"You feeling better now?", Cappie asks me, a hand on my leg.
"Yeah", I nod. "I mean the pain wasn't even as bad as the worrying but luckily both have alleviated now".
I give him a small smile.
"Good. Why don't you try to get some sleep? The suns gonna be up soon so might as well try to get a few more hours in", He says.
We have our own room so Cappie has a foldable plush chair, almost like a Laz E Boy. It can't be too comfortable as a bed but I know he probably isn't even thinking about that, he's just as relieved as I am. Nothing could really bother us right now as long as we still had our baby.
Ashleigh had called a cab and went home earlier, I'd told her to since I already felt bad enough she spent half the night here with me.
"You're right", I nod, feeling a little drugged and woozy. I cozy into my hospital bed and close my eyes. "I should sleep".
"Case?", He says quietly and I open my eyes a teeny bit to look at him.
"Yeah?"
"I'm really glad you're still pregnant", He says with a slight smile. "Really glad".
He takes my hand into his and I smile.
"Me too Cap", I say, closing my eyes again, the tiredness and effects of the drugs taking over me until I fall quickly into sleep.
"Sorry I'm just a little confused on why we weren't called?!"
I wake up to a screechy, grating voice.
Ugh god.
My mom. Of course.
"Casey just didn't want to worry you, and she's fine, the baby's fine", I hear Cappie explain.
I open my eyes fully then, taking in the situation around me.
Cappie and my mom and dad are at the door of my room, and I see Rusty behind my mom and dad.
"Casey!", I hear Rusty's voice, he's realized I'm waking up. "She's waking up guys".
The four of them turn their attention to me, my mom bursting into the room and coming right over to my bedside before I'm even fully conscious.
"Oh honey, I can't believe this happened to you. And I can't believe no one called me", She says over dramatically.
"I'm completely okay mom, just… tired and groggy. But the pains better, my fevers gone. The baby is fine", I try to assure her so she can get off me and Cappie's backs.
"Me and your father would've driven you here!", She throws her hands up. "Talked to the doctors…"
"I don't need you to do that", I say sternly. "Me and Cappie handled it just fine. Mom, I'm 22 and going to be a mom myself soon. I can handle it".
"Okay well", she sighs making a huffing noise so that all of us can see the display over dramatics she's sporting. "Me and your father were going to go home today but now… I feel like we should stay for a couple days".
I give Cappie a look that says 'help me!', and he merely gives me a shrug and a strained look on his face.
"Guys I think Casey is okay", Rusty chimes in.
"I am", I assure them. "I'm gonna get to go home today and I'll take it easy and be back on my feet in no time".
"Well… alright", my mom concedes.
"Why did this happen? I searched it up on the Google and it seems uncommon", My dad poses the question and I have to stifle in a laugh about him calling it 'the Google'.
"Dad it's just called Google", I hear Rusty mumble which is ignored because my dad doesn't take his eyes off me, looking for a response.
"You know… even the doctors aren't really sure why", I give them a shrug and try to seem as casual about it as possible. I look over to see Cappie sporting an awkward gritted teeth smile, his hands running across his stubble nervously.
"Well they should know this stuff", My mom scoffs. "Maybe we should take you to a better doctor, a specialist perhaps".
"No mom", I try my best not to groan. "It's totally fine. I have an appointment with my OB on Wednesday and I'll bring it up then but for now I can feel the baby, the pains gotten a lot better, and I don't feel chilled and sick anymore. Everything's good".
"Well alright. Me and your father do have to work tomorrow so it would be better for us to be on our normal flight this afternoon", She weighs it in her mind.
"You should, we've got it", I smile.
"Make sure she takes it easy", My father says to Cappie like it's an order.
"Believe me sir, I will", Cappie nods. "I promise".
Cappie looks at me then smirking. I look over to Rusty and I give him a look that's akin to a cry for help. Cappie can't get my parents out of here, but Rusty could I'm sure.
"You know, mom, dad… why don't we go to the cafeteria? I'm starving, I skipped breakfast", Rusty suggests and I'm mentally reminding myself to give him a hug later.
