Chapter 52

Ailee


“ First of all you aren’t old. Get that out of your head.” I said in my strongest voice. I know he is getting up in years. I’m not blind or stupid. He is in his late sixties. I just hate when he talks about himself getting old in a negative way. I squeeze his hand “ I’m sorry about causing you distress. If I could have avoided it I would have.” He nods “ I know. I’m just not ready to let you go yet, lass.” “ And I’m not ready to go. I still have an endless list of things I want to do. And I’m sure a few arses to kick.” I laugh at the last part. “ I still want to know what is going on with you two. I’m stuck in this bed for a while. I could use a good story.” I told him.

Before he can answer the door slides open and one of my doctors comes in. Judging by the height I would say it is Dr. Donavan. It is hard to tell with all the coverings they have on. He walks over to my bed and I can see his light brown eyes light up. Yep, it is Donavan. Graves has hazel eyes with more green than brown in them. “ Good to have you back, Ailee.” he says. I turn and smile at him, “ It is good to be back.” “ I’m going to check you over in just a minute. I do believe we have someone else joining us.” Before I can ask what he is talking about I hear a thump on the outer door. I look over and see Lug dressing as fast as he can. In the process he is bumping into the wall, door and even fell down once.

The next time he bumps into the door trying to open it I lose and start laughing hysterically. He gets the door open he runs in and slides across the floor to get to my side. I have tears in my eyes and can’t catch my breath but it is good to see him. I noticed grandda and Donavon have moved out of the way. Callen and Finn are pressed to the glass watching the spectacle he is making. Lug practically pounces on the bed, grabs my face gently placing his forehead to mine. “ That is my second favorite sound in the world,” he says. I know what the other sound is but he won’t say in front of grandda out of respect. Lug has told me multiple times his other favorite sound is when I’m screaming his name while we make love.

I blush thinking about it. Lug smirks knowing what I’m thinking about. Then his face turns serious. “ Ailee, you are never allowed to leave me again until we are old and gray surrounded by our grandchildren. I need you to promise me.” he says. I do like the sound of growing old with Lug. It is a future I want to hold on too. I carefully lift my arms and place my hands on his cheeks. “ I will do my very best to fulfill that promise.” I told him. “ That’s what I like to hear.” Lug says. Even though he is wearing a mask he presses a kiss to my forehead before backing up. “ So what did I miss?” Lug asks Donavan.
Donavan laughs “ Nothing. I saw you coming and decided to wait.” Lug steps away from the bed and does an exaggerated bow to Donavan causing me to laugh again. “ Ailee, let's start with you telling me how you feel.” I know I have to be completely honest with him. Hiding something could be detrimental in my recovery. “ I'm a little tired but not like before. I have a headache. I’m achy and stiff. And I’m hungry.” Donavan nods “ The headache, achy and stiff is normal and expected. You haven’t moved in a week. I am happy to know you aren’t as tired and are hungry. After I examine you we will see what we can do about it.”

After a very thorough exam that included listening to my heart and lungs. Donavan helped me move my arms and legs to gauge how stiff they were. I have to tell you, laying immobile for almost two weeks has done my muscles no good. They were weak as hell and I know there was no way I could stand on my own right now. After checking a few things Donavan steps back and says “ Ailee, if you keep progressing like you are I don’t see any reason to keep you in the clean room for more than another day.”

“ What about the transplant?” I asked. “ You finished it three days ago. I will draw blood to see what effect it has. Then we will know more. But you have already made some improvement since you first got admitted. I feel confident in the results. I should know more in about two hours.” Donavan said. “ If the transplant worked when can I take Ailee home to start our lives?” Lug asks. I love it when he says that. “ Ailee still has some recovering to do. But as long as she doesn’t go backwards I don’t see why she wouldn’t be able to go home in about two weeks. First let’s have a look at the blood and get her moved to a regular room.” Donavan said. Lug seems happy with that response. I know I am. I’m so ready to get out of here.

“ What about food?” I asked just as my stomach rumbled. “ Come on doc. I need to feed my girl.” Lug said. “ You know the drill. We start with a small amount of liquids. If you can keep it down today, we go to light foods tomorrow.” Donavan said. “ So no double bacon cheese burgers and loaded fries from the diner?” I asked. Donavan laughs “ That’s the Ailee I know. But no, not yet. When the time comes I’m sure you will have no shortage of volunteers to go get it for you.” Callen,Finn and Lug say in unison “ I will.” I laugh at them because I know they would in a heartbeat.

While Donavan draws blood grandda kisses my forehead and says “ I’m going to go update everyone and let them know you are awake. Don’t overdo it.” “ I won’t let her.” Lug said. Grandda nods and walks out. Anna meets him at the door. I know she has been wanting an update. I should have invited her in. Maybe I could have gotten some information out of her. Lug follows my eyes and sees what I’m looking at. Just as Anna jumps into my grandda’s arms. I know my jaw drops. I turn to Lug and see his reaction is the same. “ Do you know what is going on?” I asked him. He shakes his head “ No, honey. But I have only been paying attention to you. A green elephant could have walked across the room and I wouldn’t have noticed.” I don’t know how but that comment was sweet as hell.