Wishing Star

Chapter 23

The next time Max woke up, she was in a dark room, and the bed she was lying in was large and comfortable. Caelum's soft breathing reached her ears, and she turned her head to the side, finding him sleeping on his stomach, his head turned towards hers.

She took a minute to study him, his hands under his pillow, causing the muscles in his arms to bunch up. His dark blonde hair had fallen into his eye, and his lips were slightly parted, like always.

She tried to turn onto her side to face him, but the slight movement had her crying out in pain.

Caelum's eyes popped open and stared into hers before he suddenly jumped up and leaned over her. "The pain? Do you need your pain pills?"

She could barely nod her head yes.

Caelum reached for his phone on the bedside table to check the time. "Shit, I fell asleep. I was supposed to wake you up with more pain pills an hour ago."

"It's okay," she croaked out. "I know you didn't sleep while I was in the hospital. You're exhausted."

He shook his head and jumped out of bed, grabbing a pair of sweat pants on the floor and pulling them on.

"I meant to set the alarm. I'll be right back with your meds, and then I will make you a little something to eat."

"I'm not really hungry."

He paused on his way out the door. "You have to eat something, baby. You haven't eaten anything in almost twenty-four hours."

She glanced out the window, shocked that she had slept so long. "What time is it?"

"It's almost nine. Now lie still, and I'll be right back."

While he disappeared downstairs, she took the time to run her hand over her bruised cheek. She winced as she touched it, noting the slight raise of a bump and a small cut.

Now that she was awake, she was met with the reality of having to use the bathroom. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her ribs had her crying out. Just the thought of getting off the bed had her wondering how long she could hold it.

She'd never take moving for granted again.

She heard steps down the hall before Clark appeared in the doorway.

"What's wrong?" he asked, searching her body with his eyes.

She laid an arm across her ribs, and his stare zeroed in. "Are your ribs hurting you?"

She nodded. "I just need to go to the bathroom," she said, trying not to feel embarrassed.

He crossed the room quickly and bent to pick her up. "Oh, you don't have to do that."

He gave her a look that told her to stop being difficult and immediately enveloped her in his arms. She could tell he had recently showered, and she tried to breathe through her mouth so she wouldn't breathe him in too deeply.

He carefully placed her on her feet and held onto her upper arm. She swayed a little and reached a hand out to rest on his side. He inhaled a quick breath at her touch before stepping out of reach, making her hand fall.

"Are you okay now?" he asked.

She steadied herself and nodded her head. "I think so. Thank you for helping me."

He still had hold of her upper arm as he started guiding her to Caelum's bathroom. "I'll help you to the door."

Clark was quiet as they slowly moved across the room, only looking at her when her hand had gripped the door handle. "You good from here?"