"Sure son, let's go", My dad nods.
"We'll be back Casey, don't worry", my mom assures me.
"Great", I plaster on the best smile I can.
Of course you'll be back, I think to myself. In fact I'll probably never be able to get you to leave.
When they're finally out of the room I let out an exasperated sigh.
"Do you need anything?", Cappie asks. "I can ask the nurses to get your breakfast, they were just holding off until you woke up".
"Yeah that would be good. I also just have to go to the washroom", I hoist myself up and attempt to get out of the bed.
"Hey, hey", Cappie comes over to me. "I'll help you, don't try to do it yourself".
I groan then.
"I'm fine. Everyone is babying me but really, I feel pretty good", I argue, partly annoyed, but it doesn't stop him from holding onto my arm as I make my way to the washroom.
"Yeah I know, but better to be safe than sorry", He says as we get to the bathroom door and I give him a look, my arms crossed.
"This is where I draw the line, I can go pee myself", I give him a look.
"Alright", He smirks and I go in and close the door.
When I come back still only Cappie is in the room, thank god.
He helps me back onto the bed even though I don't really need it.
"I really just wanna get out of here", I say. "Hopefully they'll discharge me soon and I can get back home and my parents will return to their rightful city where they can only bug me by phone".
Cappie laughs then.
"By the way, how the hell did they even know I was here?", I give him a suspicious look, wondering who told them.
"Well…", Cappie grimaces. "I texted Rusty because he was asking where I was and I told him the truth… so you can blame him".
"Dammit Rusty!", I curse him. "He never could keep anything from our parents. He's the one that ratted me out for denting their car when I was 16".
Cappie smirks at me.
"Don't worry. Just a couple more hours and then I'll tuck you into your bed with a cup of tea and that dumb show that you like ", Cappie smiles.
I look at him confused for a moment.
"You know, the one with the screaming and crying girls on it", He explains further.
"Wait you're right", I smile then. "The Bachelor is on tonight!"
We often had Bachelor viewing parties at ZBZ on Monday nights.
"Yeah that's the one", He laughs. "Hold onto that. Just a few more hours".
"Okay", I nod with a laugh and lay my head back on my pillow.
Even with the presence of my parents here, it couldn't fully bring me down. Still being pregnant was all that mattered to me. I just wanted to get out of the hospital and back home and forget that I even had to worry about losing the baby.
"So, you happy to be home?", Cappie tries to help me out of the passenger seat of his car.
We're parked in front of ZBZ after finally getting discharged from the hospital just before dinner time.
"Yes very", I sigh. "But I'm good Cap, I can walk".
He gives me a look.
"Well alright, I'll be right behind you though", He says and takes my purse from my hands and I make my way up the driveway.
I'm a little wobbly, but it's better than having the girls looking out the window to see Cappie helping me up. After all, I had told all of them that we weren't together.
And although I typically liked to combat sorority girl stereotypes, our penchant for gossip… well they hit that one on the nose. We sort of lived for it.
And I'm sure me and Cappie were already being gossiped about around Greek row enough.
I open the door with Cappie behind me, I was sadly still wearing the same clothes I went to the hospital in. My pants stained in a few places with blood. Because of course, Rusty and my parents could show up to annoy me but not show up with a change of clothes.
"Casey!", Betsy opens the door from inside before I get a chance to open it. "Gosh, we've all been so worried about you".
She hugs me right away and just about knocks me over.
Okay fine, so Cappie was right. I did feel shakey and weak and pretty tired.
I just about fall back off of the porch when I feel Cappie's arms behind me stopping me, holding me in place steadily.
"Sorry Casey, you probably don't feel very good and I just almost knocked you over", Betsy gives me a guilty look and then looks over at Cappie. "Hi Cappie".
"Hey Betsy, yeah she's just a bit weak right now", Cappie explains.
"But Ashleigh told us you didn't lose the baby", Betsy smiles again. "That's good news!"
"Yes it is", I nod and we get inside. I feel out of breath already. "It was really scary there for a second though"
"What was wrong?", She asks.
I look back at Cappie and then to Betsy.
