This Kiss

Chapter 119

Olivia sent Ava and Rafe to the office to check on everything. Other than emails and a few calls from Greg, Andrew, and Mr. Milson, their contractor in St. Louis, no one had checked in on their hotels since the trial started. She was feeling better this morning, after doing a few things for herself, and wanted to start to get their normal routine back. Emma went to school, on the bus, with Michael following and Olivia assured her two eldest that she or Natalia would call if anything happened with the trial before sending them on their way.

Doris needed to meet up with Mel, and Sam needed to get somethings from town and contact his employer about when he would be returning to work. Natalia called Rick after breakfast and arranged for him to see Olivia just before lunch. They were now sitting in a room at Cedars awaiting their beloved doctor.

Natalia noticed Olivia fidgeting as she sat on the exam table. Walking over, she placed a hand on her wife's fidgeting ones to calm her. "What's wrong baby? Why are you so nervous?"

"I don't k-know, I guess I'm w-worried about what he's g-going to say. W-why I'm not getting b-better." Olivia answered with her head bowed.

Natalia gently tilted her chin up so she could see those beautiful green eyes. "Hey, you are getting better honey. Maybe not as quickly as you would have liked, but love, you had so many injuries, you can't expect to heal overnight."

Olivia looked into her wife's eyes and sighed. She knew Natalia was right, but it had been nearly a month and she just wanted to be better. "I know that, but it's b-been a month Natalia. R-Rick said I would be b-better by now, and I'm n-not."

"Oh Olivia." She leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "You..." Before she could finish, the door opened and Rick stepped inside.

"Hello ladies. How is my favorite patient today?" He asked cheerfully as he stepped closer to Olivia and Natalia stepped to the side, holding Olivia's hand tightly.

"I'm...okay." Olivia answered.

"Just Okay? What's going on?"

"I...I just...I w-want to be better."

Rick glanced at Natalia for some sort or explanation. Olivia was improving nicely. He wasn't sure exactly what prompted their visit today since they weren't due until later in the week, but he would always make time for Olivia, she may be a pain in his ass most of the time, but she really was his favorite patient, not to mention a friend and someone he cared deeply for.

Natalia shook her head and inclined it towards Olivia, indicating he needed to ask her.

Rick gave a slight nod and returned his attention to his patient. "Okay. Why don't you tell me what brings you in today, you weren't due back for another couple of days?"

"I, you said I w-would be better at f-four weeks, but I'm not. W-why am I still stuttering so m-much, and why am I s-still in so much p-pain?" Anger bubbled out of her as she answered his question. "I s-still can't do much by myself R-Rick. I..." She trailed off, unsure whether she wanted to say more or not.

And Rick instantly understood. Olivia wasn't one to rely on other people, he had witnessed as much during her recovery after her heart transplant. Now she was at the mercy of others once again. Even though she and Natalia were married now, it didn't make much difference to Olivia. She was a strong independent woman and she didn't want to need people to do things for her.

"Olivia, I know this is hard for you. I would worry if it wasn't, however, I said no such thing. I said your recovery time was four to six weeks, and that it could take longer, especially your speech. Your injuries were very severe Olivia. You basically had two different concussions. Your ribs weren't just bruised or fractured, they were broken Olivia, not to mention the other more minor injuries. It's going to take time, but you are improving. Olivia, your speech is so much better. I have complete faith that in a few more weeks it will be completely back to normal. And from what Natalia told me this morning, you're walking more on you own, with and without your cane. I know it's hard, but, you have to take pride in the progress you have made and not focus on the things you're still struggling with."