After two hours of talking and a few exercises and tests, Hazel gets up and says, "I know I ask a lot. And I don't expect you to agree or even chose me as your therapist. Just call me, or text me your decision. And don't forget to get your partner to agree because otherwise, this will be messy," she smiles and Chris nods silently. Her head is swirling a bit.
Chris maneuvers the bed lower so she can lie down comfortably and think. The conversation with Hazel wasn't bad and they had found a friendly basis to talk. If they hadn't cut all contact back in the day, they might still be friends. But could this arrangement really work with Hazel moving in? She'd have to tell Street about their past too, right?
"Knock, knock," his voice drifts to her ear and Chris turns to the door. Street leans in the frame smiling. „Are you tired? Did therapy kick your ass today?" he walks over and his hand supports her back sitting up.
Chris reaches for his hands and contemplates her words. "No, it wasn't too bad. Just a little surprising I guess. I met the therapist that would be moving in with me, and," Chris lowers her gaze for a second to collect herself. "She is actually pretty great. Very professional, but there are two things we need to talk about before I can make a decision."
Her eyes search his and seeing Street furrows his brows in confusion and an air of fear makes Chris squeeze his hands. "It's nothing too bad, I think," she smiles.
"Okay," he pulls the chair closer and settles in. "So what's the problem? Too strict? Mean?" he tries to joke but Chris shakes her head.
"No, like I said she is great. She knows what she is doing but, ehm, look Street I know her. Very well. It's been years before I even joined the LAPD…" Chris rambles slightly nervous but Street just grins at her and shrugs. "Okay, so you dated before. Is that making you uncomfortable?"
Now it's Chris's turn to be confused. "You'd really be okay with Hazel moving in and staying with me 24/7?"
Street's thumb draws circles on the back of her hand while lifting it up to his lips. "I trust you. She's your therapist and friend. Nothing more, right?"
„Right," Chris nods. „But there is one more thing. She has a few rules and one, in particular, might be a problem," she continues and then needs to breathe.
"Listen to me Chris, if you think it's a problem then we'll find another solution and you're staying here a bit longer…" he replies calmly and continues rubbing circles on her knuckles.
"So what is it?" he prompts her after a while with a wink.
„No overnight guests," Chris sighs and looks a bit sad. Street tilts his head from side to side thinking.
"Mhh," he breathes out. „Sort of makes sense I guess. Would be uncomfortable for her even without your history. Who ended it?"
"So, you'd be okay with that?" Chris tries to prop herself up a bit more. "I mean, it wouldn't be for forever, right? Just until you're better. And I can still visit you," Street trails off before turning serious.
"I have a condition too," he grins and Chris furrows her brows now. "I wanna meet her first!" Street finishes and Chris laughs out loud.
„Okay, we can do that. You'd have to learn some basic things anyway because there is a clause about how you get to stay over…" Chris trails off conspiratorially but Street knows she is tired as her eyes drop closed.
"We can talk about that tomorrow. Now you need your rest," with a sweet kiss to her forehead Street leaves again. Their visits always are short and he has to admit he is scared that Chris doesn't seem to make all that much progress. He is actually looking forward to being able to talk to her physical therapist and learn how he can help and maybe learn more about the slow progress Chris is making.
They had avoided the subject of her returning to work so far. And with each passing day, it got harder to believe she would.
The next day Street took advantage of his day off. He planned to spend the whole day at the hospital and be there for Chris. Just as long as she let him be there. He anticipated to be thrown out of the room for physical therapy, but he might as well try to be there already. He'd see everything when she was home anyway.
He pulls into the hospital parking lot, gets off his bike, and stores the helmet in its compartment under the seat. With light anticipation bubbling in his stomach he makes his way upstairs and down the hall to Chris's room. Her door is closed, so he simply knocks and waits for someone to call out.
"Come on in," he hears a male voice call out and pushes the door open.
"Oh, hey Street. You're early?" Chris greets him with a questioning tone. "No, I think Hazel is running late. Our time is actually up," Nick grabs a towel to wipe his hands.
"Try to do your breathing exercises later," he still tells Chris and then leaves the room.
"Hey," Street walks over to her and smiles. "Hey, can you hand me my phone? I wanna check where Hazel is. It's not like her to be late." Chris asks and Street does as requested.
He can see Chris frown at her screen and then swipe a few times before holding the device up to her ear, presumably calling her friend.
Chris listens to the dial tone when the line suddenly picks up. "Hey," Hazel sounds a little rattled, and that's worrying Chris.
"Hey, yourself. Is everything okay?" "Yeah, why wouldn't it be. Didn't you see my message?"
"I did, and that's why I am asking. What happened? I thought we talked about everything yesterday." Chris can't quite keep the hurt from her voice. Suddenly she hears an announcement echoing through the phone. "Are you at the hospital?" she breathes out. "Can you please just come up, so we can talk face to face? Please!"
She can hear Hazel let out a deep sigh and then mumble a quiet "I'll be right up," before hanging up the phone.
Chris grabs Street's hand and stares anxiously at the door. "Is she coming now?" he asks for clarification. And Chris nods briefly just before there is another knock at the door.
"Come in," Chris calls out and the door opens very slowly, and just when she wants to start making introductions Street breathes out a soft "Oh."