Finally Free - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter Eighty-five

Four Weeks Ago

Kenedi
"I can't, Charlie. I can't."

"Baby, I know you don't like needles, but I'm right here, okay? I'll hold your hand and everything." I look at the needle in the volunteer's hand blinking back tears.

I really want to get the vaccine. Charlie just got it and he said it hurt less than a finger prick, but I don't even do well with finger pricks.

The doctor seriously has to take my blood pressure and heart rate after I get the finger prick otherwise the numbers would be off the charts. We learned that the hard way. My doctor literally thought I was having a heart attack because the numbers were so high.

Instead of a heart attack, it was a panic attack. Just like the one I'm having now.

"Think of it like a tattoo." I glare at him unamused.

"Tattoos are different."

"How?"

"Because with tattoos, you make art that you get to keep forever. Shots hurt and only cause pain and they go deeper into the muscle than tattoos." He sighs leaning forward on his elbows.

Charlie and I both agreed that since we're having a wedding, we should both be vaccinated for it. We've been planning on getting vaccinated for a while now, but the wedding is what really pushed us over the edge.

"I'm sorry." I shake my head no and cover my face.

"Baby, look at me, okay? Look at me." He pulls my hands away from my face and holds them to his chest looking into my eyes. "Breathe. Okay?"

I shakily move my hand over his heart and try matching my heart beat to his. He starts breathing with me until I calm down.

"And you're all done!" I look over at the volunteer as he places a bandaid on my arm. I look over at Charlie who's smiling smugly.

"I...you...what?"

"While I had you distracted, I told him to give you the shot. See? It wasn't that bad, was it?" I smile lightly and shake my head no.

"I honestly didn't even feel it."

"Exactly. Now we just have to come back in two weeks to get the second dose." I sigh shakily and hesitantly nod. I don't know if I can get another shot.

Two Weeks Ago

Kenedi
"Baby, guess what." I giggle skipping over to Charlie. He looks up from the book he's reading and I peck his lips. He smiles lightly.

"What, princess." I bite my lip and roll up my sleeve showing him the bandaid. "You got the second dose?" I nod. "Without me?"

"And I didn't cry over it!" He laughs pulling me into his lap.

"I'm so, so proud of you! See? I told you that you could do it." I giggle pecking his lips.

"I'm just nervous for the side affects. They're supposed to be worse than the first dose and I had a migraine all day after the first."

"I didn't react to the second one so maybe you won't either. But if you do, I'll be here to help you feel better."

"Help me feel better or help yourself feel better?" He smirks making me roll my eyes.

"Maybe a bit of both." I scoff and try to get up, but he holds me down. "Nope. You're not going anywhere."

"But I wanna get my book to read with you." I pout. His eyes light up.