Guarding Love

Chapter 18 - Home Sweet Home...I think

A/N - Sorry for the delay school has been extra busy. Thus, I made this extra long. LOL. This is the longest chapter yet. 

Excessive caution destroys the soul and the heart, because living is an act of courage, and an act of courage is always an act of love. - Paulo Coelho 

Y/N POV

One Week Later

The swelling in Kel's brain had gone down, but she still hadn't woken up. Despite how worried we were, Dr. Hayes seemed confident she'd wake soon. He said it's the body's natural response to recovery from a traumatic experience. It made me angry that they weren't doing anything to help her, and sometimes my anger and frustration would boil over. My anger got to the point where I'd yell at Dr. Hayes, saying he wasn't doing enough. I did my best not to yell at the nurses since they weren't in charge of her care, merely the caretakers.

Scarlett had gone back to finish her scenes for Jojo Rabbit. Rose went with her, which left Mary to hold down the fort. Each day I could see the doubt on her face grow, and I desperately wanted to say she'll wake up, but even my hope was fading. Regardless, I insisted to Mary that I'd find a better doctor and fly them in, but she kept saying to wait. I usually wouldn't argue, but before we deployed, Kel switched me from being her advocate to Mary, which means I hold very little power and don't need to make her stress more.

I read the mission report, and I wished I didn't. It only made me realize how much it is my fault, and my nightmares have worsened since reading it. If I hadn't hesitated, we would have gotten to the mortar position sooner, and the last mortar they fired would never have hit near Kel. She never would have gotten injured if it wasn't for me. I haven't told anyone. The guilt is eating me away, and I'm struggling with if I should tell anyone. If I tell them I'm breaking confidentiality, but if I do, it could give me peace of mind that someone else knows. I should talk to Reeses. He's the only one who would truly understand.

Pushing myself to a seated position, I shift toward the middle of the bed. Leaning down, I pull the wheelchair towards me and position it so I can shift into it. Locking the wheels and shifting my weight, I grab the fair handle with my left hand. My right-hand uses the leverage of the bed to help lower myself into the chair, careful not to hit my leg on anything. It takes me a few minutes to get into position and not tip over the wheelchair. I carefully lift my broken leg on the locked pedal before I place my other foot on the other pedal. Unlocking the wheels, I wheel myself out of mine and Kel's room and down the hall.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," I shout as I wheel into Reeses room.

He groans, "Rather be sleeping beauty than Quasimodo." He snaps back as he turns his head toward me.

"Don't dis my buddy Quasimodo. He's cool." Our gaze locks as we give each other childish grins before bursting out laughing.

"Better watch out. Your girl will yell at you again for wheeling around without that sling."

Rolling my eyes, "She's not here, and we are friends."

"Right, 'cause I snuggle with all my friends in a hospital bed." Mimicking me, he rolls his eyes, pulls the covers off, slowly gets out of the hospital bed, and stretches. He's no longer wearing a hospital gown but kaki shorts and a black ACDC, besides his major concussion that left him unconscious almost a week and a half ago. He only had minor cuts and bruises and no other serious injuries. They kept him a little longer to monitor him, but he is scheduled to be discharged tomorrow.

"We are friends, nothing more. Now come on, let's go enjoy the sunrise." I smile at him, hoping he takes the subject change.

He welcomes the change in scenery since he's been locked in his room of darkness. Nodding happily, he spins me around, walking us slowly to the door. "So what do I owe the pleasure of this early morning visit?" Reeses questions as he breaks the comfortable silence when we find a vacant bench overlooking the pond.