Chapter 63

Promises

Ana POV

Walking into the bedroom, I see Rhi sitting on the bed silently, her sandals at her feet. She's facing away from the door, looking out the window.

"Rhi? You OK?" I tentatively ask, not wanting to startle her. After a few moments she turns her head to look at me and I see tears in her eyes. Rushing over to her, I kneel on the floor in front of her, "Oh no, sweetie. Please don't cry. It will be OK. I promise." Grasping her hands, my motherly instincts kick in. "Kate and I can tell Alex really cares about you. It's quite obvious that he wants what's best for you." I pause, my eyes searching her eyes, "You know Kate and I always want what's best for you. You really need to get this treated. It can't wait any longer. You know that."

She's not responding at all, just watching me. Her green eyes glistening with tears that haven't broke free of her lashes. Yet. "Rhi, the other shit, from the past, shouldn't worry you. Dr. W can't tell anyone unless you say it's OK."

She whispers, "What about the guy he treated yesterday? He told me about that. Who's to say he won't tell anyone about this?"

"I understand your apprehension but technically he didn't really tell you anything about the guy." The thought of Luke with a broken nose from her punch makes me smile. "He just mentioned he treated someone with those injuries yesterday. He didn't say anything about who he was." I wink at her, trying to assure her.

Her lack of response has me concerned. She's been through a lot the past couple of days and my fear is it will damage how far she's come.

She sighs and I take it as a sign of acceptance. "Come on, let's get your shoes on and get moving." I pick up one shoe and start putting it on her. She has such small feet it's like dressing an extra-large child.

Finishing up, I stand up and smile at my handiwork. "By the way, we've left the paperwork as vague as possible. When Dr. W talks to you, you can decide what you want to tell him." She doesn't say anything but nods.

"Now, let's get you freshened up." Getting a damp washcloth, I start to wipe her face. She's cried so much the past few days I can't take it much longer.

This was supposed to be a fun trip to refresh our 'batteries,' so to speak. I'm beginning to wonder if we should have taken this trip at all. The only good thing that's come from this trip, so far, is Alex and it seems like even HE's adding to her stress; unintentionally, of course.

I think when she gets this hand injury taken care of she will be a little better. Though I don't know what's going to happen with the medical history and Alex. I know she's scared but, to be honest, if he hasn't left yet I doubt he will. That's just my opinion. He's done so many special and sweet things that have really helped her. We can see a change in her when she's with him. We're finally getting a glimpse of the old Rhi; proof that she's still there.

"Ready?" I ask.

Sighing as she stands up, her face crimson, "Hang on a second. I need to run to the bathroom. Can you help me?"

I struggle to keep from laughing because it's not funny, to her, but to the rest of us it is. "Sure thing. I'm always here to help." Following her into the bathroom, I undo her pants and watch as she wiggles, trying to get her panties down one-handed. Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh.

I think she knows I'm trying not to because she grins at me, "Go ahead and laugh. I know you want to. It IS funny. When you're done, can you help with getting the rest down before I pee myself?" She chuckles.

"I'm sorry, it's just watching this is comical. Don't worry, I'll close my eyes." Still snickering, I pull everything down and step back to the sink, making sure I keep my eyes forward. This is DEFINITELY like dressing an extra-large child now.

"Ana, come on now, don't get all creepy on me now. We've had to do worse." She laughs and I can't help laughing again. When she's finished, we get her dressed again. At least she's smiling now.

"Come on Rhi, let's get out there and get this over with." I look at her and give her a wink and loop my arm through hers.

Before I can get her out the door she stops and says, "Wait a minute. I'll be out in a minute. There's something I need to do."

I hesitate, fearing she's going to do something to put this off again but give her the benefit of the doubt. "OK. I'll be with the others." I leave her alone in the bathroom with her thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, she follows me out where everyone is waiting.

Rhi POV

Looking in the mirror, I'm shocked. "My god I look terrible." I look tired from the dark shades that are forming under my red-rimmed eyes. My cheeks are stained from dried tears, still evident even after Ana washed my face. I stare at the dull green eyes in the mirror, as they stare back at me, for a minute longer before turning away. I can't look in the mirror any longer so I close the lid to the toilet and sit down.

