"There's no reason you need to go into work a day after getting out of the hospital and having an ICD put in," Emmett says, getting annoyed with me as I try to make my case while baking. "Hell, you should be in bed resting still."
I roll my eyes as I ice the pumpkin spice cupcakes. I'm making them look like mini pumpkin pies—orange frosting in the middle and white ribbing around the edge.
Edward said I could take the sling off if my arm felt okay, and it does, but Emmett feels I should still have it on and already argued with me about making cupcakes today.
"I'm bored. You know I don't like sitting around when I could be doing something."
His eyes narrow, and then he huffs. "Whatever, but if you overdo it and end up back in the hospital, I'm not going to be happy."
"But you'd be happy to eat this, wouldn't you?" I ask, waving the cupcake under his nose with a cheeky grin.
His anger dissipates, and he gives in easily, taking it and eating half in one bite. "Okay," he mumbles with his mouth full. "They're really good. You just gotta promise me you'll take it easy. I hated seeing you in a hospital bed, kiddo. Next time, I'd prefer it to be when you get a heart."
He knows that's unlikely. I'm going to get sicker before I'll ever get a heart, so I'll probably be spending quite a lot of time in a hospital bed. But I do want to spend as much time as possible out of one. Plus, I do have my friendly dinner with Edward tomorrow, which I don't want to be too tired for.
"I'll give in," I say. "I'll go back Monday, okay? Are three more days of rest enough for you?"
His goofy grin appears before he wraps me in a bear hug. "Thanks, Bells. You know I just want what's best for you, right?"
I nod and decide it's time to bite the bullet. "Of course, but I am having dinner with Edward tomorrow—it's like, a "you didn't die" thing."
It's not. I think it's more. But I'm keeping that shit to myself.
His brow lifts, but his shoulders shrug. "Sounds fun. I'd come but I have to work, so maybe he can keep an eye on you until I'm home."
"Yeah, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Thanks again for taking today off to spend with me—even though I'm annoying you by not sitting still."
"Make me another cupcake and I'll be fine." He laughs.
I do as he asks, and then we spend the rest of the day on the couch, watching Star Wars movies. I'm sure Edward's a fan, too, considering his tattoo. I idly wonder which is his favorite. Mine is Rogue One while Emmett's will always be A New Hope.
Em is passed out in the middle of Return of the Jedi, and my phone dings with a message. I grab it, finding Edward's name.
I'll pick you up around four tomorrow. Is that good?
I quickly reply. Perfect. I can't wait.
Is that too much for a friendly dinner? Maybe, but I send it anyway.
Me too, sweetheart.
Fuck, I don't think I'll ever stop loving having him call me that.
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
