Shot in the Dark: A Mick Mars X Ozzy Osbourne Story

Chapter 41: The Recovery of the Queen of Darkness

Recovery is as I'd figured, a BITCH. Which is what I am amid as we speak, me slowly walking, standing...having to learn it all over again since I'd been asleep for so long. It's only been a few days, maybe a week and it's felt like an eternity of torment. There were bright spots, obviously my daughters, seeing them grow bit by bit and Ozzy, my prince of darkness.... I couldn't do ANY of this without him. Still, I've felt like a fucking burden...'the old man'......

"Mick? Darling.... Why don't we quit for now? For today? You've done enough and you're crying." Ozzy's voice floats to me. Oh yeah, therapy, physical therapy......and I think, maybe they were bringing Michelle and Angel soon.... I think. I manage a nod, feeling so exhausted to the point where Ozzy insists on carrying me bridal style back to my bed....me still crying. The nurses leave, and I am surrounded by the distinct and much beloved scent of Citrus and spice as Ozzy takes me in his arms and I bury my face in his chest, as he gently rubs my back trying to calm me. "Talk to me Firefly."

"I-I...just am miserable Oz! me having to learn h-how to fucking walk and shit after not having done it for s-so long....and...and I feel like a burden and the 'old man' I am.... you a-and our daughters have been the only bright spots.... i h-hate being so miserable still!" I sob.

Ozzy pulls back enough to look at me, those expressive eyes shining with tears and love....so much love. "Firefly, I know love you are still miserable they say you can still be sad post birth, its ok....it won't be forever, though I bloody well imagine it feels like it. You are NOT a burden Mick or 'the old man', you never were...you aren't. You've only been awake for a week love, it will take some time to get back to where you were and all this pain, I can see it in your eyes....it was worth it, more than." A gentle hand to my cheek, feeling so warm as I hold his hand to my face.

"You're right Oz, so right.... I don't know what I'd do without you, you know? Really, I don't. Y-You've done things for me, I've never had ANYONE do for me. You...despite the pain.... the trauma, the AGONY of being without me...you still were by my side, you are now...you are an amazing father, and I am PROUD to be yours.... I love you so much."

"I LOVE YOU." His voice cracks and I get the additional meaning in the way he says it, as he then kisses me slowly, taking his time. We part effectively cuddling for a few minutes, before we hear one the best sounds in the world, our daughters being wheeled in.... Ozzy and I share a smile and next thing I know they are in my arms, and I cannot help but marvel at them. "You look so happy.... BEAUTIFUL." I can feel myself blush; Ozzy never fails to have that effect on me.

"You are the only one that can make me feel this way. "I say quietly, Angel and Michelle meanwhile are staring up at me eyes wide...with if I didn't know better: Wonder. "Ya knows something. Every time I see you both, it's like the first time. I don't think that will EVER change. I love you both beyond measure, beyond words. Everything I have gone thru, been thru even now...has been more than worth it." I kiss their little foreheads. And then remark with amusement, "Oz Angel may look like me, and Michelle looks like us both, but I swear they have more of your personality. "Angel and Michelle both coo as if in agreement.

"How can they NOT take after me? My personality is damned fantastic I'll ave' you know." Ozzy sassed in a manner akin to Vince, very much amused and then he laughed, and I quickly realized why as our daughters began tugging at my gown. "Don't even hold em' five minutes and they are ready to eat!"

I roll my eyes and smirk, "See Oz? Told you so."

"Cheeky aren't you, my Queen?" Ozzy quips, his eyes soft as he helps me with feeding our girls. I feel their warmth as they feed from my milk, weird as it may seem to others...truly it is the most beautiful experience and feeling. My daughters are feeling greedy about this feeding, causing me to tease Ozzy some more. Personally, I believe Ozzy gets off on it. I know I do. After a while both little girls are full and burped and Ozzy sitting on my hospital bed holds Angel and I hold Michelle, both of whom are already it seems getting sleepy but are fighting it and I am so worn out its not funny and naturally this leads to tears.

"Oz...t-they are sleepy...getting sleepy and they are fighting it and I am exhausted and....and..." I ramble anxious about them being ok and feeling in this moment overwhelmed.

Ozzy of course knows exactly what to do and begins singing the song he wrote for me, and I begin to calm and so do our girls as they calm down and their little eyes close and they go to sleep. I feel more than I see, Michelle taken from me and too Ozzy gets them both settled in their little bassinet murmuring sweetly to them as he then turns to me.

"Our daughters aren't the only ones fighting sleep." Ozzy points out as he wraps me carefully in his embrace. "You're doing so well in your recovery; you will get there my darling. You will, I am proud of you." I hear the love and pride in his words, and I breathe him in, that beloved scent of citrus and spice.

A thought suddenly occurs, I must ask before I finally get some sleep.

"Ozzy? This is...random but.... You know how I say you smell like citrus and spice? What do I smell like to you?"

"Pine....and mint, very earthy." Ozzy replies fondly breathing me in. "I love it, one of many things I love about you." This makes me smile and Ozzy looks at me like only he can, kissing me and I finally give in to the call to sleep. But not before I hear him say, "You need only call my name love and I will come RUNNING."

All told, I spent about 2 weeks or so recovering enough to be able to go home. Still needed to be careful though so I was told because of the emergency c-section and all. In total I spent a month basically in the hospital but was determined.... Perhaps stubbornly so to get better, I wanted to be home with my own family, with my loved ones. Ozzy was there through it all, making me smile, making me laugh, encouraging me and just being there. He was the most amazing partner and father, truly my ONE. He still all these years later is and until I take my true dying breath and even then, those words will still very much ring true.

After my lengthy hospital stay, came the home coming....and since no one in our family does things halfway, it was an epic one. I mean to say that it meant everything, for I was home and I had so many that loved and cared...really THAT'S what made it epic.

A/N: Mick's recovery, a taste of things to come.... sweet moments, bitter-sweet and more. Next chapter is the first of two parts to Mick's home coming with his and Ozzy's twin girls too! Stay tuned!