"How are you feeling, Cora?" Dr Wells asked from the end of her bed.
"Like I could run a marathon. Can I go home?"
He gave her a warm laugh. "One step at a time, miss. We can move you to a ward today, though. And you can get out of bed. How does that sound?"
"Like heaven. Ten days in this bed I'm going nuts. So everything's OK?"
He sat down on the bed and looked at her sincerely. "Cora, you're not going to be back where you were before. Your heart is just not strong enough. But we have bought some time, and I still hope to be able to get you home. We're just waiting for a donor match now, there's no more that I can do. I don't want you to worry yet, though, we have time. I know you're itching to get your strength back, but you can function with the VAD for years if it takes that long."
Cora threw her head back against the pillow behind her, causing pain to rush up the scar running the full length of her sternum. Years were impossible to fathom. Another week was impossible to fathom.
"One day at a time, honey." Steph said from the side of the bed, squeezing her hand. "Dr Wells, would it help get her home if she had someone to care for her? Full time?"
"Yes. She'd need a nurse as well, but it would make it more likely."
"No, Steph. I won't let you."
"It's already done, Kyle and I discussed it last night. She has me, doctor. I'll be her carer. For as long as it takes."
Later that day Cora was settled in to her new room and was allowed to stand up and walk to the bathroom. She never imagined it could be so liberating to be able to take yourself to the toilet or shower without assistance. By the afternoon she was exhausted and was surprised when she woke to find Tom sitting next to her where Steph had been when she closed her eyes.
"Hello, beautiful. How are you feeling?"
"Tom! It's good to see you!"
"You too my darling. I didn't want to come in to icu, I thought Steph should be with you. She kept me updated though. It's good to see you awake. You were able to get up today?"
"Yeah, five whole steps to the bathroom and back."
"Stephanie said you were a bit down this morning."
"The surgery didn't go as well as I hoped, I guess I was hoping I'd be home for Christmas and be able to live again, just a bit. But my heart was in worse shape than they thought, it's possible I'll be on bed rest until the e-... until I get a heart. Or I don't. I know, I should be grateful. I just want to go home."
"I'm so sorry, Cora. I can't imagine knowing you have to stay in bed until you get a new heart, and that it might take years. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Keep me supplied with books, since you have your own library. Otherwise, no. I want to hear all about filming for the new Thor and everything else exciting that's happening. All of it."
"There is something, actually. Josie Rourke is doing a production of Coriolanus at the Donmar and she asked if I'd be interested."
"That's fantastic, you'd be pretty keen to do some theatre."
"Yeah. It's not until late next year, but if it's confirmed I'll be so excited."
Cora put her head back and closed her eyes. She was trying to fight sleep but between the heavy painkillers, general exhaustion, and Tom's soothing voice she wasn't winning the battle.
"Sleep, my beautiful Cora. I'll be here when you wake up."
