Runaway Love

I woke up with a start not recognizing where I was and pain clouded my memory and focus. I slowly moved my head and tried to take in my surroundings. My head pounded and my knee was pulsing. I looked to my bedside and Oliver was sleeping, holding my hand and leaning on the mattress by my legs. I heard a toilet flush and I looked up to see Sean come out of the en suite bathroom. "Hey, sleeping beauty." He soothed, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, how are the girls?"

"They are ok, no bleeding or contractions, but you're going to be here for a few days so they can keep an eye on you three. The plastic surgeon should be here any minute to discuss what he wants to do for treatment. He stopped by, but you were sleeping. He said to let you sleep and he'd be back around six to check on you after his procedure finished." He said as he sat at my other side.

I nodded but winced when the movement sent me seeing stars. Concern filled Sean's face as he gripped my hand.

"You don't know how sorry I am. I should have never left you. I knew better." He said, his eyes getting watery.

"Don't you dare blame yourself." I said in a scolding tone. "It's not like you invited him in."

There was a sharp knock at the door and then a tall man entered wearing scrubs and a white jacket. He smiled when he saw us and walked closer.

"I'm Dr. Smithfield, a plastic surgeon here at the hospital. I looked at the films they took when you first got here and was able to do a minimal exam yesterday while you slept. I wanted to just check in quickly, but there's a significant deviation in your nose. I recommend resetting it." He said, his voice had a warm tone to it and his expression was friendly.

"Is that under anesthesia?" Oliver asked from beside me, clearly awake now.

"Yes, that's hospital policy. There are so many nerves in the area, it's incredibly painful to reset." He explained, giving Oliver an annoyed look.

"Will that harm my babies?" I asked, rubbing my extended belly.

"There is always a risk when using anesthesia during pregnancy. However, you're not super close to your due date, at 35 weeks. I doubt you will deliver in the next two weeks. If you want your nose reset it needs to be done within 14 days of the break. That being said, we will have an OB in the OR ready to assist if needed and monitor the twins. OB isn't my specialty, but I know that if, and I mean IF they need to be delivered, their survival rate is almost 100%, and NICU time is usually pretty short." He smiled reassuringly.

"Ok, when?" I asked, nodding.

"I have a block open this afternoon. That will allow us to monitor you for another day after it's done before you are cleared to go home. Rumor has it that you will be released tomorrow afternoon." "Sounds like a plan." I smiled back at him.

"They will be in around noon to take you to preop. It's a short procedure, and you should be back within a couple of hours."

He said goodbye and left. I glanced at the clock, it was already 11. A ringing from behind Oliver drew my attention in that direction. I recognized my ringtone. Oliver reached into a bag behind him and handed me my phone. Dr. Darling.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi, Josie. This is Dr. Darling. I just saw that you were on the list of admits for last night and I wanted to check on you."

"Oh, that's very kind. There was an incident at home, and I was brought in. But I'm fine." I blurted, unsure of what to say.

"I have an opening this afternoon. I can come to you. We were supposed to have an appointment tomorrow, but with all the crazy, I thought this might be easier." He explained.

My gaze fell on Oliver, who was looking at me with an eyebrow raised. I scowled back at him and judged his face.

"Sure, that would be good." I heard myself saying.

"Good, I'll see you at 5 then. Have a good afternoon" He said, hanging up.

I placed the phone beside the bedside table. My gaze fell to Oliver.

"What is it, Oliver?" I asked with a sigh.

"An incident, that's what you're calling this?" He growled.

"Well, what would you call it?" I snapped back.

"An attack. You were attacked, sugar. It's ok to say the words. It's ok to feel whatever you're feeling. You need to feel whatever you're feeling. You can't just bottle this up." He said, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands enclosing one of mine.

I looked away, my eyes burning with unshed tears. I honestly hadn't even thought about any of it. Yesterday all happened so quickly, and then I slept-most likely due to medication. Then today I'd only been up a short while. "Oh, darling," Sean said as he sat on the other side of the bed. His large warm hand fell on my jawline, gently caressing my cheek with his thumb. "What do you need from us?"

"Stay with me. Don't leave me, I don't want to be alone. Especially when Dr. Darling gets here. I want you there." I said, my eyes moving between the two of them.

They both nodded.

"Whatever you need, we'll do," Oliver said, squeezing my hand.

I could only nod, emotion choked me. I was so grateful that the nurse came in at that moment, causing a distraction. She smiled softly and asked if I needed help going to the bathroom. I nodded and she helped to and from. Once settled again, she brought in a tray.

My stomach growled loudly, the smell of chicken soup wafted through the air. The boys chuckled and Sean left to grab sandwiches from the cafe for both of them. The nurse set down the tray and started opening things for me. My heart sank when I realized everything was liquid-based.

"Sorry, with the procedure so soon, you can only have clear liquids. I knew you hadn't eaten since yesterday, and figured you were hungry, so had the kitchen throw together a tray early. But I promise I'll have a nice snack and dinner will be served as normal when you get done." She said with a kind smile.

Sean returned and we ate quietly, making small talk here and there, but avoiding the topic of yesterday. It wasn't long before the nurse came back to take me to pre-op. Only one visitor was allowed, so Oliver came with me.

After I prepped the nurse left to let the doctor know and check that the OR was ready, Oliver leaned over the rail, pressing a kiss to my forehead gently.

"You have no idea how scared I was yesterday. I'm so glad you are ok, and I'll be here when you wake up, sugar." He said as the nurse came back to take me across the hall.

"I love you too, pass it on to Sean too. Don't let him beat himself up." I said as the bed was unlocked.

Oliver stood, watching me leave. When he thought I wasn't able to see him he body sagged in exhaustion and his face crumbled.

I closed my eyes and made a mental note to make sure he rested. I began to wonder if I should send them out when I talked to Dr. Darling. I knew what we were going to have to talk about only to shatter them. Was it too soon after yesterday to drop the only part of my past we hadn't talked about in their laps?