Chapter 7
It's a week now. And she still can't move her legs. She can't even feel her legs. It's all just a possible reaction to the swelling in her spine or the spine injury in general. It can all disappear into thin air. When her spine swells down, her legs will probably function as normal. So now she lays in this awful hospital bed. In the middle of the night. Horrendous pain in her shoulder. And all she can think about is Daniel and what he told her. But the most difficult part of it all was, that they couldn't talk about it. Ever since she woke up there was one thing after the other. Not being able to move her legs was just one of the things preventing them to have the talk.
She was moved to a regular unit two days after she woke up. And thank god she had her phone back. Well, a new phone, cause her old one was so damaged. She's still wondering how the police were able to figure out who called her so often. The display was a million small pieces. Daniel had shown it to her when she asked about it. Her father brought her a new phone when she was finally being moved. But yesterday or today, when he came in to visit her, her whole family was there. Dancing around her. Not giving them five minutes alone. As if they would know something was up.
Isn't that what she always told Daniel? That you have to do the best with the time you've been given? Ideal times don't find you, you have to make them. Well, not ideal, but worth a try.
Hey, I can't sleep. You?
No, can't sleep either. There's too much on my mind. How's your shoulder, and legs?
The shoulder hurts like hell, and the legs, wellI still don't feel anything. But hey, that way I won't know if they hurt. That's good, right?
You need to give yourself time, Betty. It's only a little over a week since your accident. And you were badly injured. This takes time.
Tell me about it. I know, it's just..., there is so much I would like to do. So much to celebrate. And I can't, you know?
I know, but stay positive, if there's one person who is strong enough to turn this situation around - it's you. And you can celebrate when this is over. Even more reason to celebrate then, don't you think?
I know, but I'd rather have a lot small celebrations along the way, then one big one at the end.
I get it, but right now it's going to be hard to celebrate.
I know. I guess I wish everything was different. Well, except for one thing.
Why do I feel like you've changed the topic?
Cause I have. It's been a week since I woke up. That's too looooong, Daniel.
It's been only a week since you woke up.
No, not in my timeline. It's been too long.
And what do you want me to do about it?
She calls his phone and hears the ringing. He picks up after the first ring.
'I know, that this is not ideal. It's far from it. But what do you want me to do? Wait three freaking month til we talk about it? I thought it's ok, we have time, we can talk about it whenever. But I can't wait any longer', she says, before he can even greet her.
'I want to, really, but over the phone? I don't know. And every time I'm there your families there too. Which is fine. They have more right to be with you than I have. But it kind of sucks.', he admitted.
'I know, believe me I know. But when I tell them not to come around they think something is wrong and will come either way. And it's not like I could get up and come over to you. So, yeah, this is not ideal, but it's better than doing nothing', she sighs frustrated.
'You should be careful, Betty, or someone might say you sound frustrated', he chuckles, his deep voice smooth like honey. And she remembers what his soft lips felt like against her skin. And the shiver along her spine makes her giddy inside.
'That's because I am. And I don't care. I want to talk to you. I want you to know that I feel the same. It's not just you. You didn't make a fool out of yourself. It's quite the opposite. I'm absolutely crazy about you', Betty says a bit whiny.
'God, Betty, you have no idea what you do to me. I wish I could be there with you.', he groans.
'You know, normally my family comes in around lunch? So if you get up a bit earlier and come in before work we could be alone?', she says, voice paper thin.
'We have a date', he says voice low and hoarse and another round of chills run up and down her spine.
'Took you long enough', she whispers and he chuckles happy.
'Good Morning', Daniel walks into her hospital room. Charcoal suit, white crisp shirt and a silvery-yellow striped tie. In other words he looks absolutely drop dead gorgeous. How she never saw it before? She has no idea.
'Hey, good morning. You made it', she smiles at him.
'Of course, I said it's a date, didn't I?', he walks over standing by her bedside.
'Come on I'm not biting', she patted the bedside.
'I don't want to hurt you', he carefully sits down, makes sure not to squish her legs or anything else. 'How are you today?'
'Meh, I would say better, but I'd be lying. Well, I wouldn't because we're finally alone and that definitely triumphs over the pain', she smiles and takes his left hand into hers.
'Yeah...', he sighs. Smiles at her. His thumb softly drawing little circles on the back of her hand. His other hand cups her cheek. 'I missed you'
'I missed you too', she sighs happy, leaning her head into his hand. 'You have no idea, how much I want to hug you. Ever since I woke up.'
'Oh Betty, that's so cute', he says, smile stretching over his face.
'I know, and maybe you already forgot, but I can't do anything about it.', she pouts.
'Ok, how do we do this? Your shoulder is kind of ruining the vibe.'
'Mean Mister', she hits his shoulder in mock seriousness. 'I can lift my right arm out to the side, so you could actually hug me around the waist on that side. And the other side is well hurting from the crash but not as bad as the shoulder. So come on', she lifts her left arm to the side, gestures for him to bring it in.
