I blink my eyes open a few times, trying to clear the dizziness as I wake up. I look around, finding both my brother and Edward on either side of me and both look worried.
Oh, shit.
"Wha ... What's going on?"
"Hey, sweetheart," Edward says, standing up. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. Little loopy still, but better."
He nods. "That's to be expected. The procedure went well overall. There's more damage to your heart than I expected, but not enough that we need to perform an LVAD procedure yet. Emmett said you thought something was wrong?"
"Yeah ... you weren't smiling. Your eyes didn't crinkle like they do when you are."
He laughs halfheartedly. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry. After a procedure, I go into my own head a little, thinking of every second of it. It worried me how much more damage there was, but I never meant to worry you. In fact, as long as you stay stable today, I think we can discharge you tomorrow—as long as you feel ready."
"I'm ready now."
Emmett chuckles. "Yeah, I think you need to rest a little longer before saying that. You're drooling, Bells."
I try to lift my hand to wipe my chin, but I somehow miss. Jesus, what did they give me, a horse tranquilizer? "Okay, maybe you're right. I'ma go to sleep again."
Edward nods, squeezing my hand under the plethora of blankets. "That's probably for the best. We'll talk more when you're actually coherent."
I close my eyes and quickly fall back asleep.
When I wake up, they're both still with me, but I feel more like myself and less drugged. I don't open my eyes yet and just listen to them.
"She's strong, but she's terrified of that kind of surgery, Edward. Are you sure it's going to be necessary?" Emmett asks.
"If a heart doesn't become available for her in the next few months, we're going to have to do it. Callahan wants to do it now, but the heart cath shows she still has time. She'll need to be on oxygen full time now though. That won't make her happy."
"Yeah, it probably means the end of her job. She's so independent, you know?"
"I do, and I hate to take that away, but her heart isn't pumping well enough to take her off of it."
I open my eyes, glaring at them both. "Stop talking about me as if I'm not lying between the two of you."
"Bells!" Emmett says. "It's about time you woke up."
"Clearly. I'm not giving up my job."
"Your heart isn't pumping as well as it was before," Edward says. "We're going to have to keep you on the oxygen."
I shrug. "That's fine, but you won't stop me from working until I literally can't walk. I thought you said the procedure went well?"
"It did, but the damage to your heart muscle is severe. While you don't need an LVAD quite yet, it's a distinct possibility you will before too much longer. Of course, a heart may become available first, which is my hope."
"But if it doesn't, I'll need two major surgeries," I say with a sigh. "The LVAD would put me higher on the list, wouldn't it?"
He nods. "It would, but let's forget about that for now, all right? Your ICD hasn't had to pace you in the last twenty-four hours, which is good. Your lab work is promising, and the cath went well. All things considered, you're not in the worst shape."
"We'll get you home tomorrow," Emmett says. "Rose volunteered to help you out for the next week if I return to work. Would that be okay with you? You need to spend the time resting."
"I don't need help."
"You might find you tire more quickly than before," Edward says. "A little help is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I don't need a nurse."
"It's just until you're back on your feet," Emmett says. "Look, I hate to do this to you, but the fact is I can't go back to work if I know you're at risk of going back into A-Fib so soon. So, if you don't want Rose's help, you're getting mine. But I won't let you do anything alone, which will be embarrassing for both of us."
I narrow my eyes. "That's playing so fucking dirty, Em."
He nods. "I have no problem with playing dirty as long as it helps you. So, will you agree?"
I huff but eventually nod. "Fine. I like Rosalie better anyway. You better pay her well though. Volunteering won't cover her bills."
"I somehow doubt she'll take money from me, but I'll offer it. Thank you, Bells. You'll be back on your feet before you know it."
I fucking better be. I'm not ready to give up my independence.
Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.
So, I uploaded the wrong chapter! This is 55
