Following the Stars

Chapter Thirty Eight

Lexie had been in hospital for two nights and was still in a lot of pain. She had been given the all clear regarding brain damage but they had informed her she would need tests and scans on her brain every three months for a year to ensure no lasting damage. There were talks of maybe her going home later today which she was excited about but she was nervous. Everything just hurt far too much, and what didn't hurt from being broken, ached from her fall.

Her phone rang and it was Johnny video calling. He hadn't managed to come back and visit due to the obscene amount of press attention they were both getting since the incident but they had shared many calls together, and he even called her the last few nights to wish her a good night too. She answered it and was very surprised to seem him dressed up as Captain Jack.
"Hello luv." He said in the iconic voice
"What on earth?"
"I was doing one of those videos for charity and I know what a fan of old Jack you are, so thought it would make you smile."
"It definitely has"
"How are you doing?"
"I'm ok, it's just after a few hours the medication wears off and then I'm in agony again."
"That's to be expected. It will pass quickly hopefully."
"God I hope so. I might be going home later. Mum says she will stay with me for the week. They say I'm too weak to be left alone and obviously after everything with my Dad she doesn't want me to be on my own with the pain relief. How ridiculous is that?"
"Doll I can stay with you, what about your mum's work?"
"Oh that's sweet thank you but I think she wants to, something about me still being her little girl you know?"
"Ok well tell her I'm more than happy to do it."
"I will thank you. Dad has to get back to work tomorrow so I won't see him much."
"That's a shame I know he's very worried about you."
"How do you know?"
"Ummm we've been texting."
"You text my dad?"
"Well I asked him if he wouldn't mind keeping me in the loop about you. I hope that's ok?"
"That's sweet Johnny, of course that's ok."
"Will you let me know if you get discharged? I'll send one of the guys to help with the press."
"That's very kind but I'm sure I'll be fine Johnny."
"We'll see."
"Talk to you later yeah?"
"Sure thing doll."

A few hours later Lexie was ready to be discharged, her parents had arrived with a bag of fresh clothes for her and helped her prepare to leave. She had been sent many gifts and flowers that were taken down to the car by her father before the doctor finally came round to complete the last of the paperwork, prescribing strong medication to relieve some of the pain. She was instructed to get into a wheelchair until she got to the main entrance, to save her energy levels, so she reluctantly climbed in to it with her Dad pushing her. They made it to the lobby and Lexie saw Travis making his way into the hospital, "Boss' orders Lex. Tom what can I do?" "Just keep these fucking vultures away from my daughter." "Sure thing." The group left the hospital and many photographers got a shot of Lexie walking,  they had plenty of time with her taking very small steps but she finally made her way to the waiting car where she painfully climbed in and was driven home.

She arrived home after the very uncomfortable car journey and was surprised to find bunches of flowers, teddies and chocolates had been sent by her family and friends. It made her smile and she asked her mum to gather all the cards that had arrived for her to read. She was fairly exhausted from the journey so went straight upstairs which was a task in itself. Murphy who had been dropped off earlier in the day, soon joined her on her bed whilst her mother did her best to undress her. She removed the chunky cardigan from her shoulders, alongside her shoes. Lexie then manoeuvred herself into the bed with great difficulty. Once she had settled, her mum bought her a cup of tea and sat with her. "Do you think I should put a post out, thanking the hospital and everything?" "Umm yes, about that." Lexie noticed her mum looking a little anxious and tense. "Johnny's people released a statement yesterday he completely went off on one at the press for photographing you laying in the gutter. He's so angry, it's backfired on him and everyone is printing what a horrid man he is, which couldn't be any further from the truth." "Why didn't anyone tell me?" "We didn't want to worry you." "Why didn't Johnny tell me?" "Maybe he was afraid you would talk him out of it?" "I want to see it." Lizzie passed her daughter her phone from the hospital bag and Lexie quickly jumped on social media knowing whatever Johnny's team released it would be on his social media profiles too.