Carefully sliding his left arm around her right waist manoeuvring his way around her right arm he carefully hugs her. Her left arm comes around his shoulders. Pulls him even further down to her.
'I won't break, I promise', she whispers into his ear and buries her head in the crook of his neck. Takes in his familiar scent. The one that drives her crazy. 'God, I really missed you. I know it sounds pathetic, but I thought I'm slowly going crazy.'
'Mmmh', was all he could articulate. His nose buried in her hair, taking in her scent. Her hugs felt always special. But now, with the new feelings, both of them being so aware of the other? It feels even more - intense. 'I'm crazy about you, Betty'
'I know I told you last night, but I'm absolutely crazy about you too, Daniel', she sighs. Places a soft kiss against his neck. The goosebump following that soft touch spreading out all over his entire body. Making him shiver. Her left hand softly cupping the nape of his neck. Her head draws back to look up at him.
'Yeah, I'm really crazy about you', she whispers. He gently strokes her cheek with the back of his hand. His hand drives through her hair to the back of her head. Softly cupping her head and bringing her face closer to his. Seeing her stretch up a bit gives him the last bit of encouragement he needed. He softly touches her lips with his. A barely touch. Ghosting over her lips, over and over again. When all of a sudden she groans out. Frustrated. And that's when he goes in, plants his lips firmly on hers.
He takes her mouth in an angle that makes her toes curl, her pulse thrumming through her whole body and her palms sweaty. He's like a drug. The way he kisses her. Soft but urgently, controlled but full of passion. It feels too good. She never wants this moment to end. But the need for air is so overwhelming that she finally breaks away from him, but pulls his forehead against hers. Breaths are shallow.
'Wow', she whispers. Her fingers wound into his hair.
'Yeah', he says between two breaths.
'Now I really don't want you to go. I could finally feel my toes again', she chuckles.
'What? Why didn't you say anything. The feeling came back?', he says so happy. Ready to celebrate.
'No, I meant you just made my toes curl, it was a compliment', she said rolling her eyes at him.
'Oh, I thought maybe the feeling came back. But hey, that means it will definitely come back and is not a permanent thing, right? Otherwise that shouldn't be possible?', he still tries to be positive about the whole paralyze thing. Not letting the compliment blow up his ego. He's so sweet.
'And thank you, but I think it was a combined effort', he winks at her. Makes her laugh giddily and blush ferociously. 'Uuh, I love it when you blush', his finger softly grazes the slight red tint of her cheek.
'I hate it when I blush'
'No, you look so pretty', he gushes. They look deep into each others eyes. A small smile on Betty's face. She draws him in a little closer. Reaches up to kiss him again. When a knock on her door makes them move apart.
'Good Morning, Betty, I thought maybe when I come by early enough, we wouldn't all be here at the same time. So you could make the most of your time, while you're still in the hospital.', Mrs. Meade steps through the door and sees two slightly red and very happy but guilty looking faces. 'Oh, did I have a bad timing? You know, I could go outside again, come back in ten minutes. If you want too?', she asks, standing at the door, ready to go back outside and give the lovebirds another ten minutes. Yes, she could definitely do that.
'No, it's alright mom. Come on in, I should go anyway. I have an early meeting', Daniel turns around to Betty. Sees her pout on her face. 'I swear, I'll come back later.'
'Oh ok, go be busy, be fabulous, run your own magazine. God knows I would rather go back to work and do the double workload than just laying around. Hey, that's it? My left hand is perfectly fine. And so are my eyes. I could...', his hand claps over her mouth. Shutting her up.
'Yeah, no. How bad was the hit your head took? You are absolutely whacky if you think I would bring you my redlining', he removes his hand finger by finger.
'It was worth a try', she smiles, grabs his tie with her left hand. 'Hey, you know this amazing sushi place with the sesame sushi and the great noodles?'
'You mean the one I'm still craving because I never got my lunch and someone decided to have an accident?', he inches closer to her.
'Yeah that one, I mean, I had the noodles, but I could go for them again. Just stay out off busy traffic on your way over', she grins.
'So dinner's on me. Text me if anyone else is around, so I know if I have to bring more. I'm not going to share.', he bends down slowly.
'It's a date', she grins, pulls him down by his tie the last remaining inches. Kisses him soft and delicate. His hand on her face, he draws back. Looks her deep in the eyes.
'I see you later, text me when you get any news. Good or bad, okay?', he whispers.
'Yeah, I will', she smiles, biting her lower lip. He walks over to his mom, gives her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before excusing himself.
'Now, will you look at that smile', Mrs. Meade slowly walks over to Betty, a happy astonished smile on her face. 'You look very happy. Despite your predicament.'
'I know, I can't help it. I'm so happy.', Betty presses her left hand to her cheek. Trying to prevent the blush from deepening.
'It's quite alright. You look absolutely radiant. It suits you very much'
'Thank you, Mrs. Meade', Betty sighs.
'Don't you think that now's finally the time to call me Claire, dear?', Betty blushes even more but her happy smile not wavering.