Chapter 44 - Help
ELVAM
It feels good to be back at the studio. It's a welcome distraction after our current worry about David's health. As I walk into our colorful space, I feel immediately at home. I can't deny I had a moment on the way here where I felt hesitant since this is also the place where I tried to end my life; although I don't remember the details of what happened on that day.
On my desk, I find a few items that don't belong to me and realize this is where Julia sits. Can't blame her for wanting to make her workspace more personal.
"Oh, I'm sorry Elvam. I will remove my things immediately," says Julia behind me while I look at the tiny framed photo of Ruby.
"Don't worry. I will sit at David's desk. He won't be here for a while I'm afraid."
"How is he doing?"
"I haven't spoken with Kaley today, but he hasn't woken up yet after his surgery. The doctor said his body is taking its time to recover, and that's normal."
"What a big scare. Let me know if I can do anything for them. She can come to my house if she feels lonely or wants to have dinner."
Julia is truly a blessing sent to our team.
"I'll pass the message," I smile at her.
Every member of our team arrives and I take place at David's desk. I hope he gets better soon. He's become a good friend and knowing he cares so well for Kaley gives me great peace. When I brought her home, it was past midnight. She dozed off in the car and I considered staying with her. She said it wasn't necessary as I brought her to bed. I felt lost in their house while searching for a glass to give her water since I've never been there before. After making sure she was comfortable, I said goodbye and closed the door behind me. Hopefully David will come out of intensive care soon and we'll be able to visit.
Zack comes in with the mail, and grins.
"Why are you so happy?" Owen asks.
"I designed this, but didn't know we would be invited. This is for the launch party of Pure Bliss a month from now. Your girlfriend arranged this because I've never been invited to a product launch before by one of our clients."
My girlfriend... I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm in a relationship. Andrea spent the whole day with me yesterday and came by this morning with breakfast for us before heading to work. It was a wonderful surprise, and I truly enjoyed her company. She mentioned nothing about the launch, so she probably wanted to keep it a surprise.
"That's kind of her. I will give her our thanks."
"I know what kind of thanks you'll be giving her," Zack winks.
"You don't change," I chuckle. "Let's have a quick meeting so I catch up on what's going on. I'll take up David's responsibilities until he's ready to come back."
Zack gives me a grateful look as everyone gathers their laptops and move into the meeting room. The project with Face Incorporated is almost finished and every other project we have seems easy to handle in comparison.
"Zack, can I talk to you for a minute?" I say before he returns to his desk. I close the door and sit again. "Did you make the call?"
"Yeah, it is arranged. I gave them the scare of their lives with the news," he grimaces.
"I can imagine. Did you arrange Julia's contract?"
"Yes, we did. David pointed out that we will need an extra desk. He offered to work from home while we get that sorted. Another option is to find a bigger place to lease. We don't have much to move but could use the additional space."
"I will begin a search right away. We all could use the change; this place is full of memories, good and bad."
"I agree. Can we add a nursery too?" He laughs.
I laugh as well. It's comforting to see how some things never change.
KALEY
My heart beats fast and I'm almost out of breath as I walk through the endless corridors of the hospital towards the intensive care unit. I weighed myself this morning and I'm packing even more pounds with no significant changes. When I open the door, I see visitors around other patients. As I get closer to David's room, I see that the bed is empty. I look around to see if he has been moved to another, but he is not here. The panic makes my already racing heart go mad.
"Mrs. Lantz?"
The male nurse realizes my current mood and rushes to soothe me.
"He is okay, more than okay. The doctor found him strong enough to move him already to the cardiovascular wing. Let me bring you there."
A relief sigh escapes me. The nurse and I walk together and make small talk until we reach a door that has David's name written on a white board. I find him drinking through a straw from a cup while looking at the small TV set above his bed. He hasn't realized that I'm here because he's wearing headphones.
He still looks ill and has an oxygen line in his nose, but it's so good to see him awake after two days of watching him sleeping. He registers my movement from the corner of his eye, and when he sees me, he takes the earphones off and frowns while staring at the cup in his hand.
"David... Look at me."
