've slept most of the time. The first couple of nights I slept upright in the oversized club chair in our living room because I couldn't get comfortable in bed. Tobias had carried me straight up to our bedroom from the infirmary Monday night and carefully put me to bed but I woke up almost instantly, my shoulders screaming at me. He had to carry me back downstairs and sit me in the chair. He propped pillows around my head, and I fell back to sleep immediately. He woke me every two hours just as the doctor ordered, and I gave him hell each time. I just wanted to sleep, and I let him know that quite loudly in my drug-induced state. Once I became more coherent, I apologized for my bad behavior but he just brushed it off and kissed the top of my head.
Tobias stayed home with me after my accident making sure I didn't have to do anything on my own. An orderly from the infirmary finally delivered my crutches after multiple calls to Tobias. He refused to leave my side to go get them. He has had Christina come over and help me in the shower and get dressed each day, which I thanked them both for repeatedly. I was not ready to have him help me in the shower. Honestly, I feel uncomfortable being so helpless in front of Christina. On Tuesday, while we were locked away in my bathroom, she told me she gave Will her news, and although he was shocked, he's onboard with having the baby. They are even talking about moving in together. I told her I would look into bigger places for them once I get back to work.
I'm taking the medication exactly as the doctor prescribed, which means I've been sleeping the days away. I tried to force my eyes to stay open so I could enjoy all the extra time with Tobias but it didn't work, and I'd find myself dreaming again. I would occasionally wake up feeling like I was walking naked through a blizzard and find Tobias diligently moving ice packs from one injury to the next. I remember waking up once, mumbling, "Why couldn't I have fallen in the summertime when the ice would have felt good," then promptly falling back to sleep to the sound of his soothing laughter.
I look toward the clock again and see Christina will be here shortly to help me through my morning routine so I can go to my doctor's appointment at 8:00 a.m. I'm more alert this morning because I'm not having to use as much pain medication as I was the first few days. The pain in my right hand and head is entirely gone. I have a huge black and purple bruise on my left shin to go with the bruised bone. The ice and anti-inflammatories have helped that tremendously. I imagine that pain should be gone within the next week or so. My shoulders still ache as does my ankle. I've been meticulous about not putting any weight on my right leg, so I don't know exactly how it's healing. I soon hear footsteps coming up the stairs and see Christina and Tobias coming toward me from the hallway.
"Well look who's awake," Christina cheerfully says. Am I the only one who hates mornings?
"I'm not taking as much pain medication, so I'm feeling more like myself. Thanks again for doing all this for me," I bashfully say.
"After the baby's born, I expect the same kind of treatment from you," she laughs. My eyes fly to Tobias'. I never told him about Christina and Will's baby but this statement doesn't take him by surprise. "I told him about the baby, Tris. I figured you never got to it the night of your accident, and I was right. I didn't want our little deception from that day adding to his stress." She really is a good friend. Her statement brings back something I haven't thought about all week.
"Four, did you find out who sent you those flowers?"
"No," he says shaking his head at me.
"Did the card say who they were from?" I ask. A strange look crosses his face so quickly I think I must be imagining it before a comforting smile settles on his lips.
"It wasn't signed," he says. He walks to my side and pulls the covers back then carefully picks me up to take me to the bathroom. I notice Christina rummaging through my drawers trying to pick out an acceptable outfit by her standards. I swear she would dress me in pushup bras and spike heels if she could get by with it.
"Comfortable clothes, Christina," Tobias says following my glance. She groans and mumbles under her breath about fashion failures. I smile at him and place a quick kiss on his lips. It's been so long since I've been able to wrap my arms around him. I miss it so much. I sigh. He looks in my eyes and his expression seems to mirror mine.
"I miss you, Tobias," I whisper.
"I know exactly what you mean," he says as he places his lips back to mine. We get lost in each other until Christina clears her throat. We unwillingly break apart, and he sits me down on the toilet then leaves the bathroom, closing the door behind him. She shakes her head at me.
"I thought I was going to have to turn a hose on you two to get you to break apart," she laughs. I glower at her. "What?"
"This has been a rough week," I say. "That's the first time he's really kissed me since I got out of the infirmary. Even though he's been beside me practically every minute for four days, I miss him. I know it sounds absurd but it's true."
"I'm sorry, Tris. I didn't mean to tease. I can't imagine what this has been like for both of you. Shall we get you ready for your doctor's appointment?"
"It's okay, Christina. I'm just a little cranky." As I'm carefully balancing myself on my sore left leg on the slippery tiles of the shower floor, I remind her we have a meeting after lunch to finalize the Christmas party.
"Are you sure Four will let you work?" I really hadn't thought about that.
"I'll get him to go to the office while we party plan. That way he can get out of the house for a few hours. I know he has to be feeling as cooped up as I do. I swear I would just love to go outside and sit." I look at her, excitement in my eyes. "Let's go sit outside and plan the party."