"A cyst on my ovary ruptured", I explain. "That's why there was so much blood and pain".
"That sucks, I'm sorry. We were all wishing for the best Casey. Most of the girls are in class right now but we have a surprise for you when everyone's back", She grins.
"Aw you guys don't have to do that", I beam.
"It's just something small", She waves it off. "It was actually Rebecca's idea".
I scoff slightly.
"Rebecca got me a gift?"
"Well… she didn't get it. She ordered me to go get it, but it's the thought that counts", Betsy explains and me and Cappie laugh slightly.
"Well that's really sweet of you guys", I nod. "I'm just gonna go lay down for a bit. See you later Bets!"
Cappie starts to walk up the stairs with me, me going slower than usual.
"Wait you're going upstairs?", She gestures to Cappie.
"Oh uh…", Cappie starts.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone", She winks at us and Cappie gives her a grateful look and I mouth a thank you to her. I try to hurry up as much as I can, wanting to get to my room and get Cappie out of sight from any other girls here as soon as possible.
The no boys upstairs rule was a pretty strict one but I think the girls were willing to keep quiet about it for me right now. Especially since I'd explained to them that I would be gone pretty soon anyways.
I open up the door to my room and see it in the exact state I left it. I don't know why I would've expected anything different, but seeing it in the light of day made me feel nauseas.
I was going to just have to throw my sheets and pajama shorts away, they weren't even salvageable.
I'm so exhausted right now that all I can do is just sit down for a moment, and I make my way to the chair in the corner of my room.
Cappie rests my purse down on top my desk.
"I guess I'm gonna have to get my backup set of sheets", I sigh.
"Hey don't worry, I'll deal with it", Cappie offers like it's no big deal.
"No way", I scoff like it's an insane notion. "Seriously Cap, I don't expect you to clean this up".
"Well maybe you don't expect me to, but I'm going to", He says. "The doctor said you should rest and you need a clean bed for that".
If I wasn't so tired maybe I'd protest but I had to admit to myself that I really did need his help right now.
This whole time I didn't want to admit it… but I couldn't do any of this without him. And I felt guilty for originally thinking that I was going to have to.
I get up for just a moment to grab sheets from in my closet. Light pink ones, they were the only other set I had.
Add buy more bedsheets to the ever growing list of things I have to do.
"Thanks for setting up my bed for me, I know this is probably pretty gross for you", I give him a look.
"No problem, that's what I'm here for", he turns to smile at me. "Plus you've had to deal with my dirty room for years. This is nothing".
We both laugh.
I hold out my garbage pail towards him so he can throw the stained fitted sheet in there along with my ruined pajama shorts.
"That was a rough day", I sigh.
"Yeah that it was but…", He gives me a smile. "Everything's okay now. We still have our baby. You're gonna be okay. Everything's gonna work out Case".
"Cap… thanks for being there for me. If I haven't said it already".
"You don't have to thank me, of course I'm gonna be there for you. Probably good practice for when you go into labour right?", He grins. "Except hopefully I'll be a few metres away from you instead of down the street".
"Yeah", I sigh. "I'm trying not to think about that. I wanna keep her in here as long as possible".
I put my hand on my belly.
"I was thinking…", Cappie looks at me treacherously. "That maybe I'd sleep on the chair tonight. Just make sure you're okay?"
He looks at me for approval of this request.
"Cap", I give him a look. "You don't have to do that. The doctors said everything would be fine, I just have to take it easy".
"I know but… last night was so scary and…", He sighs. "It would make me feel better".
I see the seriousness in his eyes, and I know for Cappie to do that it must mean it's pretty real to him.
"Okay", I nod up and down. "But don't sleep on the chair, you've already had a bad night with me in the hospital. Just sleep on the bed. If we're trying to be… acquaintances…"
We both laugh at that word.
"Then we'll just sleep fully clothed in a very responsible manner", I shrug. "I don't think Ash would object".
"Sleep with you in a responsible manner?", He jokes. "Can't say I've ever done that".
I give him a good natured roll of my eyes and he goes back to making up my bed.
I smile then, hand across my belly, feeling her kick again. Her kicking is the best feeling in the entire world now that I know what it's like to go without it.
