Chapter 35 - Healing
Trey wanted to grab Cat and hug her when he heard her soft voice, but he stopped, afraid that he would hurt her. He did push the call light for the nurse to come in so she could let the doctor know she was awake.
"It's so good to hear your voice. It scared me, thinking I would never hear it again." Cat smiled as best she could. Her face was sore, and her body felt like she had been hit by a truck, but surprisingly, she didn't have as much pain as she expected.
She couldn't speak because her throat felt like sandpaper, but when she opened her eyes and saw Trey crying, she had to tell him she loved him. Cat had heard him talking to her, and she had so badly wanted to see him, but it was like she was lost somewhere in the dark, trying to find her way out.
She glanced at the nurse when she came in the door, and Cat recognized her. That was when she realized she was in the hospital where she had worked. The nurse stared at her with wide eyes.
"Cat, we're so glad you're back with us. Let me get Dr. Fields in here so he can check you out, and then we can get you some ice, okay? I'm sure your mouth is dry and your throat is sore. We had you intubated up until a few hours ago." Cat smiled and nodded as she talked a mile a minute. She had always liked Diane.
When she ran out of the room, Cat looked back at Trey. She could tell he hadn't slept at all. She wondered how long she'd been out. With the bruises on her arms faded, she assumed it had been a while. She mouthed the words *how long*.
"You were brought here yesterday evening. You've been unconscious for about twenty-four hours." Cat looked at him in confusion. How was that possible? She should be in a lot more pain, and her bruises should be dark purple. She mouthed *how* to him, and he smiled as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I donated some of my blood for them to give you. I'm a werelion, and we heal a lot faster than humans. My blood is having the same effect on you. The doctors and everyone think you're a medical marvel." Trey pulled back to see her face, and his smile froze. She had tears in her eyes, but when she saw his worry, she shook her head slightly.
"You saved me again," Cat whispered so softly even Trey could barely hear it. She squeezed his hand, and they both looked toward the door when someone knocked. Dr. Fields came in with Diane behind him.
"Well, Caterina, it's nice to see you awake and still healing nicely. I will check you out quickly, and then I'll have Diane give you some ice chips to help your throat." Cat began to panic when she saw him putting gloves on. She squeezed Trey's hand and shook her head while darting her eyes toward Dr. Fields.
Trey saw the panic and tears in Cat's eyes and knew she didn't want the doctor to touch her. She was okay with Trey, but any other man was too much for her.
"Dr. Fields, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to let a female doctor examine Cat. After what happened, she isn't comfortable with a man touching her right now." Dr. Fields looked at Trey in surprise and then looked at Cat, and his eyes softened. He could see she was terrified. There was no way he would cause her any more trauma.
"It's alright. I'll ask Dr. Whitlock to come in, okay?" Cat visibly relaxed and nodded at him. She didn't want anyone to touch her, but she knew they had to check on her injuries. Trey would stay with her; she could get through it with him.
Dr. Fields left, and Diane stayed behind. It still amazed her how quickly Cat was healing. Dr. Whitlock came in and smiled. She was of average height and build, with her brunette hair pulled back in a braid.
"Hi, Caterina. I'm going to examine you to see how your injuries are healing up. Sir, please step out in the hall until we're finished." Dr. Whitlock looked at Trey sternly.
Cat looked at the doctor and shook her head while holding Trey's hand. There was no way anyone was touching her if Trey wasn't there.
"I'm sorry, doctor, but Cat doesn't want me to leave, so I'll stay." Dr. Whitlock wasn't happy, but when she saw Cat's face, she gave in. The young woman had been through enough, and if she wanted the detective there, then that was her choice.
Cat held onto Trey's hand tightly while he stroked her hair. He knew this was tough for her, but the more she healed, the sooner he could get her out of there.
She was shaking when the doctor touched her. Her mind kept returning to what Caleb had done to her, and she couldn't stop the tears that started falling. As Dr. Whitlock lifted her gown and slightly pushed on her abdomen, she wanted to scream. Not because she was feeling the pain but because it felt like she was burning her with her touch.
Dr. Whitlock saw Cat's reaction, and her heart broke for her. She had seen the pictures of what she looked like when she came in yesterday, and she was just as impressed as everyone else with how quickly her body was healing. That didn't help the mental anguish caused by what was done to her.
"It looks like you're recovering well. I don't know if Dr. Fields told you about all the injuries you sustained, but the broken bones have almost healed, as have the bruised organs. Your bruises, as you can see, are already fading. With this speed, you'll most likely be able to leave in a couple of days."
Cat looked at Dr. Whitlock in shock. A couple of days? She couldn't believe Trey's blood was healing her so quickly. She felt like laughing out loud, but she couldn't because of her throat. Cat smiled at her and nodded.
"If you need anything, please let me know. We will probably move you from the ICU to one of the medical units. Someone will let you know before we do. Take care." Dr. Whitlock left, and Diane turned to Cat.
"I'll get you some ice chips and be right back." Cat nodded at her before looking at Trey.
He reached down and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Cat's heart swelled with love. There was no way she would have survived without him. Diane came back with a small cup of ice chips and walked to the opposite side of the bed from where Trey was.
"Is it okay if I raise you up a little? I don't want you to choke." Cat nodded, and Diane pushed the button to raise the head of her bed. She expected to feel pain, but it was only a dull ache. Diane used a spoon to give her a few ice chips.
Cat had never felt anything as good as the cold ice in her mouth. The ice melted on her tongue and slid down her throat. It was so soothing but didn't last long enough. She opened her mouth for more, and Diane happily obliged.
Trey watched as Cat ate her ice chips and smiled. She looked like she was in heaven. He smoothed her hair back from her face.
"Does your throat feel better?" She looked up at Trey and decided to try talking now that her throat was properly moistened. Her voice was still a scratchy whisper but a little louder than earlier.
"Yes." Cat smiled at him and looked at Diane. She, in turn, handed the ice chips to Trey.
"Just give her small amounts and not too quickly. Let me know if you need me. I'll be here for about another hour. I'll come to check on you before I leave." Diane left the couple, knowing they needed time alone.
"I was so scared I was going to lose you. In my whole life, I haven't cried as much as I have in the past twenty-four hours. I don't know if you heard me when I was talking, but you're going to get tired of me real quick because I'm never letting you out of my sight again."
Trey leaned down and kissed her forehead. He then kissed the tip of her nose and lightly kissed her over her entire face. Cat puckered her lips, and Trey gave her a soft kiss, not wanting to hurt her lip, which was still healing. She smiled when he pulled away.
"I won't get tired of you. I don't ever want you to leave me. Knowing you were coming for me was the only thing that kept me fighting for so long. I could hear you talking. Your voice showed me the way out of the darkness and into the light. I love you." Cat was still talking in a whisper, but at least she was talking.
"I love you too."