"Only if Four helps you up and down the stairs. I will not be held responsible if something happens to you again." After I finish in the shower and she helps me into my clothes, she goes and gets Tobias. He carries me down the stairs and gently deposits me on the couch.
"Christina and I have a scheduled meeting after lunch today," I say to him. He looks at me suspiciously.
"You aren't supposed to work this week, doctors' orders."
"It's just a party planning meeting," I pout. I'm getting very good at getting my way by pouting at him.
"Tris, I'm not sure that's such a good idea."
"I'll make you a deal, Four," I say, "if Dr. Parrish says I can have my meeting with Christina will you go to the office for a few hours to get yourself out of this house? You know it'll do you some good." He stares into my eyes for a long minute.
"Okay. If the doctor okay's it, I'll leave you and Christina here for the afternoon to party plan." I see Christina start to say something, but I shake my head at her. I'll bring up my outside plan to the doctor to get his okay so Tobias can't argue with me. I thank Christina with a hug and tell her I'll call her to let her know if the meeting will be with me or Tori. She leaves and Tobias scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the infirmary. We pass several well‑wishers, and I blush a deeper red with every regard.
We enter the familiar waiting room of the infirmary, and my first nurse from Monday night, I now see her name is Emily, greets us and immediately takes us to an open examination room. Tobias sits me down on the table then sits in an available chair in the room absentmindedly rubbing his arms.
"Are your arms hurting?" I ask him. He looks at me curiously. "You're rubbing them. They have to be sore after carrying me around all week. I'm so sorry. I wish I weren't so clumsy."
"Will you stop apologizing, Tris. I'm happy to do it."
"I know you're happy to do it, but that doesn't mean I can't and don't feel bad about it," I say crossing my arms over my chest, puffing all the air out of my lungs.
"Emily was right, you're not a very good patient, Tris," says Dr. Parrish's familiar voice from the doorway. Tobias and I both look at him. I sigh.
"I don't like having to be taken care of," I say, putting my arms back in my lap.
"Plus she's been a remarkably good patient this week, especially when she's asleep," Tobias jokes. I roll my eyes at him.
"So, Tris, what is your pain level today?" I think carefully before I answer.
"My overall pain is probably a 3/10. My right hand and head no longer hurt at all. I can't tell if my ankle or shoulders hurt worse. They all seem to throb nonstop. My left hand doesn't hurt while I'm wearing the splint but when I take it off to shower, it throbs also."
"Okay. Let's take a look then," he says. He does a thorough examination of all my injuries making everything hurt just a bit worse than when I came in. "Things are progressing very well, Tris. I'm still concerned about the ankle though. I don't want you putting any weight on it until your next visit," he says looking at the paperwork in his hand. "I would like to see you back next ... Friday." I'll miss my Amity meeting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I'm supposed to pick up Tobias' Christmas present from the artist Gunner.
"What about work?" I ask. Before I let him speak, I continue. "I had a previously scheduled meeting for today after lunch to plan the Christmas party. Would it be okay if I keep this meeting?" Please let him say yes, I think to myself.
"Today's meeting is fine but take it easy and that's it."
"Do you think it would be okay if I were to take the meeting outside? I've been cooped up all week and I'm going stir crazy." I glance at Tobias, and he's giving me a dirty look. Dr. Parrish is quiet for a moment.
"I would like you to stick to your apartment until your next appointment. I actually would like to keep you off work through your next appointment as well." He looks to Tobias. "Is this causing a hardship?" Tobias shakes his head.
"Not at all. If I'm needed, Tori calls me. I just want Tris to get better," he says. I smile at him. I want that too.
"How are your medications? Are you tolerating them okay? Do you have enough to last until your next appointment?" I can't answer the question about how many are left because Tobias has been doling out the medication. Thankfully he answers for me.
"She has plenty of medication left, Dr. Parrish," Tobias says.
"I haven't had any side effects except for sleeping all the time but that isn't as bad since I've stopped taking as many pain pills," I say.
"Here are some exercises I would like you to start for your shoulders," he says handing me a color pamphlet. "It is imperative you start out slowly. One set of 10 reps three times a day for the first three days, then increase to two sets of 10 reps three times a day. You can overwork the muscles and tendons in your shoulders that are still healing and set back your progress. Sometimes less is more. Do you understand?" I nod my head at him. "I will see you back here next Friday at 8 a.m." He pauses and looks at my chart again. "Just a recap, no weight on your right ankle. Continue the muscle relaxers twice a day and anti-inflammatories every six hours. Take the pain medication on an as-needed basis but no sooner than six hours apart. Continue icing the way you have been doing. Start the shoulder exercises today with two sets of 10 reps. I would still hold off on sex until the next appointment. Do either of you have any questions for me?" Both Tobias and I blush and shake our crimson-colored heads at the doctor. Tobias then swiftly picks me up off the examination table and carries me back to our apartment.