Unexpected

Part 13: Struggle

His mouth explores her neck and jaw and for a brief moment- she's lost in him. Then she finds herself.

"No." She gently shoved him back and his eyes search hers confused.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to get back with you: I broke up with you for a reason."

"And I just fixed the problem." He says cockily and tries to pull her back into his arms.

"I mean it. I'm not interested in what you have to offer. I don't think I ever was."

"Let me guess- you and Max came to some sort of understanding?" He glares and releases her.

"It's none of your concern. My answer stands and you'll just have to respect that." Helen says confidently. Cassian looks her over, unimpressed before rolling his eyes.

"You're just a fucking tease. You're hardly worth my time." Turning away from her, he leaves- slamming her door behind him as he goes.

***

Having gotten a shower in the locker room and finding Gladys with the girls, Helen carries Luna on her hip as Daphne walks happily beside her.

"Is he really up?!" She excitedly asks as she jumps and bounces down the hallway.

"Yes, and I will remind you to be calm and don't hang on him. He's still in a lot of pain and will probably be...tired..." She pauses her thought is  as she stands at his door and finds him missing.

"Where is he?"

"He...he might be with Floyd." She hesitantly says. Turning, she goes to the nursing station and finds Mariana looking over a chart. "Excuse me...where did Max go?"

"He is talking with Dr. Frome and Dr. Reynolds at the moment. I believe he is getting scans as well." Helen looks at the kids and sighs.

"I...um...I guess we'll just wait." She states and heads into his room. They wait patiently for what seems like hours. Luna and Daphne play hide and seek in the two places one can hide in the entire room.

"Auntie- is Max okay?" She asks as she sits on the bed.

"I believe so. The thing is, is he will be in recovery for quite some time. He's gonna be in pain for quite a long time and it's not going to be fun for him. So we need to be cautious and mind ourselves. We can't be grabbing at him or pushing on him. He needs space."

"So I can't hug him?" She sounds upset, as if she's on the verge of tears.

"I'm not sure. You'll have to ask him and if he says yes- you still have to. be extra gentle." Luna comes over to Helen on the couch and she gets up on her lap and rests her head against her chest and she snuggles in. They continue to wait and eventually the doors open up and Reynolds brings Max back inside in a wheelchair. He looks drained and tired. Extra weak than earlier. "Daphne, off the bed. Over here please."

Max opens his eyes and smiles at the sight of the girls.

"Hey...there you are..." His fragile voice cracks a bit as Floyd parks the chair by the bed.

Daphne is like an excited puppy- fidgeting in her seat until Helen allows her to move.

"Helen, can you help me with him?"

"I got it." Max says and Reynolds begins to protest as he pushes out of the chair and nearly falls over. Helen sets Luna on the couch and she and Floyd grab him by both arms gently- catching him before he falls.

"Easy, Man." Floyd says as they turn him and set him on the bed.

"I'm fine...I just stood up too fast." He says and yet he stood up slower than a ninety year old man. Helen weakly smiles at Daphne, who seems so scared and worried.