Cappie is busy putting pillows in my clean pillowcases until he looks over to me to see me crying. Immediately fear washes over his face.
"Hey what's wrong? You okay?", He comes over to kneel in front of me.
"Yeah", I explain, trying to ease his worry. "They're happy tears, relieved tears. I just felt her kick like she usually does and I'm just… so happy".
He smiles then, his blue eyes shining, looking up at me and he puts his hand on my belly to try to feel her himself.
I can see it in his face when he feels her.
He sighs of relief.
"That's the best feeling after what we just went through", He wipes a tear from my eye and then looks down to speak to my stomach. "You really pranked us there kid, and usually I'm all for mischief, but you can't worry your mom like that again".
I smile at his words.
When he looks up at me and our eyes lock I feel what I always feel with him. My heart beating like it's going to burst, my insides feeling like they're flip flopping around.
I bite my lip then, wanting to feel his on mine. Hoping that no one would walk in and ruin this moment.
As if reading my mind through just scanning my eyes, he places my hair behind my ear gently and pulls my face into his for a soft kiss. Slow and gentle. And I knew that it didn't have to mean anything other than the fact that we were both really relieved. Both feeling so much for our baby.
When we pull away I smile at him.
"Ready to sleep in a real bed tonight?", I ask him with a laugh.
"Yeah you have no idea", he scoffs, looking at me like he wants to kiss me again, which I don't exactly want to push since I don't know that we'd be able to stop if we did it again.
Lucky for me, Ash walks in, probably unaware that Cappie was here.
"Oh crap, sorry", She says, about to walk out but I stop her.
"It's okay Ash, Cappie was just… going to stay over tonight", I say. "If that's okay with you?"
"All PG, I promise", Cappie jokes.
"I want you guys to have your time, I'll sleep on the couch downstairs", She smiles at us.
"No you don't have to, I don't want to kick you out of your bed", I feel bad.
"Case my 'bed' is essentially as thick as a yoga mat", She laughs and grabs her pillow and blanket. "The couch would probably be more comfy, anything would".
"Okay, thanks Ash", I laugh.
After that night in the hospital, I think Ash had really accepted Cappie more. Seen what I see in him as a dad. That he really is capable of stepping up. And I think she knows that if they're not on the same page about anything else, they'll always have being two of the most important people in my life in common.
"I just came to tell you that dinners ready", She smiles.
"Oh thank god, I'm starving", I practically groan. "I just realized I'm still wearing my clothes from the hospital, I totally forgot to even change when I got in".
I look down at my ultrasound jelly stained tank top and grey yoga pants.
"I can't even think I'm so sleep deprived", I put my head in my hands.
Cappie and Ash smile at me.
"Well hey, I can bring you a plate up if you're in the mood to just be in here?", She offers. "I can get you one too Cappie".
"Thanks Ashleigh", He smiles. "I would go do it but… I'm kind of up here on an incognito basis".
Ash snickers at that.
"Yeah I figured", She says. "Dale is here though if you want to come down to say hi to him, he was asking about you guys".
"Aw that's nice", I nod. "I'm okay to come down and get my own food, I should probably say hi to everyone".
"You sure?", Cappie asks.
"Yeah, I'm okay", I nod. "After dinner we'll come back up and I'll lay down".
"Okay cool, see you down there", Ash smiles and leaves the room.
I get up to grab a pair of clean underwear and some black leggings from my drawer. They barely fit over my bump but at least they were stretchy. Then I grab a blue knit top from my closet.
Cappie sits on the edge of the bed and I don't even bother to ask him not to look. After he had to undress me last night in the throws of fear and pain, and after two days of… well hooking up again, there was very little awkwardness at all.
"You need help getting them on?"
I put my hands on my hips and give him a joking look then.
"No Cappie", I joke. "But you can watch me".
I give him a joking seductive look, full well knowing I probably looked like mess right now.
"I will only the sake of safety…", He says matter of fact in that joking way he does.
"Oh of course", I laugh as I take off my clothes and put on my new ones for dinner watching as Cappie smirks.