When he lifts his gaze, he looks embarrassed and upset.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've been better."
The silence between us is awkward and irritating to a certain extent.
"I brought you toiletries and some clothes."
"It isn't like I'm going anywhere."
"What's going on with you? Sarcasm doesn't suit you."
David huffs as he looks out the window. "I didn't want you to see me like this."
"Like what?"
"In a hospital bed; broken, damaged."
"You are out of your fucking mind..."
"It's the truth. This is the fourth surgery I've had in my life. I'm weak and sick, and I'll never be okay. I already had a mild heart attack when I was 21 years old. I'm a ticking time bomb. The big one is just around the corner. Maybe it's better if we call it quits. That way you won't have to live worrying about me and I don't have to live with your pity."
"Let's be clear about things. I'm fucking mad at you for keeping this a secret, for neglecting your health and being irresponsible towards me and your children, but now I'm pissed at your assumption that I won't stay with you because you are recovering from this."
His eyes widen and the numbers on the monitor next to him rise.
"You are my fucking world David, and you won't ever be able to comprehend how much I love you. Peter and Cora loved you before they even met you. You weren't their charity case; you were their son and having health issues was secondary. I fell in love with you because of who you are and not out of pity. I'm sorry for starting a fight about something so insignificant. A ring, marriage, it matters little if it isn't with you."
Thick tears roll down on his cheeks, and my cheeks burn.
"I bought you a ring," he lets out a shaky breath as he wipes his tears.
"A ring?"
"I bought an engagement ring for you two weeks ago. I was waiting for all the projects with Face to wrap up to ask you to marry me. Zack just jumped ahead in the queue."
"You want us to get married?" I stare at him in awe.
"I called your dad to ask for your hand in marriage. He laughed and gave me his blessing," he smiles at the memory.
"Oh, hello! Sorry to interrupt. You must be Mrs. Lantz," a nurse comes into the room and shakes my hand. "Mr. Lantz, would you like more to drink or something to eat? I can also help you if you need to go to the bathroom now that the catheter is out."
David looks from her to me, probably because of the Mrs. remark.
"I need to go to the bathroom," he puts the cup away and lifts himself on the bed.
The nurse lowers the bed, disconnects the monitor wires and removes the oxygen line. David walks with difficulty, and I blush when I see he isn't wearing underwear under his hospital gown. I let the nurse know I have clothes for him, and she brings them to the private bathroom. Several minutes go by, and when they come out, David wears his pajama shirt and a pair of boxers. I see a wound on his leg before the nurse gets him in bed and covers him with a blanket.
"So... Mrs. Lantz," he smirks.
"They've been calling me like that, and it didn't feel right to go into details," I chuckle. "Does it hurt?" I motion to his wounds.
"It hurts some but not as much as when they have opened my sternum. I got x-rays and a new ultrasound this morning and the doctor says I'm doing well. Are we okay?"
"I'm still mad at you, but we are okay. Promise you'll be open about your health issues."
"I promise."
I sit on the edge of the bed and lower myself to meet his lips while his hand rests on my belly.
"What am I even doing here? This seems under control," a known voice says behind us.
David and I look with surprise at my mother standing by the door.
"Mom!" I hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"Zack called me yesterday. Do you think I would leave my kids to fend for themselves?" She comes closer to the bed and kisses David on his forehead.
I owe Zack big for arranging this, especially because I know his parents were over and the situation with David shortened their time together. Mom being here is a great relief to us both. We spend some time catching up and then head home to let David rest.
The moment we arrive, my mom gets to work, making lunch for us while chattering.
"As you know, your father is retiring in two months and we feel it makes no sense to continue living there when you could use help with the babies. We hired a realtor who's already checking properties in town."
I sit on the couch gaping. "But what about your friends? Your clubs?"
"I assume there are clubs here that I can sign up for and I'm good at making new friends. Will you and David be okay with this idea?"
"Of course, I love it and I'm sure David will too."
I've had sleepless nights worrying about every little pain in my body, but also thinking about how we will manage with busy jobs and two babies. Having my parents coming to live here is the greatest relief.
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