Left alone with my thoughts, finally, I think of all the things that are going to happen in the next few minutes. This is going to be a nightmare; I just know it. I don't have the strength to deal with the questions that are going to arise once we get to the clinic. I understand why they are pushing me to do this, I really do, but it's hard and they don't know what's going on in my head. Hell, I don't know what's going on in my head.

Maybe I should just let Alex be there with me and find out the same way the doctor does. I guess now is as good as any to find out if he's going to bail. Besides, we leave in two days and I may never see him again. I just want to enjoy the rest of my vacation. The first two days were so full of emotions. Emotions I could do without experiencing. All the other stuff is a bunch of fucking bullshit that I could have done without.

This is wearing me down, hiding past injuries from everyone. No one needs to know about them. It's bad enough Kate and Ana do. I look down at my bruised and swollen hand and my eyes trail up my arm to my elbow. At least it's far enough away, maybe it won's show up. Ha. That's wishful thinking on my part. EVERYTHING shows up on x-rays. It always does.

Here I sit, looking down at my bruised and swollen hand, an emotional wreck on a toilet contemplating things. I just want to go home and back to my regular life. I don't want to deal with this bullshit anymore. Sighing, I stand up, glance in the mirror one last time, and walk out to where everyone is waiting for me.

Stepping out of the bedroom, Ana is standing in front of the table facing the door. She has a smile on her face and I'm confused. "What's the smile for?" I ask, glancing around the room at everyone. Kate and Alex don't look too happy about something and Dr. W has a small smile on his face.

Ana is still smiling and asks, "Rhi, have I ever broken a promise to you?"

I look back at her, dumbfounded, "Uh, no. You've never broken a promise. Why? What's this about?"

Her smile gets bigger, "I've never broken a promise to you and I'm not going to start now." Stepping aside, there is a glass of Patron sitting on the table.

Surprised, I look at her, especially since Dr. W is standing a few feet away. "Ana, are you sure?" My eyes don't stray from the glass on the table that's calling my name. "My god do I really need that drink but I don't want to upset anyone."

Smiling, she says, "Rhi, this is between you and me. No one else. I made a deal with you and you've kept your end of the bargain. Now it's my turn. Come on, drink up so we can get you on the mend!"

She smiles as I pick up the glass and down it quickly just in case she changes her mind. Smacking my lips I hug her tightly, hesitant to let go. Pulling away, I rest my forehead on hers. "Thank you Ana, so much. I really needed that. I'm scared but I'm strong with you guys beside me." I say quietly.

Ana POV

Walking out of the bedroom, I let everyone know Rhi will be out in a moment. Heading over to the table where Rhi left the Patron, I pick it up and walk back to the kitchen. Opening a cabinet, I pull out a tumbler and fill the glass and set it on the breakfast bar.

Kate looks at me, "What are you doing Ana?"

Smiling, I reply, "Keeping my promise."

Kate and Alex exchange briefly, look at Dr. W then back at me. "Ana, that's not a good idea. She still has to go get x-rays done and casting and all that."

I sigh, "I'm well aware of what still needs to be done, but I also made a promise to Rhi and I'm not going to break that promise." I look between Kate and Alex before continuing, "She did what we asked her to do. What I asked her to do. Now it's my turn to honor that promise. She deserves it and I'm not going to withhold anything from her."

Looking at Dr. W I explain, "Sorry, but I promised her she could have a drink after the appointment. A promise is a promise."

Nodding, he says, "That's quite alright. She's been drinking to control the pain up to this point, another drink won't hurt anything." He smiles, "I will be giving her pain meds after we get her casted to help out a bit more."

Kate and Alex exchange looks again.

Oh boy. This is going to be interesting.

No, we don't like how much she drinks but she can hold her liquor. Truth be told, and Kate doesn't know this, but I've seen her drink even some of the biggest guys under the table. I've seen a lot when she drinks and, up until yesterday, she's been pretty good; until she hit Luke.